Consider the Constitution

Latest Episodes:

The Power of Place: Historic Preservation at James Madison's Montpelier Nov 11, 2025

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In this special episode commemorating the 25th anniversary of the co-stewardship partnership between the National Trust for Historic Preservation and The Montpelier Foundation, host Dr. Katie Crawford Lackey welcomes Tom Mayes, Chief Legal Officer of the National Trust for Historic Preservation. Together, they explore how historic places like James Madison's Montpelier connect us to the origins of the Constitution and why preserving these spaces matters for democracy.

The Mosaic of Montpelier Sep 12, 2025

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In this special episode of Consider The Constitution, Dr. Katie Crawford-Lackey is joined by Dr. Kelley Fanto Deetz, Montpelier's Chief Advancement Officer, to explore how James Madison's Montpelier reveals history's most essential truth: no story stands alone. Deetz reveals why Madison's constitutional genius, Dolley's political mastery, and the enslaved community's foundational role must be understood as interconnected tiles in one complex picture. From diplomatic dinners served by enslaved hands to architectural choices that masked uncomfortable truths, every detail illuminates the contradictions of liberty being born on a landscape built by bondage.

Congress by Design: How the Founders Built America's Most Powerful Branch Aug 12, 2025

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Host Dr. Katie Crawford-Lackey welcomes back Dr. Lauren Bell to explore how the Constitutional Convention's historic compromises shaped Congress into America's most powerful branch of government. From Madison's Virginia Plan to the Great Compromise that created our bicameral legislature, Bell reveals how enumerated and implied powers actually work in practice. Discover why congressional representation has become increasingly unequal over time, how air conditioning changed Congress forever, and why members strategically deflect responsibility to other branches as "single-minded seekers of reelection." Bell offers eye-opening insights into modern challenges and practical solutions for restoring public trust through better constituency connections, genuine oversight, and civic engagement.

Your Invitation to Madison's Montpelier: An Unprecedented Public Seminar Experience Jul 28, 2025

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For the first time in over 20 years, James Madison's Montpelier is opening its transformational constitutional seminars to the general public. Join host Dr. Katie Crawford-Lackey and Center Director Patrick Campbell as they extend a personal invitation to an extraordinary three-day immersive experience.

Imagine sleeping on the same grounds where Madison wrestled with the ideas that became our Constitution, spending intimate classroom time with renowned Madison scholar Dr. Lynn Ell, and watching sunsets from the same portico where the Father of the Constitution once stood. This isn't just a typical educational program—it's a chance to engage with the philosophical foundations of American democracy in the most authentic setting possible.

With only 30 spots available and registration already halfway full, this September 18-20 seminar promises to be unlike anything offered before. Whether you're a longtime podcast listener curious about experiencing these ideas in person, or someone seeking deeper understanding of how Madison's vision speaks to today's challenges, this conversation reveals what makes this opportunity so special.

Listen in for all the details about this rare chance to join a "nerd camp" that just might change how you think about our democratic experiment.

The Madison Paradox: Empowering Government While Limiting Power Jul 23, 2025

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In this episode, host Dr. Katie Crawford-Lackey explores James Madison's constitutional philosophy with professors Eric Kasper and Howard Schweber, co-authors of "James Madison's Constitution: A Double Security and a Parchment Barrier." The conversation unpacks two key Madisonian concepts: "double security" (the idea that both federalism and separation of powers work together to prevent tyranny) and "parchment barriers" (Madison's concern that written rules alone aren't enough to constrain power).

Campus Safety and Free Speech: Police Training for Constitutional Rights Jul 09, 2025

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As college campuses continue to serve as vital sites of activism, protest, and public debate, university police face the complex task of upholding First Amendment freedoms while ensuring the safety and wellbeing of diverse campus communities. In this episode, Dr. Katie Crawford Lackey sits down with Chief Timothy Longo, Associate Vice President for Safety and Security at the University of Virginia, to explore the delicate intersection of constitutional rights and campus safety. With over 40 years in law enforcement, Chief Longo shares insights on how university police navigate the delicate balance between protecting First Amendment freedoms and ensuring campus security. The conversation covers the unique challenges of policing diverse academic communities, the importance of constitutional training for officers, and practical approaches to managing expressive conduct while maintaining public safety. Chief Longo emphasizes the critical role of empathy, collaboration, and deep constitutional understanding in modern law enforcement.

Qualified Immunity: Where Constitutional Law Meets Public Safety Jun 25, 2025

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In this compelling episode of Consider the Constitution, host Dr. Katie Crawford-Lackey explores one of the most contentious intersections of constitutional law and public policy with Professor Hank Chambers from the University of Richmond Law School. Together, they unpack the complex doctrine of qualified immunity and its relationship to police discretion—topics that have become central to national debates about policing, accountability, and civil rights.

Professor Chambers breaks down what qualified immunity actually means, explaining how it allows law enforcement officers to avoid liability in certain situations, even when constitutional violations may have occurred.

Professor Chambers offers a nuanced perspective on why some view qualified immunity as necessary protection for officers doing difficult work, while others see it as a barrier to accountability.

Official Message: How Members of Congress Communicate with Constituents Jun 11, 2025

Show notes

In this illuminating episode of Consider the Constitution, Dr. Katie Crawford Lackey welcomes back Dr. Lindsey Cormack, the pioneering political scientist who created DC Inbox—a first-of-its-kind digital archive preserving congressional newsletters.

From James Madison's vision of Congress as the people's branch to today's digital communication tactics, this conversation uncovers the evolution of constituent engagement and the power dynamics of political messaging. Dr. Cormack explains why she invented this crucial archive solution when she discovered these taxpayer-funded communications weren't being systematically preserved.

Beyond the Founders: How Ordinary Americans Built a Government May 28, 2025

Show notes

In this episode, host Dr. Katie Crawford-Lackey interviews historian Dr. Peter Kastor about how America's founding generation transformed constitutional ideals into functioning government institutions. Learn about the challenges faced by early federal leaders, the overlooked contributions of thousands of ordinary civil servants, and how this formative period established enduring traditions of public service and constitutional governance.

The Philosophical Roots of American Democracy May 14, 2025

Show notes

In this enlightening episode of Consider the Constitution, host Dr. Katie Crawford Lackey sits down with Dr. Dennis Rasmussen, professor of political science at Syracuse University's Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs. Their conversation explores the philosophical underpinnings that influenced the creation of the U.S. Constitution, particularly focusing on Enlightenment thinkers like John Locke, David Hume, Adam Smith, and Montesquieu whose ideas shaped the framers' thinking.

Dr. Rasmussen, author of "Fears of a Setting Sun," provides fascinating insights into how the founders – particularly Madison – navigated between theory and practical application when designing America's system of government. The discussion reveals surprising details about Madison's disappointment with certain aspects of the Constitution, the founders' evolving opinions about their creation, and the remarkable durability of America's founding document despite its imperfections. This episode offers listeners a deeper understanding of the intellectual foundations of American constitutional governance and reflects on what lessons we might draw from the founders' experiences as we face today's political challenges.

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