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PODCAST

Cocktail Theology

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 HOSTS Benton 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

religion & spirituality christianity

All Episodes

25:08

Our Friends The Nones

Cocktail Theology ·

2025/11/20

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 Stokes. Find Benton's songs wherever you listen to music online.

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27:57

What Do You Mean When You Call Yourself A Christian?

Cocktail Theology ·

2025/11/13

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 online.

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01:19:41

Queer + Ministry with Fr. Ricardo Avila

Cocktail Theology ·

2025/11/06

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)" recorded by Benton Stokes. Find Benton's songs wherever you listen to music online.

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23:35

O Death

Cocktail Theology ·

2025/10/30

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 prickly cocktail. Cocktail: Prickly Pear Margarita Theme song: "Moving On (Feels Pretty Good)" recorded by Benton Stokes. Find Benton's songs wherever you listen to music online.

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25:29

Martyrs

Cocktail Theology ·

2025/10/23

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.

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24:14

How To Fight Cynicism

Cocktail Theology ·

2025/10/16

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 wherever you listen to music online. #progressivechristian #spirituality #queerchristian #cocktails #podcast #lgbtq+ #postevangelical #christianlife #cynical #cynicism #awe #wonder

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25:36

Is Fat A Spiritual Issue?

Cocktail Theology ·

2025/10/09

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

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27:04

Feel-Better Media For Frustrating Times

Cocktail Theology ·

2025/10/02

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)” recorded by Benton Stokes. Find Benton’s songs wherever you listen to music online.

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23:00

Forgiveness

Cocktail Theology ·

2025/09/25

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.

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23:41

Antichrist

Cocktail Theology ·

2025/09/18

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 influencers, pastors, tech billionaires, and politicians on the right talking about him so much these days? Elane and Benton discuss over yummy tiki drinks. Cocktail: Smuggler’s Cove’s Straits Sling Theme

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23:01

In/Of

Cocktail Theology ·

2025/09/11

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 we find ourselves being “of the world?” Elane and Benton discuss. Cocktail: Man O’ War Theme song: “Moving On (Feels Pretty Good)” recorded by Benton Stokes. Find Benton’s songs wherever you listen to music

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24:11

How To [Re]start Reading The Bible

Cocktail Theology ·

2025/09/04

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 online.

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25:39

The Damage Dobson Did

Cocktail Theology ·

2025/08/29

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.

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25:34

Manifesting Vs Praying

Cocktail Theology ·

2025/08/21

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 (Feels Pretty Good)” recorded by Benton Stokes. Find Benton’s songs wherever you listen to music online.

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24:20

When To Leave Your Church (And When To Stay)

Cocktail Theology ·

2025/08/14

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 Benton’s songs wherever you listen to music online.

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22:05

The Ins And The Outs

Cocktail Theology ·

2025/08/07

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

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21:38

Selfish Or Self-Aware?

Cocktail Theology ·

2025/07/31

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.

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21:31

Is It Important To Be Nice?

Cocktail Theology ·

2025/07/24

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 Benton’s songs wherever you listen to music online.

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21:20

Why Something Bigger Matters

Cocktail Theology ·

2025/07/17

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

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20:12

Church + State: Public Prayer Outside The White House

Cocktail Theology ·

2025/07/10

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 Benton Stokes. Find Benton’s songs wherever you listen to music online.

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179 results

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