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.

Printing is not supported at the primary Gallery Thumbnail page. Please first navigate to a specific Image before printing.

Switch View to Grid View Slideshow

S20, E20: Government Holiday Celebrations (Aired 12/12/2025)

Nia Rodgers and John Aughenbaugh

Aughie and Nia explore some of the local and state government traditions of celebrating the holiday season.
S21, E01: SCOTUS Eras: White Court (Aired 1/23/2026)

Nia Rodgers and John Aughenbaugh

Aughie and Nia discuss the White Court, years 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.
S21, E02: Stories Behind the Names: Carrie Buck (Aired 1/28/2026)

Nia Rodgers and John Aughenbaugh

Nia and Aughie explain who Carrie Buck was, of the Supreme Court case Buck v Bell (1927).
S21, E03: SCOTUS Eras: Taft Court (Aired 1/30/2026)

Nia Rodgers and John Aughenbaugh

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.
S21, E04: Stories Behind the Names: Sam Ervin (Aired 2/11/2026)

Nia Rodgers and John Aughenbaugh

Aughie and Nia discuss Sam Ervin, a man of many contradictory positions and Chairman of the Watergate Hearings in the U.S. Senate.
S21, E05: SCOTUS Eras: Hughes Court (Aired 2/13/2026)

Nia Rodgers and John Aughenbaugh

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.
S21, E06: Stories Behind the Names: Ernesto Miranda (Aired 2/18/2026)

Nia Rodgers and John Aughenbaugh

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.
S21, E07: SCOTUS Eras: Stone Court (Aired 2/20/2026)

Nia Rodgers and John Aughenbaugh

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 oversaw a gradual warming to civil rights and liberties on the Court.
S21, E08: In the News: Tariffs Ruling (Aired 2/23/2026)

Nia Rodgers and John Aughenbaugh

Aughie and Nia work through the ruling, concurrences, dissents, and implications of the U.S. Supreme Court's decisions in the Trump Tariff cases.
S21, E09: Stories Behind the Names: John Foster Dulles (Aired 2/25/2026)

Nia Rodgers and John Aughenbaugh

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.
S21, E10: SCOTUS Eras: Vinson Court (Aired 2/27/2026)

Nia Rodgers and John Aughenbaugh

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.
S21, E11: Stories Behind the Names: Learned Hand (Aired 3/4/2026)

Nia Rodgers and John Aughenbaugh

Aughie and Nia explore the life and career of Learned Hand (January 27, 1872 - August 18, 1961). Billings Learned Hand was an American jurist, lawyer, and judicial philosopher. He served as a federal appellate judge in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit from 1924 to 1961.
S21, E12: SCOTUS Eras: The Warren Court, part 1 (Aired 3/6/2026)

Nia Rodgers and John Aughenbaugh

Aughie and Nia discuss the Warren Court, years 1953 to 1969. Earl Warren oversaw the Court during a time of great social change in the United States. In this first episode of the Warren Court, Aughie explains the background and leadership qualities of Earl Warren as a governor of California among other positions.
S21, E13: Stories Behind the Names: Carrie Nation (Aired 3/11/2026)

Nia Rodgers and John Aughenbaugh

Nia and Aughie tell the story behind the Prohibition leader Caroline (Carrie) Amelia Moore Gloyd Nation.
S21, E14: SCOTUS Eras: The Warren Court, part 2 (Aired 3/13/2026)

Nia Rodgers and John Aughenbaugh

Aughie and Nia discuss the Warren Court, years 1953 to 1969. Earl Warren oversaw the Court during a time of great social change in the United States. In this second episode of the Warren Court, Aughie goes over the landmark cases that show the progressive judicial philosophy of the Warren Court.