Guests: Khalil Habib, Tracy Lee Simmons, & Andrew Russell Host Scot Bertram talks with Khalil Habib, associate professor of politics at Hillsdale College, about Alexis de Tocqueville’s Democracy in America and which of his observations about America ring true today. Author and journalist Tracy Lee Simmons discusses the decline of culture and his book On Being Civilized: A Few Lines Amid the Breakage. And Andrew Russell, associate professor of biology at Hillsdale College, describes his research into biofilms and beer taps.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Guests: Paul Moreno, Amity Shlaes, & D.G. Hart Host Scot Bertram talks with Paul Moreno, the William and Berniece Grewcock Chair in Constitutional History and professor of history at Hillsdale College, about the life and legacy of groundbreaking baseball player Jackie Robinson on the anniversary of his birth. Amity Shlaes, chair of the Coolidge Foundation and author of Coolidge, explains president Calvin Coolidge's legacy and how he navigated challenges like ours today. And D.G. Hart, associate professor of history at Hillsdale College, continues a series on the work of H. L. Mencken. This time, he focuses on Mencken’s dedication to the principle of free speech.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Guests: Kevin Portteus, J. Michael Waller, & Haley Strack Host Scot Bertram talks with Kevin Portteus, professor of politics and director of American Studies at Hillsdale College, about how and why the presidential nomination process was developed. J. Michael Waller, senior analyst for strategy at the Center for Security Policy, details how DEI initiatives have taken over the CIA and FBI before discussing his new book, “Big Intel: How the CIA and FBI Went from Cold War Heroes to Deep State Villains.” And Haley Strack, the William F. Buckley Fellow in Political Journalism at National Review and a 2023 Hillsdale graduate, updates us on the mining and energy beat and recalls her strange experience of visiting an active uranium mine.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Guests: David Azerrad & Roger L. Simon Host Scot Bertram talks with David Azerrad, assistant professor and research fellow at Hillsdale’s Graduate School of Government in Washington, D.C., about keeping faith in the future of the American republic and his article “Against the Black Pill.” And Roger L. Simon, award-winning novelist, screenwriter, and columnist for The Epoch Times, explains why so many Americans are moving to red states and discusses his new book American Refugees: The Untold Story of the Mass Migration from Blue to Red States.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Guests: David Diener, Joel Pollak, & Parker Thayer Host Scot Bertram talks with David Diener, assistant professor of education at Hillsdale College, about the philosophy of education and Hillsdale’s unique approach. Joel Pollak, senior editor-at-large at Breitbart News, explains the link between Anti-Americanism and antisemitism. And Parker Thayer, investigative reporter at Capital Research Center and Hillsdale College alumnus, reveals how charities secretly help win elections.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Guests: Scott Atlas, Christopher S. Busch, & Joseph Cella Host Scot Bertram talks with Scott Atlas, Robert Wesson Senior Fellow in health care policy at the Hoover Institution and fellow at Hillsdale College's Academy for Science and Freedom, about common-sense reforms to America's Health bureaucracy and his article “Today’s Public Health Emergency: Restoring Trust With Seven Steps." Christopher S. Busch, English Professor at Hillsdale College, finishes a series on the life and work of poet Robert Frost. And Joseph Cella, former United States Ambassador and founder and principal at The Pontifex Group, explains what an ambassador really does and how a transition team helps a new President adjust to his new role.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Host Scot Bertram recaps 2023 behind-the-scenes at The Radio Free Hillsdale Hour, unveils the most-listened-to shows of the year, and previews some of what is to come in 2024. Later, we talk with Bill Gray, chief marketing officer and vice president for marketing, about why the Hillsdale College Podcast Network exists, what the plans are for the future, and how you can help support podcasts and audio at Hillsdale College in 2024.  To learn more about Hillsdale's commitment to defend and uphold the principles and practices of liberty and to preserve free government for future generations, and to find out how you can get a Hillsdale College Christ Chapel Ornament, please visit hillsdale.edu/newyear.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Guests: Dwight Lindley, Jordan Joseph Wales, & Timothy McDonnell Host Scot Bertram continues a conversation with Dwight Lindley, associate professor of English at Hillsdale College, about Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol. Jordan Joseph Wales, John and Helen Kuczmarski Chair and associate professor of Theology at Hillsdale College, discusses the Christian doctrine of The Trinity and the concept of personhood. And Timothy McDonnell, associate professor of Music at Hillsdale College, describes the history and ideas behind the Christmas Eve service of Lessons and Carols.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Guests: Dwight Lindley, Joy Pullmann, & Richard Samuelson Host Scot Bertram talks with Dwight Lindley, associate professor of English at Hillsdale College, about Hillsdale’s new online course on Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol. Joy Pullmann, executive editor at The Federalist, discusses the benefits of a classical education and her essay "Schools That Teach The Classics Instead Of Marxism See Exponential Growth." And Richard Samuelson, associate professor of government at Hillsdale in D.C., tells us the story of American statesman Henry Clay.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Guests: Matthew Spalding, Timothy P. Carney, & D.G. Hart Host Scot Bertram talks with Matthew Spalding, vice president of Washington operations and dean of the Van Andel Graduate School of Government at Hillsdale in D.C., about a recent article he wrote on how the United States should educate its citizens. Timothy P. Carney, senior political columnist at the Washington Examiner, discusses the demographic dangers of America’s dropping birthrates and his upcoming book Family Unfriendly: How Our Culture Made Raising Kids Much Harder Than It Needs to Be. And D.G. Hart, associate professor of history at Hillsdale College, begins a short series on the life and works of journalist and cultural critic H.L. Mencken.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.