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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
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.

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes386Founded8 years ago
Number of ListenersCategory
Education

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Artwork for The Radio Free Hillsdale Hour

Latest Episodes

Guest: Victor Davis Hanson

Host Scot Bertram talks with Victor Davis Hanson, senior fellow in military history at the Hoover Institution and Distinguished Fellow in History at Hillsdale College, about the unlikely return of Donald Trump to the Whit... more

YouTube

Guests: Matthew Spalding and J. A. Jackson

Host Scot Bertram talks with Matthew Spalding, vice president of Washington Operations and dean of the Van Andel Graduate School of Government at Hillsdale College in Washington, D.C., about the ideologica... more

YouTube

Guests: Todd Starnes and Julio Suarez

Host Scot Bertram talks with Todd Starnes, conservative columnist, commentator, writer, and radio host, about the accomplishments of the Trump administration and his new book The Golden Age: How Trump Saved Ame... more

Guests: Stephen Smith and Sam Lair

Host Scot Bertram talks with Stephen Smith, dean of humanities and Professor of English at Hillsdale College, to preview his brand-new online course, “The Iliad.” And Sam Lair, former director of The Center for Am... more

YouTube

Key Facts

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Recent Guests

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
Elizabeth Fredericks
Associate Professor of English at Hillsdale College
Hillsdale College
Episode: How the Left Captures Institutions
Jay Bhattacharya
Professor affiliated with Stanford/NIH discussion in Hillsdale seminar
National Institutes of Health, Stanford University (as discussed)
Episode: Launching a Second Scientific Revolution
Mark Edward Lender
Historian discussing the American Revolution
Kean University
Episode: Launching a Second Scientific Revolution
Jan Jekielek
Author of Killed to Order, senior editor at The Epoch Times, host of American Thought Leaders
Epoch Times
Episode: Exposing China's Murderous Organ Harvesting Industry
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

Host

Scott Bertram
Host of The Radio Free Hillsdale Hour

Reviews

4.8 out of 5 stars from 716 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 States7 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 States8 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
#220
United States/Education

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

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.
Appreciating Homer's Iliad
Q: What should students understand about Achilles at the outset of the Iliad?
Achilles is a central, fully developed character whose rage drives the narrative, but the poem uses his arc to explore broader questions of fate, responsibility, and the warrior's code, rather than portraying him as a mere temperamental figure.
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.

Audience Metrics

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

Listeners per Episode
Gender Skew
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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. Heritage Explains

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

The Radio Free Hillsdale Hour launched 8 years ago and published 386 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. Julio Suarez
2. Stephen Smith
3. Samuel Lair
4. Seth Barron
5. Elizabeth Fredericks
6. Jay Bhattacharya
7. Mark Edward Lender
8. Jan Jekielek

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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