In this episode, host Dr. Katie Crawford-Lackey explores James Madison's constitutional philosophy with professors Eric Kasper and Howard Schweber, co-authors of " James Madison's Constitution: A Double Security and a Parchment Barrier. " The conversation unpacks two key Madisonian concepts: "double security" (the idea that both federalism and separation of powers work together to prevent tyranny) and "parchment barriers" (Madison's concern that written rules alone aren't enough to constrain pow...
Jul 23, 2025•27 min•Season 2Ep. 15
As college campuses continue to serve as vital sites of activism, protest, and public debate, university police face the complex task of upholding First Amendment freedoms while ensuring the safety and wellbeing of diverse campus communities. In this episode, Dr. Katie Crawford Lackey sits down with Chief Timothy Longo, Associate Vice President for Safety and Security at the University of Virginia , to explore the delicate intersection of constitutional rights and campus safety. With over 40 yea...
Jul 09, 2025•25 min•Season 2Ep. 14
In this compelling episode of Consider the Constitution, host Dr. Katie Crawford-Lackey explores one of the most contentious intersections of constitutional law and public policy with Professor Hank Chambers from the University of Richmond Law School . Together, they unpack the complex doctrine of qualified immunity and its relationship to police discretion—topics that have become central to national debates about policing, accountability, and civil rights. Professor Chambers breaks down what qu...
Jun 25, 2025•38 min•Season 2Ep. 13
In this illuminating episode of Consider the Constitution, Dr. Katie Crawford Lackey welcomes back Dr. Lindsey Cormack, the pioneering political scientist who created DC Inbox—a first-of-its-kind digital archive preserving congressional newsletters. From James Madison's vision of Congress as the people's branch to today's digital communication tactics, this conversation uncovers the evolution of constituent engagement and the power dynamics of political messaging. Dr. Cormack explains why she in...
Jun 11, 2025•24 min•Season 2Ep. 12
In this episode, host Dr. Katie Crawford-Lackey interviews historian Dr. Peter Kastor about how America's founding generation transformed constitutional ideals into functioning government institutions. Learn about the challenges faced by early federal leaders, the overlooked contributions of thousands of ordinary civil servants, and how this formative period established enduring traditions of public service and constitutional governance.
May 28, 2025•37 min•Season 2Ep. 11
In this enlightening episode of Consider the Constitution, host Dr. Katie Crawford Lackey sits down with Dr. Dennis Rasmussen, professor of political science at Syracuse University's Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs . Their conversation explores the philosophical underpinnings that influenced the creation of the U.S. Constitution, particularly focusing on Enlightenment thinkers like John Locke, David Hume, Adam Smith, and Montesquieu whose ideas shaped the framers' thinking. Dr. ...
May 14, 2025•24 min•Season 2Ep. 10
In this episode of Consider the Constitution, host Dr. Katie Crawford-Lackey welcomes back Kendra Johnson, assistant Public Defender in Fairfax, Virginia, to explore the Fourth, Fifth, and Sixth Amendments. Johnson explains how these amendments form the backbone of criminal procedure in America and protect citizens from government overreach. The discussion begins with an overview of each amendment: the Fourth Amendment protecting against unreasonable searches and seizures, the Fifth Amendment co...
Apr 30, 2025•22 min•Season 2Ep. 9
Host Dr. Katie Crawford-Lackey welcomes Dr. Casey Burgat back to James Madison's Montpelier to discuss his new book, " We Hold These Truths: How to Spot the Myths That Are Holding America Back ."
Apr 16, 2025•29 min•Season 2Ep. 8
In this compelling conversation with historian Dr. Joshua Rothman from the University of Alabama , we explore the complex relationship between slavery and the U.S. Constitution. Dr. Rothman reveals how the founding document's compromises—from the three-fifths clause to the fugitive slave provision—both protected and perpetuated human bondage while planting seeds for eventual conflict. We discuss how economic forces, technological innovations like the cotton gin, and territorial expansion transfo...
Apr 02, 2025•32 min•Season 2Ep. 7
In this special episode of Consider the Constitution, Dr. Katie Crawford-Lackey explores the evolving role of America's First Ladies with Anita McBride , former Assistant to President George W. Bush and Chief of Staff to First Lady Laura Bush, and co-author of " Remember the First Ladies: The Legacies of America's History-Making Women ." Though the Constitution never defines this role, First Ladies, from Martha Washington to today, have wielded significant influence in shaping policy, diplomacy,...
Mar 19, 2025•31 min•Season 2Ep. 6
In this compelling episode, host Dr. Katie Crawford Lackey sits down with Sharon McMahon, "America's Government Teacher" and New York Times bestselling author of "The Small and the Mighty, " to explore the remarkable stories of overlooked women who shaped American democracy. From Rebecca Brown Mitchell, who helped secure women's suffrage in Idaho decades before the 19th Amendment, to fifteen-year-old Claudette Colvin, whose courageous stand against bus segregation helped pave the way for the Mon...
Mar 05, 2025•29 min•Season 2Ep. 5
What defines constitutional leadership in today's complex political landscape? Dr. Barbara Perry , co-director of the presidential oral history program at the Miller Center , examines how modern presidents navigate their constitutional authority while facing unprecedented challenges. Drawing from her extensive work conducting presidential oral histories, Perry illuminates the delicate balance between executive power and constitutional constraints, from the critical process of peaceful power tran...
Feb 19, 2025•37 min•Season 2Ep. 4
In this episode of Consider the Constitution, we explore the presidential pardon power with Professor Kim Whele from the University of Baltimore Law School. The discussion covers the historical origins of pardons from British common law, its incorporation into the U.S. Constitution, and how this power has evolved through American history through the recent pardons by both President Biden and President Trump in 2024-2025.
Feb 05, 2025•22 min•Season 2Ep. 3
Bitter rivals, fake news, and fears of biblical proportions—welcome to the U.S. presidential election of 1800. Consider the Constitution Host Katie Crawford-Lackey and historian John Ragosta unpack America's first transfer of power between opposing parties, revealing surprising parallels to our current political moment.
Jan 22, 2025•27 min•Season 2Ep. 2
How would James Madison, the architect of the First Amendment, view today's controversial TikTok ban debate? Host Dr. Katie Crawford Lackey and constitutional expert Dr. Lynn Uzzell explore the surprising parallels between 18th-century free speech battles and our modern social media challenges.
Jan 08, 2025•28 min•Season 2Ep. 1
In this season finale, host Dr. Katie Crawford Lackey and producer Adam Belmar reflect on key conversations from the first season of Consider the Constitution Podcast. They revisit notable discussions with constitutional scholars about Article III, judicial review, Madison's vision for managing political diversity, and the evolution of constitutional rights. Highlights include insights on voting rights, the legacy of Reconstruction, privacy in the digital age, and George Washington's approach to...
Nov 06, 2024•24 min•Season 1Ep. 33
Dr. Lindsay Chervinsky , Executive Director of the George Washington Presidential Library , joins host Dr. Katie Crawford-Lackey to explore the evolution of presidential power from the nation's founding through the early republic. Drawing from her new book " Making the Presidency: John Adams and the Precedents That Forged The Republic ," she discusses how George Washington and John Adams shaped the executive office, established crucial precedents, and navigated the delicate balance between effec...
Oct 24, 2024•28 min•Season 1Ep. 32
Nurturing civic engagement in America means raising a new generation of informed, active citizens. Special guest Dr. Lindsey Cormack joins host Katie Crawford-Lackey to discuss her latest book, How to Raise a Citizen (And Why It’s up to You to Do It) , and share practical strategies for engaging children in politics. Whether you're a parent, educator, or simply invested in the future of our nation, this episode offers valuable tools for nurturing engaged citizens in an increasingly complex polit...
Oct 09, 2024•28 min•Season 1Ep. 31
In the final installment of our special three-part series exploring the global impact of the U.S. Constitution, we bring you inside an immersive constitution-building simulation at James Madison's Montpelier . This episode features interviews with six emerging leaders from Sub-Saharan Africa, participants in the U.S. Department of State's Young African Leaders Initiative (YALI) . These distinguished public servants share their insights on democracy, civic engagement, and the role of youth in sha...
Sep 25, 2024•16 min•Season 1Ep. 30
In this second installment of our special three-part miniseries on global democracy, Dr. Katie Crawford Lackey interviews Dr. Tinashe Hofisi , a human rights lawyer and constitutional scholar from Zimbabwe. Dr. Hofisi, an alumnus and instructor of the Young African Leaders Initiative (YALI), shares insights from his research on judicial power in a global context. Funded by Virginia Humanities and produced in collaboration with the Presidential Precinct , this episode explores the complexities of...
Sep 11, 2024•26 min•Season 1Ep. 29
In this first episode of a special three-part mini-series, host Dr. Katie Crawford Lackey of the Robert H. Smith Center for the Constitution at James Madison's Montpelier explores the global impact of the U.S. Constitution. Funded by Virginia Humanities and produced in collaboration with the Presidential Precinct , this series highlights the experiences of Young African Leaders Initiative (YALI) Mandela Washington Fellows . Featuring an interview with Professor Heinz Klug , a South African const...
Aug 28, 2024•33 min•Season 1Ep. 28
The Reconstruction era following the American Civil War sought to redefine the place of newly freed African Americans in society and align Constitutional promises with reality. History Professor Hasan Kwame Jeffries of The Ohio State University joins host Dr. Katie Crawford-Lackey to discuss contested visions for post-war America among different groups, the impact of the 13th, 14th, and 15th Amendments, and efforts to disenfranchise Black voters despite Constitutional protections. Dr. Jeffries p...
Aug 14, 2024•21 min•Season 1Ep. 27
Articles V and VII of the U.S. Constitution outline the amendment and ratification process. Host Dr. Katie Crawford-Lackey is joined by Skidmore College Political Science Professor Dr. Beau Breslin to discuss the two pathways for amending the Constitution and the high bar for making changes. This episode also touches on the importance of the Constitution's preamble, its evolution during the drafting process, and how it might be different if written today....
Jul 31, 2024•25 min•Season 1Ep. 26
In the Judiciary Act of 1789 , the First Congress created the office of the U.S. Attorneys, which was signed into law by President George Washington. Timothy J. Heaphy , a former U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Virginia, joins host Dr. Katie Crawford-Lackey to discuss the roles and responsibilities of U.S. Attorneys within the federal justice system and the significance of collaboration between different levels of law enforcement....
Jul 17, 2024•24 min•Season 1Ep. 25
This July 4th, 2024 episode explores the history between "democracy" and "republic" in America's government. George Washington University Assistant Professor Dr. Casey Burgat discusses how these concepts were understood at the Constitutional Convention in 1787 and how they complement each other. Recorded at James Madison's Montpelier, the conversation emphasizes civic engagement's role in maintaining this delicate balance amid evolving political landscapes.
Jul 03, 2024•31 min•Season 1Ep. 24
In this episode of Consider the Constitution, recorded close to the 2024 Juneteenth federal holiday commemorating the end of slavery, host Dr. Katie Crawford-Lackey interviews Dr. DeAnza Cook about the Reconstruction Amendments (13th, 14th, and 15th) and their impact on the American justice system. Dr. Cook explains how the 13th Amendment abolished slavery but left a loophole allowing involuntary servitude as punishment for a crime. This led to the disproportionate criminalization and incarcerat...
Jun 19, 2024•25 min•Season 1Ep. 23
In this episode of "Consider the Constitution," Dr. Katie Crawford-Lackey interviews Dr. Mila Versteeg , a professor at the University of Virginia School of Law, about modern democratic governance and the role of constitutions. They discuss the differences between the U.S. Constitution and those of other countries, the importance of citizens in enforcing constitutional rights, and the challenges of maintaining fidelity to the Constitution in hyperpartisan environments. Dr. Versteeg emphasizes th...
Jun 05, 2024•21 min•Season 1Ep. 22
In this episode of Consider the Constitution, Professor Michael J Klarman delves into the intricate history behind the drafting and ratification of the U.S. Constitution. He explores the compromises and debates between competing interest groups at the Constitutional Convention, the evolution of democracy since its ratification, and the unique challenges posed by the Constitution's rigidity. Klarman also sheds light on James Madison's indispensable role in the creation and defense of this foundat...
May 22, 2024•28 min•Season 1Ep. 21
Delve into the heart of the impeachment process in the U.S. Constitution with Professor Michael J. Gerhardt , a distinguished professor of jurisprudence at the University of North Carolina Law School. Explore the historical origins, the framers' intentions, and the complexities of holding high-ranking officials accountable. With insights into recent events and the evolving role of political parties, this episode offers a thought-provoking examination of democracy's safeguard....
May 08, 2024•22 min•Season 1Ep. 20
Historian and author David O. Stewart joins host Dr. Katie Crawford-Lackey to discuss the leadership styles of key figures like George Washington and James Madison, and how their personalities and approaches to politics shaped the drafting of the U.S. Constitution. Stewart emphasizes the importance of character in leadership, and how understanding the humanity of these historical figures can provide valuable insights.
Apr 24, 2024•22 min•Season 1Ep. 19
