Civil Discourse

Aughie and Nia explore the arguments before the US Supreme Court regarding President Trump's Birthright Citizenship Executive Order.

Aughie and Nia discuss the life and work of the leader of the Untouchables, Eliot Ness.

Aughie and Nia report on the case facts and outcome of the Ohio case Cooley v Foreman (AKA Afroman). 

Nia and Aughie explore the interesting life and service of Senator Elizabeth Dole.

Aughie and Nia recount the fascinating cases and legal troubles of famous lawyer and orator Clarence Darrow in part two of a two part series.

Nia and Aughie discuss the Roberts Court, years 2005 - present (2026). John Roberts has led the Supreme Court for 21 years, overseeing a move to the conservative right and many modern controversial opinions. Part 1 covers the youth and early career of John Roberts and the early years of the Roberts Court.

Aughie and Nia recount the childhood and early legal career of famous lawyer and orator Clarence Darrow in part one of a two part series.

Aughie and Nia explore the Rehnquist Court, years 1986 - 2005. William Rehnquist, an intelligent lawyer and solid administrator, presided over a court that was increasingly conservative and with almost 11 years of no turnover in justices.

Aughie and Nia explore the Burger Court, years 1969 - 1986. Chief Justice Warren Burger led the court through the end of the Vietnam War and into the tech boom of the 1980s. This transitional period takes us from a much more liberal time of the court into a more conservative era.

Aughie and Nia introduce listeners to the storied history of William Jennings Bryan, lawyer, orator, and perennial presidential candidate.

Nia and Aughie review the current gerrymandering efforts in Virginia and other states.

Aughie and Nia tell the story of Roy Olmstead, a bootlegger during the Prohibition  Era and eventual petitioner in the Olmstead v United States SCOTUS case. 

In this episode of Can He Do That?, Aughie and Nia discuss the written Constitution versus the Constitution in practice when it comes to presidential declarations of war.

Aughie and Nia discuss the Warren Court, years 1953 to 1969. Earl Warren oversaw the Court during a time of great social change in the United States. In this second episode of the Warren Court, Aughie goes over the landmark cases that show the progressive judicial philosophy of the Warren Court.

Nia and Aughie tell the story behind the Prohibition leader Caroline (Carrie) Amelia Moore Gloyd Nation. 

Aughie and Nia discuss the Warren Court, years 1953 to 1969. Earl Warren oversaw the Court during a time of great social change in the United States. In this first episode of the Warren Court, Aughie explains the background and leadership qualities of Earl Warren as a governor of California among other positions.

Aughie and Nia explore the life and career of Learned Hand (January 27, 1872 - August 18, 1961). Billings Learned Hand was an American jurist, lawyer, and judicial philosopher. He served as a federal appellate judge in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit from 1924 to 1961.

Aughie and Nia explore the Vinson Court, years 1946 - 1953. Fred M. Vinson saw the Court through the post war years and into the Cold War. The Court's decisions reflected the continuing ideological battle between judicial restraint and civil rights activism.

Nia and Aughie discuss John Foster Dulles (February 25, 1888 - May 24, 1959). Dulles was an American politician, lawyer, and diplomat who served as United States Secretary of State under President Dwight D. Eisenhower from 1953 until his resignation in 1959.

Aughie and Nia work through the ruling, concurrences, dissents, and implications of the U.S. Supreme Court's decisions in the Trump Tariff cases.

Aughie and Nia discuss the Stone Court, years 1941 - 1946.  Harlan Fiske Stone served first as an Associate Justice, and then as the Chief Justice, over a Court that issued several important war-time rulings.  Despite its ruling in the Korematsu case, Stone oversees a gradual warming to civil rights and liberties on the Court.

Nia and Aughie discuss Ernesto Miranda of Miranda v Arizona. Miranda's case brought about the Miranda Rights declarations that officers make when arresting an individual.

Aughie and Nia explore the Hughes Court, years 1930 - 1941. Charles Evans Hughes managed many personnel changes; he wrangled lots of strong personalities and widely divergent judicial philosophies in his time as Chief Justice. Hughes brought tremendous political skill to navigating this court in transition.