The Civic Flame

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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.

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The Civic Flame

The Civic Flame

Society & Culture

33 episodes

25: Content Warning: Mother of Democracy

This week, we launch a new sub-series: Mother of Democracy that combines my work in women's health with my civics work. Trigger alert: we talk about rape, cults, and femicide, so this one is not family friendly. Major Content Warning The Epstein Class Just give me super powers or criminal immunity Gisele Pelicot and Rapist husbands Keep Being Horrified, Stop being surprised The Rape Acade...

24: 14th Amendment and Load-Bearing Clauses

In our season finale of the Civic Flame, we look at a truly load-bearing amendment. The Fourteenth Amendment includes birthright citizenship, due process, privileges and immunities, equal protection, and more! We go through the five sections of this game-changer and talk about how the Fourteenth Amendment fundamentally altered US citizenship and why todays' legal civil war is trying to attack ...

23: Let's get Constitutionally Radical: The Ninth and Tenth Amendments

In this episode, we take a look at the 9th and 10th Amendment and talk about why most people are not reading the Constitution as radically as they should. We get all of the rights, that's just the purpose of federalism. Want to be a Constitutional radical, too? Let's go! 00:00:30 I’m a Constitutional Radical 00:00:52 The Bill of Rights was not a complete list 00:02:00 The Anti-Federalists an...

22: No Lawyer Jokes! Talking about the Sixth and Seventh Amendments

This week, we talk about the vital role of lawyers in our criminal and civil justice systems through the Sixth and Seventh Amendments. We try not to make lawyer jokes (and fail). If you've ever wondered what is the difference between criminal and civil law: this one is for you. 00:00:30 The Bill of Rights and Lawyers: Amendment 6 and 7 00:01:05 I try not to make lawyer jokes 00:01: 39 Lawyer...

21: Plead the Fifth! Due Process, Double Jeopardy and the Fifth Amendment

This week, we take a look at the Fifth and Eighth Amendments to the US Constitution and ask: what is due process? What does double jeopardy mean? And when do your Fifth Amendment rights apply? Come and nerd out about due process: your biggest protections from the federal government! 00:00:30 What is the Bill of Rights 00:01:17 Civil Liberties and what is Due Process 00:01:41 The Fifth Amendm...

20: The Fourth Amendment versus Dudes in Suits: Why the Government is Always Messing with our Right to Privacy

In this episode we look at the long and winding history of the Fourth Amendment, why the Federalists were against a Bill of Rights, and how the Fourth Amendment has been interpreted differently over time. Ever wonder what the Patriot Act did to civil liberties or whether the Fourth Amendment covers you in your car (sort of!), then let's go. 00:00:33 Intro to the Bill of Rights and Due Process ...

19: Bill of Rights, Amendments 2 and 3: Our complicated bestie and our non-controversial fave

Today we get into the Second and Third Amendments. The Third Amendment is our non-controversial fave that says the government can't quarter (though I accidentally say quarantine!) soldiers in your home. The Second Amendment says something about the right to bear arms and maybe more? We get into questions of legal interpretation, mental health, and why it's so difficult to make national laws abo...

18: RAPPS: The Five Freedoms in the First Amendment

This is another quintessential on for our AP GOV audience. What are the 5 RAPPS freedoms in the First Amendment (Religion, Assembly, Press, Petition, and Speech). Check out what the First Amendment does and why it gets to be number one! 00:00:21 What is a Constitutional Amendment 00:01:21 Birthzillas and Madwives has been approved! 00:02:05 The First Amendment to the Constitution Says a lot ...

17: Article 7 and the Ratification Process

How did we go from the Articles of Confederation to the US Constitution? Check out Article 7 and the ratification process. This week we finish out the Articles of the US Constitution and get ready to discuss the Bill of Rights! 00:01:11 Article 7 and the Ratification of the US Constitution 00:01:32 What the different Articles of the Constitution do 00:01:55 Article 7 of the Constitution 00:...

16: What is the Supremacy Clause? Article 6 and why the US Constitution Rules

What is Article 6 of the US Constitution? This week we explore the supremacy clause, nullification, and why the US Constitution forbids religious texts. Come learn about how the supremacy clause shaped education discrimination and the legal foundation for federal civil rights. 00:00:35 What is the Constitution 00:01:41 Federal oath of office 00:02:09 Supreme law of the land 00:03:03 Article...

15: A Change is Coming: Article 5 and the Amendment Process

In this week’s episode we look at how to amend the US Constitution. What is a constitutional convention? Do we have a 28th Amendment or not? And talk about why the constitutional founders built a system designed to change. Let’s go! 00:00:17 Intro 00:01:17 First four articles of the Constitution, review 00:01:34 Founders did not think the Constitution would last 00:02:24 McCulloch v Marylan...

14: What do states owe each other? Article 4, part 2

In our second episode on Article 4 of the US Constitution, we take you to some new civics ed spots by getting into the technical parts of secession, the guarantee clause, and a profile in courage of JAG officer Charles D. Swift. Ever wonder what the US would look like if our states were shaped differently? Learn about how Article 4 means that with enough agreement, we could reshape the states i...

Greenland and the American ABCs: Always Be Colonizing

In this campfire edition of the Civic Flame we look at the economic reasons Trump and his billionaire allies are after Greenland, consider how the Global Financial Crisis of 2008 combined with Trump's greed might lead to catastrophe for the US dollar as reserve currency, and explain why the government siege in Minnesota is related to the potential acts of war against Greenland's sovereignty. T...

13: Full Faith and Credit: States Responsibility

Why is marijuana legal in some states and not others? Come find out. In our first full episode of 2026, we get into Article 4 of the Constitution and explore the full faith and credit and privileges and immunities clauses! This is an especially good one for those of you in AP gov who need a quick refresher on some technical stuff. Come learn what states owe each other, what they owe you, and w...

Campfire: I hope you're not ok

In this bonus episode as we come back from winter break, we look at the way the world is crazy right now and remind you that it is ok to not be ok. In fact, we hope you're not ok and that through not being ok, we can work together to make it to the US's 250th birthday party.

12: How do judges make deicsions? with Special Guest Chris Bailey

In this special episode, Dr. Chris Bailey talks to us about how judges make decisions (judicial interpretation) and I talk about why they have the power to do it at all (judicial review). Ready to impress your relatives at the holiday table? Drop this civic knowledge on them! Let's go.

18m • Dec 18, 2025

11: What's so Supreme about SCOTUS? Welcome to Article 3

This episode explores the Constitutional origins of the Supreme Court of the United States or SCOTUS. Come learn about the appeals courts, the Supreme Court, and what the heck a discretionary docket means.

15m • Dec 11, 2025

10: Obligations, not Powers: The Real Constitutional Role of the Presidency

Everyone thinks the presidency is so cool because the president gets a house and a plane. But the Constitution doesn't actually give the president any of that. Instead, it gives the president a bunch of responsibilities. Listen up to find out what's supposed to be going on in the system.

14m • Dec 04, 2025

Campfire Part 4: It's not the Rapture! Bot Farms, Elon Musk, and why I told you so!

This week's campfire is a quick look at what's behind the geo-location kerfuffle with Elon Musk's Twitter and how all the MAGA folks woke up to realize a lot of their online friends were actually bots from international psy-ops. Plus, if you listen closely you can hear my earrings jingling in the background. Check in with us and find some talking points to make your Turkey Day table more spicy.

11m • Nov 25, 2025

9: The Lawless Branch: Why the Presidency is Unconstitutional

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.

23m • Nov 20, 2025

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.

23m • Nov 13, 2025

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!

12m • Oct 30, 2025

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.

18m • Oct 30, 2025

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.

12m • Oct 23, 2025

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.

19m • Oct 23, 2025

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.

15m • Oct 19, 2025

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.

17m • Oct 16, 2025

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, ...

17m • Oct 13, 2025

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...

31m • Oct 09, 2025

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

17m • Oct 02, 2025

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 ...

19m • Sep 27, 2025

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.

24m • Sep 25, 2025

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...

14m • Sep 17, 2025

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