Civics Over Politics

On this episode, we get into some good Schmitt about the amendments on the November 3, 2026 Missouri General Election ballot. The good, the bad, and the ugly. Show Notes: Link to Secretary of State's Ballot Amendment Info: https://www.sos.mo.gov/petitions/2026ballotmeasures

Today's show briefly reviews the chain of events that led to the Supreme Court of the United States to order Missouri to use the 2022 Congressional map in the 2026 General Election. The order of the court is then read aloud, making the details of the case accessible to a listener who doesn't have the time to read it. Worth a listen. This was a wild ride. Link to the court's order: http...

This episode of Civics Over Politics gets into yet another round of litigation over the Missouri Congressional maps. The recent State Dinner for Chairman Xi is also addressed.  Show Notes: Initiatives and Referendums Provision of the Missouri State Constitution  https://www.sos.mo.gov/CMSImages/Publications/CurrentMissouriConstitution.pdf Trump administration determination of Chinese Communist Par...

This episode of Civics Over Politics remembers the 9/11 attack that took place 25 years ago.  There are also further developments in the Missouri congressional district maps situation. The show tackles these and some legal background on the complexities of this case  Show Notes: 9/11 Timeline:   https://millercenter.org/remembering-september-11/september-11-terrorist-attacks Vik Amar summary of th...

This episode delves into a discussion about universal values and constitutionalism. We also tackle the ongoing situation involving Missouri’s “Missouri First Map” and initiative petition challenging it.  Show Notes: Missouri Constitution: https://www.sos.mo.gov/CMSImages/Publications/CurrentMissouriConstitution.pdf Richard von Glahn v Denny Hoskins: https://www.courts.mo.gov/file.jsp?id=239229 Uni...

This episode of Civics Over Politics delves into the very nature of why politics is important, using the lens of a couple of examples: of Alexander Hamilton's thoughts during the Constitutional debates and the fallout from the conflict between the United States and Iran. The show closes with a recap of a travel destination I recently experienced.  Show Notes: Federalist Number 1:  https://avalon.l...

This episode delves into the questions of what drives voter behavior and identity. Examples that frame the review include the recent Missouri primary election, the legacy of Jerry Litton, the politics of beef, and cultural markers or issues. Show Notes: Missouri August 4, 2026 Primary Election Results: https://enr.sos.mo.gov/PickaRace.aspx Jerry Litton Short Bio: https://www.chillicothenews.com/50...

This episode of Civics Over politics delves into Missouri Amendment 4 (citizen initiative petitions) and Amendment 5 (taxation). We close with a shout out to a great St. Joseph, Missouri institution.

Happy Independence Day to everyone! This episode celebrates the spirit of independence. From the declaration, to Frederick Douglass, to Abraham Lincoln, to the present day, the American experiment continues. We should not take this for granted. Show Notes: Declaration of Independence: https://www.archives.gov/founding-docs/declaration-transcript Frederick Douglass What to the Slave is the 4th of J...

This episode of Civics Over Politics explores the ongoing mid-decade redistricting, Trump’s image and likeness all over official things, and MAHA’s “gold standard” science insanity. Show Notes: Louisiana Redistricting: https://apnews.com/article/congress-redistricting-voting-rights-louisiana-1b02199b18bad2efe259a24f5e3278bf Pediatric Flu Deaths: https://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/volumes/74/wr/mm7436a2.htm

On this 20th episode of the Civics Over Politics podcast, the show takes an introspective look at how race has played a role in American history. Special attention is paid to the massive resistance of the newly enshrined civil rights in the 1950s and 1960s. We close the show with yet another travel recommendation, as summer is coming soon and it's the vacation season. Show Notes: Robert E. Lee's L...

Show Notes: This episode of Civics Over Politics explores the connections between politics and religion, from the Roman Empire to the present day. The show closes with another travel recommendation. Last week's suggested destination was the St. Francois Mountain region in Missouri. Constantine the Great: https://ehistory.osu.edu/biographies/flavius-valerius-constantinus-constantine-great John Cour...

Not the cable news version, but a take on the dominant identity politics of our era. Plus a travel recommendation.

Today’s episode delves into the threats and instances of political violence in our country. The show also gives a bit of background on me and how I approach the issues. We close with a tribute to the modern miracle of vaccines. Vaccines save lives: https://news.un.org/en/story/2026/04/1167377

Today’s episode delves into the recent dust up between the Pope and the President, the war with Iran, Supreme Court Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson, and an awesome movie recommendation. Show Notes: Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson Yale Law School Lecture on the Emergency Docket: https://youtu.be/kOIzg3X5M2Y?si=7wO5lz3WjLoMfekF Nashville: https://tv.apple.com/us/movie/nashville/umc.cmc.2xui7s36zlo4q4yqx...

This episode recaps the April 7 St. Joseph local elections and their low but change-oriented turnout, tackles the latest in the Iran war situation , takes in the perspective of John Milton on Charles I, and closes with a reflection on the joys of baseball.

This episode goes deep on the local election and the issues that matter, the war in Iran, and our citizenship. Show Notes: The Birthright Con by Jamelle Bouie: https://www.nytimes.com/2026/04/01/opinion/birthright-citizenship-supreme-court-14th-amendment.html?unlocked_article_code=1.YFA.3bBh. UT8euszIPckF&smid=nytcore-ios-share Oral Arguments Trump v Barbara: https://www.youtube.com/live/RYecNCgwS...

On this episode, the show dives into the history of the Soviet Union, National Socialism, Chinese Communism, and contemporary American politics to show the devastating effects of dehumanizing rhetoric and policies. Show Notes: Thomas Hobbes Leviathan: https://courses.washington.edu/hsteu302/Hobbes%20selections%20(edited).htm Soviet Enemies of the People: https://cepr.org/voxeu/columns/enemies-peop...

For this episode, we feature a wide ranging interview with my stepson Jackson about all things politics, sports, and a bit more. This one is an interesting and fresh one.

Today’s episode, in honor of St. Patrick’s Day, will focus on Ireland. We will delve into the political and social history of Ireland by exploring a few notable periods of Irish history. These include the Norman conquest and subsequent Lordship of Ireland in 1177, the Cromwell era and its aftermath, the Rebellion of 1798 and subsequent Acts of Union, the period including the 1912 Home Rule act thr...

Today’s episode, which is the show’s 10th, will focus on women. We will bring you an interview with my step-daughter Maggie, who is 16, almost 17, focusing on her civic perspectives. The episode will close with some historical perspectives on women’s rights and feminism. Show Notes: About Mary Wollstonecraft: https://plato.stanford.edu/entries/wollstonecraft/ Vindication of the Rights of Woman: ht...

Show Notes: Air Combat Command Article on Operation Epic Fury: https://www.acc.af.mil/News/Article-Display/Article/4420221/hegseth-says-epic-fury-goals-in-iran-are-laser-focused/ Just War Theory: https://iep.utm.edu/justwar/ Abraham Lincoln’s Letter: https://papersofabrahamlincoln.org/documents/D200458 Senator Rand Paul’s Fox Opinion Piece: https://www.foxnews.com/opinion/sen-rand-paul-america-war...

Today’s show will feature some discussion about what the meaning of left and right are in terms of political alignment and ideology. We’ll also dive into the RFK Jr. phenomenon and the MAHA movement and how this is impacting America in 2026. Today’s episode will close with some updates and thoughts regarding the recent Scouting America Memorandum of Understanding that was signed with the Departmen...

Does America want an autocrat? Plus some history of the Iranian situation, the epistemology of news consumption, and a book recommendation. Today’s show will feature some news and discussion about Executive power and Trump’s brand of leadership, delve into United States foreign policy involving Iran, and we’ll discuss the role of epistemology in how most people frame news stories involving culture...

On this episode, the show tackles Prince Andrew, tariffs and the dramatic Learning Resources Supreme Court decision in the justices’ own words, and birthright citizenship. The show closes with a classic TV show recommendation. All in under 17 minutes. Show Notes: Statement from King Charles: https://www.royal.uk/news-and-activity/2026-02-19/a-statement-from-his-majesty-the-king Supreme Court Decis...