What If Project

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...

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...

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...

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...

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 we...

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 G...

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...

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 i...

Friends, today is my birthday AND the release of my new book, "Letters From My Soul". In this episode I share a bit about the book, read some chapter titles to you along with the Introduction. Give it a listen and head over to Amazon to pick one up for $14.99. If that's too steep, I get it - email me at whatifproject.net@gmail.com and I'll send you one for FREE. I am also happy to mail a signed co...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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.ne...

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...

(**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 sti...

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...

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/...

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...

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-Plac...

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 A...

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-Br...

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! SH...

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 SING...

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://jonpaulsyd...