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Social Justice
Spiritual Formation
Spirituality
Advent
Spiritual Growth
Academy For Spiritual Formation
Howard Thurman
Hope
Community
Two-Year Academy Program
Community and Connection
New Testament
First Plymouth Congregational Church
Embodiment
Twilight
Diaspora
Immigrant Experience
Sabbath Practices
Monasticism
Civil Rights Movement

Welcome to The Academy Podcast, a podcast dedicated to sharing rich content for the purpose of spiritual growth. The Academy Podcast is brought to you by The Academy for Spiritual Formation, an international ministry of The Upper Room. The Academy is dedicated to creating safe space for people to connect with God, self, others, and creation for the sake of the world. To learn more about our Five-D... more

PublishesMonthlyEpisodes106Founded11 years ago
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Religion & Spirituality

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Artwork for The Academy Podcast

Latest Episodes

In this episode of The Academy Podcast, host Shalom Agtarap sits down with leaders from The Academy for Spiritual Formation Civil Rights Pilgrimage to reflect on the sacred work of remembrance, community, and spiritual transformation.

Drawing from e... more

In this episode of The Academy Podcast, host Shalom Agtarap sits down with scholar, teacher, and longtime Academy faculty member Luther Smith to explore how spiritual formation shapes the way we engage the world.

Drawing deeply from the wisdom of Ho... more

In this conversation, host Shalom Agtarap is joined by Frank Rogers, spiritual director, teacher, author, and co-director of the Center for Engaged Compassion. Drawing from decades of work in spiritual formation and compassion studies, Frank reflects... more

In this conversation, host Shalom Agtarap is joined by Elaine Heath, theologian, spiritual director, and longtime faculty member of The Academy for Spiritual Formation. Drawing from her journey through contemplative spirituality, community life, and ... more

In this conversation, host Shalom Agtarap is joined by Dr. Shively Smith, Associate Professor of New Testament at Boston University School of Theology and faculty member for Academy #43. Drawing from her deep scholarship and lived experience, Dr. Smi... more

In this month’s episode, Shalom Agtarap is joined by Cláudio Carvalhaes, a theologian, liturgist, performer, artist, and activist whose work bridges worship, ecology, and justice.

In this conversation, we explore how formation—not just information—s... more

In this month’s episode, Shalom Agtarap is joined by Beth Richardson. Beth Richardson is a longtime Upper Room writer, leader, worship designer, and spiritual guide whose journey with The Academy has reawakened her sacramental calling and shaped her ... more

In this month’s episode, Shalom Agtarap is joined by Amy Oden—professor, theologian, and longtime Academy faculty member. Amy reflects on her first encounter with the Academy and how its rhythms of silence, spaciousness, and community reshaped her pe... more

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Recent Guests

Safiyah Fosua
Worship and storytelling contributor on the Pilgrimage Leadership Team
The Academy for Spiritual Formation / Upper Room
Episode: Reflections on the Civil Rights Pilgrimage 2026 — Bonus Episode
Kwasi Kena
Clergy member, co-worship facilitator, Bible storyteller
The Academy for Spiritual Formation / Upper Room
Episode: Reflections on the Civil Rights Pilgrimage 2026 — Bonus Episode
Diana Cason
Creator, curator of the Civil Rights Pilgrimage, logistical lead
The Academy for Spiritual Formation / Upper Room
Episode: Reflections on the Civil Rights Pilgrimage 2026 — Bonus Episode
Johnny Sears
Executive Director at Programs at The Upper Room; Director of the Academy for Spiritual Formation
Upper Room / Academy for Spiritual Formation
Episode: Reflections on the Civil Rights Pilgrimage 2026 — Bonus Episode
Luther E. Smith, Jr.
Professor Emeritus of Church and Community at the Candler School of Theology, Emory University; ordained minister in the Christian Methodist Episcopal Church
Emory University / Academy for Spiritual Formation
Episode: Hope with Our Backs Against the Wall: Faith, Solidarity, and the Work of Love with Luther Smith
Frank Rogers Jr.
Muriel Bernice Roberts Professor of Spiritual Formation and Narrative Pedagogy; co-director of the Center for Engaged Compassion at Claremont School of Theology
Claremont School of Theology
Episode: Cultivating Compassion in a Polarized World with Frank Rogers
Elaine Heath
Author, speaker, retreat leader and prophetic guide
Spring Forest, United Methodist New Faith Community; former Dean of Duke Divinity School; former McCrelless Professor of Evangelism at Perkins School of Theology
Episode: The Contemplative Life as the Path to Justice and Peace with Elaine Heath
Dr. Shively T. J. Smith
Associate Professor of New Testament at Boston University School of Theology, Howard Thurman scholar, and author
Boston University School of Theology
Episode: Formed by Scripture, Formed for Community with Shively Smith
Cláudio Carvalhaes
An internationally recognized earth thinker, theologian, liturgist, performer, artist, and playwright.
Union Theological Seminary
Episode: Liturgy That Protects Life with Cláudio Carvalhaes

Host

Shalom Agtarap
Host of The Academy Podcast

Top Religion & Spirituality Podcasts

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

The Contemplative Life as the Path to Justice and Peace with Elaine Heath
Q: If you could offer a word of encouragement to someone seeking a deeper spiritual life, what would you say?
Elaine uses the farm metaphor to suggest that everyone has 'compost material' from their past, and with disciplined practice and accompaniment, that material can nourish spiritual growth rather than hinder it.
The Contemplative Life as the Path to Justice and Peace with Elaine Heath
Q: Could you remind us again, what was your initial connection to The Academy?
Elaine recalls being invited to teach about forming missional communities and healing practices, experiences that deeply connected her to the Academy and shaped her subsequent work.
Formed by Scripture, Formed for Community with Shively Smith
Q: What gives you hope right now?
The shared prayer life and the moments of affirmation from others during difficult times give me hope.
Formed by Scripture, Formed for Community with Shively Smith
Q: Can you share a pivotal moment in your own spiritual journey that led you to become involved with the Academy for Spiritual Formation?
The pivotal moment was when two professors redirected me from a path in math to pursue biblical studies, revealing a calling I hadn't recognized.
Liturgy That Protects Life with Cláudio Carvalhaes
Q: What does it mean for you to make meaning in your rituals?
Meaning making should be grounded in communal responsibility and ensuring that everybody is cared for, highlighting the importance of community and collective care over individualism.

Audience Metrics

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Frequently Asked Questions About The Academy Podcast

What is The Academy Podcast about and what kind of topics does it cover?

This program centers on contemplative spirituality, spiritual formation, and social justice within faith communities. Across recent episodes, guests explore how inner disciplines, interfaith hospitality, and monastic-like rhythms can ground public action, justice, and community healing in challenging times. Topics frequently thread together personal formation with wider social impact—ranging from civil rights-era legacy and Beloved Community to compassionate leadership, regenerative practices, liturgy for justice, and trauma-informed ministry. A standout aspect is the consistent pairing of scholarly depth with practical spirituality, offering listeners tangible practices and frameworks to cultivate resilient faith communities. The show is l... more

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Which podcasts are similar to The Academy Podcast?

These podcasts share a similar audience with The Academy Podcast:

1. Hidden Brain
2. The Ezra Klein Show
3. This American Life
4. Radiolab
5. The Daily

How many episodes of The Academy Podcast are there?

The Academy Podcast launched 11 years ago and published 106 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

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What guests have appeared on The Academy Podcast?

Recent guests on The Academy Podcast include:

1. Safiyah Fosua
2. Kwasi Kena
3. Diana Cason
4. Johnny Sears
5. Luther E. Smith, Jr.
6. Frank Rogers Jr.
7. Elaine Heath
8. Dr. Shively T. J. Smith

To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.

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