The Civic Flame

For the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence, the Civic Flame reads the Declaration of Independence and talks about some of the key civic issues shaping the American Revolution. We end by asking how we intend to be revolutionary today. Let's walk through the U.S.'s most aspirational document together! 

What happens when women simply divest from men? The 4 B movement is a South Korean originated feminist separatist movement that answers that question. Learn about 4B and why men need to start stepping up because women are stepping back.  Sections below: Democracy and Misogyny Cannot Coexist  What is the 4B Movement?  Where do separatist feminist movements come from?  The male loneliness epidemic i...

What was the Kerner Commission Report, and why is it one of the most fundamental Congressional Reports in US history? Walk back to 1968 with us in this audience-requested episode about the report that changed the course of one of the most influential elections in US history and told the American public that we were moving towards two societies: one White and one Black.  Dr Fun Sponge Changes to Mo...

This week, we launch a new sub-series: Mother of Democracy that combines my work in women's health with my civics work. Trigger alert: we talk about rape, cults, and femicide, so this one is not family friendly.  Major Content Warning  The Epstein Class  Just give me super powers or criminal immunity  Gisele Pelicot and Rapist husbands Keep Being Horrified, Stop being surprised  The Rape Academy ...

In our season finale of the Civic Flame, we look at a truly load-bearing amendment. The Fourteenth Amendment includes birthright citizenship, due process, privileges and immunities, equal protection, and more! We go through the five sections of this game-changer and talk about how the Fourteenth Amendment fundamentally altered US citizenship and why todays' legal civil war is trying to attack it....

In this episode, we take a look at the 9th and 10th Amendment and talk about why most people are not reading the Constitution as radically as they should. We get all of the rights, that's just the purpose of federalism. Want to be a Constitutional radical, too? Let's go! 00:00:30 I’m a Constitutional Radical 00:00:52 The Bill of Rights was not a complete list 00:02:00 The Anti-Federalists and Fede...

This week, we talk about the vital role of lawyers in our criminal and civil justice systems through the Sixth and Seventh Amendments. We try not to make lawyer jokes (and fail). If you've ever wondered what is the difference between criminal and civil law: this one is for you.  00:00:30 The Bill of Rights and Lawyers: Amendment 6 and 7 00:01:05 I try not to make lawyer jokes  00:01: 39 Lawyers we...

This week, we take a look at the Fifth and Eighth Amendments to the US Constitution and ask: what is due process? What does double jeopardy mean? And when do your Fifth Amendment rights apply? Come and nerd out about due process: your biggest protections from the federal government! 00:00:30 What is the Bill of Rights 00:01:17 Civil Liberties and what is Due Process 00:01:41 The Fifth Amendment 00...

In this episode we look at the long and winding history of the Fourth Amendment, why the Federalists were against a Bill of Rights, and how the Fourth Amendment has been interpreted differently over time. Ever wonder what the Patriot Act did to civil liberties or whether the Fourth Amendment covers you in your car (sort of!), then let's go.  00:00:33 Intro to the Bill of Rights and Due Process 00:...

Today we get into the Second and Third Amendments. The Third Amendment is our non-controversial fave that says the government can't quarter (though I accidentally say quarantine!) soldiers in your home. The Second Amendment says something about the right to bear arms and maybe more? We get into questions of legal interpretation, mental health, and why it's so difficult to make national laws about...

This is another quintessential on for our AP GOV audience. What are the 5 RAPPS freedoms in the First Amendment (Religion, Assembly, Press, Petition, and Speech). Check out what the First Amendment does and why it gets to be number one! 00:00:21 What is a Constitutional Amendment 00:01:21 Birthzillas and Madwives has been approved! 00:02:05 The First Amendment to the Constitution Says a lot 00:02:...

How did we go from the Articles of Confederation to the US Constitution? Check out Article 7 and the ratification process. This week we finish out the Articles of the US Constitution and get ready to discuss the Bill of Rights!  00:01:11 Article 7 and the Ratification of the US Constitution 00:01:32 What the different Articles of the Constitution do 00:01:55 Article 7 of the Constitution 00:02:40...

What is Article 6 of the US Constitution? This week we explore the supremacy clause, nullification, and why the US Constitution forbids religious texts. Come learn about how the supremacy clause shaped education discrimination and the legal foundation for federal civil rights.  00:00:35 What is the Constitution 00:01:41 Federal oath of office 00:02:09 Supreme law of the land 00:03:03 Article 6 Deb...

In this week’s episode we look at how to amend the US Constitution. What is a constitutional convention? Do we have a 28th Amendment or not? And talk about why the constitutional founders built a system designed to change. Let’s go! 00:00:17 Intro 00:01:17 First four articles of the Constitution, review 00:01:34 Founders did not think the Constitution would last 00:02:24 McCulloch v Maryland and C...

In our second episode on Article 4 of the US Constitution, we take you to some new civics ed spots by getting into the technical parts of secession, the guarantee clause, and a profile in courage of JAG officer Charles D. Swift. Ever wonder what the US would look like if our states were shaped differently? Learn about how Article 4 means that with enough agreement, we could reshape the states in a...

In this campfire edition of the Civic Flame we look at the economic reasons Trump and his billionaire allies are after Greenland, consider how the Global Financial Crisis of 2008 combined with Trump's greed might lead to catastrophe for the US dollar as reserve currency, and explain why the government siege in Minnesota is related to the potential acts of war against Greenland's sovereignty.  Tabl...

Why is marijuana legal in some states and not others? Come find out.  In our first full episode of 2026, we get into Article 4 of the Constitution and explore the full faith and credit and privileges and immunities clauses! This is an especially good one for those of you in AP gov who need a quick refresher on some technical stuff. Come learn what states owe each other, what they owe you, and wher...

In this bonus episode as we come back from winter break, we look at the way the world is crazy right now and remind you that it is ok to not be ok. In fact, we hope you're not ok and that through not being ok, we can work together to make it to the US's 250th birthday party. 

In this special episode, Dr. Chris Bailey talks to us about how judges make decisions (judicial interpretation) and I talk about why they have the power to do it at all (judicial review). Ready to impress your relatives at the holiday table? Drop this civic knowledge on them! Let's go. 

This episode explores the Constitutional origins of the Supreme Court of the United States or SCOTUS. Come learn about the appeals courts, the Supreme Court, and what the heck a discretionary docket means. 

Everyone thinks the presidency is so cool because the president gets a house and a plane. But the Constitution doesn't actually give the president any of that. Instead, it gives the president a bunch of responsibilities. Listen up to find out what's supposed to be going on in the system.

This week's campfire is a quick look at what's behind the geo-location kerfuffle with Elon Musk's Twitter and how all the MAGA folks woke up to realize a lot of their online friends were actually bots from international psy-ops.  Plus, if you listen closely you can hear my earrings jingling in the background. Check in with us and find some talking points to make your Turkey Day table more spicy. 

Why is the presidency the most lawless branch of the US Constitution? Well, just look at what the Constitution says the president can do and what they've done. For the last 100 years, presidents have taken way more power in our political system than the Constitution intended. What does mean? Grab a seat by the fire and find out. 

This week marks our last week going through Article 1 and the powers of Congress. After all our talk about what Congress CAN do, now we look at some of the things they're not allowed to do and why states cant' secede...or can they? Grab a seat by the fire and let's figure this out. 

As a former poor kid, not much makes me as upset as poor kids being used as political pawns. So this campfire episode deals with SNAP and the looming government shutdown. Do you need some talking points on what SNAP is and why letting it expire is bad for families, health, and the economy? Gather round and let's go!