Secrets of Technology

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 The post Digital De-Hoarding: Clear the Clutter, Reclaim Your Tech appeared first on StarQuest Media.

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. The post Optimizing for Holiness appeared first on StarQuest Media.

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 your digital habits and build more intentional, meaningful online communities. The post Are You Thinking or Scrolling? Breaking Free from Algorithmic Complacency appeared first on StarQuest Media.

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! The post Ad Blocking: Ethical Dilemma or Digital Necessity? appeared first on StarQuest Media.

Not everyone needs a $1,000 phone! Dom Bettinelli, Victor Lams, and Fr. Joseph Sund break down the best budget smartphones under $300, compare new vs. used options, and share tips on finding great deals. Plus, a look at Mozilla’s privacy controversy and more! The post Best Budget Smartphones: How to Save Big on Your Next Phone! appeared first on StarQuest Media.

Level up your kitchen with game-changing gadgets! From precision thermometers to sous vide cookers and vacuum sealers, Dom Bettinelli, Joanne Mercier, and Thomas Sanjurjo break down the must-have tools that make cooking easier, safer, and more delicious. The post Essential Kitchen Tech: Gadgets to Elevate Your Cooking appeared first on StarQuest Media.

CRISPR gene editing is transforming medicine, agriculture, and ethics. Dom Bettinelli, Thomas Sanjurjo, and Jack Baruzzini break down its breakthroughs, risks, and moral questions. Could it cure diseases or lead to designer babies? The future is here! The post CRISPR Gene Editing: Medical Miracle or Pandora’s Box? appeared first on StarQuest Media.

When the power goes out, what’s the best way to keep your home running? Dom Bettinelli, Pat Scott, and Joanne Mercier break down the pros and cons of generators, battery backups, and more. Plus, Jeep owners are furious over in-car ads. Tune in for the full story! The post Lights Out? Stay Connected with the Right Home Electrical Backup appeared first on StarQuest Media.

3D printing is revolutionizing everything from home repairs to hobby projects! Dom Bettinelli, Victor Lams, and Thomas Sanjurjo discuss the best beginner printers, real-world uses, and expert tips. Plus, is Linux family-friendly? And a Tesla mistaken for an asteroid! The post 3D Printing Breakthroughs: Top Printers, Genius Hacks & Real-World Wins! appeared first on StarQuest Media.

Wildfires, hurricanes, earthquakes—are you ready? Dom Bettinelli and Joanne Mercier break down the best tech for weather disasters, AI’s ethical dilemmas, and privacy risks from Meta’s latest move. Plus, top picks for phone protection and dashcams. The post Storm-Ready Tech: The Best Apps for Disasters and Emergencies appeared first on StarQuest Media.

From space innovations to ethical AI and the upcoming Nintendo Switch 2, Dom Bettinelli, Jack Baruzzini, and Thomas Sanjurjo tackle groundbreaking tech news, debate the future of space exploration, and share tips on using apps like TikTok, Kanopy, and Space Launch Now. The post On Our Way to Mars! appeared first on StarQuest Media.

Track your reading like a pro! Dom Bettinelli, Fr. Andrew Kinstetter, and Pat Scott discuss top book tracking tools like Goodreads, StoryGraph, and more. Discover how to set reading goals, organize your library, and find your next favorite book! The post Master Your Reading Goals and Track Your Books appeared first on StarQuest Media.

Kick off the new year with Dom Bettinelli, Fr. Joseph Sund, and Victor Lams as they share tips on digital and analog tools for organization, a look at Meta’s AI-generated profiles, and Honey’s questionable practices. The post Daily Planners and Journals for An Organized New Year appeared first on StarQuest Media.

In our final week of the Christmas gift guide, Dom Bettinelli, Joanne Mercier, and Pat Scott give their gift ideas at several price points, including BBQ tech, batteries, backup drives, holiday movies on disc, and headband headphones, and more. The post Christmas Gift Guide with Pat and Joanne appeared first on StarQuest Media.

For week 2 of our annual Christmas gift guide, Dom Bettinelli, Victor Lams, and Fr. Joseph Sund have ideas for EDC, network-attached storage, techy dog tags, a battery caddy, and more. Plus has Google discovered proof of the multiverse? The post Christmas Gift Guide with Victor and Fr. Joseph appeared first on StarQuest Media.

StarQuest needs your support to continue our mission of bringing faith and culture together in ways that educate, inspire, and entertain with all of our shows. The post A Special Advent Message appeared first on StarQuest Media.

Jimmy Akin invites you to join him in Italy in 2025 for the Holy Year for a once-in a lifetime, 12-day pilgrimage to the mysterious shrines and holy sites of Rome, Assisi, and more. The post Join Jimmy and Dom for Livestream Event on 12/12/24 appeared first on StarQuest Media.

It's that time of year again, so Dom Bettinelli, Jack Baruzzini, and Thomas Sanjurjo give some Christmas gift ideas for the tech geeks in your life (or to put in your own stocking). The post Christmas Gift Guide with Jack and Thomas appeared first on StarQuest Media.

There are many kinds of scanners, but which one is right for you? Do you even need one? Dom Bettinelli, Jack Baruzzini, and Pat Scott discuss the various types, how to choose the best one, tips for optimal scanning, and real-world uses like archiving photos, managing receipts, and more. The post Scanning Smart: Choose the Right Scanner for You appeared first on StarQuest Media.

CarPlay, Android Auto, and Google Auto: Dom Bettinelli and Victor Lams discuss car tech, including third-party systems and emerging proprietary systems from manufacturers, plus Bluetooth options, dashcams, touchscreens vs. traditional buttons, and more. The post Driving Into the Future: How Smart Tech is Transforming Your Car Experience appeared first on StarQuest Media.

Be productive on the go. Dom Bettinelli, Joanne Mercier, and Thomas Sanjurjo discuss the apps and workflows they use to stay productive with their Apple and Android smartphones. Plus Tulsa's remote worker experiment and USB cable confusion. The post Productivity Anywhere appeared first on StarQuest Media.

When you need to write more than a brief note, what tools can you turn to? Dom Bettinelli, Thomas Sanjurjo, and Fr. Joseph Sund discuss the top word processors, grammar checkers, writing organizers, and other writing tools to help you express yourself. The post The Write Stuff: Top Tools for Writing Projects appeared first on StarQuest Media.

What are the best printers for home use? Dom Bettinelli, Pat Scott, and Fr. Andrew Kinstetter discuss the main types of printers, their pros and cons, and tips for avoiding the major pain points of printers and printing. Plus the Internet Archive is back! The post Printer Showdown: Inkjet? Laser? appeared first on StarQuest Media.

Sports is one of the last compelling reasons to keep your old cable TV. Dom Bettinelli and Patrick Mason discuss how we can enjoy our favorites sports via streaming to our devices and discover that it's still not as easy as it could be. The post Live Sports at Your Fingertips: The Ultimate Streaming Guide appeared first on StarQuest Media.

Is it moral to hack into the computers of those engaged in evil activities to disrupt them? Dom Bettinelli and Thomas Sanjurjo consider one proposal that even if it's illegal to hack into an abortionist's system that it would be good. Plus Gen Z in the workplace. The post Moral Black Hat Hacking? appeared first on StarQuest Media.

Preserve your family photo legacies by getting control of your photo collection. Dom Bettinelli, Pat Scott, and Fr. Andrew Kinstetter discuss strategies for using Apple Photos and Google Photos to manage your ever-growing collection of precious photos. The post Next-Level Photo Management with Apple and Google Photos appeared first on StarQuest Media.

Smartphones are a big distraction for students. Dom Bettinelli and Fr. Joseph Sund discuss how schools are trying to reduce the distraction to increase student focus and mental health, and what parents can do to help. The post Taming the Distraction: Schools vs. Smartphones appeared first on StarQuest Media.

Apple had its annual rollout of new phones and watches so Dom Bettinelli and Joanne Mercier give their impressions of the new devices and new capabilities, cutting through the hype to determine if they are compelling upgrades. The post Apple’s Glow Up appeared first on StarQuest Media.

Many couples are bringing home the tools and techniques they use at the office to help run their households. Dom Bettinelli, Thomas Sanjurjo, and Jack Baruzzini discuss the concept and the workflows and tech they use to organize their homes. The post Run Your Household Like a CEO appeared first on StarQuest Media.

Home security cameras are more capable than ever and more affordable. Dom Bettinelli, Victor Lams, and Pat Scott discuss what to consider when buying cameras, including video quality, storage, connection, and more. Plus: Are gamers less attractive? The post Smart Home Security Cameras on a Budget appeared first on StarQuest Media.

How are podcasts and YouTube videos changing? How are our habits changing them? Dom Bettinelli and Joanne Mercier discuss the state of online media and the changes in the business side and on the way consumers use them are changing the product. The post The Shifts in Online Media appeared first on StarQuest Media.

Should you get solar panels for your home? Will you save money? Dom Bettinelli and Thomas Sanjurjo discuss the pros and cons, lease vs. purchase, and the lessons learned from having solar panels for the past 6 years. The post Harness the Sun: Is Solar Right for Your Home? appeared first on StarQuest Media.

It's been 5 years since we discussed cord-cutting in a complete way. Dom Bettinelli, Joanne Mercier, and Pat Scott discuss what's changed since 2019, what mistakes they've made, and lessons learned to make the streaming lifestyle cheaper and more enjoyable. The post Cut the Cord 2024: Embrace the Future appeared first on StarQuest Media.

Everything wants our attention: Watches, phones, TVs, smart assistants, et al. Dom Bettinelli, Victor Lams, and Fr. Joseph Sund discuss strategies for taming these notifications for greater peace, more focus, and to be present to others. The post Digital Serenity: Master Notifications for Focus and Peace appeared first on StarQuest Media.

Case or no case? Dom Bettinelli and Jack Baruzzini discuss the pros and cons of smartphone cases and screen protectors; the various options; and what steps to take if you decide to keep your phone au natural. The post Shield Your Tech appeared first on StarQuest Media.

We have a plethora of ways to communicate via text, voice, and video messaging, but which is the best? Dom Bettinelli, Pat Scott, and Fr. Andrew Kinstetter discuss popular and lesser-known apps and the best practices for using them safely. The post Master Messaging Apps appeared first on StarQuest Media.

StarQuest CEO Dom Bettinelli has a special message for all listeners and supporters of StarQuest's shows. The post A Special Message from StarQuest appeared first on StarQuest Media.

There are a plethora of weather apps to choose from? Dom Bettinelli, Pat Scott, and Victor Lams discuss their different approaches to weather forecasts, from blasé to obsessive, and which apps they rely on to get the forecasts that suit them. The post Sunny with a Chance of Tech: Weather Apps appeared first on StarQuest Media.

Secrets of Tech began with Dom Bettinelli, Joanne Mercier, and Fr. Cory Sticha and now five years later they're saying goodbye to Fr. Cory. To mark the occasion, they go through their dozens of picks of the week to choose the enduring hits and the eventual misses. The post Pick of the Week Hits and Misses appeared first on StarQuest Media.

Apple revealed its latest software strategy this week, including its latest approach to artificial intelligence. Dom Bettinelli and Joanne Mercier take an in-depth look at the announcements as indicators of where consumer application of this tech could go. The post Is Apple Intelligence Enough? appeared first on StarQuest Media.

Protect yourself. Dom Bettinelli, Pat Scott, and Patrick Mason discuss tips for keeping you safe and private on the web, from VPNs to public wifi to avoiding social media scams and more. Plus the problem of web rot and link decay; an anti-scam coalition; and more. The post Master Safe Surfing: Tips for Secure and Private Internet Browsing appeared first on StarQuest Media.

Pastoral care is a person-to-person ministry, but as Dom Bettinelli, Joanne Mercer, and Fr. Cory Sticha discuss, tech tools from remote meeting software to streaming video boxes to online messaging apps all provide essential assistance to parish staffs in reaching more people. The post Tech for the Faithful: Empowering Parish Pastoral Care with Modern Tools appeared first on StarQuest Media.

You probably have a music streaming service but is it the best one for you? Dom Bettinelli and Thomas Sanjurjo discuss the 4 big music streamers (and a couple small ones), their prices and features, and how to decide which one is best for you. The post Stream Smart: Comparing Music Services for Every Budget and Need appeared first on StarQuest Media.

With identity theft and data breaches becoming more common, Dom Bettinelli, Pat Scott, and Thomas Sanjurjo discuss proactive security measure to protect yourself and what to do if your identity or privacy are compromised or if you think it has. The post Digital Shields Up: Defense Against Identity Theft and Breaches appeared first on StarQuest Media.

Catholic Answers made a big splash with its AI-powered apologetics chatbot with good and bad reactions. Dom Bettinelli, Victor Lams, and Fr. Cory Sticha discuss the lessons to learn about AI and its best uses as well as how the Church should use and approach technology. The post Lessons from Father Justin AI appeared first on StarQuest Media.

What's in your pockets? Dom Bettinelli, Fr. Cory Sticha, and Joanne Mercier discuss the tech they carry in their pockets, wallets, keychains, and tech bags or as wearables. Plus dangerous USB accessories; health data breaches; and obsolete critical tech. The post Our Tech Every Day Carry in 2024 appeared first on StarQuest Media.

A conspiracy theory claims that that nothing on the Internet is real, but is just psyop. Dom Bettinelli, Thomas Sanjurjo, and Jack Baruzzini discuss why the theory is not entirely wrong; plus why Find My is not a good basis for a search warrant and why AI doesn't explain the lack of aliens. The post The Dead-Internet Theory appeared first on StarQuest Media.

When it's time to get rid of old tech, wait! Dom Bettinelli, Pat Scott, and Fr. Andrew Kinstetter discuss the steps you need to take to safeguard your data and privacy BEFORE you dispose of old phones, tablets, and computers. The post Ready Your Tech to Recycle or Resell appeared first on StarQuest Media.

Most homes have broadband but are you getting the most for your buck? Dom Bettinelli, Victor Lams, and Fr. Joseph Sund discuss the basics of home networking, the common bottlenecks, and some tips and tricks for getting the most from your home network. The post Demystify Home Networking Basics appeared first on StarQuest Media.

Buying used tech gear can often make a lot of sense and save you money. Dom Bettinelli and Thomas Sanjurjo discuss where to get the best deals, how to evaluate the deals, the kinds of tech to buy used, how to tap into communal wisdom on used tech, and more. The post Buy Used and Refurbished Tech appeared first on StarQuest Media.