Episodes

  • Episode 277: The Big Relief of a Good Dishwasher

    Episode 277: The Big Relief of a Good Dishwasher
    Apr 28 2025
    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. Click here (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qj5z4SbrH20) to listen to (and watch) Gregory Porter sing "Take Me to the Alley". Click here (https://www.theatlantic.com/family/archive/2025/04/how-to-load-dishwasher/682425/) to read Ellen Cushing's "There Are Two Types of Dishwasher People" in the Atlantic. Click here (https://oliverbatemandoesthework.substack.com/p/the-work-of-small-talk) to read "The Work of Small Talk" from the Oliver Bateman Does the Work substack. Click here (https://amzn.to/44doDBg) to order Dave's book, The Big Relief: The Urgency of Grace for a Worn-Out World. Click here (https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/give-and-take/id1054531804?i=1000703777631) to listen to the interview that RJ mentions (Dave on Give + Take with Scott Jones). Or here to watch (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FajbkMAVWiU) it. Click here (https://mbird.com/holidays/easter/eternal-life-is-not-embarrassing/) to read Bryan Jarrell's piece, "Eternal Life Is Not Embarrassing" on Mbird.
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    1 hr and 14 mins
  • Episode 276: Love Has a Million Disguises (But Winning Is Simply Not One)

    Episode 276: Love Has a Million Disguises (But Winning Is Simply Not One)
    Apr 14 2025
    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 (https://mbird.com/events-list/) to register for the NYC Conference. Click here (https://amzn.to/3GlmWrd) to pre-register Dave's new book, The Big Relief. Click here (https://www.theatlantic.com/family/archive/2025/03/jim-gaffigan-tom-papa-marriage/682170/) to read Olga Khazan's article about "What Comedians Know About Staying Married". Click here (https://www.instagram.com/reel/DHpIjEhSwEp/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA%3D%3D) to watch Conan O'Brien's acceptance speech for the Mark Twain Award. Click here (https://www.christiancentury.org/voices/praise-unruly-children-church) to read "In Praise of Unruly Children in Church" by Phil Christman in The Christian Century. Click here (https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2025/04/07/its-always-the-other-side-thats-been-brainwashed) to read "It's Always the Other Side That's Brainwashed" by Nikhil Krishnan in The New Yorker. Click here (https://mbird.com/bible/the-dangers-of-prop-comedy/) to read Ben Maddison's article on "The Dangers of Prop Comedy" on Mbird. Episode title courtesy of Jon Guerra's song "Citizens" (https://open.spotify.com/track/216VrH1pVtArk8lilJJQih?si=f14e478abf3d4fc7), used with permission.
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    1 hr and 13 mins
  • Episode 275: Whereupon He Flipped Me the Bird

    Episode 275: Whereupon He Flipped Me the Bird
    Mar 24 2025
    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 (https://mbird.com/events/relief/) to register for the upcoming Mbird Conference in New York City (5/1-3) Click here (https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2025/03/07/style/gen-z-trend-cycle.html) to read Callie Holtermann's "Too Many Trends!" in The New York Times Click here (https://www.theatlantic.com/technology/archive/2025/03/lebron-james-bronny-smith-journalists/682059/) to read about LeBron James and the Limits of Nepotism in The Atlantic Click here (https://ckarchive.com/b/wvu2hghkkz6xgb9r552rqtn0grxxxh8) to read Oliver Burkeman's newsletter about "Toxic Preconditions" Click here (https://www.wsj.com/arts-culture/books/daniel-kahneman-assisted-suicide-9fb16124) to read "The Last Decision by the World’s Leading Thinker on Decisions" by Jason Zweig in the Wall Street Journal Click here (https://mbird.com/theology/a-mercy-hidden-in-judgment/) to read David Clay's "A Mercy Hidden in Judgment"
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    1 hr and 8 mins
  • Episode 274: Donuts for Lent

    Episode 274: Donuts for Lent
    Mar 10 2025
    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 (https://www.nytimes.com/2025/03/04/well/dr-pimple-popper-profile-sandra-lee.html) to read "Dr Pimple Popper Knows You Can't Look Away" by Eve Peyser Click here (https://www.nytimes.com/2025/02/26/us/christianity-us-religious-study-pew.html) to read Ruth Graham's report on how Christianity’s Decline in U.S. Appears to Have Halted in the NY Times Click here (https://mbird.com/everyday/getting-over-ourselves/) to read Tony Robinson's post "Getting Over Ourselves" on Mbird Click here (https://thecorners.substack.com/p/how-dare-you) 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 (https://music.apple.com/us/album/i-see-the-birds-single/1798058794) to purchase on Apple or here to purchase on Bandcamp (https://jonguerra.bandcamp.com/track/i-see-the-birds), or here to listen on Spotify (https://open.spotify.com/track/6iIZLd29ZRRnan0gqYrpsv?si=c365cd7b4d0840fb).
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    1 hr and 7 mins
  • Episode 273: The Kingdom of God Comes to Death Row

    Episode 273: The Kingdom of God Comes to Death Row
    Feb 17 2025
    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. Click here (https://mbird.com/shop/magazine/issue-26-the-holy-spirit/) to order a copy of the Holy Spirit issue of The Mockingbird, or here to subscribe (https://mbird.com/shop/magazine/4-issue-subscription/) to the magazine Click here (https://mbird.com/events/relief/) to register for our upcoming NYC Conference (5/1-3) Click here (https://www.theatlantic.com/ideas/archive/2025/02/america-marriage-decline/681518/) to read about America's 'Marriage Material' Shortage in The Atlantic Click here (https://mbird.com/social-science/relationships/dying-alone-rising-with-christ/) to read Elizabeth Callen's piece "Dying Alone?" on Mbird Click here (https://archive.is/7d5lK) to read New York Magazine's profile of "People With Parents With Money" Click here (https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2025/02/17/the-nuns-trying-to-save-the-women-on-texas-death-row) to read Lawrence Wright's essay about "The Nuns Trying to Save the Women on Texas's Death Row" in The New Yorker Click here (https://mbird.com/religion/church/stirring-up-hope/) to read "Stirring Up Hope" by Paul Zahl on Mbird
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    1 hr and 18 mins
  • Episode 272: Running Toward the Ick

    Episode 272: Running Toward the Ick
    Feb 3 2025
    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 (https://mbird.com/announcements/issue-26-of-the-mockingbird-is-available-to-pre-order/) to learn more about (or order!) the Holy Spirit Issue of The Mockingbird Click here (https://www.netflix.com/title/81945091) to watch_ The Turnaround_ Click here (https://www.theatlantic.com/ideas/archive/2025/01/attention-valuable-resource/681221/) to read "You're Being Aliented From Your Attention" by Chris Hayes Click here (https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2022/jul/31/got-the-ick-when-a-pang-of-disgust-ruins-your-romance) to read Rhik Samadder's article about The Ick in The Guardian Click here (https://www.ask-polly.com/p/people-lash-out-when-theyre-sad) for "People Lash Out When They're Sad" by Heather Havrilesky, via Ask Polly Click here (https://www.christianitytoday.com/2025/01/the-false-gospel-of-our-inner-critic/) to read The False Gospel of Our Inner Critic" by Steve Cuss in Christianity Today Click here (https://mbird.com/social-science/identity/you-cant-choose-your-grace/) to read "You Can't Choose Your Grace" by Ben Fort on Mbird
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    1 hr and 9 mins
  • Episode 271: The Trapdoor of Grace

    Episode 271: The Trapdoor of Grace
    Jan 20 2025
    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 (https://mbird.com/events/relief/) for more details about our Spring Conference in NYC (5/1-3) Click here (https://amzn.to/4jjdPX7) to pre-order Dave's new book, The Big Relief Click here (https://link.vox.com/view/608adc8291954c3cef050976mov8j.19km/1e7a998d) to read Oshan Jarow's newsletter about mediation for Vox. Click here (https://link.vox.com/view/608adc8291954c3cef050976mov8j.19km/1e7a998d) to read about Americans Need to Party More by Ellen Cushing in The Atlantic. Click here (https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2025/01/20/outraged-kurt-gray-book-review) to read Elizabeth Kolbert's essay in The New Yorker, "Does One Emotion Rule All Our Ethical Judgments?" Click here (https://www.theatlantic.com/magazine/archive/2025/02/saint-francis-counterculture-charity-kindness/681095/) to read James Parker's piece on "The Saint America Needs Right Now." Click here (https://mbird.com/religion/prayer/spells-and-prayers/) to read "Spells and Prayers" by Alan Jacobs on Mbird.
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    1 hr and 12 mins
  • Episode 270: Planes, Trains, and Miracles

    Episode 270: Planes, Trains, and Miracles
    Dec 21 2024
    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 (https://www.nytimes.com/2024/12/05/style/reviews-ratings-online.html) to read "Whatever You Do, Don't Review This" by Eric Taub in the NY Times. Click here (https://www.seenandunseen.com/what-spotify-wrapped-really-tells-us-about-ourselves) to read Belle Tindall's "What Spotify Wrapped Really Tells Us About Ourselves" on Seen & Unseen. Click here (https://www.wsj.com/lifestyle/relationships/christmas-holiday-gifts-family-tips-7b9f2e57?st=9UwuRJ) to read Elizabeth Bernstein's column on "The Micropolitics of Family Gift Giving" in the WSJ. Click here (https://mbird.com/everyday/celebrity/martha-stewart-and-the-pursuit-of-perfection/) to read about "Martha Stewart and the Pursuit of Perfection" on Mbird, courtesy of Sam Bush. Click here (https://www.christianitytoday.com/2024/11/vietnam-christian-drug-rehab-jesus-aquila/) to read "Finding Sobriety--and Jesus--in Vietnam's Christian Rehabs" by Angela Lu Fulton in CT. Click here (https://mbird.com/film/our-favorite-christmas-movies/) to read Mbird's list of Favorite Christmas Movies. Click here (https://themockingpulpit.fireside.fm/1648) to listen to Sarah C's recent sermon, "The Tragic Gap of Advent." Click here (https://assets.scriptslug.com/live/pdf/scripts/planes-trains-and-automobiles-1987.pdf) to read the original script for Trains, Planes, and Automobiles. The scene Sarah references is on pages 119-122. Finally, click here (https://mbird.com/support/) to give a yearend gift to Mockingbird. We'll be back in mid-January!
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    1 hr and 12 mins
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