The Hardt of Liberty Podcast Podcast

This week is more of a recap than a deep-dive, touching on the major news this week of the Iran war, conservative in-fighting, Chuck Norris’ passing, the Firefly reboot, and my excitement at getting to go see Project Hail Mary. Note: this podcast was originally accidentally published on my personal Substack page. It was meant to be in my podcast feed. So it’s a little older, and being republished for posterity. :) 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

Anyone who knows me knows I’m a big sci-fi nerd … and a big space nerd. They kinda go hand-in-hand. This week on the podcast, I geek out about the movie, Project Hail Mary as well as the launch of Artemis II. I also make some observations about how Artemis II mirrors Apollo 8. Want to know more? Listen in to find out! 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

Today, Liberty Hardt considers how people have responded to the news, and whether it's good or right. 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

This week on the show, I’m diving into the forthcoming release of documents regarding aliens, UFOs, and UAVs. Everyone’s got an opinion, but I’m going to take a little different perspective—a faith-found one. As a Christian, is this a distraction? Is it a sign of the end times? Or just another amazing aspect of God’s Creation?Articles referenced in the show:AxiosBBC (significant portion read aloud)PBSScientific American ← this one is really quite interesting to read in-depthReutersScripture referenced:Psalm 19:1Psalm 8:3-4Hebrews 1:2Genesis 1:26-272 Thessalonians 2:9-11Overall, this was a fascinating dive into the theological aspects of whether aliens are real. I hope you find it equally interesting and share in the discussion! Today’s podcast is sponsored by The Darby Shaw Chronicles. Start reading the series today! 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

Today on the show, we're discussing the SAVE Act -- HB 22, or the Safeguard American Voter Eligibility Act, which is currently stalled in the US Senate. Liberty discusses what the act would do, some of the objections and why she disagrees with them--and how we can overcome any potential tripwires. To read the full text of the bill, visit Congress's website.Liberty also references the PEW Research polling done on the matter from August 2025. You can view that polling data here. 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

TL;DRLiberty Speidel Hardt launched the first episode of her “Hardt of Liberty” podcast on January 31, 2026. She introduced herself, shared her journalism background, and spent the bulk of the episode analyzing the media coverage of Don Lemon’s recent arrest tied to a church protest in St. Paul, Minnesota. She strongly criticized the disruption of religious worship, compared contrasting news reports from Daily Wire, NPR, and CNN, questioned journalistic ethics when reporters allegedly participate in criminal acts, and called for greater media literacy and cross-ideological news consumption to reduce polarization.SummaryThe episode opens with Liberty introducing herself, joking about having “the weirdest name in all of political podcasting,” and briefly establishing her credentials (journalism degree + years of consuming political commentary across the spectrum). The core discussion focuses on Don Lemon’s January 2026 arrest following his involvement in a protest that interrupted a worship service at Cities Church in St. Paul on January 18. Liberty notes her personal connection to Minnesota (her husband was a student of Governor Tim Walz in the 1990s) and expresses deep concern about the violation of religious freedom. She argues that people of all faiths have a reasonable expectation of peaceful worship, regardless of the day or denomination.She conducts a side-by-side comparison of three news outlets’ coverage:* Daily Wire (Jan 30 article by Jenny Taer): Presented the facts straightforwardly — Lemon attended pre-protest briefings, live-streamed the event while maintaining secrecy, thanked protest leader Nakima Levy Armstrong, and was charged with conspiracy against rights (18 U.S.C. § 241) and FACE Act violations (18 U.S.C. § 248).* NPR (Jan 30 by Davin Fulkenflick) and CNN: Framed the arrests as an attack on press freedom and the First Amendment. Both quoted Lemon’s attorney Abby Lowell calling it “unprecedented,” and highlighted support from Amnesty International and the Knight First Amendment Institute.Liberty challenges the idea that journalists can participate in or facilitate criminal acts under the umbrella of reporting. She compares it to mandatory reporting laws for teachers/therapists in child abuse cases, arguing that press freedom does not override others’ First Amendment rights to religious exercise. She is especially troubled by the presence of children during the disruption (Lemon reportedly acknowledged intimidating kids) and notes her own practice of carrying firearms at church since Roe v. Wade was overturned (intensified after Charlie Kirk’s death).The episode closes with a call for media literacy: diversify news sources (CNN viewers should read Daily Wire, and vice versa), listen across ideological lines, reduce shouting, and lower the volume on political division to prevent further societal breakdown.If you would like to help support the podcast, the best way is to share! Please share, comment, and if you like fiction, pick up my books. Today’s featured book is: Echoes in the VoidHer best friend shouldn’t be missing. But desperate times call for desperate detectives. When Tamryn shows up in the office of down-on-his-luck detective Bridger Heidemann, he’s eager to take the case. A paycheck coming from the city’s wealthiest woman? Who could turn that down? The case of Tamryn’s missing best friend Cora shouldn’t be difficult, despite the fact she went off planet. But when lead after lead hits a dead end, Bridger is forced to leave Earth to find his quarry. There’s just one catch: Tamryn insists on coming with him, and she’s sexy as hell. She’s also bound and determined to get Bridger to break his number one rule about clients: he won’t sleep with them. With trouble following them to every space station, Bridger’s main concern should be tracking down Cora, not staying out of Tamryn’s bed. As the flight to finding Cora gets more dangerous, will the pressure force Bridger to succumb to Tamryn’s feminine wiles? 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

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