# Across the Bar Podcast, Episode 36 -  Epstein List Fallout, EEOC v. Nike and DEI, Why "Peanut Butter Raises" Fail & Pinterest's Petty CEO

Page: https://stenobird.com/podcast/across-the-bar-podcast-7317541/across-the-bar-podcast-episode-36-epstein-list-fallout-eeoc-v-nike-and-dei-why-peanut-butter-raises-fail-pinterest-s-petty-ceo
Text version: https://stenobird.com/podcast/across-the-bar-podcast-7317541/across-the-bar-podcast-episode-36-epstein-list-fallout-eeoc-v-nike-and-dei-why-peanut-butter-raises-fail-pinterest-s-petty-ceo.md
Podcast: [Across The Bar Podcast](https://stenobird.com/podcast/across-the-bar-podcast-7317541)
Published: 2026-02-06T15:09:08+00:00
Episode link: https://share.transistor.fm/s/a0b12289
Audio file: https://media.transistor.fm/a0b12289/c1851f24.mp3
Processing state: not_requested
JSON: https://stenobird.com/v1/public/podcasts/across-the-bar-podcast-7317541/episodes/across-the-bar-podcast-episode-36-epstein-list-fallout-eeoc-v-nike-and-dei-why-peanut-butter-raises-fail-pinterest-s-petty-ceo
Duration seconds: 2304

## Resource

In this episode of The Across the Bar Podcast, Peter Rahbar and Laura Brounstein tackle the messy intersection of corporate ethics, compensation strategy, and the latest legal firestorms hitting major brands like Nike and Pinterest. 🏛️ Inside this week's episode: The Epstein List & The C-Suite 💼: As names continue to surface, we discuss the legal and reputational fallout for corporate leaders. Does an entry on the list mean an automatic exit from the company? The "Peanut Butter Raise" Trap 🥜: Employers are spreading thin raises across entire departments to avoid "tough conversations." We explain why this strategy is actually a morale killer and potentially a recipe for disaster. EEOC vs. Nike 👟: In a landmark 2026 shift, the EEOC is taking on Nike’s DEI practices. Is this really a problem? Is it a good use of government resources? ⚖️ Pinterest’s Petty Pivot 📌: Firing employees for tracking layoffs? We break down the legality—and the long-term cultural damage—of the Pinterest CEO’s latest controversial move. 📉

## Actions

- request_transcript: `POST https://stenobird.com/v1/public/podcasts/across-the-bar-podcast-7317541/episodes/across-the-bar-podcast-episode-36-epstein-list-fallout-eeoc-v-nike-and-dei-why-peanut-butter-raises-fail-pinterest-s-petty-ceo/transcription-requests` — Idempotently request low-priority transcript generation for this episode.
- read_markdown: `GET https://stenobird.com/podcast/across-the-bar-podcast-7317541/across-the-bar-podcast-episode-36-epstein-list-fallout-eeoc-v-nike-and-dei-why-peanut-butter-raises-fail-pinterest-s-petty-ceo.md` — Read the agent-friendly Markdown representation of this episode resource.

A page view does not enqueue transcription. Agents should invoke `request_transcript` explicitly when they need this episode processed.

## Transcript

Full transcripts are not published on public pages unless there is a clear rights basis.