Foster Your Voice Podcast with Kristi Foster

Kristi Foster

Welcome to Foster Your Voice, the go-to podcast for trial attorneys ready to unlock the power of their voice. Hosted by Kristi Foster, a vocal and nonverbal communication coach, this show delivers concise, actionable tips to help you build vocal confidence, captivate jurors, and communicate with purpose—and on purpose. Whether you're preparing for your next trial or seeking to sharpen your courtroom presence, each episode will equip you with strategies to harness your full-spectrum voice and elevate your impact in the courtroom. Ready to speak, lead, and win? Tune in and let's get started!

  1. 1d ago

    FYV #92 - $101 Million Dollar Verdict Trial Debrief with Brian Davis

    In today's episode, Kristi welcomes Brian Davis to the podcast to debrief his recent trial that resulted in a $101 million dollar verdict. Brian practices in Asheville, NC. This summer, he spent 6 weeks trying a case about a retaining wall that collapsed, killing 1 and injuring 3 others. We discuss details of his trial prep, challenges he faced during the trial process, and how the jury came to a record-making verdict. We also talk about Brian's experience with vocal coaching, and how he's benefitted both personally and professional by our work together at Foster Voice Studio. Links & Resources Top 20 Legal Terms to Avoid (and what to say instead) - https://www.fostervoicestudio.com/top20 FOR PLAINTIFF ATTORNEYS - Free Vocal Snapshot Session - https://calendly.com/fostervoicestudio/30-minute-assessment-clone Want More? 👉 Get weekly tips and techniques delivered to your inbox. Subscribe to "The Foster Files" Newsletter: https://www.fostervoicestudio.com/contact 👉 Follow me online for behind-the-scenes voice tips, mindset shifts, and strategies to help you lead with your voice in and out of court: IG: https://www.instagram.com/fostervoicestudio FB: https://www.facebook.com/fostervoicestudio LI: https://www.linkedin/in/fosterthought Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/fostervoicestudio/

  2. Oct 12

    FYV #91 - Are You Holding Your Breath?

    What does it actually mean to be an introvert? In this episode, Kristi explores introversion through a conversation featuring Simon Sinek, Adam Grant, and Brené Brown, all of whom identify as introverts despite having highly public-facing careers. Their different approaches to social interaction highlight an important distinction: introversion isn't about how much you like people or how comfortable you are around them. It's about how you recharge and regulate your social energy. Kristi shares her own experience as an introvert who loves people, works with people, and spends much of her professional life speaking and coaching. She also explores the importance of self-awareness when it comes to understanding your own social limits and creating the boundaries you need to manage overstimulation. In the Communication Tip, Kristi turns that same idea of self-awareness toward something much more physical: your breathing. She talks about the times she catches herself mouth-breathing or holding her breath without realizing it, and offers a simple reminder to periodically check in with your breathing patterns. Key Takeaway You don't have to fit someone else's definition of an introvert—or an extrovert. You can love people, communicate well, and thrive in highly social environments while still needing significant amounts of solitude to recharge. The important thing is knowing yourself well enough to recognize what you need and giving yourself permission to regulate your energy accordingly. Favorite Moment "Even though I like people, am good with people, and present with people-energy...I am still deeply introverted." Links & Resources Introversion/Extroversion - https://www.facebook.com/share/v/1HUoopBmMB/?mibextid=wwXIfr James Nester - Breath: The New Science of a Lost Art https://a.co/d/01xuoVKg Want More? 👉 Get weekly tips and techniques delivered to your inbox. Subscribe to "The Foster Files" Newsletter: https://www.fostervoicestudio.com/contact 👉 Follow me online for behind-the-scenes voice tips, mindset shifts, and strategies to help you lead with your voice in and out of court: IG: https://www.instagram.com/fostervoicestudio FB: https://www.facebook.com/fostervoicestudio LI: https://www.linkedin/in/fosterthought Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/fostervoicestudio/   Take a moment this week to notice how you recharge. Do you feel energized after spending time with people, or do you eventually need to retreat and have some quiet time to yourself? And when you're concentrating or under pressure, what does your breathing naturally do? Self-awareness is the starting point for making intentional choices about both your energy and your communication. Until next time...keep fostering your voice.

  3. Oct 5

    FYV #90 - Give Them a Mental Roadmap

    Your brain processes questions differently than statements, and that difference can be a powerful communication tool in the courtroom. In this episode, Kristi explores why questions can activate curiosity, encourage deeper thinking, and turn listeners into participants. Rather than simply evaluating information you're giving them, jurors can become cognitively involved in generating their own thoughts and connections. Kristi also explores how the type of question can shape the kind of thinking it prompts: what can invite information, why can invite explanation, how can prompt process-oriented thinking, and what if can open the door to possibilities. In the Communication Tip, Kristi shifts from the content of your communication to the structure of your presentation. Using the analogy of moving from class to class in secondary school, she explains why jurors need clear transitions between sections of an opening statement. Breath, vocal energy, and purposeful movement can all help signal those transitions and give jurors a mental structure for organizing the information they're receiving. Key Takeaway Questions turn a listener into a participant. A good question doesn't just give your jurors something to hear. It gives them somewhere to go. And when you're presenting complex information, clear transitions help them understand where they are, what you've just covered, and what's coming next. Favorite Moment "Questions turn a listener into a participant. A good question doesn't just give you something to hear. It gives you somewhere to go." Links & Resources questions vs statements - https://www.facebook.com/share/v/1LXXgWE3Qd/?mibextid=wwXIfr Columbia Business School - https://business.columbia.edu/press-release/cbs-press-releases/want-know-what-your-brain-does-when-it-hears-question Want More? 👉 Get weekly tips and techniques delivered to your inbox. Subscribe to "The Foster Files" Newsletter: https://www.fostervoicestudio.com/contact 👉 Follow me online for behind-the-scenes voice tips, mindset shifts, and strategies to help you lead with your voice in and out of court: IG: https://www.instagram.com/fostervoicestudio FB: https://www.facebook.com/fostervoicestudio LI: https://www.linkedin/in/fosterthought Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/fostervoicestudio/ Think about your next opening statement. Where are the natural transitions between sections? How will you signal those transitions to your jury? Use your breath, voice, and body to give jurors the structure they need to follow your story and organize the information you're teaching them. And until next time...keep fostering your voice.

  4. Sep 28

    FYV #89 - Stop Moving Start Communicating

    Why do people sometimes look furious when they're actually celebrating? And why do we back away and cry when we receive the best surprise of our lives? In this episode, Kristi explores dimorphous expression, the psychological phenomenon in which our physical expressions can look completely opposite to the emotion we're actually experiencing. From athletes celebrating a win to "cute aggression" and the infamous musical "stank face," Kristi looks at the fascinating ways our brains and bodies respond to intense emotion. Then, in the Communication Tip, Kristi shares a lesson from a historical presentation that reminded her just how important grounding and purposeful movement are in the courtroom. Your body is part of your communication instrument, and unnecessary movement can add sensory information that makes it harder for jurors to focus and learn. Key Takeaway Your body is part of your message. Whether you're managing an intense emotional response or simply shifting your weight while presenting, your physical behavior affects how your communication is experienced. Learn to notice what your body is doing, bring your movements under control, and use your physical presence intentionally. Favorite Moment "The skill here is learning to USE your body FOR communication. It's an instrument, just like your voice. It's not just along for the ride. It's part of the vehicle of communication delivery." Links & Resources FREE EMOTIONAL PROFILE GUIDE - https://www.fostervoicestudio.com/opt-in-a73db0af-170f-425d-95d6-dfad8837db8a Stank face - https://www.instagram.com/reel/DblzP-9tM3A/?igsh=a2s3czM0bmExc200 Cute Aggression - https://www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize/articles/zqcw96f Want More? 👉 Get weekly tips and techniques delivered to your inbox. Subscribe to "The Foster Files" Newsletter: https://www.fostervoicestudio.com/contact 👉 Follow me online for behind-the-scenes voice tips, mindset shifts, and strategies to help you lead with your voice in and out of court: IG: https://www.instagram.com/fostervoicestudio FB: https://www.facebook.com/fostervoicestudio LI: https://www.linkedin/in/fosterthought Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/fostervoicestudio/   And until next time...keep fostering your voice.

  5. Sep 21

    FYV #88 - The Sound of Curiosity

    What if jurors don't make a decision at one specific moment, but instead develop their judgment continuously throughout the trial? In this episode, Kristi explores neuroscientist Thomas James's theoretical framework for decision-making and considers what it could mean for trial attorneys. She walks through a jury deliberation example and offers three practical considerations for thinking about communication as part of an ongoing decision-making process. Then, in the Communication Tip, Kristi looks back at the teachers who made her love learning and identifies one thing they had in common: they communicated genuine curiosity and enthusiasm. She explains how attorneys can use a subtle lift in pitch—what she calls "middle voice"—to bring curiosity and interest into even the most mundane teaching sections of a trial. Key Takeaway The judgment may be developing all along. Instead of thinking about persuasion as something that happens primarily in closing argument, consider how every interaction with the jury contributes to the decision-making process. And when you're teaching complicated or tedious information, use your voice to communicate, "This is interesting. Pay attention." Favorite Moment "Jurors aren't necessarily information processors who sit quietly, take everything in, weigh it all, and then—at some identifiable moment—push the button marked DECIDE." Links & Resources Tom James, neuroscientist from Indiana University - https://www.sciencealert.com/a-neuroscientist-says-your-brain-may-not-actually-make-decisions Want More? 👉 Get weekly tips and techniques delivered to your inbox. Subscribe to "The Foster Files" Newsletter: https://www.fostervoicestudio.com/contact 👉 Follow me online for behind-the-scenes voice tips, mindset shifts, and strategies to help you lead with your voice in and out of court: IG: https://www.instagram.com/fostervoicestudio FB: https://www.facebook.com/fostervoicestudio LI: https://www.linkedin/in/fosterthought Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/fostervoicestudio/ Want to make your courtroom communication more engaging without becoming performative? Book a free Vocal Snapshot with Kristi to identify the vocal habits that may be affecting your ability to keep jurors listening, learning, and engaged. And, as always, keep fostering your voice.

  6. Sep 14

    FYV #87 - Don't Leave Your Jury in Fight or Flight

    In this episode, Kristi explores the idea of hospitality over transaction and how Trader Joe's creates a customer experience built around human connection, curiosity, personalization, and surprise. She draws a direct parallel to voir dire, where attorneys can either treat jurors as individuals to be polled, or intentionally create an experience that helps them connect, participate, and begin functioning as a group. Then, in the Communication Tip, Kristi turns to breath and stress-cycle completion. Jurors are already experiencing stress simply by being in the courtroom, and the substance and delivery of a trial can add significantly to that load. Learn how your breath, pauses, and physical presence can help signal the end of a stressful moment and give jurors an opportunity to reset so they can continue learning and processing. Favorite Moment "Could you dare to try something different with your upcoming trial? Could you just show up with a sincere desire for connection, a mindset of curiosity, and invitation? And keep your mindset open to transformation instead of transaction?" Links & Resources Preston Lee - https://www.facebook.com/share/v/1LZtsRzJJr/?mibextid=wwXIfr Forbes - https://www.forbes.com/sites/blakemorgan/2019/10/24/the-5-lessons-from-trader-joes-unbeatable-customer-experience/ Brittany Hodak - https://brittanyhodak.com/trader-joes-customer-experience-strategy-why-it-works/ FYV #22 - The Body Language Fix That Builds Trust and Carries Your Voice Want More? 👉 Get weekly tips and techniques delivered to your inbox. Subscribe to "The Foster Files" Newsletter: https://www.fostervoicestudio.com/contact 👉 Follow me online for behind-the-scenes voice tips, mindset shifts, and strategies to help you lead with your voice in and out of court: IG: https://www.instagram.com/fostervoicestudio FB: https://www.facebook.com/fostervoicestudio LI: https://www.linkedin/in/fosterthought Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/fostervoicestudio/

  7. Sep 7

    FYV #86 - Why Your Jury Needs Inconsistency

    In this episode, Kristi shares a lesson from behavior-change expert Dr. Karin Nordin about the surprising way social media can satisfy our desire for change without requiring us to actually change. Watching someone else cross the finish line, complete a workout, organize their home, or live the life we want can give us a tiny taste of the reward—while we're still lying in bed. Kristi challenges you to pay attention to what your algorithm is feeding you and notice whether you're consuming content about the life you want instead of actually living it. Then, in the Communication Tip, Kristi takes that behavior-change lesson into the courtroom with a powerful idea: meaningful change starts with inconsistency. If the brain relies on patterns to conserve energy, then predictable vocal and presentation patterns can cause jurors to disengage. Strategic pattern disruption through pitch, pace, melody, volume, and tone can reawaken attention and help jurors stay engaged with your case. Favorite Moment "You're both starving to change your behavior AND you've filled up with false accomplishments that prevent you from doing anything about it." Links & Resources Body Brain Alliance / Dr. Karin Nordin — https://bodybrainalliance.com/ Episode 84 — FYV #84 - The Vocal Patterns That Make Jurors Tune Out Want More? 👉 Get weekly tips and techniques delivered to your inbox. Subscribe to "The Foster Files" Newsletter: https://www.fostervoicestudio.com/contact 👉 Follow me online for behind-the-scenes voice tips, mindset shifts, and strategies to help you lead with your voice in and out of court: IG: https://www.instagram.com/fostervoicestudio FB: https://www.facebook.com/fostervoicestudio LI: https://www.linkedin/in/fosterthought Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/fostervoicestudio/ And this week, choose one pattern to disrupt. Change your pitch. Shift your pace. Vary your volume. Change your tone. Give your jury a reason to wake back up.

  8. Aug 31

    FYV #85 - Be Still. Breathe. Wait.

    In this episode, Kristi explores three "brutal truths" of Stoicism that challenged her: your opinions are your problem, most things are not up to you, and you're going to die. Together, these ideas point toward a more intentional way of deciding where to place your attention, energy, and effort. Then, in this week's Communication Tip, Kristi takes inspiration from Cordelia Cupp, the lead detective in The Residence, and her masterful use of stillness and silence. Whether you're questioning a witness in deposition or trial, or asking questions during voir dire, silence can create space for other people to reveal more than they initially intended to say. The key? Be still. Breathe. Resist the urge to fill the silence. Key Takeaway You don't have to fill every silence. In deposition or cross-examination, stillness and sustained eye contact can create strategic space for a witness to continue talking. In voir dire, resisting the urge to immediately rephrase a question or call on someone can give jurors the opportunity to step into the silence themselves. The skill isn't simply staying quiet. It's learning to stay physically and emotionally comfortable while you're quiet—and using your breath to keep your own nervous system regulated while you hold the space. Favorite Moment "I'll tell you...SOMEONE usually will talk. SOMEONE will volunteer to answer. They'll save the moment. Just give them the opportunity to step into the silence." Links & Resources Ryan Holiday addresses "Broicism" https://www.youtube.com/shorts/2AdkAV0k7Bc Ryan Holiday-3 brutal truths of stoics https://www.facebook.com/share/v/1DBi2x9BhV/ Want More? 👉 Get weekly tips and techniques delivered to your inbox. Subscribe to "The Foster Files" Newsletter: https://www.fostervoicestudio.com/contact 👉 Follow me online for behind-the-scenes voice tips, mindset shifts, and strategies to help you lead with your voice in and out of court: IG: https://www.instagram.com/fostervoicestudio FB: https://www.facebook.com/fostervoicestudio LI: https://www.linkedin/in/fosterthought Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/fostervoicestudio/ If this episode gave you something to practice, try it this week: ask the question, breathe, stay still, and wait.

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Welcome to Foster Your Voice, the go-to podcast for trial attorneys ready to unlock the power of their voice. Hosted by Kristi Foster, a vocal and nonverbal communication coach, this show delivers concise, actionable tips to help you build vocal confidence, captivate jurors, and communicate with purpose—and on purpose. Whether you're preparing for your next trial or seeking to sharpen your courtroom presence, each episode will equip you with strategies to harness your full-spectrum voice and elevate your impact in the courtroom. Ready to speak, lead, and win? Tune in and let's get started!

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