The Carlos Whittaker Podcast Episode 79: The Phone Is Not The Drug, It's The Needle
Sep 11, 2025
The discussion dives into how our phones aren't the true addiction; it's the illusion of control they offer. Personal narratives showcase the importance of deep connections and slowing down in a tech-driven world. Insights on children’s health stress nutritious choices over sugary substitutes. The speaker shares transformative stories from a screen-free life with monks and an Amish family, emphasizing a journey towards spiritual reconnection and mindful living. The impact of indoor air quality on health is also highlighted, adding a fresh perspective on wellness.
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Screens Can Become Our Disciples
- Carlos argues phones are neutral tools that have become discipling forces replacing Scripture and slower spiritual practices.
- He warns our spiritual lives can be reshaped by screens rather than by the Word of God.
The Screen-Time Wakeup Call
- Carlos received a weekly screen-time report showing 7 hours 23 minutes daily and realized it equaled 49 hours a week.
- He calculated that continuing this pace would cost him over a decade of living and used that shock to prompt change.
Two Months Offline With Monks And Amish
- He spent two months without screens, living with Benedictine monks and an Amish family while undergoing brain scans before and after.
- The experiment shifted from a tech fast to a deep test of whether he could hear God's voice more clearly.
