The Mockingcast

In which Sarah, RJ, and Dave explore why we all take the same travel photos, how marriages become unstuck, and what the outrageous generosity of Christmas looks like. Also, Neil gets a MorfBoard. Articles discussed include: "Why We All Take the Same Travel Photos" by Laura Mallonee via Wired "Love is Not a Permanent State of Enthusiasm: An Interview With Esther Perel" by Alexandra Schwartz via The New Yorker "Gatorade and Gum and the Grace of Christmas" by Carrie Willard via Mbird.com To support Mockingbird (and The Mockingcast), go here.

In which RJ, Sarah, and Dave get to the bottom of "the sex recession," weigh the challenges of self-promotion, and explore what happens after you accidentally kill someone. Also, RJ tries to affirm himself, with mixed results. Articles discussed include: "Why Are Young People Having So Little Sex?" by Kate Julian via The Atlantic "Everything Is For Sale Now. Even Us." by Ruth Whippman via The New York Times "What Happens to Your Life When You Accidentally Kill Someone?" by David Peters via The Guardian

In which Dave, Sarah, and RJ figure out how to cry in their offices and optimize their Sunday mornings. Plus, the gospel according to Stan Lee. 'Nuff said. Articles discussed include: "Where to Cry in an Open Office" by JiJi Lee via The New York Times "Trading Brunch for the Eucharist" by Sarah Dahl via Comment "Stan Lee, Generational Alienation, and Spider-man: An Aspiring Novelist Becomes a Comics Legend" by Wenatchee the Hatchete via Mbird.com

In which Sarah, Dave and RJ talk about disgraced Chinese coal workers, dodgy motivational techniques, and moral futility. Also, Marshall crosses the parking lot on his own. Articles discussed include: "What It's Like To Be On The Blacklist In China's New Social Credit System" by Stacey Vanek Smith and Cardiff Garcia via NPR "Science Confirms It: People Are Not Pets" by Alfie Kohn via The New York Times "Existential Despair and Moral Futility" by Stephen Freeman via Ancient Faith Ministries

In which RJ, Sarah, and Dave try to make sense of corporate surveillance, opioid obituaries, and merciful mothers. Also, several solid Salmon stories. Articles discussed include: "The Employer-Surveillance State" by Ellen Ruppel Shell via The Atlantic "Obituary: Madelyn Linsenmeir, 1988-2018" via Seven Days "A New Recipe: Grace in Family Life" by Dorothy Martyn via Mbird.com

In which Sarah, RJ, and Dave discuss their hobbies (and lack thereof), the recent supreme court hearings, and the not-so-secret life of pets. Also, the Condons rent the wrong movie. Articles discussed include: "In Praise of Mediocrity" by Tim Wu via The New York Times Elizabeth Gilbert via Facebook "Nursing Juliet" by Danielle Offri via The New York Times

In which RJ, Sarah, and Dave talk branding in marriage, personality tests, and Christian Rock. Also, Sarah gets a title for her next book. Articles discussed include: "Honey, I Swept the Floor!" by Brooke Williams via The New York Times "The Tyranny of Personality Testing" by J. C. Pan via The New Republic "The Unlikely Endurance of Christian Rock" by Kelefa Sanneh via The New Yorker

In which Ethan Richardson takes us on a tour of The Deja Vu Issue of our print magazine--with the help of Jacob Smith, Nancy Hanna, and Simeon Zahl. Also, to take advantage of the special deal Ethan mentions, head on over to magazine.mbird.com and enter "CAST" in the memo line of the order form.

In which Dave, RJ and Sarah come clean about parenting paranoia and weigh the benefits of taking things for granted. Also, Robert Capon drops a bomb. Articles discussed include: "Motherhood in the Age of Fear" by Kim Brooks via The New York Times "Is Safetyism Destroying a Generation?" by Matthew Lesh via Quillette "A Quick Word on Christian Freedom and Ill-Taught Piano Students" by Robert Capon via Mbird.com "In Defense of Taking Things For Granted" by Neal Tognazzini via The New York Times

In which Sarah, RJ and Dave interpret the signs, buy too much stuff and visit a cancer ward. Also, Sarah wonders what Mother Mary is thinking right now. Articles discussed include: "I Am the Universe, and Humans Are Correctly Interpreting My Signs" by Ginny Hogan via McSweeney's "We Are All Accumulating Mountains of Things" by Alana Semuels via The Atlantic "The Cure For Racism Is Cancer" by Tony Hoagland via The Phoenix Sun [Apologies for the fidelity of Dave's voice on this one - the tech demons really did their worst (but should be exorcised next episode)]