Secrets of Technology

TEC292: 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!Get all new episodes automatically and for free:Follow by Email | Listen to this episode and subscribe on YouTube.Help us continue to offer Secrets of Technology. Won’t you make a pledge at SQPN.com/give today?Links for this episode:* uBlock Origin * TechRadar Review: Adblock Plus * Adblock Plus * AdGuard * Brave Shields * 1Blocker * ExpressVPN Ad Blocker * ExpressVPN Advanced Protection (Windows) * Surfshark CleanWeb * NordVPN Threat Protection * Brave Browser * Firefox Browser * Tor Browser * LibreWolf Browser * Vinegar (YouTube Cleaner for iOS) * Invidious (YouTube Alternative) * NewPipe (Android YouTube Alternative) * FB Purity (Facebook Ad Blocker) * Blokada (Ad Blocker for Android & iOS) * DNS66 (Android Ad Blocker) * NextDNS * Pi-hole (Network-wide Ad Blocker) * AdGuard DNS * Pi-ho...

TEC291: 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!Get all new episodes automatically and for free:Follow by Email | Listen to this episode and subscribe on YouTube.Help us continue to offer Secrets of Technology. Won’t you make a pledge at SQPN.com/give today?Links for this episode:* Samsung Galaxy A25 5G * Samsung Galaxy A16 5G * Motorola Moto G Stylus 5G (Gen 4) * Motorola Moto G Power (2025) * OnePlus Nord N30 5G * BackMarket – Refurbished Electronics * Mozilla Revises Firefox Terms of Use (The Verge) * How Many Episodes Should You Watch? (StatSignificant)* Leave us a review on Apple Podcasts! * Join the conversation at the StarQuest Facebook page. * Be part of the StarQuest Discord community at SQPN.com/discord * Email us feedback or comments to [email protected] of the Week:* Victor: X-Sense home safety devices * Fr. Joseph: YouTube TV User? Change This Setting to Speed Up Super Bowl and Other Sports Watching on Your TV – CNET * Dom: Thermacell Mosquito Repellent Rechargeable Adventure EX-Series EX90Want to Sponsor A Show?Support StarQuest’s mission to explore the intersection of faith and pop culture by becoming a named sponsor of the show of your choice on the StarQuest network. Click to get started or find out more.Disclaimer: Hosts, panelists, and guests may have a financial interest in the companies discussed through investments or other means. Their opinions and recommendations are not affected and do not present a conflict of interest. We offer this statement in the interest of full disclosure.

TEC290: 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.Get all new episodes automatically and for free:Follow by Email | Listen to this episode and subscribe on YouTube.Help us continue to offer Secrets of Technology. Won&#8217;t you make a pledge at SQPN.com/give today?Links for this episode:* Thermapen® ONE by ThermoWorks | Instant Accuracy * ChefAlarm | ThermoWorks * ThermoWorks Smoke® Remote BBQ Alarm Thermometer * Etekcity Infrared Thermometer * Anova Precision Cooker * Anova Vacuum Sealer * Inkbird Vacuum Sealer Machine with Starter Kit * Kidde FA110 Multi-Purpose Fire Extinguisher * Prepared Hero Emergency Fire Blanket * Oxo Good Grips 11-Pound Stainless Steel Food Scale with Pull-Out Display * Fradel Digital Kitchen Food Scale with Bowl * Electric Knife Sharpener &#8211; Chef&#8217;s Choice by EdgeCraft * Ember Mug * OGGI Iceless Wine Chiller with Removable Cooler Inserts * Teakhaus Reversible Edge Grain Cutting Board with Tablet Slot * HoverBar Duo Flexible Arm for iPad and iPhone | Twelve South * How to Download Kindle Books to Your Computer Before Amazon Kills the Feature * Kobo * ePubor Ultimate * Calibre * Libation * Boox * I Was Really Excited About the iPhone 16e but Not Anymore* Leave us a review on Apple Podcasts! * Join the conversation at the StarQuest Facebook page. * Be part of the StarQuest Discord community at SQPN.com/discord * Email us feedback or comments to [email protected] of the Week:* Joanne: The Chosen app * Thomas: <a href="https://www.thriftbooks.

TEC289: 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!Get all new episodes automatically and for free:Follow by Email | Listen to this episode and subscribe on YouTube.Help us continue to offer Secrets of Technology. Won&#8217;t you make a pledge at SQPN.com/give today?Links for this episode:* Vertex Pharmaceuticals and CRISPR Therapeutics Casgevy: the 200 Best Inventions of 2024 | TIME * What are genome editing and CRISPR-Cas9?: MedlinePlus Genetics * It’s a Gene-Edited Tomato, and It’s Sweet * ‘Groundbreaking’ Gene-Editing Therapy Receives Ethical Thumbs Up | National Catholic Register * Correcting Genetic Spelling Errors With Next-Generation CRISPR | WIRED * When a Lifetime Subscription Can Save You Money—and When It’s Risky * Nokia is putting the first cellular network on the moon * Chase will soon block Zelle payments to sellers on social media* Leave us a review on Apple Podcasts! * Join the conversation at the StarQuest Facebook page. * Be part of the StarQuest Discord community at SQPN.com/discord * Email us feedback or comments to [email protected] of the Week:* Jack: LISEN for MagSafe Car Mount * Thomas: Cardiogram * Dom: Anker Laptop Power Bank, 25,000mAhWant to Sponsor A Show?Support StarQuest&#8217;s mission to explore the intersection of faith and pop culture by becoming a named sponsor of the show of your choice on the StarQuest network. Click to get started or find out more.Disclaimer: Hosts, panelists, and guests may have a financial interest in the companies discussed through investments or other means. Their opinions and recommendations are not affected and do not present a conflict of interest. We offer this statement in the interest of full disclosure.

TEC288: 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!Get all new episodes automatically and for free:Follow by Email | Listen to this episode and subscribe on YouTube.Help us continue to offer Secrets of Technology. Won&#8217;t you make a pledge at SQPN.com/give today?Links for this episode:* Reliable Backup Power During Outages &#8211; Jackery * Anker SOLIX F3800 Portable Power Station &#8211; 3840Wh | 6000W &#8211; Anker US * Home Battery Backup &#8211; Bluetti * Powerful Yet Simple: DELTA Pro 3 &#8211; EcoFlow * Stellantis Introduces Pop-Up Ads in Vehicles, Sparking Outrage Among Owners * Leave us a review on Apple Podcasts! * Join the conversation at the StarQuest Facebook page. * Be part of the StarQuest Discord community at SQPN.com/discord * Email us feedback or comments to [email protected] of the Week:* Pat: Startpage * Joanne: Rich on Tech | Premiere Networks * Dom: Rome Pilgrim | Unveil Rome&#8217;s Spiritual Treasures!Want to Sponsor A Show?Support StarQuest&#8217;s mission to explore the intersection of faith and pop culture by becoming a named sponsor of the show of your choice on the StarQuest network. Click to get started or find out more.Disclaimer: Hosts, panelists, and guests may have a financial interest in the companies discussed through investments or other means. Their opinions and recommendations are not affected and do not present a conflict of interest. We offer this statement in the interest of full disclosure.

TEC287: 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!Get all new episodes automatically and for free:Follow by Email | Listen to this episode and subscribe on YouTube.Help us continue to offer Secrets of Technology. Won&#8217;t you make a pledge at SQPN.com/give today?Links for this episode:* PrusaSlicer &#8211; Prusa3D * The Next Layer &#8211; YouTube * CNC Kitchen &#8211; YouTube * 3D Printing Professor &#8211; YouTube * Marc3DP &#8211; YouTube * Creality Ender-3 V3 Plus * Prusa3D Official Site * Toybox 3D Printer * Bambu Lab A1 3D Printer * Creality K1 Combo 3D Printer * Thingiverse &#8211; 3D Model Repository * Printables &#8211; 3D Model Repository * Cults3D &#8211; 3D Model Marketplace * MakerWorld &#8211; 3D Printing Community * Gridfinity &#8211; Unofficial Wiki * Magigoo * Space object or sports car? How a Tesla Roadster was briefly mistaken for an asteroid* Leave us a review on Apple Podcasts! * Join the conversation at the StarQuest Facebook page. * Be part of the StarQuest Discord community at SQPN.com/discord * Email us feedback or comments to [email protected] of the Week:* Victor: <a href="https://amzn.

TEC286: 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.Get all new episodes automatically and for free:Follow by Email | Listen to this episode and subscribe on YouTube.Help us continue to offer Secrets of Technology. Won&#8217;t you make a pledge at SQPN.com/give today?Links for this episode:* Watch Duty &#8211; Wildfire Maps &amp; Alerts * Hurricane Tracker * Mobile Apps &amp; Voice-Enabled Skills | Get American Red Cross Apps * CARROT Weather for iOS and Android * MyRadar * The Weather Channel * 1 Degree Outside * AirNow.gov * FEMA Mobile Products | FEMA.gov * QuakeFeed – Earthquake App* DeepSeek &#8216;punctures&#8217; AI leaders&#8217; spending plans, and what analysts are saying | TechCrunch * DeepSeek: Is China&#8217;s AI tool as good as it seems? * Meta AI can now use your Facebook and Instagram data to personalize its responses | TechCrunch * New Vatican document examines potential and risks of AI &#8211; Vatican News * Nota “Antiqua et Nova” on the relationship between artificial intelligence and human intelligence | Vatican Press Office* Leave us a review on Apple Podcasts! * Join the conversation at the StarQuest Facebook page. * Be part of the StarQuest Discord community at SQPN.com/discord * Email us feedback or comments to [email protected] of the Week:* Joanne: SHIELDON Wallet Case for iPhone 16 Pro * Dom: Miofive 4K Dash CamWant to Sponsor A Show?Support StarQuest&#8217;s mission to explore the intersection of faith and pop culture by becoming a named sponsor of the show of your choice on the StarQuest network. Click to get started or find out more.The Episode is Brought to You By: Exodus 90 and the Exodus 90 challenge, which begins this year on January 20th.

TEC285: 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.Get all new episodes automatically and for free:Follow by Email | Listen to this episode and subscribe on YouTube.Help us continue to offer Secrets of Technology. Won&#8217;t you make a pledge at SQPN.com/give today?Links for this episode:* Trump pledges to send astronauts to Mars &#8211; Live Updates &#8211; POLITICO * SpaceX successfully catches Super Heavy booster, loses Starship upper stage during Flight 7 – Spaceflight Now * American, Japanese robotic landers share rocket launch to the Moon – Spaceflight Now * History made: Blue Origin becomes first new space company to reach orbit on its first launch – Spaceflight Now * The Nintendo Switch 2 has officially been announced &#8211; The Verge * A look at Vatican City’s new artificial intelligence law | Catholic News Agency * Trump signs order refusing to enforce TikTok ban for 75 days &#8211; The Verge * American TikTokers Get a Taste of Chinese Censorship as They Rush to RedNote* Leave us a review on Apple Podcasts! * Join the conversation at the StarQuest Facebook page. * Be part of the StarQuest Discord community at SQPN.com/discord * Email us feedback or comments to [email protected] of the Week:* Jack: Space Launch Now &#8211; Apps on Google Play; Space Launch Now &#8211; Apple App Store * Thomas: Kanopy &#8211; Stream Classic Cinema, Indie Film and Top Documentaries

TEC284: 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!Get all new episodes automatically and for free:Follow by Email | Listen to this episode and subscribe on YouTube.Help us continue to offer Secrets of Technology. Won&#8217;t you make a pledge at SQPN.com/give today?Links for this episode:* Goodreads * Fable * The StoryGraph * BookWyrm * LibraryThing * How I track books and reading with Obsidian | Aaron Young * Logging off life but living on: How AI is redefining death, memory and immortality * China Weighs Sale of TikTok US to Musk as a Possible Option * China discusses sale of TikTok US to Musk as one possible option * LA man nearly misses flight as self-driving Waymo taxi drives around parking lot in circles* Leave us a review on Apple Podcasts! * Join the conversation at the StarQuest Facebook page. * Be part of the StarQuest Discord community at SQPN.com/discord * Email us feedback or comments to [email protected] of the Week:* Pat: Anker Nano 3-in-1 Portable iPhone Charger * Fr. Andrew: Nintendo Music app for Nintendo Switch Online * Dom: 10-Year Battery™ Case (Pre-Order) | ElevationLabWant to Sponsor A Show?Support StarQuest&#8217;s mission to explore the intersection of faith and pop culture by becoming a named sponsor of the show of your choice on the StarQuest network. Click to get started or find out more.

TEC283: 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.Get all new episodes automatically and for free:Follow by Email | Listen to this episode and subscribe on YouTube.Help us continue to offer Secrets of Technology. Won&amp;#8217;t you make a pledge at SQPN.com/give today?Links for this episode:* Day One * Apple Journal * Blessed Is She * GoodNotes * Zinnia * Noteshelf * Journey.Cloud * Reflectly * Maruman MNEMOSYNE Notebook * Franklin Planner planning system * Moleskine * Hobonichi Techo Planners &amp;amp; Covers * Mario &amp;amp; Me: A Three-Year Journey Journal* The Honey Scam: Explained &amp;#8211; YouTube * Exposing the Honey Influencer Scam &amp;#8211; YouTube * Meta’s fake AI users are here and they’re giving everybody the creeps &amp;#8211; Sherwood News * Meta ending fact-checking program: Zuckerberg* Leave us a review on Apple Podcasts! * Join the conversation at the StarQuest Facebook page. * Be part of the StarQuest Discord community at SQPN.com/discord * Email us feedback or comments to [email protected] of the Week:* Victor: 3.94 Inch Wooden Light Stand Base Colorful LED Lights * Fr. Joseph: Using a USB drive in your car stereo to play Mp3s * Dom: BalatroWant to Sponsor A Show?Support StarQuest&amp;#8217;s mission to explore the intersection of faith and po...