The Brothers Zahl

For the bonus-length finale of season three, the brothers delve into the monumental topic of parenting, exploring how they were raised as well as how they're trying to raise their own kids. Thankfully, a very special guest is on hand to help them. To respond to the opening appeal and support the work of Mockingbird, please click here. Recommended and referenced resources include: Books: Grace in Practice by Paul Zahl, Listening by Anne Long, The Anxious Generation by Jonathan Haidt, I Guess I Haven't Learned That Yet by Shauna Niequist, Augustine's Confessions Articles: "Me, My Father, and Russell Wilson" by Mina Kimes Television: Bluey, Parenthood (2010-2015), Love on the Spectrum, Lonesome Dove Movies: Parenthood (1989), The Ice Storm (1997), Forrest Gump (1994), Friendly Persuasion (1956) Talks: Grace in Family Relationships by Mary Zahl Songs: "Mr. T's Commandment" by Mr T, "Mama Say" by Kwame, "Son of Your Father" by Elton John, "Problem Child" by The Beach Boys, "Happiness Is a Warm Gun" by The Breeders, "Rebel Without a Clue" by Bonnie Tyler, "Shine Jesus Shine" by Graham Kendrick, "Rubberneckin" by Elvis Presley, "Listen to the Band" by The Monkees, "Phone Home" by Johnny Chingas, "God's Children" by The Kinks, "Save Me" by Nanette Workman, "Suedehead" by Morrissey, "Come Back Home" by Tom Hooker, "No Matter What" by Badfinger, "Love Will Never Die" by Paul Lowe featuring Peace Train

John, Dave, and (mainly) Simeon do their best to bring the third person of the Trinity into view. Recommended and referenced resources include: Movies: Red Beard, Rising Son, Rize, 10 Things I Hate About You, She’s All That, Pride and Prejudice Books: The Holy Spirit and Christian Experience by Simeon Zahl, The Holy Ghost: A Spirited Comic by John Hendrix, Make Way for the Spirit by Christoph Blumhardt, Theophilus North by Thornton Wilder, Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen Poetry: "Whitsunday" by George Herbert Paintings: "The Pentecost" by El Greco, "Pentecost" by Jean Restout, Duccio's Maesta Music: A Love Supreme by John Coltrane, "Let the Wind Blow" by The Beach Boys, "Wind Chimes" by The Beach Boys, "Cool, Cool Water" by The Beach Boys, "Feel Flows" by The Beach Boys, "Tears in the Morning" by The Beach Boys, "Good Vibrations" by The Beach Boys, "Handle with Care" by The Traveling Wilburys, "Holy Ghost" by The Bar-Kays, "Faith and Fire" by Vivian Reed, "Strange Changes" by Lyndsey Paul, "Revival Day" by Savage Rose, "Yahweh" by U2, "Somebody Tell Me Where's the Beef?" by Britten, "Unchained" by Van Halen, "Touched by the Hand of God" by New Order, "Full of Fire" by Al Green, "Holy Spirit" by Limousine

In their most controversial episode to date, the brothers explore the nature of willpower, choice, and control--and how those factors shape our relationships above and below. Recommended and referenced resources include: Books: The Captivation of the Will by Gerhard Forde, The Bondage of the Will by Martin Luther, The Righteous Mind by Jonathan Haidt, You Are Not So Smart by David McRaney, Low Anthropology by David Zahl, On the Spirit and the Letter by Augustine, On Nature and Grace by Augustine, Confessions by Augustine, City of God _(Books 11-14) by Augustine, _The Emperor’s New Clothes (“The Brahmin in the Bahamas”) by William Kilpatrick, The Big Book of Alcoholics Anonymous, Grace in Addiction by John Z Movies: Walk the Line, Unguarded (30 for 30), and Dave Chappelle on The Secret Songs: “Can’t Let Go” by Bryan Ferry, “Do It All Over Again” by Spiritualized, “Free Will” by Rush, “I Can’t Let Maggie Go” by Honeybus, “Wise Up” by Aimee Mann, “Last Train to London” by ELO, “Left to My Own Devices” by The Pet Shop Boys, “I Can’t Stop” by The Honeycombs, “Set Me Free” by Karen Silver, “Right Where You Left Me” by Taylor Swift, “Bring Him Home” from Les Miserables, “None of Us Are Free” by Solomon Burke, “Set Me Free” by Kinks, “Truth Will Come Out” by Honey Cone, “Cry Freedom” by Romie Singh, “Play in the Sunshine” by Prince, “I Need Thee Every Hour” by Ella Fitzgerald, “Walk the Line” by Johnny Cash & Bob Dylan, “Mercy” by Ohio Express, “Can’t Help Falling in Love” by UB40

The brothers reconvene for a special one-off on the merriest day of them all. Look for Season 3 in the new year. Recommended and referenced resources include: Poetry: "The First Coming" by Madeleine L'Engle, "Journey of the Magi" by T.S. Eliot, "For the Time Being" by W.H. Auden, "Descending Theology: The Nativity" by Mary Karr Movies: The Muppet Christmas Carol, The Holly and the Ivy, Children of Men, 8-Bit Christmas, The Holdovers, Midnight Clear (but also Joyeux Noel, some details of which John mixes into his description) Television: Call the Midwife Christmas Special, "How We Used Christmas Lights to Fight a War" TED Talk by Jose Miguel Sokoloff, "Christmas Story" The Andy Griffith Show (S1:E11) Artwork: "Winter Landscape" by Caspar David Friedrich Books: The Haunted Man by Charles Dickens, Martin Luther's Christmas Book Music: The Animals Christmas by Jimmy Webb Songs: “Jesus Christ” by Big Star, “Christmas Was Better in the 80s” by The Futureheads, “Sock it to Me Santa” by Bob Seger & the Heard, “Christmastime Is Here Again” by The Flirtations, “Let’s Get It Together this Christmas” by the Harvey Averne Band, “Always in a Manger” by Paul Westerberg, “O Holy Night” by Duvall, “Silent Night” by Richard Hawley, “Thankful Heart” from A Muppet Christmas Carol, “Santa Claus Is Coming” by The Harmony Grits, “Christmas Wrapping” by The Waitresses, “God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen” by Annie Lennox, “O Little Town of Bethlehem” by Sister Rosetta Tharpe, “Once in Royal David City Bells” by Sufjan Stevens, “What Child Is This?” by Carrie Underwood, “The Decree” by Art Garfunkel, “O Little Town of Bethlehem” by Bob Dylan

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.

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

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.

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.

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'…"

The first ever episode, in which the brothers introduce themselves and then jump into the sprawling subject at the center of their lives: capital-G God. Recommended and Referenced Resources include: Lectures: "On Not Being C.S. Lewis" by Francis Spufford Books: The Harrowing of Hell by Evan Daum, Dangerous Journey by John Bunyan, PZ's Panopticon by Paul Zahl Songs: "God Knows" by Donna Eyes, "Stand Back" by Stevie Nicks, "Shot Down in Denver" by Chalice, "When You Wish Upon a Star" by Gene Simmons, "Son of the Father" by Elton John, "More Than Molecules" by Fox, "Funky Funky Beat" by Jean-Michelle Navarre Click here to listen to a playlist of the available tracks on Spotify.