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

MY BOOK: https://www.amazon.com/Emerging-Rubble-Stories-Shattered-Relationships/dp/B0C7T5TJD4/ref=sr_1_1?crid=2B051GGV2WCSI&keywords=glenn+siepert&qid=1700157759&sprefix=glenn+%2Caps%2C399&sr=8-1

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 

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

MY BOOK: https://www.amazon.com/Emerging-Rubble-Stories-Shattered-Relationships/dp/B0C7T5TJD4/ref=sr_1_1?crid=2B051GGV2WCSI&keywords=glenn+siepert&qid=1700157759&sprefix=glenn+%2Caps%2C399&sr=8-1

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 :)

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 

MY BOOK: https://www.amazon.com/Emerging-Rubble-Stories-Shattered-Relationships/dp/B0C7T5TJD4/ref=sr_1_1?crid=2B051GGV2WCSI&keywords=glenn+siepert&qid=1700157759&sprefix=glenn+%2Caps%2C399&sr=8-1

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 

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 

MY BOOK: https://www.amazon.com/Emerging-Rubble-Stories-Shattered-Relationships/dp/B0C7T5TJD4/ref=sr_1_1?crid=2B051GGV2WCSI&keywords=glenn+siepert&qid=1700157759&sprefix=glenn+%2Caps%2C399&sr=8-1

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

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.amazon.com/Last-Voyage-Brian-McLaren/dp/1399814141/ref=sr_1_5?crid=113IDZJUPQPX9&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.jnKH9MccYiwMi0x_EFweV-SwPzKW3OeScPBk1C_2LeZM2BSnKeTZ8nvhem-Ecj7TUHgD9g9XDrDGKceLushDkzebaLCOjpHl4En7KoZ0Y2JKVVdh-WPAzrsVF4xzWOxsa50FI3gY45vjsIFd2MaPR7MNIQg6zQmOI9gX1W4KFBgGcW0TH7ihi50gZe606iynA0rjEfO2ewrLiZdHu7_x_omu1ShJIHovU5QVL5wZVHINNOP_l7MeSgObA2tABKYDYGHXEVXwYy2qs5nhHi-E746XecwJZt8sz9Cfi9GEJ8U.JpL6NHMWmFaQrWaDlAHLlUt57CY57IxbA0Y26lVXJxk&dib_tag=se&keywords=brian+mclaren+books&qid=1760365579&sprefix=brian+mc%2Caps%2C172&sr=8-5

MY BOOK: https://www.amazon.com/Emerging-Rubble-Stories-Shattered-Relationships/dp/B0C7T5TJD4/ref=sr_1_1?crid=2B051GGV2WCSI&keywords=glenn+siepert&qid=1700157759&sprefix=glenn+%2Caps%2C399&sr=8-1

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

Friends, it's time for another check in. How are you? What's going on? Email me at [email protected] 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 ...

MY BOOK: https://www.amazon.com/Emerging-Rubble-Stories-Shattered-Relationships/dp/B0C7T5TJD4/ref=sr_1_1?crid=2B051GGV2WCSI&keywords=glenn+siepert&qid=1700157759&sprefix=glenn+%2Caps%2C399&sr=8-1

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

(**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 

WITCHES: A COMPENDIUM - https://www.amazon.com/Witches-Compendium-Judika-Illes/dp/1578638577/ref=sr_1_5?crid=14I2ARDBGFSTH&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.bW4iml7R7Egdj_pZFiRyqbRSFDDUAc9sbdySCNMLX-P4nJ6XWcrTOwbc9wL1WoJmPoEnXOGQNoNu5DeQO4TV3DfENK4-S7FQ8Iosl-fTOSbq001vpRCTey0HmpwQ1z0WLbfwOI_bVhn06JBfiaZvPgWOlcpqTb15_2QnmyDCdSdY79hZisLBk7GJmmBxGs1zASKbQH_4pK8vPKADDJUEIblFbyM9swt9jGMJAp-OD_JfnKw-5AwLNSEUFBpS1mbtv56Zr2y0VdBk1gXOUsDuJTquk3E-O5XD-s_b59d2Qtk.tLZ79ujEeYQosPZqlTZ5i_26kO5wI5S6ERzgJ3LgYWs&dib_tag=se&keywords=judika+illes&qid=1759755355&sprefix=JUDIKA+%2Caps%2C298&sr=8-5 

MY BOOK: https://www.amazon.com/Emerging-Rubble-Stories-Shattered-Relationships/dp/B0C7T5TJD4/ref=sr_1_1?crid=2B051GGV2WCSI&keywords=glenn+siepert&qid=1700157759&sprefix=glenn+%2Caps%2C399&sr=8-1

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

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

MY BOOK: https://www.amazon.com/Emerging-Rubble-Stories-Shattered-Relationships/dp/B0C7T5TJD4/ref=sr_1_1?crid=2B051GGV2WCSI&keywords=glenn+siepert&qid=1700157759&sprefix=glenn+%2Caps%2C399&sr=8-1

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

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: https://www.amazon.com/Troubled-Paradise-Limited-Salvation-Heavenly/dp/1666765341/ref=sr_1_1?crid=29WPFV2YVJ87D&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.Bvr0EpakcDqdnD8LASyVB1a1xpAAbhgyHQnAYCD52RyD8jMNxEQ_mpvtnLE6FE3SUJAicUuFhHxJhr1I5SWobdpSLdz6CKYI1nYPIud6zwtCi42crcESjYQ76KBPx2IhBrgK6PowFLl4gDxkIKAx835PIym2C2hrtp0bZulFpbUQgP7ndrDwGvspYMfYLxVR8weoPxF0GLgMYtEnB3tkpRUyvKpA2ZNISoIFLyQXYPc.L_4swBGhjmmrgRn4owUcqn0PaSRcHIM9dsPiJYyTh48&dib_tag=se&keywords=eric+reitan&qid=1758815938&sprefix=eric+reita%2Caps%2C209&sr=8-1

MY BOOK: https://www.amazon.com/Emerging-Rubble-Stories-Shattered-Relationships/dp/B0C7T5TJD4/ref=sr_1_1?crid=2B051GGV2WCSI&keywords=glenn+siepert&qid=1700157759&sprefix=glenn+%2Caps%2C399&sr=8-1

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

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.amazon.com/Emerging-Rubble-Stories-Shattered-Relationships/dp/B0C7T5TJD4/ref=sr_1_1?crid=2B051GGV2WCSI&keywords=glenn+siepert&qid=1700157759&sprefix=glenn+%2Caps%2C399&sr=8-1

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