Brief Recess: A Legal Podcast with Michael Foote & Mélissa Malebranche
Exactly Right and iHeartPodcasts·37 episodes·Weekly
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? Welcome to Brief Recess , 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. Tune in!
Or we'll see you in court.
Episodes
Latest Episode
July 23, 2026 · 1h 11m
Michael and Mélissa discuss how the FIFA World Cup is finally over, the recent ICE shootings in America, and then a hard, fun pivot with our guest, Ben Hopkins ( @benhopkinsbenhopkins ) who is social media's favorite bartender and teaches us how to make some cocktails while we get tipsy and play games on this special Summer Staycation episode! 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! Find Michael on Instagram @dept_of_redundancy_dept or TikTok @Michael_Foote_ and Mélissa on both as @MelissaMalebranche . Got legal questions? Email briefrecess@ . If you want to drink along with us check out Ben’s recipes that he made in this episode: Brief Recess 1.5oz London Dry Gin (we used Fort Hamilton which is the best but i know we can't promo brands) 1oz Blanc Vermouth .5oz Bitter Bianco *stir* .5oz Coconut Water, Lift ice to incorporate Lime Twist! Mélissa's Daiquiri 2 oz - Clairin 1oz - Lime Juice .75oz Simple Syrup 7-8 dashes - Peychaud's Bitters (if making at home 3d from a regular bottle will do!) Shake hard till there is frost on the outside of the tin, double strain into a chilled martini glass. Goodbye Ladybug Juice XXX 420 One glass of room temperature Kim Crawford Chardonnay Two fingers of warm, old Southern Comfort Combine, best enjoyed in a closet See for privacy information.
More Episodes
Jul 16 · 54m
Michael and Mélissa discuss online dating from their single days, Robert Kardashian defending OJ Simpson, and a deep dive into Jeffrey Epstein, debating how a blue wave in the midterms could affect criminal investigations and the NYT determination into the cause of Epstein's death. 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 briefrecess@exactlyrightmedia.com.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Jul 9 · 59m
Michael and Mélissa discuss World Cup vs. Wimbledon, the Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce wedding, a 4th of July weekend recap, and a deep dive interview with former White House staffer and communications expert, Charlie Goldensohn @chez.chuck, about the progressive wave of election results that swept NYC. 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 briefrecess@exactlyrightmedia.com.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Jul 2 · 1h 12m
Michael and Mélissa discuss cities they love to hate, the America 250 debacle, Jeff the Giant Fern and other A-list celebs, and do a deep dive into a fascinating trademark infringement lawsuit between Patagonia and drag queen Pattie Gonia. 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 briefrecess@exactlyrightmedia.com.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Jun 25 · 1h 12m
Michael and Mélissa discuss Michael's invite to the Juneteenth cookout, Michael Jackson, Candace Owens, Erika Kirk, the Reflecting Pool saga, all the viral World Cup moments, the Tartan Army of Scotland, and do a deep dive into the twists and turns of the Luigi Mangione murder trial coming up. 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 briefrecess@exactlyrightmedia.com.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Jun 18 · 1h 4m
Michael and Mélissa discuss the Knicks winning the NBA Finals, the World Cup, the UFC 250 event at the White House for Trump's birthday, the Epstein Files Situation Room secret recording, and interview congressional candidate for New York's 12th District, Laura Dunn. 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 briefrecess@exactlyrightmedia.com. Links: lauradunnforcongress.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Jun 11 · 56m
Happy Pride month from Brief Recess! For more of your favorite LGBTQ+ content, check out the Outspoken Network from iHeartPodcasts. Michael and Mélissa discuss protecting LGBTQ+ youth amid federal restrictions on gender-affirming care, and cover the Supreme Court's 2026 ruling Chiles v. Salazar. The decision reversed Colorado's ban on "conversion therapy," which is a disturbing and dangerous blow to the LGBTQ+ community. 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 briefrecess@exactlyrightmedia.com. Links:CenterLink GLAADOutright International The Trevor Project SAGEGuide to Anti-LGBTQ Online Hate and Disinformation See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Jun 4 · 58m
Michael and Mélissa discuss some sexy neighbor drama, The Rocky Horror Picture Show, and do a deep dive into 60 Minutes, Bari Weiss, and the story she pulled from air covering El Salvador's infamous prison, CECOT. 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 briefrecess@exactlyrightmedia.com.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
May 21 · 56m
Michael and Mélissa discuss people who don't have an inner monologue, Alex Murdaugh's murder conviction overturned and all the latest plot twists, and interview their bestie, Alyssa, who defends all her wild stories. 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 briefrecess@exactlyrightmedia.com.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
May 14 · 55m
Michael and Mélissa discuss therapy, self loathing, Haitian culture, Hantavirus and how much they despise cruises, and do a deep dive into the crazy plot twists in the JPMorgan sexual harassment lawsuit that took over the internet. 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 briefrecess@exactlyrightmedia.com.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.