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
17 episodesNazi-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.
How to Survive the Skinny Girl Apocalypse (w. Anna Snapp)
Michael and Mélissa talk about weight and race discrimination at work, and interview body positivity activist Anna Snapp. 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.
ICE Abuses and Accountability… Finally (w. Congressman Robert Garcia)
Michael and Mélissa talk about the Diddy trial, special immigration juvenile status and interview Congressman Robert Garcia. 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.
Introducing: Brief Recess: A Legal Podcast with Michael Foote & Mélissa Malebranche
The American legal system. Blindfolded, overworked and still running on fax machines. Hosted by attorney Michael Foote and his best friend, writer Mélissa Malebranche, Brief Recess breaks down all the legal happenings of the week. From wild courtroom moments to breaking Supreme Court decisions, Michael and Mélissa are your trusted advisors in all things legal. Brief Recess is a new weekly podcast from Exactly Right Media. Premieres Thursday, November 13. Follow Brief Recess wherever you get your podcasts. 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.