Sandra Day O'Connor Institute
This is the official podcast of the Sandra Day O'Connor Institute. Our mission is to continue the distinguished legacy and lifetime work of Justice Sandra Day O'Connor to advance American democracy through multigenerational civics education, civil discourse and civic engagement.
Episodes
56 episodes
Before It Became History | Prince Hall : The Black Leader Who Built Power After Independence
From Boston’s free Black community, Prince Hall built a legacy of civic leadership through education, petitions, and Freemasonry—proving that organized action can expand liberty and opportunity. Discover his lasting impact on American democracy...
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Before It Became History | Elizabeth Freeman : The Woman Who Put Freedom on Trial
In colonial Massachusetts, Elizabeth Freeman used the law to claim her freedom, proving that the ideals of the Revolution applied to all people. Discover how one courageous court case helped challenge slavery and redefine liberty....
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Before It Became History | Marquis de Lafayette : The French Nobleman Who Bet on America
The Marquis de Lafayette crossed an ocean to fight for American independence, becoming one of George Washington’s most trusted allies and a hero of two revolutions. Discover the remarkable story of courage, liberty, and friendship.
Before It Became History | Benjamin Franklin : The Diplomat Who Brought France In
Printer, inventor, scientist, diplomat, and Founding Father—Benjamin Franklin helped shape America through curiosity, innovation, and public service. Discover the remarkable life and lasting legacy of one of history’s greatest minds.<...
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Before It Became History | Lucy Flucker Knox : The Woman Who Chose Revolution Over Family
Born into a wealthy Loyalist family, Lucy Flucker Knox gave up privilege and security to stand beside the patriot cause during the American Revolution. Discover the remarkable story of courage, sacrifice, and devotion that shaped a nation.<...
Before It Became History | Henry Knox : The Bookseller Who Armed the Revolution
Henry Knox rose from a self-educated Boston bookseller to one of George Washington’s most trusted generals, helping secure America’s fight for independence. Discover the remarkable story of courage, leadership, and service.Before ...
Before It Became History | Nathan Hale : The Spy Who Risked Everything
Nathan Hale left behind the classroom to serve the cause of American independence, becoming one of the Revolution’s most remembered patriots. Discover the story behind the famous words: “I only regret that I have but one life to lose…”
Before It Became History | Thomas Paine : The Writer Who Turned Protest into Independence
In 1776, Thomas Paine’s Common Sense transformed frustration into a call for independence, inspiring ordinary colonists to support revolution. Discover the pamphlet that helped change the course of American history.Before It Becam...
Before It Became History | Phillis Wheatley : The Poet Who Forced America to Face Freedom
Taken from Africa and enslaved in Boston, Phillis Wheatley became America’s first published African American woman poet, using her words to challenge injustice and inspire a generation. Discover her remarkable story.Before It Beca...
Before It Became History | Crispus Attucks : The Man at the Center of the Boston Massacre
Crispus Attucks became the first to die for American liberty during the Boston Massacre, turning tragedy into a rallying cry for revolution. Discover the story of courage, sacrifice, and the fight for freedom.Before It Became Hist...
Before It Became History | Samuel Adams : The Organizer Behind the Uprising
Before independence was declared, Samuel Adams was rallying colonists through speeches, protests, and bold ideas that helped ignite a revolution. Discover how one voice helped spark America’s fight for liberty.Before It Became His...
Before It Became History | Patrick Henry : The Voice That Demanded Liberty
With the words “Give me liberty, or give me death!”, Patrick Henry delivered one of the most powerful speeches in American history, urging the colonies toward revolution. Discover the speech that helped inspire a nation.Before It ...
Public Square | Gen Z & Democracy: How Do You Engage in the Digital Age?
How do social media and digital platforms shape the way younger generations learn about civics and engage in public life? This episode explores whether today’s technologies strengthen or hinder civic education—and how they might be used more ef...
How Tribal Government & Indigenous Political Theories Impacted Constitution
First released in 2022, this episode revisits an often overlooked influence on the American founding. Professor Robert James Miller explores how tribal governments and Indigenous political thought helped shape the ideas of the Founding generati...
Constitution Series: Millennials, Gen-Z, and COVID-19 with Pew Research Center
Originally released during the height of the global pandemic, this episode returns as we approach the March 11 anniversary of the COVID-19 national emergency. Featuring Pew Research Center’s Kim Parker and Richard Fry, the conversation examines...
Public Square | The Civic Issues Shaping 2026: Your Voice, Our Community
Education. The economy. Technology. Civil discourse. These issues shape our daily lives and shared future. In this public square we reviewed recent poll results from our Civics for Life Community App, exchanged perspectives, and explored how re...
Can Social Media and Civil Discourse Coexist?
First released in 2021, this conversation feels increasingly relevant as social media continues to shape how Americans communicate, disagree, and connect. Monica Anderson of the Pew Research Center and Beau Kiniry of BuzzFeed explore whether ci...
Maverick: A Biography of Thomas Sowell | Jason Riley
This special episode from our original Constitution Series returns in honor of Black History Month, spotlighting the life and ideas of Thomas Sowell, one of America’s most influential and thought-provoking thinkers. Drawing from Jason L. Riley’...
Public Square | Why are Teachers Uncomfortable Teaching Civics?
How does today’s polarized climate shape what—and how—civics is taught in America’s classrooms?This Public Square virtual conversation was inspired by the Sandra Day O’Connor Institute’s latest policy brief, “Why Are Teachers Uncomforta...
Public Square | The Electoral College: Why does it exist?
Perhaps no extant product of the U.S. Constitution has received more bipartisan animus than the Electoral College. Since 1800 there have been more than 700 proposals introduced in Congress to amend or eliminate the way in which America chooses ...
Socrates, Alcibiades, and 'The Quest for Character,' with Massimo Pigliucci
In his book The Quest for Character, Massimo Pigliucci asks: can good character be taught?Through an exploration of Greek and Roman philosophy, and especially the interaction of Socrates and Alcibiades, Pigliucci helps us under...
The Pros and Cons of Open Primaries and Ranked Choice Voting
Do open primaries and ranked-choice voting have the potential to improve American elections, or will they create more problems than they solve? Kevin Meyer, former lieutenant governor of Alaska; Steve Goldstein, executive director of Save Democ...
Art's Role in Civil Society, with Jed Perl
Civics for Life and the O'Connor Institute welcome Jed Perl as he joins Liam Julian, director of Public Policy, for a discussion on the relationship between art and society, the artist’s role in society, and whether art and artists have definit...
Public Square | Political Polarization: Can it be overcome?
Americans today are more politically polarized than in the past. We are more likely to align our political identities with specific ideological stances, and we are more likely to view the opposition with hostility (according to data from, among...
Emancipation's Complicated History, with Kris Manjapra
Emancipation in America is often presented as a single and singular undertaking. But Professor Kris Manjapra's new book, Black Ghost of Empire, complicates that story by situating America's national emancipation in a long line of globa...