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Received wisdom of the present moment in constitutional and statutory interpretation begins with the text and moves to the logic, structure, or context of that text, before then focusing on historical practice. What is the role of tradition in American constitutional law?  Why do we so often keep coming back to it even when we have an elite legal culture that is now more focused than ever on ascertaining an objective meaning of text itself? That is the question at the center of Professor Marc DeGirolami’s new book, The Constitution of Practice: On Law and Tradition. It is a short book with a large claim: constitutional traditions are not ornaments on the text. They are the ways a people give concrete form to political excellence and pass it on. They tell us how we have actually governed, worshiped, punished, protected, and persuaded and in so doing they bind citizens to one another. DeGirolami joins us on the Anchoring Truths Podcast to discuss his book's themes. Marc DeGirolami is the St. John Henry Newman Professor of Law and Co-Director of the Center for Law and the Human Person at The Catholic University of America. He previously taught at St. John’s University and was a Visiting Fellow in Princeton’s James Madison Program. A former federal clerk and Assistant District Attorney, he is the author of The Tragedy of Religious Freedom and a leading scholar of constitutional theory, religious liberty, and tradition in American law. Purchase The Constitution of Practice: On Law and Tradition

Whenever we at the James Wilson Institute begin one of our weeklong fellowships or even our weekend introductory seminars on Natural Law Jurisprudence, we begin not with the writings of our institute’s namesake or even other familiar figures from the Founding. Instead we begin, as Prof. Hadley Arkes’s classic book First Things begins, with the opening pages of Aristotle’s Politics on that moral association we call the polis and how articulating understanding of rights and obligations, those markers of political life unique to human beings, springs from the very nature of human beings as the only creatures that can reason about such things. Natural law or right reason, before it became a necessary tool for lawyers, was simply this to Aristotle: a way of understanding how human beings are made to flourish, and politics either serves that end or it fails. Scholar and expert on Aristotle's writings, Alex Petkas, joins us on this week's Anchoring Truths Podcast episode for something of a deep dive into a good bit of the philosophy animating much of our work at the Institute. Petkas holds a PhD in Classics from Princeton. He taughtancient philosophy, rhetoric, and Greco-Roman history at Princeton, UC San Diego, and on the tenure track at Cal State Fresno. He also hosts The Cost of Glory Podcast, on which he retells Plutarch’s Parallel Lives—the biographies of statesmen, generals, orators, and founders that have trained ambitious men for two thousand years.

As we are about to celebrate Constitution Day in 2026, our latest guest on the Anchoring Truths Podcast says we no longer live under the Constitution as the people who wrote and ratified it understood it. That guest is Ilan Wurman, the Julius E. Davis Professor of Law at the University of Minnesota.The topic we will be discussing his Wurman’s new book, The Constitution of 1789: A New Introduction. Wurman argues that modern doctrine has drifted far from original meaning. Courts, he says, no longer play the limited judicial role the Founders designed. Congress’s commerce and spending powers now underwrite a vast regulatory and welfare state that would have stunned the ratifiers—much of the New Deal order included. Lawmakers have also handed enormous authority to agencies, helping create what he calls a deep state that governs daily life. And war and foreign-affairs powers that originally favored Congress now sit mostly with the President. We unpack those arguments and more. Besides his latest work, Wurman is the author of The Second Founding: An Introduction to the Fourteenth Amendment (2020) and A Debt against the Living: An Introduction to Originalism (2017), as well as a leading casebook on administrative law. He is also the co-host of a new podcast, Rationally Based. He splits his time between Saint Paul, Minnesota, and rural Arizona. Follow Wurman on X.com here. Purchase The Constitution of 1789 here.

Our latest Anchoring Truths Podcast returns to a topic discussed at the beginning of the summer which has only added resonance since: the true meaning of birthright citizenship under the Fourteenth Amendment. Our guest is a true giant of the American legal academy—Richard A. Epstein. Laurence A. Tisch Professor of Law at NYU, Director of the Classical Liberal Institute, James Parker Hall Distinguished Service Professor of Law Emeritus at the University of Chicago, Senior Fellow at the Hoover Institution, and now Senior Fellow at the Civitas Institute, Epstein has spent more than five decades reshaping how we think about property, contracts, torts, Roman Law, and constitutional structure. His landmark 1985 book Takings remains one of the most influential works of legal scholarship of the modern era. He is widely regarded as one of the most brilliant, rigorous, and fearless classical-liberal thinkers of his generation—a living legend whose writings have shaped generations of lawyers, judges, and scholars. He’s with us to discuss his powerful new book, The Myth of Birthright Citizenship: What the Fourteenth Amendment Really Says, and to unpack the Supreme Court’s recent decision in Trump v. Barbara. Read The Myth of Birthright Citizenship Follow Epstein's latest writing at Civitas Outlook

Join the Anchoring Truths Podcast as we host author Tim Goeglein for a discussion of his newly co-authored book What Really Matters: Restoring a Legacy of Faith, Freedom, and Family. Goeglein shares his thoughts on American public life, particularly the engagement in politics, culture, and religion amongst Gen Z. The book is a collection of his sharpest columns that zero in on the six pillars we must rebuild if America is going to flourish again: marriage, the family, authentic manhood, a well-ordered society, vibrant faith, and a true understanding of our history. We were delighted to welcome Goeglein, an astute observer of American cultural and religious trends going back several decades, to the show. Tim Goeglein served eight years in the White House as Special Assistant to President George W. Bush and Deputy Director of the Office of Public Liaison. Since 2009 he’s been Vice President of External and Government Relations at Focus on the Family. Purchase What Really Matters Read JWI Co-Director Gerard Bradley's review of the book. Learn more about Tim

Imagine being three years old in the heart of the Congo. Your father has just died of cancer. Your mother is left alone to raise five children in a world of poverty, tribal conflict, and political chaos. By every human measure, your future should have been written in hardship and limitation. But that is not the story God wrote for Athanase Kadita Tshibaka—known to friends andcolleagues simply as A.T. In his powerful new memoir, Son of the Congo: A Journey of Tragedy, Triumph, and Transformation, A.T. takes us across six continents and nearly eight decades of an extraordinary life. From near-expulsion as a troubled student to graduating with top honors fromDartmouth and the Tuck School of Business, from surviving coups, wrongful imprisonment, and boardroom battles, to rising as a senior leader at Citigroup overseeing risk across 77 emerging markets, then serving as interim CEO ofOpportunity International. A.T.'s story is not just a rags-to-riches tale, it is also a living testimony of unwavering faith, resilience, and the quiet, miraculous hand of God that turns ashes into beauty. A.T. joins us now to share how a sonof the Congo became a global banking executive, a devoted husband, father, and grandfather as well as friend of ours at the James Wilson Institute—and why he believes every broken beginning can still lead to a divine destination. Learn more and purchase here Son of the Congo

As part of our ongoing series of episodes devoted to thecelebration of the 250th Anniversary of the Declaration, we are delighted to bring you an episode devoted to the legal relevance of the Declaration’s most famous sentence, “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.” We’ll focus in today’s episode particularly on that last phrase. In his Commentaries on the Laws of England, William Blackstone described the pursuit of happiness as a science of jurisprudence by which his students could identify, and then apply, the first principles of the Common Law in their future work in law.  Separately, the American founders includedthe pursuit of happiness as one of only three unalienable rights specifically listed in the Declaration of Independence.  Where do Blackstone and the founders agree and disagree in their understanding of the pursuit of happiness? What practical role (if any) did they suggest the concept could serve in English and early American law and legal philosophy? To discuss these subjects, we are pleased to have Carli N. Conklin with us. She is an associate professor at University of Missouri School of Law, an associate professor of constitutional democracy and former associate director at theKinder Institute on Constitutional Democracy, and director of the School of Law’s Center for the Study of Dispute Resolution. She earned her JD/MA and PhD in American Legal History from the University of Virginia, where she received the School of Law’s John and Madeleine Traynor prize for outstanding written work. This episode is captured from a jointly-sponsored webinar by the James Wilson Institute and the Center for Religion Culture and Democracy of First Liberty Institute.

For the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence, we are pleased to share an intimate discussion with Dr. Matthew Spalding whose timely new book The Making of the American Mind explores the philosophic underpinnings of and story behind the Declaration. Please enjoy this special Anchoring Truths episode as a celebration of our nation’s Independence and Founding. Spalding, dean of Hillsdale College’s Van Andel graduate school in Washington D.C. and new board member of the James Wilson Institute, shares the microphone with Professor Hadley Arkes, JWI’s Founder and Co-Director. Purchase The Making of the American Mind Learn more about Dr. Spalding

Our latest Anchoring Truths Podcast episode focuses on a new book Taking American Citizenship Seriously: The Recovery of the Fourteenth Amendment. Our guest is the author that book, David R. Upham. With the book, Professor Upham delivers a comprehensive account of the original understanding of the Fourteenth Amendment. Drawing on a close textual analysis, Upham shows how the framers shaped the Amendment to secure the rights to life, liberty, and property for all through due process and equal protection, while reaffirming birthright citizenship for nearly everyone born on U.S. soil. He also recovers the Amendment’s promise to protect core citizenship rights—including the freedoms to travel, engage in commerce, speak freely, bear arms, and live free from racial discrimination or civic exclusion. By recovering this originalmeaning, the book challenges later interpretations and offers fresh insights for today’s constitutional debates. Professor David R. Upham is an Associate Professor of Law at St. Thomas University College of Law. He earned his J.D. from the University of Texas School of Law and his Ph.D. in Politics from the University of Dallas, along with degrees from Middlebury College and Boston College.

Our latest Anchoring Truths Podcast episode centers on a 2026 case in the Second Circuit Court of Appeals, covering New York City. This case presented a fascinating opportunity to discuss the intersection of Natural Law, international law, and contract law. Petersen Energia Inversora v. YPF (2nd Cir. opinion here) concerns how Argentina raised more than a billion dollars from American investors on the New York Stock Exchange with ironclad anti-nationalization guarantees—only to seize YPF in 2012 and, according to the plaintiffs, stiff minority shareholders out of $16 billion. We are thrilled to discuss this case in light of those larger considerations with one of the lawyers for Petersen, our old friend and returning podcast guest Mike Fragoso. Mike is a partner at Torridon Law PLLC and counsel for Petersen Energia Inversora in one of the most important corporate-governance cases in a decade. Before entering private practice, Michael served as Chief Counsel to Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell, where he advised on judicial nominations, legislation, and high-stakes oversight. He previously held senior roles on the Senate Judiciary Committee, served as Deputy Assistant Attorney General in the Justice Department’s Office of Legal Policy, clerked for Judge Diane Sykes on the Seventh Circuit, and began his career as a litigator at Kirkland & Ellis. A Notre Dame Law graduate (where he was a student of JWI’s co-director Gerry Bradley) and Princeton alum (where he was a student of our friend Robert George), his writing has appeared in the Wall Street Journal, National Review, and elsewhere. We hope you enjoy the program. Read Fragoso's assessment of the Second Circuit ruling in City Journal.

As we continue our commemoration of America 250, we’re inspired to present a variety of different celebrations of our country. In that spirit, we are honored to welcome on theshow Dr. Matthew Mehan of Hillsdale College, Associate Dean and Associate Professor of Government at the Van Andel Graduate School in Washington, D.C. A literary scholar with a Ph.D. from the University of Dallas, Dr. Mehan has spent more than twenty-five years teaching and designing humanities curricula that shape the next generation of citizens. He’s also a beloved author of best-selling illustrated family books, including Mr. Mehan’s Mildly Amusing Mythical Mammals and The Handsome Little Cygnet. In his brand-new release, TheAmerican Book of Fables, Dr. Mehan reimagines the timeless wisdom of Aesop for the next generation of Americans. His new book is a stunning 395-page heirloom volume that honors America’s 250th anniversary with original and adaptedfables, poetry, witty sayings, and reflections drawn from our history, geography, wildlife—and even the Declaration of Independence itself. Crafted for readers of all ages—sections for Littles, Middles, and Bigs—the book brims with joyful rhymes, moral tales, and deep reflections on liberty, friendship, and the American spirit. And what makes it truly unforgettable? The breathtaking, luminous illustrations by acclaimed realist-impressionist artist John Folley—gorgeous watercolor, ink, and oil paintings that celebrate our nation’s natural wonders from the Everglades to the sequoias. Dr. Mehan joins us to share the stories behind the book, the timeless lessons inside, and why these fables matter now more than ever. Purchase The American Book of Fables Follow Dr. Mehan's work at Hillsdale in DC

We’ve devoted past Anchoring Truths Podcast episodes to the promise of AI in the legal profession and beyond. Today, we’ll be discussing more of the perils of that technology with Professor Glenn Harlan Reynolds. He's the Beauchamp BroganDistinguished Professor of Law at the University of Tennessee and the mind behind the legendary Instapundit blog. In his brand-new Encounter Books Broadside, Seductive AI, Professor Reynolds delivers a provocative warning.While the rest of us worry about rogue superintelligent machines rising up to take over, he argues the real danger is far more subtle—and far more tempting. AI doesn't need to conquer us with force. It can seduce us instead—flatteringour egos, anticipating our every desire, offering perfect companions, endless convenience, and the illusion of control—until we've quietly handed over our agency, our relationships, and our ability to think for ourselves. It's a timely, eye-opening look at the soft power of artificial intelligence and whatit means for human freedom. Prof. Reynolds is a graduate of the University of Tennesseeand Yale Law School, he’s one of America’s most influential legal thinkers on technology, constitutional law, and the intersection of law and society. He’s the author of several acclaimed books, including An Army of Davids and The HigherEducation Bubble. Buy the book Follow Prof. Reynolds on Substack https://instapundit.substack.com/

This week's Anchoring Truths Podcast is a roundtable discussion of the James Wilson Institute's travels around the country to law school campuses from February-April. JWI Founder & Co-Director Hadley Arkes and Programs Director Daniel Osborne join host Garrett Snedeker to describe what they saw from law students at four different campuses during JWI's law school seminars as well as on visits to conferences held at other schools. Listen to hear about the deepening interest in this Natural Law Moment from the ground up.

Our latest episode is a little bit of a something differentthan what we’re used to featuring on the Anchoring Truths Podcast. Our guest this week is an expert on etiquette, Alison Cheperdak. Whether from the hallowed halls of the West Wing to the bustling chaos of a newsroom, Cheperdak captures stories of her experiences rendered with vivid detail, emotional resonance, and the intimacy of a confidante sharing her most vulnerable truths in her new book Was itSomething I Said? Everyday Etiquette to Avoid Awkward Moments in Relationships, Work, and Life from Harper Collins. We discuss several of the lessons and tips she features in the book along with how her multiple careers provided training ground for good etiquette.   Alison is the founder of Elevate Etiquette, a distinguished consultancy that offers social, business, and dining etiquette courses, as well as international protocol. She has spoken at Harvard Law School and the US Congress, and her insights have been featured in Vogue.com among other publications. Alison also educates and inspires millions each month across social media with her daily etiquette posts.After graduating magna cum laude and Phi Beta Kappa from Villanova University, she worked as a TV news reporter and anchor for an NBC station in New York. She then moved toWashington, D.C., where she earned her law degree from The George Washington University Law School. Throughout her legal career, Alison worked in a large corporate law firm as well as in the legislative, judicial, and executive branches of the federal government, including the West Wing of the White House. She also served in a senior leadership position at the March for Life. Purchase Was it Something I Said? Follow Alison Cheperdak and Elevate Etiquette on Instagram. Read Alison Cheperdak's latest on Substack.

Our latest episode features a living legend and one of our oldest, closest friends at the James Wilson Institute: Prof. J. Budziszewski on the occasion of the release of his new book “Pandemic of Lunacy: How to Think Clearly When Everyone Around You Seems Crazy” from Creed and Culture. In ourconversation we will discuss his new book as well as his work at the intersection of Natural Law, constitutional law, and moral philosophy.Budziszewski is a professor of government, philosophy, and civic leadership at the University of Texas at Austin. Internationally recognized for his work on natural law,self-deception, happiness, and ultimate purpose, he is widely read on the unraveling and possible restoration of our common culture. He is the author of twenty books. He has taught for more than four decades during which he has advised such fine graduate students as our own Senior Fellow Justin Dyer and Affiliated Scholar Paul DeHart. A former atheist who once denied not only the reality of God but also the reality of good and evil, he is a convert to Catholic Christianity. Purchase: Pandemic of Lunacy: How to ThinkClearly When Everyone Around You Seems Crazy  J.'s website: www.UndergroundThomist.org Creed and Culture's website: www.CreedandCulture.com