Professor Erwin Chemerinsky talks about why he thinks originalism is not a viable path to interpreting what the framers intended.
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How Lincoln calibrated his moral compass
Pulitzer Prize winner Jon Meacham discusses his biography of the 16th president, from birth to assassination, and Lincoln’s conviction that slavery must be ended as a moral evil.
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Trump is under 5 major investigations—here’s how they could go down
Lawyer Ankush Khardori discusses the cases against Trump, the paths in front of prosecutors, and the many ways these legal battles could play out.
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We all need a refresher on the Constitution
Constitutional scholar Julie Silverbrook discusses 35 new short-form videos designed to engage children about the basics of American democracy.
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Universal basic income works, but it’s not cheap
Journalist Megan Greenwell talks about programs that offer monthly stipends with no strings attached with the hopes of lifting people out of poverty, and why the movement now finds itself at a crossroads.
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Democrats’ new strategy for 2022
Staff writer Nicholas Lemann discusses the blind spots the Democratic party has – like focusing too heavily on college-educated voters – and which policies the Republicans might be messaging in a clearer fashion.
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It’s hard to run for Congress if you’re not rich, and that’s a problem
Author Sarah Smarsh discusses how she was encouraged to run for the U.S. Senate in her home state, the financial barriers to that goal, and the avenues she feels could best give voice to the voiceless in Washington.
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With Roe overturned, doctors need lawyers
Time magazine reporter Abigail Abrams talks about the routine doctor-patient relationship for a pregnancy that has now become a high-stakes game of providing care while not running afoul of state mandates.
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Can central banks fix inflation this time?
Harvard economist Kenneth S. Rogoff talks about the politics that have seeped into the Federal Reserve’s role since the crash of 2008 and why that might make stifling inflation this time around a problem.
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What to say to your QAnon-believing relatives
Michael Shermer of Skeptic Magazine discusses why someone might be drawn into a conspiracy. Plus, a blog post from this episode about the dos and don’ts of talking to people who believe conspiracy theories.
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How America fell in love with ignorant politicians
Comedian and author Andy Borowitz talks about how social media and the 24-hour news cycle have produced politicians who score cheap points without the facts to back them up.
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Latin American drug cartels? Meet Chinese gangsters
Reporter Sebastian Rotella discusses Chinese organized crime operating in Mexico and their ties to the Chinese state and American politicians.
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