Episodes 357
Avg. Duration 31m
Activity Highly Active
Apple Rating 4.2 (2,550)
Since Jul 2017
Latest Episode Apr 2026

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Schedule
Weekly
Format
Episodic
Consistency
82%
Hosting
feeds.megaphone.fm

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About This Podcast

How do landmark Supreme Court decisions affect our lives? What does the 2nd Amendment really say? Why does the Senate have so much power? Civics 101 is the podcast about how our democracy works…or is supposed to work, anyway.

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Recent Episodes

How did federal income taxes get this way?

Apr 14, 2026 39m

We haven't always had a federal income tax, and in the beginning, it only applied to the very richest Americans. So how did we end up with the permanent income tax we have today, with all its…

What is the 25th Amendment?

Apr 09, 2026 29m

Sometimes, news happens in the real world, and suddenly a political or civics topic becomes very top of mind for members of the public.  And when that happens, we at Civics 101 often say, hey…we have…

The Raw Milk Question

Apr 07, 2026 36m

Today we bring you a story from our sister podcast Outside/In, produced and reported by Marina Henke. In 2009, the state of Maine ordered farmer Dan Brown to stop selling his raw milk. It kicked off…

Can American elections be "nationalized"? What does that mean?

Mar 31, 2026 34m

In this country, the states run elections. Congress is empowered to step in; the president is not. So what does it mean for the president to call on a political party to "take over." Is that allowed?…

Why are we paying more for gas right now?

Mar 24, 2026 22m

Four years ago we made an episode about how the president has very limited powers when it comes to lowering the price of gas. Turns out, we hadn't considered every possibility. Today, we talk about…

Someone oughta open up a window

Mar 17, 2026 30m

Today we take a field trip to Independence Hall in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania where Nick explains why he's like this via an obsession with 1776, the movie based on the musical based on the true…

The Civic Role of Religious Leaders

Mar 11, 2026 30m

Why do religious leaders step out from behind the pulpit and take to the streets? What does it mean to practice what you preach? As faith groups across the nation stand alongside protestors and…

Are you really mad? What can you do about that?

Mar 03, 2026 48m

As hosts of a civics podcast, we are not allowed to advocate for policy. But you can. Here are three things you can do to get your elected officials to listen when you're mad about something. By way…

What does "detention" mean?

Feb 24, 2026 35m

We've used the word "detention" many times when we've talked about immigration laws and ICE. But what does that word actually mean? A listener wanted to know, so we got the answer. Learn more about…

Why did the FBI keep tabs on high school students?

Feb 17, 2026 38m

About a week ago, host Hannah McCarthy stumbled on an article by an historian named Dr. Aaron Fountain Jr. What she read kind of blew her mind, so she decided to give him a call. Learn more about…

When did immigrants become "illegal?"

Feb 10, 2026 31m

The rules about who could and could not come and live in the United States have changed many times over the last 250 years, but exactly when restrictions were first put on immigration might surprise…

What is ICE's job?

Feb 03, 2026 38m

We examine what the current presidential administration tells us about Immigration and Customs Enforcement and what the numbers, courts and history of the agency have to say. For more information…

Safe to Drink

Jan 30, 2026 33m

Introducing “Safe to Drink:” A New Hampshire town finds out its water has been contaminated by a chemical. The most basic question — whether the water is safe to drink — doesn’t have a clear answer.…

What happens when it's not NASA bringing civilians to space?

Jan 27, 2026 32m

In 1985, high school teacher Christa McAuliffe was selected to become the first private citizen to travel to space. After the Challenger explosion that killed her and 6 other astronauts, NASA…

What is the Monroe Doctrine?

Jan 20, 2026 27m

After its inception in 1823, the Monroe Doctrine was largely ignored. But after a while, different administrations saw the value in maintaining control over the western hemisphere. And notably, it…

How does asylum work? And what has changed?

Jan 13, 2026 42m

On this episode, we’re talking about the history and evolution of United States’ refugee and asylum policy. We have been a country of exclusion for about as long as we’ve projected the image of a…

What's happening with Venezuela?

Jan 06, 2026 21m

Sometimes, we just have to make a "101" episode of Civics 101. That is the case this week, in the wake of the arrest of Venezuela's sitting president by the United States. So, what's happening with…

Restoring Civility in our Politics (on The Middle)

Dec 30, 2025 56m

This week Nick appears on The Middle, with Jeremy Hobson. The topic is civility in politics, and they're joined by former New Hampshire State Legislator Doug Teschner and Citizens Count Executive…

Probable Claus: Is Santa a Criminal?

Dec 23, 2025 26m

Today we answer this question from a listener, "Is Santa a criminal?"We get to the bottom of the myriad actions of the jolly old elf, and whether he could reasonably be tried for civil and criminal…

What is the filibuster?

Dec 16, 2025 31m

Why does it take, in practice, 60 votes for a bill to pass in the Senate? Why doesn't it seem like anyone is up there talking for days anymore? And why do we even have it in the first place?Today is…

Frequently Asked Questions

How many episodes does Civics 101 have?

Civics 101 has published 357 episodes since July 2017, covering topics in Government, History.

Is Civics 101 still active?

Civics 101 is currently highly active with new episodes weekly. Average episode length is 31m.

How do I contact Civics 101 for sponsorship or guest appearances?

Sign up on Grep.FM to access contact details for Civics 101, including email and social media links.

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