

The Hillsdale College Online Courses Podcast
Hillsdale College
Hillsdale College was founded in 1844 with a mission to provide "all who wish to learn" the education necessary to preserve the civil and religious liberties of America. This Podcast, hosted by Hillsdale Online Learning Directors Kyle Murnen and Juan Davalos, expands that mission to a whole new audience. The Hillsdale Online Courses Podcast brings free, full online courses to your podcast feed, with introductory commentary.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Jul 30, 2025 • 30min
The Federalist: Why the Articles of Confederation Failed
On this episode of The Hillsdale College Online Courses Podcast, Jeremiah and Juan discuss the role that the House of Representative plays in our republic before introducing Dr. Ronald J. Pestritto. In a republic, every citizen has a duty to understand their government. The Federalist is the greatest exposition of representative government and the institutional structure of the Constitution. It explains how the Constitution established a government strong enough to secure the rights of citizens and safe enough to wield that power. This course will examine how Publius understood human nature and good government, and why he argued that the only true safeguard of liberty lies in the vigilance of the American people. The House of Representatives provides direct accountability to the people in the legislature.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Jul 23, 2025 • 28min
The Federalist: The House of Representatives
On this episode of The Hillsdale College Online Courses Podcast, Jeremiah and Juan discuss the role that the House of Representative plays in our republic before introducing Dr. Ronald J. Pestritto. In a republic, every citizen has a duty to understand their government. The Federalist is the greatest exposition of representative government and the institutional structure of the Constitution. It explains how the Constitution established a government strong enough to secure the rights of citizens and safe enough to wield that power. This course will examine how Publius understood human nature and good government, and why he argued that the only true safeguard of liberty lies in the vigilance of the American people. The House of Representatives provides direct accountability to the people in the legislature.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Jul 16, 2025 • 34min
The Federalist: Human Nature in The Federalist
On this episode of The Hillsdale College Online Courses Podcast, Jeremiah and Juan discuss Publius' understanding of human nature before introducing Dr. Ronald J. Pestritto. In a republic, every citizen has a duty to understand their government. The Federalist is the greatest exposition of representative government and the institutional structure of the Constitution. It explains how the Constitution established a government strong enough to secure the rights of citizens and safe enough to wield that power. This course will examine how Publius understood human nature and good government, and why he argued that the only true safeguard of liberty lies in the vigilance of the American people. Publius recognizes that men are neither angels nor beasts. Man is “ambitious, vindictive, and rapacious,” but also is capable of sufficient virtue to make republican government possible.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Jul 9, 2025 • 32min
The Federalist: The Problem of Majority Faction
On this episode of The Hillsdale College Online Courses Podcast, Jeremiah and Juan discuss the inevitability of factions before introducing Dr. Ronald J. Pestritto. In a republic, every citizen has a duty to understand their government. The Federalist is the greatest exposition of representative government and the institutional structure of the Constitution. It explains how the Constitution established a government strong enough to secure the rights of citizens and safe enough to wield that power. This course will examine how Publius understood human nature and good government, and why he argued that the only true safeguard of liberty lies in the vigilance of the American people. A faction is any group that pursues an interest opposed to the rights of citizens or the interest of the community. The causes of faction are sown into man’s nature. The extended republic and representation help prevent majority factions.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Jul 2, 2025 • 27min
The Federalist: The Extended Republic
On this episode of The Hillsdale College Online Courses Podcast, Jeremiah and Juan discuss the Federalist's arguments against the Anti-Federalists before introducing Dr. Ronald J. Pestritto. In a republic, every citizen has a duty to understand their government. The Federalist is the greatest exposition of representative government and the institutional structure of the Constitution. It explains how the Constitution established a government strong enough to secure the rights of citizens and safe enough to wield that power. This course will examine how Publius understood human nature and good government, and why he argued that the only true safeguard of liberty lies in the vigilance of the American people. Publius argues that the Constitution incorporates many improvements to the science of politics, including a larger territory from which to draw the best talents.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Jun 25, 2025 • 40min
The Federalist: The Anti-Federalists
On this episode of The Hillsdale College Online Courses Podcast, Jeremiah and Juan discuss the arguments of the Anti-Federalists before introducing Dr. Ronald J. Pestritto. In a republic, every citizen has a duty to understand their government. The Federalist is the greatest exposition of representative government and the institutional structure of the Constitution. It explains how the Constitution established a government strong enough to secure the rights of citizens and safe enough to wield that power. This course will examine how Publius understood human nature and good government, and why he argued that the only true safeguard of liberty lies in the vigilance of the American people. The Anti-Federalists opposed ratification of the Constitution because they feared a large, centralized government. They lost the immediate debate but succeeded in securing a Bill of Rights.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Jun 18, 2025 • 33min
The Federalist: Publius and The Federalist
On this episode of The Hillsdale College Online Courses Podcast, Jeremiah and Juan introduce the course "The Federalist." In a republic, every citizen has a duty to understand their government. The Federalist is the greatest exposition of representative government and the institutional structure of the Constitution. It explains how the Constitution established a government strong enough to secure the rights of citizens and safe enough to wield that power. This course will examine how Publius understood human nature and good government, and why he argued that the only true safeguard of liberty lies in the vigilance of the American people. Alexander Hamilton, James Madison, and John Jay wrote The Federalist to urge ratification of the Constitution and teach the principles of good government.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Jun 11, 2025 • 25min
Understanding Capitalism: Prosperity, Morality, and Freedom
On this episode of The Hillsdale College Online Courses Podcast, Jeremiah and Juan discuss the spiritual elements of capitalism before introducing Dr. Charles N. Steele. Capitalism rewards man with profit or punishes him with loss, depending on the merit of his actions. It expresses the freedom and rationality of human nature in an economic system. The capitalist system depends upon private property rights, the freedom of exchange and contract, sound money, and the rule of law that supports all of these through formal and informal structures. Such a system encourages innovation and morality along with economic prosperity. Capitalism is not the simple pursuit of profit without regard for moral restraints. Capitalism produces wealth by serving the desires of society. A moral and free society will reward good economic activity, which in turn creates prosperity for the people.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Jun 4, 2025 • 29min
Understanding Capitalism: Technology and Resources
On this episode of The Hillsdale College Online Courses Podcast, Jeremiah and Juan discuss how capitalism develops life-saving technology before introducing Dr. Charles N. Steele. Capitalism rewards man with profit or punishes him with loss, depending on the merit of his actions. It expresses the freedom and rationality of human nature in an economic system. The capitalist system depends upon private property rights, the freedom of exchange and contract, sound money, and the rule of law that supports all of these through formal and informal structures. Such a system encourages innovation and morality along with economic prosperity. Technology is the unique human ability to discover how to convert resources into useful implements. Economic resources are created by human ingenuity as we discover new uses for previously worthless materials.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

May 28, 2025 • 27min
Understanding Capitalism: Trade and Comparative Advantage
On this episode of The Hillsdale College Online Courses Podcast, Jeremiah and Juan discuss maintaining a balanced approach to free trade before introducing Dr. Charles N. Steele. Capitalism rewards man with profit or punishes him with loss, depending on the merit of his actions. It expresses the freedom and rationality of human nature in an economic system. The capitalist system depends upon private property rights, the freedom of exchange and contract, sound money, and the rule of law that supports all of these through formal and informal structures. Such a system encourages innovation and morality along with economic prosperity. Trade allows men who specialize in the production of one good to exchange with men who specialize in the production of another. This increases total production and wealth.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.