The Supremes: A Guide to the Supreme Court

John G. Roberts Jr., Clarence Thomas, and Samuel A. Alito Jr.

·26 min·2 clips

Hosts Olivia and Julianne reveal they'll explore the lives of Justices Roberts, Thomas, and Alito in this episode.

This episode profiles Supreme Court Justices John Roberts, Clarence Thomas, and Samuel Alito, hosted by Olivia Szczepanski and Julianne Morris-Scott. The hosts provide biographical and professional backgrounds for each justice. They focus on their paths to the nation's highest court. The coverage of Chief Justice John Roberts details his birth in Buffalo and upbringing in Indiana. It notes his attendance at La Lumiere School, where he graduated first in his class and was involved in music, theater, and football. Roberts worked summers in a steel mill to pay for college at Harvard University. He initially majored in history with the goal of becoming a teacher, graduating summa cum laude in three years. Roberts then attended Harvard Law School, serving as managing editor of the Harvard Law Review and graduating magna cum laude in 1979. His early legal career included clerking for Judge Henry J. Friendly on the Second Circuit. He subsequently clerked for Associate Justice William H. Rehnquist at the Supreme Court. A notable detail is Roberts's work as a special assistant to the Attorney General from 1981 to 1982. His marriage to Jane Sullivan in the mid-1990s and their two children, Josephine and Jack, are also mentioned. The episode presents a straightforward account of his academic excellence and early professional milestones. The structure suggests similar biographical details will follow for Justices Thomas and Alito. The tone is educational and introductory, designed for listeners seeking foundational knowledge. The style is conversational between the two hosts as they relay factual information. This episode is ideal for listeners new to the Supreme Court or seeking basic biographical profiles of these justices. Those already deeply familiar with the justices' backgrounds may find the content too elementary.

Listen to the show on

Apple Podcasts Spotify

Play clips from this episode More from The Supremes: A Guide to the Supreme Court