Brief Recess: A Legal Podcast with Michael Foote & Mélissa Malebranche
Exactly Right and iHeartPodcasts
<p>What happens when your Uber driver gets pulled over while you're in the backseat? How do OnlyFans creators incorporate an LLC to remain anonymous? How can you fight ICE without getting off the couch? </p> <p>Welcome to <em>Brief Recess</em>, hosted by everyone's favorite TikTok lawyer Michael Foote and his best friend Mélissa Malebranche. Together they break down crazy news stories, share hilarious anecdotes from criminal court, answer pressing legal questions from callers, and teach listeners how to short-circuit democracy to effect real change in their communities. </p> <p>Tune in! Or we'll see you in court.</p> <p> </p>
Recent Episodes
20 episodesThe Mount Rushmore of D.C. Chaos: Trump, Bondi, Noem, Patel
Michael and Mélissa discuss AirBnB complaints, Trump's insane weekend spawning calls from across the aisle to invoke the 25th Amendment, Kristi Noem's husband, Pam Bondi's firing, hacking Kash Patel, and a deep dive into a viral attempted murder trial between a husband and wife in Hawaii that plays out like a season of The White Lotus. Brief Recess is a new weekly legal podcast from Exactly Right Media. Follow Brief Recess wherever you get your podcasts, and watch full video episodes every Thursday on the Brief Recess YouTube channel! https://www.youtube.com/@Briefrecess Find Michael on Instagram @dept_of_redundancy_dept or TikTok @Michael_Foote_ and Mélissa on both as @MelissaMalebranche. Got legal questions? Email [email protected]. Episode Links: https://www.girasoltexas.org/donate.html https://www.girasolnola.org/donate See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Afroman Teaches Us How to Eat Lemon Pound Cake & Win in Court (w. Afroman)
Michael and Mélissa discuss nuns doing podcasts, a record number of republicans retiring before midterms, Americans loving their gasoline, AI fruit soap opera sex, and interview Afroman to hear all the spicy details about getting sued by the police for defamation, winning in court, and his viral hit song: Lemon Pound Cake. Brief Recess is a new weekly legal podcast from Exactly Right Media. Follow Brief Recess wherever you get your podcasts, and watch full video episodes every Thursday on the Brief Recess YouTube channel! https://www.youtube.com/@Briefrecess Find Michael on Instagram @dept_of_redundancy_dept or TikTok @Michael_Foote_ and Mélissa on both as @MelissaMalebranche. Got legal questions? Email [email protected] omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Epstein Files: Down the Rabbit Hole (w. Dr. Leslie Dobson)
Michael and Mélissa discuss soup, trans-racialism, ICE agents at airports, Taylor Frankie Paul's Bachelorette season getting canceled, that time Michael cried on the floor of Mélissa's office, and interview clinical forensic psychologist, Dr. Leslie Dobson, digging for the truth behind conspiracy theories related to Jeffrey Epstein's death, autopsy report, and other DOJ file dumps. Brief Recess is a new weekly legal podcast from Exactly Right Media. Follow Brief Recess wherever you get your podcasts, and watch full video episodes every Thursday on the Brief Recess YouTube channel! https://www.youtube.com/@Briefrecess Find Michael on Instagram @dept_of_redundancy_dept or TikTok @Michael_Foote_ and Mélissa on both as @MelissaMalebranche. Got legal questions? Email [email protected]. Links from this episode: https://www.justice.gov/epstein https://drlesliedobson.com/ https://www.iasp.info/suicidalthoughts/ https://rainn.org/help-and-healing/hotline/ https://timtebowfoundation.org/stories/tim-tebow-supports-bipartisan-renewed-hope-act-2026https://drlesliedobson.com/the-friend-cleanse-book/ See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
From Runway to Reality Check: The ANTM Exposé (w. Cycle 2 winner Yoanna Margaret)
Michael and Mélissa discuss cleaning lady cam girls, Fiona the hippo, Punch the monkey, trending kid's toy NeeDoh, and interview America's Next Top Model Cycle 2 winner, Yoanna Margaret, who reveals her truth and reflects on her experience with the show. Brief Recess is a new weekly legal podcast from Exactly Right Media. Follow Brief Recess wherever you get your podcasts, and watch full video episodes every Thursday on the Brief Recess YouTube channel! https://www.youtube.com/@Briefrecess Find Michael on Instagram @dept_of_redundancy_dept or TikTok @Michael_Foote_ and Mélissa on both as @MelissaMalebranche. Got legal questions? Email [email protected]. Links from this episode: Yoanna Margaret IG @yomaniaYoanna Margaret TikTok @yomania02See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Kid Rock, RFK Jr. and the Tony Soprano of PORN (w. Boomer Banks)
Michael and Mélissa discuss a wild RFK Jr. and Kid Rock workout video, Kristi Noem's demise, how planking foreshadowed the collapse of society, and interview adult film star and DJ, Boomer Banks, about race, addiction, and the porn industry. Brief Recess is a new weekly legal podcast from Exactly Right Media. Follow Brief Recess wherever you get your podcasts, and watch full video episodes every Thursday on the Brief Recess YouTube channel! https://www.youtube.com/@Briefrecess Find Michael on Instagram @dept_of_redundancy_dept or TikTok @Michael_Foote_ and Mélissa on both as @MelissaMalebranche. Got legal questions? Email [email protected] omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Technical Difficulties on Death Row (w. Corinna Barrett Lain)
Michael and Mélissa discuss Mélissa's opinions on Heated Rivalry, trans-racialism and identity politics sudoku, and an in-depth interview with law professor and author, Corinna Barrett Lain, about the many technical difficulties involved with performing lethal injections on death row inmates. Brief Recess is a new weekly legal podcast from Exactly Right Media. Follow Brief Recess wherever you get your podcasts, and watch full video episodes every Thursday on the Brief Recess YouTube channel! https://www.youtube.com/@Briefrecess Find Michael on Instagram @dept_of_redundancy_dept or TikTok @Michael_Foote_ and Mélissa on both as @MelissaMalebranche. Got legal questions? Email [email protected]. Links from this episode: iibayarea.org https://www.lrcl.org/ See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Nazi-Looted Art FOUND in a Property Listing (w. Kira from The Art Revival)
Michael and Mélissa discuss that time Michael was a witness to a stabbing in Times Square, Nazi-looted artwork found in a property listing, whether female-only spaces are discriminatory, and interview Kira from The Art Revival. Brief Recess is a new weekly legal podcast from Exactly Right Media. Follow Brief Recess wherever you get your podcasts, and watch full video episodes every Thursday on the Brief Recess YouTube channel! https://www.youtube.com/@Briefrecess Find Michael on Instagram @dept_of_redundancy_dept or TikTok @Michael_Foote_ and Mélissa on both as @MelissaMalebranche. Got legal questions? Email [email protected]. Links from this episode: https://theartrevival.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Diva! Conspiracy Girlies! (w. Karen Kilgariff + Martha Kelly)
Michael and Karen discuss conspiracy theories surrounding Epstein, TMZ, Savannah Guthrie, and Kurt Cobain, along with viral moments from the Pam Bondi hearing, and an interview with Martha Kelly from Euphoria and Fallout. Brief Recess is a new weekly legal podcast from Exactly Right Media. Follow Brief Recess wherever you get your podcasts, and watch full video episodes every Thursday on the Brief Recess YouTube channel! https://www.youtube.com/@BriefrecessFind Michael on Instagram @dept_of_redundancy_dept or TikTok @Michael_Foote_ and Mélissa on both as @MelissaMalebranche.Got legal questions? Email [email protected] omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Motion To De-Fur (w. PETA’s Ashley Byrne)
Michael and Mélissa discuss Bad Bunny's Super Bowl halftime show, the Clinton's heading to Congress, getting older (and that's ok), and interview Ashley Byrne from PETA. Brief Recess is a new weekly legal podcast from Exactly Right Media. Follow Brief Recess wherever you get your podcasts, and watch full video episodes every Thursday on the Brief Recess YouTube channel! https://www.youtube.com/@Briefrecess Find Michael on Instagram @dept_of_redundancy_dept or TikTok @Michael_Foote_ and Mélissa on both as @MelissaMalebranche. Got legal questions? Email [email protected]. Links from this episode: cgrs.uclawsf.edu/www.handsontwincities.orgwww.doinggoodtogether.org/https://iimn.org/www.projectfine.org/www.youthlinkmn.org/our-story/https://www.nytimes.com/2022/07/29/nyregion/dog-lawyer.html https://www.peta.org/donate/ways-to-support-peta/gifts-of-property/donate-fur/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Don Lemon on ICE and the Latest Epstein File Drop
Michael and Mélissa discuss nuns teaching sex-ed, Groundhog Day conspiracies, Kristi Noem, Don Lemon, ICE, and the latest Epstein File drop. Brief Recess is a new weekly legal podcast from Exactly Right Media. Follow Brief Recess wherever you get your podcasts, and watch full video episodes every Thursday on the Brief Recess YouTube channel! https://www.youtube.com/@Briefrecess Find Michael on Instagram @dept_of_redundancy_dept or TikTok @Michael_Foote_ and Mélissa on both as @MelissaMalebranche. Got legal questions? Email [email protected]. Links from this episode: https://www.acluohio.org/press-releases/aclu-ohio-releases-legal-memo-rights-immigrant-students-ohio-schools/ https://www.socialworkers.org/About/Legal-Defense-Fund/Legal-Issues/Navigating-ICE-Presence-in-School-and-Healthcare-Facilities https://www.ilrc.org/community-resources/protecting-children-schools-against-immigration-enforcement#item-4913 https://linktr.ee/michael_footeSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Midwest Nice, Leave the ICE
Michael and Mélissa discuss the Alex Pretti shooting in Minneapolis, whistleblower reports on a leaked ICE memo, plastic surgery, and astronaut arrests. Brief Recess is a new weekly legal podcast from Exactly Right Media. Follow Brief Recess wherever you get your podcasts, and watch full video episodes every Thursday on the Brief Recess YouTube channel! https://www.youtube.com/@Briefrecess Find Michael on Instagram @dept_of_redundancy_dept or TikTok @Michael_Foote_ and Mélissa on both as @MelissaMalebranche. Got legal questions? Email [email protected]. Links from this episode: https://oversightdemocrats.house.gov/immigration-dashboard https://www.peta.org/donate/ways-to-support-peta/gifts-of-property/donate-fur/ See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
If I Murder My Family Can I Still Get My Inheritance?
Michael and Mélissa discuss their weird melatonin dreams, deportation flights, Trump calling for the Insurrection Act in Minneapolis, and all the ways to prepare a Last Will and Testament. Brief Recess is a new weekly legal podcast from Exactly Right Media. Follow Brief Recess wherever you get your podcasts, and watch full video episodes every Thursday on the Brief Recess YouTube channel! https://www.youtube.com/@Briefrecess Find Michael on Instagram @dept_of_redundancy_dept or TikTok @Michael_Foote_ and Mélissa on both as @MelissaMalebranche. Got legal questions? Email [email protected] omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
We Could All Be Renee Good (w. Yuhua Hamasaki)
Michael and Mélissa discuss the Renee Good shooting in Minneapolis, a viral video of a delivery driver avoiding ICE, Mariah Carey, and an interview with former Ru Paul's Drag Race contestant, Yuhua Hamasaki. Links:acaciacenter.orgacaciacenter.org/defendkidsimmigrantdefenseproject.org/know-your-rights-with-icepiecesbar.com @yuhuahamasaki on InstagramSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Conversion Therapy Might Be Back
Michael and Mélissa talk about a Getty Art Museum curator’s conspiracy to receive stolen goods, Trans rights, the controversial Chiles v. Salazar, and (ugh) J.K. Rowling.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
ICYMI: Michael Was on The Knife
Michael joins Hannah & Patia from The Knife to discuss the murder trial of Bricen Rivers. In July of 2024, 22-year-old Lauren Johansen was found dead in the trunk of her own car. Her ex-boyfriend, Bricen Rivers, is now charged with capital murder. Lauren’s father is fighting to change the system that ignored the warning signs and allowed Rivers to be released on bail. We speak about the case and how the criminal justice system failed to protect Lauren. Episode originally aired on The Knife on November 20, 2025.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
ICYMI: We Were on My Favorite Murder
Michael and Mélissa talk to Karen and Georgia from My Favorite Murder about everything from the state of immigration in America, to the superiority of boxed mac and cheese. Episode originally aired on My Favorite Murder on November 6, 2025.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Demon Twink Off with NYC Councilman Erik Bottcher
Michael and Mélissa debate real vs. fake Christmas trees, discuss the headlines on mass shootings and the Epstein files, and interview NYC Council Member Erik Bottcher about his current run for Congress and the burning issues facing New Yorkers. This episode discusses sensitive topics. If you, or someone you know, are a victim of sexual abuse please call 800.656.HOPE (4673) or text HOPE to 64673. Links:www.handsoffnyc.com www.erikbottcher.com gmhc.org ryanwhite.hrsa.gov linktr.ee/michael_foote See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Walter Masterson and MAGA Trolling 101
Michael and Mélissa recap their Thanksgiving break, offer advice on different methods to be an ally for those threatened by ICE, and interview Walter Masterson about his satirical videos and political pranks. This episode discusses sensitive topics. If you, or someone you know, are a victim of sexual abuse please call 800.656.HOPE (4673) or text HOPE to 64673. Links & References:https://oversightdemocrats.house.gov/immigration-dashboard https://linktr.ee/michael_footehttps://immigrationjustice.us/ https://www.climatedefiance.org/ https://waltermasterson.com/ https://www.safepassage.org/https://www.instagram.com/communityselfdefensecoalition/?hl=en https://rainn.org/help-and-healing/hotline/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
The World’s Deadliest Water Park (w. Seth Porges)
Michael and Mélissa talk about political violence, paths to citizenship for DACA folks and interview director Seth Porges (Class Action Park) about Mélissa’s favorite dangerous waterpark. Brief Recess is a new weekly legal podcast from Exactly Right Media. Follow Brief Recess wherever you get your podcasts, and watch full video episodes every Thursday on the Brief Recess YouTube channel! https://www.youtube.com/@Briefrecess Find Michael on Instagram @dept_of_redundancy_dept or TikTok @Michael_Foote_ and Mélissa on both as @MelissaMalebranche. Got legal questions? Email [email protected] omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
The Gay Panic Defense is Ridiculous
Michael and Mélissa talk about landmark case People v. Jonathan Schmitz, how Enron ruined Mélissa’s legal career and if you can leave all of your money to your pet in your will. Brief Recess is a new weekly legal podcast from Exactly Right Media. Follow Brief Recess wherever you get your podcasts, and watch full video episodes every Thursday on the Brief Recess YouTube channel! https://www.youtube.com/@Briefrecess Find Michael on Instagram @dept_of_redundancy_dept or TikTok @Michael_Foote_ and Mélissa on both as @MelissaMalebranche. Got legal questions? Email [email protected] omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.