Do you listen to podcasts? I have tried for years to get into podcasts and only recently have made them a staple of my routine. I like a variety of podcasts, but there are 3 “legal” podcasts I’d recommend that you (both lawyers and non-lawyers alike) might enjoy.
What Trump Can Teach Us About Con Law
This podcast, What Trump Can Teach Us About Con Law, pairs UC Davis law professor Elizabeth Joh with host Roman Mars. Professor Joh utilizes President Trump’s tweets and actions to educate about the U.S. Constitution. It skews liberal, but it is a great weekly primer on our Constitution.
In a recent episode, Prof. Joh used President Trump’s threat to withhold federal funds from so-called “sanctuary cities” to create an opportunity to look at various 20th century Supreme Court rulings on how Congress can use the power of the purse to influence the behavior of local and state governments. (This is, for example, why the standard drinking age in the U.S. is 21.)
Heightened Scrutiny
Kentucky lawyer and Morehead State professor Joe Dunman examines real Supreme Court civil rights cases in his podcast, Heightened Scrutiny. The legal term “heightened scrutiny,” also known as intermediate scrutiny, is a standard of constitutional equal protection review that is applied to quasi-suspect groups.
To overcome heightened scrutiny, the government must show that the law or policy being challenged furthers an important government interest by means that are substantially related to that interest.
The well-produced podcast utilizes real audio from Supreme Court hearings as well as news clips, along with Dunman’s commentary.
TED Talks: Law
This third podcast isn’t technically a podcast, its a vodcast (video). If you aren’t familiar with TED, it began as a technology, entertainment and design conference in 1984 that includes talks by individuals with “ideas worth spreading.” The Law vodcast is a collection of TED Talks that address the law and legal issues and is available at TED Talks: Law.
Because it is a vodcast, I don’t listen to these TED Talks as often as I do the podcasts mentioned above. But know that there are several really good audio-only TED channels available.
These are just three of many good “legal” podcasts out there that are great for lawyers and non-lawyers alike. I also listen to several “lawyering” podcasts that deal with the practice of law, as well as a few podcasts on organizational skills, sports, faith, technology, and the news.
Do you have any podcasts that you listen to and would recommend? Please share them with me on the contact page. I’m always looking to listen to something new.