The 1000 Hours Outside Podcast

Host: Jenny Urch
Guest: Noah Herrin, Pastor & Author
Episode: 1KHO 662: Welcome to Manhood
Release Date: December 28, 2025

Episode Overview

In this engaging episode, Jenny Urch sits down with Nashville pastor and author, Noah Herrin, to discuss his new book, Welcome to Manhood: Moving from Potential to Purpose. The conversation delves into the challenges facing modern men, particularly young adults, amidst a cultural climate that often provides conflicting messages about masculinity, purpose, technology, and relationships. The episode offers practical advice for fostering meaningful friendships, managing tech and comparison, developing godly ambition, dating well, prioritizing service, and implementing habits to move from mere potential to purposeful living.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. The Inspiration Behind "Welcome to Manhood"

• Young Men in Church: Noah shares the rare dynamic of his young, male-engaged church in Nashville, describing how witnessing the growth and commitment of these men inspired his book.

  "We have a ton of young men who are really fired up for the Lord... it just made a huge impact." (Noah, 01:32)

• Purpose of the Book: Structured in 52 chapters (one per week), it's designed for gradual growth and practical application, not quick fixes.

  "It's not like a 'this, this, and then the next thing.' Read this, really immerse yourself in it." (Jenny, 02:52)

2. Friendship & Community for Men

• "Go Friend Hunting": Friendships are essential for thriving; the church is recommended as the best place to find like-minded community.

  "Community without commitment is a mirage... Give me 10 friends who will tell me the truth and really be for me, over a hundred friends who just tell me what I think I need to hear." (Noah, 06:18)

• Disagreeing Well: True friendships involve honesty and sticking through the tough conversations.

  "We're called to be peacemakers, to try and work through any issues..." (Jenny, 07:54)

3. Technology, Time, & Comparison

• Phones as Double-Edged Swords: The pressure of constant connectivity and the reality of obsessive comparison are highlighted.

  "Are you using your phone or is your phone using you?" (Noah, 09:27)

• Practical Tech Habits:

  • Don’t charge your phone in your bedroom
  • Use apps like "Brick" to intentionally limit distractions
  • Pre-decide your phone boundaries

• Comparison & Contentment: Social media amplifies comparison, which can sabotage contentment and unique calling.

  "The fastest way to ruin something special is to compare it to someone else." (Noah, 13:11)

  "If I can't celebrate somebody that deserves celebrating, that's a sign I'm comparing and I'm competing with them." (Noah, 13:11)

  Memorable Moment: Noah recounts how direct, honest conversation turned comparison with another pastor into authentic friendship. (16:28)

4. Consumerism & The "More Monster"

• Cultural Pressure: Men often seek fulfillment in money, sex, or power, leading to perpetual dissatisfaction.

  "The more monster just says that more is going to satisfy you... And man, every time you get more of those things, it does not satisfy." (Noah, 21:25)

• Redefining Ambition: The distinction between selfish and godly ambition—fulfillment comes from serving God and others, not from "more" for its own sake.

5. Service as Leadership

• Biblical Models: Contrasts historical figures like Caesar (who sought worldly accumulation) with Jesus (who served), contending true impact comes from service, not status.

  "If you're too big to serve, then you're too small to lead." (Jenny quoting Noah, 25:08)

  "The type of people that make the biggest impact, they walk into a room and they don't say, 'Here I am,' they say, 'There you are.'" (Noah, 28:58)

6. Dating, Relationships, and Modern Challenges

• Dating with Purpose:

  • Attraction is a valid starting point but cannot sustain a relationship—character is key.
  • "Don't date potential, date proof of concept." (Noah, 29:30)
  • Be slow to date but quick to break up
  • Shorter dating leading to marriage is healthiest

• Teen Relationships & Social Skills: Many young men lack meaningful in-person interactions due to gaming/tech culture; parents and teens are encouraged to "pre-decide your regrets" and prioritize real-world relationships.

• Online Dating: There's a shift from being set up by friends to using apps, which may not always foster complementary, growth-oriented partnerships.

7. Systems & Organization: The "Brain Dump" Folder

• Creative Organization: Noah uses the Notes app to capture and categorize ideas (Brain Dump, Book Ideas, Leadership, Workouts, House, etc.), reviewing and sorting weekly for retention and inspiration.

  "It's like a searchable journal... building a second brain." (Noah, 45:43)

Memorable/Light Moment:

• Jenny shares quirky "band name" ideas stored in her phone, inspiring laughter about the uses of notes and organization. (46:00)

8. Busyness, Boundaries, and Sabbath Rest

• Fighting Hurry: Noah discusses strict work/family boundaries and the importance of pre-deciding priorities:

  "You’re always going to disappoint someone... But I’ve made the decision that I’m not going to let my family be the ones I disappoint." (Noah, 49:48)

  • Adopting daily, non-negotiable blocks for faith, family, and core work; waking early for “pleasure” activities to maximize family presence after work

• Sabbath Practice:

  • 24-hour period from Thursday 5 pm to Friday 5 pm for true rest, family, celebration, and no work
  • Jenny connects Sabbath to health and happiness in "blue zones"

Notable Quotes & Timestamps

• On Community:

  "Community without commitment is a mirage." (06:18, Noah)

• On Technology & Comparison:

  "Are you using your phone or is your phone using you?" (09:27, Noah)
  "The fastest way to ruin something special is to compare it to someone else." (13:11, Noah)

• On Service:

  "If you're too big to serve, then you're too small to lead." (25:08, Jenny quoting Noah)
  "The type of people that make the biggest impact, they walk into a room and they don't say, 'Here I am,' they say, 'There you are.'" (28:58, Noah)

• On Dating:

  "Don't date potential, date proof of concept." (29:30, Noah)
  "Be slow to date, but quick to break up." (35:16, Jenny summarizing Noah)

• On Busyness & Boundaries:

  "I’m just going to disappoint the right people and not disappoint the wrong ones, and I’m okay with that." (49:48, Noah)

• On Sabbath:

  "It's just like a life giving 24 hours where you don't have to produce anything, where you don't have to earn anything or achieve anything." (53:23, Noah)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• Introduction & Church Background: 00:10–02:52
• Friendships & Running Analogy: 03:27–05:47
• Disagreeing Well & Commitment in Community: 06:18–07:54
• Technology, Phones, & Comparison: 09:27–16:28
• Consumerism, The "More Monster" & Ambition: 21:25–23:56
• Service vs. Power; Caesar & Jesus Comparison: 25:08–28:58
• Dating Advice for Young Men & Parents: 29:30–35:16
• "Brain Dump" System & Notes Organization: 36:38–46:08
• Fighting Hurry, Setting Boundaries, and Sabbath: 47:14–55:44
• Childhood Memory (Waterpark Story): 56:22–57:34

Memorable Closing

Jenny asks Noah to share a favorite childhood outdoor memory:

"My dad took me to a waterpark, I was too scared to go down the big slide, so the lifeguard pushed me at his request. Traumatic, but taught me to overcome fear—ended up being one of the best days ever." (56:22–57:34, Noah)

Overall Tone & Takeaways

The episode is friendly, honest, and practical, combining faith-based wisdom with actionable advice for men (and their families) navigating modern pressures. It’s especially relevant for young adults, parents, and anyone considering how to move from potential to meaningful purpose in today's fast-paced, tech-saturated world.

For more insights, follow Noah Herrin on Instagram, and check out his books "Welcome to Manhood" and "Holy Habits."