

Hillsdale College K-12 Classical Education Podcast
Hillsdale College K-12 Classical Education Podcast
A 20-minute podcast featuring professors, K-12 teachers, and friends of Hillsdale College, all speaking about classical education—what it is, why it’s still relevant today, and what makes it unique. Hosted by Scot Bertram.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Oct 27, 2025 • 19min
On the Least Interesting Parts of Great Books: Melville and Homer
 Jason Lund, upper school humanities teacher and senior thesis coordinator at Treasure Valley Classical Academy in Fruitland, Idaho, joins host Scot Bertram to discuss the least interesting parts of great books, how Homer's list of ships in The Iliad relates to the poem's themes, and the importance of the extracts in Melville's Moby Dick. Learn more: https://k12.hillsdale.edu/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. 

Oct 20, 2025 • 52min
Dr. Kathleen O'Toole Discusses Self Authoring for High School Students with Dr. Daniel Higgins
 Daniel Higgins, one of the founders of the Self Authoring and Understand Myself programs, joins Kathleen O’Toole, associate vice president for K-12 Education at Hillsdale College, to discuss the Self Authoring Suite, how students can benefit from the "Future Authoring" process, and the nuances of Aristotle and Plato. Learn more: https://k12.hillsdale.edu/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. 

Oct 16, 2025 • 20min
Leading Idaho Novus Classical Academy
 Vincent Kane, head of school at Idaho Novus Classical Academy in Boise, Idaho, delivers a lecture on how classical education helps bolster Western Civilization. This lecture was given at the Hoogland Center for Teacher Excellence seminar, “The Art of Teaching: Western Civilization” in April 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.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. 

Oct 13, 2025 • 16min
OptimalWork Applications at the K-12 Level
 Colin Mullaney, director of operations at Hillsdale College’s K-12 Education Office, joins host Scot Bertram to discuss Dr. Kevin Majeres’ OptimalWork platform, how to apply OptimalWork in the classroom, and how to help students bring their highest ideals into each day. Learn more: https://k12.hillsdale.edu/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. 

Oct 9, 2025 • 18min
Leading Cincinnati Classical Academy
 Michael Rose, headmaster and superintendent at Cincinnati Classical Academy in Cincinnati, Ohio, delivers a lecture on the rewarding life of a classical school leader. This lecture was given at the Hoogland Center for Teacher Excellence seminar, “The Art of Teaching: Reading and Writing” in March 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.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. 

Oct 6, 2025 • 18min
Anti-Aging Research and its Implications
 Andrew Russell, associate professor of biology at Hillsdale College, joins host Scot Bertram to discuss developing research in anti-aging methods, the importance of diet and exercise, and the ethics of extended lifespans. Learn more: https://k12.hillsdale.edu/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. 

Oct 2, 2025 • 17min
Leading Orange County Classical Academy
 Semi Park, headmaster at Orange County Classical Academy in Orange County, California, delivers a lecture on how to lead students to truly pursue happiness. This lecture was given at the Hoogland Center for Teacher Excellence seminar, “The Art of Teaching: Upper School Literature” in February 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.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. 

Sep 29, 2025 • 23min
Forming a Student’s Affection for Beauty in Art
 Monica Dix, art teacher at Naples Classical Academy in Naples, Florida, joins host Scot Bertram to discuss developing a student's aesthetic sensibilities, teaching Renaissance art, and whether or not artistic students should attend art school. Learn more: https://k12.hillsdale.edu/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. 

Sep 25, 2025 • 12min
Leading Pineapple Cove Classical Academies
 Kelly Gunter, director of school operations at Pineapple Cove Classical Academy in Brevard County, Florida, delivers a lecture on instilling good habits in a student body. This lecture was given at the Hoogland Center for Teacher Excellence seminar, “The Art of Teaching: American History” in January 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.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. 

Sep 22, 2025 • 39min
Dr. Kathleen O'Toole Discusses New Digital Writing Tool, Essay.app, with Julian Peterson
 Julian Peterson, son of bestselling author and clinical psychologist Jordan Peterson, joins Kathleen O’Toole, associate vice president for K-12 Education at Hillsdale College, to discuss his new digital writing tool Essay.app, constructing an argument, and the importance of learning the art of writing. Learn more: https://k12.hillsdale.edu/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. 


