# Melissa Murray on Why We All Need a Refresher on The Constitution

An episode of [Work Friends](https://invisiblenetwork.ai/podcast/1754999837), 20 Apr 2026, 1 h 03 min.

Audio: https://sphinx.acast.com/p/open/s/6ab2d5d5b8c4cddd75742a28/e/a04feee0-3632-449e-82a2-35e0b502e6f1/media.mp3

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.

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