Dr. Porwancher takes us on a fascinating journey through the hidden influence of James Bradley Thayer, a Harvard Law professor whose mentorship shaped America's legal giants like Louis Brandeis, Oliver Wendell Holmes, and Felix Frankfurter. What makes this exploration particularly special is its creation – a collaborative book co-authored with former students, mirroring Thayer's own dedication to mentorship and student development.

At the heart of Thayer's legacy lies his philosophy of judicial restraint – the revolutionary idea that unelected judges should defer to democratically elected legislatures except in the most egregious constitutional violations. This principle resonates through generations of American jurisprudence, with Chief Justice John Roberts channeling this very philosophy when he wrote that "it is not the role of this court to save the American people from their political choices." The intellectual lineage from Thayer to Roberts spans just three degrees of separation, demonstrating how profoundly one professor's teachings can echo through centuries of legal thought.

What's particularly striking about Thayer's approach is how it transcends partisan politics. His philosophy has been embraced by progressives and conservatives alike at different historical moments, depending on who controls the judiciary. This cyclical pattern reveals a fundamental truth about American constitutional governance – the tension between democratic majorities and counter-majoritarian rights protection. Through vivid stories of Thayer's teaching methods and the almost religious reverence his students held for him, we discover how the formative experiences of young law students eventually shape the monumental decisions that govern our lives and liberties today. Beyond just legal doctrine, this conversation reminds us that behind every Supreme Court opinion lies a deeply human story of mentorship, influence, and intellectual inheritance.

The Arizona Constitution Project

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How does a state like Arizona – not even in existence when the Declaration of Independence was signed – celebrate America's 250th birthday? Secretary of State Adrian Fontes joins us to share the ambitious and creative plans underway for America 250 AZ, a multi-year celebration culminating in 2026.

Far from being just another patriotic party, this semi-quincentennial celebration showcases Arizona's unique perspective on American history. As Fontes explains, our land was very much "in existence" in 1776, home to indigenous peoples and later visited by Spanish explorers (including Fontes' own ancestors). This rich tapestry of cultures continues to define Arizona's approach to commemorating national milestones.

The centerpiece of Arizona's celebration is Passport 250, a statewide initiative encouraging residents and visitors to explore the Grand Canyon State through themed experiences. From Dine 250 promoting local eateries to Hike 250 showcasing our natural beauty, each program invites participation while supporting local communities. The Liberty Bell project will create a mobile museum around Arizona's replica Liberty Bell, touring communities throughout the state before returning to a new ceremonial base containing time capsules for future generations.

Perhaps most inspiring is the story behind the America 250 AZ logo, created by a 17-year-old high school student whose artwork now heads to the Smithsonian. This exemplifies what Fontes sees as the celebration's core message: how ordinary individuals connect to our extraordinary collective achievement. Through this commemoration, he hopes Arizonans will gain both humility about our place in history and gratitude for those who helped build our society.

Want to get involved? Visit https://azsos.gov/az250 to discover upcoming events and opportunities to participate in this once-in-a-lifetime celebration that brings together our past, present, and future as Arizonans and Americans.

The Arizona Constitution Project

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Alice Sheehan from AllSides joins us to discuss media literacy and the importance of understanding diverse perspectives in our fragmented media landscape. AllSides provides balanced news by showing how left, center, and right-leaning sources cover the same stories, helping readers recognize patterns in media bias while developing critical thinking skills.

• AllSides uses a patented technology and multi-partisan team to provide balanced news coverage
• Their media bias ratings examine 16 different types of bias using expert panels and blind surveys
• Seeking multiple perspectives helps clarify your own thinking by understanding why others disagree
• Teachers can use AllSides for current events lessons without appearing partisan
• AllSides recently released classroom dialogue guides with Harvard Graduate School of Education
• Seeing how different media outlets cover the same story reveals how bias shapes narrative
• The X Influencer Bias Chart helps users diversify their social media feeds with different perspectives
• Media literacy involves recognizing that bias exists in all sources, not eliminating it
• Creating healthy information habits means balancing news consumption with offline activities

AllSides is hosting a journalism contest for students to create AllSides-style headline roundups, with three winners receiving $500 and potential publication on their site.

Media bias ratings:
https://www.allsides.com/media-bias

X Influencer chart:

https://www.allsides.com/media-bias/x-bias-chart

Classroom dialogue guides:

https://mismatch.org/dialogue-in-the-classroom/

The Arizona Constitution Project

Check Out Our Free Lessons on Arizona History and Government!

Follow us on:
Twitter
Linked In
Instagram
Facebook
YouTube
Website

Interested in a Master's Degree? Check out the School of Civic and Economic Leadership's Master's in Classical Liberal Education and Leadership