The Trial Lawyers College Podcast
Episodes
Caught In The Net with Richard Sterger and Melissa Sandoval
09 Mar 2026
Contributed by Lukas
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...
Courage to Ask with Matthew Lathrop
09 Feb 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Ron Estefan sits down with Matt Lathrop to explore Trial Lawyers College's The Courage to Ask—how curiosity, vulnerability, and better questions tra...
Real Over Perfect with Rafe Foreman
04 Feb 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Ron Estefan hosts Rafe Foreman for a candid conversation about what actually matters in the courtroom: presence, authenticity, and story. Board & facu...
Trial Skills Foundation 2026 Preview with Ron Estefan
12 Jan 2026
Contributed by Lukas
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-...
Do No Harm — Paula Elliott Estefan & Render C. Freeman
12 Dec 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Rafe Foreman chats with TLC faculty leaders Paula Elliott Estefan and Render C. Freeman about Do No Harm — a focused, limited-enrollment Trial Lawye...
Women Who Win with Cyndy Short & Laura O'Sullivan
08 Dec 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Cyndy Short and Laura O'Sullivan—longtime TLC faculty and alumnae—walk through the Women Who Win program (Feb 18–22, Vanderbilt), psychodrama fo...
More Real Than Your Opponent with Babak Semnar
24 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Former public defender turned employment litigator Babak Semnar explains how Trial Lawyers College methods—psychodrama, role reversal, and emotional...
Client's Bad Acts with Eric Davis
17 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
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 ...
Above & Below the Line with Mike Smith
27 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Rafe Foreman sits down with faculty member Mike Smith to unpack why Trial Lawyers College programs — from the three-week flagship to weekend worksho...
Medical School 101 for Lawyers with Francisco "Paco" Duarte
06 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Francisco "Paco" Duarte joins Rafe to unpack the practical side of medical-misdiagnosis in cases — including why stroke tops the list and running th...
F-Warrior Retreat, Psychodrama, and Real-World Wins with Robert Klingler
03 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
TLC grad Robert Klingler (Class of 2015) joins Rafe Foreman to explain how psychodrama and TLC methods — role reversal, doubling, listening and cour...
Courtroom to Classroom with Stanley Schneider
15 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
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 ...
Trial Success with Tim Garvey and Greg Bentley
08 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
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 ...
Nine Months with Darryl Exum
01 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Rafe Foreman interviews Darryl Exum about a brutal, nine-month criminal trial in Riverside—a four-defendant gang double-murder case involving identi...
Care Desert with Kahlie Hoffman
21 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Former TLC student Kahlie Hoffman returns to share how she secured a $2.35 million verdict for an uninsured immigrant client in a three-car collision...
Justice in CHOP with Evan Oshan
14 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Seattle lawyer, Evan Oshan, joins Rafe Foreman to explore his groundbreaking negligence suit against the City of Seattle over the CHOP Zone—where t...
Harnessing Focus with Elizabeth Larrick
30 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
What if an outside perspective could help unlock the story of your case? In this episode, trial consultant Elizabeth Larrick joins Rafe Foreman to exp...
Beyond Survival with Lindsay Ford
23 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Join Rafe Foreman as he welcomes life care planning specialist Lindsey Ford to explore how physician-authored life care plans forecast and quantify th...
Storytelling and Service with John Charles Hardin
16 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Rafe Foreman sits down with master storyteller, John Charles Hardin, to reflect on decades of trial work, the enduring bond forged through shared expe...
Discovering the Why with Brecken Wagner
09 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Brecken Wagner—TLC '16 and new faculty member—joins Ray Foreman to announce the extended June 23 deadline for the flagship three-week college and ...
From Psychodrama to Verdict with Amy Rogers, Sean Dormer, and Tim Garvey
02 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Sean Dormer, Tim Garvey, and Amy Rogers discuss how Trial Lawyers College techniques helped them secure a $4 million verdict in a wrongful-death case ...
Scene-Setting & Self-Defense: Translating Psychodrama into Trial Tactics with Adam Oakey
26 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Adam Oakey, owner of the Law Office of Adam Oakey in Albuquerque, NM, discusses his TLC journey—from Trial Skills Foundation to "Courage to Ask"—...
Support The Locals with Suzie Mindlin
19 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Suzie Mindlin, a 2002 TLC graduate from California, highlights the power of working on your own cases alongside peers at the three-week college and in...
The "Currency" of the Courtroom with Render Freeman
12 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Render C. Freeman—2015 TLC graduate and faculty member since 2018—reflects on his fourth "Courage to Ask" program, where a psychodrama exercise he...
Immersive Advocacy: Colby Vokey on the 3 Week Trial Lawyers College
07 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Colby Vokey previews the upcoming three‑week flagship program at Camp Dawson, WV (Oct. 4–27; apply by May 6), and explains why it's a game cha...
Deep Trust with Amanda Harber
28 Apr 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Amanda Harber—a 2017 Trial Lawyers College graduate, F Warrior board president, and former public defender—previews the "In Defense of the Damned...
Indigent Representation with Stephen Demik
21 Apr 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Stephen Demik, a 2008 TLC graduate and co‑lead for the upcoming Indigent Representation online course, unveils the agenda and shines a spotlight on ...
Fellowship with Eric Davis
14 Apr 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Eric Davis, co-lead for Defense of the Damned at Indiana University - Maurer School of Law and a board member of the Trial Lawyers College, sheds lig...
3 Week College with Ron and Paula Estefan
07 Apr 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Ron Estefan, a member of the Trial Lawyers College Board of Directors, along with Paula Estefan, introduces the upcoming 3-Week College program set fo...
Human Connections with Jessica McLaughlin and Brett Dunn
31 Mar 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Marines Jessica McLaughlin and Brett Dunn gear up for an upcoming trial while attending the week-long Trial Skills Foundation Course at Mo Ranch. In ...
A Different Person with Scott McCann
24 Mar 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Scott McCann, a first-time student at the Trial Skills Foundation with TLC, describes his first experience with psychodrama as a protagonist. In this...
Quick Vulnerability with Allison Mahoney
17 Mar 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Allison Mahoney, a first-time attendee at the Trial Skills Foundation Course at Mo Ranch, shares her initial impressions of the Trial Lawyers College ...
Constant Advocacy with Patrick McLain
10 Mar 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Patrick McLain, a 2012 TLC graduate, shares his journey through a challenging three-year-long sexual assault case that recently ended in dismissal. I...
Challenging Spaces with Ron Estefan
03 Mar 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Ron Estefan, Vice President of the Trial Lawyers College Board of Directors and a 2005 TLC graduate, shares insights from his recent victory in a prem...
The Courage to Ask with Maren Chaloupka and John Sloan
22 Feb 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Maren Chaloupka, the current TLC president, and John Sloan, her predecessor, delve into the nuanced TLC approach to advocating for fair compensation i...
Dirty Hands with Eric Ganci
10 Feb 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Eric Ganci, TLC staff member since 2018, discusses a unique blend of techniques he uses to enhance focus and grounding. In a memorable cross examinati...
Authentic with Patricia Anderson
03 Feb 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Patricia Anderson provides a comprehensive overview of the Trial Lawyers College's 7-step program, an alternative pathway to graduation. This episode ...
Honor the Loss with Ross LeBlanc
20 Jan 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Learn how Ross LeBlanc, a civil plaintiff attorney and four-time regional TLC attendee, used his trial skills to secure justice in a devastating DWI ...
Trial Skills Foundation at Mo Ranch with Ron Estefan
13 Jan 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Ron and Rafe revisit their enriching experiences at Mo Ranch during the TSF course, where they collaborated on cases and refined their trial skills. I...
Share The Gift with Rafe Foreman
06 Jan 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Join our host, Mark Wagner, as he interviews Rafe Foreman, who shares a moving story from a recent mediation. Rafe recounts how a heartfelt song about...
Thriving with John Sloan
30 Dec 2024
Contributed by Lukas
John Sloan, the Immediate Past President of TLC, reflects on his pivotal decision to step down and pass the leadership baton. In this heartfelt episo...
Legacy and Strategic Plan with John Sloan and the TLC Board
23 Dec 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Join John Sloan, Maren Chaloupka, Laura O'Sullivan, and Ron Estefan for some exciting new announcements regarding the TLC board. Listen to hear the l...
The Jury's Assistant with Mark Wagner
19 Dec 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Mark Wagner, a 2005 TLC graduate and 2015 faculty member from Washington, shares valuable insights on achieving impactful verdicts and the art of bein...
F-Warrior Retreat with Cambry Bristow
25 Nov 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Come and listen to Cambry Bristow detail the fantastic work accomplished at the F-Warrior's retreat in Nebraska City, Nebraska. She also foreshadows a...
Standing Up with Thomas Davenport
18 Nov 2024
Contributed by Lukas
TLC faculty member since 2016, Thomas Davenport, discusses the importance of communication exercises and tactics that explore the range of human pers...
How To Get a Quarter Billion Dollar Verdict with Dustin Collier and Robin Shishido
04 Nov 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Come and listen to Robin and Dusty tell the story of a man who suffered racial discrimination and hear their strategies and exploits of trying a case ...
Dog Days of Summer with Mart Harris
21 Oct 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Come and hear how Mart Harris and Patrick McLain overturned a federal judges ruling granting JNOV at the 5th circuit court of appeals.
The Messenger with Mark Hartman
14 Oct 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In a remarkable streak of victories, Mark Hartman, a 2019 TLC graduate, secured eight consecutive not guilty verdicts, illustrating the power of conne...
The Journey with Jeff Watson
07 Oct 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Jeff Watson, Director of Post Master's Doctor of Nursing Practice program at Texas Tech University's Health Science College, discusses his experience...
Openness with Eli Heller
30 Sep 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Join Eli Heller, a recent TLC graduate from 2023, as he details his journey from heartbreaking loss to a recent trial victory after deepening his und...
Unplugged with Patricia Anderson
23 Sep 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Patricia Anderson, a 7 stepper graduate of TLC, details her experiences with avoiding burnout by having fun, unplugging, and keeping things simple in...
Powerful Connections with Mike Watson
16 Sep 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Mike Watson, first joining TLC in 2019, discusses the critical importance of building deep connections with clients in legal practice. In this episode...
Meaningful Connections with Mike Smith
09 Sep 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Join Mike Smith, a 2019 TLC Graduate and recent addition to the faculty in 2023, as he unpacks the lessons from a recent workshop on a medical malprac...
Meaningful Connections with Mike Smith
09 Sep 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Join Mike Smith, a 2019 TLC Graduate and recent addition to the faculty in 2023, as he unpacks the lessons from a recent workshop on a medical malprac...
Evidence in Focus with Carlos Concepcion
19 Aug 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Carlos Concepcion, a law professor in Puerto Rico, dives deep into an innovative exercise for mastering closing arguments. He discusses a compelling p...
The Antidote with Ron Estefan
05 Aug 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Join Ron Estefan, a dedicated TLC graduate and faculty member since 2005, as he shares valuable insights from the latest TLC events. Ron discusses the...
My Enemy, My Defender with Tim Semmerling
17 Jun 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In this revealing episode, Tim Semmerling, a participant at the 2010 Defense of the Damned event, discusses his latest book, 'My Enemy, My Defender.' ...
Trial Victory with John Sloan
27 May 2024
Contributed by Lukas
John Sloan, President of the Trial Lawyers College, recounts his recent victory in a Taos County trial in New Mexico, where he secured a $15 million v...
Victory with Mike Smith, Mike Watson, and Minerva Steele
20 May 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Mike Smith, Mike Watson, and Minerva Steele join us to celebrate and share their recent $5.25 million verdict. They honed their strategy for this cas...
New and Vulnerable with Lydia Hanson
13 May 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Lydia Hanson, fresh from her inaugural experience at a Trial Lawyers College event, shares how the encounter profoundly transformed both her legal pr...
Voice for the Vulnerable with Austin Kaplan
29 Apr 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In this enlightening episode, we welcome Austin Kaplan, a dedicated employment and civil rights attorney based in Austin, TX, and a long-time listener...
Human Connection with Hilary Hammell
22 Apr 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Join us as Hilary Hammell, a dedicated plaintiff-side employment lawyer and two-time attendee of the Trial Skills Foundation, shares her compelling j...
Tied to the Soul with Michael Bristow
15 Apr 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Michael Bristow recounts his recent journey at a Trial Lawyers College event in Tulsa, OK, illuminating the profound impact of storytelling through m...
Humanity with Dustin Collier
08 Apr 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Dustin Collier, a recent participant in a Trial Skills event, shares insights from his inaugural experience at the Trial Lawyers College, contrasting...
A Day in the Life with Brian McCallister
01 Apr 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Brian McCallister returns to go over some of the methods he used for a recent trial victory. Brian describes, in vivid detail, his voir dire tactics a...
You're Next! with Kyra Blankenship
25 Mar 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Recent TLC attendee, Kyra Blankenship, describes her experience at the most recent Trial Lawyers College event Trial Skills Foundation in Tulsa, Okla...
Safety Zone with Savannah Rand
18 Mar 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Recent TLC graduate from the 2022, Savannah Rand, details a recent trial experience and how TLC methods helped open up the case before the trial and i...
Solo with Brian McCallister
11 Mar 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Brian McCallister, TLC graduate from the class of 1995, details his recent solo trial case and his experience discovering the story and loving his cli...
Fighting Burnout with Carson Runge
04 Mar 2024
Contributed by Lukas
2011 TLC graduate and faculty member since 2019, Carson Runge, discusses burnout and frequent paranoia with opposing council after long periods of pra...
Grace for Others with Jacqui Ford
26 Feb 2024
Contributed by Lukas
2013 TLC graduate and TLC staff member since 2015, Jacqui Ford, joins Rafe Foreman to reminisce about the recent "Taste of TLC" in Tulsa, OK. Jacqui ...
"Apes at the Zoo" with Sammy Duncan
19 Feb 2024
Contributed by Lukas
2019 TLC graduate, Sammy Duncan, talks to us about a recent trial win regarding a child victim. Sammy describes creativity in the court room and the ...
State of the Tribe with John Sloan
14 Feb 2024
Contributed by Lukas
TLC President John Sloan talks about the current state and future endeavors of the Trial Lawyers College. John touches on everything from our new Exec...
Women's Retreat with Cyndy Short
29 Jan 2024
Contributed by Lukas
1994 graduate and board member from the beginning of the Trial Lawyers College, Cyndy Short, explains the importance and reasons for TLC having a Wome...
Balance with Zulfikar Wafai
22 Jan 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Welcome to the TLC Podcast Zulfikar Wafai, Rafe Foreman's first intern in 2011 and public defender in Golden, Colorado. Zulfikar discusses his firm s...
Bigger and Better with Becky Barlow
15 Jan 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Introducing Becky Barlow, graduate of Washburn University in Topeka, Kansas, as she takes on the mantle of Executive Director of the Trial Lawyers Col...
Emotionally Open with Carlos Concepcion
01 Jan 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Trial Lawyer and Law Professor at American International Law School in Puerto Rico, Carlos Concepcion, details his experience as host for the recent T...
A Giving Tribe with Jason Sosa
25 Dec 2023
Contributed by Lukas
2017 graduate and faculty member, Jason Sosa, describes his recent transition from criminal defense to more civil trial work. Jason elaborates on how...
Emotional Impact with Matthew Sahag
18 Dec 2023
Contributed by Lukas
2023 TLC graduate Matthew Sahag from Des Moines, Iowa, shares his experience with a recent case consult in Puerto Rico purchased through TLC fundraisi...
TLC Case Consult for Matthew Sahag in Puerto Rico
13 Dec 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Matt Sahag meets with Rafe Foreman, Paula Estefan, Ron Estefan, and Susan Hutchison in Puerto Rico for a TLC auctioned case consult. Carlos Conception...
Tribal Update with Rafe Foreman
04 Dec 2023
Contributed by Lukas
TLC Podcast host, Rafe Foreman, gives an invitation regarding podcast guest appearances, TLC board membership and permanent TLC location importance. R...
Being Real with Bret Merkle
27 Nov 2023
Contributed by Lukas
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 findin...
Sympathetic Experiences with Brecken Wagner
20 Nov 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Brecken Wagner, 2016 TLC graduate, expounds on the criminal law system in Oklahoma and its tribal courts. Brecken explains the recent Supreme Court d...
Hate and Anger with Benjamin Bunn
06 Nov 2023
Contributed by Lukas
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 som...
Preparation and Methods with Gina Downes
30 Oct 2023
Contributed by Lukas
2015 TLC graduate Gina Downes details her experiences being introduced to TLC Methods and her early presumptions around what a lawyer should be. Gina ...
The Beginner's Mind with Andy Rubenstein
09 Oct 2023
Contributed by Lukas
2005 TLC graduate, Andy Rubenstein, talks about his experiences as a teacher and student at previous TLC events. Andy discusses the benefits and reas...
Preservation for Plaintiffs with Dirk Weeks
18 Sep 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Dirk Weeks, and his company, help develop strategies and recommend plans for plaintiff's lawyers for clients in settlements. Hear how Dirk helps clie...
Mental Health Training with Render Freeman
04 Sep 2023
Contributed by Lukas
2015 Graduate, Render Freeman, brings us his recent experience with psychodrama training in New York. Render also details his current work with couns...
Living with a Traumatic Brain Injury for Over 26 years with Trey Jones
28 Aug 2023
Contributed by Lukas
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 ...
Case Consult in Lubbock, TX with Mike Smith, Mike Watson, and Ron Estefan
21 Aug 2023
Contributed by Lukas
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....
Relatable Humanity with Andrew Pickett
14 Aug 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Recent TLC graduate, Andrew Pickett, describes his early experiences with TLC, psychodrama, and the hurdles of starting his own firm while detailing ...
Trusted and Inspired with Grace Reed
07 Aug 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Grace Reed discusses her first legal jobs and the differences between big law firm jobs and small clerking jobs, like her current internship. Listen ...
Empathic Connections with Lauren Checki
31 Jul 2023
Contributed by Lukas
2023 TLC Graduate, Lauren Checki, details her recent experience at the 3 Week Course and how those experiences have impacted and shaped her practice. ...
First Impressions with Mario Hankerson
24 Jul 2023
Contributed by Lukas
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 e...
Medical Negligence with Parrish Collins
17 Jul 2023
Contributed by Lukas
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...
Group Interview from Montezuma's Castle
10 Jul 2023
Contributed by Lukas
TLC 3 week course attendees at Montezuma's Catle Laura Schultes, Sarah Mather, Colleen Mullen, Maria Bribriesco, Linda Tran, Defne Ozgediz, and Ashley...
Not Just a CLE Program with Joe Leventis
26 Jun 2023
Contributed by Lukas
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 ...
3 Week Course with Todd Hollis
19 Jun 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Current TLC participant, Todd Hollis, details his introduction to TLC and his first impressions of TLC methods and curriculum from the most recent 3 w...
3 Week Course Location with Jacob Vigil
12 Jun 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Jacob Vigil, 2001 TLC faculty graduate, discovered Montezuma Castle and the United World College decades ago. During a clandestine phone call, he happ...
Perception is Reality with Angelica Cogliano
05 Jun 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Angelica Cogliano, 2019 Trial Lawyers College graduate, describes the struggle of connecting with the community in the areas where her voir dire panel...
Who We Are with Jeffery Robinson
29 May 2023
Contributed by Lukas
The Who We Are Project founder, Jeffery Robinson, describes the history of our country regarding anti-black racism. Jeffery elaborates on the details ...