Webcast and Podcast Library | Sandra Day O'Connor Institute

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Through the Institute and its Civics for Life initiative, we offer an ever-expanding library of online conversations and debates with policymakers, authors, and thought leaders showcasing the wide variety of ideas, questions, and concerns significant to citizens. The opinions expressed do not necessarily reflect those of the Institute.

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A bronze statue of Nathan Hale stands outside a historic building under a cloudy sky, with the text "NATHAN HALE: The Spy Who Risked Everything" overlaid at the bottom.

Nathan Hale | The Spy Who Risked Everything

Nathan Hale left behind the classroom to serve the cause of American independence, becoming one of the Revolution’s most remembered patriots. Discover the story behind the famous words: “I only regret that I have but one life to lose…”

A painted portrait of Thomas Paine with light brown hair, wearing a dark coat and white shirt. Text below reads: "THOMAS PAINE: The Writer Who Turned Protest into Independence.

Thomas Paine | The Writer Who Turned Protest into Independence

In 1776, Thomas Paine’s Common Sense transformed frustration into a call for independence, inspiring ordinary colonists to support revolution. Discover the pamphlet that helped change the course of American history.

A bronze statue of Phillis Wheatley sits thoughtfully by a stone monument engraved with her name in a leafy park, with another statue—reminiscent of Patrick Henry—and brownstone buildings in the background. Text reads: “PHILLIS WHEATLEY The Poet Who Forced America to Face Freedom.”.

Phillis Wheatley | The Poet Who Forced America to Face Freedom

Taken from Africa and enslaved in Boston, Phillis Wheatley became America’s first published African American woman poet, using her words to challenge injustice and inspire a generation. Discover her remarkable story.

A painted portrait of Patrick Henry in colonial attire, with text below reading "PATRICK HENRY The Voice That Demanded Liberty.

Patrick Henry | The Voice That Demanded Liberty

With the words “Give me liberty, or give me death!”, Patrick Henry delivered one of the most powerful speeches in American history, urging the colonies toward revolution. Discover the speech that helped inspire a nation.

A black-and-white portrait drawing of Crispus Attucks, a man with short hair and a solemn expression, with the text “CRISPUS ATTUCKS: The Man at the Center of the Boston Massacre” at the bottom.

Crispus Attucks | The Man at the Center of the Boston Massacre

Crispus Attucks became the first to die for American liberty during the Boston Massacre, turning tragedy into a rallying cry for revolution. Discover the story of courage, sacrifice, and the fight for freedom.

Portrait of Samuel Adams in colonial attire with text at the bottom that reads, "SAMUEL ADAMS The Organizer Behind the Uprising—patriot leader and a driving force in America's fight for liberty.

Samuel Adams | The Organizer Behind the Uprising

Before independence was declared, Samuel Adams was rallying colonists through speeches, protests, and bold ideas that helped ignite a revolution. Discover how one voice helped spark America’s fight for liberty.

A smiling man in a suit stands in front of a chalkboard with economic graphs and formulas. Text above reads, “A Conversation with Economist Dr. Arthur B. Laffer.”.

A Conversation on the Economy With Dr. Art Laffer

Economist Dr. Art Laffer-creator of the Laffer Curve and former advisor to Presidents Ronald Reagan, Bill Clinton, and several others-joined the Institute for a wide-ranging conversation about the state of the American economy and where it may be headed. From inflation and government spending to monetary policy and long-term growth, Dr. Laffer offered a signature…

A digital map of the world with financial data overlays. Text reads: "The Economy: Tariffs, Inflation, and American Competitiveness.

The Economy: Tariffs, Inflation, and American Competitiveness

From trade wars to rising prices, America’s economic landscape is being reshaped by powerful forces. How do tariffs affect U.S. industry and global standing? With inflation cooling but uncertainty lingering, where are things headed next-and what does it mean for policy and growth? Economist John Cochrane joins the Institute to explore the pressures and policies…

The image shows the book cover of "A Republic If We Can Teach It" by Jeffrey Sikkenga & David Davenport next to a smiling man in a suit and red tie, standing against a blurred background.

Civic Education and the Future of American Democracy, with Jeffrey Sikkenga

At a time when civic knowledge is in decline, political scientist Jeffrey Sikkenga makes the case that the health of our democracy depends on how—and whether—we teach American principles.

A black and white portrait of a woman sitting with her hand under her chin, alongside the book cover of "Holding It Together: How Women Became America's Safety Net" by Jessica Calarco. The book's title is in bold red and black text.

Women, Caregiving, and America’s Social Safety Net, with Jessica Calarco

At a time when many Americans struggle with economic insecurity, sociologist Jessica Calarco offers an exploration of how women have become America’s default social safety net. Calarco joined the O’Connor Institute to discuss her latest book, Holding It Together: How Women Became America’s Safety Net. Drawing on extensive research and interviews, she argues that American society…

A person in a suit stands smiling in front of a bookshelf filled with books. Next to them is an image of a book titled "American Covenant: How the Constitution Unified Our Nation — And Could Again" by Yuval Levin.

The Constitution and American Unity, with Yuval Levin

At a time when Americans seem more divided than ever, author Yuval Levin offers a compelling argument for how we can rebuild a shared national identity.

A smiling person in a suit and tie stands in a library. A book titled "Statesmanship: Selections from Xenophon to Churchill" by Larry P. Arnn is visible, featuring an image of an 18th-century military officer. Bookshelves are in the background.

Rediscovering Political Leadership, with John A. Burtka IV

The story is the same across much of the globe: citizens aren’t currently wild about their leaders. As John A. Burtka IV writes in the introduction to Gateway to Statesmanship, the “examples of elite failures are so ubiquitous that there is no reason to chronicle them all here.” Better, Burtka argues, to turn to history to “rediscover…

An older man in a suit and tie smiles at the camera. To his right is a book cover titled "The Art of Diplomacy" by Stuart E. Eizenstat, featuring an eagle and a globe illustration. The background is blurred.

The Art of Diplomacy, with Ambassador Stuart E. Eizenstat

Ambassador Stuart E. Eizenstat has served in six U.S. administrations, Democrat and Republican, holding senior positions such as Chief White House Domestic Policy Advisor, U.S. Ambassador to the European Union, and Deputy Secretary of the Treasury. He recommended to President Jimmy Carter a Presidential Commission on the Holocaust, headed by Elie Wiesel, which led directly to…

November 2024 General Election: How Are Secretaries of State Preparing Nationwide?

50 states are each in charge of their elections. Join the O’Connor Institute and National Association of Secretaries of State (NASS) to learn how our nation’s elections officers are preparing for the November 5th election. How are the elected officials in charge of American elections preparing for November? Click to Listen Click to Watch Play…

Talking Revolution, with Nathan Perl-Rosenthal

“The Age of Revolutions is a tremendous achievement that will shape scholarly and public debate for decades to come.“– Wall Street Journal There is broad scholarly agreement that our current political world owes much to what Thomas Paine was the first to call the “age of revolutions”—that is, the several late eighteenth- and early nineteenth-century decades during…