Past Episodes
Inside the District Attorney and Criminal Justice Reform
In this episode, we look at the challenges of progressive criminal justice reform from the standpoint of the prosecutor, by looking at how the District Attorney's office functions. The ideals of criminal justice reform are sound, but there are deficiencies in their execution. If people don't feel like their safety has improved and they don't feel good about their environment, what does that mean for the progressive D.A. movement's impact on the community? To make some sense of this, take a glimpse at how a District Attorney's office works. And, to do that, we talk with former Philadelphia District Attorney and former federally incarcerated citizen R. Seth Williams.
Published July 31, 2022
The Unexpected Shackles of Binding Arbitration
You probably don’t think about arbitration, but you’re bound to it in many aspects of your everyday life - probably without even realizing it. And arbitration agreements operate as a waiver of your rights. Worried yet? Well, be informed by listening to our experts on how this happened, how complicated it can get, and how to protect yourself.
Published June 26, 2022
When Crazy, Libelous, Crazy Came to Bankruptcy
We explore the story of noted internet crackpot Alex Jones and the bankruptcy cases he filed for three of his companies in an attempt to get out from under the looming damages award he will ultimately owe to those who have successfully sued him and his companies for defamation.
Aired May 2, 2022
The Shotgun Marriage of Bankruptcy and Mass Tort Cases
Boy Scouts, Purdue Pharma, and now Johnson & Johnson - all are cases that are in bankruptcy because of thousands upon thousands of negligence cases; all are typical class actions; all are in bankruptcy against the wishes of the injured parties, and all are going to have to learn to adapt because they're all staying in bankruptcy. How did mass torts end up in the bankruptcy court instead of the class action courtroom?
Aired April 4, 2022
Being George Washington
How does an actor become the world’s preeminent portrayer of the father of America? We talk with Dean Malissa, who did it at Mount Vernon for nearly twenty years, to find out just how complex a role that is to take.
Airdate February 21, 2022
The Tricky Business of Diversity, Equity & Inclusion
The things we have to consider when trying to create a culture that fosters success for everyone. It’s a long list.
Airdate January 24, 2022
The Bleak Business of Disenfranchisement
Totalitarian minority rule is bad for business.
Airdate January 17, 2022
The High-RPM World of Auto Racing
They say that if you want to make a small fortune in auto racing, you have to start with a large fortune. Between politics, mechanical issues, human factors, and the unknown, it's tough for a person with the need for speed to make it in the fastest-paced sport there is. But what does it really take? Our guest broke into racing in the middle of a successful career as a bankruptcy lawyer - and what parallels might lurk in that combination? We'll talk with Peter Partee, Sr. of Partee Racing LLC as we strip down the mysteries of the amateur and professional racing circuits, find out how competitors monetize adrenalin, and discover how racing operates as a business. it's far more than just left turns.
Oxy is a Hell of a Drug
With the stroke of a pen, a U.S. District Court Judge overturned the confirmed bankruptcy plan of Purdue Pharma, placing everything up in the air. What's at stake: $4.3 billion from Purdue's owners, the Sackler family, in exchange for the release of all claims against them from anyone, anywhere, for all time. Without those payments, no creditors other than the United States Government are likely to get anything at all - no opioid remediation and prevention programs; no payments to victims of the opioid epidemic; no states for having borne the costs of addiction; nothing. Plus, now bankruptcy courts don't have the authority they thought they had, so maybe we've broken the bankruptcy system. And what does this all have to do with Anna Nicole Smith??? We'll discuss this and more with one of the nation's foremost experts on bankruptcy.
Aired December 20, 2021
It’s a (Service) Dog’s World
Companion Dogs, Assistance Dogs, Seeing-Eye Dogs, Emotional Support Dogs - they seem the same to the uninitiated, but they're very different. We talk with two of the most respected leaders in the Service Dogs field about the business of making incredibly skilled canine companions - what goes into the breeding, the training, and the mating with a person in need. We'll explore the risks to the system, from un- and under-trained service dogs to outright fakes, and how our legal framework has evolved as the need for service dogs has skyrocketed.
Aired November 15, 2021
The Low Cost of Second Chances
What do we do to prepare the incarcerated for return to life outside bars and back in society? Shockingly little, as it turns out. What could we be doing? Quite a lot, and it can actually be a benefit to businesses to do it. Our guest knows both sides of this - as Philly’s former top law enforcement official, the District Attorney, and then as a federally incarcerated citizen.
Aired November 1, 2021
The Complex Economic Maze of Adoption
Fast, inexpensive, easy. If you’re talking about adoption, choose none of those. It’s complex, ever-evolving, tied closely to efforts to both affirm womens’ bodily autonomy and also minimize abortion, and is influenced by any number of laws that change from state to state. We explore this complex maze with an expert on open adoption.
Aired September 13, 2021
The Internet Radio is for Porn
We explore the adult entertainment industry - one that experiences constant disruption - with our guest, sexuality and adult entertainment expert, host of the Tabloid podcast Lux Alptraum.
Aired August 9, 2021
Politics - the State of State Politics
All politics are local. And local politics generally happen at the state level. State office, local political committees, statewide office, statewide federal office, congressional and Presidential elections all depend on state political parties for resources, local knowledge and information. We talk with a state party director to learn how they operate.
Aired July 26, 2021
Politics - the Political Operative
In the latest installment of our continuing series on politics, we look at the professional political operatives that make the process run. Our guest Amy Dacey has run campaigns and political operations for elected officials, one of the largest political action committees, one of the largest labor unions, and the Democratic Party. Join us as we dive into this world.
Aired July 19, 2021
The Unsinkable Molly Bloom (or, “the High-Stakes Business of High-Stakes Poker”)
We take a look inside the business of the worlds’ most exclusive high-stakes poker game with the woman who ran it all, Molly Bloom. Learn about what it takes to create and manage a game where a hundred million dollars changes hands in one night. Molly Bloom is the author of the memior Molly’s Game and subject of the Academy Award-nominated film of the same name.
Aired June 12, 2021
Politics - the Candidate
We get the inside story on what’s involved in starting a campaign for public office and the life of the political candidate - all from someone who did it. Twice.
Aired June 21, 2021
The Messy Business of Mass Torts
What do airline crashes, medical devices, Boy Scouts, Purdue Pharmaceuticals, the Catholic Church and Ford Motor Company have in common? they’ve all been the subject of mass tort litigation. We’re getting into the world of plaintiffs’ lawyers in this episode.
Aired June 14, 2021
NRA … WTF?
The National Rifle Association filed for chapter 11 protection while also stating that it was financially strong, had a bright future, and was in the best financial position ever. So, why did they create a new company with no employees that didn’t do anything so they could file a bankruptcy case in Texas? We explore the NRA’s bankruptcy folly and discuss what’s next for the storied organization.
Aired June 7, 2021
The Many Lives of the Working Musician (Part II)
We discuss the ins and outs of the music business from the perspective of the majority of working musicians - those who start working gig to gig and those who are established in the gig economy.
Aired May 17, 2021