Episode 1: Welcome to court

Episode 1: Welcome to court

Author: Joy Powers, Sam Woods February 26, 2025 Duration: 29:30
Election season is back with the ideological balance of the Wisconsin Supreme Court likely at stake. But what does the court do, and why do we elect justices?

In Swing State of the Union, hosts Joy Powers and Sam Woods delve into the pivotal and often overlooked arena of state politics, focusing intently on Wisconsin. This podcast moves beyond the national headlines to examine the forces shaping one of the country's most critical battlegrounds. The conversation centers on the structures of power close to home, particularly the judicial system. Recent bonus episodes serve as a deep investigation into two pressing questions: the mechanisms for holding judges accountable and the varying interpretations of Wisconsin’s constitution by its justices. Listeners will hear nuanced analysis, interviews with key stakeholders, and discussions that connect legal theory to tangible impacts on residents' lives. It’s a timely exploration for anyone seeking to understand how state courts influence democracy, rights, and daily life, offering clarity on complex political and legal landscapes through thoughtful, grounded reporting.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 21

Swing State of the Union
Podcast Episodes
Episode 2: Small Farms, Big Bills [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 32:25
Food prices are top of mind for many voters. In this episode, we explore the financial realities facing farmers and the policies shaping Wisconsin — America’s Dairyland.
Episode 1: Data Center Debate [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 30:35
Opposition to data centers cuts across party lines, a rarity in Wisconsin politics. But who has the power to say whether a project is approved, or under what conditions?
Bonus episode: Interpreting the interpreters [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 35:47
On April 7, Wisconsin will elect a new Supreme Court justice. But how do judges think about law, and what are the way of interpreting a constitution?
Bonus Episode: Who judges the judges? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 32:43
Wisconsin Supreme Court justices are elected to 10-year terms. But how do we hold judicial officials accountable once they’re in office?
Episode 5: Crawford v. Schimel [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 34:30
Wisconsin’s 2025 election is here. We learn about the candidates, who’s funding them and what’s at stake.
Episode 4: Ethics v. Money [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 34:00
This year’s race for Wisconsin Supreme Court has already become the most expensive in U.S. history. We explore how we got here.
Episode 3: Act 10 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 29:20
Act 10 divided Wisconsinites along ideological lines, including Supreme Court justices. We explore the impact of the law and the many court battles over its legitimacy.
Episode 2: Partisan Judgment [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 31:45
For a nonpartisan race, this Wisconsin Supreme Court election feels very partisan. But it wasn’t always this way.
Episode 10: Live in the Swing State [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 29:21
For the final episode of this season of "Swing State of the Union," we’re live! We discuss the RNC, Wisconsin’s political trends and life in the swing state of the union.