The Flip Phone Challenge
EP249 w/ Teresa Whiting
Is it possible for a mom in 2025 to live without a smartphone?
I’m speaking for myself here. But if I were to get rid of my iPhone, I’d lose access to
my camera
my GPS
my podcast player
my music (Spotify)
my banking app
my weather updates
Voxer
Slack
my calculator
the ability to check the location of my kids
my Bible app
my QR code reader
the ability to travel by plane with any ease whatsoever
A year ago, I removed my email app from my phone, and that simple act reduced my phone usage by (I’m totally making up a number here) probably 50% to 80%. But clearly, I still rely heavily on my phone.
Maybe you do, too?
Today I welcome back to the show Teresa Whiting where we continue our conversation about taking an extended break from a smartphone and using a flip phone instead. If you feel tethered to your phone and fantasize about throwing it in the ocean (just me?) Teresa will inspire and challenge you…just in time to join Teresa in her 28-Day Flip Phone Challenge in February!
This is Part 2 of a 2-part conversation. If you haven’t listened to Part 1 yet, do that here:
We discuss:
Why it’s important to understand what is drawing you to your phone
Two things Teresa learned about herself
The surprising time-related tradeoff
What happened at the end of her 40 days
Is it realistic to be a mom in 2025 without a smartphone?
Reframing FOMO
Tips for success if you want to loosen the grip of your smartphone on your life
Encouragement for the Mom who feels like a slave to her smartphone
More about Teresa
Teresa Whiting is passionate about inviting women to discover the beautiful, redemptive work of Jesus in the midst of their broken lives. As a pastor's wife and ministry leader of more than 30 years, she has walked with countless women through their real-life struggles. Teresa is an author, national speaker, and host of the Find Hope Here podcast. She holds a degree in Bible and counseling and is a trauma-informed Biblical life coach.
Her recently published Bible study, DisGraced: How God Redeems and Restores the Broken, is an outworking of her own story. A survivor of childhood sexual abuse, Teresa has taken steps toward healing and freedom from shame through friendships with women like Tamar, Rahab, and the Samaritan woman.
She and her husband, Greg, have five adult children and three grandsons. They are recent empty nesters living in sunny Florida. In her happy place, you'll find her walking the beach, hanging out with her family, or exploring God's creation, untethered from technology.
Teresa speaks locally and nationally for women's events. Her talks have been described as "unique, refreshing, relatable, and healing." To book her for your next ministry event, visit this page.
Love,
Sandy