From Hostage To Hero

Sari de la Motte
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. 1D AGO

    Encore Special Episode: Medical Malpractice Trial Debrief with H2H Crew Member Heather Mitchell on her $7.5 Million Jury Verdict

    Ever dread facing awkward courtroom moments or uncomfortable topics with jurors? 🥴  You're not alone. I recently sat down with Heather Mitchell — a total badass trial lawyer who won a whopping $7.5 million medical malpractice verdict.  Her secret?  Bravely tackling tough topics like HPV, sexual history, and invisible injuries head-on.  Heather shares how she moved past her fear of awkward courtroom silence (cue crickets).  She reveals exactly HOW she shut down the potential "slut-shaming" defense before it got started.  Heather proves that vulnerability and authenticity aren't weaknesses — they’re your greatest strengths in court.  Listen now 🎧  Xo, Sari   Quote:  "Fear is the saboteur. You have to get all those fears out of your head and remember there's always two cases: the one you litigated, and the one you actually try. A lot of what you're worried about won't even come out at trial. Letting go of that fear and believing in your jury—that’s everything."  — Heather Mitchell * * * * 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/

    54 min
  2. MAR 21

    Encore Episode: How Much Emotion Is TOO MUCH? Opening Statement Tips for Trial Attorneys

    The truth is, facts ALONE won’t get you the 6-FIGURE WINNING VERDICT.  If your voice is stuck in monotone (which I know most of y’all are guilty of, because that’s one of the very first things we work on… AHEM!), you’re handing your jury an invitation to… MENTALLY. CHECK. THE. FUCK. OUT. In this episode, we break down how to harness genuine emotion by diving into the minor mindset shifts and vocal tweaks that transform bland openings into compelling, authentic, jury-winning stories. Tune in and learn exactly how to dial up the emotion (without tipping into full-blown theatrics) and MASTER the sweet spot that moves jurors from PASSIVE LISTENERS to ACTIVE BELIEVERS. Xo, Sari   Mentions: On Becoming a Trial Lawyer – Rick Friedman Quote:  “You want big verdicts? You’ve got to go there emotionally. This is why the Crew exists, by the way. A big reason. Because we know that figuring out how to put an opening statement together or which voir dire questions to ask is just the start. That alone won’t get you where you need to go. ‘Let me put some emotion in my voice’ is not going to do it. Why? Because you’re never going to put emotion in your voice until you feel you’re able to risk emotionally and be vulnerable. That’s what it takes.” — 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/

    19 min
  3. MAR 14

    Encore Episode: Overcoming Burnout & Finding Balance as a Trial Lawyer - A Conversation with Jody Moore

    This week, I’m talking with Jody Moore, a powerhouse trial lawyer who hit a breaking point and had to ask herself: 👉🏼 Is it possible to be a successful attorney without sacrificing my sanity? Here’s what we’re covering: ✅ The real reason most trial lawyers burn out (hint: it’s not the workload). ✅ How to stop feeling like you have to “do it all” and still kick ass in the courtroom. ✅ Why making small shifts internally can completely transform your career — and your life. Jody went from overwhelm and exhaustion to building a practice that ACTUALLY works for her life.  If you’re ready to do the same, you don’t want to miss this episode. Xo, Sari   Quote:  "I kept thinking the answer to burnout was external—hire more people, take fewer cases, change something out there. But what I really had to do was look inward. Why was I overworking in the first place? Why did I feel like I had to prove something by pushing myself to exhaustion? Once I figured that out, everything started to shift." Jody Moore * * * * 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/

    40 min
  4. MAR 7

    Encore Episode: Reclaim Your Time & Find True Freedom – Mindset Shifts for Trial Attorneys to Conquer Overwhelming Pressure (with Coach Jody, Coach Siria and Sara Williams)

    Ever catch yourself bending over backwards to seem perfect — only to feel like a phony anyway? Sara Williams once said, “Freedom is understanding that you cannot control how other people perceive you,” Stop letting external opinions define your self-worth. I’m gonna say it again.  🔥STOP LETTING EXTERNAL OPINIONS DEFINE YOUR SELF-WORTH🔥 This week’s episode is all about saying goodbye to that mental straitjacket. Ready to stop hustling for approval and start trusting yourself? 🎧 Hit play now and hear how small mindset tweaks change your entire legal game. Xo, Sari   Quote:  “It takes work. We, as lawyers, need to talk more about therapy and mindset, because lawyering is more than knowing how to question a witness or structure an opening. To be more effective, you have to understand who you really are and get control of your mindset. That’s what I love about H2H. If we’re going to change the culture, we have to challenge ourselves to break free of that old-school path and really do the deep work, which makes us better advocates for our clients.” — Sara Williams   * * * * 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/

    40 min
  5. FEB 21

    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
  6. 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
  7. 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
    4.9
    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.

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