The Professor Liberty Podcast

Ep #136: The Surprising Origins of Christmas Day

In this special Christmas episode of the Professor Liberty Podcast, we explore the history behind December 25th and challenge the claim that Christmas is merely a pagan holiday in disguise. Drawing from biblical accounts, Roman history, early Christian writings, and astronomical evidence, your favorite social studies teacher examines when Jesus was likely born and why December 25th became the traditional date. From the Roman census and the birth of John the Baptist to the Star of Bethlehem and ancient planetary alignments, this episode shows that December 25th was not chosen at random but carries deep theological and historical significance. While the exact date of Jesus’ birth remains uncertain, the evidence reveals a tradition rooted in early Christianity—not pagan imitation.

Ep#135: The Roman Road to Masculinity

With today’s growing conversation about the lost young men of this generation and their gravitation toward controversial online influencers, Mr. Palumbo offers a powerful and timeless alternative. In this episode, “The Roman Road to Masculinity,” Mr. Palumbo takes listeners on a journey back to ancient Rome to rediscover what it truly meant to be a man in a world that demanded courage, discipline, and purpose. Long before the comforts of modern life, Roman men built their identity around seven enduring virtues. For the modern young man who feels lost, untested, or without direction, this episode is your call to action. It’s time to rise above distraction, reclaim discipline and duty, and walk the Roman Road to Masculinity to rediscover your ancestral calling and become the man you were meant to be.

Ep#134: WWI: The War that Shattered Christendom

At the dawn of the twentieth century, Europe believed it was marching toward heaven guided by reason, faith, and progress. Within a decade, that confidence drowned in the trenches of the Somme. In this episode, we trace how the First World War didn’t just end empires; it ended belief itself. We explore how the same industrial power that built modern civilization became the engine of its destruction, how the churches lost their moral compass, and how a generation of thinkers, poets, and soldiers were left asking whether God or meaning itself had died on the battlefield. It’s the story of how a war meant to redeem the world instead left it haunted by silence.

Ep# 133 From Factories to Algorithms: The Future of Human Work

From the steam engines of the Industrial Revolution to the rise of artificial intelligence, every technological leap has forced humanity to redefine work, purpose, and fairness. But this time, the machines aren’t just replacing muscle, they’re replacing minds. As AI begins to write, create, and decide, we’re confronting questions that strike at the heart of identity itself: What happens when work disappears? Who benefits from automation’s wealth? And how do we build a new social contract before inequality and disconnection tear society apart? In this episode, we trace history’s lessons, explore the promises and perils of AI, and ask what it means to be human in an age when intelligence is no longer ours alone.

Ep# 132 The Indispensable Man: George Washington

In this powerful episode of the Professor Liberty Podcast, Mr. Palumbo explores why George Washington was, as historian James Thomas Flexner called him, “The Indispensable Man” in the American Revolution and the founding of the United States. With a mix of humor, reverence, and historical insight, the episode traces Washington’s critical role from his reluctant acceptance of military leadership in 1775, through the brutal years of the Revolutionary War, to his unprecedented decision to surrender power after victory. Mr. Palumbo highlights how Washington’s leadership was defined not by tactical brilliance, but by unwavering character, humility, and a deep commitment to republican values.

Ep#131 Free Speech on Trial: The Charlie Legacy You Need to Know

In this episode, A Tribute to Charlie and Free Speech, we explore the powerful origins, philosophical foundations, and modern-day challenges surrounding one of humanity’s most essential liberties. From Voltaire’s Enlightenment ideals and the bold defiance of American colonists to the work of the late Charlie Kirk on college campuses, Mr. Palumbo traces how free speech became the cornerstone of democratic self-governance and individual conscience. We examine the First Amendment’s intellectual roots in the writings of Jefferson and Madison, the warnings from Washington and Franklin, and how freedom of expression serves both as a safeguard against tyranny and a path to personal growth. The episode also critiques the erosion of speech freedoms today highlighting overreach in British internet laws and the ideological conformity on modern university campuses, the very hostile places where Charlie Kirk bravely attempted to debate opponents and change hearts and minds.  

Ep #130 The Federal Reserve: Secrets, Power, and the Fate of Your Dollar

In this provocative episode of The Professor Liberty Podcast, Mr. Palumbo, your favorite "undocumented conservative social studies teacher" pulls back the curtain on one of the most mysterious and powerful institutions in America: the Federal Reserve. With his signature mix of humor, skepticism, and historical insight, he traces the Fed’s shadowy origins from the secretive 1910 Jekyll Island meeting to its enormous influence on today’s economy. From inflation to interest rates, from the gold standard to quantitative easing, this episode explores how the Fed shapes the value of your dollar and raises serious constitutional and ethical questions about accountability, transparency, and control. Packed with facts, reflections, and a little bit of Hulkamania, this is a must-listen for anyone who wants to understand how economic power operates behind closed doors—and what reforms might put it back in the hands of the people.

Ep #129 Andrew Jackson: His Troubled Legacy and the Reasons Behind Indian Removal

In this episode of the Professor Liberty Podcast, Mr. Palumbo dives into the complex and controversial legacy of President Andrew Jackson, focusing on one of the most debated policies of his presidency: the Indian Removal Act. Through historical context and Jackson’s own reasoning, the episode explores how a man once hailed as a champion of the “common man” also presided over one of the darkest chapters in American history—the forced relocation of Native American tribes along the Trail of Tears. Mr. Palumbo examines the political, economic, and cultural motives behind removal, Jackson’s belief that it was a necessary measure to preserve Native lives, and how this moment in history clashes with modern values of diversity and inclusion.

Ep# 128: Locked, Loaded and misunderstood: Explaining the Defense Dilemma

In this episode, Mr. Palumbo breaks down a powerful but often overlooked concept in global politics: the defense dilemma (also known as the security dilemma). It’s a paradox where actions meant to increase a country’s security—like building up military forces—can actually make other nations feel threatened, prompting them to do the same. The result? A dangerous cycle of mistrust and escalation.

Ep# 127 The Ancients: Assyrians History’s "First War Machine"

In this episode of the Professor Liberty podcast, we continue our series on the ancients with a deep dive into the fearsome Assyrian Empire—so brutal, they earned condemnation in the Bible. From their ruthless kings like Sennacherib to their cutting-edge siege warfare and forced population relocations, the Assyrians didn’t just conquer—they terrorized. With fortified capitals like Nineveh and iconic symbols like the lamassu, their legacy shaped empires, warfare, and civilization for generations to come.