America's 250th Birthday: Hope, Democracy & What Comes Next

America's 250th Birthday: Hope, Democracy & What Comes Next

America turns 250 this week, but what does that milestone mean at a moment of deep political division? In this special Independence Day episode of Keepers of Our Republic, host Brooke Bergen shares a collection of reflections from retired federal judges, legal scholars, civic educators, and leaders from across the legal profession, recorded during a symposium at the University of Washington School of Law. Rather than discussing a single legal issue, this episode pauses to reflect on the American experiment itself. Guests offer birthday wishes for the nation, celebrate the enduring ideals of liberty and the rule of law, acknowledge the country's unfinished work, and share their hopes (and fears) for the next 250 years. From the importance of judicial independence and civic education to the dangers of political polarization, these conversations explore what it means to preserve a constitutional democracy across generations. Featuring reflections from: Meg Satterthwaite, U.N. Special Rapporteur on the Independence of Judges and Lawyers Greg Nunziata, Executive Director, Society for the Rule of Law Mary Smith, Past President, American Bar Association Stephen Rosenbaum, UC Berkeley School of Law John Day, President, American College of Trial Lawyers Judge Mark Wolf (Ret.), U.S. District Court for the District of Massachusetts Corey Paulson, TVW Civic Education Louise Dubé, CEO, iCivics Judge Thomas B. Griffith (Ret.), U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit Whether you're celebrating Independence Day, thinking about the future of American democracy, or simply looking for thoughtful conversation beyond today's headlines, we hope these reflections leave you with renewed appreciation for the responsibilities of citizenship—and the work still ahead. Welcome back to Keepers of our Republic, a new weekly podcast from Keep Our Republic that takes listeners inside the institutions at the heart of American democracy.  Every week, Keepers of Our Republic features thoughtful conversations with election administrators and retired federal judges. We explore how elections are really run, discuss why an independent judiciary is essential to a strong republic, and separate fact from fiction in a fast-changing world.  Learn more about Keep Our Republic, a nonpartisan nonprofit, at our website, https://keepourrepublic.org [https://keepourrepublic.org] Follow Us on Social Media: X https://x.com/keep_republic [https://x.com/keep_republic] Facebook https://www.facebook.com/KeepOurRepublicAction/ [https://www.facebook.com/KeepOurRepublicAction/] LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/company/keepourrepublic/ [https://www.linkedin.com/company/keepourrepublic/] Instagram https://www.instagram.com/keepourrepublic/ [https://www.instagram.com/keepourrepublic/]

The Election Director Who Loves Proving Conspiracy Theories Wrong

This week on Keepers of Our Republic, host Tate Fall sits down with Brook Schreiner, Elections Director for Chatham County, Georgia, to discuss what it takes to administer elections in one of the state's largest and most diverse counties. After spending more than a decade in election administration, everywhere from large metro counties to rural communities, Brook shares why she continues to do this work, how election offices adapt to changing laws and growing populations, and what voters rarely see behind the scenes.  The conversation explores everything from polling place planning and election audits to voter outreach, professional training, and the importance of meeting voters where they are. Whether you're curious about how local elections actually work or wondering what election officials do between Election Days, this episode offers an inside look at the people dedicated to making every election secure, accurate, and accessible. Guest: Brook Schreiner, Elections Director, Chatham County, Georgia Welcome back to Keepers of our Republic, a new weekly podcast from Keep Our Republic that takes listeners inside the institutions at the heart of American democracy.  Every week, Keepers of Our Republic features thoughtful conversations with election administrators and retired federal judges. We explore how elections are really run, discuss why an independent judiciary is essential to a strong republic, and separate fact from fiction in a fast-changing world.  Learn more about Keep Our Republic, a nonpartisan nonprofit, at our website, https://keepourrepublic.org [https://keepourrepublic.org] Follow Us on Social Media: X https://x.com/keep_republic [https://x.com/keep_republic] Facebook https://www.facebook.com/KeepOurRepublicAction/ [https://www.facebook.com/KeepOurRepublicAction/] LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/company/keepourrepublic/ [https://www.linkedin.com/company/keepourrepublic/] Instagram https://www.instagram.com/keepourrepublic/ [https://www.instagram.com/keepourrepublic/]

"Judges Can't Defend Themselves." Why the Legal Profession Must Step Up

In this episode, we sit down with Judge Robert Henry, former judge on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit, former Oklahoma Attorney General, and Jurist in Residence for Rule of Law at the University of Washington School of Law. Recorded at the University of Washington School of Law's *Neither Sword nor Purse* conference, Judge Henry reflects on why judicial independence has been essential since the nation's founding, and why he believes it faces unprecedented challenges today. He discusses declining public trust in the courts, the ethical responsibilities of lawyers and judges, growing attacks on members of the judiciary, and why former judges, attorneys, nonprofits, and everyday citizens all have a role to play in defending the rule of law. Drawing on decades of experience in public service and the judiciary, Judge Henry offers a thoughtful perspective on what is at stake if Americans lose confidence in an independent third branch of government, and why protecting the rule of law requires all of us. --- Welcome back to "Keepers of Our Republic", a weekly podcast from Keep Our Republic that takes listeners inside the institutions at the heart of American democracy. Every week, we feature thoughtful conversations with election administrators, retired federal judges, legal scholars, and civic leaders.  Together, we explore how elections really work, why an independent judiciary is essential to a strong republic, and how an informed public helps safeguard the rule of law. Learn more about Keep Our Republic, a nonpartisan nonprofit, at https://keepourrepublic.org [https://keepourrepublic.org]. Welcome back to Keepers of our Republic, a new weekly podcast from Keep Our Republic that takes listeners inside the institutions at the heart of American democracy.  Every week, Keepers of Our Republic features thoughtful conversations with election administrators and retired federal judges. We explore how elections are really run, discuss why an independent judiciary is essential to a strong republic, and separate fact from fiction in a fast-changing world.  Learn more about Keep Our Republic, a nonpartisan nonprofit, at our website, https://keepourrepublic.org [https://keepourrepublic.org] Follow Us on Social Media: X https://x.com/keep_republic [https://x.com/keep_republic] Facebook https://www.facebook.com/KeepOurRepublicAction/ [https://www.facebook.com/KeepOurRepublicAction/] LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/company/keepourrepublic/ [https://www.linkedin.com/company/keepourrepublic/] Instagram https://www.instagram.com/keepourrepublic/ [https://www.instagram.com/keepourrepublic/]

Georgia's Election Rules Keep Changing, Are Rural Counties Paying the Price?

In this episode, host Tate Fall sits down with Tonnie Adams, Elections Supervisor for Heard County, Georgia, and one of the state's most experienced election administrators. Tonnie shares how he went from a Georgia Tech engineering graduate helping implement Georgia's first statewide electronic voting system to becoming the election official responsible for serving nearly 9,000 voters in rural Georgia. Together, they discuss what voters often don't see behind the scenes of election administration, from logic and accuracy testing to post-election audits and the challenges of implementing new election rules with limited resources. The conversation also explores Georgia's recent primary election, record voter turnout, the growing role of state election policy, and why local election officials are often asked to do more with less. Throughout it all, Tonnie offers a candid look at what motivates election officials to keep showing up—and why he believes they are the "doorkeepers of democracy." -- Welcome back to Keepers of our Republic, a new weekly podcast from Keep Our Republic that takes listeners inside the institutions at the heart of American democracy. Every week, Keepers of Our Republic features thoughtful conversations with election administrators and retired federal judges. We explore how elections are really run, discuss why an independent judiciary is essential to a strong republic, and separate fact from fiction in a fast-changing world. Learn more about Keep Our Republic, a nonpartisan nonprofit, at our website, https://keepourrepublic.org [https://keepourrepublic.org] Welcome back to Keepers of our Republic, a new weekly podcast from Keep Our Republic that takes listeners inside the institutions at the heart of American democracy.  Every week, Keepers of Our Republic features thoughtful conversations with election administrators and retired federal judges. We explore how elections are really run, discuss why an independent judiciary is essential to a strong republic, and separate fact from fiction in a fast-changing world.  Learn more about Keep Our Republic, a nonpartisan nonprofit, at our website, https://keepourrepublic.org [https://keepourrepublic.org] Follow Us on Social Media: X https://x.com/keep_republic [https://x.com/keep_republic] Facebook https://www.facebook.com/KeepOurRepublicAction/ [https://www.facebook.com/KeepOurRepublicAction/] LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/company/keepourrepublic/ [https://www.linkedin.com/company/keepourrepublic/] Instagram https://www.instagram.com/keepourrepublic/ [https://www.instagram.com/keepourrepublic/]

This Georgia Election Office Calls Itself the Chick-fil-A of Voting

In this episode of Keepers of Our Republic, former Georgia election official Tate Fall sits down with Rebecca Anglin, Director of Elections in Greene County, Georgia, to talk about what it really takes to run elections at the local level, and why her office proudly calls itself the “Chick-fil-A of voting.” Rebecca shares her journey from teenage poll worker to county election director and reflects on more than two decades working in nearly every role in Georgia elections. The conversation explores voter education, transparency, poll worker recruitment, election audits, and why local election officials remain deeply committed to serving every voter, even during some of the most difficult years for election administration. They also discuss the importance of civic participation, why local elections matter, and what voters can do to become more informed and engaged before heading to the polls. --  Welcome back to Keepers of our Republic, a new weekly podcast from Keep Our Republic that takes listeners inside the institutions at the heart of American democracy. Every week, Keepers of Our Republic features thoughtful conversations with election administrators and retired federal judges. We explore how elections are really run, discuss why an independent judiciary is essential to a strong republic, and separate fact from fiction in a fast-changing world. Learn more about Keep Our Republic, a nonpartisan nonprofit, at our website, https://keepourrepublic.org  Welcome back to Keepers of our Republic, a new weekly podcast from Keep Our Republic that takes listeners inside the institutions at the heart of American democracy.  Every week, Keepers of Our Republic features thoughtful conversations with election administrators and retired federal judges. We explore how elections are really run, discuss why an independent judiciary is essential to a strong republic, and separate fact from fiction in a fast-changing world.  Learn more about Keep Our Republic, a nonpartisan nonprofit, at our website, https://keepourrepublic.org [https://keepourrepublic.org] Follow Us on Social Media: X https://x.com/keep_republic [https://x.com/keep_republic] Facebook https://www.facebook.com/KeepOurRepublicAction/ [https://www.facebook.com/KeepOurRepublicAction/] LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/company/keepourrepublic/ [https://www.linkedin.com/company/keepourrepublic/] Instagram https://www.instagram.com/keepourrepublic/ [https://www.instagram.com/keepourrepublic/]