Trial Lawyers College Podcastok

2000.2 TLC graduate, Bret Merkle, talks to us about being real and connecting with emotions that motivate behavior. Bret goes over his story of finding purpose in focusing on others and finding joy with the goal of staying there.

Brecken Wagner, 2016 TLC graduate, expounds on the criminal law system in Oklahoma and its tribal courts. Brecken explains the recent Supreme Court decision that has created new tribal courts, starting proceedings, and creating laws for the first time.

Benjamin Bunn joins us to discuss hate and anger and the motivations and reactions we have when we encounter them. Listen as Ben takes us through some of the feelings and emotions we go through as we experience situations charged with hate and anger in this episode of the TLC podcast.

2015 TLC graduate Gina Downes details her experiences being introduced to TLC Methods and her early presumptions around what a lawyer should be. Gina tells us about the preparation and skills that helped her enter the profession straight out of college with confidence and experience from TLC.

2005 TLC graduate, Andy Rubenstein, talks about his experiences as a teacher and student at previous TLC events. Andy discusses the benefits and reasons behind his self care and wellness focus that keeps him energized and fighting for clients. “Stay curious”.

Dirk Weeks, and his company, help develop strategies and recommend plans for plaintiff’s lawyers for clients in settlements. Hear how Dirk helps clients get the most out of settlements with structured annuities using tax conscious tactics.

2015 Graduate, Render Freeman, brings us his recent experience with psychodrama training in New York. Render also details his current work with counselors and why trial lawyers should be in regular therapy.

Trey Jones of Post, TX, experienced an oilfield accident in 1997 and describes the resulting medical issues that followed. Hear Trey’s journey as he experienced amnesia, embarrassment, and recovery from his traumatic brain injury over 26 years ago.

Assemble! TLC graduates Mike Smith, Mike Watson, and Ron Estefan join Rafe Foreman in Lubbock, TX for a case consult auctioned at a recent TLC event. Hear the benefits and techniques they used in front of live jurors to hone their statements and discover the story that motivates them.

Recent TLC graduate, Andrew Pickett, describes his early experiences with TLC, psychodrama, and the hurdles of starting his own firm while detailing his last few trials. Andrew explains the power of being his authentic self and the genuine concern of human life in the court room.

Grace Reed discusses her first legal jobs and the differences between big law firm jobs and small clerking jobs, like her current internship. Listen as Grace describes her unique experiences and the dynamics of a TLC influenced firm.

2023 TLC Graduate, Lauren Checki, details her recent experience at the 3 Week Course and how those experiences have impacted and shaped her practice. Lauren then details the work her firm does with business and home owners to sue insurance companies.

TLC 3 Week Course attendee and first time New Mexico visitor, Mario Hankerson, discusses his hesitancy and discovery of TLC methods at his first TLC event. Listen as Mario details his first interactions with "String of Pearls" and psychodrama.

From Montezuma's Castle during the 3 Week Course, Parrish Collins joins Rafe Foreman to discuss his TLC experience from last year. Parrish details his recent efforts and focus on medical negligence in the prison and jail system in New Mexico under the New Mexico Civil Rights Act.

TLC 3 week course attendees at Montezuma's Catle Laura Schultes, Sarah Mather, Colleen Mullen, Maria Bribriesco, Linda Tran, Defne Ozgediz, and Ashley Carpenter discuss the current legal environment from their perspectives.

TLC faculty member, Andy Vickery, shares a war story regarding a recent trial focused around effective scene setting and closing arguments. Andy takes time to dive back into a scene regarding words of love a elderly woman shared with her late husband.

First time TLC attendee, Joe Leventis, discusses his first impressions of the 3 Week Course in Montezuma's Castle in New Mexico. Joe explains how TLC methods has begun to shape his practice and his life after just 2 weeks into the 3 Week Course.

Current TLC participant, Todd Hollis, details his introduction to TLC and his first impressions of TLC methods and curriculum from the most recent 3 week course in Montezuma Castle. Listen as Todd and Rafe dive into their first TLC experiences and the powerful tribe of lawyers the college contains.

Jacob Vigil, 2001 TLC faculty graduate, discovered Montezuma Castle and the United World College decades ago. During a clandestine phone call, he happened to be driving in that exact location when he answered the call and suggested Montezuma Castle as the location for the Trail Lawyers College 3 Week program. The rest is history and the Trial Lawye…

Angelica Cogliano, 2019 Trial Lawyers College graduate, describes the struggle of connecting with the community in the areas where her voir dire panels are pulled from and making them her tribe. Listen as Angelica details the strategies she implements when dealing with the implementation of the criminal justice system at the southern border of Texa…

The Who We Are Project founder, Jeffery Robinson, describes the history of our country regarding anti-black racism. Jeffery elaborates on the details behind what makes our country the way it is today.

TLC graduate, Chris Stoy, discusses a recent trial that included a deposition with Rafe Foreman. Listen as Chris explains how he and Rafe’s use of TLC methods in this trial resulted in a victory after a zero offer settlement before trial.

TLC staff member, Chris Trundy, discusses default bias in jurors and continues the thought experiments brought forward by Brady Skinner in the previous episode. Listen as Chris expounds on the trial story and how to discover juror defaults during a criminal case.

2015 TLC graduate, Brady Skinner, talks about his recent criminal trials and media influence regarding safety and perspective of apprehended individuals. Listen as Brady discusses dealing with conscious and implicate bias both in his past and with his current jurors.

Emma Roddy shares her recent experiences while participating at the most recent Women’s Retreat through the Trial Lawyers College. Hear how the sessions on powerful storytelling and connecting with other participants impacted Emma and reinvigorated her drive for finding the client’s story.

Communications expert, Sari de la Motte, shares a sneak peek regarding the upcoming Women’s Retreat this month and describes the importance of jury selection, voir dire techniques, and shared morality between everyone participating in a trial. Listen as Sari explains her perspective on jury selection and the “ideal” juror within her voir dire tacti…

Betsy Greene, TLC graduate of 2005, describes the power of tribal groups and storytelling as she shares information on the upcoming Women’s Retreat on April 21-26, 2023. Listen as Betsy preps the audience for the next Trial Lawyers College event and details early career aspects while dealing with the insurance industry and the genesis of the separa…

John Charles Hardin, hailing from McKenny, TX, shares his experience at the latest Trial Lawyers College event, Trial Skills Foundation. John speaks about his rejuvenation from his most recent TLC event and the power of creative passion.

Jake Weinstock, fresh from the most recent Trial Skills Foundation course, explains his previous frustrations with other seminars and lectures about continuing education. Jake tells us about the community-centered education and hands on training he experienced at the most recent TLC event. Come listen to how TLC impacted Jake Weinstock and his care…

Why does TLC matter? A life, void of balance and full of self-medication, creates an unconnected mental state full of meaninglessness and lack of purpose. Brian McCallister helps bring together concepts and ideas about work-life balance to demonstrate a healthy, meaningful life as an attorney. Listen as Brian describes the benefits and tactics of a…

Ginger Ortiz, during a season of growth in public defending, explains the need for attorneys, especially women, to be more authentically themselves and find peace by seeking community among like-minded peers. As faculty for the upcoming Women’s Retreat for Powerful Storytelling, Ginger encourages every listener to sign up and experience a powerful …

David Glenn, TLC graduate of 2006, explains the unfair, predatory practices insurance companies apply. Hear how David Glenn uses his 41 years of experience and TLC methods to seek justice from insurance companies employing "swoop and settle" tactics.

Kimberly Benjamin discusses the importance of experience and training staff in TLC methods within a mid-sized law firm without losing focus on clients. Listen as she describes the advice she received as a business owner and her success in training her employees.

Missouri public defender, Justine Finney, explains her unique situation during her transfer out of death penalty case division. Listen as she details the connections between her clients when death or life without parole is a possible outcome in their case.

Bill Trine, one of the original Trial Lawyers College founders, details his previous casework with detainees and immigrants during their detention in various U.S. prisons and penitentiaries. Hear Bill Trine as he details the long history of privatizing prisons for profit and the ongoing fight against civil rights violations in State and Federal pri…

We all wrestle with demons. The power within is the power to overcome them. Todd Kelly describes his recent book titled “The Power Within”, the story of a pivotal moment in his life in which he struggled with a suicide attempt and the role-reversal exercise that saved his life.

One-time TLC course attendee Maureen Farrell shares her personal experiences and growing understanding of psychodrama ignited by a one week TLC course last year in Colorado. Listen as she expands on TLC skills and techniques she’s learned from just one event with the incredible TLC staff.

Listen here to TLC's podcast, with host Rafe Foreman, visiting with Trial Skills Foundation Faculty Member Max Mitchell about the importance of the Public Defender, a position Max recently left to open a solo criminal defense practice in Sedalia, MO.

Patrick McLain joins us to elaborate on his experiences with all the Trial Lawyers College courses and encourage others to participate in upcoming events with TLC staff. Patrick goes over each course coming up in 2023 and helps detail the planning, effort, and benefit of each unique course.

Come and listen to Kim Savo's excellent podcast on neuro-diversity and how we as lawyers need to educate ourselves for representation of clients who fall in this category.

Public defender Emily Fisher shares her unique perspective of the broken indigent defense system and offers her unique insight into solutions, including the value of community.

Colby Vokey tells the gripping story around his current military case and his use of TLC methods to discover and relay his case.

Using the TLC methods of role reversal, doubling, and psychodrama to enrich and deepen the connection for parents who have suffered the loss of their children at the hands of the government, please come and listen while Amanda Harber teaches us.

Simina is uniquely qualified to utilize psychodrama as a certified psychodramatist and in this episode, she not only employs the TLC methods, but gives us a substantive look into the world of the Vaccine court.Simina Vourlis által

Harry Daniels III splits his time between civil and criminal trials. Listen as he tells you his insights on how to get to know your client better as well as finding your own powerful voice as an advocate.

Joy Bertrand explains her personal journey to withholding judgment of a client who has made poor decisions. The result was a connection that moved her to tears. Stay tuned and give a listen.

Felony chief public defender Jason Sosa recounts the value of TLC methods in training young aspiring trial lawyers in the correct way to practice law including jail cell reenactments and role reversals with members of his community.

Listen as Brianne, a professional storyteller, author, and book publisher discusses the power of connection and story.