The 1000 Hours Outside Podcast

Ginny Yurich sits down with bestselling thriller writer and longtime airline captain Ward Larsen for a conversation that will make you want to put your phone down and pick a book up. They talk about Cold Zero—his high-stakes, teen-safe thriller co-written with Brad Thor—where a sabotaged jet crash-lands on Arctic ice with world-changing AI tech in the wreckage, and suddenly survival, espionage, and global power collide in the most inhospitable place on Earth. Ward shares how a fighter-pilot background and real crash-investigation experience shape his page-turners, how technology (and deepfakes) are rewriting the rules of modern warfare, and why small mistakes can be fatal—on the page and in real life. Get your copy of Cold Zero here Get your copy of The Perfect Assassin here Find Ward’s books, tour stops, and signed-copy options at WardLarson.com, and learn more about Cold Zero (and Brad Thor) at BradThor.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Home is supposed to be where a child can exhale—but for Stephen McWhirter, growing up in a preacher’s family meant watching public faith and private violence collide, then carrying that silence into years of rebellion, addiction, and rage. In this tender, unforgettable conversation with Ginny Yurich, Stephen shares what it cost to keep the “everything’s fine” mask in place, how a copy of The Case for Christ landed in the middle of his darkest night, and why real healing often begins when we stop hiding and start telling the truth. You’ll hear a refreshingly grounded take on parenting kids who act out, the difference between forgiveness and reconciliation, and the surprising kindness of God that can meet someone right where they are and change everything. Stephen’s book is Radically Restored: How Knowing Jesus Heals Our Brokenness and his music includes “Come Jesus Come” and “My Right Now.” Learn more about Stephen and all he has to offer here Get your copy of Radically Restored here. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Clinical psychologist Dr. Janissa Jackson has spent 20 years evaluating kids and watching childhood change. In this conversation, she explains why reading struggles can make everything feel harder (for kids and parents), what many interventions miss beneath dyslexia and attention issues, and why building cognitive skills like processing speed and working memory can change a child’s entire trajectory (and quickly!) You’ll also hear hopeful insight for adults dealing with ADHD, brain injury, or memory decline, plus the surprisingly grounding ranch life that keeps her anchored in the real world. Learn more about Dr. Jackson’s centers at LearningRx: https://www.learningrx.com/ and explore locations here: https://www.learningrx.com/locations/ — and if you want to follow her work in Northwest Arkansas, start here: https://www.learningrx.com/fort-smith/ Learn more about evaluation services here Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Ginny Yurich sits down with Dr. Nicole Cain—author of Panic Proof—for a conversation that makes anxiety feel less mysterious and a whole lot more workable. Nicole explains why panic is often protective, how to spot your early “pay attention” signals before you hit crisis mode, and why the same tool won’t always work. You’ll come away with practical ideas like building a “panic pack,” using cold to calm the nervous system, and simple brain-and-body resets that matter even more in a screen-saturated world. They also go deeper on hormones, sleep, SSRIs, and why creativity and movement can be real medicine especially for kids. Learn more about Dr. Cain and her work at drnicolecain.com, get a copy of her book Panic Proof, and check out her podcast Holistic Inner Balance. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Harvard-trained psychologist and resilience expert Dr. Robert Brooks has spent decades watching what helps kids thrive and also what breaks them down. In this conversation with Ginny Yurich, he flips the script from “what’s wrong” to what’s strong: how to spot and honor your child’s islands of competence, why resilience is rooted in at least one steady adult a child can “gather strength” from, and how empathy changes everything from discipline to screen habits to the way we speak when kids melt down. You’ll walk away with language you can use today, a fresh way to think about technology and AI without panic, and a deeper reminder that children don’t need perfect parents but they do need present ones who help them feel valued, capable, and truly known. Learn more about Dr. Robert Brooks and all he has to offer here Check out Dr. Brooks extensive list of books here Read Dr. Brooks articles (a new one every month!) here Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

James Nestor joins host Ginny Yurich on The 1000 Hours Outside Podcast for a conversation that can change how you think about energy, sleep, focus, and stress starting with the air you’re breathing all day. You’ll learn why indoor CO2 can quietly drag down cognition (especially in schools, offices, and hotels), why mouth breathing can spiral into snoring, fatigue, and anxious “air hunger,” and how nasal breathing supports calmer nervous systems and better performance. From kids to adults, athletes to desk workers, this episode connects the dots between modern living and the most overlooked pillar of health and leaves you with practical takeaways you can try immediately. ** Get your copy of Breath here Learn more about James and all he has to offer here Get the Free Guided Audio Breath Reset Tracks here ** ⁠700 EPISODES TSHIRT LAUNCH⁠... "⁠Yes, I've Eaten a Bug Or Two⁠" toddler tee launches for just $10 this week. All other 1000 Hours Outside apparel is 20% off as well. No discount code needed! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On this episode of The 1000 Hours Outside Podcast, Ginny Yurich talks with science journalist and bestselling author Alex Hutchinson about a shift that’s been happening for decades: kids are exploring less, adults are settling sooner, creativity is declining, and screens are filling the space where real-world discovery used to happen. Drawing from his new book The Explorer’s Gene and the research behind the “explore vs. exploit” dilemma, Alex explains why safety, convenience, and passive entertainment may be costing us more than we realize—and why active exploration is the key to building adaptable, confident, creative humans in an uncertain future. This conversation reframes how we think about play, risk, childhood freedom, and even our own life choices, offering practical language for what families are up against and a hopeful vision for how small, everyday adventures can restore the skills we’re losing. Get your copy of The Explorer's Gene here Get your copy of Endure here Learn more about Alex and all he has to offer here Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Bart and Shannon Millard of MercyMe share the story behind the years they now call “the flower chair”—a season of grief, chronic stress, parenting strain, and quiet disconnection that nearly reshaped their family for good. What followed wasn’t a dramatic rescue but a slow return through counseling, community, and the hard grace of facing what they had tried to survive alone. In this honest conversation with Ginny Yurich, they talk about the pre-2004 and post-2004 turning point, a child’s type 1 diabetes diagnosis, marriage under pressure, the surprising role of mentor Tim Timmons, and the real story behind how I Can Only Imagine changed their lives. Their new book Even If and the film I Can Only Imagine 2 reveal what they call “personal evidence of God’s goodness” in the middle of the mess—especially for parents carrying something that doesn’t just go away. Preorder 'Even If' here Learn more about Bart and Shannon here Order 'I Can Only Imagine' here A huge thank you to our sponsors! Check them ALL out below:  BetterHelp: Visit  www.BetterHelp.com/1000HOURS  today to get 10% off your first month. Quince - Visit www.quince.com/outside and get free shipping and 365 day returns Hungry Root - Go to www.hungryroot.com/1000HOURS and use code 1000HOURS to get 40% off your first box and a free item of your choice for life. IXL Learning - Head to www.ixl.com/1000hours to get an exclusive 20% savings on your membership Wayfair - Go to www.wayfair.com and shop all things home Cure Hydration- head to www.curehydration.com/outside to find a retailer near you Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode of The 1000 Hours Outside Podcast, host Ginny Yurich sits down with theologian and author Joel Muddamalle for a conversation that feels both ancient and urgently relevant. Drawing from Joel’s new book The Unseen Battle, they explore spiritual warfare not as something sensational or fear-driven, but as a daily, lived reality shaped by attention, truth, imagination, and small choices. From why Eve didn’t panic when the serpent spoke, to how modern distractions quietly gain a foothold in our lives, to why standing firm matters more than fighting harder, this episode invites listeners to see Scripture in full color and to recover a grounded, hopeful confidence. It’s thoughtful, accessible theology for parents, skeptics, and anyone who senses there’s more happening beneath the surface of ordinary life. 🔗 Get your copy of Joel’s book, The Unseen Battle 🔗 Check out Stranger Theology: https://www.strangertheology.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode of The 1000 Hours Outside Podcast, Ginny Yurich sits down with father-daughter duo Drew and Ava Miller—homeschoolers, musicians, and the heart behind Petal Honey Co—to talk about the kind of life shift you never see coming, but later realize was guidance all along. What started as a random stop at a honey-for-sale sign turned into beekeeping, bottling, rebuilding after hard losses, and building real community through local food and hands-on work. We talk about the beauty of honey, the stewardship of creation, why pollinators matter, and how “outdoor work” can quietly change a family—slowing you down, strengthening you, and giving kids purpose you can’t manufacture indoors. You’ll also hear about Drew and Ava’s music (recorded as a time capsule of their ages), Ava’s love of incubating chicks, and a childhood outdoor memory that will make you want to plan a trip and reread the books that shaped you. L Check out Petal Honey Co here Check out | Miller and Co music here Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode of The 1000 Hours Outside Podcast, host Ginny Yurich sits down with farmers and authors Staci and Jeremy Hill of Gooseberry Bridge Farm to explore a decades-long shift: how much everyday knowledge has disappeared in just a few generations. From growing and preserving food to involving kids in real, meaningful work, this conversation is about reclaiming skills that once made ordinary life possible and still matter more than we realize. We talk about seasonal living, raising capable kids, why a full pantry isn’t fear-driven but thoughtful, and how learning to work for your food changes the way you see time, effort, and family life. This episode is about is about remembering what used to work and choosing a more grounded way forward. Get your copy of The Preserver's Garden here Learn more about the Hills at https://www.gooseberrybridge.com Follow the Hills on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/gooseberrybridgefarm/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Get our top ranked mobile app for iOS or Android!  Levi Lusko shows up to this conversation the most on-brand way possible—fresh off getting lost on a Montana hike—and it turns into the perfect doorway into what he wrote Don’t Worry, Warrior! for: real-life anxiety that feels enormous, and surprisingly small, doable tools that actually help. In this episode of The 1000 Hours Outside Podcast, Ginny Yurich and Levi talk about “touch grass” as both a nervous-system reset and a faith practice, why simple things like box breathing and getting your body moving can interrupt spirals fast, how creativity can pull you out of a dark mood, and why bravery is a muscle kids can build even when they don’t feel brave. It’s practical, hope-filled, and tailor-made for parents raising teens and tweens in a screen-saturated world. Get your copy of Don't Worry, Warrior! here Learn more about Levi and all he has to offer here A huge thank you to our sponsors! Check them ALL out below:  BetterHelp: Visit  www.BetterHelp.com/1000HOURS  today to get 10% off your first month. Quince - Visit www.quince.com/outside and get free shipping and 365 day returns Hungry Root - Go to www.hungryroot.com/1000HOURS and use code 1000HOURS to get 40% off your first box and a free item of your choice for life. IXL Learning - Head to www.ixl.com/1000hours to get an exclusive 20% savings on your membership Wayfair - Go to www.wayfair.com and shop all things home Cure Hydration- head to www.curehydration.com/outside to find a retailer near you Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Ben Higgins—best known from The Bachelor—joins Ginny Yurich for a rare, honest conversation about what it’s like to be visible to millions and still feel deeply alone. Ben shares how a painful childhood marked by his father's illness, a career-ending injury, and addiction shaped his hunger to be seen, and why fame never healed the ache he hoped it would. This episode traces the turning points that changed his life: choosing connection over numbing, faith over performance, and purpose over applause. From carrying heartbreak in public, to building a marriage and becoming a father, to telling other people’s stories through his book Alone in Plain Sight, Ben reflects on what actually makes a life meaningful. This is a conversation for anyone who’s ever felt overlooked, misunderstood, or exhausted by pretending. It's a reminder to show up where your feet are. Get your copy of Alone in Plain Sight here Grab some coffee from Generous Coffee here Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Danielle Kartes is back—and this time, she’s walking into the pressure cooker of Next Level Chef. Filmed in Ireland, judged by Gordon Ramsay, and completely outside her comfort zone, this season marks a stunning new chapter for a woman who once lost everything she thought defined her life. In this episode, Danielle shares the long road that led here: a failed restaurant, years of financial uncertainty, a marriage that nearly didn’t survive, and the slow, holy work of rebuilding from the ground up. We talk about motherhood, faith, perseverance, and why you don’t actually lose yourself in hard seasons. This is a conversation for anyone in the middle of an “ugly” chapter who needs permission to hope again and courage to keep going. Explore Danielle’s books and recipes at https://rusticjoyfulfood.com and grab a copy of her memoir You Were Always There , or The Best Kids Cookbook, or Meant to Share (or all three!) Preorder My Very First Baking Book (launches April 7) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Get our top ranked mobile app for iOS or Android! New York Times bestselling author Jennifer Breheny Wallace joins Ginny Yurich to name something many people feel but rarely have words for: the deep human need to matter—not just to belong, but to be valued and to add value. Drawing from her new book Mattering, Jennifer shares why so many people feel invisible in modern life, why transitions can shake us to the core, and how small, specific choices rebuild connection. You’ll leave with practical prompts you can use tonight (“Where did I add value? Who made me feel valued?”), a fresh lens on kids and achievement culture, and a better knowledge of creating mattering spaces. Learn more about Jennifer and all she has to offer here Get your copy of Mattering here Get your copy of Never Enough here ** A huge thank you to our sponsors! Check them ALL out below:  BetterHelp: Visit  www.BetterHelp.com/1000HOURS  today to get 10% off your first month Quince - Visit www.quince.com/outside and get free shipping and 365 day returns Hungry Root - Go to www.hungryroot.com/1000HOURS and use code 1000HOURS to get 40% off your first box and a free item of your choice for life IXL Learning - Head to www.ixl.com/1000hours to get an exclusive 20% savings on your membership Wayfair - Go to www.wayfair.com and shop all things home Cure Hydration- head to www.curehydration.com/outside to find a retailer near you Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Get our top ranked mobile app for iOS or Android! Listen to  ‘Beautiful World’, our intro song, by In Paradise and Two Better Friends How do you help kids connect what they see in nature with what they believe about God? Ginny talks with bestselling author and Fierce Marriage/Fierce Parenting co-founder Ryan Frederick about his new children’s book series Adam & Iota, stories designed to help kids explore the human body (DNA, blood, growth in the womb) while building a bigger, brighter category for wonder, design, and the glory of God in creation. Ryan breaks down the powerful difference between general (natural) revelation, what creation shows us about God - and special revelation, what Scripture reveals about God’s character, salvation, and how we live. They discuss why “there’s no such thing as a neutral education,” how a Christ-centered worldview changes the way we teach everything from science to history to beauty, and why parenting is always discipleship, whether we acknowledge it or not. You’ll also hear practical encouragement for homeschool and family life, the “mental load” in marriage, and why wonder (from hummingbirds to DNA) can become a daily discipleship tool, especially when you’re outside. Learn more: fiercemarriage.com • fierceparenting.com • theologykids.com ** A huge thank you to our sponsors! Check them ALL out below:  BetterHelp: Visit  ⁠www.BetterHelp.com/1000HOURS⁠  today to get 10% off your first month Quince - Visit ⁠www.quince.com/outside⁠ and get free shipping and 365 day returns Hungry Root - Go to ⁠www.hungryroot.com/1000HOURS⁠ and use code 1000HOURS to get 40% off your first box and a free item of your choice for life IXL Learning - Head to ⁠www.ixl.com/1000hours⁠ to get an exclusive 20% savings on your membership Wayfair - Go to ⁠www.wayfair.com⁠ and shop all things home Cure Hydration- head to ⁠www.curehydration.com/outside⁠ to find a retailer near you Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Get our free Top Ten 1000 Hours Outside Podcast Books from 2025⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ What if the simplest solution to so many modern childhood struggles is… more play? Ginny sits down with Pat Rumbaugh - aka “The Play Lady” - a longtime PE teacher, coach, TED Talk speaker (yes, she hula-hoops while she talks), and founder of Let’s Play America. Pat shares what she’s witnessed since she began teaching in 1981: a steady decline in free, child-led, neighborhood play, and the ripple effects it has on kids, families, and communities. Together, they unpack why play builds flexibility, creativity, empathy, resilience, and real-life social skills, and why multi-age, unstructured play is so different from adult-led activities and overscheduled sports. Pat also offers practical, doable ways to bring play back: hosting a Play Day, creating StoryWalks, adding “play stations” to existing community events, and even closing your street so kids can safely take over the space again. If you’ve been craving more connection, more laughter, and more “real kids outside” moments, this episode will give you both the why and the how. Learn more: letsplayamerica.org ** A huge thank you to our sponsors! Check them ALL out below:  BetterHelp: Visit  ⁠www.BetterHelp.com/1000HOURS⁠  today to get 10% off your first month Quince - Visit ⁠www.quince.com/outside⁠ and get free shipping and 365 day returns Hungry Root - Go to ⁠www.hungryroot.com/1000HOURS⁠ and use code 1000HOURS to get 40% off your first box and a free item of your choice for life IXL Learning - Head to ⁠www.ixl.com/1000hours⁠ to get an exclusive 20% savings on your membership Wayfair - Go to ⁠www.wayfair.com⁠ and shop all things home Cure Hydration- head to ⁠www.curehydration.com/outside⁠ to find a retailer near you Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Get our top ranked mobile app for iOS or Android!  In this episode of The 1000 Hours Outside Podcast, Ginny Yurich sits down with cognitive neuroscientist Dr. Caroline Leaf for a hopeful, practical conversation about why you’re not “broken” for feeling triggered, overwhelmed, or stuck and what to do next. Dr. Leaf breaks down her mind–brain–body framework in a way that finally makes sense, using a simple nature picture: your thoughts grow like trees, and what you practice strengthens over time. You’ll learn why multitasking quietly fuels hurry sickness, how small daily “micro-actions” can shift real patterns, and how to start responding instead of reacting. This one combines science, sanity, and relief in one conversation, with tangible tools you can try today. Learn more about Dr. Caroline Leaf and all she has to offer here Get your copy of Switch On Your Brain here ** A huge thank you to our sponsors! Check them ALL out below:  BetterHelp: Visit  ⁠www.BetterHelp.com/1000HOURS⁠  today to get 10% off your first month Quince - Visit ⁠www.quince.com/outside⁠ and get free shipping and 365 day returns Hungry Root - Go to ⁠www.hungryroot.com/1000HOURS⁠ and use code 1000HOURS to get 40% off your first box and a free item of your choice for life IXL Learning - Head to ⁠www.ixl.com/1000hours⁠ to get an exclusive 20% savings on your membership Wayfair - Go to ⁠www.wayfair.com⁠ and shop all things home Cure Hydration- head to ⁠www.curehydration.com/outside⁠ to find a retailer near you Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Get your free 2026 tracker sheet⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠! Purchase Ginny's trio of books: ⁠Until the Streetlights Come On⁠, ⁠Homeschooling⁠, and ⁠1000 Hours Outside Activity Book  Pelvic floor problems are one of those “quiet” issues that can sneak into your life doing things like making hikes stressful, camping complicated, workouts frustrating, sleeping difficult, and even everyday mom life painful or exhausting. In this episode of The 1000 Hours Outside Podcast, Ginny Yurich sits down with clinical exercise physiologist and researcher Jenn Lormand, who shares her own intense story of birth trauma, prolapse, and being told she’d likely need repeat surgeries. But then she discovered a non-invasive path that helped her heal and build the program that’s helped so many other women, too. You’ll learn what prolapse actually is, why Kegels can sometimes make things worse, how hormone changes can change pelvic tissue, and simple “start today” ways to be kinder to your pelvic floor like better bathroom mechanics, reducing chronic strain, and thinking preventatively long before symptoms show up. Find Jenn’s work, free quiz, and her signature program at https://tightenyourtinkler.com Use code 1000HOURS for $50 off the signature program. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Listen to  ‘Beautiful World’, our intro song, by In Paradise and Two Better Friends If you love the opening and closing song It's a Beautiful World make sure to follow In Paradise and Two Better Friends for more of their music! ** In this conversation, Ginny Yurich sits down with couples therapist Dr. Tracy Dalgleish to talk about relationship pain that so parents carry but rarely say out loud like feeling duped after the honeymoon stage, drowning in the mental load, and watching resentment grow when needs go unseen and unacknowledged. Tracy breaks down the overfunctioning–underfunctioning cycle, why “I cant do anything right” is a shutdown that blocks connection, and how repair (not perfection) is what keeps love alive especially when screens, stress, and exhaustion turn partners into roommates living parallel lives. You’ll walk away with language you can use tonight, boundaries that actually work, simple acknowledgement habits, and a clearer picture of what’s in your control to shift the dynamic. This episode also includes a powerful glimpse into postpartum vulnerability and the in-law pressures that can begin to fracture a marriage if you don’t protect your “we.” Get your copy of I Didn't Sign Up for This here Learn more about Dr. Tracy and all she has to offer here ** A huge thank you to our sponsors! Check them ALL out below:  BetterHelp: Visit  ⁠www.BetterHelp.com/1000HOURS⁠  today to get 10% off your first month Quince - Visit ⁠www.quince.com/outside⁠ and get free shipping and 365 day returns Hungry Root - Go to ⁠www.hungryroot.com/1000HOURS⁠ and use code 1000HOURS to get 40% off your first box and a free item of your choice for life IXL Learning - Head to ⁠www.ixl.com/1000hours⁠ to get an exclusive 20% savings on your membership Wayfair - Go to ⁠www.wayfair.com⁠ and shop all things home Cure Hydration- head to ⁠www.curehydration.com/outside⁠ to find a retailer near you Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices