“A moving and inspiring book about the most important topic facing all of us.”
—Johann Hari, author of New York Times bestselling book Stolen Focus
Publication in hardcover, Broadleaf Books.
What People Are Saying...
“A moving and inspiring book about the most important topic facing all of us.”
—Johann Hari, author of New York Times bestselling book Stolen Focus
“The Power in Your Hands is a must-read for anyone who owns a smartphone—in other words, all of us! The bad news is that Shannon Algeo offers an unflinching and ‘tough love’ examination into what we already know to be true: We are in a toxic relationship with our technology. The good news is that he also outlines an empowering path forward, one that helps us reconnect with nature, with other people, and with ourselves.”
—Alexandra H. Solomon, PhD, licensed clinical psychologist, adjunct professor at Northwestern University
“Shannon Algeo writes with the clarity of a scholar and the tenderness of a sage. The Power in Your Hands is rich with research, yet it reads like a prayer—a compassionate guide back to our embodied aliveness. This book is a balm for a world that’s forgotten how to look up, breathe deep, and be here now.”
—Sah D’Simone, bestselling author of Spiritually Sassy and Spiritually, We
“What we give our attention and time to is an immensely important issue. The Power in Your Hands beautifully weaves research and poetic reflection to help us come out of digital immersion and back into presence. Both the science and spirit of transformation shine through, guiding us to rediscover creativity, attention, and awe.”
—Yung Pueblo, #1 New York Times bestselling author of Lighter, How to Love Better, and the Inward Trilogy
Do you want to spend less time scrolling and more time being present and creative in your real life?
In just two decades, technology has rapidly reshaped our psyches, relationships, and communities. The average person now spends the equivalent of 61 to 80 days a year on their smartphones. Apps increasingly hijack our attention while human empathy has steadily declined.
“Who could you become without this weapon of mass distraction?”
There is an un-lived life that calls to you...
THREE PARTS: Reckon, Remember, Reclaim
Part I: Reckoning
An unflinching look at the digital "secure base." We explore the link between attachment styles and compulsive smartphone use, uncovering how our devices have become surrogate figures that replace the vulnerability of real human intimacy.
Part II: Remembering
A return to the medicine of presence. We remember the sacred necessity of solitude, the quality of our own minds, and the unmatched potency of soul-to-soul connection and intimacy with the natural, embodied world.
Part III: Reclaiming
A call to attentional activism. We move toward collective action by reclaiming our moral values and recentering our purpose, shifting from the despair of digitization to the radical repair of rehumanization.
DIVE DEEPER WITH SHANNON
Upcoming Retreats
Join a five-day offline program to slow down your nervous system, reimagine what's possible, and recover creativity and play.
“I’ve been waiting for a book on social media and attachment styles, and Shannon Algeo’s work does not disappoint. This is a trauma-informed, spiritually and scientifically based, nervous system–aware approach to changing your relationship to technology. It will help you put down your phone and step back into your life. Buy a copy today!”
—Amelia Hruby, PhD, host of the Off the Grid: Leaving Social Media podcast and author of Your Attention Is Sacred Except on Social Media
“WE NEED THIS BOOK! Shannon Algeo’s words are medicine for a culture starved of presence. This book is a deeply human invitation to remember what it means to be alive.”
—Africa Brooke, author of The Third Perspective: Brave Expression in the Age of Intolerance and host of the Beyond the Self podcast
“Shannon Algeo’s thoughtful and elegant discourse on our culture’s increasingly deranged intimacy with our phones is grounded in a genuinely sophisticated psychological lens. His exploration of the attachment patterns that underlie our digital addictions landed with uncanny precision: I found myself suddenly recognizing my own avoidant style in a way I had not previously admitted. This book invited me, with kindness and clarity, to reclaim my whole self rather than banish the shadow. I’m grateful for that invitation, and I’m still listening to it.”
—Sam Stern, host of Voices of Esalen podcast and teacher of human-centered AI
“The Power in Your Hands is a compassionate guide for anyone ready to change their relationship with technology by healing the deeper patterns beneath it. Shannon Algeo helps us understand not just what we reach for online, but why—and how to come back to presence, connection, and self-trust. A grounded, thoughtful road map for reclaiming your attention and your life.”
—Dr. Nicole LePera, author of the #1 New York Times bestsellers How to Do the Work and How to Be the Love You Seek
Godmothers, Summerland, CA
Sunday, May 31st at 6pm
Light and Space, Ojai
Sunday, June 7 at 5:30pm
Unplug, Santa Monica
Sunday, June 14 at 3:30pm
Would you like to purchase a bulk order for your team, company, book club, or community event?
When purchasing orders—whether it’s 10 books or 1,000 books—you can receive a wholesale discount.
Please email [email protected]
FAQs
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ABOUT SHANNON ALGEO
Shannon Algeo is an American and Irish writer based in California. He is a psychotherapist, researcher, poet, Yoga Nidra teacher, and co-founder of We Human and the We Human Podcast (formerly SoulFeed). Shannon is the author of the books The Power in Your Hands: Liberate Yourself From Attachment to Technology and Trust Your Truth. He is on faculty at the Esalen Institute and the Kripalu Center, and leads digital detox programs, mindful technology workshops, and offline retreats that help people break phone addiction and reclaim their attention.
Shannon holds a Masters in Counseling Psychology with an Emphasis in Marriage and Family Therapy, Professional Clinical Counseling, and Jungian Depth Psychology.
He was named one of the "35 Under 35 in Wellness to Watch" by Wanderlust, and has spoken at the United Nations and the Museum of Contemporary Art (MOCA), among other prestigious organizations.
“The Power in Your Hands is brave, honest, and profoundly necessary medicine for these modern times. Shannon Algeo gives language to what so many of us feel but rarely stop long enough to name: the subtle ways our addiction to technology separates us from our bodies, our relationships, our precious time, our truth, and the deeper purpose our souls are longing to remember. With a rare blend of psychological insight, attachment theory, ritual, and lived experience, he brings heartfelt compassion and well-researched clarity to a conversation we urgently need in this fast-moving, hyperconnected world. This book is a fierce wake-up call delivered with heart, humor, and humanity, inviting us back into presence, connection, and the fullness of our own aliveness.”
—Seane Corn, internationally acclaimed yoga teacher, author of Revolution of the Soul, and social activist
“Read The Power in Your Hands and remember who you were before the endless notifications began. Shannon Algeo understands what many are just beginning to name: Our phones have become the place we unwittingly hide from ourselves and the truest versions of one another. This book is a bridge back to presence and connection. It is a road map for anyone ready to meet their life with full attention. This is the book for anyone who suspects their scrolling is really soul searching and is ready to put their phone down and look within.”
—Octavia F. Raheem, award-winning author of Rest Is Sacred and founder of Pause, Rest, Lead® School of Sacred Studies
“Shannon Algeo captures exactly what we witness every day at The Offline Club: people rediscovering presence and connection with themselves and others once the digital noise falls away. This book is a powerful reminder that our attention is worth protecting and that stronger, more human communities are built when we’re truly present. Put your phone away and read this book!”
—Jordy van Bennekom, founder of The Offline Club
FREE GUIDED AUDIO MEDITATION + PDF
The Power in Your Hands: Liberate Yourself from Attachment to Technology
Bonus Practices
Practice 1: A Ritual for Going Offline to Create; from Chapter 18
Practice 2: A Sensory Walk With the Wild; from Chapter 21
MORE WAYS TO SUPPORT
The Power In Your Hands
1. REVIEW: Leave a review on Amazon. Yes, big eye roll to Amazon, but those reviews really do help spread awareness of the book to more people. Beginning June 2 and onward, you can click this link to leave your review.
2. SHARE: Take a photo of the book and tell people what you love about it in your favorite group chat, on social media, and/or in your newsletter.
3. GET LOCAL: Go to your favorite local bookstore and ask, “Do you have The Power in Your Hands by Shannon Algeo?” If they don’t already, this will prompt them to order some copies which will in turn make the book visible and accessible to more people!
