What is a VTM? A Virtual Transcript Manager is a project manager for court reporters. They manage the coordination between scopists and proofreaders, the data, the deadlines, the captions and appearances, everything that allows court reporters to focus 100% on the part of the workflow that only we can do: showing up and taking down the testimony as accurately as possible, in realtime.

I already know what you might be thinking -- if you haven't heard me talk about the VTM before and explain in depth what it is, you might be jumping to conclusions about some kind of AI tool to manage our transcripts. While that is my ultimate goal, right now it's 100% human-led while we solidify the process -- so if you were ever interested in my VTM program, NOW is the time to follow along and train your VTM with me. All you have to do is pick the right person -- whether you have to post the job on Indeed and host interviews like I did, or whether you have a college student you trust and can train, or a loyal scopist that's willing to take on project management of your transcripts (for an agreed-upon rate), feel free to join my cohort (this is coming into existence as I'm writing this) and we can totally train our VTMs together! If not, don't worry, we'll find an efficient way to document the full training process and share everything.

Terms that come up in this episode:

VTM (Virtual Transcript Manager)

A person who manages the entire transcript process for a court reporter, from organizing files to coordinating scopists and proofreaders, so the reporter can focus on writing and taking jobs.

Freelance Court Reporter

A court reporter who works independently, taking jobs from different agencies or clients rather than being employed by one court or company.

Calendar Calls

Routine court proceedings where multiple cases are quickly reviewed or updated, usually without testimony or detailed arguments.

Contested Hearing

A hearing where witnesses testify and evidence is presented because there is a dispute between parties.

Transcript

The official written record of everything said during a legal proceeding.

Scoping

The process of editing a transcript using specialized software to clean up translation errors while verifying against the audio which is synced to the transcript.

Scopist

A professional who edits transcripts for court reporters.

Proofreader

The final reviewer who checks transcripts for grammar, punctuation, and accuracy before submission.

CaseCAT (CaseCATalyst)

A widely used software program that court reporters use to write, edit, and produce transcripts.

Realtime

The ability for a court reporter to translate stenography into readable text instantly as they write.

Includes

Pre-set text elements (like appearances, headers, or formatting blocks) inserted into transcripts to save time and maintain consistency.

Appearance Page

A section at the beginning of a transcript listing all attorneys, parties, and participants involved in the case.

Caption

The case heading at the top of a transcript that includes the court, case name, and case number.

Expedite / Overnight / Daily

Different turnaround times for transcripts:

• Expedite: Faster than normal delivery
• Overnight: Delivered the next day
• Daily: Delivered the same day

Board of Parole Hearings

Administrative hearings where decisions are made about whether an inmate may be released from prison.

Hard Stop

A strict, non-negotiable time when work must end, regardless of whether proceedings are finished.

Project Management (for Court Reporters)

Tracking deadlines, managing transcript orders, coordinating team members, and ensuring timely delivery of work.

Data Entry (in Court Reporting)

Inputting case details, formatting elements, and transcript information into files and systems.

OneDrive (Workflow Tool)

A cloud storage system used to organize files, track deadlines, and collaborate securely.

Mental Bandwidth

The amount of mental capacity available to manage tasks, decisions, and responsibilities.

Companies mentioned in this episode:

• Veritex
• Case CAT
• Indeed
• Manhattanville
• Honda Prologue

In this episode of The Court Reporter Podcast, Brynn sits down with Dr. Robert Lustig, a leading expert in metabolic health, to explore the science behind sugar, energy, and what’s really happening inside the body.

From the perspective of court reporters and legal professionals, this conversation goes beyond health advice. It offers insight into how expert witnesses think, how complex medical testimony is structured, and why understanding these concepts can elevate your confidence in the room.

Dr. Lustig shares his journey from medicine to studying public health law, explains the difference between behavior and biochemistry, and breaks down how systemic factors may be influencing health outcomes on a much larger scale.

The conversation also touches on practical, real-life strategies for maintaining focus and energy during long depositions — something every court reporter can relate to.

In this episode, we cover:

• The difference between behavior and biochemistry in health
• Why “calories” are not the full picture
• What ATP is and why it matters for energy and focus
• How sugar impacts the body at a cellular level
• The concept of “regulation through litigation”
• What court reporters can learn from expert witness testimony
• Simple, practical ways to protect your energy during long depo days

Key Terms Mentioned:

• Parens patriae
• First Law of Thermodynamics
• Adiposity
• DEXA scan
• Hypothyroidism
• Mitochondria
• ATP
• Cortisol
• Regulation through litigation

Resources & Further Reading:

• Fat Chance
• The Hacking of the American Mind

Connect & Share:

If you found this episode helpful, share it with another court reporter!

Coming Next:

A conversation with Whitney and Kamryn breaking down the Veritext acquisition and what it means for court reporters.

In this episode, I’m taking you behind the scenes of a decision I’ve been talking about for years… but am finally executing.

At the start of 2026, I made a commitment to either walk away from this profession or step fully into becoming a high-level, real-time court reporter. No more in-between.

So I did something different.

I reached out to some of the top real-time reporters in the industry and offered $10,000 for true coaching and accountability. Not casual mentorship, but real structure, real expectations, and real follow-through.

Joshua Edwards was the first to say yes.

This episode is a raw recording from our first session together. It’s unfiltered, honest, and full of the kinds of conversations that don’t usually get shared publicly… but probably should.

We talk about:

• The hidden gaps between court reporting school and real-world expectations
• Why doing everything manually is slowing you down and causing burnout
• The importance of setting boundaries with agencies (including not acting as a remote technician)
• The difference between federal and state proceedings in a practical, usable way
• Why so many reporters feel like they’re “missing something”… and what to do about it
• The systems, habits, and mindset required to move from average to exceptional

This is just the beginning.

I’m documenting the entire journey as I work toward becoming a real-time reporter, not just for myself, but for anyone else who feels stuck, overwhelmed, or unsure of what they’re missing.

If that’s you… you’re not alone.

What is the court reporter’s role when something on the record feels… wrong? And how can court reporters and interpreters work together effectively to enhance the record-taking process?

In this episode, Brynn explores one of the most nuanced and debated issues in court reporting: working with interpreters (including "underqualified" or reporter-illiterate interpreters). Where is the line between neutrality and responsibility? When should a reporter remain silent, and when is it necessary to speak up?

Drawing from real deposition experiences, industry discussions, and state rules across New York, California, Texas, and Illinois, this episode breaks down what the law says and what actually happens in the room.

More importantly, it challenges a deeper question:

Are we simply capturing the record… or are we responsible for protecting it?

• The difference between interpretation and verbatim testimony
• Why third-person interpreting creates serious transcript issues
• The real problem with mixing English and interpreted answers
• What state rules actually say about the reporter’s role
• A critical distinction between content vs. structure of the record
• When speaking up may be necessary to preserve clarity
• Why this issue points to larger gaps in interpreter and legal training

This episode references the following rules and professional guidance:

• New York – CPLR § 3113(b)
• Requires that testimony be recorded verbatim by the deposition officer
• California – Court Reporters Board Best Practices
• States that reporters should not interrupt or correct interpretation and are responsible for capturing, not creating, the record
• Texas – Rules of Civil Procedure 203.1 & 203.2
• Defines the deposition officer’s role as neutral and limited to recording testimony
• Illinois – Supreme Court Rules 206 & 207
• Requires the officer to record testimony and certify it as a true record
• National Court Reporters Association (NCRA) Code of Professional Ethics
• Emphasizes impartiality, professionalism, and maintaining the integrity of the reporting profession

There is a critical difference between:

• Intervening in interpretation (not our role)
• vs.
• Intervening when the structure of the record breaks down

This episode explores where that line may exist—and why it matters.

Have you experienced this in a deposition?

Would you speak up… or stay silent?

🎙 You can now leave a voicemail directly for the podcast.

Visit the Court Reporter Podcast website and click the green microphone button in the bottom right corner to record your message (up to 2 minutes).

Longer thoughts? Submit multiple messages.

Selected responses may be featured in an upcoming episode.

If this episode resonated with you, share it with a fellow court reporter, scopist, or legal professional.

This is a conversation our industry needs to have.

You know what no one tells you about remote depositions?

It’s not the big mistakes that trip you up…

It’s the small, seemingly harmless ones.

The moments where you think you’re being helpful.

The times you speak up when you shouldn’t… or stay quiet when you shouldn’t.

In this episode, I’m sharing real stories from the field—times I learned the hard way what not to do as a court reporter.

From awkward read-and-sign situations…

To accidentally overstepping with attorneys…

To one simple assumption that humbled me instantly…

These are the lessons that don’t always get taught—but absolutely matter when you’re on the job.

If you’re a new reporter—or even experienced—this episode will help you avoid the kinds of mistakes that can quietly impact your professionalism, confidence, and relationships with counsel.

1. Why you should never bring up read and sign unless it’s mentioned
2. The “helpful” question that can actually create more work for everyone
3. How one small assumption can instantly shift the tone of a proceeding
4. What to do when exhibit numbering goes wrong (and why timing matters)
5. The Zoom habit that can make you miss critical moments on the record
6. How to stay in your role while still being proactive and professional

In court reporting, it’s often the smallest decisions that have the biggest impact.

Learning how to navigate those moments with clarity, neutrality, and confidence is what separates someone who is simply “getting through the job”… from someone who is truly in control of the room.

If this episode helped you, share it with another court reporter—especially someone who’s just getting started. These are the lessons we usually learn the hard way… but they don’t have to be.

🎙️ The Court Reporter Podcast

📩 brynn@courtreporterpodcast.com

NCRA-backed AI oversight bill receives sponsorship

U.S. Rep. Hageman and U.S. Sens. Wicker and Welch introduce

Court reporting isn’t just about the record—it’s about the business you’re running (or the one that’s running you).

In this episode, Brynn Seymour cuts through the industry noise to address the "hidden" side of the profession: the struggle to maintain total accuracy while managing the chaos of being a solo entrepreneur. Most reporters are trained to be brilliant stenographers, but they’re left in the dark when it comes to being CEOs.

What we’re covering:

1. The Business Gap: Why the transition from reporter to business owner is failing so many, and how to bridge it.
2. The LA Executive Roundtable: A look inside the upcoming "Tea Party" at the Biltmore—where we’re sitting the "Old Guard" (Veritext/Esquire) across from the "New Tech" (Steno/Filevine) to demand transparency.
3. The Workflow Revolution: A first look at Brynn’s automation system designed to kill the administrative burnout—from goal tracking to automated invoicing.

This isn't just a podcast; it’s a call to action. It’s time to stop waiting for the "9-to-5ers" to fix our industry and start building the solutions ourselves.

Key Takeaways:

1. Own the Business, Not Just the Seat: Why you need to view your reporting as a high-margin enterprise.
2. Tech as a Teammate: How automation (and our new app) is solving the "admin tax" on your time.
3. The Power of the Room: Why our LA Summit is the most important conversation happening in the industry this year.

The court reporting profession is confronted by rapid advancements in artificial intelligence and an alarming rise in reporter burnout. As the mechanisms for capturing and delivering the official record evolve, court reporters find themselves grappling with the immense responsibilities of their roles, often at full capacity. This episode delves into the tensions that have emerged within the industry, as well as the solutions.

We advocate for a future where technology and the expertise of court reporters coexist harmoniously, building hybrid models that enhance efficiency without compromising the integrity of the profession. Our mission is to cultivate a collaborative environment that empowers reporters, optimizes administrative workflows, and ultimately upholds the pursuit of justice.

Takeaways:

1. The court reporting profession stands at a critical juncture, facing challenges that require our full attention.
2. Advancements in technology and AI, artificial intelligence, are transforming the methods of record capturing and delivery.
3. Court reporters are confronting unprecedented levels of burnout while maintaining the official record's integrity... which will be explored more thoroughly in a future episode!
4. A collaborative approach between stenographers and tech is essential for the profession's sustainable future.
5. The "old" system is deemed unsustainable by many practitioners, necessitating urgent reform to address systemic issues.
6. Leadership and vision are imperative to ensure that the profession evolves while preserving vital expertise.

And then, of course, my personal story for the last 5 minutes! :)

Scoping in the Age of AI (Part 2): Workflow Mastery, Coaching, and Avoiding AI "Scopist” Scams.

In this episode, we continue the conversation as a Part 2 of Episode 77. Brynn discusses with Rachel Harris about hands-on coaching to streamline scoping and editing, including observing reporters via Zoom plus FaceTime to see exact mouse and keyboard actions, identifying repetitive pain points, and customizing macros, keyboard mappings, and EZ Speaker usage to reduce steps and save time.

Rachel shares how she gamified learning shortcuts to avoid the mouse, explains why many reporters were never taught CaseCATalyst capabilities, and suggests a small set of high-impact shortcuts can be “life changing,” while fixes must be tailored to each workflow.

Brynn describes pausing her VTM approach to build a more sustainable app focused on dashboards, bookkeeping, billing, deadlines, and transcript tracking.

Rachel warns about marketplace confusion and Facebook “scams” involving non–court-reporting-trained “AI/digital” scopists, urging mastery and clear “steno scopist” labeling. Rachel shares where to find her coaching and Scoping International.

00:00 Welcome Back Part Two

00:24 Hands-on Coaching Setup

02:07 Macros And EZ Speakers

02:59 Keyboard-Only Scoping

05:19 Overcoming the Awkwardness

07:12 You're Not Supposed To Know

09:08 Five Shortcuts That Matter

11:42 Building A VTM App

14:19 Scams with "Steno Scopists"

19:42 Where AI Fits In

23:01 How To Find Rachel

23:52 Scoping International And Certs

26:22 Favorite Hidden Text Shortcut

27:49 Wrap Up And Next Episode

28:18 VTM App (New Version)

Takeaways:

1. In this episode, we delve into hands-on coaching techniques that enhance scoping and editing processes for court reporters.
2. We emphasize the importance of observing reporters in their natural workflows to identify efficiency improvements.
3. A significant focus is placed on the customization of keyboard shortcuts and macros to streamline repetitive tasks.
4. The conversation highlights the necessity of mastering software tools to alleviate burnout and stress among court reporters.
5. We explore the implications of AI in the court reporting industry and the need for discerning its impact on workflows.
6. Lastly, we discuss the emerging trend of digital scopists and the importance of understanding the foundational skills required for effective scoping.