Best Democracy Docket Podcasts (2025)

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Ep 158 — All The Defamation News That’s Fit To Pod 1:02:27

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1d ago1:02:27

1:02:27

As Dominion Voting Systems settles its defamation suit with Newsmax, Hunter Biden is making defamation suits great again. He’s currently suing Overstock founder Patrick Byrne, and about to be sued by the first lady. Meanwhile, Media Matters scores a big victory over the Federal Trade Commission, and football coach Brian Flores notches a win against…

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The Dubious Legality of Trump's DC Takeover 1:51:25

2d ago1:51:25

1:51:25

Kate and Leah recap the week's legal news, including argument calendars for the next SCOTUS term and President Trump's attempted federal takeover of Washington, DC. Then, it's our third annual State of The Uterus episode. Melissa and Leah talk with Alexis McGill Johnson, president and CEO of the Planned Parenthood Federation of America, and Lisa Be…

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The Life of America’s First Lady Martha Washington 29:59

2d ago29:59

29:59

Sharon explores the life of America’s first First Lady, Martha Washington, highlighting the many ways she shaped her family, the presidency, and the nation itself. Though the formal title of “First Lady” didn’t yet exist, she was affectionately known as “Lady Washington” and respected as George’s “worthy partner.” Sharon dives into many of lesser k…

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49: Why Your Voting Rights Aren't What They Used To Be 23:55

5d ago23:55

23:55

Kimberly Atkins Stohr discusses the current state of voting rights in America with Hannah Fried, co-founder and executive director of All Voting is Local. They explore the multifaceted attacks on voting access, the role of the federal government in collecting voting data, and the importance of local election officials. The conversation emphasizes t…

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The Texas GOP Loves Their "Commander-in-Cheat" | Rep. Trey Martinez Fischer 44:48

8d ago44:48

44:48

Rep. Trey Martinez Fischer left Texas to deny Republicans a quorum and block their gerrymandered map. He sat down with Marc to discuss the threats to him and his colleagues, Gov. Greg Abbott and Attorney General Paxton's internal battle, and what’s next in the redistricting fight. Support Texas Democrats by visiting onetexas.org -Become a Democracy…

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How the GOP is Trying to Steal the 2026 Midterms 1:59:34

9d ago1:59:34

1:59:34

Melissa and guest co-host Imani Gandy of Rewire News Group break down the week’s legal happenings, including how Texas Democrats are attempting to thwart that state’s gerrymandering efforts, college admissions in the age of Trump, and more Epstein fallout. Then, Melissa chats with Duke Law Professor Brandon Garrett about his book, Defending Due Pro…

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A Personal History of the 1960s with Doris Kearns Goodwin 42:21

9d ago42:21

42:21

Imagine being a Pulitzer Prize winning presidential historian, knowing you had extraordinarily rare primary source material and Presidential memorabilia tucked away in the cellar of your own home… and not opening it for decades? Doris Kearns Goodwin joins us today to share her journey of exploring more than 300 boxes, alongside her husband of 42 ye…

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The DOJ Can “Jump in the Gulf of Maine” | Maine Secretary of State Shenna Bellows 46:42

12d ago46:42

46:42

The DOJ wants your voter information. Maine Secretary of State Shenna Bellows joins the podcast to discuss the DOJ’s demand for state voter lists, Maine’s dangerous voter ID ballot initiative, and how Trump’s conspiracy theories harm election workers. -Become a Democracy Docket premium member: https://newsletters.democracydocket.com/member-youtube …

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48: Are Dems Too Woke To Win 32:19

12d ago32:19

32:19

Kimberly Atkins Stohr talks with her old friend and political strategist Steve Schale to discuss the current political landscape, the challenges facing the Democratic Party, and the importance of understanding voter sentiment. They explore the need for a new coalition of voters, particularly in swing areas like Macomb County, and the perception of …

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Ep 157 — Census 2025? No. (feat. Kel McClanahan) 1:02:58

12d ago1:02:58

1:02:58

We welcome back National Security Counselors’ Kel McClanahan to discuss how the Law & Chaos podcast will be suing the Trump administration. Also: no, Trump can’t order a new census just because he doesn’t like the actual numbers. And the Supreme Court tees up an argument advanced by Clarence Thomas to gut what remains of the Voting Rights Act. Link…

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Ep 156 — Mess With Texas! 47:01

15d ago47:01

47:01

What’s going on in Texas, where Democrats have walked out of the state legislature in an effort to thwart (or at least postpone) handing Donald Trump five more congressional seats in the 2026 midterms. Is it a crime? Does it break norms? And most importantly: will it work? And we check back in with the administration’s efforts to keep Alina Habba o…

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Stacking the Bench with Creeps & Kooks 1:41:25

16d ago1:41:25

1:41:25

Leah and guest co-host Mark Joseph Stern of Slate and the Amicus podcast run through what’s been happening in the courts this week, including disturbing attacks on judges, the confirmation of the extremely unsavory Emile Bove, and Amy Coney Barrett’s upcoming appearance with Bari Weiss. Then, Kate and Melissa speak with Jessica Calarco, sociologist…

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America’s Constitution with Akhil Reed Amar 33:56

16d ago33:56

33:56

In a time when division often makes the headlines, what truly binds us together? Sharon sits down with Yale constitutional law professor Akhil Reed Amar to explore why the U.S. Constitution remains a powerful force in bringing Americans together. Despite our different regions, backgrounds, cultures, and even languages, what we share is a constituti…

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47: How To Join The Resistance Summer School 35:53

19d ago35:53

35:53

Kimberly Atkins Stohr speaks with Karen Attiah, founder of Resistance Summer School, about the importance of creating safe spaces for discussions on tough topics in education. They explore the intersection of journalism, race, and global affairs, and how Atiyah's experiences led her to create a new educational initiative after her course at Columbi…

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Ep 155 — We FOIAed The Justice Department & Poor Alan Dershowitz Still Can’t Get A Snack 1:00:36

19d ago1:00:36

1:00:36

The Department of Justice has filed an ethics complaint against the Chief Judge of the District Court in DC, James Boasberg, and we’ve enlisted Kel McClanahan to help us figure out what (if any) evidence the Trump administration has to support its claims. Plus, Liz and Andrew listened to the Federal Circuit’s oral argument over Trump’s tariffs. And…

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Ep 154 — Habba Dabba DOH! 1:01:36

22d ago1:01:36

1:01:36

The ghost of Jeffrey Epstein continues to haunt Donald Trump, so he sent his attorney Todd Blanche to Florida to visit Ghislaine Maxwell for an exorcism. Despite the Supreme Court’s valiant efforts, lower courts are still refusing to let the Trump administration un-person children of immigrants. And Alina Habba is back in her office at the US Attor…

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Can Trump Sue His Way Out of the Epstein Mess? 1:32:28

23d ago1:32:28

1:32:28

Kate and Leah break down the week’s legal happenings, including Trump’s flailing efforts to manage the Epstein fallout, the latest abomination from the shadow docket, and the legal quagmire surrounding Trump lackey Alina Habba’s appointment as U.S. Attorney for New Jersey. Then, they speak with law professors—and former clerks for David Souter—Alli…

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Amending the Constitution with Russ Feingold 42:27

23d ago42:27

42:27

What would it take to update the Constitution and should we try? Sharon is joined by former Wisconsin Senator Russ Feingold to explore this question from his book, The Constitution in Jeopardy. Together, they unpack the tools the framers gave to evolve the founding document, including the never before used, and deeply controversial, Constitutional …

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Ep 153 — The Shadow Docket Gets Shadier 56:40

26d ago56:40

56:40

The Supreme Court can’t be bothered to do real law — but they still expect trial judges to read their minds and treat those nebulous shadow docket orders like binding precedent. And that invisible ink precedent says that Trump can fire anyone, anywhere, at any time. Abrego Garcia is still dancing on the knife edge between Trump’s DOJ and his DHS. A…

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46: The Fragility of Democracy 28:03

26d ago28:03

28:03

Kim and Joyce discuss the importance of voter engagement and the fragility of democracy. They emphasize the need for individuals to check their voter registration status, understand local voting rules, and actively participate in the democratic process. The discussion also touches on the challenges facing democracy today, the importance of local go…

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Ep 152 — Trial Judges Know What’s Up 1:00:08

29d ago1:00:08

1:00:08

Today on the show the First Circuit is reversing DOGE’s “DEI” cuts at NIH. Trump is suing the Wall Street Journal for defamatory reporting that he was friends with that pedophile he used to party with all the time. And trial courts are calling SCOTUS’s shadow docket bluff. Plus, Alina Habba is headed for the exit. Links: SCOTUS Shadow Docket Order …

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SCOTUS Enables Government Destruction 1:30:08

1M ago1:30:08

1:30:08

Melissa and Kate run through the latest legal news, including the Court greenlighting the dismantling of the Department of Education. Then, they speak with NYU law professor Rachel Barkow about her book, Justice Abandoned: How the Supreme Court Ignored the Constitution and Enabled Mass Incarceration. Hosts’ favorite things: Kate: Legalistic Noncomp…

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The Supreme Court’s Shadow Docket with Stephen Vladeck 37:28

1M ago37:28

37:28

With approval ratings of The Supreme Court at a historic low, what can Congress and the average American citizen do to hold the court accountable, and foster transparency? Sharon welcomes law professor Stephen Vladeck to nerd out about all things Supreme Court. Stephen dives into the elusive behind-the-scenes “shadow docket,” and how 99% of what th…

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Ep 151 — This Is All The Supreme Court’s Fault 59:09

1M ago59:09

59:09

What do Trump’s plans to fire Fed Chair Jerome Powell, level illegal tariffs, and stuff the court with his cronies have in common? They’re all the fault of the Supreme Court’s six conservatives. Then we’ll take a break from … all this … and learn some more civil procedure from Justin Baldoni. Links: Can Trump Actually Fire Fed Chair Jerome Powell? …

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45: What Does MAHA Actually Mean? 31:54

1M ago31:54

31:54

Kimberly Atkins Stohr speaks with Natalie Davis, CEO of United States of Care, about the importance of preventative healthcare and the recent Supreme Court decision that upheld the Affordable Care Act's provisions for free preventive services. They discuss the challenges faced by various communities in accessing healthcare, the role of advocacy in …

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Ep 150 — SCOTUS Allows Trump To Burn Down Department of Education 47:05

1M ago47:05

47:05

The Supreme Court is handing out lit matches and gasoline to the arsonist in chief and inviting him to burn down the Department of Education. Attorney Pam Bondi keeps inventing new ways to be corrupt, and none of them have to do with Jeffrey Epstein. And DHS is now kidnapping IP along with actual human beings. Plus, for subscribers, we’ll talk abou…

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Hunger Games for Legal Hackery 1:38:33

1M ago1:38:33

1:38:33

Katie Phang, independent journalist and trial lawyer, joins Leah to run through the week’s legal news–and there’s a lot of it! They unpack, as KBJ puts it, “this Court’s demonstrated enthusiasm for greenlighting this President’s legally dubious actions in an emergency posture” and break down the latest thirstiness from the judges angling to be Trum…

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Unforgettable Encounters During Life's Final Moments with Hadley Vlahos 40:51

1M ago40:51

40:51

When we know a loved one is about to die, how can we best hold space for them in the in-between? Sharon is joined by Hadley Vlahos, RN, who has written a bestselling book, The In-Between, about her experiences working as a hospice nurse. Hadley walks us through the discomfort of death with great compassion and empathy while considering what it mean…

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Ep 149 — You Cannot Lie (To Judges) When Whistleblowers Have Receipts! 53:54

1M ago53:54

53:54

Trump’s executive order stripping citizenship from children of immigrants has been enjoined again. Will the Supreme Court burn down another plank of civil procedure just to avoid ruling on it? And DOJ whistleblower Erez Reuveni is dropping receipts! He’s got all the texts and emails that prove Trump’s henchman Emil Bove ordered the DOJ to defy cour…

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Ep 148 — Trump Cancels Laws…For His Friends And Donors 45:45

1M ago45:45

45:45

Mike Lindell’s sparklemagic lawyers find out that sometimes ChatGPT ends with Rule 11. Then we visit Elon Musk and Sam Altman for a lesson in civil procedure. After that Andrew and Liz explain how Trump can’t actually un-ban TikTok via presidential edict and break down the latest Supreme Court efforts to burn down the judiciary. Plus for subscriber…

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A Term for the Rich, the Reactionaries, and the Ruthless 1:39:45

1M ago1:39:45

1:39:45

With July upon us and bad decision season (mercifully) over, Leah, Kate and Melissa take a step back to recap this year’s SCOTUS term. They highlight some of the overarching themes, break down the biggest opinions, and look back at the moments they’ll remember forever–whether they want to or not. Hosts’ favorite things: Melissa: KBJ’s footnote 12 i…

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Poverty In America with Matthew Desmond 49:11

1M ago49:11

49:11

We all know that poverty is an existing problem in the United States, but what does that really mean in a country with so much wealth? Sharon is joined by Matthew Desmond, Professor of Sociology at Princeton University and the founding director of the Eviction Lab. Together, they discuss his best-selling book, Poverty, By America, and take a hard l…

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Ep 147 — Happy Birthday, America? 53:49

2M ago53:49

53:49

We may not know how to fix America, but we can tell you the law of fireworks! Plus the latest on Kilmar Abrego Garcia and what it tells us about how Homeland Security is carrying out Trump’s deportation regime. Plus, Trump’s lawyers are learning so much about civil procedure by getting their asses kicked all over Iowa. Links: Hundreds of Jan 6ers A…

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44: TRUMP'S Big Beautiful Bill Has PASSED, What Does It Mean For YOU 35:18

2M ago35:18

35:18

Kimberly Atkins Stohr and Wendy Edelberg discuss the complexities of national debt, government borrowing, and fiscal policy. They explore how rising national debt affects everyday Americans, the rationale behind government borrowing for long-term investments, and the implications of current budget proposals. The conversation emphasizes the need for…

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Ep 146 — The Conservative Justices Seize Power 58:05

2M ago58:05

58:05

The Supreme Court’s last day of the term was an exercise of raw power. The six conservative justices gave lower courts the back of their hand, making clear that they — and only they! — will decide the law. Nationwide injunctions are out, and so is stare decisis. Andrew and Liz will break down the power grab, along with Mahmoud v. Taylor, in which t…

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SCOTUS Strengthens Conservative War on Education 1:01:52

2M ago1:01:52

1:01:52

Leah, Melissa and Kate roll up their sleeves and unpack last Friday’s huge day at the Court, starting with Mahmoud v. Taylor, the case that tested Sam Alito’s ability to comprehend picture books. They also break down the outcomes of cases involving age verification for adult entertainment and the nondelegation doctrine. If you missed last Friday’s …

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Modern Democracy with Daniel Ziblatt and Steven Levitsky 49:13

2M ago49:13

49:13

American democracy is going through a rough patch, and the Constitution, for all its brilliance, has some flaws that limit the power of majorities. So why haven’t we made any real reforms in over 50 years? And what are other democracies doing to fight authoritarianism? Sharon sits down with Harvard government professors, Steven Levitsky and Daniel …

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SCOTUS Clears the Way for Trump’s Lawlessness 51:33

2M ago51:33

51:33

In an emergency episode, Leah, Kate, and Melissa break down today’s radical decision in Trump v. CASA, Inc., which gives this administration carte blanche to pursue its heinous agenda by curbing the judiciary’s ability to issue nationwide injunctions. Get tickets for STRICT SCRUTINY LIVE – The Bad Decisions Tour 2025! 10/4 – Chicago Learn more: htt…

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Ep 145 — SCOTUS Aims For Photo Finish … Gives Us Disaster Porn 1:04:13

2M ago1:04:13

1:04:13

The Trump administration’s war on the judiciary continues, and this time he’s suing judges. Also, he’s trying to install his henchman Emil Bove in the Third Circuit as a reward for burning down the firewall between the White House and the DOJ. Luckily SCOTUS is distracting us by cramming as many horrible decisions as possible into the last two days…

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43: The Fight For LGBTQ Rights 28:48

2M ago28:48

28:48

Kimberly Atkins Stohr and Sam Ames discuss the recent Supreme Court ruling regarding gender-affirming care for transgender youth, the implications of this ruling on civil rights, and the broader societal impacts. They explore the chilling effects of legislation on trans youth, the importance of scientific research in understanding gender-affirming …

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SCOTUS Deals Massive Blow to Health Care Access 53:14

2M ago53:14

53:14

In this emergency episode, Melissa, Leah and Kate are joined by Alexis McGill Johnson, president and CEO of Planned Parenthood, to unpack today’s ruling in Medina v. Planned Parenthood South Atlantic. They talk about what this could mean for patients and the devastating ripple effect it will have across the country. Also covered: the rest of today’…

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Ep 144 — Don’t Make Us Side With Disney And Harvard 1:01:38

2M ago1:01:38

1:01:38

The Supreme Court’s howler monkey wing greenlights Trump’s third country renditions without notice and cuts the legs out from underneath the entire federal judiciary. So much for CJ Roberts, protector of the courts! And the Ninth Circuit lets Trump steal California’s National Guard for a fictitious emergency. In better news, Harvard gets an injunct…

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Ketanji Brown Jackson Sounds the Alarm 1:38:14

2M ago1:38:14

1:38:14

First, Leah is joined by international law expert Bec Ingber to lay out legal issues around the use of force (aka bombing Iran). Then, Leah is joined by two guest hosts–former legal journalist Mike Sacks and Georgetown Law’s Steve Vladeck–to break down last week’s opinions from the Court. Everyone’s up to their old tricks: Coach Kavanaugh makes spo…

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The Hate Next Door with Matson and Tawni Browning 46:19

2M ago46:19

46:19

Ever wonder how a white supremacist becomes an extremist? Sharon has a conversation with Matson and Tawni Browning about their book, The Hate Next Door. Matt gets candid about his time working undercover in white supremacist groups and what it was like to balance his dueling realities: where the job ended and where his home life began. Matt and Taw…

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Ep 143 — SCOTUS Bullies Trans Kids 1:10:54

2M ago1:10:54

1:10:54

This week the Supreme Court’s conservatives greenlit an all-out attack on trans kids and their healthcare. So much for parents’ rights! At least Alex Jones is still bankrupt. And the trustee in his bankruptcy case just sued him to claw back millions of dollars in “fraudulent” transfers to his friends and family. Plus, we’ll discuss NYC Comptroller …

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42: Hot Shadow Docket Summer with Leah Litman 38:48

2M ago38:48

38:48

Kimberly Atkins Stohr and Leah Littman delve into the current state of the Supreme Court, focusing on the recent Scrimetti decision and its implications for LGBTQ rights. They discuss the ideological trends within the court, the role of originalism in judicial decisions, and the complexities surrounding Justice Amy Coney Barrett. The conversation a…

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SCOTUS Upholds Tennessee Ban on Gender-Affirming Care for Minors 38:47

2M ago38:47

38:47

In this emergency episode, Chase Strangio of the ACLU joins the pod to talk about today’s decision in United States v. Skrmetti. Then, Kate, Leah, and Melissa dive deep into the opinion, the various flavors of awful found in the concurrences from the majority, and what this decision might mean more broadly for the future of sex-based discrimination…

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Ep 142 — Who Is The Administrator of DOGE (feat. Anna Bower) 1:09:08

2M ago1:09:08

1:09:08

Liz and Andrew welcome Lawfare’s Anna Bower back to the show to discuss her singular obsession: who is the administrator of DOGE? Find out why that’s still a critical question and what discovering the answer might mean in terms of undoing policy, preserving records, and more. Links: Who Is The Administrator of DOGE, by Anna Bower https://www.lawfar…

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Can Trump Mobilize the Military Without California's Consent? 1:42:55

2M ago1:42:55

1:42:55

Melissa, Kate, and Leah can smell the fascism in the air as President Trump forces troops on California protesters. They discuss how he is (yet again) pushing the boundaries of authoritarianism, provide an update on the Kilmar Abrego Garcia case, and unpack another flurry of Supreme Court Opinions. Then, they talk trans rights with Chase Strangio, …

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Book Bans and Free Speech with Suzanne Nossel 36:35

2M ago36:35

36:35

How does American society uphold the First Amendment while restricting books and censoring diverse ideas? Sharon talks with Suzanne Nossel, CEO of PEN America, about the surge in book bans, now over 4,000 nationwide. Suzanne explains how vague language about “protecting children” is used to remove books that reflect marginalized voices, often label…