The Goldberg and Rosen Podcast

Legendary Houston criminal defense attorney Kent A. Schaffer joins Judd and Brett to discuss the evolution of digital evidence, representing Travis Scott after Astroworld, and the challenges of prosecuting Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton.Show Notes In this episode of The Goldberg and Rosen Podcast, renowned Houston defense attorney Kent A. Schaffer drops by the studio to share insights from his 45-year career in high-stakes federal and state criminal law. From picking up briefcases of cash during the 1980s Miami era to navigating the intense public scrutiny of the modern digital age, Kent breaks down how social media, text messages, and GPS tracking have completely changed the way criminals get caught—and how defense attorneys build their cases.Kent also takes us behind the scenes of two of his most highly publicized legal battles: successfully defending rapper Travis Scott from criminal charges following the tragic Astroworld festival crowd surge, and stepping in as a special prosecutor against Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton.Chapter Markers / Timestamps00:00 – Early days: Getting paid in cash during 1980s Miami04:36 – The DOJ's focus on high-profile rappers07:28 – How Instagram, cell phones, and digital tracking ruined the perfect crime18:43 – Behind the scenes of the Astroworld tragedy and defending Travis Scott28:11 – The complexities, politics, and unpaid bills of prosecuting Texas AG Ken Paxton43:44 – Courtroom stylistic differences: Texas cowboy boots vs. Miami charmTags / Keywords Kent Schaffer, Criminal Defense, Travis Scott, Astroworld, Ken Paxton, Texas Attorney General, Federal Prosecution, Criminal Law, Rap Law, Young Thug, Brian Steel, Drew Findling, Judd Rosen, Brett Rosen, Goldberg and Rosen Podcast, Miami Lawyers, Houston Defense Attorney

Former MSNBC host Katie Phang joins the Goldberg and Rosen podcast to discuss her legal battle against acting Attorney General Todd Blanche for un-redacted Epstein files. Phang also unpacks the dangers of social media algorithms, product liability lawsuits against Meta, and the necessity of independent journalism in the digital age.Life After Legacy Media: Trial lawyer and former television host Katie Phang discusses her career shift following the cancellation of The Katie Phang Show on MSNBC in 2025. Phang launched a YouTube channel and Substack to pursue independent journalism free from corporate media constraints.The Epstein Files Lawsuit: Phang breaks down her current lawsuit against acting Attorney General Todd Blanche, who took office in April 2026. She is seeking an injunction and the appointment of a special master to force the Department of Justice to release properly un-redacted Epstein files.Advocating for Victims: The conversation highlights the "Trump Epstein Reading Room" in Tribeca—which houses over 17,000 pounds of physical evidence—and the ongoing fight for accountability for the victims of the sex trafficking ring.Social Media & Product Liability: Phang and the hosts compare modern social media algorithms to Big Tobacco, discussing novel product liability lawsuits out of California and New Mexico against platforms like Meta for intentionally designing addictive software that targets children.Combating Misinformation: Phang addresses the real-world dangers of AI deepfakes, the monetization of lies by figures like Alex Jones, and the broader erosion of universal truth in modern media.Miami Roots: Judd Rosen and Phang reflect on their shared childhood attending Coral Park High School, comparing the spontaneity of growing up without smartphones to the hyper-scheduled reality of modern parenting.

In this episode of the Goldberg and Rosen Podcast, hosts Judd Rosen and Brett Goldberg sit down with South Florida’s most notorious charter captain, Mark “The Shark” Quartiano, and his 9-year-old son, Crockett.For more than 50 years, Mark The Shark has dominated the waters off Miami, taking celebrities like Robert De Niro, Robin Williams, and Shaquille O'Neal toe-to-toe with apex predators. From launching baits on surfboards in the 1970s to surviving viral controversies, bans, and clashes with PETA, Mark pulls no punches about life on the water.In this episode, we cover:50+ Years on the Water: How Mark got his start paddling baits out on surfboards and the boom following Jaws.Like Father, Like Son: Crockett running his own boat at 9 years old and catching monster groupers and bull sharks.The Controversy & PETA: Addressing critics, internet bans, and why Mark donates his catch to local homeless shelters like Camillus House.Shark Population Realities: Mark’s take on shark counts in South Florida, depletion of reef fish, and why he believes the waters are overpopulated.The Custom Fighting Chair: The Hemingway-inspired, over-the-water fighting chair exclusive to Mark’s boat.Wild Ocean Finds: From square groupers and bales of contraband to finding $10,000 cash and a human leg inside tiger and bull sharks.00:00 – Introduction: Welcoming Mark The Shark & Crockett 01:15 – Getting started: Paddling baits on surfboards & the Jaws era 02:35 – Crockett takes the helm: Running boats at age 9 04:18 – Dealing with PETA, bans, and social media censorship 05:04 – Shark populations in South Florida: Starving sharks & reef predation 07:40 – Donating fish to Camillus House & Broward House 09:37 – Celebrity charters: Shaq, De Niro, and Robin Williams 11:48 – Crockett’s monster catches: Bull sharks & giant groupers 14:58 – The famous Hemingway-inspired over-the-water fighting chair 18:40 – Great whites vs. makos, threshers, and bull sharks 22:30 – Shark feeding, cage dives, and altered behavior 25:40 – The controversy of tournament sailfishing & live bait 30:00 – Craziest finds: Sea turtles, $10,000 cash, and crime scene storiesConnect with Goldberg & Rosen:Website: goldbergandrosen.comFollow us on social media for clips, updates, and more legal & lifestyle conversations.

In this episode of the Goldberg & Rosen Podcast, we sit down with attorney and legal influencer Monica Burkoth to discuss her transition from a Cook County defense lawyer to a full-time content creator residing in Florida. Monica shares the exact moment she realized she needed to step out of her "zone of excellence" as an equity partner and step into her "zone of genius" by sharing trial strategies online.The conversation explores the development of her universal trial prep system, an interactive framework designed to organize everything from pretrial motions to jury selection and witness mapping. We also dive into the evolving role of AI in the courtroom, why opening statements are the most underrated phase of a trial, and how to properly frame bad facts for a jury. The hosts share their own experiences, including the Willie Perry case, highlighting the critical importance of accepting and addressing unfavorable evidence before the defense can leverage it. Finally, we discuss the genius of Mark Lanier's roadmap strategy and Monica breaks down the profound impact of Brian Panish’s legendary closing argument in the Iskander case.Key Takeaways:The Zone of Genius: Why leaning into the aspects of your career that genuinely light you up is more fulfilling than simply chasing the next milestone.Trial Organization: How a structured, universal prep system prevents the last-minute chaos of trial preparation and forces attorneys to strategically map out their necessary witnesses and exhibits.The Threat of AI: Why relying on AI for closing arguments and cross-examinations strips away the vital human connection needed to persuade real jurors with real emotions.Owning Bad Facts: Lessons from the Willie Perry case on how addressing client drug use or medical complications immediately in opening statements preserves attorney credibility.Proving Damages: How Mark Lanier's trial roadmapping and Brian Panish's approach to foreseeing what a plaintiff had are the most effective ways for a jury to truly understand what was lost.Chapter Markers00:00 – Braving the Miami weather and stepping into the legal influencer spotlight.02:17 – Leaving an equity partnership to find fulfillment in the "Zone of Genius".03:23 – The grind of Cook County defense work and shifting perspectives on plaintiff advocacy.07:09 – Breaking down the universal trial prep system for civil and criminal attorneys.10:44 – Will AI replace trial lawyers? Preserving the human element in the courtroom.15:09 – The genius of Mark Lanier's simple trial roadmaps.16:29 – Why opening statements are the most underrated phase of trial presentation.18:13 – The Willie Perry case: How to establish credibility by owning your bad facts.23:11 – Balancing the stress of trial work with motherhood and finding work-life balance.24:20 – Analyzing Brian Panish’s legendary closing argument in the Iskander case.27:00 – Why aspirational content outperforms negative critique on legal social media.

What does it take to build a multi-billion-dollar real estate empire, face down intense public scrutiny, and stand under oath to say: "I am ultimately responsible for everything"?In this episode of The Goldberg & Rosen Podcast, trial attorneys Judd Rosen and Brett Rosen sit down with real estate investor, entrepreneur, and bestselling author Grant Cardone (Cardone Capital).Moving Beyond the Verdict and into the court of public opinion, this conversation dives deep into the mindset required to survive high-stakes legal battles, control your narrative during hostile cross-examinations, and scale an unshakeable brand in an era of digital noise and corporate copycats.Key Discussion Points:The Mentorship Factor: Studying legendary predecessors—from Kobe Bryant and LeBron James to iconic trial lawyers Jerry Spence and Stuart Grossman.The Courtroom Shift: How post-COVID virtual proceedings changed mentorship and advocacy for the next generation.Aggression vs. Sloth: Why moving in a straight line and refusing to tolerate complacency separates winners from the crowd.Mastering the Deposition: Grant’s strategic approach to telling his own story under oath rather than letting opposing counsel control the narrative.Extreme Ownership: The power behind Grant's courtroom declaration: "I am ultimately responsible for everything."Real Estate Strategy in Volatile Markets: Grant’s perspective on the Miami real estate boom, interest rate impacts, refinancing risks, and emerging buying opportunities.Real Estate vs. Bitcoin: Cash flow fundamentals versus digital assets.The Boutique Advantage: Why hands-on, high-touch personal involvement beats bureaucratic corporate mammoths—both in real estate and personal injury trial law.Reputation as an Asset: Why modern defamation and brand attacks are the new frontier of personal injury.Episode Timestamps:00:00 – Welcome to The Goldberg & Rosen Podcast00:12 – What Drives Grant Cardone Today?01:56 – Coming From Nothing: Early Mentors and Influences05:35 – Studying the Greats: The Kobe/LeBron Mindset in Law & Business07:05 – Post-COVID Courtrooms & Virtual Mentorship Challenges09:37 – The Shortest Distance: Aggression vs. Sloth13:04 – Controlling the Narrative: Deconstructing Grant’s Viral Deposition15:05 – Under Oath: "I Am Ultimately Responsible for Everything"17:45 – Facing Lawsuits, Class Actions & Protecting Investors25:23 – The Miami Real Estate Boom & Market Dynamics27:47 – Interest Rates, Property Valuations & Finding the Deals29:47 – Bitcoin vs. Tangible Real Estate Cash Flow33:20 – Hands-On Management: Why Big Institutions Can’t Compete35:29 – The Boutique Trial Firm Philosophy: Personal Service Over Mega-Volume37:20 – The New York & California Exodus to Florida41:11 – Risk Analysis: Is Too Much Risk or Too Little Risk More Dangerous?46:33 – Brand Protection & Reputational Harm in the Court of Public Opinion47:37 – Closing Thoughts: "Fortune Favors the Brave"About Guest Grant Cardone: Grant Cardone is the CEO of Cardone Capital, an international speaker, sales strategist, and author of bestselling books including The 10X Rule. He manages a multi-billion-dollar real estate portfolio and created the 10X Growth Conference.Website: grantcardone.comInstagram: @grantcardoneAbout The Goldberg & Rosen Podcast: Hosted by trial lawyers Judd Rosen and Brett Rosen of Goldberg & Rosen, P.A., The Goldberg & Rosen Podcast moves beyond legal summaries to explore resilience, high-stakes strategy, and triumphs in the court of public opinion.Firm Website: goldbergandrosen.comInquiries: [email protected]