Podcasts about bored

The official minutes from our 6th bored meeting.

With school summer holidays in full swing, many parents are struggling day-to-day to keep their children entertained. While camps are settling down and sun holidays are coming to an end, we are starting to hear the dreaded phrase: “I'm bored”...What does it mean for our children when they are bored? Should we try everything to keep them entertained or is it okay to allow boredom to strike and encourage children to use their imagination to find entertainment themselves?Joining guest host Anna Daly to discuss is Consulting Psychologist and clinical hypnotherapist from D4 Clinic, Jason O'Callaghan, Editor of Cork Beo and father Joe O'Shea, Zoo Director with The National Reptile Zoo James Hennessy, Averil Sheenan from Care-A-Lot Childcare and more.

A new study has found that 1 in 4 people admit to feeling bored in their relationship, with women more likely to experience it earlier than men. Researchers say relationship boredom is actually more common than many people realise, but does a relationship feeling a little stale mean it's in trouble?Dating and relationship coach, Francis Kelleher, joined the Limerick Today show to give her insight.Image via Getty. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Most of us do everything we can to avoid boredom, but in the process, we thwart our own happiness. Jim Daly shares research that demonstrates why we need to be bored to be happy.Support Family MinistryIf you enjoyed listening to Focus on the Family Commentary, please give us your feedback.

On today's Take 2 with Jerry & Debbie our topic is: Are You Bored with Life?

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He bought two Happy Meals. He wasn't meeting an adult. 62-year-old John Coughlin walked up a quiet driveway in Iron Mountain, Michigan carrying kids' meals and a jar of marijuana for what he believed was a 14-year-old girl. What he found instead was Chris and the Dickinson County Sheriff's Office.  In this episode, Chris takes you inside his sting operation in Michigan's Upper Peninsula that netted seven predators, and Coughlin's case is the one that rattled him. A laundromat manager and one-time country club cook, Coughlin sent explicit videos to the decoy, asked if she was "420 friendly," and showed up ready. And here's the chilling part: he'd ALREADY been caught once. A live warrant from a Shelby Township sting was sitting in the system while he trolled other underage girls' photos online. His excuse? "Bored and lonely." His admission? "I knew better than this." He did. He came anyway. Sponsored by: Home Title Lock: Go to https://hometitlelock.com/chrishansen  and use promo code HANSEN to get a FREE title history report and a FREE TRIAL of their Triple Lock Protection! For details visit https://hometitlelock.com/warranty   AquaTru: Head to https://AquaTru.com  & use code HANSEN for 20% off your purifier and a 30-day best-tasting water guarantee.   TruthFinder.com. To get the answers you're looking for about the new people in your life, and to discover information on potential predators, go to www.TruthFinder.com/predators   Have A Seat merchandise at https://haveaseat.dashery.com/ Two Happy Meals and a Jar of Weed: The 62-Year-Old Who Knew Better He bought two Happy Meals. He wasn't meeting an adult. 62-year-old John Coughlin walked up a quiet driveway in Iron Mountain, Michigan carrying kids' meals and a jar of marijuana for what he believed was a 14-year-old girl. What he found instead was Chris and the Dickinson County Sheriff's Office.  In this episode, Chris takes you inside his sting operation in Michigan's Upper Peninsula that netted seven predators, and Coughlin's case is the one that rattled him. A laundromat manager and one-time country club cook, Coughlin sent explicit videos to the decoy, asked if she was "420 friendly," and showed up ready. And here's the chilling part: he'd ALREADY been caught once. A live warrant from a Shelby Township sting was sitting in the system while he trolled other underage girls' photos online.  His excuse? "Bored and lonely." His admission? "I knew better than this." He did. He came anyway. Sponsored by: Home Title Lock: Go to https://hometitlelock.com/chrishansen  and use promo code HANSEN to get a FREE title history report and a FREE TRIAL of their Triple Lock Protection! For details visit https://hometitlelock.com/warranty   AquaTru: Head to https://AquaTru.com  & use code HANSEN for 20% off your purifier and a 30-day best-tasting water guarantee.   TruthFinder.com. To get the answers you're looking for about the new people in your life, and to discover information on potential predators, go to www.TruthFinder.com/predators   Have A Seat merchandise at https://haveaseat.dashery.com/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Joanna Fortune, psychotherapist and author

In this episode of The Inner Glow Podcast, I'm exploring six unusual and more advanced meditation practices that challenge the idea that meditation only happens in perfect silence, sitting comfortably on a cushion.We'll explore practices that help train calmness in real-life situations: when you're uncomfortable, distracted, overstimulated, under pressure, or simply finding traditional meditation difficult to engage with. From wall meditation and ice cube regulation exercises to open awareness practices and breath-hold techniques, these approaches invite us to develop something deeper than relaxation: the ability to remain present and grounded even when conditions aren't perfect.Whether you've been meditating for years or you're simply looking for something beyond traditional mindfulness practices, this episode offers practical, evidence-informed techniques to help you build emotional resilience, distress tolerance, and a calmer relationship with discomfort.Because perhaps the true purpose of meditation isn't learning how to be calm when everything is peaceful. Perhaps it's learning how to remain calm when life isn't.Claim Your Free Hypnosis Recording: "Crowned in Confidence"

Summary Being busy does not protect people from boredom, and boredom does not mean someone has spare capacity. New research shows employees can be bored and burned out at the same time. This episode explores how role conflict, limited autonomy and poorly designed work create this combination, and what leaders can do about it.   Transcript Hello and welcome to the Leadership Today podcast, where each week we share practical tips to improve your leadership. In this episode we explore whether it's possible to be both bored and burned out, and what that means for us at work. We often think of boredom and burnout as opposites. A bored employee does not have enough to do, while a burned-out employee has far too much. One needs more work and the other needs less. But new research suggests that this neat distinction does not reflect how people actually experience work. Research shows it is possible to be extremely busy and still be bored. It is also possible to be both bored and burned out at the same time. A recent longitudinal study examined different profiles of boredom, burnout and work engagement. Rather than assuming every employee fell somewhere on a simple line from disengaged to engaged, the researchers found several distinct combinations. Some people experienced the familiar pattern of high burnout and low engagement. Others experienced boredom and burnout together. At first, that may sound contradictory. But think about a person whose day is packed with repetitive tasks, constant interruptions, unclear priorities and unnecessary administration. They may be exhausted by the volume and fragmentation of the work while also feeling under-stimulated by its content. They have too much to do, but it still doesn't feel challenging, meaningful or worthwhile. That is one reason simply reducing workload may not solve every wellbeing problem. Managing workload matters enormously, but the design and quality of the work matter too. The research found that role conflict predicted less favourable wellbeing profiles. When people face incompatible expectations or competing priorities, they expend significant energy without necessarily experiencing progress or purpose. By contrast, autonomy, learning opportunities and cognitive demands were associated with healthier wellbeing patterns. Cognitive demands do not mean overwhelming people with complexity. They involve providing enough challenge to keep work interesting and engaging. There are three practical implications for leaders from this research: First, don't just look at workload alone. Someone can have a full calendar and an overflowing task list while still feeling deeply under-challenged. Ask not only, "How much work do you have?" but also, "Which parts of your work are energising or stretching you?" Second, reduce role conflict. Clarify priorities when expectations compete. If everything is urgent, people can spend enormous amounts of energy shifting between demands without feeling they have accomplished anything meaningful. Leaders add value by deciding what matters most. Third, increase healthy challenge and autonomy. Look for opportunities to give people ownership, involve them in problem-solving, rotate responsibilities or build new skills. The goal is not to add more tasks - it is to create better work. It is also worth paying attention to mixed signals. A person who appears disengaged may not lack motivation. They may be depleted by the wrong kind of demands. Someone who asks for more challenging work may not have spare capacity. They may be looking for work that feels more worthwhile than the tasks currently exhausting them. The takeaway is that wellbeing is not simply about how hard people work. It is also about what they are working on, how much control they have and whether the work provides clarity, learning and meaning. Great leaders do not just manage the quantity of work. They improve its quality. As always the reference used in this podcast is in the show notes. Have a great week.   Reference Toscanelli, C., Parmentier, M., Urbanavičiūtė, I., & Hirschi, A. (2026). The dynamics of well-being at work: Longitudinal profiles of boredom, burnout, and work engagement. European Journal of Work and Organizational Psychology. Advance online publication. https://doi.org/10.1080/1359432X.2026.2699462   Leadership Today On-Demand Special Offer We have a great deal for podcast listeners on our Leadership Today On-Demand subscription. Just go to www.leadershiptoday.com and checkout using the promo code PODCAST for 25% off an annual subscription.  Leadership Today On-Demand is a video subscription service that allows you to work on your leadership in your own time and at your own pace. It is available online and through our Apple iOS and Android apps for phones and tablets. Our mission is to help you to become an even better leader. Your subscription brings together all of our video content in one place including: - Five online courses with workbooks  - Five five day challenges with workbooks - Nineteen recorded webinars  - A searchable library of 170+ "how to" quick videos on a range of leadership challenges  That's over $4,500 of content for less than the price of a single online course. And there are more videos added each week.   Get Connected Find out ways to get connected here: https://leadership.today/connect 

Folks, on this week's all new episode we hear about if the lettuce at Taco Bell is giving people diarrhea, a Florida restaurant that accepts python's as currency, an Airbnb that had photos of their guest's already on the wall, a pair of trousers that keeps injuring people that wear them, and a pilot who wrote "I'm Bored" in skywriting while flying a planeBUY ELI'S NEW STAND UP ALBUM HERE: ⁠https://eliyudin.bandcamp.com/album/humble-offering⁠OR WATCH IT HERE: ⁠https://tinyurl.com/2wwdrpjc⁠Become a patron for weekly bonus eps and more stuff! :⁠⁠⁠www.patreon.com/whatatimepod⁠⁠⁠Check out our YouTube channel: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/c/whatatimetobealive⁠⁠⁠Get one of our t-shirts, or other merch, using this link! ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://whatatimepod.bigcartel.com/whatatimepod.com⁠⁠⁠Join our Discord chat here: ⁠⁠⁠discord.gg/jx7rB7J⁠⁠Theme music by Naughty Professor⁠: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.naughtyprofessormusic.com/⁠⁠@pattymo // @kathbarbadoro // @eliyudin// @whatatimepod©2026 What A Time LLC

July's Brain Breather: Feeling Bored with Cherry and Snip Figuring out how we're feeling is hard…but easier with friends. Join Bean for a silly story that will help us check in with our minds and take care of our feelings.Feelings Focus: Coping with boredomProtagonists: Cherry the Tomato and Snip the Toenail ClippersSetting: Andalusia, SpainStrategies: Pocket Puppets (Shifting focus; imaginative play; resourcefulness; storytelling; humor)Resources:-The Benefits of Boredom-Creative Activities for Bored MindsWe need jokes for our Summertime Is Joke Time August Special!

In this episode, I talk about the real reason so many students quietly lose interest in lessons, and why it has nothing to do with talent, motivation, or how good the teaching is. I share the story of a student named Marcus, a kid who went from showing off Queen bass lines to watching the clock, and what that pattern taught me about a structural problem hiding inside almost every private lesson. If you've ever had a parent tell you their kid "just won't practice," this episode gets at what's actually going on underneath that. Key ideas covered in this episode: Why better teaching, better communication, and practice incentives don't fix declining engagement The real difference between kids who stick around and kids who quietly fade out Why most "group classes" aren't actually solving the problem they think they're solving How reframing the very first lesson changed retention at my own school In this episode, you'll learn: Why a private lesson is one of the most intimidating settings a young beginner will ever walk into, and what that means for retention The one shared trait among the students who kept showing up prepared, without being nagged Why most group classes are secretly just "six private lessons happening in the same room" A simple shift you can make on day one that changes how a beginner experiences their first months of lessons What changed for my students the moment they had a real performance instead of a recital How this approach became a referral engine without me ever asking for referrals davesimonsmusic.com

The lights are dimmed, the band is tight, and the coffee in the lobby is artisan-grade. By almost every visible metric, the modern church in the West looks like it's thriving. But if we pull back the curtain, we find a quiet, devastating emergency. We have become experts at filling seats, yet we are struggling to form souls. We are living through what I call a "Discipleship Crisis." It is a strange time to be a believer. We have more access to Bibles, podcasts, and worship songs than any generation in human history, yet biblical illiteracy is at an all-time high. We find ourselves easily swayed by the latest political outrage or social media trend, often blending our faith with the world's ideas until the Gospel is barely recognizable. This is what happens when we settle for "Consumer Christianity"—a version of faith that treats church like a weekly entertainment commodity rather than a call to a radical, sacrificial life. The hard truth is that we are all being discipled by something. If we aren't being shaped by the Word of God, we are being shaped by secular algorithms, cable news, and the endless scroll of social media. These digital "masters" are designed to keep us distracted, anxious, and self-centered. They are like junk food for the soul—they provide a quick hit of dopamine but leave us spiritually malnourished. Jesus warned us that the road to life is narrow (Matthew 7:14). It's time we stop playing it safe in the pews and start counting the cost of what it actually means to follow the Master.

Join Alex and Mike to talk about the following!- Are Knicks fans bored now?- Nets Summer League Recap - Mike vs the Media- Charles Smith night at MSG?

How do you entertain yourself for cheap, or even better... free? See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Does every relationship eventually hit a rut? Is it normal to get bored, feel disconnected, or just settle into routine? In this episode, we're talking honestly about the seasons every relationship goes through- why they happen, how to recognize them, and what has helped us stay connected through the "funks." Whether you've been married for a few months or a few decades, we hope this conversation reminds you that you're not alone. A huge thank you to our sponsors!

We talked about last night's All-Star game which ended 4-0 and had a ton of strikeouts. It was simply boring.

We break down the process of experiencing calm and quietness, inner and outer, and how our nervou system may find that really uncomfortable. These are moments where we have a chance to acclimate to having moments of peace and allowing more parts of us to come on line and feed our hearts.

Host:  Mindy McCulley, MS Extension Specialist for Instructional Support, University of Kentucky   Guests: David Weisenhorn, PhD Extension Specialist for Parenting and Child Development and Katherine Jury, MS Extension Specialist for Family Health Season 9 | Episode 2 Host Mindy McCulley is joined by Dr. David Weisenhorn and Katherine Jury to discuss the why it is critical to give your children time to engage in unstructured activities. They cover why boredom can be beneficial, how it fosters imagination, self-direction, problem solving, and emotional regulation, and how technology and over-engaged parenting can limit these opportunities. The episode highlights research on the harms of micromanaging play—reduced autonomy, increased anxiety, and impaired self-regulation—and offers practical tips for parents: provide safe, flexible spaces, offer simple materials or outdoor options, give minimal prompts, and learn each child's play preferences to support creative exploration. Listeners can expect real-world examples, summer-ready strategies for handling “I'm bored,” and expert guidance on balancing safety with giving children room to experiment and grow. Connect with FCS Extension through any of the links below for more information about any of the topics discussed on Talking FACS. Kentucky Extension Offices UK FCS Extension           Website           Facebook           Instagram           FCS Learning Channel

An airport pilot has written “I'm bored” while doing a test flight.Kevin Byrne, retired Lieutenant Colonel of the Air Corps & Airport Safety and Security Auditor joins Seán to explain just how impressive that truly is…Image: flightradar24

Summer is officially here, but between the soaring costs of family activities, the constant pull of screen time, and a heatwave sweeping through, finding the right household rhythm is easier said than done.In this episode, Kevin and Nole dive into the "Disneyland Dad" dilemma—the internal pressure to constantly provide extravagant, expensive entertainment versus the biological benefit of letting your kids just be bored. We contrast our own "free-range" BMX and forest-wandering childhoods with the high-tech, location-tracked reality of parenting today.Plus, we talk about the discipline it takes to stay firm on device limits, a massive local bear causing trash-can chaos, an intense bison video that might actually be "AI slop," and a surprising throwback fidget toy keeping the kids occupiedBig thank you to My Epic and Facedown Records for the use of their song "Hail" in our podcast!https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dz2RZThURTU&ab_channel=FacedownRecordsThe Fire You Carry on YouTube.Sign up for a class at The Fire Up Program!https://www.fireupprogram.com/programsThe Fire Up Progam video.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I__ErPW46Ec&t=12s&ab_channel=FireUpProgramThe Fire You Carry Instagram.https://www.instagram.com/thefireyoucarry/Donate to The Fire Up Program.https://www.fireupprogram.com/donateThe Fire Up Program Instagram.https://www.instagram.com/fireup_program/Kevin's Instagram.https://www.instagram.com/kevinpwelsh/?hl=en

Text your thoughts and questions!Have you ever found yourself reaching for your phone the moment you have a few minutes of downtime? Or felt uncomfortable sitting in silence without something to watch, listen to, or do?We've come to believe that boredom is something to avoid at all costs. But what if boredom isn't a problem to solve? What if those quiet, unstructured moments are exactly what your brain needs to think more creatively, solve problems, and restore your mental energy?In this episode, Lisa challenges the belief that every moment needs to be filled with activity or content. She explores the fascinating neuroscience behind boredom, explains how your brain's default mode network supports creativity and insight, and shares simple ways to intentionally create space for productive mind-wandering. You'll learn why embracing boredom isn't wasting time—it's giving your brain one of the most valuable productivity tools available.This week, episode 322 of the Positively Living® Podcast explores why boredom is good for your brain and shares practical ways to use quiet moments to boost creativity, problem-solving, and mental well-being.Key Takeaways:Understand why boredom isn't a problem—but an important signal from your brain.Learn how the brain's Default Mode Network (DMN) supports creativity, reflection, and innovation.Discover why unstructured cognitive time is essential for productive thinking.Recognize how constant digital stimulation prevents your brain from making meaningful connections.Learn why mind wandering is a powerful tool for problem-solving and future planning.Explore the surprising research showing why people often avoid boredom at all costs.Understand how social media and constant scrolling can leave you feeling less satisfied over time.Learn why boredom can feel especially uncomfortable for people with ADHD—and why it's still valuable.Discover simple ways to create intentional low-stimulation pockets throughout your day.Learn why starting with just five minutes of quiet can strengthen your brain's creative capacity.Recognize the importance of observing your habits without judgment as you practice stillness.Reframe boredom as "unstructured cognitive time" to better appreciate its purpose.Learn why allowing children (and yourself) to experience boredom encourages creativity and independence.Hear how embracing quiet moments can support both your productivity and nervous system.Discover why making room for boredom may be one of the most productive habits you build.Thank you for listening! If you enjoyed this episode, take a screenshot of the episode to post in your stories and tag me!  And don't forget to follow, rate, and review the podcast and tell me your key takeaways!Learn more about Positively LivingⓇ and Lisa at https://positivelyproductive.com/podcast/Stop trying to fit into someone else's productivity rules! Grab my free Productivity Toolkit, a collection of workbooks designed to help you explore how you work, uncover what truly matters to you, and create your very own energy-friendly systems. Get it here: www.positivelyproductive.com/plpkitCONNECT WITH LISA ZAWROTNY:FacebookInstagramResourcesWork with Lisa! LINKS MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE:Episode 172: Why the Simple Act of Pausing Will Make You More ProductiveBook a Clarity CallAsync Coaching(Find links to books/gear on the Positively Productive Resources Page.)Dance Song Playlist V1, V2, V3Music by Ian and Jeff ZawrotnyStart your own podcast with Buzzsprout!I'm part of a free virtual event called Burn Beautiful, alongside over 25 experts in burnout, well-being, and leadership. My session is all about the minimum effective day, practical tools to make your days more sustainable. It's available through July 7th, is free, and you can listen on your own schedule. Go to positivelyproductive.com/beautiful26 to register. 

July's Full Episode: Sticks and Stones (Spain)Story: Magda is just…so…BORED! And her boring-as-a-rock (in her opinion) older brother isn't helping. Good thing their neighbor is “not a witch.” (Even though she probably is.) Either way, there's nothing like a magic quest full of glitter caves, enraged lions, and enchanted birds to make sitting still without melting from boredom a breeze. Region: SpainSticky Situation: What do you do when you're feeling bored and impatient?Unstick Tricks by: Valentina (Age 7) and Hudson (Age 10)Feelings Focus: Coping with boredom; shifting focus; sitting with feelingsFor Our Long-time Storypillar Friends: Today's episode might sound familiar. That's because we've learned a lot over the past four years and decided to give some of our favorite episodes a fresh sound. We hope you enjoy this brand-sparkling new version…we made it just for YOU! ❤️We need jokes for our Summertime is Joke Time Special!

You can listen wherever you get your podcasts or check out the fully edited transcript of our interview at the bottom of this post.In this episode of The Peaceful Parenting Podcast, Michaeleen Doucleff and I talk about her new book Dopamine Kids: A Science-Based Plan to Rewire Your Child's Brain and Take You're your Family in the Age of Screens and Ultraprocessed Foods. Michaeleen's position is not that screens and ultra-processed food are “bad.” Rather, Michaeleen explains how they can take the place of things that truly bring us joy and pleasure, leaving us with an empty feeling of "what's next?" and an endless cycle of wanting. We focus on how dopamine has been misunderstood and how it actually works, how magnets like screens and ultraprocessed foods keep us stuck, and small changes you can make to start shifting things in your home.Know someone who might appreciate this episode? Share it with them!And if you love the podcast, FREE ways to help us out:1- Rate and review the podcast in your podcast player app2- “Like” this post by tapping the heart icon ♥️3- Share this with a friend. THANK YOU!We talk about:* 00:00 Introduction to Dopamine Kids and why our understanding of dopamine is outdated* 02:15 Michaeleen's journey from NPR science journalist to parenting author* 05:00 Dopamine isn't pleasure—it's wanting: the neuroscience that changes everything* 07:20 Why kids say they'd rather play with friends than be on screens* 08:00 The difference between dopamine, serotonin, and real satisfaction* 13:30 How apps and ultra-processed foods hijack the brain's reward system* 16:45 Why endless scrolling never feels satisfying* 18:30 “Bottomlessness”—one of the biggest design tricks keeping us hooked* 20:30 Why we want activities for our kids with a clear purpose and a clear endpoint* 22:00 The veggie straw experiment that changed Michaeleen's thinking about food* 26:50 Magnets and cues: how screens become automatic habits* 32:00 Why removing screens isn't enough—you have to replace them* 33:30 Helping kids meet their real need for adventure and autonomy* 36:00 Small, permanent changes vs. temporary screen detoxes* 37:30 Why the car is a great place to start reducing screens* 38:00 Is reducing screens really more work?* 40:15 Why laws and regulations haven't caught up with technology* 43:00 Why this isn't a willpower problem* 46:30 Can kids ever use screens in moderation?* 49:00 Paid video games vs. free games* 51:30 This isn't about screens being “bad”* 53:00 Helping kids gradually learn to use technology well* 54:00 School Chromebooks and why parents have more influence than they realize* 58:00 Advice Michaeleen would give her younger parenting self* 1:00:00 Why kids have to experience offline joy before they'll want it* 1:01:00 Sarah's client who removed the TV—and what happened next* 1:02:30 Final thoughts and where to find MichaeleenResources mentioned in this episode:* Michaeleen's website* Dopamine Kids: A Science-Based Plan to Rewire Your Child's Brain and Take You're your Family in the Age of Screens and Ultraprocessed Foods* How to Stop Fighting About Video Games with Scott Novis * The Peaceful Parenting MembershipConnect with Sarah Rosensweet:* Instagram* Facebook Group* YouTube* Website* Join us on Substack* Newsletter* Book a short consult or coaching session callxx Sarah and CoreyYour peaceful parenting team- click here for a free short consult or a coaching sessionVisit our website for free resources, podcast, coaching, membership and more!>> Please support us!!! Please consider becoming a supporter to help support our free content, including The Peaceful Parenting Podcast, our free parenting support Facebook group, and our weekly parenting emails, “Weekend Reflections” and “Weekend Support” - plus our Flourish With Your Complex Child Summit (coming back in the fall for the 3rd year!) All of this free support for you takes a lot of time and energy from me and my team. If it has been helpful or meaningful for you, your support would help us to continue to provide support for free, for you and for others.In addition to knowing you are supporting our mission to support parents and children, you get the podcast ad free and access to a monthly ‘ask me anything' session.Sarah: Hey everyone. Welcome back to another episode of the Peaceful Parenting Podcast.Today's guest is journalist Michaeleen Doucleff. She is the author of the book Hunt, Gather, Parent and now has a new book out called Dopamine Kids: A Science-Based Plan to Rewire Your Child's Brain and Take Back Your Family in the Age of Screens and Ultra-Processed Food.Michaeleen's first book is one of our favorite parenting books, and now we can add this one to the list. She walks us through how screens and ultra-processed food hook us and keep our brains stuck in a hijacked wanting cycle without giving us actual rewards and pleasure.We eventually get around to discussing this, but I want to stress right here at the beginning that Michaeleen isn't saying that screens and ultra-processed food are evil or that they have no place in our lives. Rather, they can take the place of things that truly bring us joy and pleasure, leaving us with an empty feeling of “what's next?” and an endless cycle of wanting.I learned so much from this book. I'd been wanting to make some changes in my own life with my relationship with my phone, and this book helped me understand why it was so hard and what I could do. A hint: as it turns out, we don't understand dopamine correctly at all. Our cultural shorthand about what dopamine is and what role it plays in the motivation and pleasure cycle is totally outdated.If you're interested in making some positive shifts in your child's life, in your family, and in your own life, you're going to love this interview and Michaeleen's book.If you like this episode, please share it with a friend so more parents can learn about peaceful parenting. If you're a fan of the podcast, you can help us out not only by sharing it, but by leaving a review and a five-star rating in your podcast player app. While you're there, don't forget to follow the show so you don't miss an episode.If you'd like to support us even more, you can become a supporter on Substack to help us offset the cost of making the show. We'll put a link in the show notes.Let's meet Michaeleen. I hope you enjoy this conversation and get as much out of her insights as I did.Sarah: Hi, Michaeleen. Welcome back to the podcast.Michaeleen: Thank you so much for having me.Sarah: When we had you on a few years ago to talk about your first parenting book, Hunt, Gather, Parent—we'll link to it in the show notes—it ended up being one of our favorite podcasts out of the 200-some episodes we've done. I'm so excited to have you back to talk about your new book.Michaeleen: Thank you so much. That's so nice. It's an honor to come back.Sarah: I'm so happy to have you. Tell us a little bit about who you are and what you do.Michaeleen: I was—or I still am—a science journalist. I've been one now for about 16 years, and I spent 13 or 14 years as a radio correspondent at NPR. I'm still there covering children's health, global health, neuroscience, and psychology.Before that, I was trained as a chemist. I have a PhD in chemistry.Five years ago, I wrote the parenting book Hunt, Gather, Parent, and I had no idea I'd ever become a parenting expert. That definitely wasn't on my life bingo card.When I had my daughter Rosie almost 11 years ago, I had no clue what I was doing. It just seemed like an impossible task. Then I started studying parenting around the world, and I realized there was an easier way to do things. That's what Hunt, Gather, Parent is about.More recently, about six years ago, I was really trying to fix my own screen problem—my own addiction to my phone. I was so obsessed with it. As I investigated neuroscience, psychology, and behavioral psychology, I started to realize, “Oh gosh, we're really getting a lot of things wrong when it comes to screens and our kids.”That led me to write this next book, Dopamine Kids, to clarify a bunch of myths but also update the advice because it's really old. A lot of the advice out there is based on psychology from 20, 30, even 40 years ago.Sarah: Or even more.Michaeleen: Exactly.Sarah: Exactly. And I'm going to ask you about that. So tell us, what's the central idea behind your new book, Dopamine Kids?Michaeleen: One of the biggest ideas is that we're thinking about screens wrong. We think they're these endless sources of pleasure. We think dopamine is this molecule that brings us pleasure and that the more we have, the happier we are.But that's really old neuroscience.What dopamine actually gives us is the feeling of desire, wanting, and craving. It makes us obsessed.So what screens are doing is cranking that system up. They're increasing motivation, craving, and wanting. But if you look at what happens over time, they actually rob us of pleasure and reduce the amount of pleasure we experience in our lives.So this idea that screens—video games and social media—are treats and rewards for kids is wrong. It's all wrong.What is actually most rewarding and pleasurable for kids are things in the real world because real-world experiences don't just give us desire and wanting. They also give us satisfaction, joy, and long-lasting pleasure.So Dopamine Kids is really a reset of what actually brings our kids pleasure in life. It also provides a toolset to retrain your kids' brains so they naturally want and reach for offline activities and foods that make them feel good—foods that really nourish them and bring satisfaction.It's about rethinking our idea of pleasure. What does pleasure actually look like?I think the media, marketing, and corporations have taught us that pleasure and wanting are basically the same thing—that we want things because they bring us pleasure.But if you actually look at the science and the data, there are so many things out there that drive our wanting while robbing us of pleasure.Social media is a really good example. Kids use it because they want a sense of belonging. They want to feel connected. But over the long run, social media does the opposite. It makes them feel lonelier, and yet they still want it.I see this book as an operating manual for shaping and changing your kids' habits into the ones you want for them as a parent, but also habits that nourish kids and bring joy, happiness, and pleasure to the whole family.We often think limiting screens is about depriving kids of pleasure.It's actually the opposite.It's about reclaiming pleasure.Sarah: I had Lenore Skenazy on the podcast. Do you know her work?Michaeleen: Yeah, we're friends.Sarah: She was on the podcast a few months ago, and she was talking about how, if you ask kids what they want—would they rather be on screens or play with their friends?—by far the number one answer is playing with their friends, not being on screens.Michaeleen: Yeah. I think it's almost double.Sarah: Exactly. And yet I don't think most parents realize that.Michaeleen: Right. I didn't realize that either. I think it's because we confuse begging, screaming, and tantruming for the screen with joy and pleasure.Sarah: Okay, so tell us about that, because what I learned from your book is that everyone thinks dopamine is, “Ah, I just got a hit of dopamine and I feel so good.”Michaeleen: Yeah.Sarah: But it's not dopamine that makes you feel good. It's serotonin and, I think, endorphins that make you feel good.You go into this in much more detail in the book, and I highly recommend it. It was excellent. I have to tell you, I was on an office hours call with my membership before I even knew you had written a new book, and one of my members said, “I'm reading this parenting book called Dopamine Kids, and it's a page-turner.”She said, “I've never had a parenting book that's a page-turner, but you've got to get your hands on this.”Then I looked it up and realized it was your book, and I was so excited to get it and read it.Can you explain the basic idea? I know it's too much detail to go into fully, but what's the difference? What does dopamine actually do, and why isn't it what we think it is?Michaeleen: For a long time—really since the 1950s—neuroscientists thought we do things over and over again because they're pleasurable.Neuroscientists have been obsessed with getting people and animals to press buttons for over a hundred years. Rats, mice, apes, pigeons—they've all been part of these experiments. It's almost like an iPad. Press, press, press, tap.For a long time, researchers could stimulate one region of the brain—the dopamine center—and the animals would go crazy pressing the button all day long. They wouldn't even stop to go to the bathroom. It makes you think of someone playing video games for hours. They're just obsessed with pressing the button.Researchers believed that because this was the dopamine center of the brain, dopamine made you press the button because it felt good and brought you pleasure. They even conducted similar experiments with people, and that very simple explanation stood for a long time.Then, about 30 years ago, a couple of scientists came along and asked, “Wait a second. Is this really true? Do we always act because something is pleasurable?”They designed better experiments, and what they found was astonishing. Dopamine doesn't do that at all.Dopamine makes us want.It makes you want something, and it makes you want to do something over and over again. It's like a “do it again” button in the brain.Do it again.Do it again.Whenever you can, do it again.The way the system is supposed to work is that first you want something, and dopamine motivates you to work for it. Then, when you get what you wanted, the pleasure center starts to light up.Those are different neurotransmitters. That's where endorphins—the body's natural opioids—and serotonin come in.Serotonin allows you to appreciate what you have. It's what lets you say, “Oh, I got what I wanted. I feel really good. Ah... I can stop now. I can take a break.”In many ways, pleasure is the opposite of dopamine because it gives you satisfaction, and satisfaction stops wanting.There are a couple of classic examples. One is sex, which is probably the R-rated version. But another is thirst.Imagine you're running on a hot day. You've run out of water, and after half an hour or an hour, you really want something to drink.That's dopamine. That's your dopamine hit—that strong feeling of desire.Wanting can actually feel good. If I fall in love and I want to be with my partner, the wanting feels good.But wanting can also become frustrating. If you want something for too long and don't get it, that feeling turns into frustration.So you're out running on this hot day thinking, “Oh my gosh, I want water so badly.”That's dopamine.That's not pleasure yet.Then you see a glass of water, or you get one and take a drink, and you think, “Ah, that feels so good.”That's the pleasure system.Sarah: That's where you get the serotonin and the endorphins.Michaeleen: Exactly. And the endocannabinoids too—the body's natural cannabinoids. A whole bunch of things kick in.The wonderful thing about this pleasure response is that it can last a long time. It lingers. It makes you feel optimistic and gives your life a kind of glow because you've gotten what you need to survive.I remember being really upset as a kid, and my mom would come over and hug me. I'd bury my face into her, and it felt so good. It was just this feeling that everything was okay again.That's what these pleasure molecules do.Dopamine is saying, “Everything is not okay. I need this before things can be okay.”They're very different.Sarah: Okay. This is the part I still feel like I'm only beginning to understand.How do the makers of apps and video games—and we've mostly been talking about screens, but you also write a lot about ultra-processed foods—how do they get us stuck in the dopamine cycle?What I took away from your book is that these things are so powerful because they keep us trapped in that cycle of wanting...Sarah: What I understood from your book is that these things are so powerful because they keep us stuck in the dopamine cycle. It's just wanting, wanting, wanting.You said something in the book about how they've figured out a way to hack a weakness in our brain circuitry. Forgive me if that's not the exact wording, but they've essentially hacked a weakness in the brain to keep us stuck in dopamine without ever giving us a real reward.How does that work?Michaeleen: First of all, both the tech industry and the food industry have admitted this for a long time. This isn't something I've come up with. They've openly admitted it. Even the food industry says, “We want to make something you can't stop eating.”Sarah: Right. You read all these interviews with industry insiders, and they're very open about it. Everybody knows they've admitted it. But how does it actually work?Michaeleen: There are a lot of tricks.Let's start with screens because a lot of these techniques actually came from the gambling industry. In the ‘80s and ‘90s, casinos started replacing mechanical slot machines and poker machines with video versions—basically gambling apps on giant touchscreens.They explicitly asked, “What can we do to this game to keep people playing for as long as possible?” Some people would play for 24 or even 48 hours straight. They ran massive A/B tests to figure out exactly how they could tweak the games to send people into this dopamine loop—this wanting loop—where people actually stopped wanting to win because winning took them out of the loop.So it's very empirical. They've simply tested what keeps people there.In the book, I describe it as a kind of recipe parents can use to recognize whether an app is doing this to their child. Psychologists even have a name for this state. It's called dark flow, where you lose track of time and where you are. We've all experienced it while scrolling social media. Twenty or thirty minutes go by and you think, “What just happened?” You're in this loop of wanting because, if you actually experienced pleasure and satisfaction, you would stop. You'd stop wanting.One of the biggest tricks is speed. The faster the cycle runs, the more it traps you. If you think about videos and video games, they've become faster and faster. Even children's iPad games are just question, answer, question, answer, question, answer over and over again. That's driving up dopamine.But where's the satisfaction? What's the reward? Basically, it's just a light on the screen.Another trick is promising something fundamental. The dopamine system evolved to help us fulfill our basic human needs—water, food, social support, adventure, creation. These are things we needed to survive, so kids are naturally highly motivated to pursue them.These apps promise they'll meet those needs. Social media, for example, promises belonging. It says, “Get on here and you'll finally feel connected. You'll finally feel like you belong.” The problem is that it never actually fulfills that promise.If you look at some of the leaked internal documents, you can see the algorithms intentionally withhold what people actually want. One neuroscientist explained it this way: they figure out what you're looking for and why you're on social media, then they give you something that's close to what you want. Maybe on the next click they give you something a little closer. Then a little closer.This does several things. First, you never actually receive the reward because you never get what you really need. Second, you develop this feeling of making progress—as though you're getting closer and closer. “Maybe one more comment. Maybe five more likes. Then I'll finally get it.”What most people don't realize is that we produce the most dopamine not when we get what we want, or even when we think we're about to get it, but when we feel like we're making progress.That's one of the biggest tricks.Video games are a perfect example. Kids always feel like they're making a little more progress. A little more. A little more. By the time they reach the next level, they're already making progress toward another one.There are all these different tricks designed to crank up wanting while dialing down satisfaction and pleasure because satisfaction is what gets you off the game. You think, “Okay, I'm done.”The same thing applies to social media. If social media actually gave me what I was looking for, I'd be finished. I'd think, “I got what I needed. I'm done.”But it never gives it to you.It can't.Sarah: I started feeling kind of gross about how much time I was spending on Instagram and Facebook—really just on my phone in general. I'd think, “Oh, I need a five-minute break,” and immediately pick up my phone.Actually, I did this before I started reading your book, but now I realize it fits perfectly with what you're talking about. I downloaded the New York Times Games app.Now, when I feel like I need a little break, I'll do Wordle or the Mini Crossword or Connections. What's nice is that it's limited. You get one crossword, one mini crossword, one Wordle, and one Connections each day.I'm almost never on Facebook or Instagram anymore because of it. It actually feels like a real reward. I finish the crossword and think, “Oh, I did the Mini in one minute and 38 seconds.”There's an ending to it. It really does feel like I accomplished something, which is very different.Michaeleen: Exactly. And you've actually stumbled onto one of the biggest tricks: bottomlessness.This is huge.TV didn't used to be bottomless.Michaeleen: TV didn't used to be bottomless. You had a handful of channels, and eventually the content ended or it got bad enough that you simply stopped watching.Now everything is endless. There's always another news story, another level in a game, another post, another video. That endlessness is what keeps us trapped in the cycle.You actually did so many things right with the New York Times Games app. You found something that takes a little more effort, but it also has a clear stopping point. You finish it, and then you're done. You created a bottom.That's exactly what I want to do with my own kids. I want to help them find activities that have a clear purpose and a clear ending. When you're done, you're done, and you turn it off.Compare that with scrolling Instagram for 30 minutes. What's the purpose? What are you actually doing? What are you looking for? There's always more content. It never ends, and it's incredibly fast.I think it's Chapter 4 of the book where I talk about figuring out how to use these technologies—if you're going to use them at all—in ways that don't manipulate you into these loops but instead feel genuinely satisfying.People often ask, “How do you know it's a real reward?” Your brain tells you. You feel better afterward than you did before. You feel done. You feel full. You think, “I'm ready to stop.”If, instead, you're thinking, “What's next? One more. One more,” then you're still stuck in the loop.For a lot of people—for a lot of kids, and certainly for me—that loop is frustrating and deeply unsatisfying. It just makes life feel gray and gloomy.Sarah: I noticed something a while ago. One of my favorite activities in the world is reading, and I realized I can't read if my phone is in the same room with me.When I was reading your book, I thought, “This is something I absolutely love doing, but it doesn't create that same dopamine loop.”Reading doesn't do that.I actually have to keep my phone in another room because reading takes more effort than scrolling Instagram.Michaeleen: Exactly. It takes more work, and that's part of why it's more satisfying.We're made to work. Human beings are actually very good at working, and that effort is part of what creates satisfaction. If something is too easy, it's much easier to get trapped in the wanting loop.Sarah: You also say in the book that, evolutionarily, our brains are designed to look for the easy way out.Back when life was hard, that made perfect sense.But now that everything comes to us so easily, it doesn't make sense anymore.Michaeleen: That's exactly right. These products are exploiting that tendency.Food is probably where you can see it most clearly.Our brains evolved to look for the foods with the most calories per bite. Why would you eat something with fewer calories per bite, especially when food was scarce? That's how we evolved.We also evolved to look for calories that our bodies could use quickly. A refined white-flour cracker gives you calories much faster than a carrot does. You'd have to eat carrots for much longer to get the same energy.Our brains are completely designed to choose the cracker.You'd never touch the carrot. It doesn't make evolutionary sense.That's especially true for kids, who are eating much more instinctively. But honestly, I'd argue that adults have the same problem. If the crackers are sitting there beside the carrots, most adults are going to have a hard time choosing the carrot.Sarah: Tell the story about the strawberries and the veggie straws.Michaeleen: This was when I really understood what was happening.Rosie was about eight years old, and we went to the pool with one of her friends. I packed raw edamame and strawberries. The girls were tired and hungry, and they were happily eating them. They were enjoying them.Then I pulled out a bag of veggie straws—which, by the way, aren't really veggies and aren't really straws. They're basically highly processed potato starch.Sarah: I think it's extruded potato starch.Michaeleen: You're right. Extruded potato starch.The starch is chemically extracted from the potato, so there's really nothing potato-like left except the starch. It's heated at a very high temperature, pushed through machinery, then sprayed with fat or basically fried and covered with salt.If you really look at the research, your body treats it almost like sugar. It practically dissolves in your mouth. There's almost no digestion required. It moves into your gut and into your bloodstream incredibly quickly.So even though the package says “veggie” and even though it says “potato,” what you're really getting are extremely fast calories, much like sugar.The moment I put those veggie straws on the table, those two girls ate the entire bag.One after another.You want to talk about dopamine?“Do it again. Do it again. Do it again. Do it again.”They didn't stop until every single veggie straw was gone.And then they completely forgot about the strawberries and the edamame.That was the moment I realized that if any ultra-processed food is available, kids simply won't choose the whole foods.Sarah: You asked Rosie afterward which she actually liked better, and she said, “Oh, the strawberries.”Michaeleen: Exactly. Even though she genuinely likes strawberries better—they taste better—her brain, and all of our brains, are designed to choose the veggie straws because they're such a dense source of fast calories.That realization led me to start doing little experiments. I'd make homemade meals with whole foods, then put one ultra-processed starch on the table—a dinner roll or some corn chips. I'd sit there and watch my husband and Rosie eat all of the ultra-processed food first. Then my husband might eat some of the whole foods, but Rosie wouldn't touch them.It wasn't her fault. It wasn't my fault. This is simply how our brains are designed. It makes perfect sense from an evolutionary perspective, and the food industry is explicitly taking advantage of that. If you look at the calorie density of ultra-processed foods, it's gone up and up over time. What really surprised me, though, is that it isn't just about sugar. Sugar clearly triggers dopamine—”Do it again. Do it again.” But highly refined potato starch, corn starch, and white flour are just as powerful, and in some studies they're actually more addictive than foods with added sugar.I recently read a study describing almost the exact recipe you mentioned: extruded starch that's fried or sprayed with a little fat and loaded with salt. That combination is incredibly addictive. The moment you see it, you want it, and then you eat it. The dopamine hit actually happens before you eat it. It's, “Oh, I see the bag. I want the bag.” That's the dopamine.Then there's almost no satisfaction or pleasure because satisfaction comes from protein and fiber—and, to a lesser extent, fat. Those are the things that make you feel, “Ah, I've had enough. I'm done.” Ultra-processed foods have stripped away almost everything that creates that feeling of satisfaction. That's what pleasure actually is.I really believe we can learn to tell the difference between wanting and genuine pleasure. Just like you did with the New York Times games, you replaced endless scrolling—which kept you wanting more—with something that actually makes you feel good every day.Sarah: Can you talk a little bit about what you call “magnets” and “cues”?I finished your book last week—it really was a page-turner—and I'm already putting some of your ideas into practice. One of the simplest suggestions was to stop carrying your phone around everywhere. I wore a watch to a baseball game the other night because I didn't want to keep taking out my phone just to check the time.Then this morning I went for a walk with my daughter and left my phone at home. When I got back, I made something to eat and did a couple of other things before I suddenly realized, “Oh—I left my phone upstairs for two hours.”Just the act of not taking it with me on the walk and leaving it in another room made it disappear from my mind. It was amazing.Michaeleen: I love that. That's beautiful.I call phones, video games, iPads, and ultra-processed foods magnets because neuroscientists actually use the term motivational magnets, and that's where I borrowed it from. They work through space, and they create what we call cues.Let's use screens instead of veggie straws. Imagine Rosie comes home every day after school and plays Toca Boca World on the iPad.Sarah: My daughter used to play those hairdressing games—and even vacuuming games. I never understood the appeal until I read your book and realized she was basically getting dopamine-mined.Michaeleen: Exactly. If you look at what keeps young children on those apps, it's the repetition. They're doing essentially the same thing over and over again, which is actually very unsatisfying.At first, what keeps Rosie playing are those little dopamine hits—”Do it again. Do it again.” But over time, something fascinating happens: the dopamine hit moves backward in time. Eventually, just seeing the iPad triggers dopamine. Simply seeing it creates desire and makes her really want it. Dopamine doesn't just make us want things—it motivates us to work to get them.So she sees the iPad, and suddenly she wants it. If it's sitting there, good luck getting her interested in anything else because her brain has already triggered that powerful feeling of, “I need this to survive.” She'll be pulled toward it like a magnet. That's where the term comes from. You don't just want it—you physically move toward it. You want to pick it up. You want to hold it. You want to touch it.Even if it's hidden away in a drawer or a closet, if she knows it's there, those magnets work through walls. She'll go looking for it.Sarah: Have you seen that study where students either had their phone on their desk, in their backpack, or in another room? Just having it in the backpack was almost as distracting as having it sitting on the desk.Michaeleen: That's exactly right, because they know it's accessible. Over time, these cues become so deeply wired into our brains that we don't even have to see the object anymore. We just have to know it's there.What's often triggering the habit isn't even the phone itself—it's an emotion. For example, when I'm writing and I get a little frustrated, that feeling becomes the cue: “Go check the news.” That used to be mine. Then it became, “Go check your email.” Now I've stopped checking the news, so mine has become, “Go check the weather.”Sarah: At least that can only last so long unless you're checking the weather around the world.Michaeleen: Exactly. It's much less sticky.But that's the point. If the phone is in the backpack, the brain knows it's available. These magnets work through walls. They work through bags. To really make those cues disappear, you have to do exactly what you did. You leave it at home. Your brain knows, “I can't get it. I'm not walking all the way back home for it,” so it lets go.As parents, we have to make these things completely disappear within a particular context. That's another really important piece of this: magnets and cues work in contexts.Every day after school is a context for Rosie's brain. Every day after school, in our house, she plays Toca Boca World. So when she walks into the living room at four o'clock, her brain already knows what time it is, even without a watch. Human brains are incredibly good at tracking those patterns.That context triggers dopamine. It triggers the desire for Toca Boca World.What we want to do instead is use that same context to trigger a desire for something that actually fills her up. Maybe after school in the living room becomes the cue for making art, riding her bike, or going outside.That's really what Dopamine Kids is about: using dopamine to get your kids excited about the real world and training their brains accordingly.Sarah: Can I back you up a little bit there? Because one thing you say in your book is that it doesn't work to simply take the screens away and say, “Let them be bored. They'll figure it out.”That's really the only other advice I've seen out there: just take the screens away and let kids be bored.But you did a lot of work to create opportunities for dopamine from other things. You didn't just tell Rosie, “No more Toca Boca World.”Can you talk about that? I think a lot of parents try the approach of saying, “Okay, we're just not doing screens anymore.” Then they end up with weeks—or maybe months—of crying and begging: “Can I just play a little?”Michaeleen: I think that approach can sometimes work with very little kids, but even then I don't think it lasts. These things are like weeds. The screens will come back unless you replace them with something else.Behavioral psychology is actually very clear on this. It's much easier to create a new habit than it is to break an old one. It's much easier to replace a behavior than simply remove it.For example, while I was writing Dopamine Kids, I decided I wanted to stop drinking as much. I had gotten into the habit of having a glass of wine every night, and I realized it just wasn't working for me anymore.I didn't simply take it away. I bought non-alcoholic beer. I replaced it with something.Kids are the same way.If you just take away the iPad—especially if they've been using it for a long time—their brain has come to believe it's something they need to survive. That's what these products have tricked the brain into believing. So when you take it away, it genuinely feels awful.But if you give them another activity that's exciting, interesting, and something they genuinely want to do, taking the screen away doesn't feel nearly as difficult. Over time, you can actually help them discover activities that make them feel even better than the iPad does.That's what creates a permanent habit instead of a temporary one.Behavioral psychology is pretty clear that kids are using these things because they're trying to meet a need.Rosie wasn't obsessed with Toca Boca World or cartoons because she wanted screens. She wanted adventure.Adventure is a fundamental human need for kids. You could also call it autonomy, but I like the word adventure because I think it's easier to understand. Kids need to explore, learn, and take little risks. They need that in order to feel good.I think a lot of kids are using screens to try to fill that need.So instead of simply taking screens away and leaving that need unmet, you have to backfill it.I said to Rosie, “Tonight we're not going to watch Netflix. We're going to take a break. Instead, we're going to do something you've been dying to do that I just haven't made time for yet. You're going to ride your bike to the market by yourself.”I would even say to her, “Instead of watching cartoon characters have adventures, you're going to have a real adventure yourself.”That's the difference.You're taking something that was trying—but ultimately failing—to meet a real human need and replacing it with something that actually does.When you do that, it's not nearly as hard.It goes back to what you mentioned earlier about kids saying they'd rather be with their friends than on screens. That same research also found that kids would rather be outside playing than watching screens. So you're giving them the opportunity to do the thing they actually want to do.That's really the process: figure out a replacement activity—or a replacement food—and then gradually begin taking the old thing away.The result is that your child isn't angry at you all the time. Your relationship is better because they have something wonderful replacing what they lost.More importantly, it creates a lasting habit because they're not simply complying with a rule. They're building a hobby, a skill, or a way of living that genuinely brings them pleasure and meets their needs.One of my biggest concerns with a lot of the screen advice that's out there is that it isn't permanent.Real change comes from making small but permanent changes.It's not, “We're doing a 30-day screen detox.”It's, “We don't use screens after dinner anymore,” or, “We don't use screens on Saturdays.”And that's just how our family does things now.That's how you train the brain.If you keep bringing the old habit back, you undo the learning and go right back to where you started.So I always encourage people to think small—but think permanent.Sarah: One suggestion you make is starting with something simple, like, “We don't do screens in the car.”Michaeleen: Yes.Sarah: I think that's such a great place to start. Your book is full of practical little ideas like that, so the whole thing doesn't feel overwhelming.We've been talking about some of the bigger concepts, but the book is incredibly practical.I'm working on a book myself right now, so I know how much work goes into something like this. I just want to say you did a really beautiful job balancing the theory with concrete things families can actually do.I really, really recommend it.Michaeleen: Thank you.The car is a great place to start because it's such a clear context for a child's brain.They get into the car and their brain thinks, “Screen time.”Instead, you can make the car mean, “Reading time,” or “Journaling time,” or even “Bored time.”It's a really useful place to begin because they're already somewhat contained, so it's easier to establish a new routine.Sarah: I love that.The one thing I want to ask about—and I hope you don't take this as criticism—is that some of what you've done takes a lot of time and energy privilege.Michaeleen: Yes. I think it's very similar to what I found with Hunt, Gather, Parent. There is some work up front, but I also think we dramatically underestimate how much work we're already doing when we rely on screens as babysitters or pacifiers.We tend to think that's the easy route, but even in the short term, I don't think it actually is.Sarah: That's a really good point because the fighting itself takes a lot of energy.Michaeleen: Exactly. That's ultimately what made me change and what made me want to write this book. I was just tired of arguing with Rosie about screens. I hated policing her.It's very similar to what I found with Hunt, Gather, Parent. Recently, one parent gave me some feedback that I actually thought was really insightful. She said, “I think you could have been clearer that having daily screen time—or unlimited screen time—is actually a lot of work.”And she's right.The parent is managing it every single day, moment by moment. There's constant fighting, negotiating, and policing.I'll tell you something else. Once we got ultra-processed foods out of our house, the amount of work I do around food dropped to about one-tenth of what it had been before. We actually spend less money because we're eating less.People don't realize that ultra-processed food makes you eat more. That's very well documented. Kids snack constantly when those foods are around. Rosie now eats two or three real meals a day when she's eating whole foods.So I'm actually doing much less work because those foods aren't in the house.I do agree there's some work at the beginning. Teaching Rosie to ride her bike to the market took time. But now she's 10, and she rides her bike everywhere. She bikes to piano lessons. She bikes all over town.That investment keeps paying dividends.Sarah: That's a really fair point.I had just been telling you before we started recording that, over the years, I've noticed more and more parents coming to coaching specifically because of challenges around screen time.The fights about screens, getting kids off screens—it has become such a common struggle.They just need to read your book and get some strategies.Michaeleen: I'm really just trying to encourage people that if they have that gut feeling—that sense of, “This just isn't working for our family”—it's okay to say no.There is a way to do it that doesn't require an enormous amount of ongoing work.Really, what you're doing is setting up the environment so the default becomes these other activities. You're designing things so you're not constantly policing or managing every moment.That's my biggest pushback against the idea that this approach is more work.It took a lot of work for me to figure all of this out and understand how it works—Sarah: And you did that for us.Michaeleen: Exactly.I also think the court system—and society more broadly—is slowly starting to catch up. The regulations around screen content are so far behind the technology.If you think about it, 20 years ago Rosie wouldn't have been able to walk into a movie like Jaws without a parent. There were very clear rules about what children could and couldn't see.Now I can hand her a device that gives her access to some of the most extreme content imaginable.One scientist told me that a child today can see, in about ten minutes, more pornography than our grandparents' generation would have encountered in an entire lifetime.Something is clearly out of balance.Either society has changed dramatically, or our regulations simply haven't kept pace.When you look at child exploitation, trafficking, and abuse online, it's obvious that regulation is behind.Sarah: Big Tech has so much money and so much influence that I think that's part of why the laws have fallen so far behind.Michaeleen: It absolutely is. But I also think there's this persistent myth that kids need these technologies and that they're doing so much good.One of my hopes for this book—and for the work many other researchers are doing—is that people will begin to understand that kids genuinely need help regulating this stuff.They cannot regulate it on their own.Right now, that entire burden falls on parents, and that's a tremendous amount of work.Sarah: We can't regulate it on our own, and we're grown-ups.Michaeleen: Exactly.When I first started researching this book, I interviewed a famous economist at Stanford—someone in his forties who will probably win a Nobel Prize someday. He spent our entire conversation telling me all the systems he had to build so he wouldn't look at the news while he was working.He had blocked it at the router. He'd blocked it on his computer. He'd blocked it in multiple other ways.I remember sitting there thinking, “If he has to do all of that, how is a thirteen-year-old supposed to do her homework?”That's one of the central messages of the book.This isn't about willpower.It's not about teaching kids to resist temptation through self-control.It's about teaching them to build environments where they aren't constantly tempted in the first place.That's exactly what you described earlier when you left your phone at home.You create spaces in your life where the temptation simply isn't there.That's the key to living a happier, healthier life—not relying on willpower, but learning to avoid unnecessary temptation and building habits that don't require you to fight yourself every day.Ironically, that's what ends up making life much easier.Sarah: That was another really interesting thing you talked about in your book—willpower.Michaeleen: One of the really interesting findings about willpower is that people with fewer bad habits don't actually have more willpower. They've simply arranged their lives so they're exposed to fewer temptations.Sarah: That's right. A great place to start might be something like what you did with food. You talked about not eating food on the go.Michaeleen: Exactly. No food on the go.Sarah: Baby steps.Michaeleen: Right. Or parents will tell me things like, “We don't have ultra-processed foods at breakfast.” Breakfast is actually an easy place to start. You have oatmeal. You have eggs. There are lots of simple whole-food options. So you make that one meal your starting point.That's really the idea. Start with something small.I think the same principle applies to parenting. Parenting actually becomes easier when the temptations simply aren't there. You're not constantly managing them.Sarah: When my kids were growing up—and thankfully they mostly missed all of this because my youngest is 19, so there wasn't Netflix and everything else that's available now—we had a simple family rule: no screens Monday through Thursday.Back then it was television, but they just knew that was how our family worked. If they asked, I'd simply say, “Remember, it's Wednesday. We'll watch TV on the weekend.”It was actually very easy.Michaeleen: Exactly. And that's the dopamine system at work.Their brains know what day of the week it is. We're remarkably good at keeping track of time and routines. They knew they were in your house, after school, and that there wasn't going to be TV.It's like a smoker on an airplane. Eventually the smoker's brain learns, “I'm on a plane. I can't smoke.” The craving relaxes because the brain understands the context.The same thing happens with family routines.In Israel, for example, many families observe a digital Sabbath where they unplug for a full 24 hours every week. Parents tell me their kids love it because they know that's the time they play board games, spend time outside, and do other things together.Their brains learn that weekly rhythm.Our brains naturally work this way, so we can use that tendency to make family life calmer and more peaceful.Honestly, one of my favorite outcomes is that when nine o'clock comes around, my daughter is calm and actually wants to go to bed. Whatever effort it took to establish those habits at the beginning has been completely worth it. It's peaceful now, and hopefully those routines will stay with her for years.Ironically, it was much harder for me to stop scrolling before bed than it was for her.Sarah: Do you think there's any place for moderation?For example, could Rosie ever pick up Toca Boca again and play it for a little while? Or is it more a case of, once it's gone, it's gone?Michaeleen: That's a really good question.I think there are a couple of ways to think about it.The first is simply asking whether a particular technology is worth it. Does Toca Boca actually give us something valuable enough that it's worth the possibility of bringing back arguments and struggles? Or is there something else that gives us the same benefit without those downsides?One of the goals of the book is to help parents start asking that question about technology in general: Is this actually worth it?The second question is whether your child can handle it.I use YouTube for work. I'll watch scientists explaining research, informational videos, or sometimes I'll listen to music. I also know all the tricks YouTube is playing on me, so I can use it pretty intentionally.But Rosie at ten years old?No way.YouTube is far too sophisticated for her to use purposefully.Maybe when she's sixteen, seventeen, or eighteen. Maybe fifteen. I don't know.But I'm not going to intentionally introduce it.If it becomes necessary because of school or something else, then we'll try it and see how she handles it. If she can use it well, maybe we'll continue. If she can't, then we won't.I think a lot of this is really about figuring out what your own child can handle.We don't give children alcohol or tobacco because they can't handle them. We don't give them pornography for the same reason.These technologies have entered our lives so quickly that we're all trying to answer entirely new questions.One of the most important things parents can watch is what happens afterward.How does your child behave? What's their mood like? Is it immediately, “One more. One more. One more”?If that's what's happening, then they're probably not ready for it.Sarah: Right. It's not restorative.This reminds me of a guest I had on the podcast a year or two ago. He was a former video game developer, and the episode was called How to Stop Fighting With Your Kid About Video Games.Sarah: This reminds me of something another guest said on the podcast, and I think it fits perfectly with what you're talking about.He was a former video game developer, and he said something I've never forgotten. He said, “If you're going to let your kids play video games, don't let them play anything that's free.”He said there are lots of amazing games that you actually buy because they're designed with a real story arc, real challenges, and an ending. As I was reading your book, I kept thinking about that because those paid games are designed to give you an actual reward at the end. You complete levels, you build skills, and then you finish.He wasn't talking about buying things inside free games. He meant games that you purchase outright. I remember my husband used to play The Legend of Zelda. It was a game you started and eventually finished.Michaeleen: I love that. There's so much I love about it because the business model is completely different.With free games, the longer you stay on them, the more money the company makes through advertising and in-game purchases. Their entire goal is to keep you there for as long as possible. They're holding the child inside that loop.But with purchased games, they actually want you to finish because then they hope you'll buy another game. It's almost like movies used to be. They wanted you to enjoy the experience, reach the end, and then come back for the next one.You're exactly right—they're designed to end.I think that's really beautiful advice because it highlights how much the business model shapes the experience.Sarah: That's what he said. In the free games, the commodity is your child's attention.Michaeleen: Exactly.Whereas with a purchased game, you're paying for an experience that has a beginning and an end.We've actually done something similar with movies and television. We got rid of all of our subscriptions, and honestly, we've saved a lot of money. Now, if we want to watch a movie, we buy it.We're much more intentional. We stop and ask ourselves, “Do we really want to watch this? Is it worth it?”Then, when the movie ends, we're done.I think that simple change does so much to keep you out of the wanting cycle we talked about earlier. Paying for something slows the whole process down. It makes you think about your choice, and the design itself is completely different. It's designed to leave you feeling satisfied—to let you say, “I finished it.”Sarah: It's an experience. It's an adventure. There's a reward.Michaeleen: Exactly. I love that idea. I wish I'd put it in the book. It's really good. Honestly, I didn't even realize there were that many games designed that way.Sarah: I'll send you his contact if you ever want to talk with him.I could honestly talk to you about this all day.I'm just trying to think if there's anything else I really wanted to ask, but I do want to highlight something for anyone who's still listening.This isn't a moral argument about screens or ultra-processed foods being “bad.” You make that very clear throughout the book.It's really about bringing more joy and fun back into your life because getting trapped in this cycle of wanting without ever feeling rewarded is making all of us kind of miserable.Michaeleen: That's exactly right.The first thing I hope parents take away is that this isn't their fault.This has happened incredibly quickly, and most of us don't even understand what we're up against. These products are intentionally designed by multibillion-dollar companies to capture and hold our children's attention. That's what we're competing with, and for a long time we simply haven't had the right tools.The second thing is that this isn't about taking everything away. That's a fantasy. It's not going to work.It's about figuring out what actually brings joy to you and your family, keeping those things, and letting go of the things that don't.We've also moved beyond the old idea that kids will somehow fall behind or be left out if they don't have all these technologies. There's so much evidence now showing that giving kids a phone or social media doesn't suddenly make them feel accepted or like they belong.In fact, it often does the opposite.So we can let go of that fear.Instead, we can ask, “What actually works for our family?” Then we can build the skills to get there and help our kids gradually adopt these technologies in healthy ways because they're going to be part of their lives.Almost everyone will eventually have a phone. Most kids will eventually use some form of social media, whether that's YouTube, Instagram, or whatever comes next.The question isn't whether they'll ever use it.The question is: When are they ready?And how do we help them use it in a way that still allows them to be productive?For me, that's one of the essential parenting skills of the twenty-first century: helping kids set up their environments—their computers, their workspaces, their routines—so they aren't constantly fighting temptation.Sarah: You also talk specifically about having kids work where a parent can see them because I think that's becoming a huge challenge now that so many students are issued Chromebooks at school.Sarah: You also mention having kids work where a parent can see them, because I think that's becoming a huge challenge now that so many students are issued Chromebooks at school.Everyone I've talked to—and maybe there are exceptions out there—says you can't put parental controls on school-issued devices. Kids need YouTube to watch something for school, and suddenly you've opened the door to all kinds of temptation.Every parent I know whose child has a school-issued Chromebook struggles with it.Michaeleen: Yes, and I think this is an area that's really in flux.From what I'm learning, parents are starting to push back—not only on schools issuing Chromebooks in the first place, but also on not being allowed to set them up in ways that remove things like YouTube. I think parents actually have more power than I realized.Some schools will work with families if parents speak up. You can go to the teacher or the principal and say, “This is what I want for my child's Chromebook. I don't want them to have access to YouTube,” or, “I want these restrictions in place.”Parents have more rights than I think most of us realize.I've talked with parents who are trying to get Chromebooks out of kindergarten through Grade 2 altogether. Others are asking for more limited internet access or different settings during school hours. There's really a whole spectrum of possibilities.I honestly think this is going to be one of the defining parenting issues of the next decade—the school-issued Chromebook, the school-issued iPad.For me, it just makes those screen-free gaps in the day even more important. If your child has spent the day doing schoolwork on a device, then after dinner becomes even more valuable as a screen-free time.You need a break. I need a break. We all need a break.Creating what I call sanctuaries becomes increasingly important as more of school moves onto screens. Kids need opportunities to move their bodies, relax their brains, and experience activities that are genuinely restorative.I also think there are resources available for parents who want more control over that digital space. It does take work, but as parents we sometimes hand over more authority to schools than we actually have to. We have more rights than we often realize.In fact, a lot of this is being challenged legally. There are lawsuits against school districts because some software has been given to children in ways that violate privacy protections and collect data improperly.So I think this whole area is changing, and I'm hopeful we'll eventually reach a place where, even if students are working on computers, they'll have better protections against unnecessary distractions.That's exactly how I work. I turn on an app blocker so I can't wander around the internet while I'm working. Otherwise, I'd be distracted constantly.I have a colleague who says she can't work for more than a couple of minutes before she finds herself checking something online.Sarah: I struggle with that too.It's getting easier the more I practice, but the pull—that feeling of wanting—is incredibly strong.Michaeleen: It really is. It's become a habit, and eventually you're barely even thinking about it.I remember when I first installed an app blocker. It felt so uncomfortable. I kept thinking, “But I want to check this. I want to check that.”Then it faded.It actually faded pretty quickly.Sarah: Thank you so much—not just for being here, but for writing this book. It's really remarkable.Even though I'm past the most active stage of parenting, I keep noticing the ideas from the book working their way into my own life.I have to tell you, the last couple of nights I've made brown rice instead of white rice because of something I read in the book. I love white rice, but I know I need more fiber. Honestly, once you start eating brown rice regularly, you hardly notice the difference.You've gotten me wearing a watch, eating brown rice, and leaving my phone at home when I take the dog for a walk.Michaeleen: I love that.It lets your brain relax because you're not constantly multitasking anymore.I have my watch on too. Rosie and I actually wear the same watch. To me, it's become a little symbol of this more digitally minimalist way of thinking.I was doing exactly the same thing—checking my phone every time I wanted to know the time. Eventually I thought, “Why am I using this little computer just to tell the time?”Sarah: Exactly.Well, thank you so much.Michaeleen: Thank you.Sarah: Before I let you go, I have one question that I ask every guest. It'll be interesting because I can compare your answer to what you said the last time you were on.If you could go back in time to your younger parent self, what advice would you give yourself?Michaeleen: Which age?Sarah: Any age. Go back to brand-new-mom Michaeleen. What would you tell yourself?Michaeleen: I'll give you two answers.For the baby stage, I would tell myself, “Michaeleen, just carry her all the time. Put her in the carrier and carry her. Don't worry so much about putting her down.”She was so happy whenever I carried her, and that's how so many cultures do it. The baby is simply on someone's back or on their front while life goes on. I really wish I'd done more of that because I think it would have made both of our lives much easier.For the older years, I'd tell myself to stop worrying so much that taking away the screens was going to be hard.I built it up in my mind as this enormous thing. I thought, “It's going to be so difficult to take away Netflix at night. It's going to be so difficult to take away Toca Boca.”But it wasn't.It really wasn't.Our lives became so much easier afterward, and I wish I'd been able to see that ahead of time.Sarah: Well, how could you have known?What you were seeing was the outward expression of all that wanting—the crying, the begging, the desperation. It would be so easy to mistake that for, “I'm denying my child something that brings them enormous pleasure.”I think that's an important distinction for parents.Just because your child is crying and screaming that they want something doesn't actually mean that it's bringing them pleasure or that it's good for them.Michaeleen: Exactly.Someone said something to me that I think made it into the book. A child can desperately want to spend another hour playing a video game while actually getting very little pleasure—or no pleasure—from it.That's really where the trick is.That's the hijacking.I also think Lenore's work is right. Kids really do want the offline world.They just have to experience it first.I didn't fully appreciate this before, but you can't really want something until you've experienced the joy of it yourself. Maybe you can see someone else enjoying it, but to actually build that dopamine pathway, you have to get out there and feel it yourself.You have to think, “Oh, this is wonderful. I love this.”Then your brain starts wanting more of that.Sarah: I was thinking about one family I work with. They have five kids, they run their own business, and they're incredibly busy.Their five-year-old son was having constant meltdowns and aggression, so I suggested they start tracking what happened right before those moments.When they came back, they realized that about 90 percent of the incidents were connected to screens. He was trying to get one of his parents' phones. He was trying to grab the remote from his sisters. He wanted the TV turned on or wanted it to stay on.This was actually before I read your book, so I probably could have given them even better advice afterward.But I suggested they experiment with going screen-free for a while and see whether it changed the aggression.The next time I talked to them, the dad told me that, out of pure frustration, he'd picked up the television and put it out in the garage. He basically announced, “No more TV for the rest of the summer.”The following week, the mom started texting me pictures.“Here's the girls sleeping in a fort they built on the trampoline.”“Here's our five-year-old playing with his trucks.”Picture after picture.She said, “I think this is going to be the best summer ever without TV.”Michaeleen: I love that story.I really do.And it's easier.It's easier.All he did was move the TV into the garage.That's amazing.That's exactly the advice I'd give myself.Just do it. Trust your instincts. Do it.Sarah: Do it.Well, thank you so much. I really appreciate you coming back on the podcast.As always, it's been such a pleasure talking with you, and you've written another wonderful book to add to the parenting canon.Michaeleen: Thank you so much for having me. It was truly a pleasure to come back.Sarah: Thanks so much.We'll put links to everything we talked about in the show notes, along with your website. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit sarahrosensweet.substack.com/subscribe

How often are you bored nowadays? This hour we take a look at the psychology of boredom to learn what's happening in our minds when we're bored, and if there's any benefit to it. Plus, a look at boredom through history and literature. And, what makes a movie boring? GUESTS: James Danckert: A Professor in the Department of Psychology at the University of Waterloo. He is co-author of Out of My Skull: The Psychology of Boredom Peter Toohey: A Professor of Classics at the University of Calgary, and author of books including Boredom: A Lively History Mary Mann: The College Archivist at The Cooper Union, and the author of Yawn: Adventures in Boredom David Edelstein: America’s Greatest Living Film Critic Music featured (in order): No Rain – Blind Melon Bored – Billie Eilish One More Day – Todd Rundgren Still I Dream Of It – The Beach Boys Grand Ennui – Mike Nesmith I’m Bored – Iggy Pop Support the show: http://www.wnpr.org/donateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We have more entertainment than any generation in history, so why does everything feel boring now? Fatigue, the death of originality and digital overwhelm are things we've been mulling over a lot recently, after finding ourselves sick of the onslaught of mid-level media, the memeification of politics, nihilism, AI slop and remake after re-release upon algorithm-driven copycat. Is this all just a symptom of the attention economy in overdrive? And what can we do to reclaim our interest? This week we're deep-diving into why we all feel so bored of everything and how we fight back in the age of average.Get our brand-new bonus episode (plus early access and ad-free listening) on Patreon! patreon.com/straightuppodcastGet 10% off our fave (flat pack!) furniture brand Swyft Home with our code straightup10 at swyfthome.comTry the adaptogenic coffee that changed our lives with 20% off using code straightup at londonnootropics.comFollow us on IG ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@straightuppod⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and TikTok @straightuppodFind us on YouTube @straightupmediapodEmail at ⁠⁠hello@straightuppodcast.co.ukRecs / reviews: “Is This the Worst-Ever Era of American Pop Culture?” The AtlanticThe decline of Hollywood talent and originality, Brad Starks on LinkedInThis is what it looks like when nothing matters, The AtlanticWhat Does '6-7' Mean? Don't Expect Gen Alpha to Explain It. New York TimesWhat Does Boredom Do to Us—and for Us? New YorkerWhen Did Reading Become A Competitive Sport? Elizabeth Day on Substack. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In these clips, we were having a heatwave, Mr Blobby made an appointment and we heard where Pink Floyd got their ideas from.

Running out of ideas this school holiday? East Coast Breakfast explores affordable family activities, screen free games, parenting hacks, indoor and outdoor fun, and practical ways to keep kids entertained during the winter school holidays. Webpage

This episode features Sports Illustrated's John Pluym, Dave Bialke from Bialke Law, attorney Jeff O'Brien and psychic Ruth Lordan.

Are you struggling to balance the demands of a high-pressure career with your mental well-being, or worried about how technology is affecting your child's development? In this episode of Nothing But The Truth, hosts Bob Bianchi and Dave Bruno sit down with clinical psychologist Dr. Liz Nissim to explore the intersection of professional wellness and modern parenting. Learn why letting children be bored is a superpower and how high-achieving professionals can reclaim their time and sanity.   The conversation dives deep into the concept of the childhood spirit and why many adults lose their sense of curiosity as they age. Dr. Liz explains the psychological necessity of boredom for children, noting that over-scheduled lives and constant screen time are stripping away the ability to self-regulate. For the professionals and attorneys listening, this episode provides a vital roadmap for identifying burnout before it becomes a crisis, emphasizing the need for strict boundaries in an era of instant digital access.   From discussing the dopamine hits of social media to the importance of embracing the suck in a demanding profession, this episode covers the essential strategies needed to stay resilient. Dr. Liz shares her expert perspective on how to protect the next generation from the permanent footprint of the internet while maintaining a healthy, curious mindset as an adult.

Have you noticed that one of the hardest things for people these days is being bored? It can make you feel agitated and frustrated—yearning for some kind of stimulation. If boredom lasts too long it can turn into deep-seated malaise and a sense of feeling lost and purposeless. But what really causes boredom? And what is it a greater symptom of that's really a red flag that something needs to shift? My name is Karen Cheong and in this episode I'm sharing what really causes boredom, and 3 ways to shift out of it. The Group Frequency Calibration® (GFC) I created specifically to accompany this episode will help you begin to release the distortion patterns underlying boredom, that keep you out of the expansiveness of stillness. Without clearing these layers of distortion patterns, you can quickly downward spiral down from boredom into self-judgment and self-criticism. If you would like an opportunity to ask me questions in real-time, join me when I go live on YouTube. Subscribe to the Spherical Luminosity YouTube channel and click the reminder bell to be notified when I am live: bit.ly/SL-YTSubscribe For the latest news about upcoming events and to be notified when sessions with me are released, subscribe to our newsletter: bit.ly/SphericalLuminositynewsletter

Ever wonder why we get bored... even with endless movies, games, apps, and distractions at our fingertips?This week on the Nerd of Godcast, we're asking: What do you do when you get bored? Is boredom something to escape... or could it actually be an opportunity in disguise? From comfort games and rabbit holes to purpose, creativity, and what Scripture has to say about idle moments, we're diving into a conversation that's a lot more interesting than it sounds.Recorded at Lake Wimauma Youth Camp, this special episode features Tony T, Charlotte the Intern, and the return of two beloved former Nerd of Godcast crew members, Julia Cameron Collazo and Alexandria Maurica! It's part reunion, part campfire conversation, and packed with laughs, nostalgia, and plenty of nerdy detours.So grab your headphones, embrace the side quest, and join us for an episode that proves even boredom can lead to an epic adventure.

RHONJ Producers, in a move no one saw coming, are infuriated by and protect Teresa with one major decision that could change of the course of the entire next season of the show. Katie Ginella may be long gone from RHOC, but sure seems to have a lot to say as of late. Stassi talks cancellation. Andy Cohen gets bored. The Valley receives some good news, at least according to Kristen Doute. Calabasas Confidential reigns supreme. Last, but not least, Next Gen wins over everyone. @amiryassofficial @behindvelvetrope @davidyontef BONUS & AD FREE EPISODES Available at - www.patreon.com/behindthevelvetrope  BROUGHT TO YOU BY: MYFITNESSPAL - podcasts.myfitnesspal.com (Use Code VELVET, All Upper Case Letters, For 15% Off The Premium App That Will Change Everything For You Regarding Fitness & Nutrition)  INDEED - indeed.com/PODCAST (Seventy Five Dollar $75 Sponsored Job Credit To Get Your Job The Premium Status It Deserves) ADVERTISING INQUIRIES - Please contact David@advertising-execs.com MERCH Available at - https://www.teepublic.com/stores/behind-the-velvet-rope?ref_id=13198 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

#bitcoin (02-07-2026)I am so fed up with all this... and to be honest I really have had enough!MY VIEWS ARE MY OWN AND I MAKE NO PREDICTIONS OR GIVE ANY FINANCIAL ADVICE, SO DO YOUR OWN RESEARCH BEFORE INVESTING ANYTHING... & ONLY INVEST WHAT YOU COULD AFFORD TO LOSE!Subscribe to my ‘UK Bitcoiner' Backup Channel:https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC3p4A_VqohTmbm44z4lgokgSubscribe to my Rumble Channel:https://rumble.com/user/UKBitcoinMaster1Get 5,000 sats when you subscribe to Orange Pill App:https://signup.theorangepillapp.com/opa/UKBitcoinMasterUK Bitcoin Master Social Media Links:https://linktr.ee/ukbitcoinmasterNostr Public key:npub13kgncg54ccmnmvtljvergdvrd7m06zm32j2ayg542kaqayejrv7qg9wp2sUKBitcoinMaster video library:http://www.UKBitcoinMaster.comUKBitcoinMaster Interviews: http://www.BitcoinInterviews.comSHOW SPONSOR:By The Book Accountancy:Website: www.bythebookaccountancy.co.ukWebsite: www.cryptotaxhelp.co.ukMondays Live Show: https://youtu.be/rF2MutM1buE

It's News Day Tuesday on The Majority Report On today's program: Please consider phone banking for progressive Colorado candidates Melat Kiros and Julie Gonzalez  Speaker of the House Mike Johnson (R-LA) reacts to the Supreme Court upholding birthright citizenship. Donald Trump is so bored by the affordable housing bills. The president said anything other than the SAVE act is a "yawn". Rep. Randy Fine says he is against the housing bill because it is bipartisan. The large representative said he did not come to DC to work with Democrats. In the Fun Half: We continue our coverage from yesterday on the Great American State Fair. Highlights include a man gagging through a pancake eating contest, fabulous right-wing podcaster Michael Knowles debating a child over the Salem Witch Trials and a MAGA streamer arrested for committing lewd acts while watching acrobatics. In response to the recent DSA candidates' primary victories, 13 centrist Democrats sign the moderates' "Promise to America". Sam reads through the "promise", and the only direct mention of policy is about balancing the budget and everything else is just empty calories. An advisor to former Starbucks CEO Howard Schultz, Bill Burton says, "politics is broken and maybe we need a solution to it that risks the imagination of a new kind of possibility." $100 to anyone who can explain what Burton is trying to say. Greg Gutfeld tries to explain socialism to his geriatric viewers. All that and more. To connect and organize with your local ICE rapid response team visit ICERRT.com The Congress switchboard number is (202) 224-3121. You can use this number to connect with either the U.S. Senate or the House of Representatives. Follow us on TikTok here: https://www.tiktok.com/@majorityreportfm Check us out on Twitch here: https://www.twitch.tv/themajorityreport Find our Rumble stream here: https://rumble.com/user/majorityreport Check out our alt YouTube channel here: https://www.youtube.com/majorityreportlive Gift a Majority Report subscription here: https://fans.fm/majority/gift Subscribe to the AM Quickie newsletter here: https://am-quickie.ghost.io/ Join the Majority Report Discord! https://majoritydiscord.com/ Get all your MR merch at our store: https://shop.majorityreportradio.com/ Get the free Majority Report App!: https://majority.fm/app Go to https://JustCoffee.coop and use coupon code majority to get 10% off your purchase Check out today's sponsors: BABBEL: Learn a new Language and get up to 60% off your subscription at Babbel.com/MAJORITY SUNSET LAKE CBD:  Use the coupon code FS26 to save 25% on all full-spectrum CBD Gummies at SunsetLakeCBD.com. The sale ends June 27th at midnight Eastern time Follow the Majority Report crew on Twitter: @SamSeder @EmmaVigeland @MattLech On Instagram: @MrBryanVokey Check out Matt's show, Left Reckoning, on YouTube, and subscribe on Patreon! https://www.patreon.com/leftreckoning Check out Matt Binder's YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/mattbinder Subscribe to Brandon's show The Discourse on Patreon! https://www.patreon.com/ExpandTheDiscourse Check out Ava Raiza's music here! https://avaraiza.bandcamp.  

Send us Fan MailSpiritual Awakener Ginger Ready is here on the Rainbow to talk all things dreams, goals and manifestation. From how to get "unstuck" in your life to living in a way that brings JOY to your body and soul, she is dynamic, fierce, kind and "ready" to show you the beautiful life waiting for you just on the other side of self-doubt! Bored in your life right now? Looking for the next adventure? Want to re-awaken the purpose driven life inside of you? Let's talk about it!"Bringing joy to one's heart starts with the belief in oneself."~KSHOW NOTES:LEARN MORE ABOUT : Ginger | Spiritual Awakener (@theembodiedfrequency) • Instagram photos and videosVirtual and In-person meetings: Embodied FrequencyJoin Life and Wellness Coach, Kira Mesi as she navigates the ups and downs of life through personal experience, storytelling, and interviews. Learn to lean into your best self with the mindful practice of gratitude living, honoring your soul's purpose, and the joy of Finding Rainbows on an ordinary day.  (and she's a singer, too....so get ready to spontaneously break out in song, sometimes :)"Dive into the ordinary looking for the extraordinary because life is hard, but if you look close enough, you will find the Rainbows." ~KGRAB A RAINBOWS MUG AND SUPPORT THE PODCAST:Finding Rainbows The Podcast (finding-rainbows-the-podcast.myshopify.com)FOLLOW ME FOR MORE INSPIRATION:@FindingRainbows | LinktreeSupport the show

Welcome back to Raising Confident Girls. In this episode, Melissa Jones explores what your daughter might really be communicating when she says, “I'm bored.”While it can be tempting to immediately suggest an activity or solve the problem, Melissa explains that boredom is often about much more than having nothing to do. Sometimes it's a request for connection. Other times it reflects difficulty getting started, adjusting after an exciting experience, or even emotions a child doesn't yet have the words to express.In this episode, we explore:• Why “I'm bored” is often communicating a deeper need• How connection boredom can be an invitation to spend time together• Why some girls need help getting started after finishing an activity• How transitions from exciting events back to everyday life can trigger feelings of boredom• Why boredom can sometimes be a stand-in for emotions like disappointment, loneliness, or feeling unsettled• Simple conversation starters that help parents respond with curiosity instead of immediately fixing the problem• How slowing down and seeking understanding helps girls build emotional awareness and resilienceJoin Melissa for a thoughtful conversation about looking beyond the words “I'm bored” and discovering the needs, emotions, and opportunities for connection that may be underneath them.Download the Quick Tips PDF of today's episode for future reference.If you know a parent who could benefit from this conversation, share this episode with them! Let's work together to raise the next generation of confident girls.We are looking for special people like you to help send a Girl to camp this summer. If you feel it in your heart, please click the link here. Every donation, no matter the size helps!Melissa's Links:• Website • Instagram • Facebook• TikTok• LinkedIn

You haven't changed your podcasting system. So why does it suddenly feel so much harder to create? The honest answer usually isn't the tools — it's that your life, your goals, or your business changed around a system that never did.In this episode, I'm breaking down the seven most common reasons podcasters hit this wall — from outgrowing a hobbyist mindset to mistaking constant reinvention for innovation — and how to diagnose which one is actually slowing you down.One of the most useful insights? The system that worked when your podcast was a hobby is often the exact thing holding it back now that you're treating it like a business.As a podcast coach and strategist, one of the first things I look at with clients is whether their current systems still make sense for the goals they're working toward today — not the goals they had when they built the system. Here are the seven reasons I see most often.Your life looked different when you built this system. A lot of shows started as a hobby, often during or before the pandemic, when time and routines looked completely different. Even if you're using the same process today, the life around that process has changed — and that shift shows up in how hard the work feels.You blindly followed a successful podcaster's system. It's common to model your process after someone who was clearly doing well — without asking whether their approach fits how your brain actually works. Whether you create as a neurodivergent or neurotypical creator changes what feels sustainable versus what feels exciting in theory and exhausting in practice.Your personal or work time has shrunk. New responsibilities — a new role, new caregiving demands, a promotion — change your bandwidth more than most people expect. It's not that your system stopped working; it's that the time and mental space available to run it disappeared.You keep reinventing the wheel. Constantly switching tools, templates, and workflows feels like innovation, but it's often a way of avoiding boredom that ends up creating stress instead of consistency. Mastery takes repetition — and you can't feel competent at something you never stop changing.Your hobbyist system doesn't hold up as a business. Treating a podcast as a monetizable product introduces requirements a hobby never had — strategic guest outreach, follow-up emails, pitching for press. The same effort that worked before now has to stretch across more moving parts.You're bored, and the system no longer challenges you. If you've been running the same formula for years, it's worth asking whether you've simply outgrown it. The hard part is making space to notice that — which is exactly why batching shorter episodes during certain seasons can free up the mental bandwidth to actually evaluate your strategy.Strategic content creates more friction than spontaneous content did. When you first started, talking about whatever felt fun was easy. Becoming more intentional — staying within your area of expertise, asking questions that lead back to your products — naturally adds friction. That's not a sign something's wrong. It's a sign you're up-leveling.Resources mentioned in this episode:For the full list of links, resources, and show notes, please visit:https://www.thepodcastspace.com/podcast/s5-116-why-your-podcast-feels-harder-despite-using-the-same-systems-7-reasons

Grab your free Magnetic Mindset Audio Bundle - three audios to keep your energy magnetic from morning to night: themanifestationcollective.co/freebie-opt-inWelcome to The Manifestation Collective Podcast. In a brand new format of the show, I'm taking you behind the scenes of my life as I manifest my vision board into reality, showing the good, the bad, and the slow solicitors of creating your dream life. Expect a little swearing, nuggets of wisdom, and gossip like a voice note from your bestie.Leave a 5-star review, send me a screenshot on Instagram, and receive an exclusive "My Entire Life Is Receiving An Epic Glow-Up Affirmations Rampage Audio" as a thank you > instagram.com/themanifestationcollectiveJoin my manifestation membership, The Collective, designed as a digital resort for you to arrive as you are, and check out as your Future Self with monthly coaching, goal setting, guided visualisations, challenges, and a community of women manifesting alongside you > themanifestationcollective.co/the-collective-membershipOther ResourcesOrder my brand new book, RESET: themanifestationcollective.co/product/resetDaily Dose of Magic Card Deck: themanifestationcollective.co/product/manifestation-card-deckPurchase "Manifesting For Beginners": https://bit.ly/3w4EOSN / Purchase "How To Manifest Anything": https://bit.ly/44thTNGVisit my website: themanifestationcollective.coSubscribe to my YouTube Channel: youtube.com/@themanifestationcollective Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Nestle into your own personal la-lair as I try to understand a master plan that is also just an instruction manual for a different kind of I Spy game.The show really needs your help right now. Keep Sleep With Me going and get hours of bonus content by joining Sleep With Me Plus! sleepwithmepodcast.com/plusBe sure to check out Orlando Parkstop's STOP HATE fundraiser for the Trevor Project! Let me know if you donate or purchase something from an auction, and you'll have the chance to win some SWM swag and a LEGO kit!Get your Sleep With Me SleepPhones. Use "sleepwithme" for $5 off!!Are you looking for Story Only versions or two more nights of Sleep With Me a week? Then check out Bedtime Stories from Sleep With MeThis episode is produced by Rusty Biscuit aka Russell Sperberg.Show Artwork by Emily TatGoing through a hard time? You can find support at the Crisis Textline and see more global helplines here.HELIX SLEEP - Take the 2-minute sleep quiz and they'll match you to a customized mattress that'll give you the best sleep of your life. Visit helixsleep.com/sleep and get a special deal exclusive for SWM listeners!ZOCDOC - With Zocdoc, you can search for local doctors who take your insurance, read verified patient reviews and book an appointment, in-person or video chat. Download the Zocdoc app to sign-up for FREE at zocdoc.com/sleepAQUATRU - AquaTru is a countertop water purifier tested & certified to remove 84 contaminants, including chlorine, lead, forever chemicals, and microplastics! Get 20% off your water purifier by going to AquaTru.com and using promo code SLEEP Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices

Message from Cam Potts on June 21, 2026

Make sure to follow me on IG www.instagram.com/ellisaallen    Head to http://cozyearth.com/ELLISA and use my code ELLISA for an exclusive 20% off.

The Alan Cox Show

The Alan Cox ShowSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In today's episode of Truth Wanted, Objectively Dan is joined by Bored Agnostic to explore the complexities of deconstruction, racial religious identity, and the foundations of morality! They dive into the slave morality of the black church, the philosophical pitfalls of personal experience, and why typewriter gods fail the reality test. Can critical thinking bridge the gap between religious tradition and objective truth?Nye in NC asks why cognitive dissonance is prevalent in black Christian communities. Bored Agnostic explains how religious identity often overrides racial identity, creating a slave morality. Will recognizing these roots help break the cycle?Ray in NY presents a typewriter God thought experiment. Dan argues that a being interacting with the sky is still a natural phenomenon, not a prime mover. Ray claims to know God's nature through ecstasy. Can personal feelings prove a deity?Bob in CA, a former atheist, argues for Christianity through objective morality and the cosmological argument. Dan and Bored Agnostic debate moral realism versus evolved biological strategies. Is secular logic a better ground for ethics?Thank you for joining us today! We will see you next time!Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/truth-wanted--3195473/support.

Cute dumplings play a dreamy game where you sleep well.The show really needs your support right now. Please consider joining Sleep With Me Plus so we can keep coming out free for everyone. Start a free trial at sleepwithmepodcast.com/plusBe sure to check out Orlando Parkstop's STOP HATE fundraiser for the Trevor Project! Let me know if you donate or purchase something from an auction, and you'll have the chance to win some SWM swag and a LEGO kit!Get your Sleep With Me SleepPhones. Use "sleepwithme" for $5 off!!This episode is produced by Rusty Biscuit aka Russell Sperberg.Show Artwork by Emily TatGoing through a hard time? You can find support at the Crisis Textline and see more global helplines here.HELIX SLEEP - Take the 2-minute sleep quiz and they'll match you to a customized mattress that'll give you the best sleep of your life. Visit helixsleep.com/sleep and get a special deal exclusive for SWM listeners!ZOCDOC - With Zocdoc, you can search for local doctors who take your insurance, read verified patient reviews and book an appointment, in-person or video chat. Download the Zocdoc app to sign-up for FREE at zocdoc.com/sleepAQUATRU - AquaTru is a countertop water purifier tested & certified to remove 84 contaminants, including chlorine, lead, forever chemicals, and microplastics! Get 20% off your water purifier by going to AquaTru.com and using promo code SLEEP Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices

Summer is around the corner, which means there's a good chance you're about to hear a lot more complaints about being bored. And maybe you've heard that boredom is good for your child. (Spoiler: It is!) But what if you're not seeing your child do those positive things that they're "supposed to do" when they're bored? In this episode, Rachel explores why some children experience boredom very differently than we realize, why "go find something to do" is often harder than it sounds, and how parents can help kids build the ability to handle boredom without becoming their source of constant entertainment. In this episode, you'll hear: • Why boredom often leads to negative behaviors long before it leads to creativity • What may actually be happening inside your child's nervous system when they say "I'm bored" • A simple strategy for helping children learn how to handle boredom more independently  

Some kids are extroverts. Some are introverts. But every kid needs to know how to be alone.

No BS Newshour Episode #420Private Parts UnknownThe next Bourdain or Bored-to-Death?Dean ‘Dino' Bach- America's next great travel personality returns home.Dino's take on Gov. Whitmer's data center, the RenCen deal, 60 Minutes and the state of journalism TV.⁠NBN on YouTube⁠⁠: https://www.youtube.com/@NoBSNewshourNBN on iTunes⁠⁠: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/no-bs-newshour-with-charlie-leduff/id1754976617NBN on Spotify⁠⁠: https://open.spotify.com/show/0qMLWg6goiLQCRom8QNndC⁠⁠Like NBN on Facebook⁠⁠:  https://www.facebook.com/LeDuffCharlie⁠⁠Follow to NBN on Twitter : https://x.com/charlieleduff Sponsored by American Coney Island, Pinnacle Wealth Strategies, and XG Service Group