PODCAST · religion
Cocktail Theology
by Benton Stokes & Dr. Elane O'Rourke
Life and God from a very broadly Christian perspective, with no filter, over cocktails.Progressive, Biblically grounded, LGBTQ-affirming, candid discussions about faith, life, politics, roller coasters, sex, and anything else that matters.ABOUT THE HOSTSBenton Stokes is a songwriter, a recording artist, an author, a worship leader, a podcaster, a collector of comic books, a lover of roller coasters, a dad, a friend, and (with ministry partner Elane O'Rourke) half of School For Seekers.Benton has a passion for helping post-Evangelicals, particularly queer men, find their way to healthy theology and healing perspectives. Benton co-hosts (with Elane) Cocktail Theology — a podcast that tackles topics such as defining what an abomination actually is, exploring why Christians and science are at odds all the time, and reclaiming Christian-ese language like "born again." All while sipping tasty libations.Rev. Dr. Elane O'Rourke is a spiritual director, lifelong teacher, theologian,
Episodes
-
Why Voting Is So Bleeping Important
In this revisiting of an episode from season 5, Benton and Elane tackle a high-stakes topic: why voting is a core moral imperative for people of faith. They dismantle the apathy of saying "my vote doesn't matter," and move past abstract patriotism and party loyalty to unpack how democracy…
more -
Spiritmaxxing
Benton and Elane unpack the viral internet trend of Spiritmaxxing. Applying corporate productivity hacks, tech optimization, and biohacking mindsets to faith and meditation, Spiritmaxxing promises to squeeze every drop of efficiency out of our spiritual lives. But can spirituality actually be...
-
Why Does The Church Care So Much About My Personal Life?
Elane and Benton sip on a fruit-forward plum cocktail as they tackle a provocative question: Why does the church care so much about my personal life? From purity culture and drinking to who we sleep with and who we hang out with, the hosts unpack why church-averse folks push back against...
-
Unbundled Faith
Benton and Elane explore the growing trend of unbundled faith. Moving beyond rigid denominational perimeters, they discuss what happens when people gather spiritual ideas, worldviews, and practices from diverse traditions—from Southern Baptist and Episcopalian roots to Buddhist meditation and…
more -
Modern Relics
Benton and Elane explore a fascinating question: in our digital world, do we still have relics? Moving beyond simple sentimental heirlooms, Elane defines what makes an object a true relic—from saintly bones and the Shroud of Turin to Indiana Jones and a guitarist's worn Stratocaster—and asks...
-
Theology As A Rough Draft
Elane and Benton sip on a tequila and pomegranate cocktail while exploring the art of being a work in progress. Sparked by Benton's habit as a songwriter of keeping unfinished songs hidden until they are complete, the hosts contrast product versus process—asking why so many people feel compelled…
more -
Silence
Benton and Elane sip on a rum cocktail while exploring the beautiful, sometimes terrifying, spiritual disciplines of silence and solitude. Moving past simple physical quietness, they unpack the constant low underlying hum of 21st-century devices and digital distractions that clutter our brains…
more -
Money
Benton and Elane sip on a Negroni riff as they candidly share how their respective upbringings, career transitions, and major life disruptions have shaped their relationships with money. Moving past the dry logistics of budgets and retirement planning, they delve into the psychological and...
-
The Junk Drawer Of Theology
Elane and Benton shake up a sweet-and-bitter gin cocktail called "The Junk Drawer" while unpacking a comforting truth: your theology doesn't have to be a perfectly curated museum case. Together, they explore how a lifetime of faith, doubt, and reconstruction leaves most of us with a spiritual…
more -
AI & Trump
Benton and Elane sip on a complex, unnamed bourbon-and-chocolate dessert cocktail while unpacking a mind-bending thesis: generative AI is the perfect metaphor for our current political landscape. They explore how both consumer AI and political figures like Donald Trump build trust by reading our...
-
Third Places
Elane and Benton explore the disappearing concept of the "third place"—community hubs that are neither home nor work where people actually know your name—have been replaced by a culture of drive-thrus, smartphones, and a constant need to maximize our time. They unpack the historical and cultural...
-
Comfort Food
Benton and Elane sip on a cozy cocktail while exploring the deep emotional connections we have with comfort food. Swapping stories about childhood dinners, church potlucks, and specific cravings, they unpack how certain meals act as a time machine to our past and dive into the psychological...
-
In AI We Trust?
Elane and Benton tackle a pressing modern question: what does trusting AI do to our faith? They unpack how AI lacks the crucial "skin in the game" of human experience, how it creates an unchallenging echo chamber by flattering our existing beliefs, and how it occasionally even hallucinates lies....
-
From Healing To Living Well
Benton and Elane discuss an ongoing cultural and spiritual shift: moving away from the idea that we are all inherently broken and in need of constant healing. Tracing the concept of brokenness back to original sin, they discuss how we can shift our focus from victimhood toward actionable…
more -
The Modern Conundrum of Christian Patriotism
Elane and Benton sip on a summer-ready Pineapple Daiquiri while tackling a difficult question: what does it mean to be patriotic in an era of rising Christian nationalism? They explore how the core tenets of Christianity—loving God and loving your neighbor—must challenge the exclusionary views of...
-
Serpents And Doves
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...
-
Hospitality As A Spiritual Practice
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...
-
The Endgame Of Religious Faith: Part 2
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…
more -
The Endgame Of Religious Faith: Part 1
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...
-
Acts Of God
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…
more -
Righteous Anger
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…
more -
Outrage
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...
-
Take The Throne
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...
-
Is God A Narcissist?
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...
-
Resurrection
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...
-
Reflections On Christmas
Elane and Benton reflect on what Christmas means to them this year while enjoying a classic holiday cocktail. Cocktail: Tom & Jerry Theme song: "Moving On (Feels Pretty Good)" recorded by Benton Stokes. Find Benton's songs wherever you listen to music online.
-
Is Your Life Story Already Written?
What is purpose, where does it come from, and why is it so important? Has it already been chosen for us? Are our life stories already written down in God's Big Book Of Everything? Elane and Benton ponder purpose, callings, and the will of God while sipping a new cocktail. Cocktail: The Inglenook...
-
Reality
There's only one reality, but each of us experiences it differently. That can be a useful—even a beautiful—thing. But it can also be a barrier to consensus, even conversation. And can wreak havoc around holiday tables. Benton and Elane chat about the reality of…reality. Cocktail: Thanksgiving...
-
Thanksgiving
Elane and Benton share what Thanksgiving (the day and the practice) mean to them, as well as some things they're thankful for. They also discuss the importance of not just being grateful for things, but also thanking people (and God) for those things. Cocktail: Maple Rye Old Fashioned Theme song:...
-
Our Friends The Nones
NEW EPISODE! Most Americans, when asked about their faith, say they are religiously unaffiliated. Elane and Benton chat about "the Nones," finding and nurturing awe, and how spirituality is a part of all us. Cocktail: Glass & Bottle Theme song: "Moving On (Feels Pretty Good)" recorded by Benton...
-
What Do You Mean When You Call Yourself A Christian?
What do you mean when you call yourself a Christian? Benton and Elane answer that question for themselves while sipping an interesting gin cocktail. Cocktail: Three Of A Kind Theme song: "Moving On (Feels Pretty Good)" recorded by Benton Stokes. Find Benton's songs wherever you listen to music...
-
Queer + Ministry with Fr. Ricardo Avila
Elane and Benton welcome their good friend, Father Ricardo Avila—a gay, Latino, Episcopalian priest—to an honest conversation about what it means to be LGBTQ+ and work in ministry. They also enjoy a flight of six different rums! Cocktail: Rum Flight Theme song: "Moving On (Feels Pretty Good)"...
-
O Death
Every November, Dia de los Muertos honors loved ones who have passed with both revelry and reverence. African-Americans talk of turning to their ancestors for wisdom and guidance. Yet death remains a difficult thing for most of us to talk about. Elane and Benton chat about death while enjoying a...
-
Martyrs
Benton and Elane chat about what makes someone a martyr, what doesn't, and why our culture is hung up on martyrdom. Cocktail: Enrico Palazzo Theme song: "Moving On (Feels Pretty Good)" recorded by Benton Stokes. Find Benton's songs wherever you listen to music online.
-
How To Fight Cynicism
Cynicism is becoming more and more common among us these days. Elane and Benton discuss ideas for combatting it (hint: awe is a good place to start) while sipping a rum cocktail. Cocktail: Bouteiller Theme song: "Moving On (Feels Pretty Good)" recorded by Benton Stokes. Find Benton's songs…
more -
Is Fat A Spiritual Issue?
Does someone's weight have anything to do with their spirituality? Well…it depends. Benton and Elane talk about body image and how the way we see ourselves—and what we do to sustain or change that—can be a reflection of what's going on in our relationship with God, ourselves, and others.…
more -
Feel-Better Media For Frustrating Times
Benton and Elane chat about what books they've ben reading, what shows they've been streaming, and what music has been bringing them life lately. Cocktail: Rum Swizzle Correction: The book Elane mentions should be "Accidental Tourist" by Anne Tyler. Theme song: "Moving On (Feels Pretty Good)"...
-
Forgiveness
Elane and Benton talk about the complicated concept of forgiveness—what it is, when to do it, and when not to. Cocktail: Closing Argument Theme song: "Moving On (Feels Pretty Good)" recorded by Benton Stokes. Find Benton's songs wherever you listen to music online.
-
Antichrist
If 'antichrist' is an adjective describing anything that is antithetical to the way Jesus lived and what he taught, then why is the term being applied to Jesus-followers who are trying to do the work of Jesus (feeding the poor, working for justice, etc)? And: who is "the Antichrist" and why are...
-
In/Of
If you've been a Christian any length of time, you're familiar with the idea that even though we are "in the world," we are not to be "of the world" (John 15:19, John 17:14-16, Romans 12:2). So what does that mean anyway? We are all obviously in the world, but how "in the world" can we be before…
more -
How To [Re]start Reading The Bible
Elane and Benton chat about the Bible—what it is, what it isn't, and how to start (or restart) reading it—all while enjoying a classic three-ingredient cocktail. Cocktail: Bijou Theme song: "Moving On (Feels Pretty Good)" recorded by Benton Stokes. Find Benton's songs wherever you listen to music...
-
The Damage Dobson Did
Benton and Elane discuss the legacy of Dr. James Dobson, conservative Christian psychologist, radio personality, and political figure. Cocktail: Passionfruit Mock Mojito Theme song: "Moving On (Feels Pretty Good)" recorded by Benton Stokes. Find Benton's songs wherever you listen to music online.
-
Manifesting Vs Praying
So suppose you REALLY want a BMW. Is it wrong to pray for a BMW? How disappointed will you be if God gives you a '78 Maverick instead? Benton and Elane discuss manifesting, prosperity theology, and praying for cars while sipping a mocktail. Cocktail: Basil Peach Mocktail Theme song: "Moving On...
-
When To Leave Your Church (And When To Stay)
How do you know when it's time to leave your church? Elane and Benton chat about the reasons why someone might choose to leave their church home—and the reasons why they should stay. Cocktail: Murky Matcha Mint Mocktail Theme song: "Moving On (Feels Pretty Good)" recorded by Benton Stokes. Find...
-
The Ins And The Outs
Benton attended his grandfather's funeral and two different approaches to how one gets to heaven—or ends up in hell—were presented. He and Elane discuss what it means to be "in" or "out," and the difference between being motivated by love instead of fear. Cocktail: Hibiscus Mint Mocktail Theme...
-
Selfish Or Self-Aware?
Elane and Benton discuss what it means to see someone—or oneself—as being selfish, and the distinctions between selfishness and self-awareness. Cocktail: My Tailor Is Rich Theme song: "Moving On (Feels Pretty Good)" recorded by Benton Stokes. Find Benton's songs wherever you listen to music online.
-
Is It Important To Be Nice?
Benton likes to be thought of as a nice person. But is being nice important? He and Elane chat about niceness, manners, kindness, and the fruits of the Spirit while sipping a tasty sparkling cocktail. Cocktail: Americano Theme song: "Moving On (Feels Pretty Good)" recorded by Benton Stokes. Find...
-
Why Something Bigger Matters
NEW EPISODE! In a world that is often upended because of our president's whims, it's important to have something bigger, more consistent and reliable, to hang onto. Benton and Elane chat about who or what that might be while enjoying a delicious new cocktail. Cocktail: Eventide Theme song…
more -
Church + State: Public Prayer Outside The White House
A listener shared a viral video that captures a circle of charismatic Christians praying freely and fervently outside the White House. Elane and Benton discuss the many issues with this while sipping a Dubonnet cocktail. Cocktail: The Dandy Theme song: "Moving On (Feels Pretty Good)" recorded by...
We're indexing this podcast's transcripts for the first time — this can take a minute or two. We'll show results as soon as they're ready.
No matches for "" in this podcast's transcripts.
No topics indexed yet for this podcast.
Loading reviews...
ABOUT THIS SHOW
Life and God from a very broadly Christian perspective, with no filter, over cocktails.Progressive, Biblically grounded, LGBTQ-affirming, candid discussions about faith, life, politics, roller coasters, sex, and anything else that matters.ABOUT THE HOSTSBenton Stokes is a songwriter, a recording artist, an author, a worship leader, a podcaster, a collector of comic books, a lover of roller coasters, a dad, a friend, and (with ministry partner Elane O'Rourke) half of School For Seekers.Benton has a passion for helping post-Evangelicals, particularly queer men, find their way to healthy theology and healing perspectives. Benton co-hosts (with Elane) Cocktail Theology — a podcast that tackles topics such as defining what an abomination actually is, exploring why Christians and science are at odds all the time, and reclaiming Christian-ese language like "born again." All while sipping tasty libations.Rev. Dr. Elane O'Rourke is a spiritual director, lifelong teacher, theologian,
HOSTED BY
Benton Stokes & Dr. Elane O'Rourke
CATEGORIES
Loading similar podcasts...
Frequently Asked Questions
How many episodes does Cocktail Theology have?
Cocktail Theology currently has 100 episodes available on PodParley. New episodes are automatically indexed when they're published to the podcast feed.
What is Cocktail Theology about?
Life and God from a very broadly Christian perspective, with no filter, over cocktails.Progressive, Biblically grounded, LGBTQ-affirming, candid discussions about faith, life, politics, roller coasters, sex, and anything else that matters.ABOUT THE HOSTSBenton Stokes is a songwriter, a recording...
How often does Cocktail Theology release new episodes?
Cocktail Theology has 100 episodes. Check the episode list to see recent publication dates and frequency.
Where can I listen to Cocktail Theology?
You can listen to Cocktail Theology 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 Cocktail Theology?
Cocktail Theology is created and hosted by Benton Stokes & Dr. Elane O'Rourke.
URL copied to clipboard!