WRFH/Radio Free Hillsdale 101.7 FM

Today, Erika Kyba reads Walt Whitman's "America," a distillation of the patriotic spirit that infuses much of Whitman's poetic corpus.

This week on the Collegian Week in Review, hosts Catherine Maxwell, Alessia Sandala, and Megan Li talk to Francesca Cella about a new Mexican restaurant opening in the area, Martha Kennedy about the campus reaction to Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce’s recent engagement, and Caroline Kutas about a Hillsdale freshman's bike ride to get to the College.

Join Ava and Alessia this week as they discuss all things history, from the state of Frankland to St. Augustine's death and Bob Dylan being booed off stage, and play Guess that Year.

On the first episode of the semester of the Collegian Week in Review, hosts Catherine Maxwell, Alessia Sandala, and Megan Li talk to Elaine Kutas about a former Charger who was recently drafted to the Detroit Lions, Elijah Guevara about a recent partnership between Hillsdale and the White House, and Lauren Bixler about a Hillsdale senior’s major accomplishment.

Today, Erika Kyba reads the eerie conclusion of Robert W. Service’s “The Ballad of Blasphemous Bill,” and proposes some possible interpretations to its mysterious ending.

Today, Erika Kyba reads an excerpt from Robert W. Service’s “The Ballad of Blasphemous Bill,” a poet’s take on the Grateful Dead archetype.

Today, Erika Kyba reads T. S. Eliot's "Aunt Helen," a dark meditation on the futility of earthly affairs, and the danger of leaving behind an empty legacy.

Today, Erika Kyba reads John Donne's glorious vaunt against death itself: Holy Sonnet X.

Far East, Close Up provides Westerners a front-row seat to the customs, cultures and everyday life in East Asia. Created and hosted by Emma Wiermann.EP 7 "Anime": Today, we talk about the international phenomenon of anime, from its inception in Japan to its enthusiastic acceptance in the West.

“A Bit of Fit” brings you bit-sized bits of health and fitness tips to implement in everyday life. Created and hosted by Emma Wiermann.EP 7 "Smart Watches": Today, we talk about the potential health benefits that come with owning a fitness-tracking smart watch.

Christine Menedis is the author of the book Why the World Doesn’t Make Sense: Reclaiming the Liberty You Didn’t Know You Lost, which directly addresses what millions feel but can't articulate: we're not just divided—we're disoriented. Her work connects culture, finance, and technology back to first principles and the deeper structures beneath surface-level debate. You can find Christine on YouTube (@ChristineMenedisYT) and on Substack (menedis.substack.com). She joins Emma Wiermann on WRFH to for a conversation.

Elon Musk’s launch of the 'America Party' could trigger a realignment within the Republican base. With Musk leveraging billions and a massive social media following to target GOP swing districts, could this bold move could sabotage Trump’s 2024 plans?Victoria Churchill, a U.S. Political Reporter for DailyMail.com, covering Capitol Hill with a focus on the U.S. Senate and a seasoned Capitol Hill reporter, joins WRFH to discuss.

“Far East, Close Up” provides Westerners a front-row seat to the customs, cultures and everyday life in East Asia. Created and hosted by Emma Wiermann.EP 6 "Origins of Ice cream": Today we talk about the origins of ice cream in ancient China.

“Far East, Close Up” provides Westerners a front-row seat to the customs, cultures and everyday life in East Asia. Created and hosted by Emma Wiermann.EP 5 "The Ninja": Today we talk about the history of the ninja.

“A Bit of Fit” brings you bit-sized bits of health and fitness tips to implement in everyday life. Created and hosted by Emma Wiermann. EP 6 "Running for Older Adults": Today we talk about the benefits of running for older adults.

New York City just sent shockwaves through the political world with Zohran Mamdani’s stunning upset in the Democratic mayoral primary. His radical platform—rent freezes, fare-free buses, and expanded welfare programs—has energized voters battered by a $4,571 median rent but triggered panic among business leaders and high earners already eyeing the exits. Daniel Idfresne, a junior at Syracuse University and a Young Voices Social Mobility Fellow, offers a powerful perspective at RealClearPolitics on the battle unfolding between populist promises and economic reality. He joins Emma Wiermann on WRFH to discuss.

“A Bit of Fit” brings you bit-sized bits of health and fitness tips to implement in everyday life. Created and hosted by Emma Wiermann. EP 5 "Sugary Cereals": Today we continue with our series about where sugars hide in everyday foods. Today’s culprit is sugary cereals.

A fragile ceasefire has paused a 12‑day maelstrom of hostilities sparked by Israel’s “Operation Rising Lion,” which pummeled Iran’s nuclear facilities at Fordow, Natanz and Isfahan. Kyle Moran, a political commentator specializing in international affairs and national security and Voung Voices contributor, joins WRFH to discuss the latest.

“His Works Through Her Eyes” is a show that brings biblical events to life through the inner thoughts of a young woman as she witnesses them firsthand. Each episode takes artistic liberty to retell a particular biblical story based on a passage of scripture, in addition to historical research. Created and narrated by Emma Wiermann. EP 4 "Hagar Remembers": Today’s episode told through the eyes of Hagar. Hagar was the maidservant of Srah, wife of Abrham. Years before Isaac was born to Sarah in her old age, as customs pf the time dictated, Sarah gave Hagar to her husband Abraham, so that she could attempt to build a family through her. According to Jewish tradition, Hagar was a daughter of Pharoh of Egypt, given as a gift to Abrham. Today, we hear the thoughts of Hagar about this situation.

Join Emma Wiermann as she interviews her father, Tom Wiermann, about his experience going from a New York City school teacher to becoming a candidate for New York State Assembly, committed to fighting for freedom in the wake of the Covid vaccine mandates and other draconian measures forced upon New York residents.

“Far East, Close Up” provides Westerners a front-row seat to the customs, cultures and everyday life in East Asia. Created and hosted by Emma Wiermann. EP 4 "Thailand—Diplomacy, Siam, Bangkok, Heat": Today’s topic of discussion is the country. Of Thailand and some fun facts about it.

“A Bit of Fit” brings you bit-sized bits of health and fitness tips to implement in everyday life. Created and hosted by Emma Wiermann. EP 4 "Sweet Drinks as Bad as Soda": Today is the first part in an ongoing series in which we talk about where sugars might be hiding in some of your everyday foods. Today’s culprits are sugary sweet drinks like iced tea, lemonade, juices, and energy/sports drinks.

“His Works Through Her Eyes” is a show that brings biblical events to life through the inner thoughts of a young woman as she witnesses them firsthand. Each episode takes artistic liberty to retell a particular biblical story based on a passage of scripture, in addition to historical research. Created and narrated by Emma Wiermann. EP 3 "The Chaos of Babel": Today’s episode is the second of a two parts retelling the story of the Tower of Babel through the eyes of a pagan teenager. We begin years later from where the last episode left off. Our narrator has grown and so has the tower, but only for everything to descend into chaos.(Be advised: There are auditory depictions of violence.)

In her new book, Let’s Build Extraordinary Youth Together, educator and youth advocate Dr. Kim Metcalfe issues a compelling challenge to parents, teachers, and policymakers alike: It’s time to stop pushing ideology and start raising empowered, resilient young people.She joins Emma Wiermann on WRFH to discuss.

“Far East, Close Up” provides Westerners a front-row seat to the customs, cultures and everyday life in East Asia. Created and hosted by Emma Wiermann. EP 3 "Rice": Why rice is such an integral part of the East Asian diet.

“A Bit of Fit” brings you bit-sized bits of health and fitness tips to implement in everyday life. Created and hosted by Emma Wiermann. EP 3 "The Sweet Poison": How sugar is so harmful to your health.

Lindsay Lights, chair of the Big Tree Hunt, joins Emma Wiermann to discuss the event. This summer, Michiganders are invited to join the adventure of searching for the biggest trees in the state! ReLeaf Michigan’s Big Tree Hunt is a free, family-friendly contest that encourages getting outdoors and appreciating the incredibly large trees around us every day. The contest's deadline is August 22, 2025, making now an ideal time to go hunting for big trees! The 16th biennial Big Tree Hunt is more than a funoutdoor challenge; it's a way for Michiganders to help document, honor, and highlight the state’s most impressive trees.Learn more about the contest and enter your submissions at: bigtreehunt.com

“A Bit of Fit” brings you bit-sized bits of health and fitness tips to implement in everyday life. Created and hosted by Emma Wiermann. Ep 2 “Weightlifting and Bone Density”: Today’s episode talks about how weightlifting boosts bone density.

“Far East, Close Up” provides Westerners a front-row seat to the customs, cultures, and everyday life in East Asia. Created and hosted by Emma Wiermann. Ep 2 “Nǐ hǎo”: How to say “Hello!” in Mandarin Chinese.

“His Works Through Her Eyes” is a show that brings biblical events to life through the inner thoughts of a young woman as she witnesses them firsthand. Each episode takes artistic liberty to retell a particular biblical story based on a passage of scripture, in addition to historical research. Created and narrated by Emma Wiermann. Ep 2 “Welcome to Shinar”: Today’s episode is the first of two parts retelling the story of the Tower of Babel through the eyes of a pagan teenager living in Shinar, the city where the tower was built.

Today, Erika Kyba reads W. B. Yeats's "Down by the Salley Gardens," a wistful meditation on lost love and innocence.

Today, Erika Kyba reads John Donne's "The Good-Morrow," which meditates on the unity of lovers, as well as the virtues needed for romantic love to endure.

EP 1 “The Vessel”: A retelling of the beginning of the story of Noah’s Ark through the eyes of Adataneses, wife of Japeth and daughter-in-law of Noah. Based on Genesis 6-7.His Works Through Her Eyes is a show that brings biblical events to life through the inner thoughts of a young woman as she witnesses them firsthand. Each episode takes artistic liberty to retell a particular biblical story based on a passage of scripture, in addition to historical research. Created and narrated by Emma Wiermann.

A Bit of Fit brings you bit-sized bits of health and fitness tips to implement in everyday life. Created and hosted by Emma Wiermann.EP 1 “Sitting”: The health risks of sitting for long periods.

Far East, Close Up provides Westerners a front-row seat to the customs, cultures and everyday life in East Asia. Created and hosted by Emma Wiermann. In this episode, Emma gives us the history of these finicky eating utensils.

Today, Erika Kyba reads John Milton's "At a Solemn Music," which extols the sanctifying power of song.

Join Nicole Sighiartau as she discusses some of her wildest experiences in the great outdoors! This week she is joined by her Dad, Julius Sighiartau, to share their story of hiking the Grand Canyon and tips for staying safe while exploring the desert.

Today, Erika Kyba reads Salvador Espriu's "An Inner Happiness is Absolutely of my World," a self-reflective meditation on poetry as a door to the soul of the poet.

Today, Erika Kyba reads John Donne's Holy Sonnet XII, which offers a frame for looking at nature with new eyes.

Today, Erika Kyba reads the conclusion of Percy Shelley's Ode to the West Wind. We see the poet recognize his mortality and surrender himself and his work to the autumnal spirit. However, he hopes that the wind's destruction will ultimately bring renewal.

Today, Erika Kyba reads an excerpt from Percy Shelley's Ode to the West Wind, which celebrates the destructive spirit of the West Wind as a harbinger of renewal.

Join Nicole Sighiartau as she discusses some of her wildest experiences in the great outdoors! This week she shares some of her favorite stories of hiking and traveling with her Dad.

Join Nicole Sighiartau as she discusses some of her wildest experiences in the great outdoors! This week she shares her top tips for getting into a new outdoor hobby this summer.

Join Nicole Sighiartau as she discusses some of her wildest experiences in the great outdoors! This week she shares her journey up each of the 14ers she hiked the summer that she was 14.

Jayden Jelso is an aspiring author, screenwriter, and filmmaker. He started writing his debut novel, Talon, when he was only sixteen and published it at eighteen. His forthcoming novel, Magistrate, is scheduled for release soon. He posts about his current work in progress on his Instagram feed @authorjaydenjelso.He joins WRFH for a conversation. From 05/16/25.

Cloud seeding could be the water solution the West desperately needs. So why are some states trying to ban it?Isaiah Menning, External Affairs Manager at the American Conservation Coalition and Young Voices Contributor, makes a case for investing in cloud seeding innovation. With Utah leading the charge and China rapidly scaling its own weather modification efforts, Menning argues the U.S. must expand this $3/acre-foot water solution before environmental skepticism costs us agricultural resilience, hydropower capacity, and global competitiveness.Click HERE to read the full articleFrom 05/13/25.

Gary D. Schmidt is the bestselling author of The Labors of Hercules Beal; Just Like That; National Book Award finalist Okay for Now; Pay Attention, Carter Jones; Orbiting Jupiter; the Newbery Honor and Printz Honor Book Lizzie Bright and the Buckminster Boy; and the Newbery Honor Book The Wednesday Wars. He lives in rural Michigan.He joins Emily Schutte on WRFH for a discussion. From 05/2025.

WRFH host Alexandra Comus talks with Micah Miller about his CSP thesis, "Until They Are Oned to Him: The Metaphysics of Marriage in the Sophiology of Sergei Bulgakov."From 05/2025.

More than 160 years ago, Abraham Lincoln succumbed to the assassin’s bullet. In Religion & Liberty, Michael Lucchese writers an essay reflecting on that dark hour and on Lincoln’s greatness as a public theologian. More than perhaps anyone else, the Railsplitter articulated a theology of both American liberty and American anguish. The enduring insights he gained from wrestling with God and struggling to maintain the Union can still teach us something today. He discussed with Skye Graham on WRFH.From 05/2025.

WRFH host Megan Pidcock talks to Alex Rosado about his recent article for Reason Magazine titled, “Mississippi is Ditching its Income Tax. Other States Should Follow.” He breaks down what Mississippi’s latest legislation may mean for the state, and why other states should follow in its footsteps. Alex Rosado is professional programs assistant at the Alexander Hamilton Society, a research fellow for Horizon Info Consult, and a Young Voices contributor. From 05/06/25.