Beyond the Bench

Mountain States Legal Foundation
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Mountain States Legal Foundation presents, Beyond the Bench. In this podcast you will receive insights into MSLF's advocacy approaches and successes. You will hear from our expert attorneys and outside guests from the liberty movement.

  1. Sep 10

    Beyond The Bench: S2 E, Rob Natelson, What Have We Forgotten About The Constitution?

    September 17 marks Constitution Day, a day to reflect on the document that established the framework of our government and the principles that continue to shape our nation. But how well do we actually understand the Constitution as it was originally written and understood? In the latest episode of Beyond the Bench, we sit down with constitutional scholar Rob Natelson for a timely conversation about the forgotten origins of the Constitution Natelson challenges some of the most common assumptions Americans have about the Constitution, from the meaning of federal power and the Commerce Clause to the Necessary and Proper Clause and the Founders’ understanding of our system of government. As we celebrate Constitution Day, this episode offers an opportunity to go beyond simply remembering the document and take a closer look at what it actually says, what the Founders intended, and why those distinctions still matter today. For those who believe the Constitution's limits on government power are worth preserving, understanding its original meaning is more than a history lesson—it is essential to protecting the freedoms it was designed to secure. About MSLF: Mountain States Legal Foundation is a non-profit law firm based in the American West. We go to court to fight for your constitutional rights. Your freedom is under attack. To learn what you can do to fight back, visit: Website: http://www.mslegal.org/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mountainstateslegalfoundation/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/MSLF

    Beyond The Bench: S2 E, Rob Natelson, What Have We Forgotten About The Constitution?

  2. Jul 10

    Beyond The Bench: S2 E6, Kole Kelley, Our New Director of CAPE

    Growing up on a cattle and show pig farm in southern Colorado, Kole Kelley learned early that freedom isn't just an idea, it's something worth protecting. In this episode of Beyond the Bench, Kole shares how those early lessons led him to become an attorney fighting for the property rights, livelihoods, and constitutional freedoms of everyday Americans. From life on the farm to the courtroom, you'll hear the personal stories that shaped his passion for defending those who simply want the freedom to work, build, and prosper. Whether you're interested in the Constitution, the future of the American West, or the people behind the cases, this is a conversation you won't want to miss. Listen now and discover the story behind the advocate.

    Beyond The Bench: S2 E6, Kole Kelley, Our New Director of CAPE

  3. Jun 15

    Beyond The Bench: S2 E5, Nadine Strossen, A Conversation on Free Speech, Leadership, and Liberty

    Nadine Strossen has spent her life defending one of America's most fundamental freedoms: the freedom to speak. As the first woman to serve as President of the ACLU, Nadine led one of the nation's most influential civil liberties organizations through some of the most contentious debates in modern history. But beyond the headlines and courtroom battles is a fascinating story of conviction, leadership, and the courage to defend principles even when doing so is unpopular. From personal stories and leadership lessons to thoughtful discussions on the future of civil discourse, this is a conversation you won't want to miss. Listen to the episode now and join us for an engaging discussion with one of the most influential voices in the fight for civil liberties. Whether you agree, disagree, or just want to understand the conversation better — this is an episode worth hearing.

    Beyond The Bench: S2 E5, Nadine Strossen, A Conversation on Free Speech, Leadership, and Liberty

  4. May 14

    Beyond The Bench: S2 E4, Alicia Garcia, What if The Second Amendment Wasn't Taboo?

    What happens when you sit down with one of Colorado’s most outspoken Second Amendment advocates for a no-script, no-filter conversation? In this episode, Alicia Garcia, also known as “Boomstick Babe”, opens up about the reality behind the online persona, the misconceptions surrounding gun owners, and what pushed her from supporter to activist. This isn’t a debate panel. It’s a real conversation. We talk about: • What people get completely wrong about gun culture • The pressure of being a woman in the firearms space • Activism, lawsuits, and public criticism • The Second Amendment explained in plain English • The personal side of becoming a public figure online Along the way, Alicia shares stories most audiences never hear, and breaks down why this issue matters to millions of Americans beyond politics. Whether you agree, disagree, or just want to understand the conversation better — this is an episode worth hearing.

    Beyond The Bench: S2 E4, Alicia Garcia, What if The Second Amendment Wasn't Taboo?

  5. Apr 20

    Beyond The Bench: S2 E3, Randy Barnett, What if The System Is the Problem?

    What if the biggest threat to liberty isn’t the laws we debate...but the ones we don’t question? In our latest episode of Beyond the Bench, we sit down with Randy E. Barnett—a leading constitutional scholar at Georgetown University Law Center and one of the most influential voices in modern originalist thought. From arguing before the Supreme Court to advancing the “presumption of liberty,” Professor Barnett has spent decades challenging how we interpret the Constitution. Now, with his upcoming book Felony Review, he turns his focus to a system most Americans rarely see up close: felony prosecution. In this conversation, we dive into: - Where the criminal justice system may be falling short of constitutional principles - Why felony law deserves more scrutiny than it gets - The real-world consequences of unchecked prosecutorial power - And what it would take to realign the system with the Constitution’s promise of liberty We also get personal—touching on his journey from Chicago to the courtroom, the experiences that shaped his thinking, and why this moment in legal history demands a closer look. If you care about the Constitution, criminal justice, or the future of liberty in America, this is an episode you don’t want to miss. About MSLF: Mountain States Legal Foundation is a non-profit law firm based in the American West. We go to court to fight for your constitutional rights. Your freedom is under attack. To learn what you can do to fight back, visit: Website: http://www.mslegal.org/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mountainstateslegalfoundation/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/MSLF

    Beyond The Bench: S2 E3, Randy Barnett, What if The System Is the Problem?

  6. Mar 16

    Beyond the Bench: S2 Ep2, Travis Joseph Speaks for the Trees: Timber and Resource Management in the Todays Economy

    In our newest episode, we sit down with Travis Joseph, President and CEO of the American Forest Resource Council, to unpack the laws and policies shaping the future of forests in the American West. We discuss the legacy of the Northwest Forest Plan, the legal mandate behind the Oregon and California Railroad and Coos Bay Wagon Road Grant Lands Act, and the growing controversy over monument designations under the Antiquities Act, including the expansion of Cascade–Siskiyou National Monument. We also look ahead to what Congress is considering now, from provisions in H.R. 1 to the proposed Fix Our Forests Act and broader efforts to reform federal permitting. If you care about wildfire, public lands, and the future of rural communities in the West, this is a conversation you won’t want to miss.

    Beyond the Bench: S2 Ep2, Travis Joseph Speaks for the Trees: Timber and Resource Management in the Todays Economy

  7. Feb 23

    Beyond the Bench: S2 EP 1 Who's Really Making the Rules: Energy Responsibility in the US

    We sit down with constitutional scholar John Yoo to unpack one of the most consequential trends in modern litigation: using local lawsuits to influence national climate policy. At the center of the discussion is County Commissioners of Boulder County v. Suncor Energy USA, Inc., where Colorado local governments are attempting to hold energy companies liable under state tort law for the global effects of climate change. Professor Yoo, who joined an amicus brief in the case, walks us through the constitutional stakes: When does federal law preempt state tort claims? Should courts be setting policy that affects the entire country? What happens to constitutional federalism if every state adopts its own climate liability regime? This conversation goes beyond energy policy. It strikes at the heart of separation of powers, the proper role of courts, and whether nationwide policy decisions should be made through legislation, or litigation.

    Beyond the Bench: S2 EP 1 Who's Really Making the Rules: Energy Responsibility in the US

  8. Jan 27

    Beyond the Bench: Episode 9 with Will Trachman, Cause and Character: The Future of Equal Protection

    The U.S. Supreme Court hears fewer than 1% of the cases appealed to it each year. That means the promise of equal protection under the law lives, or dies, in lower courts, far from the spotlight. That’s exactly where our latest Beyond the Bench episode takes you. In this episode, we break down Young v. Colorado Department of Corrections and Brigida v. U.S. Department of Transportation, two cases that expose what happens when government officials treat one person differently from others without a lawful reason. In Young, selective punishment raises serious equal protection concerns about retaliation and unequal treatment. In Brigida, uneven enforcement by a federal agency shows how bureaucratic discretion can quickly turn into the power to pick winners and losers. These cases make one thing clear: equal protection isn’t about special treatment, it’s about equal application of the law. And it only works when it’s actively defended. About MSLF: Mountain States Legal Foundation is a non-profit law firm based in the American West. We go to court to fight for your constitutional rights. Your freedom is under attack. To learn what you can do to fight back, visit: Website: http://www.mslegal.org/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mountainstateslegalfoundation/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/MSLF

    Beyond the Bench: Episode 9 with Will Trachman, Cause and Character: The Future of Equal Protection
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About

Mountain States Legal Foundation presents, Beyond the Bench. In this podcast you will receive insights into MSLF's advocacy approaches and successes. You will hear from our expert attorneys and outside guests from the liberty movement.

Information

  • Creator
    Mountain States Legal Foundation
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    18
  • Rating
    Clean