We The People Podcasts

Newsweek’s Sana Butler discusses her new book Sugar of the Crop, an account of her ten year odyssey to find and interview the last surviving children of American slaves. Butler discusses how freed slaves raised their children in the years following the end of the Civil War, and details a race against time to crisscross the country to reveal the hopes and dreams of the first generation of free African Americans. Butler reveals what she calls an immigrant mentality black parents carried after 1865 as they believed in the Constitution and the potential of a new America. Program recorded on 2/22/10. Questions or comments? Write: programs@constitutioncenter.org

Newsweek’s Sana Butler discusses her new book Sugar of the Crop, an account of her ten year odyssey to find and interview the last surviving children of American slaves. Butler discusses how freed slaves raised their children in the years following the end of the Civil War, and details a race against time to crisscross the country to reveal the hopes and dreams of the first generation of free African Americans. Butler reveals what she calls an immigrant mentality black parents carried after 1865 as they believed in the Constitution and the potential of a new America. Program recorded on 2/22/10. Questions or comments? Write: programs@constitutioncenter.org

Former Comptroller General of the United States and head of the U.S. Government Accountability Office David M. Walker joins the Center to discuss his important new book, Comeback America: Turning the Country Around and Restoring Fiscal Responsibility. For years, Walker warned Congress–and the Clinton and George W. Bush administrations–that America faced a large and growing fiscal imbalance due largely to known demographic trends and rising health care costs. Unfortunately, the numbers have gotten worse and our fiscal gap has grown dramatically in recent years. Moderated by Steve Cordasco, host of "Big Money with Steve Cordasco" which airs in Philadelphia and Boston on Saturday and Sunday mornings on The Big Talker, 1210AM. Program recorded on 2/3/10. Questions or comments? Write: programs@constitutioncenter.org

Former Comptroller General of the United States and head of the U.S. Government Accountability Office David M. Walker joins the Center to discuss his important new book, Comeback America: Turning the Country Around and Restoring Fiscal Responsibility. For years, Walker warned Congress–and the Clinton and George W. Bush administrations–that America faced a large and growing fiscal imbalance due largely to known demographic trends and rising health care costs. Unfortunately, the numbers have gotten worse and our fiscal gap has grown dramatically in recent years. Moderated by Steve Cordasco, host of "Big Money with Steve Cordasco" which airs in Philadelphia and Boston on Saturday and Sunday mornings on The Big Talker, 1210AM. Program recorded on 2/3/10. Questions or comments? Write: programs@constitutioncenter.org

A conversation with acclaimed presidential biographer Richard Reeves about his new book, Daring Young Men: The Heroism and Triumph of the Berlin Airlift. Reeves recounts the stories of the brave pilots who risked their lives to supply humanitarian aid to those who were considered enemies only a few short years earlier during World War II. Utilizing previously unpublished documents and numerous interviews, Reeves provides a voice for these pilots to tell their stories. Thomas Childers, Professor of History at the University of Pennsylvania, moderates. Program recorded on 1/13/10. Questions or comments? Write: programs@constitutioncenter.org

A conversation with acclaimed presidential biographer Richard Reeves about his new book, Daring Young Men: The Heroism and Triumph of the Berlin Airlift. Reeves recounts the stories of the brave pilots who risked their lives to supply humanitarian aid to those who were considered enemies only a few short years earlier during World War II. Utilizing previously unpublished documents and numerous interviews, Reeves provides a voice for these pilots to tell their stories. Thomas Childers, Professor of History at the University of Pennsylvania, moderates. Program recorded on 1/13/10. Questions or comments? Write: programs@constitutioncenter.org

The National Constitution Center and the University of Pennsylvania Law School present law professors Lee Epstein of Northwestern, Barry Friedman of NYU and Jeffrey Rosen of George Washington University in a conversation about the Supreme Court’s relationship to American popular opinion. The program centers on Professor Friedman’s thesis from his new book, The Will of the People, which states that the justices and the people are partners in a “marriage” that sidesteps the two elected branches. Friedman does not argue that the justices and the people are always in agreement, "but rather that they come into line with one another over time.” Veteran Supreme Court watcher and SCOTUSblog correspondent Lyle Denniston moderates. Program recorded on 1/29/10. Questions or comments? Write: programs@constitutioncenter.org

The National Constitution Center and the University of Pennsylvania Law School present law professors Lee Epstein of Northwestern, Barry Friedman of NYU and Jeffrey Rosen of George Washington University in a conversation about the Supreme Court’s relationship to American popular opinion. The program centers on Professor Friedman’s thesis from his new book, The Will of the People, which states that the justices and the people are partners in a “marriage” that sidesteps the two elected branches. Friedman does not argue that the justices and the people are always in agreement, "but rather that they come into line with one another over time.” Veteran Supreme Court watcher and SCOTUSblog correspondent Lyle Denniston moderates. Program recorded on 1/29/10. Questions or comments? Write: programs@constitutioncenter.org

Gordon S. Wood, Brown University Professor of History and Chair of the National Constitution Center’s Distinguished Scholars Advisory Panel, discusses the Founders’ attitudes and beliefs about aristocracy in America, where “titles of nobility” are prohibited by the Constitution, but where aristocratic elements of privilege and power nevertheless have survived. The men who espoused the radical idea that all are created equal shared the tradition of British aristocracy, and Wood examines how their beliefs differed from or mirrored those held in England, which beliefs have lingered, and what their effects have been. Program recorded on 12/07/09. Questions or comments? Write: programs@constitutioncenter.org

Gordon S. Wood, Brown University Professor of History and Chair of the National Constitution Center’s Distinguished Scholars Advisory Panel, discusses the Founders’ attitudes and beliefs about aristocracy in America, where “titles of nobility” are prohibited by the Constitution, but where aristocratic elements of privilege and power nevertheless have survived. The men who espoused the radical idea that all are created equal shared the tradition of British aristocracy, and Wood examines how their beliefs differed from or mirrored those held in England, which beliefs have lingered, and what their effects have been. Program recorded on 12/07/09. Questions or comments? Write: programs@constitutioncenter.org

Even as Democrats have taken control of the White House and Congress, a conservative bloc remains in control of the Supreme Court, with Antonin Scalia as its central figure. Veteran Supreme Court correspondent Joan Biskupic discusses her new book, American Original, and introduces us to Justice Scalia, a proponent of “textualism” in interpreting the Constitution and a champion of social conservatives. Combative and gregarious, Scalia is the Court’s most dynamic personality and lightning rod for liberal complaint. Marcia Coyle, Chief Washington Correspondent for The National Law Journal, moderates. Program recorded on 11/18/09. Questions or comments? Write: programs@constitutioncenter.org

Even as Democrats have taken control of the White House and Congress, a conservative bloc remains in control of the Supreme Court, with Antonin Scalia as its central figure. Veteran Supreme Court correspondent Joan Biskupic discusses her new book, American Original, and introduces us to Justice Scalia, a proponent of “textualism” in interpreting the Constitution and a champion of social conservatives. Combative and gregarious, Scalia is the Court’s most dynamic personality and lightning rod for liberal complaint. Marcia Coyle, Chief Washington Correspondent for The National Law Journal, moderates. Program recorded on 11/18/09. Questions or comments? Write: programs@constitutioncenter.org

The Constitution states that "no title of nobility shall be granted by the United States," and yet Americans continue to celebrate their dynastic families. The National Constitution Center and KYW News Radio present a program with bestselling author Sally Bedell Smith and journalist Vincent Bzdek about American aristocracies – families synonymous with long-lived power and privilege, including the Kennedys and the Clintons, in context of British royalty, such as Princess Diana. This program was presented in conjunction with the Constitution Center's “Diana: A Celebration” exhibit showcasing the life and work of the Princess of Wales. Program recorded on 11/02/09. Questions or comments? Write: programs@constitutioncenter.org

The Constitution states that "no title of nobility shall be granted by the United States," and yet Americans continue to celebrate their dynastic families. The National Constitution Center and KYW News Radio present a program with bestselling author Sally Bedell Smith and journalist Vincent Bzdek about American aristocracies – families synonymous with long-lived power and privilege, including the Kennedys and the Clintons, in context of British royalty, such as Princess Diana. This program was presented in conjunction with the Constitution Center's “Diana: A Celebration” exhibit showcasing the life and work of the Princess of Wales. Program recorded on 11/02/09. Questions or comments? Write: programs@constitutioncenter.org

The National Constitution Center presents a series of programs in support of its "Diana: A Celebration" exhibit, exploring the theme of aristocracy from the time of our nation’s founding to the present day. Daily Beast editor Tina Brown joins us for a conversation about Princess Diana and her dramatic impact in creating the rise of celebrity culture. Lady Diana Spencer, a member of one of England’s most distinguished families, entered the public stage at a moment when British media was entering a racier age. The paparazzi found a willing subject in the young aristocrat, and Diana proved to be gifted at manipulating the media and gaining power from publicity. This program is presented as part of the Knight Constitutional Conversations series, generously underwritten by the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation. Questions or comments? Write: programs@constitutioncenter.org