Sari Swears

You lost the case. Does that mean you're a shitty trial lawyer? HELL NO. But if you're like most trial attorneys, that's exactly where your brain goes after a defense verdict. And it's not just verdicts. One mock juror hates your shoes? You throw them away. A colleague doesn't love your opening? Suddenly you think the whole thing is shit. Someone gives you negative feedback? You start questioning EVERYTHING. Sound familiar? In this episode of Sari Swears, Sari de la Motte is calling out one of the biggest mistakes trial lawyers make: treating every piece of feedback like it's the absolute truth. Because here's the thing: The verdict is NOT feedback. And constantly changing yourself to please everyone? That's not making you a better trial lawyer. It's making you a watered-down version of yourself. In this episode: The feedback trap: Why one negative comment can outweigh eleven positive ones. The danger of approval: How trying to please every juror can undermine your authenticity. The four checks: How to evaluate feedback before deciding what to change. The defense verdict: Why losing a case doesn't automatically mean you did something wrong. The real job: Why being a trial lawyer is about standing up for people, not controlling every outcome. You can improve your skills without erasing who you are. And Sari is here to show you how. 🎙️ Listen now and stop letting other people's opinions run your courtroom. 🔥 2027 Command the Courtroom Masterclass dates are HERE! Practice your courtroom skills with Sari in a small-group, hands-on environment. Only 12 seats per class, with bundle pricing available. Explore dates and enroll now: https://h2htrialmethod.com/2027-events-page/ #SariSwears #SariNotSorry #TrialLawyers #TrialSkills #TrialStrategy #CourtroomConfidence #CommandTheCourtroom  

$25 BILLION. Against Meta. And Randi McGinn is here to tell us exactly how the hell she did it. 🔥 Fresh off a reported $25 billion judgment in New Mexico's case against Meta, legendary trial lawyer Randi McGinn joins Sari for a special episode of Sari Swears. We're talking about taking on one of the most powerful corporations in the world, sitting across from Mark Zuckerberg, and turning millions of documents into a story ordinary jurors could understand. And here's the kicker: Randi didn't make the case about technology. She made it about lying and betrayal. In this episode: The $25 billion result: How Randi and her team approached the case against Meta. The power of storytelling: Why she transformed a complicated technology case into a story about trust. Voir dire: The question she asked jurors that set the tone for the entire trial. Mark Zuckerberg: What happened when Randi got the opportunity to depose him. The closing argument: How she used Dante's Inferno to bring the story full circle. The lesson for trial lawyers: Why finding your own authentic story matters more than borrowing someone else's. And when Sari asks whether Randi was intimidated by going up against Meta? Her answer is one word. No. 🎙️ This is one conversation you do NOT want to miss. Ready to take what you're learning into the courtroom? Join Sari for a 2027 Command the Courtroom Masterclass and put these strategies into practice. 🔥 Explore the 2027 Masterclasses and Enroll: https://h2htrialmethod.com/2027-events-page/ #SariSwears #RandiMcGinn #TrialLawyers #TrialStrategy #VoirDire #SariNotSorry  

What happens when an employee suddenly disappears, leaving your entire team wondering what the hell happened? It happened to Sari and Kevin de la Motte. And in this week's episode of Sari Swears, they're sharing the experience, the lessons, and the surprising changes they're making because of it. From hiring red flags to uncomfortable conversations, they're digging into why employees leave without notice and what law firm owners can do to create healthier, more transparent workplaces. In this episode: The hiring red flags: Why we overlook warning signs when we're desperate to fill a position. Clarity and accountability: How undefined responsibilities and avoided conversations create bigger problems. The mindset shift: Why expecting employees to stay forever can set everyone up for disappointment. The completion conversation: How creating space for employees to leave on good terms can change your company culture. And sometimes? You can do everything right, and someone still leaves without warning. The question is, what do you do next? 🎙️ Listen to this honest conversation about leadership, trust, and learning to let people go without losing yourself in the process. Connect with Sari: Website: https://h2htrialmethod.com/ Explore H2H Trial Academy and Command the Courtroom training at our website. #SariSwears #LawFirmLeadership #TrialLawyers #LawFirmManagement #LeadershipMindset  

Sari Swears Podcast: They Came for Trial Skills, They Left Transformed What happens when three trial lawyers commit an entire year to improving not just their trial skills, but themselves? In this episode of Sari Swears, Sari de la Motte sits down with Sean Olson, Brian Turner, and Adam Princenthal as they reflect on their year in Sari's Mastermind program. From letting go of scripted openings to rethinking their relationship with jurors, these three trial attorneys share the challenges, breakthroughs, and personal growth that came from consistent practice, mindset coaching, and working alongside one another. And the biggest changes didn't stop at the courtroom door. They carried into their law practices, relationships, confidence, and everyday lives. Listen to today's episode to learn: Why trial skills are only part of the equation: How mindset work can change the way attorneys approach the courtroom and their lives. What consistent practice makes possible: Why meaningful growth takes more than attending a seminar or learning another technique. How to trust yourself in the courtroom: What happens when you let go of memorized scripts, embrace your natural communication style, and stop trying to control every outcome. The value of a supportive community: How learning alongside other trial lawyers creates meaningful relationships, accountability, and lasting personal growth. Interested in Sari's Mastermind? You've heard what a year of focused trial training, mindset work, and meaningful connection can look like. Now imagine what that kind of commitment could mean for you. Sari's Mastermind is an exclusive, invitation-only experience for trial lawyers ready to go deeper into their trial skills and personal growth. Interested in being considered for a future Mastermind group? EXPRESS YOUR INTEREST Submitting your information does not guarantee an invitation. Sari personally selects participants. Enjoyed this episode? Subscribe to the Sari Swears Podcast and leave a five-star review on Apple Podcasts or wherever you listen. Your support helps more trial lawyers discover the show.  

The One Shift You Must Make When Growing Your Business You started your business doing everything. Marketing, bookkeeping, client intake, delivering the actual service. And that worked when it was just you. But what happens when your business grows and you're still operating like you're the only person in it? In this episode of Sari Swears, Sari de la Motte breaks down the critical mindset shift from solopreneur to entrepreneur and why hiring a team doesn't automatically make that shift happen. She shares three warning signs that you're still stuck in the solopreneur mindset, including spending too little time in your zone of genius, feeling constantly overwhelmed, and frustrating your team. Sari also walks through the systems and leadership changes that make growth possible, from documented processes and accountability to finding an integrator, protecting your time, and learning to let go of control. Listen to today's episode to learn: The solopreneur trap: Why the habits that helped you start your business can hold you back as it grows. Your zone of genius: Why Sari recommends spending at least 80% of your time doing the work you're uniquely suited to do. The three warning signs: How to recognize when your mindset hasn't caught up with your growing business. The shift to entrepreneurship: How processes, accountability, an integrator, boundaries, and a focus on results can help you lead differently. 🏛️ Ready to strengthen your courtroom skills? Get hands-on practice and live feedback at our Command the Courtroom Masterclass: https://sariswears.com/masterclass Resources mentioned: The Big Leap by Gay Hendricks Traction by Gino Wickman Entrepreneurial Operating System (EOS): https://www.eosworldwide.com Coaching: https://sariswears.com/coaching ⭐ Enjoying the podcast? Hit Subscribe and leave us a 5-star review!  

What do you do after getting a defense verdict? You learn from it, get your ass back in the courtroom, and try again. Chrissy Hagen is back on Sari Swears, this time with fellow trial attorney Emily Peacock, to break down what changed between a previous defense verdict and their recent plaintiff's verdict. We talk about the lessons they took from that loss, how they approached voir dire differently, the importance of finding the piss-off point, and why arguing about the medicine can cause you to lose sight of what jurors actually need to hear. Listen to today's episode to learn: Find the piss-off point: Give jurors something they can emotionally rally around instead of expecting the facts alone to move them.  Get ahead of defensive attribution: Build your voir dire around the ways jurors may instinctively distance themselves from your client's experience.  Stop arguing about the medicine: In a medical malpractice case, the stronger story may be about responsibility, choices, and what happened after the mistake.  Learn from the fucking loss: Chrissy shares how practicing more, learning from mistakes, and getting back into trial helped her become more confident in voir dire.  🏛️ Ready to get on your feet and practice the H2H Method? Claim a seat at our small-group Command the Courtroom Masterclass: sariswears.com/masterclass ⭐ Enjoying the podcast? Hit Subscribe and leave us a 5-star review!  

What if the one thing that could change how you show up in the courtroom is something you're already doing every single day? You're breathing, sure. But are you breathing well? In this episode of Sari Swears, Sari de la Motte welcomes Kevin de la Motte, aka Coach K, to talk about why intentional breathing matters for trial attorneys. From stressful cases and opposing counsel's bullshit to the pressure of standing in front of a jury, they explore how your breathing can affect your presence, reactions, and communication. Sari and Coach K also share practical ways to build a breathing habit, including Coach K's morning routine, meditation, exercise, and simple check-ins throughout the day. Because when everything is fucking hitting the fan, you want to be the calm presence in the courtroom. Listen to today's episode to learn: Breathing Under Pressure: Why Sari and Coach K believe intentional breathing can help you stay grounded when trial gets stressful. Being Less Reactive: How noticing your breath can create space before you respond to opposing counsel, unexpected challenges, or your own thoughts. Showing Up as a Leader: Why Sari says the way you breathe affects how you sound, move, and communicate with jurors. Building a Breathing Practice: How Coach K incorporates breathing into his daily routine and shares ways to make the practice manageable. Resources mentioned: Your Survival Instinct is Killing You by Marc Schoen, PhD  Wevana Tabs  (formerly Dharma Dr. Tabs) The Body Keeps the Score: Brain, Mind, and Body in the Healing of Trauma by Bessel van der Kolk, M.D.  🏛️ Ready to put the H2H method into practice? Join Sari for a small-group Command the Courtroom Masterclass: https://sariswears.com/masterclass  Want to explore coaching with Coach K? Learn about Momentum Coaching and book a free sample session: https://sariswears.com/coaching  ⭐ Enjoying the podcast? Hit Subscribe and leave us a 5-star review!  

Are you spending your entire voir dire trying to figure out which jurors to kick off your case? You might be hurting your case before trial even begins. In this episode of Sari Swears, Sari de la Motte breaks down seven reasons why exclusionary voir dire is limiting your case, from legitimizing defense arguments and creating a fear-based mindset to missing the opportunity to build a team with your jurors. Listen in as Sari explains why focusing on who you want to exclude gives the defense unnecessary airtime, undermines your trial story, and keeps you from using a principle-centered approach to voir dire. In this episode, you'll learn: Legitimizing Defense Arguments: How exclusionary voir dire gives the defense valuable airtime before trial even begins. The Fear-Based Mindset: Why approaching jurors as potential enemies prevents you from building trust and taking risks. Protecting Your Trial Story: How focusing on defense points keeps you from putting your own story and principles first. Building Your Jury Team: Why searching for your people is more effective than simply eliminating the jurors you don't want. 🏛️ Ready to get on your feet and workshop your opening statement? Claim a seat at our small-group Command the Courtroom Masterclass: https://sariswears.com/opening ⭐ Enjoying the podcast? Hit Subscribe and leave us a 5-star review!

Welcome to the premiere of Season 9 of the Sari Swears podcast! In this episode, Sari returns from a 12-week sabbatical to break down why trial law is inherently a creative profession—and why taking an extended break is essential for avoiding burnout and restoring your courtroom presence. Listen in as Sari breaks down the difference between a vacation and a "rest and restore" sabbatical, the mistakes she made, and how trial lawyers who own their practices can train their teams to run without them. In this episode, you'll learn: Signs of Burnout in Trial Law: How physical symptoms and creative blocks indicate you need an extended break. The Anatomy of a Sabbatical: What a "rest and restore" sabbatical is (and why it is NOT a time to catch up on work). Gentle Goal Setting: How to set boundaries, build alone time, and calm your nervous system. How to Prep Your Law Firm: Step-by-step guidance on non-working vacations, team delegation, and stepping away from micromanagement. 🏛️ Ready to get on your feet and workshop your opening statement? Claim a seat at our small-group Command the Courtroom Masterclass: https://sariswears.com/opening ⭐ Enjoying the podcast? Hit Subscribe and leave us a 5-star review!  

Can being too kind to yourself hold you back from achieving your goals? In this episode of Sari Swears, Sari de la Motte dismantles the toxic myth that trial lawyers must rely on self-criticism, fear, and burnout to succeed. Grounded in the behavioral science behind James Clear's Atomic Habits, Sari explains why the human brain is wired to respond to joy, desire, and rewards—not self-punishment. In this episode, you'll learn: The Motivation Myth: Why self-flagellation is the exact opposite of what creates sustainable personal growth. The Science of Habit Formation: How cues, cravings, and rewards drive real change far more effectively than force. Self-Love in High-Stakes Law: How shifting from fear to self-acceptance allows you to build a successful trial practice without sacrificing your well-being. Resources & Links:  🏛️ Transform your trial results at the Command the Courtroom Masterclass: https://sariswears.com/masterclass  ⭐ Enjoying the podcast? Leave a 5-star review wherever you listen!