Consider the Constitution

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 ." 

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 planting seeds for eventual conflict. We disc...

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 Constitution never defines t...

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 decades before the 19...

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 histories, Perry illuminates the delicate balance...

In this episode of Consider the Constitution, we explore the presidential pardon power with Professor Kim Wehle 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 the recent pardons by both President Biden and Pres...

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.

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.

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 constitutional rights. Highlights include insights on vot...

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 how George Washington and John...

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, educator, or simply invested in the future of our n...

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 African Leaders Initiative (YALI) . These d...

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 global context. Funded by Virginia Humanities and...

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 experiences of Young African Leaders Initiative (YA...

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 groups, the impact of the 13th, 14th, and 15th Ame...

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 Constitution's preamble, its evolution during the d...

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 justice system and the significance of collaboration...

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 conversation emphasizes civic...

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 slavery but left a loophole allowing involuntary...

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 enforcing constitutional rights, and the ch...

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 challenges posed by the Constitution's rigidity. K...

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 events and the evolving role of political...

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 the humanity of these historical figures can prov...

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 civil rights movement on law enforcement, and curre...

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, many women, particularly African-American a...