Podcasts by Civics 101
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IRL 2: The Flag and the Pledge from 2022-02-21T17:43:45.832065
Today, our second IRL puts it up the flagpole and sees if anyone salutes it. Hannah goes into the history of the flag and the Pledge of Allegiance and how they've changed since their inception. The...
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The National Guard from 2022-02-21T17:43:45.830011
Miranda Summers Lowe, Military Curator at the Smithsonian and active National Guard soldier, tells us the history of the Guard, the process for calling them out, and what sets them apart from other...
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Contest Winner: Unconventional from 2022-02-21T17:43:45.820724
Adia Samba-Quee is the winner of our first ever student contest. She wrote, narrated, and cast a "Parks n' Rec-style mockumentary about the arguments surrounding representation at the Constitutiona...
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Midterm Edition: 5 Things to Know about the Midterms from 2022-02-21T17:43:45.777236
Today we launch our five-part series on the midterm elections! Keith Hughes, creator of Hip History, tells us the five things he thinks every American should know about midterms and why they matter...
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Midterm Edition: State and Local Elections from 2022-02-21T17:43:45.776421
Midterm elections don't have the glitz or drama of presidential campaigning. They're full of aldermen and comptrollers, state senators and governors. These offices seem meager next to national gove...
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Midterm Edition: Why Vote? from 2022-02-21T17:43:45.772775
We've told you that midterm elections matter. But the truth is, midterms only matter to you -- and you only matter to your legislators -- if you show up at the polls. It's the first step in making ...
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Founding Documents: Articles of Confederation from 2022-02-21T17:43:45.770017
While a famous committee of five drafted the Declaration of Independence, a far more unsung committee of thirteen wrote America's first rulebook. The Articles of Confederation was our first constit...
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Life Stages: Birth from 2022-02-21T17:43:45.766401
What does it take to be born an American citizen? And then, once you are, how do you prove it? And what does it get you? Today on Civics 101, we talk to Dr. Mary Kate Hattan of Concord Hospital, Da...
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Life Stages: Retirement from 2022-02-21T17:43:45.762343
The prospect of retirement -- of leaving the work force, aging, confronting a new body and a new way of life -- is peppered with concepts and requirements so unwieldy they can make your brain turn ...
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Starter Kit: Checks and Balances from 2022-02-21T17:43:45.760650
We exist in a delicate balance. Ours is a system designed to counterweight itself, to stave off the power grabs that entice even the fairest of us all. The U.S. government is comprised of humans, n...
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Starter Kit: Executive Branch from 2022-02-21T17:43:45.759830
In this episode of our Starter Kit series, a primer on the powers of the President, both constitutional and extra-constitutional. Also, a super inefficient mnemonic device to remember the 15 execut...
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Starter Kit: How A Bill (really) Becomes a Law from 2022-02-21T17:43:45.756073
We at Civics 101 adore Schoolhouse Rock and that sad little scrap of paper on the steps of the Capitol. But today we try to finish what they started, by diving into the messy, partisan, labyrinthin...
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Impeachment from 2022-02-21T17:43:45.753096
We have never actually fired the President of the United States. But we sure have tried. It’s the biggest job in the country, so the road to termination is a long and fraught. What happens after C...
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Electoral College from 2022-02-21T17:43:45.751469
When we vote for a president, we're not really voting for a president.
Today in our episode on the Electoral College, we explore the rationale of the framers in creating it, its workings, its c...
Becoming a U.S. Citizen from 2022-02-21T17:43:45.749497
The first step, the step that really matters in becoming a U.S. citizen, is becoming a permanent resident. Once you have that Green Card in hand, this country is your oyster. Become a citizen, don'...
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19th Amendment: Part 2 from 2022-02-21T17:43:45.741317
The Nineteenth Amendment was first introduced to Congress in 1878. It took over four decades of pleas, protests, petitions and speeches to finally get it ratified. We’re told that the Nineteenth gr...
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AP US Government Prepisode from 2022-02-21T17:43:45.738480
Starting next week, millions of American students are going to be taking their Advanced Placement exams from home. One of those is AP US Government and Politics. This exam is usually taken at schoo...
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Civic Action: Protest from 2022-02-21T17:43:45.736216
What is protest, constitutionally? Historically? What is protected, and what is not? And what do you have to know before you grab a sign and go outside? Today we explore the long scope of public di...
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Civic Action: Voting, Part 1 from 2022-02-21T17:43:45.733581
The United States is a representative democracy. The idea is that we’re a government by the people (we vote officials into office) and for the people (the officials in office are supposed to repres...
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Declaration Revisited: The Declaration of Sentiments from 2022-02-21T17:43:45.718326
The Declaration of Independence called George III a tyrant. And in 1848, a group of women’s rights activists mirrored our founding document to accuse men of the same crime. Today in our final revis...
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Presidential Debates from 2022-02-21T17:43:45.678835
Today we’re exploring the relatively recent phenomenon of Presidential Debates. How are they run? When did we start doing them? Why was George HW Bush looking at his watch?? And most importantly, w...
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Ask Civics 101: The 25th Amendment from 2022-02-21T17:43:45.674069
Members of Congress from both parties have requested that the Vice President invoke the 25th Amendment to remove President Trump from office. Today we explore all four parts of this relatively new ...
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Electoral College Addendum from 2022-02-21T17:43:45.671660
Today we’re revisiting one of the most requested and controversial topics from Civics 101; the electoral college. High School social studies teacher Neal Walter Young talks about some of the points...
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Right to Privacy: Griswold v Connecticut from 2022-02-21T17:43:45.669094
Despite the fact that they were written in the late 19th century, morality laws were still on the books in the United States in 1965. In Connecticut, one such law prohibited the discussion, prescri...
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Right to Privacy: Roe v Wade from 2022-02-21T17:43:45.666266
Mention of Roe versus Wade can silence conversation or incite heated debate. Candidates campaign on protecting it and getting it overturned. Your opinion of the case can define your politics. Ever ...
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There Ought to Be a Law: Student Contest Finalists from 2022-02-21T17:43:45.663616
This year we asked students to submit a 1-2 minute audio or video clip telling us what there ought to be a law about, why this is a problem in their community, and how that law would fix that probl...
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Civil Rights: Plessy v Ferguson from 2022-02-21T17:43:45.660522
Today in our series on civil rights Supreme Court cases, we examine the anticanon decision of Plessy v Ferguson. Steven Luxenberg, Kenneth Mack, Keith Plessy and Phoebe Ferguson walk us through the...
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After 9/11: The FBI from 2022-02-21T17:43:45.652732
This is the story of where the FBI was on September 11th, 2001. This is what they did — and did not — have when it came to counterterrorism and how the tragedy of that Tuesday morning transformed t...
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State Attorneys General from 2022-02-21T17:43:45.651784
We often hear them referred to as the “top cop” of a state. The attorneys general are the chief legal advisors and law enforcement officers, the ones in charge of statewide investigations and asser...
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After 9/11: The Department of Homeland Security from 2022-02-21T17:43:45.649700
A new department and a complete governmental transformation, all in under a year.
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Emergency Powers of the President from 2022-02-21T17:43:45.646028
What a president can and cannot do after they break the glass.
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Civics at the Movies: NASA and Hollywood from 2022-02-21T17:43:45.645193
What's up with NASA's special relationship with the film industry?
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Declaring War from 2022-02-21T17:43:45.641478
Who has the power to take the United States to war, and how has the definition of war changed over time?
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The President and the Price of Gas from 2022-02-21T17:43:45.637909
How accurate is an "I did that" sticker? What do presidents, now and throughout history, have to do with the price at the pump? We speak to Robert Rapier, engineer and analyst at Proteum Energy and...
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How Does Security Clearance Work? from 2022-02-16T04:01:36.487948
From "top secret," like the names and locations of intelligence agents, to "confidential," like the drinking habits of a prime minister, the federal government has a lot of sensitive information. ...
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Who writes the president's speeches? from 2022-02-15T10:00
The ghostwriters behind a president's public words.
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The Politics Of The Olympics from 2022-01-26T00:45
How do nations -- and their athletes -- use the Olympic games?
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Congressional Investigations from 2022-01-11T10:00
What is the point of a congressional investigation and where did our lawmakers get that power to begin with?
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A Civics Trivia Special! from 2021-12-28T10:00
We test Hannah and Nick's civics knowledge....it's all about holidays at the White House, bad music, and more!
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The Lottery from 2021-12-21T10:00
When it started, why states have them, and where the money goes.
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The 25th Amendment from 2021-12-20T01:03:04.543005
Members of Congress from both parties have requested that the Vice President invoke the 25th Amendment to remove President Trump from office. Today we explore all four parts of this relatively new ...
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US vs: Two Party System from 2021-11-30T13:36:39
Americans often take issue with our two-party system. So what other options are out there? Today, with the help of political scientists Guillermo Rosas and Robin Best, we explore the reason why we ...
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Gerrymandering from 2021-11-16T10:00
Gerrymandering: the act of drawing congressional districts to favor one party over the other. But how does it work? Is it "legal"? Today we explore the many ways people in power use maps to reward ...
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Government Shutdown from 2021-10-19T04:00
Money makes the world, and our government, go 'round. This is what happens when the money isn't there and the plates stop spinning.
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Fabric of History: School, Students, and Speech from 2021-09-21T11:54:14
This November we’re going to start releasing Civics episodes every week. But in the meantime, Nick talked to Mary and Gary at the Bill of Rights Institute about a recent Supreme Court ...
John Marshall and the Supreme Court from 2021-08-24T13:38:04
John Marshall was the longest-serving Chief Justice in Supreme Court history. In today’s episode, we learn all about the man as well as the decisions that shaped the highest court in the land; from...
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Civics Shorts: Founding Mothers 1 - The Wives from 2021-08-17T18:51:50
The most well known icons of our nation’s history, the founding fathers, developed our Declaration of Independence, led us into the war for independence, and wrote the laws of our gove...
Civil Rights: Obergefell v Hodges from 2021-08-10T19:47:02
It’s the most recent landmark case in our Civil Rights SCOTUS series, the decision that said the fundamental right to marry is protected under the 14th Amendment. How did it come about? What was th...
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Civics Shorts: Washington, D.C. from 2021-07-30T10:28:43
Our federal capital, Washington, D.C., is a unique part of the United States. Washington, D.C. was established by the Constitution, and its exact location selected by President George ...
Civil Rights: Loving v Virginia from 2021-07-27T09:00
Mildred and Richard Loving were jailed and banished for marrying in 1958. Nearly a decade later, their Supreme Court case changed the meaning of marriage equality in the United States — decriminali...
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Civics Shorts: The Filibuster from 2021-07-15T10:52:51
To truly understand the U.S. Senate, it’s important to acquaint yourself with the filibuster. With strong supporters and fierce opponents, the filibuster seems to always be the subject...
Civil Rights: Brown v Board of Education of Topeka from 2021-07-13T16:41:11
Five cases, eleven advocates, and a quarter century of work; Brown v Board of Education of Topeka addressed this question: does racial segregation in schools violate the 14th amendment?
Wa...
Civics Shorts: The Vice President from 2021-07-01T09:00
Is it “the most insignificant office” or is there more to it than that? The vice president is the second-highest ranking officer in American government, the next in line to the preside...
Japanese American Internment from 2021-06-29T16:22:40
Japanese American internment, or incarceration, spanned four years. Over 120,000 Japanese Americans and nationals, half of them children, were made to leave their homes, schools, businesses and far...
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Civics Shorts: The First Lady from 2021-06-24T09:00
As long as the United States has had a president, it’s also had a first lady - typically the wife of the current president. While being first lady isn’t an elected position, she still ...
Civil Rights: Korematsu v United States from 2021-06-15T17:27:35
In 1942, approximately 120,000 Japanese immigrants and Japanese Americans were ordered to leave their homes. They were sent to internment camps in desolate regions of the American West. Fred Korema...
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Civil Rights: Dred Scott v Sandford from 2021-05-18T09:00
In 1846, Dred and Harriet Scott were living in St. Louis, Missouri with their two daughters. They were enslaved and launched a not uncommon petition: a lawsuit for their freedom. Eleven years later...
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Civics Shorts: The Bill of Rights from 2021-04-27T09:00:49
The Bill of Rights is the first ten amendments to our Constitution. But while we think of them as fundamental… we almost didn’t have them. So why do we have one? And why did it matter ...
The Chinese Exclusion Act from 2021-04-20T20:29:39
Between 1882 and 1965, a huge percentage of would-be Chinese immigrants were excluded from the United States. This is the story of how the U.S. came to exclude Chinese workers from immigration and ...
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Right to Privacy: New Jersey v T.L.O. from 2021-03-23T09:00
Today we travel to the spring of 1980, where the Carter-Reagan campaigns take a back seat to an act of disobedience committed by a 14-year-old girl in Piscataway, New Jersey. The highest court in t...
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Civics Shorts: The Constitution from 2021-03-12T10:00
After just six years under the Articles of Confederation, a committee of anxious delegates agreed to meet in Philadelphia to amend the government. The country was in an economic and po...
Civics Shorts: The Declaration of Independence from 2021-03-01T13:43:19
The Declaration of Independence laid out the reasons the United States wanted to separate from Great Britain… and the ideals on which a new nation was founded. What led to the break up...
Right to Privacy: Mapp v Ohio from 2021-02-23T10:00
In 1957, three police officers showed up at the home of Dollree Mapp and demanded to be let in. They had no warrant. Ms. Mapp refused. This landmark case about privacy and unlawful search and seizu...
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Episode 27: How a Case Gets to the Supreme Court from 2021-01-31T22:10:42.023393
The Supreme Court of the United States hear about 80 cases each year, but how do lower court cases make their way to the highest court in the land, and how do they decide which ones to hea...
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Emergency Powers of the Governor from 2021-01-31T22:10:42.023393
All fifty states and many tribes in the nation have issued emergency or major disaster declarations in the past weeks. State governors have been issuing orders, offering condolences and ra...
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How a Bill (Really) Becomes a Law from 2021-01-26T10:00
Today AP Gov teacher David Olson shares his favorite episode, How a Bill (really) Becomes a Law. Here is a li...
Insurrection, Protest, Terrorism, Sedition, Coup from 2021-01-22T14:53:01
When it comes to discussing the events at the Capitol building on January 6, teachers have risen to the challenge. Meredith Baker, who teaches social studies in Virginia, suggested the first step s...
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Inauguration Day from 2021-01-20T10:00
The Constitution makes it clear that the four-year presidential term begins and ends at noon on January 20th. The time, date and the words of the presidential oath are committed to ink...
Who are the United States Capitol Police? from 2021-01-20T00:32:05
With the January 6th insurrection at the Capitol Building, the United States Capitol Police (USCP) have been thrust into the spotlight. That leaves some people wondering who the United...
What is moving day like at the White House? from 2021-01-18T16:34:25
When a new first family sets foot inside of the White House on Inauguration Day they are walking into their new home for the next, usually, four to eight years. That means their furnit...
What are democratic norms? from 2021-01-15T10:00
Not every guiding principle in the United States is a law. Many are traditions, customs and best practices that someone came up with at one point and we all stuck to. These democratic ...
Has the U.S. Capitol been ambushed before? from 2021-01-14T15:35:31
The U.S. has a long history of politically motivated violence. And the U.S. Capitol building, as a symbol of the nation, a very public building, and a working office for thousands of p...
What happens when one party controls Congress and the presidency? from 2021-01-13T10:00
Once President-elect Joe Biden is sworn in on January 20th, the Democratic Party will be in control of the presidency and both chambers of Congress. What does that mean for legislation...
The Peaceful Transition of Power from 2021-01-11T10:00
It has long been a proud claim of American democracy — that we are committed to a peaceful transition of power from one president to the next. That after all is said and done, the resu...
Why does the vote certification take so long? from 2021-01-06T10:00
Even in an election year where it took weeks to count and recount the public’s votes, the United States seems to play a particularly long waiting game when it comes to finally certifyi...
What role does Congress play in the Electoral College? from 2021-01-04T19:01:52
The Constitution requires Congress to meet and count the electoral votes on January 6th. It’s the final step in an election process for president that began in early November with citi...
How does a contested convention work? from 2020-12-28T10:00
These days nominating conventions are about party morale -- celebrating and formally anointing the chosen candidate. There hasn’t been a contested convention — a convention when there ...
Holidays at the White House from 2020-12-21T13:12:08
Who had the first Christmas tree in the White House? Who had the first menorah? And when did we start the tradition of FLOTUS choosing a Christmas theme? All that and more in this shor...
What is voter fraud? from 2020-12-18T10:00
Claims of voter fraud are widespread, but is voter fraud itself widespread? What is voter fraud, how often does it happen, and how do claims of voter fraud affect an election? Professo...
How are seats filled when a member of Congress takes another job? from 2020-12-16T13:06:57
Today we answer a question from a listener: what happens if a member of Congress becomes president or VP? The process varies from state to state as well as in the different chambers of...
The Articles of Confederation from 2020-12-15T17:29:25
While a famous committee of five drafted the Declaration of Independence, a far more unsung committee of thirteen wrote America's first rulebook. The Articles of Confederation was our ...
How do presidential pardons work? from 2020-12-14T10:00
Pardons are one of the powers given the President in the Constitution but not ever crime can be pardoned. What kind of crimes can be pardoned? And how do pardons end up on the Presiden...
How does the Electoral College vote? from 2020-12-11T10:00
The popular vote has been cast, the electors have been chosen, but the Electoral College still needs to meet and cast their ballots. What does that actually look like? Where and when d...
Who are electors? from 2020-12-09T15:20:16
Today on Ask Civics 101 we look into the electors, the people who will vote for our president on December 14th. Who can be one? How are they chosen? And what is it like to really vote ...
What do the National Archives have to do with the Electoral College? from 2020-12-07T10:00
The United States election system is notoriously decentralized, but when it comes to finally certifying our vote for President, things have to go federal. So how do 51 far flung pieces...
What does the Solicitor General do? from 2020-12-04T10:00
The Solicitor General represents the United States in cases that make it to the Supreme Court, and they’re also highly influential with the court itself. So what does it mean to be the...
What do politicians do after they leave office? from 2020-12-02T05:01
On January 3rd, the new Congress starts its session. But what about those who lost their seats? Where do they go? What do they do? Dan Cassino, Professor of Political Science at Farlei...
What's going on in the Georgia Senate races? from 2020-11-30T10:00
All eyes are on Georgia as it nears a runoff election for two Senate seats — seats that have the potential to split the Senate right down the middle between Democrats and Republicans. ...
What happens to campaign funds after the election is over? from 2020-11-25T10:00
It doesn’t always happen (and probably shouldn’t) but occasionally there are funds leftover at the end of the long campaign road. Of course, that money was supposed to help that candid...
How do we add states? What is the difference between a state and a commonwealth? from 2020-11-23T05:01
Today’s listener question is, “What is the difference between a state and a commonwealth? Will Puerto Rico become a state or a commonwealth?” We go through that difference, the reason ...
What is an Executive Order? from 2020-11-20T05:01
Sometimes it’s easier for a president to circumvent our complex legislative process and just do something.
Today we answer a listener question about executive orders: what the...
How do judicial appointments and elections work? from 2020-11-18T10:00
Article III Justices — that is, most justices at the federal level, are appointed by the President, confirmed by the Senate, and then serve for as long as they please with very few exc...
The Declaration of Independence from 2020-11-17T10:00
We’re asking teachers to tell us their favorite Civics 101 episodes from the past, and today 8th grade Social Studies educator extrordinaire Andrew Swan introduces the Declaration of I...
What Is The Difference Between Constructionist, Originalist and Liberal Justices? from 2020-11-16T10:00
How do Supreme Court justices decide that something in line with the Constitution? In violation or opposed to it? That all depends on what you think the Constitution is actually saying...
How do elections rise to the Supreme Court? from 2020-11-13T05:01
Today we answer this listener question: “It has happened before that in very close elections, the Supreme Court chose the winner. How does that happen?”
Our guest is Dan Cassi...
How do recounts work? from 2020-11-12T13:40:09
A recount may be undertaken if there are concerns about human error or fraud… and in some states, there are laws about close elections automatically triggering recounts. Recounts can h...
Will we ever get rid of the Electoral College system? from 2020-11-11T10:00
The Electoral College is a system. It’s a buffer between we, the people who vote, and the actual election of a president. The way this system works results in what some consider an unf...
What is "court packing?" from 2020-11-09T05:00
What determines how many justices are on the Supreme Court? What is the process for adding or removing seats on the bench? And what is “constitutional hardball?”
Today we spea...
What is a "lame duck" session? from 2020-11-06T12:55:09
It’s a period that currently lasts about a month, but it used to be much longer. So what exactly can Congress and the President do before they’re sworn in? Our guest is Dan Cassino, Pr...
How do concession speeches work? from 2020-11-05T10:00
The concession speech marks the true end of a candidate’s campaign. There may have been a fight over the votes, there may have been recounts and lawsuits, but eventually there is a win...
The Electoral College from 2020-11-04T15:04:19
Today we’re reairing our episode on the Electoral College. We explore the rationale of the framers in creating it, its workings, its celebrations, its critiques, and its potential futu...
How is my ballot counted? from 2020-11-04T10:00
What does an election look like when there are tens of millions of early and mail-in ballots to count? With different election laws in every state, what does the count look like and wh...
Ask Civics 101: Why is our voting age eighteen? from 2020-10-23T17:53:14
We take it for granted that the voting age is eighteen in the United States, but it hasn’t always been this way. We lowered that age from twenty-one in the seventies — so does that mea...
Freedom of the Press: Part 2 from 2020-10-20T15:19:35
A free press, ideally, learns what is happening in our democracy and passes that information on to us. How, then, do we learn the truth about this country when there’s so much misinformation, so ma...
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Ask Civics 101: What does the 25th Amendment say about the President stepping down? from 2020-10-16T18:22:28
The 25th Amendment tells us what happens if the President is unable to do his or her job -- namely that the Vice President steps in. But under what circumstances does that actually hap...
Ask Civics 101: What is the Hatch Act? from 2020-10-09T16:14:24
What is the Hatch Act? When was it created? It's purpose is to restrict political speech from any federal employee (from members of the Cabinet to USPS employees) while they are workin...
Ask Civics 101: How did the Supreme Court become so important? from 2020-10-02T13:50:25
How did the Supreme Court go from, according to Alexander Hamilton, “beyond comparison the weakest of the three departments of power,” to the grand body that rules on the constitutiona...
Ask Civics 101: Why is the American campaign season so long? from 2020-09-25T12:34:10
In the United States, campaign season begins long before primaries and caucuses, and ages before the general election. In the past few presidential elections, some people announced the...
Freedom of the Press: Part 1 from 2020-09-22T19:50:48
The only working-class job enshrined in the Bill of Rights, a free press is essential to the health of the democracy. The citizens deserve to know what’s going on, so the framers made sure that new...
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Ask Civics 101: Why do we have the Electoral College? from 2020-09-18T12:00
The Electoral College was created as a bulwark, a barrier between the people and the vote for the president. The founders feared giving people too much power so they created a system t...
Introducing Ask Civics 101: What are we? from 2020-09-15T16:17:25
We get a lot of questions here at the show. While we try to answer them in some form or another with our full-length episodes, we’ve always wanted a way to answer you directly. So we l...
Birthright Citizenship: US v Wong Kim Ark from 2020-08-25T13:00
Most of us know about birthright citizenship, but not many people have ever heard of Wong Kim Ark and the landmark Supreme Court decision that decided both his fate and the fate of a U.S. immigrati...
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Civics Shorts: Presidential Nominating Conventions from 2020-08-17T13:50:05
Presidential nominating conventions are full of razzle dazzle and drama! But what are they? Who goes to them? Where are they held? So many questions!
This Civics Short is des...
The Declaration Revisited: Native Americans from 2020-08-11T17:05:05
Today is our second revisit to the document that made us a nation. Writer, activist, and Independent presidential candidate Mark Charles lays out the anti-Native American sentiments within it, the ...
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The Declaration Revisited: Black Americans from 2020-07-28T18:23:23
Today is the first of three revisits to the Declaration of Independence; three communities to which the tenets of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness did not apply.
Byron Williams,...
Civics Shorts: Judicial Branch from 2020-07-17T16:51:01
It’s that time of year again, Supreme Court ruling season! The Supreme Court, or SCOTUS for short, came out with a number of major decisions recently. But how does a case get to SCOTUS...
Civic Action: Voting, Part 2 from 2020-07-14T14:18:04
Voting in America is not always straightforward, nor is its impact always clear. In this episode, we give you the basic tools to vote on election day, including tips for avoiding the roadblocks. An...
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Civics Shorts: The Electoral College from 2020-06-24T20:38:40
The Electoral College has been called “complicated and confusing.” But our Civics 101 Shorts series eat “complicated and confusing” for breakfast! This episode explores what the Electo...
Posse Comitatus from 2020-06-16T21:08:35
The Posse Comitatus Act was passed in 1878 as the Reconstruction drew to a close and troops were pulled out of the southeastern United States. The idea was to prevent the military from enforcing la...
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Civics Shorts: The Three Branches from 2020-06-03T15:49:44
The United States government spreads power across three branches of government: the executive, legislative, and judicial branches. Why three branches? What does each branch do that the...
Civics Shorts: The Census from 2020-05-26T14:30:48
Every ten years the United States government tries to count every person in the country with a census. What is the census? Why does the government need to count people? Who is it doing...
The United States Postal Service from 2020-05-19T17:57:53
It’s the government on your doorstep — the only Executive Branch agency that visits every home in the country on a regular basis. So how does the USPS do it? And what happens when an agency this es...
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Civics Shorts: The CDC from 2020-04-09T15:10:07
The CDC, or the Centers for Disease Control, have been in the news a lot lately. But what is the CDC? And what does it do? Today’s Civics Short, designed for middle schoolers but fun f...
Introducing Civics Shorts: Running for President from 2020-03-27T17:02:55
You asked, and we are at your service! Producer Jacqui Fulton will be bringing you 6th, 7th and 8th graders out there these Civics Shorts. Quick and easy lessons on the basics of democ...
Special Announcement for Educators from 2020-03-24T15:55:42
Many of you are now teaching remotely or (for you parents out there) ultra-locally, and we want to offer whatever assistance we can. Taking this short survey will help us figure out wh...
Independents from 2020-02-26T00:12:35
What prevents someone from affiliating with a political party? What is the ideology of an independent? And how can these voters exist in a two party system?
Walking us through the world of...
The Stump Speech: Student Contest Winners from 2020-02-11T17:05:30
What’s wrong in America today? What would you do to fix it? Today we share the winners of our third annual Student Contest. Hailey Cheng, Tigist Murch, and Vijay Damerla give us their ...
The Republican Party from 2020-01-28T22:57:46
What role did slavery play in the formation of the Republican Party? How did a scrappy third party coalition create what became known as the Grand Old Party? And how did the party of Lincoln become...
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The Democratic Party from 2020-01-14T22:41
How did the Democratic party become "blue?" Why were they initially called Republicans? And most importantly, how did the party that supported slavery become the party that nominated our first Afri...
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Third Parties from 2019-12-18T02:35
When it comes to federal elections, third party candidates are almost assured a defeat. And yet the Libertarian Party, the Green Party, the Reform Party -- these underdogs always appear on the scen...
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Student Contest Announcement: Stump Speech from 2019-11-12T13:48:25
Can you tell us what America needs?
In this year’s Student Contest, we’re looking for your stump speech, that 60-second pitch to the nation on what you’d focus on if you were runni...
Introducing: Stranglehold from 2019-10-25T15:20
Want to dig deeper into the world of presidential primaries? No better place to start than New Hampshire. Our colleagues Lauren Chooljian and Jack Rodolico tell the story of New Hampsh...
Conventions from 2019-10-22T18:54
The primaries are over, the caucusing has closed, the results are in. Now it's time to party. Nominating conventions are, by and large, a chance for political elites to get together, network and ce...
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Primaries and Caucuses from 2019-09-24T13:40:26
It's one of the most democratic aspects of our nation, not to mention extremely recent. In this episode we explore the snarled history of how we select party nominees; from delegates to superdelega...
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How to Run for President from 2019-09-10T20:48
The job description is pretty sparse, the laws are convoluted and the path from A to Z seems fraught with peril. So how does a person go from candidate to nominee to Leader of the Free World? We as...
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Student Contest Winner: On the Bench from 2019-08-13T13:58
It's time for the 2nd annual winner of our Student Contest! Our winners are Jessie Aniloff, Katie Bruni, and Tara Czekner from Anthony Micalizzi's class at Villa Joseph Marie High Scho...
Starter Kit: Federalism from 2019-07-30T15:51:20
A tug of war, a balancing act, two dancers dragging each other across the floor. This is the perpetual ebb and flow of power between the states and the federal government. How can things be legal i...
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Starter Kit: Judicial Branch from 2019-07-23T15:39
The Supreme Court, considered by some to be the most powerful branch, had humble beginnings. How did it stop being, in the words of Alexander Hamilton, "next to nothing?" Do politics affect the cou...
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Starter Kit: Legislative Branch from 2019-07-16T17:49
There are 535 people who meet in the hallowed halls of Capitol Hill. They go in, legislation comes out. You can watch the machinations of the House and Senate chambers on C-SPAN, you can read their...
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Upcoming Series: Civics Starter Kit from 2019-06-25T21:17:59
An announcement of our new series, airing on July 2.
Life Stages: Death from 2019-05-14T13:50
It's also the final episode of our Life Stages series, and its euphemism-free. We speak to a doctors, lawyers, professors, and funeral professionals about the rules of death; pronouncing, declaring...
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Life Stages: Marriage from 2019-04-30T16:08
Today, what does it really mean to be married? Divorced? What changes in the law's eyes? What do you have to do? And, most importantly, how and why has the government decided who is allowed to mar...
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Life Stages: Work from 2019-04-23T21:31
The modern day workplace is the product of a centuries-long battle for fair wages, reasonable hours and safe conditions. Today's episode tells the story of the labor in the United States -- from sl...
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Life Stages: School from 2019-04-16T13:25:07
As Adam Laats said, "when it comes to schools, the most important thing is who you are, and where you live."
In today's episode, we explore how K-12 education has developed in the US since the ...
Founding Documents: Bill of Rights from 2019-02-26T13:20
The Bill of Rights is the first ten amendments to our Constitution. Why do we have one? What does it 'do'? And what does it really, really do?
Our guests are Linda Monk, Alvin Tillery, David O....
Special Announcement: Student Contest from 2019-02-22T16:47:58
Go to civics101podcast.org/contest for rules and resources. Make an under 15 minute podcast episode in any format by May 15th.
We want to hear about your favorite civics primary s...
Founding Documents: The Federalist and Anti-Federalist Papers from 2019-02-19T20:09
Ten days after the Constitution was signed at the Old Philadelphia State House, an anonymous op-ed appeared in the New York Journal. Signed by "Cato," it cautioned readers of the new Constitution t...
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Founding Documents: The Constitution from 2019-02-12T17:47
After just six years under the Articles of Confederation, a committee of anxious delegates agreed to meet in Philadelphia to amend the government. While the country suffered recession and rebellion...
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Founding Documents: Declaration of Independence from 2019-01-29T17:02:15
America declared independence on July 2, 1776. But two days later it adopted this radical, revolutionary, inclusive, exclusive, secessionist, compromising, hypocritical, inspirational document. Wha...
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Founding Documents: Magna Carta from 2019-01-22T17:42
Magna Carta was sealed on a field in England in 1215. It's purpose was to appease some frustrated Barons, and it was never intended to last. Over 800 years later, this document is credited with est...
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Special Announcement: Upcoming Season from 2018-11-20T20:52:13
For our next season, we're going to tackle America's founding documents: Magna Carta, the Declaration of Independence, the Articles of Confederation, the Constitution, the Bill of Righ...
Midterm Edition: Propositions from 2018-10-30T16:16:56
Regardless of how you choose to vote on Prop 1, you'll finish this episode knowing all about ballot measures. These are bills and amendments initiated by the people, and voted into law by the peopl...
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Midterm Edition: Campaigning from 2018-10-23T19:53
How do you stand out in a sea of lawn signs, or make yourself heard above the roar of a thousand ads? Campaigns are hard enough when the whole country is watching -- so what does it take to get the...
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Midterm Edition: House v Senate from 2018-10-16T15:17:06
Two houses, both alike in...well, many things. But oh so different in many others. We go from absolute basics to the philosophical differences that exist in the Legislative branch. This episode fe...
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Special Announcement and IRL2 rebroadcast from 2018-08-21T19:48:50
First off, our next season of Civics 101 will launch this October with a special miniseries on the midterm elections. Each episode will better educate you on what you're voting for in ...
IRL1: Free Speech in Schools [Rebroadcast] from 2018-08-07T15:32
A rebroadcast to get ready for the school year: we're digging into four incredibly important Supreme Court cases - four cases that have shaped how we interpret the meaning of free spee...
The Death Penalty from 2018-07-31T16:21:07
On today's episode we're looking into a practice that sets the U.S. aside from all other Western countries: Capital Punishment. So, is the death penalty a part of the constitution? How has the Supr...
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The Equal Rights Amendment from 2018-07-24T19:34
The Equal Rights Amendment (ERA) is a proposed Constitutional amendment that would explicitly guarantee legal equality under U.S. law, regardless of sex. But almost a century after it was first pro...
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The Affordable Care Act from 2018-07-17T15:04:14
On today's episode, we tackle a defining law from the Obama administration, the Affordable Care Act -- better known as Obamacare. Some people love it, others hate it, but what did the law really do...
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The Federal Register from 2018-06-19T20:14:50
Show your support for Civics 101. Click here to donate:
https://goo.gl/6VNE6E
Today a listener opens up a rabbit hole, and we immediately jump down it. We're learning about the Federal...
National Institutes of Health (NIH) from 2018-06-12T20:14
Hey folks! We're raising money to support this podcast. Please click this link and donate today!
https://goo.gl/6VNE6E
Remember the Human Genome Project? The massively complicated int...
Infrastructure – Water! from 2018-05-29T20:42
Drinking water in the United States is, according to the EPA, among the world's "most reliable and safest supplies." Its delivery involves a complex infrastructure of pipes, treatment facilities, a...
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Freedom of Information Act from 2018-05-22T17:08:26
On today's episode: What exactly is the Freedom of Information Act, better known as FOIA? Can anybody use it to get their hands on... any public documents? What kind of government secrets have come...
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The White House Press Secretary from 2018-05-11T14:11:38
Mara Liasson, National Political Correspondent for NPR, has reported on White House press briefings for 3 administrations. She tells us about the role of the Press Secretary, and how the job has ch...
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Episode 118: Presidential Transitions from 2018-04-24T15:56
On today's episode: what happens when the incumbent president leaves office and the president-elect enters? How is information shared? What laws or guidelines govern the transition of ...
Presidential Transitions from 2018-04-24T15:56
On today's episode: what happens when the incumbent president leaves office and the president-elect enters? How is information shared? What laws or guidelines govern the transition of power? We tal...
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Episode 117: Hostages from 2018-04-20T15:35:54
On today's episode: How does the government respond when an American is taken hostage? Is it true that we don't negotiate with terrorists? Who in the government handles these situation...
Episode 116: Infrastructure - Roads! from 2018-04-17T13:58:57
Dams, highways, telephone poles... all of these things fall under the huge umbrella we call INFRASTRUCTURE. But what does all that concrete and copper have to do with government? Mor...
Infrastructure - Roads! from 2018-04-17T13:58:57
Dams, highways, telephone poles... all of these things fall under the huge umbrella we call INFRASTRUCTURE. But what does all that concrete and copper have to do with government? Mor...
Episode 115: Foreign Aid from 2018-04-13T15:52:10
On today's episode: What is foreign aid, and how much money does the U.S. spend on it? Is it purely humanitarian, or is it strategic? And how do we know if foreign aid actually works? ...
Episode 114: The CIA from 2018-04-10T21:20:57
The Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) is a U.S. foreign intelligence service. It was created in the wake of World War II and Pearl Harbor, at the dawn of the Cold War. But the agency's...
Episode 113: The Americans with Disabilities Act from 2018-04-06T16:19:17
On today's episode: How does the government look out for people who use a wheelchair, are deaf or blind, or have other disabilities? What forms of discrimination do people with disabil...
The Americans with Disabilities Act from 2018-04-06T16:19:17
On today's episode: How does the government look out for people who use a wheelchair, are deaf or blind, or have other disabilities? What forms of discrimination do people with disabil...
Episode 112: The Eighth Amendment from 2018-04-03T15:42:05
The Eighth Amendment grants us the right for protection against excessive bail, fines, or cruel and unusual punishment. But how do we define cruel and unusual? And how has that definit...
The Eighth Amendment from 2018-04-03T15:42:05
The Eighth Amendment grants us the right for protection against excessive bail, fines, or cruel and unusual punishment. But how do we define cruel and unusual? And how has that definit...
Episode 111: The Department of Justice from 2018-03-30T14:29
The Justice Department seems to always be in the news - from the White House's public criticism of Attorney General Jeff Sessions, to the President's firing of James Comey - but what's...
The Department of Justice from 2018-03-30T14:29
The Justice Department seems to always be in the news - from the White House's public criticism of Attorney General Jeff Sessions, to the President's firing of James Comey - but what's...
Episode 110: The Hatch Act from 2018-03-27T18:08:54
Every now and again, reports come out that a public official has violated The Hatch Act - a 1939 law that prevents federal employees from engaging in certain types of political activit...
The Hatch Act from 2018-03-27T18:08:54
Every now and again, reports come out that a public official has violated The Hatch Act - a 1939 law that prevents federal employees from engaging in certain types of political activit...
Episode 109: The Fourth Amendment from 2018-03-23T14:51
When an ordinary citizen interacts with law enforcement, it can be unnerving to realize the amount of power an officer wields: they've got the guns, the handcuffs, and the authority. B...
Episode 108: The FBI from 2018-03-20T13:47:28
The FBI is our federal law enforcement agency. And, to enforce the law, it plays the role of secret intelligence agency as well. So how does the FBI protect us against domestic threats...
Episode 107: Torture from 2018-03-16T16:48:56
On today's episode: What does the United States do when it captures prisoners of war? What are the Geneva Conventions? How did 9/11 change our commitment to treating prisoners humanely...
Episode 106: Department of State & Department of Defense [Rebroadcast] from 2018-03-13T15:42
They are two of the most powerful positions in a president’s cabinet: the Secretary of State and the Secretary of Defense. One has been around since the American Revolution, the other ...
Episode 105: Democratic Norms from 2018-03-09T17:34:49
On today's episode: What are the norms of democratic government, and where do they come from? Which norms are essential to U.S. democracy, and how are they changing today? We put these...
Democratic Norms from 2018-03-09T17:34:49
On today's episode: What are the norms of democratic government, and where do they come from? Which norms are essential to U.S. democracy, and how are they changing today? We put these...
IRL2: The Flag and the Pledge from 2018-03-06T15:19:20
Today, our second IRL puts it up the flagpole and sees if anyone salutes it. Hannah goes into the history of the flag and the Pledge of Allegiance and how they've changed since their i...
The Flag and the Pledge from 2018-03-06T15:19:20
Today, our second IRL puts it up the flagpole and sees if anyone salutes it. Hannah goes into the history of the flag and the Pledge of Allegiance and how they've changed since their i...
Episode 104: Voting Rights from 2018-03-02T21:27:52
The Constitution doesn't explicitly guarantee the right to vote, but it's widely considered to be a fundamental way for citizens to participate in American democracy. Who gets to vote ...
Episode 103: The Fifteenth Amendment from 2018-02-27T15:39
After the Civil War, Congress passed a bundle of Amendments which came to be known as the Reconstruction Amendments. Their purpose was to address the mass racial inequality that plague...
Episode 102: The Fourteenth Amendment from 2018-02-23T16:41
Today, we continue our series on the Reconstruction amendments, the series of Constitutional amendments passed in the aftermath of the Civil War. Congress outlawed slavery with the Thi...
Episode 101: The Thirteenth Amendment from 2018-02-20T15:15
After the Civil War, Congress passed a bundle of Amendments which came to be known as the Reconstruction Amendments. Their purpose was to address the mass racial inequality that plague...
Episode 100: DACA from 2018-02-16T14:31
What exactly is DACA, or the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals? Is it the same as the Dream Act? What will happen if it expires? How do DACA recipients effect the economy? Today...
Episode 99: First Ladies from 2018-02-13T20:26
The role of the First Lady carries a lot of responsibility, but it's really more custom than law. How has is changed over time, and who are the women who have defined the role?
Sus...
First Ladies from 2018-02-13T20:26
The role of the First Lady carries a lot of responsibility, but it's really more custom than law. How has is changed over time, and who are the women who have defined the role?
Sus...
Episode 98: Nuclear Weapons from 2018-02-09T13:53
On this episode: How does the United States use, or more precisely avoid using, its fearsome arsenal of nuclear weapons? How did we arrive at a world in which so many countries are arm...
Nuclear Weapons from 2018-02-09T13:53
On this episode: How does the United States use, or more precisely avoid using, its fearsome arsenal of nuclear weapons? How did we arrive at a world in which so many countries are arm...
Episode 97: Inspectors General from 2018-02-06T17:22
If you watch a lot of police procedurals, you’ll recognize this setup: beat cops get a visit from Internal Affairs and drama ensues. As it turns out, government agencies also have the...
Inspectors General from 2018-02-06T17:22
If you watch a lot of police procedurals, you’ll recognize this setup: beat cops get a visit from Internal Affairs and drama ensues. As it turns out, government agencies also have the...
Episode 96: The Federal Election Commission from 2018-02-02T19:14
On today's episode: How does the government make sure elections are conducted fairly? Who's keeping track of all the money donated to candidates? Is the Federal Election Commission sti...
The Federal Election Commission from 2018-02-02T19:14
On today's episode: How does the government make sure elections are conducted fairly? Who's keeping track of all the money donated to candidates? Is the Federal Election Commission sti...
Episode 95: How We Vote from 2018-01-30T21:47
The secret ballot... the decorum of the polling place... the sanctity of the voting booth... these are the trappings of Election Day in the U.S., and they feel as old as time when you ...
Episode 94: Super PACs from 2018-01-26T21:25
On this episode: What is a super PAC, and for that matter, what's a PAC? What are the rules they have to follow? Does spending money in an election count as free speech? We address cam...
Super PACs from 2018-01-26T21:25
On this episode: What is a super PAC, and for that matter, what's a PAC? What are the rules they have to follow? Does spending money in an election count as free speech? We address cam...
Episode 93: Welfare from 2018-01-23T17:15
Welfare is one of the nation's most contentious and least understood social programs. What began as support for single mothers and their children has throughout history been a target f...
BONUS: Government Shutdown (Rebroadcast) from 2018-01-20T14:32
It happened. The government shutdown. But what does that mean? Civics 101 revisits an episode from September, 2017.
On this episode: What actually shuts down during a government ...
Episode 92: Lightning Round from 2018-01-19T20:35
Today, we celebrate our one-year anniversary with the first annual Civics 101 lightning round, in which we answer all the little questions you sent us that we never got around to answe...
Episode 91: The Two-Party System from 2018-01-16T16:44
There are lots of political parties in the United States - so how come we pretty much only hear about two? What is the 'two-party system' and why does it hold sway? Is it an intentiona...
Episode 90: The Surgeon General from 2018-01-12T19:23
On today's episode: Who is the Surgeon General and what powers do they have? When a public health crisis strikes, what can the Surgeon General do? What influence did Surgeons General h...
The Surgeon General from 2018-01-12T19:23
On today's episode: Who is the Surgeon General and what powers do they have? When a public health crisis strikes, what can the Surgeon General do? What influence did Surgeons General h...
Episode 89: Post-Presidency from 2018-01-09T18:47
The President of the United States is considered one of the most powerful people in the world. So what happens after the Commander-in-Chief becomes a civilian again? How does a former ...
Episode 88: Department of Homeland Security from 2018-01-05T16:26
On this week's show: What does the Department of Homeland Security do? How has it evolved in the past decade and a half? Can it keep up with the changing nature of terrorism? Our guide...
Department of Homeland Security from 2018-01-05T16:26
On this week's show: What does the Department of Homeland Security do? How has it evolved in the past decade and a half? Can it keep up with the changing nature of terrorism? Our guide...
Episode 87: The National Anthem from 2018-01-02T18:39
On this week's episode: Who composed our national anthem? Why do we play it so often? And what's the significance of protesting during the anthem? Our guest is Marc Leepson, author of ...
The National Anthem from 2018-01-02T18:39
On this week's episode: Who composed our national anthem? Why do we play it so often? And what's the significance of protesting during the anthem? Our guest is Marc Leepson, author of ...
Episode 86: Camp David from 2017-12-29T17:26:10
Every president since Franklin Delano Roosevelt has spent time at Camp David. But why was the presidential retreat built in the first place, and what happens there? To find out, we spo...
Camp David from 2017-12-29T17:26:10
Every president since Franklin Delano Roosevelt has spent time at Camp David. But why was the presidential retreat built in the first place, and what happens there? To find out, we spo...
Episode 85: Lobbying [Rebroadcast] from 2017-12-26T20:16:18
When discussing the political power of special interest groups, you can't help but talk about lobbying. But what does a lobbyist actually do? We know they hand over checks (lots of t...
Episode 84: FEMA from 2017-12-22T15:49:11
The Federal Emergency Management Agency was established in order to plan and respond to nuclear war. These days, they're tasked with showing up after all sorts of disasters strike. Bu...
Episode 83: The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives from 2017-12-19T21:06:43
What do alcohol, tobacco, firearms, and explosives all have in common? They fall under the umbrella of a single federal bureau - commonly referred to as the ATF. On this episode, what...
The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives from 2017-12-19T21:06:43
What do alcohol, tobacco, firearms, and explosives all have in common? They fall under the umbrella of a single federal bureau - commonly referred to as the ATF. On this episode, what...
U.S. Allies from 2017-12-15T19:03:02
On today's episode: What does it mean to be an ally of the United States, who decides which countries we should be allies with, and how do our alliances influence the role of the Unite...
Episode 82: U.S. Allies from 2017-12-15T19:03:02
On today's episode: What does it mean to be an ally of the United States, who decides which countries we should be allies with, and how do our alliances influence the role of the Unite...
Episode 81: HUD from 2017-12-12T15:38
In the 1960’s there was a growing awareness of urban plight and poverty, which was generally referred to as the "Urban Crisis" - the economic abandonment of large U.S. cities. As part...
The National Archives from 2017-12-08T16:52
The National Archives and Records Administration is the forever home of the Declaration of Independence and the U.S. Constitution, but what else do they keep in their vaults? Can just...
Episode 80: The National Archives from 2017-12-08T16:52
The National Archives and Records Administration is the forever home of the Declaration of Independence and the U.S. Constitution, but what else do they keep in their vaults? Can just...
Episode 79: The U.S. Flag Code from 2017-12-05T19:22:36
In this episode: What is the U.S. Flag Code? Who created it, and why? Is it enforceable? When did the American flag start getting used in advertising? What are the differences between ...
Congressional Committees from 2017-12-01T17:02:45
In a given week, Congress might vote on everything from international diplomacy to wildlife conservation to internet regulation. How do individual members of Congress become experts on...
Episode 78: Congressional Committees from 2017-12-01T17:02:45
In a given week, Congress might vote on everything from international diplomacy to wildlife conservation to internet regulation. How do individual members of Congress become experts on...
U.S. Postal Service from 2017-11-28T19:32:32
One of the founding institutions of America's government is also one of the most overlooked and surprising ones: the Postal Service. What role did it play in shaping the early, dispara...
Episode 77: U.S. Postal Service from 2017-11-28T19:32:32
One of the founding institutions of America's government is also one of the most overlooked and surprising ones: the Postal Service. What role did it play in shaping the early, dispara...
Free Speech in Schools from 2017-11-24T17:34
This is the first in a series called Civics 101 IRL; special episodes where we explore the historic moments connected to our regular podcast topics. Today we're digging into four incr...
IRL 1 - Free Speech in Schools from 2017-11-24T17:34
This is the first in a series called Civics 101 IRL; special episodes where we explore the historic moments connected to our regular podcast topics. Today we're digging into four incr...
IRL 1: Free Speech in Schools from 2017-11-24T17:34
This is the first in a series called Civics 101 IRL; special episodes where we explore the historic moments connected to our regular podcast topics. Today we're digging into four incredibly imp...
Listen
IRL 1: Free Speech in Schools from 2017-11-24T17:34
This is the first in a series called Civics 101 IRL; special episodes where we explore the historic moments connected to our regular podcast topics. Today we're digging into four incredibly imp...
Listen
Native American Reservations from 2017-11-21T18:31:39
On this episode: What is a Native American reservation? What is a pueblo? What does it mean to be a sovereign nation? What is the relationship between reservations and the federal gov...
Episode 76: Native American Reservations from 2017-11-21T18:31:39
On this episode: What is a Native American reservation? What is a pueblo? What does it mean to be a sovereign nation? What is the relationship between reservations and the federal gov...
White House Staffers from 2017-11-17T15:25:25
In this episode: What do White House staffers actually do, what are the rules constraining them, and how have the day-to-day staffing demands of the White House changed over the years?...
Episode 75: White House Staffers from 2017-11-17T15:25:25
In this episode: What do White House staffers actually do, what are the rules constraining them, and how have the day-to-day staffing demands of the White House changed over the years?...
Episode 74: Unions from 2017-11-14T19:00
In this episode: What is a union? How are unions formed? What are the benefits and costs of labor unions, for both workers and business? What is the history of unions in America, and ...
The Vice President from 2017-11-10T17:44:23
The vice president is said to be just a heartbeat away from Commander-in-Chief. But what does the VEEP actually do? How significant a role does the vice president play in the White Hou...
Episode 73: The Vice President from 2017-11-10T17:44:23
The vice president is said to be just a heartbeat away from Commander-in-Chief. But what does the VEEP actually do? How significant a role does the vice president play in the White Hou...
The 2nd Amendment from 2017-11-07T16:54
On today's episode: The Second Amendment. For ages, the right to bear arms was among the least controversial amendments in the U.S. Constitution. Today, it's among the most divisive i...
Episode 72: The 2nd Amendment from 2017-11-07T16:54
On today's episode: The Second Amendment. For ages, the right to bear arms was among the least controversial amendments in the U.S. Constitution. Today, it's among the most divisive i...
The Secret Service from 2017-11-03T14:55:37
You've heard of the Secret Service and you've probably even seen them in action - observing stoically behind a dark suit and sunglasses. But what exactly do they do? How does someone b...
Episode 71: The Secret Service from 2017-11-03T14:55:37
You've heard of the Secret Service and you've probably even seen them in action - observing stoically behind a dark suit and sunglasses. But what exactly do they do? How does someone b...
Episode 70: The 1st Amendment - Freedom of the Press from 2017-10-31T19:48:12
On today's episode: We continue our investigation of the First Amendment with a conversation about the freedom of the press. What does this freedom guarantee publishers and journalists...
Episode 69: The Federalist Papers from 2017-10-27T15:54
On this episode: What are the Federalist Papers? Who wrote them? Who uses them? And why should you read them? Michael Gerhardt, professor from UNC and scholar-in-residence at the Natio...
Episode 68: Populism from 2017-10-24T15:00
On this episode: what is Populism? How can you identify a Populist candidate? What's its role inside of a democracy and what are some historical outcomes of populist movements? Our gue...
The 1st Amendment - Freedom of Assembly from 2017-10-20T14:04:47
On today's episode: a closer look at one of the freedoms guaranteed in the First Amendment: the freedom of assembly. What is it? Is our freedom of assembly tied to other First Amendme...
Episode 67: The 1st Amendment - Freedom of Assembly from 2017-10-20T14:04:47
On today's episode: a closer look at one of the freedoms guaranteed in the First Amendment: the freedom of assembly. What is it? Is our freedom of assembly tied to other First Amendme...
Episode 66: The EPA from 2017-10-17T16:18:21
In the 1960’s, the American public looked around at the environment—polluted rivers, smoggy skies—and decided something needed to be done. By 1970, the blooming environmental movement ...
The Secretary of Education from 2017-10-13T14:44
Head of the Department of Education and a cabinet member with the ear of the President... but how much power does the Secretary of education really have? Can he or she influence policy...
Episode 65: The Secretary of Education from 2017-10-13T14:44
Head of the Department of Education and a cabinet member with the ear of the President... but how much power does the Secretary of education really have? Can he or she influence policy...
Episode 64: The Nuclear Codes [Rebroadcast] from 2017-10-10T16:54
In this episode: What exactly does it mean when we say the President has "the nuclear codes”? Is it really as simple as pressing a button? And what happens after a president does orde...
Episode 63: The CDC from 2017-10-06T14:00
In this episode: What exactly does the CDC - The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention - actually do? Could it really stave off a zombie outbreak? And who are the 'Disease Detecti...
The Debt Ceiling from 2017-10-03T17:36
Every so often, while our national debt ratchets upward, politicians threaten to refuse to raise the upper limit on that debt. But does the debt ceiling actually curb the government's ...
Episode 62: The Debt Ceiling from 2017-10-03T17:36
Every so often, while our national debt ratchets upward, politicians threaten to refuse to raise the upper limit on that debt. But does the debt ceiling actually curb the government's ...
The Attorney General from 2017-09-29T14:33
We're zooming in on the highest legal officer in the country and asking who, exactly, the Attorney General represents. If the AG is a member of the Executive Branch, does that make him...
Episode 61: The Attorney General from 2017-09-29T14:33
We're zooming in on the highest legal officer in the country and asking who, exactly, the Attorney General represents. If the AG is a member of the Executive Branch, does that make him...
Episode 60: Federalism from 2017-09-26T13:37
On this episode: what is Federalism? Who uses it? Why do we separate our powers between the states and the national government, and what are the benefits and challenges of such a syste...
Episode 59: The Census from 2017-09-22T15:47
In this episode: What is the census, and why does it matter? How is it conducted? How are difficult to reach populations counted? What kind of questions are asked, and how are they det...
Episode 58: Government Shutdown from 2017-09-19T15:03
On this episode: What actually shuts down during a government shutdown? Do federal workers still get paid? Who decides what government jobs are essential, and non-essential? What can...
Commander in Chief from 2017-09-15T16:02:50
On this episode: What does it mean that the President is 'Commander-in-Chief'? What powers does the Constitution grant him? What is the difference between the President's power to cond...
Episode 57: Commander in Chief from 2017-09-15T16:02:50
On this episode: What does it mean that the President is 'Commander-in-Chief'? What powers does the Constitution grant him? What is the difference between the President's power to cond...
The 1st Amendment - Freedom of Speech from 2017-09-12T15:55
On today's lesson: We take a broader look at the First Amendment, and then zero in on one of the freedoms it covers: the freedom of speech. We'll cover the text of the First Amendment...
Episode 56: The 1st Amendment - Freedom of Speech from 2017-09-12T15:55
On today's lesson: We take a broader look at the First Amendment, and then zero in on one of the freedoms it covers: the freedom of speech. We'll cover the text of the First Amendment...
The Federal Reserve from 2017-09-08T15:18:32
On today's lesson: What is the Federal Reserve? How important is it? What tools does the Fed use to manage the U.S economy, and why is it organized differently than other government ag...
Episode 55: The Federal Reserve from 2017-09-08T15:18:32
On today's lesson: What is the Federal Reserve? How important is it? What tools does the Fed use to manage the U.S economy, and why is it organized differently than other government ag...
Security Clearance from 2017-09-05T14:11:23
On today's lesson: How do people receive security clearance to see secret, or top secret government material? Who grants it, and how is that clearance revoked in cases of misuse? Do p...
Episode 54: Security Clearance from 2017-09-05T14:11:23
On today's lesson: How do people receive security clearance to see secret, or top secret government material? Who grants it, and how is that clearance revoked in cases of misuse? Do p...
Episode 53: Judges from 2017-09-01T16:50:35
On today's lesson: What does it take to become a judge? What does the job entail? Also, what are the schools of thought we hear about so much about in relation to Supreme Court justice...
State of Emergency from 2017-08-29T19:22:58
Natural disasters, civil unrest, widespread epidemics - these are just some of the unpredictable events that can trigger a President or Governor to declare a special "state of emergen...
Episode 52: State of Emergency from 2017-08-29T19:22:58
Natural disasters, civil unrest, widespread epidemics - these are just some of the unpredictable events that can trigger a President or Governor to declare a special "state of emergen...
Episode 51: Treason from 2017-08-25T14:31:09
For a serious crime, accusations of treason get thrown around a lot - which is why the framers were very specific about what does and doesn't make you an actual traitor. In fact, trea...
Episode 50: Voting Systems from 2017-08-22T17:35:39
When you cast your ballot in a national election, you’re participating in a specific kind of voting system. But what about the other methods of choosing your candidate and counting you...
Episode 49: Sanctions from 2017-08-18T13:53
From full trade embargoes to targeted sanctions and frozen assets, sanctions are an increasingly commonplace tool used in U.S. foreign policy. Today, a primer on the purpose and desig...
Who Gets To Run For President from 2017-08-15T14:58
Forty-four people have become President of The United States - all men, and with one exception, all white. Despite that historic profile, and a clause in the constitution, the qualific...
Episode 48: Who Gets To Run For President from 2017-08-15T14:58
Forty-four people have become President of The United States - all men, and with one exception, all white. Despite that historic profile, and a clause in the constitution, the qualific...
Federal Grand Juries from 2017-08-11T18:20:15
The right to a Federal grand jury comes from the Fifth Amendment to the Constitution, but what exactly are they, how are jurors chosen and how do they work? We asked Erin Corcoran to j...
Episode 47: Federal Grand Juries from 2017-08-11T18:20:15
The right to a Federal grand jury comes from the Fifth Amendment to the Constitution, but what exactly are they, how are jurors chosen and how do they work? We asked Erin Corcoran to j...
Ambassadors from 2017-08-08T15:26
What happens at a U.S. Embassy? What does it take to become a diplomat? And how do you celebrate the 4th of July in Africa? In this episode, we get a taste of how ambassadors represe...
Episode 46: Ambassadors from 2017-08-08T15:26
What happens at a U.S. Embassy? What does it take to become a diplomat? And how do you celebrate the 4th of July in Africa? In this episode, we get a taste of how ambassadors represe...
Speaker of the House from 2017-08-04T13:00
The Speaker of the House is second in the presidential line of succession, after the Vice President and ahead of the President pro tempore of the Senate. The person elected to the Spea...
Episode 45: Speaker of the House from 2017-08-04T13:00
The Speaker of the House is second in the presidential line of succession, after the Vice President and ahead of the President pro tempore of the Senate. The person elected to the Spea...
Intelligence Agencies from 2017-08-01T17:21:07
You've heard of the CIA and NSA... how about the NGA? That's the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency by the way (formerly known as the National Imagery and Mapping Agency) which i...
Episode 44: Intelligence Agencies from 2017-08-01T17:21:07
You've heard of the CIA and NSA... how about the NGA? That's the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency by the way (formerly known as the National Imagery and Mapping Agency) which i...
Presidential Pardons from 2017-07-28T13:00
Article II of the U.S. Constitution gives the President the power to grant pardons. Does this power have limits? Or did the founders give the the President an untouchable "get-out-of-j...
Episode 43: Presidential Pardons from 2017-07-28T13:00
Article II of the U.S. Constitution gives the President the power to grant pardons. Does this power have limits? Or did the founders give the the President an untouchable "get-out-of-j...
U.S. Territories from 2017-07-25T17:10
Guam, Puerto Rico, American Samoa, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and the Northern Mariana Islands are all U.S. territories, but what does that mean? Is there political representation? What ...
Episode 42: U.S. Territories from 2017-07-25T17:10
Guam, Puerto Rico, American Samoa, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and the Northern Mariana Islands are all U.S. territories, but what does that mean? Is there political representation? What ...
Obstruction of Justice from 2017-07-21T19:00
“Obstruction of Justice” has been a term swirling around in the headlines lately, but what does the charge actually mean? And how do you prove it? We’re speaking with Brianne Gorod, Ch...
Episode 41: Obstruction of Justice from 2017-07-21T19:00
“Obstruction of Justice” has been a term swirling around in the headlines lately, but what does the charge actually mean? And how do you prove it? We’re speaking with Brianne Gorod, Ch...
Church and State from 2017-07-18T19:34:02
The separation of church and state is widely considered to be a building block of American democracy, but what did the founders really have in mind when they wrote "Congress shall mak...
Episode 40: Church and State from 2017-07-18T19:34:02
The separation of church and state is widely considered to be a building block of American democracy, but what did the founders really have in mind when they wrote "Congress shall mak...
Episode 39: Lobbying from 2017-07-14T14:14:02
When discussing the political power of special interest groups, you can't help but talk about lobbying. But what does a lobbyist actually do? We know they hand over checks (lots of t...
Episode 38: The 25th Amendment from 2017-07-11T13:40:02
When a monarch dies, power stays in the family. But what about a president? It was a tricky question that the founders left mostly to Congress to figure out later. In this episode, the...
Autocracies and Oligarchies and Democracies, Oh My! from 2017-07-07T13:53:42
The United States is described as a republic, a federation, and a constitutional democracy. So, what is it? Are those terms interchangeable? And, while we're at it, what's the differen...
Episode 37: Autocracies and Oligarchies and Democracies, Oh My! from 2017-07-07T13:53:42
The United States is described as a republic, a federation, and a constitutional democracy. So, what is it? Are those terms interchangeable? And, while we're at it, what's the differen...
Approval Ratings from 2017-06-28T13:00
Presidential job approval. It seems we get a weekly report from news organizations on how citizen’s think the President is doing, so we're digging into how it gets calculated and how m...
Episode 36: Approval Ratings from 2017-06-28T13:00
Presidential job approval. It seems we get a weekly report from news organizations on how citizen’s think the President is doing, so we're digging into how it gets calculated and how m...
Party Whips from 2017-06-21T13:00
With more than 500 members of Congress, parties have to coordinate members and keep them on the same page. Enter: party whips. But what do they actually do? Several of you asked us to ...
Episode 35: Party Whips from 2017-06-21T13:00
With more than 500 members of Congress, parties have to coordinate members and keep them on the same page. Enter: party whips. But what do they actually do? Several of you asked us to ...
Episode 34: Separation of Powers from 2017-06-14T17:39:19
In this episode we untangle two terms that are closely related, but not the same: Separation of Powers and Checks and Balances. The framers envisioned a government structure that would...
Episode 33: Declaring War from 2017-06-07T20:25:03
War, what is it good for? For a country that’s spent a significant amount of its history engaged in conflict, the United States has only officially declared war 11 times – most recentl...
Episode 32: Budget Basics from 2017-06-01T18:27:38
We've received a LOT of questions about how the budget process works and honestly, we had a lot of our own! It should come as no surprise that the budget process of the United States g...
Episode 31: How a Bill Becomes a Law from 2017-05-24T19:33:13
Even if you slept through most of your Government classes in High School, there's a good chance you have a vague recollection of how a bill becomes a law thanks to Schoolhouse Rock! Th...
National Debt & The Deficit from 2017-05-17T19:44:18
The National Debt and The Deficit: two terms that are often used interchangeably, but take on different meanings when it comes to the government. Louise Sheiner is a Policy Director fo...
Episode 30: National Debt & The Deficit from 2017-05-17T19:44:18
The National Debt and The Deficit: two terms that are often used interchangeably, but take on different meanings when it comes to the government. Louise Sheiner is a Policy Director fo...
Political Speechwriting from 2017-05-10T19:22:07
We do our best to answer your questions about how American democracy works, but many of you have also told us you like to get the insider's view from people who work, or have worked in...
Episode 29: Political Speechwriting from 2017-05-10T19:22:07
We do our best to answer your questions about how American democracy works, but many of you have also told us you like to get the insider's view from people who work, or have worked in...
Congressional Caucuses from 2017-05-05T14:23:39
We've received multiple questions about Congressional Caucuses, what are they, how are they formed, and what is their purpose? We asked Colleen Shogun, Deputy Director of Outreach at t...
Episode 28: Congressional Caucuses from 2017-05-05T14:23:39
We've received multiple questions about Congressional Caucuses, what are they, how are they formed, and what is their purpose? We asked Colleen Shogun, Deputy Director of Outreach at t...
The Cabinet from 2017-04-21T19:37
Kristen in California asked: "How exactly does the cabinet work? How much control do the secretaries have? And are they loyal to the president or the department." We asked Dean Spiliot...
Episode 26: The Cabinet from 2017-04-21T19:37
Kristen in California asked: "How exactly does the cabinet work? How much control do the secretaries have? And are they loyal to the president or the department." We asked Dean Spiliot...
Term Limits from 2017-04-18T20:56
Why are there no term limits on Congress, how long has it been that way, and what would it take to actually change how long someone can serve? In this episode we look into the long his...
Episode 25: Term Limits from 2017-04-18T20:56
Why are there no term limits on Congress, how long has it been that way, and what would it take to actually change how long someone can serve? In this episode we look into the long his...
Episode 24: The IRS from 2017-04-14T15:39
When Congress imposed the first personal income tax on Americans in 1861, nothing happened – because there was no agency to collect it! The following year saw the creation of the Burea...
Emoluments from 2017-04-11T17:42
One of our listeners sent in a question asking about “the ethics clause”, which forbids presidents from receiving foreign gifts. As it turns out, there isn’t something in the constitut...
Episode 23: Emoluments from 2017-04-11T17:42
One of our listeners sent in a question asking about “the ethics clause”, which forbids presidents from receiving foreign gifts. As it turns out, there isn’t something in the constitut...
Episode 22: Congressional Investigations from 2017-04-07T20:19
The Army-McCarthy hearings, Watergate, the Iran-Contra affair, the Select Committee on Benghazi, the Russian hacking probe. Congressional investigations are a staple of American politi...
The Congressional Budget Office from 2017-04-04T19:11
When Republicans first submitted their alternative to the Affordable Care Act, lawmakers from both sides of the aisle anxiously awaited the release of the Congressional Budget Office's...
Episode 21: The Congressional Budget Office from 2017-04-04T19:11
When Republicans first submitted their alternative to the Affordable Care Act, lawmakers from both sides of the aisle anxiously awaited the release of the Congressional Budget Office's...
Episode 20: Electoral College from 2017-03-31T19:10
We've received a lot of questions about The Electoral College from listeners, from how it works, to why it was set up, and whether or not it can it be changed or removed. So we asked R...
Senate Rules from 2017-03-28T16:44
When Senator Mitch McConnell barred Senator Elizabeth Warren from speaking during the debate over Jeff Session’s nomination for Attorney General, he invoked Rule XIX. It's safe to say ...
Episode 19: Senate Rules from 2017-03-28T16:44
When Senator Mitch McConnell barred Senator Elizabeth Warren from speaking during the debate over Jeff Session’s nomination for Attorney General, he invoked Rule XIX. It's safe to say ...
Episode 18: The Office of Scheduling & Advance from 2017-03-24T18:25
If managing your personal appointment calendar is a struggle, imagine what it must be like for the President of the United States? From daily meetings, to promoting policies in speeche...
Episode 17: Veto from 2017-03-21T19:45
The presidential veto is one of the cornerstones of the system of constitutional checks and balances the framers used to prevent the misuse or abuse of power within any branch of gover...
Episode 16: Gerrymandering from 2017-03-17T10:00
Over the years, gerrymandering has become synonymous with weirdly-shaped maps of electoral districts, nefarious political maneuvering, and partisanship. But when did gerrymandering bec...
Department of State & Department of Defense from 2017-03-14T13:36
They are two of the most powerful positions in a president’s cabinet: the Secretary of State and the Secretary of Defense. One has been around since the American Revolution, the other ...
Episode 15: Department of State & Department of Defense from 2017-03-14T13:36
They are two of the most powerful positions in a president’s cabinet: the Secretary of State and the Secretary of Defense. One has been around since the American Revolution, the other ...
Episode 14: The Office of Presidential Correspondence from 2017-03-10T11:00
George Washington received five letters a day, Theodore Roosevelt received so many letters it became a fire hazard at the White House, and Ronald Reagan loved reading mail from the cou...
Filibuster from 2017-03-06T19:23
From Jimmy Stewart's unyielding speech in "Mr. Smith Goes To Washington" to today's threats of using the nuclear option for approving Supreme Court nominees, the term "filibuster" gets...
Episode 13: Filibuster from 2017-03-06T19:23
From Jimmy Stewart's unyielding speech in "Mr. Smith Goes To Washington" to today's threats of using the nuclear option for approving Supreme Court nominees, the term "filibuster" gets...
The Nuclear Codes from 2017-03-02T19:15
What exactly does it mean when we say a president “has the nuclear codes”? Is it really as simple as pressing a button? And what happens after a president does order a nuclear strike? ...
Episode 12: The Nuclear Codes from 2017-03-02T19:15
What exactly does it mean when we say a president “has the nuclear codes”? Is it really as simple as pressing a button? And what happens after a president does order a nuclear strike? ...
The State of the Union Address from 2017-03-01T14:08
The State of the Union address is a longstanding tradition that involves bizarre, unexplained protocol and more applause than a high school graduation. It’s also mandated by the consti...
Episode 11: The State of the Union Address from 2017-03-01T14:08
The State of the Union address is a longstanding tradition that involves bizarre, unexplained protocol and more applause than a high school graduation. It’s also mandated by the consti...
Episode 10: Impeachment from 2017-02-24T14:56
A number of listeners have asked about a consequential government procedure: How is a president impeached? And why is it that the presidents that have been impeached haven’t been remov...
Overturning a Supreme Court Ruling from 2017-02-21T15:32
We're staying on the federal court system beat with a deeper look into the Supreme Court. The word "supreme" is defined as: “an authority or office superior to all others.” So when the...
Episode 9: Overturning a Supreme Court Ruling from 2017-02-21T15:32
We're staying on the federal court system beat with a deeper look into the Supreme Court. The word "supreme" is defined as: “an authority or office superior to all others.” So when the...
Federal Courts from 2017-02-16T21:17
When a trio of judges on a federal appeals court in Washington state upheld a freeze on president Trump's Executive Order on immigration, some people celebrated, the administration pro...
Episode 8: Federal Courts from 2017-02-16T21:17
When a trio of judges on a federal appeals court in Washington state upheld a freeze on president Trump's Executive Order on immigration, some people celebrated, the administration pro...
Episode 7: Executive Orders from 2017-02-13T20:53
You may have heard of executive orders… but how about executive memoranda? Today, we talk about the different tools of executive action that the President uses to direct his administra...
The National Security Council from 2017-02-09T21:20
What's the purpose of the National Security Council? When was it created? Who serves on it? And why is Steve Bannon's appointment to its principals committee such a big deal? Former NS...
Episode 6: The National Security Council from 2017-02-09T21:20
What's the purpose of the National Security Council? When was it created? Who serves on it? And why is Steve Bannon's appointment to its principals committee such a big deal? Former NS...
Calling Your Congressperson from 2017-02-07T18:00
We're often urged to call our elected representatives to voice opinions on the issues, but what happens after that call is made? Where does the message go? And do those calls ever sway...
Episode 5: Calling Your Congressperson from 2017-02-07T18:00
We're often urged to call our elected representatives to voice opinions on the issues, but what happens after that call is made? Where does the message go? And do those calls ever sway...
How to Amend the Constitution from 2017-02-02T21:46
It’s been 25 years since the last constitutional amendment was ratified. How hard is it to change our most sacred document? We discover that there are not one, but two ways to amend th...
Episode 4: How to Amend the Constitution from 2017-02-02T21:46
It’s been 25 years since the last constitutional amendment was ratified. How hard is it to change our most sacred document? We discover that there are not one, but two ways to amend th...
The Comment Period from 2017-01-31T17:15
You've probably heard the term "comment period", but do you know what it means? What exactly happens when a government agency opens a proposed rule to public comment? And do these comm...
Episode 3: The Comment Period from 2017-01-31T17:15
You've probably heard the term "comment period", but do you know what it means? What exactly happens when a government agency opens a proposed rule to public comment? And do these comm...
Episode 2: White House Press Corps from 2017-01-25T18:24:10
What's it really like for a journalist stationed at the White House? We go inside the press briefing room with NPR's Senior White House Correspondent, Scott Horsley.
Civics 1...
Episode 1: Chief of Staff from 2017-01-19T15:01:59
We're all familiar with the title, but what does a White House Chief of Staff actually do? What does the daily routine entail? And how much power does the position hold? Our inaugural...
Trailer: Class Is In Session from 2017-01-13T21:46:47
Ever wonder what a White House Chief of Staff actually does? How about a Press Secretary? When did gerrymandering become a thing? The first 100 days of the Trump administration is the ...