Lens of a Lawyer

Sheriff Eric Kirsch - The Power of Vulnerability

Wed, 17 Dec 2025 04:58:00 -0500

David wraps Season One with Sheriff Eric Kirsch, an unlikely lawman whose journey began in New York and took him through military service in Iraq and Afghanistan before landing in rural Kansas. Kirsch shares a fascinating personal story of trauma and resilience, revealing his deeply human and authentic approach to law enforcement—one built on acknowledging the shared humanity of others.

Sarah Goble - Paved With Good Intentions (Part 2)

Wed, 03 Dec 2025 14:10:17 -0500

In many of our systems of governance, whether in health, justice, or the economy, the desire of organisations, movements, or individuals to do good can often have unintended, even catastrophic, consequences.
David is joined by Sarah Goble, who brought her baby son to the hospital, only to nearly lose both her children when her son’s illness was misdiagnosed, and the parents found themselves accused of abuse. In this second part of the interview, David and Sarah discuss the consequences of this ordeal and the lessons that can be learned from it.

Sarah Goble - Paved With Good Intentions (Part 1)

Wed, 26 Nov 2025 05:29:00 -0500

In many of our systems of governance, whether in health, justice, or the economy, the desire by the organisations, movements, or individuals to do good can often have unintentional, even catastrophic consequences.
David is joined by Sarah Goble, who brought her baby son to the hospital, only to nearly lose both her children when her son’s illness was misdiagnosed and the parents found themselves accused of abuse. In this first part, Sarah details the harrowing story from medical emergency to legal battle.

Prof. Elizabeth Loftus - The Fallibility of Our Memory

Wed, 12 Nov 2025 06:05:00 -0500

Our brain’s capacity for storing memories is the foundation for our learning and relationships, as well as witness testimonies. However, scientific research increasingly suggests just how unreliable this mental archive actually is.
Join David and groundbreaking psychologist Prof. Elizabeth Loftus as they detail her decades of work on the science of memory manipulation. Prof. Loftus explains the misinformation effect—how post-event information can distort recall—and shares her experience providing expert testimony in high-profile trials. They discuss how her research directly impacts modern interrogation techniques, offers critical lessons on separating verifiable fact from implanted suggestion, and forces us to rethink how we handle memory in all areas of life.

Karin Houston - Negotiations & Deals

Wed, 22 Oct 2025 06:02:00 -0400

In a world driven by conflict, nearly all of our high-stakes problems—from criminal justice to corporate mergers—are resolved not by a dramatic victory, but by negotiation and compromise.
David sits down with Karin Houston, an FBI Crisis and Hostage Negotiator, to explore this fundamental truth. Karin reveals the little-known skills that link the courtroom to the crisis zone. What shared techniques are used when a prosecutor is hammering out a plea deal and when a negotiator is trying to de-escalate an armed standoff? Tune in to learn how to identify common expectations, manage emotional pressure, and secure mutually acceptable terms in your own life's most challenging conversations.

Dr. Lisa Witcher - Reason of Insanity

Wed, 08 Oct 2025 08:00:00 -0400

Mental state and mental health are central to our legal systems, as well as our very perception of accountability. From serious “crimes of passion” to daily interactions, our mental state is used to excuse or mitigate our actions, and our attitudes towards its connection with accountability are anything but consistent. Lisa Witcher, a forensic psychologist, explains what makes us fit to stand trial and how to strike a balance between holding people accountable and understanding their circumstances.

Dan Ross - How Can You Defend These People?

Wed, 24 Sep 2025 14:03:13 -0400

As a criminal defense attorney, David sometimes gets confronted by people questioning the role of defending people who are (in many cases) guilty of the crimes of which they are accused. In this episode, David is joined by prominent defense attorney Dan Ross, known for his courtroom tactics and strong beliefs, to discuss what motivates them to pursue this profession, why it is important for our society, and why all of us may one day find ourselves in need of a defense attorney.

Tricia Rojo Bushnell - Overcoming Convictions

Wed, 10 Sep 2025 06:21:00 -0400

Tricia Rojo Bushnell joins David to discuss her work with the Innocence Project, fighting for those who have been wrongfully convicted. Together, they explore the difference between defending someone at trial and trying to overturn a conviction after the fact, and what that gap reveals about our justice system. Their conversation digs into the deeper question: why is it so hard for us, as individuals and as a society, to admit we have been wrong?

Sabrena and Lily Morgan - From Mother To Meth Dealer (And Back)

Wed, 20 Aug 2025 04:01:00 -0400

All parents make mistakes, but admitting them to their children or finding the way back into a strained relationship is often challenging. Sabrena Morgan became addicted to Methamphetamines during a custody battle for her daughter Lily, only to lose contact with her daughter entirely when she was sent to prison for a drug conspiracy. Now closer than ever, Sabrena and Lily join David on this episode to discuss their crazy experiences and how their relationship survived extreme challenges.

Dr. Nicole Price - The Surprising Sides of Empathy

Wed, 06 Aug 2025 02:00:00 -0400

While courts are tasked with deciding guilt impartially, sentencing often demands something more human: empathy. Judges, attorneys, and jurors are asked to consider the offender’s background, the victim’s pain, and the broader impact of a crime. In this episode, Dr. Nicole Price joins David to explore the many forms of empathy and how this often-overlooked skill became central to her work. She shares how her understanding of empathy was shaped not only by her professional journey, but by an unexpected lesson from a pimp—one that her mother couldn’t teach her.

Erik Hulse - Zen and the Art of Keeping Your Cool

Wed, 16 Jul 2025 07:02:00 -0400

Erik Hulse’s journey is anything but ordinary—once a troubled teen and gifted musician, he went on to serve as an undercover cop and eventually a police captain. But it wasn’t until he discovered Buddhism and mindfulness that he found real peace and purpose. Now a teacher of both, Erik joins David to talk about how crime and legal struggles often stem from a loss of control, and how practices like meditation and self-reflection can help us reclaim it.

Laura Mars - Finding Redemption: Healing and Laughter

Wed, 02 Jul 2025 04:30:00 -0400

Our criminal justice system is built to deliver verdicts and sentences, but what about offering a path toward redemption? In this episode, David sits down with Laura Mars to discuss her work with group therapy for sex offenders, her Christian faith, her stand-up comedy, and the lessons she has learned about overcoming tragedy and adversity.

Jean Peters Baker - How Can We Improve Policing (and the Conversation Around It)?

Mon, 23 Jun 2025 00:09:00 -0400

Policing is among the most passionately debated issues in the already boiling American political discourse.

David Bell sits down with Jean Peters Baker, the recently retired Jackson County Prosecutor, to talk candidly about law enforcement, her career in the justice system, and the complexities of addressing police violence in the U.S.

David and Jean discuss their perspectives and what this debate can teach us about discussing difficult disagreements in other areas.