What If Project
What if there are ways of thinking about God and faith that are different than what our traditions have handed us?
Episodes
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...
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 ...
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 f...
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/
THE LAST VOYAGE: https://www.am...
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?
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Here are some links ...
...(**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 ...
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 sp...
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/
TROUBLED PARADISE: htt...
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
MY BOOK: https://www...
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/
THE QUEST FOR THIN PLACES: https://www.amazon.com/Quest-Thin-Places-Spirituality-Deconstruction/dp/1...
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/
THROW ANOHTER PEBBLE ON THE PILE: https://...
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/
DEEP CALLS TO DEEP: https://www.amazon.com/Deep-Calls-Brandon-Andress-ebook/dp/B0DLLKH7MM/r...
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://kurtjg...
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...
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
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:
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
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! ...
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
This week we are talking to Annie B. Jones about her amazing book, "Ordinary Time". We talk about staying put in a world that is always on the move - staying in friendship, staying true to ourselves, staying true to our faith, and so much more. If you're looking for some fresh perspective for your journey - Annie has you covered. Enjoy!
SHOW NOTES:
ANNIE B. JONES: https://anniebjoneswrites.com/podcast
ORDINARY TIME: https://annieb...
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