Melissa Murray is an NYU Law professor, New York Times bestselling author, and cohost of @strictscrutinypodcast, where she breaks down the biggest legal battles and political messes in our country. She’s also the author of The U.S. Constitution: A Comprehensive and Annotated Guide for the Modern Reader, set to release on May 5.

Today, she sits down with Sali to share how she established herself as a prominent voice in law, to remind us of the power of “we the people,” and to explain why she refuses to discuss the law from a place of neutrality. Listen or watch the full episode at the link in bio.

0:00 - Introduction

2:45 - Biggest "Oh No" Moment

4:35 - Child of Jamaican Immigrants

11:18 - “Maybe I could be a lawyer.”

13:45 - Navigating Grief Before College 

15:25 - A Full Scholarship to UVA 

18:03 - Deferring Yale Law

21:08 - Clerking for Justice Sonia Sotomayor

23:45 - A Mentorship Misconception

27:09 - Working in Education

43:18- Being a Professor in 2026

39:30- Coaching Middle School Debate Club

41:30 - "Strict Scrutiny" & Ditching Neutrality

44:20 - Why Write a Book On The U.S. Constitution?

53:55 - Dress Code for Lawyers

58:51 - “You have to know what your season is.”

1:00:49 - Would You Rather? 

Clarifications:

At 47:​35, the Constitution was ratified in state legislatures, not in Philadelphia.

At 4​9:​00, Dred Scott was decided in 1857 not 1858.

On Sali: Argent Double-Breasted Crewneck Blazer and Single Pleat Trouser

On Melissa: Argent Double-Breasted Blazer and Wide Leg Trouser

Hosted by Sali Christeson @salichristeson

Produced by Gina Marinelli @ginaalilbit

Edited by Ryan Woldoff @c__biz

Theme Song by Karina DePiano @sheplaysdepiano & Melanie Nyema @melanienyema

Recorded at Podstream Studio @podstreamstudio