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In this episode, Dr. Nicole LePera (The Holistic Psychologist) returns to the podcast to discuss her book, "Reparenting the Inner Child: The New Science of Our Oldest Wounds and How to Heal Them". And this one? It's a GAME CHANGER. We chat about why inner child work isn't just about childhood nostalgia or play, but about understanding the survival habits, protective instincts, and implicit emotional memories that dictate our adult lives, relationships, and reactions. Dr. Nicole opens up about her personal journey with overfunctioning and perfectionism and I share a bit about how I spent years trying to "exorcise" demons out of my life ... only to realize what I thought was a demon was really my "inner child" all along. In this episode, we explore: What the "inner child" really is from a psychological and physiological perspective. Why we unconsciously mistake familiar, painful relationship dynamics for comfort and safety. How to tell the difference between an old childhood wound and true intuition. The transformative power of "the pause" when big emotions or triggers arise. Practical, day-to-day steps to begin observing and reparenting yourself. ... and SO. MUCH. MORE. Enjoy. -- Show Notes: (*Note: Some links above are affiliate links. If you purchase through them, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.)  Dr. Nicole LePera: https://www.selfhealerscircle.com Reparenting the Inner Child: https://link.amazon/B0djTZJy0 My New Book: https://a.co/d/fsUTllj Art Studio: https://www.whatifproject.net/art Support What If Project: https://www.whatifproject.net/support Dr. Nicole's YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@TheHolisticPsychologist

What if technology isn't just changing what we do, but changing who we're becoming? This week I sit down with Aaron Hanbury, author of "Wired for Wonder: Dispatches on Technology, Culture, God, and Self". Aaron doesn't approach technology as a tech expert with all the answers. Instead, he approaches it as a human being trying to understand how decades of increasingly rapid technological change has impacted him. NO - this is not just another convo about tech; instead, this is a convo about how living in a world that is flooded with all sorts of tech is impacting our ability to be human. We talk about a lot and the biggest question I've been left with after chatting with him and reading his book is this: Is it getting harder to be human in a world where technology can increasingly do the wondering, searching, choosing, and answering for us? Aaron and I don't have all the answers. Maybe that's part of the point. Listen in on our convo and share your thoughts in the comments! -- About Aaron Hanbury Aaron Hanbury is a writer and editor with nearly two decades of experience in journalism and publishing. He is the author of Wired for Wonder: Dispatches on Technology, Culture, God, and Self. -- AARON CLINE HANBURY: https://aaronclinehanbury.com WIRED FOR WONDER: https://link.amazon/B0hHb6mWn 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 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? This week I'm talking with Shannon Algeo about his book "The Power in Your Hands" - a book you NEED on your shelf. One thing to note: Shannon's book isn't a call to throw away our phones; it's an invitation to examine our relationship with technology and reclaim our attention, our creativity, our relationships, and (ultimately) our ability to be fully present for this one wild and precious life that we get to live. This was one of the more vulnerable conversations I've had on the podcast. I hope you'll listen with an open heart. -- 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. -- 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. -- 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 -- (**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. -- 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. -- 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 -- (**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! -- 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)

What happens to morality when the old rules no longer work? For many of us raised in Evangelical or fundamentalist Christianity, ethics once felt clear: follow God’s commands, trust the Bible, and do the right thing. But when that framework begins to fall apart, moral decision-making can suddenly feel confusing ... even frightening. In this episode of the What If Project, I’m joined by Dr. Scott Gelfand, author of Thinking Ethically: A Handbook for Making Moral Choices, to explore what it means to think ethically after certainty and obedience. We talk about why moral choices so often live in gray areas, how ethical frameworks can help, how we (as a whole) are much more similar than we are different, and how the Political System we have built thrives when we are divided. This conversation is especially for those navigating deconstruction or life after faith — and who are trying to rebuild a moral framework rooted in humility, compassion, and responsibility. What if ethics isn’t about the certainty of one side being right and the other being wrong, but about learning how to live well together in the gray? SHOW NOTES: SCOTT GELFAND: https://scottgelfand.com THINKING ETHICALLY: https://amzn.to/4tmx4UZ 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)

This week we are talking to Michael Leach. Michael served as Assistant to the Head Coach for the Chicago Bears, managed Labor Operations at NFL Headquarters, and become the first ever Chief Diversity and Inclusion Officer for the White House under President Joe Biden. He recently released a wonderful book called "Faith Over Fear: Harnessing Resilience in the Face of Uncertainty" and he's joined us today to talk about it. We talk about the fear that comes with major life changes, navigating the complexities of childhood wounds, and how we can be a people who pursue unity without sacrificing our values. SHOW NOTES: MICHAEL LEACH: http://mrmichaelleach.com FAITH OVER FEAR: https://www.myfaithoverfear.com 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

This week NT Wright joins me to explore the vision behind his new book, God’s Homecoming: The Forgotten Promise of Future Renewal. Many of us were raised with an end-times story that was focused on escape—going to heaven when we die, the rapture, and the destruction of the world. BUT. What if that was never the Christian hope? In this conversation, NT Wright challenges fear-based eschatology and invites us into a different future: not leaving creation behind, but God renewing it. We talk about heaven, resurrection, new creation, and what the Bible actually says about the end times. We also explore how this vision of hope speaks to real-world issues like political polarization, anxiety around "end times", and healing from evangelical and fundamentalist Christianity. Are you deconstructing, rethinking faith, or searching for a way to imagine God without fear? This episode is for you! In this episode, we discuss: Why “going to heaven when you die” became the dominant story What the Bible says about resurrection and new creation How fear-based end-times theology shaped evangelical Christianity What God’s “homecoming” means for how we live now (**Below are Amazon affiliate links. If you use these links to buy the product I may earn a small commission) SHOW NOTES: NT WRIGHT: https://ntwrightpage.com GOD'S HOMECOMING: https://amzn.to/3M01bAC 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