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Supreme Court
Trump Administration
Fourth Amendment
First Amendment
ICE
Civil Rights
Voting Rights Act
Donald Trump
Trans Rights
First Amendment Rights
Law School
Birthright Citizenship
Trump
Free Speech
Gaza
Jones V. North Carolina Prisoners' Labor Union
John Roberts
California
The Firm
Biden Administration

5-4 is a podcast about how much the Supreme Court sucks. Hosted by Peter Shamshiri, Rhiannon Hamam, and Michael Liroff, it's a progressive and occasionally profane take on the ideological battles at the heart of the Court's most important landmark cases and an irreverent tour of all the ways in which the law is shaped by politics.

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PublishesWeeklyEpisodes408Founded6 years ago
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Latest Episodes

Birthright citizenship, widely considered settled law before Trump tried to overturn it via executive order last year, escaped this term unscathed by one single vote. Peter, Rhiannon, and Michael explore the various mental illnesses, brainworms, and ... more

In honor of America’s birthday, join Peter, Rhiannon, Michael and University of Pennsylvania Law Professor Kermit Roosevelt as they talk through how the Supreme Court greased the wheels for the end of Reconstruction and the rise of Jim Crow.

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Rhiannon interviews Lisa Graves – right‑wing influence expert, former Justice Department official, co‑host of Legal AF, and founder of True North Research – about her latest book, Without Precedent: How Chief Justice Roberts and His Accomplices Rewro... more

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In two cases this term, federal inmates sought their freedom based on compassionate release, an early release process that was expanded under the 2018 First Step Act. The Supreme Court denied both requests.

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Key Facts

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Recent Guests

Kermit Roosevelt
Penn Law Professor and Constitutional Law Expert
University of Pennsylvania Carey Law School
Episode: 250 Years of Bad Decisions: SCOTUS, the Civil War, and the End of Reconstruction
Lisa Graves
Author and expert on right-wing influence on the Supreme Court
True North Research; author of Without Precedent
Episode: “The Most Destructive Chief Justice in My Lifetime”: Dissecting John Roberts with Lisa Graves
Henry Hannon
Guest discussing the Chadha decision and its implications
Episode: Immigration and Naturalization Service v. Chadha
Matt Cameron
Practicing immigration attorney; host of Opening Arguments
Opening Arguments
Episode: Immigration Law in 2026: Fighting the Cruelty Machine
Pam Bondi
Attorney General and dog lover from Tampa
Episode: Meet Your Attorney General, Pam Bondi [TEASER]
Leqaa Kordia
A Palestinian woman currently in ICE detention and the subject of legal protest
Episode: “What’s at Stake is Everything”: The Last Columbia Protester in ICE Detention
Amal Thabateh
Lawyer with the CLEAR Project representing Leqaa Kordia.
CLEAR Project
Episode: “What’s at Stake is Everything”: The Last Columbia Protester in ICE Detention
Sadaf Hassan
Lawyer with Muslim Advocates representing Leqaa Kordia.
Muslim Advocates
Episode: “What’s at Stake is Everything”: The Last Columbia Protester in ICE Detention
Mahmoud Khalil
Palestinian Columbia University student and activist
Columbia University
Episode: Rhiannon Interviews Mahmoud Khalil

Hosts

Peter Shamshiri
Host of multiple iterations and premium-branded content; central figure across show branding.
Rhiannon Hamam
Co-host with sharp legal critique and engaging delivery; frequent on-air presence.
Michael Liroff
Co-host known for forensic-style breakdowns and counterpoints to arguments.

Reviews

4.7 out of 5 stars from 8.1k ratings
  • Educational

    I have learned so much about government and politics from this podcast! The hosts’ opinions are thoughtful and presented clearly (and often passionately) with a bit of humor to take the edge off.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Lindzodd
    United Statesa month ago
  • Better listen…

    This one is a fave! Very funny & very astute. I love learning, I love laughing, and this podcast delivers. All 3 hosts=spectacular AND my boyfriend and I are in love with Peter Shamshiri, everything he does is witty.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Menzie.Korgan
    United Statesa month ago
  • Great Show!

    As a non-lawyer, this show has advanced my understanding of the US legal system and the outsized influence of the supreme court. Hosts are charming!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    funkiboo
    United Statesa month ago
  • Love it!

    I love this podcast. They are funny and very liberal and they really explain how so many Supreme Court decisions are so poorly reasoned. I have more than once heard the beginning information about a case and thought OK but maybe this isn’t such a bad decision - reasonable people could disagree. And then once they explain why the decision makes no sense, I’m fully on board with them. Reform the supreme court!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    SheAh17
    United Statesa month ago
  • Love it

    Helps me face the existential crisis that is our judiciary. Also jokes about stocks, sometimes.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    katana7490
    United Statesa month ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

Some listeners push back on perceived overt partisanship and ad loads in premium episodes.
Overall sentiment leans positive about educational value and entertainment when ads are not intrusive.
Fans note the hosts' depth on constitutional topics and engaging banter as standout elements.
Listeners praise the show for crisp, accessible legal analysis wrapped in humor.
Critics mention inconsistencies in subscriber content and occasional polarizing takes.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Apple Podcasts
#3
United States/Government
Apple Podcasts
#2
Canada/Government
Apple Podcasts
#13
United Kingdom/Government
Apple Podcasts
#7
Australia/Government
Apple Podcasts
#20
Germany/Government
Apple Podcasts
#22
Italy/Government

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

“The Most Destructive Chief Justice in My Lifetime”: Dissecting John Roberts with Lisa Graves
Q: What can be done about a Chief Justice who has shown such a pattern of decisions and influence?
Graves advocates for comprehensive reform: enforceable ethics codes, term limits for justices, disclosures for spouses and affiliates, substantial jurisdictional reforms on voting rights, and broader constitutional reforms to restrain the Court's power.
Immigration Law in 2026: Fighting the Cruelty Machine
Q: What role does federal litigation play in defending immigrants?
Federal habeas petitions and national lawsuits against underlying policies by organizations like ACLU and Northwest Immigrants' Rights Project are essential to slowing or stopping deportations and challenging systemic issues.
Immigration Law in 2026: Fighting the Cruelty Machine
Q: What are the most troubling aspects of detention policies right now?
Detention has expanded beyond convictions to include people with minor offenses or even those merely charged; there are few speedy-trial protections, and many detainees face long waits with limited access to counsel.
Rhiannon Interviews Mahmoud Khalil
Q: Is there anything from your time in detention that has stuck with you?
What stuck with me mostly is that there's so many injustices happening on US soil that many of us don't know.
Rhiannon Interviews Mahmoud Khalil
Q: What makes this cause worth fighting for?
When I feed Dean, my son, when I look at his face, I just remember the faces of the Palestinian children who don't have the luxury of being safe, of being fed.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

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Frequently Asked Questions About 5-4

What is 5-4 about and what kind of topics does it cover?

The show provides a brisk, irreverent take on the Supreme Court and its intersection with politics, offering deep dives into landmark decisions, constitutional structure, and power dynamics between branches. Episodes frequently feature legal experts, political commentators, and insiders from production teams, pairing sharp analysis with humor and provocations. It's likely to appeal to listeners who enjoy critical, opinionated legal storytelling, with a skew toward progressive perspectives, candid discourse, and a willingness to challenge established narratives. Noteworthy traits include sustained engagement with timely court actions, a cadence that blends scholarship with accessible banter, and a premium-content angle that integrates sponso... more

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Which podcasts are similar to 5-4?

These podcasts share a similar audience with 5-4:

1. If Books Could Kill
2. Maintenance Phase
3. In Bed With The Right
4. You're Wrong About
5. Know Your Enemy

How many episodes of 5-4 are there?

5-4 launched 6 years ago and published 408 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

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What guests have appeared on 5-4?

Recent guests on 5-4 include:

1. Kermit Roosevelt
2. Lisa Graves
3. Henry Hannon
4. Matt Cameron
5. Pam Bondi
6. Leqaa Kordia
7. Amal Thabateh
8. Sadaf Hassan

To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.

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