Civil Discourse Podcast

This podcast uses government documents to illuminate the workings of the American government and offer context around the effects of government agencies in your everyday life. Civil Discourse is brought to you by VCU Libraries. Opinions expressed are solely the speakers' own, and do not reflect the views or opinions of VCU, or VCU Libraries. Find more information at https://guides.library.vcu.edu/discourse.

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S15, E17: In the News: TikTok Threatened in Federal Legislation

Nia Rodgers and John Aughenbaugh

Nia and Aughie discuss the federal legislation signed by President Biden that requires TikTok to sell to a different owner. They also discuss the national security implications as well as the Commerce Clause implications of the legislation. Episode was created May 1, 2024.
S15, E18: In the News: Recognizing Palestine as a Nation

Nia Rodgers, John Aughenbaugh, and Bill Newmann

Aughie and Nia welcome Dr. Bill Newmann to discuss the recent news that some nations have recognized Palestine as a nation. They also talk about unusual instances of recognition and derecognition of countries in the past.
S15, E19: In the News: Guilty on 34 Count

Nia Rodgers and John Aughenbaugh

Aughie and Nia discuss the recent Donald Trump trial that resulted in 34 felony convictions.
S16, E01: In the News: JD Vance (Aired 7/17/2024)

Nia Rodgers and John Aughenbaugh

Former President Donald Trump has chosen Senator J.D. Vance as his running mate in the 2024 Presidential Election. Aughie and Nia discuss the pros and cons of bringing Senator Vance onto the ticket.
S16, E02: In the News:Trump Florida Case Dismissed (Aired 7/17/2024)

Nia Rodgers and John Aughenbaugh

Aughie and Nia discuss the importance of Judge Aileen Cannon's ruling in the Florida documents case against former President Donald Trump. The 93 page ruling relies heavily on a dissent written by Justice Scalia in Morrison v. Olson, one that has waxed and waned in support since 1988.
S16, E03: In the News: Biden Withdraws (Aired 7/24/2024)

Nia Rodgers and John Aughenbaugh

Nia and Aughie discuss the ramifications of President Biden's withdrawal from the 2024 Presidential Campaign.
S16, E04: SoS 2024: SCOTUS Justice Oddities (Aired 7/25/2024)

Nia Rodgers and John Aughenbaugh

From eating habits to medical issues to marital involvements, Nia and Aughie discuss some of the Justices' interesting oddities.
S16, E05: SoS 2024: Who Cares What the SCOTUS Ruled? (Aired 7/25/2024)

Nia Rodgers and John Aughenbaugh

Aughie and Nia discuss instances where Presidents, Congress, the States, and the political parties have defied or ignored Supreme Court rulings.
S16, E06: SoS 2024: Better at Other Stuff (Aired 7/25/2024)

Nia Rodgers and John Aughenbaugh

Aughie and Nia discuss the Supreme Court Justices that were overrated as Justices. Many of them were quite strong in other positions but were seen as less influential on the Court than their reputation might suggest.
S16, E07: SoS 2024: Case review, part 1 (Aired 7/25/2024)

Nia Rodgers and John Aughenbaugh

Aughie and Nia review the following rulings: Alexander v. NAACP; Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) v. Consumer Financial Services Association of America; Muldrow v. City of St. Louis; O'Connor Ratcliff v. Garnier and Lindke v. Freed; Donald Trump v. Norma Anderson; FDA v. Alliance for Hippocratic Medicine.
S16, E08: SoS 2024: Case Review, part 2 (Aired 7/25/2024)

Nia Rodgers and John Aughenbaugh

Nia and Aughie review the following rulings: Moore V. U.S.; Garland v. Cargill; U.S. v. Rahimi
S16, E09: SoS 2024: Case Review, part 3 (Aired 7/25/2024)

Nia Rodgers and John Aughenbaugh

Aughie and Nia review the following cases: Snyder v. U.S.; Securities and Exchange Commission v. Jarkesy; Idaho v. U.S.; Harrington v. Purdue Pharma
S16, E10: SoS 2024: Case Review, part 4 (Aired 7/25/2024)

Nia Rodgers and John Aughenbaugh

Nia and Aughie review the following cases: Murthy v. Missouri; NetChoice, LLC v. Paxton and Moody v. NetChoice, LLC; City of Grants Pass v. Johnson; Loper Bright Enterprises v Raimondo and Relentless, Inc. v Department of Commerce
S16, E11: SoS 2024: Case Review, part 5 (Aired 7/25/2024)

Nia Rodgers and John Aughenbaugh

Aughie and Nia review the following cases: Fischer v. United States; Trump v. United States
S16, E12: SoS 2024: Wrap Up and What's Next (Aired 7/25/2024)

Nia Rodgers and John Aughenbaugh

Aughie and Nia wrap up the statistics for the 23-24 SCOTUS session and look forward to coming cases in the 24-25 SCOTUS session.
S17, E01: In the News: Who the Heck is Tim Walz? (Aired 8/11/2024)

Nia Rodgers and John Aughenbaugh

Aughie and Nia discuss a person in civics news - Governor Tim Walz of Minnesota, the Democratic vice president pick. Aughie analyzes his pros and cons as a nominee.
S17, E02: What is the Superfund? (Aired 8/21/2024)

Nia Rodgers and John Aughenbaugh

Nia and Aughie explain the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act, also known as Superfund Act, of 1980. They consider its goals as well as the pros and cons of the program
S17, E03: What is the Overton Window? (Aired 8/29/2024)

Nia Rodgers and John Aughenbaugh

Aughie and Nia explore Joseph Overton's concept to explain when politicians will act to create public policy. This theory is named the Overton Window.
S17, E04: The Global Engagement Center (Aired 9/4/2024)

Nia Rodgers and John Aughenbaugh

Aughie scares Nia with the mission of the Global Engagement Center, located in the State Department.
S17, E05: SCOTUS Term Limit Debate (Aired 9/12/2024)

Nia Rodgers and John Aughenbaugh

Nia and Aughie consider the debate concerning imposing term limits on Supreme Court Justices. Can Congress enact a law, or does there need to be a Constitutional Amendment?
S17, E06: AMBER and Other Alert Systems (Aired 9/19/2024)

Nia Rodgers and John Aughenbaugh

Aughie and Nia talk about the various local and national alert systems designed to reach Americans by television, telephone, and internet.
S17, E07: Secession, part 1: What is Political Secession? (Aired 9/26/2024)

Nia Rodgers and John Aughenbaugh

Aughie and Nia discuss the ramifications of political secession.
S17, E08: Secession, part 2: The US Civil War (Aired 10/3/2024)

Nia Rodgers and John Aughenbaugh

Aughie and Nia continue their discussion of secession with the U.S. Civil War.
S17, E09: SCOTUS Under Siege (Aired 10/10/2024)

Nia Rodgers and John Aughenbaugh

Aughie and Nia discuss the latest woes of the U.S. Supreme Court, including leaks, scandals, and public opinion.
S17, E10: Notable Thefts of Government Documents (Aired 10/17/2024)

Nia Rodgers and John Aughenbaugh

Aughie and Nia explore the known modern thefts of government documents and the punishments imposed on the thieves.