Consider the Constitution

In this episode of Consider the Constitution, host Dr. Katie Crawford Lackey discusses the right to vote, or suffrage, and how it functions as a mechanism for citizens to participate in the democratic process. Special guest, Dr. Pippa Holloway, a history professor at the University of Richmond, discusses the evolution of voting rights in the U.S., from the ambiguity surrounding citizenship and voting rights in the original Constitution to the clarification provided in the mid-19th century. The conversation also covers the 13th, 14th, and 15th Amendments, the women's suffrage movement, and the challenges faced by different groups in gaining and exercising their voting rights. 

In this episode of Consider the Constitution, host Dr. Katie Crawford-Lackey and Professor Kendra Johnson discuss the Fourth Amendment, which focuses on aspects of privacy.  The interpretation of the Fourth Amendment has evolved with technology, with cases involving wiretapping and cell phone searches setting precedents.  Professor Johnson discusses the historical context of the Fourth Amendment, its impact on everyday life, and its potential future implications, particularly concerning advancing technology and privacy concerns.

In this episode of the Consider the Constitution podcast, host Dr. Katie Crawford-Lackey interviews Tim Longo, Sr., a veteran law enforcement officer and current Associate Vice President for Safety and Security and Chief of Police at the University of Virginia. They discuss the role of law enforcement in upholding the Constitution, the importance of understanding the First Amendment, and the concept of qualified immunity. Longo emphasizes the need for better training for officers on the First Amendment and the importance of understanding the "why" behind their actions. He also discusses the balance between protecting individual rights and ensuring community safety. 

In this episode of Consider The Constitution, host Dr. Katie Crawford-Lackey is joined by Suzanne Moore and Benjamin Eckert, Park Rangers of Interpretation at Independence National Historical Park in Philadelphia, to discuss the drafting and ratification of the Bill of Rights.  Congress Hall in Philadelphia was the site of the ratification of the Bill of Rights on December 15, 1791.  

During Congress Hall's duration as the Capitol of the United States, the country admitted three new states, Vermont, Kentucky, and Tennessee; ratified the Bill of Rights of the United States Constitution; and oversaw the presidential inaugurations of both George Washington (his second) and John Adams.

In this episode of Consider the Constitution, host Dr. Katie Crawford-Lackey is joined by Montpelier Senior Research Historian Hilarie M. Hicks for a conversation about the relationship between James Madison and the Marquis de Lafayette, a Frenchman who became an icon of the American Revolution. The two men first met in 1784 and developed a deep friendship that was both politically advantageous and intellectually stimulating. They exchanged over 65 letters and their political philosophies are discussed in this episode. The podcast also touches on Madison's views on slavery and freedom of religion, and how these views influenced his drafting of the US Constitution. Lafayette's visit to the United States in 1824 and 1825, and his conversations with Madison during these visits, are also discussed.

In the episode of "Consider the Constitution," host Dr. Katie Crawford-Lacky interviews constitutional law expert Prof. F. Michael Higginbotham. They discuss the role of the Supreme Court in American life, past and present. Higginbotham explains the court's function in interpreting laws and determining their consistency with the Constitution. They also discuss key Supreme Court cases, including Marbury vs. Madison, which established judicial review, and Plessy vs. Ferguson, which upheld racial segregation. Higginbotham highlights the importance of the Brown vs. Board of Education case in ending segregation in education.

In this episode of Consider the Constitution, host Dr. Katie Crawford-Lackey is joined by Patrick Campbell, a retired US Marine Corps officer, attorney, veteran high school government teacher, and assistant director of the Center for the Constitution. Campbell discusses the Center for the Constitution's work engaging diverse audiences with the concept of government by the people. He also talks about the importance of compromise in a democratic society, the role of the media, and the impact of physical spaces like Montpelier on understanding the democratic process. Campbell emphasizes the need for ongoing dialogue and engagement in the democratic process, stating that our freedoms mean more than our disagreements.

In this episode of the podcast "Consider the Constitution," host Dr. Katie Crawford-Lackey discusses Article III of the US Constitution, which established the judicial branch. She is joined by Dr. Lauren Bell, a political science professor and former fellow at the United States Supreme Court. They discuss the brevity of Article III compared to other articles, the jurisdiction of the Supreme Court, and the relationship between federal and state courts. They also delve into the significance of the Marbury v. Madison case, in which Chief Justice John Marshall established the power of judicial review. The conversation concludes with a discussion on the current state of the Supreme Court and the challenges it faces in maintaining public trust and legitimacy.

Hear the best moments from all of our Constitution Month 2023 podcast episodes.  Join Dr. Katie Crawford-Lackey as we consider The Bill of Rights, the First Amendment, the original text of the Constitution, the balance between government authority and civil liberties, the value of a free press, and the need for citizens to be politically and civically informed.

In this episode of Consider the Constitution, Dr. Katie Crawford-Lackey explores the essential relationship between news media and American democracy with Adam Belmar, former Deputy Director of White House Communications and Senior Producer at ABC News.

The conversation examines how our founding document protects press freedom, the evolution of media from newspapers to social platforms, and why reliable sources matter in today's information landscape. Belmar shares insights from his unique career spanning both government messaging and network news production.

As local journalism faces unprecedented challenges and misinformation spreads rapidly online, this timely discussion reminds us that being an informed citizen requires active engagement with trustworthy sources—a responsibility as vital to democracy today as it was in 1787.