In this special episode of Consider The Constitution, Dr. Katie Crawford-Lackey is joined by Dr. Kelley Fanto Deetz, Montpelier's Chief Advancement Officer, to explore how James Madison's Montpelier reveals history's most essential truth: no story stands alone. Deetz reveals why Madison's constitutional genius, Dolley's political mastery, and the enslaved community's foundational role must be understood as interconnected tiles in one complex picture. From diplomatic dinners served by enslaved hands to architectural choices that masked uncomfortable truths, every detail illuminates the contradictions of liberty being born on a landscape built by bondage.

Host Dr. Katie Crawford-Lackey welcomes back Dr. Lauren Bell to explore how the Constitutional Convention's historic compromises shaped Congress into America's most powerful branch of government. From Madison's Virginia Plan to the Great Compromise that created our bicameral legislature, Bell reveals how enumerated and implied powers actually work in practice. Discover why congressional representation has become increasingly unequal over time, how air conditioning changed Congress forever, and why members strategically deflect responsibility to other branches as "single-minded seekers of reelection." Bell offers eye-opening insights into modern challenges and practical solutions for restoring public trust through better constituency connections, genuine oversight, and civic engagement.

For the first time in over 20 years, James Madison's Montpelier is opening its transformational constitutional seminars to the general public. Join host Dr. Katie Crawford-Lackey and Center Director Patrick Campbell as they extend a personal invitation to an extraordinary three-day immersive experience.

Imagine sleeping on the same grounds where Madison wrestled with the ideas that became our Constitution, spending intimate classroom time with renowned Madison scholar Dr. Lynn Ell, and watching sunsets from the same portico where the Father of the Constitution once stood. This isn't just a typical educational program—it's a chance to engage with the philosophical foundations of American democracy in the most authentic setting possible.

With only 30 spots available and registration already halfway full, this September 18-20 seminar promises to be unlike anything offered before. Whether you're a longtime podcast listener curious about experiencing these ideas in person, or someone seeking deeper understanding of how Madison's vision speaks to today's challenges, this conversation reveals what makes this opportunity so special.

Listen in for all the details about this rare chance to join a "nerd camp" that just might change how you think about our democratic experiment.

Register: https://www.montpelier.org/events/public-seminar-james-madison/