Civics 101

Delving into the controversy surrounding flags like the American flag and the Gadsden flag, exploring their historical meanings and symbolism. Discussing recusal in legal proceedings and the evolving significance of flags in different contexts and movements.

This is the story of what happens (and what's happening) when the American workforce tries to get a seat at the table.  Our guides to strikes, unions and the labor movement are Kim Kelly, journalist and author of Fight Like Hell: The Untold History of American Labor, Eric Loomis professor of History at the University of Rhode Island and author of A History of America in Ten Strikes and our friend Andrew Swan, an 8th Grade Social Studies teacher in Newton, MA among many other things. 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! Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

The Smithsonian National Zoological Park in Washington, DC is sometimes called “the people’s zoo.” That’s because it’s the only zoo in the country to be created by an act of US Congress, and admission is free.But why did our federal government create a national zoo in the first place?Outside/In producer Felix Poon has the scoop – from its surprising origins in the near-extinction of bison, to a look at its modern-day mission of conservation, we’re going on a field trip to learn all about the National Zoo.Support our public radio show today and you can get our new misinformation/disinformation tote bag! Click here to take a peek at it. 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! Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Today on Civics 101 we talk about truth, bias, and objectivity in reporting. I visited with Barbara Sprunt, reporter at the Washington desk at NPR, who told me what it's like to cover Capitol Hill. Barbara told me about her schedule, what to listen for when interviewing members of Congress, and what she says to accusations of political bias.Support our public radio show today and you can get our new misinformation/disinformation tote bag! Click here to take a peek at it. 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! Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Dan Cassino from Farleigh Dickinson University and Josh Pasek from the University of Michigan discuss the history of ballot design, the 2000 ballot fiasco, and how some ballots still favor a candidate or party. They explore voting methods, ballot security, and the impact of design on election results and voter behavior

Explore the history and evolution of American currency with Stephen Mihm, Ellen Feingold, and Todd Martin. From shells to modern dollars, they discuss the challenges of forgery, unique designs, and the transition from gold-backed to fiat currency. Learn about the significance of money in society and its cultural importance.

Explore the challenges faced by Juneau, Alaska, as they grapple with climate change and looming natural disasters. Learn about the impact of updated hazard maps on residents and the ethical dilemmas of balancing love and risk in a rain-prone town. Delve into the housing crisis in high-risk areas and the city government's decisions on building restrictions amidst climate change concerns.

Host Nick Capodice and co-host Hannah McCarthy discuss their experiences with the Supreme Court, including the intense atmosphere and special treatment for press. They also visit the emotional Lincoln Memorial, reflecting on collective ideals and the importance of historical legacies.

Join Felix Poon from Outside/In as the Civics 101 team explores DC. From money printing to zoo adventures, jurisdiction complexities to embassy boundaries, and even Supreme Court oral arguments with protests, this podcast episode is packed with intriguing insights and experiences!

This week our team has hit the road to - where else - our nation’s capital, Washington D.C. While we’re here, we’ll be conducting interviews and gathering tape for future episodes, but we’re also doing something else: immersing ourselves in the sights and sounds of the seat of our federal government.That’s right, it’s a Civics 101 field trip! You can follow along on Instagram and on our brand-new TikTok channel.In this episode, listen to what it was like as we explored the city during our first full day in D.C. - where we walked, what we saw, and what made us curious. And one of those facts...yeah, it was about the Constitution. BUCKLE UP.  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! Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.