Civil Discourse

Nia Rodgers and Dr. John Aughenbaugh•guides.library.vcu.edu

This podcast uses government documents to illuminate the workings of the American government, and offer context around the effects of government agencies in your everyday life.

Last refreshed: July 29th, 2025 at 12:32 AM ⓘ

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Episodes

Tennessee Valley Authority

Nia and Aughie discuss the Tennessee Valley Authority, a federally-owned electric utility corporation. The TVA also focused on economic development of the middle Appalachia region.

May 17, 2022•57 min•Season 9Ep. 18

In the News - SCOTUS Leak

Aughie and Nia discuss the recent leak of an opinion out of the U.S. Supreme Court.

May 11, 2022•38 min

Works Progress Administration - Art

Aughie and Nia discuss the Works Progress Administrations programs to provide work opportunities for artists, actors, musicians, and writers during the Great Depression. They also discuss some of the criticisms of the WPA programs,

May 10, 2022•59 min•Season 9Ep. 17

Works Progress Administration - Labor

Nia and Aughie discuss the Works Progress Administration (WPA) labor programs to provide jobs and income to men and women during the Great Depression. These jobs often involved physical labor building and maintaining infrastructure.

May 03, 2022•1 hr 2 min•Season 9Ep. 16

Independent State Legislature Doctrine

Aughie explains two clauses in the U.S. Constitution: Article II, Section 1 (the electors clause) and Article 1, Section 4 (the elections clause). Recent SCOTUS cases have called the meaning of "legislature" in these clauses into question.

Apr 26, 2022•1 hr 4 min•Season 9Ep. 15

In the News - Oil Reserves

Nia and Aughie discuss the Strategic Petroleum Reserves of the United States, and criticisms of it from all sides of the political spectrum.

Apr 21, 2022•27 min

Exxon Valdez and Deepwater Horizon Accountability

Nia and Aughie discuss the Exxon Valdez and Deepwater Horizon disasters in terms of accountability and settlements. They also explore the ideas around government accountability and conflict of interest between promoting industry and protecting the common good.

Apr 19, 2022•1 hr 3 min•Season 9Ep. 14

Congressional Review Act

Aughie thwarts Nia's plan to use the Space Force to take over all the other agencies by explaining the Congressional Review Act. The act requires that agencies submit regulatory changes to Congress for review. Also, the plural of nemesis is nemeses.

Apr 13, 2022•1 hr 7 min•Season 9Ep. 13

Presidential and Congressional Medals

Nia and Aughie explore some of the various military and civilian honors and awards that may be granted by the President or Congress. Some awards are given for very specific contributions while others are given for lifetime achievements or contributions deemed worthy by individual members of Congress.

Apr 05, 2022•54 min•Season 9Ep. 12

HIPAA

Aughie and Nia have a discussion of the pros and cons of the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA). This Act is an excellent example of the law of unintended consequences, in both good and bad ways.

Mar 29, 2022•1 hr 3 min•Season 9Ep. 11

That is Not in the U.S. Constitution

Nia and Aughie continue their discussion of the text of the U.S. Constitution. This episode focuses on rights that are (and are not) enumerated in the text. The original text has no enumerated right to vote, privacy, or a fair trial, among others.

Mar 22, 2022•1 hr 4 min•Season 9Ep. 10

In the News - Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson

Aughie and Nia briefly discuss President Joe Biden's nominee to the Supreme Court, Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson.

Mar 15, 2022•23 min

Dissed Amendments

Aughie and Nia discuss the amendments that were tardy to be included or not included in the text of the U.S. Constitution. Of James Madison's 20 proposed amendments, only 12 went forward, and only 10 made it into the Bill of Rights. Aughie speaks in detail on 5 of the original 20 that were rejected by Congress initially. Aughie also discusses amendments that were rejected by the states.

Mar 15, 2022•55 min•Season 9Ep. 9

Colorado River Compact

Nia and Aughie discuss the factors that brought about the creation of the Colorado River Compact. They also discuss the current issues and challenges facing the Law of the River.

Mar 08, 2022•56 min•Season 9Ep. 8

WOTUS - Waters of the United States

Aughie and Nia explore the history of the Waters of the United States (WOTUS) and the Clean Water Act. They also discuss the complicated caselaw from SCOTUS regarding "navigable waters" and the changing presidential definitions of WOTUS.

Mar 01, 2022•1 hr 7 min•Season 9Ep. 7

What is the Serial Set?

Nia and Aughie extol the virtues of the United States Congressional Serial Set, especially its historical and political importance. They discuss the content of the set, and encourage listeners to explore these important American documents.

Feb 22, 2022•48 min•Season 9Ep. 6

In the News - Russia and Ukraine, February 18, 2022

Dr. Judy Twigg joins Aughie and Nia to discuss the latest developments on the Russian/Ukrainian border. Dr. Twigg also gives us a primer on recent Russian history and the reasons for conflict between these nations.

Feb 18, 2022•34 min

Robert J. (Bob) Dole Memorial

Aughie and Nia commemorate the career of Robert J. (Bob) Dole, (July 22, 1923 - December 5, 2021). They discuss his personal physical battles and inner strength as well as his storied political career.

Feb 15, 2022•41 min•Season 9Ep. 5

Vice Presidents, Part 2

Aughie and Nia discuss the office of Vice President of the United States. The second of two episodes explores interesting tidbits about various vice presidents, and ends with some quotes from office holders on the importance of the position.

Feb 08, 2022•1 hr 10 min•Season 9Ep. 4

In the News - SCOTUS and Vaccine Mandates

Nia and Aughie give a quick take on two recent vaccine mandate rulings by the U.S. Supreme Court.

Feb 01, 2022•20 min

Vice Presidents, Part 1

Nia and Aughie discuss the office of Vice President of the United States. The first of two episodes discusses the evolution of the position.

Feb 01, 2022•59 min•Season 9Ep. 3

Presidential Libraries Part 2: Boxes and Boxes

*Recorded in 2020* Professor Bill Newmann joins Aughie and Nia in the first two episodes of season 9 to discuss visiting presidential libraries. In this second episode, Dr. Newmann explains in detail how get the most out of a visit to the Presidential libraries

Jan 25, 2022•53 min•Season 9Ep. 2

Presidential Libraries Part 1: Two Folders

*Recorded in 2020* Professor Bill Newmann joins Aughie and Nia in the first two episodes of season 9 to discuss visiting presidential libraries. The first episode covers general research visits and what types of materials a researcher can find in the Presidential libraries.

Jan 18, 2022•50 min•Season 9Ep. 1

D.C. Statehood

Aughie and Nia discuss the potential difficulties of adding the District of Columbia as a state to the United States. Complexities include representation, balancing federal and state needs, and the Constitutional issues. *Correction: Nia mistakenly says LaFayette planned the city of Washington twice; rather, L'Enfant planned the city. Apologies for the error.

Dec 14, 2021•1 hr 5 min•Season 8Ep. 16

Adding a State to the United States

Nia and Aughie discuss how territories and protectorates come to join the United States. The discussion includes the barriers to statehood and the requirements that Congress sets out for proto-states to meet. The latter part of the discussion covers the Equal Footing Doctrine.

Dec 07, 2021•53 min•Season 8Ep. 15

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