Melissa Murray is an NYU Law professor, New York Times bestselling author, and cohost of @strictscrutinypodcast, where she breaks down the biggest legal battles and political messes in our country. She’s also the author of The U.S. Constitution: A Comprehensive and Annotated Guide for the Modern Reader, set to release on May 5.
Today, she sits down with Sali to share how she established herself as a prominent voice in law, to remind us of the power of “we the people,” and to explain why she refuses to discuss the law from a place of neutrality. Listen or watch the full episode at the link in bio.
0:00 - Introduction
2:45 - Biggest "Oh No" Moment
4:35 - Child of Jamaican Immigrants
11:18 - “Maybe I could be a lawyer.”
13:45 - Navigating Grief Before College
15:25 - A Full Scholarship to UVA
18:03 - Deferring Yale Law
21:08 - Clerking for Justice Sonia Sotomayor
23:45 - A Mentorship Misconception
27:09 - Working in Education
43:18- Being a Professor in 2026
39:30- Coaching Middle School Debate Club
41:30 - "Strict Scrutiny" & Ditching Neutrality
44:20 - Why Write a Book On The U.S. Constitution?
53:55 - Dress Code for Lawyers
58:51 - “You have to know what your season is.”
1:00:49 - Would You Rather?
Clarifications:
At 47:35, the Constitution was ratified in state legislatures, not in Philadelphia.
At 49:00, Dred Scott was decided in 1857 not 1858.
On Sali: Argent Double-Breasted Crewneck Blazer and Single Pleat Trouser
On Melissa: Argent Double-Breasted Blazer and Wide Leg Trouser
Hosted by Sali Christeson @salichristeson
Produced by Gina Marinelli @ginaalilbit
Edited by Ryan Woldoff @c__biz
Theme Song by Karina DePiano @sheplaysdepiano & Melanie Nyema @melanienyema
Recorded at Podstream Studio @podstreamstudio
