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.