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The Radio Free Hillsdale Hour

Hillsdale College
Hillsdale College
Donald Trump
Christmas
Education
Christianity
Covid-19
Artificial Intelligence
Administrative State
A Christmas Carol
Israel
Slavery
Kamala Harris
Biden Administration
Declaration Of Independence
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.

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes372Founded7 years ago
Number of ListenersCategory
Education

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Artwork for The Radio Free Hillsdale Hour

Latest Episodes

Guests: Eric Metaxas and Batya Ungar Sargon

Host Scot Bertram talks with Eric Metaxas, New York Times bestselling author and the host of Socrates in the City and The Eric Metaxas Show, about the events leading up to our nation’s founding and his ne... more

Guests: Mary L. G. Theroux and Mardi Billman

Host Scot Bertram talks with Mary L. G. Theroux, chairman and chief executive officer at the Independent Institute, about working toward practical solutions to the homelessness crisis and her book, Beyon... more

YouTube

Guests: Heather Mac Donald and Richard Samuelson

Host Scot Bertram talks with Heather Mac Donald, the Thomas W. Smith fellow at the Manhattan Institute and contributing editor at City Journal, about efforts by the Trump administration to curb DEI p... more

YouTube

Guests: Matthew Mehan and Randy Barnett

Host Scot Bertram talks with Matthew Mehan, associate dean and associate professor at the Van Andel Graduate School of Government at Hillsdale College in Washington, D.C., about the pedagogical power of fable... more

YouTube

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Recent Guests

Heather MacDonald
Author of When Race Trumps Merit
Manhattan Institute; City Journal
Episode: When Race Trumps Merit
Richard Samuelson
Associate Professor of Government at Hillsdale in DC
Hillsdale College (DC campus)
Episode: When Race Trumps Merit
Randy Barnett
Professor of Constitutional Law, Georgetown University Law Center
Georgetown University Law Center
Episode: The American Book of Fables
John Tillman
CEO of the American Culture Project
American Culture Project
Episode: How To Stop America’s Leftward Drift
Luke Foster
Assistant Professor of Government at Hillsdale College in Washington, DC
Hillsdale College
Episode: How To Stop America’s Leftward Drift
Janie Nitze
Co-author with Supreme Court Justice Neil Gorsuch on Heroes of 1776
Justice Neil Gorsuch; Heroes of 1776
Episode: Mollie Hemingway: How Justice Alito Restored the Constitution
EJ Antoni
Chief Economist, Heritage Foundation
Heritage Foundation
Episode: The Future of the American Economy
Nathan Herring
Assistant Professor of Physics, Hillsdale College
Hillsdale College
Episode: The Future of the American Economy
Anna Giaritelli
Homeland Security Reporter for The Washington Examiner and author of Under Assault
Washington Examiner
Episode: A Reporter's Story of Overcoming Sexual Trauma and Exposing Injustice

Host

Scot Bertram
Host of The Radio Free Hillsdale Hour

Reviews

4.8 out of 5 stars from 700 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 States4 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 States5 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 Kingdom8 months 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 Statesa year ago

Listeners Say

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

Listeners appreciate the focus on tradition, virtue, and civics, with occasional critiques of contemporary politics.
Production quality and the reliance on Hillsdale's educational network are noted as strengths.
Some listeners criticize verbal tics and pacing in recent episodes.
High-quality guests and questions; strong teaching value from the host.
Guests consistently provide thoughtful, policy-forward analysis grounded in liberal arts education.

Chart Rankings

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

Apple Podcasts
#190
United States/Education

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

The American Book of Fables
Q: Can you share a memorable lesson from the Felony Review unit about how confessions are obtained?
Barnett describes how suspects often talk themselves into crimes while attempting to talk themselves out of them, resulting in confessions that require careful corroboration and legal strategy.
The American Book of Fables
Q: What initially drew you to the field of law and eventually to the prosecutor's role in Chicago?
Barnett recounts a lifelong interest sparked by The Defenders, emphasizing justice and practical lawyering over sensational crimes, which influenced his path toward prosecution before becoming a professor.
The American Book of Fables
Q: How does fable literature differ from textbooks in shaping readers' thinking and wit?
Mehan notes that fables provide layered moral complexity, allow readers to discern virtue and flaw, and train wit in a way that traditional textbooks cannot, making moral education more memorable.
The American Book of Fables
Q: What inspired you to create The American Book of Fables and weave the Declaration of Independence through 13 regions?
Mehan explains the ambition was to honor the country's 250th birthday by linking local histories, regional landscapes, and founding ideals into a single narrative that teaches virtue and civic identity across generations.
Mollie Hemingway: How Justice Alito Restored the Constitution
Q: What do you mean by practical originalism?
She describes a form of originalism that seeks to apply core constitutional meanings pragmatically, using incremental decisions to achieve principled outcomes without sacrificing the court's restraint or deference to Congress.

Audience Metrics

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

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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 program presents a steady stream of conversations with Hillsdale College scholars, authors, and policy experts, anchored in civics, constitutional analysis, history, and culture. Episodes consistently feature book discussions, interpretations of legal and political events, and educational segments that connect liberal arts thinking to current affairs, often with a focus on citizen virtue, public policy, and religious liberty. Notable strengths include a clear emphasis on originalist and classical liberal arts perspectives, engaging guests from academia and public life, and a format that blends deep-dive discussions with accessible storytelling. Potential listeners who care about civic education, thoughtful policy critique, and conservat... 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. The Larry Arnn Show
2. Hillsdale Dialogues
3. Imprimis
4. Hillsdale College Podcast Network Superfeed
5. The Hillsdale College Online Courses Podcast

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

The Radio Free Hillsdale Hour launched 7 years ago and published 372 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. Heather MacDonald
2. Richard Samuelson
3. Randy Barnett
4. John Tillman
5. Luke Foster
6. Janie Nitze
7. EJ Antoni
8. Nathan Herring

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