The 1000 Hours Outside Podcast
1000 Hours Outside
The 1000 Hours Outside Podcast is the megaphone for the global 1000 Hours Outside movement, created to help people embrace hands-on living in a tech-saturated world. Hosted by bestselling author and founder Ginny Yurich, each episode explores the countercultural idea that kids - and adults - thrive when they choose real-world options over virtual ones. Featuring conversations with leading voices in parenting, nature, education, mental health, neuroscience, faith, and free play, and rooted in research and rich with practical encouragement, the show invites listeners to slow down, step outside, and join a growing movement committed to reclaiming childhood, reconnecting families, and restoring mental health - one hour at a time.
Episodes
Mentioned books
Jan 11, 2026 • 59min
1KHO 676: Life is a Long Game | Tim Timberlake, The Bumpy Road to Better
Tim Timberlake, a senior pastor and author of The Bumpy Road to Better, discusses the challenges of life and the importance of staying present through hardships. He explores the concept of 'destination addiction,' urging listeners to find joy in the now. Timberlake emphasizes the value of small beginnings and warns against shortcuts, illustrating his points with intriguing metaphors from sports and scripture. He shares personal stories that reflect on the lessons learned through pain and the significance of prioritizing God and family over fleeting balance.
Jan 10, 2026 • 57min
1KHO 675: The Outdoors Rebuilds a Person | Ginger Naylor, Outward Bound
Ginger Naylor, CEO of Outward Bound USA and a champion of experiential learning, joins the conversation to explore the transformative power of the outdoors. She emphasizes how real-world adventures foster resilience, confidence, and essential interpersonal skills often neglected in classrooms. Ginger discusses the importance of unstructured outdoor experiences, healthy risks, and play in developing adaptability. Plus, she introduces the Nationwide Reset Day, encouraging families to unplug and reconnect with nature's calming effects.
Jan 9, 2026 • 57min
1KHO 674: There's a Big Difference Between Food and Nutrition | Ruthann Zimmerman, The Heart of the Homestead
Ruthann Zimmerman, an author and homesteading educator with Old Order Mennonite roots, discusses the clash of traditional skills and modern life. She shares insights on the vital difference between food and nutrition, emphasizing that practical skills bring real nourishment to the family table. Ruthann encourages cooking from scratch, managing chores to foster responsibility in children, and the importance of gardening for self-sufficiency. She highlights the need for families to reconnect and the dangers of artificial highs from screens.
Jan 8, 2026 • 1h 9min
1KHO 673: Children Are Growing Up Without a Future They Can Clearly See | Issy Butson, Stark Raving Dad
Issy Butson, a writer and educator behind Stark Raving Dad, explores the challenges of raising children in a rapidly changing world. He argues that traditional schools are outdated, emphasizing the importance of autonomy, competence, and connection for children's success. Issy discusses how AI is reshaping future careers and the necessity of fostering agency and real-world skills over rote knowledge. He advocates for practical learning experiences in mixed-age communities, warning against the over-sanitization of childhood and the need for research-backed parenting approaches.
Jan 7, 2026 • 1h 3min
1KHO 672: My Generation Had Our Childhoods Burned Down | Sean Killingsworth, The Reconnect Movement
Sean Killingsworth, founder of the Reconnect Movement, advocates for phone-free environments to foster genuine connections. He shares insights on the failure of individual willpower against pervasive screens and introduces his phone-valet model for social gatherings. Sean discusses the nostalgia for real interactions among today's youth and urges families to create phone-free spaces at home. He highlights the challenges Gen Z faces in both social and workplace settings, emphasizing the need for cultural shifts towards phone-free experiences.
Jan 6, 2026 • 1h 2min
1KHO 671: The Mental Health of Young People Has Cratered | Hara Estroff Marano, A Nation of Wimps
Ginny Yurich chats with Hara Estroff Marano, an editor at Psychology Today and author of A Nation of Wimps, about the mental health crisis among youth. Hara discusses how invasive parenting, driven by societal fears, strips away childhood play and independence. She emphasizes that play fosters resilience, and failure teaches essential coping skills. The conversation reveals the detrimental effects of over-parenting and the need for children to experience uncertainty and make decisions independently. Parents are encouraged to create opportunities for free play to bolster their children's adaptability.
Jan 5, 2026 • 60min
1KHO 670: It Is Our Job as Parents to Protect Our Child’s Brain | Arlene Pellicane, Screen Kids
Arlene Pellicane, a family researcher and bestselling author, dives into the pressing issue of screens' influence on children. She reveals how background TV can harm conversations and language skills. Pellicane emphasizes the importance of delaying screen exposure to foster imagination and attention. Gaming often hijacks identity, making it essential for parents to encourage real connections. She provides practical tips for instilling affection and suggests replacing screens with engaging activities, highlighting the pressing need for active parenting to safeguard brain development.
Jan 4, 2026 • 52min
1KHO 669: Happiness Lives in the Present Moment | Dr. Greg Hammer, The Mindful Teen
Dr. Greg Hammer, a Stanford physician and mindfulness expert, dives into essential strategies for combating teen stress and burnout. He discusses the unique pressures teens face today, such as social media and eco-anxiety. Greg introduces his GAIN framework—Gratitude, Acceptance, Intention, and Nonjudgment—as a practical approach to rewiring the brain for joy. Highlights include the importance of gratitude, the benefits of time outdoors, and the impact of small habits on family culture. This conversation is a refreshing guide to building resilience and happiness.
Jan 3, 2026 • 53min
1KHO 668: How Much Uninterrupted Time Can You Get With The People You Love | Ben Gillenwater, Family IT Guy
Ben Gillenwater, a seasoned cybersecurity expert with over 30 years in IT, shares vital insights on family internet safety. He discusses the transformative impact of smartphones on childhood and reveals why traditional parental controls often fall short. Highlighting alarming statistics, he connects rising youth suicide rates to excessive smartphone use. Ben emphasizes teaching children digital literacy over just enforcing rules. He also introduces Tech-Free Tuesdays to cultivate family time, reminding listeners of the importance of setting boundaries in a tech-centric world.
Jan 2, 2026 • 58min
1KHO 667: You are a Living Testimony to Your Children Through the Work You Do | Angela Hanscom, TimberNook
Angela Hanscom, an occupational therapist and founder of TimberNook, discusses her journey of creating a global movement focused on outdoor play for children. She shares the transformative power of child-led play, highlighting its role in combating social-emotional issues. Angela emphasizes how her own motherhood experience taught her daughters resilience through her actions. She also explores overcoming fears to follow her calling and the importance of discerning divine guidance. This conversation offers inspiration for anyone feeling called to pursue meaningful work.
