The Trial Lawyer's College Podcast

TLC President Maren Chaloupka sits down with psychodramatists Jody Anderson and Jeff Chapdelaine to explore the transformative role of psychodrama in trial work, healing, and human connection. Together, they discuss how psychodrama helps lawyers move beyond performance and into authentic storytelling that resonates with juries and clients alike. The conversation also previews TLC's upcoming "Homecoming: Master Class in Psychodrama" program in Nebraska City, where participants will deepen their understanding of Moreno's methods, directing techniques, and the emotional foundations of powerful advocacy.

Oklahoma trial lawyers Brecken Wagner and Blake Lynch join the TLC podcast to talk about their journey from traditional courtroom advocacy to authentic, human-centered trial work through Trial Lawyers College. With humor, honesty, and unforgettable stories, they reflect on psychodrama, jury selection, storytelling, and the powerful impact TLC has had on their practice, partnerships, and personal lives. From learning to connect with jurors to discovering empathy for even the hardest witnesses, this episode explores how vulnerability and authenticity can transform both lawyers and the cases they try.

In this powerful episode, civil rights attorney Hank Sherrod shares his journey into civil rights litigation and the deeply human stories behind his work, including his role in the documentary The Alabama Solution. Through real-world experiences, he discusses the challenges of holding systems accountable, the importance of storytelling, and how Trial Lawyers College methods, like role reversal and discovering the story, help lawyers uncover truth and connect with juries.

In this episode of the Trial Lawyers College podcast, host Ron Estefan sits down with Misty Nehring to explore what happens when trial lawyers stop performing and start connecting. Drawing from her journey from overwhelmed public defender to empowered advocate, Misty shares how TLC reshaped her approach to clients, juries, and herself—transforming fear, disconnection, and burnout into authenticity, compassion, and confidence. This conversation goes beyond technique, diving into vulnerability, emotional intelligence, and the power of human connection in the courtroom. It's a powerful reflection on growth, courage, and what it truly means to show up as a lawyer—and as a person.

In this episode of the Trial Lawyers College podcast, host Ron Estefan talks with defense attorney Zander Carrie about taking an apparently "unwinnable" case—meth in the defendant's system, a 10-year-old dead, and a skeptical rural courthouse—and how TLC training, brutal honesty in voir dire, and disciplined storytelling turned the case into an acquittal.

Host Ron Estefan talks with Trial Lawyers College grads Andy Delaney and Jack De La Piedra about their March 2026 Florida trial: an 87-year-old nursing-home resident's preventable decline, the family's loss, and a $6M jury verdict. They break down the case-building choices that made jurors care — immersive openings, surgical cross-examination, and a short, human closing — and share practical TLC-inspired lessons for trying cases where dignity at the end of life is on the line.

On this episode of the Trial Lawyers College podcast, Andy Delaney and Amanda Harber sit down with sentencing advocacy expert Cyndy Short to explore mitigation as storytelling. Cyndy explains how to build persuasive sentencing narratives, shares concrete courtroom techniques (role-reversal, setting the scene, humanizing clients), and offers practical tips for advocates handling high-stakes capital and non-capital matters. A must-listen for trial lawyers who want to make sentencing advocacy more humane, strategic, and effective.

Francisco Duarte sits down with Rick Sterger and Melissa Sandoval to unpack a powerful immigration win: how a young migrant who crossed the Darien Gap was detained, and how careful advocacy, TLC methods, and strategic litigation secured his freedom. A clear, humane look at immigration practice, professional courage, and why lawyers matter.

Ron Estefan sits down with Matt Lathrop to explore Trial Lawyers College's The Courage to Ask—how curiosity, vulnerability, and better questions transform trial lawyering. Hear why asking (not performing) helps lawyers connect with juries, shape verdicts, and regain confidence.

Ron Estefan hosts Rafe Foreman for a candid conversation about what actually matters in the courtroom: presence, authenticity, and story. Board & faculty leaders unpack the Trial Skills Foundation week — what happens in the classroom, why it changes how lawyers try cases, and what attendees take home that actually moves juries.

Rafe Foreman talks with TLC Board & Faculty Leader Ron Estefan about the Trial Skills Foundation (March 1–6, Moe Ranch, Hunt, TX): a six-day, multi-skill, lab-style TLC program for civil and criminal defense lawyers — openings, directs, cross, psychodrama, case consult energy, and real-world skill building.

Rafe Foreman chats with TLC faculty leaders Paula Elliott Estefan and Render C. Freeman about Do No Harm — a focused, limited-enrollment Trial Lawyers College program (Jan 19–22) at the Peery Hotel in Salt Lake City. This is a laboratory-style CLE for lawyers who want real practice on real cases: depositions, cross-examination, role-play, psychodrama, and tactical troubleshooting with faculty and peers.

Cyndy Short and Laura O'Sullivan—longtime TLC faculty and alumnae—walk through the Women Who Win program (Feb 18–22, Vanderbilt), psychodrama for openings, motherhood + practice, and how women can use authenticity and storytelling as courtroom strengths.

Former public defender turned employment litigator Babak Semnar explains how Trial Lawyers College methods—psychodrama, role reversal, and emotional connection—made him a better, more authentic trial lawyer. From sexual-harassment and age-discrimination trials to long depositions and jury work, Babak shows how "being real" wins jurors' hearts and verdicts.

Eric Davis (Houston criminal lawyer, TLC Board member) joins Rafe to tackle a brutal—but common—trial problem: what to do when your case includes facts that will make jurors shut down. Drawing on years of bad-case experience and Trial Lawyers College methods, Eric walks through practical strategies for voir dire and trial planning when you must confront extraneous offenses, on-video conduct, DNA, or other explosive evidence.

Rafe Foreman sits down with faculty member Mike Smith to unpack why Trial Lawyers College programs — from the three-week flagship to weekend workshops — are game changers for trial lawyers. They talk psychodrama’s power to unlock the emotional core of a case, the collaborative moment that produced the “above/below the line” framework for med-mal trials, and practical voir-dire tactics borrowed from criminal practice. If you want to deepen juror connection, vet your ideas with fellow lawyers, and leave with trial tools you’ll actually use, this episode explains why you should join the next TLC program.

Francisco "Paco" Duarte joins Rafe to unpack the practical side of medical-misdiagnosis in cases — including why stroke tops the list and running through the ten most commonly incorrect diagnoses. They explain how emergency departments are organized (and why that structure — plus billing and workflow practices — often shows up as distortion in litigation), who typically gets named in these suits, and what to look for in exams, diagnostic plans, and medical records. If you try medical cases, listen for concrete takeaways on chart mining, spotting absent documentation, and using hospital workflow to frame your client’s injury.

TLC grad Robert Klingler (Class of 2015) joins Rafe Foreman to explain how psychodrama and TLC methods — role reversal, doubling, listening and courtroom reenactments — have reshaped his practice from federal employment work to public-defense and civil trials. Hear how a respectful, strategic approach unraveled a suppression hearing, how a roller-rink reenactment convinced jurors, and why the upcoming F-Warrior retreat is a can’t-miss chance to sharpen skills and reconnect with the psychodrama community. Practical, human, and full of trial stories you can use on your next case.

Rafe Foreman sits down with TLC graduate Stanley Schneider to unpack a career spent fighting for justice — from recent jury battles and wins at the Court of Criminal Appeals to life-changing Innocence Project work. Stanley explains how psychodrama and TLC methods sharpen storytelling, jury engagement, and appellate strategy, and he reflects on coerced confessions, forensic failures, and the hard work of trying “bad” cases. Tune in for practical trial lessons, courtroom lore, and why teaching the next generation of lawyers matters.

Rafe Foreman hosts trial lawyers Tim Garvey and Greg Bentley for a practical, inside look at a recent hard-fought case victory and the Trial Lawyers College methods that made the difference. They break down how TLC techniques — from voir dire and story-building to witness prep and courtroom presence — moved a jury and protected their client’s dignity. Listeners will walk away with concrete tips for sharpening trial strategy, strengthening client connections, and bringing TLC principles into their next case. Tune in for honest trial stories, lessons learned, and inspiration for doing the work that matters.