Moving Offline
Moving Offline Podcast
The Off By Default Approach: A Conversation with Richard Simon
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The Off By Default Approach: A Conversation with Richard Simon

How 60 Days Offline Can Change Your Life

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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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