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The Radio Free Hillsdale Hour

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

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.

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes377Founded7 years ago
Number of ListenersCategory
Education

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Artwork for The Radio Free Hillsdale Hour

Latest Episodes

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

Guests: Khalil Habib and Wilfred McClay

Host Scot Bertram talks with Khalil Habib, associate professor of politics and Allison and Dorothy Rouse Professor in Politics at Hillsdale College, about the American Founding and his recent essay, “The Impo... more

YouTube

Guest: Brad Birzer

Host Scot Bertram talks with Brad Birzer, professor of history and Russell Amos Kirk Chair in American Studies at Hillsdale College, about the years leading up to 1776, the importance of the common law tradition to the American F... more

YouTube

Guests: Scott W. Rasmussen and Richard Samuelson

Host Scot Bertram talks with Scott W. Rasmussen, legendary pollster and political analyst, about the character of American elites and his new book, Out of Touch: The Elite One Percent and the Battle ... more

YouTube

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Recent Guests

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
Arthur Herman
New York Times bestselling author, Pulitzer Prize finalist
Author, Founder's Fire
Episode: The Spirit of America's Founders
Dr. Bradley CS. Watson
Associate Professor of Government at Hillsdale in DC
Hillsdale College, Washington, DC
Episode: The Spirit of America's Founders
Eric Metaxas
Author; discussed Revolution, The Birth of the Greatest Nation in the History of the World
Author
Episode: Eric Metaxas and Batya Ungar Sargon
Mary Theroux
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer at the Independent Institute
Independent Institute
Episode: Building Practical Solutions to Homelessness

Host

Scot Bertram
Host of The Radio Free Hillsdale Hour

Reviews

4.8 out of 5 stars from 704 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 States5 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 States6 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 Kingdom9 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
#238
United States/Education
Apple Podcasts
#76
South Africa/Education

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

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.
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.

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. The Larry Arnn Show
2. Hillsdale Dialogues
3. Imprimis
4. The Hillsdale College Online Courses Podcast
5. Hillsdale College Podcast Network Superfeed

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

The Radio Free Hillsdale Hour launched 7 years ago and published 377 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. Khalil Habib
2. Wilfred McClay
3. Brad Birzer
4. Scott Rasmussen
5. Richard Samuelson
6. Arthur Herman
7. Dr. Bradley CS. Watson
8. Eric Metaxas

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