The 1000 Hours Outside Podcast 1KHO 681: It's Hard to Be Anxious and Grateful | Max Lucado, Calm Thoughts for Kids
Jan 16, 2026
Max Lucado, a bestselling author and pastor, joins Ginny Yurich to discuss practical ways to combat anxiety in children. He emphasizes the importance of gratitude as a quick remedy for anxious thoughts and shares relatable stories about his own struggles with pressure. Max offers strategies for managing 'what if' worries and underscores the need for kids to unplug and embrace outdoor experiences. His new devotional, Calm Thoughts for Kids, introduces simple exercises to help children find calm through prayer and gratitude.
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From Shame To Renewal
- Max Lucado shares his struggle with alcohol and shame as a teenager and young adult.
- He credits his father's guidance and a recommitment to faith for changing his life.
Protect Digital Inputs
- Do use filters and boundaries on devices to protect children from harmful content.
- Do choose thought inputs wisely because repeated messages shape the brain toward fear or faith.
What-Ifs Are A Meteor Shower
- What-if thinking is ubiquitous across ages and becomes a 'meteor shower' of anxiety.
- Having a proactive strategy for thought management is as important as strategies for sports or music.
