x

75% of people globally want unbiased news (Pew Research) but are concerned they're not getting that.

Get balanced coverage with Symby. See how stories are covered across diverse outlets and spot when one side covers a story the other skips.

PODCAST

Sanctuary in the Jungle

Amidst a plethora of legal podcasts discussing case breakdowns, legal news, and true crime, Sanctuary in the Jungle offers a look into the lives and motivations of the lawyers themselves.Sanctuary in the Jungle is a criminal defense podcast discussing the vital role criminal defense attorneys play in the justice system. Drawing on insights from renowned attorneys Edward Bennett Williams and Michael Tigar, the podcast likens criminal courts to a "sanctuary" for rational decision making as opposed to

true crime

All Episodes

68:44

Reimagining Cross Examination | Jim McComas

Sanctuary in the Jungle ·

2026/04/09

So you've learned how to be comfortable in cross examination. Now what? Jim McComas has spent decades redefining what's possible in the courtroom. Between leading the trial division at the Washington D.C. Public Defender Service to becoming a legendary homicide defense lawyer in Alaska, Jim didn't just master cross-examination. He reimagined it. Building on the fundamentals explored in our previous episode with Matt Dodd, Jim introduces his next steps: dynamic cross-examination. Forget rigid ...

en-us

76:40

Painting Pictures through Facts | Matt Dodd

Sanctuary in the Jungle ·

2026/03/19

Joining us this week is an expert in cross examination, Attorney Matt Dodd. In this episode, he lays the groundwork for telling a story through facts, breaking down the how-tos and whys behind the art of asking questions. It’s a great listen for lawyers and non-lawyers alike looking to improve their communication and persuasion skills. While cross examination, or questioning adverse witnesses, is often thought of as a time for poking holes in the government’s theory, Matt tell us we sho...

en-us

79:22

Finding your voice & building belonging | Colette Tvedt

Sanctuary in the Jungle ·

2026/02/26

Despite knowing she wanted to be a public defender from the age of ten, Colette shares that even when you know where you want to go, finding who you are on the way there is the most rewarding part. Colette’s career has taken her through public and private defense work in DC, Massachusetts, Seattle, Denver, and more. Along with practicing, she has also served as Director of Public Defense Training and Reform at the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers (NACDL). Through all of ...

en-us

65:56

How Stories Connect Us | Keith Belzer

Sanctuary in the Jungle ·

2026/02/05

Today’s conversation sits at the heart of what we do as defenders: story. I’m joined by my friend Keith Belzer, a master of courtroom storytelling who has spent years studying not just what makes a story persuasive, but why it moves people. If you’ve been with us since episode one, you’ll know story is a frequent topic. We’ve explored finding our clients’ stories with Michele Lavigne and using story to build empathy with Matt Hefti — today, we go even deeper. Keith unpacks the roots of storyt...

en-us

78:52

From Being Charged to Choosing the Fight | Matthew Hefti

Sanctuary in the Jungle ·

2026/01/15

Welcome back to Sanctuary in the Jungle, a podcast for criminal defense attorneys about the importance of humanity and reason in the criminal legal system. In this episode, host Aaron A. Nelson sits down with Texas criminal defense attorney and writer Matthew Hefti. Matt’s path to becoming a defense lawyer is deeply personal. While deployed overseas, he was involved in a tragic incident and charged with homicide in the military justice system. Matt shares how his various experiences—fro...

en-us

68:47

Healing & Humanity in Homicide Cases | Deja Vishny

Sanctuary in the Jungle ·

2025/12/26

Sanctuary is back with a true Wisconsin criminal defense legend—Attorney Deja Vishny. A longtime public defender, Deja has handled more than 125 homicide cases, earning much recognition for her work. Deja is the recipient of NACDL's 2023 Champion of Justice award, two lifetime achievements from WACDL, the Wisconsin Law Journal's "Women in the Law" award, and many more. She brings that depth of experience to a powerful conversation about what it means to build sanctuary in cases defined...

en-us

105:23

Speak with Clarity, Serve with Heart | Joe Bugni

Sanctuary in the Jungle ·

2025/12/04

In this episode of Sanctuary in the Jungle, host Aaron Nelson sits down with Attorney Joe Bugni for an honest conversation about the craft — and the cost — of good advocacy. Together, they explore the clearest ways to communicate with judges, why flashy arguments aren't always the best choices for a client, and what it means to give yourself fully to the people you represent. Joe also opens up about the harder side of that calling: the moments when giving too much pushes you to your breaking...

en-us

69:36

Defending Dignity on Death Row | James E. Coleman Jr

Sanctuary in the Jungle ·

2025/11/13

Welcome back to Sanctuary in the Jungle. In this episode, we’re joined by Professor James E. Coleman Jr. From his first death penatly case through today, Professor Coleman endeavors to show that every human is worthy of dignity and a defense. That belief has shaped his approach to justice, from advocating for the wrongfully convicted to representing Ted Bundy as his final lawyer. In an era of sensationalized case coverage and true crime, Coleman tells us what questions the media should be ask...

en-us

82:41

How to Better Communicate with Clients | Michele Lavigne

Sanctuary in the Jungle ·

2025/10/24

Sanctuary in the Jungle launches its first episode exactly where so many Wisconsin attorneys’ passion for criminal defense begins - with emeritus law professor Michele Lavigne. Join us as Michele and Aaron discuss why they’re so passionate about defense and how communication helps them best tell their clients’ stories. At the University of Wisconsin Law School, Professor Lavigne led the UW Public Defender Program after serving as a public defender herself for many years. There, she researched...

en-us

1:09

What does Sanctuary in the Jungle mean?

Sanctuary in the Jungle ·

2025/10/24

en-us

1:06

Welcome to Sanctuary in the Jungle with Aaron Nelson

Sanctuary in the Jungle ·

2025/10/22

Welcome to Sanctuary in the Jungle with Aaron Nelson, a criminal defense podcast exploring the minds, stories, and resilience of attorneys who help to create sanctuary in the courtroom.

en-us

11 results

Similar Podcasts

Australian True Crime

Bravecasting

True Crime Podcast 2026 - Police Interrogations, 911 Calls and True Police Stories Podcast

True Crime Podcast 2026

Ontario Cold Cases - The Podcast

Jay Nicoll

The Conspiracy Files

Bloody FM

Crime at Bedtime

Jack Laurence