Best Michael Blanche Podcasts (2025)

For the Defense returns as David Oscar Markus sits down with Harvey Weinstein’s lawyer, Arthur Aidala, for a fascinating look at how the defense strategy evolved from Weinstein’s first trial to his retrial. Arthur Aidala, one of the most charismatic and colorful defense lawyers in the country, joins David Oscar Markus to break down the retrial of H…

1
Introducing (another) Cows and Effect. Episode 1. Five billion, there's no snakes in Ireland and an upside down graph. 1:18:21

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2M ago1:18:21

1:18:21

A blatant misuse of the Pasture Pod platform means I'm plugging this Cows and Effect project again. Episode 1 dives into the science with an Irish research paper that looks at the yields of multi species pastures (along with the various different plant species that go into them) at several levels of Nitrogen (including zero). Which grasses work bes…

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Introducing Cows and Effect: The Prologue; contract work, wild animals and he knows who he is. 48:24

2M ago48:24

48:24

Link to this one and it's show notes: Cows and Effect: Prologue Link to next episode: Cows and Effect: Episode 1By Michael Blanche & Not-a-real-Dr-yet Paul Allison

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Howard & Scott Srebnick for Michael Avenatti 1:05:40

12M ago1:05:40

1:05:40

The Season 6 finale is a doozy – featuring Howard & Scott Srebnick, who discuss the high profile trial of Michael Avenatti with David Oscar Markus. Michael Avenatti was a modern day Icarus. He had everything going for him, so what happened? Howard & Scott Srebnick represented him in the infamous Nike prosecution in which Avenatti is accused of exto…

1
Elaine Froese 2:01:48

12M ago2:01:48

2:01:48

Elaine is coming to England at the invitation of AHDB with workshops between 21st October 2024 and 30th October. See: Discuss the Undiscussabull Not that I'm pushing this at all .... but .... Patreon link is: The Pasture Pod's Patreon linkBy Michael Blanche

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Former Attorney General Alberto Gonzales 35:36

12M ago35:36

35:36

A first for the podcast -- the former Attorney General, Alberto Gonzales, joins David Oscar Markus to discuss prosecutorial independence. Alberto Gonzales and David Oscar Markus discuss the job of a prosecutor, whether prosecutors should be appointed or elected, whether governors should be permitted to fire prosecutors and other pressing ethical qu…

1
David Kendall for President Bill Clinton 1:10:47

1y ago1:10:47

1:10:47

David Kendall sits down with David Oscar Markus to discuss the impeachment trial of President Bill Clinton. Independent counsel, impeachment hearings, infidelity. No, we aren’t talking about Donald Trump. Instead, we head back to the late 90s to discuss David Kendall’s incredible representation of President Bill Clinton. The high stakes showdown be…

1
Chris Morvillo for Autonomy CEO Mike Lynch 1:07:18

1y ago1:07:18

1:07:18

Chris Morvillo of Clifford Chance sits down with David Oscar Markus to discuss the long and amazing saga of his representation of Mike Lynch, the CEO of Autonomy. Mike Lynch was dubbed the British Bill Gates. Then his world came crashing down as he was charged in federal court with fraud for what the feds described as a massive scheme to trick HP i…

1
Phil Hubbart for Pitts and Lee 1:13:29

1y ago1:13:29

1:13:29

Florida International University School of Law hosted Phil Hubbart and David Oscar Markus for a discussion about Hubbart’s book, From Death Row to Freedom: The Struggle for Racial Justice in the Pitts-Lee Case. The podcast is lucky to host Phil Hubbart this week, a living legend in the 3-0-5. He revamped the public defender’s office and was an appe…

1
Mat Boley 3:01:56

1y ago3:01:56

3:01:56

Many moons and almost an equal amount of suns ago, our anti-hero MC Swardstick set off on his pilgrimage to find a mythical being. A dairy farmer who didn't work 90 hours a week. He found this creature and he was well cool and interesting. They spoke for almost 3 hours and MC left with his sound recorder full of wisdom. Unfortuneately, MC was very …

1
Sean Hecker for Robert Bogucki 1:00:21

1y ago1:00:21

1:00:21

Sean Hecker, of Hecker Fink, joins David Oscar Markus to discuss the trial of Barclays trader Robert Bogucki. How do you explain complicated FX trading to a jury? How do you try a case on the other side of the United States, far from home? How do you try a case with a large team? Join David Oscar Markus as he interviews his friend and amazing lawye…

1
Judge Andrew Brasher 53:36

1y ago53:36

53:36

Judge Andrew Brasher joins David Oscar Markus to discuss all things Eleventh Circuit. Judge Brasher joined the 11th Circuit Court of Appeals when he was 39 years old. Having clerked for Judge William Pryor and worked as the Alabama Solicitor General, he is part of the well-known Judge Pryor “judging tree,” along with Judge Kevin Newsom and others. …

1
CNN's Kaitlan Collins 1:01:50

1y ago1:01:50

1:01:50

CNN’s Kaitlan Collins joins David Oscar Markus and his University of Miami class to discuss everything from covering high profile trials to how to examine a difficult witness. As criminal defense lawyers know, cross examining witnesses is one of the hardest things to do. There's a lot to be learned from journalists who do it live on the air with di…

1
Todd Blanche for former President Donald Trump 57:45

1+ y ago57:45

57:45

Todd Blanche, counsel to former President Donald Trump, joins David Oscar Markus to discuss the New York trial of People v. Trump. Todd Blanche, the first guest to appear twice on For the Defense with David Oscar Markus, discusses everything from the war room to Melania Trump not appearing at trial to getting into it with Michael Cohen and everythi…

1
Judge Kevin Newsom 1:05:46

1+ y ago1:05:46

1:05:46

In this bonus episode, Judge Kevin Newsom joins David Oscar Markus for an open and wide-ranging discussion about being a judge on the 11th Circuit, legal writing, and even a recent health scare. This bonus episode of For the Defense with the affable Judge Kevin Newsom and David Oscar Markus (they were law school classmates) continues to explore wha…

1
Judge Nancy G. Abudu 42:46

1+ y ago42:46

42:46

In this bonus episode, Judge Nancy G. Abudu – the newest judge on the Eleventh Circuit Court of Appeals – joins David Oscar Markus for an open discussion about her career, the confirmation process, and the Court itself. Almost all appellate judges served as lower court judges and bring that experience with them to the appellate bench. But Judge Nan…

1
Michael Schachter and Randall Jackson for Tom Barrack 1:04:30

2y ago1:04:30

1:04:30

In this bonus episode, Michael Schachter and Randall Jackson sit down with David Markus to discuss their amazing acquittal of Tom Barrack in federal court in New York. Tom Barrack, a close friend and advisor to Donald Trump, was charged with being a foreign agent for the UAE. The so-called FARA violation is the new hot charge by DOJ. Enter Michael …

1
Margot Moss (and I) for Mayor Andrew Gillum 1:09:29

2y ago1:09:29

1:09:29

In the Season 5 finale, partners Margot Moss and David Oscar Markus discuss their successful representation of Mayor Andrew Gillum. Mayor Gillum was a hairbreadth away from being Florida’s Governor. Had the FBI not started and leaked an unjustified investigation, he would have won. But once they did so, they kept the target on Gillum’s back, eventu…

1
Craig Albee for Mark Jensen (letter from the grave case) 52:46

2y ago52:46

52:46

Was it suicide or was it murder? Craig Albee sits down with David Oscar Markus to discuss whether Mark Jensen murdered his wife with antifreeze or whether she committed suicide. Craig Albee is the federal defender in Wisconsin. And he's tried lots of cases. But nothing like this one, which has led to books, movies, and of course, podcasts. Known as…

1
Barry Scheck for the Innocence Project 52:33

2y ago52:33

52:33

Barry Scheck put DNA evidence on the map during the O.J. Simpson trial and now runs the amazing Innocence Project. Barry Scheck, a titan of the criminal defense bar, sits down with David Oscar Markus to discuss high profile cases, exonerating the innocent, and the practice of law. He's one of the best and it shows.…

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John Lauro for Donald J. Trump 47:28

2y ago47:28

47:28

John Lauro is not sitting back in his defense of Donald Trump. Listen to him discuss his defense strategy with David Oscar Markus on this special episode of For the Defense. John Lauro is former President Trump's lawyer in the January 6 case in Washington D.C. In this interview with David Oscar Markus, he goes in depth on how he got involved in the…

1
Matthew Menchel for UBS banker Raoul Weil 1:10:02

2y ago1:10:02

1:10:02

David Oscar Markus interviews Matthew Menchel, one of the best trial lawyers in the country, on his acquittal for UBS banker Raoul Weil. The U.S. had enough with wealthy tax cheats hiding their money in Swiss bank accounts. So it decided to go after the foreign bankers to send a message, including Raoul Weil, one of the top executives at UBS. Enter…

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Lisa Wayne for New Orleans DA Jason Williams 50:45

2y ago50:45

50:45

David Oscar Markus interviews Lisa Wayne, the executive director of the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers, on her most recent trial win, for New Orleans district attorney Jason Williams. Progressive prosecutors have been pretty controversial around the country. The recently elected district attorney in New Orleans was no exception as…

1
Arron Nerbas 2:18:56

2y ago2:18:56

2:18:56

A Canadian themed episode to bring "Season 2" to an end. Arron came over to the UK in January 2023 and spoke to loads of people over the course of a week. I went to see him at the AHDB meeting in Northumberland at George Burrell's and it was such a refreshing and positive experience. Even though he has such a different environment to contend with, …

1
Gerald Lefcourt for Abbie Hoffman (Chicago 8) 40:46

2y ago40:46

40:46

David Oscar Markus interviews legendary Jerry Lefcourt about one of the most important trials in American history, the Chicago 8 case. Jerry Lefcourt had recently been fired as a legal aid lawyer in the late 1960s when he got a call from Abbie Hoffman. They spoke all night at Hoffman’s apartment. Hoffman told him “I'll start a revolution; you keep …

1
Todd Blanche for Paul Manafort 52:28

2y ago52:28

52:28

David Oscar Markus sits down with former President Trump’s lawyer, Todd Blanche, who has not yet spoken in detail with the media. Todd Blanche was a prosecutor in the Southern District of New York, prosecuting violent criminals in federal court. He then left for the oldest law firm in New York – Cadwalader. There, he quickly developed a reputation …

1
Milton Hirsch for Pedro Guerrero 57:34

2y ago57:34

57:34

Season 5 starts off with a grand slam – Milton Hirsch, one of the country’s finest trial lawyers, current judge, and David Oscar Markus’ former partner, represented World Series MVP Pedro Guerrero in his federal trial in Miami. Too dumb to do the drug deal? That defense could never work, right? Wrong -- if your lawyer is Milton Hirsch, who beat the…

1
Chris Falconer 2:56:50

2+ y ago2:56:50

2:56:50

After 12 years apart, two acquaintences meet. Everything has changed, Michael is even fatter and has less hair; Chris seems to have given Michael his extra body mass - he's lighter and fitter. Chris is also more self aware and intimidates Michael slightly less than in 2010. They talk for a long time and record some of it. Michael likes to think he …

1
Douglas Brooks for Harvard Fencing Coach Peter Brand 1:23:14

2+ y ago1:23:14

1:23:14

Well-known Boston lawyer Douglas Brooks sits down with David Oscar Markus to discuss the Harvard Fencing Coach case, an off-shoot of the Varsity Blues prosecution. The college admissions process gives all applicants – and their parents! – stress. The U.S. Attorney’s office in Boston charged over 50 defendants in the biggest college scandal of our t…

1
It's About Time - Episode 6: The Final Countdown 1:41:48

2+ y ago1:41:48

1:41:48

It's About Time was not on time this week - not perfect but at least it's definitely done! This is the last in the series and I want to thank everyone that was involved and everyone that is listened. Thanks to all those that took the trouble to message. Special, special thanks to the Frank Parkinson Agricultural Trust. This simply wouldn't exist wi…

1
It's About Time - Episode 5: The Do Do Sandwich 1:25:17

2+ y ago1:25:17

1:25:17

If in doubt seek expert help. My quest gets closer to an inconvenient truth as I speak to coaches, consultants and, big potato grower with normal sized potatoes, Robin Griffiths. This is the proper time management episode and was a bit of a revelation to me. Mention is given to the pomodoro technique with insufficient explanation until closer to th…

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It's About Time - Episode 4: How to Beat the System 1:35:58

2+ y ago1:35:58

1:35:58

I spent most of this episode in my pants watching YouTube. Clips used are for educational purposes. The series up to this point was on a roll with reviews like "I'm enjoying it much more than I thought I would" - but this was a big test to keep the underwhelming momentum up. Systems is such a monster of a subject but I hope you get something from i…

1
It's About Time - Episode 3: The Ballad of Andrew Freshwater 1:21:55

2+ y ago1:21:55

1:21:55

Episode 3 sees me continue haphazardly like King Arthur in Monty Python's Holy Grail ... no horse and just coconuts as a sound effect. I eventually take my brave tablets and speak to "The Australian", then spend the rest of the episode trying to translate things to a UK Context. Luckily I have some sensible people helping. Can we nail down what is …

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It's About Time - Episode 2: The Tale of Three Dairy Farms 1:16:57

2+ y ago1:16:57

1:16:57

The quest for answers continues. Is our use of time the invisible handbrake on our lives and businesses that we leave on without realising? I visit three dairy farms and hear about their experiences and challenges, within them there are parables and wisdom and glimpses of the answer. Warning: may contain poor analogies. Books mentioned in this epis…

1
It's About Time - Episode 1: Is this even a subject? 51:43

2+ y ago51:43

51:43

A departure from the normal Pasture Pod, I do my best attempt at being a poundshop Louis Theroux and go on a quest to find answers on how time affects farming and how we can use time to affect our lives and businesses for good. Episode one contains a record breaking number of metaphors per minute of narration ... so be prepared. Thankfully all is s…

1
Joel Williams 1:43:25

2+ y ago1:43:25

1:43:25

Once apon a time soil was less cool than flares (when they weren't trendy) and plastic shoes. I may have been forced to wear the latter two items of clothing as a young adult but at least I wasn't studying soil science!! BUT times have changed, a revolution has happened and soil science might be - quite possibly - one of the coolest things going. J…

1
Gus & Duncan Nelless 3:14:31

2+ y ago3:14:31

3:14:31

Gus and Duncan are full siblings with impressive EBVs for 3 Hour Bantz; Low CoP and Positive Mental Attitude. They are both structurally correct with good locomotion and teeth but increasingly bare heads. The Pasture Pod returns to its roots with this episode - hardore farming chat and a glimpse into the motivation of a couple of awesome individual…

1
Nikki Yoxall 1:58:45

3y ago1:58:45

1:58:45

If Nikki is a human being, I am a slug. By this I mean - we share 80% of our farming DNA but it still seems we see things differently. This was a theraputic conversation that allowed me to accept the final 20%. "It is what it is" as they say in Love Island. It's OK not to think exactly the same way and maybe there's wisdom in other opinions. Now I …

1
Barry Pollack for Ric Blake (Chicken Antitrust) 57:09

3+ y ago57:09

57:09

DOJ’s antitrust division has gotten crazy aggressive in recent months, bringing criminal cases with new theories never tested before in federal court. These new cases haven’t done well, however. In a recent case alleging that 10 defendants agreed to fix prices for chicken, all defendants proceeded to trial. The jury hung as to all the defendants. I…

1
Holly Beckett 2:31:05

3+ y ago2:31:05

2:31:05

Holly Beckett could possibly change your life. Quietly and without a lot of fuss she has been helping people become more focussed, less stressed and have a renewed appreciation of life. She has been introducing mindfulness to the UK farming industry and its making a difference to people. Keep an open mind. Even if mindfulness is not for you, I thin…

1
Alex Brewster 3:29:28

3+ y ago3:29:28

3:29:28

This is enormous. Its the biggest and longest. Don't be scared. Alex Brewster is a fascinating chap whatever your own farming philosophy. In my opinion he is one of the best communicators in UK agriculture. A Soil Farmer of the Year, a Nuffield Scholar and someone who stole the show at the Oxford Farming Conference. You will soon know him as Beanie…

1
Ed Shohat for Carlos Lehder 54:41

3+ y ago54:41

54:41

The 1980s was the wild west of drug trials. And there was no bigger cocaine cowboy than Carlos Lehder, who co-founded the Medellin Cartel. Lehder turned to Edward Shohat to represent him in a 7-month trial in which the prosecutor, nicknamed Mad Dog, called 29 snitches. In this episode, the finale of Season 4, David Oscar Markus takes Ed through the…

1
John Gleeson for the Holloway Project 1:23:11

3+ y ago1:23:11

1:23:11

John Gleeson has done it all. He’s been a federal prosecutor. A federal judge. And now he’s a criminal defense lawyer. Having seen the injustices in the criminal justice system, Gleeson started the Holloway project in which he and a team of lawyers are trying to free defendants who have been crushed by the system and minimum mandatory sentences. In…

1
Brian Heberlig for Ali Sadr 1:21:40

3+ y ago1:21:40

1:21:40

There's prosecutorial misconduct and then there's what happened in the case of Ali Sadr in the Southern District of New York. Sadr's lawyer, Brian Heberlig, sits down with David Oscar Markus at his White Collar Law seminar at the University of Miami School of Law to discuss the absolutely insane misconduct committed by federal prosecutors in this t…

1
Daniel Wheeler 2:28:36

3+ y ago2:28:36

2:28:36

Daniel has grown a beard that provides more biodiversity habitat than Knepp Estate. He cares for it deeply, sometimes with product. He has scanned many sheep in his career but his true destiny is to be the biggest sheep nerd in either hemisphere. He is from a place called New Zealand and if he was on a cruise liner his favourite deck would be deck …

1
Geoffrey Fieger for Dr. Jack Kevorkian 43:23

3+ y ago43:23

43:23

Dr. Jack Kevorkian, also known as Dr. Death, was the center of debate at every dinner table – should a doctor be permitted to assist a patient in committing suicide if that’s what the patient wanted because of excruciating pain and a terminal illness. Prosecutors in Michigan said no and went after Dr. Kevorkian, who turned to Geoffrey Fieger to rep…

1
Gerry Goldstein for "Deep Throat" 38:20

3+ y ago38:20

38:20

Back in the 1970s, prosecutors started to go after what they deemed to be “obscene.” They went absolutely crazy when the movie Deep Throat was released. So they decided to arrest the projectionist, Richard Dexter, to send a message. Gerry Goldstein was a young firebrand lawyer who took on the case to trial and even all the way to the Supreme Court.…

1
Juanita Brooks for John DeLorean 1:00:41

3+ y ago1:00:41

1:00:41

Everyone knows of DeLorean cars, which were made famous in Back to the Future. What folks may not know is that the car's namesake -- John DeLorean -- was charged in two different federal cases in the 1980s. In one case in Detroit, he was charged with racketeering and embezzlement. Enter Juanita Brooks, who was one of the few women criminal defense …

1
Mark Geragos for Susan McDougal 43:00

3+ y ago43:00

43:00

Mark Geragos, trial lawyer and fellow podcaster, discusses the Susan McDougal trials with host David Oscar Markus. In the 90's, Ken Starr was pursuing Bill Clinton. And anyone who got in Starr's way became a target. This included Susan McDougal, who refused to testify against Clinton because she believed that Starr was pressuring her to lie. Enter …