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SCOTUStalk

by SCOTUSblog

SCOTUStalk is a nonpartisan podcast about the Supreme Court for lawyers and non-lawyers alike, brought to you by SCOTUSblog. SCOTUStalk is hosted by Amy Howe and produced and edited by Ellena Erskine. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Publisher-supplied feed metadata · PodParley refreshed Apr 3, 2026 · Source feed

Episodes

  1. The shadow docket with Steve Vladeck

    Since 2017, the Supreme Court has significantly increased its use of the process by which the justices hear and resolves emergency appeals, sometimes known as the shadow docket. These decisions are made without oral argument and often come in short unsigned orders. Stephen Vladeck, the Charles…

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  2. Section 230 and the internet

    In the first week of the February session, the justices heard oral arguments in two cases about the scoop of liability tech companies may face for user content. Amy is joined by Megan Iorio of the Electronic Privacy Information Center to break down those arguments in Gonzalez v. Google and…

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  3. SCOTUS Spotlight: Daniel Geyser

    In another edition of our series of interviews with Supreme Court advocates, Amy sits down with Daniel Geyser, head of the Supreme Court practice at Haynes Boone. Geyser has argued 15 cases before the court, including two this term. He shares his thoughts on how to take advantage of the new...

  4. What’s going on with Munsingwear?

    In an essay published in The New York Times this fall, two law professors, Lisa Tucker and Stefanie Lindquist, argued that the Supreme Court is increasingly setting aside significant decisions from the lower courts as if they never happened. The court is invalidating these decisions in brief...

  5. Three decades covering the Supreme Court

    After more than three decades covering the Supreme Court, Marcia Coyle has announced her retirement from the National Law Journal. Amy sits down with Coyle to discuss her career, her book, and how covering the court has changed over the years. Send us a question about the court at...

  6. Looking back at the term so far

    The end of the calendar year means we’re about a third of the way through the SCOTUS year. Amy sits down with SCOTUSblog editor James Romoser to discuss the first three months of the 2022 term. Send us a question about the court at [email protected] or leave us a voicemail at (202)...

  7. The 800-pound gorilla

    UCLA election law professor Richard Hasen joins Amy to explain Moore v. Harper, the case in which North Carolina legislators ask the justices to consider a theory that would give state legislatures near complete power to regulate federal elections without interference from state courts. Hasen...

  8. Can a web designer refuse to design websites for same-sex weddings?

    On Dec. 5 the justices will hear oral argument in 303 Creative v. Elenis, a clash between free speech rights and LGBTQ rights. Bloomberg News Supreme Court reporter Greg Stohr joins Amy to explain the case and what to expect at oral argument. Send us a question about the court at...

  9. The Supreme Court overturns Roe v. Wade

    On Friday, June 24, the court ruled in Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization that the Constitution does not confer a right to abortion. Amy talks with abortion law scholar Mary Ziegler, professor of law at University of California, Davis, about the decision and what it means for those...

  10. SCOTUS Spotlight: Michael Dreeben on helping the justices have a conversation

    Michael Dreeben, who has argued 107 cases at the Supreme Court, joins us for another episode in our SCOTUS Spotlight series. Dreeben looks back on notable moments from his career as an advocate, including his very first argument -- in which he faced off against another first-timer by the name of...

  11. Affirmative action comes to the Supreme Court

    On Oct. 31, the Supreme Court will hear oral arguments in two cases challenging the race-conscious admissions programs of Harvard College and the University of North Carolina. Amy talks to lawyers on both sides of the dispute. David Hinojosa is the director of the Educational Opportunities…

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  12. The first week

    The Supreme Court is back. After a packed first week of the 2022-23 term, Amy sits down with SCOTUSblog’s James Romoser and Katie Barlow to discuss the oral arguments, new dynamics on the bench, and a significant grant from the long conference. Send us a question about the court at...

  13. The October term 2022 preview

    Another Supreme Court term will begin on Monday, October 3, with major cases on affirmative action, voting rights, and free speech. To talk through the cases already scheduled this year, Amy is joined by experienced Supreme Court attorneys Morgan Ratner, special counsel at Sullivan & Cromwell…

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  14. What it’s like to be a new justice

    Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson will take the bench next month as the court’s newest member. Amy is joined by Marin Levy, a professor at Duke Law School, to talk about what it’s like to join the court. Levy runs a popular Twitter account where she chronicles the history of the federal judiciary.…

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  15. SCOTUS Spotlight: Kannon Shanmugam on dealing with hostile questions

    In our latest SCOTUS Spotlight episode, Amy sits down with Kannon Shanmugam, a partner at Paul Weiss and a former assistant to the solicitor general. He has argued 35 cases before the court. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

  16. SCOTUS Spotlight: An interview with Roman Martinez

    With the Supreme Court on summer recess, we are bringing back SCOTUS Spotlight, our series of interviews with lawyers who argue regularly before the court. Amy sits down with Roman Martinez, a partner at Latham & Watkins who has argued 11 cases at the court, both on behalf of the government and…

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  17. Courtartist Art Lien on his work and retirement

    Art Lien, best known for his watercolor sketches of the Supreme Court (and for his colorful banners on SCOTUSblog), retired with the close of the 2021-22 term. Amy sits down with Art to discuss his life and retirement, and to get a glimpse of what it was like to capture history where cameras…

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  18. Climate change at the Supreme Court

    In the last opinion of the term, the Supreme Court ruled 6-3 in favor of a group of Republican-led states and coal companies to limit the Environmental Protection Agency’s ability to regulate carbon emissions system-wide. Amy sits down with investigative journalist and host of Drilled, Amy...

  19. An important week for immigration law

    During the week of June 13, the Supreme Court decided two immigration cases (involving bond hearings for noncitizens in immigration detention) and declined to decide a third (involving the Trump-era “public charge” policy for green card applicants). Shalini Bhargava Ray, who teaches immigration…

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  20. The woman who argued Planned Parenthood v. Casey

    In Planned Parenthood v. Casey’s dramatic joint opinion, the Supreme Court upheld the right to access an abortion 30 years ago this month. Amy talks with Kathryn Kolbert, who argued the case for Planned Parenthood. Kolbert explains what the 1992 argument was like from the inside and how she views...

  21. Entering the homestretch

    Over the next six weeks the Supreme Court is poised to issue 35 opinions, on topics ranging from gun rights to religion and the EPA’s power to regulate greenhouse gases. Amy is joined by Steven Mazie of The Economist and SCOTUSblog’s James Romoser for a refresher on what’s at stake in those…

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  22. The Dobbs draft

    Amy sits down with SCOTUSblog’s media editor, Katie Barlow, to discuss the leaked draft in Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization and the repercussions such an opinion would have on reproductive rights. Plus Amy explains the court’s request for additional briefing in Biden v. Texas, answers...

  23. Prayer at the 50-yard line

    On Monday, April 25, the court hears oral argument in Kennedy v. Bremerton School District, a case concerning a public school coach’s right to pray on the football field. In a two-part episode, Amy talks with Rachel Laser and Kelly Shackelford, representatives from the legal teams on each side....

  24. The “reasonable observer” of prayer in school

    Amy talks to Professor Nicole Stelle Garnett and supervising attorney John Meiser of the Religious Liberty Clinic at Notre Dame Law School about the amicus brief the clinic filed in Kennedy v. Bremerton School District. The brief calls on the court to address and throw out the “endorsement test."...

  25. The Jackson hearings: A week in review

    Amy sits down with SCOTUSblog’s James Romoser and Katie Barlow to discuss all four days of Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson’s Senate Judiciary Committee hearings. Later in the episode: Justice Clarence Thomas in the hospital, Ginni Thomas’ texts, and major orders and opinions from the court. If you…

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  26. The Jackson hearings: Key moments from Day 3

    At times moved to tears, Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson weathered another full day of questioning from the Senate Judiciary Committee on Wednesday. Here’s our recap of the major moments from day three of the hearings. If you have a question about the hearings that you’d like us to answer on...

  27. The Jackson hearings: Key moments from Day 2

    For 12 hours on Tuesday, Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson answered questions from the Senate Judiciary Committee. Here's a 15-minute recap of some of the most significant questions and answers. Plus, Amy answers two listener questions. If you have a question about the hearings that you’d like us to...

  28. The Jackson hearings: Key moments from Day 1

    On Monday, hearings began in the Senate Judiciary Committee for the nomination of Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson to the Supreme Court. Here’s a recap of some of the most revealing remarks from senators on both sides of the aisle and from Jackson herself. If you have a question about the hearings…

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  29. The historic nomination of Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson

    Dean Danielle Holley-Walker of Howard University Law School and SCOTUSblog’s Katie Barlow join Amy Howe to discuss the nomination of the first Black woman to the Supreme Court, what to expect out of the Senate in the coming weeks, and last week’s opinions. Discussed in this episode: Cameron v.…

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  30. Midterm Review

    Amy Howe is joined by David Savage, longtime Supreme Court reporter for the Los Angeles Times, to discuss the term so far and how it compares to previous blockbuster years. SCOTUStalk is launching a new Q&A feature. Send us your questions about the justices, how the Supreme Court works, or a case...

  31. Alabama’s redistricting on the shadow docket

    Amy Howe is joined by Professor Ciara Torres-Spelliscy, of Stetson Law, to discuss the court’s decision earlier this week to reinstate Alabama’s voting map, which a lower court ruled dilutes Black votes. SCOTUStalk is launching a new Q&A feature. Send us your questions about the justices, how the...

  32. Chris Geidner and Kimberly Robinson on Stephen Breyer's legacy

    Two veteran legal journalists -- Chris Geidner of Grid and Kimberly Robinson of Bloomberg Law -- join fellow veteran legal journalist Amy Howe to discuss Justice Stephen Breyer's most important opinions and who might replace him on the bench. SCOTUStalk is launching a new Q&A feature. Send us…

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  33. The retirement of Stephen Breyer

    Tom Goldstein joins Amy Howe to discuss Breyer’s retirement, the most likely candidates to succeed him, and the upcoming White House vetting process. SCOTUStalk is launching a new Q&A feature. Send us your questions about the justices, how the Supreme Court works, or a case that’s pending before...

  34. Squabbles over masks and shadow-docket tasks

    Amy Howe and Katie Barlow review a busy Supreme Court week, including a new cert grant in a religious-freedom case, the latest action on the shadow docket, and “maskgate.” SCOTUStalk is launching a new Q&A feature. Send us your questions about the justices, how the Supreme Court works, or a case...

  35. Breaking down the vaccine arguments

    Sean Marotta, a partner at Hogan Lovells and an expert on the legal challenges to Biden vaccine policies, joins us to dissect Friday’s remarkable oral arguments. If you have questions about the court, the justices, or an upcoming case, please email us at [email protected]. We may answer...

  36. Term limits, transparency, and other proposed Supreme Court fixes

    Gabe Roth, the executive director of Fix the Court, discusses the Biden court commission's final report and why he believes term limits are the superior court reform. If you have questions about the court, the justices, or an upcoming case, please email us at [email protected]. We may...

  37. The Texas abortion decision and the Mississippi abortion argument

    Mary Ziegler, a professor at Florida State University and the foremost expert on abortion law, analyzes the ruling in Whole Woman's Health v. Jackson and the argument in Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health Organization. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

  38. Roe, Dobbs, and the current state of abortion access

    In advance of Wednesday's oral argument in the momentous abortion case, Shefali Luthra, a gender and health care reporter for The 19th, joins SCOTUStalk to describe what abortion access in Mississippi looks like on the ground and how the court's ruling might play out. Hosted on Acast. See...

  39. Two weeks of action-packed arguments

    Over the first two weeks of November, the court heard cases on abortion in Texas, gun rights in New York, religious rights of death-row inmates, and more. Katie Barlow joins Amy Howe to break it all down. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

  40. Abortion, guns, and the rocket docket

    In advance of a momentous November argument session, SCOTUSblog Editor James Romoser joins Amy Howe to dissect the two challenges to Texas’ six-week abortion ban and the challenge to New York’s restriction on carrying guns in public. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

  41. A top 10 list for the justices’ return to the courtroom

    At the conclusion of the October argument sitting, longtime SCOTUSblog contributor Mark Walsh joins Amy Howe to select 10 big themes from the court’s first in-person arguments since the start of the pandemic. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

  42. First Monday in October

    As the court begins its 2021-22 term and the justices return to the courtroom for the first in-person arguments in a year and a half, Katie Barlow rejoins Amy Howe to talk October arguments, new cert grants, and the justices’ gripes about the media. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more...

  43. A short guide to the long conference

    Amy Howe is joined by SCOTUSblog’s media editor, Katie Barlow, to preview the court’s upcoming “long conference,” where the justices will sort through hundreds of cert petitions that have been filed over the summer. The pair also dig into the justices’ recent spate of speeches criticizing the...

  44. The Texas abortion law and other shadow-docket controversies

    Over a two-week period, the Supreme Court issued three momentous rulings on its shadow docket: one on abortion, another on evictions, and a third on asylum policy. SCOTUSblog’s publisher and co-founder, Tom Goldstein, joins the podcast to break down all three. Hosted on Acast. See…

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  45. Joan Biskupic on interviewing Breyer and other SCOTUS scoops

    CNN legal analyst Joan Biskupic is known for getting exclusive stories – the most recent of which was her interview last month with Justice Stephen Breyer. She joins SCOTUStalk to discuss Breyer’s retirement calculations, what she’s watching in the upcoming term, and how she approaches Supreme...

  46. SCOTUS spotlight: Jeffrey Fisher on arguing during the pandemic

    Jeffrey Fisher, the co-director of Stanford Law’s Supreme Court Litigation Clinic, has more than 40 Supreme Court arguments under his belt. He joins SCOTUStalk to discuss his non-traditional path to becoming a top oral advocate, and he breaks down key moments from two of his arguments during the...

  47. How do you solve a problem like the shadow docket?

    SCOTUSblog has shone a light on the shadow docket, but as its breadth and import evolves, so must those who cover it. Professor Steve Vladeck, who has written on the topic extensively and recently testified before the House Judiciary Committee, joins SCOTUStalk to discuss the shadow docket’s...

  48. Tom Goldstein reviews a transitional Supreme Court term

    SCOTUSblog founders Amy Howe and Tom Goldstein look back on the 2020-21 term. The pair examine how Justice Amy Coney Barrett is settling in and review some of the term’s most noteworthy decisions, particularly on the First Amendment. Plus, a few predictions for next term, including on Justice...

  49. From 9th grade study hall to the Supreme Court

    Anna Salvatore started High School SCOTUS as a way to explain the Supreme Court’s work to high schoolers. After early success, the site has blossomed into a nationwide publication pulling in high school journalists from across the country – students like freshman Elise Spenner. Salvatore and...

  50. Stacey Abrams on While Justice Sleeps

    Voting-rights activist and Georgia politician Stacey Abrams joins SCOTUStalk to discuss her new novel, While Justice Sleeps, a thriller about the Supreme Court. We talk with Abrams about her writing process, being told “no” multiple times for what is now a New York Times bestseller, and what it’s...

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ABOUT THIS SHOW

SCOTUStalk is a nonpartisan podcast about the Supreme Court for lawyers and non-lawyers alike, brought to you by SCOTUSblog. SCOTUStalk is hosted by Amy Howe and produced and edited by Ellena Erskine.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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Frequently Asked Questions

How many episodes does SCOTUStalk have?

SCOTUStalk currently has 97 episodes available on PodParley. New episodes are automatically indexed when they're published to the podcast feed.

What is SCOTUStalk about?

SCOTUStalk is a nonpartisan podcast about the Supreme Court for lawyers and non-lawyers alike, brought to you by SCOTUSblog. SCOTUStalk is hosted by Amy Howe and produced and edited by Ellena Erskine. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

How often does SCOTUStalk release new episodes?

SCOTUStalk has 97 episodes. Check the episode list to see recent publication dates and frequency.

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You can listen to SCOTUStalk on PodParley by clicking any episode. We provide an embedded audio player for direct listening, and you can also subscribe via your preferred podcast app using the RSS feed.

Who hosts SCOTUStalk?

SCOTUStalk is created and hosted by SCOTUSblog.
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