Constitutional Chats Presented By Constituting America

Aristotle is regarded as the father of "natural law." What exactly is natural law? From the ancient Greeks to the Founders of our country, join this week's chat to learn what it is and how this concept influenced the philosophies of John Locke and Thomas Hobbes. Episode 63 of Constitutional Chats Podcast. Livestreamed on 3/23/2021. Sign up for our next Constitutional Chat via Zoom at http://constitutingamerica.org

The amazing true-life story of how a college student in Texas was able to get the 27th Amendment to the US Constitution passed. It all started with a C-grade on a paper about this amendment! Episode 59 of Constitutional Chats Podcast. Livestreamed on 3/2/2021. Sign up for our next Constitutional Chat via Zoom at http://constitutingamerica.org

How executive orders affect your life & checks and balances. Continuing our "The Amendments and YOU!" series, Janine Turner, Cathy Gillespie, and student ambassadors Jewel and Jorne Gilbert interview constitutional scholar Todd Gaziano on the history and current application of executive orders. Episode 61 of Constitutional Chats Podcast. Livestreamed on 3/16/2021. Sign up for our next Constitutional Chat via Zoom at http://constitutingamerica.org

How the 25th Amendment established the official procedures for Presidential Disability and Succession! Continuing our "The Amendments and YOU!" series, Janine Turner, Cathy Gillespie, and Tova Love Kaplan interview Heritage Foundation's Hans von Spakovsky on what the executive branch had done in the event of Presidential incapacity before the ratification of the 25th Amendment in 1967, and exactly what powers the 25th Amendment grants to the Vice President, the Cabinet, and Congress. Episode 59 of Constitutional Chats Podcast. Livestreamed on 02/23/2021. Sign up for our next Constitutional Chat via Zoom at https://www.constitutingamerica.org

How the 23rd Amendment allocated electoral college votes to the residents of the District of Columbia, and how the 24th Amendment abolished the use of poll taxes to stop citizens from exercising their right to vote. Continuing our "The Amendments and YOU!" series, Cathy Gillespie and Tova Love Kaplan interview former Virginia Attorney General Ken Cuccinelli on these two largely bipartisan amendments, which both stemmed from the Civil Rights Movement. Episode 58 of Constitutional Chats Podcast. Livestreamed on 02/16/2021. Sign up for our next Constitutional Chat via Zoom at https://www.constitutingamerica.org

How the 19th Amendment changed women's roles in the voting booth and in American society! Continuing our "The Amendments and YOU!" series, Janine Turner, Cathy Gillespie, and Tova Love Kaplan interview Tammy Bruce on the suffrage movement, the importance of education and confidence for young women, and how we can continue to increase women's involvement in government and industry leadership. Episode 57 of Constitutional Chats Podcast. Livestreamed on 02/09/2021. Sign up for our next Constitutional Chat via Zoom at https://www.constitutingamerica.org

Continuing our discussion of the progressive era amendments with the 18th Amendment, which prohibited "the manufacture, sale, or transportation of intoxicating liquors," and the 21st Amendment, which repealed the 18th Amendment and returned control of liquor laws to state and local governments. Continuing our "The Amendments and YOU!" series, Janine Turner, Cathy Gillespie, and Tova Love Kaplan interview Dr. Gordon Lloyd on the temperance movement, impacts on interstate commerce and federalism, and how the 21st Amendment is unique in its Constitutional impact, as the only Amendment to directly repeal another Amendment, and the only Amendment ratified by state ratifying conventions rather than state congresses. Episode 56 of Constitutional Chats Podcast. Livestreamed on 02/02/2021. Sign up for our next Constitutional Chat via Zoom at https://www.constitutingamerica.org

How the 14th Amendment ensured citizenship and equal protection of the laws in the aftermath of the Civil War, and how it still serves to protect citizens today! Continuing our "The Amendments and YOU!" series, Janine Turner, Cathy Gillespie, and student ambassadors Tova Love Kaplan and Dakare Chatman interview Professor Randy Barnett on the 14th Amendment's context in history and its role in current events and systems, such as the COVID-19 pandemic mask debate, the criminal justice process, and interstate commerce. Episode 55 of Constitutional Chats Podcast. Livestreamed on 01/26/2021. Sign up for our next Constitutional Chat via Zoom at https://www.constitutingamerica.org

Beginning our discussion of the "Progressive Era" Amendments with how the 16th Amendment allowed a federal income tax, and the 17th Amendment changed the way U.S. Senators are selected for office to direct election. Continuing our "The Amendments and YOU!" series, Janine Turner, Cathy Gillespie, and student ambassadors Tova Love Kaplan and Dakare Chatman interview Dr. Gordon Lloyd on how these two amendments drastically increased the power of the national government by allowing Congress to levy its own taxes and removing state legislatures from the process of selecting Senators. Episode 54 of Constitutional Chats Podcast. Livestreamed on 01/19/2021. Sign up for our next Constitutional Chat via Zoom at https://www.constitutingamerica.org

How the 13th Amendment abolished slavery and the 15th Amendment prohibited denying citizens the right to vote based on race, color, or previous condition of servitude. Continuing our "The Amendments and YOU!" series, Janine Turner, Cathy Gillespie, and student ambassadors Tova Love Kaplan and Dakare Chatman interview Stacy Washington on how these two amendments aimed to protect the rights and equality of recently emancipated slaves and persons of all races. Livestreamed on 01/12/2021. Sign up for our next Constitutional Chat via Zoom at https://www.constitutingamerica.org

Happy Bill of Rights Day! In part 10, the final installment, of our "Bill of Rights & YOU!" series, Cathy Gillespie and student ambassador Tova Love Kaplan interview Professor Brion McClanahan on the ratification process of the Bill of Rights, what proposed amendments were not ratified, and how the Bill of Rights as a whole protects Americans to this day. Livestreamed on 12/15/2020. Sign up for our next Constitutional Chat via Zoom at https://www.constitutingamerica.org

How do the 9th and 10th Amendments limit the power of the national government via the principles of federalism? In part 9 of our "Bill of Rights & YOU!" series, Janine Turner, Cathy Gillespie, and student ambassadors Tova Love Kaplan and Dakare Chatman interview George Landrith on how these two amendments protect the rights of the people and reserve power to the state governments. Livestreamed on 12/08/2020. Sign up for our next Constitutional Chat via Zoom at https://www.constitutingamerica.org

How does the Bill of Rights outline the rights of the accused and protect those working through the justice system? In part 8 of our "Bill of Rights & YOU!" series, Janine Turner, Cathy Gillespie, and student ambassadors Tova Love Kaplan and Dakare Chatman interview Judge Michael Warren on how both civil and criminal cases proceed through the court system, the role and selection of a jury, and what constitutes excessive bail for those charged, and fines and punishments for those found guilty. Livestreamed on 12/01/2020. Sign up for our next Constitutional Chat via Zoom at https://www.constitutingamerica.org

What does it mean when the Fifth Amendment provides for protection of rights to life, liberty, and property? In part 7 of our "Bill of Rights & YOU!" series, Janine Turner, Cathy Gillespie, and Tova Love Kaplan interview J. Eric Wise on the function of a grand jury, "double jeopardy" and the appeals process, and what it means to "plead the Fifth." Livestreamed on 11/24/2020. Sign up for our next Constitutional Chat via Zoom at https://www.constitutingamerica.org

What does it mean when the Fourth Amendment provides for protection against unreasonable searches and seizures? In part 6 of our "Bill of Rights & YOU!" series, Janine Turner, Cathy Gillespie, and Tova Love Kaplan interview Cully Stimson on what defines probable cause, what a legal and "reasonable" search is, and the myriad of ways the 4th Amendment has been used in court cases, all the way up to the Supreme Court. Livestreamed on 11/17/2020. Sign up for our next Constitutional Chat via Zoom at https://www.constitutingamerica.org

What does it mean when the Third Amendment states, "No soldier shall, in time of peace, be quartered in any house without the consent of the owner, nor in time of war but in a manner to be prescribed by law," also known as the housing of soldiers? In part 5 of our "Bill of Rights & YOU!" series, Janine Turner, Cathy Gillespie, and Tova Love Kaplan interview Professor John McCurdy on the quartering of soldiers in times of peace and war, expectations of privacy, and potential applications of the Third Amendment in the modern day. Livestreamed on 11/10/2020. Sign up for our next Constitutional Chat via Zoom at https://www.constitutingamerica.org Professor John McCurdy's book, Quarters, is available here: https://www.cornellpress.cornell.edu/book/9781501736605/quarters/#bookTabs=1

What does it mean when the Second Amendment states, "A well-regulated militia being necessary to the security of a free state, the right of the people to keep and bear arms shall not be infringed," also known as the right to bear arms? In part 4 of our "Bill of Rights & YOU!" series, Janine Turner, Cathy Gillespie, and students Tova Love Kaplan and Dakare Chatman interview Professor David Kopel on the right of citizens to self-defense and protection, the purpose and role of a militia, and the Constitution and the Second Amendment as anti-tyranny documents. Livestreamed on 10/27/2020. Sign up for our next Constitutional Chat via Zoom at https://www.constitutingamerica.org

What does it mean that the First Amendment protects our rights to freedom of speech, right to freedom of the press, right to petition the government for a redress of grievances, and right to peaceably assemble? In part 3 of our "Bill of Rights & YOU!" series, Janine Turner, Cathy Gillespie, and Student Ambassadors Tova Love Kaplan and Dakare Chatman interview Professor Erin Hawley on the process for petitioning the government, where the idea to protect these unalienable rights originated, legal precedent for using your First Amendment rights to make a change in your community or in the nation, and more! Livestreamed on 10/20/2020. Sign up for our next Constitutional Chat via Zoom at https://www.constitutingamerica.org

What does it mean when the First Amendment states, "Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion or prohibiting the free exercise thereof," also known as the freedom of religion? In part 2 of our "Bill of Rights & YOU!" series, Janine Turner, Cathy Gillespie, and Tova Love Kaplan interview Professor Kevin Gutzman on the historical context of religious liberty in the United States, the First Amendment's role as a Federalism provision, and more! Livestreamed on 10/13/2020. Sign up for our next Constitutional Chat via Zoom at https://www.constitutingamerica.org

How the Bill of Rights protects the rights of individuals and states, and the first ten amendments came to be! In part 1 of our "Bill of Rights & YOU!" series, Janine Turner, Cathy Gillespie, and Student Ambassadors Tova Love Kaplan and Dakare Chatman interview Dr. David Bobb, President of the Bill of Rights Institute, on the historical context and purpose of the Bill of Rights! Livestreamed on 10/08/2020. Sign up for our next Constitutional Chat via Zoom at https://www.constitutingamerica.org

The electoral college system can be confusing, so we did a special episode - just for kids - on how the electoral college works! Janine Turner, Cathy Gillespie, and Student Ambassadors Tova Love Kaplan and Dakare Chatman interview Tara Ross, author of the children's book, "We Elect a President," on why the electoral college was created and why it's still important today! Livestreamed on 09/29/2020. Sign up for our next Constitutional Chat via Zoom at https://www.constitutingamerica.org

How do electors get chosen for different states and political parties, and what do they actually do in the electoral college? Janine Turner, Cathy Gillespie, and Student Ambassadors Tova Love Kaplan and Dakare Chatman interview Christine Pelosi, 2016 California Democrat Elector, and Martha Jenkins, 2004 & 2016 North Carolina Republican Elector, on how they were each selected, what their experiences as electors were like, the importance of civil civic conversations in politics, and more! Livestreamed on 09/22/2020. Sign up for our next Constitutional Chat via Zoom at https://www.constitutingamerica.org

What exactly happened when delegates from all 13 states met to write the Constitution? In Part 7, the final installment of the "Breaking Down the Constitution" series, Janine Turner, Cathy Gillespie, and Student Ambassadors Tova Love Kaplan and Dakare Chatman interview author James D. Best on the proceedings of the Constitutional Convention, how the Preamble serves as the "elevator pitch" for the Constitution, and more! Livestreamed on 09/15/2020. Sign up for our next Constitutional Chat via Zoom at https://www.constitutingamerica.org

How the Founding Fathers made the Constitution the supreme law of the land via Article VI, and the outlined Constitution's ratification process in Article VII! In Part 6 of the "Breaking Down the Constitution" series, Janine Turner, Jeanette Kraynak, and Lisa Williams interview former U.S. Solicitor General Paul Clement on the history of the supremacy clause and the scope of federal government, how the courts and justices have interpreted Article VI in terms of federal statues and the amendments, and more! Livestreamed on 09/08/2020. Sign up for our next Constitutional Chat via Zoom at https://www.constitutingamerica.org

How the Founding Fathers laid the groundwork for each state's republican form of government and relationships between the states and the federal government in Article IV, and the processes for proposing and ratifying amendments to the Constitution in Article V! In Part 5 of the "Breaking Down the Constitution" series, Cathy Gillespie and Constituting America National Youth Director Tova Love Kaplan interview Heritage Foundation's Tom Jipping on the history of the amendment process, historical and modern feelings and discussions surrounding a convention of states, and the importance of setting forth a republican form of government in the states! Livestreamed on 09/01/2020. Sign up for our next Constitutional Chat via Zoom at https://www.constitutingamerica.org The Heritage Guide to the Constitution: https://www.heritage.org/constitution

How the Judicial Branch's responsibilities are enumerated in Article III of the Constitution, and what powers "We, the People" have granted the Supreme Court and other federal courts! In Part 4 of the "Breaking Down the Constitution" series, actress Janine Turner, Cathy Gillespie, and Constituting America Student Ambassadors Tova Love Kaplan and Dakare Chatman interview Professor Joerg Knipprath on the historical and modern role of the judicial branch, including the establishment of district and circuit courts, the history behind having nine Supreme Court Justices, and the concept of judicial review. Livestreamed on 08/25/2020. Sign up for our next Constitutional Chat via Zoom at https://www.constitutingamerica.org

How the Executive Branch's responsibilities are enumerated in Article II of the Constitution, and what powers "We, the People" have granted the President! In Part 2 of the "Breaking Down the Constitution" series, actress Janine Turner, Cathy Gillespie, Constituting America National Youth Director Tova Love Kaplan, and guest student panelists Wyatt & Jonah Hensley interview Hillsdale Professor William Morrisey on the historical and modern role of the executive branch, including the elector selection process, treaties vs. executive agreements, and the removal process outlined in Section 4. Livestreamed on 08/22/2020. Sign up for our next Constitutional Chat via Zoom at https://www.constitutingamerica.org

How the Executive Branch's responsibilities are enumerated in Article II of the Constitution, and what powers "We, the People" have granted the President! In Part 2 of the "Breaking Down the Constitution" series, actress Janine Turner, Cathy Gillespie, and guest student panelists Wyatt & Jonah Hensley interview Hillsdale Professor William Morrisey on the historical and modern role of the executive branch, including its relationships with the legislative and judicial branches and foreign nations. Livestreamed on 08/18/2020. Sign up for our next Constitutional Chat via Zoom at https://www.constitutingamerica.org

Should ZIP code determine where students go to school, or should students and parents get to choose? Actress Janine Turner, Cathy Gillespie, and Constituting America Student Ambassadors Tova Love Kaplan and Dakare Chatman interview film producer Micheal Flaherty on the issue of school choice. Livestreamed on 08/15/2020. Sign up for our next Constitutional Chat via Zoom at https://www.constitutingamerica.org

How the Legislature's responsibilities are enumerated in Article I of the Constitution, and what powers "We, the People" have granted the House of Representatives and the Senate! In Part 1 of the "Breaking Down the Constitution" series, actress Janine Turner, Cathy Gillespie, and Constituting America Student Ambassadors Tova Love Kaplan and Dakare Chatman interview Dr. Colleen Sheehan, discussing Congress's historical and modern roles, the Legislative Branch's interactions with the President and Judiciary, and what it means to be an active and responsible modern citizen in today's society.

How Federalist 85 summarizes Alexander Hamilton, James Madison, and John Jay's arguments for ratifying the Constitution, and lobbies for the colonists to "not make the perfect the enemy of the good." Actress Janine Turner, Cathy Gillespie, and Constituting America Student Ambassador Tova Love Kaplan interview Hillsdale's Professor Adam Carrington on Alexander Hamilton's closing message in Federalist Paper #85. Livestreamed on 08/04/2020. Sign up for our next Constitutional Chat via Zoom at https://www.constitutingamerica.org

How Federalist 81 explains the Constitution separating state court systems from the federal court system, and the powers and limitations of each! Actress Janine Turner, Cathy Gillespie, and Constituting America Student Ambassadors Tova Love Kaplan and Dakare Chatman interview Michigan Circuit Court Judge Michael Warren, on Alexander Hamilton's message in Federalist Paper #81 and its continued explanation of the federal and state judiciary systems, including the Supreme Court. Livestreamed on 07/28/2020. Sign up for our next Constitutional Chat via Zoom at https://www.constitutingamerica.org See Judge Warren's Patriot Week website here: https://www.patriotweek.org/

How Federalist 78 explains separating the Judicial Branch out from the Legislature! Cathy Gillespie, Jeanette Kraynak, and Constituting America Student Ambassadors Tova Love Kaplan and Dakare Chatman interview Hillsdale Professor William Morrisey, on Alexander Hamilton's message in Federalist Paper #78 and how it set up the newly formed Judiciary, including the U.S. Supreme Court. Livestreamed on 07/21/2020. Sign up for our next Constitutional Chat via Zoom at https://www.constitutingamerica.org

How are different school systems across the United States handling the beginning of the 2020-21 school year as the Coronavirus pandemic continues? Cathy Gillespie, Jay McConville, and Constituting America Student Ambassadors Tova Love Kaplan and Dakare Chatman interview Elizabeth Schultz, Fairfax County School Board Member Emeritus, on the different avenues schools and states are pursuing, and how we can place emphasis on what's best for children as discussions continue. Livestreamed on 07/18/2020. Sign up for our next Constitutional Chat via Zoom at https://www.constitutingamerica.org

In celebration of the 100-year anniversary of the ratification of the 19th Amendment, securing women the right to vote in the United States! Actress Janine Turner, Cathy Gillespie, and Constituting America Student Ambassadors Tova Love Kaplan and Dakare Chatman interview Senator Marsha Blackburn (TN) and her daughter, Mary Morgan Ketchel, on their new children's book, "Camilla Can Vote," about the story of women's suffrage! Livestreamed on 07/14/2020. Sign up for our next Constitutional Chat via Zoom at https://www.constitutingamerica.org

Does TikTok pose a national security risk? Is the app appropriately handling the personal data of its users? Actress Janine Turner, Cathy Gillespie, and Constituting America Student Ambassadors Tova Love Kaplan and Dakare Chatman interview Shane Tews on the U.S.'s concerns about TikTok's data privacy and global security risks, and what app users can do to protect themselves from such risks. Livestreamed on 07/11/2020. Sign up for our next Constitutional Chat via Zoom at https://www.constitutingamerica.org

How Federalist 62 warned against long and confusing laws! Actress Janine Turner, Constituting America Student Ambassador Tova Love Kaplan, and Peter Roff interview Professor Joseph Knippenberg on Federalist Paper #62, which discusses the setup of the Senate. Livestreamed on 07/07/2020. Sign up for our next Constitutional Chat via Zoom at https://www.constitutingamerica.org

Hear the words of the Declaration of Independence read by Constitutional Chats hosts actress Janine Turner, Cathy Gillespie, and student panelists Tova Love Kaplan and Dakare Chatman! Afterwords, our team discusses the global impact of our Declaration, its lasting effects, and more with our guest, author Tony Williams!

Is removing statues of historic figures rewriting history? Actress Janine Turner, Cathy Gillespie, and Constituting America Student Ambassadors Tova Love Kaplan and Dakare Chatman interview Professor Bill McClay on providing historical context for the figures of the past; how, when, and if to decide to remove statues; and how Americans can ensure that the past is remembered and learned from, even when it is flawed. Guest appearance from We the Future Contest "Best Teacher Lesson Plan" winner Eboni Jenerette to discuss her thoughts on removing statues, and how removing the symbol of the past does not undo the history that occurred.

How Federalist 51 explained the checks and balances and separation of powers delineated in the Constitution! Actress Janine Turner, Cathy Gillespie, and Constituting America Student Ambassadors Tova Love Kaplan and Dakare Chatman interview Dr. Bobbi Herzberg on Federalist Paper #51 and the strengths of checking power between the branches of the national government, as well as between state and federal government!

The history of Juneteenth! On June 19, 1865, slaves in Galveston, TX were notified - two years after the Emancipation Proclamation - that the Civil War had ended and they were freed from slavery. Actress Janine Turner, Cathy Gillespie, and Constituting America Student Ambassadors Tova Love Kaplan and Dakare Chatman interview Horace Cooper on the history of Juneteenth in Texas, the context under which Juneteenth celebrations began, and how the rest of the nation is joining in honoring this historic day.

How Federalist 39 explained the intent of the Constitutional Convention to create the framework for a Republican form of government! Actress Janine Turner, Cathy Gillespie, and Constituting America Student Ambassadors Tova Love Kaplan and Dakare Chatman interview Professor Lucas Morel and Val Crofts on Federalist Paper #39 and how the differences between federal government and national government, and republic and democracy, factored into the way the Constitution was written.

What is the difference between absentee voting and all mail-in voting, and in the wake of the COVID-19 crisis, what should be done to ensure voter safety but continue to allow voter access? Actress Janine Turner, Cathy Gillespie, and Constituting America Student Ambassadors Tova Love Kaplan and Dakare Chatman interview John Fund on differences in voting methods and how states can best proceed for elections during the Coronavirus pandemic.

How Federalist 37 explained the intent of the Constitutional Convention to set aside differences to create a framework for a stable American government! Actress Janine Turner, Cathy Gillespie, and Constituting America Student Ambassadors Tova Love Kaplan and Dakare Chatman interview Professor David Kopel on Federalist Paper #37 (written by James Madison)

How Federalist 10 explained the purpose of a Constitutional government as preserving liberties and mitigating faction, and what that has meant throughout history and today! Actress Janine Turner, Cathy Gillespie, and Constituting America Student Ambassadors Tova Love Kaplan and Dakare Chatman interview Hillsdale's Professor Adam Carrington on Federalist Paper #10 (written by James Madison), and what faction looks like in our present society.

How NASA and commercial companies like SpaceX are navigating new missions, and what governs companies and nations as they explore! Actress Janine Turner, Cathy Gillespie, and Constituting America Student Ambassadors Tova Love Kaplan and Dakare Chatman interview Professor Sean O'Keefe (former NASA Administrator) and Michael Gold (Acting Associate Administrator, NASA's Office of International and Interagency Relations) on the Artemis Accords, the importance of STEM education, NASA's collaborations with SpaceX for the May 2020 SpaceX launch, and how the US government plans to continue commercial partnerships for space exploration in the future.

Celebrating 100 years since the ratification of the 19th Amendment, which states that voting rights cannot be denied on the basis of sex! Actress Janine Turner, Cathy Gillespie, and Constituting America Student Ambassadors Tova Love Kaplan and Dakare Chatman interview Dr. Colleen Shogan (Vice-Chair of the Women's Suffrage Centennial Commission) on the Suffragists who fought for women's right to vote, the historical context of the fight for women's suffrage, and the impact women have had on voting and politics in the last 100 years.

"Old Enough to Fight, Old Enough to Vote" and how the youth vote has impacted American politics since the ratification of the 26th Amendment in 1971. Actress Janine Turner, Cathy Gillespie, and Constituting America Student Ambassadors Tova Love Kaplan and Dakare Chatman interview the United States Military Academy at Westpoint's Dr. Robert McDonald on the path to lowering the national voting age to 18, the public's reception of the 26th Amendment, and the impact of the youth vote in the last 49 years. Livestreamed on 05/19/2020. Sign up for our next Constitutional Chat via Zoom at https://www.constitutingamerica.org Robert McDonald's podcast-style audio course (Thomas Jefferson: American Revolutionary) is available exclusively on Apple Books: https://books.apple.com/us/audiobook/thomas-jefferson-american-revolutionary/id1508511080?ign-itsct=books_toolbox&ign-itscg=30200

What is the government's role in regulating social media and online speech? Cathy Gillespie and Constituting America Student Ambassadors Tova Love Kaplan and Dakare Chatman interview Dr. Brad Smith about free speech, Section 230 of the Communication Decency Act, and the responsibilities of individual social networks and the government.

The 17th Amendment made U.S. Senators directly elected by their constituents rather than selected by state legislatures - how does this change affect the way our federal government works? Actress Janine Turner, Cathy Gillespie, and Constituting America Student Ambassadors Tova Love Kaplan and Dakare Chatman interview Hillsdale College's Professor William Morrisey on how the direct election of senators altered the balance of power in Congress.