Moving Offline Podcast

Jose Briones
  • 5.0 (16)
  • SOCIETY & CULTURE
  • UPDATED SEMIWEEKLY

Discussions and short thoughts about Digital Minimalism. Interviews from time to time. josebriones.substack.com

  1. 1D AGO

    Flip Phones Reimagined

    In this episode of Moving Offline, I talk to Afreka and Jack from Dumb Co, a group building a modified dumbphone designed to help people break away from smartphone distractions and reclaim their time. We dive into their personal stories, what inspired them to go “dumb,” and how their initiatives like Dumb House and Month Offline are creating a movement around digital minimalism and real-world connection. Afreka and Jack share how using a flip phone changed their relationships with technology, the challenges users face, and why their mission keeps them focused and growing. If you’re curious about living more offline, want tips for making the leap, or just want to hear what it feels like to ditch your smartphone, you’ll want to tune in! Links https://dumb.co/ https://www.theatlantic.com/technology/2026/04/month-offline-smartphone-detox/686911/ Get full access to Moving Offline at josebriones.substack.com/subscribe

    39 min

  2. APR 6

    3 Reasons Dumbphones Work!

    As dumbphones surge in popularity, skeptics are asking: Is this a sustainable lifestyle or just a fleeting digital trend? Is swapping your smartphone actually effective at reducing screen time and improving well-being? In this episode, we move past the anecdotes and look at the data. We dive into a recent Stanford University study that provides scientific clarity on the "minimal phone" movement. I break down the three evidence-based reasons why these devices successfully reshape our behavior and share the LIGHT Framework—a practical tool you can use to reclaim your attention, whether you switch your hardware or not. The Worksheet: https://www.dumbphones.org/low-tech-life/light The Study: https://osf.io/preprints/psyarxiv/ubkeq_v1 Get full access to Moving Offline at josebriones.substack.com/subscribe

    13 min

  3. MAR 17

    Community-Powered Digital Minimalism

    In this episode, I sit down with Ali Waseem, the creator of FOQOS, a free and open source app helping people regain control over their smartphones—without breaking the bank. We chat about why digital minimalism shouldn’t be seen as a luxury, the philosophy behind creating free tech resources, and how community-driven development has shaped Focus into a powerful tool for 50,000+ users. Ali shares his personal journey with tech addiction, what led him to make the app open source, the surprising features inspired by user feedback, and how Foqos has improved his real-life interactions and sleep. If you’re curious about free ways to simplify your digital life and want real stories on building for community rather than profit, this conversation is a must-listen! Timestamps: 00:04 — Why Ali built Foqos 01:59 — Why it’s free + open source 04:44 — How Foqos works 10:05 — Ali’s transformation 17:18 — Reducing tech dependency 20:01 — AI + future of tech 24:57 — Final thoughts Try It Out:If you’re on iOS and looking for a free way to control your phone habits, check out Foqos. Android user? Look into Switchly. If you want to go a level deep, try Apple Configurator for iOS or ADB App Control for Android to permanently remove distractions from your smartphone. Finally, you could get a dumbphone if those methods are insufficient. But try finding a second hand one or a free one from a friend first :) Get full access to Moving Offline at josebriones.substack.com/subscribe

    27 min

  4. MAR 3

    5 Hidden Forces Keeping You Stuck on a Smartphone

    Support the pod: https://buymeacoffee.com/jbriones95 In this episode of Moving Offline, I’m sharing the five main forces I've seen that keep people from truly embracing an offline life after seven years in the digital minimalism space. I talk about how unclear priorities, the temptation of convenience, boredom phobia, social pressure, and even full-blown dependency loops secretly tie us to our phones. I offer some practical advice to help you clarify your priorities, lean into inconvenience, face boredom, resist pressure to conform, and seek support if going offline feels truly overwhelming. Thanks for tuning in—remember, it’s possible to break free and live a more intentional, present life. Timestamps: Introduction & Purpose 00:00:04–00:01:10 Defining Simplicity & Priorities 00:01:11–00:02:10 The Gravity of Convenience 00:02:11–00:03:55 Boredomphobia 00:03:58–00:06:15 Social Pressure to Conform 00:06:16–00:09:03 The Dependency Loop & Recovery 00:09:03–00:11:02 Closing Remarks 00:11:03–00:11:10 Links: https://www.dumbphones.org/low-tech-life Get full access to Moving Offline at josebriones.substack.com/subscribe

    11 min

  5. FEB 20

    Why Dumbphone Apps Are So Hard to Build

    In this episode of Moving Offline, I sit down with Thomas Barrasso, the developer behind PodLP, a podcast app made for dumbphones. We dive into why it’s tough to find your favorite apps on these minimalist devices, and Thomas shares what inspired him to build PodLP during the pandemic. We cover the challenges developers face, like small screens, keypad navigation, and platform fragmentation, and discuss why big companies aren’t rushing in. Thomas gives some inside info on what it takes to make apps work on different dumbphone platforms, and why financial incentives are still limited. We also touch on the tight-knit community around these phones, the rise of cloud-powered devices in emerging markets, and whether AI can really help speed up development. If you’re curious about trying a dumbphone, developing for one, or just want to hear how the offline movement is shaping up, this episode is for you. Don’t miss Thomas’ advice on embracing friction and finding what works for your own tech journey. Chapters:00:00 – Introduction & Guest Welcome 01:03 – How PodLP Began 02:31 – Why Developing for Dumbphones Is Hard 06:52 – Launching Apps on Dumbphones 11:17 – Why Big Platforms Ignore Dumbphones 17:55 – Can AI Accelerate Flip Phone App Development? 24:52 – Minimalism vs Maximalism: Should Dumbphones Stay “Dumb”? 28:28 – Final Thoughts & Advice Links: https://podlp.com/ https://www.dumbphones.org/ Get full access to Moving Offline at josebriones.substack.com/subscribe

    32 min

  6. FEB 6

    Building the Distraction-Free Phone

    In this episode, I sit with Eric Bouchard, founder of Bouchard Industries. Eric talks about his vision for the Basic Phone, a new device designed to minimize distractions while maintaining core utilities. The conversation explores the reasons behind the project, the technical and market challenges, and how the Basic Phone will differ from both traditional smartphones and existing minimalist devices. Links Kickstarter: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/bouchardindustries/the-basic-phone-a-dumbphone-without-disadvantage Discord: https://discord.gg/HVpbcddsXJ Video: https://youtu.be/XIGU01X_Eh8 Get full access to Moving Offline at josebriones.substack.com/subscribe

    22 min

  7. 12/28/2025

    Tired of Online? Three Mindsets for a Calmer 2026

    Buy Moving Offline a Coffee In this episode of Moving Offline, we explore three powerful mindsets to help you reclaim your time, attention, and peace of mind in 2026. If you’ve been feeling digitally fatigued, overwhelmed by constant notifications, or stuck in an “always on” rhythm, this reflection will give you a grounded and hopeful way forward. Timestamps[00:00:26] — Introduction of three mindsets to reset your digital life [00:02:11] — Mindset 1: Choose offline first [00:04:27] — Mindset 2: Making offline memories [00:06:28] — Mindset 3: Planning offline intentionally [00:07:52] — Invitation to plan for Offline January Get full access to Moving Offline at josebriones.substack.com/subscribe

    10 min

  8. 10/15/2025

    From 7 Hours to Freedom

    Episode Summary In this episode, I unpack why most digital detoxes don’t work—and what’s helped me build a low-tech lifestyle that actually lasts. I share my own journey, from buying a Light Phone 2 in 2019 to falling back into old habits during the pandemic, and how the 1% method helped me shift from temporary detox to sustainable change. If you’ve ever felt stuck in screen time loops or discouraged by failed attempts to unplug, this one’s for you. What I Talk About The science behind screen addiction and why it’s not just about willpower My early attempts at digital detox—and why they didn’t stick How the 1% method works (and why it’s better than quitting cold turkey) Why a calendar became my most powerful tool for habit change How low-tech living spilled into my finances, relationships, and sense of purpose A funny story about traveling through Colorado with $5 and no physical credit card Favorite Quotes from the Episode “Detoxing is like crash dieting for your attention span: intense, unsustainable, and often followed by relapse.” “You’re not escaping your phone—you’re choosing something more fulfilling to do with your time.” “If it’s not in the calendar, it doesn’t exist.” —My wife Resources Mentioned Atomic Habits by James Clear Erik Weihenmayer’s story of summiting the seven tallest mountains The Light Phone 2 and my low-tech setup The 1% method as a framework for digital and financial change Why This Matters I’m not here to preach about dumbphones or shame anyone for using tech. I’m here to share what’s worked for me—and invite you to build a life that feels more like yours. It starts small. It feels slow. But it’s real. Support My Work Moving Offline is a reader-supported publication. If this episode resonated with you, consider subscribing or sharing it with someone who’s ready to make a 1% shift. Get full access to Moving Offline at josebriones.substack.com/subscribe

    12 min
See All (44)

5
out of 5
16 Ratings

About

Discussions and short thoughts about Digital Minimalism. Interviews from time to time. josebriones.substack.com

Information

  • Creator
    Jose Briones
  • Years Active
    2021 - 2026
  • Episodes
    44
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Jose Briones
  • Show Website
    Moving Offline Podcast

You Might Also Like