Explore every episode of the podcast The Membership: A Wendell Berry Podcast
| Title | Pub. Date | Duration | |
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| Episode 27: "Against Killing Children" | 27 Oct 2026 | ||
In today’s episode, Matt and John discuss “Against Killing Children,” the first essay in Wendell Berry’s new essay collection, Dispatches from Rural America. That essay touches on everything from school shootings and the total destruction of war, to the inadequacies of the materialist worldview, and the demands of Christian conscience if children are made in the image of God. We also discuss how the essay is made even more poignant by Berry’s passing in August. Reading along? In the next episode, we will be discussing the second essay from Dispatches from Rural America: “The Problem is Industrialism.” "Against Killing Children" The Membership: A Wendell Berry Podcast SHOW NOTES AND LINKSBUY DISPATCHES FROM RURAL AMERICA, BY WENDELL BERRYTHE MEMBERSHIP ONLINE
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| Episode 26: Introducing New Host Matt Wheeler & Season 4 Preview | 13 Oct 2026 | ||
In this episode, we introduce new co-host Matt Wheeler, a singer-songwriter from Lancaster County, Pennsylvania. John and Matt talk about Matt's experience turning Wendell Berry's short stories into an album, how Matt answers the question: "What Wendell Berry book should I read first?", and how he started corresponding with the Berrys. Then John and Matt preview Season 4 and reveal the book they will be discussing first: Berry's forthcoming essay collection, Dispatches from Rural America (out October 27). Next episode: We will be discussing the essay "Against Killing Children," the first essay in Berry's new collection Dispatches from Rural America. New Host Matt Wheeler | Season 4 Preview The Membership: A Wendell Berry Podcast SHOW NOTES AND LINKS
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| Episode 25: Re-launching "The Membership" | "How to Be a Poem" | 09 Oct 2026 | ||
In this episode, John announces the relaunch of the podcast with a new cohost, singer-songwriter Matt Wheeler. The first episode with Matt comes out on Tuesday, October 13. John also reads an article that he wrote for Substack in the days after Wendell Berry’s death on August 31. Relaunching the Podcast | "How to Be a POEM" The Membership: A Wendell Berry Podcast SHOW NOTES AND LINKS
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| Episode 24: "Whitefoot: A Story from the Center of the World" | 12 Feb 2025 | ||
In this episode of The Membership, David and John discuss a book that is an unusual in the Port William series -- it's about a mouse, and is sometimes classified as a children's book -- but still feels right at home. That book? Whitefoot: A Story from the Center from the World, by Wendell Berry. We talk about the experience of compressing the imagination to the size of a mouse, where this book sits among Berry's other works, and why the realization that one lives at the center of the world is "the world's profoundest thought." And much more. "Whitefoot: A Story from the Center of the World" The Membership: A Wendell Berry Podcast SHOW NOTES AND LINKS
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| Episode 23: A Sabbath Poem for Christmas: "Remembering that it happened once..." | 20 Dec 2023 | ||
In his poem “Manifesto: The Mad Farmer Liberation Front,” Wendell Berry calls the reader to “Practice resurrection.” In today’s episode, we discuss one of Berry’s Sabbath poems. It has a Christmas theme that could be summarized this way: “Practice incarnation.” A Sabbath Poem for Christmas: "Remembering that it happened once..." The Membership: A Wendell Berry Podcast SHOW NOTES AND LINKS
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| Episode 22: Singer-Songwriter Matt Wheeler on His New Port William-inspired Album | 22 Aug 2023 | ||
In this episode, we interview singer-songwriter Matt Wheeler about his new album, A Hard History of Love. That album is inspired by five short stories in Berry’s story collection, That Distant Land. We talk about the process of writing songs inspired by great literature, about some of our favorite Port William characters, and what “membership” looks like in Matt’s life. UPDATE: The Kickstarter for Matt’s album release is now fully funded. All backers will now receive a print of Ned Bustard’s cover art for the album. The Kickstarter ends on August 25 at 7:15 a.m. Eastern. Kickstarter for A Hard History of Love: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/hardhistory/a-hard-history-of-love-by-matt-wheeler Singer-Songwriter Matt Wheeler on His New Port William-inspired Album The Membership: A Wendell Berry Podcast SHOW NOTES AND LINKS
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| Episode 21: A Returning, a New Voice, and a Look Ahead | 17 Aug 2023 | ||
The Membership Podcast returns! We catch you up on the last three years, introduce a new co-host, and preview some of the books we’ll be reading in Season 3. Our next episode is coming in just a couple days, so be on the lookout! A Returning, a New Voice, and a Look Ahead The Membership: A Wendell Berry Podcast SHOW NOTES AND LINKS
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| Episode 20: "Nathan Coulter" | 04 Jun 2020 | ||
In this episode, John and Tim discuss Nathan Coulter, Wendell Berry’s debut novel. Season 2 Episode 5: "Nathan Coulter" The Membership: A Wendell Berry PodcastSHOW NOTES AND LINKS
Jason Hardy John Pattison Tim Wasem If you enjoy the show and would like to support us, head over to Patreon to pledge a small monthly donation. Donations will go toward the costs of making this podcast. Thank you. Top image via Unsplash. | |||
| Episode 19: "Farming: A Hand Book" | 05 Feb 2020 | ||
In this episode, Jason, John and Tim discuss Farming: A Hand Book, Wendell Berry’s 1970 poetry collection. Season 2 Episode 4: "Farming: A Hand Book" The Membership: A Wendell Berry PodcastSHOW NOTES AND LINKS
Jason Hardy John Pattison Tim Wasem If you enjoy the show and would like to support us, head over to Patreon to pledge a small monthly donation. Donations will go toward the costs of making this podcast. Thank you. Top image via Unsplash. | |||
| Episode 18: "A Half-Pint of Old Darling" and "The Lost Bet" | 16 Jan 2020 | ||
| Episode 17: Interview with David and Mike Kline | 28 Nov 2019 | ||
John Pattison interviews David Kline, the Amish farmer, writer, and editor of Farming Magazine. Kline is also a close, longtime friend of Wendell Berry. They are joined by Mike Kline, David’s son. Mike is the co-host of one our favorite podcasts, Back to the Roots, about organic farming. S2E2: Interview with Amish Farmer David Kline The Membership: A Wendell Berry Podcast SHOW NOTES AND LINKS
Jason Hardy John Pattison Tim Wasem If you enjoy the show and would like to support us, head over to Patreon to pledge a small monthly donation. Donations will go toward the costs of making this podcast. Thank you. Cover image via Counterpoint Press. | |||
| Episode 16: The Hidden Wound | 06 Nov 2019 | ||
Jason and Tim are joined by Dr. Heather Finch, Assistant Professor of English at Belmont University. They discuss The Hidden Wound, Wendell Berry’s book on race originally published in 1970. Photo by Clay Banks on Unsplash S2E1: "The Hidden Wound," Featuring Dr. Heather Finch The Membership: A Wendell Berry Podcast SHOW NOTES AND LINKS
Jason Hardy John Pattison Tim Wasem If you enjoy the show and would like to support us, head over to Patreon to pledge a small monthly donation. Donations will go toward the costs of making this podcast. Thank you. | |||
| Episode 15: Reflections on Season One | 08 Jul 2019 | ||
In the final episode of season one, Jason, John, and Tim reflect and look to the future of The Membership. | |||
| Episode 14: "Watch with Me," featuring Dr. Tim Ross | 25 Apr 2019 | ||
Jason, John, and Tim are joined by Dr. Tim Ross, minister at Hopwood Memorial Christian Church at Milligan College. They discuss Wendell Berry’s short story, “Watch with Me.” Episode 11: "Watch with Me," featuring Dr. Tim Ross The Membership: A Wendell Berry Podcast SHOW NOTES AND LINKS
Jason Hardy John Pattison Tim Wasem | |||
| Episode 13: Interview with Laura Dunn | 27 Mar 2019 | ||
Jason and Tim interview Laura Dunn, the Producer, Director, and Editor of the 2016 documentary film Look & See: A Portrait of Wendell Berry. Episode 10: Interview with Laura Dunn The Membership Podcast SHOW NOTES & LINKS
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| Episode 12: Openings, Part Two | 17 Mar 2019 | ||
Episode 9b: Openings
The Membership: A Wendell Berry Podcast
SHOW NOTES AND LINKS
Jason Hardy John Pattison Tim Wasem | |||
| Episode 11: Openings, Part One | 07 Mar 2019 | ||
In this episode, we talk about the first half of Wendell Berry's Openings. | |||
| Episode 10: Findings | 28 Feb 2019 | ||
Jason, John, and Tim discuss Berry's 1968 poetry collection, "Findings." | |||
| Episode 9: "Pray Without Ceasing" | 20 Feb 2019 | ||
Jason, John, and Tim discuss the short story “Pray Without Ceasing.” Episode 7: "Pray Without Ceasing" The Membership: A Wendell Berry Podcast SHOW NOTES & LINKS
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| Episode 8: Interview with Charlie Peacock | 13 Feb 2019 | ||
Jason Hardy and John Pattison interview Charlie Peacock, the 4x Grammy Award-winning, multi-format jazz and pop recording artist, composer, and record producer. Episode 6: Interview with Charlie Peacock (4x Grammy Award-Winner) The Membership: A Wendell Berry Podcast SHOW NOTES & LINKS
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| Episode 7: "Fly Away, Breath" & "A Consent" | 30 Jan 2019 | ||
Jason, John, and Tim discuss two short stories: “Fly Away, Breath” and “The Hurt Man.” Episode 5: "Fly Away, Breath" & "A Consent" The Membership: A Wendell Berry Podcast SHOW NOTES & LINKS
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| Episode 6: The Berry Center - An Interview with Mary Berry and Dr. Leah Bayens | 24 Jan 2019 | ||
John visits The Berry Center in Henry County, Kentucky. | |||
| Episode 5: The Broken Ground | 12 Jan 2019 | ||
Jason, John, and Tim discuss Wendell Berry's earliest book-length collection of poems, The Broken Ground. | |||
| Episode 4: Selections from "The Long-Legged House" Part 2 | 02 Jan 2019 | ||
Jason, John, and Tim discuss “The Long-Legged House” and “A Native Hill,” essays from Wendell Berry’s 1969 collection, The Long-Legged House. Episode 2b: The Long-Legged House The Membership: A Wendell Berry Podcast SHOW NOTES & LINKS
Jason Hardy John Pattison Tim Wasem | |||
| Episode 3: Selections from "The Long-Legged House" Part 1 | 26 Dec 2018 | ||
Jason, John, and Tim discuss “The Rise” and “The Long-Legged House,” essays from Wendell Berry’s 1969 collection, The Long-Legged House. Episode 2a: The Long-Legged House The Membership: A Wendell Berry Podcast SHOW NOTES & LINKS
Jason Hardy John Pattison Tim Wasem | |||
| Episode 2: "The Girl in the Window" & "The Hurt Man" | 19 Dec 2018 | ||
Jason, John, and Tim discuss the only two Port William short stories set in the nineteenth-century: “The Girl in the Window” (1864) and “The Hurt Man” (1888). Episode 1: "The Girl in the Window" & "The Hurt Man" The Membership: A Wendell Berry PodcastSHOW NOTES & LINKS
Jason Hardy John Pattison Tim Wasem | |||
| Episode 1: Live in Nashville | 24 Nov 2018 | ||
We had the honor of recording Episode 0 in front of a live audience at the Hutchmoot Conference in Nashville, TN. In this episode, we go over plans for the future of this podcast and interview singer/songwriter Allen Levi. Episode 0: Live in Nashville The Membership: A Wendell Berry Podcast Show Notes & Links
Jason Hardy John Pattison Tim Wasem | |||