What happens when you grow up as the smartphone generation and then decide to put the phone down?
In this episode, Olivia sits down with Gabriela Nguyen, founder of Appstinence, a Gen Z-led movement fighting to reclaim what we've lost to our screens. Together they dig into the real cost of a childhood shaped by devices, why social media has quietly rewired how an entire generation connects, and what it actually feels like to live without an iPhone in 2026.
Gabriela isn't interested in the tired "kids these days" narrative. She's building something different, a movement rooted in the belief that our relationships deserve more than likes and comments, that depth and presence aren't luxuries, and that Gen Z might be uniquely positioned to lead us all toward a healthier relationship with technology.
Whether you're exploring digital wellness tools like the Opal app or curious why your phone has power over your attention, this conversation will make you think twice about the device in your pocket.
In this episode:
In this episode Olivia and Gabriela discuss why growing up with phones created challenges previous generations never faced, how modern technology shapes developing minds, what the Appstinence movement is really about, and why Gen Z is leading it. Practical wisdom for anyone ready to take back their time and attention.
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