Hillsdale College Podcast Network Superfeed

Guests: Stephen Smith and Sam Lair Host Scot Bertram talks with Stephen Smith, dean of humanities and Professor of English at Hillsdale College, to preview his brand-new online course, “The Iliad.” And Sam Lair, former director of The Center for American Education at the Idaho Freedom Foundation, discusses his Hillsdale College Van Andel Graduate School of Statesmanship dissertation on the political thought and statesmanship of James Monroe.

On this episode of The Hillsdale College Online Courses Podcast, Jeremiah and Juan discuss the significance if Odysseus' encounter with Polyphemus before introducing a lecture from Dr. Benedict Whalen. Odysseus recounts his journey thus far to the Phaeacians. He tells of his escape from the cyclops, Polyphemus, and his great blunder. The Odyssey tells the tale of the cunning and crafty hero of the Trojan War on his journey home. After ten years of war, Odysseus faces another ten years of fantastic temptations, deadly monsters, treacherous seas, and impious men. Meanwhile, Ithaca is threatened by suitors who plague his wife and plunder his wealth. When Odysseus reaches home, he must slay the suitors, test the loyalty of his friends and family, and restore order to his marriage and his kingdom.

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: 14 August 2026

Aaron Schepps, upper school principal at Atlanta Classical Academy in Atlanta, Georgia, joins host Scot Bertram to discuss the problem of students leaving classical schools after 8th grade, why the "8th grade melt" exists, and how teachers can guide the conversation to encourage students to continue their classical education. Learn more: https://k12.hillsdale.edu/

Guests: Seth Barron and Elizabeth Fredericks Host Scot Bertram talks with Seth Barron, editorial board member at the New York Post, who explains how the Left is moving power away from the people and into the hands of an administrative class and discusses his new book Weaponized: The Left's Capture and Destruction of America's Sacred Institutions. And Elizabeth Fredericks, associate professor of English at Hillsdale College, begins a series on the British literature of World War I. This week, she focuses on the emotional tone of British writing at the start of the war. 

Vietnam War veteran Duane “Dutch” Van Fleet was part of combat operations in South Vietnam. The U.S. Marine participated in numerous combat patrols and operations. Wounded twice during combat operations, he returned home from the war and attended Hillsdale College, graduating with honors. He returned to active duty as an officer, participating in combat operations in Operation Sharp Edge, Operation Desert Shield, and Operation Desert Storm. A decorated war hero, he retired from active duty in 1998. ------ Informative. Inspirational. Uplifting. Those are the goals of the White and Blue podcast. We are here to tell the interesting stories of Hillsdale College alumni, who number more than 15,000 strong. Our guests will share about their time and experiences while on campus, and also the impact they have had on the world since graduating. What makes the Hillsdale College graduate unique? We will explore that question and more, including how alumni have impacted the past, present, and future of the College. Won’t you join us?

On this episode of The Hillsdale College Online Courses Podcast, Jeremiah and Juan discuss the attributes that characterize Odysseus before introducing a lecture from Dr. Benedict Whalen. Odysseus uses his metis to gain favor with the king and queen of Phaeacia. Here he must resist the greatest temptation of his journey home. The Odyssey tells the tale of the cunning and crafty hero of the Trojan War on his journey home. After ten years of war, Odysseus faces another ten years of fantastic temptations, deadly monsters, treacherous seas, and impious men. Meanwhile, Ithaca is threatened by suitors who plague his wife and plunder his wealth. When Odysseus reaches home, he must slay the suitors, test the loyalty of his friends and family, and restore order to his marriage and his kingdom. The Odyssey in Five Minutes: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jbkafnwczxw

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: 7 August 2026

Kathleen O’Toole, associate vice president for K-12 Education at Hillsdale College, and Robert Pondiscio discuss his Atlanta Classical Academy commencement speech, the value of learning together in a community, and the promise and perils of AI in education. Robert Pondiscio is a senior fellow at the American Enterprise Institute (AEI) and an affiliate of AEI’s James Q. Wilson Program in K–12 Education Studies, where he focuses on K–12 education, curriculum, teaching, school choice, and charter schooling.

Guests: Jay Bhattacharya and Mark Edward Lender Host Scot Bertram plays excerpts from a lecture by Jay Bhattacharya, director of the National Institutes of Health of the United States, titled "Restoring Gold Standard Science." And Mark Edward Lender, author and historian, discusses the keys to victory in the American Revolution and his book War Without Mercy: Liberty or Death in the American Revolution.

On this episode of The Hillsdale College Online Courses Podcast, Jeremiah and Juan discuss the choice that Odysseus makes to begin his journey back to Ithaca before introducing a lecture from Dr. Benedict Whalen. Calypso had held Odysseus captive for nine years on her island but now sets him free. He is shipwrecked again on the island of the Phaeacians. The Odyssey tells the tale of the cunning and crafty hero of the Trojan War on his journey home. After ten years of war, Odysseus faces another ten years of fantastic temptations, deadly monsters, treacherous seas, and impious men. Meanwhile, Ithaca is threatened by suitors who plague his wife and plunder his wealth. When Odysseus reaches home, he must slay the suitors, test the loyalty of his friends and family, and restore order to his marriage and his kingdom.

This week: The war in Iran, construction on Hillsdale's campus, and the Michigan U.S. Senate campaign. Dr. Larry P. Arnn, president of Hillsdale College, joins Hugh Hewitt on the Hillsdale Dialogues. Release date: 31 July 2026

Kevin H. Gary, associate professor of education at Hillsdale College, joins host Scot Bertram to discuss the differences between orators and philosophers, the disciplines of rhetoric and philosophy, and how teachers can cultivate a balance between rhetoric and philosophy in the classroom. Learn more: https://k12.hillsdale.edu/

Guests: Jan Jekielek and Kelly Scott Franklin Host Scot Bertram talks with Jan Jekielek, senior editor at The Epoch Times and host of American Thought Leaders, about China's state-sanctioned harvesting of organs from living donors and his new book Killed to Order: China's Organ Harvesting Industry and the True Nature of America's Biggest Adversary. And Kelly Scott Franklin, associate professor of English at Hillsdale College, continues a series on the poems of Emily Dickinson. This week, he focuses on "Tell all the truth but tell it slant." 

On this episode of The Hillsdale College Online Courses Podcast, Jeremiah and Juan discuss the ways that Homer depicts women in The Odyssey before introducing a lecture from Dr. Benedict Whalen. Penelope, the wife of Odysseus, uses her own cunning to deceive the suitors while she awaits her husband’s return. Telemachus, their son, journeys to Sparta seeking news of his father. The Odyssey tells the tale of the cunning and crafty hero of the Trojan War on his journey home. After ten years of war, Odysseus faces another ten years of fantastic temptations, deadly monsters, treacherous seas, and impious men. Meanwhile, Ithaca is threatened by suitors who plague his wife and plunder his wealth. When Odysseus reaches home, he must slay the suitors, test the loyalty of his friends and family, and restore order to his marriage and his kingdom.

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 July 2026

Rosa Kubala, kindergarten teacher and student leadership advisor at Founders Classical Academy of Las Vegas in Las Vegas, Nevada, joins host Scot Bertram to discuss how parents can help to prepare their child for success before they enter the classroom, the role of parents in education, and the many lessons she has learned in her time as a kindergarten teacher. Learn more: https://k12.hillsdale.edu/

Guests: Donald P. Hodel and Stephanie Lauback Host Scot Bertram talks with Donald P. Hodel, former secretary of energy and former secretary of the interior in the Reagan administration, about the leadership lessons he learned working for President Reagan, as well as his new biography, Called to Serve: My Path to President Reagan's Cabinet and Beyond. And Stephanie Lauback, associate professor of physics at Hillsdale College, discusses her research into nanotechnology and magnetism.

On this episode of The Hillsdale College Online Courses Podcast, Jeremiah and Juan introduce the brand new course "The Odyssey." Odysseus, the man of "twists and turns," has been away from his home of Ithaca for twenty years. His home is plagued with a pack of suitors who court his wife, devour his goods, and mock his son.  The Odyssey tells the tale of the cunning and crafty hero of the Trojan War on his journey home. After ten years of war, Odysseus faces another ten years of fantastic temptations, deadly monsters, treacherous seas, and impious men. Meanwhile, Ithaca is threatened by suitors who plague his wife and plunder his wealth. When Odysseus reaches home, he must slay the suitors, test the loyalty of his friends and family, and restore order to his marriage and his kingdom.

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 July 2026

Kathleen O’Toole, associate vice president for K-12 Education at Hillsdale College, delivers a lecture elaborating on the relationships between liberal, civic, and moral education and their aims. Dr. O'Toole delivered this lecture as part of the Classical Education Forum on Hillsdale College's campus on February 12th, 2026. Learn more: https://k12.hillsdale.edu/

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.” 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.

Dr. Matthew Spalding, vice president for Washington Operations and dean of the Van Andel Graduate School of Government, discusses the events in the aftermath of the Founders signing the Declaration: the King's repudiation, Parliament’s reaction, and the war that ensued.  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! 

Prepare for the upcoming The Odyssey online course from Hillsdale College as Jeremiah and Juan discuss Homer's Odyssey before introducing a lecture from Dr. David M. Whalen. Enroll in The Odyssey here: https://online.hillsdale.edu/courses/promo/odyssey Homer’s Odyssey—which tells the tale of the Greek hero Odysseus and his journey home after the fall of Troy—is one of the great works of Western Civilization. With this poem, Homer establishes the context in which the great cultural and political flowering of 5th century Athens takes place.

This week: The future of British democracy, the growing wealth disparity between generations, and the rise of socialist candidates in New York City. Dr. Larry P. Arnn, president of Hillsdale College, joins Hugh Hewitt on the Hillsdale Dialogues. Release date: 10 July 2026

Chris McCourry, artist and director of jazz ensembles at Hillsdale College, joins host Scot Bertram to discuss the principles of jazz music, what makes a great jazz musician, and what jazz music can teach us about democracy. Learn more: https://k12.hillsdale.edu/

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. 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.

Despite the Phi Sigma Epsilon fraternity closing its doors on the Hillsdale campus in the late 1980s, for more than 40 years the Phi Sigs continued to gather on their property on Hillsdale Street for Homecoming and other special events to reconnect, remember, and celebrate their friendships. In 2016, Phi Sig alumni came up with a pavilion idea and concept for their property. Partnering with the College, that plan was eventually finalized, and in 2024, the Phi Sig Alumni Pavilion was built and dedicated. Two of those Phi Sigs, Trip Banks and Ross Anderson, talk about the project and their lasting legacy. ------ Informative. Inspirational. Uplifting. Those are the goals of the White and Blue podcast. We are here to tell the interesting stories of Hillsdale College alumni, who number more than 15,000 strong. Our guests will share about their time and experiences while on campus, and also the impact they have had on the world since graduating. What makes the Hillsdale College graduate unique? We will explore that question and more, including how alumni have impacted the past, present, and future of the College. Won’t you join us?

Prepare for the upcoming The Odyssey online course from Hillsdale College as Jeremiah and Juan discuss Homer's Iliad before introducing a lecture from Dr. Stephen Smith. Enroll in The Odyssey here: https://online.hillsdale.edu/courses/promo/odyssey Homer’s Iliad can be best understood by examining some of its major major themes: rage, desire, delusion, deception, disaster and double-dealing, death and outrage, responsibility and evasion, and ultimately, glory. The poem tells the story of the Trojan War, and of Achilles, the greatest warrior of the Greeks.

In this episode of The Larry Arnn Show, Hillsdale College President Larry P. Arnn interviews Leif Babin, former U.S. Navy SEAL officer, co-author of New York Times bestseller Extreme Ownership: How U.S. Navy SEALs Lead and Win, and co-founder of Echelon Front. The two discuss the bloody lessons Babin acquired about leadership from his time in the Middle East, what we can learn from warfare in classical history, and the challenges America’s military faces today. This interview was conducted on April 1st, 2026. Discover more at podcast.hillsdale.edu.

Thomas I. Treloar, professor of mathematics and dean of faculty at Hillsdale College, joins host Scot Bertram to discuss the mathematics behind voting, how voters decide how to cast their vote, and why we'll never develop a perfect voting system. Learn more: https://k12.hillsdale.edu/

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.” 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.”

Dr. Matthew Spalding, vice president for Washington Operations and dean of the Van Andel Graduate School of Government, discusses what was happening just before our Declaration of Independence was signed. 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 America at the turn of millennium 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. Ronald Reagan restored the office of the presidency to its place of prominence through policies that fostered a productive economy and that led to the collapse of the Soviet Union and an end to the Cold War. Despite the optimism that surrounded the end of the Cold War, the decades since have seen the United States divided over a series of important issues. To restore our common purpose, Americans should learn from the great examples of our nation’s past. 

June/July 2026 | Volume 55, Issue 6/7 How to Think About the American Revolution Christopher Flannery Claremont Review of Books

This week: The 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence, whether the United States will survive another 250 years, and the potentially apocryphal compliment that King George III paid George Washington. Dr. Larry P. Arnn, president of Hillsdale College, joins Hugh Hewitt on the Hillsdale Dialogues. Release date: 26 June 2026

Gwendolyn Yarbrough, part of the Hillsdale College K-12 Education Office and former member of the Teacher Support team, joins host Scot Bertram to discuss the history of physical education in America, the influences of the German Turnen movement, and how schools should think about the relationship between physical formation along with intellectual and moral formation. Learn more: https://k12.hillsdale.edu/

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.

On this episode of The Hillsdale College Online Courses Podcast, Jeremiah and Juan discuss the legacies of Lyndon B. Johnson and Richard Nixon 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. Lyndon B. Johnson entered office with an ambitious plan to expand the scope of government. Dubbed “The Great Society,” his efforts to transform domestic policy were stalled in part by his party’s opposition to America’s mounting commitments in Southeast Asia. While Richard Nixon achieved important diplomatic victories in Vietnam and China, the American economy suffered from low growth and inflation. Nixon’s resignation, and the failures of the Carter administration, diminished America’s confidence in the presidency.

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: 16 June 2026

Paul Mittermeier, Upper School Humanities teacher at Cincinnati Classical Academy in Cincinnati, Ohio, joins host Scot Bertram to discuss how classical education should be explicitly discussed in a classical school, how to help teachers explain the importance of what they teach to students, and how to answer common questions students might have about classical education. Learn more: https://k12.hillsdale.edu/

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. 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.

On this episode of The Hillsdale College Online Courses Podcast, Jeremiah discusses the challenges that Eisenhower and Kennedy faced in a changing United States 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. Harry Truman and Dwight Eisenhower pursued a post-war foreign policy of containing the growing threat of the Soviet Union and the spread of communism.

Dr. Bradley Watson, associate professor of government at the Van Andel Graduate School of Government, discusses the moral and political foundations of legitimate government and how and why they have been forgotten in recent years. 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. 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: 12 June 2026

Kathleen O’Toole, associate vice president for K-12 Education at Hillsdale College, is joined by Patrick Whalen to discuss the virtues of physical education. Patrick Whalen is founder and CEO of Iliad Athletics. Learn more: https://k12.hillsdale.edu/

Guests: Arthur Herman and Bradley C.S. Watson Host Scot Bertram talks with Arthur Herman, New York Times bestselling historian and Pulitzer Prize finalist, about the impact of the Founders throughout American history and his new book, Founder’s Fire: From 1776 to the Age of Trump. And Bradley C.S. Watson, associate professor of government at Hillsdale’s Van Andel Graduate School of Government in Washington, D.C., discusses the shortcomings of the conservative legal movement and his recent essay “Shock Therapy for Our Lawless Legal System.”

Justin A. Jackson, Edrie Seward Kennedy chair in English and chairman and professor of English at Hillsdale College, delivers a lecture on the discipline of literary analysis and his new book The Elements of Analysis: An Introduction to Careful Reading. This lecture was given at the Hoogland Center for Teacher Excellence seminar, “The Art of Teaching: Literature” in October 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.

On this episode of The Hillsdale College Online Courses Podcast, Jeremiah and Juan discuss the enormity of World War II 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 Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor spurred Americans to enter World War II. The economic and industrial might of the United States helped secure a decisive Allied victory, and the United States emerged from the war as a world superpower.

In this episode of The Larry Arnn Show, Hillsdale College President Larry P. Arnn interviews Matthew Spalding, vice president of Washington Operations and dean of the Van Andel Graduate School of Government at Hillsdale College in Washington, D.C. The two discuss the intellectual foundations of the Declaration of Independence, the exceptional character of the Founding Fathers, and his recent book The Making of the American Mind: The Story of our Declaration of Independence. This interview was conducted on March 2nd, 2026. Discover more at podcast.hillsdale.edu.