Are you prepared to have the talk? Host Joey Odom is joined by Megan Michelson, co-founder of Birds & Bees, to discuss the pivotal role of open communication and age-appropriate sex education for children in our tech-saturated world.Megan explains why it's time to move beyond the 'big talk' and instead advocates for initiating conversations early and maintaining them often, using honest yet age-appropriate language. You'll learn how to teach children about body boundaries, preventing sexual abuse, and the risks of excessive screen time leading to exposure to inappropriate content.Tune in to discover practical strategies for confidently engaging in ongoing discussions that foster a safe, trusting environment at home. For a discount on the Birds & Bees Online Course, use code ARO20! Megan Michelson Birds & Bees | Online Course | Podcast | Instagram- - - - - - - - - - - - - - Learn More About Aro Website | Twitter | Instagram | YouTube | Facebook | LinkedInThe Aro Podcast is produced and edited by Palm Tree Pod Co.

Are your devices bringing you closer together, or pulling you apart? In this Voices of Aro episode, Abby and Brian McIntyre share their journey toward tech-life balance through the power of alignment, communication, and self-awareness.Abby and Brian discuss the benefits of storytelling and mentorship in inspiring others to navigate the complexities of technology in family life. They also explore the role of external motivation, sharing how a fun, competitive app helped their family form healthier digital habits together.Tune in to hear how Abby and Brian transformed their home environment and strengthened their relationships through intentional tech use, offering practical tips and heartfelt advice for others looking to do the same.If you're an Aro member and interested in sharing your own Aro story, please reach out to us at stories@goaro.com. We'd love to hear from you!- - - - - - - - - - - - - - Learn More About Aro Website | Twitter | Instagram | YouTube | Facebook | LinkedInThe Aro Podcast is produced and edited by Palm Tree Pod Co.

Website: https://andy-crouch.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ahcpix/X: https://x.com/franceshaugen?lang=en- - - - - - - - - - - - - - Learn More About Aro Website | Twitter | Instagram | YouTube | Facebook | LinkedInThe Aro Podcast is produced and edited by Palm Tree Pod Co.

How can we cultivate presence and deepen relationships in a world that constantly pulls at our attention? Join Joey Odom in this enlightening conversation with bestselling author Andy Crouch, who shares his hard-won wisdom on navigating technology with intention to live a life rich in love.Drawing from his extensive background in divinity and his tenure at Christianity Today, Andy provides invaluable insights from his influential books, including The Tech-Wise Family and The Life We're Looking For. He also brings personal experiences of parenting in the digital age into the discussion, offering deep philosophical perspectives on leading a meaningful life amid today's digital distractions.From the complexities of AI isolation to the essential role of love and emotional maturity, this episode explores the delicate balance between embracing technology and maintaining human connections. You'll leave with thought-provoking perspectives and practical steps to reclaim your humanity in this distracted age.Andy Crouch Website | Instagram- - - - - - - - - - - - - - Learn More About Aro Website | Twitter | Instagram | YouTube | Facebook | LinkedInThe Aro Podcast is produced and edited by Palm Tree Pod Co.

When it comes to encouraging creativity with our kids, how does screen time fit into the picture? This week on The Aro Podcast, we revisit Aro Co-Founder Joey's conversation with Ryan Tedder, frontman of OneRepublic and a celebrated songwriter and producer, about how he sets boundaries and positive examples with his family.A longtime friend of Joey’s, Ryan recounts his formative years from his first piano lessons to his covert practice sessions in his college’s piano room. You'll hear about the crucial turning points of his career, the trials OneRepublic endured, and their innovative comeback via MySpace after a setback with their record label.Beyond his professional journey, Ryan shares the role of his parents in fostering his creativity and how he’s guiding his own children today. Plus, why he became an investor in Aro and his personal strategies for managing technology use at home.Ryan Tedder InstagramOneRepublic Instagram | Website | Spotify | Apple Music But First, Coffee Aro Review on Youtube - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Learn More About Aro Website | Twitter | Instagram | YouTube | Facebook | LinkedInThe Aro Podcast is produced and edited by Palm Tree Pod Co.

I Wish My Husband Knew is back on The Aro Podcast with Aro Co-Founder Joey and Mistye Wilson, the wife of Aro Co-Founder Heath! This week, Mistye opens up about her struggle with identity, particularly as a stay-at-home mom with two kids about to head off to college. Mistye explains that identity struggles are an ongoing process that occur at every stage of a child's life—from elementary to high school. Joey asks Mistye to share how her identity has shifted throughout these stages, leading her to recount how she discussed these struggles with her husband and how he responded. They then dive into the concept of ruminating on feelings and the reality that our feelings can sometimes deceive us. Mistye wraps up the episode by highlighting the impact of finding an external life coach or mentor as a mom and the power of saying who you are.- - - - - - - - - - - - - - Learn More About Aro Website | Twitter | Instagram | YouTube | Facebook | LinkedInThe Aro Podcast is produced and edited by Palm Tree Pod Co.

Aro Co-Founder Joey is joined by Brook and Elizabeth Mosser, leaders of Intentional and hosts of "The Intentional Parents Podcast" this week on The Aro Podcast. In this episode, Brook and Elizabeth share their personal story of their daughter being diagnosed with a severe form of epilepsy at just six months old, turning their lives upside down. They discuss what they learned about fear, suffering, and grief during this challenging period and explain the concept of "grief in the meantime." The Mossers also reveal how they supported their marriage through their daughter’s medical journey and continue to do so today, emphasizing the importance of constantly re-learning your spouse. They offer their advice on how to stay intentional parents during difficult times and managing phones and distractions at home, including their approach of letting their kids act as their "phone police."Intentional Parents on Instagram | YouTube | WebsiteBrook Mosser on InstagramElizabeth Mosser on InstagramPhil Comer on InstagramDiane Comer on Instagram- - - - - - - - - - - - - - Learn More About Aro Website | Twitter | Instagram | YouTube | Facebook | LinkedInThe Aro Podcast is produced and edited by Palm Tree Pod Co.

This week on The Aro Podcast, Joey sits down with Erin Loechner, founder of the global tech-free movement The Opt-Out Family. Erin shares her personal journey from being a social media influencer to embracing a low-tech lifestyle, which inspired her new book, The Opt-Out Family. They discuss the Loechner family's motto, "be more engaging than the algorithm," and what it means to be an opt-out family—a household that intentionally minimizes technology use based on evidence of its developmental harms. Erin offers practical advice for parents on discussing the opt-out lifestyle with other families and stresses the importance of doing it together. She and Joey explore what we can provide our kids that technology can't, the impact of algorithms on our behavior, and the five critical areas where technology is most detrimental. They clarify that opting out isn’t about being anti-tech, but about being pro-living. The episode wraps up with Erin's tips on how to simplify and depersonalize your smartphone, along with a message for those considering the opt-out lifestyle.Learn more about The Opt-Out Family: Website | Buy the Book - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Learn More About Aro Website | Twitter | Instagram | YouTube | Facebook | LinkedInThe Aro Podcast is produced and edited by Palm Tree Pod Co.

This week on The Aro Podcast, Joey sits down with Jon Acuff, New York Times bestselling author of nine books, including his latest, All It Takes Is a Goal. Jon and Joey dive into Jon's journey of writing ten books and explore recurring themes across his work. They discuss concepts from Jon's book Soundtracks, which focuses on overthinking, and draw parallels between overthinking and distraction, highlighting how overthinking can be a major source of internal distraction. The discussion then shifts to technology and phones, with Jon revealing his own eye-opening experience of spending 13 hours on Instagram. Joey and Jon get candid about the challenges faced by the first generation growing up with smartphones and social media, and Jon shares how he manages these issues with his two daughters. Emphasizing that age isn’t a one-size-fits-all measure for giving kids phones, Jon offers valuable insights on the intentionality and investment required from parents. They wrap up the episode with Jon's parenting philosophies and advice for parents transitioning their kids from high school to college.Learn more about Jon Acuff Website | Instagram | Facebook | Twitter | Youtube |  LinkedIn- - - - - - - - - - - - - - Learn More About Aro Website | Twitter | Instagram | YouTube | Facebook | LinkedInThe Aro Podcast is produced and edited by Palm Tree Pod Co.

Welcome back to another episode of Voices of Aro! This month, Aro Co-Founder Joey sits down with Stephanie Blunt, a wife and mom of 4, originally from Canada, but now living in Florida with her family. In this episode, Stephanie shares a little bit about herself and her family, along with the moment she realized her phone was stealing her time and provide an escape from reality. Stephanie goes on to share the true turning point to reassessing her relationship with her phone, particularly when feelings of resentment towards her children surfaced during interruptions while scrolling. She and Joey discuss the harsh reality that it is really hard to put down your phone, and how Aro has helped with that in her own home, including some of the positve things she has noticed since becoming an Aro member. We wrap up the episode with Stephanie sharing some advice for new moms feeling the struggle of seeking IRL connection apart from phones and social media.If you're an Aro member and interested in sharing your own Aro story, please reach out to us at stories@goaro.com. We'd love to hear from you!- - - - - - - - - - - - - - Learn More About Aro Website | Twitter | Instagram | YouTube | Facebook | LinkedInThe Aro Podcast is produced and edited by Palm Tree Pod Co.