The Unscripted Order Podcast

What does it take to go from sweeping the streets of public housing in Southeast DC to sitting on the federal bench for over 25 years? Judge Gerald Bruce Lee doesn't just answer that question — he lives it. In this episode of The Unscripted Order Podcast, Judge Brian Smalls and Judge Dontae' Bugg sit down with retired United States District Court Judge Gerald Bruce Lee of the Eastern Distr...

Two judges. Two mics. No guests. No filter. Episode 16 of The Unscripted Order Podcast is here — and this one is for every attorney, entrepreneur, consultant, freelancer, or anyone who has ever thought about betting on themselves."The Shingle" is our deep dive into what it actually takes to hang out your own shingle — the dos, the don'ts, and the stuff nobody puts in the curriculum....

What does it mean to show up when no one else will? In this episode of The Unscripted Order Podcast, The Law School Series, we give the mic away entirely — turning it over to the students of the Mid-Atlantic Black Law Student Association (MABLSA) at their 58th Annual Regional Convention in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Led by 3L William & Mary Law Student and MABLSA Regional Chair Mecca Vance, y...

We pulled up to the nation's first law school — William & Mary School of Law — and sat down with two of its finest for Episode 14 of the Unscripted Order Podcast. Meet Mecca Vance and Jason Whitted. Two third-year law students. Two incredible journeys. And one unscripted conversation about what law school actually looks like when you're smart, driven, and almost done. Mecca grew up in...

Some people are shaped by greatness. Dean A. Benjamin Spencer was raised by it. The first Black Dean of William & Mary School of Law — and the first Black Dean of any school or department in the College's entire history — Dean Spencer sits down with us for a conversation that is equal parts inspiring, real, and unforgettable. In this episode, we go beyond the title. Dean Spencer takes us t...

In this powerful episode of The Unscripted Order Podcast, Judges Bugg and Smalls sit down with the Honorable Chief Justice Bernard Goodwyn — retired Chief Justice of the Virginia Supreme Court — for a conversation about life, legacy, faith, and the long road to greatness. Chief Justice Goodwyn takes us all the way back to his humble beginnings, walking us through the journey that shaped him into t...

Some cases don’t just pass through the courtroom. They pass through you. In Season 2, Episode 3 of The Unscripted Order Podcast , Judges Dontae' Bugg and Brian Smalls reflect on the cases that changed them forever. From moments that tested integrity to trials that reshaped perspective, this episode pulls back the curtain on the human side of the bench and the bar. These aren’t just legal stori...

In Season 2, Episode 2 of The Unscripted Order Podcast, the judges take you behind the bench and into the preparation process that happens long before the gavel sounds. How does a judge prepare for a full docket? What role does legal research play? Do judges really know every area of the law? In this episode, we break down the importance of ongoing education, reviewing case law, relying on attorne...

Season 2 of The Unscripted Order Podcast begins by going Beyond the Robe. In this premiere episode, Judges Smalls and Bugg return to the bench to reflect on what Season 1 revealed, how the podcast changed them, and what people still don’t see about life as a judge. This conversation isn’t about statutes or procedure. It’s about responsibility, pressure, growth, and the human side of holding author...

Every journey has people who helped pave the way — mentors, teachers, coaches, and colleagues who saw something in us before we saw it in ourselves. In Episode 7 of The Unscripted Order Podcast, Judge Smalls and Judge Bugg reflect on the influencers who shaped their paths — in the classroom, on the field, and ultimately, in the courtroom. Judge Smalls opens up about his early academic challenges —...

In Episode 6 of The Unscripted Order Podcast, Judges Smalls and Bugg dive into their Top 5 movies and TV shows of all time — and also focusing on soundtracks and theme songs that defined an era. 🎶From The Color Purple and Boyz N the Hood to The Last Dragon and Hustle & Flow, the judges share stories, laughs, and a few surprises along the way — including a shocking revelation that Judge Bugg h...

**🎙️ Episode 5 – The Great Debate | The Unscripted Order Podcast**The bench gets *heated* in this one! 🔥 Judges Bugg and Smalls go head-to-head in a series of lively debates — from who’s the greatest rapper of all time to the best R&B groups ever to bless a mic. 🎤 In their Off the Record segment, the Judges discuss their guilty pleasures. They close out with a sneak peek regarding upcoming a...

Welcome to Episode 4 of The Unscripted Order Podcast – Straight Out the 757!In this episode, Judges Smalls and Bugg pay tribute to the 757, the area of Virginia that shaped their lives and careers. From sports legends to music icons and cultural influences, the 757 has produced some of the greatest talent the world has ever seen.🎙️ Hear Judge Bugg talk about the pride of being from the 757 and how...

Episode 3 of The Unscripted Order Podcast is here! Judges Bugg and Smalls break down some of the biggest misconceptions about courtrooms and the judicial process. From what you see on TV court shows to what actually happens in real life, the judges give you the inside scoop on how it really works. But it’s not all serious—during our “Off the Record” segment, Judge Bugg talks about his favorite cou...

The Unscripted Order Podcast | Episode 2 – Balance Beyond the BenchD. Bugg and B. Smalls are back with another real conversation. In this episode, we talk about the challenges of work-life balance — how we manage the pressure of always having to be “on”, why it’s important not to let the position of judge define who we are as individuals, and the strategies we use to manage time inside and outside...

Welcome to the very first episode of the Unscripted Order Podcast! 🎙️In this debut, we get real about our journeys to the bench—sharing the ups, the downs, the trials, the tribulations, and everything in between. From the highlights that pushed us forward to the low moments that tested us, we’re pulling back the curtain and letting you in on the road that brought us here. And because this is Unscr...