#1: Pete Hanley — The Origin Story of Dumphone Pete and the Journey to Healing the Digital Wound
In this very first episode of the Dumphone Pete podcast, Pete’s wife Cheryl interviews him to uncover the origin story of Dumphone Pete. Together, they talk about the role of comedy in communicating truth, opting out of the hero’s journey, digital nihilism, and the journey to healing the digital wound.
In 2017 at a comedy show in New York City, Pete made a joke about artificial intelligence taking all of our jobs with the exception of stand up comedians. In 2025, Pete was asked to resign from his job in communications for suggesting a community social media fast while speaking up about the oppressive nature of certain digital technologies. With this as the inciting incident, out of the ashes Dumbphone Pete was born.
Pete holds a degree in Advertising from Michigan State University’s College of Communication Arts & Sciences and completed a two year course and further study on contemplative prayer and spirituality at the Living School and Center for Action & Contemplation in New Mexico. As a Deprogramming Coach & Comedian, Pete enjoys telling the truth with humor (whether people want it or not) by way of Comedy, Public Speaking and Podcasting. Having undergone a significant transformation in his own relationship to digital technology (and reality) over the past five years, he is enthusiastic about empowering others to do the same.
Trailer:
dumbphonepete.com/podcast/trailer
The project:
Check out our website dumbphonepete.com for new episodes, upcoming live shows, speaking events, personal and group coaching packages, and our helpful resources page. If you’re able to support the show with your dollars, visit dumbphonepete.com/give to make a secure donation to the project.
Get the Wisephone II from Techless and enjoy $25 off with code DUMBPHONEPETE at checkout. https://wisephone.com/products/wisephone-ii
Reference links:
The Anxious Generation: How the Great Rewiring of Childhood Is Causing an Epidemic of Mental Illness. Haidt, Jonathan. Penguin Press. (2024).
Mark Twain: Humor is tragedy plus time.
Don’t be stupid, stay dumb people!
The Dumbphone Pete podcast is a production of Symbol & Story.
