The Radio Free Hillsdale Hour
Episode Title: What Makes a Great Ghost Story
Date: October 31, 2025
Host: Scott Bertram
Guests: John J. Miller (Director, Dow Journalism Program), Dr. Ben Whalen (Associate Professor of English)

Episode Overview

This Halloween edition of The Radio Free Hillsdale Hour explores the enduring power and appeal of ghost and horror stories in Western literary tradition. Host Scott Bertram interviews John J. Miller, who is teaching a course on this very subject at Hillsdale College, to examine what makes these stories both fun and meaningful within a classical education. The discussion dives into the genre’s history, essential elements, notable authors, and their relevance to cultural and existential questions. Later, Dr. Ben Whalen reflects on the 100th anniversary of The Great Gatsby and its ongoing resonance in American culture.

Key Discussion Points

1. Defining Ghost and Horror Stories

(Start – 03:00)

• Ghost stories: "A familiar form of storytelling, of literature, maybe of movies."
• Horror: While popularly associated with graphic, slasher elements ("disgust, revulsion"), Miller emphasizes that the genre encompasses a broader literary tradition including stories of fear, suspense, and hauntings.
• This tradition dates back to ancient times and is deeply embedded in Western literature.

"Ghost stories are as old as they've been around as long as people have been telling stories."
— John J. Miller, 01:44

2. The Role of Ghost Stories in Classical Education

(03:00 – 05:10)

• At Hillsdale, the strong core curriculum ("students here are reading the right stuff") allows space for enriching electives like ghost stories.
• Such stories augment classical learning by revealing their presence in foundational works (Hamlet, Dante’s Inferno).

"Hamlet is a ghost story... Dante’s Inferno, that’s full of horror."
— John J. Miller, 03:55

3. Universal Human Fascination: Fear and the Afterlife

(05:11 – 07:48)

• Ghost stories tap into profound metaphysical questions: the nature of the afterlife, the persistence of faith and doubt.
• Miller points out biblical references to ghosts, underlining these ideas’ deep roots.

"I think at one level, they speak to the biggest question of all, which is, is there an afterlife? What comes next?"
— John J. Miller, 05:20

4. What Makes a Great Ghost Story?

(07:49 – 10:00)

• Effective ghost stories rely on "atmosphere, tension, mounting suspense, then kind of a shocking moment."
• The short story format suits the genre for its ability to deliver a "sustained sense of tension."
• Cites M.R. James:

  “Let us then be introduced to the actors in a placid way... into this calm environment let the ominous thing put out its head unobtrusively at first, and then more insistently until it holds the stage.”
  — John J. Miller (quoting M.R. James), 09:02

5. The Class Syllabus: Canonical Stories and Authors

(10:01 – 11:52)

• The course covers approximately 12 stories, chosen for their quality and representation across time.
• Notable authors include: Edgar Allan Poe, M.R. James, H.P. Lovecraft, Stephen King, and Andrew Klavan.

"It’s kind of a sampler of the best that’s been thought and said written in our language."
— John J. Miller, 11:50

6. Analysis: "The Monkey’s Paw" by W.W. Jacobs

(11:53 – 14:58)

• Miller calls it "a banger" and "maybe the most anthologized ghost story ever written."
• Explores the classic three-wishes plot structure and underlying themes of industrialization.

"It is so well told and there are so many parts to it that are interesting... comments about industrialization and machines... so there’s a lot going on in those stories."
— John J. Miller, 13:55

• Pop culture legacy: Referenced in The Simpsons Treehouse of Horror and contemporary memes.

7. H.P. Lovecraft’s Contribution

(15:38 – 17:56)

• Seen as the 20th-century successor to Poe.

• Lovecraft’s unique "cosmic dread":

  "His fundamental idea is that the universe is utterly indifferent to human life."
  — John J. Miller, 16:41

• Miller’s personal reflection: Reading Lovecraft as a teenager was "mind blowing."

8. Russell Kirk: Conservative Thinker and Ghost Story Writer

(17:57 – 20:00)

• Noted for merging his belief in mystery and tradition with ghost stories.
• T.S. Eliot praised Kirk’s work.
• Kirk’s stories reflect both his literary and philosophical commitments.

"He believed in ghosts, and he believed he had encounters with ghosts."
— John J. Miller, 18:21

9. Why Do We Love Fear? The Pleasure of the Shudder

(20:01 – 21:36)

• Edith Wharton called it "the fun of the shudder."
• Ghost stories provide a safe way to experience fear and grapple with existential questions, such as death and the afterlife.

"It’s fear, but it’s not real fear in the sense that your life is actually not at risk... you know that you’re actually safe."
— John J. Miller, 20:31

Notable Quotes with Timestamps

• "Ghost stories are as old as they’ve been around as long as people have been telling stories." — John J. Miller, 01:44
• "Hamlet is a ghost story... Dante’s Inferno, that’s full of horror." — John J. Miller, 03:55
• "It’s kind of a sampler of the best that’s been thought and said written in our language." — John J. Miller, 11:50
• “Let us then be introduced to the actors in a placid way... into this calm environment let the ominous thing put out its head unobtrusively at first, and then more insistently until it holds the stage.” — John J. Miller (quoting M.R. James), 09:02
• "His fundamental idea is that the universe is utterly indifferent to human life." — John J. Miller (on Lovecraft), 16:41
• "He believed in ghosts, and he believed he had encounters with ghosts." — John J. Miller (on Russell Kirk), 18:21

Episode Structure & Timestamps

| Segment | Time | |----------------------------------------------|--------------| | Introduction to Episode & Guests | 00:00–01:06 | | Defining Ghost & Horror Stories | 01:07–03:01 | | Ghost Stories in Classical Education | 03:02–05:10 | | Human Fascination: Fear & Afterlife | 05:11–07:48 | | Elements of a Great Ghost Story | 07:49–10:01 | | Syllabus and Essential Authors | 10:02–11:52 | | "The Monkey’s Paw" Deep Dive | 11:53–14:58 | | Legacy in Pop Culture | 15:05–15:38 | | Lovecraft’s Legacy | 15:39–17:56 | | Russell Kirk: Ghosts & Conservatism | 17:57–20:00 | | The Pleasure of Horror | 20:01–21:36 | | Outro & Next Segment Teaser | 21:49– |

Tone and Style

The discussion is lively, scholarly, and lightly humorous, with playful banter interwoven with serious intellectual reflection. Miller and Bertram make frequent cultural references (e.g., The Simpsons, football jokes), keeping the conversation accessible and engaging. The spirit is one of enthusiastic literary appreciation and curiosity.

Memorable Moments

• Miller’s explanation of the “three wishes” structure in The Monkey’s Paw: "You test the wish, then you try and fix, and then you try and restore."
• Connections to popular culture: The Simpsons Treehouse of Horror and college football as contemporary echoes of "The Monkey’s Paw" (15:05).
• Personal reflections: Miller recounts reading Lovecraft as a teenager (16:10), reinforcing the deep, formative impact these stories can have.

Conclusion

This episode offers a rich examination of ghost and horror stories, not only as sources of entertainment but as enduring vehicles for grappling with human fears about the unknown, death, and an afterlife. Drawing from personal experience, cultural history, and classical literature, John J. Miller and Scott Bertram make a compelling case for these tales’ continued relevance—in the classroom and beyond.

Listeners walk away with insight into:

• The genre’s literary DNA
• Practical storytelling techniques
• The cultural and philosophical resonance of ghost stories across centuries

(For additional discussions, the episode continues with Dr. Ben Whalen on the legacy of The Great Gatsby .)