# speak free (audio feeds) — RSS Amplifier Recent posts from the 1 feeds in the RSS Amplifier directory that cover speak free. Page: Feed: --- ## [Ep. 279: Legendary lawyer Michael Tigar on juries, free speech, and the trial of John Peter Zenger](https://sotospeak.libsyn.com/ep-279-legendary-lawyer-michael-tigar-on-juries-free-speech-and-the-trial-of-john-peter-zenger) _2026-08-07 · So to Speak: The Free Speech Podcast_ Long before the First Amendment, John Peter Zenger stood trial for publishing criticisms of New York's then colonial governor. Although the law seemed to guarantee a guilty verdict, a jury refused to convict him. Zenger's trial was an early indication that the American colonists harbored a view of liberty more expansive than that offered to them by the British Crown. Few people are better suited… [Listen](https://traffic.libsyn.com/secure/sotospeak/tigar.mp3?dest-id=601059) ## [Ep. 278: The Trump admin wants to change how scientific research is funded w/ Catharine Young, Evan Morris, and Ryne Weiss](https://sotospeak.libsyn.com/ep-278-the-trump-admin-wants-to-change-how-scientific-research-is-funded-w-catharine-young-evan-morris-and-ryne-weiss) _2026-07-29 · So to Speak: The Free Speech Podcast_ In May 2026, the Office of Management and Budget proposed sweeping changes to how the federal government administers billions of dollars in federal research grants. That funding fuels scientific discovery, medical breakthroughs, and technological innovation. The proposal was open for public comment for 45 days and drew more than half a million responses. Supporters of the proposal argue that it… [Listen](https://traffic.libsyn.com/secure/sotospeak/STS_278_OMB_RESEARCH_GRANTS.mp3?dest-id=601059) ## [Ep. 277: Ada Palmer on the history of censorship from the Renaissance to AI](https://sotospeak.libsyn.com/ep-277-ada-palmer-on-the-history-of-censorship-from-the-renaissance-to-ai) _2026-07-15 · So to Speak: The Free Speech Podcast_ Censorship is often associated with authoritarian governments. But throughout history, efforts to control ideas have taken many different forms — and they haven't always come from the state. In this episode, Nico sits down with University of Chicago professor Ada Palmer to explore the history of censorship from the Renaissance to the present day. They discuss what motivates censorship, why it… [Listen](https://traffic.libsyn.com/secure/sotospeak/STS_277_PALMER_FC.mp3?dest-id=601059) ## [Ep. 276: Book banning's trial of the century w/ Anthony Aycock](https://sotospeak.libsyn.com/ep-276-book-bannings-trial-of-the-century-w-anthony-aycock) _2026-07-01 · So to Speak: The Free Speech Podcast_ Over the past five years, book bans and book challenges have become a major flashpoint in American politics. School boards, parents, librarians, and lawmakers are fighting over what students should—and shouldn't—have access to on library shelves. Supporters of library restrictions say they are protecting children. Opponents say they are censoring ideas. But this debate isn't new. In the 1970s,… [Listen](https://traffic.libsyn.com/secure/sotospeak/STS_276_AYCOCK.mp3?dest-id=601059) ## [Ep. 275: Stress-testing the limits of the First Amendment w/ Chaz Stevens](https://sotospeak.libsyn.com/ep-275-stress-testing-the-limits-of-the-first-amendment-w-chaz-stevens) _2026-06-17 · So to Speak: The Free Speech Podcast_ Debates over religious freedom have shaped American life for centuries. From Quakers facing persecution in colonial America to The Crucible to South Park , fights over religious expression have repeatedly tested the country's commitment to free speech and religious liberty. At the heart of these debates are a few difficult questions: Does the Constitution protect only popular beliefs, or all of… [Listen](https://traffic.libsyn.com/secure/sotospeak/STS_275_STEVENS_FC.mp3?dest-id=601059) ## [Ep. 274: Financial censorship: how banks silence speech w/ Rainey Reitman](https://sotospeak.libsyn.com/ep-274-financial-censorship-how-banks-silence-speech-w-rainey-reitman) _2026-06-10 · So to Speak: The Free Speech Podcast_ What is financial censorship? Rainey Reitman joins the show to discuss what happens when people are denied access to financial services because of their lawful speech and conduct. Reitman is the author of Transaction Denied: Big Finance's Power to Punish Speech , which examines the role financial companies like Visa, Chase, and PayPal play in policing speech and silencing speakers. Timestamps:… [Listen](https://traffic.libsyn.com/secure/sotospeak/sts_reitman_fc.mp3?dest-id=601059) ## [Ep. 273: Debating Super PACs and campaign finance w/ Larry Lessig and Paul Sherman](https://sotospeak.libsyn.com/ep-273-debating-super-pacs-and-campaign-finance-w-larry-lessig-and-paul-sherman) _2026-05-27 · So to Speak: The Free Speech Podcast_ In 2010, two landmark decisions transformed American campaign finance law. The first was Citizens United v. Federal Election Commission . The second was SpeechNow.org v. FEC . Together, these cases cleared the way for corporations and so-called Super PACs to raise and spend unlimited sums of money in elections. What followed was a new era in American politics where individuals, corporations, and… [Listen](https://traffic.libsyn.com/secure/sotospeak/STS_273_SHRMAN_LESSIG.mp3?dest-id=601059) ## [Ep. 272: FIRE Monthly Member Webinar - May 2026](https://sotospeak.libsyn.com/ep-272-fire-monthly-member-webinar-may-2026) _2026-05-15 · So to Speak: The Free Speech Podcast_ Shouting down speakers, UCLA free speech, heckling, AI, doxxing, cancel culture, and more! Timestamps: 00:00 Intro 02:40 Get your tickets to Soapbox now! 06:30 Congratulations to Will on 20 years at FIRE 07:31 How is FIRE responding to shouting down speakers ? 11:33 Will FIRE include viewpoint diversity in our College Free Speech Rankings ? 13:48 What is FIRE's response to UCLA Law students… [Listen](https://traffic.libsyn.com/secure/sotospeak/STS_272.mp3?dest-id=601059) ## [Ep. 271: Minecraft, censorship, and threats to press freedom with Clayton Weimers](https://sotospeak.libsyn.com/ep-271-minecraft-censorship-and-threats-to-press-freedom-with-clayton-weimers) _2026-04-30 · So to Speak: The Free Speech Podcast_ Editorial note: This conversation was recorded on Friday, April 24, the day before the White House Correspondents' Dinner. Both Nico and Clayton attended the event, where a gunman breached security and opened fire before being apprehended. No one was seriously injured, but the incident serves as a reminder of the threats reporters can face in the course of their work. Since we recorded the… [Listen](https://traffic.libsyn.com/secure/sotospeak/sts_271_weimers.mp3?dest-id=601059) ## [From any door to your door (Sponsored)](https://crawlproof.com/a/A9zXFxuzM4mO) _2026-04-30 · **Sponsored**_ Book rides, errands, deliveries, groceries and home help in one app ## [FIRE Reacts: Comey, Kimmel, ABC & the FCC](https://sotospeak.libsyn.com/fire-reacts-comey-kimmel-abc-the-fcc) _2026-04-29 · So to Speak: The Free Speech Podcast_ We break down the legal case against James Comey over an alleged "true threat" and how far the government can go in prosecuting speech. Plus, we examine renewed FCC pressure on ABC and Jimmy Kimmel. Timestamps: 00:00 Intro 00:57 Does the DOJ have a viable case against James Comey? 04:51 "True threats" and Comey's case 06:36 Threats against U.S. presidents and Watts v. United States 09:55 Was it a… [Listen](https://traffic.libsyn.com/secure/sotospeak/April_Webinar_.mp3?dest-id=601059)