SpeechMatters

UC National Center for Free Speech and Civic Engagement
SpeechMatters

SpeechMatters is the official podcast of the University of California National Center for Free Speech and Civic Engagement. The podcast features thought leaders tackling the most pressing issues impacting free expression and democracy on campus, and beyond. Hosted by the Center’s Executive Director, Michelle Deutchman.

  1. MAR 19

    Listening to Lead: UC Student Regents on the Power of Engagement

    This month Michelle talks with UC Student Regent Josiah Beharry and Student Regent-Designate Sonya Brooks to explore the power of student leadership in shaping the university. Josiah and Sonya share their journeys to these roles, the challenges they have faced and strategies they have developed to advocate effectively. At a time when higher education is facing unprecedented challenges, their insights offer a hopeful vision for the positive power of speech. Episode Resources: How research prepared Sonya Brooks to represent UC students on the Board of Regents | University of CaliforniaUC Merced graduate student Josiah Beharry appointed as 2024-25 UC student Regent | University of California

    59 min

  2. FEB 19

    Moderation: It's Not Just About Content

    TikTok is banned (and then not). Meta eliminates fact-checking. Policy-makers debate how to moderate content and provide a safe online experience. So much is happening in the world of online speech, which is why we invited John Perrino, Senior Policy and Advocacy Expert at Internet Society to join the pod. He will help clarify what’s at stake, why it matters and how using technology in moderation can improve our lives. Episode Resources: The Global Impact of a US TikTok Ban - Internet Society Using 'safety by design' to address online harms An overdue idea for making the internet safer just got the funding it needsPush for Independent Research in Tech Accountability Legislation

    49 min

  3. JAN 23

    New Year, New President: Higher Ed in the Age of Trump

    2025 is hardly underway, and it’s already clear that the new year and new administration will spell changes for how the federal government regulates higher education. Joining us to discuss  the demise of the Chevron doctrine, the nominee for Secretary of the Department of Education and the role we can play in promoting the value of higher education is Jonathan Fansmith, the American Council on Education’s Senior Vice President of Government Relations and National Engagement.  Episode Resources: ACE’s dotEDU Live Podcast: Higher Education’s Path Forward in Trump’s Second Term“The Only Certainty Is Uncertainty” by Jon Fansmith in Inside Higher Education

    54 min

  4. 12/10/2024

    "The Heroes are the Free Speakers, Not the Law"

    In the final episode of Season 3, Michelle sits down with Dr. Mary Anne Franks, a leading First Amendment scholar, to discuss her new book “Fearless Speech: Breaking Free From the First Amendment.” Dr. Franks unpacks the concepts of "fearless speech" and “reckless speech,” and delves into how her book reimagines free speech as a practice rooted in courage, candor and accountability. Episode Resources: Fearless Speech: Breaking Free from the First Amendment by Mary Anne FranksAmicus Podcast from Slate featuring Mary Anne Franks: https://slate.com/podcasts/amicus/2024/11/trumps-justice-pick-matt-gaetz-is-a-portrait-of-maga-misogyny

    54 min

  5. 11/14/2024

    “Now Is a Moment for Vigilance”: Rick Hasen on the Election and Democracy’s Future

    Internationally renowned election law expert, Rick Hasen, joins SpeechMatters to reflect on last week’s election, the role of disinformation in the lead up to it, and the types of challenges our democracy may face under the new administration.  Episode Resources: The Safeguarding Democracy Project: https://law.ucla.edu/academics/centers/safeguarding-democracy-project Election Law Blog: https://electionlawblog.org/

    40 min

  6. 10/09/2024

    Expression in the Teaching and Practice of Medicine

    Too often the conversation about expression in higher education centers on the social sciences, humanities and the law, which is why this month we are speaking with Dr. Catherine Lucey, executive vice chancellor and provost at University of California San Francisco (UCSF). We discuss the history of advocacy and community engagement at UCSF and how she thinks about current speech challenges. Episode Resources: UCSF Med School Differences Matter: https://medschool.ucsf.edu/differences-matter UCSF Office of Diversity and Outreach: https://diversity.ucsf.edu/UCSF Institutionalizing Rest in Response to Racial and Sociopolitical Trauma: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38847650/NY Times: "In San Francisco, Doctors Feud Over ‘Do No Harm’ When It Comes to War Protests:" https://www.nytimes.com/2024/06/24/us/israel-hamas-war-sf-doctors.html

    51 min

  7. 09/11/2024

    Activism, Elections and the Promise of Higher Ed to Change the World

    Piya Bose, Assistant Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs at UC San Diego, was part of the UCSD team that weathered an encampment, the cancellation of the school’s annual Sun God Festival, and the occupation of a campus Starbucks last academic year. She joins SpeechMatters to discuss lessons learned, how to apply them in the new year and remind us of the transformative power of a college or university education. Episode Resources: Voter Engagement Resource Page: https://freespeechcenter.universityofcalifornia.edu/programs-and-resources/resource-materials-voter-engagement/

    42 min

  8. 07/25/2024

    High Drama at the High Court: The Impact of Recent Supreme Court Decisions

    Earlier this month, the U.S. Supreme Court closed out its blockbuster term with expression-related decisions that affect the national regulatory and higher education landscape. Leading constitutional scholar and UC Berkeley School of Law Dean Erwin Chemerinsky joins SpeechMatters to share both his insights on this Supreme Court term and his reflections on the tumultuous past year on campus. Episode Resources NY Times Opinion: "The First Amendment is Out of Control" by Tim WuACLU: "Why is the ACLU Representing the NRA Before the US Supreme Court" by Anthony D. RomeroFreedom Forum: First Amendment Supreme Court Cases: 2023-2024 Term

    43 min
See All (36)

    Ratings & Reviews

    5
    out of 5
    16 Ratings

    About

    SpeechMatters is the official podcast of the University of California National Center for Free Speech and Civic Engagement. The podcast features thought leaders tackling the most pressing issues impacting free expression and democracy on campus, and beyond. Hosted by the Center’s Executive Director, Michelle Deutchman.

    Information

    • Creator
      UC National Center for Free Speech and Civic Engagement
    • Years Active
      2022 - 2025
    • Episodes
      36
    • Rating
      Clean
    • Copyright
      © Copyright 2025 UC National Center for Free Speech and Civic Engagement
    • Show Website
      SpeechMatters

    You Might Also Like

    Content Restricted

    This episode can’t be played on the web in your country or region.

    To listen to explicit episodes, sign in.

    Stay up to date with this show

    Sign in or sign up to follow shows, save episodes, and get the latest updates.
    Select a country or region

    Africa, Middle East, and India

    Asia Pacific

    Europe

    Latin America and the Caribbean

    The United States and Canada