Screen Time Strategies + Solar Sense with Ruby Ryba and Dannie Mendoza (Ep. 193)

In tonight’s episode, I welcome two guests with very different but equally practical missions. First up, screen time strategist and author Ruby Ryba joins me to talk about intentional digital habits and her forthcoming book, How to Stop Scrolling. We dig into the behavioral science behind phone addiction, simple environmental tweaks (like charging your phone outside the bedroom), configuring Do Not Disturb modes, and replacing mindless scrolling with goals, joy, and rest. Ruby shares how to spot internal and external triggers, set boundaries that stick, and model healthier tech use for our families—all without demonizing the phone as anything more than a tool.

In the second half, local entrepreneur Dannie Mendoza steps into the studio to talk energy, community, and giving back. We get into Texas energy basics, why solar—done right—can be a long-term solution, and how to avoid common pitfalls in bills and installations. Danny also previews community projects, including the EP PopCon, the Golden Vox small-business spotlight (which I’ll be hosting on weekends), local Rotary efforts, the downtown Halloween event, and veteran support initiatives pushing for a VA clinic in Eagle Pass. It’s a conversation about saving money, strengthening community, and creating opportunities right here at home.

Watch / Listen Live 7PM CT
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Website: https://joerooz.com

Special thanks to:
Executive Producer Wayne Rankin
Executive Producer Rosanna Rankin
Executive Producer Carolina Jimenez
Executive Producer Angela Wetuski
Executive Producer John Seeley

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(00:00:36) Cold open of poetic lines and warm-up banter

(00:02:52) Show intro from Asylum Studios and host welcome

(00:04:19) Tonights lineup and housekeeping before first guest

(00:09:07) Value-for-value, website, and urgent escrow appeal

(00:09:24) Guest intro: Ruby Ryba, screen time strategist and author

(00:10:35) Icebreakers: status quo mindset and mint tea over coffee

(00:12:01) What is a screen time strategist and why it matters

(00:13:51) The moment to write How to Stop Scrolling

(00:16:38) Behavioral science + storytelling for habit change

(00:18:01) Practical tactics: bedroom charging ban and modes

(00:20:56) Goals, joy, and rest: replacing default scrolling

(00:22:43) Identifying triggers: external, social, and internal

(00:26:12) Modeling healthy phone use with kids and others

(00:28:36) Conversation etiquette: phones down, presence up

(00:30:17) Social media, comparison traps, and connection quality

(00:34:22) First step if overwhelmed: alarm clocks and on-ramps

(00:35:36) Phones as tools, not villains: aiming for indifference

(00:38:17) Weekends off-grid, quiet time, and baby steps

(00:40:39) Closing thoughts: agency, book and newsletter links

(00:44:56) Break and musical bumper

(00:49:02) Hour two: host origin story and show tagline roots

(00:52:44) Guest two: Danny Mendoza Jr. joins in-studio

(00:55:19) From astronomy to energy: TNE Energy origin

(01:01:17) Why solar matters: grids, AI demand, and costs

(01:09:09) Understanding your bill: power plant to ERCOT to you

(01:14:18) Owning power: solar maintenance, warranties, and delivery

(01:19:32) EP PopCon: giving back, community hope, and guests

(01:40:17) The Golden Vox: spotlighting local businesses

(01:50:39) Announcement: The Golden Vox show joins the roster

(01:54:03) Community drives: VA food pantry and downtown Halloween

(01:58:34) Rotary, golf, and civic engagement opportunities

(02:00:36) School food, local sourcing, and keeping money local

(02:01:54) Wrapping up: partnership cadence and closing plugs

(02:06:02) Sign-off and credits

- Joe "Rooz" Russiello

- Marisa Lee

- Wayne Rankin

- Rosanna Rankin

- Angela Wetuski

- Carolina Jimenez

- Ruby Ryba

- Dannie Mendoza, Jr

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