The 1000 Hours Outside Podcast

What happens when a mom says a bravest yes of her life—and then lets it reshape her family? In this conversation, Kristen Welch, CEO of Mercy House Global and author of Raising Grateful Kids in an Entitled World, traces the moment a Compassion trip to Kenya turned her discontent into calling—and held a mirror up to her own entitlement. She shares how comparison erodes joy, why gratitude starts with parents (not kids), and how small household practices re-anchor a home. You’ll hear the origin of Mercy House’s work with vulnerable mothers, the surprising strength of underindulgence, and the reminder that our children watch who we are more than what we say. We also get practical: boredom as a gift in a noisy world, how hurry kills gratitude, simple screen-time swaps that nudge kids toward books and backyard wonder, and why letting kids fail is the only way to help them launch. Kristen’s fresh empty-nest story—dropping her youngest at a huge university, resisting the urge to rescue, and trusting God to go where she can’t—will stay with you. If you want a family culture marked by contentment, resilience, and compassion, this episode offers a clear path you can start today. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

What if the cure for our anxious, overconnected lives is right outside the door? In this deeply human conversation, Ruth Chou Simons—artist, author, and mom of six—joins Ginny to explore how beauty, especially in nature, becomes a real antidote to hurry, worry, and screen-saturated living. From Jesus’ invitation to “consider the lilies” to the way wildflowers preach resilience, individuality, and dependence, Ruth shows how getting outside forms our souls as much as it strengthens our kids. You’ll hear vivid stories: morning glories as a picture of friendships that ebb and bloom; the extra-beautiful columbine as a reminder not to shrink back; the ache of a changing home as children launch, and the bluebell pointing us toward a truer, lasting home. Ruth also shares the moment her son suffered a serious mountain-biking injury—and how she painted wildflowers in the ICU, choosing to shift her gaze from fear to the faithful Gardener. Together, she and Ginny talk about making unhurried lives in hurried times, giving our families “dosing and spacing” for wisdom, and packing a small “to-go” kit of tactile hobbies so we reach for creation, not just a screen, when life turns. Listen in if you’re longing for a gentler rhythm, a sturdier hope, and a practical way to invite beauty into your ordinary days—starting with one walk, one flower, one moment of attention. Get your copy of The Way of the Wildflower here Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

What if retirement isn’t the goal of a good life—but a detour from your purpose? In this rich, countercultural conversation, Hobby Lobby founder David Green and legacy expert Bill High challenge the empty-nest, me-first script and offer a generational vision families can actually live. They unpack why purpose doesn’t expire at 65, how multi-generation storytelling keeps a family’s “chief storytellers” (grandparents!) at the center, and why mission, vision, and values—written down and rehearsed—beat hustle and highlight reels. You’ll hear surprising practices from the Green family (including an annual family celebration, monthly giving meetings, and a conflict-resolution policy), a freeing definition of legacy as what you set in motion, and a simple refrain that reshapes wealth and work: earn, don’t inherit; steward, don’t own. For parents, teens, and grandparents alike, this episode is a practical field guide to building roots that outlast you—without losing joy in the day-to-day. Expect vivid stories (44-state camping in a pop-up, backyard tunnel cities, and taking principled risks), a reframe of “success” that prioritizes relationships over accumulation, and small moves with compounding power: draft a one-page family creed, name the ten stories your kids must know, protect a weekly Sabbath-style family meeting, and trade child-centered schedules for family-centered rhythms. Listen in, then ask: What one degree change could I set in motion today that my great-grandchildren will feel? Get your copy of The Legacy Life here Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

When pastor and author Shawn Johnson went to the doctor expecting news about a pinched nerve, he never imagined he’d leave with a diagnosis of an incurable brain disease. What followed was heartbreak, fear, and a hard-won rediscovery of purpose. In this powerful conversation, Shawn shares how faith, movement, and honest community helped him climb out of the pit—one day, one prayer, and one boxing session at a time. He talks about telling his sons the truth, learning to dream again in smaller, closer ways, and realizing that the hardest moments can shape us into more present parents, partners, and friends. Shawn’s story is an invitation to stop waiting for “someday.” He reminds us that finish lines belong on our calendars, that brokenness can build connection, and that joy can be found even in the fire. If you’ve been walking through uncertainty, this episode will help you see how to fight for hope, live like time matters, and chase down your dreams today. Get your copy of Shawn's newest book here Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Somewhere along the way, modern parenting turned into a battle against biology. In this powerful conversation, Britt Chambers—founder of Goodnight Moodchild—joins Ginny Yurich on The 1000 Hours Outside Podcast to dismantle the myth that babies need to be trained to fit adult schedules. She reveals how industrialized culture, profit-driven baby products, and pressure for independence have pulled parents away from nature’s original design: deep, intuitive connection. Together, they explore what it really means to raise the baby with the mother—to rest when your baby rests, to nurture at night and thrive in the day, to trust the signals instead of suppress them. From night waking to outdoor rhythms to the quiet rebellion of slowing down, this episode invites parents to remember what our ancestors never forgot: children who stay close to nature stay close to themselves. Learn more about Britt and all the incredible support she has to offer here Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On World Mental Health Day, youth mental health expert Bryan Gouge, PhD (Compassion International) sits down with Ginny to flip the script—from “fix the kid” to “build the village.” Bryan explains why mental health isn’t just diagnoses; it’s a practice we do together. You’ll hear the four pillars guiding Compassion’s global work—strength-based, youth-centric, trauma-informed, and locally owned—and how they translate into family life. His stories are unforgettable: teens in Nairobi’s Dandora slum turning peer groups into a youth-led NGO, and the way reframing “symptoms” (anxious kids as hyper-observant, depressed kids as deeply empathetic) unlocks hidden strengths. He ties it all to nature and presence: shared sunsets, forest walks, and the simple power of truly listening—because resilience grows where kids feel known, loved, and protected. This conversation matters now because parents feel the pressure to perform while kids drown in stress and isolation. Bryan offers concrete moves you can make this week: write a short family mission, increase the ratio of caring adults in your child’s life, choose gatherings over grind, consider how your neighborhood supports connection (even in small ways), and practice “listen before fix.” You’ll leave with a hopeful, doable vision: resilient kids are built together, not alone. Press play to rethink support, re-center community, and rediscover the healing rhythm of being outside—side by side. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Sean Dietrich returns for his fourth conversation with Ginny Yurich, and it’s one of his most powerful yet. From the near-extinction of kids on bikes to the loss of long attention spans, Sean names what many parents quietly feel — that a way of life has disappeared almost overnight. He shares how a few months with a flip phone reshaped his focus, how fiction can tell the truest truths, and why childhood once “alive with wonder” is now in danger of being managed instead of lived. This episode is a call to remember and rebuild. Sean and Ginny talk about children learning to self-manage in the woods, the discipline of reading when every app competes for our eyes, and the beauty of cursive, handwritten words. It’s equal parts nostalgia and warning, wisdom and humor — and a reminder that protecting childhood isn’t sentimental. It’s essential. Get your copy of Over Yonder here Get your copy of The Absolute Worst Christmas Ever here Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

What if your aches, digestive issues, or low-energy days aren’t just about food or stress — but how well your body manages gravity? In this powerful conversation, Dr. Brennan Spiegel unpacks “gravity intolerance,” the idea that our bodies are increasingly out of sync with the gravity force we evolved under. From astronauts losing bone density in space to children collapsing into chairs, the missing piece isn’t always more activity or diet—it’s a better alignment with how nature meant us to move, stay upright, and resist the downward drag. Dr. Spiegel weaves together stories and science: how weak posture flattens digestion, how serotonin isn’t just a mood chemical but a key tool for gravity-resilience, how weighted vests and foot contact matter, and why many gut-brain problems (including IBS) may stem from gravity mis-management more than we realized. If you want to help your kids, your body, and your mind move stronger, think clearer, and feel lighter — this episode will change how you see the ground beneath your feet. Get your copy of Pull here Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Filming in Morocco and fresh off the marathon research behind Cry Havoc, bestselling author and former Navy SEAL Jack Carr returns for his fourth 1KHO conversation—this time squarely in our wheelhouse of reading, learning, and family culture. Jack makes a compelling case that books are the antidote to algorithm-driven distraction: stories train attention, build empathy, and hand our kids a durable inner compass you can’t get from a social media feed. We walk through how he reconstructed 1968 for his new novel (maps, memoirs, dictionaries from the era!) and why that kind of deep work mirrors what we want for our children—slow knowledge, resilient mindsets, and the courage to think for themselves. Parents will love the practical spillover: cultivate “analog downtime” (think: cards at the table, shared read-alouds) where wisdom is actually transmitted; point teens to big, stretching books that expand vocabulary and perspective; and use history and fiction to talk about media literacy in an age when everyone is “the press.” Jack shares a short canon he believes every American should know, and we connect it to everyday habits that raise readers—not scrollers. If you’re building a home where curiosity, grit, and good stories shape the next generation, this one will light a fire. Get your copy of Cry Havoc here Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this unforgettable sixth appearance, world-renowned farmer and author Joel Salatin returns to The 1000 Hours Outside Podcast for one of the most powerful conversations yet. Drawing from his book Beyond Labels, Joel exposes how modern life has become trapped in labeling everything — our food, our health, even our families — and what we lose when we stop thinking for ourselves. From shocking truths about what’s actually in packaged foods to the deeper spiritual healing that begins with forgiveness and contentment, this episode is both grounding and galvanizing. Parents and families will find rare encouragement here. Joel and Ginny explore how freedom, simplicity, and hands-on living create resilient kids and joyful homes — and why true health begins when we move beyond fear and start nurturing what we’re for. Listen now and rediscover the beauty of a life lived beyond labels. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

When parenting feels like quicksand, where do we plant our feet? In this deeply hope-filled conversation, Raechel Myers—cofounder of She Reads Truth—joins Ginny to unpack why Scripture is not just ancient, but alive and profoundly practical for families today. Drawing on Romans 1 and the way creation “preaches,” Raechel shares how her new devotional, The Bible Is for You, walks readers through all 66 books—one story, many voices—so parents and kids can see God’s thread from Eden to the Garden City. This episode also meets parents in the hard places. Raechel and Ginny talk Esther’s courage in dark days, the upside-down power of 2 Corinthians (“strength perfected in weakness”), and how to lead our kids toward what is unseen and eternal when life feels confusing—or when church wounds make trust feel risky. If your family is hungry for truth you can live, you’ll love Raechel’s practical on-ramps: Scripture-forward readings, cross-references that let Scripture interpret Scripture, and their beloved Advent reading plan (complete with slow practices like recipes, hymns, and simple crafts) to help you “walk slowly toward the manger.” Try it all together around the table, outdoors under the stars, or wherever your family finds a quiet, screen-free minute. Grab seasonal resources at ⁠She Reads Truth⁠ and ⁠He Reads Truth⁠. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

What if the solution to tech-induced meltdowns wasn’t another app, but a different kind of screen altogether? In this urgent, hope-filled conversation, Ginny sits down with Daylight founder and CEO Anjan Katta as well as Tristan Scott—two innovators taking on Big Tech with what they call “the least computer possible.” They explain how Daylight’s reflective, blue-light-free, flicker-free display works with natural light (even in full sun), why that calms kids’ nervous systems, and how designing for finite, intentional use (reading, writing, audiobooks, selected learning tools) restores attention, sleep, and sanity. You’ll hear the “slot machine vs. riverside” analogy you won’t forget—and a wild experiment where kids actually got bored of YouTube on a Daylight device. Tristan unpacks EMFs(and how Daylight’s “smart airplane mode,” ethernet support, and outdoor use shrink exposure, while Anjan shares the conviction that drove him to build a screen he needed for his own hypersensitive brain and for every child caught in today’s attention economy. This is calm technology for real childhoods: fewer tantrums, fewer tabs, more outside time, and more cognitive sovereignty for families. If EdTech is everywhere, this episode shows a better way in. Parents, educators, and homeschoolers—don’t miss the details on Daylight Kids and ESA approval, plus a vision that trades doom-scrolling for dirt-between-the-toes learning. Head to https://buy.daylightcomputer.com/1000HOURS Use code 1000hours at checkout to save $50 and get FREE shipping on your Daylight DC-1 tablet or any of their kids bundles! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this unforgettable episode of The 1000 Hours Outside Podcast, Ginny Yurich sits down with former NFL player, lawyer, and New York Times bestselling author Tim Green. Though Tim now lives with ALS and communicates through adaptive technology, his wisdom, warmth, and humor shine through every word. From life in the NFL to raising a family, from writing bestselling books for kids to inspiring readers everywhere, Tim reminds us that true success is about much more than titles or achievements—it’s about presence, perseverance, and perspective. Tim’s new book Rocket Arm offers a window into youth sports culture today, but this conversation goes far beyond the field. Tim shares lessons on family, faith, resilience, and the power of reading—what he calls “weightlifting for your brain.” His message to parents, grandparents, and kids alike is simple but profound: no matter what else is going on, you’re all on the same family team, and that team is always more important. This is an episode you won’t just listen to—you’ll carry it with you. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

What happens when kids grow up without free play? Licensed therapist Nicole Runyon, LMSW, has been on the frontlines of America’s childhood mental health crisis, and what she’s seen is sobering: most of the children filling therapy offices don’t actually need therapy—they need their parents to reclaim the foundations of childhood. In this episode, we dig into her groundbreaking book Free to Fly and uncover why play, movement, discomfort, and independence are not luxuries—they are the very building blocks of healthy development. Screens, overpathologizing, and permissive parenting are stealing what used to come naturally, and our kids are paying the price. Nicole explains why play-based childhoods are being stolen from today’s iGeneration, how “drug addiction begins with the iPad,” and why discomfort is not the enemy but the doorway to confidence and resilience. We cover everything from the dangers of tracking teens and delaying driving, to the epidemic of broken children overwhelmed by screens, junk food, and anxiety. Most importantly, Nicole reminds us that the answer lies within the family unit. Parents have more power than they think, and small, courageous choices can restore independence, health, and joy to the next generation. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Screens train us to skim; books train us to think. In this urgent, hope-filled conversation, Doug Lemov (Teach Like a Champion) and Ginny make a compelling case for a childhood culture that is low tech, high text. You’ll hear why book-reading is collapsing—what that’s doing to kids’ attention, imagination, and empathy—and exactly how to reverse it with simple habits: daily read-aloud (even with teens), real books you can annotate, and outdoor reading rituals that pair sunlight and birdsong with stories. Doug breaks down fluency’s three pillars—accuracy, automaticity, and prosody—and explains why even picture books carry 50% more rare words than adult speech, rapidly expanding vocabulary and background knowledge (think the classic “baseball study”). You’ll also learn why formative writing—quick, handwritten jot notes before discussion—supercharges comprehension (and beats laptop note-taking); why books are the optimal medium for deep thinking; and how to spot and fix disfluent reading. Finally, Doug demystifies the phonics vs. three-cueing debate and points parents to the investigative series changing laws nationwide: Sold a Story. If you want your kids to imagine vividly, read confidently, and engage the world with stamina and joy, this episode is your blueprint to trade scrolling for page-turning—on the porch, at the park, all childhood long. Get your copy of Guide to the Science of Reading here Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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What if the very wounds you never meant to cause are also the trailheads to your child’s greatest gifts and your own? In this deeply honest conversation, Army veteran, pastor, coach, and author Tony Miltenberger sits down with Ginny to unpack the hard paradox parents live every day: intentions don’t always protect against impact. Tony names the “little-t trauma” most of us absorb between ages four and twelve, explains why our kids are “most definitely wounded” even in loving homes, and shows how to spot it (like when emotions spike past a six and we’re tempted to react instead of respond.) From “amnesty dinners” that invite truth without punishment to the surprising way a child’s wound can become their strength, this episode offers relief without shirking responsibility, and practical rhythm without shame. Explore Tony’s new book, Wisdom in the Wound: How God Uses Your Past to Shape Who You’re Becoming, for a deeper dive into redeeming the pain we never intended to cause. Tony also shares how his own story—military service, ministry, and fatherhood—shaped a simple definition of grace: empathy plus curiosity. If you’ve felt the ache of doing your best and still seeing fallout, this conversation will help you trade self-judgment for steadiness and turn rupture into repair. Connect with more of Tony’s work here: Follow 2 Lead podcast Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

When life lurches from order to disorder, what if the way through isn’t either/or—but and? In this moving conversation, author and advocate Jillian Benfield sits down with Ginny to unpack the transformative idea behind her new book, Overwhelmed & Grateful—that we can honor pain and practice gratitude without denying either reality. Jillian shares how the “ampersand life” steadied her through high-risk pregnancies, years of medical unknowns, and the lonely redefinitions of identity and friendship, and how simple practices like lament, attention, and awe can calm a stormed nervous system and reopen wonder. From “in-house years” to cross-country moves with 18 specialists on speed-dial, Jillian offers hard-won wisdom for parents navigating seasons they didn’t choose: how to spot beauty without bright-siding, how tears literally move stress through the body, and how awe—on a beach walk, a mountain trail, or even a Broadway balcony—can hush the harshest self-talk. If you need language for your own order → disorder → reorder cycle, this episode will meet you with honesty and hope and a path to practice both. Connect with Jillian on Instagram and find Overwhelmed & Grateful wherever you get books. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

What if the very ways we structure childhood are quietly cutting off our kids’ potential? In this powerful conversation, renowned psychiatrist Dr. Bruce Perry joins Ginny to unpack why real learning requires movement, play, and space to reflect—not endless worksheets, long lectures, and overscheduled days. He explains how the brain wires itself through short bursts of novelty followed by rest, why REM sleep cements learning, and how overscheduling, lack of recess, and early mornings are some of the most inefficient ways we could possibly teach kids. Dr. Perry also reveals why challenges from stress or adversity are rarely irreversible, and how resilience is built through rhythm, repetition, and safe relationships. Together they explore the everyday practices that either foster growth—or unintentionally snip it off before it begins. You’ll learn why play is the real work of childhood, why empathy is forged in mixed-age groups, and how freedom outdoors provides the risk-taking and mastery kids need to thrive. This episode will challenge parents, educators, and caregivers to rethink what matters most for development and offers practical ways to restore the rhythms kids need. Explore Dr. Perry’s work at the ChildTrauma Academy: childtrauma.org, and his books The Boy Who Was Raised as a Dog (link), What Happened to You? (link), and Born for Love (link). If this conversation helps your parenting or teaches you something new, please share it with a friend and leave a quick review. Together we can help more families protect, not snip off, the potential in their children. ❤️ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Families are never flawless—but they can still be resilient, connected, and full of joy. In this episode of The 1000 Hours Outside Podcast, Jessica Smartt returns for a candid conversation about what it really takes to build a home your kids want to come back to. Drawing from her new book, Come On Home, Jessica shares stories of life on a family compound, the hidden challenges that shape everyday parenting, and the surprising ways legacy is forged through ordinary, imperfect moments. This episode is equal parts practical and heartfelt. From sibling rivalries to marriage struggles, from planting long-term seeds of connection to embracing laughter in the chaos, Jessica’s wisdom is relatable for every season of family life. If you’ve ever wondered whether you’re “doing enough,” this conversation will encourage you that the small things matter more than you think. There are lots of laughs in this one! Listen in and share it with a friend. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices