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The Civic Flame is where history meets hope. Hosted by a law and politics professor, it takes you inside the story of the U.S. Constitution—the debates that shaped it and the meaning it holds today. In a time of division, The Civic Flame offers something different: dialogue that sparks conversation instead of conflict. This is a call to revive thoughtful civic discourse and keep the flame of democracy burning bright.

The Civic Flame

The Civic Flame

Government

14 episodes

9: The Lawless Branch: Why the Presidency is Unconstitution

Why is the presidency the most lawless branch of the US Constitution? Well, just look at what the Constitution says the president can do and what they've done. For the last 100 years, presidents have taken way more power in our political system than the Constitution intended. What does mean? Grab a seat by the fire and find out.

8: This is the End! Of Article 1 and Understanding Congress

This week marks our last week going through Article 1 and the powers of Congress. After all our talk about what Congress CAN do, now we look at some of the things they're not allowed to do and why states cant' secede...or can they? Grab a seat by the fire and let's figure this out.

Campfire: SNAP benefits and the government shutdown

As a former poor kid, not much makes me as upset as poor kids being used as political pawns. So this campfire episode deals with SNAP and the looming government shutdown. Do you need some talking points on what SNAP is and why letting it expire is bad for families, health, and the economy? Gather round and let's go!

7: They have the Power! Congress and Enumerated Powers

Congress is Article 1 of the Constitution because it's supposed to be the most powerful branch. One way to tell is to look at the enumerated powers that list all the cool stuff they can do. In this episode, we'll walk through some of those and ask ourselves what is going on with these folks? Grab. seat by the fire, and let's go.

Campfire: Resources for Fighting Rage Farming

This campfire episode rounds out our cyber security and mental health episodes on bot farms and rage farms. Follow allow and get some recommendations so you can learn how to keep yourself safe and healthy online.

6: Congress Can Do What? Elections, Powers, and Emoluments

Walking through Article 1, Sections 4-6 of the Constitution, this episode looks at Congress' role in elections, emoluments, and how the Founders anticipated political trickery by the House and Senate.

Campfire: What is Rage Farming? Mental Cybersecurity Part 2

In part 2 of our cybersecurity series, we talk about how to keep yourself mentally health online by looking at rage farming. Last time we talked about bot farms, this time, we'll look at what's going on with all that data they harvest. Content warning: there will be an explicit discussion of the genocide in Myanmar.

5: What's up with the Senate? Article 1, Section 3

Ever wonder what the difference is between the Senate and the House of Representatives? Why do those guys get six year terms and the House only 2? Are they really the "elder statesmen" according to the Constitution? Let's find out on this week's continuing coverage of Article 1 of the US Constitution.

Campfire: What are Bot Farms and why are they dangerous?

This campfire edition of The Civic Flame was supposed to come out next week, but since Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez made a lot of recent comments on polarization, I wanted to help you understand where a lot of that polarization is coming from and why some of the people you're talking to online might not be people. So, if you have no idea what a bot farm is but you're on social media, ...

4: The Least Favorite Branch: Part 1, The House of Representatives

Did you ever wonder why we have 435 members of Congress? Or why they have so many committees? Now that baseball season's over (for my team at least), we're back to the truest of American pastimes: hating on Congress. In this episode, you'll learn where the part of government comes from, some of how it is set up, and theories on how to make it better. Quit being part of the problem and come be t...

3: What the heck is non-delegation? Congress and Article 1, Sectiohn 1

This week we look at Article 1, Section 1 which establishes two houses of Congress. What's the big fuss about that? Well, it turns out that Congress and the President have always had some fights about who gets what powers. Check it out!

Campfire: Oklahoma School Bible and the Wrong Constitution

Has anyone seen my Amendments? Apparently, the Bibles that showed up in Oklahoma schools have a Constitution in them. If that weren't weird and idolatrous enough, they also have the wrong Constitution in them. Everything after the 10th Amendment is suspiciously missing (voting rights for Black people, women, anyone over 18) and some concerning stuff is back (slavery!). Is this a quest to bring ...

2: "We the people of the United States": The Preamble as a Bridge

What even is the Preamble? "We the people" sounds great, but what about all the other "secure the general welfare" stuff? In this episode we look at the Preamble and how it works as a bridge between the principles of the Declaration of Independence and the legal framework of the Constitution.

1: Now More than Ever: Real Talk about Civic Discourse

As political violence and angry rhetoric continue to dominate the American media landscape, we need to come together around the bonfire and have a real talk about why the Constitution (and the country) is for all of us, and how we know. Join me, and your fellow Americans, for a discussion about the complexities of civic discourse, why we don't always know the right answer, and how we can figure...

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