Shows
Inform Your ResistanceCoalitions and Contradictions between Capitalist and Far Right Agendas with Hialy Gutierrez and Claudia EspinelIn this episode, Hialy Gutierrez, PRA Deputy Research Director, and Claudia Espinel, discuss the connections and contradictions between prevailing economic systems, political infrastructure and ideology, and rising authoritarianism. We touch on the various ways that corporate power intersects with government, civil society, and media to prioritize profit accumulation and market dominance over human and environmental dignity and wellbeing. We also identify ways to sharpen movement strategy so that we can more effectively and more coherently fight back, not just against authoritarian leaders and governance, but also against the economic systems that keep enabling them. We highlight the urgent need...
2025-10-0950 minInform Your ResistanceCoalitions and Contradictions between Capitalist and Far Right Agendas with Hialy Gutierrez and Claudia EspinelIn this episode, Hialy Gutierrez, PRA Deputy Research Director, and Claudia Espinel, discuss the connections and contradictions between prevailing economic systems, political infrastructure and ideology, and rising authoritarianism. We touch on the various ways that corporate power intersects with government, civil society, and media to prioritize profit accumulation and market dominance over human and environmental dignity and wellbeing. We also identify ways to sharpen movement strategy so that we can more effectively and more coherently fight back, not just against authoritarian leaders and governance, but also against the economic systems that keep enabling them. We highlight the urgent need...
2025-10-0950 min
Democracy & DestinyDemocracy & Destiny EP 14 with Public Citizen Lisa Gilbert WBAI VersionIn this episode Prof Ciara talks to Lisa Gilbert of Public Citizen about reforms that would help our democracy including those that were in legislation that failed to pass Congress which would have addressed voting rights, dark money, gerrymandering. They talk about improvements in securities law that could help voters post Citizens United v. FEC to know the sources of corporate money in politics. Also includes discussion of a recent Second Circuit decision about FIFA bribery case United States v. Lopez (2d Cir. 2025). Featuring the adventures of @ProfCiara's labradoodle. Based on a chapter from the book Corporatocracy published by NYU...
2025-09-2055 minDemocracy & DestinyDemocracy & Destiny EP 13 with Marina Pino WBAI VersionIn this episode Brennan Center fellow @ProfCiara talks to Brennan Center lawyer Marina Pino about money in politics and the solution of public financing for elections in New York City, New York State, Seattle and elsewhere. They discuss the history of Watergate that led to the Presidential Public Financing System, the Supreme Court's upholding public financing in Buckley v. Valeo and Arizona Free Enterprise Club's Freedom Club PAC v. Bennett as well as the harm the Supreme Court wrought in Citizens United v. FEC with a shoutout to the Barbie movie for covering Citizens United in its opening credits. This...
2025-09-1353 minDemocracy & DestinyDemocracy & Destiny EP 12 with Donald ShermanIn this episode ProfCiara talks with CREW's Donald Sherman about seeking legal and constitutional consequences for the January 6th Insurrection at the Capitol using the 14th Amendment's Section 3 aka the Insurrection Clause or Disqualification Clause in Cawthorn v. Circosta, Cawthorn v. Amalfi, White v. Griffin, Griffin v. New Mexico, Anderson v. Griswold and Trump v. Anderson. Discusses updates on former Speaker of the Ohio House Larry Householder's criminal conviction for his participation in the FirstEnergy Scandal in Ohio being upheld on appeal. Includes the adventures of @ProfCiara's Labradoodle. Based on a chapter from the book Corporatocracy published by NYU Press.
2025-09-0653 minDemocracy & DestinyDemocracy & Destiny EP 11 with historian Heather Cox Richardson WBAI VersionIn this Episode ProfCiara talks to historian Heather Cox Richardson about how she started Letters from an American, American history, Andrew Carnegie's Gospel of Wealth, Reconstruction, the 14th Amendment, the Enforcement Acts, including the KKK Act, voting rights, as well as American and German dark money corporate support of the rise of the Nazi Party and fascism including those charged at Nuremberg like Krupp, Flick and IG Farben as well as Henry Ford. Also references new developments in Jacob Wohl and Jack Burkman's legal cases about alleged voter suppression in Detroit and other black majority cities. Includes the adventures of...
2025-08-3053 minDemocracy & DestinyDemocracy & Destiny EP 10 with Stephen Richer WBAI VersionIn this episode ProfCiara talks to Stephen Richer the former head of elections in Maricopa County Arizona. Mr. Richer ran elections in Arizona's biggest county in 2020. A lifelong Republican, Richer received death threats for standing up for election integrity against the Big Lie. This episode also talks about violence and threats of violence in the midterm election, the Richer v. Lake lawsuit, and the Cyber Ninjas fraudit. Includes the adventures of @ProfCiara's Labradoodle. This is based on a chapter of the book Corporatocracy published by NYU Press.
2025-08-2355 minDemocracy & DestinyDemocracy & Destiny EP 9 with Dahlia Lithwick WBAI VersionIn this Episode ProfCiara Torres-Spelliscy talks to Slate Amicus Supreme Court reporter Dahlia Lithwick. They talk about the 2024-2025 U.S. Supreme Court term, the birthright citizenship national injunction case (Trump v. CASA Inc.), the presidential immunity case (Trump v. United States), United States v. Wong Kim Ark, Roe v. Wade, Dobbs v. v. Jackson Women's Health Organization, Burwell v. Hobby Lobby. includes a discussion about the fight over ESG at corporations including what they should do about climate change, how corporations pretend to care about social issues like gay rights, diversity and reproductive freedoms, and the power of consumer...
2025-08-1654 minDemocracy & DestinyDemocracy and Destiny EP 8 with Andrew Warren & Matt Newton WBAI VersionIn this episode ProfCiara talks with lawyers Andrew Warren and Matt Newton about Florida politics, the ghost candidate scandal, and governor DeSantis's firing of Andrew Warren from his elected position as a prosecutor, which two federal courts ruled was unconstitutional under the First Amendment. This discussion also includes the problem of dark money in Florida elections, FPL and the good work of Florida papers like the Orlando Sentinel, Tampa Bay Times, and Miami Herald in unearthing the ghost candidate story which led to multiple criminal convictions. Covers legal cases State of Florida v. Artiles, State of Florida v. Fogelsong, State...
2025-08-0953 minDemocracy & DestinyDemocracy & Destiny EP 7 with Professor Jennifer Taub WBAI VersionIn this episode Ciara Torres-Spelliscy interviews Professor Jennifer Taub who hosts Jen Taub Live on Youtube. They talk about her organization of the Tax March in Trump's first term, the Supreme Court's Citizens United v. FEC case, Trump v. US aka the presidential immunity decision, the pardon power, Trump's pardons of January 6th participants, dismissal of Mayor Eric Adams corruption prosecution, the deployment of troops to Los Angeles, the selling of crypto Trump meme coins and stable coins in exchange for White House tours for the highest bidders in an auction, as well as SpeechNow v. FEC and white collar...
2025-08-0253 minDemocracy & DestinyDemocracy and Destiny EP 6 with CREW's Robert Maguire WBAI versionThis episode of Democracy & Destiny focuses on money in politics including an interview with CREW's Robert Maguire, an expert on following the money in campaign finance. This includes discussion of Citizens United v. FEC, spending in the 2020 election, 2022 election, and 2024 election, and explanations of dark money, Super PACs, multiple campaign finance scandals and the corporate support of the Sedition Caucus in Congress after January 6th. This show includes a government contractor involved in a bribery scheme that included Super Bowl tickets. Also features the adventures of @ProfCiara's labradoodle as well as mentions of SBF, Duncan Hunter's pet rabbits, and Senator...
2025-07-2652 minDemocracy & DestinyDemocracy & Destiny EP 5 with Professor Atiba Ellis WBAI VersionThis episode includes discussion of the exoneration of civil rights icon Bayard Rustin for his arrest in North Carolina for integrating a bus and his punishment on a chain gang, as well a the practice of convict leasing, and the long history of civil death including the loss of voting rights which dates back to ancient Greece and Rome. Professor Atiba Ellis speaks about Supreme Court cases the exceptions to the 13th Amendment and 14th Amendment of the U.S. Constitution which allow for felony disenfranchisement for returning citizens to this day especially in Florida despite the adoption of Amendment 4...
2025-07-1953 minDemocracy & DestinyDemocracy & Destiny EP 4 with Lisa Graves WBAI VersionThis episode discusses prosecution of a group who defrauded public schools, the FirstEnergy Scandal in Ohio including Larry Householder, and an interview of lawyer Lisa Graves of True North Research. She talks about the role of dark money, Barre Seid, and Leonard Leo in tilting the American judiciary to the right and the role of Hoffeller in tilting legislatures to the right and the impact on the 2020 Census litigation New York v. Department of Commerce and Citizens United v. FEC. Also features the adventures of @ProfCiara's labradoodle.This show is based on the book Corporatocracy published by NYU Press 2024.
2025-07-1253 minDemocracy & DestinyDemocracy & Destiny EP 3 with Professor Rick Hasen WBAI versionThis episode includes reading from the Supreme Court's new corruption case Kousisis v. US, an excerpt of Corporatocracy, and an interview with Professor Richard Hassen of UCLA Law School and the Safeguarding Democracy Project. Professors Hasen and Torres-Spelliscy discuss NY v. Trump, Georgia v. Trump, Trump v. US aka the presidential immunity decision, McDonnell v. US, Rucho v. Common Cause, Shelby County v. Holder, Brnovich v. DNC, Bush v. Gore, McDonnell v. United States, Buckley v. Valeo among other election law topics such as whether lawyers who tried to overturn the 2020 election should be disbarred. This also includes the adventures...
2025-07-0554 min
DIY DemocracyCorporations, Dark Money, and DemocracyI spoke with Professor Ciara Torres-Spelliscy about her book, Corporatocracy, and about how money influences politics and what we can do about it. You can buy her book at Bookshop (Corporatocracy: How to Protect Democracy from Dark Money and Corrupt Politicians). Also, check out her podcast, Democracy and Destiny . Music by Evan Schaeffer
2025-07-0258 minDemocracy & DestinyDemocracy & Destiny EP 2 Professor Larry Lessig WBAI versionThis includes a discussion of the alleged campaign finance crimes by Sam Bankman-Fried, FTX and Alameda and the convictions for ex-Congressman George Santos. It also includes an interview with Larry Lessig about technology policy, AI, disinformation, the Facebook whistleblower, money in politics, the attempt to overturn SpeechNow, Citizens United v. FEC and American democracy. Also includes the adventures of @ProfCiara's labradoodle with a shoutout to Ani DiFranco. This show is based on the book Corporatocracy published by NYU Press 2024.
2025-06-2853 minDemocracy & DestinyDemocracy & Destiny EP 1 with Senator Sheldon Whitehouse WBAI versionThis is the debut of Democracy & Destiny, first aired on WBAI NYC June 21, 2025 featuring an interview by law Prof Ciara Torres-Spelliscy of U.S. Senator Sheldon Whitehouse about The Scheme. This show is based on the book Corporatocracy published by NYU Press 2024. It discusses money in politics, corruption, convicted ex-Senator Robert Menendez, January 6th, dark money, the SAVE Act, the Federalist Society and the U.S. Supreme Court including Americans for Prosperity Foundation v. Bonta and Citizens United v. FEC. Also includes the adventures of @ProfCiara's labradoodle.
2025-06-2153 min
Democracy & DestinyDemocracy & Destiny with Ciara Torres-Spelliscy podcast teaserDemocracy & Destiny with Ciara Torres-Spelliscy podcast teaser by Ciara Torres-Spelliscy
2025-05-1100 min
The Political Scene | The New YorkerHow Bob Menendez Came By His Gold BarsRecently, the former New Jersey Senator Bob Menendez was sentenced to eleven years in prison for accepting bribes in cash and gold worth more than half a million dollars. He is the first person sentenced to prison for crimes committed in the Senate in more than forty years. Menendez did favors for the government of Egypt while he was the senior Democrat on the Foreign Relations Committee, and intervened in criminal cases against the businessmen who were bribing him. In New York, he broke down in tears before a federal judge, pleading for leniency. Upon emerging from the courtroom, h...
2025-03-1023 min
The New Yorker Radio HourHow Bob Menendez Came By His Gold BarsRecently, the former New Jersey Senator Bob Menendez was sentenced to eleven years in prison for accepting bribes in cash and gold worth more than half a million dollars. He is the first person sentenced to prison for crimes committed in the Senate in more than forty years. Menendez did favors for the government of Egypt while he was the senior Democrat on the Foreign Relations Committee, and intervened in criminal cases against the businessmen who were bribing him. In New York, he broke down in tears before a federal judge, pleading for leniency. Upon emerging from the courtroom, h...
2025-03-1023 min
Perspectives with Condace PressleyPerspectives S36/Ep62 Do Politicians and Corporations Support Democracy?Will America be able to keep its experiment in democratic republicanism going or will it slide into oligarchy, or worse? CIARA TORRES-SPELLISCY, Professor of Law at Stetson University, offers a chilling exposé of how corporations manipulate our political system for profit and offers concrete steps for consumers and investors committed to protecting our democracy in her new book, CORPORATOCRACY: How to Protect Democracy from Dark Money and Corrupt Politicians. In CORPORATOCRACY, Torres-Spelliscy explores how America’s privately funded campaign finance system, combined with corporate greed and a tilt towards authoritarianism within the Republican Party, have placed American democracy on a kni...
2025-01-0724 minPerspectives with Condace PressleyPerspectives S36/Ep62 Do Politicians and Corporations Support Democracy?Will America be able to keep its experiment in democratic republicanism going or will it slide into oligarchy, or worse? CIARA TORRES-SPELLISCY, Professor of Law at Stetson University, offers a chilling exposé of how corporations manipulate our political system for profit and offers concrete steps for consumers and investors committed to protecting our democracy in her new book, CORPORATOCRACY: How to Protect Democracy from Dark Money and Corrupt Politicians. In CORPORATOCRACY, Torres-Spelliscy explores how America’s privately funded campaign finance system, combined with corporate greed and a tilt towards authoritarianism within the Republican Party, have placed American democracy on a kni...
2025-01-0724 min
A Public AffairWill corporations outlive democracies?
On today’s show, guest host Bert Zipperer speaks with Ciara Torres-Spelliscy about her new book, Corporatocracy: How to Protect Democracy from Dark Money and Corrupt Politicians, out now from NYU Press. Professor Torres-Spelliscy says that “corporations have existed far longer than democracies” and that more people should be concerned about the US’s privately funded campaign finance system.
She says “dark money” means money that is spent in American elections that the public can’t tell the source of. Money becomes dark money when corporations (or billionaires) legally launder money through opaque non-profits (ty...
2025-01-0754 min
The Briefing with Michael WaldmanInsurrection Inc.The 2024 election broke spending records, highlighting the growing power of big money in politics. Megadonors back candidates to push their own interests and buy access and influence in our government. At the same time, the rise in untraceable dark money from undisclosed sources has made it increasingly difficult to identify who is really behind this spending. In a new book, Corporatocracy: How to Protect Democracy from Dark Money and Corrupt Politicians, Stetson University law professor Ciara Torres-Spelliscy reveals how corporations are fueling these trends, from bankrolling politicians to funding candidates with dark money. Listen to...
2024-12-1952 min
The Mike Wagner ShowAuthor/Professor of Law at Stetson Univ. Ciara Torres-Spelliscy is my special guest with "Corportatocracy:..."!
Author/Professor of Law at Stetson Univ. & nationally recognized expert in election law Ciara Torres-Spelliscy talks about her latest release “Corportatocracy: How To Protect Democracy From Dark Money& Corporate Politicians” offering a chilling expose of how corporations manipulate our political system for profit, how major corporations undermine practices & laws upholding democratic principle like free & fair elections through shadow tactics, bankrolling and more! Ciara is a Professor of Law at Stetson University, Fellow at Brennan Center for Justice at NYU School of Law and member of Board of Directors for Responsibility of Ethics in Washington (CREW), and has testified before Cong...
2024-11-2254 min
The Mike Wagner ShowAuthor/Professor of Law at Stetson Univ. Ciara Torres-Spelliscy is my special guest with "Corportatocracy:..."!Author/Professor of Law at Stetson Univ. & nationally recognized expert in election law Ciara Torres-Spelliscy talks about her latest release “Corportatocracy: How To Protect Democracy From Dark Money& Corporate Politicians” offering a chilling expose of how corporations manipulate our political system for profit, how major corporations undermine practices & laws upholding democratic principle like free & fair elections through shadow tactics, bankrolling and more! Ciara is a Professor of Law at Stetson University, Fellow at Brennan Center for Justice at NYU School of Law and member of Board of Directors for Responsibility of Ethics in Washington (CREW), and has testified before Congress, stat...
2024-11-2254 min
Reading with Rachelle: Connecting with History through Storytelling, a Book Club Podcast with Rachelle Chase01: How Dark Money Threatens Democracy with Ciara Torres-SpelliscyIn the inaugural episode of the podcast, I am joined by Ciara Torres-Spelliscy, author of the newly released book, Corporatocracy: How to Protect Democracy from Dark Money and Corrupt Politicians. As a professor of law and a Brennan Center fellow, Ciara brings a wealth of expertise to the table as we explore the alarming role corporations play in undermining our democratic process. From the Nazi party's dark money ties to the January 6, 2021 attack on the U.S. Capitol to modern-day "ghost candidates" siphoning votes and more, Ciara pulls back the curtain on the insidious ways corporations and wealthy...
2024-11-0646 min
Full Audiobooks in Non-Fiction, Current Affairs, Law, & PoliticsCorporatocracy: How to Protect Democracy from Dark Money and Corrupt Politicians by Ciara Torres-SpelliscyPlease visit https://thebookvoice.com/podcasts/1/audiobook/812542 to listen full audiobooks. Title: Corporatocracy: How to Protect Democracy from Dark Money and Corrupt Politicians Author: Ciara Torres-Spelliscy Narrator: Sanya Simmons Format: Unabridged Audiobook Length: 9 hours 32 minutes Release date: November 5, 2024 Genres: Current Affairs, Law, & Politics Publisher's Summary: Donald Trump's false claims of election fraud and the violence of the Capitol riot have made it unavoidably clear that the future of American democracy is in peril. Unseen political actors and untraceable dark money influence our elections, while anti-democratic rhetoric threatens a tilt towards authoritarianism. In Corporatocracy, Ciara Torres-Spelliscy reveals the role corporations play...
2024-11-0530 min
The Last Best Hope?Dark Money: Can billionaires buy elections in America?Wealthy Americans have always found ways of spending money on political campaigns in the presumed expectation of a return on their investment. But in 2010, the Supreme Court’s Citizens United decision ruled that legislation that restricted how much money could be spent on influencing elections was unconstitutional, opening up vast new possibilities for wealthy individuals and corporations to support candidates. The Court's argument was that to stop someone spending as much as they liked to push an agenda or a candidate was a violation of the first amendment right to free speech. The official campaigns still have to be tra...
2024-10-1644 min
From the Square: An NYU Press PodcastCiara Torres-Spelliscy, "Corporatocracy: How to Protect Democracy from Dark Money and Corrupt Politicians" (NYU Press, 2024)What threatens American democracy and the rule of law? In her new book, Corporatocracy: How to Protect Democracy from Dark Money and Corrupt Politicians (NYU Press, 2024),legal scholar and campaign spending expert Ciara Torres-Spelliscy argues that the USA’s privately-funded campaign finance system – combined with corporate greed and antidemocratic strains in the modern Republican Party – endangers American democracy. As she sees it, unseen political actors and untraceable dark money influence our elections, while anti-democratic rhetoric threatens a tilt towards authoritarianism.Drawing on key Supreme Court cases such as Citizens United, Professor Torres-Spelliscy explores how corporations have unde...
2024-10-071h 13
New Books in American PoliticsCiara Torres-Spelliscy, "Corporatocracy: How to Protect Democracy from Dark Money and Corrupt Politicians" (NYU Press, 2024)What threatens American democracy and the rule of law? In her new book, Corporatocracy: How to Protect Democracy from Dark Money and Corrupt Politicians (NYU Press, 2024),legal scholar and campaign spending expert Ciara Torres-Spelliscy argues that the USA’s privately-funded campaign finance system – combined with corporate greed and antidemocratic strains in the modern Republican Party – endangers American democracy. As she sees it, unseen political actors and untraceable dark money influence our elections, while anti-democratic rhetoric threatens a tilt towards authoritarianism.Drawing on key Supreme Court cases such as Citizens United, Professor Torres-Spelliscy explores how corporations have unde...
2024-10-071h 16
New Books in FinanceCiara Torres-Spelliscy, "Corporatocracy: How to Protect Democracy from Dark Money and Corrupt Politicians" (NYU Press, 2024)What threatens American democracy and the rule of law? In her new book, Corporatocracy: How to Protect Democracy from Dark Money and Corrupt Politicians (NYU Press, 2024),legal scholar and campaign spending expert Ciara Torres-Spelliscy argues that the USA’s privately-funded campaign finance system – combined with corporate greed and antidemocratic strains in the modern Republican Party – endangers American democracy. As she sees it, unseen political actors and untraceable dark money influence our elections, while anti-democratic rhetoric threatens a tilt towards authoritarianism.Drawing on key Supreme Court cases such as Citizens United, Professor Torres-Spelliscy explores how corporations have unde...
2024-10-071h 13
New Books in Politics and PolemicsCiara Torres-Spelliscy, "Corporatocracy: How to Protect Democracy from Dark Money and Corrupt Politicians" (NYU Press, 2024)What threatens American democracy and the rule of law? In her new book, Corporatocracy: How to Protect Democracy from Dark Money and Corrupt Politicians (NYU Press, 2024),legal scholar and campaign spending expert Ciara Torres-Spelliscy argues that the USA’s privately-funded campaign finance system – combined with corporate greed and antidemocratic strains in the modern Republican Party – endangers American democracy. As she sees it, unseen political actors and untraceable dark money influence our elections, while anti-democratic rhetoric threatens a tilt towards authoritarianism.Drawing on key Supreme Court cases such as Citizens United, Professor Torres-Spelliscy explores how corporations have unde...
2024-10-071h 16
New Books in EconomicsCiara Torres-Spelliscy, "Corporatocracy: How to Protect Democracy from Dark Money and Corrupt Politicians" (NYU Press, 2024)What threatens American democracy and the rule of law? In her new book, Corporatocracy: How to Protect Democracy from Dark Money and Corrupt Politicians (NYU Press, 2024),legal scholar and campaign spending expert Ciara Torres-Spelliscy argues that the USA’s privately-funded campaign finance system – combined with corporate greed and antidemocratic strains in the modern Republican Party – endangers American democracy. As she sees it, unseen political actors and untraceable dark money influence our elections, while anti-democratic rhetoric threatens a tilt towards authoritarianism.Drawing on key Supreme Court cases such as Citizens United, Professor Torres-Spelliscy explores how corporations have unde...
2024-10-071h 16
NBN Book of the DayCiara Torres-Spelliscy, "Corporatocracy: How to Protect Democracy from Dark Money and Corrupt Politicians" (NYU Press, 2024)What threatens American democracy and the rule of law? In her new book, Corporatocracy: How to Protect Democracy from Dark Money and Corrupt Politicians (NYU Press, 2024),legal scholar and campaign spending expert Ciara Torres-Spelliscy argues that the USA’s privately-funded campaign finance system – combined with corporate greed and antidemocratic strains in the modern Republican Party – endangers American democracy. As she sees it, unseen political actors and untraceable dark money influence our elections, while anti-democratic rhetoric threatens a tilt towards authoritarianism.Drawing on key Supreme Court cases such as Citizens United, Professor Torres-Spelliscy explores how corporations have unde...
2024-10-071h 16
New Books in LawCiara Torres-Spelliscy, "Corporatocracy: How to Protect Democracy from Dark Money and Corrupt Politicians" (NYU Press, 2024)What threatens American democracy and the rule of law? In her new book, Corporatocracy: How to Protect Democracy from Dark Money and Corrupt Politicians (NYU Press, 2024),legal scholar and campaign spending expert Ciara Torres-Spelliscy argues that the USA’s privately-funded campaign finance system – combined with corporate greed and antidemocratic strains in the modern Republican Party – endangers American democracy. As she sees it, unseen political actors and untraceable dark money influence our elections, while anti-democratic rhetoric threatens a tilt towards authoritarianism.Drawing on key Supreme Court cases such as Citizens United, Professor Torres-Spelliscy explores how corporations have unde...
2024-10-071h 16
New Books in Political ScienceCiara Torres-Spelliscy, "Corporatocracy: How to Protect Democracy from Dark Money and Corrupt Politicians" (NYU Press, 2024)What threatens American democracy and the rule of law? In her new book, Corporatocracy: How to Protect Democracy from Dark Money and Corrupt Politicians (NYU Press, 2024),legal scholar and campaign spending expert Ciara Torres-Spelliscy argues that the USA’s privately-funded campaign finance system – combined with corporate greed and antidemocratic strains in the modern Republican Party – endangers American democracy. As she sees it, unseen political actors and untraceable dark money influence our elections, while anti-democratic rhetoric threatens a tilt towards authoritarianism.Drawing on key Supreme Court cases such as Citizens United, Professor Torres-Spelliscy explores how corporations have unde...
2024-10-071h 16
New Books in American StudiesCiara Torres-Spelliscy, "Corporatocracy: How to Protect Democracy from Dark Money and Corrupt Politicians" (NYU Press, 2024)What threatens American democracy and the rule of law? In her new book, Corporatocracy: How to Protect Democracy from Dark Money and Corrupt Politicians (NYU Press, 2024),legal scholar and campaign spending expert Ciara Torres-Spelliscy argues that the USA’s privately-funded campaign finance system – combined with corporate greed and antidemocratic strains in the modern Republican Party – endangers American democracy. As she sees it, unseen political actors and untraceable dark money influence our elections, while anti-democratic rhetoric threatens a tilt towards authoritarianism.Drawing on key Supreme Court cases such as Citizens United, Professor Torres-Spelliscy explores how corporations have unde...
2024-10-071h 16
White Guys for KamalaCorporatacracyWe sit down with Professor Ciara Torres-Spelliscy to learn about her new book Corporatacracy: How to Protect Democracy from Dark Money and Corrupt Politicians, which she describes as Citizens United meets January 6th. She outlines how dark money flowed into setting up the January 6th insurrection, which corporations are putting their money toward anti-democratic ends, how citizens can make a difference and reform our system, and shares the most alarming campaign finance story she discovered while working on this book. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
2024-09-3008 minPerspectives with Condace PressleyPerspectives S36/Ep60: How Dark Money is Influencing American ElectionsWill America be able to keep its experiment in democratic republicanism going or will it slide into oligarchy, or worse? My guest on Perspectives is Ciara Torres-Spelliscy, a professor of Law at Stetson University, Fellow at the Brennan Center for Justice at NYU School of Law, and member of the board of directors of Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington. She offers a chilling exposé of how corporations manipulate our political system for profit and offers concrete steps on protecting our democracy in her new book, Corporatocracy: How to Protect Democracy from Dark Money and Corrupt Politicians. We discuss h...
2024-09-1725 minPerspectives with Condace PressleyPerspectives S36/Ep60: How Dark Money is Influencing American ElectionsWill America be able to keep its experiment in democratic republicanism going or will it slide into oligarchy, or worse? My guest on Perspectives is Ciara Torres-Spelliscy, a professor of Law at Stetson University, Fellow at the Brennan Center for Justice at NYU School of Law, and member of the board of directors of Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington. She offers a chilling exposé of how corporations manipulate our political system for profit and offers concrete steps on protecting our democracy in her new book, Corporatocracy: How to Protect Democracy from Dark Money and Corrupt Politicians. We discuss h...
2024-09-1725 min
Amicus With Dahlia Lithwick | Law, justice, and the courtsDon’t Pardon Trump’s PardonsThe power of the presidential pardon is a holdover from America’s colonial roots. But no one had used it like former President Trump. Over and over he kept pardoning his allies, and then, he’d welcome them back into the fold. . It seemed like he was rewarding these criminals for their loyalty, and belittling whole categories of crime, like fraud, campaign finance violations, and corruption. Is that what was really happening?This week in our series called The Law According to Trump, we go deeper into Trump’s use of the pardon with Ciara Torres-Spelliscy. Torres-Spelliscy is a p...
2024-08-1702 min
Charged: A True Punishment StoryAmicus: Don’t Pardon Trump’s PardonsThe power of the presidential pardon is a holdover from America’s colonial roots. But no one had used it like former President Trump. Over and over he kept pardoning his allies, and then, he’d welcome them back into the fold. . It seemed like he was rewarding these criminals for their loyalty, and belittling whole categories of crime, like fraud, campaign finance violations, and corruption. Is that what was really happening?This week in our series called The Law According to Trump, we go deeper into Trump’s use of the pardon with Ciara Torres-Spelliscy. Torres-Spelliscy is a p...
2024-08-1702 min
Slate NewsAmicus: Don’t Pardon Trump’s PardonsThe power of the presidential pardon is a holdover from America’s colonial roots. But no one had used it like former President Trump. Over and over he kept pardoning his allies, and then, he’d welcome them back into the fold. . It seemed like he was rewarding these criminals for their loyalty, and belittling whole categories of crime, like fraud, campaign finance violations, and corruption. Is that what was really happening?This week in our series called The Law According to Trump, we go deeper into Trump’s use of the pardon with Ciara Torres-Spelliscy. Torres-Spelliscy is a p...
2024-08-1747 min
Supreme MythsProfessor Ciara Torres-SpelliscyProfessor Ciara Torres-Spelliscy stops by Supreme Myths to talk about her forthcoming book Corporatocracy which details how big business spending is threatening our democracy, our elections, and our people.
2024-05-2354 min
The TakeTrump v. United StatesThe US Supreme Court is hearing opening arguments on whether or not Donald Trump has presidential immunity in two of his current criminal cases. But what does that mean for future presidents and this year’s US elections? In this episode: Ciara Torres-Spelliscy, (@ProfCiara), Professor at Stetson University College of Law Episode credits: This episode was produced by Chloe K. Li and Fahrinisa Campana with Kevin Hirten, in for our host Malika Bilal. Zaina Badr fact-checked this episode. Our sound designer is Alex Roldan. Our lead of audience development and engagement is...
2024-04-2617 min
Open to DebateHas Citizens United Undermined Democracy?In a high-stakes presidential election year, in partnership with the Newt and Jo Minow Debate Series at the Northwestern Pritzker School of Law, Open to Debate is taking a look at more than a decade of the Citizens United Supreme Court case. The 2010 landmark decision that ruled the free speech clause of the First Amendment prohibits the government from restricting independent expenditures for political communications by corporations, including nonprofits, labor unions, and other associations, changed the landscape of political spending in the U.S. This gave rise to Super PACS and an increase in election campaign spending. Since then, the...
2024-03-0157 min
Consider This from NPRWould A Free Speech Defense Work For Donald Trump In Court?Former President Donald Trump pleaded not guilty to criminal charges related to efforts to overturn the results of the 2020 election. And a member of his legal team told NPR that Trump plans to invoke the right to freedom of speech as part of his defense.To learn how a free speech defense would work for the former president in court, we hear from Ciara Torres-Spelliscy, a professor at Stetson University's College of Law in Florida. And former acting solicitor general of the United States, Neal Katyal, tells us about Tanya Chutkan, the U.S. district judge...
2023-08-0413 min
The Mary Trump ShowThank You Mr President #NerdAvengersMary Trump summons #NerdAvengers Jen Taub, Jennifer Rubin, Ciara Torres-Spelliscy, and Wajahat Ali to examine the Dominion defamation lawsuit against Fox and how the bad faith of right wing so-called news is undermining our democracy. Then, they discuss critical upcoming judicial elections and the importance of supporting candidates for offices at all levels committed to defending our most fundamental rights.
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2023-02-221h 08
The Muck PodcastEpisode 149: Hitman Sent by God | John G. Schmitz and CoopingHillary and Tina cover US House Representative John G. Schmitz and the election fraud cooping tactic.
Hillary’s Story
US House Representative out of California, John G. Schmitz ran and won on his far conservative moralism. BUT when a scandal erupts, his own morals are questioned.
Tina’s Story
In the 1800s, like today, most folks decide if they’re going to exercise their right to vote by showing up on election day. BUT some politicians resorted to violence and kidnapping to ensure high election number results.
Sources
Hillary's Story
Jo...
2022-11-161h 14
The Mary Trump Show#NerdAvengers to the rescueMary Trump brings together Jen Taub, Ciara Torres-Spelliscy, Cliff Schechter, Brian Karem, and George Hahn to break down the effects of the raid on Mar-a-Lago, and what it means for the future of our country and Donald’s role in it. From there they lay out the importance of indicting him to hold him accountable for his role in stoking extremism and the steps we need to take to protect our democracy.
‘Ask Mary Anything’
Email: MARY@POLITICON.COM
This Week’s Nerd Avengers included:
Cliff Schecter- @CliffSchechter
Brian Karem- @BrianKarem
George Hahn- @Ge...
2022-08-171h 10
Connect the DotsDoes Disney have enough power to help repeal 'Don't Say Gay' law?This week on “Connect the Dots”, we’ll explore the Walt Disney Company’s tense relationship with conservative politicians as the company attempts to advocate for its LGBTQ+ employees in the wake of Florida’s Parent Rights Education Bill, also known as the “Don’t Say Gay” proposal, which was signed into law by Gov. Ron DeSantis in March. We spoke with Ciara Torres-Spelliscy, a professor of corporate governance at Stetson University, who explained how Disney's relationship with politicians has fostered privileges for the company. We also heard from Blake Simons, a former Disney Parks employee and a student of corp...
2022-05-0220 min
SCOTUStalkAlabama’s redistricting on the shadow docketAmy Howe is joined by Professor Ciara Torres-Spelliscy, of Stetson Law, to discuss the court’s decision earlier this week to reinstate Alabama’s voting map, which a lower court ruled dilutes Black votes. SCOTUStalk is launching a new Q&A feature. Send us your questions about the justices, how the Supreme Court works, or a case that’s pending before the court. We may answer your question on future episodes. You can email your questions to scotustalk@scotusblog.com or leave a voicemail at (202) 596-2906. Please tell us your first name and where you’re calling fr...
2022-02-1120 min
That Can't Be RightThe 2020 Election Cost How Much?! with Professor Ciara Torres-SpelliscyA month before the 2020 election, that President Joe Biden WON, spending had already reached $14 billion. Not counting the flurry of last-minute donations, and additional spending in the Georgia Senate race. Meaning, the calculable 2020 election spend was greater than the GDP of 100+ nations across the world. How? Where does the money go? Where does the money come from? And why isn't the FEC doing anything to stop it? What does Citizens United even mean? Professor Ciara Torres-Spelliscy of the Brennan Center for Justice has these answers and more. Connect with Professor Ciara: https://twitter.com/Pr...
2021-07-1455 min
Moderate PartyHow much does a politician cost? with Ciara Torres-Spelliscy
How much does a politician cost and what does it take to raise that kind of money? Are our expectations fair? What are the consequences of letting money influence politics? Hillari Lombard sits down with Campaign Finance expert Ciara Torres-Spelliscy to take a deep dive into money in politics, campaign finance reform, the For the People Act, public campaign financing, and the filibuster!
2021-06-0454 minAmicus With Dahlia Lithwick | Law, justice, and the courtsWhy Are Republicans Upset About Corporate Free Speech All of a Sudden?Dahlia Lithwick is joined by Professor Ciara Torres-Spelliscy, a Brennan Center fellow and professor at Stetson University, to discuss how, when it comes to corporate influence over politics, money talks - but should it actually speak? From Georgia boycotts to campaign finance, and Mitch McConnell’s apparent new take on Citizens United. In our Slate Plus segment, Mark Joseph Stern joins Dahlia to discuss Justice Clarence Thomas’ anti-big-tech energy, why progressives need to stop pressuring Justice Stephen Breyer to retire, the rising tide of anti-trans bills around the country, and Joe Biden’s Presidential Commissi...
2021-04-1054 minAmicus With Dahlia Lithwick | Law, justice, and the courtsWhy Are Republicans Upset About Corporate Free Speech All of a Sudden?Dahlia Lithwick is joined by Professor Ciara Torres-Spelliscy, a Brennan Center fellow and professor at Stetson University, to discuss how, when it comes to corporate influence over politics, money talks - but should it actually speak? From Georgia boycotts to campaign finance, and Mitch McConnell’s apparent new take on Citizens United. In our Slate Plus segment, Mark Joseph Stern joins Dahlia to discuss Justice Clarence Thomas’ anti-big-tech energy, why progressives need to stop pressuring Justice Stephen Breyer to retire, the rising tide of anti-trans bills around the country, and Joe Biden’s Presidential Commissi...
2021-04-1057 min
Axios Re:CapThe 2020 campaign money storyPresident Trump’s campaign says it just had its best-ever fundraising day, securing $26 million in the hours around last night’s debate. This just adds to what was already a record-shattering election season, in terms of money raised and money spent. Dan discusses the 2020 fundraising story, including what happens to a candidate's unspent money, with election law expert Ciara Torres-Spelliscy. Plus, Axios financial correspondent Felix Salmon joins to discuss Goldman Sachs.
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2020-10-2300 min
You Don't Have to YellHow Television Corrupted Campaign FinanceCiara Torres-Spelliscy discusses her new book "Political Brands", which examines the use of commercial branding in politics, and how its high costs paved the way for the runaway costs of elections, and the corrupted campaign finance system that funds it. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit youdonthavetoyell.substack.com
2020-09-031h 06
You Don't Have to YellHow Television Corrupted Campaign FinanceCiara Torres-Spelliscy discusses her new book "Political Brands", which examines the use of commercial branding in politics, and how its high costs paved the way for the runaway costs of elections, and the corrupted campaign finance system that funds it.
2020-09-031h 06
AshCastPolitical BrandsFrom 'I Like Ike' to MAGA hats, branding and politics have gone hand in hand, selling ideas, ideals and candidates. Political Brands, the new book from Ciara (Chara) Torres-Spelliscy, is a unique exploration of the legal framework for the use of commercial branding and advertising techniques in presidential political campaigns, as well as the impact of politics on commercial brands.On October 30, the Ash Center hosted Spelliscy, a Professor of Law at Stetson University, for a discussion of her latest book. The talk was moderated by Miles Rapoport, Senior Practice Fellow in American Democracy at the Ash...
2020-02-2657 min
Business Scholarship PodcastCiara Torres-Spelliscy on Citizens United at 10Ciara Torres-Spelliscy, professor of law at Stetson University, joins the Business Scholarship Podcast Citizens United at 10 podcast symposium to discuss her work on Citizens United and the decision's implications for corporate law, money in politics, and American democracy. Works discussed include Corporate Citizen? An Argument for the Separation of Corporation and State and Political Brands.
In addition to discussing her scholarship, Torres-Spelliscy reflects on the tenth anniversary of Citizens United, including what's surprised her, what hasn't, and what she is watching over the next ten years.
This episode is hosted by Andrew Jennings, a teaching...
2020-01-2114 min
AshCastPolitical Brands | AshCastFrom 'I Like Ike' to MAGA hats, branding and politics have gone hand in hand, selling ideas, ideals and candidates. Political Brands, the new book from Ciara (Chara) Torres-Spelliscy, is a unique exploration of the legal framework for the use of commercial branding and advertising techniques in presidential political campaigns, as well as the impact of politics on commercial brands.
On October 30, the Ash Center hosted Spelliscy, a Professor of Law at Stetson University, for a discussion of her latest book. The talk was moderated by Miles Rapoport, Senior Practice Fellow in American Democracy at the Ash Center.
A transcription...
2019-11-2657 minHarvard UniversityPolitical Brands | AshCastFrom 'I Like Ike' to MAGA hats, branding and politics have gone hand in hand, selling ideas, ideals and candidates. Political Brands, the new book from Ciara (Chara) Torres-Spelliscy, is a unique exploration of the legal framework for the use of commercial branding and advertising techniques in presidential political campaigns, as well as the impact of politics on commercial brands.
On October 30, the Ash Center hosted Spelliscy, a Professor of Law at Stetson University, for a discussion of her latest book. The talk was moderated by Miles Rapoport, Senior Practice Fellow in American Democracy at the Ash Center.
A transcription...
2019-11-2657 min
Scholars Strategy Network's No JargonGiving the Vote BackCasting a ballot seems as American as apple pie. But in Florida, one in ten people have had their voting rights taken away because of a criminal conviction. Professor Ciara Torres-Spelliscy dives into the history of Florida's voting system, how ex-felons get their rights back, and what Florida voters can do to help.
2018-10-0422 min
Multiracial Family ManMultiracial experience, lawyering, and campaign and election law with Ciara Torres-Spelliscy, Ep. 140Ep. 140: Ciara Torres-Spelliscy is an associate professor, teaching courses in Election Law, Corporate Governance, Business Entities, and Constitutional Law. Prior to joining Stetson's faculty, Professor Torres-Spelliscy was counsel in the Democracy Program of the Brennan Center for Justice at NYU School of Law where she provided guidance on the issues of money in politics and the judiciary to state and federal lawmakers. She was an associate at Arnold & Porter LLP and a staffer for Senator Richard Durbin. Professor Torres-Spelliscy has testified before Congress, and state and local legislative bodies as an expert on campaign finance reform. She has also...
2017-10-2254 min
FedSoc EventsCampaign Finance and Free Speech 3-4-2017Congress' passage of the Bipartisan Campaign Reform Act of 2002 did not end the debate on campaign finance. Instead, it arguably created more legal questions than it did answers. -- The Act's passage quickly unleashed subsequent litigation, resulting in a number of Supreme Court decisions directly related to the BCRA and, more broadly, to general laws regulating campaign finance. These recent Supreme Court cases, including the much-discussed Citizens United decision, struck down many campaign regulations on the grounds that they infringe upon individuals' First Amendment rights. Some have charged that decisions like these have increased the influence of a privileged few...
2017-03-151h 41
Federalist Society Event AudioCampaign Finance and Free Speech 3-4-20172017 National Student SymposiumCongress' passage of the Bipartisan Campaign Reform Act of 2002 did not end the debate on campaign finance. Instead, it arguably created more legal questions than it did answers. The Act's passage quickly unleashed subsequent litigation, resulting in a number of Supreme Court decisions directly related to the BCRA and, more broadly, to general laws regulating campaign finance. These recent Supreme Court cases, including the much-discussed Citizens United decision, struck down many campaign regulations on the grounds that they infringe upon individuals' First Amendment rights. Some have charged that decisions like these have inc...
2017-03-151h 41
New Books in JournalismZachary Roth, “The Great Suppression: Voting Rights, Corporate Cash, and the Conservative Assault on Democracy” (Crown, 2016)This week we feature two new books on the podcast, both about corporate power. First, Zachary Roth has written The Great Suppression: Voting Rights, Corporate Cash, and the Conservative Assault on Democracy (Crown, 2016). Roth is a national reporter for MSNBC. Next, Ciara Torres-Spelliscy is the author of Corporate Citizen? An Argument for the Separation of Corporation and State (Carolina Academic Press, 2016). She is an associate professor of law at Stetson University College of Law and a Fellow at the Brennan Center for Justice at NYU School of Law. The two books look at the state of the democracy, Roth...
2016-08-1042 minScholars Strategy Network's No JargonEpisode 25 Bonus: Bad Timing for "Isis Wallet"Professor Ciara Torres-Spelliscy stays post-interview to tell the story of a small tech and financial services company with a unique branding problem.
2016-03-1502 minScholars Strategy Network's No JargonEpisode 25: Shooting Your Brand in the FootProfessor Ciara Torres-Spelliscy outlines the power of public backlash, shareholder pressure, and consumer boycotts to check corporate spending on political causes. Torres-Spelliscy is an Associate Professor of Law at Stetson University College of Law.
2016-03-1527 min
Centers and InstitutesShooting Your Brand in the FootPursuant to the Supreme Court’s decision in Citizens United v. FEC (2010), corporations have a new ability to spend money in American elections. But is it a good idea for public facing or publicly traded firms to spend in politics? In a forthcoming law review article, “Shooting Your Brand in the Foot: What Citizens United Invites” Associate Professor of Law Ciara Torres-Spelliscy argues that corporate political spending could harm a firm’s brand and expose the firm to reputational risks. The American electorate is increasingly polarized. Technologists have created smart phone applications to empower consumers to know more about a firm’s p...
2015-09-151h 05