
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

May 1, 2024 • 59min
Episode 259: Last Chopper Out of Vietnam
Recorded live in front of the audience at Mockingbird's annual conference in NYC, RJ, Sarah, and Dave talk quarter-life crises, parental control, dating types, and the relief of not being God. Also, Dave and RJ finally figure out who won.
Click here to read The New Quarter-Life Crisis by Maggie Mertens in The Atlantic.
Click here to Kathryn Jezer-Morton's piece on "Parenting Through Control Issues" for The Cut.
Click here to read The One Big Thing You Can Do for Your Kids by Arthur Brooks.
Click here to read Lillian Fishman's advice column for The Point, asking Can We Ever Trust Ourselves?
Click here to read Seven Words That Sum Up the Entire Bible by Anthony Robinson on Mbird.

Apr 20, 2024 • 1h 4min
Episode 258: The Greatest Bible Study of All Time
In which RJ, Sarah, and Dave talk furniture flipping, rental people, lunar eclipses, and Rwandan redemption. Also, RJ drops some serious science.
Click here for more details about next week's Mbird Conference in NYC
Click here to read the excerpt from Amanda Montell's new book The Age of Overthinking in Marie Claire
Click here to receive Sarah Hinlicky Wilson's newsletter Theology and A Recipe, the most recent installment of which is Bad Pie
Click here to read Todd Brewer's piece Looking for Enchantment on Mbird
Click here to read Denise Uwimana's "How Far Does Forgiveness Reach?" in Plough

15 snips
Mar 25, 2024 • 1h 14min
Episode 257: Screwing Up Is a Good Start
In this podcast, discussions range from elephant mudslides to liquid death, Alzheimer's, and atonement. They explore animal play, Liquid Death disrupting the bottled water industry, rebranding traditions in churches, and the emotional impact of Alzheimer's. The hosts also touch on the dynamics of tragedy and success in building relationships.

Mar 11, 2024 • 57min
Episode 256: God Is Not a Puzzle to Be Solved
The hosts discuss interpersonal dislikes, luxury beliefs, Roman revenge, and polyamory. They cover navigating the desire to be liked, social dynamics, acts of kindness, and the concept of mystery in Christianity. Embracing the mystery of God and life as a puzzle is also explored.

6 snips
Feb 26, 2024 • 1h 11min
Episode 255: Mortal Movie Stars and Awesome Astronauts
Topics include the impact of weather talk, girl world reflections, navigating relational aggression in the digital age, faith through astronauts' perspectives, awe, illness, and redemption journey, mortality reflections, and living fully

Feb 5, 2024 • 1h 6min
Episode 254: Fellowship of the Cringe
Topics discussed in this podcast include core memories, superegos, uncool churchgoers, revenge vampires, the impact of 'coolness' on loneliness, the rise of 'super ego' culture, exploring the themes of revenge and forgiveness, and discussing Christian freedom and a scene from Fargo.

12 snips
Jan 12, 2024 • 1h 3min
Episode 253: The Ministry of Fun
Topics discussed include Tetris champion, the importance of wonder and finding meaning, the changing nature of fun, influences and values in society, and God's language in the Christmas story.

6 snips
Dec 18, 2023 • 1h 15min
Episode 252: A Merry Little Rizzmas
The hosts reflect on Christmas challenges and emotions. They discuss their emotional states and recommend their favorite movies, books, channels, and podcasts. They explore the word of the year 'Riz' and the pressure to find a 'thing'. The podcast also delves into drinking habits, finding relief in faith, and embracing the darkness and joy of Christmas. They discuss the significance of a crying baby and end with Merry Christmas wishes and music recommendations.

Dec 4, 2023 • 1h 14min
Episode 251: The Horror and the Majesty
Topics discussed include passive aggression, teenage misery, jazz flute comebacks, wartime prayers, cooking turkey, communication challenges, dealing with challenging situations, unexpected return of a rapper with a new musical style, moral tension of war, absence of violence in the New Testament, and the presence of redemption

Nov 20, 2023 • 1h 19min
Episode 250: The Gang Goes Goth
In which RJ, Sarah, and Dave talk eldest daughters, crypto parents, and a pair of awe-inspiring conversions. Also, Dave binges some Curb while Sarah discloses the worst thing someone said to her in the early days of grief.
Click here to read Sarah Sloat's piece on The Plight of the Eldest Daughter in The Atlantic.
Click here to read Katie Roiphe's WSJ essay on "Why Are We So Obsessed with Sam Bankman-Fried's Parents?"
Click here to listen to Simeon Zahl's talk from Minneapolis, "The World Is a Hospital".
Click here to read the review of Dachner Keltner's book, Awe: The New Science of Everyday Wonder and How It Can Transform You Life in The Guardian.
Click here to read about Kat von D's conversion. And click here to watch the video of her baptism.
Click here to read Ayaan Hirsi Ali's column, "Why I Am Now a Christian" on UnHerd.