The Membership: A Wendell Berry Podcast

Latest episodes

Showing 20 · updated from the feed

Episode 26. Introducing New Host Matt Wheeler & Season 4 Preview

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 Wendel

Oct 13

Episode 25: Re-launching "The Membership" | "How to Be a Poem"

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 1

Oct 9

Episode 24: "Whitefoot: A Story from the Center of the World"

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 chi

Feb 12 2025

Episode 23: A Sabbath Poem for Christmas: "Remembering that it happened once..."

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

Dec 20 2023

Episode 22: Singer-Songwriter Matt Wheeler on His New Port William-inspired Album

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 co

Aug 22 2023

Episode 21: A Returning, a New Voice, and a Look Ahead

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 epi

Aug 17 2023

Episode 20: "Nathan Coulter"

In this episode, John and Tim discuss Nathan Coulter, Wendell Berry’s debut novel.

Jun 4 2020

Episode 19: "Farming: A Hand Book"

In this episode, Jason, John and Tim discuss Farming: A Hand Book, Wendell Berry’s 1970 poetry collection.

Feb 5 2020

Episode 18: "A Half-Pint of Old Darling" and "The Lost Bet"

Jan 16 2020

Episode 17: Interview with David and Mike Kline

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 b

Nov 28 2019

Episode 16: The Hidden Wound

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 originall

Nov 6 2019

Episode 15: Reflections on Season One

In the final episode of season one, Jason, John, and Tim reflect and look to the future of The Membership.

Jul 8 2019

Episode 14: "Watch with Me," featuring Dr. Tim Ross

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

Apr 25 2019

Episode 13: Interview with Laura Dunn

Jason and Tim interview Laura Dunn, the Producer, Director, and Editor of the 2016 documentary film Look & See: A Portrait of Wendell Berry.

Mar 27 2019

Episode 12: Openings, Part Two

Episode 9b: Openings The Membership: A Wendell Berry Podcast SHOW NOTES AND LINKSNew Collected Poems by Wendell Berry (IndieBound | Amazon

Mar 17 2019

Episode 11: Openings, Part One

In this episode, we talk about the first half of Wendell Berry's Openings.

Mar 7 2019

Episode 10: Findings

Jason, John, and Tim discuss Berry's 1968 poetry collection, "Findings."

Feb 28 2019

Episode 9: "Pray Without Ceasing"

Jason, John, and Tim discuss the short story “Pray Without Ceasing.”

Feb 20 2019

Episode 8: Interview with Charlie Peacock

Jason Hardy and John Pattison interview Charlie Peacock, the 4x Grammy Award-winning, multi-format jazz and pop recording artist, composer, and record producer.

Feb 13 2019

Episode 7: "Fly Away, Breath" & "A Consent"

Jason, John, and Tim discuss two short stories: “Fly Away, Breath” and “The Hurt Man.” Episode 5: "Fly Away, Breath" & "A C

Jan 30 2019

What listeners say

A curated, balanced selection of Apple Podcasts reviews.

I was delightfully surprised when my search on the app for Wendell Berry turned up with a whole podcast over him, and, further, was by the Rabbit Room! As such, I, like Mat Feltner, have been little surprised that the podcast is fantastic. Each of the hosts contributes unique, thoughtful comments to the space of wonder that they’ve done so well to cultivate: even the Three Amigos has a place at the table. These guys are wicked smaaht. Though they each have their own Berry area (Berrea?) of knowledge, they’re all great at offering new perspectives on poems, stories, and ideas, each of which are welcomed with open arms. They embody the man that they talk about—they are unhurried, glad to talk at length about important things, and always glad to laugh. They smell of hard work, deep rest, and dirty hands. Can’t wait to journey with them through to the end, which will make me as sad as Jayber Crow did. Thank y’all for what you do.

OccasionalComPlaner · Dec 2023

This has become my favorite, go-to, podcast. Jason, John, and Tim are able to be light-hearted, yet thoughtful and in-depth in their consideration and reflection upon the writings of Wendell Berry. Although I had previously read the works they engaged thus far in 2019, they invited me to re-read and then, listen yet again to their podcast. I've listened to some of the episodes three, even four, times; I glean something new every time. Thanks, brothers, for enriching my days, my thinking, and my appreciation for the work of Wendell Berry.

Larrrock2 · Aug 2019

As I walk three miles each morning, I have brought The Membership with me. I walk in my Place and listen to insights into Wendell Berry’s writing that I love so well. Thank you for the quiet, contemplative conversations about things that matter.

Joy abounds · Jan 2019

I was thrilled (read: giddy) when I saw Rabbit Room would be hosting The Membership—a podcast devoted entirely to Wendell Berry’s work. I first discovered Mr. Berry though a Garden and Gun magazine feature they did of him; his writing and his life’s work dedicated to the husbandry of farming. That was maybe 7-8 years ago. I’ve been a disciple ever since. I grew up on a generational farm in IL through the farm crisis of the ‘80s—my father lived the very real struggle Berry writes about over and over again. Being able to think deeply about and understand my experiences and reality (and sheer ignorance) of growing up on a farm that straddled giant divide of industrial agriculture and small diversified farming through reading Berry’s work—whether it be his poetry, essays or fiction—has been a true gift. And now a podcast! And such a well-constructed, deeply thoughtful, and truly inviting one at that. I find myself answering their observations with my own observations and wonderings. I also appreciate their humble, ‘amateur’ p.o.v. It takes the pressure off and allows me to engage along with them (as much as a podcast allows, anyway) as a friend and fellow sojourner into the vast and long and deep journey through Wendell Berry’s masterful writings. Deeply thankful for The Membership!

Shari D. · Jan 2019

We strive to present a balanced view by showing a diverse range of reviews from Apple Podcasts.