The Court Reporter Podcast

What happens when AI is used not just to document conflict, but to help prevent it from reaching the courtroom?

In this episode of The Court Reporter Podcast, Brynn Seymour speaks with Sol Kennedy, founder of BestInterest, an AI-powered co-parenting app designed to help reduce conflict and keep communication focused on what matters most — the children.

Sol shares how his own experience with divorce and high-conflict co-parenting led him to create BestInterest, and how the app uses AI to separate child-focused information from emotionally charged communication, allowing parents to deal with the practical details first and process the rest later.

The conversation then takes an unexpected turn into territory that will be particularly familiar to court reporters: how rapidly advancing technology is changing the legal profession.

Sol and Brynn discuss AI, transcription, speech-to-text, digital reporting and the question of whether technology will eventually replace parts of the traditional court reporting role. They also explore why human oversight and responsibility for the accuracy of the legal record remain so important.

Sol also talks about his experience as a serial entrepreneur, his time at Google, and why he believes AI has created an unprecedented opportunity for people with an idea to build their own technology solutions.

• How Sol's own divorce and co-parenting experience led to BestInterest
• How AI can help reduce conflict before it reaches court
• How BestInterest separates child-focused information from emotionally charged messages
• Why the original messages remain available for later review
• The difference between documenting conflict and actually helping prevent it
• Sol's journey from a 12-year-old software entrepreneur to Google and beyond
• How AI is changing the way entrepreneurs build software
• The future of AI, transcription and speech-to-text
• The debate around stenography and digital reporting
• Why human oversight remains important to the accuracy of the legal record
• How technology could change the role of court reporters
• Getting new technology and resources in front of judges and courts

Sol Kennedy is the founder of BestInterest, an AI-powered co-parenting app created from his own experience navigating high-conflict co-parenting. A former Googler and serial entrepreneur, Sol combines his background in technology with a mission to help parents communicate more peacefully and keep their focus on their children.

BestInterest — Learn more about the AI-powered co-parenting app.

BestInterest

BestInterest Judicial One-Pager — A resource Sol says parents can submit to courts to explain BestInterest and how it can be used.

BestInterest Judicial One-Pager

BestInterest — Our Story — Sol's story of how his own co-parenting experience led to the creation of the app.

The Story of BestInterest

WIRED — “Divorced? With Kids? And an Impossible Ex? There’s AI for That” — The WIRED feature about Sol and BestInterest. WIRED

OurFamilyWizard — Mentioned in the episode as an established co-parenting communication platform.

TalkingParents — Another established co-parenting communication platform mentioned in the episode.

LinkedIn: Sol Kennedy on LinkedIn

BestInterest: bestinterest.app

What happens when you stop trying to do everything yourself and start building a business around what you do best?

In this episode, I sit down with Donna, a stenographic court reporter who has been certified since 1969 and has more than 50 years of experience in the profession, and her daughter Dayna, who went from delivering transcripts to overseeing operations and eventually becoming an equity partner in the family business.

Donna takes us back to the early days of her career, from taking on demanding assignments to navigating decades of technological change in court reporting. Along the way, she built an agency and a reputation around what she does exceptionally well: being a court reporter.

But as the business grew, so did everything that came with running it.

That's where Dayna's strengths came in. With a natural ability for organization, operations, and building relationships, Dayna gradually took on more of the administrative side of the business—allowing Donna to spend more of her time doing what she does best.

Their story is a great example of something I talk about often on this podcast: you don't have to be great at everything to build a successful court reporting business. You need to know your strengths, recognize where you need help, and find the right people to fill those gaps.

We also talk about the importance of relationships, earning clients' trust, securing municipal contracts, adapting to changes in the industry, and what it takes to successfully build and sustain a business across generations.

At its heart, this is a story about a mother and daughter whose very different strengths became their greatest advantage.

In this episode:

• Donna's journey through more than 50 years of court reporting
• What court reporting looked like when Donna began in 1969
• Building a court reporting agency from the ground up
• Navigating decades of technological change
• How Dayna went from delivering transcripts to running operations
• Transitioning administrative responsibilities from Donna to Dayna
• Why Donna and Dayna's different strengths work so well together
• Knowing what you're good at—and when to ask for help
• Building and maintaining strong client relationships
• Earning trust and securing municipal contracts
• Strategic delegation in a court reporting business
• Building a successful mother-daughter partnership
• Creating a business that can adapt and endure

We made it to 100!

When I launched The Court Reporter Podcast in January 2023, I simply described myself as “a court reporter with something to say.” Three years and 100 episodes later, here I am with someone who stepped up to help.

Karina works fulltime at Regeneron, and then after work she'll come over and help me build systems and processes to streamline this business.

And looking ahead, I share the bigger vision behind all of it: helping court reporters spend more time on the record and less time on administrative work, while building businesses and lives that don't require them to carry every piece themselves.

This is a conversation about friendship, entrepreneurship, overwhelm, delegation, finding the right people, and figuring out what comes next.

And, of course, it's a celebration of reaching 100 episodes.

• Going from 18 transcripts “in the red” to getting the backlog under control by building a team
• Creating scalable systems
• Why finding the right people can completely change your business
• The unexpected story behind the new Court Reporter Podcast studio
• My journey from traditional court reporting to building a more flexible business
• More time on the record, less time on the admin
• The vision for supporting other court reporters
• What's next for the podcast, the studio, and the community

Thank you for being part of the first 100 episodes. Here's to the next 100.

In this special episode of The Court Reporter Podcast, Joey Seymour steps behind the microphone as guest host for a conversation with Jill Parker Landsman and Alex Vlahopoulos of the National Court Reporters Foundation (NCRF).

The conversation gets personal as Jill and Alex share why I, as the host of the Court Reporter Podcast, was unanimously selected as the 2026 recipient! I am truly honored and encouraged by this, so I wrote a song about it... I hope you love it! I'm so excited to continue giving back to the profession. They dive deep into the impact The Court Reporter Podcast has had inside and even beyond the U.S., and why this grant is about much more than receiving an award. I am so grateful to receive this nomination, and I have so many people to thank for supporting along the journey. Keep showing up!

In this episode:

• The story and legacy of Carl Sauceda
• Why the grant was created in his honor
• What makes someone an ambassador for court reporting
• Why the grant continues to create a ripple effect years after someone receives it
• Why Brynn was unanimously selected as the 2026 recipient
• The role social media, mentorship, education, and outreach can play in advancing the profession, and why that matters (discussing the nationwide shortage)
• How to nominate a deserving reporter or captioner for a future Carl Sauceda Grant
• Jill's advice for students and working reporters: never stop practicing
• Why technical skill alone isn't enough — and why freelance reporters also need strong business skills

Most importantly, this conversation is an invitation to consider the impact each of us can have on the profession.

You don't need a title, a huge platform, or decades in the field to give back. Mentor someone. Encourage a student. Introduce someone to stenography. Share what you've learned. Create something that helps the reporter coming behind you.

Keep showing up — because you may never know how far that impact will travel.

What happens when a childhood fascination with a court reporter on television turns into a 30+ year international career?

In this episode, I sit down with Leah Willisdorf, an accomplished international realtime reporter who takes us from her beginnings in Australia to her current home in London.

Leah shares how a fictional court reporter on a television show sparked her interest in the profession and ultimately led her to a career spanning more than three decades. She explains why realtime reporting has become such an important skill in today's legal industry and why reporters who master it are increasingly valuable.

We also dive into Leah's experience working on international arbitrations and corporate depositions, where the expectations for speed, accuracy, and professionalism are exceptionally high. Leah opens up about the pressures of working in these environments and the reality of burnout in a demanding profession.

One of the most valuable parts of our conversation is Leah's advice for creating a sustainable career. She discusses the importance of building a strong support network—including scopists and proofreaders—and finding ways to maintain a healthy work-life balance while working at a high level.

Leah's enthusiasm for court reporting is contagious. From international travel and unique assignments to developing highly sought-after skills, she makes a compelling case for why court reporting can be an incredibly rewarding career.

This is another episode that was recorded live at the NCRA convention expo hall.

• How a television show inspired Leah to become a court reporter
• Leah's journey from Australia to London
• Building a 30+ year career in court reporting
• Why realtime reporting is becoming increasingly important
• Working on international arbitrations
• The demands of corporate depositions
• Handling high-pressure assignments
• Burnout and the challenges of the profession
• Why scopists and proofreaders are so important
• Building a sustainable work-life balance
• The opportunities for travel and international work
• Why aspiring reporters should develop their realtime skills

• Inspiration can come from the most unexpected places—even television.
• Realtime reporting is one of the most valuable skills a modern court reporter can develop.
• International arbitrations and corporate depositions demand exceptional speed, accuracy, and preparation.
• A strong support network can make a demanding career much more sustainable.
• Burnout is a real challenge, and maintaining balance is essential for a long career.
• Developing realtime skills can open the door to unique assignments and international opportunities.
• Court reporting can provide a career filled with travel, variety, and continuous professional growth.

In this episode, I sit down with Cindy Sebo, a court reporter certified across 16 states with more than 30 years of reporting experience.

If you weren't already convinced from my 96 other episodes that you need a VTM (Virtual Transcript Manager, basically like a super-scopist & project manager of the entire production pipeline), I think you will finally be convinced after listening to this.

Cindy shares the unexpected story of how she discovered court reporting (and how similar it is to mine!!!) and how to earn more as a court reporter... spoiler alert: it's by having your own dedicated VTM!

This episode was recorded live at the NCRA convention expo hall, specifically at a booth that Steno had set up which worked out very well for podcast recordings.

Listen to learn business and leadership tips that will empower you to go from "transcript-to-transcript" to CEO, running the show :)

What happens when a court reporter is assigned to a case that's simply too personal to remain neutral?

In this episode, Brynn explores one of the profession's most difficult ethical questions: Where is the line between impartiality and personal conviction? The conversation begins with her experience covering clergy sexual abuse litigation.

From there, the discussion expands into a broader conversation about corporate accountability, public health, and the responsibility of those who document history as it unfolds. Drawing comparisons between the tobacco industry's past and today's food industry, Brynn examines whether the same patterns of corporate influence and deception are repeating themselves—and what that could mean for future litigation.

She also discuss the idea of a modern-day "Mississippi moment," exploring how landmark legal cases have the power to reshape industries, influence public opinion, and hold powerful corporations accountable. Throughout the conversation, Brynn reflects on the emotional weight of reporting on cases involving widespread harm and why some stories change the people who document them just as much as the people involved.

Whether you're a court reporter, attorney, or simply interested in the intersection of ethics, journalism, and public health, this episode offers a thought-provoking conversation about truth, responsibility, and the lasting impact of the legal record.

• The ethical challenges court reporters face when covering emotionally charged cases.
• How clergy sexual abuse litigation changed one reporter's perspective on neutrality.
• Why the food industry is increasingly being compared to Big Tobacco.
• What a new "Mississippi moment" could mean for corporate accountability.
• The role court reporters play in documenting history during landmark litigation.
• Why some cases leave a lasting emotional impact on the professionals who cover them.
• How legal proceedings can influence public awareness and drive systemic change.

What do you do when your very first day on the job starts with no car... and ends with reading back testimony from double-sided paper notes because you ran out of paper?

In this episode, I sit down with Norma Alicia Fame, an Official Court Reporter in Houston, Texas, who has spent more than 42 years in one of the most demanding professions out there.

Norma shares unforgettable stories from the early days of court reporting, including hitchhiking to her first deposition, surviving some incredible career "horror stories," working with manual steno machines, and witnessing the evolution of our profession from paper notes to realtime technology.

We also talk about AI, why the human element of court reporting still matters, and the advice she'd give to anyone considering this amazing career.

Norma's passion is contagious, and after spending time with her, it's easy to understand why she's still just as excited about court reporting today as she was over four decades ago.

• How Norma discovered court reporting
• Surviving the first days on the job
• Life before computers and realtime
• The biggest changes she's seen in 42 years
• Why AI can't replace skilled court reporters
• Mentoring the next generation
• Why she still loves the profession after all these years

• Determination can take you a long way—even if it means knocking on a stranger's car window to get to your first job.
• Every experienced court reporter has stories that new reporters can learn from.
• Technology has transformed court reporting, but it hasn't replaced the need for skilled professionals.
• Realtime writing is becoming increasingly valuable throughout the profession.
• Mentorship plays an important role in helping future court reporters succeed.
• Loving what you do is one of the biggest keys to a long and rewarding career.

• Realtime reporting
• Artificial Intelligence (AI)
• Houston Civil Courts

Why would two of Southern California's most respected court reporters sell their agency to one of the industry's largest companies?

In Part 2 of Brynn's conversation with Kamryn and Whitney, the twins address the questions and criticism that followed KW Court Reporting's acquisition by Veritext. They share why they made the decision, the realities of running an independent agency, and why they believe partnering with a larger company was the best path forward for their staff, clients, and the profession. It's an honest conversation about leadership, change, and the future of court reporting during one of the industry's most transformative periods.

They explain what led to the acquisition, the realities of running an independent reporting agency, and why they believe the future of court reporting depends on adapting to a rapidly changing industry. The conversation explores everything from the nationwide court reporter shortage and evolving technology to the responsibility agency owners have to their reporters, staff, and clients.

Kamryn and Whitney also respond to the criticism surrounding the acquisition, sharing why they believe compassion, transparency, and a willingness to embrace change are essential if the profession is going to thrive. Whether you agree with their decision or not, this episode offers a thoughtful look at the challenges facing court reporting today and the difficult decisions many agency owners may soon be forced to make.

• Why Kamryn and Whitney decided to sell KW Court Reporting to Veritext.
• The biggest challenges facing independent court reporting agencies today.
• How the nationwide court reporter shortage is changing the industry.
• The role technology and digital reporting are playing in the future of court reporting.
• How the twins responded to criticism following the acquisition.
• Why they believe leadership sometimes means making difficult decisions that others may not immediately understand.
• These sound more like reasons to listen than conclusions after listening.

Companies mentioned in this episode:

• KW court reporting
• Veritext

Is Hollywood accidentally contributing to the court reporter shortage?

It might sound like a strange question, but the way court reporters are portrayed on screen could be having a bigger impact than most people realize.

In this episode, Brynn explores how decades of inaccurate portrayals have shaped public perception of the profession, why so few people understand what court reporters actually do, and how that misunderstanding may be contributing to the nationwide shortage.

Brynn also shares a personal update after taking a short break from the podcast, what she's been working on behind the scenes, and why she's excited to be back with new episodes every Monday.

Whether you're a court reporter, a legal professional, or simply curious about the future of the justice system, this episode offers a fresh perspective on a profession that often goes unnoticed—but is essential to making justice possible.

Key Takeaways

• Why Hollywood's portrayal of court reporters may be contributing to the nationwide court reporter shortage.
• What court reporters actually do—and why they're an essential part of the justice system.
• The misconceptions that keep people from considering court reporting as a career.
• Brynn shares what she's been up to during her break from the podcast and why she's excited to be back.
• A behind-the-scenes look at the challenges of building a long-term career in court reporting.
• Why changing the conversation around court reporting could help inspire the next generation of professionals.

Companies mentioned in this episode:

• Indeed
• LinkedIn
• ZipRecruiter
• Upwork
• Pirozzi & Hillman Reporting
• Lexitas