Best Lessig Podcasts (2025)

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S2 Ep47: The Little State That Could Save Democracy ( with Larry Lessig) 45:17

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1d ago45:17

45:17

Harvard law professor and democracy reformer Larry Lessig is taking on the big money machine. In Maine, he’s helping defend a ballot initiative that bans super PACs, backed by a stunning 75% of voters. If he wins, this case could crack Citizens United wide open and bring campaign finance reform to the entire country. This might just be the moment t…

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A Super PAC longshot (with Prof. Larry Lessig) 36:54

29d ago36:54

36:54

This week on The Codcast, CommonWealth Beacon reporter Jennifer Smith talks with Harvard professor Larry Lessig about the ill-fated attempt to restrict Super PAC contributions in Massachusetts and the successful effort in Maine that was struck down by the lower court. The Maine coalition thinks it has a shot at convincing higher courts, not to over…

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The government shutdown's effects on the Mass. Health Connector (with Audrey Gasteier) 34:45

42m ago34:45

34:45

This week on The Codcast: Health or Consequences, John McDonough and Paul Hattis are joined by Audrey Gasteier, executive director of the Massachusetts Health Connector. Gasteier discusses the current crisis facing residents of the commonwealth should the federal government fail to renew premium tax credits.…

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Shutdown Continued, The East Wing, The 9th Circuit on Portland, Arizona Sues Johnson, The Era of Group Chat 54:15

3d ago54:15

54:15

Trey and Ken start by letting Ken weigh in on the government shutdown. Ken argues that the Democrats are winning and are doing the right thing. Trey disagrees and sees Democrats as eventually the party that will back down and let people get paid. Ken doubles down by saying the shutdown will last until December when Republicans will then back down. …

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The inside story of Notre-Dame's incredible reconstruction | Philippe Villeneuve 15:02

3d ago15:02

15:02

In a moment that stunned the world in 2019, the famed Notre-Dame in Paris went up in flames, threatening the future of the centuries-old Gothic treasure. Philippe Villeneuve, the chief architect of the cathedral’s restoration, recounts the collective effort to bring the building back to life while honoring its history. Listen for a story of craftsm…

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John Campbell on Conservative Myths About Tax Cuts for the Rich 47:38

5d ago47:38

47:38

Mike talks with John L. Campbell, the Class of 1925 Professor and Professor of Sociology Emeritus at Dartmouth College. He’s the author of the recently released book, Pay Up! Conservative Myths About Tax Cuts for the Rich, which they discuss on this episode. Topics Mike & John cover include: the main conservative tax cut myths the Laffer Curve and …

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The Threads of Liberty - Special Guest Jeffrey Rosen 1:06:18

5d ago1:06:18

1:06:18

The President and CEO of the National Constitution Center, Jeffrey Rosen, joins us for a timely discussion of his new book, The Pursuit of Liberty. The relevance to today’s dilemmas is matched only by the fascination of the deep historical analysis and amazing characters the book unearths. In the differences that separated Hamilton and Jefferson, P…

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Supreme Court’s Voting Rights Test & Trump’s DOJ Power PlaySupreme Court’s Voting Rights Test & Trump’s DOJ Power Play 19:18

7d ago19:18

19:18

Mike and Joey open with the Supreme Court’s unusual re-argument in Louisiana v. Calais, a case that could reshape Section 2 of the Voting Rights Act. Joey outlines the tangled history of Louisiana’s redistricting and argues that race-based districts may themselves violate equal-protection principles. Mike predicts Justice Kavanaugh will be the key …

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Who you gonna call? (with Salem Mayor, Dominick Pangallo) 30:21

7d ago30:21

30:21

This week on The Codcast, CommonWealth Beacon reporter Hallie Claflin talks with Dominick Pangallo, Mayor of Salem. Every year in October, Salem experiences a massive tourism boom as more than a million visitors flock to the site of the Salem Witch Trials for the spooky season. How does a small city of 45,000 manage the influx of tourists? How do S…

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S2 Ep46: How to FIGHT Mob Boss Politics in America (w Sen. Andy Kim) 33:46

8d ago33:46

33:46

John Avlon talks with Senator Andy Kim about Trump’s “mob boss” politics, the rise of fear inside the GOP, and Kim’s plan to build an anti-corruption movement that takes on what he calls “the cowards and the crazies.”By The Bulwark

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Shutdown Showdown, Middle East Peace, Portland Protests 1:13:15

9d ago1:13:15

1:13:15

Mike and Joey open with the continuing government shutdown and whether blame is shifting. Mike criticizes Republicans for spreading false claims about Democrats’ immigration spending demands. Joey maintains that Democrats are increasingly seen as the problem, adding that media silence signals their growing liability. Next, the guys debate Trump’s f…

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I’ll probably lose my job to AI. Here’s why that’s OK | Megan J. McArdle 14:11

10d ago14:11

14:11

Artificial intelligence could cost many of us our careers — but that doesn’t mean we should stop its development, says journalist Megan J. McArdle. As she watches AI encroach on her own craft, she shares a fresh take on the 19th-century Luddites, who tried to destroy machines that would upend their trade. Looking back, McArdle reframes today’s fear…

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Opinions on Opinions 1:08:36

12d ago1:08:36

1:08:36

As we continue to wade into the Supreme Court term, developments are taking place in several cases we are following. Professor Amar’s students are making constitutional news all over the place, it seems; several of them have converged on the tariff case once again, as well as now the unitary executive issues. A new article made a splash, and it pro…

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Paul Star on Trumpism, Revolution, and Revenge 58:29

13d ago58:29

58:29

Mike talks with Paul Starr, a professor of sociology and public affairs at Princeton University and the author of multiple books, including the Pulitzer Prize-winning The Social Transformation of American Medicine. His latest book is American Contradiction: Revolution and Revenge from the 1950s to Now, which they discuss in this episode Topics Mike…

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What is liberalism? 14:58

13d ago14:58

14:58

Trey and Justin continue their series on contemporary political ideologies by examining liberalism. They explore its historical roots, key thinkers like Hobbes and Locke, and the evolution of liberal thought through figures such as Mill and Rawls. The discussion highlights the differences between classical and social liberalism, the implications of…

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Could the shutdown push Mass. toward recession? (with Mark Williams) 24:30

14d ago24:30

24:30

This week on The Codcast, CommonWealth Beacon reporter Jennifer Smith talks with Mark Williams, finance lecturer at the Questrom School of Business at Boston University. Now two weeks into the federal shutdown, Williams reviews an already bleak estimate of Massachusetts’s financial health if officials continue on their current spending path. Facing…

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S2 Ep45: “Stop and Frisk” Didn’t Work. This Did. 43:01

15d ago43:01

43:01

Does “broken windows” policing actually work? John Avlon and John Miller dig into how a small idea changed New York City — and why it still sparks huge debates today. It’s a lesson in data, strategy, and how crime narratives get twisted for politics.By The Bulwark

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Shutdown, Gaza, Insurrection, Pam Bondi 1:07:21

17d ago1:07:21

1:07:21

In this episode of The Politics Guys, Trey and Justin discuss what they call an episode on the unilateral presidency and nihilism. The show kicks off the ongoing budget standoff and government shutdown, including Trey’s overarching point that the imperial presidency comes to us one small move at a time and is not limited to President Trump. Next, t…

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How Texas became America’s biggest producer of wind energy 26:59

17d ago26:59

26:59

This is the surprising story of how Texas – rich in oil and gas – became America's biggest producer of wind energy. For our first episode, Ryan and Anjali talk with Pat Wood, once George W. Bush’s right hand man and head of Texas's Public Utility Commission, to uncover the innovative approach that turned Texas into a renewable energy powerhouse. It…

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Rethinking Economic Growth with Dan Varroney 58:09

20d ago58:09

58:09

Travis talks with entrepreneur and trade industry leader Dan Varroney about his new book, Rethinking Economic Growth: How Small Businesses Can Help Consistently Grow the Economy, in which he writes about some of the biggest challenges facing small business owners and how American policymakers can support these businesses. Topics Travis and Dan cove…

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Dereliction of Duties 1:12:30

19d ago1:12:30

1:12:30

By Akhil Reed Amar

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Trump’s Gaza Gamble, Pfizer Deal, Economic Policy 18:14

20d ago18:14

18:14

By Michael Baranowski

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Health care challenges in the Berkshires (with Michael Leary) 30:09

21d ago30:09

30:09

This week on The Codcast, CommonWealth Beacon reporter Jennifer Smith talks with Michael Leary, director of media relations for Berkshire Health Systems. They dive into what makes Berkshire County such a complicated place for health care access – with rural towns, busier cities, college students, and of course the seasonal visitors looking to peep …

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S2 Ep44: Are We Really Headed for a Second Civil War? 41:19

23d ago41:19

41:19

Are we really close to a second civil war? John Avlon talks with Barbara F. Walter, author of How Civil Wars Start and How to Stop Them, about the dangerous warning signs in America today. From democratic decline to political violence and Trump’s authoritarian playbook. But it’s not just doom: Walter lays out real solutions, from regulating social …

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Shutdown Blame Game, Military Speeches, Troops to Portland 1:04:30

23d ago1:04:30

1:04:30

Mike, Tim, and Joey open with the ongoing government shutdown. Joey argues Democrats will be blamed because their messaging is fractured and influenced by the left wing of the party. Tim highlights ballooning deficits and sees rebellious Republicans forcing fiscal discipline. Mike concedes Democrats bear responsibility but stresses that Democrats h…

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Inside a dark web kill list | Carl Miller 16:25

24d ago16:25

16:25

Who pays for an assassin on the internet? Dark web researcher Carl Miller spent years tracking down the answer to this question. In this chilling talk, he shares how he uncovered real kill orders placed online by seemingly ordinary individuals — and gives an unsettling look at what drives people to the brink. (Note: This talk contains descriptions …

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A Tale of Three Cities 1:16:36

26d ago1:16:36

1:16:36

Professor Amar visits cities that are in the constitutional news these days: Portland, where the military pays an uninvited visit; Salt Lake City, where gunfire continues this year’s alarming litany of political assassination also seen in Minnesota and elsewhere. Akhil’s epic trilogy, with Born Equal now taking its place as the second volume, speak…

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Bruce Schneier on AI and the Future of Democracy 49:54

27d ago49:54

49:54

Mike talks with Bruce Schneier, an internationally renowned security technologist, a lecturer at Harvard’s Kennedy School, and the New York Times bestselling author of 14 books. They focus on his latest book, co-authored with Nathan Sanders: Rewiring Democracy: How AI Will Transform Our Politics, Government, and Citizenship. Topics Mike & Bruce dis…

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What is an Ideology? 12:00

28d ago12:00

12:00

In this supporter show, Trey and Justin start a new topic: ideologies. The pair dive into the definition of political ideologies, historical context, and the complexities that arise from the interplay between empirical observations and abstract ideas. They discuss the significance of understanding the distinction between 'is' and 'ought' in politic…

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S2 Ep43: Trump’s DOJ Revenge Scheme Could Shatter the Country (w. Elie Honig) 34:47

29d ago34:47

34:47

John Avlon sits down with CNN’s Elie Honig to unpack Trump’s escalating war on the rule of law. From the flimsy indictment of James Comey to the replacement of seasoned prosecutors with political lackeys, they trace how Trump is dismantling the Justice Department’s independence. Drawing lessons from Watergate to January 6th, they warn of the danger…

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Comey, Tylenol, the United Nations 1:12:55

1M ago1:12:55

1:12:55

In this episode of The Politics Guys, Trey and Justin discuss the recent indictment of James Comey by the DOJ, analyzing its unusual nature and the implications of President Trump's public statements regarding the legal proceedings. This includes questions about the motivations of the DOJ’s motives and the highly unusual nature of the indictment it…

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Interview: The plant-based coating that is eliminating food spoilage | Jenny Du 20:51

1M ago20:51

20:51

If food waste were a country, it’d be the third highest emitter of greenhouse gas emissions after China and the US, says Apeel Senior VP of Operations Jenny Du. Following her talk at TED2025, Du sits down for a conversation with host Sherrell Dorsey on how her lab is creating plant-based coating that can help reduce food spoilage. From combating fo…

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Populism, Power, and the Enduring Global Disorder 1:04:35

1M ago1:04:35

1:04:35

Mike talks with Jason Pack, host of the Disorder podcast, in this crossover episode. In addition to hosting the Disorder podcast, Jason is an Associate Fellow of the Royal United Services Institute (RUSI), a Senior Analyst for Emerging Challenges at the NATO Defense College Foundation, and the author of Libya & the Global Enduring Disorder. Topics …

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Out in the World 1:21:26

1M ago1:21:26

1:21:26

Born Equal is being read - by academics, pundits, historians, and citizens. Reaction has begun to pour in, and discussion has begun. In this episode, we bring you some of the very best flavor of such discussion - an academic symposium held at Penn Carey Law School on the book. Professors Kate Shaw and Kermit Roosevelt each read the work with great …

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FBI in Crisis, Venezuelan Strikes, Listener Questions 19:01

1M ago19:01

19:01

Mike and Michael open with the turmoil inside the FBI under Director Kash Patel, highlighting Patel’s public clashes with Congress, mass agent departures, and lawsuits alleging unlawful firings. Michael argues that Patel is dangerously unqualified and politicizing the Bureau, while Mike stresses the long-term damage caused by the loss of experience…