Join me in an educational conversation with Professor Shailini George of Suffolk Law School as she discusses a 2016 study identifying mental wellness issues and addiction in lawyers which led to the American Bar Association. National Task Force on Lawyer Well-Being. Shailini discusses the fact that in some states a lawyer could not admit they got treatment and be admitted to the bar which kept them suffering in silence. Shailini’s approach with her students is "put on your oxygen mask first". She explains that if lawyers are taught mindfulness and wellbeing, they will spread that mindset and be better equipped for helping emotionally prepare witnesses to take the stand.

In this weeks episode I talk with Tyler Schwab who explains the hard truth that there are more slaves today than during the transatlantic slave trade BUT never more stoppable with technology. He also discusses the problem is the missing manpower and financial resources. He explains that social media plays a huge part but once someone is caught it is hard for them not to plead guilty because it can be traced. He works with victims on techniques on how to protect them emotionally when needing to appear in court and walking them the through the legal process. Tyler also tells a great story on why authenticity in the courtroom is so important.

Join Juliet and former police detective and recovery coach, Mike Koch, discussing how he is invoking positive change and breaking the stigma of mental health issues among first responders. With a "no matter what" mantra Mike changed his life after being arrested on 47 felony counts of drug posession and turned his life around to become an advocate to help connect first responders who are suffering in silence and be able to ask for help in a confidential enviroment.

This episode is a fresh perspective on healing trauma through nature and horses. Megan, and Equan Therapist discusses how horses facilitate the healing process in unique deminor and that a trained therapist will know how to partner a client with a specific horse. The horse also carries the energy so they need to also be watched to find when they may hit a breaking point. Megan talks about why building trust with the client is so important so they can be matched with the right horse and how she facilitates a space of safety and healing.

Join me for a very educational conversation with Colorado Springs Deputy DA Kelson Castain. He shares how the DA's office, police department and sheriff's office got a federal grant to focus on adult sexual assault cases. This has allowed victims to receive trauma-informed education to help minimize additional trauma when going through the court process. The funding also helps his SVU unit when working with children. They are one of the first offices in the country to provide a courtroom model for children to familiarize themselves with this intimidating setting and ease their anxiety.

This week, my guest is ex-prosecutor and now victims’ rights attorney, Rachel Robinson. She talks about where she starts when representing a victim -- she asks them what outcome they are looking for. She explains how this gives the victim the power to testify and how the rest of their life was going to look. She also lays out elements of the Victims’ Rights Act which includes the Crime Victims Fund and services that offer help. Rachel’s practice is now focused solely on victims’ rights and a holistic approach to getting emotional support through the process.

In a brutely honest interview with Portia she describes when the FBI showed up at her door and her first thought was "they can't take my life away from me", underestimating their power. She became terrified. She realized the way she felts about herself was that she was worthless. She describes how the court procedings were traumatizing as she had lost all control of her life and how alone she felt. She realized she needed to confront what she had done, take a moral inventory, and drastically change her life. Her story is told with the passion and insight in her book Living Louder on Amazon.

In this episode, you'll meet Jeff Deskovic, a quiet kid who didn't quite fit in. At the age of 16, this put him on law enforcement's radar after a classmate was murdered. Coerced by the police who brought him in and told him they needed his help to solve the crime, this boy who dreamed of being a cop when he grew up, was eager to help.And vulerable. In a meeting that turned into an intense interrogation, he was forced into a false confession. Only then did he realize he was being arrested with no legal representation. His story of serving 16 years for a murder he did not commit, then re-entering society and achieving amazing accomplishments, is one you don't want to miss.

Family law attorney Garry Gekht discusses the emotional side of his obligation to his client and the number one unspoken law -- the best decision is the one that's in the best interest of the children. He calls children "vessels of information" and believes, while it's unfortunate, it cannot be avoided that they are part of the process. However, it's important that the child is not traumatized by the procedures. He believes it takes very strong parents to put their children's emotional well-being first. This is a big hurdle in such an emotional environment.

Join me in my conversation with Shelly Edwards Jorgensen who shares her courageous journey through her mothers death at the hands of her father. Left in the dark at the age of 15 on so many issues, she describes walking into the courtroom and being blindsided. She was expected to testify against her father who was sitting in front of her, then having no protection or support from the legal system while staying in the same home with him after her day in court. Her bravery as a teenager is moving. Her path of success moving forward is a story you will want to hear.

In part two of my conversation with Jan Canty, she talks about the hard truths she learned while trying to heal from the murder of her husband. She describes discovering a modality called the Biopsychosocial Model which teaches you to focus on the biological, psychological, and socio-environmental factors in your life. Her story of transformation -- from becoming a triathlete to a psychologist -- is truly moving.

Join me in a two-part series of a very intimate conversation with Jan Canty, whose story of courage and transformation is miraculous. Jan discusses the trauma of her husband's sudden murder. The author of two books, Life Divided and What Now? Navigating the Aftermath of Homicide and Suicide, Jan's road to recovery is filled with a wealth of information for anyone who finds themself in this horrific position. She also does an amazing job of articulating the steps required to handle such a difficult situation.

Join me as I talk to Kristin Walker who tells her story of being a 12 year old on the witness stand testifying against her father who abused her without any preparation. She also talks about the time she had to testify for a friend going through an intense childhood custody case brought flashbacks to being a 12 year old and bringing up old wounds of shame and reliving trauma.

Jury Consultant Ron Beaton discusses with Juliet that helping clients pick a jury is looking for qualities of leadership vs. followers, those who speak their mind but do they have the courage or confidence to speak up. Ron also gives some advice on some techniques jurors can use prepping for the witness stand.

Disclaimer: Sensitive Subject Matter. In this sensitive conversation, Michael Todd talks with me about how violence was the only way he knew to be loved and accepted. With a 25-year prison sentence, he discusses that after being beaten and almost killed in prison, he surrendered, deciding he wanted a new life. Only after he joined a rehabilitation group in prison did things begin to change. Participants began to humanize each other and Michael’s life took a positive turn. He was released and began his transformation.

Join me as I talk to criminal defense lawyer Elizabeth Kelley, whose practice focuses on people with mental disabilities. She discusses how she firmly believes that individuals with mental disabilities should have rehabilitation instead of punishment. Parameters for people with mental illness are so restrictive that they set a very low standard for helping them get a fair trial. We also discuss the benefit of bringing in expert witnesses to explain the science behind different mental and physical challenges, thereby humanizing the defendant.

You don't want to miss this episode with Master Falconer Rodney Stotts who shares how his love of animals and nature have helped him heal from a life of drugs, guns and crime. After spending time in jail, he describes the peace and tranquility he feels working with raptors, and how sitting silent in nature brings one to a place of healing. One of his many inspiring quotes,"You can only heal if you find what makes you feel better, and don't let anyone steal away your joy."

In a heartfelt conversation with Immigration Attorney Heather Poole, we discuss the need for a balance of more positive immigration stories of immigrants like the founder of Yahoo, Noble Peace Prize winners, scientists, and scholars that bring over 10 billion dollars to the U.S. economy. Heather also shares amazing stories of resilience and how getting a U.S. green card transforms lives.

Join me with "white collar" trial attorney Gail Shifman as she explains the differences and similarities of street criminals vs. white collar criminals and how the process unfolds in the legal system, especially when it is a former President of the US United States. In this unprecedented indictment, Gail discusses how the system can work in the favor of someone of such high profile yet how once arrested, the status of the convict is now exactly the same and he is referred to as a "criminal".

In today's episode with Fritzi Horstman, founder of the Compassion Prison Project, we discuss the moral injuries that those of us involved in the legal system face, including making us lose empathy and compassion. She asks listeners to keep in mind that we are humans who have hurt each other, and we must see through fear and anger to find compassion. She asks us to look at the fact that most prisoners only know violence as a solution in their lives, and that 90% of those incarcerated have incurred some type of childhood violence or trauma.