The Podvocate

This is part one of a two-part episode. In this first episode, Co-Editor in Chief Isabella Lund talks to Emily and Mauricio Pineda about their work with the Peacemakers at Reilly Elementary School, a local Chicago public school. The Peacemakers is a restorative justice program involving students grades four through eight. The discussion goes through how the peacemakers came to be and the challenges they’ve faced along the way, focusing on how restorative justice benefits students both long and short term.

Check out this resource to learn more:

https://www.reillyschool.com/apps/news/show_news.jsp?REC_ID=955937&id=0

On March 12, 2026, Senior Editor Rachel Still sat down with Clerk of the Circuit Court of Cook County, Mariyana Spyropoulos. In this episode of The Podvocate, we sit down with Clerk Spyropoulos to discuss her first year leading one of the largest court systems in the country. She breaks down the often-overlooked role of the clerk’s office as the “front door” to the legal system, managing everything from case intake to critical data reporting and coordination with judges, attorneys, and law enforcement. Clerk Spyropoulos reflects on her early priorities—transparency, accountability, and accessibility—and the concrete reforms implemented to modernize operations, including new customer feedback systems, internal process audits, and expanded language access.

The conversation also explores broader access-to-justice challenges, particularly for individuals navigating a complex and emotionally taxing court system without legal representation. Clerk Spyropoulos highlights the importance of balancing technological innovation, including potential uses of AI, with the human element essential to public service. She also discusses the role of public trust, community outreach, and civic engagement in strengthening the legal system. Ultimately, this episode offers a behind-the-scenes look at how administrative leadership shapes the everyday functioning—and fairness—of the courts.

If you're interested in this week's topic, please check out these resources:

https://www.cookcountyclerkofcourt.org/people/MariyanaT.Spyropoulos

https://www.injusticewatch.org/topics/judges/judicial-elections/

In this week's episode, associate editor Rachel Urbash examines the Prairieland 19 case from the ground up, discussing the contested facts, the unprecedented use of domestic terrorism organization classifications, and the trial. The episode discusses the Prairieland 19 case through the lens of the history of the right to protest and Trumps Antifa designation and NSPM-7 memorandum paving the way for the federal governments first successful domestic terrorism prosecution of its kind. This episode considers the line between our constitutional right to protest and the government’s power to classify that protest as domestic terrorism.

If you're interested in this week's topic, please check our these resources:

https://jacobin.com/2026/02/prairieland-trump-domestic-terrorism-ice

https://www.democracynow.org/2026/3/17/antifa

https://prairielanddefendants.com/updates/the-federal-trial-is-over-what-will-this-verdict-mean-for-dissent/

In today’s episode, associate editor Jay Fort considers the rapid development and implementation of Artificial Intelligence and automation technology across industry. By the end of 2025, an AI Arms Race was in full swing. An explosion in Artificial Intelligence (AI) development and automation is taking the U.S. and global economic systems by storm. Companies like Nvidia (the first company to reach an approximately 5 trillion valuation), Microsoft, Alphabet (Google), and Open AI (formerly a non-profit which still cites the common good as a core tenant of its charter) have kicked off what is widely understood to be an AI "Arms Race." Investors- from venture capitalists to private equity behemoths- continue to pour billions of dollars into AI technology companies and associated ventures. As AI companies move from beta testing to widespread adoption and integration, debates on AI transparency, accountability, and regulation have risen to the forefront. As a result of this monumental shift and ongoing uncertainty, the necessity of properly understanding (and regulating) AI and automation technology is now more pressing than ever before. Further, the need for strong regulatory oversight- including a broad regulatory consensus, clear guidance, a baseline code of ethics (at minimum), as well as strong federal and state regulation- is a pressing regulatory necessity and, possibly the pivotal decision of our time.

Ultimately, rather than a one-size-fits-all approach, this emergent AI era requires an all-hands-on-deck mindset. In terms of generally advisable principles, government, business, private and public sector leaders can take proactive steps to protect an organization from AI related employment liability. First, regularly auditing an organization’s AI tools and use, proactively searching for any potential gaps or problems closer to point of inception. Second, implementing clear and effective training for HR and other stakeholders, ensuring understanding of applicable federal and state regulations and potential compliance risk. Third, maintaining human oversight as a guardrail and backstop against issues like algorithmic bias, hallucinations, etc. Fourth, staying informed- ensuring that leadership understands AI tools, policies, implementation, and application of assessment in order to effectively understand AI models, manage their use, reduce risks, and avoid unnecessary costs. Although far from exhaustive, these are steps on the path to a dynamic, strategic approach to AI governance and regulatory sustainability in the employment and hiring process, no doubt a necessity of today and the days ahead.

If you're interested in this week's topic, please check out these resources:

https://ogletree.com/insights-resources/blog-posts/the-intersection-of-artificial-intelligence-and-employment-

https://www.employmentlawinsights.com/2025/04/to-ai-or-not-to-ai-the-use-of-ai-in-employment-decisions/

https://www.hrdefenseblog.com/2025/11/ai-in-hiring-emerging-legal-developments-and-compliance-guidance-for-2026/

https://www.jacksonlewis.com/insights/year-ahead-2025-tech-talk-ai-regulations-

https://www.hklaw.com/en/insights/publications/2025/03/artificial-intelligence-in-hiring-diverging-federal-state-

https://www.employmentlawinsights.com/2025/04/to-ai-or-not-to-ai-the-use-of-ai-in-employment-

https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/jun/30/disabled-amazon-workers-discrimination

In this episode, associate editor Delaney Ferrer discusses the intersection between faith, pop culture, and environmental justice. Lately environmental justice has been framed as a new or controversial topic--especially when it intersects with race. But in this episode, Delaney challenges that narrative by exploring how environmental justice has been recognized for decades in our media and faith. Drawing on law, Catholic teachings, and pop culture references from The Jungle to Avatar and Star Wars, this episode examines how storytelling shapes our understanding of environmental harms and responsibility. This conversation aims to reframe environmental justice as not just a political trend, but as a longstanding moral and legal issue rooted in dignity, stewardship, and solidarity.

If you're interested in this week's topic, please check out these resources:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-nsn4Sxy8r8

https://www.hrw.org/news/2024/01/25/us-louisianas-cancer-alley

https://www.usccb.org/beliefs-and-teachings/what-we-believe/catholic-social-teaching/care-for-creation

This week, associate editor Nicole Polisar revisits the 1865 military trial of Mary E. Surratt, the first woman executed by the United States government. Set in the immediate aftermath of Abraham Lincoln’s assassination, the episode reconstructs the courtroom’s drama surrounding a civilian defendant tried by a military commission during a moment of national trauma. Nicole examines the prosecution’s theory of treasonable conspiracy, the defense’s constitutional challenge to military jurisdiction, and the role of circumstantial evidence in securing a death sentence. The episode explores how wartime fear reshaped the boundaries of due process, executive power, and civilian justice and why the legal questions raised by Mary Surratt’s execution continue to resonate in modern debates over emergency authority and the rule of law.

If you're interested in this week's topic, please check out these resources:

https://lincolnconspirators.com/the-trial/

https://andyreiter.com/wp-content/uploads/military-justice/us/Government%20Documents/United%20States%20-%201865%20-%20The%20Assassination%20of%20President%20Lincoln%20and%20the%20Trial%20of%20the%20Conspirators.pdf

https://www.famous-trials.com/lincoln/2178-defenseofsurratt

In this week's episode, associate editor Addison Fouts takes listeners on an overview of Loyola’s comparative advocacy program in London. This includes what you can expect taking the class as well as Addison's experience studying abroad as a first generation college and law student. "This was my first time leaving the country and I have grown a lot as a person due to this trip." This episode details some of the notable things Addison learned in lectures as well as recommendations if you travel to London or get to study abroad. Addison goes through the differences between a barrister and solicitor, family law, criminal law, and health law comparisons from the US and UK. She encourages you all to get outside of your comfort zone and study abroad if the opportunity arises for you!

If you are interested in this episode's topic and want to find out more please check out these resources:

https://bowstreetmuseum.org.uk/about-us/history/

https://www.iclr.co.uk/knowledge/topics/the-english-legal-system/

https://www.chambersstudent.co.uk/the-bar/the-inns-of-court

This week the Podvocate and associate editor Caleb Stokes present a Double Feature Episode! The first half of this episode is a summary and exploration of an upcoming survey in development to be given out to law students at Loyola Chicago, while the second half of the episode is a comparative analysis of the three models states use regarding the legality of prostitution, and the impacts of each model on efforts to reduce Human Trafficking.

in this week's episode, associate editor Carter Pasternak, examines Louisiana v. Callais, a pending Supreme Court case placing the Voting Rights Act and the Equal Protection Clause on a direct collision course. It explores the history and mechanics of gerrymandering and how Section 2 of the Voting Rights Act functions as a remedial tool against vote dilution. The episode walks listeners through the case’s factual background, procedural history, lower-court rulings, and the arguments presented to the Supreme Court by both sides. It concludes by analyzing why the case matters nationally and what each possible outcome could mean for voting rights and redistricting going forward.

If you're interested in the episode's topic please check out these resources to learn more:

https://www.law.cornell.edu/supct/cert/24-109?utm_source.com

https://apnews.com/article/supreme-court-louisiana-redistricting-majority-black-districts-ea09df430fa850d4eb7497ae1be9667d

https://www.scotusblog.com/2022/06/justices-reinstate-louisiana-voting-map-that-is-being-challenged-under-voting-rights-act/

https://www.aclu.org/press-releases/supreme-court-arguments-conclude-in-landmark-voting-rights-case

This week, associate editor Nicole Polisar revisits the 1936 Mary Astor custody trial, the Hollywood courtroom spectacle that turned a private diary into a national obsession. Set in Los Angeles at the height of the studio era, the episode reconstructs the drama of a movie star fighting her ex-husband, Dr. Franklyn Thorpe, for custody of their four-year-old daughter, Marylyn. As tabloids and subpoenas threaten to swallow the proceeding whole, the courtroom begins to resemble a public stage as much as a forum for justice. Nicole examines how “fitness” was argued and weaponized in a courtroom culture that treated a mother’s private relationships as evidence of parental unworthiness. The episode explores how media frenzy, moral judgment, and evidentiary battles transformed a child-welfare proceeding into reputational warfare.

If you're interest in the episode's topic please check out these resources to learn more:

https://archive.org/details/mystoryautobiogr00asto

https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2006-aug-12-me-a2anniversary12-story.html