10 Commandments, a Ballroom, and Meta Get Their Day in Court

10 Commandments, a Ballroom, and Meta Get Their Day in Court

Author: The Civitas Institute at the University of Texas at Austin August 19, 2026 Duration: 1:13:39
Charles C. W. Cooke, John Yoo, and Richard Epstein debate whether Meta can really be held responsible for the harms of social media, whether Texas can put the Ten Commandments in public-school classrooms, and whether the enormous defamation judgments against Donald Trump can survive Supreme Court scrutiny. They conduct a intense debate over Trump’s White House ballroom, including questions of standing, congressional authority, private funding, and just how far a president can go in remaking the executive mansion. Across all four disputes, the conversation keeps returning to the same fault lines: runaway damages, judicial power, constitutional limits, and whether courts are applying the law—or inventing it.

Tune in for a series of conversations that are as intellectually rigorous as they are genuinely entertaining. On Law Talk With Epstein, Yoo & Cooke, preeminent legal scholars Richard Epstein and John Yoo break down complex legislation and pivotal constitutional questions with a clarity and wit rarely found in discussions of the law. Guided by host Charles C. W. Cooke, their dialogues cut through the noise of daily headlines to examine the deeper historical and philosophical principles shaping current events. This isn't a dry lecture; it's a lively, often humorous exploration of how legal theory directly impacts the world of politics and government. Each episode feels like pulling up a chair to a fascinating discussion between brilliant minds, making nuanced topics accessible and compelling. Produced by The Civitas Institute at the University of Texas at Austin, the podcast offers listeners a unique blend of expert analysis, historical context, and spontaneous debate. You'll come away from each conversation not only better informed about the news of the day but with a richer understanding of the legal structures that underpin our society.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 50

Law Talk With Epstein, Yoo & Cooke
Podcast Episodes
The Fertile Octogenarian [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:08:59
We’re breaking out birthday candles as one of the professors celebrates a milestone birthday. Once the festivities (which somehow devolve into a conversation about medical innovation) conclude, Professors Epstein and Yoo…
Big Men on Campus [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 59:54
We may be nearing spring break, but Professors Richard Epstein and John Yoo are still focused on the campus. First, there’s the matter of President Biden’s student loan plan: will a Supreme Court challenge to the policy…
(Ex)Presidents’ Day [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 59:52
The faculty lounge reopens for a special Presidents’ Day session in which Professors Richard Epstein and John Yoo kick things off by revealing their picks for the most under- and overrated presidents. Then we’re on to cu…
Little Green Corvette [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 57:45
The faculty lounge has reopened for 2023 and Professors Richard Epstein and John Yoo are ringing in the new year in style. On the docket: What’s the potential fallout from President Biden’s mishandling of classified info…
Live At The Federalist Society [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 51:53
The faculty lounge … is on the move. In this special installment of the Law Talk podcast, Professors Richard Epstein and John Yoo hold court before a live audience at the Federalist Society’s annual meeting in Washington…
The Girl With the Curl [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:04:34
The fall semester is under way in the faculty lounge as Professors Richard Epstein and John Yoo take us through the latest legal controversies. On the syllabus: The many twists and turns of the FBI’s investigation into D…
“The End of Roe v. Wade” [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:00:25
In a special episode of Law Talk, professors Richard Epstein and John Yoo do a deep dive into Dobbs v. Jackson, the Supreme Court case overturning Roe v. Wade — and take listener questions while they’re at it. They analy…
The Leak Heard ‘Round the World [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 30:33
Professors Richard Epstein and John Yoo come together for an emergency session in the faculty lounge, wherein they break down the consequences of the leaked Supreme Court abortion decision, the strengths and weaknesses o…
The Life of the Snail Darter [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:13:57
The faculty lounge has been closed for repairs, and after a long absence the men of Law Talk are back with a super-sized episode. On the agenda: the rise of KBJ and the legacy of Justice Breyer; the fallout from the end…