Lens of a Lawyer

We like to believe the justice system is a machine designed to distill absolute truth, but what happens when the human elements running it are hardwired to lie? In this eye-opening episode, host and criminal defense attorney David Bell sits down with researcher, author, and advisor Dr. Arin Reeves to dissect the psychology of dishonesty.

In American political rhetoric, immigration and crime are constantly fused together. From the deportation of violent offenders to the mechanics of border enforcement, the public conversation is heavily dominated by a criminal justice framework.
But there is a massive disconnect: immigration courts are actually civil courts, not criminal ones.
How do we cut through the noise and look at these highly complex legal realities with clear minds when fear is being stoked on all sides? To dismantle the myths and map out the facts, David is joined by premier immigration attorney Rekha Sharma-Crawford for a grounded, nuanced conversation unlike anything you’ve heard on this topic.

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.

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. 

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.

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.

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.

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.

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 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?