
The long-awaited second season kicks off with an extended episode about the Good Shepherd himself, Jesus of Nazareth. Recommended and referenced resources include:
Quotations: from Charles Dickens' The Life of Our Lord, JD Salinger's Franny and Zooey, an interview with Zadie Smith, and WH Auden in The Chimera
Books and Literature: The Gospel of John: A Theological Commentary by David F. Ford, “The Gardener” by Rudyard Kipling, War and Peace by Leo Tolstoy, The Crucifixion by Fleming Rutledge, Dominion by Tom Holland, Kingdom Grace Judgment by Robert Farrar Capon, Unapologetic by Francis Spufford, “The Dog in the Red Bandana” by Ray Bradbury, and “Inscription Under a Roadside Crucifix” by Victor Hugo
Movies: The Gospel According to St Matthew (1964), Pier Pasolini dir.
Artwork: Duccio's Maesta
Songs: “I Love You (Bollydub)” by Razor n Tape, “Gospel Rappin” by New Testament Youth Group, “Jesus is Waiting” by Al Green, “Look at What the Light Did Now” by Flo Morrissey and Matthew E White, "24K Magic" by Bruno Mars, “Simon Peter” by Sphinx, “Wonderful Savior” by Mavis Staples, “O Sacred Head Sore Wounded", “They Hung Him on the Cross”, “Crazy Boy Master” by JAZ & Bertie, “Resurrection Shuffle” by Tom Jones, “Jesus Is Here Today” by Sister Rosetta Tharpe, “Jesus” by The Velvet Underground, “Way Out Jesus” by Sammy Johns, “When He Was No One” by Swamp Dogg, “I Knew Jesus (Before He Was a Star)” by Glen Campbell, “He’s Alive” by Dolly Parton
Click here to listen to a playlist of the available tracks on Spotify.
Jul 8, 2022
1 hr 36 min

What are we doing when we pray? In the second episode of the second season, John, David, and Simeon venture a few theories (and a bunch of stories). Referenced and recommended resources include:
Quotations: Frank Lake's Clinical Theology, The Long Text of Julian of Norwich (Chapter 43), "Eleven Addresses to the Lord" by John Berryman
Books and Literature: Help Thanks Wow by Anne Lamott, The Lord's Prayer by Wesley Hill, Lit by Mary Karr, Augustine's Confessions, Showings by Julian of Norwich, The Collects of Thomas Cranmer by Paul Zahl and Frederick Barbee, "Collect for the Fourth Sunday After Easter", "For the Time Being" by WH Auden
Movies: The Apostle _(1997), _Little Boy (2015)
Artwork: Das Vaterunser by Max Pechstein
Songs: “10 9 8 7” by Armand Duchies, “Dervish Chant” by African Head Charge, “Please Please Please Let Me Get What I Want” by The Smiths, “Come Talk to Me” by Peter Gabriel, “Make The Woman Love Me” by Dion, “Cleopatra” (JAZ edit 2), "Acid Rain" by Galaxy II Orchestra, “Talk to the Lord” by Natalie Bergman, “Let Us Pray” by Elvis Presley, “You Are My Dream” by Kamagni, “Lords Prayer” by Marvin Gaye, “Our Prayer” by The Beach Boys, “I Pray” by Blossom Child
Click here to listen to a playlist of the available tracks on Spotify.
Jul 8, 2022
1 hr 20 min

This one could also be called Freedom. Or possibly Fruit. Maybe even Living. Recommended and referenced resources include:
Quotations: Bird by Bird by Anne Lamott, Calvin and Hobbes, "Ode to Failure" by Allen Ginsberg
Books and Literature: Young Eliot by Robert Crawford, Show Your Work by Austin Kleon, Bird by Bird by Anne Lamott, The Space Trilogy by CS Lewis
Movies and Podcasts: Get Back (2021) dir. Peter Jackson, The Well of Sound
Songs: “Problem Child” by The Beach Boys, “Walking on Thin Ice” by Yoko Ono, “Underwater” by Harry Thuman, “I’m so Afraid” by Fleetwood Mac, “Tri-Tra-Trallula” by Joachim Will, “A Ist Wieder Da” by Robert Gorl, “Learn How to Fail” by The Replacements, “The Fear in My Heart” by Luc Van Acker, “Can You Picture That?” By Electric Mayhem, “Xanadu” by Olivia Newton-John, “Seven Nation Army” by The White Stripes, “Jazzburger” by Loukas Thanos, “Reader Meet Author” by Morrissey, “Deadlines and Commitments” by The Killers, “Manhattan Jungle” by Per Tjernberg, “Perfumed Garden” by Rah Band
Click here to listen to a playlist of the available tracks on Spotify.
Jul 8, 2022
1 hr 27 min

Depression isn't the only form of mental illness touched upon in this episode, which doubles as a rumination on agency and affliction more generally. Fortunately, it's lot more fun than it sounds! Referenced and recommended resources include:
Quotations: "The Planet Trillaphon As It Stands In Relation to the Bad Thing" by David Foster Wallace, Frank Lake's Clinical Theology
Books and Literature: The Poems of William Cowper, "The Depressed Person" by David Foster Wallace
Movies and Television: You're the Worst (2014-2019), Little Miss Sunshine (2006), Pollyanna (2003), The Royal Tenenbaums (2001)
Songs: “Christmastime Is Here Again” by Vince Guaraldi, “What Is Sadness” by Device, “Fear of Ghosts” by The Cure, “Give Mi Wings” by Rod Stewart, “Stop in the Name of Love” by The Supremes, “I Don’t Want to be a Freak (But I Can’t Help Myself)” By Dynasty, “Waking the Witch” – Kate Bush, “Doctor Doctor” by Thompson Twins, “Going Round in Circles” by The Keeper, “The Sun Always Shines on TV” by A-Ha, “Where There is Faith There Is Hope” by Chairman of the Board, “Please Read the Letter” by Robert Plant and Allison Kraus, “Pressure Time” by Vendetta Palace, “Baahubali” by Khoya Hain, “Dancing with the Aliens” by Fab, “Jesu Lover of My Soul”, “I Don't Want to Get Over You” by The Magnetic Fields, “Switching Off” – Elbow, “The Next Right Thing” from Frozen 2
Jul 8, 2022
1 hr 22 min

"Jesus saves" reads the bumper sticker. But what does it mean? This one is about soteriology, past, present, and future. Referenced and recommended resources include:
Quotations: Who Will Deliver Us by Paul Zahl
Books and Literature: The Crucifixion by Fleming Rutledge, The Holy Spirit and Christian Experience by Simeon Zahl, “On the Incarnation of the Word” by Athanasius, Augustine’s Confessions (first 9 books), Dangerous Journey by Oliver Hunkin
Movies and Television: Magnolia (1999), The Lives of Others (2006), Amazing Grace (2018), Battlestar Galactica "Exodus Pt 2"
Songs: "Amazing Grace" by John Newton, “Save Me Jesus” by Bobby Charles, “Where Will I Be?” by Emmylou Harris, “Tickle Robot”, “Hvorfor Ikke Mig” by Elmer, “My Own Worst Enemy” by Lit, "You Changed My Life" by Bob Dylan, “You Never Can Tell” by Chuck Berry, “Mockingbird [remix]” by Derek Webb, “Save Me” by Nanette Workman, “Save Me” by Aimee Mann, “Walking on Broken Glass” by Annie Lennox, “Coreur Bingo” by Silvana, “最悪の日々 Pt.1”, “Jesus Dropped the Charges” by The O’Neal Twins
Click here to listen to a playlist of the available tracks on Spotify.
Jul 8, 2022
1 hr 19 min

For the final episode of the second season, the brothers enlist a special guest to help them make sense of getting older. Referenced and recommended resources include:
Books and Literature: Peace in the Last Third of Life by Paul Zahl, The Happiness Curve by Jonathan Rauch, “Crossing the Bar” by Alfred Lord Tennyson, Churchy by Sarah Condon, Being Mortal by Atul Gawande, The Genius and the Goddess by Aldous Huxley, Quatermass by Nigel Neale, "East Coker" by TS Eliot, Ecclesiastes
Movies and Television: The Twilight Zone (“Spur of the Moment” and “The Trade-Ins”), Letters to Father Jacob (2009), Friday Night Lights (2006-2011), Journey to Italy (1954), The Adam Project (2022)
Artwork: "The Voyage of Life" by Thomas Cole (1839-40)
Songs: “Seventeen” by Sharon Van Etten, “The Boxer” by Simon and Garfunkel, “When I Grow Up to Be a Man” by The Beach Boys, “Ashes to Ashes” by David Bowie, “Tired of Waiting” by The Kinks, “When I Was a Boy” by The Who, “Regret” by New Order, “Old" by Staryflyer 59, "Everybody Wants to Be a DJ", “Sixteen Tons” by Bob Cobra, “As Far as I Can Remember” by Pasteur Lappe, “Just Ain’t Easy” by The Allman Brothers, “Highlands” by Bob Dylan
Click here to listen to a playlist of the available tracks on Spotify.
Jul 8, 2022
1 hr 28 min

In the final episode of the first season, the brothers talk about their all-time favorite word, what John calls "a pool that's shallow enough that babies can wade into it and deep enough that elephants can swim." Recommended and Referenced Resources include:
Quotations: Mockingbird glossary entry for Grace, Dorothy Martyn on Beyond Deserving
Articles: "My Priceless, Worthless Baseball Cards" by Ryan Hockensmith
Books: Les Miserables by Victor Hugo (musical too); The Brothers Karamazov (first 80 pages) by Fyodor Dostoyevksky; The Horse and his Boy by CS Lewis; Kingdom, Grace, Judgment by Robert Capon; Tattoos on the Heart by Gregory Boyle, Seculosity by David Zahl
Movies: Soul, Little Miss Sunshine, About a Boy, The Best Years of Our Lives
Songs: "What Have I Done to Deserve This?" by The Pet Shop Boys, "You Know I Couldn't Last" by Morrissey, "Grace Under Pressure" by Elbow, “Our Park by Night” by Craft Spells, "Super Freak" by Rick James, "You Still Believe in Me" by The Beach Boys, "Endless Race" by Wally Badarou, "Living Without Your Love" by The Imperials, "Airport of Love" by Love International
Click here to listen to a playlist of the available tracks on Spotify.
Feb 25, 2021
1 hr 18 min

The most esoteric sounding subject in the first season may also be the most gut-level. In this episode the brothers discuss the role of art, story, and humor as it relates to ministry and healing. Recommended and Referenced Resources include:
Quotations: Mbird glossary definition of Abreaction, Frank Lake's definition, Josh Retterer's definition, Adam Phillips on Self-Cures and Frozen Seas, W.H. Auden on the Ulterior Purpose of Poetry
Books: A Mess of Help by David Zahl, The Lord of the Rings by J.R.R. Tolkien, Brideshead Revisited by Evelyn Waugh, Theophilus North by Thornton Wilder, The Cocktail Party by TS Eliot
Paintings: Winter Landscape by Caspar David Friedrich
Movies: Miami Vice, The Last Days of Disco, Red Beard, Apocalypto, Hacksaw Ridge, The Darjeeling Limited, Miracle, This Is 40, Terms of Endearment, Pride and Prejudice [BBC]
Drama: The Angel That Troubled the Waters by Thornton Wilder
TV: Friday Night Lights
Songs: "Walls" by Tom Petty, "Should I Laugh or Cry" by ABBA, "Walls Come Tumbling Down" by The Style Council, "Come As You Are" and "Sliver" by Nirvana, "Please Forgive My Heart" by Bobby Womack, "This Is Me Trying" by Taylor Swift, "Wichita Lineman" by Glen Campbell, "Crockett's Theme" by Jan Hammer, "Lamuka" by Zazou, Biyake & CY1, "More More More" by Andrea True Connection
Click here to listen to a playlist of the available tracks on Spotify.
Feb 25, 2021
1 hr 8 min

In their fourth episode, the brothers try to make sense of that oh-so-loaded institution and experience called "Church." Recommended and Referenced Resources include:
Books: Why Would Anyone Go to Church? by Kevin Makins, Grace in Addiction: What Everyone Can Learn from Alcoholics Anonymous by John Z, Grace in Practice by Paul Zahl, Janet's Repentance by George Eliot
Quotations: Marilynne Robinson on Christmas and Easter
Paintings: Lift Up Thine Eyes by Norman Rockwell
Songs: "God Knows" by Donna Eyes, "Shelter from the Storm" by Bob Dylan, "Take Me to Church" by Sinead O'Connor, "Metropolis" by The Church, "Hospital for Sinners" by The Wallflowers, "You Are With Me" by Sandra McCracken, "Like a Ship Without a Sail" by Pastor T.L. Barrett, "Heavy Church" by Three Dog Night, "Church St Soul Revival" by Tommy James,
Podcasts: Mockingcast Interview with Atlanta Falcons chaplain Jason Webster
Movies: The Book of Eli, Rome Open City, Letters to Father Jacob, The Bishop's Wife, The Holly and the Ivy, The Apostle, Calvary
Click here to listen to a playlist of the available tracks on Spotify.
Feb 25, 2021
1 hr 19 min

Could also be titled "Evil, Sin, and Suffering", in this episode the brothers delve into the various shades of darkness we experience in the world--and in ourselves. Recommended and referenced resources include:
Podcasts: The Well of Sound on Marvin Gaye
Movies: The Devil Rides Out, The Shining, The Exorcist, The Addiction
Books: Dignity by Chris Arnade, The Haunting of Toby Jugg _by Dennis Wheatley, _The Stand by Stephen King, the ghost stories MR James, Astro City: Confession by Kurt Busiek
Articles: "Hiding in Plain Sight: The Lost Doctine of Sin" by Simeon Zahl
Quotations: Bad Spirits in Hunts Point, Flannery O'Connor on the Action of Grace, Gerhard Forde on the danger of Rolling Suffering into Evil, Richard Hooker on Crystal Tears (below), Frank Limehouse on the Devil (below)
Songs: "Ain't No Mountain High Enough" by Marvin Gaye and Tami Terrell, "Lord You Bless Me" by The Elliotts, "Make Me Prada" by Asa Moto, "Millennium" by Dewolfe, "Devil Inside" by INXS
Please note: the story of Martin Luther burying the child, while derived from his writings (and depicted to great effect in the movie Luther), is apocryphal. .
Click here to listen to a playlist of the available tracks on Spotify.
Richard Hooker: "My eager protestations, made in the glory of my ghostly strength, I am ashamed of; but those crystal tears, wherewith my sin and weakness was bewailed, have procured my endless joy; my strength hath been my ruin, and my fall my stay."
Frank Limehouse (March 7, 2010): "I can't tell you what the Devil looks like. In my own mind he wears red tights, has horns and a tail and carries a pitchfork. Other than in the Garden of Eden, in which he is described as crafty and subtle; and Ezekiel, who tells us he was perfect in beauty, I cannot talk so much about what the devil looks like. But we can talk about how the devil operates. St. Peter said, “Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking some one to devour” (1 Peter 5:8). Interestingly, the devil doesn't come at you only where you're weak. He's very interested in your gifts and strengths. This is where we are most vulnerable. The woman with a charming smile is tempted to “get away with murder.” The salesman with the gift of persuasion, is often tempted to “take ‘em for what they're worth.” God, on the other hand, is most interested in what? Your weaknesses. The Lord said to Paul ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness'…"
Feb 25, 2021
1 hr 1 min
Load more
