Unlocked: How Government Works cover art

Unlocked: How Government Works

Unlocked: How Government Works

By: Nancy Gibbs
Listen for free

About this listen

From Nancy Gibbs and the Shorenstein Center on Media, Politics and Public Policy, Unlocked is a new series to help journalists and those taking on the task of explaining the news today better understand how the U.S. Government actually works, what it does, and the people, policies, and programs that drive it. In collaboration with The Journalist's Resource, "Unlocked" is also a series of print explainers on related topics. Visit ShorensteinCenter.org/Unlocked to learn more. Intro music by https://pixabay.com/users/nikitakondrashev-42823964/2025 Political Science Politics & Government
Episodes
  • Unlocked: Who controls the National Guard?
    Nov 5 2025

    Former Massachusetts Governor Deval Patrick joins host Nancy Gibbs for a deep dive on the National Guard—covering everything from how and when they can be deployed to who holds command and who foots the bill. Drawing from his own experiences calling up the Guard during the Boston Marathon Bombing, Governor Patrick explains the chain of authority and the complex decision-making and coordination involved between state and federal authorities.

    Show More Show Less
    18 mins
  • Unlocked: What is the role of the Federal Communications Commission (FCC)?
    Oct 15 2025

    Former FCC Chair Tom Wheeler sits down with Nancy Gibbs to discuss how the Federal Communications Commission has historically regulated what Americans see and hear. Wheeler explains how longstanding norms are being tested by the current administration and why it's more important than ever for journalists and the public to understand both the legal limits of the agency's powers and the civil liberties those limits were designed to protect.

    Show More Show Less
    22 mins
  • Unlocked: How do class action lawsuits work?
    Oct 8 2025

    What is a class action lawsuit, and what role might this type of litigation play in the shaping of US law and policy? On this episode of Unlocked, Harvard Law Professor William Rubenstein joins host Nancy Gibbs to discuss how these cases work, the types of issues they address, and what questions reporters should be asking when covering class action lawsuits.

    Show More Show Less
    18 mins
No reviews yet
In the spirit of reconciliation, Audible acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of country throughout Australia and their connections to land, sea and community. We pay our respect to their elders past and present and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples today.