Session 0: The Hardt of Liberty Podcast

Welcome to the Hardt of Liberty Podcast.I’m Liberty Speidel Hardt—author, mom, and now your host—and I’m so glad you’re here for this very first episode. Think of this as “Session Zero”: a chance to share a little about who I am, why I’m starting this podcast, and what you can expect in the episodes ahead.I’ve felt for a long time that people are hungry for clarity, honesty, and thoughtful conversation about the world around us. That’s exactly what I hope this show becomes—a space to explore news, culture, faith, and politics, all grounded in curiosity, conviction, and common sense.If you’ve ever felt like the world doesn’t quite make sense anymore, or that conversations have become harder instead of easier, you’re not alone. This podcast is for people who still want to think clearly, speak honestly, and stay human in complicated times.And just so you know what kind of space this is: this isn’t a podcast about shouting, dunking on people, or winning arguments. It’s about asking better questions, thinking more clearly, and engaging without losing our humanity.Who I Am.So, who am I?I’m a forty-something Christian woman who’s walked through some challenging chapters in life: an abusive first marriage, divorce, healing, and a redemptive second marriage. I’m a mom of two, a stepmom of two—and yes, prayers are welcome, because all four are teenagers.Parenting teenagers with unique needs has taught me a lot about patience, observation, and adaptability. One of my kids, who’s autistic, can recite every movie an actor has ever been in—birth dates, death dates, full filmography, you name it. Meanwhile, my husband, who’s also autistic, might suddenly demand the car keys in a crowded grocery store because the sensory input is overwhelming. Experiences like these shape how I see the world and remind me that the systems we rely on—whether social, cultural, or practical—aren’t one-size-fits-all.I don’t really fit into neat boxes. I’ve never been someone who follows any one person or movement without questioning it. I listen widely, think carefully, and try to hold truth even when it doesn’t line up perfectly with a label.Professionally, I have a degree in journalism and grew up around politics. I never worked as a journalist professionally, but that training taught me to ask questions, think critically, and spot patterns others might miss. That perspective now informs my commentary—my curiosity, my skepticism, and yes, even a little cynicism about how the media covers the world.When I’m not writing or podcasting, I’m either collapsed in bed after a long day driving a bus, knitting as furiously as I possibly can, or playing D&D. I came to D&D later in life—I’ve been playing almost seven years—and have found it to be a wonderful creative outlet. I’m also a bit of a video gamer, though I don’t dabble. I jump right into whatever I love and stick with it. Right now, my favorites are _Star Wars: The Old Republic_, _The Division 2_, and _Jedi: Survivor_.But most of all, I’m a writer. I’m the author or co-author of more than a dozen novels. Writing is how I process life, how I make sense of things—and it’s part of why this podcast exists.Personal Health / MAHAAnother part of my life I want to share is my focus on health. Since September 2024, I’ve been following a keto/carnivore approach—a lifestyle I sometimes call MAHA: _Making All Healthy Attempts_. So far, I’ve lost 50 pounds, and it’s been a journey of learning what my body needs, how to fuel it properly, and how small habits compound over time.I’m not perfect, and I still enjoy the occasional treat, but this experience has taught me discipline, patience, and the importance of advocating for healthier living—not just for myself, but for my family and my community. Nutrition, exercise, and wellness are part of the larger picture of engaging life thoughtfully, and I’ll likely weave those insights into future episodes.Faith FoundationsFaith is central to who I am. I was raised complementarian, and I lived that way for years. Over time, though, through study and experience, I became convinced that Scripture supports egalitarianism: that men and women are equal partners, equally called, and equally capable in the Kingdom of God.I first realized egalitarianism wasn’t just a theory—it was real life. About two years ago, we ordered a bunch of IKEA bookcases. I decided to put one together while my husband took a nap. By the time he woke up, I was mostly done with the fourth one and had the fifth fully assembled by dinner. It made me laugh, but it also made me think: sometimes life shows you the truth more vividly than any book or argument. That’s how I see equality in faith and partnership—practical, real, and a little messy at times.The main takeaway? My Christianity informs my worldview—including my politics—not the other way around.Political PerspectivePolitically, I describe myself as a conservative libertarian—what some might call a traditional liberal in the classical sense. I value free speech, individual liberty, skepticism of big government, and letting people live their lives without interference.Economically, I lean very conservative. I believe there are basic principles that both households and governments should follow. Do I get them all right in my personal life? Absolutely not. I have more credit card debt than I’d like, and like many families, we live paycheck to paycheck. But I’m trying—and that effort is a lot more than I can say for Washington, D.C.Even though I’ve never been a professional journalist, my training taught me to look critically at information and ask the hard questions. I approach politics the same way: curious, skeptical, and yes, a little cynical about the way the media covers things. Think of it as a kind of “armchair journalism”—fewer press passes, more coffee. I have opinions—some strong, some evolving—but this podcast is about exploring, questioning, and helping you make sense of the chaos around us.In both my political and religious lives, I’ve had a lot of influences. I try to listen to many perspectives without adopting any of them wholesale. For instance, I love [Sheila Wray Gregoire](https://substack.com/@baremarriage)’s work on marriage and sex, but when she gets political, I cringe. At the same time, some of my favorite political commentators have supported pastors who’ve said truly outlandish things about women—and some women defend them. That’s something I simply can’t accept.Even though I’m conservative and libertarian-leaning, there’s still a part of me that’s feminist—more first and second wave than modern ideology. Not “all men are evil,” but “women are fully human and fully capable.” I refuse ideological purity tests. Life has layers.Why Culture MattersMuch of what I’ll discuss here comes back to culture. I believe culture is a thermometer: it tells you the true temperature of a society. And right now, our cultural temperature is concerning.We used to have shared touchstones—moments everyone seemed to know. Today, you could probably mention “Baby Yoda,” and even people who aren’t Star Wars fans would know exactly who you mean. I didn’t even start watching _The Mandalorian_ until the second season. Moments like that helped create a shared conversation. Now, those touchstones are rarer.And it’s not just pop culture. I see two main worldviews shaping American culture right now. On one side, you have a conservative perspective—people who are skeptical of big government, concerned about traditional values, focused on individual responsibility. On the other, there’s a liberal perspective—people immersed in progressive thought, heavily influenced by media like NPR and CNN, often embracing social change and questioning traditional norms.These worlds don’t just disagree; they often inhabit entirely different realities, with little overlap. That fragmentation bleeds into politics, education, faith, and how we interact with one another. That’s why engaging culture thoughtfully is so important: to notice the patterns, to understand the context, and to help bridge those gaps wherever we can.What This Podcast Will BeSo, what can you expect from the Hardt of Liberty Podcast?Conversations, commentary, and honest thoughts about the world we live in—from the news cycle to cultural trends, faith, and politics. I’ll talk about what interests me, what keeps me awake at night, and what gives me hope.I’m planning for new episodes to release weekly, with additional thoughts and discussion here on Substack. This is meant to be a conversation, not just a broadcast.Some episodes might be serious, diving deep into politics or cultural trends. Others might be lighter, with personal stories from my life, reflections on books I’m reading, or musings about the quirks of everyday living. And yes, there might be a rant or two about coffee that’s too strong, TV shows that miss the mark, or IKEA furniture that tests your patience.Some episodes will focus on the week’s news. Others will go deeper. I won’t always get everything right, and I hope you’ll give me the grace for the occasional mea culpa.As the late, great Rush Limbaugh used to say, I’m going to talk about what interests me. My hope is that it informs you, challenges you, encourages you, and maybe even entertains you along the way.If you’re ready to think more deeply, speak more honestly, and engage culture without losing your soul—rooted in faith, liberty, and the belief that culture matters—you’re in the right place.Let’s get started. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit hardtoflibertypodcast.substack.com