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Artwork for So to Speak: The Free Speech Podcast

So to Speak: The Free Speech Podcast

FIRE
First Amendment
Free Speech
Private Censorship
Social Media
Censorship
Cancel Culture
Section 230
Israeli-Palestinian Conflict
Backpage
Netchoice Cases
Murthy V. Missouri
Social Media Censorship
NRA V. Vullo
Supreme Court Cases
IHRA Definition Of Anti-Semitism
Anti-Semitism Awareness Act
Misinformation
Jeff Kosseff
Anarchism
CJ Hopkins

So to Speak: The Free Speech Podcast takes an uncensored look at the world of free expression through the law, philosophy, and stories that define your right to free speech. Hosted by FIRE's Nico Perrino. New episodes post every other Thursday.

PublishesTwice monthlyEpisodes266Founded10 years ago
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Artwork for So to Speak: The Free Speech Podcast

Latest Episodes

Recent protests in Iran have drawn renewed attention to dissent under the country's authoritarian government. The demonstrations have been met with mass arrests, internet restrictions, and even accusations of murder.

While large-scale demonstratio... more

Thomas Paine arrived in America in 1774 with little to his name and a long record of personal failure behind him. Within a year, he wrote Common Sense, one of the most influential political pamphlets in history, helping to ignite the American Revolut... more

On January 7, 2017, The Associated Press announced that "Free-thinking author and columnist Nat Hentoff is dead at 91."

For well over 60 years, Hentoff was a one of America's foremost public intellectuals and a familiar byline to free speech advoca... more

Changes at the Pentagon, Charlie Kirk and cancel culture, free speech and misinformation, globalized censorship, Indiana University, how to support FIRE, and more!

Timestamps:

00:00 Introductions

02:11 What is the Press Clause, and who does it ... more

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Recent Guests

Richard Bell
Professor of history at the University of Maryland and author of The American Revolution and the Fate of the World.
University of Maryland
Episode: Ep. 261: Thomas Paine's rise and fall
David Lewis
Filmmaker and director of The Pleasures of Being Out of Step
Episode: Ep. 260: Remembering 'free-thinking' writer Nat Hentoff
Nick Hentoff
Son of Nat Hentoff, providing personal insights into his father's life
Episode: Ep. 260: Remembering 'free-thinking' writer Nat Hentoff
Brad Smith
Chairman of the Institute for Free Speech and former member of the Federal Election Commission
Institute for Free Speech
Episode: Ep. 258: Donor disclosure and campaign finance at SCOTUS
Brett Nolan
Senior Attorney at the Institute for Free Speech
Institute for Free Speech
Episode: Ep. 258: Donor disclosure and campaign finance at SCOTUS
Nadine Strossen
Former President of the ACLU and Senior Fellow at FIRE
FIRE
Episode: Ep. 256: Ten arguments against free speech
Charlie Slack
Award-winning author of Liberty's First Crisis
Episode: Ep. 252: America's first free speech crisis — the Sedition Act of 1798
Samantha Barbas
University of Iowa law professor and author of an article on hate speech laws
University of Iowa
Episode: Ep. 250: Civil rights, hate speech, and the First Amendment
Larry Summers
Former President of Harvard University and U.S. Treasury Secretary
Harvard University
Episode: Ep. 249: FIRE Reacts — Where does Harvard go from here? With Larry Summers

Host

Nico Perrino
Host of a podcast dedicated to exploring free expression through the lens of law, philosophy, and real-world implications.

Reviews

4.6 out of 5 stars from 249 ratings
  • Good

    Good

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Jake11144
    United Statesa year ago
  • So excited this made iTunes top ten!

    Nico is a great host and one of the better proponents of free speech. Very conversational style and doesnt over-use the legal jargon.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Celia Rogers
    United Statesa year ago
  • Dennis D. Karpf

    Incisive and absence of cant. Free speech can not override free association, free religion, and free conscience and free movement. No doubt words/thought balance is sometimes gray. Law can prevent antisemitic action/behavior. However those circumstance in reality are rare. Speech codes are not the answer. Balance is needed between competing interests that does prevent threats to Jews. Threats and harassment are not speech. However make no mistake Islamist ideology and its red/green allies seek o... more

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    dennis.karpf
    United States2 years ago
  • Produced by FIRE, the Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression, the law firm and advocacy group fulfilling the role of defending free speech that has been abandoned by the ACLU. You can learn a lot about how governments in the US violate our freedoms and how some are fighting back.

    Podcast Addict
    5
    Larryseltzer
    2 years ago
  • A Fantastic Educational Resource

    I’m currently working my way through the So to Speak catalogue, and I’m hoping to be fully caught up on episodes within a few weeks. It’s great to have a quality podcast that focuses exclusively on issues involving free expression. There are many popular podcasts out there that champion free expression, but in too many cases the hosts appear more interested in ranting and mocking their opponents than in educating their audience. This series is thoroughly educational, and it motivates me to learn... more

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    fruits are lovely
    Canada3 years ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

Listeners appreciate the thoughtful dialogue and expert insights provided, emphasizing the educational value of the discussions.
Many reviews highlight the podcast's reputation for inviting knowledgeable guests and tackling challenging subjects around free speech.
Some criticisms note that certain guests may not align perfectly with the audience's expectations, leading to mixed opinions on specific episodes.
The host is often praised for effectively guiding conversations without resorting to legal jargon, making complex topics accessible.

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Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Ep. 259: FIRE answers your questions
Q: What position has FIRE taken regarding the grading of a student who only cited scripture in her paper?
FIRE traditionally doesn't get involved in grading disputes, but it raises concerns if students are penalized solely for citing sources like the Bible.
Ep. 259: FIRE answers your questions
Q: What does the press clause of the First Amendment mean and who does it apply to?
The press clause is surprisingly undeveloped and primarily concerns the technology of the press rather than the institution itself.
Ep. 260: Remembering 'free-thinking' writer Nat Hentoff
Q: How did those early years of Nat's life help shape him?
His experience with anti-Semitism and his parents' immigrant background greatly influenced his career and motivations.
Ep. 260: Remembering 'free-thinking' writer Nat Hentoff
Q: Why make a movie about Nat Hentoff?
It was really a personal choice, I have to say. I grew up reading The Village Voice and always admired his work.
Ep. 255: Authoritarians in the Academy
Q: How could China dictate what could or couldn't be said on an American college campus?
There are many ways, such as direct threats to international students and families from the Chinese government.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

Listeners per Episode
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Frequently Asked Questions About So to Speak: The Free Speech Podcast

What is So to Speak: The Free Speech Podcast about and what kind of topics does it cover?

This podcast offers an in-depth exploration of free speech, focusing on its legal, philosophical, and cultural dimensions. Experts and guests engage in discussions about significant First Amendment cases, current events related to free expression, and the evolving landscape of free speech in various contexts, including academia and social media. A particular strength of the content is the balance it seeks in addressing complex, often controversial issues without veering into partisanship, which likely appeals to an audience eager for nuanced conversations. The host's approachable style and the variety of guests—from legal scholars to authors—add depth and diversity to the discussions, making it a rich resource for listeners interested in ci... more

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1. The Reason Roundtable
2. Advisory Opinions
3. The Reason Interview With Nick Gillespie
4. Divided Argument
5. The Dispatch Podcast

How many episodes of So to Speak: The Free Speech Podcast are there?

So to Speak: The Free Speech Podcast launched 10 years ago and published 266 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

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What guests have appeared on So to Speak: The Free Speech Podcast?

Recent guests on So to Speak: The Free Speech Podcast include:

1. Richard Bell
2. David Lewis
3. Nick Hentoff
4. Brad Smith
5. Brett Nolan
6. Nadine Strossen
7. Charlie Slack
8. Samantha Barbas

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