Best Legal Very Cool Podcasts (2024)

1
Ep 32 — SCOTUS Says Racial Gerrymanders Are Very Cool and Very Legal 50:06

27d ago50:06

50:06

Liz and Andrew break down the latest Supreme Court horror ruling, greenlighting racial gerrymandering to all Republicans to choose their voters, and not the other way around. And then it’s off to Florida to catch up on the latest wacka**ery in the Trump stolen docs case. Links: Rucho v. Common Cause (2019) https://scholar.google.com/scholar_case?ca…

1
Ep 40 — Conservative Judges, Drunk On Power, Take The Wheel (feat. Amanda Marcotte) 1:12:39

21m ago1:12:39

1:12:39

Today, Liz and Andrew talk to Salon’s Amanda Marcotte about the right wing’s assault on Title IX through the prism of the political wedge issue of women’s sports. Then, Amanda breaks down the phenomenon of conservative “tradwives” as both cosplay and a gateway drug to white supremacy. Links: “Texas professors sue to fail students who seek abortions…

1
Ep 39 — Trump Lawyers Flop Like Ronaldo As Alex Jones Dances Out Of Bankruptcy 58:40

2d ago58:40

58:40

We update you on the developments at Alex Jones’s two bankruptcy hearings last week and why they were a big win for the conspiracy theorist, with a special deep dive into Article I vs. Article III judges. Then, we discuss the latest from the Supreme court, before turning our attention to the myriad ways in which Donald Trump’s lawyers are still tak…

1
Ep 38 — Alex Jones’s Bankruptcy Is TURNIN’ THE FREAKIN’ FROGS GAY! 53:41

6d ago53:41

53:41

It’s another Trump-free extravaganza! We discuss the Hunter Biden conviction, forthcoming sentencing and appeals. Then, Liz and Andrew walk through the Supreme Court’s 9-0 reversal of the Fifth Circuit, protecting – for now! – the right to medical abortion drugs over the internet. Finally, in a lengthy segment (with a long Patreon bonus!), we tell …

1
Ep 37 — PA Dad Takes On Moms For Liberty (feat. Joy Ramsingh and Darren Laustsen) 1:07:50

9d ago1:07:50

1:07:50

Pennsylvania dad Darren Laustsen saw books disappearing from his daughter’s school — books which just so happened to be on the Moms for Liberty hit list. And he did something about it! Andrew and Liz talk to Darren and his lawyer Joy Ramsingh about their open records case that revealed a school board plot to shadowban books. Links: Laustsen v. Penn…

1
Ep 36 — Bad News For Ken Chesebro. And For Asbestos! 50:11

13d ago50:11

50:11

We update you on all of the states that have brought criminal charges against those involved in the “fake electors” plot to try and keep Donald Trump in the White House after he lost the 2020 election, including in particular the latest criminal complaint filed against Ken Chesbro in Wisconsin. In the B segment, we tell you how the Biden administra…

1
Ep 35 — Judge Cannon Drops The Ball. Plus Your Trump Trial Questions Answered! 1:06:31

16d ago1:06:31

1:06:31

We answer your follow-up questions on the Trump verdict in New York, remind you that Aileen Cannon continues to get worse and worse in the Trump documents case in FL, talk about Sam Alito’s fondness for flags, and give you an extra-long patreon bonus on Stan Woodward’s dedication to NOT his client. Links: Alito https://www.documentcloud.org/documen…

1
Ep 34 — GUILTY 57:37

20d ago57:37

57:37

IT IS FINISHED. Today, the jury in New York unanimously agreed that Donald Trump committed 34 felonies, falsifying business records in the first degree, when he repaid Michael Cohen for secretly paying off Stormy Daniels to bury her story right before the 2016 election. What does it all mean and what comes next? Listen and find out! Links: NY Penal…

1
Ep 33 — Trump Trials: What Does The Manhattan DA Have To Do To Secure A Conviction? 1:07:02

24d ago1:07:02

1:07:02

Trump’s false business records case goes to the jury in New York. Liz and Andrew break down the charges and the jury instructions, as well as debunking some of Trumpland’s wildest lies about the law. Links: CITES NY PEN 175.05 https://codes.findlaw.com/ny/penal-law/pen-sect-175-05/ NY PEN 175.10 https://codes.findlaw.com/ny/penal-law/pen-sect-175-1…

1
Ep 31 — The Trump Trials: What Are They Thinking? (Plus Clarence Thomas Surprises Us All) 50:55

1M ago50:55

50:55

Trump’s lawyers make a bevy of unforced errors as their client continues to march ever closer to a conviction in New York for fraud in concealing the payoff payment to Stormy Daniels. Also, the Supreme Court surprises us, sort of, for now, by not sacking the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau and by allowing a Louisiana congressional map to go in…

1
Ep 30 — The Trump Trials: SLEAZE-A-PALOOZA! 1:05:41

1M ago1:05:41

1:05:41

The Trump trial in New York is racing toward the finish line, with Michael Cohen potentially the last witness. Meanwhile in DC, Steve Bannon reaches the findout on his contempt of congress charge. Links: US v. Navarro [Docket via Court Listener] https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/63359365/united-states-v-navarro/ 2 U.S.C. § 192 https://www.law.co…

1
Ep 29 — The Trump Trials: She Is The Storm 42:44

1M ago42:44

42:44

Liz and Andrew check in on the latest hilarity from Stefanie Lambert, the Kraken alum who’s now been arrested twice for trying to overthrow the 2020 election. Then, they break down last week in Trump’s NY trial with a focus on Stormy Daniels’ testimony and what the DA’s office has left to prove. Links: New York Penal Law § 175.10 https://codes.find…

1
Ep 28 — Throwing Shade on the Supreme Court (Feat. Steve Vladeck) 1:06:12

1M ago1:06:12

1:06:12

Liz and Andrew interview law professor Steven Vladek about The Shadow Docket, what makes the Supreme Court legitimate, and how to think and talk about it in order to reform the Court for the future. Links: The Shadow Docket https://www.amazon.com/Shadow-Docket-Supreme-Undermine-Republic/dp/B0BJ15Q9VZ/ Lisa Needham on Public Notice, “The Dangerously…

1
Ep 27 — Trump Trials And Chemtrails 41:55

2M ago41:55

41:55

Liz and Andrew break Justice Merchan’s contempt ruling that paves the way for Trump to spend time in lockup, then discuss the witnesses and how they did, or did not, help the prosecution build its case. Plus, Tennessee banned contrails and maybe … spray bottles? Links: Second Contempt Order https://www.nycourts.gov/LegacyPDFS/press/PDFs/DOcontempt_…

1
Ep 26 — Joe Biden Loves Ice Cream And … Weed? 42:42

2M ago42:42

42:42

Liz and Andrew Torrez catch up with Trump’s election lawyers. Where are they now, and why isn’t it the hoosegow? Then a deep dive into the Biden administration’s plan to reschedule marijuana. But first, Donald Trump has nothing but contempt for this court! Links: Trump Contempt Order https://www.nycourts.gov/LegacyPDFS/press/PDFs/D.O.motion4contemp…

1
Ep 25 — Another Set Of Fake Electors Reaches The Find Out (Feat. Tom Ryan) 52:05

2M ago52:05

52:05

Liz sits down with Arizona trial lawyer Tom Ryan to discuss last week’s indictment of fake electors by Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes. It’s indictment-thirty for Boris Epshteyn and Christina Bobb! Links: Gag Order https://www.justsecurity.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/JustSecurityNY2016ElectionInterferenceCaseClearinghouse%E2%80%94Order-grant…

1
Ep 24 — SCOTUS Beclowns Itself For Trump (Feat. Andrew Torrez) 1:04:40

2M ago1:04:40

1:04:40

Liz talks to podcaster Andrew Torrez about Trump’s Manhattan prosecution and the debacle at the Supreme Court Thursday when Trump made his magical, perpetual, presidential immunity argument. Links: Arizona v. Ward — Indictment https://www.azag.gov/sites/default/files/2024-04/Indictment.pdf People v. Trump — Transcripts https://pdfs.nycourts.gov/Peo…

1
Ep 23 — LFG: Trump On Trial 29:38

2M ago29:38

29:38

Trump’s first criminal trial gets underway in Manhattan, even as he fights to get the court to accept his hinky bond in the civil fraud case. Links: NYAG Opposition to Trump/Knight Surety Bond https://iapps.courts.state.ny.us/nyscef/ViewDocument?docIndex=E/oR7WnxPeT2tSnZpOGlBA== Trump Civil Trial NY, Selected Docs at Just Security https://www.justs…

1
Ep 22 — Hunter Biden And The Lies They Wish Were True (Feat. Marcy Wheeler) 1:09:16

2M ago1:09:16

1:09:16

Hey guys, it’s Liz Dye, and we’ve got some big, exciting changes coming your way next week. It’s all still in process, but I can tell you now that we’ll be shifting our podcast drops from Monday/Friday to Tuesday/Friday and ramping up the written content, as well. So, heads up, the next show will be in your feed Tuesday, not Monday. But today, I’m …

1
Ep 21 — It’s A Trump Corruptionpalooza (Feat. Zach Everson) 46:01

2M ago46:01

46:01

On the eve of Trump’s first criminal trial, Liz sits down with Forbes reporter Zach Everson for a trip down memory lane, recounting the breathtaking corruption of Trump’s first term. Plus, Texas AG Ken Paxton loses a round in DC against Media Matters. Links: Zach Everson’s Substack on the Trump Hotel https://www.1100pennsylvania.com/ How a Nigerian…

1
Ep 20 — Fifth Circuit WTF? (Feat Chris Geidner) 45:51

2M ago45:51

45:51

Liz talks to journalist Chris Geidner about the lawless Fifth Circuit, which is now snatching cases back from other Circuits — and even from their own District Courts — in a mad rush to stop the Biden administration from protecting workers and consumers. Links: https://www.lawdork.com/ The Fifth Circuit's lawlessness is now spreading from Californi…

1
Ep 19 — All The Trump That’s Fit To Print (Feat. Anna Bower) 1:09:49

2M ago1:09:49

1:09:49

This weekend Donald Trump compared himself to Nelson Mandela. Liz talks with Lawfare’s Anna Bower, who lives out of a suitcase covering the Trump trials beat, to see if she agrees. Plus, WTF is going on with Trump’s bond in the New York civil fraud trial? Links: Trump’s Lawyers Told the Court That No One Would Give Him a Bond. Then He Got a Lifelin…

1
Ep 18 — The Chief Justice That Caught The Car (Feat. Mike Sacks) 1:12:24

3M ago1:12:24

1:12:24

Liz talks to veteran legal journalist Mike Sacks about the Supreme Court and the decades-old plan to enshrine minority rule into law. How did the Chief Justice wind up frantically tapping the brakes as his own conservative colleagues are going pedal to the metal? And WTF is going on with Judge Cannon in the Trump docs case? Links: US v. Trump [SDFL…

1
Ep 17 — SCOTUS Looks Ready To Terminate Mifepristone Case (Feat. Susan Rinkunas) 52:49

3M ago52:49

52:49

Have anti-choice astroturf groups gone too far? Will SCOTUS save medication abortion from the loons at the Fifth Circuit? Liz discusses the arguments in FDA v. Alliance for Hippocratic Medicine with reproductive rights reporter Susan Rinkunas. Links: FDA v. Alliance Hippocratic Medicine, Transcript and Audio of Oral Arguments https://www.supremecou…

1
Ep 16 — Can You Weirdos Knock It Off With the TikTok Bans! (Feat. Corbin Barthold) 1:05:22

3M ago1:05:22

1:05:22

States are banning it, employers are blocking it, and now the US government is trying to steal it. What’s with all the noise around TikTok? TechFreedom’s Corbin Barthold explains why politicians need to take several giant steps back and stop trying to tell kids how to do the internet. Links: A Breakdown of the Bizarre Factions Fighting Over the Tik…

1
Ep 15: Trials And Judgements And Bonds, Oh, My! (Feat. Mitchell Epner) 1:17:11

3M ago1:17:11

1:17:11

Liz discusses all the Trump civil and criminal trials with New York litigator Mitchell Epner. Will Trump be able to pay that $454 million bond with the proceeds from taking Truth Social public? We’ll break it down. Links: Carroll v. Trump (I) [Docket via Court Listener] https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/18418220/carroll-v-trump/ Carroll v. Trump…

1
Ep 14 — Our Ethics-Optional Supreme Court (Feat. Gabe Roth) 1:05:02

3M ago1:05:02

1:05:02

Recent revelations have shone a spotlight on the Supreme Court’s broken ethics rules, and boy are the justices mad about it. We talk to Gabe Roth, executive director of Fix the Court about the problem and what to do about it. But first, a breakdown of Trump’s appeal of Judge McAfee’s denial of the motion to disqualify DA Fani Willis in Georgia. Lin…

1
Ep 13 – What a Difference Fair Maps Make (Feat. Jamie Lynn Crofts) 58:44

3M ago58:44

58:44

Liz talks to voting rights expert Jamie Lynn Crofts about the court order which forced Republicans in Wisconsin to surrender their stranglehold gerrymander. How will fair maps affect the Badger State? And what lessons can we learn for the country as a whole? Links: All Voting Is Local https://allvotingislocal.org/ Clarke v. Wisconsin Election Commi…

1
Ep 12 - Trump’s First Trial (Feat. Diana Florence) 1:01:10

3M ago1:01:10

1:01:10

Liz talks to Diana Florence, a litigator in New York who spent 24 years in the Manhattan District Attorney’s Office. They break down the upcoming Trump trial for creating false business records as part of the scheme to disguise the Stormy Daniels hush money payment as legal fees. What should you expect in the first Trump criminal trial? Tune in for…

1
Ep 11 - Why Are Arizona Republicans So Weird? (Feat. Tom Ryan) 1:00:15

3M ago1:00:15

1:00:15

Liz talks to Arizona litigator Tom Ryan about how his state’s GOP learned to stop worrying and love the loon. We’ll cover all Kari Lake’s litigation — she’s having no luck as a plaintiff, and even less as a defendant. And we’ll talk about what’s next for Democrats and Republicans in the Grand Canyon State. Links: Richer v. Lake Complaint https://ww…

1
Ep 10 - Ken Paxton: A Cartoon Villain Finally Goes To Trial (Feat. Dan Solomon) 58:57

4M ago58:57

58:57

On the eve of Ken Paxton’s trial for securities fraud — a mere nine years after he got indicted — Liz talks to Texas Monthly reporter Dan Solomon about the state’s embattled Attorney General. How much worse has he gotten since surviving impeachment? Will he play a role in a future Trump administration? And is this literally hell we are living in no…

1
Ep 9 - Will SCOTUS Avenge Trump By Breaking Social Media? (Feat. Corbin Barthold) 1:01:33

4M ago1:01:33

1:01:33

Should the government be able to order social media platforms to host political speech? Does the First Amendment even exist any more? And do we really have to side with Justice Kavanaugh on this one? Liz talks to TechFreedom’s Corbin Barthold about the Netchoice cases. Links: Tech Policy Podcast https://podcast.techfreedom.org/ Moody v. Netchoice…

1
Ep 8 - Donald Trump: Document Thief In Chief (Feat. Kel McClanahan) 1:05:35

4M ago1:05:35

1:05:35

Liz talks to national security law expert Kel McClanahan about the Trump documents case in Florida and how he could use classified materials to derail the trial until after the election. Links: SCOTUS Order Granting Cert on Trump Immunity Claim https://www.supremecourt.gov/orders/courtorders/022824zr3_febh.pdf US v. Trump [SDFL Docket via Court Lis…

1
Ep 7 - Alabama Courts Protect Life By Outlawing IVF (Feat. Ellen Trachman) 51:54

4M ago51:54

51:54

Liz talks to repro law expert Ellen Trachman, host of the podcast “I Want to Put a Baby in You” about the recent Alabama decision which functionally outlaws in vitro fertilization. Is this the beginning of a trend, or will Republicans course correct out of fear of the wrath of women voters? Links: Ellen Trachman at Above the Law https://abovethelaw…

1
Ep 6 - First The Proud Boys, Then Trump (Feat. Brandi Buchman) 48:37

4M ago48:37

48:37

Liz talks to reporter Brandi Buchman about the prosecutions of the Proud Boys and the Oath Keepers for seditious conspiracy and how those prosecutions paved the way for Trump’s election interference case. Links: In Re: Lindell Management LLC Litigation [Docket via Court Listener] https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/67410449/in-re-lindell-managemen…

1
Ep 5 - The Trump Verdicts: Half a Billion Dollars of Winning (Feat. Jose Pagliery) 57:03

4M ago57:03

57:03

Liz talks to Daily Beast reporter Jose Pagliery about the $355 million verdict that’s really a $450 million verdict in Trump’s civil fraud trial. Plus the Carroll defamation suits, and the upcoming criminal trial in March for falsifying records to cover up the Stormy Daniels payoff. And … the state of American democracy! Justice Engoron Holding htt…

1
Ep 4 - Trump At SCOTUS: The Insurrectionist Gets His Day In Court (Feat. Eric Segall) 52:48

4M ago52:48

52:48

With Trump’s ballot disqualification on the docket, all eyes were on SCOTUS last week. Liz talks about the argument at the Supreme Court with guest Eric Segall, and lays out the various off-ramps the justices might take to keep a criminal insurrectionist on the ballot this November. “Originalism as Faith” by Eric Segall https://www.amazon.com/Origi…

1
Ep 3 - How to NOT Piss Off a Jury 54:24

5M ago54:24

54:24

Liz talks to a jury consultant about the Trump trials. US v. Trump [SDFL Docket] https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/67490070/united-states-v-trump/?filed_after=&filed_before=&entry_gte=&entry_lte=&order_by=desc US v. Trump [DC District Docket] https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/67656604/united-states-v-trump/?filed_after=&filed_before=&entry_gt…

1
Ep 2 - The Trump GA RICO Debacle: How Bad Is It? (feat. Andrew Fleischman) 48:03

5M ago48:03

48:03

After allegations that Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis is romantically involved with the special prosecutor hired by her office, the sharks are circling both legally and politically. Is this case totally boned? Liz asks Georgia defense attorney Andrew Fleischman what’s next in this crucial election interference case. Show Links: Fulton …

1
Ep 1 - E. Jean Carroll Grabs Trump By The Wallet (feat. Mitchell Epner) 57:57

5M ago57:57

57:57

Description: Liz hosts former federal prosecutor Mitchell Epner to discuss last week’s massive $83 million damage award in the second E. Jean Carroll defamation case. What happens when he appeals? Was it smart for Trump to testify? And WTF is up with his lawyers? Show links: Carroll v. Trump I [District Court Docket via Court Listener] Carroll v. T…

1
0 - Introduction to Law & Chaos by Liz Dye 1:43

5M ago1:43

1:43

Ignorance of the law is no excuse! That’s true for a traffic stop, and it’s true if you want to participate in whatever’s left of American democracy. If the events since the 2016 election taught us anything, it’s that tuning out is not an option. Legal journalist Liz Dye breaks down the week’s most important courtroom stories, so you can keep on to…

1
my God has two arms 1:40:58

2y ago1:40:58

1:40:58

The season finale! In today's episode, Randy (Josiah's dad) joins Josiah to talk about his faith journey from drugs and rock music to Golden Dawn occultism, on to a born again conversion to Christianity during the 90s. We discuss the rise of the charismatic movement bringing him to Reformed theology, and the impact all of this had on Josiah's faith…

1
religion is not for everyone 1:26:04

2y ago1:26:04

1:26:04

In today's episode, Monikpal (@MonikpalSingh) joins Josiah to discuss Sikhi, interfaith, and the divide between Eastern and Western religions. He clarifies some major misconceptions about the faith, and we talk about the similarities and differences between Sikhi and Christianity. PUBLISHED 6/21/2021 Lovely Allen - Holy Fuck Skin Game - DIIV Expect…

1
God is one 1:19:06

2y ago1:19:06

1:19:06

In today's episode, Kyle (@mma_marxian) joins Josiah to talk about his recent conversion to Islam. We trace his journey from southern evangelicalism (both charismatic and reformed) into agnosticism, Buddhism, and mainline Christianity before eventually coming to the conclusion that God is one. PUBLISHED 6/14/2021 Every Thought a Thought of You - me…

1
gay jewish christianity 50:01

2y ago50:01

50:01

In today's episode, Sam (@motherenergy__) joins Josiah to discuss her religious journey from orthodox Judaism to Episcopal Christianity, liberal Christian anti-semitism, and the weird communities that the internet fosters. PUBLISHED 6/7/2021 Green - Young Jesus Christian Brothers - Heatmiser, Elliott Smith…

1
overthrowing physics (the soulism episode) 1:24:06

2y ago1:24:06

1:24:06

In today's episode, Lennox (@coolzonepod) and Shea (@shea_said) from Cool Zone join Josiah to investigate the incredibly obscure political philosophy, Soulism: a form of anarchism that seeks to abolish and/or overcome the laws of physics themselves. Special thanks to Elis for the interview at 1:00:20 PUBLISHED 5/31/2021 Are Friends Electric? - The …

1
nested issues (the one about jack chick) 1:04:55

2y ago1:04:55

1:04:55

cw: talk of sexual abuse / child abuse. In today's episode, Joseph (@Gross_Online) joins Josiah to discuss Jack Chick, the legacy of Chick Publications, his theological influences, and a tract that even Chick himself would later find distasteful. PUBLISHED 5/24/2021 I Wanna Believe - Jennie Lawless A Quick Death - Paris Texas I Walk This Earth All …

1
don't be realistic 1:23:36

2y ago1:23:36

1:23:36

In today's episode, Alien (@1newaymirror) joins Josiah to talk about Mark Fisher's Capitalist Realism. We take a journey into the strange evolution of Nick Land and the Cybernetic Culture Research Unit before getting into Fisher's perspective on what's wrong with the world right now, and how you can see it in bureaucracy and depression. Don't forge…

1
summer camp theology (a week away) 1:53:14

2y ago1:53:14

1:53:14

In today's episode, Phil (@CryptidDirector) joins Josiah to discuss A Week Away (2021), our experiences with summer camp, and whether or not this film believes in God. Don't forget to check out Mammonburg, now streaming wherever you get your podcasts. PUBLISHED 5/10/2021 Trailer The Great Adventure - The Cast of Netflix's Film A Week Away Campfire …

1
make monsters scary again 1:19:10

2y ago1:19:10

1:19:10

In today's episode, Finch (@FinchOWar) joins Josiah to talk about vampires and zombies, their origins in folklore, their literary meaning, and how we can make them cool again. Don't forget to check out Mammonburg, now streaming wherever you get your podcasts. This episode was brought to you by Colonial Zombies and Capitalist Vampires. PUBLISHED 5/3…

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