The Mockingcast

In which RJ, Sarah, and Dave talk sugary misconceptions, body odor obliviousness, and forgotten grace. Also, Sarah elicits a memorable wink, while Dave doesn't look back in anger.

In this special landmark episode, RJ, Sarah, and Dave talk celebrity forgiveness, unskilled prayer, and ordinary overcorrections. They also read a bunch of heartening listener messages, in the process uncovering a secret Mcast shrine in a Canadian bookstore. Fast-forward to the 34 minute mark to bypass the (self-)celebratory content.

In which RJ, Sarah, and Dave talk hidden greens, panic-inducing protocols, blame games, and funeral trends. Email [email protected] with any favorite stories or episodes, and we'll read it aloud on episode 300.

Heads-up for those with kids in the car: there is a brief mention of the Cornell case at the beginning of the cast. Fast forward to the 4:10 mark if you'd like to skip.

In which RJ, Sarah, and Dave talk relational losses, medieval mental health, and robot apocalypses. Also, Sarah holds onto a worthless heirloom, while RJ comes clean about the desert fathers.

In the season premiere, RJ, Sarah and Dave talk departed Dolly, fossilized trilobites, and the Uni-Context. Also, Sarah says goodbye to some champagne flutes, while Bob Dylan makes a cameo.

In their season finale, RJ, Sarah, and Dave talk Costco skaters, commodified religion, and the God who isn't supposed-to-be. Also, Dave doubles down on hotdogmaxxing while Sarah's remembers jncos. 

In which RJ, Sarah, and Dave talk forced cheeriness, prediction addiction, satisficing breakthroughs, and the grammar of grace. Also, Sarah visits the mothership while Dave maximizes hot dogs.

In which RJ, Sarah, and Dave talk casinofication, sketch comedy, main character energy, and self-transcendence. Also, RJ yearns to be too small to fail, while Sarah learns her son used to be a light bulb.

In which RJ, Sarah, and Dave talk underachieving parents, hype aversion, and the impassability of God. Also, Dave reconsiders Iron Maiden while Sarah has a run-in at the farmer's market.

Click here for more information about this week's Mockingbird Conference in New York City (4/23-25).

Click here for more information about our Fall Conference in Minneapolis (10/2-3).

Click here to read "Parents, Consider Underachieving" by Rachel Feintzeig in The NY Times.

Click here to read about The People Who Shun Super Popular Pop Culture by Anna Holmes in The Atlantic.

In which RJ, Sarah, and Dave talk starting a band, the tyranny of metrics, meaning fatigue, and the second most honest day of the (church) year. Also, Dave uncovers an animated conspiracy while Sarah bumps into an alternate timeline.

In which RJ, Sarah, and Dave talk affective forecasting, fantasy literature, workplace mattering, and collapsed demands. Also, a punk rocker gets a miracle bus ticket, and the ice monster comes for our kids.

In which RJ, Sarah, and Dave talk face functions, last breaths, cringe churches, and Monkey Jesus. Also, Sarah runs into a teenage witch while RJ survives an iguanapocalypse. This episode is dedicated to the memory of Derek Sweatman.

In which RJ, Sarah, and Dave talk Lieutenant Dan season, holy inconvenience, millennial oversocialization, and playful faith. Also, Sarah buys a rebellious sweatshirt while RJ comes to terms with his inner delivery boy.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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!

In which RJ, Sarah, and Dave talk post-election uncertainty, grieving non-grandparents, digital self-worth, and the bondage of the will. Also, Dave shares an important new use for q-tips.

In which RJ, Sarah, and Dave talk vibes, clutter, high school bullies, and fortunate falls. Also, Sarah contemplates Elvis, while RJ comes to terms with his uncoolness.

Recorded in front of an audience in Tyler, TX, Sarah and Dave do their best to explain the What and Why of The Mockingcast. Think of it as a rare peek behind the curtain as well as a perfect jumping on point for new listeners. Also, Sarah spills some serious tea about a presidential funeral.

In which RJ, Sarah, and Dave talk Michelin stars, friends with money, autonomy traps, and Kristofferson's conversion. Also, Sarah and Dave gush about their favorite poet-priest-prophet-musician-TacoBellObsessive Andy Squyres.

In which RJ, Sarah, and Dave talk school drop-off insanity, mindful underparenting, Silicon Valley rationalism, and anorexic recovery. Also, Sarah listens to a parking lot confession, while RJ fails to keep up. This episode is lovingly dedicated to the memory of Everett Lees.

In their first episode back, RJ, Sarah, and Dave talk peak loneliness, familial estrangement, and forgiven shoplifters. Also, our new logo/icon debuts, and a pair of Condons learn to surf.

For Mockingcasters looking for something to listen to while the gang is on hiatus this summer, look no further! We hope you enjoy the first episode of the new season of Mbird's The Brothers Zahl podcast, "Faith".