Podcast agency Voxtopica has announced the launch of “Amended! Liberty’s Guide to the First Amendment,” an educational podcast produced in collaboration with The Frick Initiative at Washington University in St. Louis. The series examines freedoms of speech, religion, and the press.

The podcast, hosted by Liberty Vittert Capito, a professor, political analyst, and TV chef, explores interpretations and misconceptions surrounding the First Amendment through expert interviews and real-world examples.

Series Format and Content

“Amended!” breaks down each right enshrined in the First Amendment, examining its historical context and modern applications. The series addresses questions about government speech regarding religion, protections and restrictions on speech, and press freedoms when reporting on powerful institutions.

“At a time when nearly everything we say or do can be amplified, scrutinized, or misunderstood, the First Amendment is both more relevant and more confusing than ever,” Vittert Capito said in a press release. “‘Amended!’ isn’t about telling people what to think. It’s about helping them understand the rules of the road and the history that paved the way for our freedoms.”

The podcast targets listeners seeking clarity on constitutional rights amid social media discourse and breaking news.

Voxtopica CEO Richard Fawal said podcasting creates opportunities for civic engagement. “It creates space for nuance, history, and explanation in a way few other formats can,” Fawal said. “‘Amended!’ reflects our belief that democracy is strengthened when people understand not just their rights, but how those rights actually function.”

“Amended!” is available across major podcast platforms.

Podcast Industry Context

Voxtopica’s 2024 study found 85% of registered voters who listened to a podcast in the previous week trust podcasts “somewhat” or “very much,” compared to 72% for newspapers and TV news, 71% for AM/FM radio, and 56% for social media.

The research, which surveyed 683 registered American voters in August 2024, found that 49% identify as weekly podcast listeners. News-related genres dominate content preferences, with 39% of regular listeners consuming news podcasts, 35% society and culture, 32% history, and 31% government content.