The Deposition That Ended in Flames: Lincoln Combs

The Deposition That Ended in Flames: Lincoln Combs

What happens when a routine deposition turns into a real-life emergency?Attorney Lincoln Combs joins Cristina Perez to share one of the most unbelievable legal stories you’ll ever hear. During a Zoom deposition, Cristina suddenly heard strange noises coming from her office ceiling. Moments later, she discovered her law firm was on fire.But that’s just one of many stories in this candid conversation. Lincoln discusses his journey from commercial litigation to becoming one of Arizona’s most respected trial lawyers, the lessons he’s learned from wrongful death cases, medical malpractice litigation, jury trials, and why the quality of a client can make or break a case.Along the way, Cristina and Lincoln revisit the case that first brought them together, swap courtroom war stories, and talk about the realities of building a successful legal career.Topics include:• The deposition interrupted by a building fire• Wrongful death litigation and statutory beneficiaries• Medical malpractice and complex injury cases• Lessons from losing a jury trial• Building a law firm and mentoring young attorneys• Life as a trial lawyer in ArizonaIf you enjoy behind-the-scenes legal stories, trial strategy, and conversations with top attorneys, this episode is for you.#VerdictsAndVogue #CristinaPerez #LincolnCombs #TrialLawyer #PersonalInjuryLaw #WrongfulDeath #MedicalMalpractice #LawyerPodcast #LegalPodcast #ArizonaLawyer #CourtroomStories #Litigation #AttorneyLife

Cristina Perez Unfiltered | Trauma, Success & The Pressure to Prove Yourself

What happens when the interviewer becomes the interviewee?For the first time on Verdicts & Vogue, Cristina Perez steps into the hot seat and opens up in a way she never has before.From growing up as the daughter of immigrants to building her law firm from a Costco computer after being unexpectedly fired… Cristina shares the moments that shaped her. She talks about imposter syndrome, motherhood, leadership, trust, childhood trauma, chasing achievement, and the fear of never doing something meaningful enough.Along the way, she also weighs in on topics making headlines right now including AI and attorney-client privilege, immigration concerns, women in law, rideshare accountability, deepfake exploitation, and what integrity really means when life gets hard.This isn’t a legal episode. It’s a personal one.Topics include:• Growing up between cultures• Starting a law firm with almost nothing• Motherhood and raising a child with autism• Why achievement can become a moving target• Surviving self-doubt and imposter syndrome• Women supporting women in law• AI, privacy, and legal risks• Deepfakes, digital harm & accountability• The fear of dying before making an impactIf this episode resonates with you, subscribe and share it with someone who needs the reminder that success rarely looks the way we imagine.#VerdictsAndVogue #CristinaPerez #WomenInLaw #PersonalGrowth #Leadership #ImposterSyndrome #AttorneyLife #Podcast #WomenEmpoweringWomen #MentalHealth #Motherhood #LegalPodcast #AI #SuccessJourney #LatinaLeadership

From Public Defender to Protecting Women & Children | Caitlin Engstrand

After 12 years as a public defender representing children and families, Caitlin Engstrand made a bold decision: leave the public sector and build a practice centered around protecting women, children, and helping families navigate some of life’s hardest moments.In this episode of Verdicts & Vogue, Cristina Perez sits down with Caitlin to talk about what she learned inside the juvenile justice system, why she walked away from the traditional path, and how motherhood, advocacy, and purpose changed her definition of success.This conversation explores:• What really happens inside juvenile court• Children in the justice system and how young charges can begin• Why protecting kids starts earlier than most parents realize• Parenting in a digital world• Social media, gaming, and online safety• Why Caitlin doesn’t allow sleepovers• Building a legal career around impact, not volume• Motherhood, ambition, and redefining successThis episode is thoughtful, practical, funny, and full of hard-earned perspective for parents, professionals, and anyone navigating change.Subscribe for conversations on law, identity, parenting, growth, and life beyond the courtroom.#VerdictsAndVogue#CaitlinEngstrand#Parenting#WomenInLaw#ChildSafety#PersonalGrowth#Motherhood#LegalPodcast#WomenWhoLead#JuvenileJustice#TikTokLawyer#Podcast

How a One-Way Ticket Led to a $150 Million Empire | Amy Barrie

Amy Barrie sold her belongings to buy a one-way ticket from Canada to Florida with no plan, no money, and no guarantees. Today, she’s a key leader at one of the biggest companies in the mass tort industry.In this episode of Verdicts & Vogue, Amy sits down with Cristina Perez to talk about hustle, ambition, ego, discipline, reputation, and what it really takes to succeed in high-pressure industries.From sleeping on an air mattress and cold-calling law firms… to helping build a $150 million company, Amy shares the lessons she learned navigating business, leadership, confidence, and life as a young woman in a male-dominated industry.This conversation dives into:• Building success from nothing• Why reputation matters more than attention• The “ego death” that changed her career• Confidence, discernment, and boundaries in business• Women navigating power and professionalism• Why hustle alone isn’t enoughThis is a conversation about ambition, growth, humility, and becoming the kind of person success can trust.Subscribe for more conversations on leadership, identity, confidence, and personal growth through the lens of law, business, and life.#VerdictsAndVogue #AmyBarrie #WomenInBusiness #Entrepreneurship #Leadership #PersonalGrowth #SuccessMindset #ProfessionalDevelopment #Confidence #Podcast

Cristina Perez & Melissa June: Leading with Purpose, Living with Alignment

In the Season 2 premiere of Verdicts & Vogue, host Cristina Perez Hesano sits down with Melissa June for one of the most raw and inspiring conversations yet. What starts with laughter over Melissa’s famous “feelings wheel” quickly turns into a deep discussion on emotions, ambition, burnout, healing, and authenticity. Melissa, a performance and alignment coach, explains how the feelings wheel helps people identify emotions beyond the basics like happy, sad, or angry. She believes vulnerability creates true connection, especially among women. Cristina admits that while she understands emotions in her work as a trial attorney, expressing her own feelings has always been difficult. Melissa shares her journey from legal and marketing professional to coach. She spent years constantly “on,” attending conferences, building relationships, and chasing success. As a wife, mother of three, and high performer, she became consumed by the need to achieve and be needed. She openly discusses how hustle culture affected her marriage, family, and mental health. Her life changed in 2021 when she was diagnosed with breast cancer. Even after a bilateral mastectomy and reconstruction, she kept working, planning events, and attending conferences. She scheduled chemo around work obligations until her body forced her to stop. After suffering a blood clot and an emergency hospitalization while battling cancer and COVID alone, Melissa was finally forced into stillness. In the hospital, she discovered guided meditation, which she credits with saving her life. Meditation helped Melissa unravel the identity she built around achievement and validation. She realized her life, marriage, and career were not what she truly wanted. After chemotherapy, she divorced her husband, left her job, and started over. She also reveals the darkest point of her life, battling severe depression and suicidal thoughts after chemo. Cristina deeply relates to Melissa’s story. The two bond over the pressure women face to excel professionally while also meeting expectations of being perfect wives, mothers, and leaders. Cristina reflects on how much of her life was spent performing perfection and constantly chasing “more.” Melissa’s advice for women at a crossroads is simple but powerful: stop and sit in the discomfort. Instead of distracting ourselves with work or obligations, she encourages people to listen to the sensations in their body and get curious about what those feelings are trying to say. She discusses the power of silent meditation retreats, including her own 10 day Vipassana experience. The conversation also touches on leadership and emotional intelligence in high pressure industries like law. Melissa explains the importance of communication, active listening, and understanding emotional triggers. She encourages leaders to know their team’s goals, strengths, and aspirations to create healthy, aligned workplaces. Cristina shares a story about confronting sexism in the legal field and reflects on how far she has come in owning her confidence and authenticity. Together, they discuss liberation and what it means to stop performing for others and start living in alignment. Melissa closes by sharing her work as a performance and alignment coach, helping individuals and businesses clarify their mission, values, and partnerships to create meaningful impact. This powerful season opener reminds listeners that success without alignment can feel empty, and life’s biggest breakdowns can lead to the greatest breakthroughs. Through laughter, tears, and honesty, Cristina and Melissa encourage listeners to confront their feelings, redefine success, and embrace healing and purpose.