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The Radio Free Hillsdale Hour

Hillsdale College
Hillsdale College
Donald Trump
Christmas
Education
Artificial Intelligence
Christianity
Declaration Of Independence
Covid-19
Administrative State
A Christmas Carol
Israel
Slavery
Kamala Harris
Biden Administration
Mental Health
Gender Ideology
Winston Churchill
Journalism
Communism
Detransitioning

The Radio Free Hillsdale Hour is a one-hour, weekly radio show/podcast advancing the efforts of Hillsdale College in radiating its knowledge and teaching to the world outside of campus. Listeners will hear the arguments and debates that make up the liberal arts education and will experience the learning and teaching that happens on campus. Hosted by Scot Bertram.

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes391Founded8 years ago
Number of ListenersCategory
Education

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Artwork for The Radio Free Hillsdale Hour

Latest Episodes

Guest: Patrick Timmis

Host Scot Bertram talks with Patrick Timmis, assistant professor of English at Hillsdale College, about the life and accomplishments of English poet Edmund Spenser and his poem "The Faerie Queene."

To learn more about Hills... more

Guest: Robert Livingston

Host Scot Bertram talks with Robert Livingston, former U.S. representative from Louisiana, about efforts by the Biden White House to punish political enemies through lawfare, his own experience as a target of the judicial s... more

YouTube

Guest: Nathan Herring

Host Scot Bertram talks with Nathan Herring, associate professor of physics at Hillsdale College, about the life and accomplishments of physicist Ludwig Boltzmann.

To learn more about Hillsdale College, visit www.hillsdale.... more

YouTube

Guest: Mollie Hemingway

Host Scot Bertram talks with Mollie Hemingway, senior journalism fellow at Hillsdale College and editor-in-chief at The Federalist, about the upcoming midterm elections, Big Tech and artificial intelligence, and the decision... more

YouTube

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Recent Guests

Nathan Herring
Associate Professor of Physics at Hillsdale College, guest discussing Boltzmann
Hillsdale College
Episode: The Life and Work of Ludwig Boltzmann
Bradley Thayer
American Freedom Alliance Fellow, founding member of the Committee on the Present Danger China
America's 100 Years' War author
Episode: America's 100 Years' War With Communism
Jeremiah Regan
Executive Director of Online Learning at Hillsdale College
Hillsdale College
Episode: America's 100 Years' War With Communism
Dr. Justin A. Jackson
English professor and Kennedy Chair in English at Hillsdale College
Hillsdale College
Episode: Make American History National Again
Todd Starnes
Conservative columnist, commentator, author, radio host
Todd Starnes Show / The Golden Age
Episode: Recovering From the Biden Era
Julio Suarez
Chairman and Associate Professor of Art
Hillsdale College
Episode: Recovering From the Biden Era
Stephen Smith
Dean of Humanities, Temple Family Chair in English Literature, Hillsdale College
Hillsdale College
Episode: Appreciating Homer's Iliad
Samuel Lair
Former director of the Center for American Education, Hillsdale College graduate
Hillsdale College
Episode: Appreciating Homer's Iliad
Seth Barron
Editorial board member at the New York Post; author
New York Post
Episode: How the Left Captures Institutions

Host

Scott Bertram
Host of The Radio Free Hillsdale Hour

Reviews

4.8 out of 5 stars from 719 ratings
  • “Right?”, Uhhhh

    This show, and many other errs from Hillsdale, can’t get through a sentence without the constant overuse of the verbal tics, “Right?” and Ummm. Perhaps it flows from President Arndt. This has made many of the podcast shows unlistenable. These are supposed to be educated scholars, but they sound like unprepared high schoolers. It is insulting, lazy, and unprofessional. We expect more from Hillsdale. So, PLEASE set and demonstrate higher standards!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    FrostyRucks
    United States8 months ago
  • “Right?”, the New “Umm” Replacement

    So disappointed thatJonathan Butcher, on the

    The Radio Free Hillsdale Hour: Americans Are More United Than We Think, Jan 8, 2026 cannot get through a segment without constant overuse of the new contemporary verbal tic, “Right?” It is nothing more than a replacement for the equally unprofessional, “umm”. This not the first occasion on this podcast that I had to stop listening because the speakers repeated “right?” so frequently. It is obnoxious and unprofessional. The previous occasion was an Ass... more

    Apple Podcasts
    3
    FrostyRucks
    United States9 months ago
  • Quality guests every week

    A recent must-listen to my podcast listening schedule. Host Scott is a reassuring voice who asks great questions of the external guests and members of the faculty such as James Webb who seemed like a genuine teacher of accounting who really explained why young people would become CPAs and ACAs - a genuine pleasure.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Stuart Walton
    United Kingdoma year ago
  • Lincoln Lovers

    I can’t speak for all of the episodes, but at least the episode on Jefferson and the Declaration of Independence has an extraordinarily misguided favorable view of Abraham Lincoln. Lincoln was a killer of Americans. A duplicitous politician that waged an unnecessary war.

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    William M S
    United Statesa year ago
  • Right?!

    So disappointed that Patricia R. Bart, an associate professor of English at Hillsdale College cannot even begin nor get through a segment without constant overuse of the verbal tic and “uhm” replacement, “Right?!” This is an English professor who cannot even engage in basic elementary effective communication! Please stop with “Right?!”- the invasive cultural rubbish of the ENGLISH language! Do better!

    Apple Podcasts
    4
    FrostyRucks
    United States2 years ago

Listeners Say

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

The show is seen as a solid intellectual resource, though production polish varies by episode.
Audience feedback highlights strong guest quality and meaningful discussions of foundational texts.
Some critics note repetitive vocal tics in interviews, calling for higher production standards.
Listeners appreciate the depth and scholarly rigor of guests and topics.
Listeners value the educational value and quality of guest expertise, often praising authors and professors.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Apple Podcasts
#203
United States/Education

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Mollie Hemingway on the Midterms and Artificial Intelligence
Q: What about data centers and local messaging—how should communities approach this?
Voters can handle trade-offs if policymakers are transparent about benefits (tax base, job creation) and costs (visual impact, environmental concerns), and negotiate local agreements that balance interests.
Mollie Hemingway on the Midterms and Artificial Intelligence
Q: Has AI fundamentally changed the problem you describe about media influence?
AI amplifies existing dynamics rather than changing the fundamental problem; it supercharges the ability of certain actors to shape information flows, making accountability and balanced information even more critical.
Mollie Hemingway on the Midterms and Artificial Intelligence
Q: What are we going to think about all this?
The guest emphasizes that the pool of media access is evolving, but the core issue remains how information is curated and shared; the goal is to ensure Americans still get reliable information even as traditional gatekeepers change.
Make American History National Again
Q: What's the story here? What's going on?
The discussion centers on concerns that the Smithsonian's National Museum of American History has shifted away from presenting a national, consensus history toward a narrative highlighting oppression and critical reinterpretation, prompting calls for a return to a more unified civic narrative.
Appreciating Homer's Iliad
Q: How does the transformation of Achilles across the Iliad unfold?
The Iliad traces Achilles' journey from explosive rage to a tempered form of self-control and mercy, showing how encounter with loss and the consequences of wrath lead to a more nuanced understanding of heroism and duty by the end of the epic.

Audience Metrics

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

Listeners per Episode
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Frequently Asked Questions About The Radio Free Hillsdale Hour

What is The Radio Free Hillsdale Hour about and what kind of topics does it cover?

The show centers on liberal-arts-informed discussions that blend policy, history, and culture, featuring a steady stream of academics, authors, and public servants. Conversations typically juxtapose contemporary policy debates with deep historical context, often anchored by Hillsdale College faculty or affiliates and highlighted by book-focused segments. Notable strengths include a rigorous, idea-forward approach and a clear educational mission, with frequent guests who are recognizable scholars or policy experts. Potential listeners—especially those in academia, policy, and civic education—will likely find thoughtful analysis, well-sourced arguments, and opportunities to hear classical perspectives applied to modern issues.

A distinctive ... more

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Which podcasts are similar to The Radio Free Hillsdale Hour?

These podcasts share a similar audience with The Radio Free Hillsdale Hour:

1. Hillsdale Dialogues
2. Imprimis
3. The Hillsdale College Online Courses Podcast
4. Hillsdale College Podcast Network Superfeed
5. Victor Davis Hanson: In His Own Words

How many episodes of The Radio Free Hillsdale Hour are there?

The Radio Free Hillsdale Hour launched 8 years ago and published 391 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

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What guests have appeared on The Radio Free Hillsdale Hour?

Recent guests on The Radio Free Hillsdale Hour include:

1. Nathan Herring
2. Bradley Thayer
3. Jeremiah Regan
4. Dr. Justin A. Jackson
5. Todd Starnes
6. Julio Suarez
7. Stephen Smith
8. Samuel Lair

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.

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