The 1000 Hours Outside Podcast

Jake Widmann, a content creator and author of 'Up,' shares his profound journey through addiction and personal growth. He emphasizes the significance of storytelling in connecting with others and navigating the complexities of addiction, especially in relation to family dynamics. Widmann discusses the transformative power of cooking and shared meals, highlighting how they foster community. He also reflects on gratitude amid loss, the intersection of faith and creativity, and the healing nature of outdoor experiences.

Join Mort and Sara Sherman, a dynamic father-daughter duo and authors, as they explore the transformative power of music. Mort advocates for mindful engagement, while Sara merges music with mindfulness through her initiative, Mozart for Munchkins. They discuss how music fosters cognitive growth, emotional bonds, and mindfulness in family life. With practical tips on creating intentional playlists and sparking creativity, their insights will inspire you to use music as a tool for enriching connections and cherished memories.

In a candid discussion, Melanie Hempe, a nurse and founder of ScreenStrong, shares her journey after her son's gaming addiction led to college dropout. She highlights the hidden costs of excessive screen time, such as family fractures and lost potential. Melanie offers practical strategies for parents struggling with screen addiction, emphasizing the importance of outdoor activities and building real-life connections. Her insights encourage families to rethink their relationship with screens and foster healthier, more fulfilling childhood experiences.

Twins Andrew and Evan Hempe, who grew up without smartphones or video games, share their unique experiences and the advantages of a screen-free childhood. They discuss how this upbringing fostered confidence, creativity, and authentic connections. Addressing the challenges of dating in a digital age, they emphasize the importance of individuality over conformity. The Hempe brothers debunk myths about binge gaming and advocate for parents to embrace diverse hobbies and real-world experiences, inspiring a profound shift in how families approach screen time.

In this enlightening discussion, Andrew Laubacher, the executive director of Humanality, shares his powerful journey of stepping away from smartphones to reconnect with his true self. He candidly explores the chaos of social media addiction, the profound clarity found in nature, and the simplicity of living intentionally. Andrew highlights the transformative effects of this digital detox on mental health and genuine connections, ultimately advocating for a movement that champions mindfulness and community over screens. A must-listen for anyone seeking fulfillment beyond digital distractions!

Ian Morgan Cron, bestselling author and trained therapist, dives into the transformative power of the Enneagram. He discusses how understanding our personality types can improve parenting and emotional intelligence. With engaging anecdotes, Ian emphasizes seeing children for who they are rather than molding them to our expectations. The conversation explores setting boundaries, nurturing individuality, and the importance of empathy and self-awareness in raising emotionally healthy kids. Prepare to laugh and reflect on what truly matters in parenting.

Beth Barth, founder of the Girls Adventure Club, shares her journey of creating a vibrant community for mothers and daughters. From scuba diving to hike-sledding, Beth emphasizes how simple adventures can transform family dynamics. She offers practical tips for parents eager to encourage outdoor activities without breaking the bank. The conversation delves into fostering connections through shared experiences, overcoming logistical challenges, and the joy of embracing the unexpected in nature. Join in to discover how to ignite your family's sense of adventure!

Lenore Skenazy, author of 'Free-Range Kids' and co-founder of Let Grow, tackles the absurdities of today's overprotective parenting. With her signature humor, she exposes how fears, from Halloween candy scares to excessive monitoring, deprive children of resilience and joy. She champions unstructured play as essential for independence and encourages parents to embrace uncertainty. Skenazy offers a refreshing call to trust kids' abilities, pushing back against the culture of anxiety that permeates modern childhood.

What if the key to reclaiming our health isn’t in a pill bottle, but beneath our feet? In this thought-provoking conversation, Ginny Yurich sits down with David Montgomery and Anne Biklé—renowned authors of The Hidden Half of Nature and What Your Food Ate—to uncover the forgotten connection between soil, farming, and human well-being. Together they reveal why most farmland is “sick,” why pesticides often create more pests instead of fewer, and how earthworms, microbiomes, and even flavor itself hold the blueprint for restoring vitality to our food and our bodies. This episode isn’t just about farming—it’s about us. From the hidden costs of hydroponics to the way ultra-processed foods hijack our natural “body wisdom,” Montgomery and Biklé show how what we eat is inseparably tied to how it was grown. Their message is both sobering and hopeful: if we change the way we treat the land, we can change the way we feel. Packed with science, story, and practical solutions, this conversation will change the way you see every bite of food—and remind you that giving nature even half a chance changes everything. Get your copy of What Your Food Ate here Get your copy of The Hidden Half of Nature here Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

What if everything you’ve been taught about success, work, and happiness is incomplete? In this powerful conversation, Harvard professor and bestselling author Arthur Brooks joins Ginny Yurich on The 1000 Hours Outside Podcast to share the science of happiness—and why every parent needs to hear it. With warmth, humor, and groundbreaking research, Brooks reveals why retirement shouldn’t be the goal, why conflict in families is a sign of abundant love, and why your kids are shaped far more by what they see you do than by what you say. His insights on the four pillars of happiness—faith, family, friendship, and work—will challenge cultural myths and leave you rethinking the way you parent and the way you live. From the dignity of work to the difference between “deal” friends and “real” friends, Brooks offers a blueprint for building a life of deeper meaning. You’ll hear surprising truths about money (hint: buying experiences beats buying stuff), why falling in love is the most entrepreneurial act you’ll ever take, and how beauty and nature reawaken parts of our brain that modern life neglects. If you’ve ever wondered how to raise kids who thrive—and how to find more joy yourself—this episode is full of practical wisdom and hope. Get your copy of The Happiness Files here Don't miss From Strength to Strength! Get it here Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices