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

In this episode of Cross Lab, hosts Steve Hohman and Olivia Espinosa are joined by plaintiff’s attorney Federico Lathrop and estate and trust attorney Mike Hackard.

Watch as they cross-examine Steve, who plays an occupational consultant and defense expert witness. They’ll challenge his opinion on the employability of the plaintiff, whose medical assessments reveal severe limitations that impact his ability to work.

Instagram:

@hackard_law

@fedelawyer

What’s covered in this episode:

• How to balance expectations and earn trust with emotionally charged clients
• The double edge sword of multi-fact questions
• Questions that expose biases—no matter what the witness answers
• What successful lawyers you love have in common
• Why the word “AND” is the invitation you want to give to your jury

Time Stamps

00:00 What’s Cross Lab?

11:11 Balancing trust and expectations with clients experiencing trauma and grief

19:42 Mock Case Overview: Grayson vs. NextGen and Samuel Dent

21:55 Federico’s Cross: Exposing biases—no matter what the witness answers

40:14 What looping aka repeating your witness’s words does to an expert

45:09 The power (and danger) of stacking multiple facts into one question

49:28 The common traits successful lawyers have

53:12 Mike Cross: Word selection that paints a picture

1:11:48 The magic of "AND" for your jury

1:13:12 Top takeaways if you had to cross a witness like this

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