Episode notes
A common piece of advice for those who are chronically online is to “go touch grass.” This upcoming season of How To, co-hosts Natalie Brennan and Julie Beck will look more closely at the often-fraught, always-changing relationship people have with technology. They’ll explore how people can be more intentional with their devices, rebuild their attention span, and find a way to thrive in this fast-paced, image-driven culture. Episodes will feature personal experimentation and conversations with experts in anxiety, education, and new technology. The first episode of How to Touch Grass…
How to Touch Grass
by The Atlantic · English · Learning
It may be time to rethink our relationships with our devices.
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S9 · E3 · 10 Aug 2026 · 37 min
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S9 · E2 · 3 Aug 2026 · 28 min
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S9 · E1 · 27 Jul 2026 · 37 min
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Back in the ’90s, before everyone had smartphones, were things just … better? Tech-focused nostalgia has become a potent cultural force in recent years, driving sales of “dumbphones,” iPods, CDs, and other retro technology. According to a 2023 survey, 67 percent of Americans wish they could go back to a time “before everyone was ‘plugged in.’” The psychologist behind that survey, Clay Routledge, has found that this sort of nostalgia is more than just a yearning to go backwards. “We can often feel overwhelmed in the moment and in the challenges we face today. It's hard to see past them.…
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S8 · E6 · 12 May 2025 · 41 min
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S8 · E5 · 5 May 2025 · 31 min
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S8 · E4 · 28 Apr 2025 · 37 min
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S9 · E5 · 24 Aug 2026 · 40 min
What It Takes to Reclaim Your Attention Span
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S9 · E4 · 17 Aug 2026 · 33 min
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S8 · E3 · 21 Apr 2025 · 37 min
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S8 · E2 · 14 Apr 2025 · 39 min
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