PODCAST · music
uswithoutThem
by uswithoutthempod
The uswithoutThem Podcast explores the musical output of one of the greatest bands of the 21st century: mewithoutYou. Hosts Nic Houle, Steven Eiler, and Joel Harrison each bring their love of mewithoutYou and some specific expertise to their song-by-song analysis of the mewithoutYou discography. Steven, a music theory educator and expert, breaks down the musical themes of each track and draws connections between songs and albums. Joel, a Ph.D. in religion with expertise in philosophy of religion and Christianity, explains the lyrical themes and the connections to and critiques of evangelical Christianity. Nic, a devoted mewithoutYou listener and Tolkein reader, ties these threads together with the perspective of the average mwY fan listening to the podcast.
Episodes
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Interview: Timbre Cierpke (Teaser)
The guys talk with harpist Timbre Cierpke about her experience playing on mwY’s music, how the collaboration came together, and her music career more broadly! Get the full episode at patreon.com/uswithoutthempod
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S4|E6: A Stick, A Carrot & String
Happy Twelfth Night of Christmas! (Or Epiphany Eve or Eve of the Theophany depending on your tradition.) Since it's still Christmastide, it's perfect timing for the guys to discuss mewithoutYou's first Christmas song, "A Stick, A Carrot & String." They get into Jesus' humanity in Christmas songs,...
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S4|E5: Goodbye, I!
Hello, you--this is Goodbye, I! The guys get into Taoism, Vonnegut, the quietude of snow, the evolution of dance music, and why we should all stand completely still. Want more uswithoutThem? Consider supporting us on Patreon! We're offering a number of cool perks! Check it out here. Take a look…
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S4|E4: The Angel Of Death Came To David's Room
The guys do a deep dive into the story of King David, putting that in conversation with the track's reflections on the universality of death. Real fun stuff! This is an underrated track, full of super interesting theological and existential reflection. Let's get into it! Want more uswithoutThem?...
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S4|E3: The Fox, The Crow And The Cookie
This is one we know a lot of you have been waiting for! In addition to this being our usual sidewinding fare, we also have, for the first time ever on the podcast, a guest to help us break down this track! Garrett Mikulka is a long-time listener who reached out to us way at the beginning of the...
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S4|E2 : Every Thought a Thought of You
Let’s dive in! Discussing the first track of the album, the guys break down Ricky’s intense drum work, point out the ways in which this track feels like a straightforward worship song, and Joel brings Augustine into the conversation. Want more uswithoutThem? Consider supporting us on Patreon!…
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S4|E1: It's All Crazy! It's All False! It's All a Dream! It's Alright
No more thought, we ought to do, yet here we are again. Season 4 is here! This season, we dig into mewithoutYou’s fourth and possibly most divisive album, It’s All Crazy! It’s All False! It’s All a Dream! It’s Alright. The guys wrestle with the album’s unexpected shift in sound and the reactions…
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Interview: Brad Wood
Happy Thanksgiving! While we’re hard at work preparing Season 4, we’ve got a holiday treat for you. In this special bonus episode, the guys sit down with legendary producer Brad Wood, who produced Catch for Us the Foxes, Brother, Sister, and countless other cornerstone albums that helped define…
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Staff Picks 10/02/25 (Teaser)
Steven's Pick: Brad Mehldau Bandcamp Joel's Pick: PÆRISH Bandcamp Nic's Pick: Bâan Bandcamp Joel's Vinyl Instagram Patreon subscribers get early access to these episodes, so if you'd like to listen as soon as these drop, consider subscribing via the link below! Want more uswithoutThem? Consider...
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Staff Picks 08/15/2025 (Teaser)
In this Staff Picks bonus episode, Steven joins the crew as they each spotlight hidden gems and recent favorites. Nic dives into Birds in Row, Steven discusses the Bluey soundtrack and takes a nostalgic detour through ’90s cartoons, and Joel covers Somerset Thrower. Birds in Row Bandcamp Somerset...
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Interview: Mike Almquist
It's our first bonus episode! The guys sit down with Mike Almquist, manager extraordinaire, to talk all things spider songs, touring nightmares, early 2000s emo, and a lot more! Patreon subscribers get early access to these episodes, so if you'd like to listen as soon as these drop, consider...
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S3|E18: Brother, Sister Finale with Aaron Weiss
We've reached the finale! The guys are joined by Aaron Weiss to discuss the album, recollections from the recording process, and some highlights from the season, and discover together that sometimes... a mouse is just a mouse. Want more uswithoutThem? Consider supporting us on Patreon! We're...
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S3|E17: In A Sweater Poorly Knit, Pt. 2
Surprise! Part 2 of our "In A Sweater Poorly Knit" discussion is here. We talk holy fools and fields without fences, correct a mistake three years in the making regarding circles, probe the limits and limitlessness of language, and try to arrive at some understanding of what it means to not…
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S3|E16: In A Sweater Poorly Knit, Pt. 1
We have arrived. But do we still exist? The guys get into the final track of Brother, Sister, including the haunting melodies, the story of little Moses drifting down the Nile, and unpacking the reasons why this track exemplifies the ways mewithoutYou's songwriting resonates with so many of us....
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S3|E15: Brownish Spider
The guys are one track away from the end of the record. What is it they think they've learned? Nic, Joel, and Steven get into reflections of reality, the mechanics of a harp, more mystical experience, and what the disappearance of self and belief might mean. Want more uswithoutThem? Consider...
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S3|E14: O, Porcupine, Pt. 2
The boys are back with the rest of O, Pocupine, including breaking down the guest spot from the inimitable Jeremy Enigk. Want more uswithoutThem? Consider supporting us on Patreon! We're offering a number of cool perks including podcast merch, bonus episodes, live episodes, a Discord community…
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S3|E13: O, Porcupine, Pt. 1
Nic, Steven, and Joel discuss locust swarms and whether or not they could resemble the iconic "fish tower," cross-overs with "Torches Together" and "Bullet to Binary," a LOT of biblical references (Philippians 2, Psalms 121 and 137, Romans 8, Luke 13 and 19) and monks in farmer poverty. Listen to...
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S3|E12: In A Market Dimly Lit
The guys get into the groove of the mechanics of vinyl records, come up with yet another t-shirt idea, discuss the implications of Samson and a donkey's jawbone, Say Anything (the movie), Say Anything (the band), and a lot more! Want more uswithoutThem? Consider supporting us on Patreon! We're...
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S3|E11: C-Minor
Our rodent friend is back! The guys talk about the meaning of the mice, an appearance by Aaron's father, another Donne connection, and that old voice of loneliness and fear. Devil disappear! This is C-Minor. Want more uswithoutThem? Consider supporting us on Patreon! We're offering a number of…
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S3|E10: Orange Spider
Steven, Nic, and Joel discuss "Orange Spider," the second of the Spider Songs on Brother, Sister. Who are the mice, why are "we" trying to kill them, and what is Aaron laughing at? We get into it! Want more uswithoutThem? Consider supporting us on Patreon! We're offering a number of cool perks...
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S3|E9: The Sun And The Moon
We've reached the [mystical?] center of the album! Nic, Joel, and Steven talk about the simplicity and complexity of faith, the possible sources of inspiration for the image of the sun and the moon, and, of course, the music! Want more uswithoutThem? Consider supporting us on Patreon! We're...
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S3|E8: Nice And Blue (Pt. 2)
The one where Joel says he's not sure what they're going to talk about and then the guys proceed to spin off a dozen different theories about the track! Want more uswithoutThem? Consider supporting us on Patreon! We're offering a number of cool perks including podcast merch, bonus episodes, live...
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S3|E7: A Glass Can Only Spill What It Contains
We get into allllll the animal metaphors, references to Buddhism and mysticism, and music theory you could ever want. We all agree this is an underrated track in the mewithoutYou catalog, and this episode helps explain why! We got t-shirts! Preorder by 8/31 to get in on our first run of...
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S3|E6: Yellow Spider
Not since the instrumental tracks on [A-->B] Life have we spent so much time talking about so little! The Spider Songs are deceptively simple, and the guys try to unpack every little aspect of this first one. We got t-shirts! Preorder by 8/31 to get in on our first run of uswithoutThem shirts!...
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S3|E5: Wolf Am I! (And Shadow)
Here we go, showin' off again, self-impressed by how well we can start a line of thinking and then jump from thought to thought, interrupting and starting again (music, philosophy, the Bible, music again, more philosophy, maybe some literature) not really at all like the absence of something but...
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S3|E4: The Dryness and the Rain
Tornados, parables, medieval music notation, Islam--this episode has it all! Come along with us as we dive into Brother, Sister's second track, "The Dryness and the Rain." Want more uswithoutThem? Consider supporting us on Patreon! We're offering a number of cool perks including podcast merch,...
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S3|E3: Messes of Men, Pt. 2
In part 2 of our Messes of Men discussion, we finally get past the first verse and into the rest of the track! The guys discuss the philosophy of history, more on mystical experience, what a singularly amazing drummer Rickie Mazzotta is, and how Greg's bass brings something new to the table. Want...
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S3|E2: Messes of Men, Pt. 1
Let's. Get. INTO IT. Steven, Joel, and Nic dive headfirst into the opening track of Brother, Sister, "Messes of Men," discussing how different this opening track is from the everything that came before it, trying to pin down some of the metaphorical meanings, and looking at the musical…
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S3|E1: Brother, Sister
We do not exist but faithfully insist Recording from our separate chairs and in each tiny office room Tiring and trying; thankfully no necessary dying! Just chasing the proper metaphor explanations based on all we thought we knew So much meaning to unpack, like a pop on vocal track Made…
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S2|E16: Catch For Us The Foxes Finale
The season started more than a year ago, but we finally made it! The finale of Season 2 on Catch For Us The Foxes. Want more uswithoutThem? Consider supporting us on Patreon! We're offering a number of cool perks including podcast merch, bonus episodes, live episodes, a Discord community, any…
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S2|E15: Son of a Widow
Son of a widow you raised from the dead Where did his soul go when he died again? The guys wrap up the record with a discussion of "Son of a Widow." Steven floats a compelling theory about the chorus, lots of discussion of the book of Revelation, funerals, existentialism... It's packed! Want more...
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S2|E14: Carousels, Pt. 2
We have TWO more hours for you of our "Carousels" discussion! Want more uswithoutThem? Consider supporting us on Patreon! We're offering a number of cool perks including podcast merch, bonus episodes, live episodes, a Discord community, any more! Check it out here. Please consider rating and...
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S2|E13: Carousels, Pt. 1
This week we present part one of another very long conversation, this time on the penultimate track of Catch For Us The Foxes: "Carousels." We were wandering, but no longer! Out of Sinai, into your ears. Want more uswithoutThem? Consider supporting us on Patreon! We're offering a number of cool...
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S2|E12: Four Word Letter (Pt. Two), Pt. 2
For the third time this year... WE'RE BACK! Exactly 6 months ago, we gave you Part 1 of a three hour conversation on "Four Word Letter (Pt. Two)." Today we bring you the final, riveting ~50 minutes. And we plan to bring you the rest of the season pretty soon too! Thanks for sticking around and...
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S2|E11: Four Word Letter (Pt. Two), Pt. 1
WE RECORDED A FOUR HOUR EPISODE Post-production took some time "Though we wanted it sooner, we had to live our lives!" And you know who we are You held our words on your device from afar As we rambled blind Listening to our whispering in your ear Soft but getting stronger Telling you the only...
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S2|E10: My Exit, Unfair
We had another little break between episodes, but fear not! You are being rewarded with another super sized episode. The guys talk about all the water, being in and leaving a church community, the story of Jonah, Bob Dylan, the nature of religion, and a lot more. Please consider rating and...
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S2|E9: Paper-Hanger
We're back after a bit of an extended break, and what an episode to come back on! We dig back into evangelical church culture, questions about Aaron's relationship to that culture, where Amanda is in all of this, Adam Smith's Wealth of Nations, the plight of the unhoused, the wedding at…
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S2|E8: The Soviet
More dancing this episode as Joel, Nic, and Steven investigate what God's love has to do with the dead two-stepping. We also finally arrive at the title of the record! Have the title theories changed at all since the overview episode? Listen and find out! Please consider rating and reviewing the...
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S2|E7: Seven Sisters
More poetry, more mythology, more... geometry? Come with us on the grassy road to discovering what all the clever words in "Seven Sisters" are all about! Please consider rating and reviewing the podcast on Apple, Google, and Spotify! For more info about the podcast, including show notes, short...
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S2|E6: Disaster Tourism
Joel, Steven, and Nic hop a plane to Amsterdam in this episode! Come along as Aaron encounters a lady of the night in search of an honest man at midday. Who needs a candle when the street is so bright with red lights? Lots of talk about mission trips, eye colors and the deceptions of sight…
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S2|E5: Leaf
The boys are back after a week off and ready to talk some more foliage and the tasting of said foliage. Do you think Tolstoy has something to do with this puzzle? Listen and find out! Please consider rating and reviewing the podcast on Apple, Google, and Spotify! For more info about the podcast,...
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S2|E4: Tie Me Up! Untie Me!
Get your dancin' shoes on! Steven, Joel, and Nic dig into Aaron's search for God in the trees and at the bottom of the ocean. We know we ask a lot of the same questions in most of these episodes, but today we learn that we're in good company. Brother (and sister and sib), you won't be far away…
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S2|E3: January 1979
This is a BIG one! Yeah, we know some of you are starting with this episode... Welcome! If you like what you hear, go back and check out the other episodes! The guys talk about toxic church communities, suffering servants, Aaron's minor celebrity, maritime imagery, post-punk and post rock sounds,...
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S2|E2: Torches Together
Through sprawling metaphors of community building, friendship, and loneliness, the opening track of Catch For Us The Foxes paints a picture more vivid than anything we find on mewithoutYou's first record. Nic, Joel, and Steven dive into those metaphors, the history of the Bruderhof community, and...
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S2|E1: Catch For Us The Foxes
Nic, Steven, and Joel are back with the second season of uswithoutThem in which they tackle mewithoutYou’s second album, Catch For Us The Foxes. In this episode, the boys talk about their memories associated with the record, its production, the title, and all the possible directions the season…
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S1|E15: [A--＞B] Life Finale
Today (June 18, 2022) marks the 20th anniversary of the release of [A-->B] Life. In the Season 1 finale, the boys reflect on the theories preposed, try to sum up all that was said about mewithoutYou's first record, and look ahead to future seasons! Please consider rating and reviewing the podcast...
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S1|E14: The Cure For Pain
Hey. We made it. The end of [A-->B] Life is here as the guys dig deep into the final track: "The Cure for Pain." This discussion also includes the bonus track, the oft severely underrated acoustic version of "I Never Said That I Was Brave" sung by former bassist Dan Pishock. This episode is HUGE!...
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S1|E13: Silencer
The guys exit the void once again but this time find themselves with the narrator in the depths of despair. Loose dresses, frozen white roses, darkness--"Silencer" is chock full of fantastic imagery. As the album approaches its conclusion, Steven, Joel, and Nic begin to tie up some of the…
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S1|E12: (B)
So nice, they did it twice. Here's another 45 minutes on an instrumental track, this time the second one on [A-->B] Life. The guys talk about voids, Vonnegut, Tolkien, memory, Faust, missed opportunities--there's a lot to get into! Please consider rating and reviewing the podcast on Apple…
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S1|E11: I Never Said That I Was Brave
The guys round out the second act of the narrative with a discussion of "I Never Said That I Was Brave." More historical, literary, and operatic references than are necessary (certainly), but nothing new there. Onward! Progress! Please consider rating and reviewing the podcast on Apple, Google…
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ABOUT THIS SHOW
The uswithoutThem Podcast explores the musical output of one of the greatest bands of the 21st century: mewithoutYou. Hosts Nic Houle, Steven Eiler, and Joel Harrison each bring their love of mewithoutYou and some specific expertise to their song-by-song analysis of the mewithoutYou discography. Steven, a music theory educator and expert, breaks down the musical themes of each track and draws connections between songs and albums. Joel, a Ph.D. in religion with expertise in philosophy of religion and Christianity, explains the lyrical themes and the connections to and critiques of evangelical Christianity. Nic, a devoted mewithoutYou listener and Tolkein reader, ties these threads together with the perspective of the average mwY fan listening to the podcast.
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uswithoutthempod
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Frequently Asked Questions
How many episodes does uswithoutThem have?
uswithoutThem currently has 50 episodes available on PodParley. New episodes are automatically indexed when they're published to the podcast feed.
What is uswithoutThem about?
The uswithoutThem Podcast explores the musical output of one of the greatest bands of the 21st century: mewithoutYou. Hosts Nic Houle, Steven Eiler, and Joel Harrison each bring their love of mewithoutYou and some specific expertise to their song-by-song analysis of the mewithoutYou discography....
How often does uswithoutThem release new episodes?
uswithoutThem has 50 episodes. Check the episode list to see recent publication dates and frequency.
Where can I listen to uswithoutThem?
You can listen to uswithoutThem on PodParley by clicking any episode. We provide an embedded audio player for direct listening, and you can also subscribe via your preferred podcast app using the RSS feed.
Who hosts uswithoutThem?
uswithoutThem is created and hosted by uswithoutthempod.
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