

Boom! Lawyered
Rewire News Group's Jessica Mason Pieklo and Imani Gandy
Every week, Jessica Mason Pieklo and Imani Gandy take you on a wild ride through the latest legal battles in the fight for reproductive justice. On everything from abortion rights to trans discrimination to racial justice, Boom! Lawyered will help you get smart, stay mad, have fun, and fight back.
Produced by Rewire News Group.
Produced by Rewire News Group.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Jan 29, 2026 • 47min
In Mercy's Shadow: The Mercy Narrative in True Crime
True crime is everywhere—but crimes against disabled people are rarely treated as “true crime” at all. Imani Gandy talks with disability justice advocate Vilissa Thompson about why disabled victims are erased from true crime, how ableism shapes which stories get told, and what ethical storytelling requires when disability is involved.Expert Repro Journalism That Inspires. Episodes like this take time, research, and a commitment to the truth. If Boom! Lawyered helps you understand what’s at stake in our courts, chip in to keep our fearless legal analysis alive. Become a supporter today.Imani has relaunched her column, AngryBlackLady Chronicles. Sign up for our newsletters here to read it first.Going on a long roadtrip and want Imani and Jess to accompany you? 🚗 Subscribe to this podcast on Apple Podcasts and Spotify: Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/boom-lawyered/id1282116646 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/110tPZQY3WD2mkq6EYqZf1 -- See you on the tubes! Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/rewirenewsgroup.comInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/rewirenewsgroup/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@rewirenewsgrp Threads: https://www.threads.com/@rewirenewsgroupLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/rewire-news-group/-- Follow Jess and Imani: Jess on Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/hegemommy.bsky.socialJess on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hegemommy/?hl=enImani on Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/angryblacklady.blacksky.appImani on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/angryblacklady/?hl=en

Jan 22, 2026 • 47min
Why Conservatives Want to Ban Trans Girls from Sports
In this episode, Imani Gandy and Jess Pieklo discuss the ICE raids in Minnesota, Trump’s threats to “buy” Greenland, and explain how a ruling in favor of state bans on trans girls playing sports could lead to boys-only chess clubs.Expert Repro Journalism That Inspires.Episodes like this take time, research, and a commitment to the truth. If Boom! Lawyered helps you understand what’s at stake in our courts, chip in to keep our fearless legal analysis alive. Become a supporter today.Imani has relaunched her column, AngryBlackLady Chronicles. Sign up for our newsletters here to read it first, and listen to Imani’s new podcast, B*tch, Listen, here.

Dec 18, 2025 • 34min
My Holidays Look a Little Different This Year (Thanks, Portia)
Imani Gandy interviews Portia Burch about what it means to get through the holidays when you don’t love them. Together, they talk about companionship, Black joy without the performance or obligation, and building a season that feels steadier and more survivable. Expert Repro Journalism That Inspires. Episodes like this take time, research, and a commitment to the truth. If Boom! Lawyered helps you understand what’s at stake in our courts, chip in to keep our fearless legal analysis alive. Become a supporter today.Imani has relaunched her column, AngryBlackLady Chronicles. Sign up for our newsletters here to read it first.Going on a long roadtrip and want Imani and Jess to accompany you? 🚗 Subscribe to this podcast on Apple Podcasts and Spotify: Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/boom-lawyered/id1282116646 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/110tPZQY3WD2mkq6EYqZf1 -- See you on the tubes! Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/rewirenewsgroup.comInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/rewirenewsgroup/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@rewirenewsgrp Threads: https://www.threads.com/@rewirenewsgroupLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/rewire-news-group/-- Follow Jess and Imani: Jess on Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/hegemommy.bsky.socialJess on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hegemommy/?hl=enImani on Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/angryblacklady.blacksky.appImani on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/angryblacklady/?hl=en

Dec 11, 2025 • 29min
We're In The Deconstruction Era - Re-release
The Supreme Court heard arguments this week in Trump v. Slaughter, a case that could greatly expand the scope of presidential power. Imani and Jess are off this week but decided to republish this episode from September that explains why they believe we’re living through a “Deconstruction era”—think Reconstruction era, but in reverse—and what that means for our public institutions and the rule of law. Expert repro journalism that inspires Episodes like this take time, research, and a commitment to the truth. If Boom! Lawyered helps you understand what’s at stake in our courts, chip in to keep our fearless legal analysis alive. Become a supporter today.Imani has relaunched her column, AngryBlackLady Chronicles. Sign up for our newsletters here to read it first, and listen to Imani’s new podcast, B*tch, Listen, here.

Dec 4, 2025 • 32min
Texas Bounty Abortion Pill Bounty Hunter Law Goes Into Effect
In this episode of Boom! Lawyered, Imani and Jess break down HB 7, a Texas law that attacks medication abortion and could set the stage for a nationwide abortion ban. They also discuss how the legislation, which went into effect on Dec. 4, 2025, incentivizes community members to snitch on one another using financial rewards. Expert Repro Journalism that Inspires.Episodes like this take time, research, and a commitment to the truth. If Boom! Lawyered helps you understand what’s at stake in our courts, chip in to keep our fearless legal analysis alive. Become a member today.Imani has relaunched her column, AngryBlackLady Chronicles. Sign up for our newsletters here to read it first, and listen to Imani’s new podcast, B*tch, Listen, here. Going on a long roadtrip and want Imani and Jess to accompany you? 🚗 Subscribe to this podcast on Apple Podcasts and Spotify: Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/boom-lawyered/id1282116646 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/110tPZQY3WD2mkq6EYqZf1-- See you on the tubes! Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/rewirenewsgroup.comInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/rewirenewsgroup/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@rewirenewsgrpThreads: https://www.threads.com/@rewirenewsgroupLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/rewire-news-group/-- Follow Jess and Imani: Jess on Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/hegemommy.bsky.socialJess on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hegemommy/?hl=en

Nov 25, 2025 • 45min
Judy Reyes on ICE Raids, Humanity, and the Power of Storytelling
Imani Gandy interviews actor Judy Reyes about the handling of immigration policy in Trump 2.0, what she learned playing an immigration lawyer on TV, and why storytelling cuts through political nonsense in ways policy and punditry never will. They also discuss the importance of community, culture, and what it means to stay human in a country determined to see you as anything but—plus a little ‘Scrubs’ reboot gossip for longtime fans. Expert Repro Journalism That Inspires.Episodes like this take time, research, and a commitment to the truth. If Boom! Lawyered helps you understand what’s at stake in our courts, chip in to keep our fearless legal analysis alive. Become a supporter today.Imani has relaunched her column, AngryBlackLady Chronicles. Sign up for our newsletters here to read it first.Going on a long roadtrip and want Imani and Jess to accompany you? 🚗 Subscribe to this podcast on Apple Podcasts and Spotify: Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/boom-lawyered/id1282116646 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/110tPZQY3WD2mkq6EYqZf1 -- See you on the tubes! Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/rewirenewsgroup.comInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/rewirenewsgroup/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@rewirenewsgrp Threads: https://www.threads.com/@rewirenewsgroupLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/rewire-news-group/-- Follow Jess and Imani: Jess on Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/hegemommy.bsky.socialJess on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hegemommy/?hl=enImani on Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/angryblacklady.blacksky.appImani on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/angryblacklady/?hl=en

Nov 20, 2025 • 46min
From Marriage Equality to SCOTUS Reform: Imani and Jess Answer Your Questions
In this episode of Boom! Lawyered Imani and Jess answer audience questions on everything from threats to same-sex marriage, how to reform the federal courts, and what should be kept and what should be scrapped if we rewrote the constitution.Expert Repro Journalism that InspiresEpisodes like this take time, research, and a commitment to the truth. If Boom! Lawyered helps you understand what’s at stake in our courts, chip in to keep our fearless legal analysis alive. Become a supporter today.Imani has relaunched her column, AngryBlackLady Chronicles. Sign up for our newsletters here to read it first, and listen to Imani’s new podcast, B*tch, Listen, here.

Nov 13, 2025 • 20min
Fighting Back During Trump’s Most Chaotic Era
In this episode of Boom! Lawyered, Imani has the week off, so Jess is joined by President and CEO of Democracy Forward Skye Perryman to talk about fighting the Trump administration in court and how building community is the antidote to authoritarian rule. Expert Repro Journalism that Inspires. Episodes like this take time, research, and a commitment to the truth. If Boom! Lawyered helps you understand what’s at stake in our courts, chip in to keep our fearless legal analysis alive. Become a supporter today.Imani has relaunched her column, AngryBlackLady Chronicles. Sign up for our newsletters here to read it first, and listen to Imani’s new podcast, B*tch, Listen, here. Going on a long roadtrip and want Imani and Jess to accompany you? 🚗 Subscribe to this podcast on Apple Podcasts and Spotify: Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/boom-lawyered/id1282116646 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/110tPZQY3WD2mkq6EYqZf1 -- See you on the tubes! Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/rewirenewsgroup.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rewirenewsgroup/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@rewirenewsgrp Threads: https://www.threads.com/@rewirenewsgroup LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/rewire-news-group/ -- Follow Jess and Imani: Jess on Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/hegemommy.bsky.social Jess on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hegemommy/?hl=en

Nov 6, 2025 • 29min
A Colorado School Tests the Separation of Church and State
In this episode of Boom! Lawyered, Imani and Jess discuss a new school launched in Colorado that’s designed to erase the separation of church and state in public education. They also explain why the conservative legal movement could finally succeed in getting taxpayers to fund religious schools. Episodes like this take time, research, and a commitment to the truth. If Boom! Lawyered helps you understand what’s at stake in our courts, chip in to keep our fearless legal analysis alive. Become a supporter today.Imani has relaunched her column, AngryBlackLady Chronicles. Sign up for our newsletters here to read it first, and listen to Imani’s new podcast, B*tch, Listen, here. Going on a long roadtrip and want Imani and Jess to accompany you? 🚗 Subscribe to this podcast on Apple Podcasts and Spotify: Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/boom-lawyered/id1282116646 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/110tPZQY3WD2mkq6EYqZf1 -- See you on the tubes! Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/rewirenewsgroup.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rewirenewsgroup/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@rewirenewsgrp Threads: https://www.threads.com/@rewirenewsgroup LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/rewire-news-group/ -- Follow Jess and Imani: Jess on Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/hegemommy.bsky.social Jess on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hegemommy/?hl=en Imani on Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/angryblacklady.bsky.social Imani on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/angryblacklady/?hl=en

Oct 30, 2025 • 52min
The Constitution: A Scam by Rich White Men, for Rich White Men
The Constitution isn’t sacred—it’s a sham that pretends to be about equality but actually only benefits white men in power. Imani Gandy talks with best-selling author Elie Mystal about why the Constitution has never worked for Black people, how the Supreme Court weaponizes it to strip people of their rights, and what it would look like to scrap it and start over.Expert Repro Journalism That Inspires.Episodes like this take time, research, and a commitment to the truth. If Boom! Lawyered helps you understand what’s at stake in our courts, chip in to keep our fearless legal analysis alive. Become a supporter today.Imani has relaunched her column, AngryBlackLady Chronicles. Sign up for our newsletters here to read it first.Going on a long roadtrip and want Imani and Jess to accompany you? 🚗 Subscribe to this podcast on Apple Podcasts and Spotify: Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/boom-lawyered/id1282116646 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/110tPZQY3WD2mkq6EYqZf1 -- See you on the tubes! Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/rewirenewsgroup.comInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/rewirenewsgroup/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@rewirenewsgrp Threads: https://www.threads.com/@rewirenewsgroupLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/rewire-news-group/-- Follow Jess and Imani: Jess on Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/hegemommy.bsky.socialJess on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hegemommy/?hl=enImani on Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/angryblacklady.blacksky.appImani on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/angryblacklady/?hl=en


