Melissa Murray on Why We All Need a Refresher on The Constitution
· 1 h 03 min · S1 E44
Episode Melissa Murray on Why We All Need a Refresher on The Constitution
Melissa Murray is an NYU Law professor, New York Times bestselling author, and cohost of @strictscrutinypodcast, where she breaks down the biggest legal battles and political messes in our country. She’s also the author of The U.S. Constitution: A Comprehensive and Annotated Guide for the Modern Reader, set to release on May 5.
Today, she sits down with Sali to share how she established herself as a prominent voice in law, to remind us of the power of “we the people,” and to explain why she refuses to discuss the law from a place of neutrality. Listen or watch the full episode at the link in bio.
0:00 - Introduction
2:45 - Biggest "Oh No" Moment
4:35 - Child of Jamaican Immigrants
11:18 - “Maybe I could be a lawyer.”
13:45 - Navigating Grief Before College
15:25 - A Full Scholarship to UVA
18:03 - Deferring Yale Law
21:08 - Clerking for Justice Sonia Sotomayor
23:45 - A Mentorship Misconception
27:09 - Working in Education
43:18- Being a Professor in 2026
39:30- Coaching Middle School Debate Club
41:30 - "Strict Scrutiny" & Ditching Neutrality
44:20 - Why Write a Book On The U.S. Constitution?
53:55 - Dress Code for Lawyers
58:51 - “You have to know what your season is.”
1:00:49 - Would You Rather?
Clarifications:
At 47:35, the Constitution was ratified in state legislatures, not in Philadelphia.
At 49:00, Dred Scott was decided in 1857 not 1858.
On Sali: Argent Double-Breasted Crewneck Blazer and Single Pleat Trouser
On Melissa: Argent Double-Breasted Blazer and Wide Leg Trouser
Hosted by Sali Christeson @salichristeson
Produced by Gina Marinelli @ginaalilbit
Edited by Ryan Woldoff @c__biz
Theme Song by Karina DePiano @sheplaysdepiano & Melanie Nyema @melanienyema
Recorded at Podstream Studio @podstreamstudio
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Links in the notes 13
- https://www.instagram.com/strictscrutinypodcast/
- https://www.amazon.com/U-S-Constitution-Comprehensive-Annotated-Modern-ebook/dp/B0FCFVQWYC
- https://argentwork.com/collections/blazers/products/double-breasted-crewneck-blazer-in-satin-twill-navy
- https://argentwork.com/products/single-pleat-trouser-in-satin-twill-navy
- https://argentwork.com/products/double-breasted-blazer-in-seasonless-wool-orange?_pos=1&_sid=45f2caea6&_ss=r
- https://argentwork.com/collections/pants/products/wide-leg-trouser-in-seasonless-wool-black?_pos=6&_fid=006c53dd9&_ss=c
- https://www.instagram.com/salichristeson/
- https://www.instagram.com/ginaalilbit/
- https://www.instagram.com/c__biz/
- https://www.instagram.com/sheplaysdepiano
- https://www.instagram.com/melanienyema
- https://www.instagram.com/podstreamstudio
- https://acast.com/privacy
Shows are listed from Apple Podcasts' charts and directory, and Podcast Index where it is used. Every show and episode belongs to its publisher and plays from the publisher's own feed; this site hosts none of them. Explicit shows are for adult profiles only, and children’s profiles hear only children’s shows. More about this list.