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 modern nationalism, and why choosing the way of Jesus means fighting for the dignity of everyone.

Cocktail: Pineapple 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 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 spiritual practices and trade the endless search for healing for the proactive pursuit of wholeness and living well.

Cocktail: Pomegranate Lemonade

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

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.