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Episode 301: The Cost of Incarceration

Scholars Strategy Network's No Jargon

Release Date: 06/16/2026

Episode 309: Columbus, Indigenous Peoples, and the Stories Nations Tell show art Episode 309: Columbus, Indigenous Peoples, and the Stories Nations Tell

Scholars Strategy Network's No Jargon

Is it Columbus Day or Indigenous Peoples’ Day—and what does that choice say about whose history America celebrates? The Trump administration has Columbus Day, praising Christopher Columbus as an American hero while declining to issue a separate proclamation recognizing Indigenous Peoples’ Day. Professor explains why the debate goes beyond a name on the calendar, how it fits into ongoing efforts to change the way U.S. history is portrayed in museums and national parks, and what we can achieve from taking a more critical approach to learning our past. For more on this topic: Read...

info_outline Episode 308: The Money Behind Nonprofits show art Episode 308: The Money Behind Nonprofits

Scholars Strategy Network's No Jargon

Cuts to federal funding have made headlines for months. But what actually happens to nonprofits when that government money dries up? Professor explains how federal funding helped build the modern nonprofit sector, why this money has long felt invisible, and how public and private funding have become so intertwined. She explores the ways in which philanthropy can shape nonprofits’ priorities and influence which policy ideas get funded — and what that means for the people and communities nonprofits serve. For more on this topic: Read Dunning’s commentary in Vital City, Check out her...

info_outline Episode 307: The Cost of Caregiving show art Episode 307: The Cost of Caregiving

Scholars Strategy Network's No Jargon

Labor Day is supposed to be about honoring workers—but what about the essential work that happens at home, often without a paycheck? Professor explains why caregiving, paid family and medical leave, and the rising cost of child care are not just private family concerns, but issues that affect workers, employers, and the broader economy. She explores what paid leave policies look like across U.S. states, who gets left out of the current system, and what policymakers can do to better support people caring for children, aging parents, and other loved ones. For more on this topic: Check out...

info_outline Episode 306: When Schools Close show art Episode 306: When Schools Close

Scholars Strategy Network's No Jargon

As families head back to school, many students may find themselves in a new school this year because their original school has closed. In the U.S., more than 1,000 schools closed in 2025–26. Professor explains what’s driving closures, why they don’t always save money, and how they can reshape communities—especially rural and Black communities. She shares what communities can do when a school is threatened with closure, from fighting to keep it open to making sure the process is handled well when closure is unavoidable. For more on this topic: Check out , a resource toolkit created...

info_outline Episode 305: The Politics of Reproduction show art Episode 305: The Politics of Reproduction

Scholars Strategy Network's No Jargon

As the U.S. birth rate continues to decline, some politicians are calling for policies that encourage Americans to have more children, otherwise known as pronatalism—even as abortion access, contraception, and maternal health care face growing challenges. Professor explains what pronatalism is, why debates over population growth are often intertwined with race and immigration, and how these conversations intersect with reproductive justice and policy.   For more on this topic: Read an interview with Norwood in The Hilltop, Check out her article, , co-written with Thembi Carr and...

info_outline Episode 304: When Colleges Close show art Episode 304: When Colleges Close

Scholars Strategy Network's No Jargon

College closures are becoming an increasingly common part of higher education, largely driven by declining enrollment, shifting federal funding, and rising operating costs. As more campuses face financial strain, what happens when a college can't survive on its own? Professor shares the story of Wheelock College's merger with Boston University, widely viewed as one of the most successful mergers in higher education. She explains how leaders can protect a school's mission, support students and faculty through major change, and make difficult decisions before a crisis leaves them with no good...

info_outline Episode 303: Who Gets to Be an American? show art Episode 303: Who Gets to Be an American?

Scholars Strategy Network's No Jargon

Birthright citizenship has been part of the U.S. Constitution for more than 150 years, but why has it become the focus of such intense political debate in recent years? Professor breaks down the Supreme Court's decision in Trump v. Barbara, explains what birthright citizenship actually means, and traces the long history of who gets to be an American. Drawing from her new book, she separates fact from fiction on immigration, citizenship, and the Constitution, and explains why understanding that history matters today. For more on this topic: Check out Law’s new book, Read her blog post, ...

info_outline Episode 302: The Christian Women Behind MAGA show art Episode 302: The Christian Women Behind MAGA

Scholars Strategy Network's No Jargon

Conservative Christian women are often portrayed as followers in American politics, but sociologist says that stereotype misses the bigger picture. Drawing on the research from her new book, she explains how these women have become a powerful force on the American right, what motivates their political engagement, and how faith, motherhood, and social media shape their growing influence.  For more on this topic: Read Gaddini’s new book, Check out her commentary in TIME Magazine,  

info_outline Episode 301: The Cost of Incarceration show art Episode 301: The Cost of Incarceration

Scholars Strategy Network's No Jargon

For many Americans, contact with the criminal legal system comes with a hidden price tag. Without their knowledge, incarcerated people can often rack up large bills owed to the government to pay for the cost of their own incarceration. Sociologist explains how these “pay-to-stay” laws work, how civil lawsuits are used to collect that money after release, and why the push to reform these criminal legal fines and fees has drawn bipartisan support.   For more on this topic: Read the article mentioned in the episode, , co-authored by Friedman and published in the journal Social...

info_outline Episode 300: Can America’s Political Parties be Fixed? show art Episode 300: Can America’s Political Parties be Fixed?

Scholars Strategy Network's No Jargon

No Jargon celebrates its 300th episode with a conversation about where American democracy and politics stand today, featuring the Scholar Strategy Network’s new board chair, . Americans are increasingly frustrated with both the Democratic and Republican parties thanks to endless fundraising messages, political gridlock, and the sense that politicians don’t represent the people. Schmitt makes the case that political parties are still a vital part of a healthy democracy and talks through the kinds of structural changes that could help rebuild trust and bring more people into the political...

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For many Americans, contact with the criminal legal system comes with a hidden price tag. Without their knowledge, incarcerated people can often rack up large bills owed to the government to pay for the cost of their own incarceration. Sociologist Brittany Friedman explains how these “pay-to-stay” laws work, how civil lawsuits are used to collect that money after release, and why the push to reform these criminal legal fines and fees has drawn bipartisan support.

 

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