Episodes

Sunday Jan 04, 2026
Episode 355: Hugo Mendez - John's Gospel And The Invitation To Become
Sunday Jan 04, 2026
Sunday Jan 04, 2026
Friends, welcome to SEASON NINE of the podcast. To kick off a new season and a NEW YEAR (Happy New Year!) we're talking to a brand new guest - Dr. Hugo Mendez. Hugo is an associate professor in Ancient Mediterranean Religions at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. He recently wrote a book called "The Gospel of John: A New History" and it is FANTASTIC - a must read if you want to know more about the Jesus story told (in particular) from the vantage point of John's Gospel. We talk about the background of the Gospel and the radical (very radical!) theology of the Gospel that doesn't always seem to make its way into churches today. Buckle up and enjoy!
(**Below are Amazon affiliate links. If you use these links to buy the product I may earn a small commission)
SHOW NOTES:
HUGO MENDEZ: https://www.hugomendez.com
THE GOSPEL OF JOHN: https://amzn.to/4pi7Cwg
SUBSTACK / BLOG: https://whatifproject.substack.com/
ART STUDIO: https://www.whatifproject.net/art
EBAY ART: https://www.ebay.com/usr/what_if_project
SUPPORT THE SHOW: https://www.whatifproject.net/support

Sunday Dec 14, 2025
Sunday Dec 14, 2025
Friends, welcome to the final episode of 2025. We're bringing the year (and season 8 of the podcast!) to a close with a new friend of the show - Amelia Hruby. Amelia wrote a book called "Your Attention is Sacred (Except on Social Media)" and she's on the show today to talk to us about some things we might not realize about social media and the way it impacts our everyday lives. I really set out to reform my social media use in 2025 and will do so even more in 2026. If you're in a place where you're realizing that how you currently use social media is having a negative impact on your soul ... this one is for you and will give you LOTS of practical things to ponder. Enjoy!
SHOW NOTES:
AMELIA HRUBY: https://offthegrid.fun
YOUR ATTENTION IS SACRED: https://offthegrid.fun/attention
SUBSTACK / BLOG: https://whatifproject.substack.com/
ART STUDIO: https://www.whatifproject.net/art
EBAY ART: https://www.ebay.com/usr/what_if_project
SUPPORT THE SHOW: https://www.whatifproject.net/support
MUSIC: track created in GarageBand :)

Sunday Nov 30, 2025
Sunday Nov 30, 2025
Friends, this week we are talking to the official tarot reader and astrologer of the What If Project, my friend - Stefanie Caponi. I love the work that Stefanie is doing in the world as she breaks down and presents ideas and topics that many were raised to fear (!) in profound and non-threatening ways. Today we revisit the topic of "tarot" and how it ties into manifestation and shadow work and can help us on our journey of growth. Enjoy!
SHOW NOTES:
STEFANIE CAPONI: https://moonvoidtarot.com
TAROT FOR MANIFESTATION: https://amzn.to/49vMyOQ
SUBSTACK / BLOG: https://whatifproject.substack.com/
ART STUDIO: https://www.whatifproject.net/art
EBAY ART: https://www.ebay.com/usr/what_if_project
SUPPORT THE SHOW: https://www.whatifproject.net/support

Sunday Nov 16, 2025
Sunday Nov 16, 2025
Friends. This week we are talking to Mory Fontanez about her book, "Higher Self: Reclaiming the Power of Your Intuition" and, let me tell you - this book is scratching me right where I itch.
I was raised in a world where I was told to DISTRUST the voice inside. Heck, I was even told it was a DEMON that needed to be CAST OUT and sent to the pits of hell.
You too?
Just me?
Anyways - Mory helps those of us who have been disconnected from that voice to reconnect with it so that we can hear and live from the deep wisdom it has to share.
We cover a lot of ground in this one - buckle up and ENJOY.
SHOW NOTES:
MORY FONTANEZ: https://www.moryfontanez.com/
HIGHER SELF: https://a.co/d/gtoc8os
SUBSTACK / BLOG: https://whatifproject.substack.com/
ART STUDIO: https://www.whatifproject.net/art
EBAY ART: https://www.ebay.com/usr/what_if_project
SUPPORT THE SHOW: https://www.whatifproject.net/support

Sunday Nov 02, 2025
Episode 351: Brian McLaren - Imagining A New Way Forward
Sunday Nov 02, 2025
Sunday Nov 02, 2025
This week we are talking to Brian McLaren about his new book (the first in a trilogy), "The Last Voyage". We talk about the current state of the world and how humanity can come together to envision and dream about a new way forward. Looking for some motivation and encouragement during these divisive moments that we're in? This one will help. Enjoy!
SHOW NOTES:
BRIAN MCLAREN: http://brianmclaren.net/
SUBSTACK / BLOG: https://whatifproject.substack.com/
ART STUDIO: https://www.whatifproject.net/art
EBAY ART: https://www.ebay.com/usr/what_if_project
SUPPORT THE SHOW: https://www.whatifproject.net/support

Sunday Oct 19, 2025
Sunday Oct 19, 2025
Friends, it's time for another check in. How are you? What's going on? Email me at whatifproject.net@gmail.com if you want to chat.
Today I want to tell you about our new kitten, Oreo. I also want to talk to you about how our family has been learning to grieve. And I want to tell you about some tweaks and changes coming to Season 9 of the What If Project, which kicks off in January 2026.
Are you ready?
---
Here are some links ...
SUBSTACK / BLOG: https://whatifproject.substack.com/
ART STUDIO: https://www.whatifproject.net/art
SUPPORT THE SHOW: https://www.whatifproject.net/support
SUPPORT MY ART: https://www.whatifproject.net/checkout/donate?donatePageId=67e862dd7198a645f85a4bdc

Sunday Oct 12, 2025
Sunday Oct 12, 2025
(**NOTE: I had some audio issues with the episode and so had to cut out a few seconds here and there which is why edits might be more noticeable this week).
If you grew up like me, in a conservative / fundamentalist / Evangelical world ... something in you likely cringed a bit when you saw the word "witchcraft" and "witch" in the title. It's OK to admit it - even the most "deconstructed" of us still twitch a bit when we hear these words.
But.
Friends - Judika is a real life Witch. Like, a practitioner of Witchcraft. She cast spells, has spell books for sale at Barnes and Noble. She's a well known voice in the world of Witchcraft and today she sits down with me to answer my questions and help me have a more mature, realistic, and less judgmental view of Witchcraft and Witches than the one I was given growing up in church, Bible College, etc. I learned A LOT from her.
And so, I wonder- can you put your baggage around these terms aside and hear what she has to say? She's one of the most gentlest souls I've ever had on the show.
Enjoy!
SHOW NOTES:
JUDIKA ILLES - https://www.facebook.com/AuthorJudikaIlles
SUBSTACK / BLOG: https://whatifproject.substack.com/
ART STUDIO: https://www.whatifproject.net/art
EBAY ART: https://www.ebay.com/usr/what_if_project
SUPPORT THE SHOW: https://www.whatifproject.net/support

Sunday Oct 05, 2025
Sunday Oct 05, 2025
I recorded this episode back in January and am releasing it now - many, many months later. Why? It challenged me so much that before I let others in on it, I had to let the words and ideas and thoughts really permeate into my own being.
I recorded many conversations in 2025, but this is one of my top 2 or 3 favorites. Julia is Professor Emerita of Biblical Studies at Lancaster Theological Seminary and Moravian University and her specialty is in the prophets of the Old Testament. In this episode we talk about her book, “Prophets Beyond Activism” and touch on things like “Progressive Orthodoxy”, our obsessive “need to be right”, and how we often (on the Left and the Right!) force the Bible to fit into boxes that will strengthen our cases, back our values, and help us win arguments.
But.
Maybe?
What if … what if those stories and verses and books and characters that we fall back on to support our causes … what if their voices don’t have as much to say to our contemporary issues as we hope/want them to?
Enjoy!
SHOW NOTES:
JULIA M O'BRIEN: https://lancasterseminary.academia.edu/JuliaOBrien
PROPHETS BEYOND ACTIVISM: https://www.amazon.com/Prophets-beyond-Activism-Rethinking-Prophetic/dp/0664267831
SUBSTACK / BLOG: https://whatifproject.substack.com/
ART STUDIO: https://www.whatifproject.net/art
EBAY ART: https://www.ebay.com/usr/what_if_project
SUPPORT THE SHOW: https://www.whatifproject.net/support

Sunday Sep 28, 2025
Sunday Sep 28, 2025
This week we are talking to Eric Reitan. When I was a kid my teachers told me that when I got to heaven I would celebrate and be happy even if my friends and family were burning in hell - say WHAT?! Were you taught that too? Join Eric and I as we talk about his book, "Troubled Paradise: Limited Salvation and the Problem of Heavenly Grief". Enjoy!
SHOW NOTES:
ERIC REITAN: https://www.instagram.com/reitaneric/
SUBSTACK / BLOG: https://whatifproject.substack.com/
ART STUDIO: https://www.whatifproject.net/art
EBAY ART: https://www.ebay.com/usr/what_if_project
SUPPORT THE SHOW: https://www.whatifproject.net/support

Sunday Sep 21, 2025
Episode 347: Lisa Zega - The Beauty Of Befriending Our Grief
Sunday Sep 21, 2025
Sunday Sep 21, 2025
This week we are talking to my friend Lisa Zega. Lisa is a long time listener of the podcast, a grief educator, life coach, and host of the "Grief Heals" podcast. In this episode we talk about life and spirituality and grief and how embracing our grief can lead to radical life change. Enjoy!
SHOW NOTES:
LISA ZEGA: https://legityou.com/
GRIEF HEALS: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/grief-heals/id1714257203
SUBSTACK / BLOG: https://whatifproject.substack.com/
ART STUDIO: https://www.whatifproject.net/art
EBAY ART: https://www.ebay.com/usr/what_if_project
SUPPORT THE SHOW: https://www.whatifproject.net/support

Sunday Sep 14, 2025
Sunday Sep 14, 2025
Friends, this week we sit down with Dana Hicks to talk about his latest book, "The Quest for Thin Places: How to Find Spirituality After Deconstruction". We talk about our spiritual journeys, learning to dance in the liminal places, and exploring new ways to be in the world. Enjoy!
SHOW NOTES:
DANA HICKS: https://www.danahicks.blog/
SUBSTACK / BLOG: https://whatifproject.substack.com/
ART STUDIO: https://www.whatifproject.net/art
SUPPORT THE SHOW: https://www.whatifproject.net/support

Sunday Sep 07, 2025
Episode 345: Michelle Felice - One Woman's Leadership Journey In The Church
Sunday Sep 07, 2025
Sunday Sep 07, 2025
This week we are talking to Michelle Felice about her book "Throw Another Pebble On The Pile". She tells us about her leadership journey in the church and what it's looking like for her to continue to learn to love in the midst of the divisive times we're in. Pour a cup of coffee and join us at her table - this is a good one.
SHOW NOTES:
MICHELLE FELICE: https://www.throwanotherpebble.com/
SUBSTACK / BLOG: https://whatifproject.substack.com/
ART STUDIO: https://www.whatifproject.net/art
SUPPORT THE SHOW: https://www.whatifproject.net/support

Sunday Aug 31, 2025
Episode 344: Brandon Andress - Choosing To Go Deeper In A Divided World
Sunday Aug 31, 2025
Sunday Aug 31, 2025
This week we're talking to Brandon Andress about his book, "Deep Calls to Deep". We talk about navigating these divisive times with a mindset of love and what it looks like to hold our values differently than the way the world might expect us to. This one will challenge you! Enjoy.
SHOW NOTES:
BRANDON ANDRESS: https://www.brandonandress.com/
SUBSTACK / BLOG: https://whatifproject.substack.com/
ART STUDIO: https://www.whatifproject.net/art
SUPPORT THE SHOW: https://www.whatifproject.net/support

Sunday Aug 24, 2025
Episode 343: Kurt Gray - Approaching Divisive Times Differently
Sunday Aug 24, 2025
Sunday Aug 24, 2025
This week we're talking to Kurt Gray about his book, "Outraged: Why We Fight About Morality and Politics and How to Find Common Ground". We talk about finding the humanity in all people, how we often misinterpret the intentions of "the other side" ... and so much more. If you're trying to find a different way to exist in these divisive moments, this one will challenge you and change you. Enjoy!
SHOW NOTES:
KURT GRAY: https://kurtjgray.com
SUBSTACK / BLOG: https://whatifproject.substack.com/
ART STUDIO: https://www.whatifproject.net/art
SUPPORT THE SHOW: https://www.whatifproject.net/support

Sunday Aug 17, 2025
Episode 342: Stacy Singledecker - Evolving In Our Faith
Sunday Aug 17, 2025
Sunday Aug 17, 2025
This week we are talking to my friend and long time listener of the podcast, Stacy Singledecker. Stacy joined me to share a bit about her faith journey and how her thoughts about God have evolved over the years. If you find yourself in a place where your own thoughts about God are expanding beyond the box you were raised - Stacy's story will be medicine for your soul. Enjoy!
SHOW NOTES:
STACY SINGLEDECKER: https://www.instagram.com/stacy_singledecker?igsh=ZXk0ZThrM2Q2eHp2
SUBSTACK / BLOG: https://whatifproject.substack.com/
ART STUDIO: https://www.whatifproject.net/art
SUPPORT THE SHOW: https://www.whatifproject.net/support

Sunday Aug 10, 2025
Sunday Aug 10, 2025
This week we are talking to Jon Paul Sydnor about his book "The Great Open Dance". We explore the idea of "progressive theology" being a "theology of progress" and what it looks like to move foward in a world that is spinning it's wheels in the muds of division, judgement, hatred, etc. Looking for some hope in these divided times? This one will help!
SHOW NOTES:
JON PAUL SYDNOR: https://jonpaulsydnor.substack.com
SUBSTACK / BLOG: https://whatifproject.substack.com/
ART STUDIO: https://www.whatifproject.net/art SUPPORT THE SHOW: https://www.whatifproject.net/support

Sunday Aug 03, 2025
Episode 340: Carl McColman - Read The Bible Like A Mystic
Sunday Aug 03, 2025
Sunday Aug 03, 2025
This week Carl McColman is back on the show to talk to us about his journey with the Bible and what it means to read the Bible and engage with it's many stories like a Mystic. If your relationship with the Bible is tangled and complicated, this will help!
SHOW NOTES:
READ THE BIBLE LIKE A MYSTIC: https://www.anamchara.com/product/read-the-bible-like-a-mystic/
SUBSTACK / BLOG: https://whatifproject.substack.com/
ART STUDIO: https://www.whatifproject.net/art
SUPPORT THE SHOW: https://www.whatifproject.net/support

Sunday Jul 20, 2025
Sunday Jul 20, 2025
This week we're talking to Brendan Barca who co-wrote a book with his wife called, "The Daily Buddhist" where over the course of 366 days they take us into the heart of Buddhism and how it can help us live a more happy, free, mindful life. Looking for a book to help you jumpstart your days with some fresh perspective? Go get it!
SHOW NOTES:
BRENDAN BARCA: https://brendanbarca.com
THE DAILY BUDDHIST: https://thedailybuddhist.net
SUBSTACK / BLOG: https://whatifproject.substack.com/
ART STUDIO: https://www.whatifproject.net/art
SUPPORT THE SHOW: https://www.whatifproject.net/support

Sunday Jul 13, 2025
Check In 2: Making Art, Reading Books, Battling Mice In My Crawl Space
Sunday Jul 13, 2025
Sunday Jul 13, 2025
Hello friends, this is our SECOND check in - a time of flipping on the mic and catching up with you, sharing a bit of what's going on in my life. And I'd love to hear what's going on in yours, email me at whatifproject.net@gmail.com - I will answer!
Here are some links, peace! ...
SUBSTACK / BLOG: https://whatifproject.substack.com/
ART STUDIO: https://www.whatifproject.net/art
SUPPORT THE SHOW: https://www.whatifproject.net/support
SUPPORT MY ART: https://www.whatifproject.net/checkout/donate?donatePageId=67e862dd7198a645f85a4bdc

Sunday Jul 06, 2025
Sunday Jul 06, 2025
This week we're talking to Thomas Oord and Chad Bahl about Amipotence (ami ... who?!) and the power of love in a divided world. This one is a game-changer - enjoy!
SHOW NOTES:
THOMAS OORD: https://thomasjayoord.com
CHAD BAHL: https://www.facebook.com/chad.bahl
SUBSTACK / BLOG: https://whatifproject.substack.com/
ART STUDIO: https://www.whatifproject.net/art
SUPPORT THE SHOW: https://www.whatifproject.net/support

