Civics 101

A dive into some of the surprising civics takeaways from Karen Read’s retrial.

Transcribed - Published: 11 July 2025

Today on Civics 101, we answer listener questions about tariffs. And then, we look at how they've affected one American Industry.

Transcribed - Published: 8 July 2025

Is there a civics lesson in the 1996 film Independence Day?

Transcribed - Published: 4 July 2025

Why are GOP senators calling for the firing of Elizabeth MacDonough?

Transcribed - Published: 30 June 2025

The many ways our political opinions are influenced without us even realizing it.

Transcribed - Published: 24 June 2025

The Civics 101 team delves into the 1962 film The Manchurian Candidate, a political satire and thriller that is more than relevant in today’s political climate.  Note: this episode contains spoilers for the film.

Transcribed - Published: 17 June 2025

The Civics 101 team delves into the 1962 film The Manchurian Candidate, a political satire and thriller that is more than relevant in today’s political climate.  Note: this episode contains spoilers for the film.

Transcribed - Published: 17 June 2025

Now that we have explored what the Alien Enemies Act is, we dive in to how it's being used to shape deportation policy under President Donald Trump.

Transcribed - Published: 10 June 2025

Now that we have explored what the Alien Enemies Act is, we dive in to how it's being used to shape deportation policy under President Donald Trump.

Transcribed - Published: 10 June 2025

We explain the basics of the Alien Enemies Act, and how it's been used over time. This is part one of a two-part series.

Transcribed - Published: 3 June 2025

It's not in the Constitution. Can it happen anyway?

Transcribed - Published: 27 May 2025

Jason Carter is asking questions about the SAVE Act.

Transcribed - Published: 20 May 2025

What happens when a governing body puts party over institution?

Transcribed - Published: 13 May 2025

Public media funding makes up less than 0.0001% of the federal budget. What is public media, and why does the government support it?

Transcribed - Published: 6 May 2025

You can't preserve what you don't understand.

Transcribed - Published: 29 April 2025

What is the rule of law? It's certainly not the same as the rule of men.

Transcribed - Published: 22 April 2025

Unpacking the relationship between tech and the executive branch. Or, more specifically, the relationship between President Donald Trump and Elon Musk.

Transcribed - Published: 15 April 2025

What is the federal government's role in predicting the weather?

Transcribed - Published: 10 April 2025

Brought to you by the words "weird," "quiddich," and "Pepsi."

Transcribed - Published: 8 April 2025

Pranks are a staple of April Fools' Day - even when it comes to politics and the press.

Transcribed - Published: 1 April 2025

How politicians decide who pays taxes, and how much they pay.

Transcribed - Published: 25 March 2025

How the government visits every American home, and how and why we pay for it.

Transcribed - Published: 18 March 2025

To kick off Civic Learning Week, we see how students are (and aren't) being civically prepared.

Transcribed - Published: 11 March 2025

Meet your president's Cabinet!

Transcribed - Published: 4 March 2025

Meet your president's Cabinet.

Transcribed - Published: 4 March 2025

Ariel Lawhon discusses the real-life early American midwife at the center of her novel The Frozen River.

Transcribed - Published: 27 February 2025

What would happen if the press couldn't tell the truth?

Transcribed - Published: 25 February 2025

The White House counsel, the Department of Justice, and the unprecedented appointments and moves being made by the Trump administration

Transcribed - Published: 18 February 2025

You keep using that word...

Transcribed - Published: 11 February 2025

When a president makes law all by themselves. With some help.

Transcribed - Published: 4 February 2025

Cities and towns all over the country add fluoride to their water supply. That wasn't always the case, and the controversy over the element continues today.

Transcribed - Published: 29 January 2025

A slew of executive orders and promises kept.

Transcribed - Published: 28 January 2025

Not many people have ever heard of Wong Kim Ark and the landmark Supreme Court decision that decided both his fate and the fate of a U.S. citizenship policy that endures to this day.

Transcribed - Published: 23 January 2025

Dismantling the Department of Ed? It's been tried before.

Transcribed - Published: 21 January 2025

What should we expect from his second term when it comes to the environment?

Transcribed - Published: 14 January 2025

We talk SOT and DOT with Pete Buttigieg... the SOT.

Transcribed - Published: 7 January 2025

How do we mourn our presidents? We break down the history and mystery of presidential funerals.

Transcribed - Published: 31 December 2024

In our latest edition of Holiday Trivia, a rundown of some of the quirky food, drinks, and celebratory ephemera at the White House during the most wonderful time of the year.

Transcribed - Published: 24 December 2024

What they are, who pays them, and how they might affect our lives.

Transcribed - Published: 17 December 2024

What happens when the people have no power?

Transcribed - Published: 10 December 2024

Former HHS Secretary Kathleen Sebelius talks about the powers - and limits - of the role in the wake of President-elect Donald Trump's pick of RFK Jr. for the role.

Transcribed - Published: 3 December 2024

It happened once and never again.

Transcribed - Published: 26 November 2024

The people who advise (or don't advise) the president, and how they get the job.

Transcribed - Published: 19 November 2024

What Trump promises to do when he's "dictator" for a day.

Transcribed - Published: 12 November 2024

What happens when you have to turn over the largest institution in the world?

Transcribed - Published: 8 November 2024

You voted for president. So what happens to your ballot next? We talk about ALL of it.

Transcribed - Published: 5 November 2024

Emilia's Thing: A story about a former Capitol Police officer who's life has been shaped by the events of January 6th.

Transcribed - Published: 31 October 2024

How do we measure up to the rest of the world when it comes to taking care of the sick?

Transcribed - Published: 29 October 2024

The Smithsonian's bone library and the conflict between ethics and science

Transcribed - Published: 22 October 2024

We are told corruption is a force of nature. It is not.

Transcribed - Published: 15 October 2024