Show Notes
Why is it so hard to put our phones down?
For the very first episode of The Scroll Less Podcast, Gia is joined by leading neuro-performance scientist and digital wellbeing expert Dr Kristy Goodwin to unpack our increasingly complicated relationship with our phones.
They explore the statistic that helped inspire Scroll Less September — that the average Australian could spend almost 17 years of their life on their phone — and what our increasingly always-on digital lives are doing to our brains, attention and wellbeing.
Kristy explains what she calls the “Digital Vortex” — the powerful pull of our devices that can turn a quick check into far more time than we intended. From dopamine and notifications to endless scrolling and algorithms, she unpacks why our phones can be so difficult to resist and why this isn’t simply a matter of willpower.
They also explore what constant digital stimulation and task-switching are doing to our brains, why we’ve become so uncomfortable with boredom, and what we can actually do to create more space in an always-on world.
This isn’t about giving up our phones or feeling guilty about using them. It’s about understanding what’s happening in our brains and finding realistic ways to use technology more intentionally.
🎧 What You’ll Hear
• The Digital Vortex — and why “just checking” our phones can so easily turn into much more • The neuroscience behind scrolling, dopamine and distraction • How technology is designed to capture and hold our attention • What an always-on world is doing to our focus, memory and wellbeing • Why constantly switching our attention is so exhausting • Why boredom and quiet time are actually good for our brains • Kristy’s concepts of the “Success Tax” and “Spacious Success” • What a healthy relationship with technology can look like • Simple, science-backed ways to create healthier phone habits
🎙 About Dr Kristy Goodwin
Dr Kristy Goodwin is a neuro-performance scientist, keynote speaker, executive coach and award-winning author of Dear Digital, We Need to Talk.
She is also the host of the Spacious Success Podcast and author of the upcoming book Spacious Success.
💙 Scroll Less September
The Scroll Less Podcast is the official podcast of Scroll Less September.
Scroll Less September is an Australian campaign designed to help us spend less time on our phones and more time living real life.
To sign up or find out more, visit: https://www.scrolllessseptember.com.au
More Life. Less Scroll.
📩 Contact
Scroll Less September Website: https://www.scrolllessseptember.com.au Email: [email protected]
🔗 Resources
Dr Kristy Goodwin Website: https://drkristygoodwin.com Spacious Success Podcast: https://drkristygoodwin.com/spacious-success/
eSafety Commissioner Information, advice and resources to help Australians stay safer online: https://www.esafety.gov.au
⚠️ A Gentle Reminder
The information shared in this podcast is for general information and educational purposes only and is not a substitute for personalised medical, psychological or professional advice.
If you have concerns about your mental health or wellbeing, please speak with your GP or another qualified health professional.
For mental health support, you can contact Lifeline on 13 11 14 or Beyond Blue on 1300 224 636.
Acknowledgement of Country
The Scroll Less Podcast is recorded on the traditional lands of the Kaurna people of the Adelaide Plains. We acknowledge the Kaurna people as the Traditional Custodians of this land and pay our respects to Elders past and present.
🙏 Thanks for Listening
If you enjoyed this episode, please follow The Scroll Less Podcast, leave a review and share it with a friend. Every follow, review and share helps us reach more people. 💙
And if you’re taking part in Scroll Less September — keep going. One small change can make more room for real life and the moments that matter most.
More Life. Less Scroll.
More from The Scroll Less Podcast
What happens to our relationships when our phones are always within reach?
How often do we really reach for our phones? And what happens when we’re completely honest about it?
⚠️ Content Advice This episode contains discussion of suicide, the death of a young person and sexual extortion. Please take care while listening. If this isn’t the right time for you to hear this conversation, please choose another episode and come back when you feel ready.
How do we help our kids navigate the digital world — without losing the real-life connection that matters most?
We will spend years of our lives on our phones. They connect us, entertain us and make life easier — but how are they changing the way we live?