
The Mockingcast
The Mockingcast is a bi-weekly podcast hosted by RJ Heijmen, Sarah Condon and David Zahl, and brought to you by Mockingbird Ministries, an organization which seeks to connect the Christian faith with the realities of everyday life in fresh and down-to-earth ways. You can find out more about Mockingbird at www.mbird.com.
Audio production provided by TJ Hester.
Latest episodes

Jun 26, 2019 • 54min
Episode 159: The One About the Devil
In which Sarah, Dave, and RJ talk diabolical mirrors, marital submission, and contingent self-esteem. Also, RJ eats a whopper (but keeps his balance).
The articles discussed include:
"The Devil Lives in the Mirror" by Jessica Hooten Wilson via Christianity Today
"Stop Blaming the Devil" by Sarah Condon
"Is Marriage Obsolete?" by Heather Havrilesky via The Cut
"The Pursuit of High Self-Esteem Is Making Us Miserable" by Shayla Love via Vice

Jun 12, 2019 • 53min
Episode 158: Pelagian Privilege
In which RJ, Sarah, and Dave talk summer expectations, arrival fallacies, and the most American heresy of all. With rocks. The articles discussed include:
"The Tyranny of Summer Expectations" by Carrie Willard via Mbird.com
"You Accomplished Something Great" by A.C. Shilton via New York Times
"If I Only Understood the Arrival Fallacy I'd be Happy" by David Zahl via Mbird.com
"The Age of Pelagius" by Joshua Hawley via Christianity Today
"Semi-Pelagianism Glossay Entry" via Mbird.com

May 26, 2019 • 49min
Episode 157: Glorious Inefficiency
In which Sarah, RJ, and Dave talk sleep technology, reckless generosity, and back row churches. Also, Sarah would like an epidural, all the time. Oh and to take RJ up on his offer, visit [www.mbird.com/support](www.mbird.com/support). The articles discussed include:
"Sleepless in Silicon Valley" via The Economist
"Morehouse College Grads are Suprised" by Eliott C. McLaughlin via CNN
"Is This Fair to Families who Saved?" by Michelle Singletary via The Washington Post
"Back Row America" by Chris Arnade via First Things
"The Only Places on the Streets That Understand" by David Zahl via Mbird.com

May 13, 2019 • 50min
Episode 156: The House of Brontosaurus
In which RJ, Sarah, and Dave reunite to talk pop culture homework, judging other people's relationships, and the lives and deaths of Rachel Held Evans and Jean Vanier. Please note: this is not the episode where Sarah cries the whole time. Articles discussed include:
"When Did Pop Culture Become Homework?" by Soraya Roberts via Longreads
"Let's Face It, We All Judge Other People's Relationships" by Oliver Burkeman via The Guardian
"Rachel Held Evans, Hero to Christian Misfits" by Emma Green via The Atlantic
"Jean Vanier Made Us All More Human" by Bethany McKinney Fox via Christianity Today

Apr 27, 2019 • 42min
Episode 155: Putting the Fun Back in Funeral
In which Sarah, Dave, and guest co-host Aaron Zimmerman talk shifting Instagram aesthetics, fashionable funerals, and Easter hope. Also, Sarah inherits some QVC jewelry. Articles discussed include:
"The Instagram Aesthetic is Over" by Taylor Lorenz via The Atlantic
"The Funeral as We Know it is Becoming a Relic" by Karen Heller via The Washington Post
"What Happened in Church on Sunday, I Think" by Garrison Keillor via garrisonkeillor.com

Apr 7, 2019 • 41min
Episode 154: God's Cup of Tea
Recorded live at the 2019 Mbird Tyler Conference, in which Sarah and Dave are joined by Aaron Zimmerman and Matt Magill to talk text etiquette, grown-up dreams, and ladders to the sky. Also, Matt sings (better than RJ). Articles discussed include:
"Texting Means Never Having to Say Goodbye" by Jane Hu via Slate
"Stop Asking Kids What They Want to Be When They Grow Up" by Adam Grant via The New York Times
"The Ladder of Divine Ascent and Moral Improvement" by Stephen Freeman via Ancient Faith Ministries

Mar 23, 2019 • 48min
Episode 153: Jesus Is Aunt Becky
In which Sarah, RJ, and Dave talk college admissions, 1st century charity, and the benefits of preaching as "a dying man to dying men." Also, RJ lives the solution. Articles discussed include:
"Kids, Don't Become Success Robots" by Peggy Noonan via The Wall Street Journal
"How the Poor Became Blessed" by Pieter van der Horst via Aeon
"Things We Cannot Say" by Conner Gwyn via Mbird.com

Mar 19, 2019 • 1h 7min
Special Episode: The Faith and Doubt Issue
In this special episode, editor Ethan Richardson takes us through the new issue of The Mockingbird print magazine! Featuring interviews with existentialist boxing guru Gordon Marino, reconstructed Mbird contributor Connor Gwin, and legendary children's author Sally Lloyd-Jones. Order your copy at [magazine.mbird.com](magazine.mbird.com).

Mar 9, 2019 • 46min
Episode 151: Don't Wash Your Face
In which RJ, Sarah, and DZ discuss Hollis-mania, intuitive eating, and useless awards. Also, RJ sucks on a rock. Articles discussed include:
"Girl, Follow Jesus" by Jen Oshman via The Gospel Coalition
"'Girl, Wash Your Face' is a Massive Best Seller With a Dark Message" by Laura Turner via Buzzfeed
"Intuitive Eating: The Latest Diet Trend is not Dieting" by Amanda Mull via The Atlantic
"Love Gone Wrong: When Ash Wednesday Falls on Valentine's Day" by Sam Bush via Mbird.com
"All Awards are Stupid" via Seinfeld

Feb 23, 2019 • 42min
Episode 150: Rumors of Grace
In which Dave, Sarah, and RJ discuss millennial evangelism, how to talk to someone who's grieving, and what depression can teach us about the human condition (and God). Thankfully, Sarah cracks a bunch of jokes too. Articles discussed include:
"Half of Millennial Christians Say It's Wrong to Evangelize" by Kate Shellnut via Christianity Today
"What to Say (and What Not to Say) to Someone Who's Grieving" by David Pogue via The New York Times
"Prisons of Sadness and a Love Much Greater Than Evolution Requires" by David Zahl via Mbird.com