Benton and Elane recount the people and experiences in their lives that have helped guide and shape their faith.

Cocktail: Poet’s Dream

Theme song: “Moving On (Feels Pretty Good)” recorded by Benton Stokes. Find Benton’s songs wherever you listen to music online.

What if the Holy Spirit showed up in Los Angeles today the way She did in Jerusalem on the Day of Pentecost? And how would we know if She did? Elane and Benton ponder these and other questions about the Holy Spirit and how She interacts with humanity and how we respond (or don’t) when She does.

Cocktail: Elixir Tropicale

Theme song: “Moving On (Feels Pretty Good)” recorded by Benton Stokes. Find Benton’s songs wherever you listen to music online.

In celebration of the release of WHAT IS QUEER FOOD?, the new book written by our friend, multi-award-winning writer John Birdsall, this is a newly edited conversation between Elane and John that was recorded in 2023 at John’s home in Tucson, Arizona. At the time, John was in the early stages of writing the book that would become WHAT IS QUEER FOOD? The book is John’s deeply personal and well-researched story-sharing of the relationship between modern American food culture and the lives and revolutions of LGBTQ+ folks.

Cocktail: Brown Derby

Theme song: “Moving On (Feels Pretty Good)” recorded by Benton Stokes. Find Benton’s songs wherever you listen to music online.

The Roman Catholic Church (and the world) has a new pope. Many Protestant Christians don’t see why the Pope is important, or even relevant, to the lives of non-Catholics. Elane and Benton chat about why all of us should be paying attention to what Pope Leo has to say. (For more, listen to our interview with Father James Martin--season 4, episode 10)

Cocktail: The Chicago Cocktail

Theme song: “Moving On (Feels Pretty Good)” recorded by Benton Stokes. Find Benton’s songs wherever you listen to music online.

What if humanity is suffering from a lack of wonder? Our need for control and certainty has left us with a God who has been demystified, and a President who captures our attention. Elane and Benton discuss wonder and how its absence has impacted our experience of life, God, and practically everything else.

Christians throughout the ages have claimed the Cross as their banner while they committed atrocities against those who opposed them--or who were simply in the way. In America today, that behavior is evident in the Christian nationalist movement, where men want Jesus to be depicted as assertive and powerful, not compassionate and humble. Elane and Benton chat about this while sipping Pink Ladies for the first time.

Cocktail: Pink Lady aka Karen

Theme song: "Moving On (Feels Pretty Good)" by Benton Stokes. Find Benton's music wherever you stream your favorite artists.

In this last episode of the season, Elane and Benton share the Christmas songs they find most moving, most cringy, and most special. All while enjoying French 75’s.

Cocktail Theology will be back with new episodes in spring 2025!

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Cocktail: French 75

Theme song: “Moving On (Feels Pretty Good)” recorded by Benton Stokes. Find Benton’s songs wherever you listen to music online.

NEW EPISODE! The holidays present challenges for most of us. Family tensions. Grief. Issues around eating, drinking, and gifts. Benton and Elane have a conversation about practical ways to anticipate stressers during the season.

Cocktail: Winter In Norfolk County

Theme song: “Moving On (Feels Pretty Good)” recorded by Benton Stokes. Find Benton’s songs wherever you listen to music online.