Hosts Steve Hohman and Olivia Espinosa are joined by criminal defense and civil rights attorney Bruce Ringstrom, and plaintiff’s personal injury attorney Fred Bryant.

Watch as they put Officer Brown (played by Steve) on the stand and challenge his version of events to prove their client did not knowingly help her son evade arrest.

This episode is based on a real case from a listener looking for new perspectives on their upcoming trial. To submit your case for an upcoming episode click HERE!

What’s covered in this episode:

• How to turn minimal evidence into explosive revelations
• Creating real-time surplus reality
• Why breaking the #1 “baby lawyer” rule can can pay off
• What to do when a witness doesn’t give you what you want
• The “who’s the jerk now?” method—this is gold!

Time Stamps

00:00 What’s Cross Lab?

9:24 The blurred line advantages of working with family in your law firm

15:26 Mock Case Overview: State of Idaho vs. Darla Roberts

17:08 How to cross a witness with minimal evidence—and uncover explosive surprises (the good kind)

20:00 Bruce’s cross: Building surplus reality

38:53 Why it’s worth breaking a “baby lawyer” rule

40:25 The top fall back when a witness doesn’t give you what you want

49:52 An easy technique to reset and rattle a witness at the same time

53:44 Fred’s cross: The “who’s the jerk now?” approach

1:08:25 Why tagging your questions with a “isn’t that correct?” can show a lack of confidence

1:13:24 Top takeaways if you had to cross a witness like this

To get free resources for your next trial go to HausImprov.com

Hosts Steve Hohman and Olivia Espinosa are joined by personal injury and family law attorney Shane Henry, as well as noted TV, film and theater actor, producer and director Jean Bruce Scott.

Watch as Shane cross-examines Jean, who plays this episode’s mock witness—a devoted grandma testifying on behalf of her son who’s seeking primary custody of his 2 children.

Shane challenges Jean’s claims in this masterclass of constructive cross-examination.

What’s covered in this episode:

• The funnel that traps the witness and triggers the jury’s ‘aha!’ moment
• What Bryan Cranston and Tom Hanks share—and why it’s essential for trial lawyers
• How a fact-focused cross can open doors you didn’t expect
• The low-key cue that signals you’ve got the opposing witness under your control
• A simple way to collect testimony gold—ready for closing, ASAP

Time Stamps

00:00 What’s Cross Lab?

2:55 The real power of constructive cross—for your witness, judge, and jury

10:15 Structuring your questions to box in the witness and create an ‘aha!’ moment for the jury

17:45 The “secret” to performing that hooks your audience and keeps you credible

21:25 What successful big-money verdict attorneys have in common

29:30 Mock Case Overview: Stills vs. Stills

34:34 Shane’s Cross: Building a clear picture—one fact at a time

57:14 A subtle cue that proves you're steering the witness

59:56 How to collect key testimony—so your closing organizes itself

1:09:17 Tips for managing performance anxiety

1:13:41 Top takeaways if you had to cross a witness like this

To get free resources for your next trial go to HausImprov.com

We’re calling this special episode of Cross Lab…Cross Pollination!

Hosts Steve Hohman and Olivia Espinosa are bringing together their community of theater makers and professional storytellers for a powerful conversation.

Our guests—Cecelia Kouma, Mabelle Reynoso, and Arturo Medina from Playwrights Project—are producers, actors, playwrights, and educators who teach playwriting in prisons.

Tune in as they share their work, their wisdom, and storytelling techniques that can transform how you build narratives in the courtroom.

Instagram @playwrightsproject

What’s covered in this episode:

• How to turn facts into a story—even if you don’t think you're a storyteller
• 4 story kickstarters for a compelling narrative
• The essential hook that makes your listener root for your client
• Why “falling in love” with your client is non-negotiable
• The no-brainer step to make your opening statement click with your fact-finders

Time Stamps

00:00 What’s this special episode of Cross Lab all about?

5:23 About Playwrights Project and their work in carceral spaces

11:29 The power of storytelling for healing and transformation

17:32 Where to start—4 storytelling lifelines when you’re buried under a mountain of facts

25:30 How to unlock your client’s real story—and why they’re giving you the “safe” version

32:40 What the best attorneys we’ve seen have in common

39:23 The #1 thing your listener needs for a story to land and feel real

49:00 How to make sure your story is fleshed out and accessible for anyone (perfect for an opening statement!)

1:06:03 Don’t think you're a storyteller? Here’s the cure.

To get free resources for your next trial go to HausImprov.com