1000 Hours Outsides podcast

Jennie Allen is back on The 1000 Hours Outside Podcast, and this conversation goes straight for the thing most of us can't name—but feel every day: the hidden “core lie” running beneath our thoughts. With warmth, honesty, and that signature Jennie clarity, she helps us spot the patterns that keep showing up (striving, spiraling, numbing, isolating), trace them back to what we're really believing, and start fighting for actual freedom—especially because our kids are absorbing more than we realize. You'll hear the three core lies that tend to drive us (worthless, helpless, unlovable), why “trying harder” is a trap that burns you out, and why surrender can be the most practical, clear-headed path forward. Get your copy of The Lie You Don't Know You Believe here Learn more about Jennie and all she has to offer here Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We weren't built to live in a constant state of “what's next.” Yet that low-grade restless hum has become normal in modern family life. In her third appearance on The 1000 Hours Outside Podcast, Michaeleen Doucleff — author of Hunt, Gather, Parent — returns with a powerful conversation about her new book Dopamine Kids and the science behind why screens and ultraprocessed foods leave us chasing instead of satisfied. This episode unpacks the overdrive of wanting, the illusion of pleasure, and the practical shifts that can help you take back the steering wheel of your home. Less frantic scrolling. Less food noise. More calm. More creation. More real joy. We deserve better than Netflix. Get your copy of Dopamine Kids here . It's one of the best books I've ever read! Get your copy of Hunt, Gather, Parent here Learn more about Michaeleen and all she has to offer here Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Ginny Yurich sits down with writer and researcher Alex Soojung-Kim Pang to reclaim something our culture keeps treating like a reward: real rest. Drawing from Rest: Why You Get More Done When You Work Less and his work on the four-day workweek, Alex makes the case that rest isn't what you do after life finally calms down—it's the engine that makes good work, good parenting, and a good life possible. You'll hear why history's most creative people didn't grind nonstop (they worked in focused bursts, then walked, napped, played, and protected their attention), why shorter workweeks tend to make people more present and “ridiculously wholesome,” and why kids' independence and unscheduled time are not luxuries but developmental fuel. This conversation will make you want to put your phone down, step outside, and start building a life where work and rest are equals on purpose. Get your copy of Rest here Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

John Bevere joins host Ginny Yurich on The 1000 Hours Outside Podcast with the kind of story that wakes you up—in the best way: a kid who struggled with writing (his SAT English score was a 370) becoming the author of 25 books… because he couldn't shake the sense that God was asking him to put something on paper. From an unexpected college conversion to a decades-long reluctance to talk about end-times, John explains why his newest message isn't about charts, dates, or fear—it's about preparation, eager anticipation, and living with an eternal perspective that actually makes you kinder, steadier, and more alive right now. You'll hear a surprisingly beautiful “relationship, not religion” moment, a fresh picture of eternity that sounds nothing like floating on clouds, and why “the King is coming” is meant to produce courage—not escapism. Explore The King Is Coming and The Awe of God and check out MessengerX - the free discipleship app John mentions. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Youth sports can feel like a treadmill you can't step off—more time, more money, more pressure, and a nagging fear that if you don't start at age six, you've missed your chance. In this episode, Ginny Yurich sits down with Pure Athlete co-founder and Parenting the Pure Athlete author Britt Lee to zoom out and ask the question parents rarely get to ask: what is this really all for? Britt unpacks why most kids quit organized sports by early adolescence, why “early dominance” doesn't predict much before puberty, and how the real ROI isn't a scholarship—it's the transferable stuff: resilience, belief, coachability, leadership, and learning to handle nerves when it matters. They talk time audits, parental body language, why the car ride home can make or break a kid's love of the game, and how to keep sports from stealing family culture while still letting it build something lasting. Learn more about Britt and all he has to offer here Get your copy of Parenting The Pure Athlete here Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Anne-Laure Le Cunff—founder of Ness Labs and author of Tiny Experiments—joins Ginny Yurich to offer a freeing alternative to the ladder-climbing, goal-obsessed script so many of us are living by. Drawing from her own pivot from Google to startups to neuroscience, she explains why uncertainty isn't a problem to solve—it's a place where you can learn who you actually are, one tiny experiment at a time. This conversation is super practical and it's hopeful—especially for parents raising kids in a world that worships productivity. If you've been pushing hard, feeling behind, or quietly wondering if you're building the wrong life, this episode will help you trade pressure for curiosity—and make room for more play, presence, and real progress. Get your copy of Tiny Experiments here Learn about Anne-Laure and all she has to offer here Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this warm, science-backed conversation, Ginny Yurich sits down with developmental researchers Dr. Kathy Hirsh-Pasek and Dr. Roberta Golinkoff—the longtime collaborators behind the newly revised Einstein Never Used Flashcards—to name what so many parents feel but can't quite put into words: childhood has been sped up, pressured, optimized, and drained of joy. They unpack why “earlier” doesn't mean “better,” how screens and constant distraction are reshaping family life and even college campuses, and why play isn't extra—it's the way kids build flexible, future-ready brains (and calmer homes). If you've been parenting with a low-grade panic that your child is falling behind, this episode offers something better than another checklist: relief, perspective, and a simple path back to connection. Get your copy of Einstein Never Used Flashcards here Learn more about Dr. Kathy Hirsh-Pasek and all she has to offer here Learn more about Dr. Roberta Golinkoff and all she has to offer here Follow their practical parenting clips at @drkathyanddrro. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Ginny Yurich sits down with neurologist and neuroscientist Dr. Majid Fotuhi to flip the script on what most of us assume about memory: it isn't something you either “have” or “lose”—it's a skill you can build. Drawing from decades of work with brain health, ADHD, concussion recovery, and cognitive decline, Dr. Fotuhi explains why everyday forgetfulness is often normal (and not an automatic sign of Alzheimer's), then gives a clear, doable framework for getting sharper at any age through his five pillars of brain health—exercise, sleep, nutrition, stress reduction, and brain training. You'll hear why movement supercharges the brain, why racquet sports and “thinking + motion” activities are especially powerful for kids and adults, how to make names and information stick by adding emotion and play, what's actually happening during menopause brain fog, and why optimism and purpose aren't just nice ideas—they're linked to real changes in the brain. This episode is practical, hopeful, and immediately motivating—you'll finish it feeling like your brain isn't fragile… it's trainable. So exciting!! Get your copy of The Invincible Brain here Learn more about Dr. Fotuhi and all he has to offer here Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Ginny Yurich sits down with Dr. Ross W. Greene to examine a hard truth: if consequences were going to fix chronic behavior challenges, they would have worked by now. Greene's central premise—kids do well if they can—shifts the focus away from motivation and toward lagging skills and unsolved problems. In this conversation, they unpack why the same students are repeatedly punished, why taking away recess often makes things worse, and how reacting in the moment keeps adults “late” instead of proactive. You'll hear a practical framework for identifying predictable triggers, listening in a way that builds clarity rather than conflict, and solving problems collaboratively without lowering expectations. This episode is a thoughtful look at what actually changes outcomes—for the kids who are struggling most and for everyone around them. https://livesinthebalance.org/Get your copy of The Kids Who Aren't OkayGet your copy of The Explosive Child Get your copy of Lost at School Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Michael Easter returns for his third appearance, and this one feels like a relief: a simple way to get stronger, steadier, and more clear-headed without adding another complicated “wellness” project to your life. Ginny Yurich and Michael talk about the Two Percenter mindset, why walking is already powerful, and how adding a reasonable load can quietly upgrade nearly everything—muscle, bone density, core strength, endurance, mood, and even the way you move through everyday life (yes, even airports and errands). They also get practical about getting started with what you already own, why this works especially well for busy parents, and how time outside can turn down the mental noise and help you hear yourself again. Check out Walk with Weight , follow Michael's Two Percent newsletter/substack , and learn more about Walkfully Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Archaeologist and author Amanda Hope Haley joins Ginny Yurich for a conversation that makes the Bible feel both more historically grounded and more alive. From sixth-grade “digs” and a life-changing biblical archaeology class to fieldwork near ancient sites and fresh discoveries that keep rewriting what we think we know, Amanda explains how archaeology doesn't “prove” Scripture—it illuminates it, clears away centuries of assumptions, and restores the texture of the ancient world. They talk Noah's Ark (and why the obsession misses the point), the surprising power of stone memorials, why traditions sometimes get mistaken for text, and how new finds—like the excavation of Magdala—can sharpen our understanding of familiar stories without shaking faith. Plus, an unforgettable Amish family story, a quick, mind-bending detour into space and the James Webb telescope, and a closing childhood memory under the stars that perfectly fits the 1000 Hours Outside message. Find everything Amanda Hope Haley offers here: https://www.amandahopehaley.com Get your copy of Stones That Speak here Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Hope isn't a personality trait—it's a practice, and Dr. Julia Garcia is here to show us how to build it when life feels heavy. In this honest, energizing conversation with Ginny Yurich, Dr. Garcia shares her own journey from deep hopelessness to earning a PhD in psychology and helping families, students, and leaders strengthen what she calls our “goal-directed” brain circuits—the ones that help us regulate emotions, make plans, and keep going. You'll hear the science behind loneliness and despair and how simple habits like risk (letting yourself be seen) and release (finding healthy outlets—from poetry to nature to movement) can change everything. Learn more about Dr. Julia Garcia and her work: https://journeywithdrj.com Get her book The Five Habits of Hope Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Get our top ranked mobile app for iOS or Android! Healthcare shouldn't be the thing that decides whether you can take a risk, build a business, stay home with your kids, or say yes to the life you actually want—and in this conversation, Ginny Yurich talks with real-life friend Dustin Garrett from Samaritan Ministries about a different way forward. Instead of paying premiums into the ether and hoping the fine print works out, Dustin explains how healthcare sharing works person-to-person—real families helping real families—often with surprising clarity, freedom of choice, and a kind of human connection you don't get from an insurance portal. They dig into why the system feels so broken, why price transparency matters, how Samaritan has been doing this for decades, and what's new with Redeem Healthshare, the next-generation, all-digital option that adds features many families have asked for. If you've ever felt boxed in by “good benefits,” this episode will feel like someone opening a door. Learn more about Samaritan Ministries: https://samaritanministries.org Explore Redeem Healthshare: https://redeemhealthshare.org 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

Leadership isn't just for boardrooms—it's for breakfast tables, hard conversations, and the million tiny decisions that shape a home. In this powerful, practical conversation, Ginny Yurich sits down with Jamie Cochran, COO of Echelon Front, the leadership company founded by Jocko Willink and Leif Babin, to talk about why Extreme Ownership changes everything—especially for parents. Jamie shares how SEAL-proven principles like taking ownership instead of blaming, simplifying communication, role-playing hard conversations, and “seeing a need and filling a need” can transform family culture from the inside out. You'll also hear the story behind Echelon Front's growth, why women's leadership needed a clearer on-ramp, how Warrior Kid equips kids with discipline and courage, and the surprising freedom that comes when you realize: if you're the problem, you can be the solution. Get your copy of Extreme Ownership here Find Echelon Front resources, events, and training at https://echelonfront.com/ Explore the Online Academy at https://academy.echelonfront.com/ Learn more about The Assembly (Women's Leadership) at https://echelonfront.com/the-assembly/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Kartik Hosanagar has been tracking AI long before “ChatGPT” became a household word, and in this conversation with Ginny Yurich, he helps parents see what's already shaping their homes (and possibly children). AI can affect what we watch, what we buy, what we believe, who we date, and our career paths. Drawing from his book A Human's Guide to Machine Intelligence, Kartik explains how machines stopped simply following “recipe-like” instructions and began learning like children do—surprising us, improvising, and sometimes operating as black boxes we can't fully interpret. You'll hear the jaw-dropping story of the early chatbots that felt like real friends, why recommendation engines narrow our options without us noticing, and what it looks like to reclaim agency by adding “friction” back into family life. This episode is both a wake-up call and a steadying roadmap for staying human in an algorithmic world. Get a copy of the Book: A Human's Guide to Machine Intelligence Check out Kartik's Substack Creative Intelligence: https://hosanagar.substack.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jinger Duggar Vuolo grew up in front of millions of viewers on 19 Kids and Counting, raised inside a tightly controlled religious subculture that promised certainty, safety, and success if you followed the rules exactly right. In this deeply honest conversation, Jinger and Jeremy Vuolo sit down with Ginny Yurich to talk about what it actually took to separate the truth of Jesus from a system built on fear, performance, and man-made expectations. They discuss growing up under public scrutiny, the exhaustion of people-pleasing, the stress of trying to get every decision “right,” and the courage it takes to question teachings that once defined your entire world. This episode is about freedom. It's about what happens when faith becomes personal instead of performative and when belonging replaces approval-seeking. Find Jeremy + Jinger's show here: The Jinger & Jeremy Podcast. Get your copy of You Always Belong here Get your copy of People Pleaser here Get your copy of Becoming Free Indeed here Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Melissa Ferguson is back for her second appearance—and she's very pregnant, wildly funny, and living proof that dreams don't arrive on your schedule. In this conversation with host Ginny Yurich, Melissa pulls back the curtain on the book world: why publishing wants you to “stay in your lane,” how rejection and slow progress can still lead to a long-tail payoff, what writers really need to watch for in agents and contracts, and why the pressure to market everywhere can crush the very work you're trying to create. Along the way, she shares the surreal joy of watching her beloved rom-com Meet Me in the Margins move toward the screen (with her credited as Executive Producer) and what it's like to juggle farm life, homeschooling, deadlines, and a baby on the way—while still choosing relationships, rest, and meaning over the endless chase for more. *Get your copy of Meet Me in the Margins here *Get your copy of Without a Clue here *Check out Melissa and all she has to offer here Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Azure Standard founder David Stelzer joins Ginny Yurich for a direct, fascinating conversation about how food quality, farming practices, and community are tied together. David tells the origin story of Azure: his family's early move away from chemical-intensive farming, the hard years of transition, and the moment they lost a major buyer forcing him to start delivering organic grains himself, one small route at a time. That scrappy beginning grew into today's nationwide drop system (now 3,000+ locations), where families can access organic and carefully vetted products at scale while staying connected to independent farms and producers. Along the way, David explains what healthy soil actually does, why nutrient density matters, and why he believes rebuilding health has to start with rebuilding what we grow and what we eat. If you care about feeding your family well without getting lost in labels and marketing, this episode will give you a bigger framework—and a practical path forward. Learn more about Azure Standard and all they have to offer here Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This episode is a little Valentine's gift with a backstory: Ginny recorded it in 2024 during Chelsea Damon's launch week—back when her brand-new marriage book had just come out—and then thought she lost the file in a computer crash… until now. She found it! And thought this was the perfect day to post it. Chelsea (author of I Thought This Would Make Me Happy) shares the hard-won lessons that actually hold a marriage together when life gets loud—role-swaps, job loss, living with in-laws for three years, the pressure-cooker years (she cites the 5–8 year window as a common breaking point), and the small resentments that quietly stack up if you don't deal with them with grace and honesty. You'll walk away with practical, doable ideas and a hope-filled reminder that joy in marriage isn't found in a perfect season, but in learning how to grow together through the imperfect ones. Get your copy of I Thought This Would Make Me Happy here Learn more about Chelsea and all she has to offer here Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Play isn't a break from learning — it is learning. In this powerful conversation with Lauren and Mia Sundstrom — daughter and granddaughter of renowned play researcher Dr. Stuart Brown — we explore why play is practice for the future in a world that feels increasingly uncertain. From rough-and-tumble childhood experiences to teenage burnout, adult loneliness, brain health, and even leadership, this episode makes a compelling case that unstructured, self-directed play builds resilience, creativity, emotional regulation, and adaptability — the exact skills our kids (and we) will need in an AI-shaped world. If you've ever wondered whether play is “productive,” this conversation will change how you see your afternoons, your marriage, your parenting, and your own sense of joy. Learn more at nifplay.org and connect with Mia at miasundstrom.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this tender, unflinching conversation, Ginny Yurich sits down with author Amber Emily Smith to talk about the kind of loss that splits life into “before” and “after”—and the slow, sacred work of learning to live in the “after.” Amber shares the astonishing love story that began on a music video set with her husband, Granger Smith, and the devastating day their little boy River drowned—followed by the spiraling “what ifs,” the pressure of public opinion, and the choice to keep getting out of bed when everything in you wants to disappear. You'll also hear the practical, hope-filled layers that carried their family: faith that meets you on the bathroom floor, grief support and play therapy, honest talk about fathers and hidden despair, and the water-safety lessons they wish they'd known. It's a story about heartbreak—but also about purpose, organ donation, and unexpected friendships. Listen, share with a friend who's hurting, and find Amber's book and work here: The Girl on the Bathroom Floor • Arise with Amber Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

New York Times bestselling author Brad Thor joins Ginny Yurich to talk about his newest novel Cold Zero, a high-stakes Arctic thriller centered on a race for powerful AI technology after a commercial plane goes down at the top of the world. Brad shares how he almost walked away from writing before committing to two disciplined hours a day, why loyalty and strategy matter more than bravado, and how real-world geopolitics shape his fiction. They explore mental toughness, celebrating small wins, and what it means to choose wisely when there is no perfect option — only the best bad one. A thoughtful conversation about resilience, craft, and the human element behind global power struggles. Get your copy of Cold Zero here Learn more about Brad and all of his books (including the Ultimate Reader Experience) here Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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