The 1000 Hours Outside Podcast

Episode: 1KHO 540: Take Away the Screens and Go Outside | Mike McLeod, GrowNOW ADHD
Release Date: August 4, 2025
Host: Jenny Uridge
Guest: Mike McLeod, Founder of GrowNOW ADHD

Introduction and Context

Jenny Uridge opens the episode by introducing Mike McLeod from GrowNOW ADHD, highlighting his consistent presence and positive reception among listeners. The overarching theme centers on combating the youth mental health crisis by reducing screen time and promoting outdoor activities—a mission encapsulated by the podcast's title, "1000 Hours Outside."

Key Message: Eliminating Screens as a Solution

Mike McLeod passionately emphasizes that eliminating screens is the straightforward solution needed to address the current mental health downturn among youth. He asserts, “A Thousand Hours Outside is the cure to this horrible youth mental health crisis” (00:46).

Jenny Uridge echoes this sentiment, noting the simplicity yet profound impact of setting boundaries around screen usage. She believes that reverting to basics—limiting screens and encouraging outdoor play—can transform modern-day parenting challenges and educational problems.

Upcoming Book: Executive Functioning Playbook

Mike introduces his forthcoming book, "The Executive Functioning Playbook," scheduled for release on January 9th. This work, alongside a companion workbook, aims to provide parents and educators with up-to-date research on ADHD and executive functioning. Mike explains, “Executive functioning skills are the greatest predictor of success for human beings” (02:12). The book delves into essential skills like self-regulation and self-motivation, which surpass traditional academic measures such as GPA in determining long-term success.

Understanding Executive Functioning Skills

A significant portion of the discussion revolves around the four core components of executive functioning:

1. Self-Awareness:
   Mike describes self-awareness as the foundational executive function that begins developing in infancy. However, it becomes delayed as children spend more time in the virtual world. He states, “Self awareness is one of the first executive skills to develop... but over time it becomes one of the most delayed” (08:56). The excessive use of screens hampers children's ability to recognize their impact on others and themselves.

2. Self-Motivation:
   This skill pertains to the drive to engage in non-preferred or challenging tasks. Mike emphasizes that without self-motivation, children struggle with tasks essential for academic and personal growth.

3. Self-Evaluation:
   The ability to learn from past experiences and not repeat mistakes is crucial. Mike notes, “If you take your son's phone away because he hit his sibling... it's not going to do anything. They're going to hit again” (27:18). Without real-world experiences, children cannot effectively self-evaluate.

4. Self-Regulation:
   Often misunderstood, self-regulation involves managing emotions, behavior, and responses in various situations. Mike clarifies, “Self regulation is it. It's not attention deficit disorder. It is self regulation deficit disorder” (40:19). He argues that ADHD primarily stems from difficulties in self-regulation rather than mere inattentiveness or hyperactivity.

Impact of Screen Time on Executive Function

Mike passionately argues that screen time is the primary culprit behind the deterioration of executive functioning skills. He explains that screens create a “dopamine zombie” state, where instant gratification replaces the patience and persistence required for real-world tasks. This addiction not only impairs self-awareness but also fosters isolation, depression, and dysregulation among youth.

“Screens are hurting your child's brain. And we are creating these dopamine zombies.” (46:31)

Mike highlights that even academic tools like school laptops exacerbate the issue, leading to inappropriate usage such as accessing pornography or engaging in cyberbullying, further deteriorating mental health and social skills.

Parenting Strategies to Reduce Screen Time

Jenny and Mike delve into actionable strategies for parents aiming to minimize their children's screen time:

1. Morning and Evening Routines:
   Establishing consistent routines fosters independence. Mike asserts, “If your child's in middle school and high school and you are still the homework secretary... there's no independence gained” (22:38).

2. Homework Management:
   Parents should avoid micromanaging homework. Instead, they should encourage children to take responsibility, thereby enhancing self-motivation and self-regulation.

3. Dropping Off School Devices:
   Mike recommends a bold move—returning school-issued devices to the school to prevent their use at home, thereby reducing screen dependency significantly.

4. Encouraging Outdoor Activities:
   Actively involving children in outdoor play, sports, and social interactions is essential. Mike emphasizes, “Sign them up for after school activities, after school clubs, outdoor play...” (31:05).

5. Parental Involvement:
   Contrary to current trends, Mike suggests that increased parental involvement in children's social activities can fortify relationships and enhance self-awareness.

Educational Implications

Mike criticizes the integration of technology in education, labeling it as detrimental. He observes that schools' adoption of digital tools without proper oversight leads to misuse and exacerbates screen addiction. Furthermore, standardized testing on screens contributes to cognitive overload, leaving little room for critical thinking and real-world problem-solving.

“This is the worst thing to ever happen to education, period, is the introduction of technology.” (48:31)

Mental Health Crisis and Screen Addiction

The conversation underscores a direct correlation between increased screen time and the rising mental health issues among youth. Mike shares alarming statistics and personal anecdotes, such as images of memorials for children who took their own lives due to social media pressures, to illustrate the severity of the crisis.

“Social media is the only thing perfectly correlated to this youth mental health crisis.” (48:31)

He attributes the addiction to sophisticated marketing by tech companies, which falsely portray screens as tools for socialization and safety, while they, in reality, foster isolation and mental health deterioration.

Mike's Insights and Conclusions

Mike concludes by urging parents to reclaim their authority and prioritize real-world interactions over digital engagements. He calls for a collective societal shift to diminish screen dependency, emphasizing that individual efforts must align with community actions to effect meaningful change.

“We have to go back to being a society and being a community again... So our kids can play together, be outside together and withdraw together.” (53:12)

He also highlights the importance of children developing the four core executive functioning skills to navigate adulthood successfully, preparing them for future challenges and responsibilities without the crutch of digital distractions.

Notable Quotes with Timestamps

• Mike McLeod at [00:46]:
  “A Thousand Hours Outside is the cure to this horrible youth mental health crisis.”

• Jenny Uridge at [02:12]:
  “Executive functioning skills are the greatest predictor of success for human beings...”

• Mike McLeod at [08:56]:
  “Self awareness is one of the first executive skills to develop... but over time it becomes one of the most delayed.”

• Mike McLeod at [27:18]:
  “If you take your son's phone away because he hit his sibling... it's not going to do anything. They're going to hit again.”

• Mike McLeod at [40:19]:
  “Self regulation is it. It's not attention deficit disorder. It is self regulation deficit disorder.”

• Mike McLeod at [46:31]:
  “Screens are hurting your child's brain. And we are creating these dopamine zombies.”

• Mike McLeod at [48:31]:
  “This is the worst thing to ever happen to education, period, is the introduction of technology.”

• Mike McLeod at [53:12]:
  “We have to go back to being a society and being a community again... So our kids can play together, be outside together and withdraw together.”

Conclusion

The episode powerfully advocates for reducing screen time to foster essential executive functioning skills in children, thereby addressing the burgeoning youth mental health crisis. Through Mike McLeod’s insights and actionable strategies, parents and educators are equipped with the knowledge and motivation to prioritize outdoor play and real-world interactions. The imminent release of "The Executive Functioning Playbook" promises to further support this mission, offering comprehensive guidance to those committed to nurturing resilient and self-aware future generations.