Across The Bar Podcast

The New York Knicks just ended a 53-year drought — and we're breaking down what their championship run means for New York. Then we shift to the workplace: summer office fashion do's and don'ts, why Costco's model of paying workers more and its CEO less is actually a masterclass in business strategy, and why remote work keeps beating the odds despite every "return to office" headline. Plus — CEOs are now hiring matchmakers to find traditional wives, and Peter Thiel's secretive Dialog society is raising serious questions about power, influence, and what elite networking looks like in 2026.
All of that and...

The workplace is full of surprises this week — and we've got all of it covered.

Peter Rahbar and Laura Brounstein dig into six stories at the intersection of work, law, and culture, from prediction markets to newsroom meltdowns to what your out-of-office message says about you.

Prediction platform Kalshi just announced it will require users to disclose their employer before placing bets in markets flagged for insider trading risk. A positive step — but will people be honest, and will other platforms follow suit?

Microshifting. The Wall Street Journal is calling it the next big...

This week on the Across the Bar Podcast, employment attorney Peter Rahbar and journalist Laura Brounstein break down a packed week in workplace news — from corporate transparency failures to what a Senate candidate's controversies teach us about background checks, to the AI spending reckoning hitting companies everywhere.

Microsoft is facing backlash after employee's questions the integrity of a recent employee survey. Employees noticed some questions missing, and they're not happy. Peter and Laura unpack what it means when employers control not just the answer, but the question.

The Graham Platner saga offers a surprisingly instructive le...

It's a (sort of) America 250 edition of Across the Bar! 🇺🇸 Employment attorney Peter Rahbar and journalist Laura Brounstein break down a packed week of workplace stories — from a CIA gold heist to a $642 deli platter that cost JPMorgan millions.
⚖️ The Union Comeback Is Real — Unionized workers just hit 16.5 million, a jump of 463,000 in a year and the highest level in 16 years — even as employers pour $1.7B+ into anti-union efforts. Peter explains what the shift in worker-vs-employer power really signals, and why he's warning companies not to overplay their hand.
🏆 The CIA Gold Bar Guy — A senior CIA official allegedly fa...

This week on Across the Bar, employment attorney Peter Rahbar and journalist Laura Brounstein pour one and dig into a week that had the workplace world buzzing.

First up: Bolt CEO Ryan Breslow made headlines by defending his decision to fire the company's entire HR department — arguing the team was inventing problems that didn't exist — as part of a broader restructuring that also cut roughly 30% of the workforce. Peter and Laura break down whether eliminating HR is bold strategy or a legal and cultural disaster waiting to happen — and what it means for employees who no longer have a...

Fifty episodes in, and the workplace just keeps getting weirder.

To mark the milestone, Peter Rahbar and Laura Brounstein dig into four stories that show exactly where work, law, and technology are colliding right now.

The OpenAI Trial & Your Digital Footprint: The Musk vs. Altman trial isn't just a billionaire grudge match — it's a masterclass in what happens when your texts, emails, and yes, your diary become evidence. Peter breaks down the digital hygiene habits every executive (and employee) should have before their next sensitive conversation.

AI Is Watching How You Feel: Employers ar...

It's internship season — and whether you're the one trying to land a spot or the manager running the program, this episode has something for you.
Peter Rahbar and Laura Brounstein are joined by career coach and magazine industry veteran Eliot Kaplan — former VP of Talent Acquisition at Hearst, former Editor-in-Chief of Philadelphia Magazine, and former Executive Editor of GQ — for a full breakdown of the internship lifecycle.
In this episode:
🎯 Where to find internships and how to start your search early
📝 Cover letters, networking, and how to get a human to actually see your application
🎤 Intervi...

Employment attorney Peter Rahbar and journalist Laura Brounstein break down this week's biggest stories at the intersection of news, work, and the law — plus a big announcement: next week is Intern Palooza! 🍹This week we cover:

📱 Can you sue your boss for their social media posts? — a listener question Peter and Laura dig into; when a manager's online activity can actually create legal liability, and when your only real remedy is to quit
🤖 AI is more expensive than employees — the CTO of Uber has already blown his entire tech budget on AI in the first third of the year; Pe...

Employment attorney Peter Rahbar and journalist Laura Brounstein break down this week's biggest stories at the intersection of news, work, and the law — straight from a beautiful spring day in New York City. 🍹 This week we cover:

🎬 Toxic workplace allegations at Mr. Beast & Unwell — what these high-profile cases reveal about the real dangers of hiring family members to run your company, and what every founder needs to know before they hand the keys to a spouse or cousin
👩‍💼 Labor Secretary Lori Chavez-DeRemer's resignation — another woman out of Trump's cabinet; Peter and Laura break down the pattern, the allegations, and...

Employment attorney Peter Rahbar and journalist Laura Brounstein break down this week's biggest stories at the intersection of news, work, and the law. This week we cover:

🏛️ Swalwell & Gonzales resignations — two congressmen out amid serious sexual misconduct allegations; why known harassers go unreported, why colleagues look the other way, and what managers are legally obligated to do when they know
🔥 Attacks on Sam Altman's home & warehouse arson — workers are burning down warehouses on camera and attacking the homes of tech CEOs; Peter and Laura on what this signals about corporate greed, AI-cover layoffs, and a workforce pushed to th...

The world doesn't stop when you clock in — and this week, neither do we. Employment attorney Peter Rahbar and journalist Laura Brounstein tackle four topics that are impossible to ignore right now. In this episode:

⚔️ Balancing Work & War — When the headlines feel like too much, your employees feel it too. Peter and Laura discuss how managers can check in on their teams, what mental health resources employers should be offering, and how to support your people — including those with family in conflict zones — without making grand public statements.
🏕️ Corporate Retreats Gone Wrong — The WSJ story about the 2017 Plex retre...

Employment attorney Peter Rahbar and journalist Laura Brounstein break down this week's biggest stories at the intersection of news, work, and the law — including breaking news regarding Pam Bondi. This week we cover:

🔥 Pam Bondi firing — the AG is out; what it means and why Peter thinks the Supreme Court might have something to do with it
✈️ Air Canada CEO resigns — how one massive communications failure could have triggered a clause that can cost any executive their job
⚖️ EEOC investigation of UPenn — what the agency is actually doing, why some of the reporting is misleading, and why we still ha...

Employment attorney Peter Rahbar and journalist Laura Brounstein break down this week's biggest stories at the intersection of news, work and the law. This week we cover:
🏛️ White collar crime prosecutions are at a 40-year low under the Trump administration — what that means for corporate accountability and why companies should still be watching their backs
📱 Meta's rough week — a landmark court ruling finds Meta liable for harm to minors, a new eye-popping executive compensation plan is announced, and Zuckerberg lands a seat on the President's Council of Advisors on Science and Technology
👀 JPMorgan is tracking its junior investme...

The Bachelorette has been canceled just days before its premiere—an unprecedented move in reality TV history. On this episode of Across the Bar, Peter Rahbar and Laura Brounstein are joined by media veteran Dan Wakeford to break down the Taylor Frankie Paul scandal and what it means for the future of the franchise, and Disney's new CEO.

We also dive into the week's biggest workplace headlines:

The "Rich Jerk" Firing: Atlassian fired a long-time engineer for criticizing the CEO on Slack. Was it legal? ⚖️

The AI Workforce: FedEx is replacing 50% of its workfl...

This week on The Across the Bar Podcast, Peter Rahbar and Laura Brounstein discuss the continuing battle between Anthropic and the Pentagon, the regulatory battle over AI, companies moving to Texas, finance bros doing fashion shoots without permission and more trouble at Noma. 

In this episode:

Anthropic v. Hegseth: Is Claude banned from the government? 🌍🛡️

The Texas Exodus: Why giants in tech and finance are ditching Delaware and California for the Lone Star State. Is it just about taxes? 🤠💼

The Finance Bros of Interview Mag: We dissect the viral "Finance Bro" feature. How ca...

Is your office ready for the geopolitical shifts of 2026? This week on The Across the Bar Podcast, Peter Rahbar and Laura Brounstein dive into the escalating conflict with Iran and what it means for international law, global operations, and workplace discourse. Plus, we look at the fallout between Anthropic and the Department of War and why the government is suddenly playing nice - or wait, not nice - with law firms.

In this episode:

The War on Iran: How global conflict impacts the "social contract" at work—from remote worker safety to sensitive internal communications. 🌍🛡️

Anthr...

This week on the Across the Bar Podcast, Peter Rahbar and Laura Brounstein talk about the latest stories impacting the workplace, including the workplace implications of the State of the Union address, the President’s latest power play—a move to influence corporate boardrooms—and a deep dive into how and why AI is negatively affecting women.

Inside the Episode:

SOTU 2026 Breakdown: We analyze the President’s speech and what it means for the workplace. 🏛️⚖️

Why AI is Bad for Women: From biased hiring algorithms to the rise of workplace deepfakes, we discuss why AI is creatin...

This week on The Across the Bar Podcast, Peter Rahbar and Laura Brounstein dive into a series of landmark decisions and scandals that are reshaping corporate America and professional sports in 2026.

Inside the Episode:

The SCOTUS Tariff Decision: We break down the Supreme Court’s latest ruling on tariffs and what it means for global supply chains and your wallet. 🏛️📈

Goldman Sachs & The DEI Retreat: Goldman has officially ditched DEI guidelines for its board. What does this say about their values? 💼⚖️

Sports Labor in Turmoil: From the MLBPA scandal to the high-stakes WNBA...

Is the 2026 "AI Job Panic" justified? This week on Across the Bar, employment attorney Peter Rahbar and media veteran Laura Brounstein break down the headlines that are reshaping the modern workplace.

In this episode:

The AI Panic: With mass layoffs hitting tech and media, and AI engineers spreading fear about replacing jobs, AI panic is setting in. Is this a genuine shift in the economy? We discuss the different views of how AI is impacting the workplace and what you should be doing at work.

Salesforce’s ICE Controversy: Marc Benioff’s "jokes" abou...

In this episode of The Across the Bar Podcast, Peter Rahbar and Laura Brounstein tackle the messy intersection of corporate ethics, compensation strategy, and the latest legal firestorms hitting major brands like Nike and Pinterest. 🏛️

Inside this week's episode:

The Epstein List & The C-Suite 💼: As names continue to surface, we discuss the legal and reputational fallout for corporate leaders. Does an entry on the list mean an automatic exit from the company?

The "Peanut Butter Raise" Trap 🥜: Employers are spreading thin raises across entire departments to avoid "tough conversations." We explain why this strategy is...

In this episode of Across the Bar, Peter Rahbar and Laura Brounstein break down the high-stakes legal and corporate shifts dominating the workplace in 2026. From the surprising new focus of the EEOC to the "Great AI Adaptation," we’re looking at who is winning—and who is losing—in the modern workplace.

Inside the Episode:

Corporate vs. ICE 🛡️: Corporate leaders are increasingly vocal against ICE actions. We discuss the legal risks, the PR impact, and what this means for workplace sanctuary policies.

The Layoff Wave Continues 🌊: Amazon and the Washington Post are making major cuts, ag...

In this episode of Across the Bar, Laura Brounstein and Peter Rahbar dive into the legal firestorms kicking off 2026! ⚖️ From the C-suite to the sidelines, the "rules of engagement" are changing fast. 🔥

Inside this episode:

The Goldman Sachs Dilemma 🏦: We break down the latest drama surrounding GC Kathryn Ruemmler and the reported scrutiny over her ties to Jeffrey Epstein. Is this a PR crisis or a major legal liability for the bank? 🏛️

Duke Sues Its Own QB 🏈: Darian Mensah is in "transfer portal limbo" after Duke University filed an unprecedented lawsuit to enforce an NIL contract. A...

Can you be suspended for your political views? ⚖️🇺🇸

In this week's episode of The Across the Bar Podcast, co-hosts Peter Rahbar and Laura Brounstein break down today's hottest workplace issues, including the legal and professional issues related to a UAW worker suspended for yelling at Donald Trump during his visit to a Ford factory, the shocking news regarding the raid of the home of a Washington Post reporter, and the minefield associated with OpenAI hiring consultants to upload their past projects for AI training. Finally, we look at Jerome Powell’s leadership style and share a masterclass on how to di...

Are you being "pushed" back into the office without a formal mandate? 🏢

In this episode of the Across the Bar Podcast, Peter Rahbar and Laura Brounstein pull back the curtain on the subtle (and sometimes strange) ways corporate America is changing. We explore the rise of "Hybrid Creep"—the trend of linking promotions and pay to office attendance—and why companies are suddenly scrubbing DEI language from their public-facing materials.

From the "Death of Happy Hour" to bizarre rules like requiring employees to take off their shoes, we break down what these cultural shifts mean for you...

In this special episode of The Across the Bar Podcast, hosts Peter Rahbar and Laura Brounstein break down the essential roadmap for anyone looking to turn their expertise into a thriving business. Whether you're leaving a corporate role or scaling a side hustle, we cover the administrative, legal, and financial hurdles you need to clear to succeed.

In this episode, we discuss:

🎯 Defining Your Niche: How to figure out exactly what your business is (and isn't).

🚀 The Launch Plan: Setting a timeline and preparing for Day 1.

⚖️ Legal & Admin Basics: Business structures, contracts...

On this episode of the Across the Bar Podcast, hosts Peter Rahbar & Laura Brounstein break down the intersection of power, politics, and the future of work—from viral White House portraits to the high-stakes AI arms race in hiring.

📸 The Vanity Fair White House Shoot: We discuss the viral, unretouched White House portraits by Christopher Anderson. Is this a new era of political transparency, or a deliberate "hit piece" using macro-photography?

💰 OpenAI Ends the Vesting Cliff: In a massive move for the AI recruiting wars, OpenAI has eliminated the traditional vesting cliff. We discuss what "Day One"...

On this episode of the Across the Bar Podcast, hosts Peter Rahbar & Laura Brounstein dive into today's hottest workplace issues, including the Michigan football scandal, worker fatigue, explaining COBRA, the structural reasons women are falling behind in the workplace, and office holiday gifts.
 
0:00 Introduction 

3:00 Michigan Football Scandal

8:45 Combatting Worker Fatigue and Burnout in the Office

15:55 COBRA Explained

19:00 The Women's Workplace Gap: Why Women Are Falling Behind in Careers

23:50 Holiday Gift Ethics: Rules for Bosses, Employees, and Secret Santas
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On this episode of the Across the Bar Podcast, hosts Peter Rahbar & Laura Brounstein tackle the biggest buzz in the working world—from looking your best to navigating the hottest AI careers and the ever-tricky art of self-promotion.

🔥 Looking Hot for Work: We discuss the latest trends and why looking good might just boost your career (and your mood).

🧑‍💻 Gen Z Loves the Office (Seriously): Younger workers are leading the charge back to in-person. Find out why Gen Z is embracing the office and what that means for the future of hybrid work.

🤝 IRL Interview Pr...

In this week's episode of the Across the Bar Podcast, hosts Laura Brounstein and Peter Rahbar tackle three essential workplace topics that every leader and employee needs to navigate this season.
📰 This Week's Topics:
🤖 Workplace AI Ambassadors Rise - Companies like ServiceNow are identifying 1,000 high performers to serve as internal AI influencers who train colleagues on AI adoption. How organizations are using peer-to-peer AI champions, what makes an effective AI ambassador program, and why this approach works better than traditional training.
📉 How to Communicate Layoffs with Empathy - Are we really laying off workers by text message...

In this week's episode of the Across the Bar Podcast, hosts Laura Brounstein and Peter Rahbar unpack four explosive workplace scandals that are dominating headlines and sparking critical conversations about accountability and culture. This week's topics include:
📋 Epstein E-mails Released - The new Epstein e-mail release and their workplace implications. What corporate leaders need to know about associations, reputational risk, and due diligence.
⚖️ Attorneys Behaving Badly - Kirkland & Ellis attorneys are getting training on how to be nicer to adversaries. How workplace culture could enable bad behavior in the legal industry and elsewhere.
🔥 Condé Nast Union Battle Expl...

In this week's episode of the Across the Bar Podcast, hosts Laura Brounstein and Peter Rahbar explore the critical workplace trends that reveal where work culture and the economy are headed.
📰 This Week's Topics:
🗳️ Mamdani and your Workplace - What the election of NYC's new mayor Zohran Mamdani means for your workplace, and whether companies will really leave NYC. 
👥 Male Affinity Groups Emerge - The surprising rise of men's vulnerability groups in workplaces. Why companies are creating safe spaces for men and what it means for workplace culture and DEI initiatives.
🌯 Chipotle as Economic Canary - How Chipotle...

In this Halloween episode of the Across the Bar Podcast, Laura Brounstein and Peter Rahbar discuss the latest issues impacting the workplace, including:
😔 What If You're Asked to Lay Off Your Team? - Navigating the emotional burden of conducting layoffs as a manager, how to have difficult termination conversations, and other basics you should know as a manager
🤖 Should Managers Use AI for Performance Reviews? - Should managers be using artificial intelligence to write employee evaluations, maintaining authenticity in feedback, and balancing efficiency with personalization
📱 Is Texting During Meetings OK? - Meeting etiquette debate: when multitasking is accept...

Join hosts Laura Brounstein and Peter Rahbar on Across the Bar Podcast as we dive into this week's biggest workplace news:
⏰ Is 7am Too Early for Meetings? - The heated debate over early morning work meetings, employee burnout from scheduling conflicts, and setting healthy workplace boundaries
💼 100-Hour Workweeks Exposed - Are extreme work hours for real? Breaking down 996, 100-hour work weeks and toxic hustle culture, whether work-life balance can exist, and the reality of corporate work expectations
🗣️ Political Speech at Work Dangers - Why discussing politics in the workplace is risky, navigating controversial conversations with coworkers, and protec...

In this week's episode of the Across the Bar Podcast, hosts Laura Brounstein and Peter Rahbar dive into the pivotal workplace trends shaping the future of work and corporate America.
📰 This Week's Topics include:
🏢 NYC Office Comeback - Manhattan office leasing hits highest volume since 2019 with 23.2 million square feet leased. What this surge really says about RTO policies, AI replacing jobs, and what CEOs think about Mamdani.
🤝 Surviving the M&A Boom - Essential strategies to protect your career and position during a mergers or acquisition. We tell you the contract provisions that  you should be negotiatin...

🏛️ The Real Costs of the Government Shutdown For Workers - The real economic impact of federal shutdowns on workers, contractors, small businesses, and the broader employment market
🤖 Beat AI Resume Bots - Is it a smart idea to play games with AI resume bots to get past automated hiring tools
✊ White Collar Union Movement - Why professional workers are unionizing, and what collective bargaining means for your career
📺 CBS Leadership Shakeup - Breaking down the new executive changes at CBS and what leadership transitions mean for media industry jobs

Get the workplace insights you need on today...

Join hosts Laura Brounstein and Peter Rahbar on the Across the Bar Podcast as we dive into this week's biggest workplace news:

🏛️ Government Shutdown Impact - How the federal government shutdown is affecting workers, contractors, and the broader employment market

🤖 AI Lies - Why companies are falsely claiming that AI is responsible for layoffs and a slowdown in hiring

💼 Would You Work for Elon Musk? - The bad boss dilemma: red flags of toxic leadership, working for difficult CEOs, and whether it's ok to take a job with a bad boss

Get the wor...

Join hosts Laura Brounstein and Peter Rahbar on the Across the Bar Podcast as we dive into this week's biggest workplace news:
📺 Jimmy Kimmel Suspension Drama - Breaking down the late-night host suspension controversy - why it happened and what it means for free speech
🏢 Return to Office Mandate Failures - Why RTO policies are crashing and burning, plus why hybrid policies may be the best policy for your workplace
🛂 H-1B Visa Fiasco - The latest immigration visa chaos affecting tech workers, employers, and the ongoing skilled worker shortage

Get the workplace insights...

In this week's episode of the Across the Bar Podcast, hosts Laura Brounstein and Peter Rahbar tackle the critical workplace issues dominating headlines and boardrooms across America.
📰 This Week's Topics include:
🗣️ Workplace Free Speech Crisis - Employees getting fired over Charlie Kirk-related comments and the ongoing debate about political expression at work (note: recording occurred just before the Jimmy Kimmel Suspension)
🧖‍♂️ Sauna Networking - The hot new trend of conducting business meetings and networking in saunas and whether it is advisable for you
💰 Two-Speed Economy Impact - Amazon and BofA increased base pay for their minimum wage workers...

Join hosts Laura Brounstein and Peter Rahbar on The Across the Bar Podcast as we dive into this week's biggest workplace news:
💰 Elon Musk's Epic Payday - Breaking down his record-breaking $1 trillion pay package and what it says about executive compensation
🚔 Hyundai ICE Raid - The shocking ICE raid at Hyundai facilities 
📱 DIML Videos Take Over - Why Day in My Life (DIML) work videos are going viral on TikTok and LinkedIn, and what employers think
🍫 Nestlé CEO Scandal - The latest corporate drama involving the Nestlé CEO affair scandal rocking corporate leadership

Get the workpla...

In this week's episode of the Across the Bar Podcast, hosts Laura Brounstein and Peter Rahbar break down four major workplace stories shaking up the professional world, including: 

👑 New Vogue Editor - Chloe Malle's appointment as the new Vogue editor and what it means for fashion industry leadership
📱 Burner Phones for US Travel - Foreign companies and governments are telling staff to use burner phones when traveling to the US amid growing surveillance concerns
⚖️ Federal Union Fallout - The Trump administration's decision to terminate federal union contracts and its impact on government workers' rights 
💼 CEO Scandal - N...