The Preamble

With approval ratings of The Supreme Court at a historic low, what can Congress and the average American citizen do to hold the court accountable, and foster transparency? Sharon welcomes law professor Stephen Vladeck to nerd out about all things Supreme Court. Stephen dives into the elusive behind-the-scenes “shadow docket,” and how 99% of what the court does is in the shadows – without public hearings, and without explanation. Credits: Host and Executive Producer: Sharon McMahon Supervising Producer: Melanie Buck Parks Audio Producer: Craig Thompson To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Hadley Vlahos, a registered nurse and bestselling author of *The In-Between*, shares her profound insights from years as a hospice nurse. She discusses the deeply emotional connections forged during patients' final moments and the surprising encounters some have with deceased loved ones. Vlahos emphasizes the importance of open conversations about death, comforting those involved, and embracing the dignity of dying. Her stories challenge conventional beliefs, urging listeners to rethink the significance of life's last moments.

Matthew Desmond, a Princeton sociology professor and author of *Poverty, By America*, dives deep into the complexities of poverty in a wealthy nation. He reveals the staggering prevalence of financial instability and advocates for systemic change. The conversation addresses the skewed welfare benefits favoring the affluent, while calling for a collective responsibility to abolish poverty. Desmond emphasizes the need for comprehensive strategies like housing investments and uplifting community initiatives to create a more equitable society.

Harvard professors Steven Levitsky and Daniel Ziblatt delve into the challenges facing American democracy. They discuss the concept of 'tyranny of the minority' and explore the flaws within the U.S. Constitution. The duo highlights the pivotal role of young people in shaping a multiracial democracy and the importance of historical lessons from past democracies. They address the manipulative tactics of political leaders and advocate for necessary reforms like modifying the filibuster to enhance democratic participation.

Matson Browning, a former undercover operative in white supremacist groups, and Tawni Browning, co-author of The Hate Next Door, share their eye-opening experiences. They explore how extremists recruit and radicalize individuals, especially targeting disenfranchised youth online. Matson discusses the psychological toll of his undercover work and the challenges of returning to a normal life. Their powerful anecdotes highlight the importance of empathy, community, and open communication as essential tools in combating hate and fostering unity.

How does American society uphold the First Amendment while restricting books and censoring diverse ideas? Sharon talks with Suzanne Nossel, CEO of PEN America, about the surge in book bans, now over 4,000 nationwide. Suzanne explains how vague language about “protecting children” is used to remove books that reflect marginalized voices, often labeling them as “indecent” without justification. The result is classic literature and health-related content being removed from the shelves. Credits: Host and Executive Producer: Sharon McMahon Supervising Producer: Melanie Buck Parks Audio Producer: Craig Thompson To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

These days, it feels like every fleeting thought, mistake, or awkward phase can be captured and shared online. So how are kids supposed to grow up in a world like that? Sharon sits down with Dr. Devorah Heitner, author of Growing Up in Public, to talk about how parents, teachers, and mentors can support kids as they navigate the digital world, with plenty of empathy along the way. Credits: Host and Executive Producer: Sharon McMahon Supervising Producer: Melanie Buck Parks Audio Producer: Craig Thompson To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

All creatures, humans included, experience just a tiny slice of the full reality around us. Sharon chats with Pulitzer Prize winner and New York Times bestselling author Ed Yong about his book An Immense World, which dives into the amazing and often unseen ways animals sense the world. Ed talks about how exploring these sensory worlds can lead to some pretty big, thought-provoking questions about life. Even if our own perception is limited, there’s so much we can discover when we stay curious and open to new perspectives. Credits: Host and Executive Producer: Sharon McMahon Supervising Producer: Melanie Buck Parks Audio Producer: Craig Thompson To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

This Memorial Day we take a moment to remember the 350,000+ American women who served in uniform during the war, in every service branch, in every combat theater, and in nearly two-thirds of the available military occupations at the time. Their service ranged from critical support roles flying planes across the country, drawing maps to help men get through Normandy, codebreaking, and building & maintaining the behind-the-scenes infrastructural work that made the heroics possible. Sharon is joined by CIA military analyst, WWII expert, and debut author, Lena Andrews, to unveil the scale and scope of what women in uniform contributed during WWII.  Credits: Host and Executive Producer: Sharon McMahon Supervising Producer: Melanie Buck Parks Audio Producer: Craig Thompson To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In a thought-provoking discussion, Jeffrey Rosen, President and CEO of the National Constitution Center, delves into the Founders' interpretation of happiness through the lens of virtue. He analyzes the moral philosophies of key figures like Ben Franklin and Thomas Jefferson, revealing their complex legacies. The conversation explores the necessity of electing virtuous leaders and the enduring significance of civic virtue in democracy. Rosen also emphasizes the transformational power of education and self-improvement as essential components of a thriving society.