The Court Reporter Podcast

Brynn Reynolds Seymour
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The Court Reporter Podcast is a space for court reporters who want to leverage technology and streamline their workflows, to move from feeling overwhelmed and scattered to clear, confident, and assertive in their work and their lives. Hosted by Brynn Reynolds Seymour, this podcast offers grounded conversations, practical insight, and perspective drawn from real experience inside the courtroom. Each episode explores the mental, professional, and relational challenges court reporters face but rarely talk about openly, from managing stress and self-doubt to communicating effectively with attorneys, advocating for yourself, and creating systems that support clarity and balance. Rather than quick fixes or industry noise, this podcast focuses on thoughtful guidance, mindset shifts, and simple strategies that help you show up with confidence on the record and off. You will hear honest reflections, professional coaching insights, and real-world lessons on time management, boundaries, communication, and leadership within the justice system. If you are a court reporter who wants to trust yourself more, think more clearly, and build a sustainable business without burnout, The Court Reporter Podcast is for you.

  1. 1d ago

    102 | AI, Co-Parenting & the Future of the Courtroom with Sol Kennedy

    What happens when AI is used not just to document conflict, but to help prevent it from reaching the courtroom? In this episode of The Court Reporter Podcast, Brynn Seymour speaks with Sol Kennedy, founder of BestInterest, an AI-powered co-parenting app designed to help reduce conflict and keep communication focused on what matters most — the children. Sol shares how his own experience with divorce and high-conflict co-parenting led him to create BestInterest, and how the app uses AI to separate child-focused information from emotionally charged communication, allowing parents to deal with the practical details first and process the rest later. The conversation then takes an unexpected turn into territory that will be particularly familiar to court reporters: how rapidly advancing technology is changing the legal profession. Sol and Brynn discuss AI, transcription, speech-to-text, digital reporting and the question of whether technology will eventually replace parts of the traditional court reporting role. They also explore why human oversight and responsibility for the accuracy of the legal record remain so important. Sol also talks about his experience as a serial entrepreneur, his time at Google, and why he believes AI has created an unprecedented opportunity for people with an idea to build their own technology solutions. In this episode:How Sol's own divorce and co-parenting experience led to BestInterestHow AI can help reduce conflict before it reaches courtHow BestInterest separates child-focused information from emotionally charged messagesWhy the original messages remain available for later reviewThe difference between documenting conflict and actually helping prevent itSol's journey from a 12-year-old software entrepreneur to Google and beyondHow AI is changing the way entrepreneurs build softwareThe future of AI, transcription and speech-to-textThe debate around stenography and digital reportingWhy human oversight remains important to the accuracy of the legal recordHow technology could change the role of court reportersGetting new technology and resources in front of judges and courts About Sol KennedySol Kennedy is the founder of BestInterest, an AI-powered co-parenting app created from his own experience navigating high-conflict co-parenting. A former Googler and serial entrepreneur, Sol combines his background in technology with a mission to help parents communicate more peacefully and keep their focus on their children. Resources MentionedBestInterest — Learn more about the AI-powered co-parenting app. BestInterest BestInterest Judicial One-Pager — A resource Sol says parents can submit to courts to explain BestInterest and how it can be used. BestInterest Judicial One-Pager BestInterest — Our Story — Sol's story of how his own co-parenting experience led to the creation of the app. The Story of BestInterest WIRED — “Divorced? With Kids? And an Impossible Ex? There’s AI for That” — The WIRED feature about Sol and BestInterest. WIRED OurFamilyWizard — Mentioned in the episode as an established co-parenting communication platform. TalkingParents — Another established co-parenting communication platform mentioned in the episode. Connect with SolLinkedIn: Sol Kennedy on LinkedIn BestInterest: bestinterest.app

    102 | AI, Co-Parenting & the Future of the Courtroom with Sol Kennedy

  2. Sep 23

    101 | How a Mother-Daughter Team Built a Successful Court Reporting Business

    What happens when you stop trying to do everything yourself and start building a business around what you do best? In this episode, I sit down with Donna, a stenographic court reporter who has been certified since 1969 and has more than 50 years of experience in the profession, and her daughter Dana, who went from delivering transcripts to overseeing operations and eventually becoming an equity partner in the family business. Donna takes us back to the early days of her career, from taking on demanding assignments to navigating decades of technological change in court reporting. Along the way, she built an agency and a reputation around what she does exceptionally well: being a court reporter. But as the business grew, so did everything that came with running it. That's where Dana's strengths came in. With a natural ability for organization, operations, and building relationships, Dana gradually took on more of the administrative side of the business—allowing Donna to spend more of her time doing what she does best. Their story is a great example of something I talk about often on this podcast: you don't have to be great at everything to build a successful court reporting business. You need to know your strengths, recognize where you need help, and find the right people to fill those gaps. We also talk about the importance of relationships, earning clients' trust, securing municipal contracts, adapting to changes in the industry, and what it takes to successfully build and sustain a business across generations. At its heart, this is a story about a mother and daughter whose very different strengths became their greatest advantage. In this episode: Donna's journey through more than 50 years of court reportingWhat court reporting looked like when Donna began in 1969Building a court reporting agency from the ground upNavigating decades of technological changeHow Dana went from delivering transcripts to running operationsTransitioning administrative responsibilities from Donna to DanaWhy Donna and Dana's different strengths work so well togetherKnowing what you're good at—and when to ask for helpBuilding and maintaining strong client relationshipsEarning trust and securing municipal contractsStrategic delegation in a court reporting businessBuilding a successful mother-daughter partnershipCreating a business that can adapt and endure

    101 | How a Mother-Daughter Team Built a Successful Court Reporting Business

  3. Sep 14

    100 | From Backlogged to Building Bigger with Karina Alvarez

    We made it to 100! When I launched The Court Reporter Podcast in January 2023, I simply described myself as “a court reporter with something to say.” Three years and 100 episodes later, here I am with someone who stepped up to help. Karina works fulltime at Regeneron, and then after work she'll come over and help me build systems and processes to streamline this business. And looking ahead, I share the bigger vision behind all of it: helping court reporters spend more time on the record and less time on administrative work, while building businesses and lives that don't require them to carry every piece themselves. This is a conversation about friendship, entrepreneurship, overwhelm, delegation, finding the right people, and figuring out what comes next. And, of course, it's a celebration of reaching 100 episodes. In this episode:Going from 18 transcripts “in the red” to getting the backlog under control by building a teamCreating scalable systemsWhy finding the right people can completely change your businessThe unexpected story behind the new Court Reporter Podcast studioMy journey from traditional court reporting to building a more flexible businessMore time on the record, less time on the adminThe vision for supporting other court reportersWhat's next for the podcast, the studio, and the community Thank you for being part of the first 100 episodes. Here's to the next 100.

    100 | From Backlogged to Building Bigger with Karina Alvarez

  4. Aug 31

    99 | Keep Showing UP: NCRF Awards the Court Reporter Podcast with the Carl Sauceda Grant ft. Alex Vlahopoulos & Jill Landsman

    In this special episode of The Court Reporter Podcast, Joey Seymour steps behind the microphone as guest host for a conversation with Jill Parker Landsman and Alex Vlahopoulos of the National Court Reporters Foundation (NCRF). The conversation gets personal as Jill and Alex share why I, as the host of the Court Reporter Podcast, was unanimously selected as the 2026 recipient! I am truly honored and encouraged by this, so I wrote a song about it... I hope you love it! I'm so excited to continue giving back to the profession. They dive deep into the impact The Court Reporter Podcast has had inside and even beyond the U.S., and why this grant is about much more than receiving an award. I am so grateful to receive this nomination, and I have so many people to thank for supporting along the journey. Keep showing up! In this episode: The story and legacy of Carl SaucedaWhy the grant was created in his honorWhat makes someone an ambassador for court reportingWhy the grant continues to create a ripple effect years after someone receives itWhy Brynn was unanimously selected as the 2026 recipientThe role social media, mentorship, education, and outreach can play in advancing the profession, and why that matters (discussing the nationwide shortage)How to nominate a deserving reporter or captioner for a future Carl Sauceda GrantJill's advice for students and working reporters: never stop practicingWhy technical skill alone isn't enough — and why freelance reporters also need strong business skills Most importantly, this conversation is an invitation to consider the impact each of us can have on the profession. You don't need a title, a huge platform, or decades in the field to give back. Mentor someone. Encourage a student. Introduce someone to stenography. Share what you've learned. Create something that helps the reporter coming behind you. Keep showing up — because you may never know how far that impact will travel.

    99 | Keep Showing UP: NCRF Awards the Court Reporter Podcast with the Carl Sauceda Grant ft. Alex Vlahopoulos & Jill Landsman

  5. Aug 24

    98 | From Australia to the UK to the UN: Life as an International Realtime Reporter

    From Australia to London: The Global World of Realtime ReportingWhat happens when a childhood fascination with a court reporter on television turns into a 30+ year international career? In this episode, I sit down with Leah Willisdorf, an accomplished international realtime reporter who takes us from her beginnings in Australia to her current home in London. Leah shares how a fictional court reporter on a television show sparked her interest in the profession and ultimately led her to a career spanning more than three decades. She explains why realtime reporting has become such an important skill in today's legal industry and why reporters who master it are increasingly valuable. We also dive into Leah's experience working on international arbitrations and corporate depositions, where the expectations for speed, accuracy, and professionalism are exceptionally high. Leah opens up about the pressures of working in these environments and the reality of burnout in a demanding profession. One of the most valuable parts of our conversation is Leah's advice for creating a sustainable career. She discusses the importance of building a strong support network—including scopists and proofreaders—and finding ways to maintain a healthy work-life balance while working at a high level. Leah's enthusiasm for court reporting is contagious. From international travel and unique assignments to developing highly sought-after skills, she makes a compelling case for why court reporting can be an incredibly rewarding career. This is another episode that was recorded live at the NCRA convention expo hall. In this episode:How a television show inspired Leah to become a court reporterLeah's journey from Australia to LondonBuilding a 30+ year career in court reportingWhy realtime reporting is becoming increasingly importantWorking on international arbitrationsThe demands of corporate depositionsHandling high-pressure assignmentsBurnout and the challenges of the professionWhy scopists and proofreaders are so importantBuilding a sustainable work-life balanceThe opportunities for travel and international workWhy aspiring reporters should develop their realtime skills TakeawaysInspiration can come from the most unexpected places—even television.Realtime reporting is one of the most valuable skills a modern court reporter can develop.International arbitrations and corporate depositions demand exceptional speed, accuracy, and preparation.A strong support network can make a demanding career much more sustainable.Burnout is a real challenge, and maintaining balance is essential for a long career.Developing realtime skills can open the door to unique assignments and international opportunities.Court reporting can provide a career filled with travel, variety, and continuous professional growth.

    98 | From Australia to the UK to the UN: Life as an International Realtime Reporter

  6. Aug 18

    97 | Stop Doing Everything Yourself: How Top Court Reporters Build Teams, Earn More & Avoid Burnout with Cindy Sebo

    From a Chance Encounter to 30+ Years in Court ReportingIn this episode, I sit down with Cindy Sebo, a court reporter certified across 16 states with more than 30 years of reporting experience. If you weren't already convinced from my 96 other episodes that you need a VTM (Virtual Transcript Manager, basically like a super-scopist & project manager of the entire production pipeline), I think you will finally be convinced after listening to this. Cindy shares the unexpected story of how she discovered court reporting (and how similar it is to mine!!!) and how to earn more as a court reporter... spoiler alert: it's by having your own dedicated VTM! This episode was recorded live at the NCRA convention expo hall, specifically at a booth that Steno had set up which worked out very well for podcast recordings. Listen to learn business and leadership tips that will empower you to go from "transcript-to-transcript" to CEO, running the show :)

    97 | Stop Doing Everything Yourself: How Top Court Reporters Build Teams, Earn More & Avoid Burnout with Cindy Sebo

  7. Aug 10

    96 | What Do Catholic Clergy, Big Tobacco & the Food Industry Have in Common?

    What happens when a court reporter is assigned to a case that's simply too personal to remain neutral? In this episode, Brynn explores one of the profession's most difficult ethical questions: Where is the line between impartiality and personal conviction? The conversation begins with her experience covering clergy sexual abuse litigation. From there, the discussion expands into a broader conversation about corporate accountability, public health, and the responsibility of those who document history as it unfolds. Drawing comparisons between the tobacco industry's past and today's food industry, Brynn examines whether the same patterns of corporate influence and deception are repeating themselves—and what that could mean for future litigation. She also discuss the idea of a modern-day "Mississippi moment," exploring how landmark legal cases have the power to reshape industries, influence public opinion, and hold powerful corporations accountable. Throughout the conversation, Brynn reflects on the emotional weight of reporting on cases involving widespread harm and why some stories change the people who document them just as much as the people involved. Whether you're a court reporter, attorney, or simply interested in the intersection of ethics, journalism, and public health, this episode offers a thought-provoking conversation about truth, responsibility, and the lasting impact of the legal record. In this episodeThe ethical challenges court reporters face when covering emotionally charged cases.How clergy sexual abuse litigation changed one reporter's perspective on neutrality.Why the food industry is increasingly being compared to Big Tobacco.What a new "Mississippi moment" could mean for corporate accountability.The role court reporters play in documenting history during landmark litigation.Why some cases leave a lasting emotional impact on the professionals who cover them.How legal proceedings can influence public awareness and drive systemic change.

  8. Aug 4

    95 | Norma Alicia Thieme: 42 Years of Court Reporting

    From Hitchhiking to Realtime: 42 Years Behind the Steno MachineWhat do you do when your very first day on the job starts with no car... and ends with reading back testimony from double-sided paper notes because you ran out of paper? In this episode, I sit down with Norma Alicia Fame, an Official Court Reporter in Houston, Texas, who has spent more than 42 years in one of the most demanding professions out there. Norma shares unforgettable stories from the early days of court reporting, including hitchhiking to her first deposition, surviving some incredible career "horror stories," working with manual steno machines, and witnessing the evolution of our profession from paper notes to realtime technology. We also talk about AI, why the human element of court reporting still matters, and the advice she'd give to anyone considering this amazing career. Norma's passion is contagious, and after spending time with her, it's easy to understand why she's still just as excited about court reporting today as she was over four decades ago. In this episode:How Norma discovered court reportingSurviving the first days on the jobLife before computers and realtimeThe biggest changes she's seen in 42 yearsWhy AI can't replace skilled court reportersMentoring the next generationWhy she still loves the profession after all these years TakeawaysDetermination can take you a long way—even if it means knocking on a stranger's car window to get to your first job.Every experienced court reporter has stories that new reporters can learn from.Technology has transformed court reporting, but it hasn't replaced the need for skilled professionals.Realtime writing is becoming increasingly valuable throughout the profession.Mentorship plays an important role in helping future court reporters succeed.Loving what you do is one of the biggest keys to a long and rewarding career. Mentioned in this episodeRealtime reportingArtificial Intelligence (AI)Houston Civil Courts

    95 | Norma Alicia Thieme: 42 Years of Court Reporting
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About

The Court Reporter Podcast is a space for court reporters who want to leverage technology and streamline their workflows, to move from feeling overwhelmed and scattered to clear, confident, and assertive in their work and their lives. Hosted by Brynn Reynolds Seymour, this podcast offers grounded conversations, practical insight, and perspective drawn from real experience inside the courtroom. Each episode explores the mental, professional, and relational challenges court reporters face but rarely talk about openly, from managing stress and self-doubt to communicating effectively with attorneys, advocating for yourself, and creating systems that support clarity and balance. Rather than quick fixes or industry noise, this podcast focuses on thoughtful guidance, mindset shifts, and simple strategies that help you show up with confidence on the record and off. You will hear honest reflections, professional coaching insights, and real-world lessons on time management, boundaries, communication, and leadership within the justice system. If you are a court reporter who wants to trust yourself more, think more clearly, and build a sustainable business without burnout, The Court Reporter Podcast is for you.

Information

  • Creator
    Brynn Reynolds Seymour
  • Years Active
    2022 - 2026
  • Episodes
    102
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2024 The Court Reporter Podcast
  • Show Website
    The Court Reporter Podcast

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