Hour 1: Free Speech vs. Platform Power | Michael Bedenbaugh on Reviving Our Republic
Podcasts > Shake It Off with Mert & Lucas
Tune in each week, as an established lawyer, and a self- proclaimed “man of the people,” debate some of the hottest issues impacting our city, state and nation.
Monday, December 8, 2025
Episode 74 begins with a look at the battle between free speech and platform moderation, where the First Amendment protects against government censorship, but private platforms set their own rules. From Musk’s “hands-off” Twitter/X experiment to Europe’s Digital Services Act, the debate shows how moderation—whether by humans, AI, or governments—inevitably reflects politics, values, and power struggles over the digital public square. The hour concludes with an interview featuring Michael Bedenbaugh, a leading voice in historic preservation and civic engagement. He is the author of Reviving Our Republic and host of the podcast of the same name, where he examines the intersection of history, governance, and community development.
