Rephonic
Artwork for Acton Line

Acton Line

Acton Institute
Acton Institute
Christianity
Jimmy Lai
Acton University
Economics
Poverty
Hong Kong
Education
Religious Freedom
Conservatism
Artificial Intelligence
Higher Education
American Politics
Human Dignity
Ethics
Religion and Liberty
Christian Education
Interfaith Dialogue
Brazil
Social Justice

Dedicated to the promotion of a free and virtuous society, Acton Line brings together writers, economists, religious leaders, and more to bridge the gap between good intentions and sound economics.

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes554Founded9 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
Religion & SpiritualitySociety & Culture

Listen to this Podcast

Artwork for Acton Line

Latest Episodes

In this episode Dan Hugger speaks with Jeffrey Polet, professor emeritus of political science at Hope College and director of the Ford Leadership Forum at the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Foundation. They discuss his review of Gen. Stanley McChrystal'... more

YouTube

In this episode, Dan Hugger speaks with Jason Sorens, senior research fellow at the American Institute of Economic Research. They discuss the American housing market, the role of institutional investors in single family housing, the 21st century ROAD... more

YouTube

In this episode, Dan Churchwell, Acton’s director for programs and education, talks to Molly Worthen about her new book: “Spellbound: How Charisma Shaped American History from the Puritans to Donald Trump.”

Subscribe to our podcasts

Watch this podc... more

YouTube

This month on the Acton Rundown Dan & Mark chat about upcoming Acton events and new video content.

At the Frontiers of Scholasticism: Scientific Method, Innovation, and Economic Reasoning

The Christian Roots of American Liberty

Essays:

Rescuing S... more

YouTube

Key Facts

Accepts Guests
Contact Information
Podcast Host
Number of Listeners
Find out how many people listen to this podcast per episode and each month.

Similar Podcasts

People also subscribe to these shows.

Capital Record
Capital RecordNational Review
Uncommon Knowledge
Uncommon KnowledgeHoover Institution

Recent Guests

Molly Worthen
Professor of History, UNC Chapel Hill; author of Spellbound
University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill
Episode: Molly Worthen Refines the Definition of “Charisma”
Daniel Darling
Director of the Land Center for Cultural Engagement
Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary; Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission of the Southern Baptist Convention
Episode: Daniel Darling Is Defending Christian Patriotism
Josh Herring
Professor of Humanities and Classical Education at Thales College
Thales College
Episode: Josh Herring Finds the Gender Theory We Need in C.S. Lewis
Jordan Ballor
Executive Director of First Liberty Center for Religion, Culture, and Democracy
First Liberty Center for Religion, Culture, and Democracy
Episode: Jordan Ballor Expounds How Christ Is King
Gabe Coyne
Guest from Sticks Golf
Sticks Golf
Episode: Acton Rundown | February 2026
Colin Duff
Guest from Sticks Golf
Sticks Golf
Episode: Acton Rundown | February 2026
Dave Hebert
Senior Research Fellow at AIER and an affiliate scholar at Acton
AIER
Episode: Dave Hebert Rings in 2026 by Analyzing America’s Economy
John Wilsey
Professor of Church History and Chair of the Department of Church History and Historical Theology at Southern Baptist Theological Seminary
Southern Baptist Theological Seminary
Episode: John Wilsey Is Priming Conservatives for Religious Freedom
Brad Birzer
Russell Amos Kirk Chair of American Studies and Professor of History at Hillsdale College
Hillsdale College
Episode: Brad Birzer Wonders if Russell Kirk’s Conservative Movement Has a Future

Hosts

Dan Hugger
Librarian and Research Associate at the Acton Institute.
Mark Townsend
Producer of Acton Line.

Reviews

4.8 out of 5 stars from 266 ratings
  • Beatles

    The only thing missing from the excellent Beatles episode was a discussion of Brian Epstein and his crucial role as manager.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    stegj
    United States3 years ago
  • Well produced and thoughtful podcast that features interviews on a wide variety of topics: culture, economics, science, theology, technology, psychology, etc. Comes from the perspective of the intelligent Christian right. Good podcast content and the length makes it easy to get through an episode during my commute.

    Podcast Addict
    datadriven
    4 years ago
  • Well produced and thoughtful podcast that features interviews on a wide variety of topics: culture, economics, science, theology, technology, psychology, etc. Comes from the perspective of the intelligent Christian right. Good podcast content and the length makes it easy to get through an episode during my commute.

    Podcast Addict
    5
    datadriven
    4 years ago
  • Daring and humble - A positive path forward

    Fearless in taking on controversial topics, but in a kind and thoughtful way. I love the emphasis on virtue, and the ideas on how to navigate our society and promote democracy.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    LisafromtheMidwest
    United States4 years ago
  • Captivating and arousing episodes!

    There are few institutions that so faithfully promote the free and virtuous society. This podcast unpacks the big questions and tensions that surround this society.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    NtwaliB
    United States4 years ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

The podcast is noted for its high-quality content, featuring engaging interviews and in-depth explorations of complex themes.
Listeners appreciate the thoughtful analysis presented in each episode, often praising the ethical discussion surrounding economic issues.
Reviewers highlight the podcast's ability to tackle controversial subjects respectfully, making it a valuable resource for educators and advocates of social justice.

Top Society & Culture Podcasts

The Determined Society with Shawn French | Mindset, Adversity & Growth
The Determined Society with Shawn French | Mindset, Adversity & GrowthShawn French | Adversity & Determination Expert
Stuff You Should Know
Stuff You Should KnowiHeartPodcasts
The Ezra Klein Show
The Ezra Klein ShowNew York Times Opinion
This American Life
This American LifeThis American Life
Sword and Scale
Sword and ScaleSword and Scale
Freakonomics Radio
Freakonomics RadioFreakonomics Radio + Stitcher
Behind the Bastards
Behind the BastardsCool Zone Media and iHeartPodcasts

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Molly Worthen Refines the Definition of “Charisma”
Q: How has your personal faith shifted your scholarly perspective?
Worthen discusses how converting to Christianity has deepened her appreciation for the subject matter and changed her approach to teaching and interpreting religious history, while maintaining scholarly rigor.
Molly Worthen Refines the Definition of “Charisma”
Q: What was your approach to including a broad cast of characters across 400 years?
She describes balancing familiar figures with unexpected ones (e.g., Guru Maharaji, Pentecostal revivalists) to show how charisma operates across traditions and how media and narrative shape its reach.
Molly Worthen Refines the Definition of “Charisma”
Q: Like, what do you mean by charisma?
Worthen explains charisma as a storytelling force that binds followers to a transcendent narrative, not just interpersonal charm, and emphasizes its dependence on the story and the context rather than raw magnetism.
Daniel Darling Is Defending Christian Patriotism
Q: What practical steps can Christians take to renew the country?
Invest in local communities, strengthen families, reform education, and engage in public life with a spirit of service, recognizing that spiritual renewal undergirds lasting civic renewal.
Daniel Darling Is Defending Christian Patriotism
Q: What is the difference between healthy patriotism and nationalism?
Healthy patriotism is love of country grounded in virtue and the common good, while nationalism can slide into exclusion or supremacy when it becomes an absolute, but there is a form of nationalism that is compatible with caring for a nation while honoring universal moral constraints.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

Listeners per Episode
Gender Skew
Location
Interests
Professions
Age Range
Household Income
Social Media Reach

Frequently Asked Questions About Acton Line

What is Acton Line about and what kind of topics does it cover?

Focused on promoting a free and virtuous society through diverse discussions, this podcast covers a broad range of topics including economics, religion, and culture. It features interviews with writers, economists, and religious leaders, exploring how moral values can align with sound economic principles. Noteworthy episodes address pressing issues like political freedom, societal ethics, entrepreneurial journeys, and historical perspectives in economic thought.

Listeners can expect insightful conversations that not only unpack complex topics but also encourage activism and advocacy in support of democratic values and individual liberties. This podcast is likely to appeal to individuals interested in the intersection of faith, economics, a... more

Where can I find podcast stats for Acton Line?

Rephonic provides a wide range of podcast stats for Acton Line. We scanned the web and collated all of the information that we could find in our comprehensive podcast database. See how many people listen to Acton Line and access YouTube viewership numbers, download stats, audience demographics, chart rankings, ratings, reviews and more.

How many listeners does Acton Line get?

Rephonic provides a full set of podcast information for three million podcasts, including the number of listeners. View further listenership figures for Acton Line, including podcast download numbers and subscriber numbers, so you can make better decisions about which podcasts to sponsor or be a guest on. You will need to upgrade your account to access this premium data.

What are the audience demographics for Acton Line?

Rephonic provides comprehensive predictive audience data for Acton Line, including gender skew, age, country, political leaning, income, professions, education level, and interests. You can access these listener demographics by upgrading your account.

How many subscribers and views does Acton Line have?

To see how many followers or subscribers Acton Line has on Spotify and other platforms such as Castbox and Podcast Addict, simply upgrade your account. You'll also find viewership figures for their YouTube channel if they have one.

Which podcasts are similar to Acton Line?

These podcasts share a similar audience with Acton Line:

1. First Things Podcast
2. Capital Record
3. Thinking in Public with Albert Mohler
4. Federalist Radio Hour
5. Uncommon Knowledge

How many episodes of Acton Line are there?

Acton Line launched 9 years ago and published 554 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

How do I contact Acton Line?

Our systems regularly scour the web to find email addresses and social media links for this podcast. We scanned the web and collated all of the contact information that we could find in our podcast database. But in the unlikely event that you can't find what you're looking for, our concierge service lets you request our research team to source better contacts for you.

Where can I see ratings and reviews for Acton Line?

Rephonic pulls ratings and reviews for Acton Line from multiple sources, including Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Castbox, and Podcast Addict.

View all the reviews in one place instead of visiting each platform individually and use this information to decide if a show is worth pitching or not.

How do I access podcast episode transcripts for Acton Line?

Rephonic provides full transcripts for episodes of Acton Line. Search within each transcript for your keywords, whether they be topics, brands or people, and figure out if it's worth pitching as a guest or sponsor. You can even set-up alerts to get notified when your keywords are mentioned.

What guests have appeared on Acton Line?

Recent guests on Acton Line include:

1. Molly Worthen
2. Daniel Darling
3. Josh Herring
4. Jordan Ballor
5. Gabe Coyne
6. Colin Duff
7. Dave Hebert
8. John Wilsey

To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.

Find and pitch the right podcasts

We help savvy brands, marketers and PR professionals to find the right podcasts for any topic or niche. Get the data and contacts you need to pitch podcasts at scale and turn listeners into customers.
Try it free for 7 days