Dr. Lindsay Chervinsky, Executive Director of the George Washington Presidential Library, joins host Dr. Katie Crawford-Lackey to explore the evolution of presidential power from the nation's founding through the early republic. Drawing from her new book "Making the Presidency: John Adams and the Precedents That Forged The Republic," she discusses how George Washington and John Adams shaped the executive office, established crucial precedents, and navigated the delicate balance between effective governance and preventing monarchical power.

Nurturing civic engagement in America means raising a new generation of informed, active citizens. Special guest Dr. Lindsey Cormack joins host Katie Crawford-Lackey to discuss her latest book, How to Raise a Citizen (And Why It’s up to You to Do It), and share practical strategies for engaging children in politics. Whether you're a parent, educator, or simply invested in the future of our nation, this episode offers valuable tools for nurturing engaged citizens in an increasingly complex political landscape.

In the final installment of our special three-part series exploring the global impact of the U.S. Constitution, we bring you inside an immersive constitution-building simulation at James Madison's Montpelier. This episode features interviews with six emerging leaders from Sub-Saharan Africa, participants in the U.S. Department of State's Young African Leaders Initiative (YALI). These distinguished public servants share their insights on democracy, civic engagement, and the role of youth in shaping their countries' futures.
Building on themes from our previous episodes with Professor Heinz Klug and Dr. Tinashe Hofisi, this episode offers a unique perspective on how America's constitutional journey resonates with young leaders working to strengthen democratic institutions in their own nations. Join us as we explore how the principles of the U.S. Constitution continue to inspire and inform global conversations on governance, rights, and civic responsibility.

In this second installment of our special three-part miniseries on global democracy, Dr. Katie Crawford Lackey interviews Dr. Tinashe Hofisi, a human rights lawyer and constitutional scholar from Zimbabwe. Dr. Hofisi, an alumnus and instructor of the Young African Leaders Initiative (YALI), shares insights from his research on judicial power in a global context. Funded by Virginia Humanities and produced in collaboration with the Presidential Precinct, this episode explores the complexities of establishing and maintaining effective judicial systems, particularly in post-colonial African nations. Dr. Hofisi discusses the importance of judicial independence, the challenges of creating representative courts, and the surprising effectiveness of lower courts in enforcing constitutional rights.

In this first episode of a special three-part mini-series, host Dr. Katie Crawford Lackey of the Robert H. Smith Center for the Constitution at James Madison's Montpelier explores the global impact of the U.S. Constitution. Funded by Virginia Humanities and produced in collaboration with the Presidential Precinct, this series highlights the experiences of Young African Leaders Initiative (YALI) Mandela Washington Fellows. Featuring an interview with Professor Heinz Klug, a South African constitutional scholar, the episode delves into the complexities of constitution-building, the importance of context in drafting constitutions, and the role of public participation in shaping democracy. Klug shares insights from his involvement in South Africa's post-apartheid transition, discussing the challenges of balancing diverse stakeholder interests and the necessity of "constructive ambiguity" in constitutional language. Gain valuable perspectives on the fundamental principles and challenges of creating effective governance structures in different cultural and historical contexts.

The Reconstruction era following the American Civil War sought to redefine the place of newly freed African Americans in society and align Constitutional promises with reality. History Professor Hasan Kwame Jeffries of The Ohio State University joins host Dr. Katie Crawford-Lackey to discuss contested visions for post-war America among different groups, the impact of the 13th, 14th, and 15th Amendments, and efforts to disenfranchise Black voters despite Constitutional protections.

Dr. Jeffries provides historical context on how progress made during Reconstruction was systematically undermined and discusses the tensions between the letter and spirit of Constitutional amendments.

Articles V and VII of the U.S. Constitution outline the amendment and ratification process. Host Dr. Katie Crawford-Lackey is joined by Skidmore College Political Science Professor Dr. Beau Breslin to discuss the two pathways for amending the Constitution and the high bar for making changes. This episode also touches on the importance of the Constitution's preamble, its evolution during the drafting process, and how it might be different if written today.

In the Judiciary Act of 1789, the First Congress created the office of the U.S. Attorneys, which was signed into law by President George Washington. Timothy J. Heaphy, a former U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Virginia, joins host Dr. Katie Crawford-Lackey to discuss the roles and responsibilities of U.S. Attorneys within the federal justice system and the significance of collaboration between different levels of law enforcement.