The 1000 Hours Outside Podcast

Some of life's biggest questions are answered one step at a time. In this conversation, Deborah Gregory shares why walking has long been connected to discernment and why getting outside can help us notice what we've been missing. We talk about fascinating research on forest bathing, breathing, creativity, the horizon, and the surprising ways our bodies help us process life's biggest decisions. If you've been feeling stuck, overwhelmed, or unsure what comes next, this episode is a beautiful reminder that clarity often comes while we're already moving. Learn more about Deborah at https://www.flourishspiritualdirection.com and grab a...

Something is changing faster than most of us can keep up with, and this conversation will make you think differently about where we're headed. Entrepreneur, investor, and author Jeff Burningham has spent his life chasing success, only to discover that achievement alone could never satisfy the deepest parts of being human. We talk about why AI isn't just changing technology, it's also forcing us to ask what actually makes life worth living. From the trap of becoming addicted to doing, to raising children in a world of synthetic relationships, to why nature, family, and real human connection matter more...

Life can change in a single generation, but the values that carry a family forward can last forever. In this conversation, bestselling historical novelist Sheila Quinn returns to the 1000 Hours Outside Podcast to talk about her beautiful new novel, Where Flowers Once Grew which is a story inspired by her own grandmother's childhood during the Dust Bowl and Great Depression. We talk about growing up with very little, why work was simply part of life, the surprising joy found in simple things, and how family stories shape the people we become. If you've ever wondered what we've lost, what...

Childhood is slipping away a little at a time when we consistently replace movement with screens, play with pressure, and wonder with schedules. In this fascinating conversation, Dr. Crystal Miller, pediatric physical therapist and author of Kid Magic Unlocked, explains why so many kids are struggling today and what we can actually do about it. We talk about brain development, why play is anything but wasted time, how movement shapes learning, and why small changes at home or in the classroom can have lifelong effects. If you've ever looked at the children you love and thought, "There has to...

What if the emotions you've been carrying for years are keeping you from living fully?

In this episode, host Ginny Yurich sits down with author Laurie Davies to explore the powerful concept of emotional hoarding - the tendency to stuff away worry, regret, guilt, anger, bitterness, shame, and other difficult emotions until they begin to shape how we live. Laurie shares deeply personal stories from her own life, including childhood trauma, career mistakes, and painful family relationships, to illustrate how emotional clutter accumulates and, more importantly, how we can begin clearing it away.

Together, they...

The future is arriving faster than most of us realize, and this episode discusses how we're going to raise children who can thrive alongside it. In this eye-opening conversation, Ginny sits down with Brendan Steinhauser, CEO of the Alliance for Secure AI, to talk about the jobs that are already disappearing, the risks families need to understand, and why adaptability, curiosity, grit, and strong relationships are some of the most valuable skills our kids can develop. It's a hopeful, practical conversation that will leave you thinking differently about screens, education, childhood, and what it means to stay deeply human...

Some families are discovering that childhood doesn't have to feel like a race. In this conversation with educator and founder of Little House Farm, Lindsay Meredith, we talk about what happens when you trade packed schedules, endless testing, and constant rushing for long afternoons outside, meaningful books, deep friendships, and learning that children actually look forward to. Lindsay shares how she left the traditional classroom to build something completely different—and why families are driving from miles away to be part of it. Whether you homeschool, send your kids to school, or you're simply wondering if family life has be...

There is so much happening right above our heads that we never even notice. In this conversation with pastor and author Kevin Burrell, we talk about why Jesus told us to consider the birds and what we're missing when we don't. From crows that bring gifts to families that keep bird lists together, this conversation is full of fascinating stories, but it's really about something much bigger: paying attention. It turns out wisdom isn't found by rushing through life. Sometimes it begins with simply looking up.

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Childhood isn't disappearing because our kids are doing too little. It's disappearing because everything is moving too fast. In this thoughtful conversation, Grace Pouch shares why the greatest gift we can give children isn't more opportunities, more entertainment, or more efficiency, but more time to wonder, wait, create, and simply be. From long-term projects and slower family rhythms to boredom, nature, and the surprising value of doing hard things together, this episode offers practical encouragement for parents who want to protect what childhood was always meant to be. If you've ever felt the pressure to keep up, this conversation...

Some heartbreaks change everything but they don't have to be the end of your story. In her second appearance on The 1000 Hours Outside Podcast, Alisha Roth shares what it looked like to rebuild a life after divorce, the loss of community, and the collapse of everything she thought her future would be. This conversation isn't just for people walking through divorce. It's for anyone facing shattered expectations, wondering how to begin again, or trying to find hope after a season they never would have chosen. Together, Ginny and Alisha talk about courage, identity, faith, friendship, healing, the surprising gift...

Millions of adults wish they had never quit music, and millions more wish they had learned in the first place. In this fascinating conversation, Ginny sits down with Yigal Kaminka who is a professional musician, former principal oboist of the Jerusalem Symphony Orchestra, and co-founder of Simply Piano. They talk about why music matters so much and why learning it has traditionally been harder than it needs to be. From brain development and confidence to family connection, creativity, and lifelong learning, Yigal shares his mission to make music accessible to everyone. Whether you're raising kids, dusting off an old...

Most of us spend our lives wanting to be loved, but Dr. Curt Thompson believes something has to come first: being known. In this episode, we explore why our stories matter, how our own wounds shape the way we parent, and why children need more than our effort they need our presence. Dr. Thompson shares powerful insights on attachment, emotions, suffering, friendship, and the healing that happens when someone truly sees us and stays. This episode is a reminder that growth is often difficult, relationships are essential, and hope is formed not in isolation but in connection.

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A disagreement over a crepe shouldn't be enough to unravel an entire afternoon, but most parents know exactly how quickly small moments can become big ones. In this fascinating conversation, Dr. Daniel Siegel explains what is actually happening in our brains when we lose our cool, why our reactions are often tied to experiences from years earlier, and how understanding the mind can transform the way we parent, connect, and grow. We talk about resilience, adolescence, attachment, play, emotional regulation, and the surprising truth that our brains can continue changing throughout our lives. Full of practical wisdom and memorable...

Every parent thinks the biggest threats to their children are somewhere else until they realize the front door is already open. In this sobering conversation, former CIA operative, Air Force Pararescueman, and DeliverFund founder Nic McKinley pulls back the curtain on the realities of human trafficking, online grooming, and the digital systems putting predators within reach of children every day. This isn't far off. It's a rampant problem in the United States.

From shocking stories of rescue missions to practical warnings about Roblox, social media, gaming platforms, and the "smartphone effect," Nic explains why the internet has...

The moments your kids roll their eyes at today may be the stories they tell for the rest of their lives. In this hilarious and surprisingly heartfelt return conversation, Chip Leighton shares the inspiration behind his new book Dad, Can You Not?, a celebration of family life, cringe-worthy parenting moments, and the unforgettable quirks that make dads who they are. Together, we talk about leaving the corporate world, building a second career from scratch, spending more time with family, and why some of the most meaningful memories are hidden inside the everyday moments that seem ridiculous at the time...

Dinner gets easier when you stop starting from scratch each time. Throughout this conversation Crystal Schmidt of Whole Fed Homestead shares a simple approach to feeding your family that feels both old-fashioned and surprisingly innovative: preserving fresh, seasonal food in ways that save time, reduce waste, and make homemade meals possible even on your busiest days. From freezer meal starters and garden harvests to blueberry pancakes, French onion soup, and the deeper satisfaction of living closer to the rhythms of nature, this episode is packed with ideas that will change the way you think about your freezer. If you've...

The Ansari brothers are here!! In this inspiring conversation, Ginny sits down with the Ansari brothers, four young voices on a mission to help their generation reclaim health, purpose, and hope. After overcoming their own struggles with eczema, allergies, mood challenges, and other chronic issues, they share what they've learned about real food, movement, nature, stress, technology, and the surprising power of simple daily habits. Their message is both refreshing and empowering: today's teens are not destined for anxiety, exhaustion, and chronic illness. This conversation is packed with practical wisdom, contagious optimism, and a reminder that small choices made...

Every child is carrying strengths that are easy to miss when we're focused on fixing what's wrong. In this encouraging conversation, psychologist Dr. Steven Baron shares why resilience grows when children are seen for their gifts, not just their struggles, and how one caring adult can change the trajectory of a young person's life. We talk about confidence, mistakes, anxiety, screens, nature, movement, and the simple practices that help kids flourish at home and in the classroom. This episode is a powerful reminder that children don't need perfect adults. They need adults who believe in them. Listen now on...

A father and a teenage boy headed out for a short ski near a backcountry hut and vanished into a Colorado snowstorm. What followed became one of the most gripping survival stories I've read in years. In this conversation, Devon O'Neil shares the true story behind The Way Out and the years of reporting that went into uncovering what happened. We talk about adventure, risk, fatherhood, preparation, community, and the difficult reality that a meaningful life can never be made completely safe. This episode will make you think differently about the outdoors, the people you love, and what it...

The average child now carries more temptation, distraction, and influence in their pocket than previous generations encountered in a lifetime. In his second appearance on The 1000 Hours Outside Podcast, Chris McKenna joins Ginny Yurich for a critical conversation about parenting in the digital age, why today's challenges are fundamentally different, and what families can do to protect connection, innocence, and trust without living in fear. Learn how to become the kind of parent who understands the world your kids are growing up in and has the courage to lead them through it. You'll leave with a renewed sense of...

We spend so much time learning how to work, achieve, optimize, and produce that many of us have forgotten how to simply enjoy being alive. In this thought-provoking conversation, Luke Burgis explains why leisure isn't a reward for getting everything done. It's a skill that has to be practiced. Together we explore the tension between belonging and individuality, why technology makes it harder to know what we truly want, the disappearance of rites of passage, and what it takes to raise kids who can think for themselves in a world full of noise and influence. More than anything, this...

Most of us wake up feeling behind before our feet hit the floor. Jordan Raynor joins Ginny Yurich for a conversation that cuts straight through the pressure, hurry, and low-grade anxiety so many of us carry every day. They talk about why work matters to God, why Jesus may be the most practical productivity teacher who ever lived, and how our obsession with being constantly available is making us less present with the people we love most. Jordan shares life-changing ideas about open loops, boredom, sleep, walking, creativity, news consumption, and the surprising freedom that comes from realizing you...

So many of us are preparing for disaster while life is happening right in front of us. In this beautiful conversation, Nicole Zasowski shares how years of loss, infertility, and heartbreak taught her something unexpected: joy isn't something you stumble into after everything works out. It's something you practice. We talk about why kids celebrate so naturally, why adults often lose that ability, how play helps break the grip of performance and productivity, and why noticing beauty outdoors might be one of the simplest ways to change your life. This episode is a reminder that today is worth celebrating...

Most of us know we feel better outside, but few of us realize just how much of our biology depends on it. In this fascinating conversation, Dr. John La Puma shares the science behind what he calls the "indoor epidemic" and explains why morning sunlight, natural sound, green spaces, distance viewing, forest bathing, and even gardening are biological necessities. From better sleep and sharper focus to stronger immunity and healthier aging, this episode reveals how modern indoor living is reshaping our bodies and what we can do to reverse it. If you've ever wondered why a walk outside can...

In this eye-opening conversation, journalist and bestselling author Karen Hao pulls back the curtain on the AI race, revealing the hidden human, environmental, and economic consequences behind the technologies reshaping our world. Drawing from years of reporting and hundreds of interviews, Karen explores who holds the power, who pays the price, and why the story of artificial intelligence is ultimately a story about people. This episode will challenge assumptions, spark important conversations, and leave you thinking differently about progress, ambition, and what kind of future we actually want to create.

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The most meaningful lives aren't built on endless options. They're built on the courage to choose. In this conversation, Olympic gold medalist Shawn Johnson and former NFL player Andrew East share why commitment has become one of the most misunderstood ideas of our time and why the things we want most like joy, calm, mastery, deep relationships, thriving families, and meaningful work are found on the other side of sticking with something long enough to see what it can become. From marriage and parenting to athletics, business, and life beyond the spotlight, Shawn and Andrew offer a refreshing countercultural...

There are millions of people walking around looking perfectly fine while fighting battles no one can see. In this deeply validating conversation, Amy Kurtz joins Ginny Yurich to talk about chronic illness, medical gaslighting, invisible suffering, and the surprising challenges that can remain even after your body starts to heal. After spending more than a decade searching for answers and eventually being diagnosed with late-stage neurological Lyme disease, Amy realized that recovery isn't always the end of the story. She shares the concept she coined Medical Trauma Brain and explains why so many people remain stuck in fear, hypervigilance...

Something has shifted in childhood, and most parents can feel it. In this fascinating conversation, pediatric speech-language pathologist and Eat, Play, Say founder Jordyn Koveleski Gorman joins Ginny Yurich to talk about why childhood keeps getting pushed faster, why play is far more important than most people realize, and what we've lost in the move from half-day kindergarten to full-day academics. They discuss executive function, outdoor play, friendship, loneliness in motherhood, social media pressure, and why children learn best when they have space to explore the world around them. If you've ever worried that your child is falling behind...

Never have human beings owned as much as we do today and so many of us feel overwhelmed, distracted, anxious, and stretched thin. In this powerful return conversation, Joshua Becker joins Ginny Yurich to explore why the pursuit of more often leaves us with less of what matters most. Drawing from his book Uncluttered Faith, Joshua shares how owning less can lead to deeper relationships, stronger faith, greater generosity, more time with the people you love, and a life marked by purpose instead of accumulation. From four televisions becoming one to discovering that the things we chase rarely deliver...

The most needed parts of childhood are disappearing right in front of us, and former school principal Mandy Davis believes parents need to pay attention. In her second appearance on The 1000 Hours Outside Podcast, Mandy shares why she walked away from a career in education, what finally convinced her to homeschool her own children, and why so many parents have been taught to trust institutions more than themselves. Ginny and Mandy talk about the myths surrounding homeschooling, the surprising freedom that comes from building an education around a real child instead of a system, and why confidence (not credentials...

The things we hide have a way of holding us captive. In this deeply moving conversation, therapist and author Michael John Cusick joins Ginny Yurich to explore why so many of us keep spinning in the same patterns, whether it's addiction, anxiety, shame, people-pleasing, overwork, or simply feeling disconnected from ourselves and the people we love most. Drawing from his own story of childhood trauma, recovery, faith, and healing, Michael shares why lasting change isn't found in trying harder but in being truly known. They discuss attachment, parenting, embodiment, faith, relationships, and the four things every human being needs...

Every child wants friendship, freedom, and fun. The question is where they'll find it. Catherine Price returns to The 1000 Hours Outside Podcast to talk about her new book The Amazing Generation, written with Jonathan Haidt, and why more young people are starting to question the role screens play in their lives. In this conversation, Catherine explains how tech companies compete for our attention, why so many older teens say they wish they had spent less time online, and what happens when children are given the tools to think for themselves. They discuss real friendship versus digital connection, the growing...

At seven years old, Suzanne Heywood left home for what was supposed to be a three-year sailing adventure around the world. She wouldn't return for ten years. In this extraordinary conversation, Suzanne joins Ginny Yurich to share the true story behind her bestselling memoir Wavewalker - a childhood spent crossing oceans, surviving shipwrecks, enduring hunger and isolation, and slowly realizing she was trapped inside someone else's dream. With no school, no stability, and few adults willing to step in, Suzanne became determined to educate herself as a way out. This is a story about resilience, grit, and the life-changing...

We are drowning in advice and somehow more unsure of ourselves than ever. Austin Kleon returns to The 1000 Hours Outside Podcast to talk about creativity, childhood, boredom, trust, and why the people who build meaningful lives often stop looking for instructions and start paying attention to what fascinates them.

Drawing from his new book Don't Call It Art, Austin shares how his children taught him more about curiosity, imagination, and meaningful work than any creative writing class ever could. Ginny and Austin talk about John Holt, unschooling, screen culture, creative courage, and the surprising freedom that comes...

One conversation can change the direction of a life. Ainsley Earhardt joins Ginny Yurich to share the unlikely path that took her from a South Carolina girl who almost became an orthodontist to one of the most recognizable faces in television. Along the way, she talks about the teachers who shaped her, the risks she took, the doors that closed, the prayers that were answered, and the seasons when she had no choice but to trust that God was still writing the story. This is a conversation about calling, perseverance, childhood wonder, faith in the waiting, and why the...

Tim Timmons joins Ginny Yurich for a deeply honest conversation about grief, cancer, friendship, faith, parenting, and what happens when life turns out nothing like you planned. Given just five years to live more than two decades ago, Tim shares how sorrow reshaped his understanding of God, why he stopped trying to force doors open, and how he learned to trust in the places where he could do nothing at all. From the heartbreak of his parents' divorce to raising four children while living with an incurable illness, this episode is full of wisdom, laughter, and the kind of...

Tim Hawkins has spent 25 years making audiences laugh, but this conversation goes far beyond comedy. Ginny and Tim walk through two decades of songs, videos, homeschooling adventures, family life, and the unexpected twists that shaped his career. Along the way, Tim shares the story behind some of his most beloved parodies, what nearly cost him his marriage, the process of slowing down some, and what it feels like to have his grown children working alongside him today. This episode is a reminder that the best parts of life aren't the things that go viral, they're the people who are...

Jane Magnusson joins Ginny Yurich for a conversation about the unexpected freedom that comes from letting go. After her mother Margareta Magnusson wrote The Gentle Art of Swedish Death Cleaning at age 87, the idea spread across the world because it touched something people rarely talk about: what we leave behind for the people we love. Jane shares stories about her mother’s humor, honesty, and determination not to leave her children with garages full of stuff, difficult decisions, and unnecessary stress after she was gone. They talk about clutter, aging, family relationships, childhood in Sweden, running barefoot through gardens an...

Ginny Yurich sits down with pastor, author, and podcast host JP Pokluda for one of the most practical and unexpectedly hopeful conversations parents of teens and young adults need to hear right now. JP shares the story of graduating college completely lost, chasing relationships, parties, and approval, only to discover that real fulfillment looked nothing like what culture promised. Together they talk about modern dating, loneliness, work, anxiety, social media, friendships, marriage, purpose, faith, and why so many young adults feel overwhelmed by adulthood itself. JP talks honestly about the confusion so many young adults feel after high school...

Leah Marone joins Ginny Yurich for a conversation that will hit hard for anyone who feels responsible for everyone else’s emotions, problems, schedules, or happiness. They talk about the hidden exhaustion of being the “strong one,” why so many empathetic people end up burned out and resentful, and how constantly fixing things for others can quietly rob both you and your children of growth, resilience, and connection. Leah explains the difference between supporting and solving, why pauses matter more than we think, and how even small habits like checking your phone every spare second can keep you disconnected from y...