Civics 101

Amelia Campbell, a former Capitol Police officer, shares her profound journey after the January 6th riot, detailing the chaos and trauma she faced that day. Alongside Lauren Chulgin, a reporter who produced stories about Amelia's experiences, they discuss the emotional toll on law enforcement and the struggles of returning to duty post-trauma. Amelia bravely opens up about her PTSD and her aspirations to create a nonprofit for mental health support in policing. Their conversation highlights resilience, community, and the lasting impact of that fateful day.

In this discussion featuring Sue Tolleson-Rinehart, a seasoned Professor Emerita of Pediatrics, and Amélie Quesnel-Vallée, a noted Canada Research Chair, the complexities of the U.S. healthcare system are revealed. They delve into the striking disparities in healthcare costs between the U.S. and other wealthy nations like Canada. The duo examines doctor salary differences and the challenges undocumented immigrants face. They also tackle crucial topics like reproductive rights, drug pricing, and the necessity of political accountability in healthcare.

The Smithsonian is the world's largest research institution, but much of it is out of public sight. And one particular kind of collection is part of a growing debate over where ethical lines and scientific discovery should be drawn.This week, we present the first part of a special series from our colleagues at Outside/In. You can listen to the rest of the series here, or get Outside/In wherever listen to podcasts. You can support our journalism by making a donation to our show! Thanks so much.  CLICK HERE: Visit our website to see all of our episodes, donate to the podcast, sign up for our newsletter, get free educational materials, and more!To see Civics 101 in book form, check out A User's Guide to Democracy: How America Works by Hannah McCarthy and Nick Capodice, featuring illustrations by Tom Toro.Check out our other weekly NHPR podcast, Outside/In - we think you'll love it!

David Sirota, editor in chief of The Lever and host of Master Plan, dives deep into the complexities of political corruption. He discusses how corruption shapes policy and erodes trust in democracy, emphasizing the need for citizen activism, especially around issues like prescription drug prices. Sirota highlights the historical roots of political corruption from Nixon’s era, revealing the ongoing challenges of campaign finance reform. He advocates for transparency and collective action to combat the financial influence undermining democratic integrity.

Whenever there's a big strike in the news, someone inevitably invokes the phrase "Taft-Hartely Act" when talking about whether or not the president should intervene. But what is Taft-Hartley? How did it come about? And what can it actually do?Nick chats with Erik Loomis, a professor at the University of Rhode Island and expert on all things labor-related.  CLICK HERE: Visit our website to see all of our episodes, donate to the podcast, sign up for our newsletter, get free educational materials, and more!To see Civics 101 in book form, check out A User's Guide to Democracy: How America Works by Hannah McCarthy and Nick Capodice, featuring illustrations by Tom Toro.Check out our other weekly NHPR podcast, Outside/In - we think you'll love it!

Raj Vinakoda, president of the Woodrow Wilson National Fellowship Foundation, joins social justice advocate Mustafa Santiago Ali and constitutional law expert Kim Whaley to discuss civic engagement's vital role in democracy. They debunk myths about participation barriers like time and skepticism, promoting informed voting as essential. Educator Cheryl Cook-Caglio emphasizes community involvement and civil discourse. Together, they inspire listeners to utilize their unique skills and advocate for their democratic rights to foster a more engaged society.

What does it mean if a SCOTUS justice is a self-proclaimed "originalist?" When was the word first used in that context? And what are we missing about the framers when we look only upon the recent interpretation of their words in the court?Today our guide is Mackenzie Joy Brennan;  lawyer, media commentator, and author of the upcoming book The Original ‘Original Intent,’ Recovering the Lost Constitution of the Founders.Click here for more of Mackenzie's research on originalism, including Terry Brennan's essay in the Harvard Journal of Law and Public Policy.Click here for our episode on the Second Amendment.  CLICK HERE: Visit our website to see all of our episodes, donate to the podcast, sign up for our newsletter, get free educational materials, and more!To see Civics 101 in book form, check out A User's Guide to Democracy: How America Works by Hannah McCarthy and Nick Capodice, featuring illustrations by Tom Toro.Check out our other weekly NHPR podcast, Outside/In - we think you'll love it!

For more than two hundred years Americans have tried to tame the Mississippi River. And, for that entire time, the river has fought back. This week we present an episode of our sister podcast Outside/In. Journalist and author Boyce Upholt has spent dozens of nights camping along the Lower Mississippi and knows the river for what it is: both a water-moving machine and a supremely wild place. His recent book, “The Great River: The Making and Unmaking of the Mississippi River” tells the story of how engineers have made the Mississippi into one of the most engineered waterways in the world, and in turn have transformed it into a bit of a cyborg — half mechanical, half natural. In this episode, host Nate Hegyi and Upholt take us from the flood ravaged town of Greenville, Mississippi, to the small office of a group of army engineers, in a tale of faulty science, big egos and a river that will ultimately do what it wants. Featuring Boyce Upholt CLICK HERE: Visit our website to see all of our episodes, donate to the podcast, sign up for our newsletter, get free educational materials, and more!To see Civics 101 in book form, check out A User's Guide to Democracy: How America Works by Hannah McCarthy and Nick Capodice, featuring illustrations by Tom Toro.Check out our other weekly NHPR podcast, Outside/In - we think you'll love it!

Today, we bring you a special bonus - a SMACKDOWN episode of NPR's It's Been a Minute featuring our own hosts Nick and Hannah! IBAM host Brittany Luse has been taking this smackdown on the road  to cities all across the country.  Hear the other debates on the It's Been a Minute podcast. CLICK HERE: Visit our website to see all of our episodes, donate to the podcast, sign up for our newsletter, get free educational materials, and more!To see Civics 101 in book form, check out A User's Guide to Democracy: How America Works by Hannah McCarthy and Nick Capodice, featuring illustrations by Tom Toro.Check out our other weekly NHPR podcast, Outside/In - we think you'll love it!

Akhil Amar, a Sterling Professor of Law and Political Science at Yale, and Andy Lipka, president of EverScholar, dive deep into the multifaceted role of the U.S. President. They discuss the evolution of presidential responsibilities and the enduring impact of George Washington's legacy. Key topics include the importance of civic engagement in democracy, the balance of powers, and how Washington’s ideals contrast with today's political landscape. Their insights challenge us to reflect on what qualities future leaders must embody.