Hosted by Benton Stokes & Dr. Elane O'Rourke · EN

Benton and Elane tackle a difficult biblical dilemma: what does it really mean to be "wise as serpents" and "gentle as doves" in the modern world? Sparked by the frustrations of California's primary elections and the everyday ethics of corporate boycotts, they explore how people of faith can balance strategic thinking with vulnerable integrity. Cocktail: Eeyore's Requiem Theme song: "Moving On (Feels Pretty Good)" recorded by Benton Stokes. Find Benton's songs wherever you listen to music online.

Elane and Benton sip on a comforting, bourbon-based nightcap called "The Welcome and Good Night" as they explore the true meaning of hospitality. Sparked by Pride Month and the actual biblical reasons behind the fall of Sodom and Gomorrah, they discuss how true hospitality is about much more than fancy food or having a perfect home—it is the spiritual discipline of making people feel safe enough to be themselves without fear of messing up. They challenge listeners to carry this welcoming spirit into the everyday world, intentionally choosing human connection and "interaction not transaction" to break down the cultural binaries that divide us. Cocktail: Welcome And Good Night Theme song: "Moving On (Feels Pretty Good)" recorded by Benton Stokes. Find Benton's songs wherever you listen to music online.

Benton and Elane pick up where they left off in the last episode as Elane introduces a mystical perspective on how we connect to God, the universe, and each other, which sparks an intense and honest debate. They tackle the complex difference between simply trying to be a "good person" and acting as a spiritual "thin place" that requires a 100% connection to the divine. Ultimately, they challenge the idea of religion as just a set of rules, finding common ground in the belief that true faith requires an ongoing renovation of the heart. Cocktail: Belvedere #1 Theme song: "Moving On (Feels Pretty Good)" recorded by Benton Stokes. Find Benton's songs wherever you listen to music online.

Benton and Elane dive into a provocative discussion about the ultimate endgame of religious faith. They explore whether the primary goal of religion is to avoid eternal punishment and appease a capricious God, or if it is simply a framework for becoming a decent human being. From the eternal prosperity gospel of seeking heaven to the relief of suffering found in Buddhist ideals, they analyze the diverse motivations that drive spiritual practice. Cocktail: The Rolls Royce Theme song: "Moving On (Feels Pretty Good)" recorded by Benton Stokes. Find Benton's songs wherever you listen to music online.

Benton and Elane sip on a surprising Guava Daiquiri while considering what we mean when we use the phrase "acts of God". Tornadoes and typhoons? Desert blooms and natural beauty? Or something else? God's actions often look much different than we expect....so how do we know when God's at work in the world....? Cocktail: Guava Daiquiri Theme song: "Moving On (Feels Pretty Good)" recorded by Benton Stokes. Find Benton's songs wherever you listen to music online.

Benton and Elane explore the difference between hair-trigger outrage and well-ordered anger. They unpack the harmful religious conditioning that taught many to suppress their anger and offer practical advice on how to combat political exhaustion by channeling frustration into a single, constructive cause to effect real change. All while sipping a mezcal-based cocktail. Cocktail: La Ultima Palabra Theme song: "Moving On (Feels Pretty Good)" recorded by Benton Stokes. Find Benton's songs wherever you listen to music online.

As a society, it seems we are constantly on the verge of outrage. Benton and Elane talk about how a loss of everyday civility and humor keeps us all on guard instead of being open to proactively stepping into conversations. They offer some practical advice on how to lower the temperature and see the humanity in everyone while sipping an imperfect cocktail. Cocktail: Smoked Cherry Margarita Theme song: "Moving On (Feels Pretty Good)" recorded by Benton Stokes. Find Benton's songs wherever you listen to music online.

NEW EPISODE! Benton and Elane have a conversation sparked by Benton's brand-new song, "Take the Throne," which leads them to unpack traditional Christian imagery about kingship, power, and the maturity it takes to surrender control. It's a thoughtful discussion on the ongoing process of deconstruction, the dangers of making yourself the final arbiter of your own kingdom, and learning how to hold onto the foundational pieces of your religious past without throwing the baby out with the bathwater. Cocktail: Basil Smash Theme song: "Moving On (Feels Pretty Good)" recorded by Benton Stokes. Find Benton's songs wherever you listen to music online. "Take The Throne" Words & music by Benton Stokes ©2026 Songs From The Basement/BMI. All Rights Reserved. Used By Permission.

NEW EPISODE! Elane and Benton respond to a listener's letter expressing her trouble with worshipping God. She poses the question, "Does God need our constant fawning?" Which leads to the question, "Is God a narcissist?" A lively conversation about what worship is (and isn't), what makes someone a narcissist, and why lime and artichoke work so well together in a cocktail. Cocktail: The Lime & The Artichoke Theme song: "Moving On (Feels Pretty Good)" recorded by Benton Stokes. Find Benton's songs wherever you listen to music online.

NEW EPISODE! Benton and Elane open Season 7 with a conversation about Jesus' Resurrection. Why didn't everyone recognize Jesus after he left the tomb? How could he walk through walls? How important is the Resurrection to what happened on the Cross? All these questions and more, plus a tasty rum cocktail. Cocktail: The Lazarus Soul Note: When they recorded this episode, Benton and Elane thought this would be The Season Of Video Podcasting. They found that having the camera on made them less honest and spontaneous, so ditched the idea. Let your visual imaginations run wild instead! Theme song: "Moving On (Feels Pretty Good)" recorded by Benton Stokes. Find Benton's songs wherever you listen to music online.