The 1000 Hours Outside Podcast

What if the waiting seasons of your life weren’t detours—but the very place where the deepest growth happens? In this beautiful, vulnerable, and soul-stirring conversation, DawnCheré Wilkerson joins Ginny Yurich to talk about her book Slow Burn and the hidden work God does in our hearts while we wait. From infertility to surprise pregnancies, from palm trees weathering hurricanes to century plants that bloom after decades, DawnCheré shares unforgettable metaphors from nature that reflect God's purpose in the pauses. This episode reminds us that life doesn’t begin after the breakthrough—it’s happening now, in the middle of the slow burn. With raw honesty, DawnCheré explores the power of music, the significance of celebration, and the miracle of showing up even when our hearts feel weary. Whether you’re in a season of waiting, grieving, hoping, or holding on, this episode offers comfort, clarity, and the courage to live fully—right where you are. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Modern screen time isn’t just harmless entertainment—it’s reshaping our kids’ brains. In this summer mashup with Dr. Nicholas Kardaras, we explore how immersive, interactive tech—especially in early childhood—alters neurological development and leads to impulsivity, poor focus, and even addiction. Packed with clinical insights and hopeful strategies, this episode is a wake-up call for parents who want more for their kids than digital babysitters. Learn how early tech exposure chips away at curiosity, creativity, and resilience—and what you can do instead to help your child thrive in the real world. *** Get your copy of Glow Kids here Get your copy of Digital Madness here Learn more about Dr. Kardaras and all he 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.  BetterHelp: Visit  www.BetterHelp.com/1000HOURS  today to get 10% off your first month. Fay Nutrition: Visit www.FayNutrition.com/1000HOURS  to see if you qualify for a dietitian for $0 CRU: Visit give.cru.org/hour to sign up for a $24 monthly gift, and receive a free copy of Until The Streetlights Come On Reliefband - Get 20% off plus free shipping at www.reliefband.com/1000hours  Quince - Visit www.quince.com/outside and get free shipping and 365 day returns Kaeluma - Visit jesusfilm.org/kaeluma-outside to listen, learn more, or access discussion guides and other bonus content! Acorns Early - Visit www.acornsearly.com/outside to learn more! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Kim John Payne, author of 'Simplicity Parenting,' joins the conversation to address the crisis in modern childhood as smartphones take center stage. He discusses the rising anxiety and emotional disconnection in children, emphasizing the urgent need for simplicity and self-directed play. The dialogue explores the power of unstructured time to foster creativity and resilience, offering hope for reclaiming meaningful childhood experiences. With a focus on nurturing deeper familial connections, this discussion serves as a vital reminder of what truly matters in parenting.

What Have We Done to Childhood? That’s the question at the heart of this gripping conversation with Dr. Peter Gray, author of Free to Learn and one of the world’s foremost researchers on human development and education. In his fourth appearance on the podcast, Dr. Gray unpacks how cultural shifts—from agricultural hierarchies to today’s anxiety-fueled overprotection—have stripped childhood of its most essential ingredients: freedom, trust, agency, and play. What we call “normal” now—overscheduling, overcontrol, and constant performance pressure—would be unrecognizable, even unthinkable, in every previous era of human history. This is one of the most urgent and thought-provoking episodes we’ve ever released. It explores the deep cost of replacing play with programming, curiosity with curriculum, and independence with obedience. We don’t need more rigor—we need restoration. If we want to raise kids who are emotionally healthy, socially competent, and equipped for a rapidly shifting world, it starts by asking hard questions. What have we done to childhood? And what can we still do to get it back? ** Check out Dr. Peter Grays Substack here Get your copy of Free to Learn 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.  BetterHelp: Visit  www.BetterHelp.com/1000HOURS  today to get 10% off your first month. Fay Nutrition: Visit www.FayNutrition.com/1000HOURS  to see if you qualify for a dietitian for $0 CRU: Visit give.cru.org/hour to sign up for a $24 monthly gift, and receive a free copy of Until The Streetlights Come On Reliefband - Get 20% off plus free shipping at www.reliefband.com/1000hours  Quince - Visit www.quince.com/outside and get free shipping and 365 day returns Kaeluma - Visit jesusfilm.org/kaeluma-outside to listen, learn more, or access discussion guides and other bonus content! Acorns Early - Visit www.acornsearly.com/outside to learn more! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Ned Johnson, co-author of "What Do You Say?" and expert in tutoring anxious children, joins clinical neuropsychologist Dr. William Stixrud to share transformative insights on navigating youth anxiety. They highlight the importance of fostering resilience over mere achievement, advocating for a shift from pressure-based parenting to supportive communication. The duo provides practical phrases to use and encourages parents to focus on emotional well-being and genuine happiness, emphasizing meaningful connections over academic validation. This conversation is a must-listen for any parent or educator!

What happens when grief, loss, and hardship become the soil where storytelling grows? In this unforgettable episode, Sean Dietrich — bestselling author and beloved writer — shares the raw, redemptive beauty of his childhood, where pain and hope sat side by side. With trademark warmth and honesty, Sean opens up about his father’s death, the ache of feeling like an outsider, and the strangers who showed up when family didn’t. It’s heartbreaking, hilarious, and profoundly human. Host Ginny Yurich weaves together the most powerful moments from their conversations, revealing how the smallest acts of kindness, the simplest words of encouragement, and the freedom to roam outdoors can reshape a child’s entire future. This episode is a love letter to parents who wonder if they’re doing enough — and a reminder that sometimes, just showing up is everything. ** Get your copy of Will the Circle Be Unbroken here Get your copy of You Are My Sunshine here Learn more about Sean, read his writings, and find his touring schedule 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.  BetterHelp: Visit  ⁠www.BetterHelp.com/1000HOURS⁠  today to get 10% off your first month. Fay Nutrition: Visit ⁠www.FayNutrition.com/1000HOURS⁠  to see if you qualify for a dietitian for $0 CRU: Visit ⁠give.cru.org/hour⁠ to sign up for a $24 monthly gift, and receive a free copy of Until The Streetlights Come On Reliefband - Get 20% off plus free shipping at ⁠www.reliefband.com/1000hours⁠  Quince - Visit ⁠www.quince.com/outside⁠ and get free shipping and 365 day returns Kaeluma - Visit⁠ jesusfilm.org/kaeluma-outside⁠ to listen, learn more, or access discussion guides and other bonus content! Acorns Early - Visit ⁠www.acornsearly.com/outside⁠ to learn more! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this unforgettable conversation, New York Times bestselling author and investigative journalist Lee Strobel joins Ginny Yurich to explore the unseen realm—where science, faith, and mystery collide. Drawing from his newest book Seeing the Supernatural, Strobel shares powerful, documented stories of near-death experiences, angelic encounters, supernatural dreams, and miracle healings that challenge modern assumptions about consciousness, death, and the afterlife. This episode is about evidence—not speculation—and what it might mean for how we live today. Whether you're a person of faith, a skeptic, or somewhere in between, this conversation offers an invitation to think deeply about life’s biggest questions. Strobel’s journey from atheism to belief reveals that small acts—like offering cookies to a neighbor—can ripple through eternity. It's a reminder that the way we parent, pray, and even play is shaped not just by the visible world, but also by what we can’t yet see. 📘 Seeing the Supernatural by Lee Strobel is available now. Get your copy 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.  BetterHelp: Visit  ⁠www.BetterHelp.com/1000HOURS⁠  today to get 10% off your first month. Fay Nutrition: Visit ⁠www.FayNutrition.com/1000HOURS⁠  to see if you qualify for a dietitian for $0 CRU: Visit ⁠give.cru.org/hour⁠ to sign up for a $24 monthly gift, and receive a free copy of Until The Streetlights Come On Reliefband - Get 20% off plus free shipping at ⁠www.reliefband.com/1000hours⁠  Quince - Visit ⁠www.quince.com/outside⁠ and get free shipping and 365 day returns Kaeluma - Visit⁠ jesusfilm.org/kaeluma-outside⁠ to listen, learn more, or access discussion guides and other bonus content! Acorns Early - Visit ⁠www.acornsearly.com/outside⁠ to learn more! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

You’ve read the book, maybe even underlined your favorite sentences—but have you ever wondered who helped shape those words before they reached your hands? In this refreshingly candid and surprisingly emotional episode, Ginny Yurich sits down with Will Parker Anderson, senior editor at Penguin Random House (WaterBrook & Multnomah), to explore the mysterious world of publishing and the unsung heroes behind today’s most meaningful reads. From decoding messy manuscripts to helping authors find their voice, Will offers a rare, behind-the-scenes look into the creative and invisible work that brings books to life. Whether you dream of writing a book or simply love reading them, this episode will reshape how you see the words on a page—and the people who help craft them. Will also opens up about parenting, media-free mornings, and his own childhood memories of outdoor wonder, reminding us that the power of story and the power of nature are often intertwined. For practical tips and weekly insights into writing and publishing, subscribe to Will’s newsletter at writerscircle.co. *** 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.  BetterHelp: Visit  ⁠www.BetterHelp.com/1000HOURS⁠  today to get 10% off your first month. Fay Nutrition: Visit ⁠www.FayNutrition.com/1000HOURS⁠  to see if you qualify for a dietitian for $0 CRU: Visit ⁠give.cru.org/hour⁠ to sign up for a $24 monthly gift, and receive a free copy of Until The Streetlights Come On Reliefband - Get 20% off plus free shipping at ⁠www.reliefband.com/1000hours⁠  Quince - Visit ⁠www.quince.com/outside⁠ and get free shipping and 365 day returns Kaeluma - Visit⁠ jesusfilm.org/kaeluma-outside⁠ to listen, learn more, or access discussion guides and other bonus content! Acorns Early - Visit ⁠www.acornsearly.com/outside⁠ to learn more! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

What if the key to more family adventures started in your kitchen? Mandy Klentz of Plandy Mandy returns to The 1000 Hours Outside Podcast to show us how home-cooked, additive-free meals can actually save time, money, and stress. In this warm and practical conversation, Ginny Yurich and Mandy unpack the real cost of convenience foods—and how a freezer full of homemade muffins might just be your ticket to more memories outside. This episode is a breath of fresh air for overwhelmed parents. Mandy shares how her simple meal plans—free of dyes, seed oils, and stress—help families reclaim hours in the day and dollars in the bank. It’s not about perfection; it’s about creating margin for what matters most: shared meals, spontaneous park days, and saying yes to more of life. Whether you're new to budgeting or just tired of dinner drama, this is encouragement that actually works. ** Learn more about Mandy 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.  BetterHelp: Visit  ⁠www.BetterHelp.com/1000HOURS⁠  today to get 10% off your first month. Fay Nutrition: Visit ⁠www.FayNutrition.com/1000HOURS⁠  to see if you qualify for a dietitian for $0 CRU: Visit ⁠give.cru.org/hour⁠ to sign up for a $24 monthly gift, and receive a free copy of Until The Streetlights Come On Reliefband - Get 20% off plus free shipping at ⁠www.reliefband.com/1000hours⁠  Quince - Visit ⁠www.quince.com/outside⁠ and get free shipping and 365 day returns Kaeluma - Visit⁠ jesusfilm.org/kaeluma-outside⁠ to listen, learn more, or access discussion guides and other bonus content! Acorns Early - Visit ⁠www.acornsearly.com/outside⁠ to learn more! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

What if the biggest risk to our children’s future isn’t failure—but our fear of it? In this bold and deeply affirming episode, Ginny Yurich is joined by bestselling author and father of four, Mark Gerson, to explore how overprotection is quietly robbing kids of the very traits they need to thrive: independence, resilience, and confidence. Drawing from his new book God Was Right, Gerson shows how timeless biblical truths—like “do not fear”—are being confirmed by modern social science, and why embracing those truths can change how we parent. This conversation covers everything from helicopter parenting and safetyism to peer pressure, adversity, and the importance of honoring children’s small steps toward freedom. With warmth and clarity, Mark explains how the smallest actions—returning a lost dollar, offering a smile, celebrating a milestone—are never just small. They are sacred. Packed with real-world examples, science, ancient wisdom, and hope, this episode is an invitation to raise stronger kids by doing less hovering and more cheering. You’ll walk away seeing your role—and your child’s potential—through a whole new lens. ** Get your copy of God Was Right here Learn more about Mark and all he 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.  BetterHelp: Visit  www.BetterHelp.com/1000HOURS  today to get 10% off your first month. Fay Nutrition: Visit www.FayNutrition.com/1000HOURS  to see if you qualify for a dietitian for $0 CRU: Visit give.cru.org/hour to sign up for a $24 monthly gift, and receive a free copy of Until The Streetlights Come On Reliefband - Get 20% off plus free shipping at www.reliefband.com/1000hours  Quince - Visit www.quince.com/outside and get free shipping and 365 day returns Kaeluma - Visit jesusfilm.org/kaeluma-outside to listen, learn more, or access discussion guides and other bonus content! Acorns Early - Visit www.acornsearly.com/outside to learn more! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices