Episode #11: "What is Western Civilization" (ft. James Kierstead)
Classicist James Kierstead joins the program to discuss his definition of Western Civilization. In recent times, the idea that there is even such a thing as "Western Civilization" has come under fire. These deconstructionists claim that the term itself is slippery and that any attempt to speak about or teach Western Civilization as a discipline is misguided. In this episode, James defends the idea of Western Civilization and explains how we can draw sensible boundaries around this tradition while recognizing and learning from other traditions. ​James is Senior Lecturer in Classics at Victoria University of Wellington in New Zealand and the current coordinator of Heterodox Classics, an initiative endorsed by the organization Heterodox Academy. James specializes in Greek history and classical Athens and in political philosophy and democratic political theory. He’s a graduate of Stanford University and Oxford. ​

Liberty Lounge #6: "The Libertarian History of Science Fiction"
In episode #6 of the Liberty Lounge, we take an in-depth look at how libertarian ideas have influenced science fiction literature. We explore the history of libertarian science fiction, from Mary Shelley's Frankenstein to the pulp era and the Golden Age, up through the New Wave, the Golden Age Redux of the 80s, and the Cyberpunk revolution of the 90s. Why have so many science fiction authors identified as libertarian? Is the connection necessary or contingent? What do Ronald Reagan and Robert A. Heinlein have in common? Why has sci-fi been such a hospitable literary genre for libertarian ideas? Tune into this episode to find out!  Also, see the following link to access my article at Quillette Magazine: https://quillette.com/2020/06/12/the-libertarian-history-of-science-fiction/

Liberty Lounge #5: "Jonah Goldberg on the Future of Conservatism and the populist Right" 
In episode #5 of the Liberty Lounge, Jonah Goldberg joins the Western Canon Podcast to discuss the future of conservatism, with an in-depth look at the New Right. We discuss Patrick Deneen, populism, liberalism, John Locke, Federalism, and many other exciting topics. Jonah is an American syndicated columnist, political analyst, and NYT bestselling author. He is Editor-in-Chief and founder of The Dispatch, a founding editor of National Review Online, and an LA Times columnist. He is a regular contributor for CNN, Fox News, and MSNBC, appearing on various programs including Good Morning America, Nightline, Hardball, Real Time with Bill Maher, Larry King Live, Your World with Neil Cavuto, the Glenn Beck Program, and The Daily Show with Trevor Noah. He is an occasional guest on a number of Fox News shows such as The Five, The Greg Gutfeld Show, and Outnumbered. He is a frequent panelist on Special Report with Bret Baier.

Liberty Lounge #4: "Jefferson, Federalism, and the U.S. Constitution" 
In episode #4 of the Liberty Lounge, Dr. Kevin Gutzman joins the Western Canon Podcast to discuss his book Thomas Jefferson, Revolutionary: A Radical’s Struggle to Remake America, as well as his book James Madison and the Making of America. Along the way, he discusses the philosophy of the founders, constitutional originalism, the dangers of the current administrative state, and the future of American conservatism. Professor Gutzman also weighs in on the Sohrab Ahmari (nationalist populism) vs David French (classical liberalism) conflict. Gutzman is Professor and former Chair of the History Department at Western Connecticut State University and the New York Times best-selling author of five books. He is a faculty member at LibertyClassroom. Subscribe to our Youtube channel. Remember we're on Stitcher (https://www.stitcher.com/podcast /jord an-alexander-hill/the-western-canon-podcast) & iTunes (https:// itunes.apple. com/us/podcast/the-western-canon podcast-pod cast/id1 273956952?mt=2)

​Episode #10: "The Miracle of the West" 
​In episode #10, Jordan delivers an in-depth review and exploration of Jonah Goldberg's new book, The Suicide of the West: How the Rebirth of Nationalism, Populism, and Identity Politics Is Destroying American Democracy. Using Goldberg's book, listeners are treated to an examination of the values and ideals that underpin the West and make possible the prosperity and flourishing that characterize the modern Western world. The episode includes a lengthy interview with historian, podcast host, and New York Times best-selling author Dr. Thomas E. Woods. Also, tune in for the show's first ever mailbag segment. Subscribe to our Youtube channel. Remember, we are also on Stitcher (https ://www.stitcher.com/podcast/jordan-alexander-hill/the-western-canon-podcast) and iTunes (visit https://itun es.apple.com/us/podcast/the-western-canon podcast-pod cast/id12739 56952?mt=2).

Liberty Lounge #2: "Locke, Natural Rights, and The Political Theory of the American Founding" 
In episode #2 of the Liberty Lounge, we continue to explore the philosophical and political theories of the American founding fathers as we work our way through Thomas G. West's book The Political Theory of the American Founding. West's book is used as a jumping off point to explore John Locke's theory of natural rights, with the aim of answering the following questions: What is the difference between classical liberalism and modern liberalism? Is there a conflict between equality and liberty? Is inequality necessary? If so, what do we mean when we pursue equality? How do governments emerge from a "state of nature"? How do rights emerge from a "state of nature"? What is a "right"? Are natural rights universal? Are they objective facts? Who was right--Rousseau, Hobbes, or Locke? What makes the American political system and the U.S. Constitution special? How do property rights emerge from a "state of nature"? Why do we need property rights to be free? Is taxation moral? Do men truly wish to be free? 

Episode #9: "Plato's Republic, Pt. I" 
Plato’s Republic (380 BC) is easily Plato's best-known work, and has proven to be one of the most influential works in the Western canon. The Republic is a Socratic dialogue that focuses on questions of justice: What would a just city-state look like? How should a just man behave? But this monumental work also touches on broad variety of other themes like metaphysics, knowledge, truth, the soul, immortality, the role of the philosopher, education, poetry, and many other topics. In Episode #9 of The Western Canon Podcast, we begin our examination of Plato's Republic by speaking with Hillsdale College Professor of Philosophy and Religion, Dr. Nathan Schlueter. Also, joining us to discuss Plato's influence on Christianity is Oxford classicist Spencer Klavan.  

Liberty Lounge #1: "The Political Theory of the American Founding" 
​​The Liberty Lounge is a new segment (of The Western Canon podcast) dedicated to reviewing great books that focus on the principles of liberty and freedom. We kick off this first Liberty Lounge segment by reviewing a fantastic book by Thomas G. West called The Political Theory of the American Founding. This episode is the first of a three-part series that will go in-depth with West's book, using it as a catalyst for discussing the political principles and philosophical ideas of the founding fathers. In these three episodes, we look closely at the brilliant enlightenment ideas--such as natural rights, ordered liberty, limited government, equality, and virtue--that typified the founders' thought and went into the drafting of documents like The Declaration of Independence, the U.S. Constitution, and the Federalist Papers.​

Episode #8: "Philosophy and Tragedy" 
​In Episode #8 of The Western Canon Podcast, philosopher Gina Santiago stops by to talk about the philosophy of tragedy, specifically what Plato and Aristotle had to say. Later in the show, Jordan speaks with bestselling author and Executive Director of the Ayn Rand Institute, Yaron Brook, who joins the show to discuss many topics, including Ayn Rand’s philosophy--her approach to epistemology and ethics--as well as his own work. Yaron gives his thoughts on the inequality debate, Jordan Peterson, Jonathan Haidt, and how Objectivism can combat groupthink and a dangerous intellectual monoculture that is suppressing thought and stymying debate at our modern universities. We end the episode with a segment called the Liberty Lounge. This is a new segment dedicated to reviewing great books that focus on the principles of liberty and freedom. We kick off this first Liberty Lounge segment by reviewing a fantastic book by Thomas G. West called The Political Theory of the American Founding.

"Guide to Great Books Colleges" (Pt. 1) 
This is the first installment of the “Guide to Great Books Colleges,” a new segment produced by The Western Canon Podcast. The “Guide to Great Books Colleges” is a practical resource for students and parents to the colleges and universities in the U.S. that offer students an education rooted in the Western literary and philosophical tradition. In this segment, host Jordan Alexander Hill takes listeners on a tour of those schools out there that still expose students to "the Great Conversation of history." The institutions included in this monthly segment are schools that have high expectations and standards; schools dedicated to transmitting critical thinking skills and wisdom; schools that teach students how to read well, write well, and think well; and schools that help students discover the good, the beautiful, and the true. In “Part 1,” Jordan offers a defense of the traditional liberal arts education and reviews three of our nation’s premier Great Books colleges. The first three to make the list are the University of Chicago, St. Olaf College, and Hillsdale College.​

Episode #7: "Jason and the Golden Fleece & Euripides' Medea" 
One of the most powerful and enduring of Greek tragedies, the Medea centers on the myth of Jason, leader of the Argonauts, who has won the dragon-guarded treasure of the Golden Fleece with the help of the sorceress Medea. Having married Medea and fathered her two children, Jason abandons her for a more favorable match, never suspecting the brutal and horrific revenge she will take. In episode #7, we do a lengthy summary and analysis of Euripides' Medea and we take a look at the play's mythic background. Joining us to discuss Euripides, the Medea, and the art of translation is Euripides translator and classics scholar Diane Arnson Svarlien. Listeners also get to experience the first part of a new and ongoing Western Canon Podcast segment called A Guide to Great Books Colleges. In this first segment, Jordan offers a defense of the traditional liberal arts education and reviews three of our nation's premier great books colleges. ​  ​

Episode #6: "Euripides & The Music of Ancient Greek Tragedy" 
Who was Euripides? And how should we think about his legacy compared with the other two major Greek tragedians, Aeschylus and Sophocles? In episode #6, Oxford Classicist Spencer Klavan joins The Western Canon Podcast to discuss Euripides, as well as City Dionysia and the music of ancient Greek tragedy. In this interview, Spencer, whose work focuses on the relationship between words and melody in Hellenistic scholarship, practices his singing chops and gives listeners a feel for how ancient Greek music sounded and how it interacted with other elements of tragic drama. Spencer and Jordan also discuss the function of tragedy according to Aristotle and other thinkers from within the Western tradition.

Episode #5: "Greek Tragedy & Aeschylus" 
The Ancient Greeks invented the theater. It was the ancient Athenians who gave birth to the idea of role playing a part before a large audience, with trained actors reciting and singing written texts to musical accompaniment. In this episode, listeners get a brief introduction to Greek Tragedy and a lengthy summary and analysis of The Oresteia, by Aeschylus. British Classicist and best-selling author Edith Hall joins Jordan on the program to discuss ancient Athenian drama, 5th century Athens, City Dionysia, as well as her book Introducing the Ancient Greeks. We also take a look at a famous 20th century adaptation of The Oresteia, Sartre's "The Flies" (Les Mouches). 

Episode #4: "Homer's Odyssey" (Part 2) 
Homer's Odyssey is an epic poem that tells the story of Odysseus, the famous warrior and cunning hero who must defeat monsters and resist exotic temptations, as he makes his long journey from Troy to his homeland of Ithaca. In episode 4, we take a look at the Odyssey's influence on art and culture--especially on literature and film. We also take an in-depth look at themes such as xenia (or hospitality), phronesis (or practical intelligence), and the role of men and fathers in society.  Joining us this episode is the first woman to translate Homer’s Odyssey into English, classicist and UPenn professor, Emily Wilson (47:47). In her interview, Dr. Wilson discusses her new translation of the Odyssey, her theory as a translator, her love of the classics, and gender in literature. We also chat with our Western canon correspondent, Gina Santiago (2:19:00).  

Episode #3: "Homer's Odyssey" (Part 1) 
Homer's epic poem the Odyssey takes readers on a journey through wine-dark seas as the Greek hero Odysseus fights monsters, fends off temptresses, and struggles desperately to return to his homeland of Ithaca, where his steadfast wife and faithful son await him. With help from the goddess Athena, Odysseus battles his way through shipwreck and storm, the cave of a Cyclops, the isle of the witch-goddess Circe, the gloomy underworld, and the vengeful wrath of the sea-god Poseidon. The Odyssey is not only a hero's journey, but it is also a complex meditation on relationships--between fathers and sons, husbands and wives, as well as rulers and subjects. In episode #3, Jordan is joined by New Yorker writer and bestselling author Daniel Mendelsohn (57:20), as well as philosopher and author of the book Explaining Postmodernism, Stephen Hicks (2:09:22).

Episode #2: "Homer's Iliad" 
After almost 3,000 years, the Iliad remains not only among the greatest adventure stories ever told, but also one of the most compelling meditations on the human condition ever written. In this episode, we discuss the story, themes, and historical context of Homer's Iliad. Jordan is joined by Oxford classicist Spencer Klavan (20:20) to discuss glory and honor, Homer's centrality to the Western canon, "the Homeric Question," diction and translation, and homosexuality in ancient Greek life. Gina Santiago (1:18:15) stops by to speak about free will and agency in Homeric epic. Also, Emory professor and author Mark Bauerlein (2:01:57) joins the show to talk about the current state of the humanities and literary criticism, moral relativism, Christianity, as well as his book, The Dumbest Generation. Additional topics include manliness and Homer's influence on the poet John Keats, among others.

​Episode #1: "The Western Canon"
In the age of identity politics, in the age of social media and distraction, in the age of instant gratification, in the age of Trump: Why engage with the classics of Western civilization? Why read Homer, Aristotle, Augustine, Dante, Shakespeare, Tolstoy, and the many other writers who make up what critic Harold Bloom calls "the Western Canon"? Moreover, what makes an author's work canonical? Who decides what works do and do not merit inclusion in this canon? And finally, assuming that we can agree, at least to some extent, on a core selection of books, how should we read this literature? What values and standards do we apply as we grapple with the stories and ideas that underpin the foundations of the West? In this episode, we approach an answer to these questions, while also discussing the current state of academia and the Humanities. 
Future Episode List:
​
Episode #11: "Interview: "Aristotle on Happiness, Justice, and Politics" (ft. Edith Hall)"

Episode #12: "What is Western Civilization?" (ft. James Kierstead) 

Episode #13: "Romanticism"

Episode #14: "Plato's Dialogues" 

Episode #15: "The Cave and the Light: Plato & Aristotle"