The Virtual Voyage with Abigail

29/01/2023

My college radio show, The Virtual Voyage, is back for season 5! (Hopefully, we'll hit 50 episodes this season!) Thank you to everyone who has faithfully listened and supported the show since I began in August of 2020. I hope you've enjoyed virtually visiting some of Israel's most incredible sights as much as I've enjoyed sharing them with you.

I'm even more excited for season 5 because I had the chance to be in Israel last summer. I'll be taking you all to many of the sites I got to visit with renowned archaeologists who explained the archaeology and history of places like Tel Dan (the site we're headed to for season 5, episode 1) in new ways.

For this week's episode, it's off to Tel Dan, a site often considered to be the northern border of Israel. We'll explore the history of Dan, enjoy a beautiful walk through nature, and see the alternate temple Rehoboam erected at Dan in disobedience to God. But the highlight of the tour is a stop at Abraham's gate—a 4000-year-old gate (also containing the oldest arch in the world) that Abraham himself would have gone through when trying to rescue Lot. You won't want to miss it!

And make sure to come back next time where we'll see the Tel Dan Stele, which is perhaps the only extra-biblical archeological reference to King David from the Bible.

Enjoy the adventure!

~ Abigail

Join tour guide Abigail for an exciting adventure in Tel Dan, often considered to be the northern border of Israel. We'll explore the history of Dan, enjoy a beautiful walk through nature, and see the alternate temple Rehoboam erected at Dan in disobedience to God. But the highlight of the tour...

31/08/2021

The Virtual Voyage is back after summer break for season 3! We're still in Israel! Come travel from your comfort zone!
Listen to the newest episode below:
Join the adventure on this week's episode of The Virtual Voyage as your tour guide, Abigail, leads you on an expedition to visit the lowest accessible point on earth, the Dead Sea. You won't want to miss some crazy stories and the chance to float in one of the world's most salty bodies of water.
https://soundcloud.com/radiofreehillsdale/the-virtual-voyage-1380-below?in=radiofreehillsdale/sets/the-virtual-voyage

28/04/2021

Join us on this week's episode of The Virtual Voyage as we head to Qumran in Israel and meet Dr. Jodi Magness. Dr. Magness is an archaeologist, professor, bestselling author, and respected expert on both Qumran and the Dead Sea Scrolls. She will share her thoughts on Qumran’s history, who lived there, and the significance of the Dead Sea Scrolls. Come along for the hike in Qumran as we learn from Dr. Magness's expertise!

(This is also the last episode of The Virtual Voyage until August/September when I will return to school. Thank you for your support in the first year of the show. I'm proud of the 24 episodes that I wrote, recorded, and produced, and I hope you all have enjoyed them. Until next time...on The Virtual Voyage!)

https://soundcloud.com/radiofreehillsdale/the-virtual-voyage-answering?in=radiofreehillsdale/sets/the-virtual-voyage

22/04/2021

Come along on this week's episode of The Virtual Voyage as we continue our tour of Ein Gedi, the natural oasis in the middle of the Dead Sea region in Israel. We'll find out why David fled here when he was being chased by Saul and explore the actual cave where he had the chance to kill Saul--but didn't. (See the picture where this traditionally happened.)

And make sure to stop back next week as we'll have a special episode with Dr. Jodi Magness, professor, archaeologist, and award-winning author. We'll be meeting up with her in Qumran to discuss the site and the Dead Sea Scrolls. It's an episode you won't want to miss!

https://soundcloud.com/radiofreehillsdale/the-virtual-voyage-king-1?in=radiofreehillsdale/sets/the-virtual-voyage

13/04/2021

Join The Virtual Voyage for an adventure through the oasis of Ein Gedi, a nature reserve in the middle of the Israeli desert where there's more history present than just meets the eye (hint: this was King David's hideout). See some animals that are unique to Israel, hike up cliffs and through mud, and witness one of the most magnificent waterfalls that's 120 feet tall, all from your comfort zone!

https://soundcloud.com/radiofreehillsdale/the-virtual-voyage-king-davids?in=radiofreehillsdale/sets/the-virtual-voyage

11/04/2021

Come along on this week's episode of The Virtual Voyage to complete our tour of Masada! We'll answer some remaining questions concerning the authenticity of the site and why it means so much to some Jews and angers others before finally descending treacherous Snake Path and saying goodbye to Masada--a site associated with suffering, fortitude, and the desire for freedom.

Also, enjoy some attached pictures of what Masada looks like.

https://soundcloud.com/radiofreehillsdale/the-virtual-voyage-never-again-remembering-the-remnant-at-masada-part-3?in=radiofreehillsdale/sets/the-virtual-voyage

31/03/2021

Join us on our morning hike up Masada on this week's episode of The Virtual Voyage. You won't want to miss it because we are going to find out how the story ended for the brave men and women of the Jewish remnant as we also think about the significance of human freedom, even if it means the freedom to choose death.

https://soundcloud.com/radiofreehillsdale/the-virtual-voyage-never-1?in=radiofreehillsdale/sets/the-virtual-voyage

Join the adventure on this week's episode of The Virtual Voyage as we continue our tour of Masada, King Herod's old summer palace which was turned into a fortress for the Jewish remnant who bravely he

25/03/2021

The Virtual Voyage is back! This week, we're headed to Masada in the North of Israel. Masada was the fortress for the brave Jewish remnant who held out against the Romans until...well, you'll have to listen to find out what happened at this site. Make sure to bring lots of water for the hike and your camera for a breathtaking view of the morning sunrise over the Dead Sea. This is an adventure you won't want to miss!

https://soundcloud.com/radiofreehillsdale/the-virtual-voyage-never-again?in=radiofreehillsdale/sets/the-virtual-voyage

03/03/2021

Join me for the second part of this two-part series concerning the Dead Sea Scrolls and their home in the Israel Museum, the Shrine of the Book. Have you ever wondered about how the scrolls were discovered? How much money were they originally sold for? Ever heard of the Aleppo Codex, the ancient manuscript of the Hebrew Bible that was thought to hold mysterious powers and bring a plague on the community if it were ever lost? Come along on The Virtual Voyage to find the answers to all those questions and experience the Dead Sea Scrolls before your very eyes.

https://soundcloud.com/radiofreehillsdale/the-virtual-voyage-before-1?in=radiofreehillsdale/sets/the-virtual-voyage

24/02/2021

Have you ever wanted to see the Dead Sea Scrolls? If so, join The Virtual Voyage for this week's episode--Before Our Very Eyes Part 1. We're heading to the Israel Museum in Jerusalem to see the Shrine of the Book, inside of which the Dead Sea Scrolls are housed.
Also, ever wondered why you won't find a cheeseburger in Israel? Listen to find out!

https://soundcloud.com/radiofreehillsdale/the-virtual-voyage-before-our?in=radiofreehillsdale/sets/the-virtual-voyage

18/02/2021

In this week's episode of The Virtual Voyage, we go knock on some wood--and a lot more! Come along for an adventure where we think about the history of the Jewish nation, try some authentic hummus, and head to the Rockefeller Museum in Jerusalem to see...wood! Join the voyage to find out why this ancient wood is so cool!

https://soundcloud.com/radiofreehillsdale/the-virtual-voyage-knocking-on?in=radiofreehillsdale/sets/the-virtual-voyage

Come along for an adventure on this week's episode of The Virtual Voyage with your tour guide, Abigail, where we think about the history of the Jewish nation, try some authentic hummus, and head to th

09/02/2021

I'm very excited to share this week's special episode of The Virtual Voyage with all of you because we have a special guest, Rabbi Hanoch Teller!

https://soundcloud.com/radiofreehillsdale/the-virtual-voyage-remembering?in=radiofreehillsdale/sets/the-virtual-voyage

This is an exclusive episode this week where we tour Yad Vashem, the World Holocaust Remembrance Center in Jerusalem, with Rabbi Hanoch Teller—author of nearly 30 books, producer of 3 documentaries, master storyteller, and host of the very new podcast, Teller from Jerusalem. Come along as Rabbi Teller guides us through the halls of Yad Vashem as we remember the innocent lives lost and the heroes who sacrificed to save them. This is a voyage you’ll never forget!

Check out Rabbi Teller's new podcast, Teller from Jerusalem: https://www.hanochteller.com/podcast/
Purchase "Heroic Children": https://www.hanochteller.com/product/heroic-children/

03/02/2021

Join us on this week's episode of The Virtual Voyage as we continue our tour in Tel-Shiloh. We're going to see the Bible come to life as we see the ancient remains of the Tel and stop at significant sites along the way. Are you ready to see the site where Hannah prayed for her son, Samuel? Want to be right where the Tabernacle used to stand for almost 400 years? Join us on this week's episode of The Virtual Voyage where you can travel from your comfort zone!

https://soundcloud.com/radiofreehillsdale/the-virtual-voyage-secrets-1?in=radiofreehillsdale/sets/the-virtual-voyage

Check out the picture below for the lay of the land!

27/01/2021

Come along on this week’s episode of The Virtual Voyage to understand how Abraham was nearly willingly tricked in Hebron thousands of years ago, the significance of God’s presence among His people, the nation of Israel, and why people would continually build new cities on top of old ones (what we refer to as a “Tel”). It's all possible from your comfort zone!

https://soundcloud.com/radiofreehillsdale/the-virtual-voyage-secrets-of?in=radiofreehillsdale/sets/the-virtual-voyage

19/01/2021

The Virtual Voyage is back, after taking a hiatus for Winter Break!

Check out this week's episode here: https://soundcloud.com/radiofreehillsdale/the-virtual-voyage-the?in=radiofreehillsdale/sets/the-virtual-voyage.

We're headed to Hebron and the Tomb of the Patriarchs to see where Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Sarah, and others are buried. We're also going to check out a spot where Abraham may have bargained for the cave at the city gates of Hebron. Come along for the fun!

18/11/2020

Due to COVID and shutdowns, this may be the last episode of The Virtual Voyage for a little bit! Hope you all enjoy tunneling through time!

https://soundcloud.com/radiofreehillsdale/the-virtual-voyage-tunneling?in=radiofreehillsdale/sets/the-virtual-voyage

Join The Virtual Voyage for a special episode where your tour guide, Abigail, takes you to the Tower of David, right inside the Jaffa Gate in Jerusalem. We’ll learn about its inaccurate name and imagi

10/11/2020

On this week's episode of The Virtual Voyage, we're heading to two potential spots for Jesus's burial and death. After examining the evidence, we'll see if one (or none!) are indeed authentic!

https://soundcloud.com/radiofreehillsdale/the-virtual-voyage-examining?in=radiofreehillsdale%2Fsets%2Fthe-virtual-voyage&fbclid=IwAR1_g_byhlsCoiLXZnZqqiN3KD1ull9JNn9muueOrfTbxZTmrjW2omMkrrM

Come along on this week’s episode of The Virtual Voyage as we head to two potential spots for both Jesus’s death and resurrection. After examining the evidence, we’ll conclude: did we actually touch t

03/11/2020

Come along on this week’s episode of The Virtual Voyage as we head to the most sacred place in all of Judaism—the Temple Mount where the Temple itself would have stood.

Listen on SoundCloud here! https://m.soundcloud.com/radiofreehillsdale/the-virtual-voyage-the-iconic?in=radiofreehillsdale/sets/the-virtual-voyage

Join your tour guide, Abigail, for a highly anticipated episode where we ascend to the Temple Mount and try to imagine what it would have been like for the Jews to worship at the holiest spot in all o

27/10/2020

This week's episode of The Virtual Voyage was recorded in the studio today, and it's available on SoundCloud and Apple/Google Podcasts!
https://soundcloud.com/radiofreehillsdale/the-virtual-voyage-shabbat?in=radiofreehillsdale/sets/the-virtual-voyage
If you've ever wondered about what a Jewish Shabbat is like, this episode is for YOU! We're going to spend the tour seeing the preparations that go into Shabbat, how the city (and country) shuts down, and then enjoy our own Shabbat meal.

23/10/2020

This week, The Virtual Voyage was submitted to the IBS Awards--a collegiate radio show award program--in the "Specialty Show" category. I won't know the outcome for a while, but you'll be the first to know when I hear back! :) For now, enjoy 5 minutes of The Virtual Voyage with cuts from the best of Season 1 so far.

21/10/2020

This week on The Virtual Voyage...grab your gear and join me to climb the Mount of Olives! We're going to head to the Garden of Gethsemane, a lookout point on the Mount of Olives, and also see the famous Jewish cemetery. All that and more on this week's episode!
(Extra teaser: we also see the hotel President Trump stays in when he visits Israel.)
https://soundcloud.com/radiofreehillsdale/the-virtual-voyage-summiting?in=radiofreehillsdale/sets/the-virtual-voyage

Join your sherpa this week as we ascend the mountain...well, the Mount of Olives. This week on The Virtual Voyage, Abigail takes you to experience Jerusalem from new heights as we cross the Kidron Val

18/10/2020

What a surprise to find that I was mentioned on BiblePlaces.com for their Weekend Roundup!!
Check out the Weekend Roundup here for some fascinating resources: https://www.bibleplaces.com/blog/2020/10/weekend-roundup-135/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+BiblePlacesBlog+%28BiblePlaces+Blog%29.

13/10/2020

This week's episode of The Virtual Voyage is available on SoundCloud and Apple/Google Podcasts! Check it out here: https://soundcloud.com/radiofreehillsdale/the-virtual-voyage-following.
I was so excited about this episode because we got to head to what I consider to be one of the coolest places that not many people know about--The Davidson Archaeological Park. I hope you'll listen as we follow in the footsteps of Jesus--literally--at this unique site.

This week on The Virtual Voyage we're heading to the Davidson Archaeological Park, a place where Jesus, among other prominent figures, most certainly set foot. Also, why is there a huge pile of stones

06/10/2020

Check out this week's episode of The Virtual Voyage where we visit 3 important sites: King David's Tomb, the Upper Room, and The Temple Institute (you're in for a treat with that one!). We're also bringing out what my family's tour guide, Aaron, likes to call "the authenticity meter." Listen to find out just what that is!
I really appreciate everyone's support as I have started this endeavor! Logging on to SoundCloud analytics and seeing that so many of you all have listened and enjoyed it makes it 110% worth it to research, record, and edit every week. So thank you!
https://soundcloud.com/radiofreehillsdale/the-virtual-voyage-testing-the?in=radiofreehillsdale/sets/the-virtual-voyage

This week on The Virtual Voyage we’re taking out our “authenticity meter” at 3 sites: King David’s Tomb, the Upper Room, and The Temple Institute. We’re going to test each site against archaeological

30/09/2020

This week’s episode of The Virtual Voyage is entitled “Traveling Through Time Beneath Jerusalem.” We’re heading underneath the Western Wall (a continuation of last week) and also visiting the City of David to splash through Hezekiah’s Tunnel!

https://m.soundcloud.com/radiofreehillsdale/the-virtual-voyage-traveling?in=radiofreehillsdale/sets/the-virtual-voyage

Travel back in time on this week’s episode of The Virtual Voyage where your host, Abigail, takes you underneath the Western Wall to experience authentic sites most people don’t know about! Then, it’s

29/09/2020

Here’s what the editing process (Adobe Audition) in the studio looks like after recording!

28/09/2020

The official logo for The Virtual Voyage is here! What do you think?!

22/09/2020

This week's episode of The Virtual Voyage is here!
https://soundcloud.com/radiofreehillsdale/the-virtual-voyage-the-heart
We're going through the Old City of Jerusalem to the Western Wall. All I have to say is...it will be an experience.
Listen on SoundCloud or Apple/Google Podcasts by searching "Radio Free Hillsdale 101.7".
Thanks for your support!

Travel from your comfort zone on today’s episode of The Virtual Voyage where your host, Abigail, takes you through the Old City of Jerusalem to the Western Wall. Have you ever wondered what it would b

22/09/2020

Episode 3 of The Virtual Voyage will be out tonight or early tomorrow morning! Stay tuned! You won't want to miss worshipping at the Western Wall.
-Abigail

17/09/2020

The Virtual Voyage is back for Episode 2--Behold Jerusalem, the City of God! Listen at this link or on Apple/Google Podcasts: https://soundcloud.com/radiofreehillsdale/the-virtual-voyage-episode-2?ref=clipboard&p=i&c=1.

Come along to today’s episode of The Virtual Voyage and explore Israel with your host, Abigail.