The Brothers Zahl

Latest Episodes:

Episode 13: Christmas Dec 19, 2023

Show notes

The brothers reconvene for a special one-off on the merriest day of them all. Look for Season 3 in the new year. Recommended and referenced resources include:

Poetry: "The First Coming" by Madeleine L'Engle, "Journey of the Magi" by T.S. Eliot, "For the Time Being" by W.H. Auden, "Descending Theology: The Nativity" by Mary Karr
Movies: The Muppet Christmas Carol, The Holly and the Ivy, Children of Men, 8-Bit Christmas, The Holdovers, Midnight Clear (but also Joyeux Noel, some details of which John mixes into his description)
Television: Call the Midwife Christmas Special, "How We Used Christmas Lights to Fight a War" TED Talk by Jose Miguel Sokoloff, "Christmas Story" The Andy Griffith Show (S1:E11)
Artwork: "Winter Landscape" by Caspar David Friedrich
Books: The Haunted Man by Charles Dickens, Martin Luther's Christmas Book
Music: The Animals Christmas by Jimmy Webb
Songs: “Jesus Christ” by Big Star, “Christmas Was Better in the 80s” by The Futureheads, “Sock it to Me Santa” by Bob Seger & the Heard, “Christmastime Is Here Again” by The Flirtations, “Let’s Get It Together this Christmas” by the Harvey Averne Band, “Always in a Manger” by Paul Westerberg, “O Holy Night” by Duvall, “Silent Night” by Richard Hawley, “Thankful Heart” from A Muppet Christmas Carol, “Santa Claus Is Coming” by The Harmony Grits, “Christmas Wrapping” by The Waitresses, “God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen” by Annie Lennox, “O Little Town of Bethlehem” by Sister Rosetta Tharpe, “Once in Royal David City Bells” by Sufjan Stevens, “What Child Is This?” by Carrie Underwood, “The Decree” by Art Garfunkel, “O Little Town of Bethlehem” by Bob Dylan

Episode 7: Jesus Jul 08, 2022

Show notes

The second season kicks off with an extended episode about the Good Shepherd himself, Jesus of Nazareth. Recommended and referenced resources include:

Quotations: from Charles Dickens' The Life of Our Lord, JD Salinger's Franny and Zooey, an interview with Zadie Smith, and WH Auden in The Chimera
Books and Literature: The Gospel of John: A Theological Commentary by David F. Ford, “The Gardener” by Rudyard Kipling, War and Peace by Leo Tolstoy, The Crucifixion by Fleming Rutledge, Dominion by Tom Holland, Kingdom Grace Judgment by Robert Farrar Capon, Unapologetic by Francis Spufford, “The Dog in the Red Bandana” by Ray Bradbury, and “Inscription Under a Roadside Crucifix” by Victor Hugo
Movies: The Gospel According to St Matthew (1964), Pier Pasolini dir.
Artwork: Duccio's Maesta
Songs: “I Love You (Bollydub)” by Razor n Tape, “Gospel Rappin” by New Testament Youth Group, “Jesus is Waiting” by Al Green, “Look at What the Light Did Now” by Flo Morrissey and Matthew E White, "24K Magic" by Bruno Mars, “Simon Peter” by Sphinx, “Wonderful Savior” by Mavis Staples, “O Sacred Head Sore Wounded", “They Hung Him on the Cross”, “Crazy Boy Master” by JAZ & Bertie, “Resurrection Shuffle” by Tom Jones, “Jesus Is Here Today” by Sister Rosetta Tharpe, “Jesus” by The Velvet Underground, “Way Out Jesus” by Sammy Johns, “When He Was No One” by Swamp Dogg, “I Knew Jesus (Before He Was a Star)” by Glen Campbell, “He’s Alive” by Dolly Parton

Click here to listen to a playlist of the available tracks on Spotify.

Episode 8: Prayer Jul 08, 2022

Show notes

What are we doing when we pray? In the second episode of the second season, John, David, and Simeon venture a few theories (and a bunch of stories). Referenced and recommended resources include:

Quotations: Frank Lake's Clinical Theology, The Long Text of Julian of Norwich (Chapter 43), "Eleven Addresses to the Lord" by John Berryman
Books and Literature: Help Thanks Wow by Anne Lamott, The Lord's Prayer by Wesley Hill, Lit by Mary Karr, Augustine's Confessions, Showings by Julian of Norwich, The Collects of Thomas Cranmer by Paul Zahl and Frederick Barbee, "Collect for the Fourth Sunday After Easter", "For the Time Being" by WH Auden
Movies: The Apostle _(1997), _Little Boy (2015)
Artwork: Das Vaterunser by Max Pechstein
Songs: “10 9 8 7” by Armand Duchies, “Dervish Chant” by African Head Charge, “Please Please Please Let Me Get What I Want” by The Smiths, “Come Talk to Me” by Peter Gabriel, “Make The Woman Love Me” by Dion, “Cleopatra” (JAZ edit 2), "Acid Rain" by Galaxy II Orchestra, “Talk to the Lord” by Natalie Bergman, “Let Us Pray” by Elvis Presley, “You Are My Dream” by Kamagni, “Lords Prayer” by Marvin Gaye, “Our Prayer” by The Beach Boys, “I Pray” by Blossom Child

Click here to listen to a playlist of the available tracks on Spotify.

Episode 9: Creativity Jul 08, 2022

Show notes

This one could also be called Freedom. Or possibly Fruit. Maybe even Living. Recommended and referenced resources include:

Quotations: Bird by Bird by Anne Lamott, Calvin and Hobbes, "Ode to Failure" by Allen Ginsberg
Books and Literature: Young Eliot by Robert Crawford, Show Your Work by Austin Kleon, Bird by Bird by Anne Lamott, The Space Trilogy by CS Lewis
Movies and Podcasts: Get Back (2021) dir. Peter Jackson, The Well of Sound
Songs: “Problem Child” by The Beach Boys, “Walking on Thin Ice” by Yoko Ono, “Underwater” by Harry Thuman, “I’m so Afraid” by Fleetwood Mac, “Tri-Tra-Trallula” by Joachim Will, “A Ist Wieder Da” by Robert Gorl, “Learn How to Fail” by The Replacements, “The Fear in My Heart” by Luc Van Acker, “Can You Picture That?” By Electric Mayhem, “Xanadu” by Olivia Newton-John, “Seven Nation Army” by The White Stripes, “Jazzburger” by Loukas Thanos, “Reader Meet Author” by Morrissey, “Deadlines and Commitments” by The Killers, “Manhattan Jungle” by Per Tjernberg, “Perfumed Garden” by Rah Band

Click here to listen to a playlist of the available tracks on Spotify.

Episode 10: Depression Jul 08, 2022

Show notes

Depression isn't the only form of mental illness touched upon in this episode, which doubles as a rumination on agency and affliction more generally. Fortunately, it's lot more fun than it sounds! Referenced and recommended resources include:

Quotations: "The Planet Trillaphon As It Stands In Relation to the Bad Thing" by David Foster Wallace, Frank Lake's Clinical Theology
Books and Literature: The Poems of William Cowper, "The Depressed Person" by David Foster Wallace
Movies and Television: You're the Worst (2014-2019), Little Miss Sunshine (2006), Pollyanna (2003), The Royal Tenenbaums (2001)
Songs: “Christmastime Is Here Again” by Vince Guaraldi, “What Is Sadness” by Device, “Fear of Ghosts” by The Cure, “Give Mi Wings” by Rod Stewart, “Stop in the Name of Love” by The Supremes, “I Don’t Want to be a Freak (But I Can’t Help Myself)” By Dynasty, “Waking the Witch” – Kate Bush, “Doctor Doctor” by Thompson Twins, “Going Round in Circles” by The Keeper, “The Sun Always Shines on TV” by A-Ha, “Where There is Faith There Is Hope” by Chairman of the Board, “Please Read the Letter” by Robert Plant and Allison Kraus, “Pressure Time” by Vendetta Palace, “Baahubali” by Khoya Hain, “Dancing with the Aliens” by Fab, “Jesu Lover of My Soul”, “I Don't Want to Get Over You” by The Magnetic Fields, “Switching Off” – Elbow, “The Next Right Thing” from Frozen 2

Episode 11: Salvation Jul 08, 2022

Show notes

"Jesus saves" reads the bumper sticker. But what does it mean? This one is about soteriology, past, present, and future. Referenced and recommended resources include:

Quotations: Who Will Deliver Us by Paul Zahl
Books and Literature: The Crucifixion by Fleming Rutledge, The Holy Spirit and Christian Experience by Simeon Zahl, “On the Incarnation of the Word” by Athanasius, Augustine’s Confessions (first 9 books), Dangerous Journey by Oliver Hunkin
Movies and Television: Magnolia (1999), The Lives of Others (2006), Amazing Grace (2018), Battlestar Galactica "Exodus Pt 2"
Songs: "Amazing Grace" by John Newton, “Save Me Jesus” by Bobby Charles, “Where Will I Be?” by Emmylou Harris, “Tickle Robot”, “Hvorfor Ikke Mig” by Elmer, “My Own Worst Enemy” by Lit, "You Changed My Life" by Bob Dylan, “You Never Can Tell” by Chuck Berry, “Mockingbird [remix]” by Derek Webb, “Save Me” by Nanette Workman, “Save Me” by Aimee Mann, “Walking on Broken Glass” by Annie Lennox, “Coreur Bingo” by Silvana, “最悪の日々 Pt.1”, “Jesus Dropped the Charges” by The O’Neal Twins

Click here to listen to a playlist of the available tracks on Spotify.

Episode 12: Aging Jul 08, 2022

Show notes

For the final episode of the second season, the brothers enlist a special guest to help them make sense of getting older. Referenced and recommended resources include:

Books and Literature: Peace in the Last Third of Life by Paul Zahl, The Happiness Curve by Jonathan Rauch, “Crossing the Bar” by Alfred Lord Tennyson, Churchy by Sarah Condon, Being Mortal by Atul Gawande, The Genius and the Goddess by Aldous Huxley, Quatermass by Nigel Neale, "East Coker" by TS Eliot, Ecclesiastes
Movies and Television: The Twilight Zone (“Spur of the Moment” and “The Trade-Ins”), Letters to Father Jacob (2009), Friday Night Lights (2006-2011), Journey to Italy (1954), The Adam Project (2022)
Artwork: "The Voyage of Life" by Thomas Cole (1839-40)
Songs: “Seventeen” by Sharon Van Etten, “The Boxer” by Simon and Garfunkel, “When I Grow Up to Be a Man” by The Beach Boys, “Ashes to Ashes” by David Bowie, “Tired of Waiting” by The Kinks, “When I Was a Boy” by The Who, “Regret” by New Order, “Old" by Staryflyer 59, "Everybody Wants to Be a DJ", “Sixteen Tons” by Bob Cobra, “As Far as I Can Remember” by Pasteur Lappe, “Just Ain’t Easy” by The Allman Brothers, “Highlands” by Bob Dylan

Click here to listen to a playlist of the available tracks on Spotify.

Episode 6: Grace Feb 25, 2021

Show notes

In the final episode of the first season, the brothers talk about their all-time favorite word, what John calls "a pool that's shallow enough that babies can wade into it and deep enough that elephants can swim." Recommended and Referenced Resources include:

Quotations: Mockingbird glossary entry for Grace, Dorothy Martyn on Beyond Deserving
Articles: "My Priceless, Worthless Baseball Cards" by Ryan Hockensmith
Books: Les Miserables by Victor Hugo (musical too); The Brothers Karamazov (first 80 pages) by Fyodor Dostoyevksky; The Horse and his Boy by CS Lewis; Kingdom, Grace, Judgment by Robert Capon; Tattoos on the Heart by Gregory Boyle, Seculosity by David Zahl
Movies: Soul, Little Miss Sunshine, About a Boy, The Best Years of Our Lives
Songs: "What Have I Done to Deserve This?" by The Pet Shop Boys, "You Know I Couldn't Last" by Morrissey, "Grace Under Pressure" by Elbow, “Our Park by Night” by Craft Spells, "Super Freak" by Rick James, "You Still Believe in Me" by The Beach Boys, "Endless Race" by Wally Badarou, "Living Without Your Love" by The Imperials, "Airport of Love" by Love International

Click here to listen to a playlist of the available tracks on Spotify.

Episode 5: Abreaction Feb 25, 2021

Show notes

The most esoteric sounding subject in the first season may also be the most gut-level. In this episode the brothers discuss the role of art, story, and humor as it relates to ministry and healing. Recommended and Referenced Resources include:

Quotations: Mbird glossary definition of Abreaction, Frank Lake's definition, Josh Retterer's definition, Adam Phillips on Self-Cures and Frozen Seas, W.H. Auden on the Ulterior Purpose of Poetry
Books: A Mess of Help by David Zahl, The Lord of the Rings by J.R.R. Tolkien, Brideshead Revisited by Evelyn Waugh, Theophilus North by Thornton Wilder, The Cocktail Party by TS Eliot
Paintings: Winter Landscape by Caspar David Friedrich
Movies: Miami Vice, The Last Days of Disco, Red Beard, Apocalypto, Hacksaw Ridge, The Darjeeling Limited, Miracle, This Is 40, Terms of Endearment, Pride and Prejudice [BBC]
Drama: The Angel That Troubled the Waters by Thornton Wilder
TV: Friday Night Lights
Songs: "Walls" by Tom Petty, "Should I Laugh or Cry" by ABBA, "Walls Come Tumbling Down" by The Style Council, "Come As You Are" and "Sliver" by Nirvana, "Please Forgive My Heart" by Bobby Womack, "This Is Me Trying" by Taylor Swift, "Wichita Lineman" by Glen Campbell, "Crockett's Theme" by Jan Hammer, "Lamuka" by Zazou, Biyake & CY1, "More More More" by Andrea True Connection

Click here to listen to a playlist of the available tracks on Spotify.

Episode 4: Church Feb 25, 2021

Show notes

In their fourth episode, the brothers try to make sense of that oh-so-loaded institution and experience called "Church." Recommended and Referenced Resources include:

Books: Why Would Anyone Go to Church? by Kevin Makins, Grace in Addiction: What Everyone Can Learn from Alcoholics Anonymous by John Z, Grace in Practice by Paul Zahl, Janet's Repentance by George Eliot
Quotations: Marilynne Robinson on Christmas and Easter
Paintings: Lift Up Thine Eyes by Norman Rockwell
Songs: "God Knows" by Donna Eyes, "Shelter from the Storm" by Bob Dylan, "Take Me to Church" by Sinead O'Connor, "Metropolis" by The Church, "Hospital for Sinners" by The Wallflowers, "You Are With Me" by Sandra McCracken, "Like a Ship Without a Sail" by Pastor T.L. Barrett, "Heavy Church" by Three Dog Night, "Church St Soul Revival" by Tommy James,
Podcasts: Mockingcast Interview with Atlanta Falcons chaplain Jason Webster
Movies: The Book of Eli, Rome Open City, Letters to Father Jacob, The Bishop's Wife, The Holly and the Ivy, The Apostle, Calvary

Click here to listen to a playlist of the available tracks on Spotify.

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