Reclaiming Organizational Wellness in a Distracted World | Co-Founder of Aro Joey Odom

In a world where our phones are designed to steal our attention, what does it look like to reclaim our presence? That’s the conversation I had with Joey Odom, co-founder of Aro, on a recent episode of the Whole Hearted Leadership podcast.

Joey’s mission is simple yet profound: help people develop a healthier relationship with their devices so they can fully engage with the relationships that matter most.

I’ll be honest—this hit home for me. I often find myself unconsciously reaching for my phone when I should be fully engaged with my wife, my kids, or my work. Sound familiar?

We live in a culture that rewards distraction. Every ping, every notification, and every endless scroll is designed to pull us away from what’s most important. But what if we chose a different path? What if we made small, intentional shifts to reclaim our presence?

Joey and I explored practical steps, including:

• Setting clear phone-free times (like dinner or morning routines)
• Creating physical distance between us and our devices
• Reframing our relationship with technology as a tool, not a master

The goal isn’t to eliminate technology but to use it with intention. If we want to lead wholeheartedly, we must first learn to be present—not just in our work, but in our relationships and our everyday moments.