The Spirit of America's Founders

Appreciating Homer's Odyssey

Guests: Benedict Whalen and Carson Holloway Host Scot Bertram talks with Benedict Whalen, chairman and associate professor of English at Hillsdale College, to preview his brand-new online course, “The Odyssey [https://online.hillsdale.edu/courses/promo/odyssey].” And Carson Holloway, department chair and professor of political society at the University of Nebraska at Omaha and a Washington fellow at the Claremont Institute Center for the American Way of Life, discusses the shortcomings of American libel law and his new book, No Liberty to Libel: The Constitutional Case against New York Times v. Sullivan. [https://www.encounterbooks.com/books/no-liberty-libel/] See omnystudio.com/listener [https://omnystudio.com/listener] for privacy information.

Suicidal Empathy and the West

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 [https://www.amazon.com/dp/0063446537?lv=shuf&channelId=500&plpRedirect=mhFallback]. And Stephen Smith, dean of humanities and Temple Family Chair in English Literature at Hillsdale College, discusses the life and teachings of St. Thomas More and his new book, The Last Riddle: Advice on Living and Dying Well from the Imprisoned Saint Thomas More [https://bookstore.wordonfire.org/products/last-riddle]. See omnystudio.com/listener [https://omnystudio.com/listener] for privacy information.

America 250 Independence Day Special

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 Importance of the Fourth of July, According to the Adams Family [https://www.nationalreview.com/2025/07/the-importance-of-the-fourth-of-july-according-to-john-quincy-adams/].” And Wilfred McClay, Victor Davis Hanson Chair in Classical History and Western Civilization at Hillsdale College, discusses the importance of measured patriotism and his recent article, “Memory and America’s Birthday [https://www.americanheritage.com/memory-and-americas-birthday].” See omnystudio.com/listener [https://omnystudio.com/listener] for privacy information.

The Declaration of Independence: A Radical Experiment in Liberty

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 Founders, and his new book, The Declaration of Independence: A Radical Experiment in Liberty. [https://www.amazon.com/dp/1630694363?lv=shuf&channelId=500&plpRedirect=mhFallback] See omnystudio.com/listener [https://omnystudio.com/listener] for privacy information.

Why America's Elites Are So Out of Touch

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 for America's Soul [https://www.amazon.com/Out-Touch-Percent-Battle-Americas/dp/1645721167]. And Richard Samuelson, associate professor of government at Hillsdale College’s Washington, D.C. campus, continues a series celebrating the 250th anniversary of the United States. This week, the lead-up to the Declaration of Independence. See omnystudio.com/listener [https://omnystudio.com/listener] for privacy information.