1000 Hours Outsides podcast

The holidays promise magic but deliver a lengthy to-do list the length as well. In this conversation, cognitive psychotherapist and TODAY Show contributor Niro Feliciano helps us name the real culprit behind our December depletion: comparison culture, commercial pressure, and the quiet belief that we're failing if we're not doing everything. Drawing from her 31-day guide All Is Calmish, Niro gives a therapist-in-your-pocket reset for the season. She guides listeners through micro-moments of wellness that actually work when life is full: morning light, a sleep goal, short walks, friendship as medicine, and breathing tools so practical even Navy SEALs use them. But this episode goes deeper than hacks. It's about reclaiming joy from the performance of joy. Niro walks us through future-saving ways to handle family drama, why gifts can be a love-language landmine, and how simple strategies like shared wish lists and experience gifts restore connection. She speaks tenderly to the grieving, offering permission to do holidays differently, and reminds us that what kids remember isn't the haul—it's the presence. The kind that grows when screens go away, expectations loosen, and we choose the sledding hill over the spotless kitchen. This is the episode for anyone who wants a calmer holiday and a better life the other eleven months, too. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Most of us are living with an internal compass we never learned to read. In this riveting conversation, bestselling author Robert Glazer reveals why so many capable, well-intentioned adults feel misaligned, exhausted, or confused. It is because they are making the biggest decisions of life (work, partnership, community) without ever naming the values that drive them. Robert explains why only 1–2% of people can clearly articulate their core values, how misalignment shows up as that “electric fence” jolt we all recognize, and why understanding your values can save decades of frustration. Through stories, research, parenting insights, and practical tools, Robert opens a path toward clarity that is both freeing and transformative. Together, Ginny and Robert explore how core values shape everything. You'll learn how to identify your own values, how to help your children build theirs, and how to make decisions that align with who you truly are. If you've ever wondered why certain environments drain you, why certain relationships feel “off,” or why emotional resilience seems harder than it should be, this episode offers a lens that will change how you see your life. Start your values work today with the links below. Links & Resources The Compass Within + free Core Values Course (with preorder): https://compass-within.com Free six-question guide: https://robertglazer.com/six Core Values Course: https://corevaluescourse.com Friday Forward newsletter: https://fridayforward.com Robert's bestselling book Elevate Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In her second visit to The 1000 Hours Outside Podcast, bestselling author and mama of ten Abbie Halberstadt (M Is for Mama, Hard Is Not the Same Thing as Bad, You Bet Your Stretch Marks) sits down with Ginny to lovingly but firmly push back against a culture that treats children as an interruption instead of a reward. Abbie shares what it was like to have 10 children in 14 years—including two sets of twins—while watching a world where nearly half of young adults now say they're unlikely to ever have kids. Together, Ginny and Abbie explore why our obsession with control, comfort, and “having it all” is leaving so many women anxious, lonely, and afraid of the very thing that would grow them: motherhood. They talk candidly about stretch marks on bodies and souls, the lie that we must “wait five years” for a reward Scripture calls good, and how God often meets us with daily bread right after we step out in faith. This conversation is packed with stories that will stay with you: banjos and baptisms, European travel with ten kids, postpartum rage turned into a “gentleness challenge,” and miracle-level provision that arrives just in time. If you're a tired mom, a young woman wondering about children, or a parent raising daughters in an seemingly child-averse age, this episode will help you see your body, your story, and your kids as eternal investments, not liabilities. Learn more from Abbie and her full trilogy here Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

What if the behavior problems you're seeing in your child are really exhaustion from a tiny jaw and a blocked airway? In this eye-opening conversation, host Ginny Yurich welcomes back one of her all-time favorite guests, airway-focused dentist Dr. Kalli Halle, to explain why so many kids are snoring, teeth grinding, bedwetting, and struggling with anxiety, ADHD- and ODD-like symptoms because they can't breathe well and they sleep properly. Drawing on thousands of cases, Dr. Halle shows how mouth breathing, dark circles, restless sleep, and even “annoying” chewing habits are red flags for sleep-disordered breathing. Together, Ginny and Dr. Halle reframe orthodontics from a cosmetic extra to a critical, whole-body intervention that can change a child's health, learning, and mood for life. You'll also hear about Tooth Pillow, the innovative, mostly-nighttime appliance and virtual myofunctional therapy platform that's making early, airway-focused care accessible to families everywhere. Listeners can learn more and get started at toothpillow.com—and there's a special 1000 Hours Outside listener deal: through November 27, 2025, use code 1000 Hours in the “Who can we thank for referring you?” field to receive a free Tooth Pillow consultation (a $50 value) plus $250 off your treatment. After that date, the same code still gives you $25 off the consultation and $100 off treatment. If your child snores, grinds their teeth, wets the bed, battles anxiety, or can't focus (or if you're an exhausted adult wondering about sleep apnea) this may be the episode that finally connects the dots. Listen, share it with a friend who needs hope, and make sure you're subscribed to The 1000 Hours Outside Podcast so you don't miss what might be the most life-changing information your family hears this year. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Beloved author and illustrator Sharon Lovejoy returns for her third appearance on The 1000 Hours Outside Podcast, and this conversation feels like stepping into the kind of childhood we all hope to create. Sharon and Ginny explore why the garden remains one of the most powerful places to raise a child and a parent. From babies whose tiny hands brush over mint leaves to 96-year-olds planting their very first sunflower house, Sharon shows that it is never too late to begin. Her timeless books like Roots, Shoots, Buckets & Boots, Camp Granny, Sunflower Houses have introduced generations to the simple miracles of seeds, soil, and slowing down. This episode is a reminder that you don't need expertise or acres of land; you just need a pot or two and some seeds to nurture. Together, Sharon and Ginny share some reasons gardening changes families: it pulls children away from screens, fills them with curiosity, and gives them a world of textures, tastes, and small adventures—zinnias buzzing with life, lamb's ear soft as felt, corn that comes in stunning colors, birdhouse gourds that become toys, and tiny discoveries waiting under every leaf. Sharon explains how a garden becomes a child's first classroom, a parent's pause button, and a generational legacy that ripples outward—just as her own grandmother's influence shaped thousands of families around the world. If you've ever wished for a slower, richer, more connected childhood for your kids or for yourself this conversation will give you the courage, inspiration, and practical starting points to begin today. Explore more: Sharon Lovejoy's books: https://sharonlovejoy.comRoots, Shoots, Buckets & Boots: https://amzn.to/43GtvOa Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Motherhood often feels like a season of losing yourself, but what if it's actually the most profound season of becoming? In this heart-deep conversation, Ginny welcomes back one of the podcast's most beloved guests, Leah Boden, for her third appearance. Together they explore what Charlotte Mason called the “mind gallery”—the inner storehouse of beauty, story, memory, art, and truth that sustains us through every season of life. Leah shares how the threads of our identity don't disappear during the exhausting years of raising little ones; they simply lie dormant, waiting for the right time to bloom. Through her own journey—from homeschooling mother to author of living biographies on C.S. Lewis, Charlotte Mason, and Princess Ina—Leah offers a hopeful reminder that the passions you once loved are still there, ready to reemerge as gifts to both you and your children. This episode is a gentle call to build a home rich with sensory experiences, stories, poetry, music, and nature, elements that shape not only a child's education but their entire inner life. Leah and Ginny discuss how reading biographies breathes humanity into history, how nature observation strengthens a child's understanding of literature, and how beauty quietly grounds us during seasons of change. They unpack the remarkable story of Princess Aina, showing how courage, displacement, and hope weave together to form a life filled with meaning. Whether you're in the trenches or looking toward the second half of life, this conversation will help you rediscover wonder, reclaim your own mind gallery, and create a feast of learning that nourishes your whole family. Get your copy of Brave Princess Aina here Join The Mind Gallery here Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

When our kids step into the digital world, most of us feel like we're handing them car keys without ever having learned to drive ourselves. In this episode, Danish parenting expert and author Jessica Joelle Alexander returns to share the tool she created when her own daughter started asking for a phone: Raising Digital Citizens conversation cards. Drawing on Denmark's world-leading approach to happiness, character education, and digital well-being, Jessica shows how “digital independence” can become part of their modern rite of passage. Through simple, powerful questions, families learn to talk about safety, scams, manipulation, and trusted adults before a crisis hits, so kids already know what to do and who to go to when something goes wrong. Ginny and Jessica walk through real scenarios kids face every day: a bathroom photo being shared around school, “harmless” pranks that go too far, gaming scams and virtual goods, misunderstood texts and emojis, mean comments, and the pressure to be “always on” with friends. This is a hopeful, practical roadmap for raising kids who are kind, thoughtful, and safe in both the online and real worlds. Explore the cards at raisingdigitalcitizens.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Choosing the Hard Things on Purpose brings former NFL fullback Heath Evans and weight-loss hero Chrissy Evans into a raw and hope-filled conversation about discipline, surrender, and the kind of transformation that lasts. Together with Ginny, they walk through the rock-bottom moments that reshaped their lives—false accusations, public collapse, a weight-loss surgery that didn't work, and years of numbing habits that couldn't quiet the deeper ache. Instead of breaking them, those seasons awakened them. Heath and Chrissy share how choosing the harder path—true discipline, uncomfortable honesty, spiritual grounding, whole-food nourishment, and meaningful daily habits—became the doorway to health, joy, and peace they had never experienced before. Now raising six children—including a sibling group of four adopted out of the foster system—they talk candidly about fear, faith, and why real growth can't come from shortcuts or comfort. In a culture that profits from keeping people overwhelmed, medicated, and afraid, Heath and Chrissy model a different way: building strong families by facing hard things head-on, grounding kids in truth, prioritizing time outside, and trusting God with every unknown. This conversation is bold, uplifting, and deeply human—a reminder that the good life isn't the easy life, but the intentional one. Links: Built Ready Coaching: https://builtready.com Visera Nutrition: https://viceranutrition.com Bethesda Ranch: https://chancetohelp.org Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

What if the most countercultural thing you could do right now was say yes to family? In this deeply affirming conversation, Ginny Yurich sits down with Sarah Gabel Seifert, co-founder and president of EveryLife, to explore why children are gifts and how slowing down to raise them can become the most life-giving self-care of all. Sarah and Ginny invite listeners to rethink modern scripts about career, timing, and what truly satisfies. Sarah shares the origin story of EveryLife built to align purchasing with values and to tangibly serve moms in need (including millions of diapers donated). She also unveils the brand's new women's line which is created to be clean, transparent, and unapologetically for women. Offer: Save 10% on your first order at EveryLife.com - use code 1000HOURS Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

When bestselling author and IF:Gathering founder Jennie Allen sits down with Ginny, they go straight at the question nearly everyone's asking but few will admit out loud: How do I make friends—real ones—right now? Jennie unpacks why today's parents are living through a “fast loneliness” era how mixed-age friendships grow resilient kids, and why neediness isn't a flaw but instead, it's the doorway to community. From her Find Your People research to simple rules like “five friends within five miles,” Jennie offers repeatable steps that work: initiate even when it's awkward, gather around a fire when you can, and stop waiting to be chosen. We talk about conflict and why you can't build depth without it) the mental-health crisis for kids and adults, and how shared purpose, outdoor time, and everyday togetherness (walks, Costco runs, carpool rides) builds strong bonds. If you've ever thought, I'm too busy, too late, too new in town, this conversation hands you a plan you can use tonight. Tap in, take notes, and then text someone to come over. Friends are made, not found. Links: Jennie Allen — Find Your People Jennie Allen — Get Out of Your Head (for grown-ups): Jennie Allen — What to Do with Your Whirly-Swirly Thoughts (for kids): IF:Gathering: https://www.ifgathering.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

When pediatric OT Adele Hopper and early childhood educator Jess Warner stepped outside the clinic and classroom, everything changed—regulation improved, anxiety eased, and play exploded into real learning. In this powerful, hope-filled conversation from Australia, we trace children's journeys from cautious observers to joyful risk-takers, and the way true, child-led play builds executive function, social courage, and deep confidence. You'll hear how TimberNook's long, unhurried blocks of outdoor time create what school and screens can't: mixed-age “neighborhood play,” sibling bonding, and communities where grandparents pull up a chair and stay. Parents report calmer evenings and better sleep; facilitators witness science, literacy, and problem-solving emerge organically—no adult-made toys required. Adele and Jess also open the door for parents itching to bring this to their towns: how they found land, partnered with Scouts, and let nature (plus a few loose parts) do the heavy lifting. If you've felt that tug to start something, this episode is your green light—and a reminder that childhood thrives when it's ungoverned by four walls. Listen in, share it with a friend, and then take the first step outside. Learn more about TimerNook here Learn more about Mother Earthed here Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

When we protect the pace of childhood, everyone in the family heals. In this illuminating conversation, Dr. Natasha Beck—also known as Dr. Organic Mommy—shares how slowing down, simplifying, and removing hidden toxins from our homes can transform not just our kids' health, but our own. Diagnosed as a child with ADHD and dyslexia, Dr. Beck eventually uncovered how diet, environment, and overstimulation were shaping her well-being. Now a pediatric neuropsychologist, she helps families create calmer, more connected lives through practical changes—like her two-week “fragrance-free” challenge that has surprised even the most skeptical parents. (Follow her work on Instagram, Substack, and her podcast When Millennials Become Moms.) From food choices and slow tech habits to the Waldorf philosophy and her “Three S's” framework—sleep, sugar, and screens—Dr. Beck and Ginny Yurich explore how a developmentally appropriate childhood actually restores balance for parents too. This episode is both practical and freeing, showing that you don't need to overhaul your life overnight. One slow evening, one home-cooked meal, one outdoor day at a time—those small shifts might be the self-care your whole family has been missing. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Erin Loechner is back for her third visit with a deeply freeing message for parents: you can step off the conveyor belt and still raise kids who thrive. From TV sets and Disney stages to off-grid cabins and a garden full of slow surprises, Erin has lived a dozen lives—and let many of them go. She and Ginny explore how seasons change slowly, why “success” can be lovingly rejiggered, and how refusing the race no longer meant for you is often the bravest step forward. If you've ever wondered whether opting out will leave you behind, this conversation says the quiet part out loud: it won't. It will bring you home. Then they get wonderfully practical. Erin shows how to flip Big Tech's playbook for the good of your family—bringing surprise, challenge, streaks, and shared goals back offline. Think a jelly bean in a coat pocket to reward real-world habits, a “treasure chest” microwave with small delights, fridge trackers instead of app streaks, midnight sundaes, silly-string welcomes, and family projects that build interdependence (yes, decks and ponds count). Along the way, they celebrate the outdoors as the world's best noise-absorber and soul-reset. This episode is a permission slip to slow down, opt out, and choose a life your kids will actually want to inherit. Get your copy of Chasing Slow here Get your copy of The Opt-Out Family here Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

What does it really take to raise strong, confident, and grounded kids in today's digital world? In this deeply affirming and practical conversation, New York Times bestselling author and family therapist Michael Gurian joins Ginny Yurich to share timeless wisdom backed by neuroscience and 35 years of experience. Gurian explains why children—especially boys—are struggling more than ever, and how the breakdown of extended family and community support leaves them seeking belonging in the artificial world of screens and social media. He introduces his transformative “three family” model and reveals why real work, real play, and real mentorship are the foundation of resilience. This episode offers a blueprint for parents who want to raise children who can handle life's challenges with strength and purpose. Learn how to rebuild community around your kids, why two hours of physical activity a day matters, how to use chores as “sacred work,” and why screen limits aren't punishment—they're protection. It's an episode filled with compassion, clarity, and hope—reminding every parent that resilience grows best in the real world, surrounded by love, purpose, and connection. Get your copy of The Wonder of Boys here Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this conversation, Andy Felton invites us to see our bodies as organic gardens—living ecosystems that flourish or falter based on what we plant in them. He makes a clear, compassionate case that our modern, convenience-first food culture has left many of us undernourished and overwhelmed, not because we lack willpower but because we've been trained to outsource the most human act we do: cooking. With a steady, nonjudgmental tone, Andy explains how ultra-processed foods and chemical shortcuts confuse our biology, while simple, authentic ingredients restore it. He shares the liberating idea that you don't have to be perfect: start where you are, aim for an 80/20 approach, and remember that every bite is information your cells can use to move you toward strength, clarity, and calm. Then he turns our gaze backward to move forward—toward traditions like sprouting, fermenting, milling, and making real bread; toward seasonal produce and meeting the growers who nurture it; toward meals that are cooked with hands and shared with people. Without preaching, Andy weaves in a vision of health as “strength for life,” not an end in itself: energy to play with your kids, to serve your community, to live your values. If you've felt unprepared to navigate a broken food culture, this episode offers a hopeful path home—one skillet, one simple recipe, one small habit at a time. Get your copy of Nourished by Design here Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Stories are how our brains make sense of the world—and in this conversation, Ginny sits down with friend and master storyteller Paul Hastings (host of Compelled) to explore why narrative cuts through noise and sticks. From his Thai–Ozark family roots to thousands of hours crafting immersive, sound-rich episodes, Paul explains the simple science of attention (“your brain wakes up when a story begins”), the power of silence, and how true, well-edited stories help us carry big ideas without a lecture. It's a generous, behind-the-scenes look at how meaningful narratives are made—and why they move us. You'll hear practical takeaways for home, work, and community: how to invite stories out of your kids, how to hold space when the hard parts surface, and how to turn lived experience into hope for someone else. Learn more about Paul and all he has to offer here: CompelledPodcast.com Get the Compelled book here: https://compelledpodcast.com/book Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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Glen Henry went from avoiding fatherhood to embracing it with radical presence, creativity, and faith—and he tells the whole story here. From hip-hop tours to a 24-foot RV with four kids and a tornado warning, Glen shares how “fathering yourself first” rewires your inner voice and spills into patient, playful leadership at home. We talk rough-and-tumble play that teaches limits, saying yes to your kids' invitations before they stop asking, and reframing fear with better questions—what if everything goes right? Explore more of Glen's world through his Beleaf in Fatherhood YouTube channel, his marriage show with Yvette, How Married Are You, and his new book, Father Yourself First. If you've ever wondered how to build a home where kids feel they belong and where dads show up with joy this conversation is a blueprint. Glen's candid stories (the blanket warrior game, the poop-hunt, and the five-mile desert hike that forged grit) meet practical tools for margin, adventure, and Sabbath-like rest. Listen now on The 1000 Hours Outside Podcast and share it with a dad who needs a nudge to step onto the most important stage he'll ever stand on—right there in the living room. And if you're new to the show, subscribe on Apple Podcasts or Spotify Get your copy of Father Yourself First here Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

When employers say “26 is the new 18,” what they're really noticing is Tim Elmore's Peter Pan paradox in action: the age of authority is dropping while the age of maturity is rising. In this energizing conversation, Tim and Ginny decode Gen Z's “magic and tragic”—their native fluency with tech and AI alongside lagging people skills—and offer hopeful, practical ways to coach rather than complain. You'll hear why childlikeness is fading while childishness expands, how social media turned from connection to performance, and why soft skills (read: people skills) will be the ultimate edge in the AI age. Listen for simple, family-ready reps—hosting adults, letting kids own their schedules, building EQ—and workplace plays like great first days, hobby-like projects, and leading with empathy. We also get real about the gig economy, shrinking loyalty ladders, and why teens need margin, movement, mindfulness, and management to protect mental health and grow grit. You'll leave with language that reframes Gen Z from “problem” to “potential,” and with concrete steps for parents, teachers, and team leaders to build self-awareness, social awareness, and emotional regulation in everyday life. Leaders are dealers of hope—start here, share this episode with a friend who's wrestling with Gen Z, and model the future you want your kids to inherit. Get your copy of The Future Begins with Z here Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this powerful and timely conversation, 1000 Hours Outside founder Ginny Yurich sits down with Russell York, CEO of Cosmo, a leading kids smartwatch company, to explore one of the most pressing issues of modern childhood: the loss of unstructured play and freedom. They also discuss the brand new partnership between their organizations and the launch of the Cosmo x 1000 Hours Outside Adventure Bundle, available here! This is a limited-edition offer designed for families like ours who value connection, freedom, and real-world adventure. With the bundle you'll get: ✅ FREE JrTrack 5 Kids Smartwatch ✅ FREE custom 1000 Hours Outside wrist band ✅ FREE extra teal wrist band ✅ 1000 Hours Outside logo sticker ✅ 3 months of Cosmo Membership FREE During the episode, Russell and Ginny unpack how our culture's shift toward constant supervision, fear, and screens has reshaped childhood, and how technology, when designed with intention, can actually help restore kids' independence. Russell shares how Cosmo's innovative smartwatch gives families the best of both worlds - connection and freedom - allowing parents peace of mind while giving kids room to explore, play, and build real-world friendships. Ginny and Russell reflect on the developmental importance of long stretches of playtime, the social “glue” kids create in neighborhoods, and why reclaiming outdoor independence is vital for children's mental health, confidence, and sense of community. You'll hear stories, research, and insights that challenge the norms of over-parenting, highlight the transformative power of free play, and celebrate a shared mission between Cosmo and 1000 Hours Outside, to reconnect families and rebuild neighborhoods through trust, autonomy, and adventure. Tune in to learn: Why unstructured outdoor play is essential for mental health and development How a sense of control builds resilience in kids (and adults) What “un-parenting” really means, and why it matters How Cosmo Smartwatches are helping families safely rediscover the magic of neighborhood play Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Clinical psychologist and ACT expert Diana Hill returns to help us do what feels nearly impossible in a loud, burned-out world—focus our energy where it actually matters. We talk psychological flexibility, why curiosity beats quick answers, and how “positive energizers” can lift a whole family system. Diana explains neuroception and interoception in everyday terms, then makes it practical: hum to downshift your nervous system, rub your palms and rest them over your eyes, take a short walk outside, and remember that sometimes you can't think your way out—you have to move your way out. Along the way, we explore why nature reliably restores attention and creativity, and how parents can help kids build real-life wisdom that no app can deliver. Drawing from her new book Wise Effort, Diana shares the simple moves that metabolize stress hormones and turn big feelings into forward motion (plus the story behind her own “get unstuck button.”) We dig into genius energy, the shadow side of our strengths, and how tiny, values-aligned experiments shift relationships, work, and family life. If you're overcommitted yet under-involved, this conversation is your trailhead back to presence, purpose, and playful resilience. Get your copy of I Know I Should Exercise But... here Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Hospitality isn't a styled table—it's how people feel in your presence. In this heart-tugging conversation, Abby Kuykendall reframes hospitality as the art of helping others feel known, loved, and seen—whether you meet in a tiny apartment, a messy kitchen, or a neighborhood park. She draws a bright line between entertaining (me-focused aesthetics) and hospitality (others-focused welcome), shares the spiritual roots behind “practice hospitality,” and gets real about rejection—why a few no's shouldn't stop you from inviting again. With stories from her own seasons of life, Abby shows how rhythms change (hello, nap schedules) but the mission doesn't, and why outdoor gatherings often make connection simpler, cheaper, and more relaxed. You'll leave with practical moves you can try tonight: start with an invitation, set two or three “non-negotiables” (clean-ish bathroom, empty sink, drinks ready), and keep food simple—potlucks with specific asks, air-fried crowd-pleasers, or even “waffles at 10” after a game. Abby also spotlights her cookbook The Living Table and the snack-drawer mindset that tells guests, “Make yourself at home.” If you've ever delayed community until your house, budget, or schedule looked “perfect,” this episode is your permission slip to begin—outside if you can, imperfectly on purpose, with an invitation that opens the door to real connection. Get your copy of Let the Biscuits Burn here Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Ellie Holcomb joins Ginny to trace a clear line from her childhood on the Little Harpeth River to the music, books, and family life she's building today. She shares how stepping off the tour bus to raise a newborn opened a new creative path—writing Scripture into song during a friend's battle with depression, which grew into her devotional Fighting Words, a new record (Far Country), and children's books that invite families to notice what creation is already saying. Together they explore themes parents will recognize: finding hope in hard seasons, letting kids meet the world outside, and remembering what's true when life feels uncertain. Ellie talks about the images that keep her steady—salt flats reflecting the sky, constellations overhead, a river in winter—and why sometimes you “go dark to see.” It's a grounded, practical conversation about faith, nature, and raising kids who know they belong. Get Ellie's devotional Fighting Words here Get Ellie's stunning children's books here: Who Sang the First Song?, Don't Forget To Remember, Sounding Joy, Spring Sings Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

When Peter Mutabazi ran from an abusive home on the streets of Uganda at age ten, he never imagined he'd one day become a foster and adoptive father to more than forty children. In this conversation with host Ginny Yurich, Peter shares his extraordinary story of transformation—from a boy who had nothing, to a man who gives everything. He explains how one stranger's act of kindness changed the trajectory of his life, what it really means to love a child through trauma, and why success as a parent isn't about outcomes—it's about showing up again and again with compassion and curiosity. Peter's wisdom will stop you in your tracks. He reminds us that healing is slow, love is costly, and growth often happens in the smallest wins no one else sees. This episode will reframe how you think about parenting, empathy, and the quiet courage it takes to keep loving, even when you don't know how the story will end. Get your copy of Love Does Not Conquer All here Get your copy of Now I Am Known here Follow Peter on Instagram and Facebook Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Kids don't need earlier tryouts—they need more backyard joy. In this conversation, former pro pitcher Dan Blewett shares how he started “late” by today's standards, fell in love with the game through free play, and built the grit to endure multiple career-threatening injuries. He argues that early structure can crowd out wonder, and that the deepest resilience is born from neighborhood games, missed catches, and a parent who shows up—often with a bucket of balls. You'll hear why sampling many sports beats specializing, how to nurture lifelong athletic identity without burnout, and what really keeps kids coming back when competition gets brutal. Dan gets practical for families: give your child “50 at-bats in the backyard,” let the umpire be wrong, focus on development over stats, and don't wait for Dad—moms can coach, catch, and lead. We explore control vs. surrender, empathy on teams, and why sports should still feel like sunshine and sprinting at age 39. If you're torn between club fees and simple play, this episode reframes youth sports around love first, training second, and memories that outlast any scoreboard. Learn more about Dan and everything he has to offer here Get your copy of This Slump Shall pass here Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

When three hitmakers—Jess Cates, Ethan Hulse, and Jordan Mohilowski of In Paradise—sit down with Ginny Yurich, the conversation turns into an ode to real life. From shy kids who found their voice through a $10 garage-sale guitar to a baseball injury that rerouted a future toward award-winning songwriting, they trace how music, community, and countless “reps” forged craft the long way—no shortcuts, no prompts. They talk bluegrass circles and church choirs, co-writes that build community, and why boredom is a feature in raising creators. The heartbeat of it all: “ain't nothing on a screen is ever gonna beat this view.” This episode debuts In Paradise's brand-new single “Beautiful World,” featuring a special family cameo—Ginny's daughters: Brooklyn on background vocals and Vivian on guitar. It's a clean, catchy anthem for parents and kids alike—sun on your skin, grass under your feet, knees a little scuffed—and a timely reminder that shared songs and shared sunsets build the strongest memories. Stay to the end for the premiere, then take the cue the chorus gives you: get outside, take it in, and make today part of your beautiful world. Learn more about In Paradise and all they have to offer here Check out Two Better Friends here Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Wonder doesn't vanish—we just forget how to see it. In this conversation, master naturalist and author Eryn Lynum shows how kids can reboot ours: inviting us to become “collectors of sunrises,” to trade a single scrolling hour for sky, creek, and trail, and even to bring the wild indoors with bird feeders, houseplants, and the surprisingly magical fish tank. She explains why nature imprints our memories so intensely—through scent, sound, and touch—and how a simple ritual like a “quiet hike” helps families slow down enough to notice flickers' wingbeats, rabbits in the brush, and those blink-and-you-miss-it moments kids beg us to see. Time, it turns out, is the real terrain. Before the light bulb, people slept about eleven hours; today we try to stretch each day past its natural rhythm while children spend an estimated 22% of childhood on devices—roughly 205 waking weeks—compared to just 4.5 weeks outside. Eryn offers a hopeful reset: treat screens like invasive plants, remove a little each day, and let outdoor hours compound—because one hour outside makes the next one easier, richer, and more alive. Heed the invitations (“Come see this!”), lose track of the clock together, and watch your family's curiosity—and capacity for rest—grow. Get a copy of Rooted in Wonder here Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this conversation, toddler expert Devon Kuntzman returns to reframe the years we're told to dread as a season rich with firsts, wonder, and essential brain development. She explains why toddlerhood and the teen years are “parallel tracks,” and how learning the skills now—setting realistic expectations, scaffolding independence, and embracing the full spectrum of emotions—pays off for the long haul. Devon's new book, Transforming Toddlerhood, distills real-life challenges into 45 fast, practical chapters with scripts, FAQs, and red flags, so you can flip straight to “tantrums,” “sharing,” “whining,” or “leaving the park” and get calm, actionable help. You'll hear why less is more during meltdowns (create safety, ground yourself, uphold warm limits), how to handle the “broken granola bar” moments without panic or bribery, and why it's not your job to make your child happy—it's your job to help them feel seen, heard, and loved. We dig into playful transitions, outside-first playdates, roughhousing as a surprising path to self-regulation and consent, and the sneaky ways screens can reinforce the behaviors you're trying to reduce. This is a hopeful, dignity-honoring guide for raising resilient kids—and growing right alongside them. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

So often we think peace is waiting on the other side of “more.” A bigger kitchen. A new season. A little extra space—physically or emotionally. But in this honest and deeply relatable conversation, Nap Time Kitchen founder Kate Strickler joins host Ginny Yurich to explore what it really means to love the life you already have. Together they talk about capacity, contentment, and the quiet joy that can only come when we stop measuring our lives against what's missing. Through laughter, real-life stories, and grounded wisdom, Kate reminds us that abundance doesn't begin after the remodel or the milestone—it begins right here, in the ordinary moments that make up our days. This episode is a refreshing invitation to breathe, to look around, and to rediscover gratitude for the life you're already living. Get I Just Wish I Had a Bigger Kitchen here Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Six hundred episodes in, we're celebrating with Catherine Price—the award-winning journalist behind How to Break Up with Your Phone and The Power of Fun. Catherine makes a simple, wake-you-up claim: our lives become what we pay attention to. She shares how a late-night moment with her newborn sparked a phone “breakup,” why a true Digital Sabbath can feel like oxygen, and how three elements—playfulness, connection, and flow—turn ordinary moments into the kind of fun that leaves you buoyant for days. From adult “extracurriculars” (like a Wednesday-night guitar class and trying rowing for the first time) to a pool game that united kids and grownups for three straight hours, this conversation shows how delight is usually inexpensive, often local, and deeply human. We also dig into the time-value paradox (why we feel too “busy” for fun yet still burn hours doom-scrolling), perfectionism in the age of social media and AI, and SPARK—Catherine's practical path to rediscovering what lights you up. Parents will find timely cues for modeling healthier tech boundaries, nurturing real-world friendships, and helping kids protect curiosity from performance pressure. To mark our 600th episode, would you leave a review and share this one with a friend who could use more true fun in their life? It helps more families find the show and, yes, remember how to live. Check out Catherine's Substack here Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

What happens when a mom says a bravest yes of her life—and then lets it reshape her family? In this conversation, Kristen Welch, CEO of Mercy House Global and author of Raising Grateful Kids in an Entitled World, traces the moment a Compassion trip to Kenya turned her discontent into calling—and held a mirror up to her own entitlement. She shares how comparison erodes joy, why gratitude starts with parents (not kids), and how small household practices re-anchor a home. You'll hear the origin of Mercy House's work with vulnerable mothers, the surprising strength of underindulgence, and the reminder that our children watch who we are more than what we say. We also get practical: boredom as a gift in a noisy world, how hurry kills gratitude, simple screen-time swaps that nudge kids toward books and backyard wonder, and why letting kids fail is the only way to help them launch. Kristen's fresh empty-nest story—dropping her youngest at a huge university, resisting the urge to rescue, and trusting God to go where she can't—will stay with you. If you want a family culture marked by contentment, resilience, and compassion, this episode offers a clear path you can start today. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

What if the cure for our anxious, overconnected lives is right outside the door? In this deeply human conversation, Ruth Chou Simons—artist, author, and mom of six—joins Ginny to explore how beauty, especially in nature, becomes a real antidote to hurry, worry, and screen-saturated living. From Jesus' invitation to “consider the lilies” to the way wildflowers preach resilience, individuality, and dependence, Ruth shows how getting outside forms our souls as much as it strengthens our kids. You'll hear vivid stories: morning glories as a picture of friendships that ebb and bloom; the extra-beautiful columbine as a reminder not to shrink back; the ache of a changing home as children launch, and the bluebell pointing us toward a truer, lasting home. Ruth also shares the moment her son suffered a serious mountain-biking injury—and how she painted wildflowers in the ICU, choosing to shift her gaze from fear to the faithful Gardener. Together, she and Ginny talk about making unhurried lives in hurried times, giving our families “dosing and spacing” for wisdom, and packing a small “to-go” kit of tactile hobbies so we reach for creation, not just a screen, when life turns. Listen in if you're longing for a gentler rhythm, a sturdier hope, and a practical way to invite beauty into your ordinary days—starting with one walk, one flower, one moment of attention. Get your copy of The Way of the Wildflower here Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

What if retirement isn't the goal of a good life—but a detour from your purpose? In this rich, countercultural conversation, Hobby Lobby founder David Green and legacy expert Bill High challenge the empty-nest, me-first script and offer a generational vision families can actually live. They unpack why purpose doesn't expire at 65, how multi-generation storytelling keeps a family's “chief storytellers” (grandparents!) at the center, and why mission, vision, and values—written down and rehearsed—beat hustle and highlight reels. You'll hear surprising practices from the Green family (including an annual family celebration, monthly giving meetings, and a conflict-resolution policy), a freeing definition of legacy as what you set in motion, and a simple refrain that reshapes wealth and work: earn, don't inherit; steward, don't own. For parents, teens, and grandparents alike, this episode is a practical field guide to building roots that outlast you—without losing joy in the day-to-day. Expect vivid stories (44-state camping in a pop-up, backyard tunnel cities, and taking principled risks), a reframe of “success” that prioritizes relationships over accumulation, and small moves with compounding power: draft a one-page family creed, name the ten stories your kids must know, protect a weekly Sabbath-style family meeting, and trade child-centered schedules for family-centered rhythms. Listen in, then ask: What one degree change could I set in motion today that my great-grandchildren will feel? Get your copy of The Legacy Life here Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

When pastor and author Shawn Johnson went to the doctor expecting news about a pinched nerve, he never imagined he'd leave with a diagnosis of an incurable brain disease. What followed was heartbreak, fear, and a hard-won rediscovery of purpose. In this powerful conversation, Shawn shares how faith, movement, and honest community helped him climb out of the pit—one day, one prayer, and one boxing session at a time. He talks about telling his sons the truth, learning to dream again in smaller, closer ways, and realizing that the hardest moments can shape us into more present parents, partners, and friends. Shawn's story is an invitation to stop waiting for “someday.” He reminds us that finish lines belong on our calendars, that brokenness can build connection, and that joy can be found even in the fire. If you've been walking through uncertainty, this episode will help you see how to fight for hope, live like time matters, and chase down your dreams today. Get your copy of Shawn's newest book here Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Somewhere along the way, modern parenting turned into a battle against biology. In this powerful conversation, Britt Chambers—founder of Goodnight Moodchild—joins Ginny Yurich on The 1000 Hours Outside Podcast to dismantle the myth that babies need to be trained to fit adult schedules. She reveals how industrialized culture, profit-driven baby products, and pressure for independence have pulled parents away from nature's original design: deep, intuitive connection. Together, they explore what it really means to raise the baby with the mother—to rest when your baby rests, to nurture at night and thrive in the day, to trust the signals instead of suppress them. From night waking to outdoor rhythms to the quiet rebellion of slowing down, this episode invites parents to remember what our ancestors never forgot: children who stay close to nature stay close to themselves. Learn more about Britt and all the incredible support she has to offer here Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On World Mental Health Day, youth mental health expert Bryan Gouge, PhD (Compassion International) sits down with Ginny to flip the script—from “fix the kid” to “build the village.” Bryan explains why mental health isn't just diagnoses; it's a practice we do together. You'll hear the four pillars guiding Compassion's global work—strength-based, youth-centric, trauma-informed, and locally owned—and how they translate into family life. His stories are unforgettable: teens in Nairobi's Dandora slum turning peer groups into a youth-led NGO, and the way reframing “symptoms” (anxious kids as hyper-observant, depressed kids as deeply empathetic) unlocks hidden strengths. He ties it all to nature and presence: shared sunsets, forest walks, and the simple power of truly listening—because resilience grows where kids feel known, loved, and protected. This conversation matters now because parents feel the pressure to perform while kids drown in stress and isolation. Bryan offers concrete moves you can make this week: write a short family mission, increase the ratio of caring adults in your child's life, choose gatherings over grind, consider how your neighborhood supports connection (even in small ways), and practice “listen before fix.” You'll leave with a hopeful, doable vision: resilient kids are built together, not alone. Press play to rethink support, re-center community, and rediscover the healing rhythm of being outside—side by side. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Sean Dietrich returns for his fourth conversation with Ginny Yurich, and it's one of his most powerful yet. From the near-extinction of kids on bikes to the loss of long attention spans, Sean names what many parents quietly feel — that a way of life has disappeared almost overnight. He shares how a few months with a flip phone reshaped his focus, how fiction can tell the truest truths, and why childhood once “alive with wonder” is now in danger of being managed instead of lived. This episode is a call to remember and rebuild. Sean and Ginny talk about children learning to self-manage in the woods, the discipline of reading when every app competes for our eyes, and the beauty of cursive, handwritten words. It's equal parts nostalgia and warning, wisdom and humor — and a reminder that protecting childhood isn't sentimental. It's essential. Get your copy of Over Yonder here Get your copy of The Absolute Worst Christmas Ever here Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

What if your aches, digestive issues, or low-energy days aren't just about food or stress — but how well your body manages gravity? In this powerful conversation, Dr. Brennan Spiegel unpacks “gravity intolerance,” the idea that our bodies are increasingly out of sync with the gravity force we evolved under. From astronauts losing bone density in space to children collapsing into chairs, the missing piece isn't always more activity or diet—it's a better alignment with how nature meant us to move, stay upright, and resist the downward drag. Dr. Spiegel weaves together stories and science: how weak posture flattens digestion, how serotonin isn't just a mood chemical but a key tool for gravity-resilience, how weighted vests and foot contact matter, and why many gut-brain problems (including IBS) may stem from gravity mis-management more than we realized. If you want to help your kids, your body, and your mind move stronger, think clearer, and feel lighter — this episode will change how you see the ground beneath your feet. Get your copy of Pull here Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Filming in Morocco and fresh off the marathon research behind Cry Havoc, bestselling author and former Navy SEAL Jack Carr returns for his fourth 1KHO conversation—this time squarely in our wheelhouse of reading, learning, and family culture. Jack makes a compelling case that books are the antidote to algorithm-driven distraction: stories train attention, build empathy, and hand our kids a durable inner compass you can't get from a social media feed. We walk through how he reconstructed 1968 for his new novel (maps, memoirs, dictionaries from the era!) and why that kind of deep work mirrors what we want for our children—slow knowledge, resilient mindsets, and the courage to think for themselves. Parents will love the practical spillover: cultivate “analog downtime” (think: cards at the table, shared read-alouds) where wisdom is actually transmitted; point teens to big, stretching books that expand vocabulary and perspective; and use history and fiction to talk about media literacy in an age when everyone is “the press.” Jack shares a short canon he believes every American should know, and we connect it to everyday habits that raise readers—not scrollers. If you're building a home where curiosity, grit, and good stories shape the next generation, this one will light a fire. Get your copy of Cry Havoc here Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this unforgettable sixth appearance, world-renowned farmer and author Joel Salatin returns to The 1000 Hours Outside Podcast for one of the most powerful conversations yet. Drawing from his book Beyond Labels, Joel exposes how modern life has become trapped in labeling everything — our food, our health, even our families — and what we lose when we stop thinking for ourselves. From shocking truths about what's actually in packaged foods to the deeper spiritual healing that begins with forgiveness and contentment, this episode is both grounding and galvanizing. Parents and families will find rare encouragement here. Joel and Ginny explore how freedom, simplicity, and hands-on living create resilient kids and joyful homes — and why true health begins when we move beyond fear and start nurturing what we're for. Listen now and rediscover the beauty of a life lived beyond labels. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

When parenting feels like quicksand, where do we plant our feet? In this deeply hope-filled conversation, Raechel Myers—cofounder of She Reads Truth—joins Ginny to unpack why Scripture is not just ancient, but alive and profoundly practical for families today. Drawing on Romans 1 and the way creation “preaches,” Raechel shares how her new devotional, The Bible Is for You, walks readers through all 66 books—one story, many voices—so parents and kids can see God's thread from Eden to the Garden City. This episode also meets parents in the hard places. Raechel and Ginny talk Esther's courage in dark days, the upside-down power of 2 Corinthians (“strength perfected in weakness”), and how to lead our kids toward what is unseen and eternal when life feels confusing—or when church wounds make trust feel risky. If your family is hungry for truth you can live, you'll love Raechel's practical on-ramps: Scripture-forward readings, cross-references that let Scripture interpret Scripture, and their beloved Advent reading plan (complete with slow practices like recipes, hymns, and simple crafts) to help you “walk slowly toward the manger.” Try it all together around the table, outdoors under the stars, or wherever your family finds a quiet, screen-free minute. Grab seasonal resources at ⁠She Reads Truth⁠ and ⁠He Reads Truth⁠. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

What if the solution to tech-induced meltdowns wasn't another app, but a different kind of screen altogether? In this urgent, hope-filled conversation, Ginny sits down with Daylight founder and CEO Anjan Katta as well as Tristan Scott—two innovators taking on Big Tech with what they call “the least computer possible.” They explain how Daylight's reflective, blue-light-free, flicker-free display works with natural light (even in full sun), why that calms kids' nervous systems, and how designing for finite, intentional use (reading, writing, audiobooks, selected learning tools) restores attention, sleep, and sanity. You'll hear the “slot machine vs. riverside” analogy you won't forget—and a wild experiment where kids actually got bored of YouTube on a Daylight device. Tristan unpacks EMFs(and how Daylight's “smart airplane mode,” ethernet support, and outdoor use shrink exposure, while Anjan shares the conviction that drove him to build a screen he needed for his own hypersensitive brain and for every child caught in today's attention economy. This is calm technology for real childhoods: fewer tantrums, fewer tabs, more outside time, and more cognitive sovereignty for families. If EdTech is everywhere, this episode shows a better way in. Parents, educators, and homeschoolers—don't miss the details on Daylight Kids and ESA approval, plus a vision that trades doom-scrolling for dirt-between-the-toes learning. Head to https://buy.daylightcomputer.com/1000HOURS Use code 1000hours at checkout to save $50 and get FREE shipping on your Daylight DC-1 tablet or any of their kids bundles! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this unforgettable episode of The 1000 Hours Outside Podcast, Ginny Yurich sits down with former NFL player, lawyer, and New York Times bestselling author Tim Green. Though Tim now lives with ALS and communicates through adaptive technology, his wisdom, warmth, and humor shine through every word. From life in the NFL to raising a family, from writing bestselling books for kids to inspiring readers everywhere, Tim reminds us that true success is about much more than titles or achievements—it's about presence, perseverance, and perspective. Tim's new book Rocket Arm offers a window into youth sports culture today, but this conversation goes far beyond the field. Tim shares lessons on family, faith, resilience, and the power of reading—what he calls “weightlifting for your brain.” His message to parents, grandparents, and kids alike is simple but profound: no matter what else is going on, you're all on the same family team, and that team is always more important. This is an episode you won't just listen to—you'll carry it with you. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

What happens when kids grow up without free play? Licensed therapist Nicole Runyon, LMSW, has been on the frontlines of America's childhood mental health crisis, and what she's seen is sobering: most of the children filling therapy offices don't actually need therapy—they need their parents to reclaim the foundations of childhood. In this episode, we dig into her groundbreaking book Free to Fly and uncover why play, movement, discomfort, and independence are not luxuries—they are the very building blocks of healthy development. Screens, overpathologizing, and permissive parenting are stealing what used to come naturally, and our kids are paying the price. Nicole explains why play-based childhoods are being stolen from today's iGeneration, how “drug addiction begins with the iPad,” and why discomfort is not the enemy but the doorway to confidence and resilience. We cover everything from the dangers of tracking teens and delaying driving, to the epidemic of broken children overwhelmed by screens, junk food, and anxiety. Most importantly, Nicole reminds us that the answer lies within the family unit. Parents have more power than they think, and small, courageous choices can restore independence, health, and joy to the next generation. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Screens train us to skim; books train us to think. In this urgent, hope-filled conversation, Doug Lemov (Teach Like a Champion) and Ginny make a compelling case for a childhood culture that is low tech, high text. You'll hear why book-reading is collapsing—what that's doing to kids' attention, imagination, and empathy—and exactly how to reverse it with simple habits: daily read-aloud (even with teens), real books you can annotate, and outdoor reading rituals that pair sunlight and birdsong with stories. Doug breaks down fluency's three pillars—accuracy, automaticity, and prosody—and explains why even picture books carry 50% more rare words than adult speech, rapidly expanding vocabulary and background knowledge (think the classic “baseball study”). You'll also learn why formative writing—quick, handwritten jot notes before discussion—supercharges comprehension (and beats laptop note-taking); why books are the optimal medium for deep thinking; and how to spot and fix disfluent reading. Finally, Doug demystifies the phonics vs. three-cueing debate and points parents to the investigative series changing laws nationwide: Sold a Story. If you want your kids to imagine vividly, read confidently, and engage the world with stamina and joy, this episode is your blueprint to trade scrolling for page-turning—on the porch, at the park, all childhood long. Get your copy of Guide to the Science of Reading here Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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What if the very wounds you never meant to cause are also the trailheads to your child's greatest gifts and your own? In this deeply honest conversation, Army veteran, pastor, coach, and author Tony Miltenberger sits down with Ginny to unpack the hard paradox parents live every day: intentions don't always protect against impact. Tony names the “little-t trauma” most of us absorb between ages four and twelve, explains why our kids are “most definitely wounded” even in loving homes, and shows how to spot it (like when emotions spike past a six and we're tempted to react instead of respond.) From “amnesty dinners” that invite truth without punishment to the surprising way a child's wound can become their strength, this episode offers relief without shirking responsibility, and practical rhythm without shame. Explore Tony's new book, Wisdom in the Wound: How God Uses Your Past to Shape Who You're Becoming, for a deeper dive into redeeming the pain we never intended to cause. Tony also shares how his own story—military service, ministry, and fatherhood—shaped a simple definition of grace: empathy plus curiosity. If you've felt the ache of doing your best and still seeing fallout, this conversation will help you trade self-judgment for steadiness and turn rupture into repair. Connect with more of Tony's work here: Follow 2 Lead podcast Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

When life lurches from order to disorder, what if the way through isn't either/or—but and? In this moving conversation, author and advocate Jillian Benfield sits down with Ginny to unpack the transformative idea behind her new book, Overwhelmed & Grateful—that we can honor pain and practice gratitude without denying either reality. Jillian shares how the “ampersand life” steadied her through high-risk pregnancies, years of medical unknowns, and the lonely redefinitions of identity and friendship, and how simple practices like lament, attention, and awe can calm a stormed nervous system and reopen wonder. From “in-house years” to cross-country moves with 18 specialists on speed-dial, Jillian offers hard-won wisdom for parents navigating seasons they didn't choose: how to spot beauty without bright-siding, how tears literally move stress through the body, and how awe—on a beach walk, a mountain trail, or even a Broadway balcony—can hush the harshest self-talk. If you need language for your own order → disorder → reorder cycle, this episode will meet you with honesty and hope and a path to practice both. Connect with Jillian on Instagram and find Overwhelmed & Grateful wherever you get books. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

What if the very ways we structure childhood are quietly cutting off our kids' potential? In this powerful conversation, renowned psychiatrist Dr. Bruce Perry joins Ginny to unpack why real learning requires movement, play, and space to reflect—not endless worksheets, long lectures, and overscheduled days. He explains how the brain wires itself through short bursts of novelty followed by rest, why REM sleep cements learning, and how overscheduling, lack of recess, and early mornings are some of the most inefficient ways we could possibly teach kids. Dr. Perry also reveals why challenges from stress or adversity are rarely irreversible, and how resilience is built through rhythm, repetition, and safe relationships. Together they explore the everyday practices that either foster growth—or unintentionally snip it off before it begins. You'll learn why play is the real work of childhood, why empathy is forged in mixed-age groups, and how freedom outdoors provides the risk-taking and mastery kids need to thrive. This episode will challenge parents, educators, and caregivers to rethink what matters most for development and offers practical ways to restore the rhythms kids need. Explore Dr. Perry's work at the ChildTrauma Academy: childtrauma.org, and his books The Boy Who Was Raised as a Dog (link), What Happened to You? (link), and Born for Love (link). If this conversation helps your parenting or teaches you something new, please share it with a friend and leave a quick review. Together we can help more families protect, not snip off, the potential in their children. ❤️ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Families are never flawless—but they can still be resilient, connected, and full of joy. In this episode of The 1000 Hours Outside Podcast, Jessica Smartt returns for a candid conversation about what it really takes to build a home your kids want to come back to. Drawing from her new book, Come On Home, Jessica shares stories of life on a family compound, the hidden challenges that shape everyday parenting, and the surprising ways legacy is forged through ordinary, imperfect moments. This episode is equal parts practical and heartfelt. From sibling rivalries to marriage struggles, from planting long-term seeds of connection to embracing laughter in the chaos, Jessica's wisdom is relatable for every season of family life. If you've ever wondered whether you're “doing enough,” this conversation will encourage you that the small things matter more than you think. There are lots of laughs in this one! Listen in and share it with a friend. A huge thank you to our sponsors! Check them ALL out below: Select Quote: Head to www.selectquote.com/1000hours to learn more. 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 NIV Application Bible - visit www.NIVapplicationbible.com if you're looking to grow in your understanding of Scripture and make it real in your daily life. Capstone Wellness - For over 24 years, Capstone has helped thousands of families on their path to healing. Learn more at capstonewellness.com/1000hours NurtureLife - Head to NurtureLife.com/1000HOURS55 and use code 1000HOURS55 for 55% off your first order PLUS free shipping. Wayfair - Get organized, refreshed, and back to routine for way less. Head to Wayfair.com right now to shop all things home. Earthley - Use the code 1000hours to get 10% off your next purchase at www.earthley.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

What if one open-ended question could turn a hospital room (or a hurried life) into a place where people feel seen? In this conversation, ICU nurse–turned–story gatherer Hunter Prosper shares how asking a dying patient about her greatest love cracked his own burnout and sparked Stories from a Stranger, a project he calls “therapy for millions.” Together we explore why real listening restores our humanity, how strangers open up when they feel seen, and why your emotions like anxiety, joy, heartbreak are the bridge that connects you to everyone around you. If you've ever wondered how to help your kids (and yourself) feel wanted, loved, and truly known, this episode gives you simple, powerful tools: the open-ended questions to borrow, the art of letting silence do its work, and the courage to start a conversation on the sidewalk or around your dinner table. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices