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?

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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)

This week we are talking Aldo Cazzullo about his book, "God of Our Fathers: the Great Stories of the Bible" where he connects some of the most well-known stories of the Bible to present day circumstances and shows how the Bible is a stunning literary achievement that contains the full breadth of the human experience.

Are you weary of hearing about how the Bible is nothing other than the "inerrant and perfect Word of God" that is to never be questioned, never doubted - little more than a rule book filled with rights and wrongs, dos and donts, and a blueprint of how to get to heaven?

Me too.

Pull up a chair and join Aldo and me as he shifts our perspective and ignites our wonder about these ancient writings.

Enjoy!

SHOW NOTES:

ALDO CAZZULLO: https://www.instagram.com/cazzulloaldo?igsh=ZmZ2ZWcydDhlNzFi

THE GOD OF OUR FATHERS: https://amzn.to/4eEtXlS

MY NEW BOOK: https://a.co/d/fsUTllj 

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 

(**NOTE: these show notes contain Amazon affiliate links. If you use these links to buy something I may earn a small commission)

Friends.

This week we are talking to Dr. Richard Beck about his incredible book, "The Book of Love: A Better Way to Read the Bible". The reality is that we all have a particular lens through which we read the Bible along with a set of experiences we bring with us to the text. In his book, Richard helps us realize that and then suggests a different lens or prism through which to read it - love.

In these divided days that we are in where (let's face it!) lots of us are using the Bible to support our values or our beliefs or our candidates ... this book is a breath of fresh air and a challenge to let the Bible be what it is.

Enjoy!

SHOW NOTES:

RICHARD BECK: https://richardbeck.substack.com

THE BOOK OF LOVE: https://amzn.to/4uU33vV

MY NEW BOOK: https://a.co/d/fsUTllj 

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 

(**NOTE: these show notes contain Amazon affiliate links. If you use these links to buy something I may earn a small commission)

Friends.

We have an incredible episode this week featuring John Dominic Crossan and Michael Okinczyc-Cruz talking about their recent book, “Jesus and Justice” - a book that is so, so important for these tense moments that we’re in.

In this episode, Dom and Michael invite us into the world Jesus actually lived in — a world of occupied shores, commercialized lakes, and an empire that called itself divine. 

Sound familiar?

They ask what it means to follow a Jew who proclaimed distributive justice under the shadow of Rome, and what that following might demand of us now, when autocracy wears a cross.

This is not a conversation about belief. It is a conversation about becoming — about organizing like rain, walking into the wreckage, and letting the ancient land speak again

Lots to unpack. Enjoy.

SHOW NOTES:

JOHN DOMINIC CROSSAN: https://www.jesusandjusticebook.com 

MICHAEL OKINCZYC-CRUZ: https://www.jesusandjusticebook.com 

JESUS AND JUSTICE: https://amzn.to/4uzrvCE 

MY NEW BOOK: https://a.co/d/fsUTllj 

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 

(**NOTE: these show notes contain Amazon affiliate links. If you use these links to buy something I may earn a small commission)

Most of us were handed a script, right? THIS is what success looks like. THIS is what a good life is. THIS is what it means to be normal.

BUT.

What happens when that script starts to crack, when it just doesn't work anymore?

In this episode, I’m joined by MaryAnn McKibben Dana, author of the amazing book, Better Than Normal; and we talk about what it means to step off that script - especially when that might be scary, costly, or misunderstood.

We get into topics like anxiety, parenting, deconstruction, and the quiet courage it takes to live a life that actually fits who you are… instead of who you were told to be.

Yes.

What if “better than normal” isn’t out there somewhere, but begins the moment we stop trying to be what we think everyone expects us to be?

SHOW NOTES:

MARYANN MCKIBBEN DANA: https://substack.com/@maryannmckibbendana 

BETTER THAN NORMAL: https://amzn.to/4eIXQll 

MY NEW BOOK: https://a.co/d/fsUTllj 

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 

(**NOTE: these show notes contain Amazon affiliate links. If you use these links to buy something I may earn a small commission)

Today we are talking to Liza Rankow about some things that just might hold the power to change the world.

Liza J. Rankow, PhD, MHS, is an interfaith minister, educator, activist, and author. Her lifework centers the deep healing that is essential to personal and social transformation.

Liza is the founder and former executive director of OneLife Institute, which for almost 20 years supported the well-being of frontline changemakers. She has been a spiritual counselor and teacher for more than three decades, working with individual clients, facilitating healing retreats, and offering classes and workshops in a variety of community and academic settings.

Liza is the producer and co-editor of The Living Wisdom of Howard Thurman audio collection. Her new book is Soul Medicine for a Fractured World: Healing, Justice, and the Path of Wholeness and she's joining us today to talk a bit about it. Enjoy!

SHOW NOTES:

LIZA RANKOW: https://www.lizarankow.org

SOUL MEDICINE FOR A FRACTURED WORLD: https://amzn.to/3Qc4RAP

MY NEW BOOK: https://a.co/d/fsUTllj

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

(**NOTE: these show notes contain Amazon affiliate links. If you use these links to buy something I may earn a small commission)