Podcast

On the last episode of the holiday special by James C. Schaap, author and retired English professor, he reads "Somewhere in the Judean Hills." Today, the youngest shepherd in the hills is the one directed to stay behind with the sheep when the others go to Bethlehem.

In this episode of the Poetry Edition, Rose Postma interviews Eric Potter about his poem “Advent: A Crown of Sonnets.” Eric is the author of several chapbooks and poetry collections, including “Things Not Seen.” He is also a professor of English at Grove City College, where he teaches courses in modern poetry, American literature, and creative writing.

On the third episode of the holiday special by James C. Schaap, author and retired English professor, he reads the “Shroud of Turin.” Today, a holiday visit to her daughter’s family— far, far away— stresses a recently-widowed grandma who wants, more than anything, for her beloved family not to forget the child come to earth for those he loves.

In this episode of the poetry edition, Rose Postma interviews Lory Widmer Hess. Lory is an American currently living with her family in Switzerland. She works with adults with developmental disabilities and is in training as a spiritual director. Her publication credits include Parabola, Amethyst Review, and Ekstasis, and her book When Fragments Make a Whole: A Personal Journey Through Healing Stories in the Bible will be published by Floris Books in 2024. Visit her website and blog at enterenchanted.com.

On the second episode of the holiday special by James C. Schaap, author and retired English professor, James shares “Testimony.” Today, an arrogant artist who proudly calls himself elitist agrees to narrate the simple holiday program at his church, and is startled to find himself on his knees on Christmas Eve.

This is the first episode of the holiday special by James C. Schaap, author and retired English professor. Today, an eighth grader, fed up with smarmy Sunday School Christmas programs, races home to find a baby Jesus doll, only to discover, slowly, something she had never pondered about the gift in the manger.

In this episode of the poetry edition, Rose Postma interviews Nathaniel Schmidt about his poem “Anti-Hero,” based on Matthew 26:52. Nathaniel A. Schmidt is an ordained minister in the Christian Reformed Church of North America and serves as a hospice and hospital chaplain. He holds degrees from Calvin Theological Seminary, Calvin University, and The University of Illinois, Springfield. His newest poetry collection, Transfiguring, is out from Whippenstock.

In this episode of the poetry edition, Rose Postma interviews Mary Grace Mangano about her poem “Desert Eyes.” Mary Grace has worked as a middle and high school English teacher in several major cities and has published freelance and creative writing. She received her MFA in Creative Writing at the University of St. Thomas in Houston as an inaugural Gioia Family Fellowship recipient and as a member of the first cohort to graduate from the program. Currently, she is an…

In this episode of the Reformed Journal Podcast, Rose Postma interviews Patricia L. Hamilton about her poem “Sarah, Long Suffering.” Patricia is a professor of English at Union University and the author of The Distance to Nightfall. She won the Rash Award in Poetry in 2015 and 2017 and has received three Pushcart nominations.