The Reformed Journal Podcast

In this episode of the Reformed Journal Podcast, the poetry edition, Rose Postma talks with Paul Willis about his poem “Compulsion.” Paul has published eight full collections and six chapbooks of poetry, the most recent of which are Losing Streak (Kelsay Books, 2024) and Orvieto (Solum Literary Press, 2025). Individual poems have appeared in Poetry, Slant, and Southern Poetry Review, and have been selected for publication by Jane Hirshfield, Garrison Keillor, and Adrienne Rich. He is an emeritus professor of English at Westmont College and a former poet laureate of Santa Barbara, California.

In this episode of the Reformed Journal Podcast, the poetry edition, Rose Postma interviews Caroline J. Simon, PhD, about her poem “After Denise Levertov’s Essays.” Caroline is provost emeritus of Whitworth University in Spokane, Washington, where she served as executive vice president and chief academic officer for seven years. She taught at Hope College in Holland, Michigan for twenty-five years. She is a philosopher and ethicist who currently lives and writes in Fort Mill, South Carolina.

In this episode of the Reformed Journal Podcast, Rose Postma talks with Betsy Howard about her poem “Grafting Apple Shoots.” Betsy serves as an assistant professor of modern literature at Bethlehem College in Minneapolis, MN and as an affiliate researcher at the University of Minnesota with the Center for the PreModern World. Her recent academic work has included essays in Religion and the Arts and Victorian Poetry. Her creative essays have appeared in Between Two Cities (Anselm House) and Writing in the Margins (University of St. Thomas) and my review of Joseph Bottum’s Second Spring recently appeared in Eikon. She has published poems in Ekstasis, Ad Fontes, The New Verse Review, Summit Avenue Review and Tower Light.

In this episode of the Reformed Journal Podcast, the Poetry Edition, Rose Postma talks with Janet Ruth Heller about her poem “Annunication.” Heller is the president of the Michigan College English Association. She has a Ph.D. in English Language and Literature from the University of Chicago. She is a past president of the Society for the Study of Midwestern Literature. She has published three poetry books: Exodus (WordTech Editions, 2014), Folk Concert: Changing Times (Anaphora Literary Press, 2012), and Traffic Stop (Finishing Line Press, 2011); a scholarly book, Coleridge, Lamb, Hazlitt, and the Reader of Drama (University of Missouri Press, 1990); a middle-grade fiction chapter book for children, The Passover Surprise (Fictive Press, 2015, 2016); and a fiction picture book for children about bullying, How the Moon Regained Her Shape (Arbordale, 2006; 6th edition 2018), that has won four national awards, including a Children’s Choices award.

In this episode of the Reformed Journal Podcast, the poetry edition, Rose Postma talks with Joshua Patch about his poem “Malchus.” Patch is a teacher residing in southern Michigan, and his poetry has appeared in Solum Journal and The Borough.

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).

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.