//podcastplus.net/feed/the-mockingcast~9c7eeca3 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. Fri, 01 May 2026 16:06:35 +0000 https://aphid.fireside.fm/d/1437767933/50d1d6ca-dd7c-4fe7-b336-8d90d3ecab8e/a916cc27-021f-4dec-9e74-f20637667f2e.mp3 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. Click here (https://www.washingtonpost.com/religion/2025/09/20/silent-retreat-meditation-religion/) to read Ben Brasch's article "Silent Retreats Are Surging in Popularity" in the Washington Post.Click here (https://www.nytimes.com/2025/09/21/briefing/the-psychological-value-of-repentance.html) to read Lauren Jackson's newsletter on "The Pscyhological Value of Repentance" in the NY Times. Click here (https://mbird.com/grace-in-practice/grace-in-an-age-of-vengance/) to read Sarah's "Grace in an Age of Vengeance" on Mbird. Click here (https://www.christianitytoday.com/2025/09/alien-mercy/) to read Ashley Hales's interview with Elizabeth Bruenig in Christianity Today, "Alien Mercy."Click here (https://www.theatlantic.com/magazine/archive/2025/07/death-row-executions-witness/682891/) to read Elizabeth Bruenig's lengthy essay "Witness" in Th... Mon, 29 Sep 2025 10:45:00 +0000 https://aphid.fireside.fm/d/1437767933/50d1d6ca-dd7c-4fe7-b336-8d90d3ecab8e/a916cc27-021f-4dec-9e74-f20637667f2e.mp3 https://aphid.fireside.fm/d/1437767933/50d1d6ca-dd7c-4fe7-b336-8d90d3ecab8e/2925bbb5-9e56-4a91-8457-8d473e979ed2.mp3 In their last episode before the summer hiatus, RJ, Sarah, and Dave talk wedding snobbery, tearjerker movies, and secular exorcisms. The gang wish listeners a fruitful unburdening these next few months! If you feel so led, visit www.mbird.com/support to respond to the opening appeal. Click here (https://www.theguardian.com/wellness/article/2024/may/15/why-gossip-wedding) to read Francesca Carington's article in the The Guardian, "Why Are We So Snobby About Other People's Weddings?"Click here (https://www.nytimes.com/2024/05/19/opinion/tear-jerker-movies-crying.html) to read Heather Havrilesky's plea in the NY Times to "Bring Back the Tear-Jerker!"Click here (https://www.astralcodexten.com/p/book-review-the-others-within-us) to read the head-spinning review of Rober Falconer's The Others Within Us on Astral Codex TenClick here (https://talkingbird.fireside.fm/383) to listen to Andrew Root's talk from the NYC Mbird ConferenceClick here (https://mbird.com/literature/infinite-grace/) to read Elizabeth Callen's In... Mon, 03 Jun 2024 16:00:00 +0000 https://aphid.fireside.fm/d/1437767933/50d1d6ca-dd7c-4fe7-b336-8d90d3ecab8e/2925bbb5-9e56-4a91-8457-8d473e979ed2.mp3 https://aphid.fireside.fm/d/1437767933/50d1d6ca-dd7c-4fe7-b336-8d90d3ecab8e/181e6a63-33e1-4d2c-9adc-e1f363f7b821.mp3 In which RJ, Sarah, and Dave talk top words, millennial motherhoods, cancerous insights, and sad Christmases. Everyone also gives a few recs from the year gone by.Click here (https://www.merriam-webster.com/wordplay/word-of-the-year) to read about Mirieam-Webster's word of the year. Click here (https://www.nytimes.com/2023/12/03/arts/rizz-oxford-word-year.html) to read about Oxford's. Click here (https://mbird.com/social-science/parenting/thou-shalt-have-a-thing/) to read Jordan Griesbeck's post on Mbird, "Thou Shalt Have a Thing."Click here (https://www.vox.com/features/23979357/millennials-motherhood-dread-parenting-birthrate-women-policy) to read Rachel Cohen's essay for Vox, “How Millennials Learned to Dread Motherhood.”Click here (https://www.christianitytoday.com/ct/2023/december-web-only/christian-wiman-zero-bone-despair-cancer-christian-faith.html) to read Josh Jeter's interview with Christian Wiman on Christianity Today.Click here (https://mbird.com/holidays/christmas/put-the-sad-back-in-christma... Mon, 18 Dec 2023 14:00:00 +0000 https://aphid.fireside.fm/d/1437767933/50d1d6ca-dd7c-4fe7-b336-8d90d3ecab8e/181e6a63-33e1-4d2c-9adc-e1f363f7b821.mp3 https://aphid.fireside.fm/d/1437767933/50d1d6ca-dd7c-4fe7-b336-8d90d3ecab8e/f2878ba1-0be6-45bd-bc73-eaae86effd7a.mp3 In which RJ, Sarah, and Dave talk canine anxiety, celebrity memoirs, and dispensaries (of grace). Also, Sarah prays for high waistlines while RJ uncovers a stroller conspiracy. Click here (https://www.theatlantic.com/ideas/archive/2023/10/dog-anti-anxiety-meds-treatment/675715/) to read Rose Horowich's "Too Many People Own Dogs" in The Atlantic.Click here (https://www.nytimes.com/2023/10/31/opinion/matthew-perry-loneliness-addiction.html?smid=nytcore-ios-share&referringSource=articleShare) to read Patti Davis's column in the NY Times, "Matthew Perry and the Loneliness of Addiction."Click here (https://amzn.to/47cCs1v) to order a copy of John Z's Grace in Addiction, published by Mockingbird. Click here (https://www.theatlantic.com/culture/archive/2023/10/the-woman-in-me-britney-spears-memoir/675748/) to read Spencer Kornhaber's review of Britney Spears's new memoir. Click here (https://www.latimes.com/science/story/2023-10-17/stanford-scientist-robert-sapolskys-decades-of-study-led-him-to-conclude-we-dont-... Sat, 04 Nov 2023 12:30:00 +0000 https://aphid.fireside.fm/d/1437767933/50d1d6ca-dd7c-4fe7-b336-8d90d3ecab8e/f2878ba1-0be6-45bd-bc73-eaae86effd7a.mp3 https://aphid.fireside.fm/d/1437767933/50d1d6ca-dd7c-4fe7-b336-8d90d3ecab8e/9d2c257a-506f-4f35-9f2c-4a1d718402a3.mp3 In which RJ, Sarah and Dave talk insane crafts, normie churches, dying neuroscientists, the healing power of children's books and hope in a weary world. Click here (https://mbird.com/support/) to respond to the opening appeal and support The Mockingcast.Click here (https://mbird.com/shop/magazine/issue-20-success-failure/) to order a copy of The Success & Failure Issue of The Mockingbird Magazine.Click here (https://visitor.r20.constantcontact.com/manage/optin?v=001Olbj1iTXQSX3q9FkHt67FFoyDMBzOmoIOjfo1gXsdt7xUH3YspjkYai-FuY3LICBrMwkIL8YJ6538KqBGpsf6LcHIScTZP8QIxM-PXMsJK0%3D) to join our digital mailing list. Click here (https://mbird.com/conferences/2022-nyc-conference-recordings/) to listen to the recordings from our recent New York Conference.Click here (https://www.vanityfair.com/style/2022/05/she-invented-adulting-her-life-fell-apart) to read the Vanity Fair interview with Kelly Williams Brown. Click here (https://www.bradeast.org/blog/church-for-normies) to read Brad East's post about Church for Norm... Tue, 17 May 2022 04:00:00 +0000 https://aphid.fireside.fm/d/1437767933/50d1d6ca-dd7c-4fe7-b336-8d90d3ecab8e/9d2c257a-506f-4f35-9f2c-4a1d718402a3.mp3 https://aphid.fireside.fm/d/1437767933/50d1d6ca-dd7c-4fe7-b336-8d90d3ecab8e/77340c04-1299-47b3-9b8a-31f77b5a3625.mp3 In which RJ, Sarah, and Dave talk goblin modes, unproductive sabbaticals, shaming complexes, and historical miracles. Also, Sarah takes a tour of a church crypt, and RJ sees yellow (and a lot of movies). Click here (https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2022/mar/14/slobbing-out-and-giving-up-why-are-so-many-people-going-goblin-mode) to read The Guardian's piece on Goblin Mode.Click here (https://mbird.com/everyday/the-gift-of-leisure-to-a-hustling-world/) to read Peter Seversen's post for Mockingbird on The Gift of Leisure in a Hustling World.Click here (https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2022/03/28/the-shaming-industrial-complex-cathy-oneil-the-shame-machine-owen-flanagan-how-to-do-things-with-emotions) for Becca Rothfeld's rundown of The Shaming Industrial Complex.Click here (https://www.vox.com/22969804/forgiveness-gibson-logan-paul-jk-rowling) to read Aja Romano's column for Vox, Everyone Wants Forgiveness, But No One Is Being Forgiven.Click here (https://www.theatlantic.com/ideas/archive/2022/03/russia-... Fri, 01 Apr 2022 04:00:00 +0000 https://aphid.fireside.fm/d/1437767933/50d1d6ca-dd7c-4fe7-b336-8d90d3ecab8e/77340c04-1299-47b3-9b8a-31f77b5a3625.mp3 https://aphid.fireside.fm/d/1437767933/50d1d6ca-dd7c-4fe7-b336-8d90d3ecab8e/1d561f31-158f-4eb9-85f7-19948b71e56f.mp3 In which RJ, Sarah, and Dave talk peripheral relationships, nervous breakdowns, and nighttime prayers. Also, after making a startling discovery in her father's desk drawer, Sarah goes shopping for yoga pants. Click here (https://www.theatlantic.com/magazine/archive/2021/03/bring-back-the-nervous-breakdown/617788/) to read Amanda Mull's piece on how The Pandemic Has Erased Entire Categories of FriendshipClick here (https://www.thestar.com/life/relationships/2021/02/09/are-people-having-more-sex-during-the-pandemic.html) to read the report in the Toronto Star about decreasing sexual activity during the pandemicClick here (https://mbird.com/2021/02/the-moms-are-not-alright/) to read Jane Grizzle's post on how The Moms Are Not AlrightClick here (https://www.theatlantic.com/magazine/archive/2021/03/bring-back-the-nervous-breakdown/617788/) to read Jerry Useem's article Bring Back the Nervous BreakdownClick here (https://renovare.org/articles/how-to-pray-while-drowning-in-doubt) to read the excerpt from Tish Harris... Sat, 13 Feb 2021 17:00:00 +0000 https://aphid.fireside.fm/d/1437767933/50d1d6ca-dd7c-4fe7-b336-8d90d3ecab8e/1d561f31-158f-4eb9-85f7-19948b71e56f.mp3 https://aphid.fireside.fm/d/1437767933/50d1d6ca-dd7c-4fe7-b336-8d90d3ecab8e/ad918c95-7537-45e3-ae96-3ff06a55f037.mp3 In which RJ and Dave hear from Sarah about her first month of grief, before talking together about family estrangement, faulty memories and the blindspots of Jefferson's Jesus. Also, Dave breaks up with a friend while Sarah goes to the zoo. Click here (https://www.theatlantic.com/family/archive/2021/01/why-parents-and-kids-get-estranged/617612/) to read Joshua Coleman's article in The Atlantic about Why Parents and Children Get EstrangedClick here (https://www.thecut.com/2021/01/i-want-my-family-to-love-me-unconditionally.html) to read Heather Havrilesky's column addressing the "I Want My Family to Love Me Unconditionally" inquiryClick here (https://mbird.com/2021/01/confessions-of-a-former-youth-minister/) to read Dave's Confessions of a Former Youth MinisterClick here (https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2021/01/04/what-thomas-jefferson-could-never-understand-about-jesus) to read Vinson Cunningham's rundown in The New Yorker of "What Thomas Jefferson Could Never Understand About Jesus" Fri, 22 Jan 2021 18:00:00 +0000 https://aphid.fireside.fm/d/1437767933/50d1d6ca-dd7c-4fe7-b336-8d90d3ecab8e/ad918c95-7537-45e3-ae96-3ff06a55f037.mp3 https://aphid.fireside.fm/d/1437767933/50d1d6ca-dd7c-4fe7-b336-8d90d3ecab8e/5010aeba-16af-456b-a211-8ce004221064.mp3 In which RJ, Sarah and Dave talk guilty pleasures, quarantine fatigue, 1st century exorcisms, and eccentric branches of the welfare state. Also, Dave turns to ebay while Sarah lets them eat cake. Click here (https://mbird.com/2020/05/the-acquittal-of-our-guilty-pleasures/) to read Ian Olson's article on The Acquittal of Our Guilty PleasuresClick here (https://www.theatlantic.com/culture/archive/2020/04/groundhog-day-horror-movie-quarantine/610867/) to read Megan Garber's appraisal of Groundhog DayClick here (https://theweek.com/articles/909137/when-time-stops) to read Damon Linker's When Time StopsClick here (https://mbird.com/2020/04/exorcisms-jesus-and-modernity/) to read Todd Brewer's post on Exorcisms, Jesus and Modernity. Click here (https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2020/05/03/church-leaders-should-not-talking-like-middle-managers-time/) to read Tom Holland's argument for why Church Leaders Should Not Be Talking Like Middle Managers in this Time of Crisis. Sun, 10 May 2020 04:00:00 +0000 https://aphid.fireside.fm/d/1437767933/50d1d6ca-dd7c-4fe7-b336-8d90d3ecab8e/5010aeba-16af-456b-a211-8ce004221064.mp3 https://aphid.fireside.fm/d/1437767933/50d1d6ca-dd7c-4fe7-b336-8d90d3ecab8e/75f620a3-9714-48a6-bfe4-bb3523a2ad27.mp3 In which Sarah, RJ, and Dave talk Michael Jordan, productivity epiphanies, and Kierkegaard's glorious failures. Also, Dave goes full Regency while Sarah expounds on Russian dynasties. Click here (https://www.theringer.com/nba/2020/4/27/21237752/michael-jordan-the-last-dance-legacy) to read Brian Phillips' piece on Michael Jordan the Story Versus Michael Jordan the Man. Click here (https://www.wired.com/story/question-productivity-coronavirus/)to read Laurie Penny's essay on how Productivity Is Not Working. Click here (https://marginalia.lareviewofbooks.org/the-pursuit-of-kierkegaardian-virtue/) to read Thomas J. Millay's review of Sylvia Walsh's new book on Kierkegaard and Religion. Click here (https://mbird.com/2020/04/the-freedom-to-do-nothing/) to read Sarah Denley Harrington's post on The Freedom to Do Nothing. Click here (https://mbird.com/2020/04/quarantine-side-effects-the-mini-existential-crises-from-staying-at-home/) to read Lydia Suitt's reflection on Quarantine Side Effects. Thu, 30 Apr 2020 04:00:00 +0000 https://aphid.fireside.fm/d/1437767933/50d1d6ca-dd7c-4fe7-b336-8d90d3ecab8e/75f620a3-9714-48a6-bfe4-bb3523a2ad27.mp3