THE SECRETS OF
Technology
Welcome to The Secrets of Technology from the Star Quest Production Network, your weekly look at the world of technology from a uniquely Catholic perspective. We’re not the usual tech news from New York or San Francisco. We’re creating conversations around technology topics that affect all of us, including social media, privacy, AI, the ubiquity of gadgets, parenting tech-savvy kids, and more.
Geek and gadget culture is mainstream in society at all age levels now more than ever. By exploring the intersection of faith and technology, we give you the tools to live your faith life and spirituality in harmony with the work of technology and media that you are immersed in.
But you don’t have to be Catholic or a believer to get something out of Secrets of Technology. Our regular panel will discuss the top tech stories, offer up technology tips and lessons, and give you our picks of the week for software, hardware, web sites, or information that will make you more productive, more entertained, more informed, and more secure. Join Domenico Bettinelli, Joanne Mercier, Jack Baruzzini, Thomas Sanjurjo, Fr. Andrew Kinstetter, Pat Scott, Fr. Joseph Sund, Victor Lams, and Patrick Mason every week.
Send us your feedback at [email protected] and visit us at the StarQuest Media Facebook page.
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Liquid Glass at Apple’s WWDC
What does a “B+” Apple keynote look like? Dom and Joanne dig into WWDC 2025—real iPad windowing, smarter AI, and controversial new embryo tech. Does your device deserve the beta? Plus: Are we over-censoring online?
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Taming Your Desktop
Is your desktop a productivity tool—or a digital junk drawer? Dom Bettinelli, Pat Scott, and Andrew Hermiz reveal how desktop habits shape your tech life. Is clutter killing your focus?
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Google’s AI Gets Smarter—But Also Weirder?
Can AI really blackmail you? Dom Bettinelli, Fr. Joseph Sund, and Victor Lams react to Google I/O 2025’s avalanche of updates—Gemini models, video generation, and more. Plus, why the Vatican’s new website might be Blessed Carlo Acutis’ third miracle.
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You Bought It, But You Don’t Own It
Do you really own your tech—or just lease it? Dom Bettinelli and Thomas Sanjurjo tackle digital ownership, tech’s broken promises, and how companies like Nintendo, Apple, and Tesla are rewriting the customer contract.
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The Smart Home Letdown: Why the Future Still Isn’t Plugged In
Smart homes still aren’t that smart—Dom Bettinelli, Joanne Mercier, and Thomas Sanjurjo unpack what’s gone wrong. Plus: streaming 24/7, Nintendo’s overreach, and cheating with AI in college. With insights, laughs, and solid tech picks.
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Cloud Storage Uncovered: What Works, What Fails, and What Costs Too Much
From Dropbox’s hidden costs to OneDrive’s syncing chaos, Dom Bettinelli, Pat Scott, and Fr. Andrew Kinstetter weigh your best cloud storage options—plus AI’s unsettling spiritual role and Apple’s courtroom loss.
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Sacred Secrecy: Tech Behind the Papal Conclave
Peek inside the tech shielding the papal conclave—from Faraday cages to anti-drone systems. Dom Bettinelli, Joanne Mercier & Victor Lams unpack the fascinating blend of ancient ritual and modern security.
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Countertop Powerhouses: The Best Small Kitchen Appliance
From ice cream makers to composters, Dom Bettinelli, Thomas Sanjurjo, and Pat Scott dish out the coolest and most useful kitchen small appliances for your home. Plus: smarter office lighting, Chrome cookie drama, and Airbnb’s new transparency.
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Digital De-Hoarding: Clear the Clutter, Reclaim Your Tech
Is your phone a digital junk drawer? Dom Bettinelli and Thomas Sanjurjo unpack digital clutter, offering smart ways to reclaim space, sanity, and security across your devices. #DigitalDeclutter #TechTips
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Optimizing for Holiness
Are Catholic lifestyle apps helping us grow in holiness—or just turning prayer into a productivity hack? Dom Bettinelli, Victor Lams, and Fr. Joseph Sund unpack the spiritual pros and pitfalls of app-driven faith in this thoughtful conversation.
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Are You Thinking or Scrolling? Breaking Free from Algorithmic Complacency
Is your online experience being shaped more by algorithms than your own choices? In this episode, Dom Bettinelli, Thomas Sanjurjo, and Joanne Mercier tackle “algorithmic complacency” and how it affects everything from social media to curiosity itself. Learn practical ways to take back control of…
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Ad Blocking: Ethical Dilemma or Digital Necessity?
Online ads can be annoying, invasive, or even harmful—but is blocking them ethical? Dom Bettinelli, Pat Scott, and Fr. Andrew Kinstetter tackle ad blocking, privacy concerns, and Catholic perspectives on digital media. Plus, Firefox’s controversy and gene-edited bananas!
Picks of the Week
