Last episode of the year, in which RJ, Sarah, and Dave talk Knives Out, self-checkout lines, optional futures, and how not to hate Christmas. Also, Sarah gets a Zippo while heaven and earth meet at an unlikely funeral.
In which RJ, Sarah, and Dave talk advent calendars, perfectionist musicians, interrupting mothers, and the Batman effect. The gang also takes a field trip to an acute mental health ward across the pond.
In which RJ, Sarah, and Dave talk picky eaters, shameless monsters, wartime tragedies, and the uselessness of God. Also, RJ wets the bed (and never looks back).
In which RJ, Sarah and Dave talk intentional everything, morbid curiosity, Methodist exorcists, and Hollywood epiphanies. Also, Sarah praises her favorite horror film, while the boys gush about Task.
In which RJ, Sarah, and Dave talk painless tattoos, workaholic scripts, sloppy social media, and Japanese lifesavers. Also, Sarah gets down with a theater full of fifth graders before singing with church full of Norwegians. Closing music courtesy of Voice of Joy.
In which RJ, Sarah, and Dave talk silent retreats, repentant writing, alien mercy, and Hallmark movies. Also, RJ goes Confucian while Dave spitballs a new kind of Dry January.
In which RJ, Sarah, and Dave talk predatory advice-giving, suspicious mission statements, unloving algorithms, and atoning physicians. Also, Dave's son wins a big award.
In the season premiere, RJ, Sarah and Dave talk nightmare summers, tween retailers, ethical checklists, and the deadliest addiction of all. We also learn the whole point of Sarah.
Click here to read Dave's post on "Lessons from a (Miserable) Summer on Crutches".
Click here to read Ellen Cushing's "What Claire's Once Gave Tween Girls" on The Atlantic.
Click here to read "The Pain of Perfectionsism" by Leslie Jamison on The New Yorker.
Click here to read "Bad Brains" by James Kimmel Jr on Slate.
Click here to read "Jesus Doesn't Care When You Wake Up" by Todd Brewer on Mbird.
Click here for more details -- or to pre-register -- for the Fall Mockingbird Conference in Charlottesville, VA (Nov 14&15).
Mockingcasters looking for something to listen to while the crew is on summner hiatus, look no further! We're cross-posting the first episode of the new season of our Terrible Parables podcast, "The Hawaiian Shirt Guy at a Wedding" in which long time Mockingbird contributors Cali Yee, Todd Brewer and Bryan Jarrell parse the parable of the Wedding Banquet that Jesus tells in Matthew 22:1-14.
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.
The closing song, used with permission, is "Miracle Service" by Andy Squyres, which you can find on Spotify, YouTube, and Apple
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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!