The Trial Lawyers College Podcast

Hosted by Trial Lawyers College

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Episodes

200

Latest episode

Jun 2026

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About the show

The Trial Lawyers College Podcast talks to leading attorneys, TLC board members, and faculty about the ideas and the issues that are affecting trial lawyers today. The TLC podcast covers courtroom strategy, communicating with jurors, connecting with clients, methods that drive success, balancing healthy relationships with a busy practice and more.

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60 recent

June 15, 202650 min

Restoring Dignity with Lauren Checki and Naomi Jones

What happens when the fight isn't over a personal injury, but over a family's home? In this episode of the Trial Lawyers College podcast, Maren Chaloupka welcomes Louisiana attorneys Lauren Checki and Naomi Jones to discuss the deeply human stories behind property and casualty litigation. From hurricanes and flood damage to denied claims and bad-faith insurance practices, they explain how the TLC method transformed the way they investigate cases, connect with clients, and uncover the emotional impact of losing the place people call home. Through powerful examples, they reveal why these cases are about much more than roofs, walls, and repair estimates. They are about families, dignity, and restoring stability after disaster.

June 8, 20261 hr 1 min

Behind the Bite with David Zagoria

What does it take to advocate for victims of dog attacks, and why do these cases involve far more than bites and scars? In this episode of the Trial Lawyers College podcast, Maren Chaloupka sits down with Georgia trial lawyer and TLC faculty member David Zagoria to explore the unique challenges of dog injury litigation. Through powerful role reversals and real case stories, David shares how the TLC method helps uncover hidden truths, build trust with witnesses, and connect deeply with clients whose lives have been changed by trauma. He discusses the investigative work required to prove these cases, the emotional scars that often outlast physical wounds, and how psychodrama and authentic storytelling transformed his practice and his life. Whether you represent injury victims, criminal defendants, or anyone seeking justice, this conversation offers a compelling look at advocacy rooted in humanity, truth, and connection.

June 1, 202630 min

Authenticity with Natanya Brooks

What happens when trial lawyers stop performing and start connecting? In this episode of the Trial Lawyers College podcast, Ron Estefan sits down with Natanya Brooks to discuss how the TLC method transformed not only her approach to trial work, but her life. Natanya shares how psychodrama, vulnerability, and authentic human connection helped her become more present with clients, juries, family, and herself. From processing personal loss to learning to trust her own voice in the courtroom, she reflects on the power of showing up as a genuine human being rather than performing a role. This inspiring conversation explores why connection, not perfection, is often the key to effective advocacy and meaningful relationships.

May 25, 202635 min

The Story Beneath with Laura Schultes

In this episode of the Trial Lawyers College podcast, Maren Chaloupka speaks with employment attorney Laura Schultes about how the TLC method transforms the way lawyers prepare and present employment discrimination and whistleblower cases. Laura shares how psychodrama, role reversal, and story work helped uncover the human experience beneath spreadsheets, evaluations, and institutional defenses in a racial discrimination case involving a public school teacher. Together, they explore why employment cases are ultimately about identity, belonging, betrayal, human dignity, and how authentic storytelling can change the outcome of a case long before trial.

May 18, 202637 min

The Human Connection with Jody Anderson and Jeff Chapdelaine

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.

May 11, 202642 min

Finding the Story with Brecken Wagner and Blake Lynch

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.

May 4, 202643 min

Fighting for the Voiceless with Hank Sherrod

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.

April 20, 202625 min

Rediscovering Connection with Misty Nehring

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.

April 13, 202634 min

Trial by Story with Zander Carrie

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.

April 6, 202635 min

Why Dignity Matters with Jack De La Piedra and Andy Delaney

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.