Hillsdale College Podcast Network Superfeed

Guests: Matthew Mehan and Randy Barnett Host Scot Bertram talks with Matthew Mehan, associate dean and associate professor at the Van Andel Graduate School of Government at Hillsdale College in Washington, D.C., about the pedagogical power of fables and his new book, The American Book of Fables. And Randy Barnett, professor of constitutional law at the Georgetown University Law Center and director of the Georgetown Center for the Constitution, discusses his time as a prosecutor in the Cook County State’s Attorney’s Office and his new book, Felony Review: Tales of True Crime and Corruption in Chicago.

Join Dr. Matthew Mehan as he explores the stories, fables, and American imagination that have shaped our nation’s character. Drawing from his new book, The American Book of Fables—released in anticipation of America’s 250th anniversary—Dr. Mehan reflects on the land, people, and principles that have made the America a truly exceptional nation. Celebrate America’s 250th anniversary with Hillsdale in D.C. professors, co-hosted with WMAL radio host Larry O’Connor. Discover the historical and philosophical underpinnings of the Declaration of Independence, the American Revolution, American culture, and more. New episodes every other week! 

On this episode of The Hillsdale College Online Courses Podcast, Jeremiah and Juan discuss the nature of American foreign policy before introducing Wilfred McClay. Americans have overcome many challenges throughout our history, including the American Revolution, the Civil War, the Great Depression, two World Wars, and the Cold War. Studying the great stories from our past inspires us to preserve the blessings of liberty in our day. Now you can study these stories with Hillsdale College. Hillsdale’s free online course, “The Great American Story: A Land of Hope,” explores the history of America as a land of hope founded on high principles. In presenting the great triumphs and achievements of our nation’s past, as well as the shortcomings and failures, it offers a broad and unbiased study of the kind essential to the cultivation of intelligent patriotism. After a respite from foreign affairs following the War of 1812, the United States emerged as a world power by the end of the nineteenth century. American involvement in Cuba and the Philippines raised important questions concerning the nature of the republic.

The third attempted assassination of President Donald Trump, teaching students to question conspiracy theories, and the rise of radical political candidates like Maine's Graham Platner. Dr. Larry P. Arnn, president of Hillsdale College, joins Hugh Hewitt on the Hillsdale Dialogues. Release date: 8 May 2026

Jonathan Gregg, assistant professor of education at Hillsdale College, delivers a lecture on instilling wonder in your students when teaching mathematics. This lecture was given at the Hoogland Center for Teacher Excellence seminar, “The Art of Teaching: Mathematics” in September 2025. The Hoogland Center for Teacher Excellence, an outreach of the Hillsdale College K-12 Education Office, offers educators the opportunity to deepen their content knowledge and refine their skills in the classroom.

Guests: John Tillman and Luke Foster Host Scot Bertram talks with John Tillman, CEO of the American Culture Project, about the Left's strategies for influencing elected officials and his new book The Political Vise: How the Radical Left Controls America and the Path to Regaining Our Liberty. And Luke Foster, assistant professor of government at Hillsdale College in Washington, D.C., discusses the spirit of a gentleman.

On this episode of The Hillsdale College Online Courses Podcast, Jeremiah and Juan discuss the radical changes brought on by the American Civil War before introducing Wilfred McClay. Americans have overcome many challenges throughout our history, including the American Revolution, the Civil War, the Great Depression, two World Wars, and the Cold War. Studying the great stories from our past inspires us to preserve the blessings of liberty in our day. Now you can study these stories with Hillsdale College. Hillsdale’s free online course, “The Great American Story: A Land of Hope,” explores the history of America as a land of hope founded on high principles. In presenting the great triumphs and achievements of our nation’s past, as well as the shortcomings and failures, it offers a broad and unbiased study of the kind essential to the cultivation of intelligent patriotism. As the Civil War ended, America entered a period of reconstruction in an attempt to recover from the war’s devastation and find just terms for a settlement between the sections.

In this episode of The Larry Arnn Show, Hillsdale College President Larry P. Arnn interviews Mollie Hemingway, senior journalism fellow at Hillsdale College and editor-in-chief at The Federalist. The two discuss election integrity, educating student journalists, and her new book Alito: The Justice Who Reshaped the Supreme Court and Restored the Constitution. This interview was conducted on April 22nd, 2026. Discover more at podcast.hillsdale.edu.

Matthew Spalding, vice president of Washington Operations and dean of Hillsdale in D.C.’s Van Andel Graduate School of Government, joins Hugh Hewitt on the Hillsdale Dialogues to begin a series on the intellectual foundations of the American Revolution. Release date: 01 May 2026

Eric Hutchinson, associate professor of classics and chairman of Collegiate Scholars Program at Hillsdale College, joins host Scot Bertram to discuss the foundations of Roman mythology, best practices for teaching Virgil's TheAeneid, and the differences between Aeneas and other heroes of antiquity. Learn more: https://k12.hillsdale.edu/

Guests: Mollie Hemingway and Janie Nitze Host Scot Bertram talks with Mollie Hemingway, senior journalism fellow at Hillsdale College and editor-in-chief at The Federalist, about Justice Samuel Alito's impact on the Supreme Court and her new bookAlito: The Justice Who Reshaped the Supreme Court and Restored the Constitution. And Janie Nitze, lawyer and New York Times best-selling author, discusses her new children’s book, co-authored with Supreme Court Justice Neil Gorsuch: Heroes of 1776: The Story of the Declaration of Independence. 

Dr. Matthew Spalding discusses the key events in the months leading up to July 1776 that shaped America’s future forever. Celebrate America’s 250th anniversary with Hillsdale in D.C. professors, co-hosted with WMAL radio host Larry O’Connor. Discover the historical and philosophical underpinnings of the Declaration of Independence, the American Revolution, American culture, and more. New episodes every other week! 

On this episode of The Hillsdale College Online Courses Podcast, Jeremiah and Juan discuss the Mexican War of 1846 before introducing Wilfred McClay. Americans have overcome many challenges throughout our history, including the American Revolution, the Civil War, the Great Depression, two World Wars, and the Cold War. Studying the great stories from our past inspires us to preserve the blessings of liberty in our day. Now you can study these stories with Hillsdale College. Hillsdale’s free online course, “The Great American Story: A Land of Hope,” explores the history of America as a land of hope founded on high principles. In presenting the great triumphs and achievements of our nation’s past, as well as the shortcomings and failures, it offers a broad and unbiased study of the kind essential to the cultivation of intelligent patriotism. The Mexican War of 1846 pushed the United States toward a civil war by reviving the national debate concerning slavery in U.S. territories—a debate that the Missouri Compromise had attempted to settle in 1820.

March/April 2026 | Volume 55, Issue 3/4 Are We Subjects or Citizens? Birthright Citizenship and the Constitution Edward J. Erler Author, The United States in Crisis: Citizenship, Immigration, and the Nation State The following is an updated version of a speech published in Imprimis in July 2008.

Dr. Larry P. Arnn, President of Hillsdale College, joins Hugh Hewitt on the Hillsdale Dialogues to continue a series on The Second World War, Churchill's sprawling memoir and history of World War II in six volumes. Release date: 24 April 2026

Diana Kinser, French teacher at Seven Oaks Classical School in Ellettsville, Indiana, joins host Scot Bertram to discuss teaching a modern language at a classical school, how modern languages helps teach students virtue, and the rewards from seeing students succeed. Learn more: https://k12.hillsdale.edu/

Guests: E.J. Antoni and Nathan Herring Host Scot Bertram talks with E.J. Antoni, chief economist of the Thomas A. Roe Institute for Economic Policy Studies at The Heritage Foundation, about the economic impact of the Iran war and his recent co-authored report on the future of Social Security. And Nathan Herring, assistant professor of physics at Hillsdale College, discusses the life and accomplishments of physicist Michael Faraday. 

On this episode of The Hillsdale College Online Courses Podcast, Jeremiah and Juan discuss the debate between republicanism and aristocracy before introducing Wilfred McClay. Americans have overcome many challenges throughout our history, including the American Revolution, the Civil War, the Great Depression, two World Wars, and the Cold War. Studying the great stories from our past inspires us to preserve the blessings of liberty in our day. Now you can study these stories with Hillsdale College. Hillsdale’s free online course, “The Great American Story: A Land of Hope,” explores the history of America as a land of hope founded on high principles. In presenting the great triumphs and achievements of our nation’s past, as well as the shortcomings and failures, it offers a broad and unbiased study of the kind essential to the cultivation of intelligent patriotism. The election of Andrew Jackson in 1828 marked the beginning of a more democratic age, which brought important changes to many areas of American life, including politics, religion, and the arts.

Dr. Larry P. Arnn, President of Hillsdale College, joins Hugh Hewitt on the Hillsdale Dialogues to continue a series on The Second World War, Churchill's sprawling memoir and history of World War II in six volumes. Release date: 17 April 2026

Kathleen O’Toole, associate vice president for K-12 Education at Hillsdale College, is joined by Charles R. Kesler to discuss the Declaration of Independence and the legacy of the American Founding. Charles R. Kesler is editor of the Claremont Review of Books and professor of government at Claremont McKenna College. Learn more: https://k12.hillsdale.edu/

Guests: Jeremiah Regan, Anna Giaritelli, & Scott Jennings Host Scot Bertram talks with Jeremiah Regan, executive director of online learning at Hillsdale College, about Hillsdale’s upcoming documentary film Revolutionary America. Anna Giaritelli, homeland security reporter for the Washington Examiner, discusses her sexual assault, the efforts by the Washington D.C. Police Department to obscure crime statistics, and her new book, Under Assault: A Crime Reporter’s True Story of Overcoming Sexual Trauma and Exposing Injustice. And we play excerpts from a speech by Scott Jennings, senior political commentator at CNN, given at a recent Hillsdale National Leadership Seminar. He discusses working for CNN, defending Western Civilization, and his recent book, A Revolution of Common Sense: How Donald Trump Stormed Washington and Fought for Western Civilization.

Dr. Richard Samuelson, Associate Professor of Government, discusses why "Taxation Without Representation" was a crucial reason for Americans desiring their independence from England, with WMAL host Larry O’Connor. Celebrate America’s 250th anniversary with Hillsdale in D.C. professors, co-hosted with WMAL radio host Larry O’Connor. Discover the historical and philosophical underpinnings of the Declaration of Independence, the American Revolution, American culture, and more. New episodes every other week! 

On this episode of The Hillsdale College Online Courses Podcast, Jeremiah and Juan discuss the questions that dominated the politics of the Early Republic before introducing Wilfred McClay. Americans have overcome many challenges throughout our history, including the American Revolution, the Civil War, the Great Depression, two World Wars, and the Cold War. Studying the great stories from our past inspires us to preserve the blessings of liberty in our day. Now you can study these stories with Hillsdale College. Hillsdale’s free online course, “The Great American Story: A Land of Hope,” explores the history of America as a land of hope founded on high principles. In presenting the great triumphs and achievements of our nation’s past, as well as the shortcomings and failures, it offers a broad and unbiased study of the kind essential to the cultivation of intelligent patriotism. The brutal institution of slavery, which pre-dated the Founding of America, grew and became entrenched in the Southern states. Although it was antithetical to the principles of the Declaration of Independence, slavery survived the Constitutional Convention and became the great source of national dissolution.

The operation to rescue a U.S. airman in Iran, admissions at Hillsdale College, and the rhetoric of president Donald Trump. Dr. Larry P. Arnn, president of Hillsdale College, joins Hugh Hewitt on the Hillsdale Dialogues. Release date: 10 April 2026

Join Michael Berndt, director of curriculum at the Hillsdale College K-12 Education Office, Allison Postell, assistant professor of Philosophy at Hillsdale College, Paul Rahe professor of history and Charles O. Lee and Louise K. Lee chair in the western heritage at Hillsdale College, and Joshua Gibbs, director of the classical teaching institute, for a panel on the classical virtue of ambition.  The four discuss whether the virtue of ambition can exist in a Christian world, ambition in the classical worldview, and the importance of developing excellence. This panel was held at the Classical Education Forum in February, 2026. Learn more: https://k12.hillsdale.edu/

Guests: Kelly Shackelford & Kelly Scott Franklin Host Scot Bertram talks with Kelly Shackelford, president and CEO of First Liberty Institute, about the current state of religious liberty in the United States and his work on President Trump’s Religious Liberty Commission. And Kelly Scott Franklin, associate professor of English at Hillsdale College, returns for a new series on the poems of Emily Dickinson. This week, he focuses on "Death sets a Thing significant." 

On this episode of The Hillsdale College Online Courses Podcast, Jeremiah and Juan discuss the ratification of the Constitution before introducing Wilfred McClay. Americans have overcome many challenges throughout our history, including the American Revolution, the Civil War, the Great Depression, two World Wars, and the Cold War. Studying the great stories from our past inspires us to preserve the blessings of liberty in our day. Now you can study these stories with Hillsdale College. Hillsdale’s free online course, “The Great American Story: A Land of Hope,” explores the history of America as a land of hope founded on high principles. In presenting the great triumphs and achievements of our nation’s past, as well as the shortcomings and failures, it offers a broad and unbiased study of the kind essential to the cultivation of intelligent patriotism. After declaring independence from Great Britain, the Americans faced two monumental tasks. First, they had to defeat the mightiest military power in the world. Second, they had to establish a government capable of unifying the nation and securing their rights.

In Part Four of a four-episode series on The Larry Arnn Show, “The Clerics: Christianity in America,” Hillsdale College President Larry P. Arnn interviews Rabbi Meir Soloveichik, rabbi at Congregation Shearith Israel and a senior Scholar at the Tikvah Fund. The two discuss the impact of Judaism on Western Civilization, the concept of Beauty in the Jewish tradition, and what America owes Athens and Jerusalem. This interview was conducted on February 10th, 2026. Discover more at podcast.hillsdale.edu.

Dr. Larry P. Arnn, President of Hillsdale College, joins Hugh Hewitt on the Hillsdale Dialogues to continue a series on The Second World War, Churchill's sprawling memoir and history of World War II in six volumes. Release date: 03 April 2026

Kayla Cruthers is the Head of School at Ivywood Classical Academy in Plymouth, Michigan. Join Scot Bertram as he and Kayla discuss why classical education is important to a community and how Hillsdale’s K-12 Education Office helped shape her understanding of and vision for an American Classical Education.  Learn more: https://k12.hillsdale.edu/

Guests: Kathleen O'Toole & Mardi M. Billman Host Scot Bertram talks with Kathleen O'Toole, associate vice president for K-12 Education at Hillsdale College, about the importance of education in forming citizens and her essay "Citizenship Starts in the Classroom." And Mardi Billman, associate professor of chemistry at Hillsdale College, returns for another series on drama in scientific discovery. This week, she begins to discuss the discovery of fire. 

February 2026 | Volume 55, Issue 2 Recovering the Lost Art of Diplomacy A. Wess Mitchell Author, Great Power Diplomacy: The Skill of Statecraft from Attila the Hun to Kissinger The following is adapted from a speech delivered at Hillsdale College on October 21, 2025, sponsored by Hillsdale’s Center for Military History and Strategy.

On this episode of The Hillsdale College Online Courses Podcast, Jeremiah and Juan discuss the intellectual foundations of the Deceleration of Independence before introducing Wilfred McClay. Americans have overcome many challenges throughout our history, including the American Revolution, the Civil War, the Great Depression, two World Wars, and the Cold War. Studying the great stories from our past inspires us to preserve the blessings of liberty in our day. Now you can study these stories with Hillsdale College. Hillsdale’s free online course, “The Great American Story: A Land of Hope,” explores the history of America as a land of hope founded on high principles. In presenting the great triumphs and achievements of our nation’s past, as well as the shortcomings and failures, it offers a broad and unbiased study of the kind essential to the cultivation of intelligent patriotism. The British imperial system fostered habits of self-rule in the American colonies, which were strengthened by the Great Awakening and the Enlightenment. This revolution of self-rule culminated in the resonant words of the Declaration of Independence, which cited “the Laws of Nature and of Nature’s God.”

Dr. Larry P. Arnn, President of Hillsdale College, joins Hugh Hewitt on the Hillsdale Dialogues to continue a series on The Second World War, Churchill's sprawling memoir and history of World War II in six volumes. Release date: 27 March 2026

Paul Mittermeier, Upper School Humanities teacher at Cincinnati Classical Academy in Cincinnati, Ohio, joins host Scot Bertram to discuss the importance of formal logic, why formal logic plays such an important role in classical education, and how formal logic helps student improve their reading comprehension. Learn more: https://k12.hillsdale.edu/

Guests: John Kass & Matthew Mehan Host Scot Bertram talks with John Kass, an independent Chicago-based columnist and host of The Chicago Way podcast, about his legendary journalism career in Chicago and what the city’s mistakes can teach the rest of the country. And Matthew Mehan, associate dean and associate professor at the Van Andel Graduate School of Government at Hillsdale College in Washington, D.C., discusses the importance of children in American political life and his report "The Higher Purpose of Children in American Society."

Dr. David Azerrad, Assistant Professor of Government, discusses the meaning and value of citizenship in America from a naturalized citizen’s perspective with WMAL host Larry O’Connor. Celebrate America’s 250th anniversary with Hillsdale in D.C. professors, co-hosted with WMAL radio host Larry O’Connor. Discover the historical and philosophical underpinnings of the Declaration of Independence, the American Revolution, American culture, and more. New episodes every other week! 

On this episode of The Hillsdale College Online Courses Podcast, Jeremiah and Juan discuss the legacy of Christopher Columbus before introducing Wilfred McClay. Americans have overcome many challenges throughout our history, including the American Revolution, the Civil War, the Great Depression, two World Wars, and the Cold War. Studying the great stories from our past inspires us to preserve the blessings of liberty in our day. Now you can study these stories with Hillsdale College. Hillsdale’s free online course, “The Great American Story: A Land of Hope,” explores the history of America as a land of hope founded on high principles. In presenting the great triumphs and achievements of our nation’s past, as well as the shortcomings and failures, it offers a broad and unbiased study of the kind essential to the cultivation of intelligent patriotism. America has stood as a land of hope from the time of the explorers. Yet Christopher Columbus—eager to find a trade route to the East—could not see the great import of his discovery.

The war in Iran, the future of the Iranian regime, and how Hillsdale students feel about the war. Dr. Larry P. Arnn, president of Hillsdale College, joins Hugh Hewitt on the Hillsdale Dialogues. Release date: 20 March 2026

Kathleen O’Toole, associate vice president for K-12 Education at Hillsdale College, is joined by Matthew Spalding to discuss his new book, The Making of the American Mind: The Story of our Declaration of Independence, and the importance of teaching American history properly. Matthew Spalding is vice president of Washington Operations and dean of the Van Andel Graduate School of Government at Hillsdale College in Washington, D.C. Learn more: https://k12.hillsdale.edu/

Guests: Mary Katharine Ham & Benjamin Beier Host Scot Bertram talks with Mary Katharine Ham, host of the Getting Hammered and Normally podcasts and writer at Fox News and OutKick, about her career in journalism and the changing landscape of media in America. And Benjamin Beier, chairman and associate professor of education at Hillsdale College, previews the new Hillsdale online course, Classical Logic and Rhetoric.

On this episode of The Hillsdale College Online Courses Podcast, Jeremiah and Juan introduce the course "The Great American Story: A Land of Hope". Americans have overcome many challenges throughout our history, including the American Revolution, the Civil War, the Great Depression, two World Wars, and the Cold War. Studying the great stories from our past inspires us to preserve the blessings of liberty in our day. Now you can study these stories with Hillsdale College. Hillsdale’s free online course, “The Great American Story: A Land of Hope,” explores the history of America as a land of hope founded on high principles. In presenting the great triumphs and achievements of our nation’s past, as well as the shortcomings and failures, it offers a broad and unbiased study of the kind essential to the cultivation of intelligent patriotism. Good history presents an accurate picture of what happened in the past with a sympathy for those who lived before us. Studying the birth, growth, and survival of America—one of the most significant events in human history—provides foundational knowledge that we can apply to the challenges of our day.

Khalil Habib, associate professor of politics at Hillsdale College, joins Hugh Hewitt on the Hillsdale Dialogues to continue a series on the politics of Shakespeare's historical plays. Release date: 13 March 2026

Join John Peterson, lecturer in education and politics at Hillsdale College, Jonathan Gregg, assistant professor of education at Hillsdale College, Kevin Gary associate professor of education at Hillsdale College, and Ryan Hammill, executive director of the Ancient Language Institute, for a panel on David Hick's Norms and Nobility: A Treatise on Education.  The four discuss the degree with which classical education is consistent with democracy, the focus on forming students instead of empowering them, and the challenges that modernity poses to classical logic and rhetoric. This panel was held at the Classical Education Forum in February 2026 Learn more: https://k12.hillsdale.edu/

Dr. Luke Foster, D.C. Campus Assistant Professor of Government, sits down with Larry O’Connor to talk about the significance of the French alliance for American independence, both 250 years ago and today. Celebrate America’s 250th anniversary with Hillsdale in D.C. professors, co-hosted with WMAL radio host Larry O’Connor. Discover the historical and philosophical underpinnings of the Declaration of Independence, the American Revolution, American culture, and more. New episodes every other week! 

Guests: Mollie Hemingway & Christina J. Lambert Host Scot Bertram talks with Mollie Hemingway, Senior Journalism Fellow at Hillsdale College and editor-in-chief at The Federalist, about the political issues that will affect the results of the upcoming midterm elections and her upcoming book Alito: The Justice Who Reshaped the Supreme Court and Restored the Constitution. And Christina J. Lambert, assistant professor of English at Hillsdale College, continues a series on the life and work of poet and playwright T. S. Eliot. This week, she discusses Eliot's The Waste Land.

Dr. Matthew Spalding and Larry O’Connor to celebrate and discuss George Washington and Abraham Lincoln’s birthdays and how the first president’s crucial contributions helped shapeour nation in the early days of the Revolutionary War. Celebrate America’s 250th anniversary with Hillsdale in D.C. professors, co-hosted with WMAL radio host Larry O’Connor. Discover the historical and philosophical underpinnings of the Declaration of Independence, the American Revolution, American culture, and more. New episodes every other week!

Dr. Matthew Spalding joins Larry O’Connor to discuss his newly released book, The Making of the American Mind: Our Story of the Declaration of Independence. Discover the people, the history, and—in the words of Thomas Jefferson—the “expression of the American mind” that led to the Declaration and the nation’s Founding. Celebrate America’s 250th anniversary with Hillsdale in D.C. professors, co-hosted with WMAL radio host Larry O’Connor. Discover the historical and philosophical underpinnings of the Declaration of Independence, the American Revolution, American culture, and more. New episodes every other week! 

Dr. Matthew Spalding and WMAL D.C. talk radio host Larry O’Connor discuss the challenges the Revolutionary soldiers faced 250 years ago. Plus, learn some of the current controversial debates on how America tells its own tales.  Celebrate America’s 250th anniversary with Hillsdale in D.C. professors, co-hosted with WMAL radio host Larry O’Connor. Discover the historical and philosophical underpinnings of the Declaration of Independence, the American Revolution, American culture, and more. New episodes every other week! 

Dr. Matthew Spalding, Dean of the Van Andel Graduate School of Government, sits down with WMAL D.C. talk radio host Larry O’Connor, to kick off their America 250 series. Drawing from Spalding’s new book, The Making of the American Mind: The Story of Our Declaration of Independence, they discuss the American Founding, the Declaration of Independence, and why both still matter 250 years later. Celebrate America’s 250th anniversary with Hillsdale in D.C. professors, co-hosted with WMAL radio host Larry O’Connor. Discover the historical and philosophical underpinnings of the Declaration of Independence, the American Revolution, American culture, and more. New episodes every other week!