In this episode, Thomas Berry of the Cato Institute and Jed Shugerman of the Boston University School of Law join the recap the oral arguments from Trump v. Slaughter and debate whether the statutory removal protections for members of the Federal Trade Commission violate the separation of powers. Jeffrey Rosen, president and CEO of the National Constitution Center, moderates.  
 
Resources 
<ul>
 <li>Thomas Berry, <a href="https://www.supremecourt.gov/DocketPDF/25/25-332/379959/20251017153109735_Trump%20v.%20Slaughter_Final.pdf">Brief of the Cato Institute as Amicus Curiae in Support of Petitioners</a> (10/17/2025) </li>
 <li>Jed Shugerman, <a href="https://www.supremecourt.gov/DocketPDF/25/25-332/384486/20251114112724193_Brief%20Amicus%20Curiae%20of%20Professor%20Jed%20Handelsman%20Shugerman%20in%20Support%20of%20Respondents.pdf">Brief Amicus Curiae of Professor Jed Handelsman Shugerman in Support of Respondents</a> (11/14/2025) </li>
 <li>Jed Shugerman, <a href="https://scholarship.law.bu.edu/faculty_scholarship/3584/">“The Indecisions of 1789: Inconstant Originalism and Strategic Ambiguity”</a> (2023) </li>
 <li>Jane Manners and Lev Menand, <a href="https://scholarship.law.columbia.edu/faculty_scholarship/3116/">“The Three Permissions: Presidential Removal and the Statutory Limits of Agency Independence”</a> (2021) </li>
 <li>
<a href="https://supreme.justia.com/cases/federal/us/5/137/">Marbury v. Madison</a> (1803) </li>
 <li>
<a href="https://supreme.justia.com/cases/federal/us/272/52/">Myers v. United States</a> (1926) </li>
 <li>
<a href="https://supreme.justia.com/cases/federal/us/295/602/">Humphrey’s Executor v. United States</a> (1935) </li>
 <li>
<a href="https://supreme.justia.com/cases/federal/us/487/654/">Morrison v. Olson</a> (1988) </li>
 <li>
<a href="https://www.supremecourt.gov/opinions/19pdf/19-7_n6io.pdf">Seila Law LLC v. CFPB</a> (2020)</li>
</ul>
 
Stay Connected and Learn More
<ul>
 <li>Questions or comments about the show? Email us at <a href="mailto:%20podcast@constitutioncenter.org">⁠podcast@constitutioncenter.org⁠</a>
</li>
 <li>Continue the conversation by following us on social media @ConstitutionCtr</li>
 <li>Explore the <a href="https://constitutioncenter.org/america-at-250">⁠America at 250 Civic Toolkit⁠</a>
</li>
 <li>Explore <a href="https://constitutioncenter.org/news-debate/podcasts/pursuit-the-founders-guide-to-happiness">⁠Pursuit: The Founders’ Guide to Happiness⁠</a>
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 <li>
<a href="http://bit.ly/constitutionweekly">⁠Sign up⁠</a> to receive Constitution Weekly, our email roundup of constitutional news and debate</li>
 <li>Follow, rate, and review wherever you listen</li>
 <li>Join us for an upcoming <a href="https://constitutioncenter.org/news-debate/americas-town-hall-programs">⁠live program⁠</a> or watch recordings on <a href="https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCoAU4X6DUZSt5n6aI74Hw0A">⁠YouTube⁠</a>
</li>
 <li>Support our important work:  </li>
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<description>In this episode, Thomas Berry of the Cato Institute and Jed Shugerman of the Boston University School of Law join the recap the oral arguments from Trump v. Slaughter and debate whether the statutory removal protections for members of the Federal Trade Commission violate the separation of powers. Jeffrey Rosen, president and CEO of the National Constitution Center, moderates.  



Resources 


 Thomas Berry, Brief of the Cato Institute as Amicus Curiae in Support of Petitioners (10/17/2025) 

 Jed Shugerman, Brief Amicus Curiae of Professor Jed Handelsman Shugerman in Support of Respondents (11/14/2025) 

 Jed Shugerman, “The Indecisions of 1789: Inconstant Originalism and Strategic Ambiguity” (2023) 

 Jane Manners and Lev Menand, “The Three Permissions: Presidential Removal and the Statutory Limits of Agency Independence” (2021) 

 
Marbury v. Madison (1803) 

 
Myers v. United States (1926) 

 
Humphrey’s Executor v. United States (1935) 

 
Morrison v. Olson (1988) 

 
Seila Law LLC v. CFPB (2020)




Stay Connected and Learn More


 Questions or comments about the show? Email us at ⁠podcast@constitutioncenter.org⁠


 Continue the conversation by following us on social media @ConstitutionCtr

 Explore the ⁠America at 250 Civic Toolkit⁠


 Explore ⁠Pursuit: The Founders’ Guide to Happiness⁠


 
⁠Sign up⁠ to receive Constitution Weekly, our email roundup of constitutional news and debate

 Follow, rate, and review wherever you listen

 Join us for an upcoming ⁠live program⁠ or watch recordings on ⁠YouTube⁠


 Support our important work:  


⁠⁠⁠Donate</description>

Unpacking the oral arguments in Trump v. Slaughter

In this episode, Thomas Berry of the Cato Institute and Jed Shugerman of the Boston University School of Law join the recap the oral arguments from Trump v. Slaughter and debate whether the statutory removal protections for members of the Federal Trade Commission violate the separation of powers. Jeffrey Rosen, president and CEO of the National Constitution Center, moderates.  



Resources 


  Thomas Berry, Brief of the Cato Institute as Amicus Curiae in Support of Petitioners (10/17/2025) 

  Jed Shugerman, Brief Amicus Curiae of Professor Jed Handelsman Shugerman in Support of Respondents (11/14/2025) 

  Jed Shugerman, “The Indecisions of 1789: Inconstant Originalism and Strategic Ambiguity” (2023) 

  Jane Manners and Lev Menand, “The Three Permissions: Presidential Removal and the Statutory Limits of Agency Independence” (2021) 

  
Marbury v. Madison (1803) 

  
Myers v. United States (1926) 

  
Humphrey’s Executor v. United States (1935) 

  
Morrison v. Olson (1988) 

  
Seila Law LLC v. CFPB (2020)




Stay Connected and Learn More


  Questions or comments about the show? Email us at ⁠podcast@constitutioncenter.org⁠


  Continue the conversation by following us on social media @ConstitutionCtr

  Explore the ⁠America at 250 Civic Toolkit⁠


  Explore ⁠Pursuit: The Founders’ Guide to Happiness⁠


  
⁠Sign up⁠ to receive Constitution Weekly, our email roundup of constitutional news and debate

  Follow, rate, and review wherever you listen

  Join us for an upcoming ⁠live program⁠ or watch recordings on ⁠YouTube⁠


  Support our important work:  


⁠⁠⁠Donate

Can President Trump Fire a Federal Trade Commissioner Without Cause?

In this episode, the National Constitution Center launches our Article V Project, a new initiative examining the founders’ vision for Article V and an historical look at the use of the Article V process from 1789 to the present. Project contributors and constitutional law scholars Gerard Magliocca, Sanford Levinson, Michael Rappaport, and Stephen Sachs explore the origins, debates, and ongoing challenges surrounding Article V, as presented in their essays.  Jeffrey Rosen, president and CEO of the National Constitution Center, moderates. This conversation was originally streamed live as part of the NCC’s America’s Town Hall program series on December 3, 2025. The Article V Project was made possible with the support of Democracy Restated. 
 
Resources 
<ul>
 <li>
<a href="https://constitutioncenter.org/news-debate/special-projects/article-v-amending-the-constitution">Article V: Amending the Constitution</a> </li>
 <li>Gerard Magliocca, <a href="https://constitutioncenter.org/news-debate/special-projects/article-v-amending-the-constitution/report-article-v-constitutional-conventions">Report: Article V Constitutional Conventions</a> </li>
 <li>Sanford Levinson, <a href="https://constitutioncenter.org/news-debate/special-projects/article-v-amending-the-constitution/reflections-on-the-possibility-of-a-new-constitutional-convention">Reflections on the Possibility of a New Constitutional Convention</a> </li>
 <li>Michael B. Rappaport, <a href="https://constitutioncenter.org/news-debate/special-projects/article-v-amending-the-constitution/the-convention-method-for-proposing-amendments-essential-misunderstood-and-broken">The Convention Method for Proposing Amendments: Essential, Misunderstood, and Broken</a> </li>
 <li>Stephen E. Sachs, <a href="https://constitutioncenter.org/news-debate/special-projects/article-v-amending-the-constitution/restoring-conventions-one-amendment-at-a-time">Restoring Conventions, One Amendment at a Time</a> </li>
</ul>
 
Stay Connected and Learn More
<ul>
 <li>Questions or comments about the show? Email us at <a href="mailto:%20podcast@constitutioncenter.org">podcast@constitutioncenter.org</a>
</li>
 <li>Continue the conversation by following us on social media @ConstitutionCtr</li>
 <li>Explore the <a href="https://constitutioncenter.org/america-at-250">America at 250 Civic Toolkit</a>
</li>
 <li>Explore <a href="https://constitutioncenter.org/news-debate/podcasts/pursuit-the-founders-guide-to-happiness">Pursuit: The Founders’ Guide to Happiness</a>
</li>
 <li>
<a href="http://bit.ly/constitutionweekly">Sign up</a> to receive Constitution Weekly, our email roundup of constitutional news and debate</li>
 <li>Follow, rate, and review wherever you listen</li>
 <li>Join us for an upcoming <a href="https://constitutioncenter.org/news-debate/americas-town-hall-programs">live program</a> or watch recordings on <a href="https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCoAU4X6DUZSt5n6aI74Hw0A">YouTube</a>
</li>
 <li>Support our important work:  </li>
</ul>
<ul>
<a href="https://constitutioncenter.org/donate">⁠⁠Donate</a>
</ul>

<description>In this episode, the National Constitution Center launches our Article V Project, a new initiative examining the founders’ vision for Article V and an historical look at the use of the Article V process from 1789 to the present. Project contributors and constitutional law scholars Gerard Magliocca, Sanford Levinson, Michael Rappaport, and Stephen Sachs explore the origins, debates, and ongoing challenges surrounding Article V, as presented in their essays.  Jeffrey Rosen, president and CEO of the National Constitution Center, moderates. This conversation was originally streamed live as part of the NCC’s America’s Town Hall program series on December 3, 2025. The Article V Project was made possible with the support of Democracy Restated. 



Resources 


 
Article V: Amending the Constitution 

 Gerard Magliocca, Report: Article V Constitutional Conventions 

 Sanford Levinson, Reflections on the Possibility of a New Constitutional Convention 

 Michael B. Rappaport, The Convention Method for Proposing Amendments: Essential, Misunderstood, and Broken 

 Stephen E. Sachs, Restoring Conventions, One Amendment at a Time 




Stay Connected and Learn More


 Questions or comments about the show? Email us at podcast@constitutioncenter.org


 Continue the conversation by following us on social media @ConstitutionCtr

 Explore the America at 250 Civic Toolkit


 Explore Pursuit: The Founders’ Guide to Happiness


 
Sign up to receive Constitution Weekly, our email roundup of constitutional news and debate

 Follow, rate, and review wherever you listen

 Join us for an upcoming live program or watch recordings on YouTube


 Support our important work:  



⁠⁠Donate</description>

Exploring the origins, debates, and ongoing challenges of the amendment process

In this episode, the National Constitution Center launches our Article V Project, a new initiative examining the founders’ vision for Article V and an historical look at the use of the Article V process from 1789 to the present. Project contributors and constitutional law scholars Gerard Magliocca, Sanford Levinson, Michael Rappaport, and Stephen Sachs explore the origins, debates, and ongoing challenges surrounding Article V, as presented in their essays.  Jeffrey Rosen, president and CEO of the National Constitution Center, moderates. This conversation was originally streamed live as part of the NCC’s America’s Town Hall program series on December 3, 2025. The Article V Project was made possible with the support of Democracy Restated. 



Resources 


  
Article V: Amending the Constitution 

  Gerard Magliocca, Report: Article V Constitutional Conventions 

  Sanford Levinson, Reflections on the Possibility of a New Constitutional Convention 

  Michael B. Rappaport, The Convention Method for Proposing Amendments: Essential, Misunderstood, and Broken 

  Stephen E. Sachs, Restoring Conventions, One Amendment at a Time 




Stay Connected and Learn More


  Questions or comments about the show? Email us at podcast@constitutioncenter.org


  Continue the conversation by following us on social media @ConstitutionCtr

  Explore the America at 250 Civic Toolkit


  Explore Pursuit: The Founders’ Guide to Happiness


  
Sign up to receive Constitution Weekly, our email roundup of constitutional news and debate

  Follow, rate, and review wherever you listen

  Join us for an upcoming live program or watch recordings on YouTube


  Support our important work:  



⁠⁠Donate

Amending the Constitution and the Article V Project

In our 12-part podcast series, Pursuit: The Founders’ Guide to Happiness, Jeffrey Rosen explores the founders’ lives with the historians who know them best and filmmaker Ken Burns shares his daily practice of self-reflection. 
The “pursuit of happiness” is one of the most famous phrases in American history. When America’s founders wrote it in the Declaration of Independence, they intended it to mean happiness through lifelong learning and self-improvement. 
In the last episode of the series, listeners share some big and small changes that they have made. Plus, Jeffrey Rosen, filmmaker Ken Burns, and scholar Robert P. George explore Benjamin Franklin’s virtue of silence, which he defines as “speak not but what may benefit others or yourself; avoid trifling conversation.” 
 
Listen to Pursuit: The Founders’ Guide to Happiness on <a href="https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/pursuit-the-founders-guide-to-happiness/id1836433785">Apple Podcast</a> and <a href="https://open.spotify.com/show/066xzUHgVx7Tj5aAaslKfD">Spotify</a>. 
 
Watch the full performance of the <a href="https://constitutioncenter.org/news-debate/americas-town-hall-programs/pursuit-of-happiness-song-cycles-by-jeffrey-rosen">Pursuit of Happiness: Song Cycles</a> by Jeffrey Rosen. 
 
Stay Connected and Learn More   
<ul>
 <li>Questions or comments about the show? Email us at <a href="mailto:podcast@constitutioncenter.org">podcast@constitutioncenter.org</a> </li>
 <li>Continue the conversation by following us on social media @ConstitutionCtr </li>
 <li>Explore the <a href="https://constitutioncenter.org/america-at-250">America at 250 Civic Toolkit</a> </li>
 <li>Learn more about the NCC’s and Arizona State University's new online course on civic virtue, <a href="https://constitutioncenter.org/about/press-room/press-releases/national-constitution-center-and-arizona-state-university-announce-new-online-course-on-civic-virtue">'What the Founders Meant by “Happiness”: A Journey Through Virtue and Character’</a> and <a href="https://constitutioncenter.org/forms/civic-virtue-online-course">sign up for email updates</a> </li>
 <li>
<a href="http://bit.ly/constitutionweekly">Sign up</a> to receive Constitution Weekly, our email roundup of constitutional news and debate </li>
 <li>Follow, rate, and review wherever you listen </li>
 <li>Join us for an upcoming <a href="https://constitutioncenter.org/news-debate/americas-town-hall-programs">live program</a> or watch recordings on <a href="https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCoAU4X6DUZSt5n6aI74Hw0A">YouTube</a> </li>
 <li>Support our important work:  </li>
</ul>
<a href="https://constitutioncenter.org/donate">⁠Donate</a>

<description>In our 12-part podcast series, Pursuit: The Founders’ Guide to Happiness, Jeffrey Rosen explores the founders’ lives with the historians who know them best and filmmaker Ken Burns shares his daily practice of self-reflection. 

The “pursuit of happiness” is one of the most famous phrases in American history. When America’s founders wrote it in the Declaration of Independence, they intended it to mean happiness through lifelong learning and self-improvement. 

In the last episode of the series, listeners share some big and small changes that they have made. Plus, Jeffrey Rosen, filmmaker Ken Burns, and scholar Robert P. George explore Benjamin Franklin’s virtue of silence, which he defines as “speak not but what may benefit others or yourself; avoid trifling conversation.” 

 

Listen to Pursuit: The Founders’ Guide to Happiness on Apple Podcast and Spotify. 



Watch the full performance of the Pursuit of Happiness: Song Cycles by Jeffrey Rosen. 



Stay Connected and Learn More   


 Questions or comments about the show? Email us at podcast@constitutioncenter.org 

 Continue the conversation by following us on social media @ConstitutionCtr 

 Explore the America at 250 Civic Toolkit 

 Learn more about the NCC’s and Arizona State University's new online course on civic virtue, 'What the Founders Meant by “Happiness”: A Journey Through Virtue and Character’ and sign up for email updates 

 
Sign up to receive Constitution Weekly, our email roundup of constitutional news and debate 

 Follow, rate, and review wherever you listen 

 Join us for an upcoming live program or watch recordings on YouTube 

 Support our important work:  


⁠Donate</description>

Exploring Benjamin Franklin’s path to “speak not but what may benefit others or yourself”

In our 12-part podcast series, Pursuit: The Founders’ Guide to Happiness, Jeffrey Rosen explores the founders’ lives with the historians who know them best and filmmaker Ken Burns shares his daily practice of self-reflection. 

The “pursuit of happiness” is one of the most famous phrases in American history. When America’s founders wrote it in the Declaration of Independence, they intended it to mean happiness through lifelong learning and self-improvement. 

In the last episode of the series, listeners share some big and small changes that they have made. Plus, Jeffrey Rosen, filmmaker Ken Burns, and scholar Robert P. George explore Benjamin Franklin’s virtue of silence, which he defines as “speak not but what may benefit others or yourself; avoid trifling conversation.” 

 

Listen to Pursuit: The Founders’ Guide to Happiness on Apple Podcast and Spotify. 



Watch the full performance of the Pursuit of Happiness: Song Cycles by Jeffrey Rosen. 



Stay Connected and Learn More   


  Questions or comments about the show? Email us at podcast@constitutioncenter.org 

  Continue the conversation by following us on social media @ConstitutionCtr 

  Explore the America at 250 Civic Toolkit 

  Learn more about the NCC’s and Arizona State University's new online course on civic virtue, 'What the Founders Meant by “Happiness”: A Journey Through Virtue and Character’ and sign up for email updates 

  
Sign up to receive Constitution Weekly, our email roundup of constitutional news and debate 

  Follow, rate, and review wherever you listen 

  Join us for an upcoming live program or watch recordings on YouTube 

  Support our important work:  


⁠Donate

From Pursuit: Silence in Order to Listen 

In this episode, Pulitzer Prize–winning historian Eric Foner joins to discuss his book, Our Fragile Freedoms, a new collection of essays exploring a range of topics, including debates over slavery and antislavery, the Civil War and Reconstruction, Jim Crow and the battle to dismantle it, and modern debates over the Constitution and how to teach American history. Jeffrey Rosen, president and CEO of the National Constitution Center, moderates. This conversation was originally streamed live on September 24, 2025, as part of the NCC’s America’s Town Hall program series. 
 
Resources 
<ul>
 <li>Eric Foner, <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Our-Fragile-Freedoms-Eric-Foner-ebook/dp/B0DXRKJ36G/ref=sr_1_1?dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.BjWzfZsY-hf3OydXz8x8-mRMy-SHcGlyDlm1h9K194CmYXXmxgET6PmYPXnsP93SBgA8BvQ4hRI4bRz-4tUHrM8Idy4VvVlRbibkD5Gy6qgjh9YTsf78UNOjPCeLuvIoJJZqoXaHNfRsPZeOCivMdwhE7hJInSlGfmcJziq91Y03z2KZDEqof6hzGXM77BwMQ4ZbH5HKO5wjNzF2T77MhcAIpxe7rFtgXFh0pHUf40M.HFnyZ16hP2BZdVbsBeHgWuYdBu3nGI7-xwxwVHvuU7o&amp;dib_tag=se&amp;hvadid=598659798457&amp;hvdev=c&amp;hvexpln=0&amp;hvlocphy=9060373&amp;hvnetw=g&amp;hvocijid=1824422912443171585--&amp;hvqmt=e&amp;hvrand=1824422912443171585&amp;hvtargid=kwd-2437634830056&amp;hydadcr=22560_13531255&amp;keywords=our+fragile+freedoms&amp;mcid=72461f12de2a34edb20ff3124194fe1e&amp;qid=1758731258&amp;sr=8-1">Our Fragile Freedoms</a> (2025) </li>
 <li>Eric Foner, <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Second-Founding-Reconstruction-Remade-Constitution-ebook/dp/B07P769MSX/ref=sr_1_1?dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.l1OF1QOguSe0ImfUY3TfXQDsuspJaIGWrYQY-saizcEOGwk4L4p7d4ZnIKrAgmYaG4E2oNjq40aMGPxPjsRzID4MMSfBCqwtzVz_Z-_UVKHsFFM2RcZILN_OcbSBCJwn.vRnBkbkBfjFKnX6SGRxhwyOn7wtuK5WkM6j_JEKOP6w&amp;dib_tag=se&amp;hvadid=358886170468&amp;hvdev=c&amp;hvexpln=0&amp;hvlocphy=9060373&amp;hvnetw=g&amp;hvocijid=14244422371712371886--&amp;hvqmt=e&amp;hvrand=14244422371712371886&amp;hvtargid=kwd-798851866050&amp;hydadcr=22591_9636903&amp;keywords=the+second+founding+eric+foner&amp;mcid=22d61521a2b03801b57c9c105c3f0764&amp;qid=1758731429&amp;sr=8-1">The Second Founding: How the Civil War and Reconstruction Remade the Constitution</a> (2019) </li>
 <li>Eric Foner, <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Fiery-Trial-Abraham-Lincoln-American/dp/039334066X">The Fiery Trial: Abraham Lincoln and American Slavery</a> (2010) </li>
 <li>Eric Foner, <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Reconstruction-Updated-Unfinished-Revolution-1863-1877/dp/0062354515">Reconstruction: America's Unfinished Revolution, 1863-1877</a> (1988) </li>
 <li>Richard Hofstadter, <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Anti-Intellectualism-American-Life-Richard-Hofstadter-ebook/dp/B006LSVB1M/ref=sr_1_1?dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.ksv3FehcvySQOOMijZh4wgemkC2ITbnkRjM13EmMlXMeHS8BJ_H2EHlrYiCj_qBQXrmi3GOP-sBQV7ilb2fVjA_e0cEs1C59yCVEb71XVLXbnT4Y0bnN7OAp-4NWzTZG0k3Sh-1SA7xahTp55KWgpw7bRZN_i6JlJni1H4hId02uPYW7bPQFrAWc0s5EV7T3LQcfQVibQRboqQtCbZu60NF8bthF1GVzSZiymWHNFII.hHivalzHwO-ytPWLXcGlPeaoA9fxrcIdAcAVwgVhMxM&amp;dib_tag=se&amp;hvadid=713512882716&amp;hvdev=c&amp;hvexpln=0&amp;hvlocphy=9060373&amp;hvnetw=g&amp;hvocijid=6703588558203432980--&amp;hvqmt=e&amp;hvrand=6703588558203432980&amp;hvtargid=kwd-2495830248&amp;hydadcr=22597_13730714&amp;keywords=anti-intellectualism+in+american+life&amp;mcid=0d8e088f78333c50897dd9d5726baf2b&amp;qid=1758731529&amp;sr=8-1">Anti-Intellectualism in American Life</a> (1963) </li>
</ul>
 
Stay Connected and Learn More
<ul>
 <li>Questions or comments about the show? Email us at <a href="mailto:podcast@constitutioncenter.org">podcast@constitutioncenter.org </a>
</li>
 <li>Continue the conversation by following us on social media @ConstitutionCtr  </li>
 <li>Explore the <a href="https://constitutioncenter.org/america-at-250">America at 250 Civic Toolkit</a> </li>
 <li>Explore <a href="https://constitutioncenter.org/news-debate/podcasts/pursuit-the-founders-guide-to-happiness">Pursuit: The Founders’ Guide to Happiness</a> </li>
 <li>
<a href="http://bit.ly/constitutionweekly">Sign up</a> to receive Constitution Weekly, our email roundup of constitutional news and debate </li>
 <li>Follow, rate, and review wherever you listen </li>
 <li>Join us for an upcoming <a href="https://constitutioncenter.org/news-debate/americas-town-hall-programs">live program</a> or watch recordings on <a href="https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCoAU4X6DUZSt5n6aI74Hw0A">YouTube</a> </li>
 <li>Support our important work:</li>
</ul>
<a href="https://constitutioncenter.org/donate">Donate</a>

<description>In this episode, Pulitzer Prize–winning historian Eric Foner joins to discuss his book, Our Fragile Freedoms, a new collection of essays exploring a range of topics, including debates over slavery and antislavery, the Civil War and Reconstruction, Jim Crow and the battle to dismantle it, and modern debates over the Constitution and how to teach American history. Jeffrey Rosen, president and CEO of the National Constitution Center, moderates. This conversation was originally streamed live on September 24, 2025, as part of the NCC’s America’s Town Hall program series. 



Resources 


 Eric Foner, Our Fragile Freedoms (2025) 

 Eric Foner, The Second Founding: How the Civil War and Reconstruction Remade the Constitution (2019) 

 Eric Foner, The Fiery Trial: Abraham Lincoln and American Slavery (2010) 

 Eric Foner, Reconstruction: America's Unfinished Revolution, 1863-1877 (1988) 

 Richard Hofstadter, Anti-Intellectualism in American Life (1963) 




Stay Connected and Learn More


 Questions or comments about the show? Email us at podcast@constitutioncenter.org 


 Continue the conversation by following us on social media @ConstitutionCtr  

 Explore the America at 250 Civic Toolkit 

 Explore Pursuit: The Founders’ Guide to Happiness 

 
Sign up to receive Constitution Weekly, our email roundup of constitutional news and debate 

 Follow, rate, and review wherever you listen 

 Join us for an upcoming live program or watch recordings on YouTube 

 Support our important work:


Donate</description>

Pulitzer Prize–winning historian Eric Foner discusses his new collection of essays

In this episode, Pulitzer Prize–winning historian Eric Foner joins to discuss his book, Our Fragile Freedoms, a new collection of essays exploring a range of topics, including debates over slavery and antislavery, the Civil War and Reconstruction, Jim Crow and the battle to dismantle it, and modern debates over the Constitution and how to teach American history. Jeffrey Rosen, president and CEO of the National Constitution Center, moderates. This conversation was originally streamed live on September 24, 2025, as part of the NCC’s America’s Town Hall program series. 



Resources 


  Eric Foner, Our Fragile Freedoms (2025) 

  Eric Foner, The Second Founding: How the Civil War and Reconstruction Remade the Constitution (2019) 

  Eric Foner, The Fiery Trial: Abraham Lincoln and American Slavery (2010) 

  Eric Foner, Reconstruction: America's Unfinished Revolution, 1863-1877 (1988) 

  Richard Hofstadter, Anti-Intellectualism in American Life (1963) 




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  Questions or comments about the show? Email us at podcast@constitutioncenter.org 


  Continue the conversation by following us on social media @ConstitutionCtr  

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Eric Foner on Our Fragile Freedoms

In this episode, best-selling biographer Walter Isaacson joins to discuss his new book, The Greatest Sentence Ever Written, with Jeffrey Rosen, president and CEO of the National Constitution Center. As we approach the 250th anniversary of the country’s founding, Isaacson explores the intellectual inspirations and drafting history of the Declaration’s famous second sentence, which lays the foundation for the American dream and defines the common ground we share as a nation. 
 
Resources
<ul>
 <li>Walter Isaacson, <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Greatest-Sentence-Ever-Written-ebook/dp/B0FFTMBPBY/ref=sr_1_1?adgrpid=186502397996&amp;dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.mUln0zHyxGrXzSvt7mgW0gEcAcPj04xL66bCzi7e_DTGPw-Pb3U2iPJHaos0ccmI9UtXnMuxqJ225V_5eed19brBPeqZAgk_MOdOZ2DVd3XUG7IKL7PWNHT4nwaS3qYKB8a2v7m8u0zb-t39NpGgdfLWh5tPM-1V3Usk9_yArgtnu2qC5t62dVYrUXYl5B3rclJOBoH7p9oyUDI7L8ugSZ1CsfmdZmyFhSrpifMuiwc.x3NbIyj13-mp5F1909iVExQNwi_nywf_MyhEGCnct8g&amp;dib_tag=se&amp;hvadid=779676370262&amp;hvdev=c&amp;hvexpln=0&amp;hvlocphy=9060373&amp;hvnetw=g&amp;hvocijid=16506241938383994117--&amp;hvqmt=e&amp;hvrand=16506241938383994117&amp;hvtargid=kwd-2332775161157&amp;hydadcr=22595_13730707_8834&amp;keywords=the+greatest+sentence+ever+written&amp;mcid=0ecb96b5b09f340387347efe55125821&amp;qid=1762886625&amp;sr=8-1">The Greatest Sentence Ever Written</a> (2025)  </li>
 <li>Walter Isaacson, <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Benjamin-Franklin-American-Walter-Isaacson/dp/074325807X">Benjamin Franklin: An American Life</a> (2004)  </li>
 <li>David Hume, <a href="https://oll.libertyfund.org/titles/bigge-a-treatise-of-human-nature">A Treatise of Human Nature</a> (1739) </li>
 <li>Benjamin Franklin, “<a href="https://founders.archives.gov/documents/Franklin/01-01-02-0061">Apology for Printers</a>,” The Pennsylvania Gazette (1731) </li>
 <li>John Locke, <a href="https://www.yorku.ca/comninel/courses/3025pdf/Locke.pdf">Two Treatises of Government</a> (1690)</li>
</ul>
In our new podcast, Pursuit: The Founders’ to Guide to Happiness Jeffrey Rosen explores the founders’ lives with the historians who know them best. Plus, filmmaker Ken Burns shares his daily practice of self-reflection. 
Listen to episodes of Pursuit on <a href="https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/pursuit-the-founders-guide-to-happiness/id1836433785">⁠Apple Podcast⁠</a> and <a href="https://open.spotify.com/show/066xzUHgVx7Tj5aAaslKfD">⁠Spotify⁠</a>. 
 
Stay Connected and Learn More
<ul>
 <li>Questions or comments about the show? Email us at <a href="mailto:podcast@constitutioncenter.org">⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠podcast@constitutioncenter.org⁠⁠</a>⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠</li>
 <li>⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Continue the conversation by following us on social media @ConstitutionCtr ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠</li>
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<description>In this episode, best-selling biographer Walter Isaacson joins to discuss his new book, The Greatest Sentence Ever Written, with Jeffrey Rosen, president and CEO of the National Constitution Center. As we approach the 250th anniversary of the country’s founding, Isaacson explores the intellectual inspirations and drafting history of the Declaration’s famous second sentence, which lays the foundation for the American dream and defines the common ground we share as a nation. 



Resources


 Walter Isaacson, The Greatest Sentence Ever Written (2025)  

 Walter Isaacson, Benjamin Franklin: An American Life (2004)  

 David Hume, A Treatise of Human Nature (1739) 

 Benjamin Franklin, “Apology for Printers,” The Pennsylvania Gazette (1731) 

 John Locke, Two Treatises of Government (1690)


In our new podcast, Pursuit: The Founders’ to Guide to Happiness Jeffrey Rosen explores the founders’ lives with the historians who know them best. Plus, filmmaker Ken Burns shares his daily practice of self-reflection. 

Listen to episodes of Pursuit on ⁠Apple Podcast⁠ and ⁠Spotify⁠. 



Stay Connected and Learn More


 Questions or comments about the show? Email us at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠podcast@constitutioncenter.org⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

 ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Continue the conversation by following us on social media @ConstitutionCtr ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

 Explore the⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠America at 250 Civic Toolkit⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠


 
⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Sign up⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ to receive Constitution Weekly, our email roundup of constitutional news and debate

 Follow, rate, and review wherever you listen

 Join us for an upcoming ⁠⁠⁠⁠live program⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ or watch recordings on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠YouTube⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠


 Support our important work: 


⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Donate⁠⁠⁠</description>

Unpacking the genius of the Declaration of Independence’s famous second sentence

In this episode, best-selling biographer Walter Isaacson joins to discuss his new book, The Greatest Sentence Ever Written, with Jeffrey Rosen, president and CEO of the National Constitution Center. As we approach the 250th anniversary of the country’s founding, Isaacson explores the intellectual inspirations and drafting history of the Declaration’s famous second sentence, which lays the foundation for the American dream and defines the common ground we share as a nation. 



Resources


  Walter Isaacson, The Greatest Sentence Ever Written (2025)  

  Walter Isaacson, Benjamin Franklin: An American Life (2004)  

  David Hume, A Treatise of Human Nature (1739) 

  Benjamin Franklin, “Apology for Printers,” The Pennsylvania Gazette (1731) 

  John Locke, Two Treatises of Government (1690)


In our new podcast, Pursuit: The Founders’ to Guide to Happiness Jeffrey Rosen explores the founders’ lives with the historians who know them best. Plus, filmmaker Ken Burns shares his daily practice of self-reflection. 

Listen to episodes of Pursuit on ⁠Apple Podcast⁠ and ⁠Spotify⁠. 



Stay Connected and Learn More


  Questions or comments about the show? Email us at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠podcast@constitutioncenter.org⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

  ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Continue the conversation by following us on social media @ConstitutionCtr ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

  Explore the⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠America at 250 Civic Toolkit⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠


  
⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Sign up⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ to receive Constitution Weekly, our email roundup of constitutional news and debate

  Follow, rate, and review wherever you listen

  Join us for an upcoming ⁠⁠⁠⁠live program⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ or watch recordings on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠YouTube⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠


  Support our important work: 


⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Donate⁠⁠⁠

Walter Isaacson on the Greatest Sentence Ever Written

A weekly show of constitutional debate hosted by National Constitution Center President and CEO Jeffrey Rosen where listeners can hear the best arguments on all sides of the constitutional issues at the center of American life.

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