MeidasTouch Full Podcast - 8/12/25

The leading weekly law and politics podcast -- LegalAF -- produced by MeidasTouch and hosted by MT founder and civil rights lawyer, Ben Meiselas and national trial lawyer and strategist, Michael Popok, is back for another hard-hitting, thought-provoking look at this week’s most compelling developments at the intersection of law and politics, aka Episode 17. The hosts first bring their healthy-brand of skepticism to the $10mm “wrongful death” suit to be filed by the family of January 6th insurrectionist Ashli Babbitt. Next, Ben and Popok bring the LAF listeners fully up to speed on the trials and tribulations of New York’s “Love Governor” Andrew Cuomo accused by 11 (!) former (and current) female employees of sexual misconduct. Then, the hosts explore SCOTUS’ recent attack on the CDC’s nationwide residential eviction ban, and the Garland DOJ’s intervention to oppose the Realtors’ efforts to overturn a limited CDC eviction moratorium based on rising Delta data. Talking about the Delta variant, Ben and Michael first examine the legality of Florida Governor DeSantis’ ban of vaccine passports and its impact on the cruise industry, and his ban on mandatory masks for school children even in the face of rising infection and death rates among children in his state. The Analysis Friends then drill down on Texas’ Governor Abbott’s attempts to interfere with the federal government’s “supreme” power to regulate immigration and transport (and detain) immigrants by claiming some feigned concern with the spread of COVID by immigrants, while simultaneously banning face masks and undermining vaccination in his state. Episode 17 ends with a sobering discussion about the Justice Against Sponsors of Terrorism Act (“JASTA”) federal case filed this past week in New York by 115 “Gold Star” families against major global banks for allegedly profiting from terrorist organizations and governments banking with them, and thereby helping to fund attacks on Americans. Special Easter Egg and Programming Note: Ben gives Popok and the listeners the good news that “Legal AF” is leaving the “MeidasTouch Podcast” nest and moving to its own Medias-produced podcast channel starting with next Sunday’s episode. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/meidastouch/message Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/meidastouch/support Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

8 Aug 20211h 25min

On today’s episode of The MeidasTouch Podcast, the brothers sit down with current Pennsylvania state representative and U.S. Senate hopeful, Malcolm Kenyatta. During the interview, Rep. Kenyatta discusses voting rights, a centerpiece of his campaign and his 8-point democracy plan. Additionally, the team talks through the performative politics that are being played by the GQP’s leaders. The episode is rounded out by a thoughtful discussion around red-state governors who are failing their constituents at every turn, as well as Tucker Carlson’s utterly head scratching trip to Hungary. If you enjoy today’s episode, please be sure to rate, review and subscribe. As always, thank YOU for listening! Follow Malcolm Kenyatta on Twitter here.  Shop Grove Collaborative here.  Get Meidas Merch here. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

6 Aug 20211h 19min

MeidasTouch is proud to bring you a sneak peek of our new original series, KREMLIN FILE. For more episodes, subscribe to KREMLIN FILE wherever you get podcasts. Hosted by renowned researcher Olga Lautman and political activist Monique Camarra, KREMLIN FILE takes audiences on a riveting journey through the rise of Putin and the spread of authoritarianism across the globe and into the Trump White House. Featuring interviews with Masha Gessen, Yuri Felshtinsky, Bill Browder, and Craig Unger, Season One dives head first into Putin’s Russia and their ongoing active measures campaign around the world. New episodes drop Thursdays beginning August 5th 2021. Subscribe here or wherever you listen to podcasts for more episodes! Meidas Media + bunker crew ————————————— About this Episode: Masha Gessen, the rise of Putin Olga and Mo journey back to the 90’s with Russian-born journalist Masha Gessen who describes their odd introduction to Vladimir Putin by way of Saint Petersburg and beyond https://www.KremlinFile.com Masha's twitter: @mashagessen Olga's twitter: @OlgaNYC1211 Mo's twitter: @MoniqueCamarra Meidas Media + bunker crew --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/meidastouch/message Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/meidastouch/support Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

5 Aug 202150min

On today’s episode, the brothers sit down with elections analyst and the founder of the new organization StrikePac, Rachel Bitecofer. Bitecofer was recognized for predicting the size of the "Blue Wave" in the 2018 United States midterm elections much earlier than other forecasters. Her prediction was one of the most accurate of the cycle. During the interview, the team drills deep into big ‘B’ Branding and why it’s so important for the left to champion pro-democracy messaging. The conversation then shifts gears as the brothers discuss the latest updates around Lindsey Graham’s COVID diagnosis as well as the uptick in vaccinations across the country. Finally, the brothers chat about the potential of an "insurrection part 2" and how everyday Americans can do their part in combating the radical right. If you enjoyed today’s episode, please be sure to rate, review and subscribe. As always, thank YOU for listening! --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/meidastouch/message Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/meidastouch/support Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

3 Aug 20211h 26min

The leading law and politics podcast — MeidasTouch’s Legal AF — is back and coming in hot with special guest attorney Sam Yebri (samforLA.com). On its Sweet 16 episode, MT founder and civil rights lawyer, Ben Meiselas and national trial lawyer and strategist, Michael Popok interview Sam, who’s running a #MeidasMighty-style, progressive, grassroots campaign to represent LA’s 5th District on its City Council. Sam, Ben and Popok discuss his campaign and approach to addressing and solving LA’s homeless crisis. After a brief interlude where Ben welcomes Popok back with open arms from his summer holiday, the hosts get back to their brand of hard-hitting analysis Legal AF listeners have come to expect. First up, Ben and Michael examine how various federal courts are addressing COVID-19 policies, from Florida’s sinking the CDC mandates for the cruise ship industry with the help of a flip-flopping 11th Circuit, to a Trump-appointee Indiana federal judge upholding a university’s decision to mandate vaccination for its students. Then, the hosts do a deep dive into Attorney General Merrick Garland’s recent decisions to: (a) deny Alabama Rep. Mo Brooks request to have the United States substitute in as the defendant in the case brought against him for inciting the January 6th attack on the Capitol, and (b) issue new DOJ policy supporting the First Amendment and preventing prosecutors from seizing journalists records except in extraordinary circumstances. Ben and Popok round out the episode with a look at yet another Former 45 courtroom loss. This week, the Second Circuit soundly rejected the Trumps’ attempt to force into private arbitration a class action suit brought against Former 45, Eric and Ivanka for endorsing a "multi-level marketing" "get rich quick scheme" run by ACN, allegedly causing tens of millions in losses. Ben and Popok scratch their heads over Trump et al.’s wacky decision to argue, in effect, that the Trumps were so close to ACN (and its alleged fraud scheme) that the Trumps should get the benefit of the arbitration agreement between ACN and its customers. Easter Egg Alert: Ben bans Popok from any future days off! Subscribe to the MeidasTouch Podcast for more episodes and remember to give the show a 5-star review! --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/meidastouch/message Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/meidastouch/support Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

1 Aug 20211h 12min

On today’s episode of The MeidasTouch Podcast. the brothers sit down with TWO incredible guests and do-it-yourself democracy warriors, Lauren Windsor & Walter Masterson. Lauren, who is also a Creator/EP of a political reporting web-show TheUndercurrent.tv, sits down with us to discuss what it’s like going undercover and exposing the GQP politicians on their own turf. As you may remember, Lauren was most recently in the news for asking Matt Gaetz directly to his face if he is a pedophile, a question which seemingly went unanswered. Prior to Lauren’s interview, we chat with the hilarious Walter Masterson. Masterson, who takes more of a comedic approach when behind enemy lines, talks about his own viral moment with Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene & Matt Gaetz. The remainder of the conversation is rounded out by the brothers discussing the latest infrastructure updates, new mask mandates and much, much more. If you enjoyed today’s episode please be sure to rate, review and subscribe. As always, thank YOU for listening! Follow Walter on Twitter @waltermasterson and follow Lauren on Twitter @lawindsor Get your Meidas Merch here! --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/meidastouch/message Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/meidastouch/support Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

30 Juli 20211h 25min

On today’s episode of The MeidasTouch Podcast, the brothers sit down with co-founder & executive director of The Democratic Coalition and host of the Dworkin Report podcast, Scott Dworkin. Scott discusses everything from pioneering the online movement of The Resistance to tangible strategies Democrats can utilize in order to win in 2022 and beyond. The conversation then shifts as the brothers discuss why the GQP is rooting against the U.S. Olympic Teams, vaccination efforts of southern states and of course the viral sensation #MontanaMan. If you enjoy today’s episode please be sure to rate, review & subscribe. As always, thank YOU for listening! You can follow Scott Dworkin on Twitter here. Follow The Democratic Coalition here. Buy Meidas Merch here. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/meidastouch/message Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/meidastouch/support Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

27 Juli 20211h 19min

On today’s episode of The MeidasTouch Podcast, the brothers sit down with CNN Senior Legal Analyst, former federal and state prosecutor & bestselling author Elie Honig. During the interview the brothers and Elie discuss everything from their hilarious familial connections to a deep dive into the latest legal news involving Tom Barrack (a long time Trump associate & confidant). Elie goes on to discuss how much damage Bill Barr has done to this country along with which outstanding political issues are keeping him up at night. The conversation then shifts gears as the brothers discuss the latest updates on the January 6 commission and why Speaker Pelosi made the correct decision by rejecting insurrectionists Jim Jordan & Jim Banks from participating in the bipartisan panel. Finally, the episode concludes with the brother’s discussing the latest updates around vaccine promotion from the most unlikely of sources while hypothesizing the rationale behind this sudden change of messaging from a party that has been actively trying to kill their constituents. If you enjoyed today’s episode please be sure to subscribe, rate and review. Thank YOU for listening! Buy Elie Honig's's book here! Shop Meidas Merch here! --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/meidastouch/message Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/meidastouch/support Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

23 Juli 20211h 9min