Michael joins Hannah & Patia from The Knife to discuss the murder trial of Bricen Rivers. In July of 2024, 22-year-old Lauren Johansen was found dead in the trunk of her own car. Her ex-boyfriend, Bricen Rivers, is now charged with capital murder. Lauren’s father is fighting to change the system that ignored the warning signs and allowed Rivers to be released on bail. We speak about the case and how the criminal justice system failed to protect Lauren.

Episode originally aired on The Knife on November 20, 2025.

Michael joins Hannah &amp; Patia from The Knife to discuss the murder trial of Bricen Rivers. In July of 2024, 22-year-old Lauren Johansen was found dead in the trunk of her own car. Her ex-boyfriend, Bricen Rivers, is now charged with capital murder. Lauren&rsquo;s father is fighting to change the system that ignored the warning signs and allowed Rivers to be released on bail. We speak about the case and how the criminal justice system failed to protect Lauren.
Episode originally aired on The Knife on November 20, 2025.

What happens when your Uber driver gets pulled over while you're in the backseat? How do OnlyFans creators incorporate an LLC to remain anonymous? How can you fight ICE without getting off the couch? 

Welcome to Brief Recess, hosted by everyone's favorite TikTok lawyer Michael Foote and his best friend Mélissa Malebranche. Together they break down crazy news stories, share hilarious anecdotes from criminal court, answer pressing legal questions from callers, and teach listeners how to short-circuit democracy to effect real change in their communities.  

Tune in! Or we'll see you in court.

 

What happens when your Uber driver gets pulled over while you're in the backseat? How do OnlyFans creators incorporate an LLC to remain anonymous? How can you fight ICE without getting off the couch?&nbsp;
Welcome to&nbsp;Brief Recess, hosted by everyone's favorite TikTok lawyer Michael Foote and his best friend M&eacute;lissa Malebranche. Together they break down crazy news stories, share hilarious anecdotes from criminal court, answer pressing legal questions from callers, and teach listeners how to short-circuit democracy to effect real change in their communities.&nbsp;&nbsp;
Tune in! Or we'll see you in court.
&nbsp;

Brief Recess: A Legal Podcast with Michael Foote & Mélissa Malebranche

ICYMI: Michael Was on The Knife

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/22caf117-dcf0-4990-9825-b3b701578ca1/transcript

Michael and Mélissa discuss Boston, picky eaters, the latest evidence in the Nolan Wells investigation, and a deep interview with standup comic, Alaina Bamfield, whose recently released special discusses being a survivor of the disgraced USA women's gymnastics team doctor, Larry Nassar.

Brief Recess is a new weekly legal podcast from Exactly Right Media. Follow Brief Recess wherever you get your podcasts, and watch full video episodes every Thursday on the Brief Recess YouTube channel! https://www.youtube.com/@Briefrecess

Find Michael on Instagram @dept_of_redundancy_dept or TikTok @Michael_Foote_ and Mélissa on both as @MelissaMalebranche.

Got legal questions? Email briefrecess@exactlyrightmedia.com.

Links: 
Alaina Bamfield's debut special, Untouchable:youtube.com/watch?v=mzigeuasz2I 
instagram.com/alainabamfield

Michael and M&eacute;lissa discuss Boston, picky eaters, the latest evidence in the Nolan Wells investigation, and a deep interview with standup comic, Alaina Bamfield, whose recently released special discusses being a survivor of the disgraced USA women's gymnastics team doctor, Larry Nassar.
Brief Recess is a new weekly legal podcast from Exactly Right Media. Follow Brief Recess wherever you get your podcasts, and watch full video episodes every Thursday on the Brief Recess YouTube channel! <a href="https://www.youtube.com/@Briefrecess">https://www.youtube.com/@Briefrecess</a>
Find Michael on Instagram <a href="https://www.instagram.com/dept_of_redundancy_dept/?hl=en">@dept_of_redundancy_dept</a> or TikTok <a href="https://www.tiktok.com/@michael_foote_">@Michael_Foote_</a> and M&eacute;lissa on both as <a href="https://www.instagram.com/melissamalebranche/?hl=en">@MelissaMalebranche</a>.
Got legal questions? Email&nbsp;<a href="mailto:briefrecess@exactlyrightmedia.com">briefrecess@exactlyrightmedia.com</a>.
Links:&nbsp;
<ul>
<li aria-level="1">Alaina Bamfield's debut special, Untouchable: <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mzigeuasz2I">youtube.com/watch?v=mzigeuasz2I</a>&nbsp;</li>
<li aria-level="1"><a href="http://instagram.com/alainabamfield">instagram.com/alainabamfield</a></li>
</ul>

Nolan Wells Investigation & Racism in America (w. Alaina Bamfield) 

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/84951d75-a494-4f1c-84f4-b49601845932/transcript

Michael and Mélissa discuss how the FIFA World Cup is finally over, the recent ICE shootings in America, and then a hard, fun pivot with our guest, Ben Hopkins (@benhopkinsbenhopkins) who is social media's favorite bartender and teaches us how to make some cocktails while we get tipsy and play games on this special Summer Staycation episode!

Brief Recess is a new weekly legal podcast from Exactly Right Media. Follow Brief Recess wherever you get your podcasts, and watch full video episodes every Thursday on the Brief Recess YouTube channel! https://www.youtube.com/@Briefrecess

Find Michael on Instagram @dept_of_redundancy_dept or TikTok @Michael_Foote_ and Mélissa on both as @MelissaMalebranche.

Got legal questions? Email briefrecess@exactlyrightmedia.com.

If you want to drink along with us check out Ben’s recipes that he made in this episode:

Brief Recess 

1.5oz London Dry Gin (we used Fort Hamilton which is the best but i know we can't promo brands)

1oz Blanc Vermouth

.5oz Bitter Bianco

*stir*

.5oz Coconut Water, Lift ice to incorporate 

Lime Twist!

Mélissa's Daiquiri

2 oz - Clairin

1oz - Lime Juice

.75oz Simple Syrup

7-8 dashes - Peychaud's Bitters (if making at home 3d from a regular bottle will do!)

Shake hard till there is frost on the outside of the tin, double strain into a chilled martini glass. 

Goodbye Ladybug Juice XXX 420

One glass of room temperature Kim Crawford Chardonnay

Two fingers of warm, old Southern Comfort

Combine, best enjoyed in a closet 

Michael and M&eacute;lissa discuss how the FIFA World Cup is finally over, the recent ICE shootings in America, and then a hard, fun pivot with our guest, Ben Hopkins (<a href="https://www.instagram.com/benhopkinsbenhopkins/?hl=en">@benhopkinsbenhopkins</a>) who is social media's favorite bartender and teaches us how to make some cocktails while we get tipsy and play games on this special Summer Staycation episode!
Brief Recess is a new weekly legal podcast from Exactly Right Media. Follow Brief Recess wherever you get your podcasts, and watch full video episodes every Thursday on the Brief Recess YouTube channel! <a href="https://www.youtube.com/@Briefrecess">https://www.youtube.com/@Briefrecess</a>
Find Michael on Instagram <a href="https://www.instagram.com/dept_of_redundancy_dept/?hl=en">@dept_of_redundancy_dept</a> or TikTok <a href="https://www.tiktok.com/@michael_foote_">@Michael_Foote_</a> and M&eacute;lissa on both as <a href="https://www.instagram.com/melissamalebranche/?hl=en">@MelissaMalebranche</a>.
Got legal questions? Email&nbsp;<a href="mailto:briefrecess@exactlyrightmedia.com">briefrecess@exactlyrightmedia.com</a>.
If you want to drink along with us check out Ben&rsquo;s recipes that he made in this episode:
Brief Recess&nbsp;
1.5oz London Dry Gin (we used Fort Hamilton which is the best but i know we can't promo brands)
1oz Blanc Vermouth
.5oz Bitter Bianco
*stir*
.5oz Coconut Water, Lift ice to incorporate&nbsp;
Lime Twist!
M&eacute;lissa's Daiquiri
2 oz - Clairin
1oz - Lime Juice
.75oz Simple Syrup
7-8 dashes - Peychaud's Bitters (if making at home 3d from a regular bottle will do!)
Shake hard till there is frost on the outside of the tin, double strain into a chilled martini glass.&nbsp;
Goodbye Ladybug Juice XXX 420
One glass of room temperature Kim Crawford Chardonnay
Two fingers of warm, old Southern Comfort
Combine, best enjoyed in a closet&nbsp;

LATEST ICE NEWS: The Cocktail Episode We All Need (w. Ben Hopkins) 

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/a1953f57-c975-494d-8cd0-b48f01778d6c/transcript

Michael and Mélissa discuss online dating from their single days, Robert Kardashian defending OJ Simpson, and a deep dive into Jeffrey Epstein, debating how a blue wave in the midterms could affect criminal investigations and the NYT determination into the cause of Epstein's death.

Brief Recess is a new weekly legal podcast from Exactly Right Media. Follow Brief Recess wherever you get your podcasts, and watch full video episodes every Thursday on the Brief Recess YouTube channel! https://www.youtube.com/@Briefrecess

Find Michael on Instagram @dept_of_redundancy_dept or TikTok @Michael_Foote_ and Mélissa on both as @MelissaMalebranche.

Got legal questions? Email briefrecess@exactlyrightmedia.com.

Michael and M&eacute;lissa discuss online dating from their single days, Robert Kardashian defending OJ Simpson, and a deep dive into Jeffrey Epstein, debating how a blue wave in the midterms could affect criminal investigations and the NYT determination into the cause of Epstein's death.
Brief Recess is a new weekly legal podcast from Exactly Right Media. Follow Brief Recess wherever you get your podcasts, and watch full video episodes every Thursday on the Brief Recess YouTube channel! <a href="https://www.youtube.com/@Briefrecess">https://www.youtube.com/@Briefrecess</a>
Find Michael on Instagram <a href="https://www.instagram.com/dept_of_redundancy_dept/?hl=en">@dept_of_redundancy_dept</a> or TikTok <a href="https://www.tiktok.com/@michael_foote_">@Michael_Foote_</a> and M&eacute;lissa on both as <a href="https://www.instagram.com/melissamalebranche/?hl=en">@MelissaMalebranche</a>.
Got legal questions? Email&nbsp;<a href="mailto:briefrecess@exactlyrightmedia.com">briefrecess@exactlyrightmedia.com</a>.

Epstein: Will a Blue Wave Midterm Finally Bring Justice to His Survivors?

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/686c472c-0d22-43ea-8647-b488017063f6/transcript

ICYMI: Michael Was on The Knife

In 1 playlist(s)

Brief Recess: A Legal Podcast with Michael Foote & Mélissa Malebranche

Social links

Follow podcast

Recent clips