Civil Discourse

Nia Rodgers and Dr. John Aughenbaugh

This podcast uses government documents to illuminate the workings of the American government, and offer context around the effects of government agencies in your everyday life.

  • 1 hour 19 minutes
    SCOTUS Eras: The Burger Court

    Aughie and Nia explore the Burger Court, years 1969 - 1986. Chief Justice Warren Burger led the court through the end of the Vietnam War and into the tech boom of the 1980s. This transitional period takes us from a much more liberal time of the court into a more conservative era.

    27 March 2026, 4:00 pm
  • 34 minutes 18 seconds
    Stories Behind the Names: William Jennings Bryan

    Aughie and Nia introduce listeners to the storied history of William Jennings Bryan, lawyer, orator, and perennial presidential candidate.

    25 March 2026, 4:00 pm
  • 1 hour 4 minutes
    Virginia Gerrymandering

    Nia and Aughie review the current gerrymandering efforts in Virginia and other states.

    20 March 2026, 4:00 pm
  • 26 minutes 41 seconds
    Stories Behind the Names: Roy Olmstead

    Aughie and Nia tell the story of Roy Olmstead, a bootlegger during the Prohibition  Era and eventual petitioner in the Olmstead v United States SCOTUS case. 

    18 March 2026, 4:00 pm
  • 50 minutes 45 seconds
    Can He Do That? Declaring War

    In this episode of Can He Do That?, Aughie and Nia discuss the written Constitution versus the Constitution in practice when it comes to presidential declarations of war.

    16 March 2026, 4:00 pm
  • 1 hour 11 minutes
    SCOTUS Eras: The Warren Court, part 2

    Aughie and Nia discuss the Warren Court, years 1953 to 1969. Earl Warren oversaw the Court during a time of great social change in the United States. In this second episode of the Warren Court, Aughie goes over the landmark cases that show the progressive judicial philosophy of the Warren Court.

    13 March 2026, 4:00 pm
  • 26 minutes 16 seconds
    Story Behind the Name: Carrie Nation

    Nia and Aughie tell the story behind the Prohibition leader Caroline (Carrie) Amelia Moore Gloyd Nation. 

    11 March 2026, 4:00 pm
  • 1 hour 1 minute
    SCOTUS Eras: The Warren Court, part 1

    Aughie and Nia discuss the Warren Court, years 1953 to 1969. Earl Warren oversaw the Court during a time of great social change in the United States. In this first episode of the Warren Court, Aughie explains the background and leadership qualities of Earl Warren as a governor of California among other positions.

    6 March 2026, 5:00 pm
  • 26 minutes 57 seconds
    Story Behind the Name: Learned Hand

    Aughie and Nia explore the life and career of Learned Hand (January 27, 1872 - August 18, 1961). Billings Learned Hand was an American jurist, lawyer, and judicial philosopher. He served as a federal appellate judge in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit from 1924 to 1961.

    4 March 2026, 5:00 pm
  • 1 hour 10 minutes
    SCOTUS Eras: The Vinson Court

    Aughie and Nia explore the Vinson Court, years 1946 - 1953. Fred M. Vinson saw the Court through the post war years and into the Cold War. The Court's decisions reflected the continuing ideological battle between judicial restraint and civil rights activism.

    27 February 2026, 5:00 pm
  • 28 minutes 15 seconds
    Story Behind the Name: John Foster Dulles

    Nia and Aughie discuss John Foster Dulles (February 25, 1888 - May 24, 1959). Dulles was an American politician, lawyer, and diplomat who served as United States Secretary of State under President Dwight D. Eisenhower from 1953 until his resignation in 1959.

    25 February 2026, 5:00 pm
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