In today’s episode, we’re diving into one of the most overlooked yet powerful courtroom tools: pacing and pausing. It may sound simple, but neuroscience shows us it’s anything but.

When trial attorneys speak too fast or gloss over key ideas without space, jurors fall behind—not because they’re not listening, but because the brain physically can’t process and store that much information all at once.

In this episode, you’ll learn how slowing down isn’t just kind—it’s critical to juror comprehension, memory, and informs how they add meaning to your message.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

1. Why the brain can’t learn and deeply process at the same time

2. How pausing reduces cognitive load and activates attention

3. Why jurors need more time than you think to visualize and retain your story

4. How to think beyond written punctuation and instead speak in “cognitive segments”

5. Simple tools to evaluate and shift your pacing style for greater impact

Key Takeaway:

Pauses aren’t empty space—they’re active moments where meaning is infused into your message. When you slow your delivery, you’re not dragging it out—you’re guiding jurors through the thinking process that leads to understanding and, ultimately, decision-making.

Favorite Moment:

“You’re not just presenting a case. You’re teaching jurors how to think about the case. You’re helping them understand it, remember it, and explain it to each other when they’re back in deliberation.”

Links & Resources:

🎁 Download the free guide: Pace & Pause: The Perfect Pair

https://www.fostervoicestudio.com/paceandpause

This practical PDF includes insights from neuroscience, pacing strategies for different speaking styles, and a simple stopwatch exercise to help you calibrate your internal rhythm—so jurors don’t just hear your case, they absorb it.

Want more?

👉 Get weekly tips and techniques delivered to your inbox. Subscribe to "The Foster Files" Newsletter: https://www.fostervoicestudio.com/contact

👉 Follow me online for behind-the-scenes voice tips, mindset shifts, and strategies to help you lead with your voice in and out of court:

1. IG: www.instagram.com/fostervoicestudio

2. FB: www.facebook.com/fostervoicestudio

3. LI: www.linkedin/in/fosterthought

4. Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/fostervoicestudio/

If this episode was helpful, forward it to a colleague or leave a quick review. Every share helps other trial attorneys foster their voice with more clarity, connection, and impact.

In this episode of Foster Your Voice, we’re diving into something every trial attorney faces—nerves. Not just the feeling, but the full-body cascade that comes with it: shaky hands, dry mouth, racing thoughts, tight throat.

Instead of trying to “power through,” what if you could lead your body back to calm—so your voice could follow?

You’ll learn how nervous system responses affect your courtroom presence, why nervousness is actually a sign your brain’s working correctly, and the simple breathing tool that can help you reset in real time. If you’ve ever wondered how to stay grounded when the stakes are high, this one’s for you.

1. Why nerves are a biological response—not a weakness

2. How your nervous system impacts your voice, body, and juror perception

3. What not to do when you feel panicked or off-balance

4. A step-by-step breakdown of the 4-7-8 breath technique to calm your nervous system

5. How consistent breath practice builds resilience and vocal steadiness

You don’t need to eliminate nerves—you need to work with them. Learning to shift your breath shifts your chemistry, which shifts your presence. That’s when your voice becomes a steady, grounded tool for connection and clarity.

“When your body starts to believe you're calm, your voice follows. You become grounded. Clear. Steady. Not because you’re faking it—but because you’ve led your body back to safety.”

1. Want free weekly vocal and nonverbal tips for trial performance? Join the email list here → https://www.fostervoicestudio.com/contact

2. Learn more about the science of breathing with YogaBody: https://www.yogabody.com/science-of-breathing/

3. Share this episode with a colleague who’s tired of white-knuckling their courtroom nerves.

👉 Follow me online for behind-the-scenes voice tips, mindset shifts, and strategies to help you lead with your voice in and out of court:

1. IG: www.instagram.com/fostervoicestudio

2. FB: www.facebook.com/fostervoicestudio

3. LI: www.linkedin/in/fosterthought

4. Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/fostervoicestudio/

In this episode, we dive into a critical—but often misunderstood—aspect of courtroom communication: why facts alone aren’t enough to make jurors care. Pairing logical information with emotional presence isn’t about performance—it’s about leadership. You’ll learn how to use tone, breath, and vocal intention to bring meaning to your case, so jurors don’t just understand the facts… they remember and act on them.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

1. Why facts without emotional context are forgettable

2. The neuroscience behind emotional memory and juror decision-making

3. How to use breath and tone to convey meaning without “being performative”

4. A simple mindset shift that makes even repeated details land with impact

5. How presence and vocal care build trust, not manipulation

Key Takeaway:

You don’t have to choose between logic and emotion. When your voice, breath, and body align with the meaning of your message, jurors feel the truth behind the facts—and that’s what moves them.

Favorite moment:

“You’re not just reporting the fact. You’re retelling the truth.”

Links & Resources:

1. The 6 Ingredients of a Perfect Vocal Warm-up — https://www.fostervoicestudio.com/warmup

2. Brene Brown "Unused Creativity is Not Benign" - https://www.instagram.com/reel/DHYhHKWuoKE/?igsh=MXN2NWUxNDNyc3ZzNA==

3. Get the my weekly newsletter The Foster Files - https://www.fostervoicestudio.com/connect

Want more?

👉 Follow me online for behind-the-scenes voice tips, mindset shifts, and strategies to help you lead with your voice in and out of court:

1. IG: www.instagram.com/fostervoicestudio

2. FB: www.facebook.com/fostervoicestudio

3. LI: www.linkedin/in/fosterthought

4. Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/fostervoicestudio/

💬 Share this episode with a colleague who’s ready to deepen their courtroom presence

In today’s episode, we’re exploring a courtroom tool that’s easy to overlook—but once you get it, you’ll never go back: forward-balanced energy. This subtle shift in how you carry your body changes your stamina, presence, vocal ease, and ability to connect. We’ll talk about what forward-balanced posture is (and isn’t), how it helps you stay mentally present, and a simple practice you can try today to activate your natural speaking position—whether you’re at trial, in depo, or gearing up for a tough mediation.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

1. What forward-balanced energy really means (hint: it’s not a pose)

2. How your physical stance impacts your vocal stamina and clarity

3. The difference between performing at people and being present with them

4. A guided posture shift to feel the immediate change in your voice

5. Why generosity—not pressure—is the key to powerful courtroom presence

Key Takeaway:

When your body is physically and energetically forward, you stop performing and start connecting. You show up with stamina, clarity, and generosity—and your jurors feel it, even if they don’t know why.

Favorite moment:

“Forward energy isn’t about pressure. It’s about generosity.”

Links & Resources:

Unreasonable Hospitality by Will Guidara - https://www.unreasonablehospitality.com/

The 6 Ingredients of a Perfect Vocal Warm-up (FREE GUIDE) - https://www.fostervoicestudio.com/warmup

Get weekly vocal tips delivered to your inbox: https://www.fostervoicestudio.com/contact

Love the show? Leave a star-rating and a review

Want more?

👉 Follow me online for behind-the-scenes voice tips, mindset shifts, and strategies to help you lead with your voice in and out of court:

1. IG: www.instagram.com/fostervoicestudio

2. FB: www.facebook.com/fostervoicestudio

3. LI: www.linkedin/in/fosterthought

4. Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/fostervoicestudio/

And if this episode helped you, send it to a colleague who could use a body-language reset before trial.

In this episode of Foster Your Voice, we're tackling one of the most common and costly habits smart attorneys fall into: speaking from expertise instead of to understanding. When you forget where your jurors are starting from, you risk losing them before your best material even lands. This episode breaks down how to translate legalese into language that sticks—so your words reach real people, not just legal minds.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

1. Why “knowing too much” is a communication trap

2. How to speak to jurors using their own words—not yours

3. The difference between showcasing and inviting

4. How to reframe opening statements as acts of hospitality

5. Simple ways to use AI (and your team) to uncover juror-friendly phrasing

6. Why silence in court may be the most powerful move you make

Key Takeaway:

If you want jurors to adopt your case theory, you first have to meet them in their language. You’re not dumbing it down—you’re welcoming them in.

Favorite moment:

“Your opening statement is not a showcase. You’re not just explaining. You’re inviting. It’s a hospitality moment.”

Links & Resources:

1. Get weekly vocal tips delivered to your inbox: https://www.fostervoicestudio.com/contact

2. Love the show? Leave a star-rating and a review

Connect with Me:

1. IG: www.instagram.com/fostervoicestudio

2. FB: www.facebook.com/fostervoicestudio

3. LI: www.linkedin/in/fosterthought

4. Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/fostervoicestudio/

Want more?

Subscribe to Foster Your Voice for weekly episodes on vocal strategy, nonverbal communication, and courtroom connection techniques for civil plaintiff trial attorneys. And if this episode helped you? Share it with a colleague. You might just save a juror’s brain.

Ever lost your voice right before a big moment? Whether you're in the courtroom or on stage, vocal health is not something you can just “fix” when it breaks—it’s something you build before the crisis hits. In this episode, we’re breaking down the do’s, don’ts, myths, and remedies around vocal fatigue, scratchy throats, and how to actually care for your voice. From salt & vinegar chips to nebulizers to the real role of rest, you’ll walk away with practical tools—and maybe a little tough love—to keep your voice courtroom-ready.

In this episode, you'll learn:

1. Why “quick fixes” for a scratchy voice rarely work
2. How saltwater, steam, and nasal flushes can help (and where they fall short)
3. What remedies soothe you vs. what actually reaches your vocal cords
4. The real risks of numbing the pain with sprays and lozenges
5. Why building vocal stamina is your best long-term strategy

Key Takeaway:

There’s no shortcut for vocal health. You can soothe symptoms—but prevention, rest, breath support, and conditioning are what keep your voice strong under pressure.

Favorite moment:

“I was shouting at the TV (using good supported vocal tone), 'YES! Let’s give him some voice lessons!'”

— when Kristi cheers for better vocal technique during a cycling race recap.

🔗 Links & Resources:

1. Get weekly vocal tips delivered to your inbox: https://www.fostervoicestudio.com/contact
2. Love the show? Leave a star-rating and a review
3. Get the Vocal Care Cheat Sheet: https://www.fostervoicestudio.com/vocalcare

👉 Follow me online:

1. IG: www.instagram.com/fostervoicestudio
2. FB: www.facebook.com/fostervoicestudio
3. LI: www.linkedin/in/fosterthought
4. Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/fostervoicestudio/

👋 Want more?

Subscribe to Foster Your Voice wherever you get your podcasts.

Let’s keep your voice strong, clear, and courtroom-ready—every single week.

When most people think of self-care, they imagine candles, baths, or maybe a vacation. But sometimes the most powerful version of self-care is the quiet, resolute no — especially when that no means honoring who you’ve become, not who you were. In this episode, Kristi shares a personal story that reshaped her view of self-care, and explores how trial attorneys (and high-achievers in general) can redefine care not as indulgence, but as essential fuel for growth and performance.

💡 Key Takeaway:

Self-care isn’t always soft — sometimes it’s about saying no, letting go, and trusting that your next version deserves room to grow.

✨ Favorite Moment:

“When I said no to something I used to love — not because it wasn’t good, but because it wasn’t me anymore. That was the clearest self-care I’ve practiced in a long time.”

🔗 Links & Resources:

1. Get weekly vocal tips delivered to your inbox: https://www.fostervoicestudio.com/contact
2. Love the show? Leave a star-rating and a review
3. "Treat Yo Self" Clip from Parks & Rec: https://youtu.be/gSjM5B3QNlw?feature=shared

👉 Follow me online:

1. IG: www.instagram.com/fostervoicestudio
2. FB: www.facebook.com/fostervoicestudio
3. LI: www.linkedin/in/fosterthought
4. Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/fostervoicestudio/

👋 Want more?

Subscribe to Foster Your Voice wherever you get your podcasts.

Share this episode with a friend who’s outgrowing something — and needs the courage to let it go.

Trial attorneys, ever catch yourself spiraling right before opening? Feeling off but blaming it on lack of preparation—even though you know your case inside and out? In this episode, Kristi reveals a powerful truth that could shift everything: you don’t have to believe every thought you think. 🤯

Learn how your brain’s job of survival—not accuracy—can derail courtroom performance, and discover how the CLEAR Framework helps you pause, reframe, and show up as the advocate and leader your jury needs.

Plus: a real-world example of what makes someone feel heard—and how attorneys can embody that same powerful presence in voir dire and beyond.

🔗 Episode Links:

Download the free CLEAR Framework Guide: https://www.fostervoicestudio.com/CLEAR (make sure "CLEAR" is in all caps)

Soundtracks by Jon Acuff: https://store.jonacuff.com/soundtracks?_gl=1*ti9b9q*_ga*MjE0MDI5NzEzMy4xNzQ2MjExMzUw*_ga_P06YSVGZ6X*MTc0NjIxMTM1MC4xLjEuMTc0NjIxMTM1My4wLjAuMA..

📬 Let’s Connect:

Kristi wants to hear from you! Share what you’re learning, loving, or curious about. Email her at [email protected] or DM her on Instagram/Facebook.

1. IG: www.instagram.com/fostervoicestudio
2. FB: www.facebook.com/fostervoicestudio
3. LI: www.linkedin/in/fosterthought
4. Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/fostervoicestudio/

💬 Favorite Quote:

"Your brain’s default mode is not truth. It’s not even growth. It’s safety."

Let’s be honest—failure sucks. But avoiding it altogether? That might be even worse.

In this episode, I reflect on my newfound fascination with sports—yes, sports!—and the surprising thing I’m learning from athletes that has nothing to do with winning... and everything to do with how they handle losing.

🧠 Inside this episode:

1. How my non-athlete, choir-kid roots made me risk-averse for years
2. What sports like cycling, March Madness, and the NFL Combine taught me about mindset
3. Why athletes seem shockingly good at failing—and how they bounce back mid-game
4. A college voice lesson that cracked open my perfectionism (and sent me storming out...)
5. The Duke University course that literally gave me chills: Learning to Fail
6. A quote from Giannis Antetokounmpo that redefined “failure” forever

💡 Key idea:

Athletes fail all the time—on their way to winning.

What if failure isn’t something to avoid, but something to integrate?

🎧 Favorite moment:

“They just move on. Like…they miss, they mess up, and they just go to the next play. I’m watching that more than I’m watching the score.”

📣 Let’s talk about trial.

Trials are hard. You win some, you lose some.

Statistically? Civil plaintiff cases are around 50/50. Med mal and federal court? Even tougher odds.

So what’s your approach to failure?

• Are you like my college self—only attempting things you’re sure you’ll get right?
• Or are you starting to flex a more athletic mindset—staying present, regrouping, and growing?

📬 I want to hear from you.

If you’ve ever used a failure as a launchpad for learning or growth, I want to know.

➡️ Email me at [email protected]

Let’s swap stories—and normalize failure as part of mastery.

1. IG: www.instagram.com/fostervoicestudio
2. FB: www.facebook.com/fostervoicestudio
3. LI: www.linkedin/in/fosterthought
4. Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/fostervoicestudio/

🔗 Resources & Inspiration:

1. Giannis Antetokounmpo: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xj4icUkwP2A
2. Mel Robbins: https://www.facebook.com/share/r/1FrrKCN4M2/
3. Learning to Fail class at Duke University: Iss.duke.edu/courses/learning-fail
4. Book a free vocal snapshot:  https://calendly.com/fostervoicestudio/30-minute-assessment-clone

🏀 Final thought:

What if failing wasn’t a dead end, but a step forward?

Let’s train ourselves like athletes do—fail faster, recover better, and keep our eyes on the long game.

Until next time,

Keep fostering your voice. 🎤

It’s not what you said.

It’s how you said it.

Your tone delivers emotion before your jurors even process the words. And if you’re not intentional with your tone, you may be sending the wrong emotional cues—and shutting jurors down without even realizing it.

In today’s episode, we wrap up our 5 Building Blocks of Voice series by focusing on TONE—the often-overlooked element that carries the emotional weight of your message.

🔍 In this episode, you’ll learn:

1. How tone can create momentum, authority, compassion, or conflict
2. What happens when tone doesn’t match your message (hint: confusion, resistance, and shutdown)
3. Why “doing the voices” helps jurors track who’s speaking and how they feel about it
4. How to calibrate your tone for contrast, clarity, and courtroom connection

🎯 Key Takeaway:

Your tone isn’t just emotional—it’s instructional.

It tells jurors how to feel, when to lean in, and why it matters.

💡 Favorite moment:

“You can’t say, ‘They did this, and this, and this… and then she died’ in the same tone.

That’s not just ineffective—it’s inhuman. Jurors need your vocal shift to signal the emotional weight.”

🎁 Free Resource:

Want to know if you’re using your full vocal range—or where you might be holding back?

👉 Book your free vocal assessment here » https://calendly.com/fostervoicestudio/30-minute-assessment-clone

You’ll walk away with clarity on how your voice works for you—and where it might be working against you.

🔗 Links & Resources:

1. Free Guide: Pace & Pause
2. IG Carousel on 5 types of listeners: https://www.instagram.com/p/C5T3D9vrpBO/?img_index=4

💬 Want more?

If today’s episode sparked something for you, share it with a colleague or leave a review. Your voice matters—just like theirs does.

Until next time,

Keep fostering your voice. 🎤