Slow Burn Podcast Explores Neil Gorsuch's Rise as a Supreme Court Wild Card

Slate Magazine has released the first episode of Season 11 of its acclaimed podcast series, Slow Burn, titled Becoming Justice Gorsuch. This installment investigates the background and ideological formation of Supreme Court Justice Neil Gorsuch, positioning him as a pivotal figure in understanding the current court's significant influence on American daily life. Host Susan Matthews traces Gorsuch's early years, examining the impact of his mother Anne Gorsuch Burford's controversial tenure as EPA administrator under President Reagan. The episode analyzes how his worldview was shaped by experiences in both liberal academic environments and conservative legal circles during the 1980s. It also highlights specific legal cases that likely attracted the attention of key political figures, facilitating his eventual nomination. By exploring these formative periods, the podcast aims to explain why Gorsuch has emerged as an unpredictable yet crucial vote on a bench that is actively reshaping national policies. The episode features detailed reporting and historical context, drawing from various books and articles to provide a comprehensive look at the justice's path to the Supreme Court.