THE SECRETS OF
Technology
The Secrets of Technology is a weekly podcast that explores the world of technology through a faith-informed, Catholic lens — connecting the tech that shapes our everyday lives to deeper questions about how we live, think, work, and relate to one another. Instead of generic tech news from Silicon Valley, the show discusses topics that affect all of us: social media and privacy, artificial intelligence and ethics, parenting in a digital age, the ubiquity of gadgets, cybersecurity concerns, and how technology intersects with community, family, and spiritual life.
Hosted by a rotating panel of tech-savvy Catholics — including Domenico Bettinelli, Joanne Mercier, Thomas Sanjurjo, Fr. Andrew Kinstetter, Pat Scott, Fr. Joseph Sund, Tom Grelinger, and Leo Devick — the podcast blends thoughtful analysis, practical tips, and weekly picks in software, hardware, websites, and tools that help listeners become more productive, secure, entertained, and informed. Episodes are grounded in real-world experience and invite listeners to consider not just what technology does, but why it matters, and how it can be engaged responsibly and meaningfully.
As part of the StarQuest Production Network, The Secrets of Technology advances SQPN’s mission to explore the intersection of modern culture and Christian truth by offering accessible, insightful conversation that helps listeners integrate their faith with the tech-driven world around them. Whether you’re a tech novice or a gadget enthusiast, the show equips you to navigate a rapidly changing digital landscape with clarity, discernment, and purpose.
Send us your feedback at [email protected] and visit us at the StarQuest Media Facebook page.
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The Casual User’s Guide to AI
Want AI to actually help you — not confuse or mislead you? Dom Bettinelli and Pat Scott walk through everything a casual user needs: how to prompt well, what to keep private, and which chatbot to use for what.
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Fit for Everything: Trackers, Watches, Rings, and Earbuds
Trackers, smartwatches, rings, earbuds: fitness wearables have claimed every corner of the body. Dom Bettinelli, Tom Grelinger, and Fr. Joseph Sund break down every category from $30 clip-ons to $3,200 Garmins.
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Your Own Cloud: The Case for Network-Attached Storage
A NAS isn’t just a storage box — it’s your own private cloud. Dom Bettinelli and Joanne Mercier unpack network-attached storage: what it is, who needs one, and how to get started without a computer science degree.
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Cables, Clerics, and Tactical Backpacks
Dom Bettinelli, Fr. Andrew Kinstetter, and Joanne Mercier open their computer bags — from a priest’s pocket essentials to a tactical backpack loaded with cables. The Vatican also has thoughts on the Church’s digital future.
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The Second Opinion Workflow: How to Fact-Check Your AI
AI sounds confident even when it’s wrong. Dom Bettinelli, Fr. Joseph Sund, and Tom Grelinger share a five-step verification workflow for AI outputs — because plausibility is not the same as truth, and authority belongs to people, not machines.
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Livestream Mass, Don’t Turn It Into A Show
Parish livestreams: prayerful tool or accidental “show”? Dom Bettinelli and Joanne Mercier break down audio-first setups, stable camera habits, privacy, and liturgical framing—plus quick reactions to Apple’s MacBook Neo, iPhone 17E, and more.
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Ambient Computing: Are You Making Free Choices?
Your devices don’t just respond—they anticipate. Smart tech now nudges, predicts, and guides daily life. But when automation shapes habits and choices, are we still free? Dom Bettinelli and Thomas Sanjurjo examine agency, consent, virtue, and reclaiming silence in an always-on world.
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Do You Really Need a Computer in 2026?
Is a computer still necessary—or can a tablet or phone handle daily life? Dom Bettinelli, Pat Scott, and Tom Grelinger weigh real-world needs across ages and careers. Are we overbuying tech we don’t actually use?
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How to Scam-Proof Your Parents (Without Offending Them)
Billions are stolen from seniors each year—why is it so hard to stop? Dom Bettinelli, Tom Grellinger, and Pat Scott expose today’s most dangerous scams and share practical safeguards every family should implement now.
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Smart TVs vs. Streaming Boxes
TV buying isn’t just about screen size anymore. Dom Bettinelli, Joanne Mercier, and Leo Devick unpack privacy risks, long-term value, and ecosystem lock-in—plus why streaming boxes may outlast your smart TV and what truly future-proofs your setup.
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Escape the Walled Garden of Big Tech
Is convenience worth the cost of privacy? Dom Bettinelli and Thomas Sanjurjo unpack what happens when you step away from Big Tech, why EU tools may protect users better, and how adding friction to tech habits can actually improve life.
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The Digital Sabbath: A Rule for Life
Can a digital Sabbath really work in 2026? Dom Bettinelli, Pat Scott, and Fr. Andrew Kinstetter tackle whether constant connectivity is stealing our peace—and how intentional tech boundaries can restore prayer, family life, and freedom.
Picks of the Week
