Shows
This ConstitutionSeason 2, Episode 6 | Executive Agreements vs. Treaties: Skirting the Constitution?Executive Agreements vs. Treaties: Skirting the Constitution?What makes a treaty binding? Who holds the power to shape U.S. foreign policy, the President or the Senate?In this episode, hosts Savannah Eccles Johnston and Matthew Brogdon unpack the constitutional roots and modern challenges of the U.S. treaty-making process. From Washington's awkward Senate visit to Wilson’s League of Nations failure, they trace the battle over presidential diplomacy and legislative oversight.The conversation moves from 18th-century compromise to 21st-century executive agreements, exploring how the Constitution’s sparse language on treaties has...2025-05-0536 min
This ConstitutionSeason 2, Episode 5 | Judicial Confirmations—Checks, Balances, or Political Theater?A Supreme Court justice serves for life, no term limits. No reelection. Almost no way to remove them. So… who decides who gets that kind of power?In this episode, hosts Savannah Eccles Johnston and Matthew Brogdon explore the constitutional design, evolution, and growing controversy of judicial confirmations. From the first public hearing 1916 to today’s highly publicized nomination battles, they unpack how these confirmations have transformed from quiet votes to political showdowns.The conversation ranges from history to process to philosophy—covering why lifetime judicial appointments raise the stakes, how public hearings shape political narrat...2025-04-2132 min
This ConstitutionSeason 2, Episode 4 | The Shot Heard 'Round the World: Understanding Lexington and ConcordWhy did the American Revolution begin with armed conflict in 1775, more than a year before the Declaration of Independence? What was the significance of Lexington and Concord, and how did these events set the stage for what would become a bitter struggle for independence? In this episode of This Constitution, host Matthew Brogdon is joined by renowned historian Professor Jeremy Black to dive deep into the history of these pivotal moments.Together, they explore how the conflict in Lexington and Concord was not just about a small skirmish but the spark that ignited the broader American Revolution...2025-04-1930 min
This ConstitutionSeason 2, Episode 3 | Surviving the Senate: Executive ConfirmationsWhy does the President need the Senate’s approval to appoint people to the executive branch? Why is it so hard to get those people confirmed? And has the whole process become more about political theater than public service?In this episode of This Constitution, hosts Savannah Eccles Johnston and Matthew Brogdon unpack the constitutional roots and modern realities of executive confirmations. They explore how this check on presidential power has evolved over time, starting from full floor debates to closed-door committees and now, into viral, made-for-TV public hearings.Savannah and Matthew explain why Senate co...2025-04-0728 min
This ConstitutionSeason 2, Episode 2 | State vs. Federal Power: How Identity Shapes American DemocracyState vs. Federal Power: How Identity Shapes American DemocracyDo you feel more Texan than American? If you had to choose, would you say you’re a Texan first and an American second? What about an Alaskan, a New Yorker, or a Californian? For much of U.S. history, people identified more with their state than the nation itself—and in many places, that state pride still runs deep.But does state identity actually shape the way we govern? Can it influence trust in government, political engagement, and even pushback against federal laws? In th...2025-03-2426 min
This ConstitutionSeason 2, Episode 1 | Does the Separation of Powers Actually Make the Government More Powerful?What if the very system designed to keep our leaders in check… is starting to fail?In this episode of This Constitution, hosts Savannah Eccles Johnston and Matthew Brogdon kick off Season 2 with a deep dive into the delicate balance of power in the U.S. government. They break down the difference between checks and balances and the separation of powers—two critical mechanisms that prevent tyranny.Through fascinating historical moments like FDR’s court-packing plan and Nixon’s resignation, they reveal how these principles have been tested over time. But what about today? With rising p...2025-03-1031 min
This ConstitutionSeason 1 Extra, Episode D | The Standard Story of Judicial Review in American Politics Gets It All WrongHost Matthew Brogdon talks with Keith Whittington, Yale Law School, about Keith’s book, his book, Repugnant laws: Judicial Review of Acts of Congress from the Founding to the Present, outlining the history of the Supreme Court and other federal courts declaring national laws unconstitutional, which has a long and venerable tradition in American politics. Matthew and Keith have a good conversation about what it means for courts to exercise judicial review and the way that our standard story about judicial review gets the history wrong.2025-02-2442 min
This ConstitutionSeason 1 Extra, Episode C | The Bard's Blueprint: Shakespeare and the Foundation of American GovernanceHow can the words of a 16th-century playwright possibly hold the key to understanding American governance today? The answer may lie in the very heart of classical education—a time-tested foundation for thoughtful leadership and civic responsibility. Shakespeare’s plays, brimming with powerful depictions of power, virtue, and moral conflict, weren’t just created to entertain; they were crafted to challenge the mind and educate the soul.In this episode of This Constitution, Matthew Brogdon sits down with Dr. Carol McNamara, the director of the Great Hearts Institute for Classical Education, to unravel the profound connections between Shakes...2025-02-1032 min
This ConstitutionSeason 1 Extra, Episode B | A Woman’s Voice in America’s Revolution: The Legacy of Mercy Otis WarrenMercy Otis Warren was no ordinary figure in America’s founding story. How many women of her time had the opportunity to receive a classical education, let alone become influential political thinkers and writers? As one of the few, Warren used her intellect and talent to champion liberty during the American Revolution. But why is her name so often left out of the history books?In this episode of This Constitution, Matthew Brogdon sits down with Kirstin Birkhaug, assistant professor of political science at Hope College, to uncover the life and work of this revolutionary thinker. What ma...2025-01-2734 min
This ConstitutionSeason 1 Extra, Episode A | The Pursuit of Happiness: Virtue in the Founding EraWhat does the "pursuit of happiness" really mean? It’s a question we often skim over, but the Founding Fathers had a very specific idea in mind—one deeply rooted in classical virtue and self-mastery. In this episode, Matthew Brogdon sits down with Jeff Rosen, President and CEO of the National Constitution Center, to unpack this phrase from the Declaration of Independence and its implications for personal and political life.Rosen shares insights from his latest book, The Pursuit of Happiness: How Classical Writers on Virtue Inspired the Lives of the Founders and Defined America, exploring how figu...2025-01-1332 min
This ConstitutionSeason 1, Episode 11 | How to Thwart a Tyrant: Lincoln's Lyceum AddressWhat if the biggest threats to our democracy aren’t coming from outside our borders, but from within? In 1838, a young Abraham Lincoln warned exactly about that in his Lyceum Address. Standing before a group of young men, he didn’t just talk about foreign invaders or military conflict. Instead, he sounded the alarm about the dangers of mob rule, unchecked ambition, and a nation losing respect for the rule of law.Sounds eerily familiar, right? Lincoln’s words still hold weight today, as we face the same questions about how we protect our democracy in the face o...2024-12-3028 min
This ConstitutionSeason 1, Episode 10 | Myth of the Modern Presidency: The Office Since TRWhat happened to the presidency around the turn of the 20th century? How did it go from being a strong institution under leaders like Washington and Lincoln to one that progressives saw as weak and ineffective? Could it be that the rapid changes of the Progressive Era revealed cracks in the system? What was it that so frustrated these thinkers, prompting them to call for a powerful transformation of the office?In this episode of This Constitution, Matthew Brogdon chats with Jordan Cash, an assistant professor at James Madison College, about the fascinating evolution of the presidency...2024-12-1636 min
This ConstitutionSeason 1, Episode 9 | Who Needs Congress? POTUS as Chief ExecutiveWho Needs Congress? POTUS as Chief Executive Who holds the real power in Washington's sprawling federal bureaucracy? In this episode, Savannah Eccles Johnston and Matthew Brogdon explore the President's role as Chief Executive. How does a single individual manage thousands of appointments, oversee countless agencies, and navigate the fine line between legislative and executive power?From historical controversies like Andrew Jackson's firing of the Treasury Secretary to modern debates over the administrative state's autonomy, this episode dives into the constitutional principles and political realities that shape executive power.Curious about who t...2024-12-0231 min
This ConstitutionSeason 1, Episode 8 | Starting Wars or Just Finishing Them? POTUS as Commander in ChiefWhen bombs drop and troops mobilize, who pulls the strings—Congress or the President? Can we afford to leave the fate of nations in the hands of one person, or does the voice of the people demand more say? The Founding Fathers designed checks and balances for a reason, but when it comes to war powers, does the balance still hold?In this episode of This Constitution, Savannah Eccles Johnston and Matthew Brogdon delve into the war powers outlined in the U.S. Constitution, focusing on the balance of authority between Congress and the President. They discuss Ar...2024-11-1836 min
This ConstitutionSeason 1, Episode 7 | Ballots, Not Bullets: A 2024 Election RecapHave you ever wondered what happens when an election unfolds in unexpected ways? This episode dives into the surprisingly decisive 2024 presidential election, exploring its unique dynamics and the implications for American democracy. Despite expectations of a close race, the results were clear almost immediately, leaving room to reflect on the shifting coalitions, demographic trends, and the role of the Electoral College in modern elections. What does this tell us about the future of American politics?Join hosts Savannah Eccles Johnston and Matthew Brogdon as they analyze what this election means for political parties, the electorate, a...2024-11-1126 min
This ConstitutionSeason 1, Episode 5 | Where's the Party? Presidential Selection Gone WrongWhere’s the Party? Presidential Selection Gone WrongAre presidential elections as democratic as we believe? How did we go from the Framers' carefully crafted vision to the whirlwind of primaries and national conventions that define our elections today? Over the years, the process of selecting a president has transformed—political parties have risen, conventions have become essential, and now primaries dominate the scene. With growing concerns over corruption, demagogues, and the weakening role of superdelegates, it’s time to ask: Is this truly the best way to choose our nation's leader?In this e...2024-11-0440 min
This ConstitutionSeason 1, Episode 6 | Is the Electoral College the Best We Can Do?Ever wonder why the candidate with the most votes doesn’t always win the presidency? Or question if the Electoral College still makes sense in today’s democracy? The Electoral College has been at the center of political debates for centuries, leaving many of us scratching our heads about its fairness and relevance. But how did this system come about, and why does it still determine our elections?In this episode of This Constitution, hosts Savannah Eccles Johnston and Matthew Brogdon take a deep dive into the origins and evolution of the Electoral College, just in time for...2024-11-0435 min
This ConstitutionSeason 1, Episode 2 | An Elected Monarch? Creating the American PresidencyAn Elected Monarch? Creating the American Presidency. Have you ever wondered how the Founding Fathers managed to create a powerful executive branch without sliding into dictatorship? In this episode of This Constitution, host Savannah Eccles Johnston sits down with Greg Jackson, a professor of national security studies at Utah Valley University and the host of the podcast History That Doesn't Suck. Together, they dive into the fascinating history and theory behind the creation of the American presidency. They tackle the tricky balance between a republican government and the need for a str...2024-10-2133 min
This ConstitutionSeason 1, Episode 3 | George Washington Builds the PresidencyGeorge Washington Builds the Presidency. Are you ready to uncover how one man's choices shaped the very essence of the American presidency? How did George Washington, a military leader turned statesman, navigate the turbulent waters of power and liberty? What challenges did he face as he established the precedents that govern our leaders today?In this episode of This Constitution, host Matthew Brogdon sits down with Paul Carrese to delve into George Washington's presidency, exploring his pivotal role in establishing the executive branch within the newly created Constitution. Carrese, a civic thought and l...2024-10-2141 min
This ConstitutionSeason 1, Episode 4 | Lincoln Saved the Union. Did He Violate the Constitution?Lincoln Saved the Union. Did He Violate the Constitution? Did Abraham Lincoln really have to break the very rules he swore to uphold to save the nation? It’s a tough question, isn’t it? As the Civil War raged on, Lincoln faced a monumental dilemma: how far should a leader go to protect the country when the Constitution seemed to get in the way? He made some bold and controversial choices—suspending habeas corpus, expanding executive powers, and even issuing the Emancipation Proclamation. But were these actions truly necessary for winning the war, or did he...2024-10-2127 min
This ConstitutionSeason 1, Episode 1 | Above the law? Executive Privilege and Presidential ImmunityThe American presidency is likely the key contribution of the American Founding. And it's in response to democracy's inability to handle crisis. This is the dark logic of the American presidency at its heart. You want to grant all necessary powers within the tension between the rule of law and the energetic executive, which is inherent in our system.And the way you do this is to 1) Grant powers; and 2) Grant insulation.2024-10-0730 min
This ConstitutionThis Constitution - TrailerThis Constitution is an every-two-weeks podcast ordained and established by the Center for Constitutional Studies at Utah Valley University, the home of Utah’s Civic Thought & Leadership Initiative, Co-hosted by Savannah Eccles Johnston and Matthew Brogdon, This Constitution equips listeners with the knowledge and insights to engage with the most pressing political questions of our time, starting with Season 1, focusing on the powers and limits of the U.S. presidency.2024-10-0201 min