Civil Discourse

Latest Episodes:

SCOTUS Eras: The Vinson Court Feb 27, 2026

Show notes

Aughie and Nia explore the Vinson Court, years 1946 - 1953. Fred M. Vinson saw the Court through the post war years and into the Cold War. The Court's decisions reflected the continuing ideological battle between judicial restraint and civil rights activism.

Story Behind the Name: John Foster Dulles Feb 25, 2026

Show notes

Nia and Aughie discuss John Foster Dulles (February 25, 1888 - May 24, 1959). Dulles was an American politician, lawyer, and diplomat who served as United States Secretary of State under President Dwight D. Eisenhower from 1953 until his resignation in 1959.

In the News: SCOTUS Tariff Ruling Feb 23, 2026

Show notes

Aughie and Nia work through the ruling, concurrences, dissents, and implications of the U.S. Supreme Court's decisions in the Trump Tariff cases.

SCOTUS Eras: The Stone Court Feb 20, 2026

Show notes

Aughie and Nia discuss the Stone Court, years 1941 - 1946. Harlan Fiske Stone served first as an Associate Justice, and then as the Chief Justice, over a Court that issued several important war-time rulings. Despite its ruling in the Korematsu case, Stone oversees a gradual warming to civil rights and liberties on the Court.

Story Behind the Name: Ernesto Miranda Feb 18, 2026

Show notes

Nia and Aughie discuss Ernesto Miranda of Miranda v Arizona. Miranda's case brought about the Miranda Rights declarations that officers make when arresting an individual.

SCOTUS Eras: The Hughes Court Feb 13, 2026

Show notes

Aughie and Nia explore the Hughes Court, years 1930 - 1941. Charles Evans Hughes managed many personnel changes; he wrangled lots of strong personalities and widely divergent judicial philosophies in his time as Chief Justice. Hughes brought tremendous political skill to navigating this court in transition.

Story Behind the Name: Sam Ervin Feb 11, 2026

Show notes

Aughie and Nia discuss Sam Ervin, a man of many contradictory positions and Chairman of the Watergate Hearings in the U.S. Senate.

SCOTUS Eras: The Taft Court Jan 30, 2026

Show notes

Aughie and Nia explore the Taft Court, years 1921 - 1930. William Howard Taft is the only Chief Justice to have served as President of the United States. His court was conservative, leaning in the pro business direction in terms of striking down regulations of the economy.

Story Behind the Name: Carrie Buck Jan 28, 2026

Show notes

Nia and Aughie explain who Carrie Buck was, of the Supreme Court case Buck v Bell (1927).

SCOTUS Eras: The White Court Jan 23, 2026

Show notes

Aughie and Nia discuss the Whie Court, ears 1910 - 1921. Edward Douglass White was the first Associate Justice to be elevated to the position of Chief Justice. The White Court was slightly less conservative than the previous Fuller Court, choosing to favor regulations under the Commerce Clause and upholding the federal income tax.

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