Is the Supreme Court as political as we think? | Sarah Isgur

Is the Supreme Court as political as we think? | Sarah Isgur

From Defending Ideas by Sutherland Institute

May 5, 2026 · 43 min · Season 1 · Episode 145

About this episode

The episode discusses the role of the U.S. Supreme Court and its independence from political narratives with guest Sarah Isgur.

The U.S. Supreme Court is often portrayed as just another political battleground. But that is a fundamental misunderstanding of its role. On this episode of Defending Ideas, Nic Dunn speaks with Sarah Isgur about her new book, Last Branch Standing: A Potentially Surprising, Occasionally Witty Journey Inside Today's Supreme Court . They cover how the Court actually works and why it doesn’t fit neatly into today’s partisan narratives. They discuss the limits of outcome-based thinking, the importance of institutional independence, and what citizens can do to better understand and engage with one of the most important components of America's federal government. Defending Ideas is a weekly podcast produced by Sutherland Institute. On this show, we are committed to renewing the principles of common sense conservatism, making you a better champion of sound ideas. Visit defendingideas.org.

People in this episode

Host: Nic Dunn

Guest: Sarah Isgur

Topics covered

  • Supreme Court
  • politics
  • institutional independence
  • partisan narratives
  • citizen engagement

Keywords

  • Supreme Court
  • Sarah Isgur
  • politics
  • institutional independence
  • citizen engagement

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: Sutherland Institute

Books & works: Last Branch Standing: A Potentially Surprising, Occasionally Witty Journey Inside Today's Supreme Court

Places: U.S.

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