The 1000 Hours Outside Podcast

• 1KHO 598: Let Beauty Do Its Work | Ruth Chou Simons, The Way of the Wildflower

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

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• 1KHO 597: Legacy is What We Set in Motion | David Green and Bill High, Hobby Lobby

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

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• 1KHO 596: Chase Down Your Dreams Today | Shawn Johnson, Kiss the Fire

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

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• 1KHO 595: Your Baby Isn't Broken and Neither Are Your Instincts | Britt Chambers, Good Night Moon Child

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

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• 1KHO 594: How to Build Resilient Youth | Bryan Gouge, Compassion International

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

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