The FedSoc Films Podcast

What does it take to get a convention of delegates to agree on one important document? In this episode of the FedSoc Films Podcast, Samantha interviews Professor David Forte of Madison and the Fight for the Constitution about James Madison’s unique role in managing the personalities during the constitutional convention with one goal in mind: the ratification of the Constitution. Thanks again for l...

For over 20 years, the Michigan Supreme Court ruling in Poletown Neighborhood Council v. Detroit, often referred to simply as Poletown, set the precedent for how and why eminent domain can be used. This was a controversial decision that was preceded by protests & holdouts, but eventually the Court’s decision allowed for the City of Detroit to use eminent domain to acquire land for General Moto...

In this episode of the FedSoc Films Podcast, Samantha interviews Dr. Catherine Allgor, President of the Massachusetts Historical Society, about America’s “first First Lady,” Dolley Madison, and how through her clothing and charisma, Mrs. Madison became the standard by which all other first ladies measure up. Thanks again for listening to the FedSoc Films Podcast! Be sure to rate and review us on y...

In this episode of the FedSoc Films Podcast, we discuss the constitutional interpretation of Frederick Douglass with Bradley Rebeiro, Associate Professor of law at Brigham Young University School of Law. Professor Rebeiro appears in our latest short documentary from FedSoc Films, Image of an American: Frederick Douglass and the Right to Vote. Thanks again for listening to the FedSoc Films Podcast!...

When politicians and big tech clash over political bias, fake news, and content moderation, who wins? How best do we preserve free speech online? At the heart of this battle is a once-obscure section of an unpopular law from the 90s that, arguably, brought the Internet out of the wild west and made it what it is today. Section 230 of the Communication Decency Act has been in the news a lot, but wh...

In the early 1980s, General Motors found the perfect place to build a new factory in Detroit. That meant much needed jobs, economic development, and prosperity. The only problem was an entire neighborhood stood in the way. Our film Taking Poletown explores the battle between the neighborhood known as "Poletown" and the city of Detroit, along with General Motors, over the power and purpose of using...

In 1933, the Twenty-First Amendment to the US Constitution was ratified, which repealed the Eighteenth Amendment, the amendment that mandated a nationwide prohibition on alcohol. In this Cutting Room Floor episode, we feature author and historian Garrett Peck, who was featured in our film, “American Craft: What Beer Can Teach Us About Well-Crafted Laws,” on the Twenty-first Amendment. We’ve saved...

In February of 1789, George Washington was unanimously elected the first president of the United States. This was the first time the people of a nation had elected a president-- but what to call him? His Highness, His Excellency? In this Cutting Room Floor episode, we feature three experts from our film, “American Cincinnatus,” which explores the parallels between George Washington, and the Roman...

One century ago, a national prohibition was legalized, lasting for 13 years. This episode is inspired by our film, American Craft: What Beer Can Teach Us About Well-Crafted Laws, a documentary short that explores the story behind the craft beer renaissance and the importance of well-crafted legislation. What, legally speaking, was prohibition, anyway? Here to provide us with a history of America’s...

How did our founding fathers encounter the ideas of John Locke and Baron de Montesquieu? Today we have two professors from the film, Paul Carrese and Michael Zuckert, who are here to answer that question and give some advice to current students and what law school students should take away from these two philosophers behind the founders. Thanks again for listening to the FedSoc Films Podcast! Be s...

What did one Enlightenment philosopher have to say about religious toleration and how did that impact America’s founding ideas? In this episode of the FedSoc Films Podcast, Prof. Paul Carrese and Prof. Michael Zuckert discuss John Locke’s Letter Concerning Toleration and what one 17th century political philosopher had to say on the separation of Church and state. Thanks again for listening to the...

In this episode of the FedSoc Films Podcast Dr. Matthew Spalding (Hillsdale College), Dr. Jeffry Morrison (Christopher Newport University), and Dr. W.B. Allen (Michigan State University) discuss how much George Washington’s presumed role as America’s first president shaped the framing of Article II of the Constitution, as well as other fascinating facts about Washington. This episode expands on th...

What was the significance of the first presidential farewell address in American history? In this episode of the FedSoc Films Podcast, Allison Wickens, Vice President of Education at George Washington's Mount Vernon, joins us to discuss President Washington’s farewell address. Thanks again for listening to the FedSoc Films Podcast! Be sure to rate and review us on your favorite podcast platform. W...

Who are some of the other philosophers behind the founders that didn’t make it into our film or our founding documents? In this episode of the FedSoc Films Podcast, Prof. Paul Carrese and Prof. Michael Zuckert discuss the various thinkers on the mind of our founding fathers in the making of America, including Sir William Blackstone, Thomas Hobbes, and Niccolo Machiavelli. Thanks again for listenin...

Who was Baron de Montesquieu and which of his ideas made it into America’s founding documents? In this episode of the FedSoc Films Podcast, Prof. Paul Carrese and Prof. Michael Zuckert answer that question and more to fix any Monte-skewed perspectives we might have on the origins of the United States Constitution. Thanks again for listening to the FedSoc Films Podcast! Be sure to rate an...

What radical idea from John Locke inspired educated colonists to revolt against their king? In this episode of the FedSoc Films Podcast, Prof. Paul Carrese and Prof. Michael Zuckert discuss John Locke, the ideas he proposed in Two Treatises of Government, how John Locke influenced America’s founding fathers. Thanks again for listening to the FedSoc Films Podcast! Be sure to rate and revi...

In this episode of the FedSoc Films Podcast, author of George Mason: The Founding Father Who Gave Us the Bill of Rights, William G. Hyland, Jr., discusses some of the friendships that George Mason had with the other founders, as well as why he decided to write about this lesser-known founding father. This episode digs deeper into the life of George Mason explored in our short film Blueprint for Am...

Who were the two most important philosophers behind the founders? In the episode of our series inspired by our film, The Philosophers Behind the Founders, Professor Paul Carrese and Professor Michael Zuckert join us to discuss John Locke and Baron de Montesquieu: The Tag Team Philosophers behind the American founding Thanks again for listening to the FedSoc Films Podcast! Be sure to rate and revie...

In this episode of the FedSoc Films Podcast, esteemed law professors Michael W. McConnell (Stanford Law) and Randy E. Barnett (Georgetown Law) discuss where they agree and disagree about the case law and meaning of the Ninth Amendment of the U.S. Constitution. This episode expands on the discussion from our short film Retained by the People: The Ninth Amendment that explores the history and purpos...

The FedSoc Films Podcast gives audiences a deeper dive into the issues and stories featured in our films, bringing you even more of the engaging debates, thoughtful commentary, and expert analysis from world-class scholars, legal professionals, and policymakers that you've come to expect from FedSoc Films, part of the Federalist Society. Thanks again for listening to the FedSoc Films Podcast! Be s...