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Advisory Opinions

The Dispatch
Supreme Court
First Amendment
Donald Trump
Birthright Citizenship
Second Amendment
Executive Power
Tiktok
Department Of Justice
Free Speech
Trump Administration
Tariffs
Death Penalty
Congress
Federalist Society
Originalism
Humphrey's Executor
Fourth Amendment
Voting Rights Act
Administrative State
Federal Trade Commission

Advisory Opinions is a legal podcast by The Dispatch. Hosts David French and Sarah Isgur meet twice a week to talk about the law, the courts, their collision with politics, and why it all matters.

PublishesTwice weeklyEpisodes665Founded7 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
PoliticsGovernmentNews

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Latest Episodes

David Lat takes over the host’s chair and is joined by Zachary Shemtob, executive editor of SCOTUSblog, and Amy Howe, co-founder of SCOTUSblog, to discuss Justice Samuel Alito’s retirement plans (not yet), President Donald Trump’s new executive order... more

Sarah Isgur and David French are joined by CNN senior legal analyst Elie Honig to discuss  Anthony Fauci’s invocation of the Fifth Amendment. Is it okay? Is it not okay? How does this relate to the pardon power? Then it’s on to a constitutional game ... more

YouTube

Welcome to First Amendment-a-palooza, where headliners Sarah Isgur and David French play the classics like: “Are license plates government speech?” and “Three cheers for Citizens United,” as well as “Owning a copy of Mein Kampf means you’re an idiot,... more

Sarah Isgur and David French discuss the Trump administration’s appeal to the Supreme Court about its mail-in voting executive order. Then the two talk with ⁠Mike Fragoso⁠, former chief counsel to then-Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell and partn... more

YouTube

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Recent Guests

Mike Fragoso
Former chief counsel to Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell; expert on the Senate
National Review (writer)
Episode: Receipts on the Senate Filibuster | Interview: Mike “Frags” Fragoso
Orin Kerr
Professor of Law, expert in technology and criminal law
George Washington University (as introduced)
Episode: Reviewing the Court’s Criminal Law | Interview: Rory Little and Orin Kerr
Rory Little
Professor of Law, expert in criminal law
University of California, Hastings? (as introduced in episode)
Episode: Reviewing the Court’s Criminal Law | Interview: Rory Little and Orin Kerr
Richard Re
Professor, Harvard Law School
Harvard Law School
Episode: Alaska v. a Charter Plane and a Six-Pack of Beer
Cecillia Wang
ACLU National Legal Director
ACLU
Episode: Plenty of Culture War Stuff
Zach Shemtom
SCOTUSblog Executive Editor
SCOTUSblog
Episode: Plenty of Culture War Stuff
Akhil Amar
Professor of Law, Yale Law School
Yale Law School
Episode: SCOTUS Vibe Check
David Lat
Founder of Original Jurisdiction, author and podcaster
Original Jurisdiction
Episode: District Map Fights Before the 2026 Midterms
Nina Totenberg
NPR's legendary legal affairs correspondent who has covered the Supreme Court for nearly five decades
National Public Radio (NPR)
Episode: SCOTUS Through the Decades | Interview: Nina Totenberg

Hosts

Sarah Isgur
Host of Advisory Opinions
David French
Co-host of Advisory Opinions

Reviews

4.7 out of 5 stars from 5.5k ratings
  • Advisory Opinions: A Tasting Menu

    I need to open with a confession: I loved this podcast. Loved it. I told people about it at parties. And admitting what I'm about to admit feels a little like a food critic confessing he ate at Chick-fil-A twice a week for three years and only then noticed it was fast food.

    Because that's what Advisory Opinions is. The Chick-fil-A of legal podcasts. And I want to be clear that in my mouth that is nearly a compliment. Chick-fil-A is delicious, the line is long for a reason, and I will indulge. B... more

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    Disappointed_Fan2025
    United Statesa month ago
  • Not What It Used to Be

    Still a very good podcast and one I’ve listened to for years, but I do worry it has shifted somewhat from its earlier feel. The conservative legal analysis seems softer than it used to, and I increasingly get the sense that institutional cross-pressures — David’s role at The New York Times and Sarah’s role with SCOTUSblog — may be affecting the tone of the show. On Trump-related cases in particular, David’s anti-Trump priors feel more prominent, while Sarah often seems to take a more passive int... more

    Apple Podcasts
    4
    MadDog769
    United Statesa month ago
  • A must listen to podcast!

    This is a “must listen to” podcast! Honest and refreshing take on the topics! Listen on this one paired with The Dispatch podcast - you will not be disappointed! Highly recommended!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    F-4 Phorever!
    United States2 months ago
  • Have listened to every episode

    Very good podcast. I do worry increasingly, that the hosts may be responding a little bit to cross pressures of an institutional nature as French is now an employee of the NYT and Isgur now oversees SCOTUS Blog. Their conservative positions on legal issues seem a little softer now than in the early days of the podcast. I hope I’m wrong.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    K999bru
    United States2 months ago
  • Slush Fund Supporters

    Really tired of the active racism and discrimination promoted by these pundits.

    After listening to sera and David, make multiple cases as to why Donald Trump/fund is legal, and them giving no pushback as to why it’s not legal, it is easy to say that their words don’t match their actions. Someone who was truly opposing the republican misappropriation of funds, would make a proactive case for its illegality and not it’s legality. More over the hosts consistently blame past democratic presidents ... more

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    Jason Stein
    Canada2 months ago

Listeners Say

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

Guests and debates are highlighted as insightful, with strong advocacy for toward-the-law discussions.
Listeners appreciate the rigorous legal analysis and clear explanations.
Some reviews note uneven pacing or audio issues, but the hosts' expertise is consistently praised.

Chart Rankings

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

Apple Podcasts
#41
United States/News/Politics
Apple Podcasts
#117
United States/News
Apple Podcasts
#102
Canada/News/Politics
Apple Podcasts
#220
Australia/News/Politics
Apple Podcasts
#13
Russia/News/Politics
Apple Podcasts
#23
China/News/Politics

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Receipts on the Senate Filibuster | Interview: Mike “Frags” Fragoso
Q: What is the current health of the filibuster and is reform likely or desirable?
Fragoso argues that there is genuine bipartisan pressure to reform or rethink the filibuster, with some Republicans and Democrats signaling openness to changes, but any reform would need to balance incentives for deliberation with the risk of eroding norms; the trajectory is uncertain and likely gradual.
SCOTUS Through the Decades | Interview: Nina Totenberg
Q: How has the Court's handling of standing affected real-world cases like the slush fund litigation?
Standing debates show that even with emotionally charged issues, plaintiffs must demonstrate a concrete, legally cognizable injury and direct causation, which complicates efforts to curb executive misappropriations.
SCOTUS Through the Decades | Interview: Nina Totenberg
Q: What made Hamm v. Smith such a landmark in terms of IQ and the death penalty?
The case highlighted the tension between brain-based clinical assessments of culpability and constitutional protections, leading to a holistic, non-per se approach to evaluating multiple IQ scores rather than a single numeric cutoff.
Arguing In Front of SCOTUS | Interview: Lisa Blatt
Q: How do you prepare for the high-stakes, unpredictable environment of Supreme Court oral arguments?
Blatt describes a two-moot process, using aggressive, candid practice to simulate real questioning, and emphasizes maintaining a balance between forceful advocacy and authentic, precise articulation while leveraging appendices for impact.
Arguing In Front of SCOTUS | Interview: Lisa Blatt
Q: Given the Kennedy framework, how should courts treat pre-existing establishment precedents that were built on the Lemon test?
Blatt suggests that while precedents may be on shaky ground if their reasoning relied on Lemon, courts should still apply controlling Supreme Court precedent unless explicitly overturned, evaluating each case on its own merits under Kennedy while remaining mindful of stare decisis.

Audience Metrics

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

Listeners per Episode
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Frequently Asked Questions About Advisory Opinions

What is Advisory Opinions about and what kind of topics does it cover?

A legal-focused show that analyzes current court decisions, constitutional questions, and the practical impact of jurisprudence on policy and governance. Hosts break down high-stakes topics with rigorous reasoning, often inviting senior appellate attorneys, judges, and legal scholars to illuminate strategy, doctrine, and real-world implications. Episodes mix deep-dive analysis with accessible explanations, audience questions, and occasional culture-commentary, making complex topics approachable for practitioners and informed lay listeners alike. A notable strength is the combination of legal rigor and clear, pragmatic storytelling, plus regular interviews that offer firsthand perspectives from the Supreme Court ecosystem and policy debates.... more

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Which podcasts are similar to Advisory Opinions?

These podcasts share a similar audience with Advisory Opinions:

1. The Dispatch Podcast
2. The Remnant with Jonah Goldberg
3. Divided Argument
4. GLoP Culture
5. The Editors

How many episodes of Advisory Opinions are there?

Advisory Opinions launched 7 years ago and published 665 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 Advisory Opinions?

Recent guests on Advisory Opinions include:

1. Mike Fragoso
2. Orin Kerr
3. Rory Little
4. Richard Re
5. Cecillia Wang
6. Zach Shemtom
7. Akhil Amar
8. David Lat

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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