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Article Link: https://josebriones.substack.com/p/back-to-school-with-a-dumbphone

This school year, smartphones are being sidelined in classrooms, and I’m here for it. In this episode, I reflect on what this shift means for students, families, and our culture at large. I share personal stories, offer tips for modeling tech boundaries at home, and recommend devices that support intentional living. It’s a chance to rethink what it means to feel alive without a screen in hand.

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Welcome back to Moving Offline. Today I’m joined by Richard Simon—author of Unplug: How to Break Up With Your Phone and Reclaim Your Life. We’re diving into a challenge that so many of us quietly wrestle with: what would it really look like to turn off our devices and live offline?

Richard spent an entire year without a smartphone, and in this episode, he shares the surprising, sometimes uncomfortable, but ultimately life-giving lessons he learned along the way. We talk about his “off by default” philosophy, what it takes to face digital withdrawal head-on, and how to rebuild a life centered on real connection and intentional living.

We also get personal about boundaries: how to set them for ourselves and our families, and we offer practical steps for anyone ready to reclaim their time and attention in a world that’s always on.

If you’ve been thinking about trying a dumbphone, reimagining your digital habits, or just craving space to breathe, this conversation is for you. Grab your drink of choice, and let’s unpack what it means to truly move offline.

Timestamps

00:00 Off By Default: A Year Unplugged

03:11 Navigating 'Off by Default' Fears

07:07 Smartphone Use: Off by Default

09:41 Balancing Convenience and Simplicity

13:20 Balancing Family Time and Technology

19:26 Offline Rooms for Digital Balance

20:47 Smartphones Banned for Team Synergy

24:11 Year Unnoticed: Digital Disconnect

28:45 Embracing Connectivity Over Isolation

32:49 Ritualize News Consumption Daily

37:00 Pursuing a Serene Life

38:14 Support and Share Podcast

Links for today

Get the book here —> Unplug: How to Break Up With Your Phone and Reclaim Your Life.

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In this episode, I sit down with UK musician and filmmaker Tim Arnold to talk about his shift from smartphones to "dumb phones" and how technology influences creativity and human connection. We explore the evolution of music—from cassette tapes to streaming—and dive into his multimedia project Super Connected, which examines our screen-driven world.

Timestamps

00:00 Artists' Tech Tug-Of-War

03:59 Journey from DIY to Professional Recording

07:25 Creative Challenges in a Digital Era

11:20 Screen Addiction: A Teen's Struggle

16:06 Art, Autism, and Social Media Challenges

19:24 Offline Experiences Matter

23:46 Super Connected" Needs Group Viewing

26:26 Light Phone as Kids' First Phone

31:27 Exploring Self in a Digital Age

33:42 Balanced Technology Use

Links

https://timarnold.co.uk/

https://superconnected.technology/

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Listen in as we dive into the four mindset shifts—clarity, curiosity, choice, and contentment—that transform digital minimalism from a temporary fix into a lifelong approach to living intentionally.

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Welcome back to Moving Offline! In this episode, I sit down with Henry Fisher, privacy advocate and founder of Techlore, to explore the intersection of digital minimalism, privacy, and security.

Together, they break down the real reasons we should care about protecting our data. Henry shares his decade-long journey helping people reclaim their digital rights and digests complex privacy terms like end-to-end encryption into practical, everyday advice. Whether you’re curious about using dumb phones, or want tips to stop being tracked online,this conversation is packed with actionable insights and relatable analogies.

Timestamps

00:00 Privacy Concerns: Corporate and Government Surveillance

03:49 Enhancing Privacy and Security Tips

09:31 Dumb Phones: Privacy vs. Vulnerability

11:53 Bluetooth Security Awareness

14:52 Enhancing Privacy with Ad Blockers

18:22 Streamlined Device Management Benefits

20:14 Comprehensive Privacy Resource Hub

Links

https://techlore.tech

https://discuss.techlore.tech

https://mullvad.net/en

https://ublockorigin.com/

https://brave.com/

https://lineageos.org/

https://forum.dumbphones.org/

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In this episode of Moving Offline, I sit down with memory expert and champion Tansel Ali to unpack the secrets of keeping our minds sharp in a world flooded with technology. We explore how smartphones have changed our relationship with memory, practical strategies anyone can use to maintain mental clarity, and the importance of intentional technology use.

Tansel shares insights from the world of memory athletes, reveals why storytelling is key to remembering anything, and offers actionable advice on reducing overwhelm and finding focus in daily life. Whether you're struggling with information overload or just looking to boost your brainpower, this conversation will inspire you to take back control of your attention and live more intentionally.

Timestamps

00:00 Enhancing Life Through Memory & Tech

06:14 Digital Overload and Intentional Tech

07:09 Managing Information Overload in Digital Age

13:17 Focus and Techno-Minimalism for Clarity

14:15 Smartphone Overuse and Mindfulness

17:41 Understanding Value Through Context

21:18 Fear of Boredom Blocks Creativity

24:10 Mindful Multitasking and Energy Balance

27:18 Gratitude and Podcast Farewell

Links

Tansel’s YouTube Channel

Tansel’s Website

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In this episode, I sit down with Christopher Sciullo to talk about family digital wellness. As a father of four, Chris shares his experiences in balancing technology use in family life while ensuring physical and mental well-being. He offers practical strategies for parents to guide children towards healthy digital habits and to prioritize offline activities. We explore ways to achieve a tech-life balance that helps families thrive in today’s digital age while preserving meaningful offline memories. Hope you enjoy it!

Links

https://www.linkedin.com/in/christophersciullo/

Timestamps

00:00 Navigating Family Digital Wellness

06:00 Prioritizing Offline Childhood Experiences

10:02 Balancing App Use with Real Life

13:52 Digital Balance for Family Time

16:34 Mindful Tech Use for Parents

20:40 Conclusion

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In today's episode of Moving Offline, we delve into the critical topic of why parents should delay giving smartphones to their children. I'm joined by guest expert Hannah Oertel , and together we explore the extensive evidence highlighting the potential harms of early smartphone and social media exposure, especially for children.

Hannah shares insights into the alarming impacts on physical health, such as spinal and eyesight problems, as well as mental health issues like increased anxiety and exposure to harmful content. She emphasizes the importance of gradually introducing technology, using simpler devices as stepping stones before finally allowing access to smartphones.

Tune in to learn more about how you can support your child's healthy development in a tech-saturated world.

Links

https://delaysmartphones.org.uk/

Timestamps

00:00 Gradual Tech Introduction for Kids

05:50 Digital Impact on Children's Health

07:40 Impact of Violent Porn on Youth

11:25 Disconnect for Quality Family Time

15:05 Resisting Peer Pressure in Parenting

18:10 Navigating Tech's Impact on Children

20:23 Parental Concerns on Kids' Smartphone Use

25:32 Overprotective Parenting Concerns

28:15 Cherish Time with Children

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Esta entrevista esta disponible en Español.

Welcome to Moving Offline! Today, we dive into the world of digital minimalism with the founders of The Balance Phone, Albert and Carlos. Discover how they're revolutionizing the mobile phone market by designing a device that focuses purely on essential functions while eliminating distractions like social media, streaming services, and more.

We'll explore who this phone is for, how it works, and the principles guiding their decisions on allowed apps. Whether you're a digital minimalist or a parent seeking a safer first phone for your child, this episode offers a lot of insights for the journey.

Timestamps

00:00 Smartphone Simplicity Meets Functionality

05:19 Digital Minimalist Phone Appeal

09:30 App Blacklisting Strategy Overview

10:39 Content Blocking Strategy Explained

14:16 Screen Time, Revenue, and Power Struggle

20:11 Community-Driven Project Appreciation

Links

https://www.thebalancephone.com/

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This interview is available in English as well.

¡Bienvenidos a Moving Offline! Hoy nos sumergimos en el mundo del minimalismo digital con los fundadores de The Balance Phone, Albert y Carlos. Descubre cómo están revolucionando el mercado de los teléfonos móviles diseñando un dispositivo que se centra únicamente en funciones esenciales, eliminando distracciones como las redes sociales, los servicios de streaming y más.

Exploraremos para quién es este teléfono, cómo funciona y los principios que guían sus decisiones sobre las aplicaciones permitidas. Ya seas un minimalista digital o un padre en busca de un primer teléfono más seguro para tu hijo, este episodio ofrece muchas ideas valiosas para tu camino.

Links

https://www.thebalancephone.com/

Moving Offline is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.