David Zahl
Co-Host of The Mockingcast
David Zahl is the founder and director of Mockingbird Ministries, editor-in-chief of the Mockingbird website, and co-host of both The Mockingcast and The Brothers Zahl podcasts. Zahl is the author of Seculosity: How Career, Parenting, Technology, Food, Politics, and Romance Became Our New Religion and What To Do About It and Low Anthropology: The Unlikely Key to a Gracious View of Others (and Yourself). His latest book, The Big Relief: The Urgency of Grace for a Worn-Out World appeared in April 2025 from Brazos Press. His writing has been featured in The Washington Post, Christianity Today, and The Guardian, among other venues. He and his family live in Charlottesville, Virginia, where he also serves on the staff of Christ Episcopal Church.
Even after all these years, he’s still mourning the end of Calvin and Hobbes (and hoping that Morrissey and Marr will bury the hatchet). His favorite theologian is probably a cross between Johnny Cash, Flannery O’Connor and his brother Simeon.
David Zahl has hosted 270 Episodes.
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Episode 284: The Telephone of Life
October 14th, 2025 | 1 hr 4 mins
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.
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Episode 283: The Ol' Telling the Truth Trick
September 29th, 2025 | 1 hr 4 mins
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.
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Episode 282: Do It Afraid
September 15th, 2025 | 1 hr 3 mins
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.
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Episode 281: Fluffy Pens and Perfectionist Pain
September 1st, 2025 | 1 hr 5 mins
In the season 11(!) 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.
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Bonus Episode: "The Hawaiian Shirt Guy at at Wedding" from Terrible Parables
July 15th, 2025 | 48 mins 37 secs
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.
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Episode 279: We Are All Nepo Babies
May 27th, 2025 | 1 hr 6 mins
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 opts not to take over the world. To respond to the opening appeal, visit www.mbird.com/support.
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Episode 278: Big Joe Breaks the Silence
May 12th, 2025 | 1 hr 1 min
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.
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Episode 277: The Big Relief of a Good Dishwasher
April 28th, 2025 | 1 hr 14 mins
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.
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Episode 276: Love Has a Million Disguises (But Winning Is Simply Not One)
April 14th, 2025 | 1 hr 13 mins
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.
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Episode 275: Whereupon He Flipped Me the Bird
March 24th, 2025 | 1 hr 8 mins
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.
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Episode 274: Donuts for Lent
March 10th, 2025 | 1 hr 6 mins
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.
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Episode 273: The Kingdom of God Comes to Death Row
February 17th, 2025 | 1 hr 17 mins
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.
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Episode 272: Running Toward the Ick
February 3rd, 2025 | 1 hr 8 mins
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.
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Episode 271: The Trapdoor of Grace
January 20th, 2025 | 1 hr 12 mins
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.
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Episode 270: Planes, Trains, and Miracles
December 21st, 2024 | 1 hr 12 mins
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.
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Episode 269: A Crisis of Gratitude
December 9th, 2024 | 1 hr 5 mins
In which RJ, Sarah, and Dave talk prepositional gratitude, backfiring fatalism, overgrown cemeteries, and lighthearted Advents. Also, RJ expounds on the benefits of bumblefat. To respond to the opening appeal, please visit www.mbird.com/support.