In this episode, constitutional law scholar Timothy Zick joins us to discuss how President Trump’s second term is testing our commitments to free expression and academic freedom. From the chilling of faculty speech to the fraught intersection of the First and Second Amendments, Zick examines how executive overreach is placing the nation’s core democratic freedoms under unprecedented strain.Episode ResourcesThoughts on the First Substack Trump 2.0: Executive Power and the First Amendment“New Threats to Campus Protest”
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“These Rights are Self-Evident, Not Self-Executing”
For this special Constitution Day episode, SpeechMatters is joined by Dr. Colleen Shogan, the former Archivist of the United States, to reflect on the enduring legacy of America’s founding documents. From the urgent need for a national “civics renaissance” to the risks of political interference in how we teach history, the conversation offers powerful insights into what it means to safeguard our democratic ideals in an era of polarization, misinformation and rapid technological change.Episode Resources: America needs a civic education moonshot, before it’s too lateThe Declaration of Independence | National Archiveshttps://www.inpursuit.org/
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Viewpoint Diversity in Higher Education
Politicians, professors and pundits all seem to be talking about viewpoint diversity, and questioning whether it is a robust part of college and university life. But what does viewpoint diversity mean and how do we evaluate if it is alive and well on campus? Jon Shields, professor of government at Claremont McKenna College, shares his take on why having a diversity of views in the classroom serves democracy and offers ideas for fostering a climate of open inquiry and intellectual pluralism.Episode Resources:"Closed Classrooms? An Analysis of College Syllabi on Contentious Issues," Working Paper Draft, July 10, 2025, with Yuval Avnur and Stephanie Muravchik"Liberal Professors Can Rescue the GOP," New York Times, 23 March 2023“I’m a Conservative Professor Who Opposed Safe Spaces. I was Wrong.” New York Times, 7 April 2022
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VOICE Summer Series: The (Re)Writing Migration Stories Project
In this episode, we explore a powerful VOICE project that uses art and dialogue to empower immigration-impacted communities to share their stories. Guests Dr. Laura Enriquez, Giovanna Itzel and Breana Figueroa Perez discuss their approach to fostering reflection, connection and understanding through "artivism." They explore how creative expression can bridge divides, challenge perceptions and ignite social change, and offer listeners inspiration to explore their own narratives. Episode Resources: 2025 VOICE Recipients — UC National Center for Free Speech and Civic Engagement(Re)writing Migration Stories — Undocumented Student Equity Project
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VOICE Summer Series: Civic Engagement Scholars Program
SpeechMatters kicks off our VOICE Summer Series by exploring the impact of the Civic Engagement Scholars Program (CESP) — a course created and taught by UC Santa Barbara VOICE recipients Katya Armistead and Viviana Marsano. Guest host Melanie Ziment talks with them and their students Sofia Aliamus and Ashley Segat about civic engagement education and how the course is inspiring the next generation of citizens to be active participants in their communities.Episode Resources: Civic Engagement Scholars Program — VOICE Initiative ReportUndergraduate Student Advocacy in the University of California System: a Handbook by Emma Tolliver, UC National Center for Free Speech and Civic Engagement CHANGE! A Student Guide to Social Action by Scott Myers-LiptonFacing the Fracture: How to Navigate the Challenges of Living in a Divided Nation by Dr. Tania Israel
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.
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