Sari Swears

There's walking. There's running. And then there's flying. Stop trying to be a better runner when this work requires you fly. Are you ready to jump and trust your wings? Give this episode a listen to learn more.

Ideal juror? Aren't we supposed to look for our "bad" juror? No. What you focus on, you create. Want ideal jurors? You need to know what they look like. Give this episode a listen to learn more.

There is one trial skill that will take your trial practice to the next level. Mastering this skill has the capacity to change almost everything. Want to know what it is? Gotta give this episode a listen. You might be surprised.

What flavor of shit sandwich do you want? 'Cause, like it or not, you gotta choose one.  Figuring out what you want is one thing but choosing what you want means also choosing the shadow side of it too. What do I mean by the shadow side? Give this episode a listen to find out more.

My FB Live from Wednesday 10/16/19 has been uploaded as a bonus podcast episode on the From Hostage To Hero Podcast.  This week we discussed How to Handle Non-Economic Damages at Trial.  Subscribe to make sure you get all new episodes, and leave us a Review!

Do you know what you want? Are you waiting until you have enough...experience, preparation, training, knowledge? Are you willing to fail? Wanting. Waiting. Willing. These three words hold the key to your success. Give this episode a listen to learn more.

There are four steps you need to take to move jurors from hostage to hero. But what you may not realize is that you've already taken those steps yourself, before you even entered the courtroom. Understanding how you've carried the burden of your case and how the jurors must now carry it is extremely important. Give this episode a listen to learn more.

Should I tell jurors the amount we're asking for in voir dire? How do I help jurors understand the difference between economic and non-economic damages? What do I do if they freak out over the number? I answer all of these questions and more on today's podcast episode. Give it a listen to learn more.

Failure? Again? Sheesh, that seems to be all I talk about. Yeah, but it's SUPER IMPORTANT not to just be willing to fail, but to feel into your failure . Give this episode a listen to learn more. More episodes at www.saridlm.com, on iTunes or on your preferred podcast app

What's a devil's advocate question? How do you use it? Why is it important? This podcast episode will answer those questions and more. If you're having trouble figuring out how to deal with defense arguments in your voir dire or wondering how to test whether jurors really believe what they say they do, you've GOT to have the devil's advocate question in your repertoire. Check out this episode to l...

As humans, we're ALL about beginnings and endings. When should I start a diet? Monday, of course. What's the best part of running a marathon? The end, duh.  This preference for beginnings and endings, however, causes you to miss out on the most important part: the middle. The magic is in the middle. Whatever goal you have, whatever it is you're trying to achieve, the journey to your destination is...

Presenting in the courtroom carries with it a million tasks that can be overwhelming both for you and for the jury. More often than not, you're overcomplicating things.  Would you be surprised to hear that there are really only three things that you need to do in trial? Recognizing that will help you simplify and get intentional. Give this podcast a listen to learn what the three things are and ho...

My FB Live from Wednesday 08/28/19 has been uploaded as a bonus episode on the From Hostage To Hero Podcast.  This week we discussed "Why You Should Let Jurors Control Voir Dire."

Long, complex opening statements with lots of legal jargon leads to bored, confused jurors who tune out. Are you making these mistakes in opening? Your opening should be "sticky" so jurors can remember your theme all the way into the verdict room. Opening is your one time to "hum the tune" so to speak of your trial themes. But making these three mistakes will get in your way. Give the podcast a li...

What does it mean to "own the space?" And further, why is that important? You might be surprised to learn it takes very little to communicate you are in command of the space. Give the podcast a listen to find out how to command the space, and why it's important you do. You can listen on iTunes or on your preferred podcast app.

I know you don't want to annoy jurors (at least I hope not.) But you may be doing these 7 things and not know that jurors hate them. The only thing you need to win the hearts and minds of jurors is you. You don't need these seven things, so stop doing them. Give the podcast a listen to find out the seven things you're doing that jurors hate.

Can you accurately read the body language of jurors? Depends what you're trying to "read." There are two things you can read when it comes to juror body language. You don't need to memorize hundreds of nonverbal cues in order to do this either. Give the podcast a listen to find out how to read body language and let go of your stories about what it means.

Are you wasting your mistakes? Look, I know you make them, everyone does. So let's not waste an opportunity to learn, ok? You waste your mistakes when you beat yourself up and quit. Mistakes are an opportunity to learn and grow, but only if you know how to use them to your advantage. Give the podcast a listen to find out how to stop wasting your mistakes and start moving  toward greatness. More ep...

Does body language really make a difference in trial? You bet it does. If you want to change your results, you must change your body language. Great communicators not only have a variety of ways of communicating, they know what skill to use when. Give the podcast a listen to find out why body language is so important and how you can be more purposeful in your own communication.

My FB Live from Wednesday 07/17/19 has been uploaded as a bonus podcast episode.   This week we discussed "Why You Must Form the Group If You Want to Increase Your Chance of Winning at Trial."   Get more episodes at www.saridlm.com/podcast

You should always make eye contact, right?  Wrong. We attempt to continually make eye contact because of what we think it means. But what if you were wrong about what eye contact communicates nonverbally? Give the podcast a listen to find out what eye contact really means, and how you can be more systematic.

Are you a good listener? In order to grow as a high performance trial attorney, you MUST be a good listener.  Most people, when they think of "listening," they only think of one kind. Would you be surprised to find out there are actually THREE types of listening ?   If you really want to get good at voir dire, you have to tune in to the other two types.  Give the podcast a listen to dive into all...

Do you want to become a high performing trial attorney? Then you must master nonverbal communication. Nonverbal mastery isn't something "nice" to have or a cool gimmick. It's essential. Give the podcast a listen to find out what nonverbal intelligence is, why you need to be more purposeful in your nonverbal communication, the three components of a message and more!

My FB Live from Wednesday 06/26/19 has been uploaded as a bonus podcast episode on this From Hostage To Hero Podcast.   This week we discussed The Three Things Every Opening Needs.   Get more episodes at www.saridlm.com/podcast

Authenticity. You're told you need to be authentic in court, but what does that really mean? Authenticity is bigger than you think .  Being "uncomfortable" for example, is not the same as being inauthentic. But authenticity can also get you in trouble. Give the podcast a listen to find out what authenticity is and why it's such a big deal.