Discourse with Wayne Unger

Professor Wayne Unger
  • 5.0 (12)
  • NEWS COMMENTARY

Welcome to Discourse with Wayne Unger—where we cut through the noise and make sense of the chaos. On this podcast, we take a deep dive into the pressing issues shaping our world in politics, law, technology, business, and more. No echo chambers. No corporate influence. Just thoughtful analysis and respectful civic dialogue. Because understanding different perspectives isn’t just important—it’s necessary.

  1. NOV 27

    A Thanksgiving Special: Pardon Me, Is That Indictment Lawful?

    Send us a text Discourse: Legal Unraveling of High-Profile Indictments with Vanessa Avery In this episode of Discourse, host Wayne Unger, a law professor and former Silicon Valley nerd, delves deep into the recent legal developments surrounding the indictments of former FBI Director James Comey and New York State Attorney General Letitia James. With special guest Vanessa Avery, a former US Attorney for the District of Connecticut, the conversation focuses on the dismissal of these indictments due to the unlawful appointment of the acting US Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia, Lindsay Halligan. The discussion covers the implications of the court's ruling, the appointments clause, and why these times are extraordinary for legal practitioners and scholars. Tune in for a thorough analysis of the procedural history and potential future developments in these high-profile cases. 00:00 Introduction to Discourse 00:32 Special Guest Announcement 01:10 Case Background: James Comey and Letitia James 02:24 Legal Analysis with Vanessa Avery 03:16 Indictment Dismissal and Legal Implications 04:13 Appointment Controversy and Legal Precedents 08:07 Statute of Limitations and Future Legal Actions 20:55 Conclusion and Final Thoughts 23:04 Outro and Disclaimers Support the show

    24 min

  2. NOV 24

    Legislative Looting & AI Hooting

    Send us a text Discourse Episode: Legislative Corruption & The Emerging AI Bubble In this episode of Discourse, hosted by Wayne Unger, a law professor and former Silicon Valley insider, two major topics are thoroughly dissected. First, the recent federal government reopening after the longest shutdown in U.S. history is discussed, focusing particularly on Section 213 of the bill, which has created a controversial pathway for Republican senators to potentially receive $500,000 each from taxpayer funds, stirring significant concerns about corruption. Second, the episode examines the current AI bubble, drawing historical parallels to the dot-com bubble and the 2021 cryptocurrency surge, while cautioning investors about the sustainability of many AI startups. Unger emphasizes the role of infrastructure companies like Nvidia in benefiting from the AI boom, while predicting that many AI-centric startups will inevitably fail due to weak business models. The episode concludes with Unger advocating for the repeal of Section 213, urging listeners to contact their representatives, and advising skepticism and critical thinking about AI investments. 00:00 Introduction to Discourse 00:32 Current Events: Government Shutdown and Section 213 20:33 Deep Dive: The AI Bubble 38:53 Conclusion and Call to Action 41:56 Closing Remarks and Disclaimers Support the show

    44 min

  3. NOV 7

    Ballots and Bellwethers: Election Day 2025 Recap

    Send us a text Reflecting on the 2025 Off-Cycle Election Results In this bonus episode of Discourse, host Wayne Unger offers a reflection on the recent off-cycle election held on November 4th, 2025. With an unscripted approach, he shares his thoughts on key outcomes including the Democrats' wins in Virginia and New Jersey gubernatorial races, and the historic victory of Democratic Socialist Zohran Mamdani in New York City's mayoral race. Unger discusses voter turnout dynamics, the political implications for the Trump administration, and the future direction for the Democratic Party. Additionally, he tackles the contentious issue of partisan gerrymandering with a focus on recent developments in California and Texas. The episode closes with a call for seasoned politicians like Chuck Schumer to make way for the next generation of leaders. 00:00 Introduction and Context 00:43 Election Day Recap 01:48 Key Election Results 03:30 Analysis of New York City Mayoral Race 04:18 Comparing Gubernatorial Races 08:01 Implications for the Democratic Party 09:34 Trump Administration and Voter Sentiment 16:07 California's Gerrymandering Controversy 25:03 Final Thoughts and Conclusion Support the show

    29 min

  4. NOV 4

    The Shutdown Showdown: Explaining the Government Shutdown

    Send us a text Navigating the Longest Federal Government Shutdown: Causes, Consequences, and Predictions In this episode of Discourse, host Wayne Unger breaks down the ongoing federal government shutdown, discussing its causes, potential length, and impact on American citizens. Unger delves into the history of government shutdowns, the failure of Congress to pass a budget, and the political stalemate between Democrats and Republicans over the Affordable Care Act (ACA) subsidies. He explains how the removal of the individual mandate by Republicans has destabilized the ACA cost structure, leading to rising healthcare premiums. With a focus on the real-world consequences, such as missed paychecks for federal employees and loss of SNAP benefits, this episode provides an in-depth analysis of the political leverage and gridlock fueling the shutdown. Unger also critiques both parties for their roles in this governance failure while predicting how the shutdown might eventually come to an end. 00:00 Introduction to Discourse 00:32 Episode Overview and Main Topic Introduction 00:44 Federal Government Shutdown: Background and Predictions 02:10 Marjorie Taylor Greene's Perspective 04:13 Impact of the Shutdown on Federal Employees and Services 05:54 Understanding Continuing Resolutions 09:19 History of Government Shutdowns 10:40 Political Leverage and Partisan Gridlock 12:28 Current Shutdown: ACA Subsidies and Political Standoff 20:24 Affordable Care Act: Design and Challenges 27:38 Republican Efforts to Undermine the ACA 29:29 Impact of Repealing the Individual Mandate 30:23 Insurance Marketplaces and Premium Dynamics 34:35 Subsidies and Their Importance 38:31 Current Political Standoff and Predictions 48:24 Conclusion and Final Thoughts 50:39 Closing Remarks and Podcast Information Support the show

    52 min

  5. OCT 22

    Ceasefires & Government Shutdowns

    Send us a text Deep Dive into Middle East Ceasefire, Government Shutdown, and Healthcare Policies Host Wayne Unger, a law professor and former Silicon Valley insider, navigates through today's pressing issues from the Middle East ceasefire brokered by the Trump administration to the 21-day U.S. government shutdown. The episode critiques Congress's use of continuing resolutions, the political tug-of-war over Affordable Care Act subsidies, and the court's role in enabling presidential overreach. Unger also discusses the economic impact of the shutdown and the contentious construction of a White House ballroom. Engaging and insightful, this episode emphasizes the importance of understanding different perspectives in today's complex world. 00:00 Introduction to Discourse 00:45 Today's Agenda: Ceasefire, Government Shutdown, and More 01:19 Deep Dive: Israel-Palestine Ceasefire 05:47 Government Shutdown: Causes and Consequences 18:42 Affordable Care Act and Healthcare Subsidies 33:48 White House Ballroom Construction 36:56 Conclusion and Final Thoughts Support the show

    38 min

  6. OCT 7

    We're Back! First Amendment and Political Violence

    Send us a text Navigating Stare Decisis, Political Violence, and Free Speech: A Deep Dive In this episode of Discourse, host Wayne Unger returns after a brief hiatus to discuss his recent academic work on the doctrine of stare decisis and its application in civil rights cases. He delves into the complexities of the Supreme Court’s handling of precedents and judicial activism, especially in light of the recent Dobbs decision. The episode also addresses the tragic assassination of Charlie Kirk, examining its implications on free speech and political violence. Additionally, Wayne critiques the suspension of Jimmy Kimmel by ABC following comments about Kirk’s death, exploring the potential First Amendment violations by government officials. The episode wraps up with a strong message about the importance of maintaining constitutional boundaries and respecting diverse viewpoints. 00:00 Introduction to Discourse 00:33 Professor Wayne Unger's Absence Explained 02:13 Understanding Stare Decisis and Civil Rights 10:19 The Assassination of Charlie Kirk 20:29 First Amendment and Jimmy Kimmel's Suspension 34:14 Constitutional Concerns and Political Power 39:03 Conclusion and Final Thoughts Support the show

    40 min

  7. AUG 20

    Trump's MO: Mail-In Ballots, Redistricting, and Peace Deals

    Send us a text Announcement: Follow the Discourse podcast on TikTok (@discoursepodcast1) and Instagram (@discoursepodcast) where we post daily shorts! In this episode of Discourse, host Wayne Unger delves into major current events, focusing on two key election topics: redistricting battles between Texas and California, and Donald Trump's controversial push to end mail-in voting. Unger discusses Trump's proposed executive order against mail-in ballots. He also discusses the recent meetings between Trump, Putin, and Zelensky, and the Oklahoma State Superintendent's latest measures against 'woke' teachers. The episode further critiques the Trump administration's tactics and examines international relations, notably the ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict. 00:00 Introduction to Discourse 00:41 Today's Main Topics 01:22 Trump's Push Against Mail-In Voting 06:57 Midterm Election Strategies 09:29 Redistricting Battle: Texas vs. California 18:09 Oklahoma's Controversial Education Policies 45:35 International Relations: Trump, Putin, and Zelensky 01:00:41 Conclusion and Social Media Engagement Support the show

    1h 3m

  8. AUG 14

    Echoes of Sovereignty: Academic Freedom and Political Influence

    Send us a text Announcement: Follow the Discourse podcast on TikTok (@discoursepodcast1) and Instagram (@discoursepodcast) where we post daily shorts! In this episode of Discourse, host Wayne Unger delves into the ongoing conflict between the Trump administration and major universities such as Harvard, Columbia, and Brown. The episode explores Harvard's lawsuit against the Trump administration, accusing it of violating First Amendment rights by freezing federal funds to coerce institutional changes. Unger explains the importance of academic freedom and the necessity of a degree of separation between the government and universities. Additionally, the episode touches on the administration's controversial tariffs and their economic impacts, along with upcoming international political events involving Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin. 00:00 Introduction to Discourse 00:31 Current Headlines and Trump's Oval Office Redecoration 04:06 Trump-Putin Meeting and Ukraine Conflict 15:53 Inflation, Jobs, and Economic Reports 28:55 Tariffs and Their Impact on the Economy 44:47 Smithsonian Review and Government Influence 45:54 Reagan Museum and Historical Documentation 46:12 Concerns Over Trump's Influence on Smithsonian 47:34 The Importance of the First Amendment 52:15 Harvard's Lawsuit Against the Trump Administration 54:19 Settlements with Columbia and Brown Universities 01:04:21 The Role of Higher Education in Society 01:14:07 The Threat to Academic Freedom 01:28:03 Conclusion and Final Thoughts Support the show

    1h 32m
See All (31)

5
out of 5
12 Ratings

About

Welcome to Discourse with Wayne Unger—where we cut through the noise and make sense of the chaos. On this podcast, we take a deep dive into the pressing issues shaping our world in politics, law, technology, business, and more. No echo chambers. No corporate influence. Just thoughtful analysis and respectful civic dialogue. Because understanding different perspectives isn’t just important—it’s necessary.

Information

  • Creator
    Professor Wayne Unger
  • Years Active
    2K
  • Episodes
    31
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2025 The Unger Firm LLC
  • Show Website
    Discourse with Wayne Unger

You Might Also Like