The Mockingcast

Latest Episodes:

Episode 279: We Are All Nepo Babies May 27, 2025

Show notes

In their last episode before the summer hiatus, RJ, Sarah, and Dave talk afternoon pop-ins, cigarette nostalgia, do-gooder derogation, and rejected generations. Also, RJ watches Cobra Kai while Sarah's son (thankfully) opts not to take over the world.

To respond to the opening appeal, visit www.mbird.com/support.

Click here to read Patricia Shannon's column, "Let's Bring Back the Lost Art of the Afternoon Visit" in Southern Living
Click here to read Vox's Future Perfect newsletter about do-gooder derogation by Sigal Samuel
Click here to read David Brooks' article "We Are the Most Rejected Generation" in the NY Times
Click here to read "Nepo Babies and the Economy of Grace" by Chris Wachter on Mbird

The closing song, used with permission, is "Miracle Service" by Andy Squyres, which you can find on Spotify, YouTube, and Apple

Episode 278: Big Joe Breaks the Silence May 12, 2025

Show notes

In which RJ, Sarah, and Dave talk marketing trauma, cultural decline, and the pluses and minuses of the silent treatment. Also, Sarah goes on a date to WalMart, while RJ tries real hard to be the shepherd.

Click here to read Ellen Cushing's article "The Brands Are Very Sorry About Your Trauma."
Click here to read Is This the Worst-Ever Era of American Pop Culture? by Spencer Kornhaber.
Click here to read "Deafening Silence" by Sam Bush on Mbird.
Click here to read David Marchese's interview with Ocean Vuong in the NY Times.

Episode 277: The Big Relief of a Good Dishwasher Apr 28, 2025

Show notes

In which RJ, Sarah, and Dave talk Pope Francis, dirty dishes, eternal life, and Dave's new book, The Big Relief. Also, RJ bleeds in the pulpit while Sarah takes us to the alley.

Click here to listen to (and watch) Gregory Porter sing "Take Me to the Alley".
Click here to read Ellen Cushing's "There Are Two Types of Dishwasher People" in the Atlantic.
Click here to read "The Work of Small Talk" from the Oliver Bateman Does the Work substack.
Click here to order Dave's book, The Big Relief: The Urgency of Grace for a Worn-Out World.
Click here to listen to the interview that RJ mentions (Dave on Give + Take with Scott Jones). Or here to watch it.
Click here to read Bryan Jarrell's piece, "Eternal Life Is Not Embarrassing" on Mbird.

Episode 276: Love Has a Million Disguises (But Winning Is Simply Not One) Apr 14, 2025

Show notes

In which RJ, Sarah, and Dave talk comic marriages, unruly kids, brainwashed Christians and Lenten props. Also, RJ recounts his favorite ever baptism while Sarah revises her opinion of frozen margaritas.

Click here to register for the NYC Conference.
Click here to pre-register Dave's new book, The Big Relief.
Click here to read Olga Khazan's article about "What Comedians Know About Staying Married".
Click here to watch Conan O'Brien's acceptance speech for the Mark Twain Award.
Click here to read "In Praise of Unruly Children in Church" by Phil Christman in The Christian Century.
Click here to read "It's Always the Other Side That's Brainwashed" by Nikhil Krishnan in The New Yorker.
Click here to read Ben Maddison's article on "The Dangers of Prop Comedy" on Mbird.

Episode title courtesy of Jon Guerra's song "Citizens", used with permission.

Episode 275: Whereupon He Flipped Me the Bird Mar 24, 2025

Show notes

In which RJ, Sarah, and Dave talk trend fatigue, athletic nepotism, and toxic preconditions. Also, RJ ponders South Korean babies while Sarah balks at a decision-making expert's decision.

Click here to register for the upcoming Mbird Conference in New York City (5/1-3)
Click here to read Callie Holtermann's "Too Many Trends!" in The New York Times
Click here to read about LeBron James and the Limits of Nepotism in The Atlantic
Click here to read Oliver Burkeman's newsletter about "Toxic Preconditions"
Click here to read "The Last Decision by the World’s Leading Thinker on Decisions" by Jason Zweig in the Wall Street Journal
Click here to read David Clay's "A Mercy Hidden in Judgment"

Episode 274: Donuts for Lent Mar 10, 2025

Show notes

In which RJ, Sarah, and Dave talk gracious dermatology, religious resurgence, endemic narcissism, and alto harmonies. Also, Sarah sings some spirituals while RJ watches some cows.

Click here to read "Dr Pimple Popper Knows You Can't Look Away" by Eve Peyser
Click here to read Ruth Graham's report on how Christianity’s Decline in U.S. Appears to Have Halted in the NY Times
Click here to read Tony Robinson's post "Getting Over Ourselves" on Mbird
Click here to read NBW's substack "Nobody Is Doing This Right (Except Me)"
Click here to read "Singing Myself Back to Life" by Susan Swetnam in Commonweal

The closing song is "I See the Birds" by Jon Guerra. Used with permission. Click here to purchase on Apple or here to purchase on Bandcamp, or here to listen on Spotify.

Episode 273: The Kingdom of God Comes to Death Row Feb 17, 2025

Show notes

In which RJ, Sarah, and Dave talk relationship recessions, trustafarian guilt, providential nuns, and revitalized churches. Also, Sarah throws a Galentine's party for the ages.

Click here to order a copy of the Holy Spirit issue of The Mockingbird, or here to subscribe to the magazine
Click here to register for our upcoming NYC Conference (5/1-3)
Click here to read about America's 'Marriage Material' Shortage in The Atlantic
Click here to read Elizabeth Callen's piece "Dying Alone?" on Mbird
Click here to read New York Magazine's profile of "People With Parents With Money"
Click here to read Lawrence Wright's essay about "The Nuns Trying to Save the Women on Texas's Death Row" in The New Yorker
Click here to read "Stirring Up Hope" by Paul Zahl on Mbird

Episode 272: Running Toward the Ick Feb 03, 2025

Show notes

In which RJ, Sarah, and Dave talk attention wars, inner critics, and middle school drama teachers. Also, RJ learns what HALT stands for, while Sarah gets her playdates mixed up.

Click here to learn more about (or order!) the Holy Spirit Issue of The Mockingbird
Click here to watch_ The Turnaround_
Click here to read "You're Being Aliented From Your Attention" by Chris Hayes
Click here to read Rhik Samadder's article about The Ick in The Guardian
Click here for "People Lash Out When They're Sad" by Heather Havrilesky, via Ask Polly
Click here to read The False Gospel of Our Inner Critic" by Steve Cuss in Christianity Today
Click here to read "You Can't Choose Your Grace" by Ben Fort on Mbird

Episode 271: The Trapdoor of Grace Jan 20, 2025

Show notes

In which RJ, Sarah, and Dave talk diminished partying, fearful motivations, radical saints, and the difference between spells and prayers. Also, Sarah shares what will happen when all the yards are finally mowed.

Click here for more details about our Spring Conference in NYC (5/1-3)
Click here to pre-order Dave's new book, The Big Relief
Click here to read Oshan Jarow's newsletter about mediation for Vox.
Click here to read about Americans Need to Party More by Ellen Cushing in The Atlantic.
Click here to read Elizabeth Kolbert's essay in The New Yorker, "Does One Emotion Rule All Our Ethical Judgments?"
Click here to read James Parker's piece on "The Saint America Needs Right Now."
Click here to read "Spells and Prayers" by Alan Jacobs on Mbird.

Episode 270: Planes, Trains, and Miracles Dec 21, 2024

Show notes

In which RJ, Sarah, and Dave talk peak reviewing, Martha Stewart's redemption, and Vietnamese recovery. Also, Spotify brings Dave full circle while Sarah uncovers a lost monologue from an 80s classic.

Click here to read "Whatever You Do, Don't Review This" by Eric Taub in the NY Times.
Click here to read Belle Tindall's "What Spotify Wrapped Really Tells Us About Ourselves" on Seen & Unseen.
Click here to read Elizabeth Bernstein's column on "The Micropolitics of Family Gift Giving" in the WSJ.
Click here to read about "Martha Stewart and the Pursuit of Perfection" on Mbird, courtesy of Sam Bush.
Click here to read "Finding Sobriety--and Jesus--in Vietnam's Christian Rehabs" by Angela Lu Fulton in CT.
Click here to read Mbird's list of Favorite Christmas Movies.
Click here to listen to Sarah C's recent sermon, "The Tragic Gap of Advent."
Click here to read the original script for Trains, Planes, and Automobiles. The scene Sarah references is on pages 119-122.

Finally, click here to give a yearend gift to Mockingbird. We'll be back in mid-January!

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