What If Project

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 

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/195867057X/ref=sr_1_1?crid=3QQ9V603G37DQ&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9._aZDCO90FG8WPJmQtr91PlxzRvatuuvl6GhJkjIbsk8Y4ZeQjxH7OCbSVrEgy1uvK6CBbMHb6NY_lLF9YFVqMMHhpjBYPSuf0Y3D97_xtAi-WAMvN80ftcf6oiMrDvMCL7MSStZ3OeUs3JIp1frneD2sCzrPWDcLF1RB0O5YMCwPUssvmY85Tk3PzJsXtE7ACF294EvriRjNOIygmk-QpMtNPXJSZBPImS6ZNarKmrk.LlGEgzPXsmsOhnOSwHYf8Fy_Koxmcv4QSmltg4Z4jsE&dib_tag=se&keywords=dana+hicks&qid=1756899420&sprefix=%2Caps%2C135&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

SUPPORT THE SHOW: https://www.whatifproject.net/support 

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://www.amazon.com/Throw-Another-Pebble-Pile-Leadership/dp/1038321670/ref=sr_1_1?crid=ARN58ORUOK3F&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9._oD-3bHu6pO1K8dHt4mmkCf_5XEmVmCrA23-nktQDg-BmmVDTwOODTtfb5F-78fq.mz7wwATU1ZXjTigjJgD2nbbgJPkl4vqfam8pcgXl3WI&dib_tag=se&keywords=michelle+felice&qid=1756303266&sprefix=%2Caps%2C139&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

SUPPORT THE SHOW: https://www.whatifproject.net/support 

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/ref=sr_1_2?crid=2BW62GBD9GYI4&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.REfsXu4haPjV8ochRZxcIIKNBaODj-y-A0SQ74oxobjbCB21BI9iitXNds7G9yZU6-O37t7six3tktc0iHCNqEXcilQRWl_D9h6VCea7QGnM0up5JJJqz0-6EM4WtDIQ.Syk0NKPl8XJ_lC55xk3gjJw2KbiGLNwIn55kRtumSaw&dib_tag=se&keywords=brandon+andress&qid=1753968598&sprefix=brandon+andress%2Caps%2C145&sr=8-2

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 

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

OUTRAGED: https://www.amazon.com/Outraged-Morality-Politics-Common-Ground/dp/0593317432/ref=sr_1_1?crid=17P1WKP1Q7M7L&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.FYdn5Pxj0R6cqGSUWRznHfIyIbR0sEphWwlKncK3GrVfkGgSk1BzfpQG_R0Pk9Ag3NE8qZOcgG0V4OFlScWvbuRziynlA1f5FLa90CubfkESsuOftsPkoTC9_v1bo-Cj0BSFrB8oDrngLq62xlVM3836K8tZvIlsYOMA8djGeFG6c_a3MYkrXD0uhRGMuR42KM_ZXBMvrOValXX1N6J5vS6bdKi7inMJ_prD1RxMGjU.yU1z2FCoEASGoMjtjxrZXxHjXXNd733YEzUnWGK1mlw&dib_tag=se&keywords=kurt+gray&qid=1749321683&sprefix=kurt+gr%2Caps%2C130&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

SUPPORT THE SHOW: https://www.whatifproject.net/support