Across The Bar Podcast

Laura is on a well-earned summer break, so Peter's joined by special guest co-host Liz Plosser, former editor-in-chief of Women's Health and the voice behind the wellness Substack Best Case Scenario. First up, the GLP-1 conversation nobody knows how to have at work — commenting on a colleague's weight loss feels harmless until it isn't, and HR is starting to notice. Then, the reader question of the summer: is it actually okay to quit if you have been left on the "decoy plane"? Peter and Liz dig into the lates Presidential story and whether managers are responsible for the safety of their employees, plus Liz's own wild Air Force Two detour involving a cracked windshield and a very unglamorous curbside drop-off at the Delta terminal. From there, the etiquette of writing your own goodbye message (hint: nobody wants your ten-page victory lap), whether LinkedIn's new "AI slop" flag will actually clean up your feed, and a sobering look at the 61 S&P 100 companies that have quietly dropped board diversity criteria altogether. Liz also settles the office gym debate once and for all — yes, you should go, and yes, it's fine to say hi to your CEO at the water fountain. Subscribe to Best Case Scenario: https://lizplosser.substack.com

Peter's joining from Sardinia this week, which means the vibe is loose but the topics are not. First up: Gen-Z parents have entered the chat at work, showing up to job interviews and calling managers to contest their kid's firing. Peter and Laura's rule is simple — unless your child is in a literal coma, hang up the phone. From there, we turn to HR, a department that's had a rough couple of years and is now watching AI quietly take over its job. Peter, of all people, makes the case that this isn't entirely bad news — right before explaining exactly how it goes horribly wrong. Then: tenure, the thing every professor was told was untouchable, turns out to be very touchable. A West Point professor challenges a gag rule and wins; a tenured economics professor at the New School gets laid off anyway, and the whole academic world is having a small crisis about what "lifetime job security" actually means. We close things out with LinkedIn's new ranking of top colleges for career success — Princeton's #1, feelings were had about alma maters — and a real conversation about whether the rankings measure anything a 17-year-old should actually care about. 

A Netflix production exec named is suing after getting fired following a corporate retreat where he disclosed medically supervised ketamine treatment for depression during a trust exercise — and also, per Netflix, drank a Guinness standing on his head. Peter and Laura dig into where the actual legal exposure sits: if the termination was really about the medical disclosure, Netflix has a problem; if it was the sum total of "behavior unbecoming of an executive," that's a different story entirely — and a reminder that company policy travels with you to every offsite, happy hour, and business trip.Then: a Wachtell Lipton partner and associate caught mid-makeout on a Bryant Park bench by a stranger with a camera, nine blocks from their office. He's married, she has a partner, and he's a partner at the firm to her associate — a combination that got him left off the six-lawyer defection to Gibson Dunn and landed him on administrative leave instead. Peter on why judgment, not just skill, is what firms actually pay for.Finally, the real conversation: a Fortune piece on Gen Z workers napping in movie theaters and crying in Aritzia fitting rooms to cope with workplace stress. Peter and Laura get into why this generation is hitting a harder wall than the ones before it — less in-person conflict practice growing up, employers openly talking about replacing them with AI, and a job market that made the entry-level seat itself feel like the finish line

This week we start in the West Wing, where the man responsible for scrolling President Trump's speeches across the teleprompter turned out to have a lucrative side gig: allegedly trading on Kalshi based on what he already knew the President was about to say. It's the kind of insider trading story that writes itself — except it's paired with something arguably worse, reports that early access to the President's Truth Social posts is being sold to companies for somewhere around $100–200K a pop. We get into why any regulated firm even considering paying for that access should think hard about what a state attorney general, or a very different administration two years from now, might make of it.From there we head to the EEOC, which just voted 2-1 to scrap the EEO-1 reporting requirements that have quietly tracked workplace demographics for six decades — and is doing it on a 30-day comment period instead of the usual 60. We talk about what it means when the agency in charge of equal employment opportunity stops measuring who's actually employed at companies.Then there's Frank Bisignano, the head of the IRS, who — according to a Wall Street Journal report — allegedly used JPMorgan's own security apparatus to keep tabs on his internal rivals during his time there. We break down why that story matters well beyond his old job, and the basic access controls every company, not just megabanks, should have in place.We close things out with something a little less felonious: how to actually plan a corporate retreat people want to attend instead of one they've been dreading for weeks — including why the boss should probably stay out of the planning committee.

Apple and OpenAI used to be in business together. Now Apple's accusing its former partner of coaching employees to walk out the door with company files — and Peter's got thoughts on exactly how not to do that when you leave your own job (hint: never sync your work iPhone to your personal iCloud, you absolute rookie). Meanwhile, Meta's facing a lawsuit alleging its layoff algorithm had a very specific taste for people with disabilities and medical leave — which raises the fun question of who you actually sue when the firing squad is a spreadsheet. Then a federal judge takes a flamethrower to the Trump administration's IRS settlement, referring the president's own lawyers to the bar for what she calls a fraud on the court — Peter calls it "the most fun decision of the week." And because summer isn't all lawsuits, Peter and Laura close out with the internship crisis nobody prepares you for: what to actually do when you're bored out of your skull and too scared to admit it.Corporate espionage, algorithmic layoffs, a judge with zero patience, and career advice for the terminally bored intern. Your weekly drink with a lawyer and a journalist is served.Read the Demis Hassabis Proposal for a Frontier AI Framework: https://tinyurl.com/4hkhbj4n

Remember when every AI company was telling you your job was toast? They've quietly changed their tune — Anthropic just leased a whole building in Hudson Square and is hiring by the hundreds, OpenAI did the same in SoHo weeks earlier, and suddenly it's all "efficiency" and "job creation." Peter's not buying the whiplash and explains why so many layoffs blamed on AI have nothing to do with AI at all. Then Wall Street gets serious: Goldman just told employees they can only use prediction markets for sports and entertainment, and hedge funds like Point72 and Balyasny said forget the nuance, no prediction markets at all — Peter breaks down why this is the right call and why the "sports exception" won't survive the year. From there, things get personal: a New York Times op-ed says we should all be dating our co-workers again, and Peter and Laura find out live on mic that they completely disagree about it. Plus, the real reason your boss is so obsessed with getting you back in the building (hint: it might say more about them than about productivity), and the right way for interns to send a thank you note that actually gets remembered — a group email is not it. Legal takes, career reality checks, and the usual amount of bickering, all in one episode.

Peter and Laura are recording on the last day of June — drinks in hand, holiday weekend approaching — and the Supreme Court just had one of its biggest weeks in years. They break down what the rulings actually mean for you, your company, and the stability of the business environment Americans have long taken for granted. From the gutting of Humphrey's Executor to birthright citizenship to Citizens United getting even more toothless, the throughline is clear: power is consolidating in the executive branch, and the ripple effects on business, regulation, and predictability are just beginning.Then: remember the salami incident? A few weeks ago we told you about the JPMorgan employee who got a $4 million FINRA arbitration award after being fired over a $600 expense report. Now JPMorgan and other major banks are so annoyed by the outcome that they want to rewrite the rules of the very system they created — the same system they forced their employees into in the first place. Peter breaks down what that means for anyone working in finance and what you actually can and can't negotiate in an employment contract.And finally, a fascinating and unsettling piece from the New York Times: companies are putting AI into their org charts — and it's backfiring. Employees are checking AI-generated work less carefully than work from human colleagues, not more. Peter has seen it firsthand with clients sending him AI-drafted contracts full of hallucinated clauses and made-up cases. The lesson isn't that AI is useless. It's that handing it the wheel without supervision is a genuinely dangerous move.🎙️ Across the Bar is your weekly drink with a lawyer and a journalist — covering workplace law, employment issues, and the stories shaping professional life.🔔 Subscribe so you never miss an episode.

The World Cup is taking over America — and it's actually a masterclass in everything that makes a great employee. This week, Peter and Laura are joined by Ed Foster-Simeon, President & CEO of the US Soccer Foundation, to talk about what youth sports really build in young people, why coaches are some of the most underrated leaders in our culture, and what this historic tournament could mean for the next generation of workers.Then things get a little wilder. A JPMorgan employee was caught on video dumping trash on the street during the Knicks championship parade — and walking off with the garbage can. In broad daylight. On camera. At one of the most photographed events in New York City history. She lost her job. The can was $168. There are lessons here.Speaking of JPMorgan, Jamie Dimon made a major move this week — naming two co-presidents as potential successors. It's a reminder that the best leaders are always thinking about what happens after them. Peter breaks down why succession planning isn't just for Fortune 500 CEOs, why the Bob Iger playbook is a cautionary tale, and what every business owner and team leader should have in their drawer right now.Also this week: former Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo has assembled Anthropic, Amazon, and Microsoft behind a new nonprofit called RAISE — committing $500 million to train workers for the AI economy. It's the conversation companies should be having with their employees instead of the one Meta is having. Because over at Meta, morale has reportedly never been lower — after the company rolled out keystroke tracking and forced AI transitions and acted surprised when people didn't love it.And finally: AI isn't freeing up your time. It's eating it. Peter and Laura dig into the rise of the infinite workweek — and why the pressure to always be doing more is burning people out faster than ever.🎙️ Across the Bar is your weekly drink with a lawyer and a journalist — covering workplace law, employment issues, and the stories shaping professional life.🔔 Subscribe so you never miss an episode.

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 more on this week's episode of Across the Bar — your weekly drink with a lawyer and a journalist.In this episode:⚖️ Knicks Championship — and what it means for New York👔 Summer Office Wardrobe Do's & Don'ts🛒 Costco's worker-first pay model and why it's good for business🏠 Remote work is still winning — here's why💍 CEOs hiring matchmakers for trad wives🤫 Peter Thiel's Dialog society — power, secrecy, and influenceSubscribe for weekly episodes covering workplace law, employment issues, and the stories shaping how we work.

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 workplace trend, but is it really just flexible hours with a rebrand? Peter and Laura break down when it works, when it doesn't, and why your best leverage for any scheduling accommodation is being someone your boss can trust.Goldman Sachs CEO David Solomon announced that general counsel Kathy Ruemmler — who was supposed to leave the firm this week following her links to Jeffrey Epstein — is now staying on as an adviser. And it turns out his own chief of staff raised objections. Peter and Laura ask the obvious question: what's the calculus here, and what message does it send?At CBS News, Bari Weiss has reportedly barricaded herself in a key-card-only sixth-floor suite — physically separated from the staff she's supposed to be leading through one of the most turbulent moments in the network's history. Peter and Laura on why that move is a classic sign of weak leadership, and what to do when your boss starts going squirrely.Out-of-office message philosophies: how much is too much? Two paragraphs on the importance of rest? Your bunion surgery? Just enough is just enough.And finally: a federal judge in Massachusetts struck down the Trump administration's $100,000 H-1B visa fee, ruling it was effectively an unauthorized tax that only Congress has the power to impose. A win — but Peter explains why the real damage to America's talent pipeline goes far beyond any court ruling.Subscribe for weekly conversations where law meets real life.🎙️ Across the Bar drops every week wherever you get your podcasts.

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 lesson for anyone navigating a background check. Whether you're a Senate candidate or a C-suite hire, someone's going to ask about your skeletons — and who gets that information, how it's handled, and what happens when it leaks matters enormously. Peter walks through how to protect yourself, what to ask your prospective employer, and when to loop in an attorney before you say a word.Uber blew through its entire 2026 AI budget in four months and has now capped employee spending at $1,500 per tool per month. What went wrong, who's responsible, and what should employers actually be doing to manage AI use before the bills spiral? Peter and Laura break it down.AI isn't just costing money — it's eliminating the entry-level pipeline. Companies are demanding experience that new grads can't possibly have yet, and no one's filling that training gap. Peter and Laura talk about what that means for recent grads, what companies are risking long-term, and what smart job seekers should be doing right now.And the Scott Pelley firing: Was it a blaze-of-glory exit? A wrongful termination? A little of both? Peter walks through the "for cause" legal framework, what Pelley's contract language likely said, and why this story might not be over yet.Across the Bar is your weekly drink with a lawyer and a journalist. New episodes every week.🔔 Subscribe so you never miss an episode.📩 Questions? Find us on LinkedIn and Instagram.

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 faked his résumé for years, then walked off with $40M in gold bars, $2M in cash, and a pile of Rolexes. Laura and Peter use it as a jumping-off point for the real question: how much can you actually embellish on a résumé before it becomes a career-ending lie? Plus where salary-history laws stand now.🥪 The JPMorgan "Salami" Case — A wealth manager who brought in a billion dollars was fired over a $642.50 expense his assistant mislabeled. He asked for $30M and won $4.25M in arbitration. Laura and Peter explain why theft is a bright-line issue for big employers — no matter how small the dollar amount or how high the performer.🤝 Intern Survival Guide — Two listener questions: Should you join in on the office jokes? (Wait for the invite.) And how do you handle the Monday "how wasted were you" chatter without oversharing? Laura's got a trick — plus the cleanest embarrassing story of all time, straight from her White House internship.📌 Follow-ups: A Google engineer arrested for an insider-info Polymarket scheme, and why every company needs a betting-markets policy — plus the AI meeting-recording trap.Peter Rahbar is a New York-based employment attorney, workplace expert, and founder of The Rahbar Group and Laura Brounstein is an accomplished veteran journalist. Each week on Across the Bar, Peter and Laura Brounstein decode the headlines through the lens of your rights at work.🎧 New episodes every week — subscribe so you never miss one.

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 anyone to call. The conversation then turns to how CEOs are talking about workers right now — and why the language matters more than you might think.We also talk about what's actually happening with the Meta layoffs and what should workers be paying attention to, including a deeper look at AI and hiring through the lens of one of the most candid CEO statements in recent memory. Cloudflare's CEO wrote in a Wall Street Journal op-ed that the company cut "measurers" — middle managers, finance, legal, and operations staff — while prioritizing "builders" and "sellers," even as the company posted record revenue growth. Peter and Laura unpack what this framework means for how companies are reshaping their workforces, and what it tells us about where hiring is headed. Plus, should your company have a predictive market policy? It's a question more employers are starting to ask — and the legal and HR implications are real.And because it's New York and it's May: the Knicks are in the Eastern Conference Finals against the Cavaliers — and Peter has thoughts.

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 are now deploying AI tools to monitor employees' emotions in real time. We explain why companies think this helps them — and why it might actually create more liability than it prevents.The Delicate Art of the Payoff: A JP Morgan employee allegedly turned down $1 million to walk away from a harassment claim — and then filed a lawsuit that took on a life of its own. Peter unpacks how companies decide when to settle, when to fight, and what the current climate means for anyone navigating a workplace dispute.Bad Behavior Company of the Week: TTEC — a $2 billion company with 16,000 American workers — announced it's pausing 401(k) matches to fund AI investment. Peter and Laura call it what it is.🎙️ Across the Bar drops every week — a lawyer, a journalist, and the workplace stories that actually matter to your career.📩 Have a story or topic for us? Reach out.

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🎤 Interview tips — including the "three greatest hits" strategy and questions that make you stand out📅 Day one dos and don'ts — how to read the room and set yourself up for a great summer🚫 What NOT to do (yes, including the alcohol at the work party)🏢 Advice for employers — structure, mentorship, communication, and the value of reverse mentoring💼 How to stay in touch after your internship ends and actually convert it into a job offer⚖️ A quick legal note on confidentiality — what you can and can't share when you go back to school🎙️ New episodes every week. Subscribe so you never miss a drink.

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; Peter and Laura break down what this reality check means for the future of the workplace☀️ Hire summer interns! — Peter makes the case for why every company should be bringing on interns right now, what it costs (less than you think), and why over-lawyering the issue has become its own problem📺 FCC threatening Disney's broadcast licenses — is the government using regulatory power as a weapon against free speech? Peter and Laura weigh in on the Jimmy Kimmel controversy and what it means for media workers and employers everywhere⚖️ EEOC goes political — staffers speak out about the agency's increasingly politicized agenda, including one jaw-dropping case Peter and Laura can barely believe is real🍹 Grab a drink and join the conversation.🔔 Subscribe for weekly episodes on the laws shaping your work and life — and send us your intern questions for next week's Intern Palooza episode!

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 what no employer should ever tolerate⌨️ Meta tracking employee keystrokes "for AI training" — is that really what's going on? Peter and Laura dig into employee surveillance, what's legal, and why this is a massive morale problem💼 Layoffs vs. buyouts — Meta cuts 8,000 jobs while Microsoft offers voluntary buyouts; why the distinction matters and what employees need to know about their rights in each scenario🤖 When your boss is a boomer about AI — why managers pushing AI too hard (or too clumsily) are demoralizing their teams and driving people out the door🍹 Grab a drink and join the conversation.🔔 Subscribe for weekly episodes on the laws shaping your work and life.

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 the edge🍸 The office bar is back — JP Morgan, British companies, and others are opening bars at work to lure people back; is it a morale win or a legal nightmare waiting to happen?🤖 Gen Z hates AI — a new Axios poll shows only 22% of Gen Z is excited about AI; why the youngest workers are the most worried, and what companies and the government should be doing about it🏆 Heroes & Zeros — the shuttering of Health magazine, a $40 Greenpoint rotisserie chicken, Coachella, and the lost art of talking to strangers🍹 Grab a drink and join the conversation.🔔 Subscribe for weekly episodes on the laws shaping your work and life.

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 retreat in Mexico went viral for good reason: a hotel manager who quit, a sick CEO, Navy SEALs, and yes — someone eating a tarantula. Peter and Laura share their own retreat war stories and break down what makes a retreat great vs. a total disaster (hint: it's about inclusion, not intimidation).🙋 Voluntold — You didn't raise your hand, but suddenly you've got a new assignment and the same paycheck. Peter explains when to embrace the opportunity, when to push back, and why managers need to be careful about who they keep tapping for extra work.🤯 What to Do When Your Boss Has Lost His Mind — No, we're not naming names. But if you're an executive watching your leader make fiscally reckless, erratic, or potentially illegal decisions, Peter walks through your real options: internal reporting channels, audit committees, whistleblower programs, and when it might just be time to walk.🎙️ Across the Bar is your weekly drink with a lawyer and a journalist — where employment law meets real life.New episodes every week. Subscribe so you never miss a round.

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 have problems with it💼 Oracle mass layoffs — 20,000–30,000 employees let go by 6 a.m. email with no notice, no goodbye, no access; why Peter says the CEOs should be the ones fired😔 Has work lost its joy? — a Wall Street Journal piece sparks a real conversation about what companies owe their employees right now🏆 Heroes & Zeros — Tiger Woods' body cam footage, looks-maxxing, the Artemis 2 launch, and the ad the Democrats better run🍹 Grab a drink and join the conversation.🔔 Subscribe for weekly episodes on the laws shaping your work and life.

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 investment bankers — is it really about employee wellbeing or is something else going on?💻 Your personal life is on your work computer — why that's more dangerous than ever in the age of AI🏆 Heroes & Zeros — airport chaos, ICE agents at LaGuardia, Chili's wins the internet and a fashion data account you need to follow🍹 Grab a drink and join the conversation.🔔 Subscribe for weekly episodes on the laws shaping your work and life.

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 workflows with AI agents by 2028. Is your job next? 📦🤖The Side Hustle Survival Guide: How to build your side gig without getting fired from your 9-to-5. 💼✨

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 can they be so dumb? 🍸📈Noma’s Culture Crisis: René Redzepi is under fire (again). We discuss the fallout of toxic "genius" in the world’s most famous kitchen. 🍴🔥

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. 🌍🛡️Anthropic vs. The Department of War: The "safe" AI company is in the hot seat. Did taking a stand against the government hurt their business? 🤖⚔️The Burger Bite War: Fast food CEOs are battling over bites. Did the McDonald's PR team let down their CEO? 🍔🔥The Jargon Epidemic: Why "synergy" and "bandwidth" are killing productivity. Laura gives a masterclass on speaking like a human. 🚫🗣️Law Firm U-Turn: The government blinked in its prosecution of major law firms. And then blinked back. Peter breaks down the legal pivot and what it means for firms fighting the government. ⚖️🏛️Please watch, listen and subscribe to the latest episode of The Across the Bar Podcast!

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 creating a new, digital glass ceiling. 🤖👠Government in the Boardroom: The administration wants a seat at your table. We discuss the legal implications of the government’s latest push to pick corporate board members. 💼🏢The 8-Hour Sleep Debate: Should junior investment bankers be entitled to sleep? We tackle the latest lawsuit detailing how young analysts are really treated. 😴💰We discuss these topics, snowball fights, the US hockey team and more! Please watch, subscribe and share the latest episode of The Across the Bar Podcast! 

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 negotiations, we look at the power dynamics of 2026 sports unions. 🏀⚾Employee Activism at CBS: CBS staff are pushing back—again. We discuss the latest instances of employee activism in a legacy media environment. 📺🔥Cabinet vs. The Real World: Would the behavior we see from current cabinet officials be tolerated in the private sector? (Hint: Probably not.) 🚫💼Please watch, subscribe and share The Across the Bar Podcast!

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" about ICE agents during a company kickoff in Las Vegas have sparked an internal revolt. We discuss the legal implications of a hostile environment and why "Ohana" culture is feeling like a memory. ☁️⚖️Washington Post Bloodbath: One-third of the newsroom is gone. Sections wiped. Metro gutted. We dive into the "WTF" of it all: Why was Will Lewis at the Super Bowl during a massive public layoff, and what is Jeff Bezos actually doing with the Post? 🏛️📰Please watch this week's episode of The Across the Bar Podcast to hear more about these topics, Bad Bunny, curling, the Super Bowl and more! 

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 actually a morale killer and potentially a recipe for disaster.EEOC vs. Nike 👟: In a landmark 2026 shift, the EEOC is taking on Nike’s DEI practices. Is this really a problem? Is it a good use of government resources? ⚖️Pinterest’s Petty Pivot 📌: Firing employees for tracking layoffs? We break down the legality—and the long-term cultural damage—of the Pinterest CEO’s latest controversial move. 📉

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, again. Is the economy stalling? How will employees view these actions while Amazon is simultaneously spending $35m to market the Melania documentary.The EEOC’s New Battleground ⚖️: In a surprising turn, the EEOC is actively litigating to protect white men under Title VII. Learn more about how this administration has reshaped this agency to carry out its agenda. 🏛️Gen X & The AI Revolution 🤖: Gen X is in the lead in adapting to AI. We dive into the data on why the sandwich generation is the most adept at integrating AI into their workflows—and what every other generation can learn from them. 📈Watch The Across the Bar Podcast to hear more about all of these topics and our views on the Olympics, cold plunges and more!

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. Are there any rules in college sports? 🏟️The Winter of Discontent 🪧: NYC is in the midst of two major union battles. We analyze the 15,000-nurse strike and the unconventional unionization battle at Breads Bakery. 🏥🥖AI in the Office 🤖: Workplace-related AI suits are here. We discuss the legal risks of using AI for hiring and whether AI is good or bad for jobs.  💻Know Your Rights 🛡️: If ICE shows up at your workplace, do you know the difference between a judicial warrant and an administrative one? We give you the essential legal playbook. 📋

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 disagree with your boss without risking your career.Please watch or listen, share and subscribe!

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 your career and the lack of federal oversight on corporate behavior today.

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, and the "boring stuff" that protects you.💰 Pricing Your Services: Value-based vs. hourly—how to charge what you're worth.📣 Marketing & Networking: Getting your first client and building a sustainable brand.

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" equity means for the talent war and if other tech giants will be forced to follow suit.🗽 74,000 Applications for Mamdani Jobs: Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani received a staggering 74,000 applications for his administration, with an average applicant age of just 28. We look at why young workers are flocking to local government and what this says about the 2025 job market.👻 Professional Ghosting is Peak 2025: From "ghost jobs" that never existed to candidates vanishing before their first day, we tackle the "Ghosting Index" and why professional courtesy seems to be disappearing.

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 Scandal8:45 Combatting Worker Fatigue and Burnout in the Office15:55 COBRA Explained19:00 The Women's Workplace Gap: Why Women Are Falling Behind in Careers23:50 Holiday Gift Ethics: Rules for Bosses, Employees, and Secret SantasPlease watch, share and subscribe!

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 Prep: Ditch the video calls—in-person job interviews are making a comeback! We share tips on how to nail your next face-to-face meeting and land the job.🚨 Code Red at OpenAI & Hottest AI Jobs: After a dramatic week in tech, we break down what the latest shake-ups at OpenAI mean for the industry and which AI careers are booming right now.📈 Judging Your LinkedIn Posts: How much self-promotion is too much? We discuss the fine line between personal branding and oversharing, and how to make your posts count.Please watch, subscribe and share this episode of the Across the Bar Podcast with your friends and colleagues!

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? Research shows poorly handled layoffs result in 31% increased turnover and 74% productivity decline among remaining employees Best practices for delivering difficult news, supporting both departing and staying employees, and maintaining trust during workforce reductions in the AI era.🎉 Holiday Party Dos & Don'ts 2025 - Should you have a holiday party? YES! Essential etiquette rules, legal pitfalls to avoid, alcohol tips, and how to ensure your office party builds culture instead of creating HR nightmares.Join us for expert analysis on this pre-Thanksgiving edition of the Across the Bar Podcast and get the insight for a strong finish to 2025!

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 Explodes - Four union employees were fired after confronting HR chief, sparking federal labor complaints. What this high-profile retaliation case means for employee rights, union organizing, and HR accountability.🧘 Nike Cancels Wellness Week - Why major companies are scaling back employee wellness programs, mental health initiatives, and what this signals about shifting workplace priorities and cost-cutting measures.👩 NYT's "Women Ruin Workplace?" Backlash - The New York Times podcast controversy asking if women ruined the workplace sparks massive outrage. Analyzing the gender politics, workplace feminism debates, and what went so spectacularly wrong.Please watch, share and subscribe to the Across the Bar Podcast!

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's struggles reveal deeper economic warning signs as customers aged 25-35 pull back spending. What this bellwether brand tells us about consumer confidence, wage pressures, and the two-speed economy affecting your workplace.Please listen to the Across the Bar Podcast as we discuss these topics and other issues impacting your workplace! Please watch, share and subscribe!

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 acceptable, setting professional boundaries, and respecting workplace communication norms👩‍💼 Why Are Women Leaving the Workforce? - Understanding the female workforce exodus, childcare challenges, pay equity issues, and what companies can do to retain women employees🏛️ Government Shutdown Fallout - How federal shutdowns impact workers, contractors, and the broader economy, plus lessons for workplace stabilityAcross the Bar provides you with the workplace insights that you need on today's trending employment stories! Please watch, share and subscribe!

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 protecting your career from political fallout🏢 JPMorgan's NYC Tower Opens - Inside JPMorgan Chase's massive new headquarters building in New York City and what it signals about return to office policies and corporate real estateJoin us for expert analysis on the latest workplace trends! Please watch, subscribe and share!!

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 negotiating for.✈️ CEO Private Jet Hypocrisy - Executive private flight spending jumped 19% while companies cut costs and lay off workers. We discuss the double standards in corporate cost-cutting and what executives should be thinking about before they book their next flight.💬 Stay Interview Revolution - The retention strategy seeing a 40% increase in adoption. Learn how stay interviews work, why they're more effective than exit interviews, and how to implement them at your company.Join us for expert analysis on the latest workplace trends! Please watch, subscribe and share!

🏛️ 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 jobsGet the workplace insights you need on today's trending employment stories! Please listen, share and subscribe!

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 bossGet the workplace insights you need on today's trending employment stories!  Please listen, share and subscribe!

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 shortageGet the workplace insights that leaders should have from today's trending employment stories. Please listen, subscribe and share!

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 and how economic inequality is creating different workplace experiences for different workers🧠 Mental Health Priorities - The urgent need to address workplace mental health issues and actionable solutions for employersJoin us for in-depth analysis of these topics and more. Whether you're in HR, management, or navigating today's complex workplace culture, this episode addresses the conversations happening in every office today. Please listen, subscribe and share with your colleagues!

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 leadershipGet the workplace insights you need on today's trending employment stories! The Across the Bar Podcast is your go-to source for workplace news and employment trends. Please watch, share and subscribe!

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 - Nestlé CEO's dismissal following revelations of a workplace affair and the broader implications for executive accountabilityJoin us for expert analysis on workplace politics, leadership changes, international business security, labor relations, and corporate governance. Whether you're in HR, management, or just interested in workplace trends, this episode covers the stories everyone will be talking about this week. Please watch, subscribe and share! 

In this episode of the Across the Bar Podcast, workplace experts Laura Brounstein and Peter Rahbar break down the hottest workplace trends and career tips! 🎯What We Cover:🌟 New Job Success - Proven strategies for making an outstanding first impression at your new job!🏦 JPMorgan Union Drama - Inside scoop on the new union organizing efforts at Wall Street's biggest bank💰 Intel's Government Deal - What lessons should other CEOs from the government's move to take a 10% stake in Intel⏰ Early Bird Trend - The growing workplace movement where employees start earlier to leave earlier (and whether it actually works!)Whether you're starting a new position, navigating workplace changes, or staying on top of corporate news, this episode delivers the latest workplace and  culture trends. Watch, subscribe, and share with your colleagues!

In this week's episode of the Across the Bar Podcast, Peter and Laura discuss the latest issues in the workplace, including how AI can get you fired, whether Quiet Cracking is actually a trend worth talking about, CEOs gone wild at AT&T and elsewhere, and whether the VP of PTO takes too much vacation! Please watch, subscribe and share with your colleagues!