Best The Robert H Smith Center For The Constitution Podcasts (2025)

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The Mosaic of Montpelier 25:03

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13d ago25:03

25:03

In this special episode of Consider The Constitution, Dr. Katie Crawford-Lackey is joined by Dr. Kelley Fanto Deetz, Montpelier's Chief Advancement Officer, to explore how James Madison's Montpelier reveals history's most essential truth: no story stands alone. Deetz reveals why Madison's constitutional genius, Dolley's political mastery, and the e…

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Congress by Design: How the Founders Built America's Most Powerful Branch 33:55

1M ago33:55

33:55

Host Dr. Katie Crawford-Lackey welcomes back Dr. Lauren Bell to explore how the Constitutional Convention's historic compromises shaped Congress into America's most powerful branch of government. From Madison's Virginia Plan to the Great Compromise that created our bicameral legislature, Bell reveals how enumerated and implied powers actually work …

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Your Invitation to Madison's Montpelier: An Unprecedented Public Seminar Experience 11:47

2M ago11:47

11:47

For the first time in over 20 years, James Madison's Montpelier is opening its transformational constitutional seminars to the general public. Join host Dr. Katie Crawford-Lackey and Center Director Patrick Campbell as they extend a personal invitation to an extraordinary three-day immersive experience. Imagine sleeping on the same grounds where Ma…

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The Madison Paradox: Empowering Government While Limiting Power 26:34

2M ago26:34

26:34

In this episode, host Dr. Katie Crawford-Lackey explores James Madison's constitutional philosophy with professors Eric Kasper and Howard Schweber, co-authors of "James Madison's Constitution: A Double Security and a Parchment Barrier." The conversation unpacks two key Madisonian concepts: "double security" (the idea that both federalism and separa…

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Campus Safety and Free Speech: Police Training for Constitutional Rights 25:17

3M ago25:17

25:17

As college campuses continue to serve as vital sites of activism, protest, and public debate, university police face the complex task of upholding First Amendment freedoms while ensuring the safety and wellbeing of diverse campus communities. In this episode, Dr. Katie Crawford Lackey sits down with Chief Timothy Longo, Associate Vice President for…

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Qualified Immunity: Where Constitutional Law Meets Public Safety 38:00

3M ago38:00

38:00

In this compelling episode of Consider the Constitution, host Dr. Katie Crawford-Lackey explores one of the most contentious intersections of constitutional law and public policy with Professor Hank Chambers from the University of Richmond Law School. Together, they unpack the complex doctrine of qualified immunity and its relationship to police di…

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Official Message: How Members of Congress Communicate with Constituents 24:11

4M ago24:11

24:11

In this illuminating episode of Consider the Constitution, Dr. Katie Crawford Lackey welcomes back Dr. Lindsey Cormack, the pioneering political scientist who created DC Inbox—a first-of-its-kind digital archive preserving congressional newsletters. From James Madison's vision of Congress as the people's branch to today's digital communication tact…

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Beyond the Founders: How Ordinary Americans Built a Government 37:19

4M ago37:19

37:19

In this episode, host Dr. Katie Crawford-Lackey interviews historian Dr. Peter Kastor about how America's founding generation transformed constitutional ideals into functioning government institutions. Learn about the challenges faced by early federal leaders, the overlooked contributions of thousands of ordinary civil servants, and how this format…

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The Philosophical Roots of American Democracy 24:28

4M ago24:28

24:28

In this enlightening episode of Consider the Constitution, host Dr. Katie Crawford Lackey sits down with Dr. Dennis Rasmussen, professor of political science at Syracuse University's Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs. Their conversation explores the philosophical underpinnings that influenced the creation of the U.S. Constitution, pa…

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Constitutional Safeguards: How the 4th, 5th, and 6th Amendments Protect Your Rights 21:53

5M ago21:53

21:53

In this episode of Consider the Constitution, host Dr. Katie Crawford-Lackey welcomes back Kendra Johnson, assistant Public Defender in Fairfax, Virginia, to explore the Fourth, Fifth, and Sixth Amendments. Johnson explains how these amendments form the backbone of criminal procedure in America and protect citizens from government overreach. The di…

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Debunking Political Myths with Dr. Casey Burgat 28:55

5M ago28:55

28:55

Host Dr. Katie Crawford-Lackey welcomes Dr. Casey Burgat back to James Madison's Montpelier to discuss his new book, "We Hold These Truths: How to Spot the Myths That Are Holding America Back."By The Robert H. Smith Center for the Constitution

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Slavery, the Constitution, and the Road to Civil War 32:18

6M ago32:18

32:18

In this compelling conversation with historian Dr. Joshua Rothman from the University of Alabama, we explore the complex relationship between slavery and the U.S. Constitution. Dr. Rothman reveals how the founding document's compromises—from the three-fifths clause to the fugitive slave provision—both protected and perpetuated human bondage while p…

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The Unwritten Role: First Ladies in American Democracy 31:16

6M ago31:16

31:16

In this special episode of Consider the Constitution, Dr. Katie Crawford-Lackey explores the evolving role of America's First Ladies with Anita McBride, former Assistant to President George W. Bush and Chief of Staff to First Lady Laura Bush, and co-author of "Remember the First Ladies: The Legacies of America's History-Making Women." Though the Co…

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Warriors for Constitutional Rights with Sharon McMahon 29:07

7M ago29:07

29:07

In this compelling episode, host Dr. Katie Crawford Lackey sits down with Sharon McMahon, "America's Government Teacher" and New York Times bestselling author of "The Small and the Mighty," to explore the remarkable stories of overlooked women who shaped American democracy. From Rebecca Brown Mitchell, who helped secure women's suffrage in Idaho de…

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Executive Authority: Constitutional Leadership in the Modern Presidency 36:40

7M ago36:40

36:40

What defines constitutional leadership in today's complex political landscape? Dr. Barbara Perry, co-director of the presidential oral history program at the Miller Center, examines how modern presidents navigate their constitutional authority while facing unprecedented challenges. Drawing from her extensive work conducting presidential oral histor…

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Presidential Pardon Power 21:34

8M ago21:34

21:34

In this episode of Consider the Constitution, we explore the presidential pardon power with Professor Kim Whele from the University of Baltimore Law School. The discussion covers the historical origins of pardons from British common law, its incorporation into the U.S. Constitution, and how this power has evolved through American history through th…

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Transfer of Power: Lessons from 1800 26:47

8M ago26:47

26:47

Bitter rivals, fake news, and fears of biblical proportions—welcome to the U.S. presidential election of 1800. Consider the Constitution Host Katie Crawford-Lackey and historian John Ragosta unpack America's first transfer of power between opposing parties, revealing surprising parallels to our current political moment.…

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What Would Madison Make of TikTok? 28:21

9M ago28:21

28:21

How would James Madison, the architect of the First Amendment, view today's controversial TikTok ban debate? Host Dr. Katie Crawford Lackey and constitutional expert Dr. Lynn Uzzell explore the surprising parallels between 18th-century free speech battles and our modern social media challenges.By The Robert H. Smith Center for the Constitution

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Consider The Constitution: Highlights from Season One 24:16

11M ago24:16

24:16

In this season finale, host Dr. Katie Crawford Lackey and producer Adam Belmar reflect on key conversations from the first season of Consider the Constitution Podcast. They revisit notable discussions with constitutional scholars about Article III, judicial review, Madison's vision for managing political diversity, and the evolution of constitution…

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The Birth of Executive Power: Creating the American Presidency 27:48

11M ago27:48

27:48

Dr. Lindsay Chervinsky, Executive Director of the George Washington Presidential Library, joins host Dr. Katie Crawford-Lackey to explore the evolution of presidential power from the nation's founding through the early republic. Drawing from her new book "Making the Presidency: John Adams and the Precedents That Forged The Republic," she discusses …

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Raising Engaged Citizens: A Conversation with Dr. Lindsey Cormack 27:33

12M ago27:33

27:33

Nurturing civic engagement in America means raising a new generation of informed, active citizens. Special guest Dr. Lindsey Cormack joins host Katie Crawford-Lackey to discuss her latest book, How to Raise a Citizen (And Why It’s up to You to Do It), and share practical strategies for engaging children in politics. Whether you're a parent, educato…

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Constitution Building Across Continents: Insights from YALI Fellows 16:05

1y ago16:05

16:05

In the final installment of our special three-part series exploring the global impact of the U.S. Constitution, we bring you inside an immersive constitution-building simulation at James Madison's Montpelier. This episode features interviews with six emerging leaders from Sub-Saharan Africa, participants in the U.S. Department of State's Young Afri…

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Building Justice: African Courts and Global Democracy with Dr. Tinashe Hofisi 25:33

1y ago25:33

25:33

In this second installment of our special three-part miniseries on global democracy, Dr. Katie Crawford Lackey interviews Dr. Tinashe Hofisi, a human rights lawyer and constitutional scholar from Zimbabwe. Dr. Hofisi, an alumnus and instructor of the Young African Leaders Initiative (YALI), shares insights from his research on judicial power in a g…

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Global Impact of the U.S. Constitution 33:22

1y ago33:22

33:22

In this first episode of a special three-part mini-series, host Dr. Katie Crawford Lackey of the Robert H. Smith Center for the Constitution at James Madison's Montpelier explores the global impact of the U.S. Constitution. Funded by Virginia Humanities and produced in collaboration with the Presidential Precinct, this series highlights the experie…

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Reconstruction's Constitutional Legacy with Dr. Hasan Kwame Jeffries 20:35

1y ago20:35

20:35

The Reconstruction era following the American Civil War sought to redefine the place of newly freed African Americans in society and align Constitutional promises with reality. History Professor Hasan Kwame Jeffries of The Ohio State University joins host Dr. Katie Crawford-Lackey to discuss contested visions for post-war America among different gr…

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Constitutional Change: Articles V and VII with Dr. Beau Breslin 24:45

1y ago24:45

24:45

Articles V and VII of the U.S. Constitution outline the amendment and ratification process. Host Dr. Katie Crawford-Lackey is joined by Skidmore College Political Science Professor Dr. Beau Breslin to discuss the two pathways for amending the Constitution and the high bar for making changes. This episode also touches on the importance of the Consti…

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Inside the World of U.S. Attorneys with Timothy J. Heaphy 23:39

1y ago23:39

23:39

In the Judiciary Act of 1789, the First Congress created the office of the U.S. Attorneys, which was signed into law by President George Washington. Timothy J. Heaphy, a former U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Virginia, joins host Dr. Katie Crawford-Lackey to discuss the roles and responsibilities of U.S. Attorneys within the federal justi…

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Republic or Democracy with Dr. Casey Burgat 30:51

1y ago30:51

30:51

This July 4th, 2024 episode explores the history between "democracy" and "republic" in America's government. George Washington University Assistant Professor Dr. Casey Burgat discusses how these concepts were understood at the Constitutional Convention in 1787 and how they complement each other. Recorded at James Madison's Montpelier, the conversat…

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The Reconstruction Amendments 24:31

1+ y ago24:31

24:31

In this episode of Consider the Constitution, recorded close to the 2024 Juneteenth federal holiday commemorating the end of slavery, host Dr. Katie Crawford-Lackey interviews Dr. DeAnza Cook about the Reconstruction Amendments (13th, 14th, and 15th) and their impact on the American justice system. Dr. Cook explains how the 13th Amendment abolished…

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Comparative Constitutional Law with Dr. Mila Versteeg 21:23

1+ y ago21:23

21:23

In this episode of "Consider the Constitution," Dr. Katie Crawford-Lackey interviews Dr. Mila Versteeg, a professor at the University of Virginia School of Law, about modern democratic governance and the role of constitutions. They discuss the differences between the U.S. Constitution and those of other countries, the importance of citizens in enfo…

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Compromise and Debate at the Constitutional Convention with Professor Michael Klarman 27:48

1+ y ago27:48

27:48

In this episode of Consider the Constitution, Professor Michael J Klarman delves into the intricate history behind the drafting and ratification of the U.S. Constitution. He explores the compromises and debates between competing interest groups at the Constitutional Convention, the evolution of democracy since its ratification, and the unique chall…

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Presidential Impeachment 22:29

1+ y ago22:29

22:29

Delve into the heart of the impeachment process in the U.S. Constitution with Professor Michael J. Gerhardt, a distinguished professor of jurisprudence at the University of North Carolina Law School. Explore the historical origins, the framers' intentions, and the complexities of holding high-ranking officials accountable. With insights into recent…

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Character and Leadership at the Constitutional Convention with David O. Stewart 22:08

1+ y ago22:08

22:08

Historian and author David O. Stewart joins host Dr. Katie Crawford-Lackey to discuss the leadership styles of key figures like George Washington and James Madison, and how their personalities and approaches to politics shaped the drafting of the U.S. Constitution. Stewart emphasizes the importance of character in leadership, and how understanding …

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History of Policing in America 25:21

1+ y ago25:21

25:21

This episode considers the origins and development of policing and police-community relations in America. DeAnza A. Cook, Assistant Professor of Contemporary African American History and Black Leadership at The Ohio State University, joins host Dr. Katie Crawford-Lackey to discuss the changes in law enforcement post-Civil War, the impact of the civ…

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19th Amendment 25:38

1+ y ago25:38

25:38

In this episode, Julie C. Suk, Professor of Law, at Fordham University School of Law discusses the 19th Amendment, which granted women the right to vote in the United States. The discussion covers the history of the women's suffrage movement, the impact of the 19th Amendment, and the ongoing struggle for gender equality. Despite the 19th Amendment,…

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American Political Economy 26:31

1+ y ago26:31

26:31

In this episode, Dr. Danielle Charette, an expert on 18th-century political economy, discusses the economic instability faced by the newly independent states, the economic debates during the Constitutional Convention, and the economic theories influencing the founders. The podcast also explores the economic boom during the Gilded Age and the origin…

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Political Turmoil in the 1790s 23:09

1+ y ago23:09

23:09

In this episode, Dr. John Ragosta, a historian at the Robert H. Smith International Center for Jefferson Studies at Monticello, discusses the political turmoil in the 1790s. The period saw hyper-partisanship, with Federalists like John Adams and Alexander Hamilton supporting a strong central government, while Democratic Republicans like Thomas Jeff…

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Constitutional Endurance 20:21

1+ y ago20:21

20:21

Inside the debate between James Madison and Thomas Jefferson over the endurance of the U.S. Constitution. Jefferson believed that each generation should rewrite the Constitution, while Madison argued for a Constitution that endures over time to build up necessary reverence and respect. Host Dr. Katie Crawford-Lackey is joined by Skidmore College Po…

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History of Voting Rights 22:16

1+ y ago22:16

22:16

In this episode of Consider the Constitution, host Dr. Katie Crawford Lackey discusses the right to vote, or suffrage, and how it functions as a mechanism for citizens to participate in the democratic process. Special guest, Dr. Pippa Holloway, a history professor at the University of Richmond, discusses the evolution of voting rights in the U.S., …

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Right to Privacy 28:03

1+ y ago28:03

28:03

In this episode of Consider the Constitution, host Dr. Katie Crawford-Lackey and Professor Kendra Johnson discuss the Fourth Amendment, which focuses on aspects of privacy. The interpretation of the Fourth Amendment has evolved with technology, with cases involving wiretapping and cell phone searches setting precedents. Professor Johnson discusses …

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Custodians of Constitutional Values with Tim Longo, Sr. 27:54

1+ y ago27:54

27:54

In this episode of the Consider the Constitution podcast, host Dr. Katie Crawford-Lackey interviews Tim Longo, Sr., a veteran law enforcement officer and current Associate Vice President for Safety and Security and Chief of Police at the University of Virginia. They discuss the role of law enforcement in upholding the Constitution, the importance o…

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Congress Hall and The Bill of Rights 25:08

2y ago25:08

25:08

In this episode of Consider The Constitution, host Dr. Katie Crawford-Lackey is joined by Suzanne Moore and Benjamin Eckert, Park Rangers of Interpretation at Independence National Historical Park in Philadelphia, to discuss the drafting and ratification of the Bill of Rights. Congress Hall in Philadelphia was the site of the ratification of the Bi…

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Marquis de Lafayette 28:30

2y ago28:30

28:30

In this episode of Consider the Constitution, host Dr. Katie Crawford-Lackey is joined by Montpelier Senior Research Historian Hilarie M. Hicks for a conversation about the relationship between James Madison and the Marquis de Lafayette, a Frenchman who became an icon of the American Revolution. The two men first met in 1784 and developed a deep fr…

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U.S. Supreme Court 30:17

2y ago30:17

30:17

In the episode of "Consider the Constitution," host Dr. Katie Crawford-Lacky interviews constitutional law expert Prof. F. Michael Higginbotham. They discuss the role of the Supreme Court in American life, past and present. Higginbotham explains the court's function in interpreting laws and determining their consistency with the Constitution. They …

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Center for the Constitution 29:14

2y ago29:14

29:14

In this episode of Consider the Constitution, host Dr. Katie Crawford-Lackey is joined by Patrick Campbell, a retired US Marine Corps officer, attorney, veteran high school government teacher, and assistant director of the Center for the Constitution. Campbell discusses the Center for the Constitution's work engaging diverse audiences with the conc…

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Article III: Judicial Branch 36:43

2y ago36:43

36:43

In this episode of the podcast "Consider the Constitution," host Dr. Katie Crawford-Lackey discusses Article III of the US Constitution, which established the judicial branch. She is joined by Dr. Lauren Bell, a political science professor and former fellow at the United States Supreme Court. They discuss the brevity of Article III compared to othe…

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Constitution Month 16:56

2y ago16:56

16:56

Hear the best moments from all of our Constitution Month 2023 podcast episodes. Join Dr. Katie Crawford-Lackey as we consider The Bill of Rights, the First Amendment, the original text of the Constitution, the balance between government authority and civil liberties, the value of a free press, and the need for citizens to be politically and civical…

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The Press and Democracy 25:42

2y ago25:42

25:42

In this episode of Consider the Constitution, Dr. Katie Crawford-Lackey explores the essential relationship between news media and American democracy with Adam Belmar, former Deputy Director of White House Communications and Senior Producer at ABC News. The conversation examines how our founding document protects press freedom, the evolution of med…

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The Original Constitution 37:37

2y ago37:37

37:37

In this episode of Consider the Constitution, we’re taking a deep dive into the sections or articles of the Constitution - the document as it was signed on September 17, 1787. Our special guest is Dr. Jay Cost, the Gerald R. Ford nonresident senior fellow at the American Enterprise Institute (AEI), where he focuses on elections, politics, and publi…

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Right to Assemble 18:45

2y ago18:45

18:45

Our special guest today on Consider the Constitution is Jade Ryerson, a scholar who is passionate about using public history to encourage civic engagement. Jade earned her master's degree in Heritage Studies and Public History from the University of Minnesota and currently serves as the historian with the Mississippi National River and Recreation A…