What If Project

What if technology isn't just changing what we do, but changing who we're becoming?
This week I sit down with Aaron Hanbury, author of "Wired for Wonder: Dispatches on Technology, Culture, God, and Self".
Aaron doesn't approach technology as a tech expert with all the answers. Instead, he approaches it as a human being trying to understand how decades of increasingly rapid technological change has impacted him.
NO - this is not just another convo about tech; instead, this is a convo about how living in a world that is flooded with all sorts of tech is impacting our ability to be human.
We talk about a lot and the biggest question I've been left with after chatting with him and reading his book is this:
Is it getting harder to be human in a world where technology can increasingly do the wondering, searching, choosing, and answering for us?
Aaron and I don't have all the answers. Maybe that's part of the point. Listen in on our convo and share your thoughts in the comments!
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About Aaron Hanbury
Aaron Hanbury is a writer and editor with nearly two decades of experience in journalism and publishing. He is the author of Wired for Wonder: Dispatches on Technology, Culture, God, and Self.
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AARON CLINE HANBURY: https://aaronclinehanbury.com
WIRED FOR WONDER: https://link.amazon/B0hHb6mWn
MY NEW BOOK: https://a.co/d/fsUTllj 
ART STUDIO: https://www.whatifproject.net/art 
SUPPORT THE SHOW: https://www.whatifproject.net/support 
(**NOTE: these show notes contain Amazon affiliate links. If you use these links to buy something I may earn a small commission)

What if our phones aren't just distracting us from our lives, but helping us avoid feeling them AND from feeling all the feelings that tend to make life feel messy?
Now THAT’S a big “what if”, right?This week I'm talking with Shannon Algeo about his book "The Power in Your Hands" - a book you NEED on your shelf.One thing to note:Shannon's book isn't a call to throw away our phones; it's an invitation to examine our relationship with technology and reclaim our attention, our creativity, our relationships, and (ultimately) our ability to be fully present for this one wild and precious life that we get to live.This was one of the more vulnerable conversations I've had on the podcast. I hope you'll listen with an open heart.
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About Shannon Algeo Shannon Algeo is a psychotherapist, yoga and meditation teacher, writer, and author of The Power in Your Hands: Liberate Yourself from Attachment to Technology. His work explores the intersection of psychology, spirituality, embodiment, creativity, and our increasingly complicated relationship with technology.
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SHANNON ALGEO: www.shannonalgeo.com 
THE POWER IN YOUR HANDS: https://amzn.to/4zgjsNE
MY NEW BOOK: https://a.co/d/fsUTllj
ART STUDIO: https://www.whatifproject.net/art
SUPPORT THE SHOW: https://www.whatifproject.net/support
(**NOTE: these show notes contain Amazon affiliate links. If you use these links to buy something I may earn a small commission)

For years, many of us have been told that anxiety is primarily a thinking problem—that if we could just change our thoughts, our anxiety would disappear.
But what if that's only part of the story?
In this conversation, physician, neuroscientist, and "Anxiety Rx" author Dr. Russell Kennedy explains why anxiety often begins as a feeling in the body before it becomes a story in the mind.
Who knew?!
He shares why uncertainty fuels anxiety, why overthinking doesn't solve it, and how reconnecting with your body may be one of the most important steps toward healing.
SO. GOOD.
If you've struggled with chronic anxiety, overthinking, or feeling stuck in endless mental loops, this conversation offers a refreshing perspective.
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DR. RUSSELL KENNEDY: https://www.dr-russ.com
ANXIETY RX: https://amzn.to/4fBBeCb
MY NEW BOOK: https://a.co/d/fsUTllj
ART STUDIO: https://www.whatifproject.net/art
SUPPORT THE SHOW: https://www.whatifproject.net/support
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(**NOTE: these show notes contain Amazon affiliate links. If you use these links to buy something I may earn a small commission)

FROM THE ARCHIVES: This week, we're revisiting one of my favorite conversations from the What If Project archives, a conversation with John Philip Newell about his beautiful book "Sacred Earth, Sacred Soul".
What if the deepest truth about being human isn't that we're broken, sinful, or separated from God?
What if we've simply forgotten who we are?
In this conversation, JP introduces us to the wisdom of Celtic Christianity and its radically different understanding of humanity, Jesus, creation, and the sacredness of the earth. We talk about things like original sin, "soul forgetfulness," the divine presence within every human being, and what it might mean to see Jesus not as the exception to humanity, but as someone who reveals what has been there all along.
We also explore JP's own journey from conservative evangelical Christianity into Celtic spirituality, why ancient Celtic teachers challenged the marriage of religion and empire, and how practices like silence, meditation, nature, and attentiveness can help us remember what our souls already know.
I originally recorded this conversation a few years ago, but listening back to it, I was struck by how much of it still speaks to where I am today. So I'm pulling it from the archives and sharing it again!
Enjoy.
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SHOW NOTES:
JOHN PHILIP NEWELL: https://www.earthandsoul.org/john-philip-newell
SACRED EARTH, SACRED SOUL: https://amzn.to/4xpsGpi
MY NEW BOOK: https://a.co/d/fsUTllj
ART STUDIO: https://www.whatifproject.net/art
SUPPORT THE SHOW: https://www.whatifproject.net/support
(**NOTE: these show notes contain Amazon affiliate links. If you use these links to buy something I may earn a small commission)

What happens when the place that taught you about God becomes the place that wounds you most?
This week we sit down with Chantal Morales McKinney as she shares the deeply personal story behind her book "Following Jesus Beyond Church Walls" where she presses into a question many of us have asked before:
Can you still follow Jesus when church no longer feels safe?
Together we explore topics like church trauma, deconstruction, Christ consciousness, contemplative spirituality, reclaiming faith beyond institutional religion, why so many people are leaving church while still longing for God ... and so much more.
Whether you've been hurt by church, are questioning your faith, or simply wonder if there might be a more expansive way to follow Jesus, I hope this conversation encourages you.
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CHANTAL MORALES MCKINNEY: https://www.chantalmckinney.com
FOLLOWING JESUS BEYOND CHURCH WALLS: https://amzn.to/45rTrgK
MY NEW BOOK: https://a.co/d/fsUTllj
ART STUDIO: https://www.whatifproject.net/art
SUPPORT THE SHOW: https://www.whatifproject.net/support
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(**NOTE: these show notes contain Amazon affiliate links. If you use these links to buy something I may earn a small commission)

What if the Book of Psalms isn't simply a collection of ancient worship songs, but a guide for living an honest spiritual life?
In this week’s episode we sit down with Richard Bruxvoort Colligan - musician, songwriter, and author of the incredible "Dangerous Songs: The Psalms and a Life of Honest Faith" to explore why the Psalms have endured for thousands of years.
We cover LOTS of ground and explore things like lament, joy, grief, hope, prayer, worship, and why the Psalms give us permission to bring every part of ourselves before God.
So. Good.
Whether you're deconstructing your faith, rediscovering Christian spirituality, or just looking for a more authentic way to pray, this conversation offers a refreshing perspective on one of the Bible's most well-known books.
In this episode you'll discover:
Why the Psalms are still relevant today
How lament can become a spiritual practice
Why honest prayer matters more than perfect prayer
The connection between music, worship, and spiritual formation
How the Psalms invite us into a deeper relationship with God
Enjoy!
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SHOW NOTES:
RICHARD BRUXVOORT COLLIGAN: https://www.psalmimmersion.com/contact
DANGEROUS SONGS: https://amzn.to/4vBYsy9
MY NEW BOOK: https://a.co/d/fsUTllj
ART STUDIO: https://www.whatifproject.net/art
SUPPORT THE SHOW: https://www.whatifproject.net/support
(**NOTE: these show notes contain Amazon affiliate links. If you use these links to buy something I may earn a small commission)