The Aro Podcast

After 827 days, 100 episodes, countless guests, and many transformative conversations, the Aro Podcast is drawing to a close. In this poignant final episode, host and Aro co-founder Joey Odom reflects on the journey from the podcast’s inception with Tanner Clark at Bolt Farm Treehouse to its significant impact on helping families manage technology more intentionally. But as Ecclesiastes reminds us...

Host Joey Odom welcomes Justin and Lauren Earley, the visionaries behind the Hang 10 Movement, a groundbreaking initiative aimed at reshaping how and when children engage with smartphones and social media. The Earley's discuss their comprehensive guidelines that advocate waiting until 10th grade to introduce smartphones and social media to children. In this episode, they explore the importanc...

Are you struggling to balance the demands of health, career, and family? Host Joey Odom welcomes Heather Brown, a passionate advocate for holistic health and well-being, who shares her inspiring journey from battling postpartum depression to thriving through her 'Triple Threat' approach—intentionally nurturing her mind, body, and spirit. Every Sunday, she disconnects to reflect and recal...

It wasn't too long ago that Britt Fisher found herself constantly tethered to her laptop and phone. Now, this mother of four credits Aro for her newfound ability to be fully present in her family life. In this Voices of Aro episode, Britt sits down with host Joey Odom to discuss her personal challenges with balancing technology and work-life balance. She shares how starting her day connecting...

Are you concerned about the impact of smartphones on student learning and social skills? In this enlightening episode of the Aro Podcast, host Joey Odom talks with Dr. Ansel Sanders, president of Webb School of Knoxville , about the school’s approach to technology, balancing its benefits with the need for meaningful personal connections. Webb School has strategically designated 'sacred spaces...

When it comes to thinking about schools and technology and our kids, and it just sometimes it's easy to get kind of dragged down. Host Joey Odom sat down with Dr. Grant Rivera, superintendent of Marietta City Schools, to explain how he is tackling technology distraction in the classroom - and why we can be hopeful for the future. Rivera’s innovative use of locked pouches for phones and smartw...

Are you tired of feeling like you're constantly on the verge of losing your cool with your kids? Wish you could find a way to stay calm, cool, and collected, even in the midst of the most chaotic parenting moments? Join host Joey Odom as he sits down with parenting expert Hunter Clarke-Fields, who's here to share her proven strategies for embracing reactivity and cultivating a more mindf...

Join host Joey Odom on the Aro Podcast as he sits down with Alyssa Joy Bethke, author of ‘When Doing It All Is Undoing You.’ Alyssa shares her deep calling to minister to women and her insights into the insecurities, pressures, and emotional burdens that many women face in our modern culture. She shares her journey through the impact of social media on self-worth and how community plays a vital ro...

If you're a parent struggling with your family's relationship to technology and smartphones, you're going to want to hear this conversation. In this special parent-child edition of Voices of Aro, host Joey Odom talks to Laura and her 14-year-old son, Finley Brownstein. Finley shares insightful strategies for kids to balance tech use, while Laura discusses their family’s journey with...

Visionary founder of the School of MOM , Sarah Harmon, pulls back the curtain on the challenges of motherhood, sharing her own personal story of how her family's mental health crisis led her to this transformative work. But this isn't just another parenting podcast - Sarah offers a refreshingly direct and compassionate approach to helping moms (and dads!) break free from the toxic cycle...

A simple blog launched Erin and Ben Napier into HGTV stardom - and from there, they started Osprey, which supports parents in managing their children’s tech use. On this episode of the Aro Podcast, host Joey Odom explores the Napiers' accidental rise to fame and their deep-rooted commitment to restoring homes with a sense of purpose and faith. Erin shares insights into balancing a thriving TV...

Join host Joey Odom on the Aro Podcast as he sits down with psychologist and author Dr. Amy King to explore the art of creating connected, resilient families. Dr. King goes beyond theory, offering practical strategies that any parent can implement to strengthen their relationships and raise thriving children. Joey and Dr. King delve into the crucial roles of connection and resilience, discussing h...

Have you ever considered going a full year without your smartphone? Tommy Short, today’s guest on the Aro Podcast, embraced this challenge, and the results were life-changing. As a former NCAA basketball referee who managed over 750 high-pressure games, Tommy was no stranger to stress, but choosing to disconnect for 365 days required unprecedented courage and commitment. In this conversation with...

Bestselling author and advocate for intentional living, Hannah Brencher shares her personal journey of unplugging from social media and technology in this episode of the Aro Podcast. She sits down with Joey Odom to share how disconnecting helped her reclaim creativity, presence, and deeper family connections. Based on on her latest book, 'The Unplugged Hours,' Hannah discusses practical...

How has social media intensified the teenage struggle for self-acceptance? Joey Odom sits down with Sandra Stanley and Allie Cooney, authors of ' Meet Me in the Middle ', to talk about the challenges teenage girls face in the digital age and what parents can do to stay connected. From the pressure to project perfection to the pitfalls of constant comparison, the conversation offers insig...

Reflecting on his childhood, host Joey Odom shares a deeply personal story of belief, presence, and the powerful influence of family. Joey recounts his father's unwavering dedication and its profound impact on his own approach to parenting. This episode takes us back to Aro's starting days with co-founder Heath Wilson, born from a shared commitment to combat phone addiction and enhance f...

Courtney and Brent Carrigan were already conscious of their phone usage, but with Aro, they have been able to redefine family time entirely, while setting a positive example for their son. Joey Odom speaks with the Carrigans about the benefits of setting boundaries through features like the 'Aro flip,' which tracks phone-free time. With a blend of competition and commitment, they've...

In today’s digital world, balancing work and personal life isn't easy. Join host Joey Odom and guest Randy Gravitt, author of 'Winning Begins at Home' and coach to elite teams like the Buffalo Bills, as they tackle managing technology's impact on family life. This episode explores the art of disconnecting to strengthen relationships, the role of storytelling in leadership, and...

Are you a champion for your spouse? Host Joey Odom sits down with Mistye Wilson, the wife of Aro Co-Founder Heath, to talk about the transformative power of positive words and how what we say can influence not only our own relationship but also model positive interactions for others around us. Joey and Mistye emphasize the importance of resolving issues directly, advocating against the pitfalls of...

In this special edition of The Aro Podcast, join host Joey Odom to revisit a conversation with Olympic gold medalist Shawn Johnson and her husband, Andrew East. This powerhouse couple breaks down the complexities of balancing a public life with personal priorities, from managing a prominent social media presence to nurturing their relationship and family dynamics. Shawn and Andrew share their stra...

Are you prepared to have the talk? Host Joey Odom is joined by Megan Michelson, co-founder of Birds & Bees , to discuss the pivotal role of open communication and age-appropriate sex education for children in our tech-saturated world. Megan explains why it's time to move beyond the 'big talk' and instead advocates for initiating conversations early and maintaining them often, us...

Are your devices bringing you closer together, or pulling you apart? In this Voices of Aro episode, Abby and Brian McIntyre share their journey toward tech-life balance through the power of alignment, communication, and self-awareness. Abby and Brian discuss the benefits of storytelling and mentorship in inspiring others to navigate the complexities of technology in family life. They also explore...

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How can we cultivate presence and deepen relationships in a world that constantly pulls at our attention? Join Joey Odom in this enlightening conversation with bestselling author Andy Crouch, who shares his hard-won wisdom on navigating technology with intention to live a life rich in love. Drawing from his extensive background in divinity and his tenure at Christianity Today, Andy provides invalu...

When it comes to encouraging creativity with our kids, how does screen time fit into the picture? This week on The Aro Podcast, we revisit Aro Co-Founder Joey's conversation with Ryan Tedder, frontman of OneRepublic and a celebrated songwriter and producer, about how he sets boundaries and positive examples with his family. A longtime friend of Joey’s, Ryan recounts his formative years from h...