This Constitution

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This Constitution

Savannah Eccles Johnston & Matthew Brogdon

37 episodes

2 weeks ago

Have you ever wondered where America’s revolutionary ideas really came from? Was it the genius of the Founders? What if the story of the Constitution didn’t begin in Philadelphia in 1776, but in colonial homes, small-town churches, and the stubborn belief that no one has the right to rule another? In this episode of This Constitution, Savannah Eccles Johnston and Matthew Brogdon trace the folk origins of American self-government. Through the voices of farmers, ministers, and everyday colonist...

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Have you ever wondered where America’s revolutionary ideas really came from? Was it the genius of the Founders? What if the story of the Constitution didn’t begin in Philadelphia in 1776, but in colonial homes, small-town churches, and the stubborn belief that no one has the right to rule another? In this episode of This Constitution, Savannah Eccles Johnston and Matthew Brogdon trace the folk origins of American self-government. Through the voices of farmers, ministers, and everyday colonist...

Show more...

Episodes (20/37)

This Constitution

Season 3, Episode 3 | The Folk Origins of Freedom: How Ordinary Americans Shaped the Declaration

Have you ever wondered where America’s revolutionary ideas really came from? Was it the genius of the Founders? What if the story of the Constitution didn’t begin in Philadelphia in 1776, but in colonial homes, small-town churches, and the stubborn belief that no one has the right to rule another? In this episode of This Constitution, Savannah Eccles Johnston and Matthew Brogdon trace the folk origins of American self-government. Through the voices of farmers, ministers, and everyday colonist...

2 weeks ago

26 minutes

This Constitution

Season 3, Episode 2 | The Black-Robed Regiment: The Preachers Who Fought for Independence

What if the American Revolution didn’t begin in the halls of Congress, but in the pews of colonial churches? In this episode of This Constitution, hosts Savannah Eccles Johnston and Matthew Brogdon uncover the spiritual and intellectual fire that helped ignite the Revolution. Before muskets were fired at Lexington and Concord, preachers across New England were already preparing their congregations for rebellion, not just politically but theologically. From the sermons of Reverend Jonas ...

4 weeks ago

39 minutes

This Constitution

Season 3, Episode 1 | 1777: The Crucible That Forged George Washington

Season 3 of This Constitution focuses on the people and events surrounding the making of the Declaration of Independence. What if America’s Revolution had collapsed before it truly began? In this episode of This Constitution, host Savannah Eccles Johnston sits down with Dr. Kevin Weddle, retired U.S. Army colonel, military historian, and author of The Compleat Victory, to explore how George Washington survived the most dangerous year of the war. From the daring crossing of the Delaware to the...

1 month ago

43 minutes

This Constitution

Season 2, Episode 18 | America’s Greatest Invention: Collective Constitution-Making

What if America’s greatest strength wasn’t just its leaders, but the way everyday people came together to shape history? In this episode of This Constitution, host Matthew Brogdon sits down with Nicholas Cole of Oxford’s Pembroke College, creator of the Quill Project, to dig into the overlooked story of America’s founding. Far from being the work of a single “lawgiver” like Solon or Jefferson, the Declaration of Independence and other revolutionary texts were born out of spirited collaboratio...

1 month ago

43 minutes

This Constitution

Season 2, Episode 17 | George Washington: Merit, Power, and the Birth of Civilian Leadership

Did you know that George Washington could have become an American Caesar, but instead chose to walk away from power? Unlike Napoleon or Cromwell, he rejected dictatorship and dynasty, setting the precedent for civilian control of the military, limited executive authority, and the peaceful transfer of power. In this episode of This Constitution, host Matthew Brogdon sits down with eminent historian Jeremy Black to trace Washington’s extraordinary balancing act. From the battlefields of the Rev...

1 month ago

28 minutes

This Constitution

Season 2, Episode 16 | Parties and the Constitution: Why the Founders Feared Parties and Created Them Anyway

How did a political system founded by leaders who warned against factions end up making political parties an indispensable part of democracy? And why has the United States remained a two-party nation for nearly two centuries? In this episode of This Constitution, host Matthew Brogdon sits down with political scientist Daniel DiSalvo to trace the fascinating constitutional and political journey of America’s party system. From Jefferson’s “party to end all parties” to Martin Van Buren’s inventi...

2 months ago

42 minutes

This Constitution

Season 2, Episode 15 | Special Counsels vs. the Presidency: Who Holds the Power?

How should a democracy balance the need for independent investigations of government wrongdoing with the president’s constitutional authority over prosecutions? Where do we draw the line? In this episode of This Constitution, hosts Savannah Eccles Johnston and Matthew Brogdon dig into the fascinating and often murky world of special counsels. From their origins in President Grant’s efforts to distance himself from scandals, to the dramatic moments of the Watergate era and the "Saturday Night ...

2 months ago

39 minutes

This Constitution

Season 2, Episode 14 | High Crimes or Political Fights? When Impeachment Becomes a Constitutional Battleground

When we hear “impeachment,” most of us immediately think: the President. But what if that’s only part of the story? In this episode of This Constitution, Savannah Eccles Johnston and Matthew Brogdon explore the lesser-known history of impeaching cabinet secretaries and other executive officials, revealing how the process has always been more political than legal. They revisit the case of Secretary of War William Belknap, who resigned in tears in 1876, hoping to dodge impeachment—only to face ...

3 months ago

28 minutes

This Constitution

Season 2, Episode 13 | Judging the Judges: Impeachment and the Courts

In This Episode In this episode of This Constitution, Savannah Eccles Johnston and Matthew Brogdon explore one of the least understood and most powerful tools in the U.S. Constitution: impeachment. But forget presidents for now, this episode dives deep into judicial impeachments: how they work, why they're rare, and why judges have historically been the ones who get removed. Savannah and Matthew unpack what it means for Congress to wield this political sword, why it's not a criminal process, ...

3 months ago

30 minutes

This Constitution

Season 2, Episode 12 | John Dickinson: The Reluctant Revolutionary Who Shaped a Nation

In this Independence Day episode of This Constitution, Matthew Brogdon is joined by Dr. Jane Calvert, Director of the John Dickinson Writings Project and author of Penman of the Revolution. Together, they explore the legacy of John Dickinson, one of America’s most influential yet often overlooked founders. Best known for Letters from a Farmer in Pennsylvania, Dickinson was a leading advocate for colonial rights but notably opposed the rush toward independence. Jane explains how Dickinson’s be...

4 months ago

36 minutes

This Constitution

Season 2, Episode 11 | Courting Controversy: Judicial Review and the Constitution

What happens when nine unelected judges have the final say on the most divisive questions in American life? In this episode of This Constitution, Savannah Eccles Johnston and Matthew Brogdon break down the Supreme Court’s most consequential and contentious tool: judicial review. They explore how this authority allows nine unelected justices to strike down laws, reshape policy, and act as a final check on Congress and the presidency. But where does this power actually come from? Is it rooted i...

4 months ago

40 minutes

This Constitution

Season 2, Episode 10 | The Emancipation Proclamation: The Path to Juneteenth and the End of Slavery in America

Abraham Lincoln claimed he only wanted to save the Union. So how did he end up freeing millions of enslaved Americans? In this special Juneteenth episode, host Savannah Eccles Johnston is joined by Diana Schaub, professor emerita of political science at Loyola University Maryland and nonresident senior fellow at the American Enterprise Institute. A leading Lincoln scholar, Schaub brings deep insight into the political, legal, and moral complexity of emancipation. Together, they explore how Li...

4 months ago

34 minutes

This Constitution

Season 2, Episode 9 | The Legislative Veto: Constitutional Check or Power Grab?

Can Congress say no after it already said yes? For more than 50 years, the legislative veto let Congress give power to the president, then yank it back when it didn’t like the results. It was a political safety net, a constitutional gray area, and a ticking time bomb. In this episode, hosts Savannah Eccles Johnston and Matthew Brogdon unpack how this backdoor power worked, why it exploded in the landmark case INS v. Chadha, and what that means for modern government. They trace its roots from ...

4 months ago

31 minutes

This Constitution

Season 2, Episode 8 | Executive Resistance: The Veto Power as a Constitutional Check

In this episode, hosts Savannah Eccles Johnston and Matthew Brogdon examine the presidential veto — what it is, what it isn’t, and why it remains one of the most potent constitutional powers in modern governance. They dissect the mechanics of Article I, Section 7, and explain the differences between the qualified veto (which Congress can override) and the pocket veto (which Congress cannot). Along the way, they revisit presidential losers like Andrew Johnson, discover why Reagan and Clinton b...

5 months ago

33 minutes

This Constitution

Season 2, Episode 7 | Checks, Balances, and Budget Showdowns

This Constitution | Season 2, Episode 7Checks, Balances, and Budget Showdowns The President can’t spend a dime without Congress. But how often does Congress actually say no? In this episode, hosts Savannah Eccles Johnston and Matthew Brogdon examine the constitutional power of the purse and how budget appropriations and oversight give Congress a critical check on the presidency. From historical roots in the British monarchy to today’s broken appropriations process, they unpack how Congr...

5 months ago

38 minutes

This Constitution

Season 2, Episode 6 | Executive Agreements vs. Treaties: Skirting the Constitution?

Executive Agreements vs. Treaties: Skirting the Constitution? What makes a treaty binding? Who holds the power to shape U.S. foreign policy, the President or the Senate? In this episode, hosts Savannah Eccles Johnston and Matthew Brogdon unpack the constitutional roots and modern challenges of the U.S. treaty-making process. From Washington's awkward Senate visit to Wilson’s League of Nations failure, they trace the battle over presidential diplomacy and legislative oversight. The conversati...

6 months ago

36 minutes

This Constitution

Season 2, Episode 5 | Judicial Confirmations—Checks, Balances, or Political Theater?

A Supreme Court justice serves for life, no term limits. No reelection. Almost no way to remove them. So… who decides who gets that kind of power? In this episode, hosts Savannah Eccles Johnston and Matthew Brogdon explore the constitutional design, evolution, and growing controversy of judicial confirmations. From the first public hearing 1916 to today’s highly publicized nomination battles, they unpack how these confirmations have transformed from quiet votes to political showdowns. The con...

6 months ago

32 minutes

This Constitution

Season 2, Episode 4 | The Shot Heard 'Round the World: Understanding Lexington and Concord

Why did the American Revolution begin with armed conflict in 1775, more than a year before the Declaration of Independence? What was the significance of Lexington and Concord, and how did these events set the stage for what would become a bitter struggle for independence? In this episode of This Constitution, host Matthew Brogdon is joined by renowned historian Professor Jeremy Black to dive deep into the history of these pivotal moments. Together, they explore how the conflict in Lexington a...

6 months ago

30 minutes

This Constitution

Season 2, Episode 3 | Surviving the Senate: Executive Confirmations

Why does the President need the Senate’s approval to appoint people to the executive branch? Why is it so hard to get those people confirmed? And has the whole process become more about political theater than public service? In this episode of This Constitution, hosts Savannah Eccles Johnston and Matthew Brogdon unpack the constitutional roots and modern realities of executive confirmations. They explore how this check on presidential power has evolved over time, starting from full floor deba...

7 months ago

28 minutes

This Constitution

Season 2, Episode 2 | State vs. Federal Power: How Identity Shapes American Democracy

State vs. Federal Power: How Identity Shapes American Democracy Do you feel more Texan than American? If you had to choose, would you say you’re a Texan first and an American second? What about an Alaskan, a New Yorker, or a Californian? For much of U.S. history, people identified more with their state than the nation itself—and in many places, that state pride still runs deep. But does state identity actually shape the way we govern? Can it influence trust in government, political engagement...

7 months ago

26 minutes