National Constitution Center

Civic Parenting

Kids EN ↓ 6 episodes

Civic Parenting is a special 10-episode series hosted by Julie Silverbrook of the National Constitution Center, joined by Lindsey Cormack , author of How to Raise a Citizen , and Sarah Vacchiano of CivicEQ. Together, they explore how civic learning takes shape in the ordinary moments of family life. Civic parenting is the intentional practice of welcoming children into the American story and preparing them for the responsibilities of self-government. Listen to Civic Parenting and join a national conversation about how we raise the next generation of citizens.

Author

National Constitution Center

Episodes

Making Civics Fun 30.06.2026 49:10

In this episode, we explore the many ways civic learning happens, how to make it fun, social, surprising, and even funny. We explore how a game night, a family road trip, and even dinner table conversations all become opportunities to engage in big ideas together, and how we can create spaces and moments for children to discover a civic life of their own. Ben Sheehan, author of OMG WTF Does the Co...

The Great American Road Trip 09.06.2026 54:58

In this episode, Pulitzer Prize-winning historian and author Beverly Gage joins Julie Silverbrook, chief content and learning officer, to discuss her recently published book, This Land Is Your Land: A Road Trip Through U.S. History, and the enduring tradition of the great American road trip. Together, they explore how family travel can bring 250 years of American history to life, connecting childr...

Justice Neil Gorsuch and Janie Nitze discuss their new children’s book, Heroes of 1776: The Story of the Declaration of Independence 03.06.2026 26:43

In this special episode of Civic Parenting, U.S. Supreme Court Justice Neil M. Gorsuch, honorary co-chair of the National Constitution Center, and his co-author and former law clerk Janie Nitze join Julie Silverbrook to discuss their new children’s book, Heroes of 1776: The Story of the Declaration of Independence. The book introduces readers to both familiar figures such as Thomas Jefferson, Geor...

Learning Civic Hope, Optimism, and Resilience Alongside Our Children 19.05.2026 58:11

In this episode, we explore how families can cultivate civic hope, optimism, and resilience at a moment when many parents and children are navigating narratives of distrust, division, and social isolation. Ashley Berner, director of the Johns Hopkins University's Institute for Education Policy and an associate professor of education, joins Julie Silverbrook, Lindsey Cormack, and Sarah Vacchiano to...

All Parenting Is Civic: How Civic Life Begins at Home 28.04.2026 47:10

In this inaugural episode, Julie Silverbrook, chief content and learning officer of the National Constitution Center, Lindsey Cormack, author of How to Raise a Citizen, and Sarah Vacchiano of CivicEQ introduce civic parenting as a longstanding tradition rooted in the nation’s founding and explore what it looks like in practice today. Through personal stories and lived examples, they reflect on ho...

Trailer: Civic Parenting 22.04.2026 2:18

What does it mean to raise citizens in a constitutional democracy? Civic Parenting is a special 10-episode series hosted by Julie Silverbrook, chief content and learning officer of the National Constitution Center, joined by Lindsey Cormack, author of How to Raise a Citizen, and Sarah Vacchiano of CivicEQ. Each episode explores how those habits take shape in real life. From reading and storytellin...