From Hostage To Hero

Sari de la Motte
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From Hostage To Hero

Sari de la Motte is the host of "From Hostage to Hero" and has been dubbed the "Attorney Whisperer" because of her unique ability to help attorneys communicate their real selves. Join us weekly as Sari shares tips that will help you up your game at trial and connect with your jurors.

  1. 7 HR. AGO

    Encore Episode: From Presentation to Performance - How to Motivate Jurors and Own the Courtroom

    Most attorneys think their job is to present information to the jury.  But here’s the truth: presenting isn’t enough — you NEED to perform. The best trial attorneys don’t JUST deliver a case.  They OWN the courtroom, COMMAND attention, and MOVE jurors to action.  Here’s what we’re covering: 💡 The four levels of trial presentation — and why most attorneys never reach the final stage. 🛑 Why writing out your opening statement could be quietly killing your persuasion. 🔥 How to stop “presenting” and start connecting with jurors so they take action. Most attorneys get stuck trying to “get it right.”  But when you MASTER this approach, you STOP performing for jurors and START influencing them. Tune in now 🎧 Xo, Sari   Quote:  "If you think your job is just to present information to the jury, you’re already losing. Jurors don’t give a shit about your polished script or perfect delivery — they care about how you make them feel. If you want to win, stop performing for them and start connecting with them." Sari   * * * * FREE H2H TRAINING * * * *  THREE POWERFUL STRATEGIES TO HELP READ A JUROR’S MIND Understand what the jury is thinking, so you can gain the confidence to trust them - and yourself - in the courtroom. Get the training here:  sariswears.com/jury  Can't get enough of me? Connect with me here: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/saridelamotte/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SariSwears Watch on Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@saridelamotte Free FB Group for Plaintiff & Criminal Defense Attorneys https://www.facebook.com/groups/fromhostagetohero/

    18 min

  2. FEB 14

    Encore Episode: Voir Dire Done Right – Jury Selection Strategies to Win Over Jurors

    Ever found yourself scrambling to come up with voir dire questions and hoping they land  Stop. Right. There.  Asking, “What should I ask in voir dire?” is like asking “What turn should I take?” without knowing where you’re headed. Before you focus on the questions, you need to know the destination. In this power-packed 15-minute episode, we’re breaking down how to craft a voir dire strategy that actually inspires jurors to take action in favor of your case instead of leaving them confused or disengaged. 🎙️ Tune in and fix your voir dire strategy today. Xo, Sari   Quote:  “Asking yourself, ‘What should I ask in voir dire?’ is not the question. The question you need to ask is, ‘Where am I going?’ Or, as Sari says, ‘What principle are you driving to?’ Before you even sit down and start writing your voir dire questions, I want you to think, ‘What do I want my jurors to give me? What am I sourcing from them?’ Have an endpoint. It’s kind of like going, ‘Where should I go? Should I turn right or should I turn left on a road trip?’” — Sari de la Motte   * * * * FREE H2H TRAINING * * * *  THREE POWERFUL STRATEGIES TO HELP READ A JUROR’S MIND Understand what the jury is thinking, so you can gain the confidence to trust them - and yourself - in the courtroom. Get the training here:  sariswears.com/jury    Can't get enough of me? Connect with me here: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/saridelamotte/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SariSwears Watch on Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@saridelamotte Free FB Group for Plaintiff & Criminal Defense Attorneys https://www.facebook.com/groups/fromhostagetohero/

    16 min

  3. FEB 7

    Encore Episode: Mastering Voir Dire - Effective Strategies for Discussing Monetary Damages with Jurors

    Should you talk about money in voir dire? Before you panic and say, “No way, Sari! That’s too risky!” — HEAR ME OUT. In this episode, I’m diving into one of the most controversial questions in jury selection:  Should you tell jurors the number you’re asking for? Spoiler alert: I usually say yes.  BUT, (and it’s a big but) HOW and WHEN you bring it up makes all the difference. Here’s what we’re covering: 💰 Why saying the number early could backfire (and when it actually works in your favor). 💰 How to get jurors to justify your number themselves — instead of rejecting it. 💰 The secret to making a big ask (I’m talking $100M+) feel completely reasonable. The truth is, most attorneys are scared to say the number. And I get it.  But if you own it, if you believe it, the jury will believe it too. Xo, Sari   Quote:  "If it’s a huge number, like $100 million, I’m going to suggest you throw it out there—but systematically, at the right time. When you do it right, jurors don’t just accept the number, they start justifying it themselves." Sari * * * * FREE H2H TRAINING * * * *  THREE POWERFUL STRATEGIES TO HELP READ A JUROR’S MIND Understand what the jury is thinking, so you can gain the confidence to trust them - and yourself - in the courtroom. Get the training here:  sariswears.com/jury  Can't get enough of me? Connect with me here: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/saridelamotte/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SariSwears Watch on Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@saridelamotte Free FB Group for Plaintiff & Criminal Defense Attorneys https://www.facebook.com/groups/fromhostagetohero/

    32 min

  4. JAN 31

    Encore Episode: Voir Dire & Preponderance – Expert Strategies for Trial Attorneys to Persuade and Win

    Let’s talk about the preponderance of the evidence. You know, the thing that’s supposed to make your job easier but somehow ends up confusing the hell out of your jury? 🤯 In this week’s episode, you’ll learn how to STOP shooting yourself in the foot during voir dire. 🎙️ Tune in and fix your voir dire strategy today. Xo, Sari "So if what they want is to really be sure before they hand over this money—which again, yes, it’s not their money, but they’re in charge of it for all intents and purposes—and what they want to be able to spend it or allow it to be spent is to be sure, let’s do things that make them sure. Let’s remove their objections and their doubts. And as you know, if you follow me, the best place to do that is in voir dire." — Sari de la Motte   * * * * FREE H2H TRAINING * * * *  THREE POWERFUL STRATEGIES TO HELP READ A JUROR’S MIND Understand what the jury is thinking, so you can gain the confidence to trust them - and yourself - in the courtroom. Get the training here:  sariswears.com/jury    Can't get enough of me? Connect with me here: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/saridelamotte/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SariSwears Watch on Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@saridelamotte Free FB Group for Plaintiff & Criminal Defense Attorneys https://www.facebook.com/groups/fromhostagetohero/

    16 min

  5. JAN 24

    Encore Episode - My Most Favorite Time Management Tool Ever

    You know that endless to-do list that never stops chasing you?  Yeah, I ditched that ages ago. Instead, I’ve found a system that’s SAVED my sanity — and my schedule. Here’s what we’re covering in the episode: ⏰Why working against your natural energy cycles is setting you up for burnout. ⏰How to schedule your time first (yes, before work and everyone else). ⏰The genius way I’ve stopped letting random tasks derail my day. Spoiler alert: this system has helped me stay productive while working less than 40 hours a week, even with a growing business and all the life chaos.  Oh, and if you’re juggling ALL the things and thinking, “There’s no way I could make this work,” let me tell you — YOU CAN.  (I’ve even got my time blocked for Netflix binges. Priorities, people!) Tune in now and learn how to reclaim your time and your life. 🎧 Xo, Sari P.S. Have you tried time mapping? If you’re inspired after the episode, reply back and let me know how you plan to map YOUR time — I’d love to hear!   Quote:  “Now, what's really important about this is when I see what's left for work, I get real clear, real fast about what I'm going to say yes to. Because I know I only have 30-ish hours a week to work and you might think, oh my God, Sari, how could you get shit done? Because I get really choosy about what I am saying yes to and I get focused. When I know I only have 30 hours a week, I get shit done.” * * * * FREE H2H TRAINING * * * *  THREE POWERFUL STRATEGIES TO HELP READ A JUROR’S MIND Understand what the jury is thinking, so you can gain the confidence to trust them - and yourself - in the courtroom. Get the training here:  sariswears.com/jury  Can't get enough of me? Connect with me here: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/saridelamotte/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SariSwears Watch on Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@saridelamotte Free FB Group for Plaintiff & Criminal Defense Attorneys https://www.facebook.com/groups/fromhostagetohero/

    20 min

  6. JAN 17

    Ep. 277 - [TRIAL DEBRIEF] A $20 Million Med Mal Verdict: Lessons for Every Trial Attorney (with Nick Loizzi and Shauna Reitz)

    “This case was a mess — so many moving parts, we were overwhelmed. But H2H changed everything. With Sari and Jody’s help, we turned that chaos into a $20 MILLION DOLLAR verdict.” — Nick and Shauna 🌪️ A med mal case tangled in chaos? CHECK. 💰 A $10 MILLION DOLLAR offer mid-trial? DECLINED. 💪 Confidence in their prep and jury? UNSHAKEABLE. Nick and Shauna didn’t just survive the storm — they CONQUERED the fuck out of it. Need I say more? Listen NOW and learn how a high-stakes med mal case turned into a career-defining win! Xo, Sari   Mentions: Gerry Spence | 3-Week Program Illinois Trial Lawyers Association Quote:  "Mindset was the anchor that kept us steady during the storm. Recognizing and naming our fears didn’t make them disappear, but it allowed us to take control and refocus. We shifted to trust—trust in ourselves, trust in our preparation, and trust in the jury. That confidence transformed how we presented our case. The work we did on our mindset wasn’t just part of the process; it was the reason we walked into that courtroom ready to win." — Nick Loizzi * * * * FREE H2H TRAINING * * * *  THREE POWERFUL STRATEGIES TO HELP READ A JUROR’S MIND Understand what the jury is thinking, so you can gain the confidence to trust them - and yourself - in the courtroom. Get the training here:  sariswears.com/jury  Can't get enough of me? Connect with me here: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/saridelamotte/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SariSwears Watch on Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@saridelamotte Free FB Group for Plaintiff & Criminal Defense Attorneys https://www.facebook.com/groups/fromhostagetohero/

    57 min

  7. JAN 10

    [TRIAL DEBRIEF] How Anna Martinez Turned a $75k Offer into an $890,000 Verdict

    Let’s talk about mindset shifts that ACTUALLY WIN TRIALS. Anna Martinez ditched the fear-driven playbook and leaned into the POWER of juror connection. The result? 🎯 A CAREER-BOOSTING WIN. In this week’s episode, Anna breaks down the H2H strategies that led her to a confident, concise, and powerful case presentation: ✨ Step 1: Make voir dire count. Anna turned the awkward Q&A into a real conversation, making jurors feel respected, heard, and ready to stand behind her client. 🧠 Step 2: Simplify, simplify, simplify. Even with a case about drainage systems (not exactly Netflix material), Anna broke it down into a compelling narrative jurors could relate to and follow with ease. 🏠 Step 3: Show, don’t just tell. Using the “Damages House” framework from the brilliant Christy Crowe Childers (or TRIPLE C 💪 as I like to call her), Anna made every loss feel tangible, real, and impossible to overlook. If you’re TIRED of overwhelm, fear, and overcomplicating your trial strategies, THIS is the episode that will change your game.   Xo, Sari   Mentions: 12 Heroes, 1 Voice Anatomy of Lies The articles Quote:  “One of the things that I said is, well—what would Sari say?—‘What do you want to know from the jurors, Anna?’ I thought, ‘Oh, I know what I want to know. I want to know how many jurors here help people. Why is it important to help people? Why would you want to help people? That’s just out of the goodness of your heart. Basically, do you want to protect people and help them? Is that your spirit? Is that your heart?’ I want to find those people and put them on my jury.” — Anna Martinez   * * * * FREE H2H TRAINING * * * *  THREE POWERFUL STRATEGIES TO HELP READ A JUROR’S MIND Understand what the jury is thinking, so you can gain the confidence to trust them - and yourself - in the courtroom. Get the training here:  sariswears.com/jury    Can't get enough of me? Connect with me here: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/saridelamotte/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SariSwears Watch on Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@saridelamotte Free FB Group for Plaintiff & Criminal Defense Attorneys https://www.facebook.com/groups/fromhostagetohero/

    48 min

  8. JAN 3

    Ep. 275 - [TRIAL DEBRIEF] Introduced to H2H on Friday, Trial on Monday, 7 Figure Verdict on Thursday, WHAT!?!?

    Ever wonder what happens when someone learns the H2H Method on a Friday... and then walks into jury selection on Monday and crushes it? 😳 Meet Frank Fratello, a trial attorney who took what he learned at my voir dire training at TLU and turned it into a jaw-dropping $2.1 MILLION verdict. And trust me, this case had everything stacked against him — no visible injuries, a plaintiff who looked too healthy, AND a pre-trial million-dollar offer that most would’ve grabbed. But Frank said, "Nope. Let’s dance." In this episode, Frank breaks down how he:  ✅ Used the H2H Method to win over the jury ✅ Navigated tricky voir dire moments (including a very bold DVAQ move)  ✅ Stayed calm under pressure when things went sideways It’s RAW, it’s REAL, and it’s a masterclass in trusting your jurors — and yourself. Tune in NOW! Xo, Sari   Quote:  “Don't be scared to do something different. Don't be scared to tell them how much your case is worth. Don't be scared to listen to the responses and maneuver with them. They're giving you gold.”  – Frank Fratello * * * * FREE H2H TRAINING * * * *  THREE POWERFUL STRATEGIES TO HELP READ A JUROR’S MIND Understand what the jury is thinking, so you can gain the confidence to trust them - and yourself - in the courtroom. Get the training here:  sariswears.com/jury  Can't get enough of me? Connect with me here: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/saridelamotte/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SariSwears Watch on Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@saridelamotte Free FB Group for Plaintiff & Criminal Defense Attorneys https://www.facebook.com/groups/fromhostagetohero/

    47 min
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4.9
out of 5
126 Ratings

About

Sari de la Motte is the host of "From Hostage to Hero" and has been dubbed the "Attorney Whisperer" because of her unique ability to help attorneys communicate their real selves. Join us weekly as Sari shares tips that will help you up your game at trial and connect with your jurors.

Information

  • Creator
    Sari de la Motte
  • Years Active
    2018 - 2025
  • Episodes
    322
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © Sari de la Motte 2018. All Rights Reserved
  • Show Website
    From Hostage To Hero

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