Everything That Came Before Grace - The Podcast

As Benjamin sits out on his old wicker chair one warm summer night, he recounts the last year. He feels like he's drifting and he keeps trying to keep up with Sophia who's now almost a teenager. As Sophia withdraws and becomes more guarded, Benjamin doesn't know what to do with himself and feels increasingly inadequate as a parent. Time keeps marching on, and Cassandra keeps recommending going on meds but Benjamin chooses to white knuckle it. Meanwhile, Benjamin keeps hooking up with Angela even though he feels like he's illogically cheating on Anna by doing so. 

Songs: 

"Drifting Blues" - John Lee Hooker

Check out the ETCBG Playlist on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/2WkzxfcBkx5Z4g12XVU9lR?si=C0AgjkQWQMO3EQEtRjsnag

Benjamin finally relents and accepts Angela's invitation to a fundraiser at Sophia's school. After, she invites him over to her house. 

Songs: 

"Function at the Junction" - Shorty Long 

Check out the ETCBG Playlist on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/2WkzxfcBkx5Z4g12XVU9lR?si=oJp0oFB1SF-Td11O1heUsQ

It's been six months since Anna and Benjamin shared their feelings, and Benjamin goes back to Cassandra for another session. Cassandra pushes him to start dating, and he says he can't. She keeps pushing and he says he can wait until after Sophia goes off to college.  

Songs:

“Sing Me Back Home” – Merle Haggard

“Speed of Life” – David Bowie

Check out the ETCBG Playlist on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/2WkzxfcBkx5Z4g12XVU9lR?si=ufRj09iuRxiVnNFV9Jm4jQ

Anna calls Benjamin at work the day after his blind date and wants some answers. After they both share their feelings, Benjamin goes back inside and tells Sarah. Sarah warns him to stay away from her. 

Benjamin goes on a blind date with Anna's friend Darlene. After some awkward starts and stops over dinner, they go back to her place. Benjamin can't get out of his head and things don't go well. 

Songs: 

“Message of Love” – Pretenders

“Blue in Green” – Miles Davis

Check out the ETCBG Playlist on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/2WkzxfcBkx5Z4g12XVU9lR?si=IvdgVBZ_RjWbmi5f5z8TtA

Benjamin and Sophia go over to Anna and Keith's for dinner. Benjamin does his best to adjust to now being the third wheel and Anna and Keith as the couple. The night ends with Anna and Keith setting Benjamin up on a blind date. 

Songs: 

“So Long, Lonesome” – Explosions in the Sky

“Wake Up” – Maroon 5

Check out the ETCBG Playlist on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/2WkzxfcBkx5Z4g12XVU9lR?si=UpgNq8LLRpOmh29Uj5GfEQ

After tucking Sophia in, Benjamin sits out front on his old wicker chair and tries to write. His two dogs, Coco and Cooper come out to join him as is their wont. Benjamin then shares his affinity for dogs.    

"How To Fight Loneliness" - Wilco

Check out the ETCBG Playlist on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/2WkzxfcBkx5Z4g12XVU9lR?si=YwvJ0GCOSG-3fZHz3oZNbA

After a rough summer following the wedding, Benjamin decides to take Sophia on a trip to New York. Sophia catches her dad off guard asking him about her mother and whether he ever had a one true love.  

Benjamin watches Anna marry Keith then during his best man's best fantasizes about what he'd really like to say. Later, he and Anna share a dance that would make Uma Thurman and John Travolta proud. 

Songs: 

“Nowhere to Run” – Martha & The Vandellas

“You Never Can Tell” – Chuck Berry

Check out the ETCBG Playlist on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/2WkzxfcBkx5Z4g12XVU9lR?si=ZLIfFg6mT7qYtS4ttq2bhg

We rejoin the present - it's February 2008 - and we meet Benjamin's feisty co-worker Sarah then he heads off for another session with Cassandra. Benjamin talks about his OCD, the haunting dream he had, and the period right after the car accident. Benjamin then asks Cassandra a question, and she has a few questions for him. After the session, Benjamin goes to pick up Sophia at school and he meets someone. 

Songs:

"So Far Away" - Carole King

Check out the ETCBg Playlist on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/2WkzxfcBkx5Z4g12XVU9lR?si=ZLIfFg6mT7qYtS4ttq2bhg