The 1000 Hours Outside Podcast

Journalist and author Julia Hotz joins Ginny Yurich to discuss her groundbreaking book, The Connection Cure: The Prescriptive Power of Movement, Nature, Art, Service, and Belonging. In this conversation, Julia shares how doctors around the world are writing prescriptions that don’t come from a pharmacy—like a group bike ride, a painting class, or even fishing. These five powerful, research-backed “social prescriptions” are helping people overcome depression, anxiety, addiction, chronic illness, and loneliness. Together, Ginny and Julia explore the science behind these interventions, the global movement toward social prescribing, and how we can begin writing our own prescriptions for joy, connection, and well-being—right where we are. This episode is full of hope, practical insight, and a fresh look at what it really means to be healthy. ** Get your copy of The Connection Cure here Learn more about Julia and all she has to offer here Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

What if the root of our health crisis isn’t carbs or fat or sugar—but a missing conversation about flavor? In one of the most compelling episodes of The 1000 Hours Outside Podcast, Ginny Yurich sits down with author Mark Schatzker to discuss his groundbreaking book The Dorito Effect. Together, they explore how real food has grown increasingly bland while artificial flavor technology has skyrocketed—rewiring our brains, deepening our cravings, and sabotaging our nutritional wisdom. Mark explains how food that once satisfied is now engineered to deceive our taste buds and keep us coming back for more. This episode unpacks the startling truth behind “natural flavors,” the psychological science of overeating, and why modern diets fail. Mark shares the life-changing question every person should ask before they eat: Where did the flavor come from? With warmth, clarity, and hope, he outlines how our palates can heal, how our kids’ cravings are being shaped, and why a future of deeply satisfying, joyful eating is not only possible—it’s essential. This conversation will absolutely change the way you think about food. ** Get your copy of The Dorito Effect here Learn more about Mark and all he has to offer here Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

What if parenting didn’t have to be so complicated? In this powerful episode of The 1000 Hours Outside Podcast, Ginny Yurich sits down with Jessica Joelle Alexander, author of the bestselling book The Danish Way of Parenting, to uncover why Danish children are consistently ranked among the happiest in the world. Jessica shares what she’s learned from marrying into Danish culture and raising her own kids with radically different values—where play is considered essential, screens are secondary, and resilience is built through freedom, not pressure. Together, Ginny and Jessica explore why free play is the real foundation for emotional strength, social skills, and future success. They dig into how parenting culture in the U.S. has drifted toward control and performance—and how it’s quietly fueling anxiety in both kids and adults. From forest schools and risky play to the overlooked power of hygge and sadness in children’s stories, this conversation offers a life-giving alternative to the parenting pressure cooker. ** Learn more about Jessica and all she has to offer here Get your copy of The Danish Way of Parenting here A huge thank you to our sponsors! Check them ALL out below: Geviti: Visit https://www.gogeviti.com/1000hoursoutside for 20% off your first three months of membership! Active Skin Repair: Visit www.ActiveSkinRepair.com to learn more about Active Skin Repair and their commitment to 1% for the planet and use code: 1000hours to save 20% on all Active Skin Repair products Select Quote: Head to www.selectquote.com/1000hours to learn more. Crowd Health: Learn more at www.joincrowdhealth.com and get started today for just $99 per month for your first three months by using code 1000HOURS. GoMinno: Download the Minno App or visit www.GoMinno.com to become a member TODAY! BetterHelp: Visit www.BetterHelp.com/1000HOURS today to get 10% off your first month. Thrive Market: Visit www.thrivemarket.com/1000hours for 30% off your first order plus a FREE $60 gift! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this inspiring episode of The 1000 Hours Outside Podcast, Ginny Yurich is joined by author and minimalist mom of five, Julia Ubbenga, to explore how simplifying our homes—and our hearts—can unlock a richer childhood for our kids. Julia shares her powerful story of overcoming postpartum depression, consumer debt, and overwhelm through the practice of minimalism. Her journey began with a single verse, “Be rich in what matters,” and grew into a lifestyle rooted in intentional living and deep family connection. Julia’s practical wisdom will challenge everything you thought you needed to give your kids a “good” life. From navigating baby showers to managing calendar clutter and digital distractions, she offers realistic, grace-filled strategies that empower parents to step off the treadmill of overconsumption. Learn how fewer toys, simpler routines, and less visual noise create space for imagination, calm, and deeper relationships—because kids don’t need more stuff. They need more of you. ** Get your copy of Declutter Your Heart and Your Home here Learn more about the Rich in What Matters community here A huge thank you to our sponsors! Check them ALL out below: Geviti: Visit https://www.gogeviti.com/1000hoursoutside for 20% off your first three months of membership! Active Skin Repair: Visit www.ActiveSkinRepair.com to learn more about Active Skin Repair and their commitment to 1% for the planet and use code: 1000hours to save 20% on all Active Skin Repair products Select Quote: Head to www.selectquote.com/1000hours to learn more. Crowd Health: Learn more at www.joincrowdhealth.com and get started today for just $99 per month for your first three months by using code 1000HOURS. GoMinno: Download the Minno App or visit www.GoMinno.com to become a member TODAY! BetterHelp: Visit www.BetterHelp.com/1000HOURS today to get 10% off your first month. Thrive Market: Visit www.thrivemarket.com/1000hours for 30% off your first order plus a FREE $60 gift! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Dean Hall was dying. Weakened by two types of cancer and emotionally gutted by grief, he found himself at the end of what medicine and mindset could offer. But in the depths of despair, Dean rediscovered a childhood dream—and made a radical decision to live, not just survive. In this deeply moving episode, Ginny Yurich talks with Dean about the healing power of purpose, the wildness of adventure, and the surprising ways nature showed up as an unexpected partner in his return to life. Dean's story—captured in his book The Wild Cure—isn’t just about beating cancer or swimming 187 miles of Oregon’s Willamette River. It’s about waking up, finding meaning, and remembering that nature is not just scenery—it’s a lifeline. With wisdom forged through suffering and triumph, Dean shares how rivers, forests, and even cold water became allies in healing both his body and spirit. This episode is a profound reminder that it’s never too late to reclaim joy, pursue a long-forgotten dream, and let the outdoors lead the way home. ** Learn more about Dean and all her has to offer here Get your copy of The Wild Cure here A huge thank you to our sponsors! Check them ALL out below: Geviti: Visit https://www.gogeviti.com/1000hoursoutside for 20% off your first three months of membership! Active Skin Repair: Visit www.ActiveSkinRepair.com to learn more about Active Skin Repair and their commitment to 1% for the planet and use code: 1000hours to save 20% on all Active Skin Repair products Select Quote: Head to www.selectquote.com/1000hours to learn more. Crowd Health: Learn more at www.joincrowdhealth.com and get started today for just $99 per month for your first three months by using code 1000HOURS. GoMinno: Download the Minno App or visit www.GoMinno.com to become a member TODAY! BetterHelp: Visit www.BetterHelp.com/1000HOURS today to get 10% off your first month. Thrive Market: Visit www.thrivemarket.com/1000hours for 30% off your first order plus a FREE $60 gift! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Pre-order a copy of Ginny's new book Homeschooling here Join the Homeschooling book launch team here ** In this radiant episode of The 1000 Hours Outside Podcast, Ginny Yurich welcomes Holistic Hilda—Hilda Labrada Gore—for a heartwarming and deeply insightful conversation about the simplest and most overlooked key to lifelong health: the sun. From her powerful personal story as a “blue baby” to her globe-spanning adventures uncovering ancestral wisdom, Hilda shares how sunlight, barefoot grounding, and traditional lifestyles can restore vitality in a screen-saturated world. Ginny and Hilda explore why early morning light is essential for circadian rhythm, how artificial lighting disrupts our biology, and what it means to reconnect with the rhythms of the earth. With practical encouragement and contagious joy, this episode is a beautiful reminder that healing doesn’t have to be complicated—or costly. Sometimes, the best medicine is right above us. ** Learn more about Hilda and everything she has to offer here Take Hilda's course here Check out Hilda's guides here Hilda is the host and producer of the Wise Traditions Podcast. Learn more here A huge thank you to our sponsors! Check them ALL out below: Geviti: Visit https://www.gogeviti.com/1000hoursoutside for 20% off your first three months of membership! Active Skin Repair: Visit www.ActiveSkinRepair.com to learn more about Active Skin Repair and their commitment to 1% for the planet and use code: 1000hours to save 20% on all Active Skin Repair products Select Quote: Head to www.selectquote.com/1000hours to learn more. Crowd Health: Learn more at www.joincrowdhealth.com and get started today for just $99 per month for your first three months by using code 1000HOURS. GoMinno: Download the Minno App or visit www.GoMinno.com to become a member TODAY! BetterHelp: Visit www.BetterHelp.com/1000HOURS today to get 10% off your first month. Thrive Market: Visit www.thrivemarket.com/1000hours for 30% off your first order plus a FREE $60 gift! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Pre-order a copy of Ginny's new book Homeschooling here Join the Homeschooling book launch team here *** In this episode of The 1000 Hours Outside Podcast, Ginny Yurich welcomes author and filmmaker N.D. Wilson for a conversation that will leave you seeing the world with fresh eyes. From deep oceans to muddy backyard ponds, N.D. shares how nature reveals a story far bigger than we realize—one bursting with meaning, design, and beauty. Together, Ginny and N.D. explore the marvels hiding in plain sight: spinning dolphins, drinking frogs, coral that’s actually an animal, and even the quiet miracle of water itself. Through stories from The Riot and the Dance documentary series and his books Notes from the Tilt-A-Whirl and Death by Living, N.D. invites families to slow down, look closer, and rediscover the wonder all around them. The magic your kids need isn’t in a screen or a far-off place. It’s right outside your door. ** A huge thank you to our sponsors! Check them ALL out below: Geviti: Visit https://www.gogeviti.com/1000hoursoutside for 20% off your first three months of membership! Active Skin Repair: Visit www.ActiveSkinRepair.com to learn more about Active Skin Repair and their commitment to 1% for the planet and use code: 1000hours to save 20% on all Active Skin Repair products Select Quote: Head to www.selectquote.com/1000hours to learn more. Crowd Health: Learn more at www.joincrowdhealth.com and get started today for just $99 per month for your first three months by using code 1000HOURS. GoMinno: Download the Minno App or visit www.GoMinno.com to become a member TODAY! BetterHelp: Visit www.BetterHelp.com/1000HOURS today to get 10% off your first month. Thrive Market: Visit www.thrivemarket.com/1000hours for 30% off your first order plus a FREE $60 gift! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this eye-opening episode of The 1000 Hours Outside Podcast, Ginny Yurich welcomes renowned entomologist and author Douglas Tallamy to help us rethink what it means to care for our yards—and our planet. Tallamy explains why America’s 44 million acres of lawn are ecological dead zones, consuming billions of gallons of water, massive amounts of pesticides, and precious hours of our time—while giving almost nothing back to the environment. But there’s a better way. From planting native trees like oaks to encouraging blooming plants that feed pollinators all season long, Tallamy shows how small changes in our yards can create massive ripples for biodiversity, conservation, and climate resilience. Tallamy introduces his revolutionary concept of the Homegrown National Park—a grassroots movement to convert half of America’s lawns into thriving ecosystems that support insects, birds, and other wildlife right outside our windows. He shares powerful facts, practical advice, and captivating personal stories, including how thousands of caterpillars are needed to raise just one nest of chickadees and why giving kids hands-on access to nature can transform not just their health, but their ecological literacy. This episode is a call to action for families who want to turn their homes into havens—for both people and the planet. **** Get your copy of Nature's Best Hope here Learn more about Douglas Tallamy here ** A huge thank you to our sponsors! Check them ALL out below: Geviti: Visit https://www.gogeviti.com/1000hoursoutside for 20% off your first three months of membership! Active Skin Repair: Visit www.ActiveSkinRepair.com to learn more about Active Skin Repair and their commitment to 1% for the planet and use code: 1000hours to save 20% on all Active Skin Repair products Select Quote: Head to www.selectquote.com/1000hours to learn more. Crowd Health: Learn more at www.joincrowdhealth.com and get started today for just $99 per month for your first three months by using code 1000HOURS. GoMinno: Download the Minno App or visit www.GoMinno.com to become a member TODAY! BetterHelp: Visit www.BetterHelp.com/1000HOURS today to get 10% off your first month. Thrive Market: Visit www.thrivemarket.com/1000hours for 30% off your first order plus a FREE $60 gift! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

What happens when life veers completely off the path you expected—and there’s no guidebook for where you're headed? In this deeply moving episode of The 1000 Hours Outside Podcast, Ginny Yurich is joined by Will Acuff, author of No Elevator to Everest, to talk about the transformation that unfolds when we shift from surviving to thriving through spirit-led self-awareness. Will opens up about his raw, honest journey as a husband and father navigating complex PTSD, disabilities, scarcity mindsets, and burnout, while also leading a thriving nonprofit in Nashville. With humor and humility, he shares how learning to ask new questions—like what if we decided to live differently?—radically reshaped his home, his faith, and his future. From parenting through exhaustion to planning a leap-of-faith summer in the Costa Rican jungle, Will brings the hope-filled message that joy can be cultivated—even when nothing on the outside changes. Listeners will be inspired by his practical tools for healing, the spiritual power of play and curiosity, and the gentle challenge to rethink what we believe about success, provision, and purpose. This episode is a gift for anyone who's ever felt like they couldn’t go another day. There is a way forward—and it may just start with the question, What would it look like if...? ** Get your copy of No Elevator to Everest here Check out Will's nonprofit work Corner to Corner here Check out Will's Substack here ** A huge thank you to our sponsors! Check them ALL out below: Geviti: Visit https://www.gogeviti.com/1000hoursoutside for 20% off your first three months of membership! Active Skin Repair: Visit www.ActiveSkinRepair.com to learn more about Active Skin Repair and their commitment to 1% for the planet and use code: 1000hours to save 20% on all Active Skin Repair products Select Quote: Head to www.selectquote.com/1000hours to learn more. Crowd Health: Learn more at www.joincrowdhealth.com and get started today for just $99 per month for your first three months by using code 1000HOURS. GoMinno: Download the Minno App or visit www.GoMinno.com to become a member TODAY! BetterHelp: Visit www.BetterHelp.com/1000HOURS today to get 10% off your first month. Thrive Market: Visit www.thrivemarket.com/1000hours for 30% off your first order plus a FREE $60 gift! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Dr. Morgan Cutlip is back—and this episode might just change everything about how you see your relationship. In one of Ginny’s favorite conversations ever on the podcast, Morgan dives into the real reasons marriage shifts so dramatically after kids. Her new book The Better Share brilliantly names what so many couples experience but can’t quite articulate: the invisible weight of the mental, emotional, and physical labor that moms often carry alone. From party balloons to Costco water bottles, Morgan and Ginny unpack everyday moments that represent something much deeper—why moms are overwhelmed, why resentment creeps in, and why it feels like everything has changed. But this isn’t a book—or an episode—about blame. It’s about breakthroughs. Morgan shares practical language, frameworks, and scripts to help couples finally get on the same team again. If you’ve ever wondered why you're carrying so much or how to get real help (without another argument), this episode is for you. It’s laugh-out-loud relatable, deeply validating, and packed with hope. Marriage after kids can be good—it just takes a better share. ** Get your copy of the absolutely wonderful marriage book The Better Share here Learn more about Dr. Morgan Cutlip and all she has to offer here ** A huge thank you to our sponsors! Check them ALL out below: Geviti: Visit https://www.gogeviti.com/1000hoursoutside for 20% off your first three months of membership! Active Skin Repair: Visit www.ActiveSkinRepair.com to learn more about Active Skin Repair and their commitment to 1% for the planet and use code: 1000hours to save 20% on all Active Skin Repair products Select Quote: Head to www.selectquote.com/1000hours to learn more. Crowd Health: Learn more at www.joincrowdhealth.com and get started today for just $99 per month for your first three months by using code 1000HOURS. GoMinno: Download the Minno App or visit www.GoMinno.com to become a member TODAY! BetterHelp: Visit www.BetterHelp.com/1000HOURS today to get 10% off your first month. Thrive Market: Visit www.thrivemarket.com/1000hours for 30% off your first order plus a FREE $60 gift! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Dr. Judith Joseph, renowned psychiatrist and author of High Functioning: Overcome Your Hidden Depression and Reclaim Your Joy, joins Ginny Yurich on The 1000 Hours Outside Podcast to shine a light on a silent epidemic—high-functioning depression. In this eye-opening conversation, Dr. Judith explains why so many seemingly successful, productive people—especially women—feel numb, restless, and joyless while continuing to perform at a high level. She unpacks the connection between trauma, people-pleasing, and emotional exhaustion, and introduces powerful concepts like anhedonia and modern-day masochism that help explain why burnout alone doesn't tell the whole story. With warmth, clarity, and depth, Dr. Judith offers real tools for reclaiming joy through her five V’s framework—including valuing relationships, taking tech breaks, and even learning how to celebrate again. She reminds us that joy isn’t a distant ideal, but something we can reach for daily in small, intentional ways. If you've ever felt like you're just going through the motions or can’t figure out why life feels so heavy, this episode will help you name it—and start to heal it. ** Get your copy of High Functioning here Learn more about everything Dr. Judith has to offer here ** A huge thank you to our sponsors! Check them ALL out below: Geviti: Visit https://www.gogeviti.com/1000hoursoutside for 20% off your first three months of membership! Active Skin Repair: Visit www.ActiveSkinRepair.com to learn more about Active Skin Repair and their commitment to 1% for the planet and use code: 1000hours to save 20% on all Active Skin Repair products Select Quote: Head to www.selectquote.com/1000hours to learn more. Crowd Health: Learn more at www.joincrowdhealth.com and get started today for just $99 per month for your first three months by using code 1000HOURS. GoMinno: Download the Minno App or visit www.GoMinno.com to become a member TODAY! BetterHelp: Visit www.BetterHelp.com/1000HOURS today to get 10% off your first month. Thrive Market: Visit www.thrivemarket.com/1000hours for 30% off your first order plus a FREE $60 gift! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Angela Hanscom, pediatric occupational therapist and founder of TimberNook, returns for her fourth appearance on The 1000 Hours Outside Podcast—and this conversation is one of her most powerful yet. Angela and Ginny Yurich dig into the growing epidemic of play deprivation and how it’s silently impacting children’s physical, social, and neurological development. With insights from Angela’s groundbreaking work around the world, they explore how nature offers the richest sensory experiences, why kids need to get messy, and how the freedom to take risks outdoors transforms confidence and builds real-life resilience. Together, they also unpack why adults must step back to allow authentic, independent play to flourish. From muddy puddles to barefoot balance, to crawling babies and screen-addicted teens, this episode paints a compelling picture of the simple—but urgent—need for outdoor childhood. Whether you’re a parent, educator, or someone who just wants better for the next generation, this episode offers both practical wisdom and a much-needed rallying cry. ** Get your copy of Balanced and Barefoot here Learn more about TimberNook and how you can get involved here ** A huge thank you to our sponsors! Check them ALL out below: Geviti: Visit https://www.gogeviti.com/1000hoursoutside for 20% off your first three months of membership! Active Skin Repair: Visit www.ActiveSkinRepair.com to learn more about Active Skin Repair and their commitment to 1% for the planet and use code: 1000hours to save 20% on all Active Skin Repair products Select Quote: Head to www.selectquote.com/1000hours to learn more. Crowd Health: Learn more at www.joincrowdhealth.com and get started today for just $99 per month for your first three months by using code 1000HOURS. GoMinno: Download the Minno App or visit www.GoMinno.com to become a member TODAY! BetterHelp: Visit www.BetterHelp.com/1000HOURS today to get 10% off your first month. Thrive Market: Visit www.thrivemarket.com/1000hours for 30% off your first order plus a FREE $60 gift! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this power-packed episode of The 1000 Hours Outside Podcast, host Ginny Yurich welcomes back renowned educational psychologist and bestselling author Dr. Michele Borba for a third time. Drawing from her incredible parenting manual The Big Book of Parenting Solutions, Michele offers practical, compassionate advice for the everyday challenges and deepest worries parents face. From sibling rivalry to biting, selfishness to screen time, she explains why parenting feels harder than ever—and what you can do today to ease the load. With wisdom rooted in decades of research and heart, Michele shares why small, consistent habits and calm modeling can lead to big transformations in our families. This conversation is a lifeline for overwhelmed parents, covering parenting pitfalls like helicoptering and hot-housing, and offering clear strategies for raising confident, resilient, and empathetic kids. Ginny and Michele explore how to create healthy routines, set boundaries around electronics, build character in a distracted world, and—most importantly—find more joy. It’s a hope-filled and encouraging episode that will leave you feeling equipped, understood, and ready to tackle whatever parenting throws your way. ** Learn more about Michele and all she has to offer here Get your copy of The Big Book of Parenting Solutions here ** A huge thank you to our sponsors! Check them ALL out below: Geviti: Visit https://www.gogeviti.com/1000hoursoutside for 20% off your first three months of membership! Active Skin Repair: Visit www.ActiveSkinRepair.com to learn more about Active Skin Repair and their commitment to 1% for the planet and use code: 1000hours to save 20% on all Active Skin Repair products Select Quote: Head to www.selectquote.com/1000hours to learn more. Crowd Health: Learn more at www.joincrowdhealth.com and get started today for just $99 per month for your first three months by using code 1000HOURS. GoMinno: Download the Minno App or visit www.GoMinno.com to become a member TODAY! BetterHelp: Visit www.BetterHelp.com/1000HOURS today to get 10% off your first month. Thrive Market: Visit www.thrivemarket.com/1000hours for 30% off your first order plus a FREE $60 gift! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this riveting episode of The 1000 Hours Outside Podcast, Ginny Yurich welcomes Dr. Marty Makary, the newly appointed FDA Commissioner, Johns Hopkins surgeon, and bestselling author, to uncover the uncomfortable truths hiding in plain sight within modern medicine. From the explosion of peanut allergies caused by outdated guidelines, to the damaging impact of smartphones on kids’ mental health, to the silent assault on our microbiomes through overprescribed antibiotics and unnecessary C-sections, Dr. Makary pulls back the curtain on decades of medical dogma—and what it’s costing our children. With insight, humility, and rare courage, he equips parents to ask better questions, trust their instincts, and demand a healthcare culture that values transparency over tradition. Together, Ginny and Dr. Makary dive into the heart of his books Blind Spots and The Price We Pay, spotlighting how misplaced medical vigor, flawed consensus, and lack of accountability have created ripple effects still harming families today. But this episode doesn’t just diagnose the problems—it delivers solutions. Learn what to do before you pay a hospital bill, how to approach antibiotics with wisdom, and why humility is the antidote to broken systems. It’s a must-listen for every parent who wants to protect their children, navigate the noise, and reclaim their confidence in raising healthy, whole kids. ** Learn more about Dr. Marty Makary here Get your copy of Blind Spots here Get your copy of The Price We Pay here ** A huge thank you to our sponsors! Check them ALL out below: Geviti: Visit https://www.gogeviti.com/1000hoursoutside for 20% off your first three months of membership! Active Skin Repair: Visit www.ActiveSkinRepair.com to learn more about Active Skin Repair and their commitment to 1% for the planet and use code: 1000hours to save 20% on all Active Skin Repair products Select Quote: Head to www.selectquote.com/1000hours to learn more. Crowd Health: Learn more at www.joincrowdhealth.com and get started today for just $99 per month for your first three months by using code 1000HOURS. GoMinno: Download the Minno App or visit www.GoMinno.com to become a member TODAY! BetterHelp: Visit www.BetterHelp.com/1000HOURS today to get 10% off your first month. Thrive Market: Visit www.thrivemarket.com/1000hours for 30% off your first order plus a FREE $60 gift! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Back for a second powerful conversation, bestselling author and psychologist Ethan Kross joins Ginny Yurich on The 1000 Hours Outside Podcast to discuss his new book Shift: Managing Your Emotions So They Don’t Manage You. Drawing from his grandmother’s Holocaust survival story, Kross dismantles common emotional myths and equips listeners with a flexible, personalized toolbox to navigate everything from daily stress to deep emotional turmoil. From mental time travel to strategic avoidance to the surprising power of our senses, this episode is packed with actionable ways to shift your inner experience—sometimes in seconds. Ginny and Ethan dive into the realities of emotional contagion, the myth of one-size-fits-all healing, and how nature, music, and even baking can transform your mood. You’ll walk away with a deeper understanding of your emotional life and real tools to improve it. Whether you're managing a family, a team, or just your own inner world, this is a conversation that will leave you feeling hopeful, empowered, and ready to lead with emotional strength. ** Get your copy of Shift here Learn more about Ethan here ** A huge thank you to our sponsors! Check them ALL out below: Geviti: Visit https://www.gogeviti.com/1000hoursoutside for 20% off your first three months of membership! Active Skin Repair: Visit www.ActiveSkinRepair.com to learn more about Active Skin Repair and their commitment to 1% for the planet and use code: 1000hours to save 20% on all Active Skin Repair products Select Quote: Head to www.selectquote.com/1000hours to learn more. Crowd Health: Learn more at www.joincrowdhealth.com and get started today for just $99 per month for your first three months by using code 1000HOURS. GoMinno: Download the Minno App or visit www.GoMinno.com to become a member TODAY! BetterHelp: Visit www.BetterHelp.com/1000HOURS today to get 10% off your first month. Thrive Market: Visit www.thrivemarket.com/1000hours for 30% off your first order plus a FREE $60 gift! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In his second appearance on The 1000 Hours Outside Podcast, Levi Lusko opens up about spiraling—not just in the chaotic, crashing sense we all fear, but in a way that ultimately leads upward. With raw vulnerability, Levi shares how hitting a wall at age 38 forced him to confront years of unrelenting output, anxiety, and grief. He talks candidly about panic attacks, feeling lost even amid success, and the spiritual awakening that came from slowing down. Drawing from his new book Blessed Are the Spiraling, Levi explains how embracing change, honoring limits, and reconnecting with beauty—especially in nature—can lead to deep, lasting joy. Ginny and Levi explore the hidden cost of comparison, the power of contentment, and the importance of preparing not just for the next season of life, but for the end of it. They discuss everything from Warren Buffett to C.S. Lewis to the wisdom of ants, and highlight the vital role relationships play in healing and wholeness. This conversation is a tender reminder that you are not alone in your chaos—and that even in the middle of the spiral, there’s a path toward peace. ** Get your copy of Blessed are the Spiraling here Learn about the Movement Conference here Spend 20 minutes to write up a free will here Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Is pornography just a private matter—or is it rewiring our kids’ brains, damaging relationships, and fueling exploitation? In this urgent and eye-opening episode of The 1000 Hours Outside Podcast, Ginny Yurich speaks with Parker Hymas from Fight the New Drug, a non-religious, non-legislative organization dedicated to exposing the harmful effects of porn through science, facts, and personal accounts. Together, they dive into what makes today’s porn fundamentally different from past generations, how early exposure (sometimes as young as age 7) is shaping children’s mental health and relational expectations, and why conversations—not just filters—are the true solution. Parker breaks down the research, offers hope for healing, and shares practical tools for parents, educators, and anyone who cares about kids. If you’ve been avoiding this topic, this is the episode you can’t afford to miss. ** All Fight the New Drug resources are free!! Learn more about Fight the New Drug and all they have to offer here Bring Fight the New Drug to your organization by going here Parents, find special resources just for you from Fight the New Drug here Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Trust Your Kids More and Worry About Them Less isn’t just advice—it’s a revolutionary mindset that could change your parenting forever. In this powerful episode of The 1000 Hours Outside Podcast, host Ginny Yurich sits down with Ned Johnson and Dr. William Stixrud, authors of The Self-Driven Child and The Seven Principles for Raising a Self-Driven Child, to explore what children really need to thrive in today’s high-pressure, performance-driven culture. Drawing from decades of experience in neuropsychology, education, and working with families, Ned and Bill share a deeply hopeful and science-backed message: when kids feel a sense of control over their lives, their mental health flourishes, their motivation ignites, and their joy returns. Together, they unpack the cultural myths that are crushing childhood—like the belief that success hinges on relentless achievement or acceptance to a prestigious college. Instead, they advocate for autonomy, play, radical downtime, and the steady practice of parental trust. With humor, warmth, and actionable insight, this conversation offers an honest look at the fears we carry as parents and how to loosen our grip without letting go. If you’ve ever wondered how to raise a resilient, happy, and truly self-driven child, this episode will equip you to start today—with confidence. ** Get your copy of The Seven Principles of a Self-Directed child here Learn more about Dr. William Stixrud and Ned Johnson here Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this heartfelt and hope-filled episode of The 1000 Hours Outside Podcast, host Ginny Yurich is joined by beloved author and speaker Annie F. Downs to talk about the tender intersections of grief, growth, and God’s goodness. With warmth and vulnerability, Annie shares the story behind her new children’s book Where Did TJ Go?, co-written with her sister Tatum after the loss of Tatum’s infant son. Together, they created the book they couldn’t find—one that speaks gospel truth into the deepest sorrow, reminding kids (and their parents) that even in our saddest stories, good news remains. Annie and Ginny also explore the theme of redemption through Annie’s past struggles with quitting, self-image, food addiction, and grief, showing how perseverance, community, and grace have reshaped her story. From Radnor Lake sunrises to Zumba classes and the sacredness of small beginnings, Annie opens up about how beauty and healing often arrive in unexpected ways. With Scripture as their compass, the conversation winds through Psalms and personal memories, always circling back to this truth: our tears are seeds, and in time, they bring songs of joy. This episode is a balm for the soul—an invitation to see our own lives as stories in progress, full of sorrow, yes, but also bursting with hope. ** Get your copy of Where Did TJ Go? here Get your copy of Looking for Lovely here Learn more about Annie and all the wonderful things she has to offer here Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

What if the “flops” in life are actually the beginning of the real adventure? Thom Barrett joins Ginny Yurich on The 1000 Hours Outside Podcast to share how a cancer diagnosis—and a midlife awakening—sparked decades of daring outdoor exploration. From falling off a 20-foot cliff in Colorado to kayaking with piranhas in the Amazon, Thom’s adventures are bold, raw, and deeply human. He opens up about building a DIY winter camper, adventuring with his daughters, redefining purpose in retirement, and how cancer shifted his entire view of living. This conversation is packed with humor, wisdom, and inspiration for anyone who’s wondering if it’s too late—or too scary—to begin again. Spoiler: It’s not. ** Learn more about Thom here Get your copy of Living While Dying here Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices