Civil Discourse

Nia and Aughie study the life and career of Elliot Richardson, one of only two people in U.S. history to hold four different Cabinet level positions. 

Aughie and Nia discuss the oral arguments between Suncor Energy and the County Commissioners of Boulder in the case before the U.S. Supreme Court. Aughie explains the potential ramifications of the win/loss of each side. 

Aughie and Nia discuss the Emoluments clauses. There are two emoluments clauses in the U.S. Constitution. The foreign emoluments clause is found in Article 1, Section 9, clause 8. The domestic emoluments clause is in Article 2, Section 1, clause 7.

Aughie and Nia recount the career and exploits of Edwin Meese, former Attorney General of the United States.

Aughie and Nia investigate the life and career of Condoleeza Rice, Secretary of State and National Security Advisor.

Aughie and Nia investigate the life and career of Condoleeza Rice, Secretary of State and National Security Advisor.

Aughie and Nia talk about the life of Benedict Arnold, Revolutionary War Hero turned traitor.

Nia and Aughie discuss the Speech or Debate Clause in Article 1, Section 6 of the U.S. Constitution.

Aughie and Nia discuss the Recess Appointment Clause, in Article 2, Section 2, Clause 3 of the US Constitution.

Aughie and Nia explore the career of Alberto Gonzales, the first Hispanic American to serve as U.S. Attorney General. 

Nia and Aughie look at competing District Court rulings regarding the Constitutionality of the Congressional ban on home brewing of alcoholic beverages.

Aughie and Nia explore the storied career of the first female United States Attorney General, Janet Reno.

Aughie and Nia discuss the strange cases of government investigating evidence of drug use or illness in municipal wastewater systems.

Nia and Aughie start the new season with a salty discussion of what can legally appear on your license plate. This episode is in response to a case working its way through the Virginia legal system (and then possibly the Supreme Court), Whateley v. Lackey. 

Aughie and Nia finish this year's big Supreme Court rulings with three cases: Chatrie v United States, Monsanto Company v Durnell, and Landor v. Louisiana Department of Corrections and Public Safety. Chatrie centered on the use of geofencing warrants under the 4th Amendment. Monsanto argued that only the EPA could label its products cancer-causing, which the EPA has declined to do. Landor centered on immunity of guards to be individually sued for violating a prisoner's religious rights.

Aughie and Nia discuss the Supreme Court opinions in Trump V Barbara, Trump v. Cook, and Trump V Slaughter. In Trump v Barbara, the justices were asked to decide whether Trump's Executive Order banning birthright citizenship was legal. In Trump v Cook, the Court decided whether Trump was allowed to fire a Federal Reserve Board Governor. In the final case of this episode, the Justices addressed whether Trump could fire a Federal Trade Commissioner.

Aughie and Nia discuss the Supreme Court decisions in Watson v RNC, National Republican Senatorial Committee v Federal Election Commission and West Virginia v BJP combined with Little v Hecox.  In the first case, the Justices were asked to define "elections" in terms of mail in voting ballot acceptance. In the second, they addressed the national political parties coordinating spending with candidates. In the final two cases, combined into one decision, the Justices wrestled with questions surrounding allowing transgender female athletes to compete on women's teams.

Nia and Aughie discuss the decisions in Wolford v Lopez, U.S. v Hemani, and Abouammo v United States. The first case related to state gun bans, the second to the right of habitual drug users to own a gun, and the third applied to cases being filed outside the jurisdiction in which they occurred.

Aughie and Nia discuss the opinions in Noes v Al Otro Lado, Mullin v Doe, and Cisco Systems v Doe. The first case allows the federal government to stop immigrants before arriving on American soil to ask for asylum. The second case allows the government to cancel Temporary Protection Status visas. The third case does not allow Cisco to be sued because the Chinese government used its software to locate and torture Chinese dissidents.

Aughie and Nia discuss recent attacks, verbal and physical, on the U.S. Supreme Court.

While waiting for more opinions from the SCOTUS, Aughie and Nia talk about the Streisand Effect in politics.

 Aughie and Nia explore the importance of Batson challenges in jury trials. 

Aughie explains what happens to the personal papers of the Supreme Court Justices after they retire or pass away.

In the News, Aughie and Nia follow up on the post election results of the redistricting question in Virginia.

 In the News, Nia and Aughie discuss the stay of a lower court's decision by the Supreme Court affecting the mail ordering of the drug Mifepristone. 

Aughie and Nia explore the arguments before the US Supreme Court regarding President Trump's Birthright Citizenship Executive Order.

Aughie and Nia discuss the life and work of the leader of the Untouchables, Eliot Ness.

Aughie and Nia report on the case facts and outcome of the Ohio case Cooley v Foreman (AKA Afroman). 

Nia and Aughie explore the interesting life and service of Senator Elizabeth Dole.

Aughie and Nia recount the fascinating cases and legal troubles of famous lawyer and orator Clarence Darrow in part two of a two part series.

Nia and Aughie discuss the Roberts Court, years 2005 - present (2026). John Roberts has led the Supreme Court for 21 years, overseeing a move to the conservative right and many modern controversial opinions. Part 1 covers the youth and early career of John Roberts and the early years of the Roberts Court.

Aughie and Nia recount the childhood and early legal career of famous lawyer and orator Clarence Darrow in part one of a two part series.

Aughie and Nia explore the Rehnquist Court, years 1986 - 2005. William Rehnquist, an intelligent lawyer and solid administrator, presided over a court that was increasingly conservative and with almost 11 years of no turnover in justices.

Aughie and Nia explore the Burger Court, years 1969 - 1986. Chief Justice Warren Burger led the court through the end of the Vietnam War and into the tech boom of the 1980s. This transitional period takes us from a much more liberal time of the court into a more conservative era.

Aughie and Nia introduce listeners to the storied history of William Jennings Bryan, lawyer, orator, and perennial presidential candidate.

Nia and Aughie review the current gerrymandering efforts in Virginia and other states.