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The Radio Free Hillsdale Hour

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

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.

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes380Founded8 years ago
Number of ListenersCategory
Education

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Artwork for The Radio Free Hillsdale Hour

Latest Episodes

Guests: Jan Jekielek and Kelly Scott Franklin

Host Scot Bertram talks with Jan Jekielek, senior editor at The Epoch Times and host of American Thought Leaders, about China's state-sanctioned harvesting of organs from living donors and his new book ... more

YouTube

Guests: Donald P. Hodel and Stephanie Lauback

Host Scot Bertram talks with Donald P. Hodel, former secretary of energy and former secretary of the interior in the Reagan administration, about the leadership lessons he learned working for President ... more

YouTube

Guests: Benedict Whalen and Carson Holloway

Host Scot Bertram talks with Benedict Whalen, chairman and associate professor of English at Hillsdale College, to preview his brand-new online course, “The Odyssey.” And Carson Holloway, department chair... more

YouTube

Guests: Gad Saad and Stephen Smith

Host Scot Bertram talks with Gad Saad, professor, evolutionary behavioral scientist, and host of The Saad Truth podcast, about the potential dangers of altruism and his new book, Suicidal Empathy: Dying to Be Kind... more

YouTube

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Recent Guests

Don Hodel
Former Secretary of the Interior and Secretary of Energy under President Reagan
U.S. Government (Reagan Administration)
Episode: Life in the Reagan Administration
Stephanie Lauback
Associate Professor of Physics, Hillsdale College
Hillsdale College
Episode: Life in the Reagan Administration
Carson Holloway
Department chair and professor of political science, University of Nebraska Omaha; Washington Fellow at Claremont Institute
University of Nebraska Omaha; Claremont Institute
Episode: Appreciating Homer's Odyssey
Gad Saad
Author of Suicidal Empathy, Dying to Be Kind
University/Professor (Evolutionary Behavioral Scientist)
Episode: Suicidal Empathy and the West
Khalil Habib
Associate Professor of Politics; Allison and Dorothy Rouse Professor in Politics at Hillsdale College
Hillsdale College
Episode: America 250 Independence Day Special
Wilfred McClay
Victor Davis Hanson Chair in Classical History and Western Civilization at Hillsdale College; author of Land of Hope
Hillsdale College
Episode: America 250 Independence Day Special
Brad Birzer
Professor of History, Russell Amos Kirk Chair in American Studies at Hillsdale College, author
Hillsdale College
Episode: The Declaration of Independence: A Radical Experiment in Liberty
Scott Rasmussen
Famed pollster and political analyst, author of Out of Touch
Bestselling author, Rasmussen Reports
Episode: Why America's Elites Are So Out of Touch
Richard Samuelson
Associate Professor of Government at Hillsdale in DC
Hillsdale College
Episode: Why America's Elites Are So Out of Touch

Host

Scot Bertram
Host of The Radio Free Hillsdale Hour

Reviews

4.8 out of 5 stars from 709 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 States6 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 States7 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 Kingdom10 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 States2 years 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
#219
United States/Education

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Life in the Reagan Administration
Q: What were the biggest challenges during the Yellowstone fires and how did the administration respond?
The fires were extensive and difficult to control; while firefighters and DoD support helped, the scale limited options beyond protecting critical infrastructure until weather and conditions improved.
Life in the Reagan Administration
Q: How did you manage environmental and economic considerations during your time in the Interior Department?
We pursued a balanced approach, recognizing that environmental protection and economic interests could be pursued concurrently, not as mutually exclusive priorities.
Life in the Reagan Administration
Q: What qualities did you observe in Ronald Reagan that made him an exceptional president?
He combined a clear, forward-looking vision with congenial leadership, effectively communicating a hopeful outlook while maintaining firm convictions to push through his agenda.
Appreciating Homer's Odyssey
Q: Take us inside why New York Times v. Sullivan matters, why it's an important First Amendment case.
The case changed libel standards by introducing the actual malice standard for public officials and later public figures, creating a two-tier system that protects press freedom but makes it harder for defamed individuals to win libel suits, a balance that has shaped how the media reports public life.
The Declaration of Independence: A Radical Experiment in Liberty
Q: Brad, what else should we know about the people who shaped the early American story?
The conversation highlights that the founders were largely from a Protestant, Anglo-Saxon, classically educated background, with deep roots in common law and a strong emphasis on education and moral responsibility; slavery created deep tensions that influenced debates about independence, and reconciliation remained a possibility for some leaders even late in 1775.

Audience Metrics

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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. Hillsdale Dialogues
2. The Larry Arnn Show
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 8 years ago and published 380 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. Don Hodel
2. Stephanie Lauback
3. Carson Holloway
4. Gad Saad
5. Khalil Habib
6. Wilfred McClay
7. Brad Birzer
8. Scott Rasmussen

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