In episode 336, I speak with Ruby Ryba, former high school math teacher turned screen time strategist and author of 'How to Stop Scrolling'. Drawing from her personal experiences, background in education, and interest in psychology, Ruby helps people reclaim their time, attention, and sense of self in a tech-heavy world. Through relatable stories and research-backed strategies, she guides listeners to examine not just how they use their phones — but why. Her work blends empathy, humor, and practicality to help people find adjustments and strategies that work for their goals. Listen to find out about the chairs in Paris. This is an essential and relevant podcast not to be missed.
What if the key to reclaiming your attention — and your life — was hidden in a simple moment, like noticing chairs in Paris?
In this thought-provoking episode, I’m joined by Ruby Ryba, former high school math teacher turned screen time strategist and author of How to Stop Scrolling. Ruby brings a refreshing blend of insight, warmth, and wit as we explore our complex relationship with technology and the subtle ways it shapes how we live, think, and connect.
Drawing from her background in education, her deep interest in psychology, and her own lived experience, Ruby invites us to look beyond how much we’re on our phones and ask the more important question: why. Through relatable stories, research-backed strategies, and plenty of “aha” moments, she helps listeners understand attention as a skill that can be reclaimed — not a moral failing.
The metaphor of the chairs in Paris becomes a powerful lens for slowing down, becoming more present, and rediscovering what we miss when we’re constantly scrolling. Ruby’s approach is empathetic, practical, and refreshingly realistic — offering adjustments that actually fit real lives, not rigid rules.
In this episode, we explore:
This is an essential and deeply relevant conversation for anyone feeling stretched thin, distracted, or disconnected in a tech-heavy world. A podcast not to be missed.
To find out more about Ruby and her book Click Here
My website is www.andrewjobling.com.au