Jim Rushton’s love of media started in high school and flourished while working at, and ultimately running, WHCL. He turned that love into a career that went from radio to professional sports. In this episode Jim shares insight into the business side of sports and how it teaches you to watch a different game. Get tickets to Gabe Mollica’s one-hour …

Tom Vilsack grew up a Democrat in a family of Republicans. The skills learned then have served him well throughout his 35 years in politics. This week he shares how he got his start in public service, how lessons learned at Hamilton have served him thorough out his career and what’s different the second time around serving as the Secretary of Agric…

David Chanatry has long had a love of long form storytelling. This week he shares how that love fueled a career in journalism and how along with a love of Utica, it drove him to help create the documentary film Utica: The Last Refuge. Learn more about the film Utica: The Last Refuge Learn more about David’s show, The Ivory Tower on WCNY Read about …

Photographer Helen Morse says the pandemic drained her creative desire to make images. But it awakened her desire to write. This week she joins the show to give insight into her art and why now was the right time to write her memoir, The Difficult Girl. She shares some details into the heartbreaking stories in the book and how they have helped her …

As a high school student in Germany, Peter Muggleworth fell in love with TV & Movies. Hear how he went from Hamilton College to a wide ranging career that has seen him involved with many aspects of entertainment. He shares how he’s played a collection of villains as an actor, worked long hours as a member of production crews and how an NFL coach qu…

Ryan Serhant moved to New York City after college determined to be successful. This week he shares how he found that success but not in the way he originally planned. Hear how he went from actor to real estate agent to launching a successful real estate company. Learn more about Ryan’s business Order your copy of Wally Bressler’s new book Tragic He…

As Jessica built a successful career in biotech, she never imagined her father’s interest in wine would lead her down an entirely new career path. This week she shares the story of how Et Fille came to be, how her early career prepared her for winemaking even if she didn’t know it and she gives Dave a lesson in the business of wine. Learn more abou…

Kamila Shamsie came to Hamilton from Pakistan with a dream of becoming a published author. This week she’s shares how that dream became a reality and how, as she gets ready to publish her eighth novel, her process helps her build on her incredible success. Preorder Kamila’s forthcoming novel Best of Friends . All music by Doctuh Michael Woods…

For many in the Hamilton community this week's guest is known as Justinio on the Radio, the voice of WHCL in the early 2000's. Justin Ginsberg took that voice and used it--along with a lot of guts and hard work--to build a successful business. This week we hear how Justin built OnHold.com into one of the top on hold messaging and music services in …

As the world focuses on Ukraine, we talk to a man who had a front row seat to the country’s history. John Hewko was in the Ukrainian parliament the night they declared independence in 1991 and helped craft the post-Soviet constitution. This week he shares his story, his role in helping shape Ukrainian history and his thoughts on the current war. Da…

Just when Missy Segall thought her hockey career was ending prematurely due to COVID-19, the Buffalo Beauts came calling to fulfill Missy's childhood dream of playing professional hockey. This week Missy talks about making the jump from D3 to the Premier Hockey Federation and how she's also getting hands on business school training working full tim…

This week we meet Sammy Johnson and Chad Varney who turned an independent study project into a successful business. Upcurl is a clothing brand making a positive impact on the environment. Learn how to all started and what the future holds for Upcurl. Learn more about the brand at Upcurl’s website Check out Upcurl on Instagram - DM them to let them …

Weather knocked out this week’s guest, so a scramble to put together an episode leads to a painful but possibly entertaining trip down memory lane. In this episode you get to hear Dave like never before...or at least not like you’ve heard in 25 years. Music by Doctuh Michael WoodsBy Dave Bolger

Fred Rogers is a trained historian so it was only natural that he’d dig into the deep history of Hamilton upon his arrival. Through his research he discovered a personal connection to the school and developed a deep appreciation of just how much history is buried in the school’s cemetery. His love of that history led him to giving countless tours o…

Kyandreia Jones dreamed of being a writer as a young child. By twenty she was a published author, This week she talks about the adjustment moving from South Florida to Clinton, NY, what it’s like writing Choose Your Own Adventure books and the importance of joy. Preorder Kyandreia’s next book The Ghost on the Mountain Buy Kyandreia’s first two book…

We kick off 2022 with the Chair of the Board. David Solomon shares how Hamilton made an impact on him, why he remains engaged with the school, and the different types of leadership lessons he learned in school. Check out Dave Bolger’s appearance on Life on the Hill All music by Doctuh Michael WoodsBy Dave Bolger

When you know you want to do something, sometimes you just need to make the decision to go ahead and do it. That’s how Meg Swertlow became a filmmaker. This week’s guest talks about the various times in her life when she made changes to go after what she wants. A fun chat with a woman the International Screenwriters Association calls one of the top…

Rachel Weinstein went to Hamilton College thinking she’d be a lawyer. While studying theater she set herself on a path to becoming a successful Broadway producer. This week she shares insight into how she got her start, how she built her career, and all that goes in to creating a show. All music by Doctuh Michael Woods…

For nearly 30 years Marge Petteys has served as a surrogate mother to countless students. She’s helped students overcome loneliness, offered advice and given big hugs. While she’s played a role in helping students overcome their insecurities, she shares how working at Hamilton helped her deal with her own insecurities. She’s truly one of a kind. Al…

A liberal arts education is said to help develop well rounded individuals. This week’s guest Jeff Cournoyer credits his Hamilton experience for his ability to navigate a career that has spanned roles in government, professional sports and higher education. Despite being close friends, Dave still hears stories he’s never heard and learns some new th…

No guest this week. Instead Dave shares some thoughts on his first visit to Hamilton in almost 15 years. All music by Doctuh Michael WoodsBy Dave Bolger

Alex Slater only spent one year at Hamilton College, but that year played a significant role in his life. This week Alex talk about coming to the US from Scotland and how his year at Hamilton influenced his decision to settle in America. He also provides insight into what it’s like building his own company and the health issues he’s had to overcome…

Wally Bressler coaches his clients on the importance of overcoming the reluctance of making sales calls. That reluctance, he says, often comes from deep seeded issues of anxiety, self-esteem, or even depression. He knows because he’s dealt with all of those issues and more. Those issues led to bad decisions throughout his life and ultimately put hi…

Lauren Reynolds knew she wanted to work in sports journalism from a young age. Hear how she turned a role as Sports Editor of the Spectator into a successful career at ESPN. She also shares lessons learned throughout her career and what she shares with students looking to follow in her footsteps. All music by Doctuh Michael Woods…

In moving from a career in science to becoming an award-winning author, Chris Holm learned the importance of admitting when something isn't right for you. This week he talks to Dave about his evolution from a career in science to becoming a fiction writer. He talks about finding the right agent and shares some behind the scenes insight into how boo…

Mason Ashe has helped grow the careers of professional athletes, entertainers and content creators for over 30 years. This week he joins to share his view on how he views what his job entails, how persistence and the power of persuasion have been key for his success and how Hamilton College has played a role throughout his career. All music by Doct…

United States Representative Matt Cartwright joins this week to share some of the lessons he learned as a trial lawyer and how those lessons translate into valuable skills in Congress. He also talks about how he balances the many aspects of his job and the importance of seeking out advice. https://www.cartwrightcongress.com/ All music by Doctuh Mic…

As the 20th anniversary of 9/11 approaches, we hear from Jon Bellona as he recounts the creation of Run for the Fallen which honored his Hamilton roommate Matt Cleary and all those killed in action. Jon also talks about his Hamilton experience as the son of the head of Hamilton’s physical plant and shares insight into his art and artistic process. …

For months, combat veteran and former CIA analyst Matt Zeller warned US officials that the situation we now see unfolding in Afghanistan was coming. He has been an outspoken leader in the fight to help evacuate Afghan interpreters. And now, as the situation worsens, Matt is working tirelessly to help save the lives of those that helped save his and…

Travis Hill has spent 18 years working to make life more engaging and rewarding for students at Hamilton College. This week he joins Dave to talk about how he’s seen the school evolve over those 18 years and what the school is doing now to help students be successful outside the classroom. He also talks about the podcast he’s created to be a resour…

This week the Hamilton College community lost a truly great member of its family with the death of Civil Rights activist Robert Moses. As a way to honor him, we share the audio of an on-campus event he did for the Days-Massolo Center in February 2019. Hear him talk about his work in the movement, the role education—particularly math education—playe…

From Circle Jerk, to Ratatouille: The Tik Tok Musical, to This American Wife, it’s been a wild ride of a year for producer, writer and performer Michael Breslin. He joins the show this week to talk about all of his recent success and how the theater program at Hamilton College put him on this path. Learn more about Michael’s work: https://www.micha…

Comedian Gabe Mollica joins this week to share what it’s like working in NYC as a stand up. He talks about how he got into comedy, how lessons learned at Hamilton College help him today, and how starting a podcast has helped him reconnect with people he hasn’t spoken to in a decade. Check out Gabe’s podcast on Apple or Spotify All music by Doctuh M…

Award winning journalist Edvige Jean-François was a driving force behind the creation of the very special “We Are Hamilton” issue of Hamilton Magazine. This week she joins to talk about the creation of the issue, the importance of amplifying the voices of black members of the Hamilton community and how working on the magazine helped her reconnect w…

In the recent edition of Hamilton magazine, Michael Tennant writes, “The healing we are looking for might need to start from within.” This week he talks to Dave about how his quest for healing put him on a path to helping others find that healing and begin spreading empathy. Learn more about Michael’s work at Curiosity Labs Learn more about the Act…

This week’s guest Kat McGrory says watchdog journalism is critical to help local newspapers hold those in power accountable for their actions. That’s something she’s done so well in her career, she recently won a Pulitzer for her work in exposing questionable policing tactics by a local sheriff. Hear the Deputy Editor of Investigations at the Tampa…

When Gillian Zucker heard Steve Ballmer was buying the LA Clippers she knew being President of the team would be the perfect job for her. This week she shares insight into her career through professional sports, how she landed her current job, and what it’s like as one of the highest ranking women in professional sports. This episode was recorded a…

Sarah Damaske is a sociologist, a professor, and an author. This week she tells Dave there is nothing else she’d rather be doing. During this great conversation we hear about Sarah’s path to discovering her calling as a sociologist (via a major in Comparative Literature) and we hear about her new book The Tolls of Uncertainty, which takes a deep lo…

Like many first year college students Derek Brand thought everyone else had it figured out. Over the course of his time at the school playing rugby and studying abroad he came to understand that few people had it figured out. This week Dave welcomes Derek, his classmate and former rugby teammate for a chat that explores Derek’s journey to becoming …

Fresh off completing a year that saw her team manage Hamilton’s COVID testing program and plan Commencement in a condensed timeline, Lisa Magnarelli joins to talk about her unique Hamilton experience. Lisa discovered the possibility of a career as a college administrator as a student intern in Hamilton’s Student Activities office and when she retur…

Less than 24 hours before he delivered Hamilton College’s 2021 Commencement Address, Ty Seidule joins Dave for a conversation. During this chat, Ty shares his impressions of Hamilton and its students, how they compare to West Point cadets and he talks about his latest book Robert E. Lee and Me: A Southerner’s Reckoning with the Myth of the Lost Cau…

Dan Chambliss is retiring after 40 years of teaching at Hamilton College. Dave caught up with Dan just a few days removed from teaching his final class. In this conversation Dan shares how the school has evolved during his time there, what was the most terrifying moment of his career (it involved potentially failing the majority of an entire class)…

Writer Mike Barlow joins this week to talk about life at Hamilton during the 1970s. While there was free love, drugs, and all that came with the Vietnam War, he shares what remains the same about Hamilton no matter the year. He also shares insight into his career as a writer and the role Hamilton played in shaping it. Check out Mike’s writing https…

Saphire Ruiz may have always had an activist’s spirit, but it’s been at Hamilton where they have really explored what it means to be an activist and put the skills to use. As Student Assembly President, Saphire has been battling the administration on many fronts and this week they share some of those experiences and talk about their deep interest i…

Herb Hand says being a football coach defines him. And while it’s hard to dispute the fact he is 100% a football coach, there is way more to this one-of-a-kind man. This week he shares his experience going to Hamilton via HEOP, talks about the people who influenced him and how he prides himself on making a positive influence on the lives of others.…

This week we have another Emmy winner. Toni Bullock joins to share her experience going from Hamilton to Hollywood. She shares insight into how she’s built her career as a producer and how she’s helping other women succeed in entertainment through her networking endeavor, Callsheets 2 Cocktails. More about Toni Callsheets 2 Cocktails All music by D…

This week we tell another international story. Peter Kosgei, the most decorated athlete in Hamilton College history, talks about his early struggles coming to America from Kenya, what it was like competing as a runner at such a high level, and the terrible attack he suffered which ended his successful collegiate running career prematurely. Ultimate…

Growing up in Dubai, Manal Ataya’s perception of the United States was shaped by the few teen movies she saw. This week she shares the story of coming to the US to attend Hamilton and what life was like on campus as an Arab Muslim. The museum professional talks about her career path and what it’s meant to her to give back to the school as a member …

For the last 24 years Steve Bellona has had a hand in shaping and growing the Hamilton community. First as the Associate Vice President for Facilities and Planning where he oversaw unprecedented growth and expansion of the campus and now as the Mayor of Clinton, NY. Steve shares what brought him to Hamilton, how his experience as a track coach help…

If you’re going to do a show about Hamilton College, it makes sense to talk to the person in charge. So that’s what Dave did. This week President David Wippman joins to talk about how the school has dealt with the pandemic, how it continues to manage DEI , and how he tries to maintain a collaborative relationship with the students. All music by Doc…