“Manual Labor” by Caroline Liberatore
In this episode of the Reformed Journal Podcast, the poetry edition, Rose Postma talks with Caroline Liberatore about her poem “Manual Labor.” Liberatore is a poet, editor, and librarian from Cleveland, Ohio. Her vocations indicate what she cares most deeply for: the written word, artistic excellence, embodied presence in local communities, commonplace beauty, and the tangible redemption of Christ. Caroline serves as Editor at The Clayjar Review and writes regularly on her Substack, Dog-Eared Inquiries.
15 Apr 8min
“Wrapped and Laid” by Bill Howden
In this week’s episode of the Reformed Journal Podcast, the poetry edition, Rose Postma interviews William D. Howden on his poem “Wrapped and Laid.” Howden is an ordained minister of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ). Now retired, he lives in San Antonio with his wife, Jan Davis, and their cats. He holds degrees from Milligan University (BA) and Princeton Theological Seminary (MDiv and PhD). Bill’s essays, sermons and poetry have been published in various journals. He and Jan also produce a free bi-monthly newsletter, Soul Windows: Reflection (www.soulreflection.org).
15 Apr 10min
“Every Sunday Morning” by Taylor Mallay
In this episode of the Reformed Journal Podcast, the poetry edition, Rose Postma interviews Taylor Mallay about her poem “Every Sunday Morning.” Mallay is a poet and nonfiction writer from Michigan. Her work has previously appeared in Chestnut Review, One Art, and The Dewdrop, among others.
1 Apr 7min
“It’s About Us” by Mark Hiskes
In this episode of the Reformed Journal Podcast, the poetry edition, Rose Postma interviews Mark Hiskes about his poem “It’s About Us.” Hiskes is a retired high school English teacher from Holland, Michigan, who devotes his time to a number of things: three delightful grandchildren, Sylvie, Paige, and Lucy; his beloved wife, Cindy, with whom he rebuilds and refurbishes old furniture for sale in her antique booth; reading ever more great books, old, and new; leading and participating in various book clubs; and doing his best to write things that might, God willing, tell some manner of truth. A collection of his poems, Standing with Alyosha, was published in 2019 by Dos Madres Press.
18 Mar 10min
“Lost Sheep” by Margaret DeRitter
In this episode of the Reformed Journal Podcast, the poetry edition, Rose Postma talks with Margaret DeRitter about her poem “Lost Sheep.” DeRitter is the author of the poetry collection "Singing Back to the Sirens" (Unsolicited Press, 2020), which has been described by Pulitzer-winning poet Diane Seuss as a collection of "achingly beautiful and gutsy poems" that "represent an autobiography of love." DeRitter also won the 2018 Celery City Chapbook Contest for “Fly Me to Heaven by Way of New Jersey.” Her work has appeared in numerous literary journals and anthologies and has received a Pushcart Prize nomination. She lives in Kalamazoo, Michigan, where she was a newspaper journalist for 22 years and currently serves as copy editor and poetry editor of Encore magazine.
4 Mar 12min
“Table” by Patrick T. Reardon
In this episode of the Reformed Journal Podcast, the poetry edition, Rose Postma talks with Patrick T. Reardon about his poem “Table.” Reardon, who was a Chicago Tribune reporter for 32 years, has published six poetry collections, including Darkness on the Face of the Deep and Puddin’: The Autobiography of a Baby, A Memoir in Prose Poems. His next collection Every Marred Thing: A Time in America, the winner of the 2024 Faulkner-Wisdom Prize from the Pirate’s Alley Faulkner Society of New Orleans, is forthcoming from Lavender Ink. He has been nominated five times for a Pushcart Prize.
25 Feb 13min
"You Said Let There Be Light" by Michael Zysk
In this episode of the poetry edition of the Reformed Journal Podcast, Rose Postma talks with Michael Zysk about his poem “You Said, Let There be Light.” Twice nominated for the 2023 Pushcart Prize, Zysk is a mystical revivalist, whose third poetry collection Sophia's Wisdom will appear in 2024 (Wipf & Stock). His poems, essays, and sculptures have appeared in dozens of journals. He’s an alumnus of the 2022 Kenyon Review Summer Conference and the 2021 Community of Writers. A veteran English teacher-activist and faith leader of a mystical Christian tradition, Michael lives to connect. Reach out to him @michaelzysk or mz@michaelzysk.com.
4 Feb 9min
“Life Beneath” by Matthew Pullar
In this episode of the poetry edition of the Reformed Journal Podcast, Rose Postma interviews Matthew Pullar about his poem “Life Beneath.” Pullar is a poet based in Melbourne, Australia. He was awarded Young Australian Christian Writer of the Year in 2013 for his unpublished manuscript "Imperceptible Arms: A Memoir in Poems". He has published three books of poetry, including "The Swelling Year: Poems for Holy and Ordinary Days", and has had poetry featured in Poems for Ephesians and Ekstasis.
21 Jan 10min
