1000 Hours Outsides podcast

Dr. Robert Lustig—pediatric endocrinologist, bestselling author, and one of the clearest voices on what's happened to our food—joins host Ginny Yurich on The 1000 Hours Outside Podcast for a conversation that feels equal parts wake-up call and real hope. Lustig explains why so much chronic disease isn't really “druggable” but foodable, how ultra-processed food quietly sabotages the mitochondria that power everything, and why the “calories in, calories out” story is the perfect industry shield. Along the way, he breaks down the eight internal “pathologies” that turn our bodies from a shiny red Corvette into a jalopy, shows why kids are paying the price first (from school lunches to baby food), and offers a simple way forward that doesn't require perfection—just a steady return to real food. Mentioned in the episode: Eat Real schools initiative (eatreal.org), Lustig's fiber project BioLumen and Monch-Monch (monchmonch.shop), the grocery-filter tool Perfact (perfact.co), plus his books Metabolical, Hacking of the American Mind, and Fat Chance. Learn more about Dr. Lustig and all he has to offer here Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Ginny Yurich sits down with bestselling thriller writer and longtime airline captain Ward Larsen for a conversation that will make you want to put your phone down and pick a book up. They talk about Cold Zero—his high-stakes, teen-safe thriller co-written with Brad Thor—where a sabotaged jet crash-lands on Arctic ice with world-changing AI tech in the wreckage, and suddenly survival, espionage, and global power collide in the most inhospitable place on Earth. Ward shares how a fighter-pilot background and real crash-investigation experience shape his page-turners, how technology (and deepfakes) are rewriting the rules of modern warfare, and why small mistakes can be fatal—on the page and in real life. Get your copy of Cold Zero here Get your copy of The Perfect Assassin here Find Ward's books, tour stops, and signed-copy options at WardLarson.com, and learn more about Cold Zero (and Brad Thor) at BradThor.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Home is supposed to be where a child can exhale—but for Stephen McWhirter, growing up in a preacher's family meant watching public faith and private violence collide, then carrying that silence into years of rebellion, addiction, and rage. In this tender, unforgettable conversation with Ginny Yurich, Stephen shares what it cost to keep the “everything's fine” mask in place, how a copy of The Case for Christ landed in the middle of his darkest night, and why real healing often begins when we stop hiding and start telling the truth. You'll hear a refreshingly grounded take on parenting kids who act out, the difference between forgiveness and reconciliation, and the surprising kindness of God that can meet someone right where they are and change everything. Stephen's book is Radically Restored: How Knowing Jesus Heals Our Brokenness and his music includes “Come Jesus Come” and “My Right Now.” Learn more about Stephen and all he has to offer here Get your copy of Radically Restored here. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Clinical psychologist Dr. Janissa Jackson has spent 20 years evaluating kids and watching childhood change. In this conversation, she explains why reading struggles can make everything feel harder (for kids and parents), what many interventions miss beneath dyslexia and attention issues, and why building cognitive skills like processing speed and working memory can change a child's entire trajectory (and quickly!) You'll also hear hopeful insight for adults dealing with ADHD, brain injury, or memory decline, plus the surprisingly grounding ranch life that keeps her anchored in the real world. Learn more about Dr. Jackson's centers at LearningRx: https://www.learningrx.com/ and explore locations here: https://www.learningrx.com/locations/ — and if you want to follow her work in Northwest Arkansas, start here: https://www.learningrx.com/fort-smith/ Learn more about evaluation services here Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Ginny Yurich sits down with Dr. Nicole Cain—author of Panic Proof—for a conversation that makes anxiety feel less mysterious and a whole lot more workable. Nicole explains why panic is often protective, how to spot your early “pay attention” signals before you hit crisis mode, and why the same tool won't always work. You'll come away with practical ideas like building a “panic pack,” using cold to calm the nervous system, and simple brain-and-body resets that matter even more in a screen-saturated world. They also go deeper on hormones, sleep, SSRIs, and why creativity and movement can be real medicine especially for kids. Learn more about Dr. Cain and her work at drnicolecain.com, get a copy of her book Panic Proof, and check out her podcast Holistic Inner Balance. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Harvard-trained psychologist and resilience expert Dr. Robert Brooks has spent decades watching what helps kids thrive and also what breaks them down. In this conversation with Ginny Yurich, he flips the script from “what's wrong” to what's strong: how to spot and honor your child's islands of competence, why resilience is rooted in at least one steady adult a child can “gather strength” from, and how empathy changes everything from discipline to screen habits to the way we speak when kids melt down. You'll walk away with language you can use today, a fresh way to think about technology and AI without panic, and a deeper reminder that children don't need perfect parents but they do need present ones who help them feel valued, capable, and truly known. Learn more about Dr. Robert Brooks and all he has to offer here Check out Dr. Brooks extensive list of books here Read Dr. Brooks articles (a new one every month!) here Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

James Nestor joins host Ginny Yurich on The 1000 Hours Outside Podcast for a conversation that can change how you think about energy, sleep, focus, and stress starting with the air you're breathing all day. You'll learn why indoor CO2 can quietly drag down cognition (especially in schools, offices, and hotels), why mouth breathing can spiral into snoring, fatigue, and anxious “air hunger,” and how nasal breathing supports calmer nervous systems and better performance. From kids to adults, athletes to desk workers, this episode connects the dots between modern living and the most overlooked pillar of health and leaves you with practical takeaways you can try immediately. ** Get your copy of Breath here Learn more about James and all he has to offer here Get the Free Guided Audio Breath Reset Tracks here ** ⁠700 EPISODES TSHIRT LAUNCH⁠... "⁠Yes, I've Eaten a Bug Or Two⁠" toddler tee launches for just $10 this week. All other 1000 Hours Outside apparel is 20% off as well. No discount code needed! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On this episode of The 1000 Hours Outside Podcast, Ginny Yurich talks with science journalist and bestselling author Alex Hutchinson about a shift that's been happening for decades: kids are exploring less, adults are settling sooner, creativity is declining, and screens are filling the space where real-world discovery used to happen. Drawing from his new book The Explorer's Gene and the research behind the “explore vs. exploit” dilemma, Alex explains why safety, convenience, and passive entertainment may be costing us more than we realize—and why active exploration is the key to building adaptable, confident, creative humans in an uncertain future. This conversation reframes how we think about play, risk, childhood freedom, and even our own life choices, offering practical language for what families are up against and a hopeful vision for how small, everyday adventures can restore the skills we're losing. Get your copy of The Explorer's Gene here Get your copy of Endure here Learn more about Alex and all he has to offer here Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Bart and Shannon Millard of MercyMe share the story behind the years they now call “the flower chair”—a season of grief, chronic stress, parenting strain, and quiet disconnection that nearly reshaped their family for good. What followed wasn't a dramatic rescue but a slow return through counseling, community, and the hard grace of facing what they had tried to survive alone. In this honest conversation with Ginny Yurich, they talk about the pre-2004 and post-2004 turning point, a child's type 1 diabetes diagnosis, marriage under pressure, the surprising role of mentor Tim Timmons, and the real story behind how I Can Only Imagine changed their lives. Their new book Even If and the film I Can Only Imagine 2 reveal what they call “personal evidence of God's goodness” in the middle of the mess—especially for parents carrying something that doesn't just go away. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode of The 1000 Hours Outside Podcast, host Ginny Yurich sits down with theologian and author Joel Muddamalle for a conversation that feels both ancient and urgently relevant. Drawing from Joel's new book The Unseen Battle, they explore spiritual warfare not as something sensational or fear-driven, but as a daily, lived reality shaped by attention, truth, imagination, and small choices. From why Eve didn't panic when the serpent spoke, to how modern distractions quietly gain a foothold in our lives, to why standing firm matters more than fighting harder, this episode invites listeners to see Scripture in full color and to recover a grounded, hopeful confidence. It's thoughtful, accessible theology for parents, skeptics, and anyone who senses there's more happening beneath the surface of ordinary life.

In this episode of The 1000 Hours Outside Podcast, Ginny Yurich sits down with father-daughter duo Drew and Ava Miller—homeschoolers, musicians, and the heart behind Petal Honey Co—to talk about the kind of life shift you never see coming, but later realize was guidance all along. What started as a random stop at a honey-for-sale sign turned into beekeeping, bottling, rebuilding after hard losses, and building real community through local food and hands-on work. We talk about the beauty of honey, the stewardship of creation, why pollinators matter, and how “outdoor work” can quietly change a family—slowing you down, strengthening you, and giving kids purpose you can't manufacture indoors. You'll also hear about Drew and Ava's music (recorded as a time capsule of their ages), Ava's love of incubating chicks, and a childhood outdoor memory that will make you want to plan a trip and reread the books that shaped you. L Check out Petal Honey Co here Check out | Miller and Co music here Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode of The 1000 Hours Outside Podcast, host Ginny Yurich sits down with farmers and authors Staci and Jeremy Hill of Gooseberry Bridge Farm to explore a decades-long shift: how much everyday knowledge has disappeared in just a few generations. From growing and preserving food to involving kids in real, meaningful work, this conversation is about reclaiming skills that once made ordinary life possible and still matter more than we realize. We talk about seasonal living, raising capable kids, why a full pantry isn't fear-driven but thoughtful, and how learning to work for your food changes the way you see time, effort, and family life. This episode is about is about remembering what used to work and choosing a more grounded way forward. Get your copy of The Preserver's Garden here Learn more about the Hills at https://www.gooseberrybridge.com Follow the Hills on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/gooseberrybridgefarm/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Get our top ranked mobile app for iOS or Android!  Levi Lusko shows up to this conversation the most on-brand way possible—fresh off getting lost on a Montana hike—and it turns into the perfect doorway into what he wrote Don't Worry, Warrior! for: real-life anxiety that feels enormous, and surprisingly small, doable tools that actually help. In this episode of The 1000 Hours Outside Podcast, Ginny Yurich and Levi talk about “touch grass” as both a nervous-system reset and a faith practice, why simple things like box breathing and getting your body moving can interrupt spirals fast, how creativity can pull you out of a dark mood, and why bravery is a muscle kids can build even when they don't feel brave. It's practical, hope-filled, and tailor-made for parents raising teens and tweens in a screen-saturated world. Get your copy of Don't Worry, Warrior! here Learn more about Levi and all he has to offer here A huge thank you to our sponsors! Check them ALL out below:  BetterHelp: Visit  www.BetterHelp.com/1000HOURS  today to get 10% off your first month. Quince - Visit www.quince.com/outside and get free shipping and 365 day returns Hungry Root - Go to www.hungryroot.com/1000HOURS and use code 1000HOURS to get 40% off your first box and a free item of your choice for life. IXL Learning - Head to www.ixl.com/1000hours to get an exclusive 20% savings on your membership Wayfair - Go to www.wayfair.com and shop all things home Cure Hydration- head to www.curehydration.com/outside to find a retailer near you Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Ben Higgins—best known from The Bachelor—joins Ginny Yurich for a rare, honest conversation about what it's like to be visible to millions and still feel deeply alone. Ben shares how a painful childhood marked by his father's illness, a career-ending injury, and addiction shaped his hunger to be seen, and why fame never healed the ache he hoped it would. This episode traces the turning points that changed his life: choosing connection over numbing, faith over performance, and purpose over applause. From carrying heartbreak in public, to building a marriage and becoming a father, to telling other people's stories through his book Alone in Plain Sight, Ben reflects on what actually makes a life meaningful. This is a conversation for anyone who's ever felt overlooked, misunderstood, or exhausted by pretending. It's a reminder to show up where your feet are. Get your copy of Alone in Plain Sight here Grab some coffee from Generous Coffee here Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Danielle Kartes is back—and this time, she's walking into the pressure cooker of Next Level Chef. Filmed in Ireland, judged by Gordon Ramsay, and completely outside her comfort zone, this season marks a stunning new chapter for a woman who once lost everything she thought defined her life. In this episode, Danielle shares the long road that led here: a failed restaurant, years of financial uncertainty, a marriage that nearly didn't survive, and the slow, holy work of rebuilding from the ground up. We talk about motherhood, faith, perseverance, and why you don't actually lose yourself in hard seasons. This is a conversation for anyone in the middle of an “ugly” chapter who needs permission to hope again and courage to keep going. Explore Danielle's books and recipes at https://rusticjoyfulfood.com and grab a copy of her memoir You Were Always There , or The Best Kids Cookbook, or Meant to Share (or all three!) Preorder My Very First Baking Book (launches April 7) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Get our top ranked mobile app for iOS or Android! New York Times bestselling author Jennifer Breheny Wallace joins Ginny Yurich to name something many people feel but rarely have words for: the deep human need to matter—not just to belong, but to be valued and to add value. Drawing from her new book Mattering, Jennifer shares why so many people feel invisible in modern life, why transitions can shake us to the core, and how small, specific choices rebuild connection. You'll leave with practical prompts you can use tonight (“Where did I add value? Who made me feel valued?”), a fresh lens on kids and achievement culture, and a better knowledge of creating mattering spaces. Learn more about Jennifer and all she has to offer here Get your copy of Mattering here Get your copy of Never Enough here Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Get our top ranked mobile app for iOS or Android! Listen to  ‘Beautiful World', our intro song, by In Paradise and Two Better Friends How do you help kids connect what they see in nature with what they believe about God? Ginny talks with bestselling author and Fierce Marriage/Fierce Parenting co-founder Ryan Frederick about his new children's book series Adam & Iota, stories designed to help kids explore the human body (DNA, blood, growth in the womb) while building a bigger, brighter category for wonder, design, and the glory of God in creation. Ryan breaks down the powerful difference between general (natural) revelation, what creation shows us about God - and special revelation, what Scripture reveals about God's character, salvation, and how we live. They discuss why “there's no such thing as a neutral education,” how a Christ-centered worldview changes the way we teach everything from science to history to beauty, and why parenting is always discipleship, whether we acknowledge it or not. You'll also hear practical encouragement for homeschool and family life, the “mental load” in marriage, and why wonder (from hummingbirds to DNA) can become a daily discipleship tool, especially when you're outside. Learn more: fiercemarriage.com • fierceparenting.com • theologykids.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Get our free Top Ten 1000 Hours Outside Podcast Books from 2025⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ What if the simplest solution to so many modern childhood struggles is… more play? Ginny sits down with Pat Rumbaugh - aka “The Play Lady” - a longtime PE teacher, coach, TED Talk speaker (yes, she hula-hoops while she talks), and founder of Let's Play America. Pat shares what she's witnessed since she began teaching in 1981: a steady decline in free, child-led, neighborhood play, and the ripple effects it has on kids, families, and communities. Together, they unpack why play builds flexibility, creativity, empathy, resilience, and real-life social skills, and why multi-age, unstructured play is so different from adult-led activities and overscheduled sports. Pat also offers practical, doable ways to bring play back: hosting a Play Day, creating StoryWalks, adding “play stations” to existing community events, and even closing your street so kids can safely take over the space again. If you've been craving more connection, more laughter, and more “real kids outside” moments, this episode will give you both the why and the how. Learn more: letsplayamerica.org Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Get our top ranked mobile app for iOS or Android!  In this episode of The 1000 Hours Outside Podcast, Ginny Yurich sits down with cognitive neuroscientist Dr. Caroline Leaf for a hopeful, practical conversation about why you're not “broken” for feeling triggered, overwhelmed, or stuck and what to do next. Dr. Leaf breaks down her mind–brain–body framework in a way that finally makes sense, using a simple nature picture: your thoughts grow like trees, and what you practice strengthens over time. You'll learn why multitasking quietly fuels hurry sickness, how small daily “micro-actions” can shift real patterns, and how to start responding instead of reacting. This one combines science, sanity, and relief in one conversation, with tangible tools you can try today. Learn more about Dr. Caroline Leaf and all she has to offer here Get your copy of Switch On Your Brain here Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Get your free 2026 tracker sheet⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠! Purchase Ginny's trio of books: ⁠Until the Streetlights Come On⁠, ⁠Homeschooling⁠, and ⁠1000 Hours Outside Activity Book  Pelvic floor problems are one of those “quiet” issues that can sneak into your life doing things like making hikes stressful, camping complicated, workouts frustrating, sleeping difficult, and even everyday mom life painful or exhausting. In this episode of The 1000 Hours Outside Podcast, Ginny Yurich sits down with clinical exercise physiologist and researcher Jenn Lormand, who shares her own intense story of birth trauma, prolapse, and being told she'd likely need repeat surgeries. But then she discovered a non-invasive path that helped her heal and build the program that's helped so many other women, too. You'll learn what prolapse actually is, why Kegels can sometimes make things worse, how hormone changes can change pelvic tissue, and simple “start today” ways to be kinder to your pelvic floor like better bathroom mechanics, reducing chronic strain, and thinking preventatively long before symptoms show up. Find Jenn's work, free quiz, and her signature program at https://tightenyourtinkler.com Use code 1000HOURS for $50 off the signature program. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Listen to  ‘Beautiful World', our intro song, by In Paradise and Two Better Friends If you love the opening and closing song It's a Beautiful World make sure to follow In Paradise and Two Better Friends for more of their music! ** In this conversation, Ginny Yurich sits down with couples therapist Dr. Tracy Dalgleish to talk about relationship pain that so parents carry but rarely say out loud like feeling duped after the honeymoon stage, drowning in the mental load, and watching resentment grow when needs go unseen and unacknowledged. Tracy breaks down the overfunctioning–underfunctioning cycle, why “I cant do anything right” is a shutdown that blocks connection, and how repair (not perfection) is what keeps love alive especially when screens, stress, and exhaustion turn partners into roommates living parallel lives. You'll walk away with language you can use tonight, boundaries that actually work, simple acknowledgement habits, and a clearer picture of what's in your control to shift the dynamic. This episode also includes a powerful glimpse into postpartum vulnerability and the in-law pressures that can begin to fracture a marriage if you don't protect your “we.” Get your copy of I Didn't Sign Up for This here Learn more about Dr. Tracy and all she has to offer here Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Get your free 2026 tracker sheet ⁠⁠here⁠⁠ The 1000 Hours Outside App is on sale for $24.99 on ⁠⁠iOs⁠⁠ and ⁠⁠Android⁠ ** In this episode of The 1000 Hours Outside Podcast, host Ginny Yurich sits down with Sarah Adams (Mom Uncharted) for a candid, eye-opening conversation about what it costs kids when their lives become content. Together they unpack why children can't truly consent to a digital footprint, how the “it's harmless” mindset collapses in the age of AI, and what parents may not realize about the audience, the algorithms, and the long tail of a photo or video that never really disappears. Sarah also gets practical about everyday pressure points, like filming other people's kids, school and classroom privacy, and the way online trends are pulling childhood into an adult world too soon. If you've ever felt that quiet nudge to pull back, this episode offers language, clarity, and a better direction: a new normal that protects kids, preserves private spaces, and keeps real life bigger than the feed. Learn more at https://momuncharted.com and https://kidsarenotcontent.com Check out Sarah's brand new podcast called Parents Uncharted here Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Screens don't just steal attention, they quietly change how your eyes work. In this episode of The 1000 Hours Outside Podcast, Ginny Yurich sits down with optometrist and dry-eye specialist Dr. Pam Theriot to explain what's really happening when we stare close-up for hours: we blink less, the oil layer of our tears can thicken and clog, and over time that can snowball into dry eye disease, even in younger adults. Dr. Pam shares a simple at-home “how long can you go without blinking” self-check, practical prevention habits, and easy tweaks for kids, readers, gamers, and anyone glued to a computer all day. It's one of those conversations that makes you want to walk away, look at the horizon, and start taking eye care as seriously as brushing your teeth. Check out Dr. Pam's TEDx talk here Learn more about Dr. Pam and all she has to offer here Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Get your free 2026 tracker sheet ⁠⁠here⁠⁠ The 1000 Hours Outside App is on sale for $24.99 on ⁠⁠iOs⁠⁠ and ⁠⁠Android⁠ ** In this episode of The 1000 Hours Outside Podcast, Ginny Yurich sits down with Bethany Mandel—writer, mom of six, and co-host of The Mom Wars—for a conversation that feels like a deep exhale. Together they talk about what actually helps families thrive: lowering the pressure, refusing the constant comparison game, and choosing a version of motherhood that's grounded, sane, and full of joy. Bethany shares how a big family can strengthen a marriage, how kids grow when we stop over-managing every moment, and why homeschooling (and life in general) can be less about doing more and more about letting go in the right places. If you've been craving a smarter, kinder take on modern motherhood this one will leave you encouraged. Follow Bethany at The Mom Wars Substack and listen to The Mom Wars Podcast Follow Bethany on Instagram and X Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On this episode of The 1000 Hours Outside Podcast, host Ginny Yurich sits down with father-and-son duo Tim and Mark Shoemaker to talk about the conversations parents avoid until it's too late. Tim is an award-winning author who loves writing outdoors and Mark is a next-gen pastor who's spent years in the trenches with teens. Their new book, What to Say and How to Say It to Your Teen, is a practical guide to 30 tricky, real-life topics (screens, anxiety, work ethic, honesty, dating, porn, anger, and more) with the kind of language that keeps the relationship intact while still telling the truth. You'll hear why so many talks go sideways, how to aim for connection instead of “winning,” and why the goal of every hard conversation is to “come back safe” with trust still standing and the door open for follow-up. Get your copy of What to Say here Learn more about Tim and all he has to offer (so many books!!) here Learn more about Mark here Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Get your free 2026 tracker sheet ⁠here⁠ The 1000 Hours Outside App is on sale for $24.99 on ⁠iOs⁠ and ⁠Android⁠ ** Max Lucado is back with Ginny Yurich, and this one is a steadying exhale for parents and kids living under constant pressure. It's launch day for his new kids devotional Calm Thoughts for Kids and instead of vague “just calm down” advice, Max gets really practical: what to do with the nonstop “what if” thoughts, why gratitude is such a fast anxiety-interrupter, and how kids are carrying way more pressure than most grownups realize. He shares pieces of his own story (including the shame spiral he had to climb out of), plus these simple outdoor pictures that stick like storms, tents, rivers, and stepping-stones that make faith feel steady and doable, not abstract. You'll walk away with real words to say to an anxious kid, and a few new ways to steady your own mind too. Get your copy of Calm Thoughts for Kids here Get your copy of Anxious for Nothing here Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Get your free 2026 tracker sheet here The 1000 Hours Outside App is on sale for $24.99 on iOs and Android ** If you feel like you're parenting on hard mode right now—especially with ADHD in the mix—this episode is for you. Ginny Yurich sits down with Mike McLeod (GrowNOW ADHD) on launch week for The Executive Function Playbook and The Executive Function Playbook in Action, and they talk about what actually helps when you're worn out from the same battles on repeat. Mike breaks down why more lecturing usually makes it worse, what “use less language” really looks like in real life, and how simple, hands-on tools can build self-regulation, motivation, and independence over time. It's hopeful, practical, and honestly a relief because you walk away with things you can try right away, not just more advice to carry. Get your copy of The Executive Function Playbook here Get your copy of The Executive Function Playbook in Action here Learn more about GrowNOW and all they have to offer here Sign up for Executive Function summer camp here Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Half the world is wired for less stimulation and many of them have spent years wondering if that means something is wrong with them. In this episode of The 1000 Hours Outside Podcast, Ginny Yurich sits down with counselor and bestselling author Holley Gerth to talk about introversion with both warmth and real brain science: why “introvert” isn't the same as “shy,” how dopamine and acetylcholine shape what drains you or restores you, why deep processing can make you tired even when you “didn't do that much,” and how strategic solitude can actually make relationships more sustainable—especially for kids. It's a freeing conversation for anyone who's ever felt too quiet, too intense, too sensitive, or just plain awkward… and a reminder that awkwardness is often what makes us more human, more likable, and easier to connect with. Get your copy of The Power Purpose of Introverts here Learn more about Holley and all she has to offer here Take Holley's Introvert Quiz here Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Get your free 2026 tracker sheet⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Purchase Ginny's trio of books: Until the Streetlights Come On, Homeschooling, and 1000 Hours Outside Activity Book *** Isaac French grew up in a world that feels almost impossible now: no TV, no smartphone, real responsibility, deep community, and childhood measured in projects, skills, and time outside. In this episode, In this episode, Ginny Yurich sits down with the now widely known artist-builder and entrepreneur behind some of the most captivating stays in the country to talk about what that kind of upbringing produces—and why it matters. Isaac shares the stories behind restoring a 120-year-old train car, building Live Oak Lake, and designing spaces where nature is the amenity and hospitality actually changes people. It's a conversation about raising capable kids, choosing limits that create freedom, and recovering a life with texture—craft, beauty, faith, family, and the outdoors at the center. It was one of Ginny's absolute favorite episodes to edit. You're going to love it! Learn more about Isaac and all he has to offer (including his newsletter that tens of thousands of people receive) here Check out Isaac's incredible storytelling abilities on his YouTube channel here Learn more about the Live Oak Lake project here Learn more about Rail Car 306 here Learn more about The Nook here Book a Train Stay!! Follow Isaac on Instagram Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Get your free 2026 tracker sheet ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Check out the 2026 Kick-Off Pack as part of the 1000 Hours Outside Mega Bundle ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ (available through January 12th!) *** Many people spend their lives fighting a quiet battle over whether they are truly lovable. In this episode of The 1000 Hours Outside Podcast, Ginny Yurich sits down with attachment expert ⁠Adam Lane Smith ⁠to talk about insecurity, emotional safety, and why so many people live in fear of being abandoned, exposed, or “found out.” Adam explains how early attachment wounds shape adult relationships, why some people live in constant performance mode, and how fear slowly sabotages intimacy, purpose, and creativity. This is an honest, intense, and hopeful conversation about what it means to feel secure, stop earning love, and finally make peace with yourself. Learn more about Adam and all he has to offer (including his courses) here Get your copy of Slaying Your Fear here Get your copy of Exhausted Wives, Bewildered Husbands here Find Adam on ⁠Instagram⁠, ⁠TikTok⁠, ⁠X⁠, and ⁠YouTube⁠. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Get your free 2026 tracker sheet ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Check out the 2026 Kick-Off Pack as part of the 1000 Hours Outside Mega Bundle ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ (available through January 12th!) *** This episode with Tim Timberlake is about learning how to keep going when life doesn't smooth out the way you hoped it would. Tim shares what he's learning in real time—about slowing down, paying attention, and not living like happiness is always somewhere “later.” You'll hear practical ideas like why uneven steps force you to be present, how a “pivot” can create space when you feel stuck, why shortcuts usually cost more in the long run, and how small beginnings actually matter more than we think. It's the kind of conversation that helps you breathe a little deeper, rethink your pace, and take your next step without overcomplicating it Learn more about Tim and all he has to offer here Get your copy of The Bumpy Road to Better here Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Get your free 2026 tracker sheet ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Check out the 2026 Kick-Off Pack as part of the 1000 Hours Outside Mega Bundle ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ (available through January 12th!) ** Ginny Yurich talks with Ginger Naylor, CEO of Outward Bound about why challenge, play, and real-world adventure shape people in ways classrooms alone never can. Ginger shares how the outdoors becomes a classroom for learning resilience, confidence, communication, problem-solving, and leadership - and why kids (and adults) need unstructured experiences, healthy risk, and a little discomfort to grow. They talk about how childhood has become over-engineered, how nature's unpredictability trains the brain for a changing world, and why stepping outside changes more than just your scenery. The conversation also introduces Outward Bound's Nationwide Reset Day on Saturday, January 24, 2026, inviting families and communities to put the screens down for a bit and take back their time, attention, and sense of calm. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Get your free 2026 tracker sheet ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Check out the 2026 Kick-Off Pack as part of the 1000 Hours Outside Mega Bundle ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ (available through January 12th!) ** Ruthann Zimmerman grew up Old Order Mennonite with horse and buggy, big gardens, a family milk cow, workdays that revolved around real needs and real rhythm. In this conversation, she and Ginny talk about what happens when “old ways” collide with the modern world and why so many families are searching for the kind of home life that builds capable kids. This conversation is about a return to skills, chores, and shared work that create something most families are missing: steady connection. And then Ruthann says it plainly: there's a difference between food and nutrition and in a world full of convenience, it's skills that put nutrition on the table. You'll hear practical, doable starting points (no, you don't need a milk cow), but also the deeper why: children need the natural reward cycle of effort, mastery, and a job well done because artificial highs from screens can flatten the rest of life. If you've felt the urge to simplify, to shrink your supply chain, to rebuild family culture from the inside out this episode will feel like a deep exhale and a clear next step. Learn more about Ruthann Zimmerman and all she has to offer here Get your copy of The Heart of the Homestead here Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Get your free 2026 tracker sheet ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠here⁠⁠⁠⁠ Check out the 2026 Kick-Off Pack as part of the 1000 Hours Outside Mega Bundle ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ (available through January 12th!) *** The world our kids are heading into is changing so fast that the old map from childhood to adulthood doesn't work anymore—and Issy Butson (Stark Raving Dad) explains why that matters right now. We talk about how AI is already reshaping work (starting with entry-level roles), why school still rewards sitting still and fitting in, and what actually builds the kind of young person who can thrive when the future is unclear: autonomy, real competence, and genuine connection. Issy breaks down the research behind motivation (Self-Determination Theory) and makes a powerful case for boredom, agency, mixed-age community, and real-world learning—not as trendy ideas, but as essential training for adaptability. If you've ever had wobbly knees in your homeschool journey (or you're just trying to raise resilient kids in a rapidly shifting world), this episode will steady you and give you language for what you already sense is true. Learn more about everything Issy has to offer here Check out The Complete Life Without School Collection here Check out Issy's Podcast here Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Get your free 2026 tracker sheet ⁠⁠⁠⁠here⁠⁠⁠ Check out the 2026 Kick-Off Pack as part of the 1000 Hours Outside Mega Bundle ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ (available through January 12th!) ** This episode turns “just have better phone habits” on its head and replaces it with something that works. Seán Killingsworth explains why individual willpower can't solve a problem that's environmental: when every hangout, hallway, and lunch table becomes a screen habitat, connection gets crowded out and kids grow up feeling constantly “on stage.” But this isn't a despair episode. It's a blueprint for moving forward. Seán's Reconnect Movement is building phone-free spaces (with a simple “phone valet” system) where real friendship becomes possible again. The movement is showing up on college campuses, in high schools, and in local communities. If you've been craving a realistic way to give kids what they're actually starving for this conversation will show you how to start and encourage you to keep at it. Learn more about The Reconnect Movement and how you can get involved here Watch Sean's keynote at James Madison University here Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Get your free 2026 tracker sheet ⁠⁠⁠here⁠⁠ Check out the 2026 Kick-Off Pack as part of the 1000 Hours Outside Mega Bundle ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠here⁠⁠⁠⁠ (available through January 12th!) ** Ginny Yurich sits down with Psychology Today editor and author Hara Estroff Marano to talk about the quiet shift that started long before smartphones—and why it's been devastating for kids. Drawing from A Nation of Wimps, Hara explains how fear and rapid cultural change pushed parents into “invasive” parenting, accidentally transmitting anxiety and squeezing play, risk, and independence out of childhood. The result isn't safer, stronger kids—it's more rigidity, perfectionism, and fragility. This episode is a steadying, permission-giving reset: play isn't extra, it's training for uncertainty; disappointment is information; and childhood doesn't need to be optimized to be successful. If you've felt the pressure to manage every outcome, this conversation will help you step back, rebuild resilience the natural way, and give your kids what they actually need to grow up well. Get your copy of A Nation of Wimps here Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Get your free 2026 tracker sheet ⁠⁠here⁠ Check out the 1000 Hours Outside Mega Bundle that includes the 2026 Kick-Off Pack ⁠⁠⁠⁠here⁠⁠⁠⁠ *** Screens don't just fill time. They also begin to shape what feels normal in a child's brain, body, and relationships. In this episode of The 1000 Hours Outside Podcast, Ginny Yurich sits down with family researcher and bestselling author Arlene Pellicane to talk about what kids lose when devices become the default (attention, affection, conversation, imagination), and what parents can rebuild with simple, steady choices. You'll hear why “background TV” isn't as harmless as it seems, how early screen exposure can set a lifelong pattern of seeking instant stimulation, why gaming and social media can hijack identity, and how to handle screen-time conflict when spouses (or even grandparents) aren't on the same page. This is practical, hopeful encouragement without guilt: delay what you can, replace screens with real-life skills and two-hands activities, and protect the one thing your kids can't swap out later—their capacity for connection. Learn more about Arlene and all she has to offer here Get your copy of Screen Kids here Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

If you've been feeling the pressure—burnout for you, overwhelm for your teen, and a constant sense that everyone is behind—this conversation with Dr. Greg Hammer (Stanford physician, mindfulness teacher, and author) is a deep exhale. Ginny Yurich and Dr. Hammer talk about why teens are carrying stress we never had (smartphones, comparison, eco-anxiety, school fears), and why his simple GAIN practice—Gratitude, Acceptance, Intention, and Nonjudgment—isn't “floofy,” it's a practical way to rewire the brain toward steadiness and joy. You'll hear why gratitude is the foundation of happiness, how “small bites” change family culture, and why nature itself can bring us back to the present where happiness actually lives. Listen and share this with a friend who needs hope, and if the show has encouraged you, leaving a review truly helps other families find it. Get a copy of The Mindful Teen here Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode, Ginny Yurich talks with cybersecurity expert and longtime IT professional Ben Gillenwater about what actually changed when the internet moved into kids' pockets and why so many parents feel unequipped to respond. Ben brings decades of experience working with complex systems and translates it into clear, usable guidance for families: where the real risks are, why common “parental controls” often fail, and how addictive algorithms, anonymous chat, and AI are reshaping childhood in ways we can't ignore. This conversation is practical, honest, and focused on reclaiming attention, safety, and uninterrupted time with the people we love. Learn more about Ben and all he has to offer here Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Angela Hanscom—founder of TimberNook and author of Balanced and Barefoot—is back, and this conversation goes somewhere we've never gone before: the behind-the-scenes yes that built a worldwide movement out of one mom's quiet, out-of-her-comfort-zone obedience. We talk entrepreneurship in this episode and so much more. If you've ever felt pulled toward something meaningful but intimidating, this episode will be the nudge forward you need. Angela also talks about motherhood in the middle of all that work: your kids are watching your courage, humility, and resilience. We talk fear (ticks, travel, being the center of attention), discernment (how to recognize what's from God), and why 60 minutes of movement isn't remotely enough for kids who are made to move for hours. Angela shares what thrilling play actually looks like and why it's one of the most practical ways we can push back on the social-emotional crisis we're seeing in children. If this episode encourages you, share it with a friend who needs hope—and please leave a review. It's one of the simplest ways to help more families find this message. Thanks for listening! Get your copy of Balanced and Barefoot here Check out TimberNook here Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Get Ginny's Top 10 Books of 2025 list for FREE ⁠here⁠ Get your free 2026 tracker sheet ⁠here Check out the 1000 Hours Outside Mega Bundle that includes the 2026 Kick-Off Pack ⁠⁠⁠here⁠⁠⁠ Ginny Yurich, founder of 1000 Hours Outside, starts 2026 in the most Ginny way possible: a rare, slightly-uncomfortable solo episode chosen on purpose, because New Year's Day landed on episode 666, and she decided to “fall on the sword” herself. From there, she pulls you into the real origin story of 1000 Hours Outside: a young mom in over her head, three little kids, no sleep, and the first truly good day she'd had in years, September 2011 at a Michigan park, when four to six hours outside (a Charlotte Mason idea she initially thought was ridiculous) changed everything. This episode is a rally cry for families who want more peace, more play, more courage, and less screen-shaped childhood, plus practical ways to start tracking, building a life with “not enough time for screens,” and letting nature become the place where kids grow up incrementally… and parents learn to trust them. Along the way, Ginny shares her top 10 most meaningful books of 2025 (out of 210 books read during the year!), the quotes that steadied her this year, and why reading, walking, and outside time are “time-protection” habits in a world designed to co-opt attention. She also reads the marketing language from Replika AI out loud, because it genuinely alarms her, and makes a clear, compassionate case for choosing the real thing: real friends, real discomfort, real growth, real life. The episode closes with hope for listeners carrying heavy burdens into the new year, and ends with “Beautiful World,” a song and musical collaboration featuring Ginny's daughters because the whole point is this: childhood isn't meant to be performed on a screen. It's meant to be lived. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Check out the 1000 Hours Outside Mega Bundle that includes the 2026 Kick-Off Pack ⁠⁠here⁠⁠ Get your free 2026 tracker sheet ⁠here ** If you've been living in that exhausted loop—your kid pushes, you react, everyone feels awful, and then you hate how the day ended—this conversation will feel like someone opened a window in your house. Kirk Martin (The Calm Parenting Podcast) helps you name what's actually happening when you're “triggered" and why your anxiety often creates the exact opposite outcome you want. Together we talk about the real-life triggers that hijack parents (dawdling, messes, perceived disrespect), how to stop taking kid behavior personally, and how to slow your world down enough to respond with clarity instead of resentment. Then we go deeper because strong-willed kids don't just test your patience, they test your marriage. Kirk shares practical ways couples can stay aligned, how to stop getting played off each other, and why your home doesn't need more lectures or tighter control—it needs connection and a little more fun. This is the perspective shift every tired parent needs: the very traits that irritate you now may be the same traits that will make your child brave, persuasive, resilient, and capable later. You're not behind. You're not failing. And you can start changing the tone of your home today. Learn more about Kirk and all he has to offer (including his podcast and courses) here Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Check out the 1000 Hours Outside Mega Bundle that includes the 2026 Kick-Off Pack ⁠here⁠ Get your free 2026 tracker sheet here ** If you've ever looked around at your family and thought, Why is everything so hard right now? - this episode will make you feel less alone, and a whole lot more clear. Ginny Yurich sits down again with Mike McLeod, author of The Executive Function Playbook, and it's one of those conversations that puts language to what parents are living every day: the exhaustion of being your child's “prefrontal cortex,” the nonstop prompting, the homework vortex, and the fear that this isn't getting better. Mike is honest about ADHD being serious and also full of hope about what actually helps kids build independence. You'll learn why ADHD is better understood as an executive function developmental delay, why “not everything is a screen problem” but the internet-connected screens are in a league of their own, and why play and boredom aren't frivolous extras. Mike explains working memory and why it matters and so much more. This episode is a rallying cry for parents who want to protect childhood, lower the temperature in their home, and give their kids back the experiences that build a capable life. If it helps you, share it with a friend and leave a review. Get your copy of The Executive Function Playbook here Get your copy of The Executive Function Playbook in Action here Learn more about GrowNow ADHD here Listen to Dr. Russell Barkley on YouTube here Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Check out the 1000 Hours Outside Mega Bundle that includes the 2026 Kick-Off Pack here Get your free 2026 tracker sheets here ** In this conversation, Ginny Yurich sits down with natural playscape designer and author Rusty Keeler to talk about what kids are actually built for: climbing, hiding, building, negotiating, tumbling, experimenting, and testing themselves in the real world. Rusty shares how a trip to Europe shifted his whole philosophy from equipment-based playgrounds to wild, nature-rich spaces full of loose parts, nooks and crannies, mud, water, tools, and possibility—plus why his book Adventures in Risky Play is basically a permission slip for parents who feel like childhood has gotten over-managed. Rusty reminds us that kids don't need us to manufacture wonder. They need time, space, and a little more trust. Find Rusty's work (including his Play Nature Podcast) and explore the book/resources he mentions here. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Modern life is quietly thinning out things that matter like friendship, purpose, contentment, and presence. In this episode of The 1000 Hours Outside Podcast, Ginny Yurich talks with pastor and author Noah Herrin about what it actually looks like to grow into manhood in a culture that keeps lowering expectations while demanding more attention than ever. They talk about why real friendships don't happen by accident, why community without commitment never lasts, and why some men need to stop waiting for connection and start “friend hunting” on purpose. This is a hopeful, honest conversation for husbands, fathers, teen boys, and the parents raising them. Noah shares simple boundaries that protect family life, tools for using technology without being owned by it, and a brilliant system for capturing ideas without mental clutter. If you've felt the tension between wanting a meaningful life and feeling pulled in ten directions, this episode names it—and offers a better way forward. Get your copy of Welcome to Manhood here Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jon Gustin didn't set out to be a parenting voice. He became one the hard way. In this conversation, Jon talks honestly about early exposure to alcohol, years of running from anxiety, and what happened when becoming a father forced him to stop numbing and start paying attention. He shares what it was like to quit drinking, face anxiety head-on, and rebuild his marriage and inner life while raising young kids. There's no dramatic turnaround story here—just the quiet, difficult work of changing patterns so they don't get passed down. From there, the conversation turns to modern childhood. Screens. Phones. Messy houses. Kids growing up too fast. Jon makes a simple but urgent case: childhood needs protection—not through fear or control, but through attention. Paying attention to what kids are doing, who they're becoming, and whether they're being pushed into an adult world too soon. This episode is for parents who sense something is off, who don't want to overreact or opt out of modern life—but who also refuse to sleepwalk through it. Thoughtful, steady, and deeply reassuring. Learn more about Jon and all he has to offer here Pre-order Jon's book, The Tired Dad here Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Get your *FREE* 2026 1000 Hours Outside Tracker Sheet here: https://www.1000hoursoutside.com/trackers Focus, confidence, and emotional regulation don't start with worksheets. They start with crawling, climbing, messy hands, and sensory play. In this conversation, Ginny Yurich sits down with pediatric physical therapist and TimberNook provider Kathryn Kraft to talk about why the developing brain needs touch and movement and what happens when kids are rushed, managed, and transitioned every 20 minutes. You'll hear why TimberNook's “time and space” makes such a radical difference for child development, why free play looks chaotic before it looks creative, and why the simplest outdoor objects can become the best kind of therapy. Kathryn's work is built for all kids. She shares how her nonprofit LIVEfor began after insurance cut off therapy for a baby who still needed support and how that moment grew into outdoor programs where children with mobility challenges and neurodiversities aren't separated from other children. You'll hear practical ideas for making outdoor play accessible for all. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

If you feel like you're living at hummingbird speed—heart racing, always “behind,” never quite done—this conversation will feel like a deep exhale. Eryn Lynum is back for her second appearance, and she brings the kind of gentle, sturdy wisdom about how all of nature rests and prepares to rest. Through the stunning design of creation Eryn helps us see what we've forgotten: rest isn't a reward for finishing everything. It's part of the design. It's how we were meant to live. Together, Ginny and Eryn talk about Sabbath in a real-life family rhythm—preparing for it, protecting it, and letting it become the day that reconnects you to God and the people you love most. They explore “Selah pauses,” seasons of waiting , and the quiet truth nature keeps repeating: everything fruitful has a rhythm. If you're heading into a new year craving calm, clarity, and a pace that actually feels sustainable, press play—then share this one with a friend who's running on fumes, and leave a quick review so more families can find it. Get your copy of The Nature of Rest here Check out the Nat Theo Podcast here Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Dr. Sina McCullough did everything “right.” She had a PhD in nutrition. She cooked from scratch. She bought organic. And still, her health fell apart. Autoimmune disease. Chronic infections. Miscarriages. Crushing fatigue. At her lowest point, she couldn't lift a cup to drink without her young son helping her. In this episode, Sina tells Ginny the moment she hit rock bottom and the prayer she prayed asking God for one more chance at life. What happened next is hard to explain away: off the floor in three days, pain-free in three months, disease-free in a year. And a promise she made to spend the rest of her life helping others find their second chance too. This conversation isn't about perfection or fear or doing everything. It's about clarity. Sina explains why food labels often give a false sense of security, why “gluten-free” and “organic” don't always mean what we think they do, and why healing can't be reduced to a sticker on a package. She and Ginny talk about getting outside as real medicine—breathing in microbial diversity, regulating the nervous system, letting nature do what it's always done best. If you've ever felt overwhelmed, confused, or quietly discouraged because you're trying so hard and still not feeling well, this episode will meet you where you are. No shame. No hype. Just hope, wisdom, and the reminder that your body and your life may be more resilient than you've been led to believe. Get your copy of Beyond Labels here Learn more about Dr. Sina McCullough and all she has to offer here Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this unforgettable conversation, Ginny Yurich sits down with viral kindness creator Jimmy Darts, author of Undercover Kindness to talk about the stories behind his videos and his book: the grandparents sleeping in their car who stopped to help wrap a gift, the mom who handed over a burrito from her backpack without hesitation, and the quiet power of people who give even when they don't have much. The heart of this episode is simple and surprisingly practical. You don't have to fix anyone. You don't have to be heroic. You just have to notice people. Jimmy shares how generosity shaped him as a child, why five dollars matters more than we think, and how walking, slowing down, and being present opens the door to real connection. It's a conversation about faith, parenting, and choosing an outward posture in a culture that trains us to look away. If you've ever wondered how to raise generous kids or how to soften your own heart again this episode will stay with you. Jimmy on Instagram: @jimmydarts Jimmy on YouTube: @JimmyDarts Undercover Kindness Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Ginny Yurich sits down with Dr. Kelly Cagle, educational researcher, former teacher, and host of the Parenting IQ Podcast, for a practical, hopeful conversation about what kids actually need to thrive in today's school-and-screen-saturated world. Kelly shares her story of moving from Brazil to the U.S. at age 11, learning English through sheer curiosity (and PBS's Arthur), and being pushed ahead through school, an experience that made her question how quickly we rush children through development. Together, they zoom out to look at what other countries do differently (including Finland's later start and play-based early years), why the American system often rewards compliance over growth, and how that pressure can hit certain kids, especially those with ADHD, extra hard. You'll also get immediately usable ideas for supporting ADHD at school and at home without turning your child into a “problem to manage.” Kelly explains why small accommodations can be game-changing (gum or mints for sensory input, permission to stand or pace, movement breaks, flexible seating), and why partnering with teachers matters more than picking the “perfect” school. The heart of this episode is Kelly's grounded message: real school success starts at home, and “less is more” isn't a vibe, it's a strategy. If you're trying to un-bubble-wrap your kids, rebuild healthy rhythms, and raise children with self-control, perseverance, and a sense of belonging, this conversation will leave you encouraged and equipped. Learn more about Kelly and all she has to offer here. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices