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.