On this episode, Naomi Schaeffer Riley and Ian Rowe are joined by the CEO of Spence-Chapin, Kate Trambitskaya.

Overseeing one of the country’s oldest nonprofit adoption agencies, Trambitskaya explains the key differences between public and private adoptions as well as recent cultural trends toward voluntary adoption while sustaining birth-family connections. Later on, Riley, Rowe, and Trambitskaya react to a recent article from the New York Times titled “Why aren’t there more rich foster parents?” 

Show Notes: – Private vs. public adoptions (1:29) – Why have international adoptions fallen so much in the US? (2:56) – Voluntary adoption as a positive choice birth parents make (7:41) – Spence-Chapin’s innovative approach toward interim care (12:51) – Reacting to “Why aren’t there more rich foster parents?” (15:10)

Resources:  Why aren’t there more rich foster parents? (The New York Times)

What is an institution? How can we learn to see institutions more clearly in our daily lives? Yuval Levin, director of AEI’s Social, Cultural, and Constitutional Studies department, editor of National Affairs, and author of the new book “A Time to Build” on restoring American institutions, joins the show to discuss the structures of American associational life.

Adam asks him about the challenge of upholding existing institutions and how American citizens should think of themselves as parties to the institution that is the Constitution. Meanwhile, Yuval’s ability to speak in full paragraphs amazes and delights the audience.

Children entering the foster care system have often experienced serious trauma, but there is nothing inevitable about their life’s trajectories.

In this episode, Naomi and Ian discuss what happens to youth aging out of foster care, how the child welfare system can increase the recruitment and retention of foster parents, and the difference between child abuse and neglect.

Show Notes: – Aging out of foster care… what now? (00:47) – Finding new foster parents (04:03) – Child abuse vs. child neglect (10:24)

Resources: – Throwaway Kids (Kansas City Star) – Safe Families for Children

How strong is the least dangerous branch? Moreover, how self-restrained should it be?

In this episode of “Unprecedential,” Adam White interviews Greg Weiner, AEI visiting scholar and associate professor at Assumption College. Professor Weiner’s latest book, “The Political Constitution: The Case Against Judicial Supremacy,” argues that an over-active judiciary undermines the Constitution’s republican qualities. He and Adam discuss judicial restraint, judicial legitimacy, and the Madisonian and Burkean themes of Weiner’s previous books.

What is the constitutional presidency, and what does it demand of a president?

Stephen Knott, a professor at the US Naval War College, explores these themes in a new book: “The Lost Soul of the American Presidency.” In this episode of “Unprecedential,” Adam White asks him how we should understand the presidency in theory and in practice. Not every president can be a George Washington, but how close do we need them to come?

In this episode of “Are You Kidding Me?,” AEI’s Naomi Schaefer Riley and Ian Rowe set the record straight on why family structure matters for the outcomes of black children. Later, they describe how the Indian Child Welfare Act created a “separate but unequal” child welfare system.

Show Notes: – Family structure and the success sequence (00:45) – Indian Child Welfare Act’s “separate but unequal” welfare (09:30)

Resources: – The Myth of the Two Parent Home. Success sequence, family structure and outcomes for black children (New York Times) – Recent ICWA court challenges (Washington Post)

The “Unprecedential” podcast begins with the “first branch,” Congress.

Host Adam White interviews Josh Chafetz, a professor of law at Cornell University and author of “Congress’s Constitution: Legislative Authority and the Separation of Powers“. They discuss Congress’ powers, especially its “power of the purse” and its efforts to conduct “oversight” of the executive branch. Taped during the House’s impeachment hearings, we dive into a core constitutional question: What can Congress do, and how?

Welcome to Unprecedential, a new AEI podcast exploring American constitutionalism beyond the courts. Join host Adam White, producer Tal Fortgang, and guests as they examine the constitutional debates surrounding Congress, the President, and, of course, the courts.

Benjamin Franklin once (allegedly) said that the Founders gave us “a republic—if you can keep it”. On this podcast, we’ll discuss what it takes for the American people to do so.

In this episode of “Are You Kidding Me?”, AEI’s Naomi Schaefer Riley and Ian Rowe discuss recent attacks aimed at the Federal Charter Schools Program. They then take a closer look at the often-hostile relationships between Child Protective Services and the communities they work in.

Special thanks to the Manhattan Institute for providing our scholars with access to their podcast studio to record episodes on-site in New York City.

Show Notes: – Federal Charter School Program (00:43) – LA Parents vs. Child Protective Services (10:20)

Resources: – Still Asleep at the Wheel: Federal Charter School Program’s Fraud and Waste (Network for Public Education) – Protest Targets a Sky-High Foster Care Removal Rate in L.A. County (Chronicle of Social Change)

In the debut of “Are You Kidding Me?”, AEI’s Naomi Schaefer Riley and Ian Rowe discuss how current child welfare systems are causing foster children to be chronically absent from school. They also look at why “disparate impact theory” is endangering children at risk of abuse and neglect and how the Indian Child Welfare Act contributed to Antonio Renova’s tragic death.

Show Notes: – Chronic absenteeism in foster children (04:15) – Disparate impact theory and Judge Ernestine Gray (06:41) – ICWA and the death of Anonio Renova (12:58)

Resources: – System-induced School Absenteeism: The hidden scourge of foster care (Child Welfare Monitor) – The Race Theory That Keeps Imperiled Black Kids Right Where They Are (Real Clear Investigations) – A deeper look into the Indian Child Welfare Act and its possible role in Antonio Renova’s death (Great Falls Tribune)