We The People Podcasts

In her highly anticipated book, The Obamas, New York Times reporter Jodi Kantor provides an insider’s perspective on Barack and Michelle Obamas' experiences as president and first lady -- raising children, maintaining friendships and being the first African-American “first couple” to occupy the White House. Filled with riveting detail, humor, emotional and psychological depth, and keen insights on the ironies of public life, The Obamas is an intimate portrait that will surprise even readers who thought they understood America’s most famous pair. Alison Young, Vice President of Public Engagement at the National Constitution Center, facilitates the discussion which took place on January 18, 2012. Questions or comments? Write: programs@constitutioncenter.org.

MSNBC's Hardball host and bestselling author Chris Matthews joins nationally syndicated radio host Michael Smerconish in conversation about his new book, Jack Kennedy: Elusive Hero. By following the journey of President Kennedy’s life from his school days to the White House, through his toughest trials and greatest triumphs, Matthews brings us much closer to the man Kennedy really was. Program recorded on 11/3/11. Questions or comments? Write: programs@constitutioncenter.org

MSNBC's Hardball host and bestselling author Chris Matthews joins nationally syndicated radio host Michael Smerconish in conversation about his new book, Jack Kennedy: Elusive Hero. By following the journey of President Kennedy’s life from his school days to the White House, through his toughest trials and greatest triumphs, Matthews brings us much closer to the man Kennedy really was. Program recorded on 11/3/11. Questions or comments? Write: programs@constitutioncenter.org

In his latest book, Midnight Rising: John Brown and the Raid that Sparked the Civil War, bestselling author Tony Horwitz explores the electrifying tale of the daring insurrection that put America on the path to civil war. In this discussion Horwitz shares Brown's uprising in vivid color, revealing a country on the brink of explosive conflict. Judith Giesberg, Associate Professor of History at Villanova University, facilitates the conversation. Program recorded on 11/3/11. Questions or comments? Write: programs@constitutioncenter.org

In his latest book, Midnight Rising: John Brown and the Raid that Sparked the Civil War, bestselling author Tony Horwitz explores the electrifying tale of the daring insurrection that put America on the path to civil war. In this discussion Horwitz shares Brown's uprising in vivid color, revealing a country on the brink of explosive conflict. Judith Giesberg, Associate Professor of History at Villanova University, facilitates the conversation. Program recorded on 11/3/11. Questions or comments? Write: programs@constitutioncenter.org

The current term of the U.S. Supreme Court, which opened Monday, October 3, is expected by many observers to be the most challenging in years. Lyle Denniston, veteran Supreme Court correspondent and the Center’s Advisor on Constitutional Literacy, and John Payton, President and Director-Counsel of the NAACP’s Legal Defense Fund, discuss the controversies already on the docket. Program recorded on 09/29/11. Questions or comments? Write: programs@constitutioncenter.org

James Madison led one of the most influential and prolific lives in American history. Although often overshadowed by his more celebrated contemporaries, Madison helped to shape our country as perhaps no other Founder did. Eminent historian Richard Brookhiser joins Michael C. Quinn, president of the Montpelier Foundation, to discuss his newly released book about the “Father of the Constitution,” an accomplished yet humble statesman who nourished Americans’ fledgling liberty and vigorously defended the laws that have preserved it to this day. This program is presented in partnership with James Madison's Montpelier. Program recorded on 10/11/11. Questions or comments? Write: programs@constitutioncenter.org

James Madison led one of the most influential and prolific lives in American history. Although often overshadowed by his more celebrated contemporaries, Madison helped to shape our country as perhaps no other Founder did. Eminent historian Richard Brookhiser joins Michael C. Quinn, president of the Montpelier Foundation, to discuss his newly released book about the “Father of the Constitution,” an accomplished yet humble statesman who nourished Americans’ fledgling liberty and vigorously defended the laws that have preserved it to this day. This program is presented in partnership with James Madison's Montpelier. Program recorded on 10/11/11. Questions or comments? Write: programs@constitutioncenter.org

Award-winning Washington Post reporter Dana Priest joins the Center to discuss her new book, Top Secret America, and the size, shape, mission and consequences of the universe of over 1,300 government facilities in every state in America; nearly 2,000 outside companies used as contractors; and more than 850,000 people granted "Top Secret" security clearance in response to the 9/11 terrorist attacks. Program recorded on 9/12/11. Questions or comments? Write: programs@constitutioncenter.org

Award-winning Washington Post reporter Dana Priest joins the Center to discuss her new book, Top Secret America, and the size, shape, mission and consequences of the universe of over 1,300 government facilities in every state in America; nearly 2,000 outside companies used as contractors; and more than 850,000 people granted "Top Secret" security clearance in response to the 9/11 terrorist attacks. Program recorded on 9/12/11. Questions or comments? Write: programs@constitutioncenter.org

In a special program at the National Constitution Center, featuring questions from a live audience and those submitted via Twitter, 2011 Liberty Medal recipient and former Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates spoke about a range of subjects–from the future of the military, to the status of Middle East diplomacy, to the repeal of the Don’t Ask, Don’t tell policy. The conversation with Dr. Gates, which took place before an invited audience that includes ROTC cadets from St. Joseph’s University and the University of Pennsylvania, was moderated by David Eisner, President & CEO of the Center. Program recorded on 9/22/11. Questions or comments? Write: programs@constitutioncenter.org

In a special program at the National Constitution Center, featuring questions from a live audience and those submitted via Twitter, 2011 Liberty Medal recipient and former Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates spoke about a range of subjects–from the future of the military, to the status of Middle East diplomacy, to the repeal of the Don’t Ask, Don’t tell policy. The conversation with Dr. Gates, which took place before an invited audience that includes ROTC cadets from St. Joseph’s University and the University of Pennsylvania, was moderated by David Eisner, President & CEO of the Center. Program recorded on 9/22/11. Questions or comments? Write: programs@constitutioncenter.org

As the birthplace of America, and the city where the Declaration of Independence and the U.S. Constitution came to life, Philadelphia has a longstanding legacy of liberty. This program, presented in partnership with the Greater Philadelphia Roundtable, invites public participation in considering Philadelphia's history and experiences as a "Cradle of Liberty." Moderated by Richard Beeman of the University of Pennsylvania, this program features Gary Nash of the University of California, Los Angeles; Michael Coard of Avenging the Ancestors Coalition; and Richard Newman of the Rochester Institute of Technology. Friends of Independence and Avenging the Ancestors Coalition co-sponsored this event. Program recorded on 6/23/11. Questions or comments? Write: programs@constitutioncenter.org

As the birthplace of America, and the city where the Declaration of Independence and the U.S. Constitution came to life, Philadelphia has a longstanding legacy of liberty. This program, presented in partnership with the Greater Philadelphia Roundtable, invites public participation in considering Philadelphia's history and experiences as a "Cradle of Liberty." Moderated by Richard Beeman of the University of Pennsylvania, this program features Gary Nash of the University of California, Los Angeles; Michael Coard of Avenging the Ancestors Coalition; and Richard Newman of the Rochester Institute of Technology. Friends of Independence and Avenging the Ancestors Coalition co-sponsored this event. Program recorded on 6/23/11. Questions or comments? Write: programs@constitutioncenter.org

As the Supreme Court of the United States concluded its 2010-2011 session, the National Constitution Center welcomed veteran Supreme Court correspondent Lyle Denniston to give a lunchtime talk about the most significant rulings of the term and how these decisions impact the lives of Americans. He also analyzed how the Court's new justices have changed the institution. Program recorded on 7/6/11. Questions or comments? Write: programs@constitutioncenter.org