The 1000 Hours Outside Podcast

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

Four years ago, Dr. Chris Winter—the world’s “Sleep Whisperer” and author of The Rested Child —became the very first guest on The 1000 Hours Outside Podcast. The 1000 Hours Outside Podcast. That one conversation sparked a journey that’s now reached 550 episodes and over 12 million downloads. In this milestone episode, Dr. Winter returns to share why screens, light, and temperature may be quietly sabotaging your family’s sleep—and how surprisingly simple changes can transform both rest and mood. With practical, often ingenious tips (think: lightbulb swaps, dimmer switches, and even warming a bed with water bottles), this episode will leave you feeling empowered to help your kids and yourself sleep better starting tonight. From the lost “time cues” of old TV schedules to the role of heavy work in preparing the body for deep rest, Dr. Winter reveals fascinating insights you won’t hear anywhere else. He explains why the average pediatrician gets only an hour of sleep training, why excessive sleepiness in kids is often misdiagnosed, and why he believes no child should be labeled with depression or attention issues without a sleep evaluation. Whether you’re a sleep science geek or a tired parent desperate for solutions, this full-circle conversation will leave you both nostalgic and newly equipped for the school year ahead. 💬 If you’ve loved this show over the years, please take a moment to rate and review—it helps us climb toward that #1 spot! A huge thank you to our sponsors! Check them ALL out below:  Select Quote: Head to www.selectquote.com/1000hours to learn more.  BetterHelp: Visit  www.BetterHelp.com/1000HOURS  today to get 10% off your first month. Quince - Visit www.quince.com/outside and get free shipping and 365 day returns NIV Application Bible - visit www.NIVapplicationbible.com if you’re looking to grow in your understanding of Scripture and make it real in your daily life. Cozy Earth - Upgrade your summer sleep at www.cozyearth.com and use code OUTSIDE for 40% off their best-selling sheets, loungewear, and more. Lagoon - Go to LagoonSleep.com/OUTSIDE and take their awesome 2 minute sleep quiz to find your match.Use the code OUTSIDE for 15% off your first purchase Brave Books - Right now, you can get 20% off your first purchase at www.BRAVEBooks.com/1000hours with the code 1000HOURS. COSMO - Right now, COSMO is running an amazing back-to-school deal, plus free shipping and a risk-free 30-day guarantee. Head to www.cosmotogether.com/1KHO  to grab one today. NurtureLife - Head to NurtureLife.com/1000HOURS55 and use code 1000HOURS55 for 55% off your first order PLUS free shipping. Earthley - Use the code 1000hours to get 10% off your next purchase at www.earthley.com.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Most people think school readiness means knowing letters, numbers, and how to sit still—but what if those are the outcomes, not the foundations? In this powerful episode, pediatric physical therapist and founder of Tots on Target, Dr. Allison Mell, reveals the “hidden” developmental milestones that set kids up for academic and social success—things like crawling, balance, crossing the midline, and even clapping games. These early motor and sensory experiences—often displaced by screens—are how the body feeds the brain. When kids skip them, it shows up in surprising ways: struggling with handwriting, falling out of chairs, or bouncing off friends in circle time. Allison and Ginny explore why these physical milestones matter so deeply and what parents can do—at any age—to help kids thrive. You'll leave this episode with practical strategies, renewed confidence, and a deeper understanding of how movement builds strong, capable learners. Whether your child is just learning to crawl or heading into middle school, this conversation is your blueprint for supporting natural development in a world that’s rushing childhood. 🔗 TotSpot Membership 🔗 Tots on Target Blog 🔗 Follow Allison on Instagram A huge thank you to our sponsors! Check them ALL out below:  Select Quote: Head to www.selectquote.com/1000hours to learn more.  BetterHelp: Visit  www.BetterHelp.com/1000HOURS  today to get 10% off your first month. Quince - Visit www.quince.com/outside and get free shipping and 365 day returns NIV Application Bible - visit www.NIVapplicationbible.com if you’re looking to grow in your understanding of Scripture and make it real in your daily life. Cozy Earth - Upgrade your summer sleep at www.cozyearth.com and use code OUTSIDE for 40% off their best-selling sheets, loungewear, and more. Lagoon - Go to LagoonSleep.com/OUTSIDE and take their awesome 2 minute sleep quiz to find your match.Use the code OUTSIDE for 15% off your first purchase Brave Books - Right now, you can get 20% off your first purchase at www.BRAVEBooks.com/1000hours with the code 1000HOURS. COSMO - Right now, COSMO is running an amazing back-to-school deal, plus free shipping and a risk-free 30-day guarantee. Head to www.cosmotogether.com/1KHO  to grab one today. NurtureLife - Head to NurtureLife.com/1000HOURS55 and use code 1000HOURS55 for 55% off your first order PLUS free shipping. Earthley - Use the code 1000hours to get 10% off your next purchase at www.earthley.com.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this urgent and eye-opening episode of The 1000 Hours Outside Podcast, host Ginny Yurich sits down with Matt Britton, a pioneering voice in AI and author of Generation AI, to unravel what the rapid rise of artificial intelligence truly means for parents and the future of childhood. Matt reveals why memorization and traditional education models are becoming obsolete, and how creativity—the uniquely human skill that no AI can replicate—will be the currency of tomorrow’s workforce. As AI reshapes every facet of our lives, this conversation offers critical insight into how parents can nurture resilience, imagination, and real-world problem-solving skills in their children before the AI wave changes everything. From the promise of AI-powered “second brains” to the risks of digital loneliness and emotional dependency on chatbots, Matt and Ginny explore the paradox of embracing technology while fiercely protecting human connection and creativity. This episode is a must-listen for any parent who wants to prepare their children not just to survive—but to thrive—in a world where 85% of jobs in 2030 don’t even exist today. Tune in for a thoughtful, hopeful, and practical roadmap to parenting in the Age of AI. Get your copy of Generation AI here Learn more about Matt and all he has to offer here A huge thank you to our sponsors! Check them ALL out below:  Select Quote: Head to www.selectquote.com/1000hours to learn more.  BetterHelp: Visit  www.BetterHelp.com/1000HOURS  today to get 10% off your first month. Quince - Visit www.quince.com/outside and get free shipping and 365 day returns NIV Application Bible - visit www.NIVapplicationbible.com if you’re looking to grow in your understanding of Scripture and make it real in your daily life. Cozy Earth - Upgrade your summer sleep at www.cozyearth.com and use code OUTSIDE for 40% off their best-selling sheets, loungewear, and more. Lagoon - Go to LagoonSleep.com/OUTSIDE and take their awesome 2 minute sleep quiz to find your match.Use the code OUTSIDE for 15% off your first purchase Brave Books - Right now, you can get 20% off your first purchase at www.BRAVEBooks.com/1000hours with the code 1000HOURS. COSMO - Right now, COSMO is running an amazing back-to-school deal, plus free shipping and a risk-free 30-day guarantee. Head to www.cosmotogether.com/1KHO  to grab one today. NurtureLife - Head to NurtureLife.com/1000HOURS55 and use code 1000HOURS55 for 55% off your first order PLUS free shipping. Earthley - Use the code 1000hours to get 10% off your next purchase at www.earthley.com.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices