The Brian Lehrer Show Black Friday Best-Of: Jill Lepore; AJ Jacobs; Bill McKibben; A Better You
Nov 28, 2025
Jill Lepore, a Harvard historian and New Yorker staff writer, delves into the challenges of amending the U.S. Constitution and critiques originalism. Bill McKibben, a prominent environmentalist, discusses the urgency of tackling the climate crisis and the rise of solar energy. A.J. Jacobs shares his humorous insights from living 48 hours without AI and advocates for technology transparency. Olga Khazan explores the science of personality change and shares practical tips for enhancing traits like conscientiousness.
01:49:35
Constitution As Machine
- The framers treated the Constitution as a machine with checks designed to limit human fallibility.
- That mechanical view motivated durable structures that make formal amendment difficult over time.
States Amend Far More Often
- State constitutions are amended far more often than the federal Constitution, with roughly a 75% ratification rate for state proposals.
- That contrast shows the U.S. Constitution is unusually rigid compared to subnational constitutions.
Amendment Was Intended
- The framers expected amendment to be a necessary, moral process rooted in 18th-century faith in progress.
- They built Article V to allow repair and peaceful change, not to lock the document forever.
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Intro
00:00 • 49sec
Why Write a History of the Constitution
00:49 • 53sec
Amendment Project and States vs. Federal Amendments
01:42 • 4min
The Founders' Machine Metaphor and Checks
05:31 • 2min
18th-Century Beliefs: Reason, Progress, Amendment
07:48 • 5min
On 'What Would the Framers Do?' and Originalism
12:30 • 3min
Tea Party, Conventions, and How the Constitution Changes
15:41 • 4min
19th-Century Contest Over Interpretation
20:00 • 6min
Callers on Framers' Intent and Congressional Authority
26:12 • 5min
20th Century Shift: Parties, Progressive Amendments, FDR
31:10 • 3min
Party Platforms and the Modern Amendment Impasse
34:33 • 4min
Risks of a Constitutional Convention Today
38:50 • 55sec
Ad break
39:45 • 17sec
AJ Jacobs' AI-Free Experiment Origin
40:02 • 2min
Defining AI and Machine Learning's Reach
42:14 • 2min
Going Fully Offline: Typewriter, Solar, Foraging
44:44 • 2min
Privacy, Transparency, and Regulation Demands
46:50 • 2min
Customer Service Robots and Human Interaction Loss
49:15 • 3min
Entertainment, Podcast Editing, and AI Use
52:13 • 5min
Ad break
56:54 • 15sec
Bill McKibben: Advocacy and Journalism
57:10 • 1min
Origins: Early Reporting and The End of Nature
58:17 • 7min
Founding 350.org and the Limits of Argument Alone
01:05:29 • 3min
Why Focus on Solar Now
01:08:24 • 6min
China's Clean-Energy Buildout and U.S. Lag
01:13:56 • 58sec
Battery Storage, Grid Reliability, and Critiques
01:14:55 • 7min
Climate Messaging: Terms and Insurance Signals
01:22:09 • 1min
Distributed Solar, Virtual Power Plants, Policy Fixes
01:23:18 • 9min
Global Justice and Solar Adoption in Pakistan
01:32:26 • 17sec
Ad break
01:32:43 • 15sec
Can Personalities Change? Five-Factor Model
01:32:58 • 55sec
Measuring Traits and Changing Extroversion
01:33:53 • 2min
Conscientiousness: Health and Life Outcomes
01:35:45 • 5min
Fake It Till You Make It and Free Traits
01:40:50 • 4min
Practical Stories: Career Shifts and Skill Building
01:44:25 • 5min
Outro
01:49:27 • 2sec
#6299
• Mentioned in 6 episodes
We the People, History of the U.S. Constitution
Jill Lepore
#2468
• Mentioned in 15 episodes
The end of nature
Bill McKibben
Bill McKibben's "The End of Nature" is a seminal work in environmental literature, published in 1989.
The book explores the profound impact of human activity on the Earth's climate and ecosystems.
McKibben argues that human-induced climate change has fundamentally altered the natural world, marking the end of an era where nature existed independently of human influence.
The book's impact lies in its powerful articulation of the urgency of the climate crisis and its call for collective action.
It remains a significant text in the environmental movement, influencing subsequent discussions and activism on climate change.
#1730
• Mentioned in 20 episodes
Here Comes the Sun
Bill McKibben
In 'Here Comes the Sun', Bill McKibben examines the rapid growth of solar energy and its potential to address the climate crisis.
He contrasts the global embrace of solar power with the slower adoption in the U.S.
, attributing this disparity to factors such as policy and investment.
The book highlights successful examples of solar energy implementation in countries like China and Pakistan, showcasing its economic and environmental benefits.
McKibben addresses common misconceptions about solar energy, such as its cost and resource requirements.
He emphasizes the need for rapid deployment of solar technology to meet climate goals and transform our energy systems.
#4126
• Mentioned in 9 episodes
The Year of Living Constitutionally
One Man's Humble Quest to Follow the Constitution's Original Meaning
A. J. Jacobs
In 'The Year of Living Constitutionally', A.J.
Jacobs embarks on a year-long journey to understand the U.S.
Constitution by living as closely as possible to its original meaning.
He engages in various adventures such as carrying an 18th-century musket, asserting his right to free speech with handwritten pamphlets, and participating in Revolutionary War reenactments.
The book delves into the debates between originalism and living constitutionalism, offering insights into the Constitution's impact on modern American life and the ongoing debates about its interpretation.
Jacobs' experiences highlight the benefits and challenges of adhering to 18th-century laws in the 21st century, providing a fresh and entertaining perspective on the Constitution's role in American democracy.
#9805
• Mentioned in 4 episodes
The Know-It-All
One Man's Humble Quest to Become the Smartest Person in the World
A.J. Jacobs
In 'The Know-It-All', A.J.
Jacobs chronicles his humorous and enlightening journey to read all thirty-two volumes of the Encyclopaedia Britannica.
This memoir explores the impact of his quest on his personal life, relationships, and understanding of intelligence.
Jacobs also attempts to join Mensa and appear on Jeopardy!
, while discovering fascinating facts and reflecting on the meaning of intelligence.
#17419
• Mentioned in 2 episodes
These Truths, The History of the United States
Jill Lepore
#1899
• Mentioned in 18 episodes
Me, But Better
The Science and Promise of Personality Change
Olga Khazan
#1922
• Mentioned in 18 episodes
The Year of Living Biblically
One Man's Humble Quest to Follow the Bible as Literally as Possible
A.J. Jacobs
In this book, A.J.
Jacobs embarks on a year-long experiment to live according to the Bible's rules as literally as possible.
Raised in a secular Jewish family, Jacobs delves into the world of religion to understand its relevance in modern life.
He follows over 700 biblical rules, from the well-known Ten Commandments to the lesser-known laws such as avoiding clothes made of mixed fibers and stoning adulterers.
The book is a humorous and profound account of his journey, where he interacts with various religious groups, including Amish, Hassidic Jews, and evangelical Christians.
Jacobs' experiment leads to surprising insights and personal growth, challenging his initial skepticism about religion and highlighting the complexities of biblical literalism.
#58595
It's All Relative
A.J. Jacobs
In 'It's All Relative', A.J.
Jacobs embarks on a three-year journey to build the largest family tree in history, exploring the complexities of family, genetics, and human connection.
His adventures take him to all seven continents, uncovering surprising links to historical figures and celebrities.
The book is a fascinating look at the bonds that unite humanity.
- Looking ahead to the 250th anniversary of the U.S., Jill Lepore, professor of American History at Harvard University, staff writer at The New Yorker, and the author of several books, including We the People: A History of the U.S. Constitution (Liveright, 2025), digs into the history of the country's founding document and what it means for the country that it so difficult, but still possible, to change.
- A. J. Jacobs, host of the "Hello Puzzlers" podcast, essayist, and the author of The Year of Living Biblically, The Know-It-All, It's All Relative and his latest, The Year of Living Constitutionally: One Man's Humble Quest to Follow the Constitution's Original Meaning (Crown, 2024), reports back on how AI is already woven into daily life with another take on being a "human guinea pig," going 48 hours without using AI.
- Bill McKibben, environmental activist, founder of Third Act and author of many books, most recently: Here Comes the Sun: A Last Chance for the Climate and a Fresh Chance for Civilization (W. W. Norton & Company, 2025), discusses his new book and reflects on his life's work, both as a climate activist and journalist.
- Olga Khazan, staff writer at The Atlantic and the author of Me, But Better: The Science and Promise of Personality Change (S&S/Simon Element, 2025), talks about her new book and what she found on her year-long quest to become a "better" person.
These interviews were lightly edited for time and clarity; the original web versions are available here:
Jill Lepore on the American Constitution (Sep 16, 2025)
A.J. Jacobs Tries Life Without AI (Nov 3, 2025)
A Lifetime of Work on Climate Change (Sep 25, 2025)
Can We Change Our Personalities? (Mar 12, 2025)