248. The Power of Boredom: Why Presence Might Be the Missing Piece

The Power of Boredom: Learning to Live in the Present

In this solo episode, Chris shares a personal experiment that quietly changed the way he experiences life.

It started with a conversation around a Harvard study shared by Arthur Brooks — research suggesting that one of the biggest challenges we face today is that we never experience boredom. Every spare second is filled. Every pause is interrupted. And in the process, we're losing something deeply important: the space to think, reflect, and be present.

While celebrating his 20-year anniversary with Melissa in Spain, Chris decided to test that idea. He completely removed social media from his phone — not with a timeline or rules, but simply as an experiment in presence. What followed surprised him. He read more. He prayed more. He thought more deeply. And slowly, the urge to constantly reach for distraction faded.

Chris reflects on how rare it has become to simply be — even for ten seconds at a stoplight — and how reclaiming boredom opened the door to clarity, peace, and freedom. He also revisits one of the most meaningful practices from a book that has shaped his life, The Way of Mastery: ending each day by blessing and releasing it.

"I bless and release this day. It has been perfect, and it is finished."

That simple practice helped him recognize how often his mind lived in guilt about the past or worry about the future — and how little time he actually spent in the one place where life truly happens: the present moment.

This episode isn't about quitting social media or adopting someone else's routine. It's an invitation to run your own experiment. To notice where distraction is stealing your attention. And to create a small, intentional practice that helps you come home to yourself, your family, and your life.

As Chris shares, the goal isn't perfection — it's presence. And maybe, just maybe, boredom isn't something to avoid… but something we desperately need more of.

LINKS:

All Links Family Brand!

• stan.store/familybrand

• familybrand.com/quiz

• familybrand.com/retreats.

Episode Minute By Minute:

• 00:00 – Why Chris wanted to record a short solo episode
• 01:00 – The study on boredom and constant distraction
• 02:00 – Why we never let our minds be still
• 03:00 – The Spain trip and removing social media
• 04:15 – What changed when the noise stopped
• 05:30 – Why this isn't really about phones
• 06:30 – Living in the past and future instead of the present
• 07:30 – The daily practice of blessing and releasing the day
• 08:45 – Why presence is where peace actually lives
• 09:45 – A simple experiment you can try
• 10:30 – Final encouragement: let boredom work for you