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...

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...

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...

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...

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, we're considering freedom of the press and the role of news media in our democracy.  The Hon. Adam Belmar served as Deputy Assistant to the President of the United States and Deputy Director of White House Communications for Production. He also held the role of Senior Producer at ABC News, running the Washington DC bureau of ABC's "Good Morning America" and the Sunday morning public affairs show "This Week With George Stephanopoulos." 

In this episode of Consider the Constitution, we’re taking a deep dive into the sections or articles of the Constitution - the document as it was signed on September 17, 1787.  Our special guest is Dr. Jay Cost, the Gerald R. Ford nonresident senior fellow at the American Enterprise Institute (AEI), where he focuses on elections, politics, and public opinion. He has published several books about James Madison and the founding era, and his next book, Democracy or Republic: The People Under the...

Our special guest today on Consider the Constitution is Jade Ryerson, a scholar who is passionate about using public history to encourage civic engagement. Jade earned her master's degree in Heritage Studies and Public History from the University of Minnesota and currently serves as the historian with the Mississippi National River and Recreation Area. In this episode of the podcast, we discuss the First Amendment "right of the people peaceably to assemble." Opinions expressed are solely...

Dr. Lynn Uzzell is a scholar steeped in the foundational principles of America’s constitutional republic. She earned her Ph.D. in politics from the Institute of Philosophical Studies at the University of Dallas and spent four years as a Scholar in Residence at the Center for the Constitution at James Madison’s Montpelier. In this episode, we discuss the Bill of Rights. What they are. Why they are so important. And whether they protect individuals today the way Madison conceived of them.

Welcome to Consider the Constitution, a new podcast from the Robert H. Smith Center for the Constitution at James Madison’s Montpelier. Every episode of this podcast provides insight into the Constitutional issues affecting every American.  Hosted by Dr. Katie Crawford-Lackey,  Director of the Robert H. Smith Center for the Constitution at James Madison’s Montpelier, the podcast features interviews with Constitutional scholars, policy and subject matter experts, heritage professionals, and...