The Mockingcast

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.

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"

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.

This discussion dives into the transformative power of community, focusing on heartwarming stories of nurturing gatherings, even in unexpected places like death row. The hosts candidly explore the impact of economic realities on young love and relationships, emphasizing the importance of genuine connections. They also reflect on the complexities of privilege and inherited wealth, revealing how these dynamics shape personal identities. In lighter moments, they celebrate friendship and family, showcasing the joy of connection amidst life’s challenges.

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

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.

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!

In which RJ, Sarah, and Dave talk prepositional gratitude, backfiring fatalism, overgrown cemeteries, and lighthearted Advents. Also, RJ expounds on the benefits of bumblefat. Click here to respond to the opening appeal and support Mockingbird this year-end! Click here to read Joshua Rothman's essay in The New Yorker, "Why Is Gratitude So Difficult?" Click here to read Bryan Jarrell's piece for Mbird on "Gold Medal Gratitude". Click here to read Jeneen Interlandi's NY Times op-ed, "We Tire Very Quickly of Being Told Everything's on Fire." Click here to read Cara Buckley's piece about the Rewilding of America's Cemeteries. Click here to watch the Instagram videos of Robin Rosenthal and her family that Sarah mentions. Click here to Garrison Keillor's substack about "Walking to Church On a Cold Day".

In which RJ, Sarah, and Dave talk post-election uncertainty, grieving non-grandparents, digital self-worth, and the bondage of the will. Also, Dave shares an important new use for q-tips. Click here to read Adam Grant's op-ed in the NY Times, "If You’re Sure How the Next Four Years Will Play Out, I Promise: You’re Wrong". Click here to read Dave's post-election round-up on Mbird. Click here to read Catherine Pearson's article on "The Unspoken Grief of Never Becoming a Grandparent". Click here to read Thea Lim's essay in The Walrus, "The Collapse of Self-Worth in the Digital Age". Click here to read Amy Mantravadi's Mbird column on "(Post-) Election Day Hope". Click here to order a copy of Amy's novel Broken Bonds.

In which RJ, Sarah, and Dave talk vibes, clutter, high school bullies, and fortunate falls. Also, Sarah contemplates Elvis, while RJ comes to terms with his uncoolness. Click here to read Kyle Edward Williams piece on Vibes in the Hedgehog Review. Click here to read Matt Alt's essay on The Joy of Clutter for Aeon. Click here Simeon Ellin's piece for Buzzfeed about Tracking Down the Girls Who Bullied Her As a Kid. Click here to read Will McDavid's post on Mbird, "Bridesmaids Revisited." Click here to read Karen Swallow Prior's newsletter about George Herbert's shape-poem "Easter Wings."