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On this week’s Slate Political Gabfest, Emily Bazelon, John Dickerson, and David Plotz discuss the U.S. Supreme Court’s religious freedom and free speech cases, the debate surrounding the Clinton Campaign’s “on-background briefings,” and Caitlyn Jenner’s glamorous introduction to the world.

For this week’s Slate Plus bonus segment, the hosts discuss the books that changed how they view the world. Slate Plus members get an ad-free version of this podcast with bonus segments. Visit slate.com/gabfestplus and try it free for two weeks.

Here are some of the links and references mentioned during this week’s show:

• In Elonis v. United States the U.S. Supreme Court held in favor of free speech on social media. (Or did it?) What does it all mean—particularly in the context of domestic violence?
• In Equal Employment Opportunity Commission v. Abercrombie & Fitch Stores, Inc. the U.S. Supreme Court held in favor of religious freedom in the workplace. What does it all mean—particularly for religious minorities?
• What’s the big deal with “on-background briefings”? (And what does it even mean?)
• Is it really all that bad and should we even care? Or is it anodyne (and does the press even have a right to complain)? New York Times reporter Adam Nagourney has a particularly interesting perspective.
• Introducing Caitlyn Jenner. What does she mean for the LGBTQ movement, as well as for future generations?
• Has her experience been too atypical and too glamorous (and at what price)? Read Orange Is the New Black star Laverne Cox’s take.
• Read Emily’s piece on LGBTQ pioneer Renée Richards.
• Don’t forget to watch John Dickerson’s first Face the Nation as its new host!

Emily chatters about the “endless” questions faced by Laura Kipnis during her Title IX “inquisition.” (Read the article that started it all—and listen to the Slate Culture Gabfest on the Laura Kipins Title IX investigation.)

John chatters about Sgt. Henry Johnson and Sgt. William Shemin, who were posthumously honored with the Medal of Honor, the nation’s highest award for valor. John also chatters about the debut of Stephen Colbert’s Late Show podcast.

David chatters about billionaire hedge-fund manager John Paulson’s historic $400 million–dollar donation to Harvard University (and Malcolm Gladwell’s derisive response to the gift). David also chatters about the documentary The Queen of Versailles. (Listen to the Slate Culture Gabfest about the documentary.)

Live Gabfest! The Slate Political Gabfest is coming to Washington, D.C., on July 29, 2015. Doors open at 6 p.m. There will be a cocktail hour from 5 to 6 p.m. Tickets are available at slate.com/gabfestdc. Slate Plus members save 30 percent. To become a Slate Plus member, visit slate.com/gabfestplus and try it free for two weeks.

Topic ideas for next week? You can tweet suggestions, links, and questions to @SlateGabfest (#heygabfest).

Join the discussion of this episode on Facebook.

The email address for the Political Gabfest is gabfest@slate.com. (Email may be quoted by name unless the writer stipulates otherwise.)

Podcast production by Joel Meyer. Links compiled by Tarik Barrett.