In this episode of the Forum Podcast from Calvin Theological Seminary, current ThM student Leah Jolly sits down with Dr. Karin Maag, longtime editor of the Calvin Theological Journal (CTJ), to discuss the journal’s 60-year legacy of advancing Reformed scholarship and mentoring new voices in theology.

Founded in 1966, CTJ continues to offer a unique blend of biblical, theological, and historical research—serving scholars, pastors, and students around the world. Dr. Maag shares insights into her decade as editor, her vision for the journal’s future, and why thoughtful, charitable scholarship still matters in an increasingly digital and fast-paced world.

In this conversation:

-The story behind the Calvin Theological Journal and its enduring mission -How CTJ bridges scholarship and the church through sermons and research -Why Calvin Seminary continues to publish a print journal in a digital age -Encouragement for emerging writers and theologians -A behind-the-scenes look at editing, mentoring, and shaping academic writing

In this powerful episode of the Forum Podcast from Calvin Theological Seminary, current ThM student Leah Jolly sits down with Shawn England, a current MTS student and graduate of the Calvin Prison Initiative (CPI).

Once serving a 35-year prison sentence, Shawn encountered Christ behind bars—and through the Calvin Prison Initiative, he discovered not only an education but a calling. Today, he’s studying theology at Calvin Seminary and working to extend the same life-changing opportunities to others in Michigan’s prison system.

Join this inspiring conversation as Shawn shares:

-How God’s providence opened the door for the Calvin Prison Initiative -His personal transformation from incarceration to ministry -The role of education in true rehabilitation and human formation -Why the Church’s presence in prisons matters now more than ever -His hopes for the next generation of CPI students and theological educators

In this inspiring episode of the Forum Podcast from Calvin Theological Seminary, we sit down with Dr. Charles Oh, 2025 Doctor of Ministry graduate, whose groundbreaking research explores the spiritual vitality of Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) living and working in religiously restrictive countries.

Drawing from years of missionary experience in the Philippines and interviews conducted in the Middle East, Dr. Oh shares moving stories of faith, perseverance, and community among Filipino workers who worship quietly yet powerfully in places where religious expression is limited.

Join hosts Rev. Jeff Sajdak and Dr. Geoff Vandermolen as they discuss:

-What inspired Dr. Oh’s research on “forgotten” overseas workers -The surprising realities of faith life in restrictive nations -How churches can remember and support those they send -The deeper spiritual lessons of resilience, prayer, and calling

In this Lifelong Learning episode, Dr. Aaron Einfeld, Director of Lifelong Learning at Calvin Theological Seminary, speaks with leadership coach and church consultant Tom Clegg, Clegg Consulting Group, about the transformative role of coaching in Christian ministry.

Together, they explore how coaching — unlike traditional mentoring or teaching — equips leaders to grow through intentional reflection, deep listening, and Spirit-led discovery.

Tom shares wisdom from decades of experience walking alongside pastors and organizational leaders, illustrating how coaching uncovers barriers, reframes identity, and cultivates sustainable leadership.

This conversation is a practical and theological invitation to slow down, listen well, and lead with authenticity.

🔹 Learn more about Calvin Seminary's coaching-based Empower program 🔹 Discover how coaching fosters resilience in anxious ministry environments 🔹 Hear stories of real leaders transformed through gospel-centered coaching

Dr. Mary Vanden Berg, Emerita of Systematic Theology, talks with Dr. Aaron Einfeld, Director of Lifelong Learning at Calvin Theological Seminary, about the often-avoided realities of death, suffering, and grief—and why Christian formation must include them. From lament psalms to funeral liturgies, from the daily prayer of “into your hands I commit my spirit” to the spiritual weight of complicated grief, they explore how honest engagement with mortality can deepen hope in Christ and reshape how we live. A sobering yet hopeful episode for pastors, students, and anyone facing the painful edges of life.

Topics include:

• Medicalized suffering
• The role of lament
• Spiritual formation
• How the church can better walk with people in pain

Whether you’re a pastor, caregiver, or curious listener, this conversation invites you into a richer theology of life, death, and what it means to hope in Christ.

In this stirring episode, Dr. Constantine R. Campbell—New Testament scholar, jazz musician, and author—returns to the Forum Podcast with Dr. Aaron Einfeld, Director of Lifelong Learning at Calvin Theological Seminary, to explore how personal crisis, ministry burnout, and spiritual deconstruction can become doorways to deeper grace and renewed faith.

Drawing from his own story of vocational collapse, emotional healing, and the long road back to the pulpit, Dr. Campbell offers a vulnerable and wise reflection on the state of the American church. Along the way, he considers:

• Why the church must embrace humility or face collapse
• What it means to be spiritually reconstructed after burnout
• How jazz offers a surprising model for freedom within formation
• Why churches must become safe places for doubt and honesty
• What early church history teaches us about empire and renewal

A moving, timely conversation for anyone disillusioned, burned out, or yearning for a faith that still breathes.

Dr. Constantine R. Campbell, Professor and Research Director at the Australian University College, joins Dr. Aaron Einfeld, Director of Lifelong Learning at Calvin Theological Seminary, for a profound Lifelong Learning conversation on theology, jazz, and the crisis within American evangelicalism. A professional jazz saxophonist and New Testament scholar, Dr. Campbell speaks candidly about reconciling his faith and artistry, critiques the political entanglements of modern evangelicalism, and shares a moving personal account of grace following divorce.

This episode features:

• The theological value of artistic creation
• Why internalized knowledge matters—for musicians and theologians
• The communal nature of both jazz and theology
• How tribalism harms the church’s mission
• Reflections from his book Jesus vs. Evangelicals

A rich, challenging, and hopeful conversation for those yearning for depth in faith and freedom in expression.

In this compelling episode of The Forum Podcast, host Dr. Aaron Einfeld, Director of Lifelong Learning at Calvin Theological Seminary, sits down with licensed therapist Kurt Visker to explore the nature of anxiety, the role of counseling, and how individuals can build resilience in challenging seasons of life. Kurt shares insights from years of clinical experience, including how counseling helps people move from fear to confidence, and why facing discomfort is essential to growth.

Together, they discuss what resilience really means, how it develops over time, and how it applies to everyday struggles—from parenting and performance anxiety to grief and vocational identity. Special attention is given to the unique pressures pastors face and the need for authenticity and self-awareness in ministry leadership.

Whether you're navigating personal hardship, wrestling with anxiety, or supporting others in their journey, this episode offers grounded wisdom and practical tools for emotional and spiritual health.