Building Democracy: The Story of State Legislatures: Recent Episodes
NCSL
NCSL presents a special six-part series, “Building Democracy: The Story of Legislatures.” This mini-series covers the history, characters and stories of state legislatures in America, from the beginnings in Jamestown, to the present day and into the future.
Each episode in the series contains interviews with experts from inside and outside the legislative world to provide a comprehensive view of historical events and their legacy in today’s legislatures.
Many states have their own tales of political maneuvering and determined women. Check out our bonus interview to hear more details and what happened in states we weren’t able to cover. Full interview with Lori Ann Lahlum, professor at Minnesota State University, Mankato and Molly P. Rozum, Ron Nelson distinguished professor, University of South Dakota.
Listen to the full speech I Claim the Rights of Man given in 1868 by Henry MacNeal Turner. Read by Georgia State Representative Billy Mitchell.
Listen to the full interview with Richard L. Pearce, legal counsel with the South Carolina House Clerk
Listen to the full interview with Mary Elliott, curator of American Slavery at the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture.
Guests
- Scott Bedke, speaker, Idaho House of Representatives
- Nicole Cannizzaro, majority leader, Nevada State Senate
- Jason Frierson, speaker, Nevada House of Representatives
- Margaret O’Brien, secretary, Michigan Senate
- Tim Storey, executive director, NCSL
Guests
- Representative Senfronia Thompson, Texas | Bio
- Former Senator Fred Risser, Wisconsin | Bio
- E. Dotson Wilson, former chief clerk, California State Assembly | Bio
- Speaker Bryan Cutler, Pennsylvania | Bio
- Bill Pound, former executive director, NCSL | Bio
Additional Resources
- Building Democracy: Episode 5 | Resources and Reading List
- Women in Legislatures
- Legislator Demographics
Guests
- Senator Affie Ellis, Wyoming│ Bio
- Representative Meg Froelich, Colorado │ Bio
- Rebekah Clark, historical research associate, Better Days 2020│ Bio
Guests
- Bob Davidson, former director, Mississippi Senate Legislative Services Office
- Mark Hirsch, historian, Smithsonian National Museum of the American Indian │Bio │Blog
- Burdett Loomis, professor emeritus, University of Kansas │Bio
- Kercheik Sims-Alvarado, assistant professor of Africana Studies, Morehouse College │Bio │Book
Special Guest Voice
- Representative Billy Mitchell, Georgia │Bio
Additional Resources
- Building Democracy: Episode 3 | Transcript
- Building Democracy: Episode 3 | Show Notes
- Building Democracy: Episode 3 | Resources and Reading List
Hosts
- Megan McClure
- John Mahoney
- Nicholas Birdsong
General Thanks
- To the NCSL Legislative Staff Coordinating Committee for the idea which led to the creation of Building Democracy and who’s support keeps it going.
- To Podfly Productions for production and editing
- To the House of Pod for recording and studio space
Hosts
- Megan McClure
- John Mahoney
- Nicholas Birdsong
Guests
- G. Paul Nardo, former clerk of the house and keeper of the roles of the Commonwealth of Virginia
- Jim Horn, president, Jamestown Rediscovery Foundation
- Mary Elliott, curator of American Slavery, Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture
General Thanks
- To the NCSL Legislative Staff Coordinating Committee for the idea which led to the creation of Building Democracy and who’s support keeps it going.
- To Podfly Productions for production and editing
- To the House of Pod for recording and studio space
Additional Resources* Building Democracy: Episode 1 | Transcript * Building Democracy: Episode 1 | Show Notes * Building Democracy: Episode 1 | Resources and Reading List