The Southern Baptist Convention recently voted to oust Saddleback Church, one of the first megachurches in America, from its denomination, not because of moral or ethical issues, but because Saddleback was allowing women to preach and serve in leadership roles. What would cause a religious giant like the SBC to make such a bold—or boneheaded, depending on who you ask—decision? Elane and Benton discuss what happens when culture and church collide.

Cocktail: Lingonberfig

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

There is a pervasive, perpetual cheerfulness present in many (maybe most) churches. Why is that? Are church-going Christians always happy? Is it all a show? Benton and Elane discuss.

Cocktails: Kentucky Mule and Perfect Martini

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

Here’s a shocker: Jesus asked questions! In the Gospels, we know Jesus asked questions of God, of Pharisees and Scribes, of his disciples, and of the crowds that followed him around. He taught by using parables, which often created more questions than answers. Elane and Benton discuss questions and the important part they play in the life of a Jesus-follower.

Cocktail: The Mayday

Theme song is "Moving On (Feels Pretty Good)" recorded by Benton Stokes. Find Benton's songs wherever you stream music.

If you believe in fate, can you also believe in luck? And what about karma? And how do these concepts co-exist with a worldview that is influenced by the life and teachings of Jesus? So many questions! Benton and Elane discuss.

Cocktail: Basil Berry Gimlet

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

A worldview is basically how you see and experience the world around you and beyond you. The Bible is, well, the Bible--66 books written over multiple centuries by a large number and diversity of authors for a wide range of audiences. Is it possible to see and experience the world through the lens of...the Bible? And who is saying we should all have a Biblical worldview...and why? Elane and Benton discuss.

Cocktail: The White Lady

Theme song is "Moving On (Feels Pretty Good)" recorded by Benton Stokes. You can find it and all of Benton's music wherever you stream your tunes online.

Elane talks with writer (and longtime friend) John Birdsall about professional cooking, the AIDS Crisis, strawberries, holiness, life in a upscale deli, and much more. John is the author of author of The Man Who Ate Too Much: A Biography Of James Beard.

Cocktail: Brown Derby

Theme music: "Moving On (Feels Pretty Good)" recorded by Benton Stokes, available wherever you stream music.

As we try to make sense of things that make no sense in our lives, sometimes the question arises: "Why me?" What is it we are really asking? What if the answer is, "Why not you?" Elane and Benton discuss.  

Cocktail: Pineapple Margarita

Theme Song: "Moving On (Feels Pretty Good)" recorded by Benton Stokes. Find the full version wherever you stream music.

We pick up ideas that shape our worldview from all kids of places—like adages our grandmother used to say, proverbs from Eastern sages, or pop psych from the latest guru. But what happens when a Jesus-follower adopts ideas that come from Hinduism, or secularism, or other non-Christian sources? Elane and Benton (who both think the Dalai Lama is a pretty cool guy) discuss. 

Why do we make resolutions to change something about ourselves, our bodies, our lives, as we approach a new year? Elane and Benton discuss the problematic nature of new year’s resolutions and propose a new way of approaching 2023.

Cocktail: French 75

Theme song: “Moving On (Feels Pretty Good)” recorded by Benton Stokes. Full song available wherever you stream music.

The things we do at Christmas—the ways we celebrate, the symbols we revere, the expectations we try to meet, even the date itself—come from a hodge-podge of places, from Constantine to Nordic folklore to good advertising. This episode is dedicated to those who think there is a “war on Christmas.” 

Cocktail: Hot Buttered Rum

Theme song: “Moving On (Feels Pretty Good)” recorded by Benton Stokes. Full song available wherever you stream music.