Madison's Notes

The James Madison Program
  • 4.6 (97)
  • SOCIETY & CULTURE
  • UPDATED BIWEEKLY

The official podcast of Princeton University’s James Madison Program in American Ideals and Institutions.

  1. 06/07/2025

    S4E41: Season Finale!

    That’s a wrap on the 2024-2025 season of Madison’s Notes! Stay tuned until the end for a special announcement—you won’t want to miss it! A massive thank you to our incredible listeners and guests for making this season unforgettable. Your support means everything! The show will be back—so hit subscribe to be the first to know when we return. Until then, keep exploring, learning, and staying curious!

    1 min

  2. 05/29/2025

    S4 E40 Interpretations of the Second Amendment: A Conversation with Joel Alicea

    The Supreme Court’s ruling in 2022 changed the established methodology for evaluating Second Amendment cases. What was the existing methodology, and what does this shift signify for future interpretations? We sit down with Joel Alicea, Professor of Law and Director, the Center for the Constitution and the Catholic Intellectual Tradition at the Columbus School of Law at the Catholic University of America. We discuss the implication of the Supreme Court's 2022 decision in New York State Rifle & Pistol Association v. Bruen and the new methodology relates to originalist interpretations. He answers questions on how courts define “tradition” when using it as legal reasoning, and the limitations it can pose. Finally, Alicea offers a nuanced perspective on the application of gun rights in America with recognition of America’s complicated relationship with firearms. Madison’s Notes is the podcast of Princeton University’s James Madison Program in American Ideals and Institutions. Contributions to and/or sponsorship of any speaker does not constitute departmental or institutional endorsement of the specific program, speakers or views presented.

    38 min

  3. 05/21/2025

    S4E39 Executive Power and the President Who Would Not Be King: A Conversation with Michael McConnell

    In this episode of Madison’s Notes, Michael McConnell examines the gap between the Founders’ vision of a limited presidency and today’s expansive executive power. Drawing on his book The President Who Would Not Be King (Princeton University Press, 2022), we discuss how the Constitution’s safeguards against monarchical authority have eroded over the past century—and what steps might restore balance to our system of government. From war powers to administrative overreach, the conversation tackles the urgent question: How did we get here, and what can be done? Michael McConnell is a renowned constitutional scholar, Stanford Law professor, and former federal judge on the Tenth Circuit Court of Appeals. A leading voice on originalism and separation of powers, his work bridges historical intent and modern legal debates, making him the perfect guide for this critical discussion. Madison’s Notes is the podcast of Princeton University’s James Madison Program in American Ideals and Institutions. Contributions to and/or sponsorship of any speaker does not constitute departmental or institutional endorsement of the specific program, speakers or views presented.

    50 min

  4. 05/14/2025

    S4E38 False Dawn: A Conversation with George Selgin on Recovering from the Great Depression

    Join us on Madison's Notes as we sit down with George Selgin, senior fellow and director emeritus of the Cato Institute’s Center for Monetary and Financial Alternatives and professor emeritus of economics at the University of Georgia. In this insightful conversation, Selgin unpacks the myths and realities of FDR’s New Deal through the lens of his book, False Dawn: The New Deal and the Promise of Recovery, 1933–1947 (University of Chicago Press, 2025). While the New Deal is often celebrated as a bold and successful response to the Great Depression, Selgin argues that many of its policies actually prolonged economic suffering—with unemployment remaining staggeringly high years later. Drawing on extensive historical and economic analysis, he separates the New Deal’s successes from its failures, examines the distinct roles of fiscal and monetary policy, and reveals the overlooked factor that truly ended the Great Depression (hint: it wasn’t just WWII). This episode challenges conventional narratives and offers crucial lessons for navigating future economic crises. Tune in for a nuanced discussion on why we must assess policy decisions carefully—learning from the past to build a more resilient future. Madison’s Notes is the podcast of Princeton University’s James Madison Program in American Ideals and Institutions. Contributions to and/or sponsorship of any speaker does not constitute departmental or institutional endorsement of the specific program, speakers or views presented.

    59 min

  5. 05/07/2025

    S4E37 Threats to Universities and What We Can Do: A Conversation with Brandice Canes Wrone

    Universities are under attack, but what exactly are the threats? How does free speech in the last 10 years compare to today? What do we stand to lose if higher education collapses? In this episode, Brandice Canes-Wrone dives into the major threats facing universities—from defunding to restrictions on free expression—and what we can do to solve them. We explore the history of universities, from their religious roots to the transformative impact of the GI Bill, examine how America’s global leadership is tied to the strength of its higher education system, and discuss why universities must remain vital spaces for intellectual experimentation, free inquiry, and personal growth. Madison’s Notes is the podcast of Princeton University’s James Madison Program in American Ideals and Institutions. Contributions to and/or sponsorship of any speaker does not constitute departmental or institutional endorsement of the specific program, speakers or views presented.

    58 min

  6. 04/30/2025

    S4E36 Institutional Corruption in News Media: A Conversation with William English

    Why has trust in the news media declined? How can we combat biased reporting and the spread of misinformation? And how do these challenges compare to the media landscape during America’s founding era? Join us as we explore these pressing questions with William English, a political economist and Associate Professor of Strategy, Economics, Ethics, and Public Policy at Georgetown University’s McDonough School of Business. Professor English will discuss his long-standing research on the intersection of ethics, media, and politics, including the Founding Fathers’ views on press freedom and its vital role in maintaining democracy. He’ll also examine the growing problem of “hermeneutic unintelligibility”—where conflicting worldviews make meaningful dialogue between opposing groups nearly impossible. Finally, he’ll explore potential technological solutions, such as open-source protocols, that could help restore trust and transparency in media. Madison’s Notes is the podcast of Princeton University’s James Madison Program in American Ideals and Institutions. Contributions to and/or sponsorship of any speaker does not constitute departmental or institutional endorsement of the specific program, speakers or views presented.

    1h 1m

  7. 04/23/2025

    S4E35 Slacking: A Guide A Guide to Ivy League Miseducation

    What does a general education from an Ivy League mean? What structures produce the course catalogues that students can choose to customize their education from? Is a world-class degree a world-class education? In this episode, we sit down with the three authors of Slacking: A Guide A Guide to Ivy League Miseducation (Encounter Books, 2025). Adam Kissel, Madison Marino Doan, and Rachel Alexander Cambre guide us through their process of collaboration and their argument that Ivy League institutions are not providing students with a quality education. Through the saturation of DEI-coded or hyper-specialized courses, they argue, students lack access to classical education and Western civilization–based instruction that would better serve their intellectual development. The authors discuss their approach to building the argument, the origins of their idea, and what students should keep in mind when selecting their schools and course lists. Adam Kissel is a visiting fellow for higher education reform in the Center for Education Policy at The Heritage Foundation. He is a board member of the University of West Florida, Southern Wesleyan University, and the National Association of Scholars. Rachel Alexander Cambre teaches for Belmont Abbey College’s new Master of Arts in Classical and Liberal Education program. A visiting fellow in the B. Kenneth Simon Center for American Politics and Center for Education Policy at The Heritage Foundation from 2022 to 2024, she researches and writes on liberal arts education and American political thought. She held a research postdoctoral fellowship at the James Madison Program from 2019-2020. Madison Marina Doan is a senior research associate in the Center for Education Policy at The Heritage Foundation. Her work focuses on affordability and accountability reform in higher education and K-12 education choice initiatives. Her work may be found in Fox News, Washington Examiner, Washington Times, The Daily Signal, and the Educational Freedom Institute. Madison’s Notes is the podcast of Princeton University’s James Madison Program in American Ideals and Institutions. Contributions to and/or sponsorship of any speaker does not constitute departmental or institutional endorsement of the specific program, speakers or views presented.

    49 min

  8. 04/16/2025

    S4E34 Constitutional Private Law: A Conversation with Garrett West

    What is constitutional private law, and how does it differ from the way we traditionally think about constitutional issues? When an individual employed by the government breaks the law, do we sue the person or the government? And what do these choices reveal about justice, accountability, and constitutional interpretation? This week Madison’s Notes welcomes Garrett West, Associate Professor of Law at Yale Law School, for a deep dive into constitutional private law, an often-overlooked dimension of constitutional theory. While most discussions focus on government power and structure, this episode explores how constitutional principles might extend into private relationships and disputes. West breaks down essential legal vocabulary, examines unexpected historical shifts in constitutional doctrine, and analyzes how courts have grappled with applying constitutional norms beyond the state. From torts and remedies to federal courts and administrative law, this conversation challenges conventional boundaries and asks: Where does the Constitution’s authority end? A must-listen for anyone interested in legal theory, civil liberties, and the evolving role of constitutional law in private life. Madison’s Notes is the podcast of Princeton University’s James Madison Program in American Ideals and Institutions. Contributions to and/or sponsorship of any speaker does not constitute departmental or institutional endorsement of the specific program, speakers or views presented.

    52 min
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About

The official podcast of Princeton University’s James Madison Program in American Ideals and Institutions.

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  • Creator
    The James Madison Program
  • Years Active
    2020 - 2025
  • Episodes
    154
  • Rating
    Clean
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    © Copyright 2020 All rights reserved.
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    Madison's Notes