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ScreenStrong Families — Kids & Family
ScreenStrong Families

Melanie Hempe, BSN, received her bachelors of Nursing from Emory University. Her mission is to create educational programs for kids and parents so no one will experience the pain of screen addiction. Her ability to simplify medical science and provide practical solutions for families has allowed her to share her passion and bold screen solutions nationally. ScreenStrong has won the hearts of many families who are preventing and reversing childhood screen conflicts and addiction and are thrilled to experience a newfound freedom in their lives.

Melanie hosts the popular weekly ScreenStrong Families Podcast. She has been featured in Psychology Today, Thrive-Global, The Wall Street Journal, A&E Network, CBS, CNN, NPR, Screened Out (documentary film), and various news and television outlets.

Copyright: © 2024 Families Managing Media Inc

Latest Episodes:

How Teachers and Parents Can Support Phone-Free Schools with Dr. Adriana Stacey (#214) Oct 30, 2024

In this episode, Melanie and Dr. Stacey explore how teachers and parents can collaborate to create a phone-free school environment. Teachers can support the policy by using research-backed education, setting an example with their own phone use, and staying alert to signs of phone overuse, like distracted behavior and declining grades. Parents play a crucial role by supporting the school’s efforts, limiting contact with kids during school hours, and encouraging phone-free days.

For parents wanting to go further, we’ll also discuss becoming a Phone-Free Champion in your school, organizing fun, tech-free activities that encourage socializing and new hobbies.
Tune in to learn how phone-free schools can help students stay focused, build friendships, and feel more connected.
Download our NEW Phone-Free School Resource Guide.

Support the show

Don't forget to subscribe, rate, and leave a review if you enjoy the episode. Your feedback helps us bring you more of the content you love. Stay Strong!

Start your ScreenStrong Journey today!
Become a Connect Member to get access to our exclusive online forum, the 30-Day ScreenStrong Challenge, LIVE webinars with medical experts, and the entire ScreenStrong library of videos, audio clips, interviews, e-books, handouts, and more!
Want to help spread the ScreenStrong message to your community? Consider becoming a ScreenStrong Ambassador!

ScreenStrong Tech Recommendations

Gabb Wireless—Smartphone Replacement (use code STRONG for discount)
Canopy—Device Filter (use code STRONG for discount)

Production Team:

Host: Melanie Hempe
Producer & Audio Editor: Olivia Kernekin

ScreenStrong Teens: 10 Reasons Why Your Teen Doesn’t Need a Smartphone—Part 2 (#213) Oct 23, 2024

Are you considering a smartphone-free childhood for your teens? In a world where teens seem inseparable from their phones, it's refreshing to hear from those who have taken a different path.

Andrew Hempe and Lydia Hamann share insights on making friends without social media, engaging activities that replace endless scrolling, thriving while being different from the crowd, and why they don’t harbor resentment toward their parents for opting out of smartphones. This Show is perfect for your tweens and teens! It offers an invaluable opportunity for them to hear from 2 teens who have successfully navigated adolescence without smartphones.
LISTEN TO PART ONE

Support the show

Don't forget to subscribe, rate, and leave a review if you enjoy the episode. Your feedback helps us bring you more of the content you love. Stay Strong!

Start your ScreenStrong Journey today!
Become a Connect Member to get access to our exclusive online forum, the 30-Day ScreenStrong Challenge, LIVE webinars with medical experts, and the entire ScreenStrong library of videos, audio clips, interviews, e-books, handouts, and more!
Want to help spread the ScreenStrong message to your community? Consider becoming a ScreenStrong Ambassador!

ScreenStrong Tech Recommendations

Gabb Wireless—Smartphone Replacement (use code STRONG for discount)
Canopy—Device Filter (use code STRONG for discount)

Production Team:

Host: Melanie Hempe
Producer & Audio Editor: Olivia Kernekin

Breaking Screen Addiction: A Teen’s Perspective on Setting Boundaries (#212) Oct 16, 2024

In this episode, host Melanie Hempe is joined by her son, Andrew, who shares his personal insights on screen habits and addiction. Together, they dispel the myth that setting boundaries around screen time leads to rebellion. Instead, Andrew explains how boundaries are an act of love that helps kids thrive.

They focus on three main ideas:

Boundaries = Love: Kids do better with limits, especially when it comes to addictive activities like video gaming and social media.
Habit Science: The habits kids form now, whether good or bad, will stick with them into adulthood.
Skill Building: Childhood is the time to build important skills. Limiting screen time helps kids focus on developing lifelong talents and interests.

Andrew encourages parents to take action, replace screens with meaningful activities, and teach their kids about the science of screen use. It's never too late to create healthier habits. Tune in for practical tips and advice to protect your child’s future.

Support the show

Don't forget to subscribe, rate, and leave a review if you enjoy the episode. Your feedback helps us bring you more of the content you love. Stay Strong!

Start your ScreenStrong Journey today!
Become a Connect Member to get access to our exclusive online forum, the 30-Day ScreenStrong Challenge, LIVE webinars with medical experts, and the entire ScreenStrong library of videos, audio clips, interviews, e-books, handouts, and more!
Want to help spread the ScreenStrong message to your community? Consider becoming a ScreenStrong Ambassador!

ScreenStrong Tech Recommendations

Gabb Wireless—Smartphone Replacement (use code STRONG for discount)
Canopy—Device Filter (use code STRONG for discount)

Production Team:

Host: Melanie Hempe
Producer & Audio Editor: Olivia Kernekin

Understanding Dopamine in Developing Brains with Dr. Anna Lembke (#211) Oct 09, 2024

In this episode, host Melanie Hempe sits down with psychiatrist and author, Dr. Anna Lembke, to dive deep into the science behind screen addiction and its impact on teen brains. Using Melanie’s personal experience with her son Adam as a starting point, they explore dopamine's role in shaping behavior, particularly in a teen's developing brain.

Dr. Lembke breaks down what every parent needs to know about dopamine—the brain’s reward chemical—and how screen activities can hijack this system in ways that mirror addiction. They discuss how tolerance builds up, why moderation of high-dopamine activities like gaming can be more harmful than parents realize, and what permanent brain changes can occur.

Dr. Lembke also shares her DOPAMINE framework as a roadmap for parents struggling to help their children detox from screens. The episode walks through practical steps, from collecting data on screen usage to setting boundaries and managing the emotional fallout of screen detox.

Support the show

Don't forget to subscribe, rate, and leave a review if you enjoy the episode. Your feedback helps us bring you more of the content you love. Stay Strong!

Start your ScreenStrong Journey today!
Become a Connect Member to get access to our exclusive online forum, the 30-Day ScreenStrong Challenge, LIVE webinars with medical experts, and the entire ScreenStrong library of videos, audio clips, interviews, e-books, handouts, and more!
Want to help spread the ScreenStrong message to your community? Consider becoming a ScreenStrong Ambassador!

ScreenStrong Tech Recommendations

Gabb Wireless—Smartphone Replacement (use code STRONG for discount)
Canopy—Device Filter (use code STRONG for discount)

Production Team:

Host: Melanie Hempe
Producer & Audio Editor: Olivia Kernekin

Your Teen WILL Have Friends Without A Smartphone. Just Ask My Homecoming Queen. (#210) Oct 02, 2024

In this episode of the ScreenStrong Families podcast, host Melanie Hempe sits down with Jennifer, a mother who chose a unique approach to parenting in the digital age. Jennifer shares her story of raising several children thriving socially and academically without the constant presence of smartphones and social media. Contrary to the belief that children without devices will struggle socially, Jennifer's kids are confident, active, and leaders in their extracurriculars, with her oldest daughter even being voted Homecoming Queen.

Jennifer offers practical advice for parents looking to limit screen time while fostering communication and independence. She highlights the importance of creating a welcoming home environment, providing family access to social media through a shared account, and modeling balanced tech use. Tune in to hear Jennifer’s insights and tips for helping your kids navigate a low-tech lifestyle in today’s high-tech world.

Support the show

Don't forget to subscribe, rate, and leave a review if you enjoy the episode. Your feedback helps us bring you more of the content you love. Stay Strong!

Start your ScreenStrong Journey today!
Become a Connect Member to get access to our exclusive online forum, the 30-Day ScreenStrong Challenge, LIVE webinars with medical experts, and the entire ScreenStrong library of videos, audio clips, interviews, e-books, handouts, and more!
Want to help spread the ScreenStrong message to your community? Consider becoming a ScreenStrong Ambassador!

ScreenStrong Tech Recommendations

Gabb Wireless—Smartphone Replacement (use code STRONG for discount)
Canopy—Device Filter (use code STRONG for discount)

Production Team:

Host: Melanie Hempe
Producer & Audio Editor: Olivia Kernekin

ENCORE: The Hero’s Journey and Immersive Gaming with Dr. Huu Kim Le (#75) Sep 25, 2024

In this episode, Melanie speaks with Dr. Kim Le, a child and adolescent psychiatrist based in Adelaide, Australia. He completed his psychiatry training in New South Wales and in 2015, Dr. Le received a federal grant to collaborate with an Internet Gaming Addiction Clinic for teenagers in Singapore. He has a special interest in “Gaming Disorder," which was recognized by the World Health Organization in 2018 as a mental health disorder.

Dr. Le shares his professional journey that led to his interest and passion in treating families struggling with gaming addiction, and he is committed to increasing community awareness of the negative effects of online games on a child’s development.

Melanie and Dr. Le discuss how the game designers capitalize on the business aspect of video games that leads to the scientific development of the immersive design that hooks the player. Dr. Le introduces the idea of "The Hero's Journey" archetype that appears to meet the psychological needs of children but disconnects them from reality. They discuss why moderation is not encouraged, but rather to change the focus on family values in changing your family's routines. Identification and prevention of screen addiction are also discussed as Dr. Le shares stories of families he has worked with struggling to address issues of gaming addiction with their children. This is a must-listen episode for all parents, and we encourage you to share this with friends!
Dr. Kim Le's TedTalk

Learn more about Dr. Le's practice

Support the show

Don't forget to subscribe, rate, and leave a review if you enjoy the episode. Your feedback helps us bring you more of the content you love. Stay Strong!

Start your ScreenStrong Journey today!
Become a Connect Member to get access to our exclusive online forum, the 30-Day ScreenStrong Challenge, LIVE webinars with medical experts, and the entire ScreenStrong library of videos, audio clips, interviews, e-books, handouts, and more!
Want to help spread the ScreenStrong message to your community? Consider becoming a ScreenStrong Ambassador!

ScreenStrong Tech Recommendations

Gabb Wireless—Smartphone Replacement (use code STRONG for discount)
Canopy—Device Filter (use code STRONG for discount)

Production Team:

Host: Melanie Hempe
Producer & Audio Editor: Olivia Kernekin

How to Protect Your Kids from the Pull of Addictive Screens (#209) Sep 18, 2024

In today's episode, Melanie tackles common misconceptions about screen use for children and teens. She emphasizes the importance of setting healthy boundaries to protect our children and shares practical strategies for limiting screen time. Melanie breaks down the warning signs of screen addiction and reveals the hidden dangers of persuasive design, showing how tech is intentionally designed to capture young minds. Melanie also discusses how fostering offline activities can help create a healthier, more balanced lifestyle for children and teens.
This interview is shared with permission from Joel Pelland and the Raising Kingdom Warriors Podcast.

Support the show

Don't forget to subscribe, rate, and leave a review if you enjoy the episode. Your feedback helps us bring you more of the content you love. Stay Strong!

Start your ScreenStrong Journey today!
Become a Connect Member to get access to our exclusive online forum, the 30-Day ScreenStrong Challenge, LIVE webinars with medical experts, and the entire ScreenStrong library of videos, audio clips, interviews, e-books, handouts, and more!
Want to help spread the ScreenStrong message to your community? Consider becoming a ScreenStrong Ambassador!

ScreenStrong Tech Recommendations

Gabb Wireless—Smartphone Replacement (use code STRONG for discount)
Canopy—Device Filter (use code STRONG for discount)

Production Team:

Host: Melanie Hempe
Producer & Audio Editor: Olivia Kernekin

Psychiatrist Shares 6 Mental Health Reasons to Have a Phone Free School with Dr. Adriana Stacey (#208) Sep 11, 2024

In today’s episode, we dive into a hot topic on the minds of many parents: “Why have a phone-free school?” We’re joined by the brilliant Dr. Adriana Stacey to unpack six key mental health reasons behind the need for phone-free schools.

We explore the alarming stats on how smartphones impact teenagers' mental health, academic performance, and social development. From skyrocketing rates of anxiety and depression to increased loneliness and bullying, the evidence is clear—phones do not belong in schools. But it’s not just about the risks; Dr. Stacey and Melanie Hempe also discuss the powerful benefits of creating a phone-free environment in schools, from improved social skills to better academic focus.

We also tackle the common concerns parents have—like how to stay in touch with your child during the day and what to do in emergencies. Tune in for practical solutions, encouragement, and insights on how to start this important conversation at your child's school.

Support the show

Don't forget to subscribe, rate, and leave a review if you enjoy the episode. Your feedback helps us bring you more of the content you love. Stay Strong!

Start your ScreenStrong Journey today!
Become a Connect Member to get access to our exclusive online forum, the 30-Day ScreenStrong Challenge, LIVE webinars with medical experts, and the entire ScreenStrong library of videos, audio clips, interviews, e-books, handouts, and more!
Want to help spread the ScreenStrong message to your community? Consider becoming a ScreenStrong Ambassador!

ScreenStrong Tech Recommendations

Gabb Wireless—Smartphone Replacement (use code STRONG for discount)
Canopy—Device Filter (use code STRONG for discount)

Production Team:

Host: Melanie Hempe
Producer & Audio Editor: Olivia Kernekin

A Kids’ Brains and Screens LIVE Presentation with Melanie and Andrew Hempe (#207) Sep 04, 2024

Tune in for a powerful live presentation with Melanie and her son Andrew, as they delve into the science of screen overuse and offer actionable solutions for reclaiming your children from the grip of digital addiction.

In this insightful session, Melanie shares the vital knowledge she wishes she had before her eldest child struggled with screen addiction. Together, they’ll explore the science behind childhood screen addiction, including critical facts about healthy brain development, the dopamine reward pathway, and the impacts of video games and social media on the teenage brain.

You'll learn to recognize the warning signs of screen overuse and addiction and discover ScreenStrong’s proven strategies for shifting your children’s entertainment and social lives from the virtual world back to real-life interactions. This episode is packed with the education and tools families need to make a meaningful change.

Support the show

Don't forget to subscribe, rate, and leave a review if you enjoy the episode. Your feedback helps us bring you more of the content you love. Stay Strong!

Start your ScreenStrong Journey today!
Become a Connect Member to get access to our exclusive online forum, the 30-Day ScreenStrong Challenge, LIVE webinars with medical experts, and the entire ScreenStrong library of videos, audio clips, interviews, e-books, handouts, and more!
Want to help spread the ScreenStrong message to your community? Consider becoming a ScreenStrong Ambassador!

ScreenStrong Tech Recommendations

Gabb Wireless—Smartphone Replacement (use code STRONG for discount)
Canopy—Device Filter (use code STRONG for discount)

Production Team:

Host: Melanie Hempe
Producer & Audio Editor: Olivia Kernekin

A Learning Specialist’s Tips to Teach Executive Function Skills with Jamie Seibert (#206) Aug 28, 2024

In this enlightening episode, host Mandee Hamann sits down with learning specialist Jamie Seibert (Enrichment Therapy and Learning Center) to explore the essential strategies for teaching and developing executive function skills in children and teens. Jamie, with years of experience working with young learners, shares her top tips for fostering skills like organization, time management, and self-regulation—crucial for academic success and personal growth.
Whether you’re a parent, educator, or anyone invested in helping the next generation thrive, this episode offers practical advice and actionable insights to empower children and teens with the tools they need to navigate life’s challenges. Don’t miss this opportunity to learn from an expert in the field and help the young people in your life develop the executive function skills they need to succeed.

Support the show

Don't forget to subscribe, rate, and leave a review if you enjoy the episode. Your feedback helps us bring you more of the content you love. Stay Strong!

Start your ScreenStrong Journey today!
Become a Connect Member to get access to our exclusive online forum, the 30-Day ScreenStrong Challenge, LIVE webinars with medical experts, and the entire ScreenStrong library of videos, audio clips, interviews, e-books, handouts, and more!
Want to help spread the ScreenStrong message to your community? Consider becoming a ScreenStrong Ambassador!

ScreenStrong Tech Recommendations

Gabb Wireless—Smartphone Replacement (use code STRONG for discount)
Canopy—Device Filter (use code STRONG for discount)

Production Team:

Host: Melanie Hempe
Producer & Audio Editor: Olivia Kernekin

ENCORE: Top 10 School Tips from a Teacher's Perspective with Teralea Moore (#117) Aug 21, 2024

In this episode, Melanie sits down with Teralea Moore—a seasoned college math professor with over 20 years of teaching experience across high school, community college, and private college settings. Teralea brings her wealth of knowledge to the conversation, sharing her top 10 tips for thriving in the classroom.
Whether you're navigating elementary school, high school, or college, these insights will help students, parents, and educators alike achieve success at every educational level.

Support the show

Don't forget to subscribe, rate, and leave a review if you enjoy the episode. Your feedback helps us bring you more of the content you love. Stay Strong!

Start your ScreenStrong Journey today!
Become a Connect Member to get access to our exclusive online forum, the 30-Day ScreenStrong Challenge, LIVE webinars with medical experts, and the entire ScreenStrong library of videos, audio clips, interviews, e-books, handouts, and more!
Want to help spread the ScreenStrong message to your community? Consider becoming a ScreenStrong Ambassador!

ScreenStrong Tech Recommendations

Gabb Wireless—Smartphone Replacement (use code STRONG for discount)
Canopy—Device Filter (use code STRONG for discount)

Production Team:

Host: Melanie Hempe
Producer & Audio Editor: Olivia Kernekin

Screens & Teens: A Warning to Parents with Dave Anderson (#205) Aug 14, 2024

This interview is shared with permission from Dave Anderson and the Tech Seeking Human Podcast.
In this compelling interview from the Tech Seeking Human Podcast, Melanie shares her deeply personal journey of navigating her oldest son’s video game addiction and the profound impact it had on his life. The conversation also explores widespread misconceptions about teenage social media use, underscores the critical need for setting boundaries, and highlights the advantages of fostering offline activities.
Melanie passionately advocates for educating both parents and children on the risks of excessive screen time and promotes proactive strategies for building genuine connections and maintaining a balanced lifestyle.

Support the show

Don't forget to subscribe, rate, and leave a review if you enjoy the episode. Your feedback helps us bring you more of the content you love. Stay Strong!

Start your ScreenStrong Journey today!
Become a Connect Member to get access to our exclusive online forum, the 30-Day ScreenStrong Challenge, LIVE webinars with medical experts, and the entire ScreenStrong library of videos, audio clips, interviews, e-books, handouts, and more!
Want to help spread the ScreenStrong message to your community? Consider becoming a ScreenStrong Ambassador!

ScreenStrong Tech Recommendations

Gabb Wireless—Smartphone Replacement (use code STRONG for discount)
Canopy—Device Filter (use code STRONG for discount)

Production Team:

Host: Melanie Hempe
Producer & Audio Editor: Olivia Kernekin

Breaking Free: High Schooler Trades His Smartphone for a Flip Phone (#204) Aug 07, 2024

Join us as host Andrew Hempe sits down with Uly Junker, a fellow ScreenStrong Teen who made the bold decision to ditch his smartphone. In this compelling episode, Uly shares his journey of breaking free from the grip of his device, detailing his thought process before and after the change. He highlights the pros and cons of life without a smartphone and offers valuable advice for teens considering a similar path. Andrew, who has grown up without a smartphone, adds his own insights into the benefits of disconnecting from screens and connecting with real life. Don't miss this inspiring conversation about reclaiming control and finding balance in a tech-driven world.

Support the show

Don't forget to subscribe, rate, and leave a review if you enjoy the episode. Your feedback helps us bring you more of the content you love. Stay Strong!

Start your ScreenStrong Journey today!
Become a Connect Member to get access to our exclusive online forum, the 30-Day ScreenStrong Challenge, LIVE webinars with medical experts, and the entire ScreenStrong library of videos, audio clips, interviews, e-books, handouts, and more!
Want to help spread the ScreenStrong message to your community? Consider becoming a ScreenStrong Ambassador!

ScreenStrong Tech Recommendations

Gabb Wireless—Smartphone Replacement (use code STRONG for discount)
Canopy—Device Filter (use code STRONG for discount)

Production Team:

Host: Melanie Hempe
Producer & Audio Editor: Olivia Kernekin

"Good Pictures Bad Pictures"—A Conversation with the Author, Kristen A. Jenson (#203) Jul 31, 2024

CONTENT WARNING: Discussions around pornography and sexual material. Not suitable for anyone under 18 without parental approval.
One of the hardest challenges in parenting today is managing exposure to pornography. At ScreenStrong, we take this issue very seriously and understand that for many parents, this is a major reason for removing toxic screen platforms. We include pornography on our list of the three toxic screens we guard against, alongside video games and social media.

In this episode, we have the immense honor of speaking with Kristen Jenson from Defend Young Minds. Many of you know her as the author of "Good Pictures Bad Pictures," a book that has provided invaluable help to countless families. Join us as we delve into this crucial topic and learn from Kristen's expertise on protecting young minds from harmful content. Don't miss this insightful and important conversation.
Website/Books: www.defendyoungminds.com/books
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DefendYM/
Instagram: @defendyoungminds
X (formerly Twitter): @defendYM
LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/defend-young-minds

Support the show

Don't forget to subscribe, rate, and leave a review if you enjoy the episode. Your feedback helps us bring you more of the content you love. Stay Strong!

Start your ScreenStrong Journey today!
Become a Connect Member to get access to our exclusive online forum, the 30-Day ScreenStrong Challenge, LIVE webinars with medical experts, and the entire ScreenStrong library of videos, audio clips, interviews, e-books, handouts, and more!
Want to help spread the ScreenStrong message to your community? Consider becoming a ScreenStrong Ambassador!

ScreenStrong Tech Recommendations

Gabb Wireless—Smartphone Replacement (use code STRONG for discount)
Canopy—Device Filter (use code STRONG for discount)

Production Team:

Host: Melanie Hempe
Producer & Audio Editor: Olivia Kernekin

Unplugged Adventures: 30 Screen-Free Activities for Road Trips with Heather Franklin (#202) Jul 24, 2024

In this episode, we’re diving into the world of ScreenStrong travel! Join Mandee Hamann as she interviews ScreenStrong Ambassador, Heather Franklin, about her recent screen-free road trip.

Heather has compiled a list of 30 exciting and engaging activities to keep everyone entertained and make your journey unforgettable. Whether it’s playing classic car games, exploring nature, or sparking meaningful conversations, there’s something for everyone.

For parents planning a road trip, we've got some heartfelt encouragement and practical tips to make your screen-free adventure a success. Tune in to learn how to create lasting memories, strengthen family bonds, and truly enjoy the journey together. Let's hit the road and embrace the joy of being present!

Support the show

Don't forget to subscribe, rate, and leave a review if you enjoy the episode. Your feedback helps us bring you more of the content you love. Stay Strong!

Start your ScreenStrong Journey today!
Become a Connect Member to get access to our exclusive online forum, the 30-Day ScreenStrong Challenge, LIVE webinars with medical experts, and the entire ScreenStrong library of videos, audio clips, interviews, e-books, handouts, and more!
Want to help spread the ScreenStrong message to your community? Consider becoming a ScreenStrong Ambassador!

ScreenStrong Tech Recommendations

Gabb Wireless—Smartphone Replacement (use code STRONG for discount)
Canopy—Device Filter (use code STRONG for discount)

Production Team:

Host: Melanie Hempe
Producer & Audio Editor: Olivia Kernekin

ScreenStrong Teens: 10 Reasons Why Your Teen Doesn’t Need a Smartphone — Part 1 (#201) Jul 17, 2024

Are you considering a smartphone-free childhood for your teens? In a world where teens seem inseparable from their phones, it's refreshing to hear from those who have taken a different path. Evan Hempe and Hallie Kate Oldham answer your questions and share insights on making friends without social media, engaging activities that replace endless scrolling, thriving while being different from the crowd, and why they don’t harbor resentment toward their parents for opting out of smartphones.

This podcast offers an invaluable opportunity for them to hear from two teens who have successfully navigated adolescence without smartphones.

Support the show

Don't forget to subscribe, rate, and leave a review if you enjoy the episode. Your feedback helps us bring you more of the content you love. Stay Strong!

Start your ScreenStrong Journey today!
Become a Connect Member to get access to our exclusive online forum, the 30-Day ScreenStrong Challenge, LIVE webinars with medical experts, and the entire ScreenStrong library of videos, audio clips, interviews, e-books, handouts, and more!
Want to help spread the ScreenStrong message to your community? Consider becoming a ScreenStrong Ambassador!

ScreenStrong Tech Recommendations

Gabb Wireless—Smartphone Replacement (use code STRONG for discount)
Canopy—Device Filter (use code STRONG for discount)

Production Team:

Host: Melanie Hempe
Producer & Audio Editor: Olivia Kernekin

When Dads Play: The Influence of Parental Gaming on Kids with Lt. Col. Dave Grossman (#200) Jul 10, 2024

In this episode, Melanie is joined by Lt. Col. Dave Grossman, public speaker and author of "Assassination Generation," to tackle one of the biggest challenges facing families today: the division between parents when it comes to video games. Often, dads see no harm in playing or letting their kids play, but this can lead to significant issues.

Together, they explore the detrimental effects and bad habits that modern games can create, discussing how true play is free from aggression and violence, and how excessive screen time deprives children of vital physical and social interactions. They delve into the stark differences between how a dad playing a video game and a child’s experience impacts their development.

Melanie and Lt. Col. Grossman also offer practical solutions focused on delaying game exposure and fostering healthy, balanced habits to ensure our kids grow up well-rounded and socially adept. Tune in for a thought-provoking discussion that every parent needs to hear.

Support the show

Don't forget to subscribe, rate, and leave a review if you enjoy the episode. Your feedback helps us bring you more of the content you love. Stay Strong!

Start your ScreenStrong Journey today!
Become a Connect Member to get access to our exclusive online forum, the 30-Day ScreenStrong Challenge, LIVE webinars with medical experts, and the entire ScreenStrong library of videos, audio clips, interviews, e-books, handouts, and more!
Want to help spread the ScreenStrong message to your community? Consider becoming a ScreenStrong Ambassador!

ScreenStrong Tech Recommendations

Gabb Wireless—Smartphone Replacement (use code STRONG for discount)
Canopy—Device Filter (use code STRONG for discount)

Production Team:

Host: Melanie Hempe
Producer & Audio Editor: Olivia Kernekin

ENCORE: Go Game Free and Never Have Bored Kids Again! (#7) Jul 03, 2024

Don’t let boredom rule this summer, and instead, have summer fun without the screens! Join this enlightening conversation with Mary Thorne and Melanie as they explore the magic of replacing screen time with engaging activities. Discover how this shift can not only transform your home but also inspire your kids to unleash their creativity and innovation. With practical tips and inspiring stories, this episode promises to make your summer screen-free and full of fun. Tune in to learn how to make the most of the sunny season with activities that will captivate and energize your entire family!

Support the show

Don't forget to subscribe, rate, and leave a review if you enjoy the episode. Your feedback helps us bring you more of the content you love. Stay Strong!

Start your ScreenStrong Journey today!
Become a Connect Member to get access to our exclusive online forum, the 30-Day ScreenStrong Challenge, LIVE webinars with medical experts, and the entire ScreenStrong library of videos, audio clips, interviews, e-books, handouts, and more!
Want to help spread the ScreenStrong message to your community? Consider becoming a ScreenStrong Ambassador!

ScreenStrong Tech Recommendations

Gabb Wireless—Smartphone Replacement (use code STRONG for discount)
Canopy—Device Filter (use code STRONG for discount)

Production Team:

Host: Melanie Hempe
Producer & Audio Editor: Olivia Kernekin

"Surgeon General Calls for Health Warnings on Social Media for Younger Users" with Dr. Adriana Stacey (#199) Jun 26, 2024

In this episode, Melanie and Dr. Stacey dive into the recent article in the New York Times, "Surgeon General Calls for Health Warnings on Social Media for Younger Users." Join us as we explore the implications of this groundbreaking recommendation and why it marks a significant stride toward safeguarding our children and teens online.

Melanie and Dr. Stacey break down the key points of the Surgeon General's call, discussing how these proposed health warnings can play a crucial role in mitigating the risks associated with social media usage among young people. They share insights into the potential benefits of increased awareness and education, and how this move aligns with broader efforts to create a safer digital environment.

Tune in to hear expert opinions on why this initiative is a positive direction for public health, and what parents, educators, and policymakers can do to support and implement these recommendations effectively. This is an essential conversation for anyone concerned about the well-being of the younger generation in our increasingly connected world.

Support the show

Don't forget to subscribe, rate, and leave a review if you enjoy the episode. Your feedback helps us bring you more of the content you love. Stay Strong!

Start your ScreenStrong Journey today!
Become a Connect Member to get access to our exclusive online forum, the 30-Day ScreenStrong Challenge, LIVE webinars with medical experts, and the entire ScreenStrong library of videos, audio clips, interviews, e-books, handouts, and more!
Want to help spread the ScreenStrong message to your community? Consider becoming a ScreenStrong Ambassador!

ScreenStrong Tech Recommendations

Gabb Wireless—Smartphone Replacement (use code STRONG for discount)
Canopy—Device Filter (use code STRONG for discount)

Production Team:

Host: Melanie Hempe
Producer & Audio Editor: Olivia Kernekin

ScreenStrong Teens: Smartphone-Free Childhoods (#198) Jun 19, 2024

Join us for an insightful discussion led by teens who have experienced the benefits of a smartphone-free upbringing. In this episode, these inspiring young voices share their personal stories, highlighting the unique advantages of living without the constant buzz of notifications.
From deeper connections with family and friends to improved focus and creativity, discover how a smartphone-free childhood has shaped their lives in positive ways. Our teen guests will also answer your burning questions about this empowering lifestyle choice, offering practical advice for parents and teens alike.
Tune in for an eye-opening conversation that explores the many rewards of becoming ScreenStrong!

Support the show

Don't forget to subscribe, rate, and leave a review if you enjoy the episode. Your feedback helps us bring you more of the content you love. Stay Strong!

Start your ScreenStrong Journey today!
Become a Connect Member to get access to our exclusive online forum, the 30-Day ScreenStrong Challenge, LIVE webinars with medical experts, and the entire ScreenStrong library of videos, audio clips, interviews, e-books, handouts, and more!
Want to help spread the ScreenStrong message to your community? Consider becoming a ScreenStrong Ambassador!

ScreenStrong Tech Recommendations

Gabb Wireless—Smartphone Replacement (use code STRONG for discount)
Canopy—Device Filter (use code STRONG for discount)

Production Team:

Host: Melanie Hempe
Producer & Audio Editor: Olivia Kernekin

Listener Q&A: Answering Your Burning Questions (#197) Jun 12, 2024

Today, we're diving into some of the most frequently asked questions from our amazing listeners. Our very own Amie Robillard, who manages all your emails and comments, joins Melanie to address your queries and provide insights straight from the field.

We've been receiving a ton of questions, and we thought it was high time we dedicated an episode to answering them. So sit back, relax, and join us as we get to the heart of your questions. And remember, we’re planning to make this a regular feature, so keep those questions coming!

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ScreenStrong Tech Recommendations

Gabb Wireless—Smartphone Replacement (use code STRONG for discount)
Canopy—Device Filter (use code STRONG for discount)

Production Team:

Host: Melanie Hempe
Producer & Audio Editor: Olivia Kernekin

5 Screen Mistakes That Are Easy to Miss with Anneka Daniell (#196) Jun 05, 2024

As summer approaches and routines shift, it's a perfect time to revisit some common screen time mistakes that parents might overlook, especially for homeschooling families navigating year-round challenges. In this episode, we highlight five critical yet easily missed mistakes related to children's screen use and provide practical tips to avoid them.

Mistake #1: Using Screen Time as a Reward
Mistake #2: Easy Access to Screens
Mistake #3: Misunderstanding Content and Time Spent
Mistake #4: Relying on Moderation for Addictive Screen Activities
Mistake #5: Missing Warning Signs

Join us for this insightful discussion on how to manage screen time effectively and create a healthier, more balanced environment for your children. Tune in to learn more and empower your family with strategies that work!

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Don't forget to subscribe, rate, and leave a review if you enjoy the episode. Your feedback helps us bring you more of the content you love. Stay Strong!

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ScreenStrong Tech Recommendations

Gabb Wireless—Smartphone Replacement (use code STRONG for discount)
Canopy—Device Filter (use code STRONG for discount)

Production Team:

Host: Melanie Hempe
Producer & Audio Editor: Olivia Kernekin

Peer Influence or Peer Pressure? Exploring the Contagion of Mental Disorders Among Adolescent Peer Networks with Dr. Adriana Stacey (#195) May 29, 2024

Join Dr. Stacey and Melanie as they discuss a new study that suggests mental disorders could potentially spread within adolescent peer groups. In this episode, they unravel findings from a study titled: Transmission of Mental Disorders in Adolescent Peer Networks, published in the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) Psychiatry, which sheds light on the concerning implications for teen mental health.

The study, which involved over 700,000 participants, reveals a dose-response association of transmission of mental disorders when students were in a class with a student who had a mental health disorder. The highest risk was observed in the first year of follow-up. Particularly noteworthy is the increased risk for mood, anxiety, and eating disorders, even after accounting for various influencing factors at the parental, school, and area levels.

The study proposes a potential link between peer dynamics and the increasing teen mental health crisis. Could social media activity be exacerbating this phenomenon? Dr. Stacey and Melanie explore this question, offering insightful perspectives into the interaction between online interactions and mental well-being.

Tune in as they navigate the complexities of peer influence versus peer pressure, providing valuable insights on how to support teens facing mental health challenges in today's digital age. Whether you're a parent, educator, or concerned individual, this podcast will educate you further on the relationship between adolescent peer networks and mental wellness. Tune in to gain a deeper understanding of this pressing issue and discover ScreenStrong strategies for navigating the adolescent digital maze.

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Don't forget to subscribe, rate, and leave a review if you enjoy the episode. Your feedback helps us bring you more of the content you love. Stay Strong!

Start your ScreenStrong Journey today!
Become a Connect Member to get access to our exclusive online forum, the 30-Day ScreenStrong Challenge, LIVE webinars with medical experts, and the entire ScreenStrong library of videos, audio clips, interviews, e-books, handouts, and more!
Want to help spread the ScreenStrong message to your community? Consider becoming a ScreenStrong Ambassador!

ScreenStrong Tech Recommendations

Gabb Wireless—Smartphone Replacement (use code STRONG for discount)
Canopy—Device Filter (use code STRONG for discount)

Production Team:

Host: Melanie Hempe
Producer & Audio Editor: Olivia Kernekin

Dear Teacher, My Child Will No Longer Bring a Smartphone to School with Becky Grant (#194) May 22, 2024

In today’s show, Melanie is speaking with Becky Grant, a ScreenStrong parent and teacher, about the topic of smartphones in the classroom. They discuss getting your teacher and school administrators on board with your decision not to give your child a smartphone during the school day. They share tips for speaking with educators and ideas for a sample letter to send to your school before summer! Please refer to a copy of the letter they are speaking about in our Be ScreenStrong Substack this week. Also, you can find other sample letters for school situations on our School Policy Resources page on the ScreenStrong website.

Other Resources: Kids’ Brains and Screens Curriculum

Books: Screen Schooledby Joe Clement and Matt Miles

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Start your ScreenStrong Journey today!
Become a Connect Member to get access to our exclusive online forum, the 30-Day ScreenStrong Challenge, LIVE webinars with medical experts, and the entire ScreenStrong library of videos, audio clips, interviews, e-books, handouts, and more!
Want to help spread the ScreenStrong message to your community? Consider becoming a ScreenStrong Ambassador!

ScreenStrong Tech Recommendations

Gabb Wireless—Smartphone Replacement (use code STRONG for discount)
Canopy—Device Filter (use code STRONG for discount)

Production Team:

Host: Melanie Hempe
Producer & Audio Editor: Olivia Kernekin

ENCORE: How Screens Are Changing the Social & Academic Culture for Students with Joe Clement (#64) May 15, 2024

Today, Melanie is joined by Joe Clement, a teacher, parent of three, and co-author of Screen Schooled with Matt Miles. Joe is in his 28th year of teaching and brings a unique perspective as he has witnessed the change technology has brought into both the classroom and the home environment.

Melanie and Joe discuss the mental health risk factors that are influenced by the toxic use of screens that result in loss of empathy, loss of awareness of facial/social cues, increased stress, and lack of development of essential interpersonal skills for our children. Joe shares how the social and academic culture within the school environment has been negatively influenced by the toxic use of screens resulting in increased distractibility, increased impulsivity to cheat, and decreased educational discussion in the classroom. Lastly, Joe provides encouragement and tips to parents and educators to improve the balance in their use of technology in the home and the classroom.

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Start your ScreenStrong Journey today!
Become a Connect Member to get access to our exclusive online forum, the 30-Day ScreenStrong Challenge, LIVE webinars with medical experts, and the entire ScreenStrong library of videos, audio clips, interviews, e-books, handouts, and more!
Want to help spread the ScreenStrong message to your community? Consider becoming a ScreenStrong Ambassador!

ScreenStrong Tech Recommendations

Gabb Wireless—Smartphone Replacement (use code STRONG for discount)
Canopy—Device Filter (use code STRONG for discount)

Production Team:

Host: Melanie Hempe
Producer & Audio Editor: Olivia Kernekin

What Are the Benefits to a Screen Detox? with Dr. Victoria Dunckley (#193) May 08, 2024

Join Melanie Hempe and Dr. Victoria Dunckley, author of Reset Your Child's Brain, as they delve into the pervasive issue of Electronic Screen Syndrome (ESS) and its impact on children's health and well-being. From sleep disturbances to mood swings, ESS encompasses a range of symptoms triggered by excessive screen time, affecting millions of kids worldwide.
Drawing from her extensive research and clinical experience, Dr. Dunckley sheds light on the neurological effects of screen exposure. Discover the surprising medical benefits of a screen detox and the transformative outcomes it can bring to children's lives.
This episode isn't just about highlighting the problem; it's also about providing actionable solutions. Learn about proven strategies for a successful screen detox and practical tips for parents navigating this digital age with their children.
Join our free Connect forum and embark on the 30-Day Challenge Screen Detox for kids & teens. Take the first step towards reclaiming your child's health and happiness in a screen-saturated world.

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Don't forget to subscribe, rate, and leave a review if you enjoy the episode. Your feedback helps us bring you more of the content you love. Stay Strong!

Start your ScreenStrong Journey today!
Become a Connect Member to get access to our exclusive online forum, the 30-Day ScreenStrong Challenge, LIVE webinars with medical experts, and the entire ScreenStrong library of videos, audio clips, interviews, e-books, handouts, and more!
Want to help spread the ScreenStrong message to your community? Consider becoming a ScreenStrong Ambassador!

ScreenStrong Tech Recommendations

Gabb Wireless—Smartphone Replacement (use code STRONG for discount)
Canopy—Device Filter (use code STRONG for discount)

Production Team:

Host: Melanie Hempe
Producer & Audio Editor: Olivia Kernekin

How to Choose a Basic Phone for My Teen with Dr. Adriana Stacey (#192) May 01, 2024

Welcome back, ScreenStrong family! Today, we're diving into a crucial topic with the incredible Dr. Adriana Stacey: how to choose the perfect phone for your kids. Parents worldwide are facing the daunting task of selecting the right phone for their children. With so many options available, it's easy to feel overwhelmed. But before we make a choice, let's pause and ask ourselves: Why does our child need a phone in the first place?
Understanding the purpose behind giving your child a phone is key. Is it for safety, communication, or simply convenience? Let's be honest—it's often more about parental peace of mind than the child's actual needs.

As we delve into the world of technology, we encounter both risks and benefits. While phones offer connectivity and convenience, they also pose risks like exposure to inappropriate content and excessive screen time. Are the benefits worth the potential pitfalls?

Support the show

Don't forget to subscribe, rate, and leave a review if you enjoy the episode. Your feedback helps us bring you more of the content you love. Stay Strong!

Start your ScreenStrong Journey today!
Become a Connect Member to get access to our exclusive online forum, the 30-Day ScreenStrong Challenge, LIVE webinars with medical experts, and the entire ScreenStrong library of videos, audio clips, interviews, e-books, handouts, and more!
Want to help spread the ScreenStrong message to your community? Consider becoming a ScreenStrong Ambassador!

ScreenStrong Tech Recommendations

Gabb Wireless—Smartphone Replacement (use code STRONG for discount)
Canopy—Device Filter (use code STRONG for discount)

Production Team:

Host: Melanie Hempe
Producer & Audio Editor: Olivia Kernekin

Tips on How to Create a ScreenStrong Classroom with Dory Suttmiller (#191) Apr 24, 2024

Join Mandee Hamann as she chats with Dory Suttmiller, an experienced educator and ScreenStrong Ambassador, about the changing role of technology in classrooms. Dory shares insights into fostering better student-teacher interactions and offers practical tips for creating a healthy learning environment amidst digital distractions.
Whether you're a teacher or a parent, this episode provides valuable advice for navigating technology's impact on education. Tune in to learn how Dory was able to establish a ScreenStrong Classroom and improve the learning environment for her students.

Support the show

Don't forget to subscribe, rate, and leave a review if you enjoy the episode. Your feedback helps us bring you more of the content you love. Stay Strong!

Start your ScreenStrong Journey today!
Become a Connect Member to get access to our exclusive online forum, the 30-Day ScreenStrong Challenge, LIVE webinars with medical experts, and the entire ScreenStrong library of videos, audio clips, interviews, e-books, handouts, and more!
Want to help spread the ScreenStrong message to your community? Consider becoming a ScreenStrong Ambassador!

ScreenStrong Tech Recommendations

Gabb Wireless—Smartphone Replacement (use code STRONG for discount)
Canopy—Device Filter (use code STRONG for discount)

Production Team:

Host: Melanie Hempe
Producer & Audio Editor: Olivia Kernekin

Summer Strategies: Keeping Middle Schoolers ScreenStrong This Summer (#190) Apr 10, 2024

Do you want to prevent your middle Schooler from becoming dependent on screen time this summer? Join Melanie as she offers practical strategies to Emily, a ScreenStrong Ambassador and concerned middle school mom, to keep tweens engaged and social without resorting to video games or social media.
Get inspired and discover how to make this summer a ScreenStrong success for your family!

Support the show

Don't forget to subscribe, rate, and leave a review if you enjoy the episode. Your feedback helps us bring you more of the content you love. Stay Strong!

Start your ScreenStrong Journey today!
Become a Connect Member to get access to our exclusive online forum, the 30-Day ScreenStrong Challenge, LIVE webinars with medical experts, and the entire ScreenStrong library of videos, audio clips, interviews, e-books, handouts, and more!
Want to help spread the ScreenStrong message to your community? Consider becoming a ScreenStrong Ambassador!

ScreenStrong Tech Recommendations

Gabb Wireless—Smartphone Replacement (use code STRONG for discount)
Canopy—Device Filter (use code STRONG for discount)

Production Team:

Host: Melanie Hempe
Producer & Audio Editor: Olivia Kernekin

ENCORE: TikTok: It’s All In The Algorithm with Dr. Leonard Sax (#102) Apr 03, 2024

Melanie is joined once again by Dr. Leonard Sax, an American psychologist and a practicing family physician. Dr. Sax has spoken on child and adolescent development issues in schools and communities worldwide since 2001. He is the author of numerous books and publications, including The Collapse of Parenting, one of ScreenStrong’s most recommended books.
Did you know that TikTok is the #1 most visited website in the U.S. and Worldwide today? One billion TikTok videos are viewed daily, and its popularity has spread with astonishing speed, affecting all that engage with it. Melanie and Dr. Sax take a deep dive to deconstruct TikTok’s algorithm and its harmful impact and suggestibility on young people. From social pressure to self-harm, Dr. Sax expands on the dark side of social media’s influence on our children’s development. He also dives into the parental trap of “just wanting to make our children happy” and how we need to shift and strengthen our parenting intentions to help our children fulfill their potential.
This is an episode that you may want to use to start a small discussion group among a few friends to encourage and cultivate support in your parenting journey.

Support the show

Don't forget to subscribe, rate, and leave a review if you enjoy the episode. Your feedback helps us bring you more of the content you love. Stay Strong!

Start your ScreenStrong Journey today!
Become a Connect Member to get access to our exclusive online forum, the 30-Day ScreenStrong Challenge, LIVE webinars with medical experts, and the entire ScreenStrong library of videos, audio clips, interviews, e-books, handouts, and more!
Want to help spread the ScreenStrong message to your community? Consider becoming a ScreenStrong Ambassador!

ScreenStrong Tech Recommendations

Gabb Wireless—Smartphone Replacement (use code STRONG for discount)
Canopy—Device Filter (use code STRONG for discount)

Production Team:

Host: Melanie Hempe
Producer & Audio Editor: Olivia Kernekin

Why Your Teen Is Anxious: Understanding Anxiety in the Smartphone Era with Dr. Adriana Stacey (#189) Mar 27, 2024

In this eye-opening episode, Melanie and Dr. Stacey delve deep into the pervasive issue of teenage anxiety, particularly in the context of the smartphone-dominated world we live in today. Join us as we explore the multifaceted relationship between adolescents and their smartphones and how it contributes to the prevalence of anxiety among our teens.

With the rise of social media, constant connectivity, and the pressure to curate a perfect online presence, teenagers are facing unprecedented levels of stress and anxiety. From the fear of missing out (FOMO) to cyberbullying, Melanie and Dr. Stacey dissect the various ways in which smartphones exacerbate anxiety in teens. They also discuss the impact of excessive screen time on mental health, sleep patterns, and interpersonal relationships.

Throughout the episode, Melanie and Dr. Stacey provide practical tips and strategies for parents, educators, and teenagers themselves to navigate the digital landscape more mindfully and mitigate the adverse effects of smartphone use on mental well-being.

Support the show

Don't forget to subscribe, rate, and leave a review if you enjoy the episode. Your feedback helps us bring you more of the content you love. Stay Strong!

Start your ScreenStrong Journey today!
Become a Connect Member to get access to our exclusive online forum, the 30-Day ScreenStrong Challenge, LIVE webinars with medical experts, and the entire ScreenStrong library of videos, audio clips, interviews, e-books, handouts, and more!
Want to help spread the ScreenStrong message to your community? Consider becoming a ScreenStrong Ambassador!

ScreenStrong Tech Recommendations

Gabb Wireless—Smartphone Replacement (use code STRONG for discount)
Canopy—Device Filter (use code STRONG for discount)

Production Team:

Host: Melanie Hempe
Producer & Audio Editor: Olivia Kernekin

Unplugged Upbringing: Pornography Exposure Without Screens with Isaac Carroll (#188) Mar 20, 2024

Join host Mandee Hamann in an intimate conversation with Isaac Carroll as they delve into the complexities of growing up without screens yet still facing the influence of pornography. Isaac shares his raw and unfiltered journey, reflecting on the unexpected encounters with explicit material and the ensuing struggle with shame and vulnerability.

In this episode, Isaac courageously opens up about the internal turmoil he grappled with, shedding light on the challenges of reconciling his upbringing with the pervasive presence of adult content. He explores the nuances of communication within the family unit, emphasizing the crucial role of parental guidance in navigating sensitive topics such as sexuality and pornography.

Through Isaac's poignant narrative, listeners are invited to confront the realities of addressing taboo subjects in a digital age, where boundaries blur, and access to explicit material is omnipresent. His story is a poignant reminder of the profound impact of openness and support within familial relationships.

Tune in as Mandee and Isaac delve deep into the intersection of upbringing, technology, and personal struggle, offering insight and empathy to those grappling with similar challenges.

Support the show

Don't forget to subscribe, rate, and leave a review if you enjoy the episode. Your feedback helps us bring you more of the content you love. Stay Strong!

Start your ScreenStrong Journey today!
Become a Connect Member to get access to our exclusive online forum, the 30-Day ScreenStrong Challenge, LIVE webinars with medical experts, and the entire ScreenStrong library of videos, audio clips, interviews, e-books, handouts, and more!
Want to help spread the ScreenStrong message to your community? Consider becoming a ScreenStrong Ambassador!

ScreenStrong Tech Recommendations

Gabb Wireless—Smartphone Replacement (use code STRONG for discount)
Canopy—Device Filter (use code STRONG for discount)

Production Team:

Host: Melanie Hempe
Producer & Audio Editor: Olivia Kernekin

Navigating Kids’ Resistance to Screen Education with Becky Grant (#187) Mar 13, 2024

Join Melanie Hempe and guest Becky Grant as they tackle the challenge of introducing the Kids' Brains & Screens curriculum to resistant or sensitive kids. They share personal stories and offer tips and strategies for parents to navigate this crucial conversation effectively.

In this episode:

Learn how to approach the scenario where kids push back against the ScreenStrong message or show sensitivity towards screen topics.
Discover the inviting and engaging nature of the Kids’ Brains and Screens material and how it resonates with students and parents alike.
Get practical strategies to engage resistant or sensitive kids, including seeking feedback and providing incentives.
Explore tips for encouraging open dialogue and applying the curriculum to various aspects of kids' lives.
Understand the transformative potential of the Kids’ Brains & Screens curriculum in empowering students to control screen habits and build offline relationships.
Gain insights into the importance of education in making informed decisions about screen time, with parallels drawn to health education.

Tune in for valuable insights and practical advice on guiding kids toward healthier screen habits, and join the mission to empower the next generation in the digital age.

Support the show

Don't forget to subscribe, rate, and leave a review if you enjoy the episode. Your feedback helps us bring you more of the content you love. Stay Strong!

Start your ScreenStrong Journey today!
Become a Connect Member to get access to our exclusive online forum, the 30-Day ScreenStrong Challenge, LIVE webinars with medical experts, and the entire ScreenStrong library of videos, audio clips, interviews, e-books, handouts, and more!
Want to help spread the ScreenStrong message to your community? Consider becoming a ScreenStrong Ambassador!

ScreenStrong Tech Recommendations

Gabb Wireless—Smartphone Replacement (use code STRONG for discount)
Canopy—Device Filter (use code STRONG for discount)

Production Team:

Host: Melanie Hempe
Producer & Audio Editor: Olivia Kernekin

Is Big Tech Responsible for Our Kids' Mental Health? (#186) Mar 06, 2024

In today's episode, we delve into a critical discussion sparked by the recent Senate hearings on Big Tech. Join us as we share an enlightening segment from a media interview featuring Melanie Hempe, where she addresses the responsibility of tech giants and their influence on the mental health crisis among teens.
As parents, we hold the key to guiding our children through the digital world. However, confronting the challenges posed by screen addiction demands an open mind and a commitment to understanding the complexities involved. Through candid insights and expert analysis, we explore the ways in which Big Tech shapes our children's online experiences and its repercussions on their mental well-being.
Join us in this important conversation as we navigate the intersection of technology and parenting. Listen, learn, and share this podcast with others, as together, we work towards creating a safer and more balanced digital environment for our children.
The paperback version of "Kids' Brains & Screens: A ScreenStrong Student Course" is OUT NOW—get your copy on Amazon today!

Support the show

Don't forget to subscribe, rate, and leave a review if you enjoy the episode. Your feedback helps us bring you more of the content you love. Stay Strong!

Start your ScreenStrong Journey today!
Become a Connect Member to get access to our exclusive online forum, the 30-Day ScreenStrong Challenge, LIVE webinars with medical experts, and the entire ScreenStrong library of videos, audio clips, interviews, e-books, handouts, and more!
Want to help spread the ScreenStrong message to your community? Consider becoming a ScreenStrong Ambassador!

ScreenStrong Tech Recommendations

Gabb Wireless—Smartphone Replacement (use code STRONG for discount)
Canopy—Device Filter (use code STRONG for discount)

Production Team:

Host: Melanie Hempe
Producer & Audio Editor: Olivia Kernekin

Kids’ Brains and Screens: Revolutionizing Screen Education (#185) Feb 28, 2024

Get ready because it's almost here!
In this exciting episode, Melanie and Mandee unveil the highly anticipated print curriculum "Kids’ Brains and Screens" (KBS), slated for release on March 1, 2024.

But this isn't your typical parental guidance spiel. KBS is a groundbreaking, evidence-based educational journey crafted to empower tweens and teens with hard-hitting scientific truths. It's a catalyst for transformative discussions that can revolutionize your family's relationship with screens, fostering healthier connections along the way.

Whether your kids are already glued to their devices or you're deliberating when to introduce them, KBS arms them with the knowledge and inspiration to take a step back from harmful screen habits and rediscover the joys of the offline world.

This eight-part course isn't your run-of-the-mill curriculum. Bursting with vibrant graphics reminiscent of a graphic novel, it's designed to captivate and educate. While tailored for middle schoolers, its impact transcends age, resonating with high schoolers and parents alike.

What's inside Kids’ Brains and Screens for Students?

300 pages of engaging content filled with captivating visuals to keep your child hooked
Eight Colorful Lessons, each divided into three sections, complete with Lesson Worksheets and Quizzes
24 Lesson Plans meticulously crafted for educators
24 Video Summaries delivered by a Physician for enhanced understanding
A 7-Day Challenge Screen Detox to kickstart healthier habits
Friday Fun Night instructions for family bonding
An Escape from Screen Jail Bonus Challenge for added excitement

Don't miss out on this game-changing resource that promises to reshape your family's screen dynamics. Tune in as Melanie and Mandee give you an exclusive sneak peek into the future of screen education.

Support the show

Don't forget to subscribe, rate, and leave a review if you enjoy the episode. Your feedback helps us bring you more of the content you love. Stay Strong!

Start your ScreenStrong Journey today!
Become a Connect Member to get access to our exclusive online forum, the 30-Day ScreenStrong Challenge, LIVE webinars with medical experts, and the entire ScreenStrong library of videos, audio clips, interviews, e-books, handouts, and more!
Want to help spread the ScreenStrong message to your community? Consider becoming a ScreenStrong Ambassador!

ScreenStrong Tech Recommendations

Gabb Wireless—Smartphone Replacement (use code STRONG for discount)
Canopy—Device Filter (use code STRONG for discount)

Production Team:

Host: Melanie Hempe
Producer & Audio Editor: Olivia Kernekin

Tips for Detoxing Your Older Teen (#184) Feb 21, 2024

Join hosts Melanie Hempe and Mandee Hamann in an enlightening discussion as they share invaluable insights and practical tips for guiding older teens through a screen detox. In today's digital age, excessive screen time can significantly impact teenagers' mental and emotional well-being, affecting their relationships, productivity, and overall health. Drawing from their expertise in parenting and their work with ScreenStrong, Melanie and Mandee provide actionable strategies to help parents support their teens in reclaiming a healthy balance with technology.
Whether you're grappling with concerns about excessive device usage or seeking guidance on fostering healthier screen habits, this podcast offers a wealth of wisdom and encouragement. Tune in to empower yourself with the tools needed to navigate the screen detox journey and cultivate a thriving, screen-balanced lifestyle for your family.

Support the show

Don't forget to subscribe, rate, and leave a review if you enjoy the episode. Your feedback helps us bring you more of the content you love. Stay Strong!

Start your ScreenStrong Journey today!
Become a Connect Member to get access to our exclusive online forum, the 30-Day ScreenStrong Challenge, LIVE webinars with medical experts, and the entire ScreenStrong library of videos, audio clips, interviews, e-books, handouts, and more!
Want to help spread the ScreenStrong message to your community? Consider becoming a ScreenStrong Ambassador!

ScreenStrong Tech Recommendations

Gabb Wireless—Smartphone Replacement (use code STRONG for discount)
Canopy—Device Filter (use code STRONG for discount)

Production Team:

Host: Melanie Hempe
Producer & Audio Editor: Olivia Kernekin

Building Blocks: Setting Kids Up for Early Social Success with Marianne Carpenter (#183) Feb 14, 2024

Join Melanie and Marianne Carpenter, mom of four and ScreenStrong Ambassador, as they explore how screens affect children's social development and offer tips for enhancing their social maturity. Discover the key aspects of genuine social interaction, including eye contact and conflict resolution. Learn how parental guidance can mitigate the stress of online presence and prepare children for the challenges of puberty. Tune in to empower your child with essential social skills in today's interconnected world.

Support the show

Don't forget to subscribe, rate, and leave a review if you enjoy the episode. Your feedback helps us bring you more of the content you love. Stay Strong!

Start your ScreenStrong Journey today!
Become a Connect Member to get access to our exclusive online forum, the 30-Day ScreenStrong Challenge, LIVE webinars with medical experts, and the entire ScreenStrong library of videos, audio clips, interviews, e-books, handouts, and more!
Want to help spread the ScreenStrong message to your community? Consider becoming a ScreenStrong Ambassador!

ScreenStrong Tech Recommendations

Gabb Wireless—Smartphone Replacement (use code STRONG for discount)
Canopy—Device Filter (use code STRONG for discount)

Production Team:

Host: Melanie Hempe
Producer & Audio Editor: Olivia Kernekin

The Relationship Between ADHD & Addictive Screen Time with Dr. Victoria Dunckley (#182) Feb 07, 2024

In this episode, host Melanie teams up with Dr. Victoria Dunckley, MD, to tackle the pressing questions parents have about ADHD and its relationship with addictive screens. Together, they answer YOUR questions and discuss how excessive screen time can exacerbate ADHD symptoms, shedding light on the intricate connections between digital overstimulation and attention challenges.
However, it's not all bleak! Learn about the transformative power of a screen detox in resetting your child's brain, paving the way for improved outcomes and healthier tech habits. Join the conversation to discover practical solutions for navigating the complex terrain where ADHD intersects with our digital world.

Support the show

Don't forget to subscribe, rate, and leave a review if you enjoy the episode. Your feedback helps us bring you more of the content you love. Stay Strong!

Start your ScreenStrong Journey today!
Become a Connect Member to get access to our exclusive online forum, the 30-Day ScreenStrong Challenge, LIVE webinars with medical experts, and the entire ScreenStrong library of videos, audio clips, interviews, e-books, handouts, and more!
Want to help spread the ScreenStrong message to your community? Consider becoming a ScreenStrong Ambassador!

ScreenStrong Tech Recommendations

Gabb Wireless—Smartphone Replacement (use code STRONG for discount)
Canopy—Device Filter (use code STRONG for discount)

Production Team:

Host: Melanie Hempe
Producer & Audio Editor: Olivia Kernekin

Psychiatrist’s Screen Tips to Start Fresh for the New Year with Dr. Adriana Stacey (#181) Jan 31, 2024

Yes, January is almost over, but it's never too late to reset your screen rules at home and with friends! Melanie and Dr. Stacey dive into some practical tips on how to set screen rules in your home with other kids/kids' friends, how to manage teens begging for smartphones and video games, and the crucial elements that make up a healthy family.
Whether you're already confident in your current screen rules or seeking guidance for a much-needed reset, this episode is a treasure trove of practical advice and overarching encouragement. Start 2024 on the right foot with the tools and insights that Melanie and Dr. Stacey share as they delve into the intricacies of fostering a healthy family dynamic through mindful screen usage and eliminating toxic screens.

Support the show

Don't forget to subscribe, rate, and leave a review if you enjoy the episode. Your feedback helps us bring you more of the content you love. Stay Strong!

Start your ScreenStrong Journey today!
Become a Connect Member to get access to our exclusive online forum, the 30-Day ScreenStrong Challenge, LIVE webinars with medical experts, and the entire ScreenStrong library of videos, audio clips, interviews, e-books, handouts, and more!
Want to help spread the ScreenStrong message to your community? Consider becoming a ScreenStrong Ambassador!

ScreenStrong Tech Recommendations

Gabb Wireless—Smartphone Replacement (use code STRONG for discount)
Canopy—Device Filter (use code STRONG for discount)

Production Team:

Host: Melanie Hempe
Producer & Audio Editor: Olivia Kernekin

From Chaos to Strength: Navigating ScreenStrong Parenting with Christina Rahm (#180) Jan 24, 2024

Screen confidence becomes even more enriching when we take the time to listen to the experiences of parents who have successfully navigated the challenges ahead. Today, we are privileged to have Christina Rahm, a mother of three, graciously share her family’s transformative journey from screen chaos to a state of screen strength.

Christina candidly offers a glimpse into the chaotic moments when things spiraled out of control in her family—from mealtime meltdowns to moments of disrespect that may resonate with many of us. She doesn’t shy away from portraying the raw truth of their situation.
Christina provides valuable insights into how they managed to break free from the grip of excessive screen time. She delves into the specifics of their detox process, shedding light on their strategies to regain control. As you listen, you’ll gain a vivid picture of what their home looks like post-detox—a testament to the positive changes that can be achieved.
What sets Christina’s story apart is her transparency about their direction and the determination it took to alter that course. By the end of her narrative, you’ll be informed and infused with a sense of hope and confidence. This newfound perspective will undoubtedly inspire you as you prepare to embrace a ScreenStrong Lifestyle in the weeks ahead.

Support the show

Don't forget to subscribe, rate, and leave a review if you enjoy the episode. Your feedback helps us bring you more of the content you love. Stay Strong!

Start your ScreenStrong Journey today!
Become a Connect Member to get access to our exclusive online forum, the 30-Day ScreenStrong Challenge, LIVE webinars with medical experts, and the entire ScreenStrong library of videos, audio clips, interviews, e-books, handouts, and more!
Want to help spread the ScreenStrong message to your community? Consider becoming a ScreenStrong Ambassador!

ScreenStrong Tech Recommendations

Gabb Wireless—Smartphone Replacement (use code STRONG for discount)
Canopy—Device Filter (use code STRONG for discount)

Production Team:

Host: Melanie Hempe
Producer & Audio Editor: Olivia Kernekin

LIVE Teen Q&A on Growing Up Without Addictive Screens (#179) Jan 17, 2024

This Q&A session comes from ScreenStrong's full-day Kids' Brains & Screens workshop in October, 2023 in Charlotte, North Carolina. During this session, parents were invited to ask Andrew Hempe questions about what it was like growing up without access to toxic screens and how he navigated his school-age years with that in mind.
Andrew's answers are honest, compelling, and encouraging for parents who worry about denying their kids access to video games, smartphones, and social media during middle and high school

Support the show

Don't forget to subscribe, rate, and leave a review if you enjoy the episode. Your feedback helps us bring you more of the content you love. Stay Strong!

Start your ScreenStrong Journey today!
Become a Connect Member to get access to our exclusive online forum, the 30-Day ScreenStrong Challenge, LIVE webinars with medical experts, and the entire ScreenStrong library of videos, audio clips, interviews, e-books, handouts, and more!
Want to help spread the ScreenStrong message to your community? Consider becoming a ScreenStrong Ambassador!

ScreenStrong Tech Recommendations

Gabb Wireless—Smartphone Replacement (use code STRONG for discount)
Canopy—Device Filter (use code STRONG for discount)

Production Team:

Host: Melanie Hempe
Producer & Audio Editor: Olivia Kernekin

A Psychologist’s Perspective on Screen Addiction with Tom Heidrich (#178) Jan 10, 2024

Today, Mandee interviews Tom Heidrich, a ScreenStrong Ambassador from Brisbane, Australia. Tom recently completed a Master of Educational and Developmental Psychology and is registered as a fully licensed psychologist in Australia. His specialized areas encompass anxiety and depression, parenting and attachment, relationships, sexuality, and identity, as well as resilience and self-esteem.
Mandee and Tom delve into the pressing issue of screen addiction among children, shedding light on how societal norms and culture are yet to catch up with the profound impact screens have on the younger generation. Drawing from his firsthand experiences and intimate understanding of the field, Tom imparts invaluable insights and encouragement for parents seeking to navigate their individual screen journeys.

Support the show

Don't forget to subscribe, rate, and leave a review if you enjoy the episode. Your feedback helps us bring you more of the content you love. Stay Strong!

Start your ScreenStrong Journey today!
Become a Connect Member to get access to our exclusive online forum, the 30-Day ScreenStrong Challenge, LIVE webinars with medical experts, and the entire ScreenStrong library of videos, audio clips, interviews, e-books, handouts, and more!
Want to help spread the ScreenStrong message to your community? Consider becoming a ScreenStrong Ambassador!

ScreenStrong Tech Recommendations

Gabb Wireless—Smartphone Replacement (use code STRONG for discount)
Canopy—Device Filter (use code STRONG for discount)

Production Team:

Host: Melanie Hempe
Producer & Audio Editor: Olivia Kernekin

Yearly Wrap-Up: 2023 Highlights (#177) Jan 03, 2024

Thank you all for listening and engaging with the podcast this year. Here are just a few highlights from our 2023 episodes, and we look forward to continuing to see you in 2024!
Happy New Year!
Episodes Featured (in order of appearance):

Support the show

Don't forget to subscribe, rate, and leave a review if you enjoy the episode. Your feedback helps us bring you more of the content you love. Stay Strong!

Start your ScreenStrong Journey today!
Become a Connect Member to get access to our exclusive online forum, the 30-Day ScreenStrong Challenge, LIVE webinars with medical experts, and the entire ScreenStrong library of videos, audio clips, interviews, e-books, handouts, and more!
Want to help spread the ScreenStrong message to your community? Consider becoming a ScreenStrong Ambassador!

ScreenStrong Tech Recommendations

Gabb Wireless—Smartphone Replacement (use code STRONG for discount)
Canopy—Device Filter (use code STRONG for discount)

Production Team:

Host: Melanie Hempe
Producer & Audio Editor: Olivia Kernekin

Twisted Truth: When Innocent Holiday Screen Time Becomes a Trap with Dr. Adriana Stacey (#176) Dec 20, 2023

"Isn’t it okay to let our guard down during the holidays? After all, everyone needs a little break—we don’t need to be so strict."
Join Melanie and Dr. Stacey as they navigate the delicate balance of screen time moderation during the holiday season. While loosening our grip on strict rules may seem tempting, they delve into the nuanced discussion of whether it's truly acceptable to let our guard down during this festive time.
With thoughtful insights and a touch of humor, Melanie and Dr. Stacey challenge conventional notions, questioning if a bit of relaxation in screen time policies is a harmless indulgence or a potential pitfall.
Tune in for a refreshing perspective on finding harmony between enjoying the festivities and maintaining a healthy relationship with screens. Whether you're a parent, educator, or anyone in between, this episode offers practical advice and thought-provoking ideas for a well-balanced holiday season.

Support the show

Don't forget to subscribe, rate, and leave a review if you enjoy the episode. Your feedback helps us bring you more of the content you love. Stay Strong!

Start your ScreenStrong Journey today!
Become a Connect Member to get access to our exclusive online forum, the 30-Day ScreenStrong Challenge, LIVE webinars with medical experts, and the entire ScreenStrong library of videos, audio clips, interviews, e-books, handouts, and more!
Want to help spread the ScreenStrong message to your community? Consider becoming a ScreenStrong Ambassador!

ScreenStrong Tech Recommendations

Gabb Wireless—Smartphone Replacement (use code STRONG for discount)
Canopy—Device Filter (use code STRONG for discount)

Production Team:

Host: Melanie Hempe
Producer & Audio Editor: Olivia Kernekin

Twisted Truth: Are Your Son’s Social Needs Fulfilled in the Gaming World? with Dr. Adriana Stacey (#175) Dec 13, 2023

Is your son really being social on his game? Yes, according to most people. Kids believe they are getting their social needs met through their video games, and parents believe that social benefits are the best reason to go against their gut and allow gaming.
But what does science say about online interactions meeting the social needs of pre-teens and teens? Today, Melanie and Dr. Stacey will unpack the common myth that our boys are meeting their social needs on their game.
Building strong friendships and robust social skills requires a broader range of experiences, including face-to-face interactions, empathy, emotional intelligence, and a diverse network of connections beyond the gaming screen. But your child - who is not an adult yet - will not be able to recognize the limitations of virtual interactions.
See research here on studies that suggest that excessive gaming can have a negative impact on the development of social skills for teens.

Support the show

Don't forget to subscribe, rate, and leave a review if you enjoy the episode. Your feedback helps us bring you more of the content you love. Stay Strong!

Start your ScreenStrong Journey today!
Become a Connect Member to get access to our exclusive online forum, the 30-Day ScreenStrong Challenge, LIVE webinars with medical experts, and the entire ScreenStrong library of videos, audio clips, interviews, e-books, handouts, and more!
Want to help spread the ScreenStrong message to your community? Consider becoming a ScreenStrong Ambassador!

ScreenStrong Tech Recommendations

Gabb Wireless—Smartphone Replacement (use code STRONG for discount)
Canopy—Device Filter (use code STRONG for discount)

Production Team:

Host: Melanie Hempe
Producer & Audio Editor: Olivia Kernekin

ENCORE: Non-Tech Screen Activities with Sue DeCaro (#10) Dec 06, 2023

In this ENCORE episode, Melanie Hempe and worldwide Coach and Educator, Sue DeCaro, discuss a variety of non-tech activities for all ages to implement both this holiday season and year round.
Original Air Date: Dec 4, 2020

Support the show

Don't forget to subscribe, rate, and leave a review if you enjoy the episode. Your feedback helps us bring you more of the content you love. Stay Strong!

Start your ScreenStrong Journey today!
Become a Connect Member to get access to our exclusive online forum, the 30-Day ScreenStrong Challenge, LIVE webinars with medical experts, and the entire ScreenStrong library of videos, audio clips, interviews, e-books, handouts, and more!
Want to help spread the ScreenStrong message to your community? Consider becoming a ScreenStrong Ambassador!

ScreenStrong Tech Recommendations

Gabb Wireless—Smartphone Replacement (use code STRONG for discount)
Canopy—Device Filter (use code STRONG for discount)

Production Team:

Host: Melanie Hempe
Producer & Audio Editor: Olivia Kernekin

ENCORE: The Endless Non-Tech Gift Ideas with Evan Hempe (#130) Nov 29, 2023

For this special holiday ENCORE episode, Melanie is joined by her son Evan to discuss practical holiday gift ideas—and encourage people to skip smartphones and video games as gifts this season. Evan, a senior in high school, gives his perspective on the highs and lows of wanting a smartphone in middle & high school and shares some of his favorite childhood gifts.
Grab your copy of our Non-Tech Gift Guide discussed in this episode!
Evan's digital piano recommendation: Yamaha Clavinova CSP-170 Home Digital Piano | Guitar Center

Support the show

Don't forget to subscribe, rate, and leave a review if you enjoy the episode. Your feedback helps us bring you more of the content you love. Stay Strong!

Start your ScreenStrong Journey today!
Become a Connect Member to get access to our exclusive online forum, the 30-Day ScreenStrong Challenge, LIVE webinars with medical experts, and the entire ScreenStrong library of videos, audio clips, interviews, e-books, handouts, and more!
Want to help spread the ScreenStrong message to your community? Consider becoming a ScreenStrong Ambassador!

ScreenStrong Tech Recommendations

Gabb Wireless—Smartphone Replacement (use code STRONG for discount)
Canopy—Device Filter (use code STRONG for discount)

Production Team:

Host: Melanie Hempe
Producer & Audio Editor: Olivia Kernekin

Special Episode: Gratitude (#174) Nov 22, 2023

Happy Thanksgiving from ScreenStrong! We are thrilled to share a special episode with you this week, centered around the theme of gratitude. Tune in to hear expressions of thankfulness from fellow ScreenStrong families, reflecting on what has brought them joy this year and the invaluable support they've received on their ScreenStrong journeys. A heartfelt thank you to all who submitted their testimonials! On behalf of the entire ScreenStrong team, we extend warm wishes for a joyous Thanksgiving to you and your family.

Support the show

Don't forget to subscribe, rate, and leave a review if you enjoy the episode. Your feedback helps us bring you more of the content you love. Stay Strong!

Start your ScreenStrong Journey today!
Become a Connect Member to get access to our exclusive online forum, the 30-Day ScreenStrong Challenge, LIVE webinars with medical experts, and the entire ScreenStrong library of videos, audio clips, interviews, e-books, handouts, and more!
Want to help spread the ScreenStrong message to your community? Consider becoming a ScreenStrong Ambassador!

ScreenStrong Tech Recommendations

Gabb Wireless—Smartphone Replacement (use code STRONG for discount)
Canopy—Device Filter (use code STRONG for discount)

Production Team:

Host: Melanie Hempe
Producer & Audio Editor: Olivia Kernekin

20+ Ways Kids Get Around Parental Controls with Doug Smith (#173) Nov 15, 2023

Today's show will take us behind the curtain of the teen brain who is searching for a way to get around parental controls!

You will learn that the idea of parental controls is a way to gain brand loyalty by the companies who want your kids glued to their devices. If you use parental controls then your child will be safe, right? Wrong. Because the job of every child is to discover work around every parental control out there! With the help of Doug Smith and Melanie, you will quickly see how many ways there are for a child to discover the thrill of hacking your parental controls.

Remember, You don't have to be a tech expert you just have to be a smart ScreenStrong parent. As always we have your back and we will give you the strong truth and the bold solutions to winning the screen battle at home.

Refrences & Links:

Support the show

Don't forget to subscribe, rate, and leave a review if you enjoy the episode. Your feedback helps us bring you more of the content you love. Stay Strong!

Start your ScreenStrong Journey today!
Become a Connect Member to get access to our exclusive online forum, the 30-Day ScreenStrong Challenge, LIVE webinars with medical experts, and the entire ScreenStrong library of videos, audio clips, interviews, e-books, handouts, and more!
Want to help spread the ScreenStrong message to your community? Consider becoming a ScreenStrong Ambassador!

ScreenStrong Tech Recommendations

Gabb Wireless—Smartphone Replacement (use code STRONG for discount)
Canopy—Device Filter (use code STRONG for discount)

Production Team:

Host: Melanie Hempe
Producer & Audio Editor: Olivia Kernekin

A Smartphone-Free Adolescence: Melissa’s Story (#172) Nov 08, 2023

Today, Melanie has a very special guest—her daughter, Melissa! In this episode, we will hear how Melissa feels about growing up without social media or a smartphone. They discuss an overview of teen brain science, what makes social media irresistible for teens, the risks for teen girls, and end with some practical tips for parents. You will enjoy the candid nature of this conversation and will be inspired to make some changes in your home!
Recommended Reading: "Can Your Teen Survive and Thrive Without a Smartphone?"—found on Amazon and Connect Plus.

Support the show

Don't forget to subscribe, rate, and leave a review if you enjoy the episode. Your feedback helps us bring you more of the content you love. Stay Strong!

Start your ScreenStrong Journey today!
Become a Connect Member to get access to our exclusive online forum, the 30-Day ScreenStrong Challenge, LIVE webinars with medical experts, and the entire ScreenStrong library of videos, audio clips, interviews, e-books, handouts, and more!
Want to help spread the ScreenStrong message to your community? Consider becoming a ScreenStrong Ambassador!

ScreenStrong Tech Recommendations

Gabb Wireless—Smartphone Replacement (use code STRONG for discount)
Canopy—Device Filter (use code STRONG for discount)

Production Team:

Host: Melanie Hempe
Producer & Audio Editor: Olivia Kernekin

Is Your Teen a Target for Sex Trafficking with Liz Miller (#171) Nov 01, 2023

Human Trafficking has been the world’s fastest-growing criminal enterprise for over a decade. It is estimated that over 26 million people are enslaved globally, and over 1 million, 300,000 of which are children, in the U.S. alone. An even darker statistic, the 2023 Trafficking in Persons Report conducted annually by the State Department, states that less than 1% of victims are ever identified and consequently get out alive.
Human trafficking in the U.S. is not only what you see in the movies, foreign impoverished children being kidnapped and made available for purchase to pedophiles. The truth is that most sex trafficking victims in the U.S. are American girls, and the average age of initial victimization is 13 years old. Sex trafficking does not discriminate based on race or economic standing. In a report published in 2016 by doctors in their respective fields, human trafficking was found in every school in San Diego County. The wellbeing of our children has become a national crisis, and the only way to protect your child is to understand how they could become or are already the targets of criminals who desire to use and abuse them.
References:

Support the show

Don't forget to subscribe, rate, and leave a review if you enjoy the episode. Your feedback helps us bring you more of the content you love. Stay Strong!

Start your ScreenStrong Journey today!
Become a Connect Member to get access to our exclusive online forum, the 30-Day ScreenStrong Challenge, LIVE webinars with medical experts, and the entire ScreenStrong library of videos, audio clips, interviews, e-books, handouts, and more!
Want to help spread the ScreenStrong message to your community? Consider becoming a ScreenStrong Ambassador!

ScreenStrong Tech Recommendations

Gabb Wireless—Smartphone Replacement (use code STRONG for discount)
Canopy—Device Filter (use code STRONG for discount)

Production Team:

Host: Melanie Hempe
Producer & Audio Editor: Olivia Kernekin

Twisted Truth: Group Texting Is Social Media with Dr. Adriana Stacey (#170) Oct 25, 2023

In this episode, we debunk the common misconception that preteens and teens are fully prepared for group texting. Dr. Stacey and Melanie explore the fascinating insights from developmental science that present a different perspective. Together, they identify ten prevalent issues within group texting and media sharing.
As you tune in, you might be startled by the striking similarities between group texting and social media. In fact, these two seemingly distinct platforms are, in many ways, one in the same. Join us for a thought-provoking discussion on the convergence of communication technologies and the potential implications for our younger generation.
Article: Why Social Media is NOT Smart for Middle School Kids

Support the show

Don't forget to subscribe, rate, and leave a review if you enjoy the episode. Your feedback helps us bring you more of the content you love. Stay Strong!

Start your ScreenStrong Journey today!
Become a Connect Member to get access to our exclusive online forum, the 30-Day ScreenStrong Challenge, LIVE webinars with medical experts, and the entire ScreenStrong library of videos, audio clips, interviews, e-books, handouts, and more!
Want to help spread the ScreenStrong message to your community? Consider becoming a ScreenStrong Ambassador!

ScreenStrong Tech Recommendations

Gabb Wireless—Smartphone Replacement (use code STRONG for discount)
Canopy—Device Filter (use code STRONG for discount)

Production Team:

Host: Melanie Hempe
Producer & Audio Editor: Olivia Kernekin

48 Benefits Living 48 Months ScreenStrong with Evan & Andrew Hempe (#169) Oct 18, 2023

Join us for an enlightening episode as Evan and Andrew Hempe share their incredible journey of living 48 months as ScreenStrong Teens, completely free from smartphones and video games. They take us through their unique experiences and reveal a list of 48 surprising benefits they discovered during this bold experiment.
This episode is all about the unexpected rewards and transformations that come from disconnecting in a hyper-connected world. Whether you're a parent seeking insight into managing screen time or someone looking to find balance with technology, this conversation is packed with valuable takeaways.

Support the show

Don't forget to subscribe, rate, and leave a review if you enjoy the episode. Your feedback helps us bring you more of the content you love. Stay Strong!

Start your ScreenStrong Journey today!
Become a Connect Member to get access to our exclusive online forum, the 30-Day ScreenStrong Challenge, LIVE webinars with medical experts, and the entire ScreenStrong library of videos, audio clips, interviews, e-books, handouts, and more!
Want to help spread the ScreenStrong message to your community? Consider becoming a ScreenStrong Ambassador!

ScreenStrong Tech Recommendations

Gabb Wireless—Smartphone Replacement (use code STRONG for discount)
Canopy—Device Filter (use code STRONG for discount)

Production Team:

Host: Melanie Hempe
Producer & Audio Editor: Olivia Kernekin

What Parents Need to Know About Roblox, Sleepovers, and Snapchat with Officer Gomez (#168) Oct 11, 2023

Join us in this episode as we dive into the world of Roblox, sleepovers, and Snapchat with invaluable insights from our friend Officer Gomez, a School Resource Officer (SRO) and sworn Deputy of the Boise County Sheriff’s Department.
Discover what parents need to know to keep their children safe and informed in today's digital age. From the challenges of online gaming to the issues of sleepovers and the nuances of Snapchat, Officer Gomez shares expert advice to help you navigate these crucial aspects of your child's life.

Support the show

Don't forget to subscribe, rate, and leave a review if you enjoy the episode. Your feedback helps us bring you more of the content you love. Stay Strong!

Start your ScreenStrong Journey today!
Become a Connect Member to get access to our exclusive online forum, the 30-Day ScreenStrong Challenge, LIVE webinars with medical experts, and the entire ScreenStrong library of videos, audio clips, interviews, e-books, handouts, and more!
Want to help spread the ScreenStrong message to your community? Consider becoming a ScreenStrong Ambassador!

ScreenStrong Tech Recommendations

Gabb Wireless—Smartphone Replacement (use code STRONG for discount)
Canopy—Device Filter (use code STRONG for discount)

Production Team:

Host: Melanie Hempe
Producer & Audio Editor: Olivia Kernekin

Who's Raising the Kids with Susan Linn (#167) Oct 04, 2023

Today, we are honored to welcome Susan Linn, the author of "Who's Raising the Kids," to our podcast. We love the title of her book because it encapsulates the essence of being ScreenStrong!

One of the most significant, albeit often invisible, risks parents confront in childhood screen overuse is the unintentional surrender of our children to a virtual caregiver. We lose our kids daily—not physically, but emotionally, as they gravitate toward virtual families.

The issue with childhood screen use is multifaceted, but in ScreenStrong's view, the most pressing concern is the detachment disorder between children and parents that is becoming all too common. Kids naturally bond with the things they spend the most time with, and it's beautiful when that bond is with their family. However, it becomes a cause for concern when that bond is primarily formed with screens, games, or social media, as Susan will expertly shed light on during this conversation.
LINKS:

Who’s Raising the Kids?: Big Tech, Big Business, and the Lives of Children by Susan Linn

Support the show

Don't forget to subscribe, rate, and leave a review if you enjoy the episode. Your feedback helps us bring you more of the content you love. Stay Strong!

Start your ScreenStrong Journey today!
Become a Connect Member to get access to our exclusive online forum, the 30-Day ScreenStrong Challenge, LIVE webinars with medical experts, and the entire ScreenStrong library of videos, audio clips, interviews, e-books, handouts, and more!
Want to help spread the ScreenStrong message to your community? Consider becoming a ScreenStrong Ambassador!

ScreenStrong Tech Recommendations

Gabb Wireless—Smartphone Replacement (use code STRONG for discount)
Canopy—Device Filter (use code STRONG for discount)

Production Team:

Host: Melanie Hempe
Producer & Audio Editor: Olivia Kernekin

Walker's Story: Social Media and Teen Sextortion with Brian Montgomery (#166) Sep 27, 2023

In this episode, Melanie is joined by Brian Montgomery, a husband and father of four who courageously shares his family’s heartbreaking story. Brian’s son, Walker, tragically took his life due to the devastating effects of sextortion on Instagram. Brian’s unwavering transparency about this tragic event is an invaluable gift to us all.

In this emotionally charged conversation, Brian imparts invaluable advice for parents, reflecting on what he wishes he had known sooner. By opening up about Walker's story, Brian aims to ensure that no other family endures the same unbearable pain that his did. Join us as we honor Walker's memory and explore critical information that can help protect our children in the digital age.

Read more about the Kids Online Safety Act (KOSA).

Support the show

Don't forget to subscribe, rate, and leave a review if you enjoy the episode. Your feedback helps us bring you more of the content you love. Stay Strong!

Start your ScreenStrong Journey today!
Become a Connect Member to get access to our exclusive online forum, the 30-Day ScreenStrong Challenge, LIVE webinars with medical experts, and the entire ScreenStrong library of videos, audio clips, interviews, e-books, handouts, and more!
Want to help spread the ScreenStrong message to your community? Consider becoming a ScreenStrong Ambassador!

ScreenStrong Tech Recommendations

Gabb Wireless—Smartphone Replacement (use code STRONG for discount)
Canopy—Device Filter (use code STRONG for discount)

Production Team:

Host: Melanie Hempe
Producer & Audio Editor: Olivia Kernekin

ScreenStrong: Breaking The Addiction and Saving Your Kids with Pete Kaliner (#165) Sep 20, 2023

We have a special treat today! Melanie was recently on The Pete Kaliner Show to discuss ScreenStrong and some key points about screen use, such as why fifteen is the worst age for a smartphone, the difference between Android and iPhones, and how screens are overprotecting our kids and teens.
Tune in to this episode to better understand the history, science, and solutions behind ScreenStrong's mission to support healthy screen use for our youngest generations. Learn why ScreenStrong's approach stands out as one of the best in the field and how it can positively impact the lives of children and families.
Reserve your spot for the ScreenStrong event in Charlotte, NC, October 12-14, 2023
*Originally aired on The Pete Kaliner Show on 9/18/23*

Support the show

Don't forget to subscribe, rate, and leave a review if you enjoy the episode. Your feedback helps us bring you more of the content you love. Stay Strong!

Start your ScreenStrong Journey today!
Become a Connect Member to get access to our exclusive online forum, the 30-Day ScreenStrong Challenge, LIVE webinars with medical experts, and the entire ScreenStrong library of videos, audio clips, interviews, e-books, handouts, and more!
Want to help spread the ScreenStrong message to your community? Consider becoming a ScreenStrong Ambassador!

ScreenStrong Tech Recommendations

Gabb Wireless—Smartphone Replacement (use code STRONG for discount)
Canopy—Device Filter (use code STRONG for discount)

Production Team:

Host: Melanie Hempe
Producer & Audio Editor: Olivia Kernekin

From Little Gamers to College Gamers: Reversing the Long-Term Consequences of Early Gaming Dependency (#164) Sep 13, 2023

In today's episode, join Melanie Hempe as she reviews an often-overlooked long-term consequence of childhood gaming dependency: failure to thrive in college. Melanie shares warning signs and offers practical tips for both parents and teenagers to address and reverse these issues effectively.
In addition, she explains how this bad habit can take root well before high school and why parents need to care about early gaming habits.This episode serves as a powerful call to action, reminding parents of the crucial need to take early gaming habits seriously in order to foster healthier, well-rounded futures for their children. Don't miss out on this important conversation!
References

Washington Post Article: Young Men Are Gaming More. Are They Working Less?
ScreenStrong Blog: Will Your Gamer Survive College?
Book: Will Your Gamer Survive College? by Melanie Hempe. Or get the e-book for free in our Connect+ group!
October 2023 Event in Charlotte, NC

Support the show

Don't forget to subscribe, rate, and leave a review if you enjoy the episode. Your feedback helps us bring you more of the content you love. Stay Strong!

Start your ScreenStrong Journey today!
Become a Connect Member to get access to our exclusive online forum, the 30-Day ScreenStrong Challenge, LIVE webinars with medical experts, and the entire ScreenStrong library of videos, audio clips, interviews, e-books, handouts, and more!
Want to help spread the ScreenStrong message to your community? Consider becoming a ScreenStrong Ambassador!

ScreenStrong Tech Recommendations

Gabb Wireless—Smartphone Replacement (use code STRONG for discount)
Canopy—Device Filter (use code STRONG for discount)

Production Team:

Host: Melanie Hempe
Producer & Audio Editor: Olivia Kernekin

A Psychiatrist Reviews Our BRAND NEW Student Course with Dr. Adriana Stacey (#163) Sep 06, 2023

THE STUDENT COURSE IS HERE!!!
Our team is over the moon to finally present the brand new ScreenStrong Student Course. We have been working day and night for months to bring you this amazing content. Melanie is joined by Dr. Stacey who graciously reviewed the Student Course and is here to give her opinion on why it's the BEST screen education for kids to date.
Visit our website for more details about the Student Course which is NOW AVAILABLE!

Support the show

Don't forget to subscribe, rate, and leave a review if you enjoy the episode. Your feedback helps us bring you more of the content you love. Stay Strong!

Start your ScreenStrong Journey today!
Become a Connect Member to get access to our exclusive online forum, the 30-Day ScreenStrong Challenge, LIVE webinars with medical experts, and the entire ScreenStrong library of videos, audio clips, interviews, e-books, handouts, and more!
Want to help spread the ScreenStrong message to your community? Consider becoming a ScreenStrong Ambassador!

ScreenStrong Tech Recommendations

Gabb Wireless—Smartphone Replacement (use code STRONG for discount)
Canopy—Device Filter (use code STRONG for discount)

Production Team:

Host: Melanie Hempe
Producer & Audio Editor: Olivia Kernekin

Carson's Story: Cyberbullying and Teen Suicide with Kristin Bride (#162) Aug 30, 2023

Melanie is joined by Kristin Bride, a social media reform advocate whose son, Carson, died by suicide as a result of cyberbullying on Snapchat and other anonymous apps. It is her heart's desire to get her family's message out about the deadly dangers of what parents think are innocent apps. Kristin testified before the Senate Committee in Feb of 2023.
Please call your US Senator and ask them to support KOSA for the Senate floor vote in September.
Read about the Kids Online Safety Act (KOSA).
Get educated on the algorithms that feed our children harmful information.
Find your state's laws on cyberbullying: stopbullying.gov.

Support the show

Don't forget to subscribe, rate, and leave a review if you enjoy the episode. Your feedback helps us bring you more of the content you love. Stay Strong!

Start your ScreenStrong Journey today!
Become a Connect Member to get access to our exclusive online forum, the 30-Day ScreenStrong Challenge, LIVE webinars with medical experts, and the entire ScreenStrong library of videos, audio clips, interviews, e-books, handouts, and more!
Want to help spread the ScreenStrong message to your community? Consider becoming a ScreenStrong Ambassador!

ScreenStrong Tech Recommendations

Gabb Wireless—Smartphone Replacement (use code STRONG for discount)
Canopy—Device Filter (use code STRONG for discount)

Production Team:

Host: Melanie Hempe
Producer & Audio Editor: Olivia Kernekin

ENCORE: Why Screens Are Failing Students and Frustrating Teachers with Matt Miles (#61) Aug 23, 2023

ScreenStrong welcomes everyone back to school with this ENCORE episode in which Melanie is joined by our friend Matt Miles, a teacher and co-author of Screen Schooled: Two Veteran Teachers Expose How Technology Overuse Is Making Our Kids Dumber.
Matt is a passionate educator and advocate for his students. With his uniquely bold convictions, Matt Miles talks about the counterproductive nature of "ed tech," the social anxiety that screens perpetuate in students, and tips for parents to communicate with educators regarding screen use in the classroom.

Support the show

Don't forget to subscribe, rate, and leave a review if you enjoy the episode. Your feedback helps us bring you more of the content you love. Stay Strong!

Start your ScreenStrong Journey today!
Become a Connect Member to get access to our exclusive online forum, the 30-Day ScreenStrong Challenge, LIVE webinars with medical experts, and the entire ScreenStrong library of videos, audio clips, interviews, e-books, handouts, and more!
Want to help spread the ScreenStrong message to your community? Consider becoming a ScreenStrong Ambassador!

ScreenStrong Tech Recommendations

Gabb Wireless—Smartphone Replacement (use code STRONG for discount)
Canopy—Device Filter (use code STRONG for discount)

Production Team:

Host: Melanie Hempe
Producer & Audio Editor: Olivia Kernekin

Five Tips After Five Years As a ScreenStrong Family with Emily Harrison (#161) Aug 16, 2023

On today's episode, Melanie is joined by ScreenStrong Ambassador Emily Harrison as she reflects on the last five years as a ScreenStrong family. Emily offers up some fantastic tips that she's learned along the way, and it's lovely to hear how her family's life has been forever changed.

Support the show

Don't forget to subscribe, rate, and leave a review if you enjoy the episode. Your feedback helps us bring you more of the content you love. Stay Strong!

Start your ScreenStrong Journey today!
Become a Connect Member to get access to our exclusive online forum, the 30-Day ScreenStrong Challenge, LIVE webinars with medical experts, and the entire ScreenStrong library of videos, audio clips, interviews, e-books, handouts, and more!
Want to help spread the ScreenStrong message to your community? Consider becoming a ScreenStrong Ambassador!

ScreenStrong Tech Recommendations

Gabb Wireless—Smartphone Replacement (use code STRONG for discount)
Canopy—Device Filter (use code STRONG for discount)

Production Team:

Host: Melanie Hempe
Producer & Audio Editor: Olivia Kernekin

ScreenStrong Teen: "We think we know it all, but we don't" with Hallie Kate (#160) Aug 09, 2023

Today is an exceptional episode! Hallie Kate joins Mandee Hamann to talk about her experience with screen addiction and the aftermath of her parents deciding to take away the devices. Wise beyond her years, HK offers poignant observations about her generation based on personal experiences and encourages parents from a teen perspective. Her poem about her screen-addicted generation at the end of the episode will leave you in tears.

Support the show

Don't forget to subscribe, rate, and leave a review if you enjoy the episode. Your feedback helps us bring you more of the content you love. Stay Strong!

Start your ScreenStrong Journey today!
Become a Connect Member to get access to our exclusive online forum, the 30-Day ScreenStrong Challenge, LIVE webinars with medical experts, and the entire ScreenStrong library of videos, audio clips, interviews, e-books, handouts, and more!
Want to help spread the ScreenStrong message to your community? Consider becoming a ScreenStrong Ambassador!

ScreenStrong Tech Recommendations

Gabb Wireless—Smartphone Replacement (use code STRONG for discount)
Canopy—Device Filter (use code STRONG for discount)

Production Team:

Host: Melanie Hempe
Producer & Audio Editor: Olivia Kernekin

ENCORE: Why 8th Grade Is Not Smart for a Smartphone with Dr. Adriana Stacey (#122) Aug 02, 2023

As our ENCORE episode this month, we wanted to bring back an essential discussion about smartphones, 8th grade, and how they are a terrible match.
Dr. Adriana Stacey joins Melanie to discuss the current research and discourse around 8th grade being the worst age to give a child a smartphone. Together they go through a handful of tips and reasons why this statement is true and encourage parents to stand firm in their screen decisions.

Support the show

Don't forget to subscribe, rate, and leave a review if you enjoy the episode. Your feedback helps us bring you more of the content you love. Stay Strong!

Start your ScreenStrong Journey today!
Become a Connect Member to get access to our exclusive online forum, the 30-Day ScreenStrong Challenge, LIVE webinars with medical experts, and the entire ScreenStrong library of videos, audio clips, interviews, e-books, handouts, and more!
Want to help spread the ScreenStrong message to your community? Consider becoming a ScreenStrong Ambassador!

ScreenStrong Tech Recommendations

Gabb Wireless—Smartphone Replacement (use code STRONG for discount)
Canopy—Device Filter (use code STRONG for discount)

Production Team:

Host: Melanie Hempe
Producer & Audio Editor: Olivia Kernekin

A Pediatrician's Perspective on Kids & Screens with Dr. John Hutton (#159) Jul 26, 2023

In this episode, Melanie is joined by Dr. John Hutton to discuss his research into MRI screening for young kids and how toxic screens impact a child's brain.
In this podcast Dr Hutton explains why he is passionate about the topic of kids and screen time and reviews his 2022 research. He describes the link between screen use and brain structures in young children. He describes why parents struggle with this topic and offers encouragement for parents to raise healthy kids without smartphones and violent video games.
John S. Hutton, MD, MS, is an associate professor in the Division of General and Community Pediatrics at Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center. Dr. John Hutton is the Director of the Reading Literacy Discovery Center. He has published 29 children’s books, many with health-promoting themes. These include screen time reduction (Baby Unplugged), dialogic reading, reading to babies, infant calming, safe sleep, breastfeeding, ADHD, and how the heart works.

References & Links

Support the show

Don't forget to subscribe, rate, and leave a review if you enjoy the episode. Your feedback helps us bring you more of the content you love. Stay Strong!

Start your ScreenStrong Journey today!
Become a Connect Member to get access to our exclusive online forum, the 30-Day ScreenStrong Challenge, LIVE webinars with medical experts, and the entire ScreenStrong library of videos, audio clips, interviews, e-books, handouts, and more!
Want to help spread the ScreenStrong message to your community? Consider becoming a ScreenStrong Ambassador!

ScreenStrong Tech Recommendations

Gabb Wireless—Smartphone Replacement (use code STRONG for discount)
Canopy—Device Filter (use code STRONG for discount)

Production Team:

Host: Melanie Hempe
Producer & Audio Editor: Olivia Kernekin

ENCORE: 100 ScreenStrong Tips with Ellen Cotton (#100) Jul 19, 2023

As our ENCORE this month, we wanted to bring back our 100th episode, full of tips to encourage you in your ScreenStrong summer!

In this episode, Melanie is joined by Ellen Cotton, a longtime friend of ScreenStrong and living the ScreenStrong Lifestyle. She and Melanie present 100 unique tips to help you on your ScreenStrong journey and share personal stories about the ups and downs of reclaiming your kids from the virtual world.

This episode is full of laughter, joy, and advice from parents who have been where you are now. It’s one you won’t want to miss!

Support the show

Don't forget to subscribe, rate, and leave a review if you enjoy the episode. Your feedback helps us bring you more of the content you love. Stay Strong!

Start your ScreenStrong Journey today!
Become a Connect Member to get access to our exclusive online forum, the 30-Day ScreenStrong Challenge, LIVE webinars with medical experts, and the entire ScreenStrong library of videos, audio clips, interviews, e-books, handouts, and more!
Want to help spread the ScreenStrong message to your community? Consider becoming a ScreenStrong Ambassador!

ScreenStrong Tech Recommendations

Gabb Wireless—Smartphone Replacement (use code STRONG for discount)
Canopy—Device Filter (use code STRONG for discount)

Production Team:

Host: Melanie Hempe
Producer & Audio Editor: Olivia Kernekin

Twisted Truth: Autism and Screen Time with Dr. Victoria Dunckley (#158) Jul 12, 2023

In this packed episode, Melanie and Dr. Victoria Dunckley go through some prevalent Twisted Truths in society right now, such as: “screens are suitable for neurodivergent kids,” “screens are harmless babysitters,” and “tablets are just toys.”
References:

Autism and Screen Time: Special Brains, Special Risks by Dr. Victoria Dunckley, M.D.
Reset Your Child’s Brain: A Four-Week Plan to End Meltdowns, Raise Grades, and Boost Social Skills by Reversing the Effects of Electronic Screen-Time by Dr. Victoria Dunckley, M.D.
Time for a view on screen time by Dr. Aric Sigman

Support the show

Don't forget to subscribe, rate, and leave a review if you enjoy the episode. Your feedback helps us bring you more of the content you love. Stay Strong!

Start your ScreenStrong Journey today!
Become a Connect Member to get access to our exclusive online forum, the 30-Day ScreenStrong Challenge, LIVE webinars with medical experts, and the entire ScreenStrong library of videos, audio clips, interviews, e-books, handouts, and more!
Want to help spread the ScreenStrong message to your community? Consider becoming a ScreenStrong Ambassador!

ScreenStrong Tech Recommendations

Gabb Wireless—Smartphone Replacement (use code STRONG for discount)
Canopy—Device Filter (use code STRONG for discount)

Production Team:

Host: Melanie Hempe
Producer & Audio Editor: Olivia Kernekin

Screens In The Classroom: A School Counselor's Perspective with Janine McKenna (#157) Jul 05, 2023

In this episode, Mandee Hamann is joined by ScreenStrong Ambassador Janine McKenna. Janine is a credentialed school counselor and teacher who has worked with middle school students in Los Angeles County for more than a decade. She holds a bachelor’s degree in Theatre Arts and a master’s degree in Counseling.
Janine shares her experience as an educator, counselor, and mom of two in discovering the ScreenStrong Lifestyle and how technology has changed the field of education.

Support the show

Don't forget to subscribe, rate, and leave a review if you enjoy the episode. Your feedback helps us bring you more of the content you love. Stay Strong!

Start your ScreenStrong Journey today!
Become a Connect Member to get access to our exclusive online forum, the 30-Day ScreenStrong Challenge, LIVE webinars with medical experts, and the entire ScreenStrong library of videos, audio clips, interviews, e-books, handouts, and more!
Want to help spread the ScreenStrong message to your community? Consider becoming a ScreenStrong Ambassador!

ScreenStrong Tech Recommendations

Gabb Wireless—Smartphone Replacement (use code STRONG for discount)
Canopy—Device Filter (use code STRONG for discount)

Production Team:

Host: Melanie Hempe
Producer & Audio Editor: Olivia Kernekin

Surgeon General Warns Against Social Media with Dr. Adriana Stacey (#156) Jun 28, 2023

On May 23rd, the United States Surgeon General issued an advisory about the dangers of social media. The advisory warned that social media poses “a profound risk of harm to the mental health and well-being of children and adolescents.”
In today’s episode, Melanie and Dr. Stacey unpack the details of the advisory and offer advice to parents.
References & Links
Full Report: "Social Media and Youth Mental Health" - The U.S. Surgeon General’s Advisory
Press Release: "Surgeon General Issues New Advisory About Effects Social Media Use Has on Youth Mental Health"

Support the show

Don't forget to subscribe, rate, and leave a review if you enjoy the episode. Your feedback helps us bring you more of the content you love. Stay Strong!

Start your ScreenStrong Journey today!
Become a Connect Member to get access to our exclusive online forum, the 30-Day ScreenStrong Challenge, LIVE webinars with medical experts, and the entire ScreenStrong library of videos, audio clips, interviews, e-books, handouts, and more!
Want to help spread the ScreenStrong message to your community? Consider becoming a ScreenStrong Ambassador!

ScreenStrong Tech Recommendations

Gabb Wireless—Smartphone Replacement (use code STRONG for discount)
Canopy—Device Filter (use code STRONG for discount)

Production Team:

Host: Melanie Hempe
Producer & Audio Editor: Olivia Kernekin

Tips for Young Moms (#155) Jun 21, 2023

Continuing our Tips for Moms series, ScreenStrong Founder Melanie Hempe shares MORE top-tier screen tips for moms in this stellar episode. She is joined by Amie Robillard, a ScreenStrong mom of five boys under 12, to share summer tips for moms of younger kids.
Listen to Tips for Moms

Support the show

Don't forget to subscribe, rate, and leave a review if you enjoy the episode. Your feedback helps us bring you more of the content you love. Stay Strong!

Start your ScreenStrong Journey today!
Become a Connect Member to get access to our exclusive online forum, the 30-Day ScreenStrong Challenge, LIVE webinars with medical experts, and the entire ScreenStrong library of videos, audio clips, interviews, e-books, handouts, and more!
Want to help spread the ScreenStrong message to your community? Consider becoming a ScreenStrong Ambassador!

ScreenStrong Tech Recommendations

Gabb Wireless—Smartphone Replacement (use code STRONG for discount)
Canopy—Device Filter (use code STRONG for discount)

Production Team:

Host: Melanie Hempe
Producer & Audio Editor: Olivia Kernekin

Raising Healthy Teenagers: Equipping Your Child to Navigate the Pitfalls and Dangers of Teen Life with Tom Kersting (#154) Jun 14, 2023

For this episode, we welcome back a long-time friend of the podcast, Tom Kersting. Tom is a nationally renowned psychotherapist, author, and television contributor. He is the author of Disconnected(one of our favorites!), and today Tom and Melanie talk about his newest book, Raising Healthy Teenagers: Equipping Your Child to Navigate the Pitfalls and Dangers of Teen Life.

Support the show

Don't forget to subscribe, rate, and leave a review if you enjoy the episode. Your feedback helps us bring you more of the content you love. Stay Strong!

Start your ScreenStrong Journey today!
Become a Connect Member to get access to our exclusive online forum, the 30-Day ScreenStrong Challenge, LIVE webinars with medical experts, and the entire ScreenStrong library of videos, audio clips, interviews, e-books, handouts, and more!
Want to help spread the ScreenStrong message to your community? Consider becoming a ScreenStrong Ambassador!

ScreenStrong Tech Recommendations

Gabb Wireless—Smartphone Replacement (use code STRONG for discount)
Canopy—Device Filter (use code STRONG for discount)

Production Team:

Host: Melanie Hempe
Producer & Audio Editor: Olivia Kernekin

ENCORE: Growing Up ScreenStrong with Andrew and Evan Hempe (#31) Jun 07, 2023

To start the summer, we want to bring back a great episode with Andrew and Evan Hempe to talk about how they felt growing up ScreenStrong. Since many of you choose to do the ScreenStrong Challenge this time of year, we wanted to kickstart your summer with some encouragement!
Andrew and Evan Hempe grew up in a video game-free home after their older brother’s life derailed due to gaming addiction. Today, Andrew and Evan are answering parents’ common questions about the ScreenStrong lifestyle from the perspective of high school teens. They discuss what it was like living with a former gamer sibling, how they managed to live through middle school without video games and smartphones, and how they made friends without social media.

Support the show

Don't forget to subscribe, rate, and leave a review if you enjoy the episode. Your feedback helps us bring you more of the content you love. Stay Strong!

Start your ScreenStrong Journey today!
Become a Connect Member to get access to our exclusive online forum, the 30-Day ScreenStrong Challenge, LIVE webinars with medical experts, and the entire ScreenStrong library of videos, audio clips, interviews, e-books, handouts, and more!
Want to help spread the ScreenStrong message to your community? Consider becoming a ScreenStrong Ambassador!

ScreenStrong Tech Recommendations

Gabb Wireless—Smartphone Replacement (use code STRONG for discount)
Canopy—Device Filter (use code STRONG for discount)

Production Team:

Host: Melanie Hempe
Producer & Audio Editor: Olivia Kernekin

The Five Benefits of Going ScreenStrong with LaNissa Davison (#153) May 31, 2023

In this episode, Melanie is joined by LaNissa Davison, ScreenStrong Ambassador and mom of four. LaNissa shares the five benefits she’s seen since her family went ScreenStrong—including personal examples—and encourages parents to stay strong!

Support the show

Don't forget to subscribe, rate, and leave a review if you enjoy the episode. Your feedback helps us bring you more of the content you love. Stay Strong!

Start your ScreenStrong Journey today!
Become a Connect Member to get access to our exclusive online forum, the 30-Day ScreenStrong Challenge, LIVE webinars with medical experts, and the entire ScreenStrong library of videos, audio clips, interviews, e-books, handouts, and more!
Want to help spread the ScreenStrong message to your community? Consider becoming a ScreenStrong Ambassador!

ScreenStrong Tech Recommendations

Gabb Wireless—Smartphone Replacement (use code STRONG for discount)
Canopy—Device Filter (use code STRONG for discount)

Production Team:

Host: Melanie Hempe
Producer & Audio Editor: Olivia Kernekin

What's A ScreenStrong Ambassador? (#152) May 24, 2023

On today’s episode, Mandee Hamann and Olivia Kernekin share personal screen stories and talk about why everyone should be a ScreenStrong Ambassador.

Support the show

Don't forget to subscribe, rate, and leave a review if you enjoy the episode. Your feedback helps us bring you more of the content you love. Stay Strong!

Start your ScreenStrong Journey today!
Become a Connect Member to get access to our exclusive online forum, the 30-Day ScreenStrong Challenge, LIVE webinars with medical experts, and the entire ScreenStrong library of videos, audio clips, interviews, e-books, handouts, and more!
Want to help spread the ScreenStrong message to your community? Consider becoming a ScreenStrong Ambassador!

ScreenStrong Tech Recommendations

Gabb Wireless—Smartphone Replacement (use code STRONG for discount)
Canopy—Device Filter (use code STRONG for discount)

Production Team:

Host: Melanie Hempe
Producer & Audio Editor: Olivia Kernekin

Twisted Truth: Dopamine and Screens with Dr. Adriana Stacey (#151) May 17, 2023

This episode starts a new series on the podcast called Twisted Truths, where we uncover topics that seem true—and may be true in part—but these “truths” fall apart when applied to the screen issue.
Today, Melanie and Dr. Stacey dive into the dopamine addiction reward pathway and highlight how screen activities can throw your kids’ brains out of balance. Melanie also shares some foundational truths to counteract the twisted ones.
References & Links:

The Teenage Brain: A Neuroscientist’s Survival Guide to Raising Adolescents and Young Adults by Frances Jensen
Dopamine Nation: Finding Balance in the Age of Indulgence by Anna Lembke

Support the show

Don't forget to subscribe, rate, and leave a review if you enjoy the episode. Your feedback helps us bring you more of the content you love. Stay Strong!

Start your ScreenStrong Journey today!
Become a Connect Member to get access to our exclusive online forum, the 30-Day ScreenStrong Challenge, LIVE webinars with medical experts, and the entire ScreenStrong library of videos, audio clips, interviews, e-books, handouts, and more!
Want to help spread the ScreenStrong message to your community? Consider becoming a ScreenStrong Ambassador!

ScreenStrong Tech Recommendations

Gabb Wireless—Smartphone Replacement (use code STRONG for discount)
Canopy—Device Filter (use code STRONG for discount)

Production Team:

Host: Melanie Hempe
Producer & Audio Editor: Olivia Kernekin

10 Things Every Parent Needs to Know About Video Games with Olivia Bruner (#150) May 10, 2023

Melanie is joined by Olivia Bruner, author of Playstation Station, one of ScreenStrong's favorite books about video game addiction. From the perspective of two seasoned gamer moms, Melanie and Olivia discuss the warning signs of video game addiction, the pitfalls of the dopamine trap, and the ten things every parent needs to know regarding video games.
References & Links:

Dopamine Nation: Finding Balance in the Age of Indulgence by Anna Lembke
Assassination Generation: Video Games, Aggression, and the Psychology of Killing by Lt. Col. Dave Grossman
The Village Effect: How Face-to-Face Contact Can Make Us Healthier and Happier by Susan Pinker
Breaking the Trance: A Practical Guide for Parenting the Screen-Dependent Child by George T. Lynn and Cynthia C. Johnson
Play: How it Shapes the Brain, Opens the Imagination, and Invigorates the Soul by Dr. Stuart Brown

Support the show

Don't forget to subscribe, rate, and leave a review if you enjoy the episode. Your feedback helps us bring you more of the content you love. Stay Strong!

Start your ScreenStrong Journey today!
Become a Connect Member to get access to our exclusive online forum, the 30-Day ScreenStrong Challenge, LIVE webinars with medical experts, and the entire ScreenStrong library of videos, audio clips, interviews, e-books, handouts, and more!
Want to help spread the ScreenStrong message to your community? Consider becoming a ScreenStrong Ambassador!

ScreenStrong Tech Recommendations

Gabb Wireless—Smartphone Replacement (use code STRONG for discount)
Canopy—Device Filter (use code STRONG for discount)

Production Team:

Host: Melanie Hempe
Producer & Audio Editor: Olivia Kernekin

Prevent Screen Problems With Neuroscience with Sarah Hendrix, RN, MSN (#149) May 03, 2023

Mandee Hamann—our Ambassador Liaison—interviews Sarah Hendrix, a Senior Director in corporate healthcare and a Master’s Degree prepared Registered Nurse with specialty experience in Neurosciences. She is also a new ScreenStrong Ambassador. Sarah shares her screen journey with her preschool son and encourages parents wherever they are on their own journey.
This is part of a series of episodes getting to know our ScreenStrong Ambassador team. If you want to become an Ambassador, please visit our website or email mandee@screenstrong.org.

Support the show

Don't forget to subscribe, rate, and leave a review if you enjoy the episode. Your feedback helps us bring you more of the content you love. Stay Strong!

Start your ScreenStrong Journey today!
Become a Connect Member to get access to our exclusive online forum, the 30-Day ScreenStrong Challenge, LIVE webinars with medical experts, and the entire ScreenStrong library of videos, audio clips, interviews, e-books, handouts, and more!
Want to help spread the ScreenStrong message to your community? Consider becoming a ScreenStrong Ambassador!

ScreenStrong Tech Recommendations

Gabb Wireless—Smartphone Replacement (use code STRONG for discount)
Canopy—Device Filter (use code STRONG for discount)

Production Team:

Host: Melanie Hempe
Producer & Audio Editor: Olivia Kernekin

Pornography Is Chasing Our Kids with Nadya Seboldt (#148) Apr 26, 2023

On this episode, Melanie is joined by Nadya Seboldt, a Licensed Educational Psychologist, to discuss the history of pornography, the easy access kids have to porn, and how parents can prevent early porn exposure.
While this is not an explicit episode, it is an in-depth discussion of pornography. Listener discretion is advised.

Support the show

Don't forget to subscribe, rate, and leave a review if you enjoy the episode. Your feedback helps us bring you more of the content you love. Stay Strong!

Start your ScreenStrong Journey today!
Become a Connect Member to get access to our exclusive online forum, the 30-Day ScreenStrong Challenge, LIVE webinars with medical experts, and the entire ScreenStrong library of videos, audio clips, interviews, e-books, handouts, and more!
Want to help spread the ScreenStrong message to your community? Consider becoming a ScreenStrong Ambassador!

ScreenStrong Tech Recommendations

Gabb Wireless—Smartphone Replacement (use code STRONG for discount)
Canopy—Device Filter (use code STRONG for discount)

Production Team:

Host: Melanie Hempe
Producer & Audio Editor: Olivia Kernekin

ScreenStrong Teens: Lydia, Two Years Later (#147) Apr 19, 2023

In this special episode, Melanie interviews Lydia, a ScreenStrong teen whose story we first heard back in January 2021. Lydia gives us an update on her life and how she’s been thriving without social media. She also offers encouragement to teens and parents just starting on the ScreenStrong journey.
References & Links:

Lydia's first episode: ScreenStrong Teens: Lydia (#16)

Support the show

Don't forget to subscribe, rate, and leave a review if you enjoy the episode. Your feedback helps us bring you more of the content you love. Stay Strong!

Start your ScreenStrong Journey today!
Become a Connect Member to get access to our exclusive online forum, the 30-Day ScreenStrong Challenge, LIVE webinars with medical experts, and the entire ScreenStrong library of videos, audio clips, interviews, e-books, handouts, and more!
Want to help spread the ScreenStrong message to your community? Consider becoming a ScreenStrong Ambassador!

ScreenStrong Tech Recommendations

Gabb Wireless—Smartphone Replacement (use code STRONG for discount)
Canopy—Device Filter (use code STRONG for discount)

Production Team:

Host: Melanie Hempe
Producer & Audio Editor: Olivia Kernekin

A Psychiatrist's Perspective on School Screens with Dr. Adriana Stacey (#146) Apr 12, 2023

In today’s episode, Melanie and Dr. Stacey discuss the issue of screens in school and offer tips for parents to take charge of their children's learning habits.
References & Links

Why Screens Are Failing Students and Frustrating Teachers with Matt Miles (#61)

Support the show

Don't forget to subscribe, rate, and leave a review if you enjoy the episode. Your feedback helps us bring you more of the content you love. Stay Strong!

Start your ScreenStrong Journey today!
Become a Connect Member to get access to our exclusive online forum, the 30-Day ScreenStrong Challenge, LIVE webinars with medical experts, and the entire ScreenStrong library of videos, audio clips, interviews, e-books, handouts, and more!
Want to help spread the ScreenStrong message to your community? Consider becoming a ScreenStrong Ambassador!

ScreenStrong Tech Recommendations

Gabb Wireless—Smartphone Replacement (use code STRONG for discount)
Canopy—Device Filter (use code STRONG for discount)

Production Team:

Host: Melanie Hempe
Producer & Audio Editor: Olivia Kernekin

Tips for Moms (#145) Apr 05, 2023

ScreenStrong Founder Melanie Hempe shares top-tier screen tips geared toward moms in this fantastic episode. Speaking directly from her own experience raising an addicted gamer, Melanie offers from-the-heart tips and shortcuts for you to protect your children from toxic screens and give them the freedom to enjoy a rich childhood.
References & Links:

Support the show

Don't forget to subscribe, rate, and leave a review if you enjoy the episode. Your feedback helps us bring you more of the content you love. Stay Strong!

Start your ScreenStrong Journey today!
Become a Connect Member to get access to our exclusive online forum, the 30-Day ScreenStrong Challenge, LIVE webinars with medical experts, and the entire ScreenStrong library of videos, audio clips, interviews, e-books, handouts, and more!
Want to help spread the ScreenStrong message to your community? Consider becoming a ScreenStrong Ambassador!

ScreenStrong Tech Recommendations

Gabb Wireless—Smartphone Replacement (use code STRONG for discount)
Canopy—Device Filter (use code STRONG for discount)

Production Team:

Host: Melanie Hempe
Producer & Audio Editor: Olivia Kernekin

An Emotional Response to Nashville & Violent Video Games with Lt. Col. Dave Grossman (#144) Mar 29, 2023

In light of the horrific school killing in Nashville this week, we invited Lt. Col. Dave Grossman to speak to us about the tragedy. Lt. Col. Grossman is an internationally recognized scholar, author, soldier, and speaker who is one of the world’s foremost experts in human aggression and the roots of violence and violent crime.
Lt. Col. Grossman and Melanie discuss the effect of violent video games on children and what we can do as parents to protect our kids from the onslaught of toxic screens.
Our hearts are breaking for the victims, their families, and the killer's family. Our prayers are with you.
References & Links

Assassination Generation: Video Games, Aggression, and the Psychology of Killing by Lt. Col. Dave Grossman

Support the show

Don't forget to subscribe, rate, and leave a review if you enjoy the episode. Your feedback helps us bring you more of the content you love. Stay Strong!

Start your ScreenStrong Journey today!
Become a Connect Member to get access to our exclusive online forum, the 30-Day ScreenStrong Challenge, LIVE webinars with medical experts, and the entire ScreenStrong library of videos, audio clips, interviews, e-books, handouts, and more!
Want to help spread the ScreenStrong message to your community? Consider becoming a ScreenStrong Ambassador!

ScreenStrong Tech Recommendations

Gabb Wireless—Smartphone Replacement (use code STRONG for discount)
Canopy—Device Filter (use code STRONG for discount)

Production Team:

Host: Melanie Hempe
Producer & Audio Editor: Olivia Kernekin

The Power of Independent Play with Dr. Adriana Stacey (#143) Mar 22, 2023

Today, Melanie and Dr. Adriana Stacey discuss a recent article in the Journal of Pediatrics on independent play and how it relates to children’s mental well-being. This episode is full of great recommendations, encouragement, and a ton of research on why allowing your children the autonomy of independent play will make them happier, healthier, and more well-rounded adults.
References & Links:

Journal of Pediatrics article Dr. Stacey refers to throughout the episode: Decline in Independent Activity as a Cause of Decline in Children’s Mental Wellbeing: Summary of the Evidence
Play: How it Shapes the Brain, Opens the Imagination, and Invigorates the Soul by Dr. Stuart Brown
The Let Grow Project for Childhood Independence
Episode 38: Helping Your Children Avoid Screen Addiction with Tracy Markle

Support the show

Don't forget to subscribe, rate, and leave a review if you enjoy the episode. Your feedback helps us bring you more of the content you love. Stay Strong!

Start your ScreenStrong Journey today!
Become a Connect Member to get access to our exclusive online forum, the 30-Day ScreenStrong Challenge, LIVE webinars with medical experts, and the entire ScreenStrong library of videos, audio clips, interviews, e-books, handouts, and more!
Want to help spread the ScreenStrong message to your community? Consider becoming a ScreenStrong Ambassador!

ScreenStrong Tech Recommendations

Gabb Wireless—Smartphone Replacement (use code STRONG for discount)
Canopy—Device Filter (use code STRONG for discount)

Production Team:

Host: Melanie Hempe
Producer & Audio Editor: Olivia Kernekin

We Hurt Our Kids When We Treat Them Like Adults with Dr. Leonard Sax (#142) Mar 15, 2023

In this episode, Melanie is joined by long-time ScreenStrong friend Dr. Leonard Sax, M.D., to talk about the effect of toxic screen time on children’s brains and social interactions. They review new screen-time studies, discuss how to manage screen meltdowns, warning signs for screen addiction, and how important the parent’s role is when making decisions about screen time.
If you want to share your family’s story with Dr. Sax, email us at team@screenstrong.com.
References & Links:

Jonathan Haidt's article: 'Social Media Is Riskier for Kids Than ‘Screen Time.’

Dr. Sax's Books:

Other Dr. Sax Episodes:

Support the show

Don't forget to subscribe, rate, and leave a review if you enjoy the episode. Your feedback helps us bring you more of the content you love. Stay Strong!

Start your ScreenStrong Journey today!
Become a Connect Member to get access to our exclusive online forum, the 30-Day ScreenStrong Challenge, LIVE webinars with medical experts, and the entire ScreenStrong library of videos, audio clips, interviews, e-books, handouts, and more!
Want to help spread the ScreenStrong message to your community? Consider becoming a ScreenStrong Ambassador!

ScreenStrong Tech Recommendations

Gabb Wireless—Smartphone Replacement (use code STRONG for discount)
Canopy—Device Filter (use code STRONG for discount)

Production Team:

Host: Melanie Hempe
Producer & Audio Editor: Olivia Kernekin

Growing Up Without Smartphones & Social Media with Andrew Hempe (#141) Mar 08, 2023

Today is a special teen-centered episode! We’re sharing audio from Andrew Hempe’s presentation to parents of lower and middle-school-aged children. Andrew is an 18-year-old high school senior who grew up without smartphones or video games. His unique perspective on making friends, enjoying your family, and living a rich life outside the virtual world is at the heart of this episode. Enjoy!
FURTHER READING:
Article: 'Surgeon General says 13 is 'too early' to join social media'
Article: Jean Twenge

Support the show

Don't forget to subscribe, rate, and leave a review if you enjoy the episode. Your feedback helps us bring you more of the content you love. Stay Strong!

Start your ScreenStrong Journey today!
Become a Connect Member to get access to our exclusive online forum, the 30-Day ScreenStrong Challenge, LIVE webinars with medical experts, and the entire ScreenStrong library of videos, audio clips, interviews, e-books, handouts, and more!
Want to help spread the ScreenStrong message to your community? Consider becoming a ScreenStrong Ambassador!

ScreenStrong Tech Recommendations

Gabb Wireless—Smartphone Replacement (use code STRONG for discount)
Canopy—Device Filter (use code STRONG for discount)

Production Team:

Host: Melanie Hempe
Producer & Audio Editor: Olivia Kernekin

Online Predators & Social Media Dangers with Officer Gomez (#140) Mar 01, 2023

This week we welcome back our friend Officer Gomez to discuss how online predators find kids, the best parental controls, how to lock down Chromebooks, and age-restrictions for social media.
Other Episodes with Officer Gomez:

Support the show

Don't forget to subscribe, rate, and leave a review if you enjoy the episode. Your feedback helps us bring you more of the content you love. Stay Strong!

Start your ScreenStrong Journey today!
Become a Connect Member to get access to our exclusive online forum, the 30-Day ScreenStrong Challenge, LIVE webinars with medical experts, and the entire ScreenStrong library of videos, audio clips, interviews, e-books, handouts, and more!
Want to help spread the ScreenStrong message to your community? Consider becoming a ScreenStrong Ambassador!

ScreenStrong Tech Recommendations

Gabb Wireless—Smartphone Replacement (use code STRONG for discount)
Canopy—Device Filter (use code STRONG for discount)

Production Team:

Host: Melanie Hempe
Producer & Audio Editor: Olivia Kernekin

Real Parents, Real Questions (Part 2) with April Gross (#139) Feb 22, 2023

Today, we continue our new “Real Parents, Real Questions” series with Part 2 of April Gross’s questions for Melanie. Here are just a few of her questions:

Do parental controls work?
How much screen time should I allow?
My kids say they're bored without screens... what do I do?

This is an episode and series you will NOT want to miss!

Support the show

Don't forget to subscribe, rate, and leave a review if you enjoy the episode. Your feedback helps us bring you more of the content you love. Stay Strong!

Start your ScreenStrong Journey today!
Become a Connect Member to get access to our exclusive online forum, the 30-Day ScreenStrong Challenge, LIVE webinars with medical experts, and the entire ScreenStrong library of videos, audio clips, interviews, e-books, handouts, and more!
Want to help spread the ScreenStrong message to your community? Consider becoming a ScreenStrong Ambassador!

ScreenStrong Tech Recommendations

Gabb Wireless—Smartphone Replacement (use code STRONG for discount)
Canopy—Device Filter (use code STRONG for discount)

Production Team:

Host: Melanie Hempe
Producer & Audio Editor: Olivia Kernekin

Real Parents, Real Questions (Part 1) with April Gross (#138) Feb 15, 2023

Welcome to a new series on our podcast where we have parents from our community come on the podcast to ask Melanie their burning screen questions. Today, April Gross joins us with the following questions:

Can video games be played in moderation?
Am I overprotecting my kids by not allowing screens?
How do I navigate relationships with other parents who still allow toxic screens?

This is an episode and series you will NOT want to miss!

CONTENT WARNING: Adult content is discussed in detail within the context of video games.

Support the show

Don't forget to subscribe, rate, and leave a review if you enjoy the episode. Your feedback helps us bring you more of the content you love. Stay Strong!

Start your ScreenStrong Journey today!
Become a Connect Member to get access to our exclusive online forum, the 30-Day ScreenStrong Challenge, LIVE webinars with medical experts, and the entire ScreenStrong library of videos, audio clips, interviews, e-books, handouts, and more!
Want to help spread the ScreenStrong message to your community? Consider becoming a ScreenStrong Ambassador!

ScreenStrong Tech Recommendations

Gabb Wireless—Smartphone Replacement (use code STRONG for discount)
Canopy—Device Filter (use code STRONG for discount)

Production Team:

Host: Melanie Hempe
Producer & Audio Editor: Olivia Kernekin

An 18-Year-Old’s Perspective on Teenage Girls and Pornography (#137) Feb 08, 2023

It’s common knowledge that boys can struggle with pornography, but do girls struggle with it? Today Melanie is joined by 18-year-old Madi to discuss this exact question. Madi shares her history of porn addiction and her advice for struggling teens and parents.
HOMEWORK:

For any girl struggling with porn addiction, Madi’s door is always open! Feel free to email her at sistasinthefight@gmail.com
A must-read book on this topic is Your Brain on Porn by Gary Wilson
Check out Gary Wilson’s TEDTalk “The Great Porn Experiment”

Support the show

Don't forget to subscribe, rate, and leave a review if you enjoy the episode. Your feedback helps us bring you more of the content you love. Stay Strong!

Start your ScreenStrong Journey today!
Become a Connect Member to get access to our exclusive online forum, the 30-Day ScreenStrong Challenge, LIVE webinars with medical experts, and the entire ScreenStrong library of videos, audio clips, interviews, e-books, handouts, and more!
Want to help spread the ScreenStrong message to your community? Consider becoming a ScreenStrong Ambassador!

ScreenStrong Tech Recommendations

Gabb Wireless—Smartphone Replacement (use code STRONG for discount)
Canopy—Device Filter (use code STRONG for discount)

Production Team:

Host: Melanie Hempe
Producer & Audio Editor: Olivia Kernekin

Foundations Are Key to Your Child's Success with Cris Rowan (#136) Feb 01, 2023

Today Melanie is joined by Cris Rowan, a Pediatric occupational therapist, biologist, speaker, author, and longtime friend of ScreenStrong. In this stellar episode, Melanie and Cris discuss four critical foundational factors for a child's growth, how screens are stunting our kids' growth, as well as screen solutions for home and school.

Support the show

Don't forget to subscribe, rate, and leave a review if you enjoy the episode. Your feedback helps us bring you more of the content you love. Stay Strong!

Start your ScreenStrong Journey today!
Become a Connect Member to get access to our exclusive online forum, the 30-Day ScreenStrong Challenge, LIVE webinars with medical experts, and the entire ScreenStrong library of videos, audio clips, interviews, e-books, handouts, and more!
Want to help spread the ScreenStrong message to your community? Consider becoming a ScreenStrong Ambassador!

ScreenStrong Tech Recommendations

Gabb Wireless—Smartphone Replacement (use code STRONG for discount)
Canopy—Device Filter (use code STRONG for discount)

Production Team:

Host: Melanie Hempe
Producer & Audio Editor: Olivia Kernekin

A Psychiatrist's Perspective on Screen Addiction with Dr. Adriana Stacey (#135) Jan 25, 2023

‘Do the best you can until you know better. Then when you know better, do better.’
—Maya Angelou
Dr. Adriana Stacey presents to a group of school parents on how devices affect the brains of kids and teens, how technology affects children and teen’s social, emotional, and family growth, and offers tips, solutions, and resources for parents wanting to make a difference and live the ScreenStrong lifestyle.
Presentation audio shared with permission.
Transcript UNAVAILABLE. Access research studies.

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Don't forget to subscribe, rate, and leave a review if you enjoy the episode. Your feedback helps us bring you more of the content you love. Stay Strong!

Start your ScreenStrong Journey today!
Become a Connect Member to get access to our exclusive online forum, the 30-Day ScreenStrong Challenge, LIVE webinars with medical experts, and the entire ScreenStrong library of videos, audio clips, interviews, e-books, handouts, and more!
Want to help spread the ScreenStrong message to your community? Consider becoming a ScreenStrong Ambassador!

ScreenStrong Tech Recommendations

Gabb Wireless—Smartphone Replacement (use code STRONG for discount)
Canopy—Device Filter (use code STRONG for discount)

Production Team:

Host: Melanie Hempe
Producer & Audio Editor: Olivia Kernekin

"Video Games Make You Complacent" with Jackson West (#134) Jan 18, 2023

Melanie is joined by college sophomore Jackson West—age 19—to discuss his addiction to video games and the impact of that addiction on his social life and mental/emotional health.
JOIN THE 30-DAY CHALLENGE ON 2/1/23
Join us as we lead you through a 30-day Screen Detox for your family. You will have a step-by-step guide and the help of community. Reserve your spot for FREE today!

Support the show

Don't forget to subscribe, rate, and leave a review if you enjoy the episode. Your feedback helps us bring you more of the content you love. Stay Strong!

Start your ScreenStrong Journey today!
Become a Connect Member to get access to our exclusive online forum, the 30-Day ScreenStrong Challenge, LIVE webinars with medical experts, and the entire ScreenStrong library of videos, audio clips, interviews, e-books, handouts, and more!
Want to help spread the ScreenStrong message to your community? Consider becoming a ScreenStrong Ambassador!

ScreenStrong Tech Recommendations

Gabb Wireless—Smartphone Replacement (use code STRONG for discount)
Canopy—Device Filter (use code STRONG for discount)

Production Team:

Host: Melanie Hempe
Producer & Audio Editor: Olivia Kernekin

Busting Screen Myths in the New Year (#133) Jan 11, 2023

Happy New Year!
Melanie and Dr. Stacey are helping us start the year on the right foot by sharing some common screen myths and tips for beginning new screen habits in 2023.

Support the show

Don't forget to subscribe, rate, and leave a review if you enjoy the episode. Your feedback helps us bring you more of the content you love. Stay Strong!

Start your ScreenStrong Journey today!
Become a Connect Member to get access to our exclusive online forum, the 30-Day ScreenStrong Challenge, LIVE webinars with medical experts, and the entire ScreenStrong library of videos, audio clips, interviews, e-books, handouts, and more!
Want to help spread the ScreenStrong message to your community? Consider becoming a ScreenStrong Ambassador!

ScreenStrong Tech Recommendations

Gabb Wireless—Smartphone Replacement (use code STRONG for discount)
Canopy—Device Filter (use code STRONG for discount)

Production Team:

Host: Melanie Hempe
Producer & Audio Editor: Olivia Kernekin

Yearly Wrap-Up: 2022 Highlights (#132) Jan 04, 2023

Thank you all for listening and engaging with the podcast this year. Here are just a few highlights from our 2022 episodes, and we look forward to continuing to see you in 2023!
Happy New Year!
Episodes Featured (in order of appearance):

"Your Child Hates the Sound of Your Voice, and This is Why" with Erik Goldfield (#121)
Welcome 'Glow Kids' Author Dr. Nicholas Kardaras! (#124)
The Battle Against Screen Time with Officer Gomez (#86)
Social Media & The Resistant Parent with Laura Hickman (#129)
Mastering the Flip Phone: A ScreenStrong Family’s Story with Amy & Aubrey (#87)
The Mom I Want to Be: A ScreenStrong Family's Story with Carmen Lindner (#128)
Debunking Screen Myths with Andrew & Evan Hempe (#91)
Trusting Your Gut with Laura Wurzburger (#99)
Mind-Blowing Screen Hacks Your Kids Are Using with Julie Christian (#120)
Video Game Addiction & Treatment with Dr. Brett Kennedy (#109)
How to Get Your Child to Take Music Lessons with Dr. Catharine McClure Jackson (#112)
The ScreenStrong Lifestyle: An Explanation (#101)

Support the show

Don't forget to subscribe, rate, and leave a review if you enjoy the episode. Your feedback helps us bring you more of the content you love. Stay Strong!

Start your ScreenStrong Journey today!
Become a Connect Member to get access to our exclusive online forum, the 30-Day ScreenStrong Challenge, LIVE webinars with medical experts, and the entire ScreenStrong library of videos, audio clips, interviews, e-books, handouts, and more!
Want to help spread the ScreenStrong message to your community? Consider becoming a ScreenStrong Ambassador!

ScreenStrong Tech Recommendations

Gabb Wireless—Smartphone Replacement (use code STRONG for discount)
Canopy—Device Filter (use code STRONG for discount)

Production Team:

Host: Melanie Hempe
Producer & Audio Editor: Olivia Kernekin

Happy Holidays from ScreenStrong! Dec 21, 2022

To all our listeners and friends, Happy Holidays and Merry Christmas from everyone at ScreenStrong! In this bonus episode, Melanie Hempe gives us all a pep talk to stay strong in your screen choices during the pressures of the holidays.

Support the show

Don't forget to subscribe, rate, and leave a review if you enjoy the episode. Your feedback helps us bring you more of the content you love. Stay Strong!

Start your ScreenStrong Journey today!
Become a Connect Member to get access to our exclusive online forum, the 30-Day ScreenStrong Challenge, LIVE webinars with medical experts, and the entire ScreenStrong library of videos, audio clips, interviews, e-books, handouts, and more!
Want to help spread the ScreenStrong message to your community? Consider becoming a ScreenStrong Ambassador!

ScreenStrong Tech Recommendations

Gabb Wireless—Smartphone Replacement (use code STRONG for discount)
Canopy—Device Filter (use code STRONG for discount)

Production Team:

Host: Melanie Hempe
Producer & Audio Editor: Olivia Kernekin

A Psychiatrist Shares Holiday Screen Tips with Dr. Adriana Stacey (#131) Dec 14, 2022

Today, Melanie and Dr. Stacey discuss overcoming the stress, fear, and frustration around screens taking over your holidays.
Maybe you’ve been working on the ScreenStrong Challenge with your family and are worried about maintaining screen routines during the holidays. Remember, short moderation times can derail our kids due to the addictive nature of screens—and the holiday season is just enough time to undo the hard work you have put in to get your kids interested in other things.
Melanie and Dr. Stacey will give you tried-and-true tips on how to avoid these pitfalls during the holidays while still sharing quality times as a family.

Support the show

Don't forget to subscribe, rate, and leave a review if you enjoy the episode. Your feedback helps us bring you more of the content you love. Stay Strong!

Start your ScreenStrong Journey today!
Become a Connect Member to get access to our exclusive online forum, the 30-Day ScreenStrong Challenge, LIVE webinars with medical experts, and the entire ScreenStrong library of videos, audio clips, interviews, e-books, handouts, and more!
Want to help spread the ScreenStrong message to your community? Consider becoming a ScreenStrong Ambassador!

ScreenStrong Tech Recommendations

Gabb Wireless—Smartphone Replacement (use code STRONG for discount)
Canopy—Device Filter (use code STRONG for discount)

Production Team:

Host: Melanie Hempe
Producer & Audio Editor: Olivia Kernekin

The Endless Non-Tech Gift Ideas with Evan Hempe (#130) Dec 07, 2022

For this special holiday episode, Melanie is joined by her son Evan to discuss practical holiday gift ideas—and encourage people to skip smartphones and video games as gifts this season. Evan, now a senior in high school, gives his perspective on the highs and lows of wanting a smartphone in middle & high school and shares some of his favorite childhood gifts.
Grab your copy of our Non-Tech Gift Guide discussed in this episode!

Support the show

Don't forget to subscribe, rate, and leave a review if you enjoy the episode. Your feedback helps us bring you more of the content you love. Stay Strong!

Start your ScreenStrong Journey today!
Become a Connect Member to get access to our exclusive online forum, the 30-Day ScreenStrong Challenge, LIVE webinars with medical experts, and the entire ScreenStrong library of videos, audio clips, interviews, e-books, handouts, and more!
Want to help spread the ScreenStrong message to your community? Consider becoming a ScreenStrong Ambassador!

ScreenStrong Tech Recommendations

Gabb Wireless—Smartphone Replacement (use code STRONG for discount)
Canopy—Device Filter (use code STRONG for discount)

Production Team:

Host: Melanie Hempe
Producer & Audio Editor: Olivia Kernekin

Social Media & The Resistant Parent with Laura Hickman (#129) Nov 30, 2022

Today, Melanie is joined by Laura Hickman, a 17-year practicing, licensed mental health counselor and mom to three daughters with a front-row seat to the mental health crisis that technology has created in our youth. In Laura's own words, "never before social media did I have clients coming to my office seeking diagnoses and rattling off symptoms from the DSM in hopes that I would tell them they have autism or OCD. This is the reality now. Some parents don't know and want to know. Other parents I find want to keep their heads in the sand and believe that it is not impacting their children."
This is an in-depth episode on mental health and social media you won't want to miss!

Support the show

Don't forget to subscribe, rate, and leave a review if you enjoy the episode. Your feedback helps us bring you more of the content you love. Stay Strong!

Start your ScreenStrong Journey today!
Become a Connect Member to get access to our exclusive online forum, the 30-Day ScreenStrong Challenge, LIVE webinars with medical experts, and the entire ScreenStrong library of videos, audio clips, interviews, e-books, handouts, and more!
Want to help spread the ScreenStrong message to your community? Consider becoming a ScreenStrong Ambassador!

ScreenStrong Tech Recommendations

Gabb Wireless—Smartphone Replacement (use code STRONG for discount)
Canopy—Device Filter (use code STRONG for discount)

Production Team:

Host: Melanie Hempe
Producer & Audio Editor: Olivia Kernekin

Happy Thanksgiving from ScreenStrong! Nov 23, 2022

To all our American friends, happy Thanksgiving from everyone at ScreenStrong! Today is a special bonus episode from ScreenStrong founder, Melanie Hempe, giving us all an important reminder.

Support the show

Don't forget to subscribe, rate, and leave a review if you enjoy the episode. Your feedback helps us bring you more of the content you love. Stay Strong!

Start your ScreenStrong Journey today!
Become a Connect Member to get access to our exclusive online forum, the 30-Day ScreenStrong Challenge, LIVE webinars with medical experts, and the entire ScreenStrong library of videos, audio clips, interviews, e-books, handouts, and more!
Want to help spread the ScreenStrong message to your community? Consider becoming a ScreenStrong Ambassador!

ScreenStrong Tech Recommendations

Gabb Wireless—Smartphone Replacement (use code STRONG for discount)
Canopy—Device Filter (use code STRONG for discount)

Production Team:

Host: Melanie Hempe
Producer & Audio Editor: Olivia Kernekin

The Mom I Want to Be: A ScreenStrong Family's Story with Carmen Lindner (#128) Nov 16, 2022

In today's emotional episode, we hear from ScreenStrong Mom, Carmen Lindner. Carmen shares her struggle with social media addiction, its effect on her family, and how discovering ScreenStrong changed her life, helping her become a better mom, wife, and friend. Carmen's vulnerability and transparency can inspire anyone suffering through the painful reality of being at the mercy of screens.

Support the show

Don't forget to subscribe, rate, and leave a review if you enjoy the episode. Your feedback helps us bring you more of the content you love. Stay Strong!

Start your ScreenStrong Journey today!
Become a Connect Member to get access to our exclusive online forum, the 30-Day ScreenStrong Challenge, LIVE webinars with medical experts, and the entire ScreenStrong library of videos, audio clips, interviews, e-books, handouts, and more!
Want to help spread the ScreenStrong message to your community? Consider becoming a ScreenStrong Ambassador!

ScreenStrong Tech Recommendations

Gabb Wireless—Smartphone Replacement (use code STRONG for discount)
Canopy—Device Filter (use code STRONG for discount)

Production Team:

Host: Melanie Hempe
Producer & Audio Editor: Olivia Kernekin

Why Parents Cave to Screen Pressure From Their Kids (#127) Nov 09, 2022

Using examples from conversations with parents from her workshops, Melanie Hempe walks through 10 reasons parents cave when it comes to their children's screen use.

Support the show

Don't forget to subscribe, rate, and leave a review if you enjoy the episode. Your feedback helps us bring you more of the content you love. Stay Strong!

Start your ScreenStrong Journey today!
Become a Connect Member to get access to our exclusive online forum, the 30-Day ScreenStrong Challenge, LIVE webinars with medical experts, and the entire ScreenStrong library of videos, audio clips, interviews, e-books, handouts, and more!
Want to help spread the ScreenStrong message to your community? Consider becoming a ScreenStrong Ambassador!

ScreenStrong Tech Recommendations

Gabb Wireless—Smartphone Replacement (use code STRONG for discount)
Canopy—Device Filter (use code STRONG for discount)

Production Team:

Host: Melanie Hempe
Producer & Audio Editor: Olivia Kernekin

Psychiatrist Says: "Take Advantage of Car Time With Teens" (#126) Nov 02, 2022

Dr. Adriana Stacey joins Melanie to discuss the importance of a "phone-free car." Together they make some compelling arguments for not allowing teens to drive with smartphones and for parents to be intentional with their teens. They also give some anecdotes on why leaving the smartphone at home might be the best option.

Support the show

Don't forget to subscribe, rate, and leave a review if you enjoy the episode. Your feedback helps us bring you more of the content you love. Stay Strong!

Start your ScreenStrong Journey today!
Become a Connect Member to get access to our exclusive online forum, the 30-Day ScreenStrong Challenge, LIVE webinars with medical experts, and the entire ScreenStrong library of videos, audio clips, interviews, e-books, handouts, and more!
Want to help spread the ScreenStrong message to your community? Consider becoming a ScreenStrong Ambassador!

ScreenStrong Tech Recommendations

Gabb Wireless—Smartphone Replacement (use code STRONG for discount)
Canopy—Device Filter (use code STRONG for discount)

Production Team:

Host: Melanie Hempe
Producer & Audio Editor: Olivia Kernekin

Encouragement for Starting ScreenStrong Early with Alejandra Correa (#125) Oct 26, 2022

On this episode, Melanie is joined by Alejandra Correa, and ScreenStrong Ambassador and mom to three young children. They discuss tips for living the ScreenStrong lifestyle, best practices for setting your home up for success, and giving specific reasons why starting your ScreenStrong journey when your kids are young is the best way to go!

Support the show

Don't forget to subscribe, rate, and leave a review if you enjoy the episode. Your feedback helps us bring you more of the content you love. Stay Strong!

Start your ScreenStrong Journey today!
Become a Connect Member to get access to our exclusive online forum, the 30-Day ScreenStrong Challenge, LIVE webinars with medical experts, and the entire ScreenStrong library of videos, audio clips, interviews, e-books, handouts, and more!
Want to help spread the ScreenStrong message to your community? Consider becoming a ScreenStrong Ambassador!

ScreenStrong Tech Recommendations

Gabb Wireless—Smartphone Replacement (use code STRONG for discount)
Canopy—Device Filter (use code STRONG for discount)

Production Team:

Host: Melanie Hempe
Producer & Audio Editor: Olivia Kernekin

Welcome 'Glow Kids' Author Dr. Nicholas Kardaras! (#124) Oct 19, 2022

Today, Melanie is joined by Glow Kids author Nicholas Kardaras to discuss his experience with treating video game addiction & social media dependency, as well as discussing childhood brain development.
Check out Dr. Kardaras's NEW book 'Digital Madness: How Social Media Is Driving Our Mental Health Crisis—and How to Restore Our Sanity.'

Support the show

Don't forget to subscribe, rate, and leave a review if you enjoy the episode. Your feedback helps us bring you more of the content you love. Stay Strong!

Start your ScreenStrong Journey today!
Become a Connect Member to get access to our exclusive online forum, the 30-Day ScreenStrong Challenge, LIVE webinars with medical experts, and the entire ScreenStrong library of videos, audio clips, interviews, e-books, handouts, and more!
Want to help spread the ScreenStrong message to your community? Consider becoming a ScreenStrong Ambassador!

ScreenStrong Tech Recommendations

Gabb Wireless—Smartphone Replacement (use code STRONG for discount)
Canopy—Device Filter (use code STRONG for discount)

Production Team:

Host: Melanie Hempe
Producer & Audio Editor: Olivia Kernekin

Practical Tips for ScreenStrong Families (#123) Oct 12, 2022

Today, Melanie answers YOUR questions about toxic screen use—video games, social media, pornography—screen use in school, and offers encouragement to make the best screen choices for your family.

Support the show

Don't forget to subscribe, rate, and leave a review if you enjoy the episode. Your feedback helps us bring you more of the content you love. Stay Strong!

Start your ScreenStrong Journey today!
Become a Connect Member to get access to our exclusive online forum, the 30-Day ScreenStrong Challenge, LIVE webinars with medical experts, and the entire ScreenStrong library of videos, audio clips, interviews, e-books, handouts, and more!
Want to help spread the ScreenStrong message to your community? Consider becoming a ScreenStrong Ambassador!

ScreenStrong Tech Recommendations

Gabb Wireless—Smartphone Replacement (use code STRONG for discount)
Canopy—Device Filter (use code STRONG for discount)

Production Team:

Host: Melanie Hempe
Producer & Audio Editor: Olivia Kernekin

Why 8th Grade Is Not Smart for a Smartphone with Dr. Adriana Stacey (#122) Oct 05, 2022

Melanie is joined by Dr. Adriana Stacey to discuss the current research and discourse around 8th grade being the worst age to give a child a smartphone. Together they go through a handful of tips and reasons why this statement is true and encourage parents to stand firm in their screen decisions.

Support the show

Don't forget to subscribe, rate, and leave a review if you enjoy the episode. Your feedback helps us bring you more of the content you love. Stay Strong!

Start your ScreenStrong Journey today!
Become a Connect Member to get access to our exclusive online forum, the 30-Day ScreenStrong Challenge, LIVE webinars with medical experts, and the entire ScreenStrong library of videos, audio clips, interviews, e-books, handouts, and more!
Want to help spread the ScreenStrong message to your community? Consider becoming a ScreenStrong Ambassador!

ScreenStrong Tech Recommendations

Gabb Wireless—Smartphone Replacement (use code STRONG for discount)
Canopy—Device Filter (use code STRONG for discount)

Production Team:

Host: Melanie Hempe
Producer & Audio Editor: Olivia Kernekin

"Your Child Hates the Sound of Your Voice, and This is Why" with Erik Goldfield (#121) Sep 28, 2022

Melanie is joined by Erik Goldfield, a Nationally Certified Counselor (NCC) and a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) who has worked in settings ranging from private practice to hospitals and schools. Erik claims at least 50% of the issues he deals with in his practice are related to screen issues.
Today, Erik reveals the truth about the video game rating system, discusses how to teach social-emotional learning to kids and teens, and explains how video games are conditioning kids to hate their parents' voices. This is definitely a must-listen episode!

Support the show

Don't forget to subscribe, rate, and leave a review if you enjoy the episode. Your feedback helps us bring you more of the content you love. Stay Strong!

Start your ScreenStrong Journey today!
Become a Connect Member to get access to our exclusive online forum, the 30-Day ScreenStrong Challenge, LIVE webinars with medical experts, and the entire ScreenStrong library of videos, audio clips, interviews, e-books, handouts, and more!
Want to help spread the ScreenStrong message to your community? Consider becoming a ScreenStrong Ambassador!

ScreenStrong Tech Recommendations

Gabb Wireless—Smartphone Replacement (use code STRONG for discount)
Canopy—Device Filter (use code STRONG for discount)

Production Team:

Host: Melanie Hempe
Producer & Audio Editor: Olivia Kernekin

Mind-Blowing Screen Hacks Your Kids Are Using with Julie Christian (#120) Sep 21, 2022

In this episode, Melanie is joined by ScreenStrong Ambassador, Julie Christian, to discuss the many insane ways kids and teens are able to bypass internet and device safeguards. Julie and Melanie share stories from their own experiences as well as those from the ScreenStrong community.

Support the show

Don't forget to subscribe, rate, and leave a review if you enjoy the episode. Your feedback helps us bring you more of the content you love. Stay Strong!

Start your ScreenStrong Journey today!
Become a Connect Member to get access to our exclusive online forum, the 30-Day ScreenStrong Challenge, LIVE webinars with medical experts, and the entire ScreenStrong library of videos, audio clips, interviews, e-books, handouts, and more!
Want to help spread the ScreenStrong message to your community? Consider becoming a ScreenStrong Ambassador!

ScreenStrong Tech Recommendations

Gabb Wireless—Smartphone Replacement (use code STRONG for discount)
Canopy—Device Filter (use code STRONG for discount)

Production Team:

Host: Melanie Hempe
Producer & Audio Editor: Olivia Kernekin

Smartphone Addiction: ScreenStrong's Founding Story (#119) Sep 14, 2022

Every organization has a founding story, and ScreenStrong is no different. Today we will hear Melanie give a detailed account of her family's decision to remove smartphones and social media from her younger kids' lives after the mistakes she made with her oldest, Adam.
This interview was originally aired on October 5, 2020, on The Save the Kids Podcast.
Listen to the first part of our founding story: Video Game Addiction: ScreenStrong's Founding Story (#113)

Support the show

Don't forget to subscribe, rate, and leave a review if you enjoy the episode. Your feedback helps us bring you more of the content you love. Stay Strong!

Start your ScreenStrong Journey today!
Become a Connect Member to get access to our exclusive online forum, the 30-Day ScreenStrong Challenge, LIVE webinars with medical experts, and the entire ScreenStrong library of videos, audio clips, interviews, e-books, handouts, and more!
Want to help spread the ScreenStrong message to your community? Consider becoming a ScreenStrong Ambassador!

ScreenStrong Tech Recommendations

Gabb Wireless—Smartphone Replacement (use code STRONG for discount)
Canopy—Device Filter (use code STRONG for discount)

Production Team:

Host: Melanie Hempe
Producer & Audio Editor: Olivia Kernekin

Psychiatrist Says: "Multitasking is a Myth" with Dr. Adriana Stacey (#118) Sep 07, 2022

Melanie is joined by Dr. Adriana Stacey to discuss the current research and discourse around multitasking. Together they make some compelling arguments against multitasking and give some excellent tips to set kids and teens up for success.

Support the show

Don't forget to subscribe, rate, and leave a review if you enjoy the episode. Your feedback helps us bring you more of the content you love. Stay Strong!

Start your ScreenStrong Journey today!
Become a Connect Member to get access to our exclusive online forum, the 30-Day ScreenStrong Challenge, LIVE webinars with medical experts, and the entire ScreenStrong library of videos, audio clips, interviews, e-books, handouts, and more!
Want to help spread the ScreenStrong message to your community? Consider becoming a ScreenStrong Ambassador!

ScreenStrong Tech Recommendations

Gabb Wireless—Smartphone Replacement (use code STRONG for discount)
Canopy—Device Filter (use code STRONG for discount)

Production Team:

Host: Melanie Hempe
Producer & Audio Editor: Olivia Kernekin

A Teacher's Top 10 School Tips with Teralea Moore (#117) Aug 31, 2022

In today’s episode, Melanie welcomes her longtime friend, Teralea Moore, who is a mother and college math professor with 20+ years of teaching in the classroom. Teralea has taught in high school, community college, and private college settings, and she shares with us her top 10 tips for success in the classroom, at the elementary, high school, and collegiate levels.

Support the show

Don't forget to subscribe, rate, and leave a review if you enjoy the episode. Your feedback helps us bring you more of the content you love. Stay Strong!

Start your ScreenStrong Journey today!
Become a Connect Member to get access to our exclusive online forum, the 30-Day ScreenStrong Challenge, LIVE webinars with medical experts, and the entire ScreenStrong library of videos, audio clips, interviews, e-books, handouts, and more!
Want to help spread the ScreenStrong message to your community? Consider becoming a ScreenStrong Ambassador!

ScreenStrong Tech Recommendations

Gabb Wireless—Smartphone Replacement (use code STRONG for discount)
Canopy—Device Filter (use code STRONG for discount)

Production Team:

Host: Melanie Hempe
Producer & Audio Editor: Olivia Kernekin

How to Get Smartphones Out of School with Officer Gomez (#116) Aug 24, 2022

Melanie is joined once again by Officer Gomez—School Resource Officer (SRO) and sworn Deputy of the Boise County Sheriff’s Department—to discuss how to remove smartphones from schools. Officer Gomez shares his own school success story and gives some amazing tips for parents and educators alike.
Officer Gomez has an active and highly informative Facebook Page that he uses to educate parents on the dangers of Social Media and the internet. Make sure to follow Officer Gomez on Facebook. You can also view his school's Smartphone Policy here.

Support the show

Don't forget to subscribe, rate, and leave a review if you enjoy the episode. Your feedback helps us bring you more of the content you love. Stay Strong!

Start your ScreenStrong Journey today!
Become a Connect Member to get access to our exclusive online forum, the 30-Day ScreenStrong Challenge, LIVE webinars with medical experts, and the entire ScreenStrong library of videos, audio clips, interviews, e-books, handouts, and more!
Want to help spread the ScreenStrong message to your community? Consider becoming a ScreenStrong Ambassador!

ScreenStrong Tech Recommendations

Gabb Wireless—Smartphone Replacement (use code STRONG for discount)
Canopy—Device Filter (use code STRONG for discount)

Production Team:

Host: Melanie Hempe
Producer & Audio Editor: Olivia Kernekin

A Psychiatrist's Favorite Books About Screen Addiction with Dr. Adriana Stacey (#115) Aug 17, 2022

Melanie is joined once again by Dr. Adriana Stacey to discuss their favorite books about brain development and screen addiction.
Visit OUR WEBSITE for links to most of the books discussed on this episode.

Support the show

Don't forget to subscribe, rate, and leave a review if you enjoy the episode. Your feedback helps us bring you more of the content you love. Stay Strong!

Start your ScreenStrong Journey today!
Become a Connect Member to get access to our exclusive online forum, the 30-Day ScreenStrong Challenge, LIVE webinars with medical experts, and the entire ScreenStrong library of videos, audio clips, interviews, e-books, handouts, and more!
Want to help spread the ScreenStrong message to your community? Consider becoming a ScreenStrong Ambassador!

ScreenStrong Tech Recommendations

Gabb Wireless—Smartphone Replacement (use code STRONG for discount)
Canopy—Device Filter (use code STRONG for discount)

Production Team:

Host: Melanie Hempe
Producer & Audio Editor: Olivia Kernekin

Does My Child Need a Smartphone for School? (#114) Aug 10, 2022

How is it August already? In this episode, Melanie is joined by Olivia Kernekin—a member of our staff and ScreenStrong Ambassador—to discuss back-to-school tips regarding personal screens in the classroom and how to establish healthy habits to start the school year right.

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Don't forget to subscribe, rate, and leave a review if you enjoy the episode. Your feedback helps us bring you more of the content you love. Stay Strong!

Start your ScreenStrong Journey today!
Become a Connect Member to get access to our exclusive online forum, the 30-Day ScreenStrong Challenge, LIVE webinars with medical experts, and the entire ScreenStrong library of videos, audio clips, interviews, e-books, handouts, and more!
Want to help spread the ScreenStrong message to your community? Consider becoming a ScreenStrong Ambassador!

ScreenStrong Tech Recommendations

Gabb Wireless—Smartphone Replacement (use code STRONG for discount)
Canopy—Device Filter (use code STRONG for discount)

Production Team:

Host: Melanie Hempe
Producer & Audio Editor: Olivia Kernekin

Video Game Addiction: ScreenStrong's Founding Story (#113) Aug 03, 2022

Every organization has a founding story, and ScreenStrong is no different. Today we will hear Melanie give a detailed account of her family's struggle with video game addiction—in the form of her oldest son, Adam.
To hear Adam give a first-hand account of his story, check out THIS EPISODE.
This interview was originally aired August 20, 2020, on The Save the Kids Podcast.

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Don't forget to subscribe, rate, and leave a review if you enjoy the episode. Your feedback helps us bring you more of the content you love. Stay Strong!

Start your ScreenStrong Journey today!
Become a Connect Member to get access to our exclusive online forum, the 30-Day ScreenStrong Challenge, LIVE webinars with medical experts, and the entire ScreenStrong library of videos, audio clips, interviews, e-books, handouts, and more!
Want to help spread the ScreenStrong message to your community? Consider becoming a ScreenStrong Ambassador!

ScreenStrong Tech Recommendations

Gabb Wireless—Smartphone Replacement (use code STRONG for discount)
Canopy—Device Filter (use code STRONG for discount)

Production Team:

Host: Melanie Hempe
Producer & Audio Editor: Olivia Kernekin

How to Get Your Child to Take Music Lessons with Dr. Catharine McClure Jackson (#112) Jul 27, 2022

Melanie is joined by Dr. Catharine McClure Jackson to discuss the benefits of musical study on brain and social development, and actively choosing to replace screen time with developing musical skills. Dr. Jackson received her undergraduate degree from the Peabody Conservatory, her Masters from the University of South Carolina, and her Doctorate in Music from the University of Iowa.
This episode will encourage all listeners to pick up an instrument, just for fun, and just to find the beauty.
Book Referenced: The Beauty Chasers

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Don't forget to subscribe, rate, and leave a review if you enjoy the episode. Your feedback helps us bring you more of the content you love. Stay Strong!

Start your ScreenStrong Journey today!
Become a Connect Member to get access to our exclusive online forum, the 30-Day ScreenStrong Challenge, LIVE webinars with medical experts, and the entire ScreenStrong library of videos, audio clips, interviews, e-books, handouts, and more!
Want to help spread the ScreenStrong message to your community? Consider becoming a ScreenStrong Ambassador!

ScreenStrong Tech Recommendations

Gabb Wireless—Smartphone Replacement (use code STRONG for discount)
Canopy—Device Filter (use code STRONG for discount)

Production Team:

Host: Melanie Hempe
Producer & Audio Editor: Olivia Kernekin

Everything You Need to Know About Snapchat & Parental Controls with Officer Gomez (#111) Jul 20, 2022

Melanie welcomes back Officer David Gomez, a School Resource Officer (SRO) and sworn Deputy of the Boise County Sheriff’s Department. Today, Officer Gomez discusses the destructive nature of Snapchat and its secret features that parents may not know. He also explains how students get around school Firewalls and encourages parents to stay the course when it comes to screen issues.
Officer Gomez has an active and highly informative Facebook Page that he uses to educate parents on the dangers of Social Media and the internet. Make sure to follow Officer Gomez on Facebook.
Learn more about the Children's Online Privacy Protection Rule.

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Don't forget to subscribe, rate, and leave a review if you enjoy the episode. Your feedback helps us bring you more of the content you love. Stay Strong!

Start your ScreenStrong Journey today!
Become a Connect Member to get access to our exclusive online forum, the 30-Day ScreenStrong Challenge, LIVE webinars with medical experts, and the entire ScreenStrong library of videos, audio clips, interviews, e-books, handouts, and more!
Want to help spread the ScreenStrong message to your community? Consider becoming a ScreenStrong Ambassador!

ScreenStrong Tech Recommendations

Gabb Wireless—Smartphone Replacement (use code STRONG for discount)
Canopy—Device Filter (use code STRONG for discount)

Production Team:

Host: Melanie Hempe
Producer & Audio Editor: Olivia Kernekin

A Psychiatrist's Solution to Managing Screen Rules with Friends with Dr. Adriana Stacey (#110) Jul 13, 2022

Melanie is joined once again by Dr. Adriana Stacey to discuss the dangerous combination of smartphones and sleepovers, and how to navigate childhood activities while still living the ScreenStrong Lifestyle.

Support the show

Don't forget to subscribe, rate, and leave a review if you enjoy the episode. Your feedback helps us bring you more of the content you love. Stay Strong!

Start your ScreenStrong Journey today!
Become a Connect Member to get access to our exclusive online forum, the 30-Day ScreenStrong Challenge, LIVE webinars with medical experts, and the entire ScreenStrong library of videos, audio clips, interviews, e-books, handouts, and more!
Want to help spread the ScreenStrong message to your community? Consider becoming a ScreenStrong Ambassador!

ScreenStrong Tech Recommendations

Gabb Wireless—Smartphone Replacement (use code STRONG for discount)
Canopy—Device Filter (use code STRONG for discount)

Production Team:

Host: Melanie Hempe
Producer & Audio Editor: Olivia Kernekin

Video Game Addiction & Treatment with Dr. Brett Kennedy (#109) Jul 06, 2022

Today, Melanie is joined by Dr. Brett Kennedy, co-director of the Digital Media Treatment & Education Center and a Licensed Clinical Psychologist with over 20 years of experience working with adolescents, adults, and couples. Dr. Kennedy and Melanie discuss the history of video games, how video games specifically meet boys' needs, and tips for helping your son through a video game detox.

Support the show

Don't forget to subscribe, rate, and leave a review if you enjoy the episode. Your feedback helps us bring you more of the content you love. Stay Strong!

Start your ScreenStrong Journey today!
Become a Connect Member to get access to our exclusive online forum, the 30-Day ScreenStrong Challenge, LIVE webinars with medical experts, and the entire ScreenStrong library of videos, audio clips, interviews, e-books, handouts, and more!
Want to help spread the ScreenStrong message to your community? Consider becoming a ScreenStrong Ambassador!

ScreenStrong Tech Recommendations

Gabb Wireless—Smartphone Replacement (use code STRONG for discount)
Canopy—Device Filter (use code STRONG for discount)

Production Team:

Host: Melanie Hempe
Producer & Audio Editor: Olivia Kernekin

10 Tips to Love Your Gamer Through the Detox (#108) Jun 29, 2022

Melanie shares ScreenStrong's tried-and-true advice for loving your gamer through a screen detox. From setting firm boundaries to spending quality time with your spouse, you won't want to miss these helpful tips!

Support the show

Don't forget to subscribe, rate, and leave a review if you enjoy the episode. Your feedback helps us bring you more of the content you love. Stay Strong!

Start your ScreenStrong Journey today!
Become a Connect Member to get access to our exclusive online forum, the 30-Day ScreenStrong Challenge, LIVE webinars with medical experts, and the entire ScreenStrong library of videos, audio clips, interviews, e-books, handouts, and more!
Want to help spread the ScreenStrong message to your community? Consider becoming a ScreenStrong Ambassador!

ScreenStrong Tech Recommendations

Gabb Wireless—Smartphone Replacement (use code STRONG for discount)
Canopy—Device Filter (use code STRONG for discount)

Production Team:

Host: Melanie Hempe
Producer & Audio Editor: Olivia Kernekin

Parents, Put Down the Smartphone with Mary Laird Garrison (#107) Jun 22, 2022

Today, Melanie is joined by ScreenStrong mom, Mary Laird Garrison, to discuss screen tips for young children, being intentional with screen time, and encouraging parents to put down their own devices and live out the ScreenStrong Lifestyle for their kids.

Support the show

Don't forget to subscribe, rate, and leave a review if you enjoy the episode. Your feedback helps us bring you more of the content you love. Stay Strong!

Start your ScreenStrong Journey today!
Become a Connect Member to get access to our exclusive online forum, the 30-Day ScreenStrong Challenge, LIVE webinars with medical experts, and the entire ScreenStrong library of videos, audio clips, interviews, e-books, handouts, and more!
Want to help spread the ScreenStrong message to your community? Consider becoming a ScreenStrong Ambassador!

ScreenStrong Tech Recommendations

Gabb Wireless—Smartphone Replacement (use code STRONG for discount)
Canopy—Device Filter (use code STRONG for discount)

Production Team:

Host: Melanie Hempe
Producer & Audio Editor: Olivia Kernekin

A Psychiatrist's Tips on Managing Screen Time with Dr. Adriana Stacey (#106) Jun 15, 2022

Today we welcome back Dr. Adriana Stacey, a Board Certified Psychiatrist, for part two of her discussion with Melanie. In this episode they cover why going cold-turkey with screen removal may be the best option for your family and offer tips and tricks for handling addictive behavior.
Dr. Stacey's areas of specialty include female mental health treatment, including treatment of depression, anxiety, adult ADHD, insomnia, and sports psychiatry.

Support the show

Don't forget to subscribe, rate, and leave a review if you enjoy the episode. Your feedback helps us bring you more of the content you love. Stay Strong!

Start your ScreenStrong Journey today!
Become a Connect Member to get access to our exclusive online forum, the 30-Day ScreenStrong Challenge, LIVE webinars with medical experts, and the entire ScreenStrong library of videos, audio clips, interviews, e-books, handouts, and more!
Want to help spread the ScreenStrong message to your community? Consider becoming a ScreenStrong Ambassador!

ScreenStrong Tech Recommendations

Gabb Wireless—Smartphone Replacement (use code STRONG for discount)
Canopy—Device Filter (use code STRONG for discount)

Production Team:

Host: Melanie Hempe
Producer & Audio Editor: Olivia Kernekin

A Psychiatrist's Perspective on Social Media & Mental Health with Dr. Adriana Stacey (#105) Jun 08, 2022

Today we welcome Dr. Adriana Stacey, a Board Certified Psychiatrist to discuss screen ADHD in kids and the destructive nature of smartphones on children's brain.
Dr. Stacey's areas of specialty include female mental health treatment, including treatment of depression, anxiety, adult ADHD, insomnia, and sports psychiatry.

Support the show

Don't forget to subscribe, rate, and leave a review if you enjoy the episode. Your feedback helps us bring you more of the content you love. Stay Strong!

Start your ScreenStrong Journey today!
Become a Connect Member to get access to our exclusive online forum, the 30-Day ScreenStrong Challenge, LIVE webinars with medical experts, and the entire ScreenStrong library of videos, audio clips, interviews, e-books, handouts, and more!
Want to help spread the ScreenStrong message to your community? Consider becoming a ScreenStrong Ambassador!

ScreenStrong Tech Recommendations

Gabb Wireless—Smartphone Replacement (use code STRONG for discount)
Canopy—Device Filter (use code STRONG for discount)

Production Team:

Host: Melanie Hempe
Producer & Audio Editor: Olivia Kernekin

The Hidden Link Between Video Game Addiction and School Violence with Lt. Col. Dave Grossman (#104) Jun 01, 2022

After the heinous elementary school massacre in Uvalde, TX last week, ScreenStrong invited Lt. Col. Dave Grossman, a West Point Psychology Professor and author of Assassination Generation, to discuss the link between video game addiction and school violence that few are talking about. This is a heartbreaking but absolutely necessary episode to check out.

Support the show

Don't forget to subscribe, rate, and leave a review if you enjoy the episode. Your feedback helps us bring you more of the content you love. Stay Strong!

Start your ScreenStrong Journey today!
Become a Connect Member to get access to our exclusive online forum, the 30-Day ScreenStrong Challenge, LIVE webinars with medical experts, and the entire ScreenStrong library of videos, audio clips, interviews, e-books, handouts, and more!
Want to help spread the ScreenStrong message to your community? Consider becoming a ScreenStrong Ambassador!

ScreenStrong Tech Recommendations

Gabb Wireless—Smartphone Replacement (use code STRONG for discount)
Canopy—Device Filter (use code STRONG for discount)

Production Team:

Host: Melanie Hempe
Producer & Audio Editor: Olivia Kernekin

Just Say No: A ScreenStrong Family's Story with Becky Grant (#103) May 25, 2022

Today Melanie welcomes Becky Grant, an elementary school teacher of 11 years, a ScreenStrong Ambassador, and mom of two boys. Becky shares her family’s story with us, which she acknowledges is likely very similar to many other families’ stories of navigating a screen-saturated culture. She offers her story with the wish to provide hope, encouragement, and support for other families having doubts about being able to become ScreenStrong.

Join us as she shares the growth she has noticed in her boys and how she is building community within her neighborhood to focus on in-person connections from group play at the park to impromptu dog walks with friends. There are so many tips in this episode that you can recreate in your home and neighborhood, and Becky’s story is one you’ll listen to again to be re-inspired as you progress on your own journey!

Support the show

Don't forget to subscribe, rate, and leave a review if you enjoy the episode. Your feedback helps us bring you more of the content you love. Stay Strong!

Start your ScreenStrong Journey today!
Become a Connect Member to get access to our exclusive online forum, the 30-Day ScreenStrong Challenge, LIVE webinars with medical experts, and the entire ScreenStrong library of videos, audio clips, interviews, e-books, handouts, and more!
Want to help spread the ScreenStrong message to your community? Consider becoming a ScreenStrong Ambassador!

ScreenStrong Tech Recommendations

Gabb Wireless—Smartphone Replacement (use code STRONG for discount)
Canopy—Device Filter (use code STRONG for discount)

Production Team:

Host: Melanie Hempe
Producer & Audio Editor: Olivia Kernekin

TikTok: It’s All In The Algorithm with Dr. Leonard Sax (#102) May 18, 2022

Melanie is joined once again by Dr. Leonard Sax, an American psychologist, and a practicing family physician. Dr. Sax has spoken on child and adolescent development issues in schools and communities worldwide since 2001. He is the author of numerous books and publications, including The Collapse of Parenting, one of ScreenStrong’s most recommended books.

Did you know that TikTok is the #1 most visited website in the U.S. and Worldwide today? One billion TikTok videos are viewed daily, and its popularity has spread with astonishing speed affecting all that engage with it. Melanie and Dr. Sax take a deep dive to deconstruct TikTok’s algorithm and its harmful impact and suggestibility on young people. From social pressure to self-harm, Dr. Sax expands on the dark side of social media’s influence on our children’s development. He also dives into the parental trap of “just wanting to make our children happy” and how we need to shift and strengthen our parenting intentions to help our children fulfill their potential.

This is an episode that you may want to use to start a small discussion group among a few friends to encourage and cultivate support in your parenting journey.

Support the show

Don't forget to subscribe, rate, and leave a review if you enjoy the episode. Your feedback helps us bring you more of the content you love. Stay Strong!

Start your ScreenStrong Journey today!
Become a Connect Member to get access to our exclusive online forum, the 30-Day ScreenStrong Challenge, LIVE webinars with medical experts, and the entire ScreenStrong library of videos, audio clips, interviews, e-books, handouts, and more!
Want to help spread the ScreenStrong message to your community? Consider becoming a ScreenStrong Ambassador!

ScreenStrong Tech Recommendations

Gabb Wireless—Smartphone Replacement (use code STRONG for discount)
Canopy—Device Filter (use code STRONG for discount)

Production Team:

Host: Melanie Hempe
Producer & Audio Editor: Olivia Kernekin

The ScreenStrong Lifestyle: An Explanation (#101) May 11, 2022

In this episode, Melanie is joined by our Brand Manager, Anna Wight to give a lesson-by-lesson preview of our new Kids’ Brains & Screens and ScreenStrong Solution Courses. This content deep-dive will give you an idea of what to expect in these courses and encourage you to take the step towards becoming a ScreenStrong Family.

Kids’ Brains & Screens Course

Lesson 1: Building Healthy Brains
Lesson 2: The Teenage Brain
Lesson 3: Brains & Screens
Lesson 4: Smartphones & Social Media
Lesson 5: Video Games
Lesson 6: The Dark Side of Screens
Lesson 7: Screens In School
Lesson 8: The Teen Mental Health Crisis

The ScreenStrong Solution Course

Lesson 1: Lead Like a Coach
Lesson 2: Prepare for Change
Lesson 3: Share the News
Lesson 4: Understand Screen Habits
Lesson 5: Remove the Screens
Lesson 6: Reset Your Home
Lesson 7: Retrain Life Skills
Lesson 8: Restore Interests & Hobbies
Lesson 9: Reconnect Your Family

Support the show

Don't forget to subscribe, rate, and leave a review if you enjoy the episode. Your feedback helps us bring you more of the content you love. Stay Strong!

Start your ScreenStrong Journey today!
Become a Connect Member to get access to our exclusive online forum, the 30-Day ScreenStrong Challenge, LIVE webinars with medical experts, and the entire ScreenStrong library of videos, audio clips, interviews, e-books, handouts, and more!
Want to help spread the ScreenStrong message to your community? Consider becoming a ScreenStrong Ambassador!

ScreenStrong Tech Recommendations

Gabb Wireless—Smartphone Replacement (use code STRONG for discount)
Canopy—Device Filter (use code STRONG for discount)

Production Team:

Host: Melanie Hempe
Producer & Audio Editor: Olivia Kernekin

100 ScreenStrong Tips with Ellen Cotton (#100) May 04, 2022

We’ve made it to 100 EPISODES!!! Thank you all for listening and supporting us. We couldn’t do this without your community support.

Today Melanie is joined by Ellen Cotton, a longtime friend of ScreenStrong and living the ScreenStrong Lifestyle. She and Melanie present 100 unique tips to help you on your ScreenStrong journey and share personal stories about the ups and downs of reclaiming your kids from the virtual world.

This episode is full of laughter, joy, and advice from parents who have been where you are now. It’s definitely one you won’t want to miss!

Support the show

Don't forget to subscribe, rate, and leave a review if you enjoy the episode. Your feedback helps us bring you more of the content you love. Stay Strong!

Start your ScreenStrong Journey today!
Become a Connect Member to get access to our exclusive online forum, the 30-Day ScreenStrong Challenge, LIVE webinars with medical experts, and the entire ScreenStrong library of videos, audio clips, interviews, e-books, handouts, and more!
Want to help spread the ScreenStrong message to your community? Consider becoming a ScreenStrong Ambassador!

ScreenStrong Tech Recommendations

Gabb Wireless—Smartphone Replacement (use code STRONG for discount)
Canopy—Device Filter (use code STRONG for discount)

Production Team:

Host: Melanie Hempe
Producer & Audio Editor: Olivia Kernekin

Trusting Your Gut with Laura Wurzburger (#99) Apr 27, 2022

Today Melanie welcomes Laura Wurzburger, a ScreenStrong Ambassador, and a mom of two adopted children from China. Laura shares her inspiring and vulnerable story of her family's journey to enrich their lifestyle by changing technology use in their home. She shares and acknowledges the mistakes and unhealthy habits she and her husband created in raising their children and what they learned while going through this process of reducing unhealthy and toxic screen use in their life. Laura credits having a healthy attachment with her children, being fully aware of her parenting goals, and not giving into fear that the cultural myths try to influence her parenting. She encourages families with tips and advice for connecting with their kids during detox and to have the strength to “go hard” and make the changes “with your arms outstretched to your child.”

This episode is one that you will want to share, save, and listen to again as it encourages your family in making changes to become a ScreenStrong Family.

Support the show

Don't forget to subscribe, rate, and leave a review if you enjoy the episode. Your feedback helps us bring you more of the content you love. Stay Strong!

Start your ScreenStrong Journey today!
Become a Connect Member to get access to our exclusive online forum, the 30-Day ScreenStrong Challenge, LIVE webinars with medical experts, and the entire ScreenStrong library of videos, audio clips, interviews, e-books, handouts, and more!
Want to help spread the ScreenStrong message to your community? Consider becoming a ScreenStrong Ambassador!

ScreenStrong Tech Recommendations

Gabb Wireless—Smartphone Replacement (use code STRONG for discount)
Canopy—Device Filter (use code STRONG for discount)

Production Team:

Host: Melanie Hempe
Producer & Audio Editor: Olivia Kernekin

There's Something in the Water with Ben O'Sullivan (#98) Apr 20, 2022

Today Melanie welcomes Ben O'Sullivan, a new ScreenStrong Ambassador based in Australia. Ben has worked in education as a teacher's aide for over 5 years now and is soon to be expanding his role as a school chaplain. He has also worked with youths in church groups and is presently working on a bachelor's degree in counseling.

Ben shares his perspective on the changes influenced by the current technology use by youths in his work and community. He shares how his work as a teacher's aide pushed him into advocacy with a focus on prevention of exposure of traumatic content in children. Ben pinpoints the "dark triad" of traumatic content that is deeply impactful to children's well-being. He discusses how the content children consume can affect their behavior, their psyche, and well-being. Ben introduces three solutions that he is concentrating on to help parents and children. He is also creating a community-based support website called ScreenSmiles with the goal to provide education and resources to his local communities in Australia.

Join us as Ben inspires us with his stories and his dedication to improving the lives and development of children being raised in this technology culture.
RESOURCES:

ScreenSmiles Website
Follow on Instagram @screensmiles

Support the show

Don't forget to subscribe, rate, and leave a review if you enjoy the episode. Your feedback helps us bring you more of the content you love. Stay Strong!

Start your ScreenStrong Journey today!
Become a Connect Member to get access to our exclusive online forum, the 30-Day ScreenStrong Challenge, LIVE webinars with medical experts, and the entire ScreenStrong library of videos, audio clips, interviews, e-books, handouts, and more!
Want to help spread the ScreenStrong message to your community? Consider becoming a ScreenStrong Ambassador!

ScreenStrong Tech Recommendations

Gabb Wireless—Smartphone Replacement (use code STRONG for discount)
Canopy—Device Filter (use code STRONG for discount)

Production Team:

Host: Melanie Hempe
Producer & Audio Editor: Olivia Kernekin

The Myth of the Forbidden Fruit with Melanie Hempe (#97) Apr 13, 2022

Join us in today's episode where Melanie unpacks the myth of the forbidden fruit. This myth is based on the theory that if you limit an activity that your children desperately want, they will long for it even more, it will make it more appealing, and they will binge on technology when they are older and/or in college.

Melanie emphasizes that ScreenStrong is not about supporting the removal of screens from a family's life as that is just not possible in the day and age that we live in. She points out the brain science that debunks the myth of the forbidden fruit, such as the concept of neuronal pruning and pathways, the developmental areas of the brain in adolescence, and how dopamine plays a role during the teenage years.

ScreenStrong is about increasing awareness of toxic screen use in our daily lives, education on how toxic screen use negatively impacts our children's development and supporting family values of connection and community when raising our children.

This episode is short, sweet, and full of ScreenStrong inspiration!

Support the show

Don't forget to subscribe, rate, and leave a review if you enjoy the episode. Your feedback helps us bring you more of the content you love. Stay Strong!

Start your ScreenStrong Journey today!
Become a Connect Member to get access to our exclusive online forum, the 30-Day ScreenStrong Challenge, LIVE webinars with medical experts, and the entire ScreenStrong library of videos, audio clips, interviews, e-books, handouts, and more!
Want to help spread the ScreenStrong message to your community? Consider becoming a ScreenStrong Ambassador!

ScreenStrong Tech Recommendations

Gabb Wireless—Smartphone Replacement (use code STRONG for discount)
Canopy—Device Filter (use code STRONG for discount)

Production Team:

Host: Melanie Hempe
Producer & Audio Editor: Olivia Kernekin

A Coach’s Perspective with Zachary Church (#96) Apr 06, 2022

Join us today as Melanie welcomes Zachary Church, a High School Varsity Swim Coach and an Assistant Coach for a Cross Country Track and Field Program. His main purpose in coaching is to “make a positive impact on individual lives, especially teenagers.”

Zach shares with us his unique perspective on the impact of screen use by teenagers in his role as a coach at his High School and in the community. Zach talks about the important life skills that can be developed through a teenager’s involvement in sports. He also shares the obstacles toxic screen use can have on a student athlete’s sports performance and team experience.

Additionally, Melanie and Zach discuss how the influence of social media has robbed the attention of parents and kids alike and how it has changed the family-centered attachment to a generational gap of disconnection.

Support the show

Don't forget to subscribe, rate, and leave a review if you enjoy the episode. Your feedback helps us bring you more of the content you love. Stay Strong!

Start your ScreenStrong Journey today!
Become a Connect Member to get access to our exclusive online forum, the 30-Day ScreenStrong Challenge, LIVE webinars with medical experts, and the entire ScreenStrong library of videos, audio clips, interviews, e-books, handouts, and more!
Want to help spread the ScreenStrong message to your community? Consider becoming a ScreenStrong Ambassador!

ScreenStrong Tech Recommendations

Gabb Wireless—Smartphone Replacement (use code STRONG for discount)
Canopy—Device Filter (use code STRONG for discount)

Production Team:

Host: Melanie Hempe
Producer & Audio Editor: Olivia Kernekin

33 Hours: A ScreenStrong Family's Story with Ali Pfister (#95) Mar 30, 2022

Today Melanie welcomes Ali Pfister, one of ScreenStrong’s Ambassadors, who shares her journey of creating her family’s ScreenStrong Lifestyle. Ali and her husband have four young kids under the age of 10 and they have been living ScreenStrong for about 3 years now.

Ali shareS how she began educating herself when her second son was identified with a speech delay at the age of 18 months to learn how she could best help him. Through her reading, she became aware of how technology affects child development and she shared that she had a “call to action” that prompted an immediate change in her family’s lifestyle.

This episode is full of passionate inspiration and positive energy that may just be “the call to action” for your family! Listen as Ali shares how she became an actively engaged parent and how she cultivated her children’s sibling bond as well as her and her husband’s parental bond with their four children.

This is a must-listen episode for all parents that will inspire you to not only change your family’s lifestyle but also encourage and educate others to do the same.

REFERENCES: mindfulfamilytech.com

Support the show

Don't forget to subscribe, rate, and leave a review if you enjoy the episode. Your feedback helps us bring you more of the content you love. Stay Strong!

Start your ScreenStrong Journey today!
Become a Connect Member to get access to our exclusive online forum, the 30-Day ScreenStrong Challenge, LIVE webinars with medical experts, and the entire ScreenStrong library of videos, audio clips, interviews, e-books, handouts, and more!
Want to help spread the ScreenStrong message to your community? Consider becoming a ScreenStrong Ambassador!

ScreenStrong Tech Recommendations

Gabb Wireless—Smartphone Replacement (use code STRONG for discount)
Canopy—Device Filter (use code STRONG for discount)

Production Team:

Host: Melanie Hempe
Producer & Audio Editor: Olivia Kernekin

The Teenage Sleep Crisis with Heather Turgeon & Julie Wright (#94) Mar 23, 2022

Today, Melanie welcomes Heather Turgeon and Julie Wright, marriage and family therapists and the co-authors of The Happy Sleeper and the forthcoming Generation Sleepless: Why Tweens and Teens Aren’t Sleeping Enough and How We Can Help Them. Heather Turgeon, MFT writes about child development and parenting. Her work has appeared in The New York Times and The Washington Post, among others, and she is a writer for The National Sleep Foundation. Julie Wright, MFT is a marriage and family therapist with an extensive background in infant mental health and early childhood development. She specializes in mindful parenting, sleep issues, and attachment theory.

In this episode, Heather and Julie focus on the science behind the teen brain and why sleep is so important for development during their teenage years. They discuss the benefits of getting adequate sleep as well as the high costs of inadequate sleep. Heather and Julie share the optimal duration of sleep, the remodeling and pruning that occurs during sleep, the system of brain detox generated by sleep, and the importance of having time for all the stages of your sleep cycle. The costs of sleep deprivation are also discussed, and the role screens play in stealing sleep from our teens. Lastly, they share tips on how to build new routines of healthy sleep habits, build connections within the family, and ways they hope to create an impactful societal shift within the community.

Support the show

Don't forget to subscribe, rate, and leave a review if you enjoy the episode. Your feedback helps us bring you more of the content you love. Stay Strong!

Start your ScreenStrong Journey today!
Become a Connect Member to get access to our exclusive online forum, the 30-Day ScreenStrong Challenge, LIVE webinars with medical experts, and the entire ScreenStrong library of videos, audio clips, interviews, e-books, handouts, and more!
Want to help spread the ScreenStrong message to your community? Consider becoming a ScreenStrong Ambassador!

ScreenStrong Tech Recommendations

Gabb Wireless—Smartphone Replacement (use code STRONG for discount)
Canopy—Device Filter (use code STRONG for discount)

Production Team:

Host: Melanie Hempe
Producer & Audio Editor: Olivia Kernekin

Growing Up Without a Smartphone with Joel May (#93) Mar 16, 2022

Today Melanie welcomes Joel May, a Youth Pastor and a Director of Youth Ministries at a local church in North Carolina. One of the unique things about Joel is that he was raised without a smartphone or video games. This lack of toxic technology growing up allowed for him to develop his identity independent of others or needing external validation through social media. He found his identity through extracurricular activities ranging from music, athletics, and theater to his church involvement with various community service projects. He attributes his unique outlook to his parents, who raised him and his siblings with a strong sense of work ethic, responsibility, and independence to develop strong life skills.

In this episode, Melanie and Joel discuss the addiction and dependency on screens by teenagers and the struggle it presents for families. He provides his perspective on how toxic technology use becomes a barrier to connection, fellowship, and community building, and goes against the fundamentals of what it means to be human. Melanie and Joel discuss the difficult subject of pornography, and Joel shares his perspective on how exposure to pornography is affecting our children and our culture through toxic technology. Joel offers us his thoughts on what to do if you find your child using pornography, and he also provides us with a list of skills and advantages that kids with low-tech exposure can develop.

Support the show

Don't forget to subscribe, rate, and leave a review if you enjoy the episode. Your feedback helps us bring you more of the content you love. Stay Strong!

Start your ScreenStrong Journey today!
Become a Connect Member to get access to our exclusive online forum, the 30-Day ScreenStrong Challenge, LIVE webinars with medical experts, and the entire ScreenStrong library of videos, audio clips, interviews, e-books, handouts, and more!
Want to help spread the ScreenStrong message to your community? Consider becoming a ScreenStrong Ambassador!

ScreenStrong Tech Recommendations

Gabb Wireless—Smartphone Replacement (use code STRONG for discount)
Canopy—Device Filter (use code STRONG for discount)

Production Team:

Host: Melanie Hempe
Producer & Audio Editor: Olivia Kernekin

How School Screens Impact Social Emotional Learning with Dr. Richard Freed (#92) Mar 09, 2022

Today, Melanie welcomes back Dr. Richard Freed, author of Wired Child and a practicing Clinical Psychologist and supervisor studying the effects of technology on children. He is on the advisory board of ScreenStrong and is a contributor to many well-respected publications. A link to Dr. Freed’s article, The Tech Industry’s War on Kids, is included in the show notes.

Melanie asks Richard to provide our listeners his perspective on frequently asked questions from parents related to screens in the classroom, how to modify and/or request help with reducing screen use for homework, how to request a support letter for an in-school accommodation for your child, and one of the most difficult questions to answer, what to say to your child that is struggling with addictive behaviors.

Their discussion addresses how technology has changed the school experience and learning opportunities for our children, which have significantly impacted children's development of Social Emotional Learning (SEL), which encompasses the growth of personal identity, communication, empathy, and healthy connections with parents, teachers, and coaches within the overall community setting. Lastly, Melanie and Richard provide an overview of tips pulled from their conversation today with an emphasis on strong parenting, reducing screens in schools, and re-establishing the strong guidance and love our kids need from us from elementary through high school and beyond.

REFERENCES: The Tech Industry’s War on Kids by Dr. Richard Freed

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Want to help spread the ScreenStrong message to your community? Consider becoming a ScreenStrong Ambassador!

ScreenStrong Tech Recommendations

Gabb Wireless—Smartphone Replacement (use code STRONG for discount)
Canopy—Device Filter (use code STRONG for discount)

Production Team:

Host: Melanie Hempe
Producer & Audio Editor: Olivia Kernekin

Debunking Screen Myths with Andrew & Evan Hempe (#91) Mar 02, 2022

For today’s episode, Evan and Andrew Hempe respond to common questions from parents about toxic screen use, drawing from their own experiences growing up without video games, smartphones, or social media.

Evan and Andrew are Juniors in high school who are enjoying and thriving on living a full ScreenStrong lifestyle. They are both active in multiple extracurricular activities, including sports and music—as well as actively learning life skills like finding their way around town with a paper map without depending on GPS for directions!

Listen and be inspired as the Hempe boys—in their eloquent way—dispel some of the myths of technology that fool many parents, and also encourage parents to spend daily quality time with their children and to love them enough to say no to toxic screens.

Support the show

Don't forget to subscribe, rate, and leave a review if you enjoy the episode. Your feedback helps us bring you more of the content you love. Stay Strong!

Start your ScreenStrong Journey today!
Become a Connect Member to get access to our exclusive online forum, the 30-Day ScreenStrong Challenge, LIVE webinars with medical experts, and the entire ScreenStrong library of videos, audio clips, interviews, e-books, handouts, and more!
Want to help spread the ScreenStrong message to your community? Consider becoming a ScreenStrong Ambassador!

ScreenStrong Tech Recommendations

Gabb Wireless—Smartphone Replacement (use code STRONG for discount)
Canopy—Device Filter (use code STRONG for discount)

Production Team:

Host: Melanie Hempe
Producer & Audio Editor: Olivia Kernekin

Questioning Smartphone Contracts (#90) Feb 23, 2022

In this episode, Melanie tackles two of the most common issues concerning smartphones and your kids and teens: the age of 13 as the "appropriate age" of having a smartphone and the concept of phone contracts.

For the first issue, Melanie responds to the question of "Why do parents believe that 13 has become the new age of adulthood on the internet?" The answer may surprise you. For the second issue, Melanie challenges the concept of the family phone contract. She stresses that healthy activities do not require contracts, which leads to the question, how is your family's phone contract working for you?

Episode References:
COPPA imposes certain requirements on operators of websites or online services directed to children under 13 years of age, and on operators of other websites or online services that have actual knowledge that they are collecting personal information online from a child under 13 years of age. (REFERENCE)

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Don't forget to subscribe, rate, and leave a review if you enjoy the episode. Your feedback helps us bring you more of the content you love. Stay Strong!

Start your ScreenStrong Journey today!
Become a Connect Member to get access to our exclusive online forum, the 30-Day ScreenStrong Challenge, LIVE webinars with medical experts, and the entire ScreenStrong library of videos, audio clips, interviews, e-books, handouts, and more!
Want to help spread the ScreenStrong message to your community? Consider becoming a ScreenStrong Ambassador!

ScreenStrong Tech Recommendations

Gabb Wireless—Smartphone Replacement (use code STRONG for discount)
Canopy—Device Filter (use code STRONG for discount)

Production Team:

Host: Melanie Hempe
Producer & Audio Editor: Olivia Kernekin

A Teacher’s Perspective with Teralea Moore (#89) Feb 16, 2022

In today’s episode, Melanie welcomes her longtime friend, Teralea Moore, who is a mother and college math professor with 20+ years of teaching in the classroom. Teralea has taught in high school, community college, and private college settings, and she shares with us her experiences of how technology has changed her classroom experience over the years.

Teralea discusses the differences in an online learning platform versus in-person learning and emphasizes how teaching is truly a hands-on experience for both the student and the teacher, optimizing active learning and group collaboration—important skills for our children to develop. Teralea discusses the timing of when calculators or other web-based tools are introduced, the use of computers for note-taking, Google’s influence on homework and test-taking, the difficulties in learning from video-based teaching models, and the smartphone’s role in cheating.

Teralea encourages parents to help their children create effective and quiet homework areas that limit distractions of noise and cellphone use, and emphasize the use of textbooks and on building focused learning habits. She offers tips for parents to help their children build the necessary skills and habits through elementary and high school years that will help prepare them for their future college years.

This episode is full of ideas and tips to help you in whatever stage of schooling your children are at as we focus on the basic skills to build a foundation for your future college students to launch from.

Support the show

Don't forget to subscribe, rate, and leave a review if you enjoy the episode. Your feedback helps us bring you more of the content you love. Stay Strong!

Start your ScreenStrong Journey today!
Become a Connect Member to get access to our exclusive online forum, the 30-Day ScreenStrong Challenge, LIVE webinars with medical experts, and the entire ScreenStrong library of videos, audio clips, interviews, e-books, handouts, and more!
Want to help spread the ScreenStrong message to your community? Consider becoming a ScreenStrong Ambassador!

ScreenStrong Tech Recommendations

Gabb Wireless—Smartphone Replacement (use code STRONG for discount)
Canopy—Device Filter (use code STRONG for discount)

Production Team:

Host: Melanie Hempe
Producer & Audio Editor: Olivia Kernekin

Social Media’s Effect on Girls (#88) Feb 09, 2022

Did you know that since 2007, suicide rates have doubled and that since 2010, rates of depression, self-harm, and suicide have increased more in girls than boys? Did you know that girls are 3 times more likely to be depressed than boys? Listen in as Melanie delves into the link between social media use and how it is adversely affecting the development of self-esteem, identity formation, interpersonal relational skills, and emotional well-being in girls. She also discusses how social media use reduces intellectual abilities, impulse control, one’s immune system, and sleep. Lastly, Melanie emphasizes the importance of family and parental connection and recommends several interventions parents can put into action today. Whether you have a daughter or not, this is an episode you will not want to miss.

Other Citations: Decreases in psychological well-being among American adolescents after 2012 and links to screen time during the rise of smartphone technology.

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Don't forget to subscribe, rate, and leave a review if you enjoy the episode. Your feedback helps us bring you more of the content you love. Stay Strong!

Start your ScreenStrong Journey today!
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Want to help spread the ScreenStrong message to your community? Consider becoming a ScreenStrong Ambassador!

ScreenStrong Tech Recommendations

Gabb Wireless—Smartphone Replacement (use code STRONG for discount)
Canopy—Device Filter (use code STRONG for discount)

Production Team:

Host: Melanie Hempe
Producer & Audio Editor: Olivia Kernekin

Mastering the Flip Phone: A ScreenStrong Family's Story with Amy & Aubrey (#87) Feb 02, 2022

Melanie is joined by longtime friend, Amy Eytchison, and her daughter, Aubrey. This lively group discusses growing up countercultural, having a flip phone in middle school (*gasp*), and cultivating healthy habits. Amy and Aubrey offer advice for both parents and teens on how to navigate "being different" and completely thrive while doing it. Prepare yourself for an abundance of joy and laughter in this episode!

Support the show

Don't forget to subscribe, rate, and leave a review if you enjoy the episode. Your feedback helps us bring you more of the content you love. Stay Strong!

Start your ScreenStrong Journey today!
Become a Connect Member to get access to our exclusive online forum, the 30-Day ScreenStrong Challenge, LIVE webinars with medical experts, and the entire ScreenStrong library of videos, audio clips, interviews, e-books, handouts, and more!
Want to help spread the ScreenStrong message to your community? Consider becoming a ScreenStrong Ambassador!

ScreenStrong Tech Recommendations

Gabb Wireless—Smartphone Replacement (use code STRONG for discount)
Canopy—Device Filter (use code STRONG for discount)

Production Team:

Host: Melanie Hempe
Producer & Audio Editor: Olivia Kernekin

The Battle Against Screen Time with Officer Gomez (#86) Jan 26, 2022

Melanie welcomes Officer David Gomez, a School Resource Officer (SRO) and sworn Deputy of the Boise County Sheriff’s Department. Officer Gomez is the SRO for Idaho City High School, Middle School, and Elementary School. He also has an active and highly informative Facebook Page that he uses to educate parents on the dangers of Social Media and the internet.

Melanie and Officer Gomez delve deep into the many reasons and factors to consider when you make the decision to give your kid a smartphone. From social conformity to acknowledging and honoring your parental intuition to three of the biggest dangers of providing your kid a smartphone and allowing access to Social Media, this episode is overflowing with so much to consider when you ask yourself what your values are when raising your kids. They also explore the negative effects of porn on our children’s well-being and how it affects their future relationships, and they discuss the “Age of 13 Rule” and the misconceptions surrounding this assumption. Lastly, Officer Gomez points out the challenges the schools and the educational system are creating by the use of technology in the classroom and how our current pandemic has influenced and amplified these changes.

We’ve said it before, and we’ll say it again, this episode is not to be missed!

Make sure to follow Officer Gomez on Facebook.

Support the show

Don't forget to subscribe, rate, and leave a review if you enjoy the episode. Your feedback helps us bring you more of the content you love. Stay Strong!

Start your ScreenStrong Journey today!
Become a Connect Member to get access to our exclusive online forum, the 30-Day ScreenStrong Challenge, LIVE webinars with medical experts, and the entire ScreenStrong library of videos, audio clips, interviews, e-books, handouts, and more!
Want to help spread the ScreenStrong message to your community? Consider becoming a ScreenStrong Ambassador!

ScreenStrong Tech Recommendations

Gabb Wireless—Smartphone Replacement (use code STRONG for discount)
Canopy—Device Filter (use code STRONG for discount)

Production Team:

Host: Melanie Hempe
Producer & Audio Editor: Olivia Kernekin

Under the Radar: A ScreenStrong Family's Story with Gretchen Heinen (#85) Jan 19, 2022

In today’s episode, Mandee Hamann welcomes Gretchen Heinen, a mom of three, multi-entrepreneur, and creator of Dreams Over Screens, a 5-day challenge to reduce screens for adults in business. Gretchen shares her ScreenStrong story of overcoming “blind spots” when it came to screen use by her own kids and how screens used to influence her family’s culture and habits.

Join Gretchen as she takes us on the journey of changing her family culture and habits by implementing a ScreenStrong lifestyle. You’ll find inspiration in how she used the ScreenStrong Families Podcast as a way to educate her family and introduce the science and health risks associated with the overuse of screens… which led to her family taking The ScreenStrong Challenge. Gretchen and her family are now about three months into their ScreenStrong lifestyle, and she is so excited to share all of this with you.

If this episode inspires you to share your struggles and accomplishments in your family’s journey, we invite you to email us and let us know today!

Support the show

Don't forget to subscribe, rate, and leave a review if you enjoy the episode. Your feedback helps us bring you more of the content you love. Stay Strong!

Start your ScreenStrong Journey today!
Become a Connect Member to get access to our exclusive online forum, the 30-Day ScreenStrong Challenge, LIVE webinars with medical experts, and the entire ScreenStrong library of videos, audio clips, interviews, e-books, handouts, and more!
Want to help spread the ScreenStrong message to your community? Consider becoming a ScreenStrong Ambassador!

ScreenStrong Tech Recommendations

Gabb Wireless—Smartphone Replacement (use code STRONG for discount)
Canopy—Device Filter (use code STRONG for discount)

Production Team:

Host: Melanie Hempe
Producer & Audio Editor: Olivia Kernekin

The Five ScreenStrong Values (#84) Jan 12, 2022

Happy New Year!
To kick off our fourth season, Melanie Hempe reviews her observations from the holiday season and gives helpful tips for parents who are reconsidering screen time in their home. She also reviews ScreenStrong's bold message and core values to give your family the best chance for success in 2022.

Support the show

Don't forget to subscribe, rate, and leave a review if you enjoy the episode. Your feedback helps us bring you more of the content you love. Stay Strong!

Start your ScreenStrong Journey today!
Become a Connect Member to get access to our exclusive online forum, the 30-Day ScreenStrong Challenge, LIVE webinars with medical experts, and the entire ScreenStrong library of videos, audio clips, interviews, e-books, handouts, and more!
Want to help spread the ScreenStrong message to your community? Consider becoming a ScreenStrong Ambassador!

ScreenStrong Tech Recommendations

Gabb Wireless—Smartphone Replacement (use code STRONG for discount)
Canopy—Device Filter (use code STRONG for discount)

Production Team:

Host: Melanie Hempe
Producer & Audio Editor: Olivia Kernekin

Yearly Wrap-Up: 2021 Highlights (#83) Dec 29, 2021

Thank you all so much for listening and engaging with the podcast this year. Here are just a few highlights from our 2021 episodes and we look forward to seeing you in 2022!
Happy New Year!

Support the show

Don't forget to subscribe, rate, and leave a review if you enjoy the episode. Your feedback helps us bring you more of the content you love. Stay Strong!

Start your ScreenStrong Journey today!
Become a Connect Member to get access to our exclusive online forum, the 30-Day ScreenStrong Challenge, LIVE webinars with medical experts, and the entire ScreenStrong library of videos, audio clips, interviews, e-books, handouts, and more!
Want to help spread the ScreenStrong message to your community? Consider becoming a ScreenStrong Ambassador!

ScreenStrong Tech Recommendations

Gabb Wireless—Smartphone Replacement (use code STRONG for discount)
Canopy—Device Filter (use code STRONG for discount)

Production Team:

Host: Melanie Hempe
Producer & Audio Editor: Olivia Kernekin

Christmas Tips to Inspire Family Connections (#82) Dec 20, 2021

Melanie welcomes Olivia Kernekin for today's episode to highlight ScreenStrong's 10 tips to boost your family through holiday gift giving and family traditions. Olivia has worked with ScreenStrong since 2018. She earned a dual degree in English and Dramatic Arts from Centre College in Danville, Kentucky and has worked in medical, financial, theatrical, humanitarian, and childcare fields. She shares with us some of her personal anecdotes of her screen journey from childhood through college and provides a unique perspective for parents to consider when choosing to set forth on a screen strong lifestyle.

If you find yourself longing for a stronger family connection and are noticing that your child or teen is spending family time isolating on screens, then this is the episode to inspire you to make changes today. The holiday tips offered are practical, authentic and center around holiday activities enjoyed by many families during this special time of the year. Melanie and Olivia invite you to join them as they share how they practice these tips in their own families and you might even find a new tradition that may inspire you to explore with your family.

Support the show

Don't forget to subscribe, rate, and leave a review if you enjoy the episode. Your feedback helps us bring you more of the content you love. Stay Strong!

Start your ScreenStrong Journey today!
Become a Connect Member to get access to our exclusive online forum, the 30-Day ScreenStrong Challenge, LIVE webinars with medical experts, and the entire ScreenStrong library of videos, audio clips, interviews, e-books, handouts, and more!
Want to help spread the ScreenStrong message to your community? Consider becoming a ScreenStrong Ambassador!

ScreenStrong Tech Recommendations

Gabb Wireless—Smartphone Replacement (use code STRONG for discount)
Canopy—Device Filter (use code STRONG for discount)

Production Team:

Host: Melanie Hempe
Producer & Audio Editor: Olivia Kernekin

The Ultimate Gift List with Andrew and Evan Hempe (#81) Dec 13, 2021

In today’s special episode, Andrew and Evan Hempe answer the question many parents are facing this holiday season, “The only items on my child’s Christmas list are video games, smartphones, and social media, etc. What should I do and what else should I get my kids?”

Andrew and Evan share their thoughts on the use of toxic technology while providing a fun and very creative list of non-tech gift suggestions from A to Z. You will find suggestions appropriate for all ages, for girls and boys, that promote real life connections, social and individual skill development that technology just cannot provide to growing children. We hope you find this episode inspiring and encouraging as you either start or continue your ScreenStrong Lifestyle.

Support the show

Don't forget to subscribe, rate, and leave a review if you enjoy the episode. Your feedback helps us bring you more of the content you love. Stay Strong!

Start your ScreenStrong Journey today!
Become a Connect Member to get access to our exclusive online forum, the 30-Day ScreenStrong Challenge, LIVE webinars with medical experts, and the entire ScreenStrong library of videos, audio clips, interviews, e-books, handouts, and more!
Want to help spread the ScreenStrong message to your community? Consider becoming a ScreenStrong Ambassador!

ScreenStrong Tech Recommendations

Gabb Wireless—Smartphone Replacement (use code STRONG for discount)
Canopy—Device Filter (use code STRONG for discount)

Production Team:

Host: Melanie Hempe
Producer & Audio Editor: Olivia Kernekin

Screen Kids: In Their Own Words (#80) Dec 02, 2021

Today Melanie shares a generous and priceless gift from our recent guest, Arlene Pellicane, co-author of Screen Kids: In Their Own Words.
Arlene granted permission for ScreenStrong to play the audio of her film, and we couldn’t be more excited to share this with you all! For those families who have asked us for something they can share with their kids and teens to help them understand the “why” of living ScreenStrong, here is your episode!

“WHEN PARENTS WATCH this film, they will be educated about what is possible and why your kids don't have to follow the crowd to digital addiction.”

“WHEN KIDS WATCH, they'll see there's much more to life than YouTube, video games, and TikTok.”

This episode is a must-listen, must-share, and will encourage you to continue being your own family’s ScreenStrong Coach!

To watch the full version of Screen Kids: In Their Own Words, The Film with your family, visit https://www.happyhomeuniversity.com/film

Support the show

Don't forget to subscribe, rate, and leave a review if you enjoy the episode. Your feedback helps us bring you more of the content you love. Stay Strong!

Start your ScreenStrong Journey today!
Become a Connect Member to get access to our exclusive online forum, the 30-Day ScreenStrong Challenge, LIVE webinars with medical experts, and the entire ScreenStrong library of videos, audio clips, interviews, e-books, handouts, and more!
Want to help spread the ScreenStrong message to your community? Consider becoming a ScreenStrong Ambassador!

ScreenStrong Tech Recommendations

Gabb Wireless—Smartphone Replacement (use code STRONG for discount)
Canopy—Device Filter (use code STRONG for discount)

Production Team:

Host: Melanie Hempe
Producer & Audio Editor: Olivia Kernekin

How to Raise ScreenStrong Kids the Easy Way with Arlene Pellicane (#79) Dec 02, 2021

Today, Melanie speaks with Arlene Pellicane, co-author of Screen Kids: 5 Relational Skills Every Child Needs in a Tech-Driven World with Gary Chapman.

Arlene and Melanie talk about raising kids without addictive screens, how to encourage your children to stand out from the crowd, and tips for parenting ScreenStrong kids. Arlene also talks about the film she made with her children where they reflect on their childhoods and the benefits of growing up ScreenStrong.
Get ready for an emotional discussion of what it means to be a parent and how to give your kids & teens the childhood they deserve.
You can find Screen Kids: In Their Own Words, The Film on Arlene's website

Support the show

Don't forget to subscribe, rate, and leave a review if you enjoy the episode. Your feedback helps us bring you more of the content you love. Stay Strong!

Start your ScreenStrong Journey today!
Become a Connect Member to get access to our exclusive online forum, the 30-Day ScreenStrong Challenge, LIVE webinars with medical experts, and the entire ScreenStrong library of videos, audio clips, interviews, e-books, handouts, and more!
Want to help spread the ScreenStrong message to your community? Consider becoming a ScreenStrong Ambassador!

ScreenStrong Tech Recommendations

Gabb Wireless—Smartphone Replacement (use code STRONG for discount)
Canopy—Device Filter (use code STRONG for discount)

Production Team:

Host: Melanie Hempe
Producer & Audio Editor: Olivia Kernekin

Building First Impressions and People Skills with Kirt Manecke (#78) Nov 24, 2021

Mandee Hamann welcomes Kirt Manecke, a marketing, fundraising, and business development specialist and author of Smile & Succeed for Teens: Must-Know People Skills for Today’s Wired World.

Kirt shares the change in teens' development of social skills that inspired him to write his book in order to help teens and young adults build skills and become successful. He perfectly highlights basic tips for teens such as how to interview and get a job, develop customer service skills, volunteer successfully to aid in the development of leadership skills, and build self-esteem and confidence that teens and young adults are not able to learn from a screen.

This episode will motivate parents to talk and encourage their teens to get a summer job or to start volunteering in a community organization and build those life skills!

Support the show

Don't forget to subscribe, rate, and leave a review if you enjoy the episode. Your feedback helps us bring you more of the content you love. Stay Strong!

Start your ScreenStrong Journey today!
Become a Connect Member to get access to our exclusive online forum, the 30-Day ScreenStrong Challenge, LIVE webinars with medical experts, and the entire ScreenStrong library of videos, audio clips, interviews, e-books, handouts, and more!
Want to help spread the ScreenStrong message to your community? Consider becoming a ScreenStrong Ambassador!

ScreenStrong Tech Recommendations

Gabb Wireless—Smartphone Replacement (use code STRONG for discount)
Canopy—Device Filter (use code STRONG for discount)

Production Team:

Host: Melanie Hempe
Producer & Audio Editor: Olivia Kernekin

A Place to Belong with Melanie Hempe (#77) Nov 17, 2021

Today, Mandee Hamann welcomes our own founder, Melanie Hempe, to talk about ScreenStrong’s new initiatives launching next month. She introduces ScreenStrong’s new Member Portal which will ultimately strengthen our community and help families create positive change.

Melanie shares her passionate vision and hard work over the last eight years that's accumulated into offering the exclusive content to our members. It’s been her goal to create a safe place to grow ScreenStrong and establish a culture of belonging. She describes the newly revised Kids’ Brains & Screens Online Course, our new 30-Day Challenge, and bonus content of e-books, worksheets, Q&A interviews, and webinars.

The Member Portal content is endorsed and supported by experts in the field of child & adolescent psychiatry and psychology, as well as by other professionals in related fields.

Support the show

Don't forget to subscribe, rate, and leave a review if you enjoy the episode. Your feedback helps us bring you more of the content you love. Stay Strong!

Start your ScreenStrong Journey today!
Become a Connect Member to get access to our exclusive online forum, the 30-Day ScreenStrong Challenge, LIVE webinars with medical experts, and the entire ScreenStrong library of videos, audio clips, interviews, e-books, handouts, and more!
Want to help spread the ScreenStrong message to your community? Consider becoming a ScreenStrong Ambassador!

ScreenStrong Tech Recommendations

Gabb Wireless—Smartphone Replacement (use code STRONG for discount)
Canopy—Device Filter (use code STRONG for discount)

Production Team:

Host: Melanie Hempe
Producer & Audio Editor: Olivia Kernekin

“When You Know Better, You Do Better” with Brandie Hadfield (#76) Nov 10, 2021

Today Melanie is joined by Brandie Hadfield, a Certified Attachment Parenting Educator and Certified Family Health Coach. She is a mother to two boys and a new ScreenStrong Ambassador who shares her story of how she changed her family’s lifestyle and began parenting without screens.

Brandie and her family are six months into their ScreenStrong journey with a very clear “before” and “after.” She shares how self-judgement colored her ability to create effective limits with her kids, which is a common struggle for parents wanting to do the “right thing” for their children. Brandie introduced the concept of a 30-day screen break to her family, using a team approach to making changes in her family’s habits. She shares how this screen break led her to the ScreenStrong community, giving her the opportunity to be more informed and educated in how screen exposure was affecting her children’s development.
Brandie is passionate and joyful about sharing her family’s achievements by choosing real life over a virtual, disconnected world. This episode is encouraging, uplifting, and inspiring. You will want to share this one with a friend.

Support the show

Don't forget to subscribe, rate, and leave a review if you enjoy the episode. Your feedback helps us bring you more of the content you love. Stay Strong!

Start your ScreenStrong Journey today!
Become a Connect Member to get access to our exclusive online forum, the 30-Day ScreenStrong Challenge, LIVE webinars with medical experts, and the entire ScreenStrong library of videos, audio clips, interviews, e-books, handouts, and more!
Want to help spread the ScreenStrong message to your community? Consider becoming a ScreenStrong Ambassador!

ScreenStrong Tech Recommendations

Gabb Wireless—Smartphone Replacement (use code STRONG for discount)
Canopy—Device Filter (use code STRONG for discount)

Production Team:

Host: Melanie Hempe
Producer & Audio Editor: Olivia Kernekin

The Hero’s Journey and Immersive Gaming with Dr. Huu Kim Le (#75) Nov 03, 2021

Today, Melanie talks with Dr. Kim Le, a child and adolescent psychiatrist based in Adelaide, Australia. He completed his psychiatry training in New South Wales and in 2015, Dr. Le received a federal grant to collaborate with an Internet Gaming Addiction Clinic for teenagers in Singapore. He has a special interest in “Gaming Disorder," which was recognized by the World Health Organization in 2018 as a mental health disorder.

Dr. Le shares his professional journey that led to his interest and passion in treating families struggling with gaming addiction, and he is committed to increasing community awareness of the negative effects of online games on a child’s development.

Melanie and Dr. Le discuss how the game designers capitalize on the business aspect of video games that leads to the scientific development of the immersive design that hooks the player. Dr. Le introduces the idea of "The Hero's Journey" archetype that appears to meet the psychological needs of children that disconnects them from reality. They discuss why moderation is not encouraged, but rather to change the focus on family values in changing your family's routines. Identification and prevention of screen addiction is also discussed as Dr. Le shares stories of families he has worked with struggling to address issues of gaming addiction with their children. This is a must-listen episode for all parents, and we encourage you to share this with friends as this would be the perfect episode to start a podcast discussion group and grow your own ScreenStrong community.
Dr. Kim Le's TedTalk: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qJ7A74Vx7YE&t=55s&ab_channel=TEDxTalks

Learn more about Dr. Le's practice here: https://cgiclinic.com/about-the-doctor/

Support the show

Don't forget to subscribe, rate, and leave a review if you enjoy the episode. Your feedback helps us bring you more of the content you love. Stay Strong!

Start your ScreenStrong Journey today!
Become a Connect Member to get access to our exclusive online forum, the 30-Day ScreenStrong Challenge, LIVE webinars with medical experts, and the entire ScreenStrong library of videos, audio clips, interviews, e-books, handouts, and more!
Want to help spread the ScreenStrong message to your community? Consider becoming a ScreenStrong Ambassador!

ScreenStrong Tech Recommendations

Gabb Wireless—Smartphone Replacement (use code STRONG for discount)
Canopy—Device Filter (use code STRONG for discount)

Production Team:

Host: Melanie Hempe
Producer & Audio Editor: Olivia Kernekin

Wired Child, Part 2: Solutions with Dr. Richard Freed (#74) Oct 27, 2021

Join Melanie in Part 2 of her conversation with Dr. Richard Freed, author of our book of the month, Wired Child. Dr. Freed is a practicing Clinical Psychologist and supervisor studying the effects of technology on children and speaking on parenting in the age of digital technology. He is also on the advisory board of ScreenStrong and the Campaign for a Commercial-Free Childhood's Children's Screen Time Action Network, and a contributor to the Huffington Post.

In this episode, Dr. Freed introduces solutions and what to watch out for in your elementary through high school age children. Dr. Freed describes the two characteristics of authoritative parenting, which science backs as the best way to parent your children. Melanie and Dr. Freed discuss how technology displaces the family bonds, and thus, the primary solution is to bring your child back to the family and away from toxic technology use. He discusses how dependency on screens can look for children in elementary, middle, and high school, and what problems or issues that arise and are red flags to parents. This episode touches on gender differences in technology use, extrinsic versus intrinsic motivators, and suggestions on how to replace screens with a focus on family and community.

Support the show

Don't forget to subscribe, rate, and leave a review if you enjoy the episode. Your feedback helps us bring you more of the content you love. Stay Strong!

Start your ScreenStrong Journey today!
Become a Connect Member to get access to our exclusive online forum, the 30-Day ScreenStrong Challenge, LIVE webinars with medical experts, and the entire ScreenStrong library of videos, audio clips, interviews, e-books, handouts, and more!
Want to help spread the ScreenStrong message to your community? Consider becoming a ScreenStrong Ambassador!

ScreenStrong Tech Recommendations

Gabb Wireless—Smartphone Replacement (use code STRONG for discount)
Canopy—Device Filter (use code STRONG for discount)

Production Team:

Host: Melanie Hempe
Producer & Audio Editor: Olivia Kernekin

Screen Use and Kids' Eye Health with Dr. Janet Wilson, OD, FCOVD, Optometrist (#73) Oct 20, 2021

Today Melanie talks with Pediatric Optometrist, Dr. Janet Wilson, who has practiced as a developmental functional vision specialist over the past 13 years. Janet is also mother to a 3-year old son and is actively parenting a low-tech lifestyle with him.

Janet discusses how visual development is linked to other childhood developmental milestones that actually assist children in gaining 17 visual skills as they grow. She goes on to explain what is at risk when we interrupt child development with exposure to hand-held screens and how we may be unknowingly affecting our children’s lifelong skill development.

Janet also identifies three problem areas she sees in her field of practice that are related to the overuse of screens: vision and learning, the increase in diagnosis of myopia or nearsightedness, and the increase in dry-eye disease in teenagers.

This episode is wonderfully educational as well as encouraging parents to protect eye health by less exposure to screens and more interactive play in nature and in our daily lives as we are raising our children.

Support the show

Don't forget to subscribe, rate, and leave a review if you enjoy the episode. Your feedback helps us bring you more of the content you love. Stay Strong!

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Become a Connect Member to get access to our exclusive online forum, the 30-Day ScreenStrong Challenge, LIVE webinars with medical experts, and the entire ScreenStrong library of videos, audio clips, interviews, e-books, handouts, and more!
Want to help spread the ScreenStrong message to your community? Consider becoming a ScreenStrong Ambassador!

ScreenStrong Tech Recommendations

Gabb Wireless—Smartphone Replacement (use code STRONG for discount)
Canopy—Device Filter (use code STRONG for discount)

Production Team:

Host: Melanie Hempe
Producer & Audio Editor: Olivia Kernekin

We Are Wired Human with Jason and Lisa Frost (#72) Oct 13, 2021

In today's episode, Mandee is joined by Jason and Lisa Frost, founders of the nonprofit organization, Wired Human, and authors of the book, The Glass Between Us: Empowering Youth to Combat Digital Exploitation - A Value-Based Approach to Screen-Driven Challenges. They have worked with teens, individually and together, for almost a decade through speaking engagements, nature-focused camps, and teaching in community-based settings. Jason and Lisa share their passion and enthusiasm in encouraging the next generation, our teens, to be digital pioneers in tackling the challenges toxic screen use presents to their enjoyment in living a full life. The values of authenticity, leadership, and the power of presence in cultivating deep, fulfilling relationships are the focus to help teens create the future they desire.

Their primary message is one of hope and that "you are enough" in this digital age. They encourage teens to socially connect with each other in real life to discover the truth of the inherent value of themselves, and ultimately their generation, that cannot be found through a screen.

In listening to this episode, you will find yourself inspired by their message and ready to help your teen, as well as your family, start the journey of self-discovery through building real-life relationships.

Support the show

Don't forget to subscribe, rate, and leave a review if you enjoy the episode. Your feedback helps us bring you more of the content you love. Stay Strong!

Start your ScreenStrong Journey today!
Become a Connect Member to get access to our exclusive online forum, the 30-Day ScreenStrong Challenge, LIVE webinars with medical experts, and the entire ScreenStrong library of videos, audio clips, interviews, e-books, handouts, and more!
Want to help spread the ScreenStrong message to your community? Consider becoming a ScreenStrong Ambassador!

ScreenStrong Tech Recommendations

Gabb Wireless—Smartphone Replacement (use code STRONG for discount)
Canopy—Device Filter (use code STRONG for discount)

Production Team:

Host: Melanie Hempe
Producer & Audio Editor: Olivia Kernekin

The Wired Child with Dr. Richard Freed (#71) Oct 06, 2021

Dr. Richard Freed, author of our book of the month, Wired Child, is a practicing Clinical Psychologist and supervisor studying the effects of technology on children. He is on the advisory board of ScreenStrong as well as a contributor to many publications.

In part 1 of 2 interviews, Melanie and Richard share a passionate conversation about the lies and myths being promoted by the tech industry and how it has manipulated the way we have parented over the last 15+ years. They discuss how under the guise of “empowerment” and “getting ahead,” the tech industry sold us myths that we grabbed hold of and continue to cling to as technology exploded with popularity in our culture. In actuality, the effects of toxic screen use and media exposure is constantly undermining the two most important factors in our children’s well-being: family connections and school engagement.

This episode is one that you will want to listen to at least twice and inspire you to join us in reading Dr. Fred’s book, Wired Child: Reclaiming Childhood in a Digital Age.

Stay tuned for Part 2 when Melanie and Richard talk about solutions.

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Don't forget to subscribe, rate, and leave a review if you enjoy the episode. Your feedback helps us bring you more of the content you love. Stay Strong!

Start your ScreenStrong Journey today!
Become a Connect Member to get access to our exclusive online forum, the 30-Day ScreenStrong Challenge, LIVE webinars with medical experts, and the entire ScreenStrong library of videos, audio clips, interviews, e-books, handouts, and more!
Want to help spread the ScreenStrong message to your community? Consider becoming a ScreenStrong Ambassador!

ScreenStrong Tech Recommendations

Gabb Wireless—Smartphone Replacement (use code STRONG for discount)
Canopy—Device Filter (use code STRONG for discount)

Production Team:

Host: Melanie Hempe
Producer & Audio Editor: Olivia Kernekin

Why Media Violence Is More Harmful Than You Think with Lt. Col. Dave Grossman (#70) Sep 29, 2021

Today's discussion is the second part of our book of the month, Assassination Generation: Video Games, Aggression, and the Psychology of Killing, written by Lt. Col. David Grossman.

Melanie and Lt. Col. Grossman discuss what he views as the “single greatest threat to our civilization”—our children’s exposure to violent visual imagery perpetuated by the Media industry at large. Lt. Col Grossman points out the Media’s double message in their acknowledgment of their influence on society while rejecting any responsibility in the content of what they are streaming to our society.

This interview is packed with information on the key factors that have influenced the dramatic rise in teen suicide to how violent media content is processed by our kids’ brains. Melanie also dives into the process of the ScreenStrong Challenge and identifies it as a starting point for families to begin detoxing from toxic screen use. Lastly, Lt. Col. Grossman offers essential encouragement to families who are struggling to find hope in bringing back childhood to their children.

Support the show

Don't forget to subscribe, rate, and leave a review if you enjoy the episode. Your feedback helps us bring you more of the content you love. Stay Strong!

Start your ScreenStrong Journey today!
Become a Connect Member to get access to our exclusive online forum, the 30-Day ScreenStrong Challenge, LIVE webinars with medical experts, and the entire ScreenStrong library of videos, audio clips, interviews, e-books, handouts, and more!
Want to help spread the ScreenStrong message to your community? Consider becoming a ScreenStrong Ambassador!

ScreenStrong Tech Recommendations

Gabb Wireless—Smartphone Replacement (use code STRONG for discount)
Canopy—Device Filter (use code STRONG for discount)

Production Team:

Host: Melanie Hempe
Producer & Audio Editor: Olivia Kernekin

Dads, Kids & Video Games Webinar (#69) Sep 28, 2021

Are video games hurting your relationship with your kids? Have you lost your kids to their screens? Are you desperate to get them back? Imagine never having screen conflict in your home again!

As a dad, have you ever asked:

Is playing video games with my kids a good bonding activity?
Am I connecting with my kids as much as a think I am?
Aren't screens the primary way parents spend time with their kids?

Join ScreenStrong and James & Arlene Pellicane in an exclusive webinar for dads. Listen to James describe how he has solved the screen dilemma in his home by establishing healthier bonding activities with his kids.
Audience Q&A included.

Support the show

Don't forget to subscribe, rate, and leave a review if you enjoy the episode. Your feedback helps us bring you more of the content you love. Stay Strong!

Start your ScreenStrong Journey today!
Become a Connect Member to get access to our exclusive online forum, the 30-Day ScreenStrong Challenge, LIVE webinars with medical experts, and the entire ScreenStrong library of videos, audio clips, interviews, e-books, handouts, and more!
Want to help spread the ScreenStrong message to your community? Consider becoming a ScreenStrong Ambassador!

ScreenStrong Tech Recommendations

Gabb Wireless—Smartphone Replacement (use code STRONG for discount)
Canopy—Device Filter (use code STRONG for discount)

Production Team:

Host: Melanie Hempe
Producer & Audio Editor: Olivia Kernekin

Open, Honest Conversations About Pornography with Marilyn Evans (#68) Sep 22, 2021

Today Melanie speaks with Marilyn Evans, a mom of 5 boys and the director of Parents Aware, a resource she launched in 2016 with the goal of educating and helping parents begin to have open, honest and compassionate conversations with their children about relationships, sex and pornography.

Melanie and Marilyn discuss common blind spots parents have regarding pornography. They talk about how to build safer habits through having open and honest conversations with your children. Marilyn offers tips for both younger and older children that include taking advantage of daily moments, a focus on values, and using available resources to help guide the conversation.

Please join us in listening in to this simple, yet profound interview as Melanie and Marilyn encourage parents to be bold and brave in talking with their children about topics many of us find difficult to navigate.

Support the show

Don't forget to subscribe, rate, and leave a review if you enjoy the episode. Your feedback helps us bring you more of the content you love. Stay Strong!

Start your ScreenStrong Journey today!
Become a Connect Member to get access to our exclusive online forum, the 30-Day ScreenStrong Challenge, LIVE webinars with medical experts, and the entire ScreenStrong library of videos, audio clips, interviews, e-books, handouts, and more!
Want to help spread the ScreenStrong message to your community? Consider becoming a ScreenStrong Ambassador!

ScreenStrong Tech Recommendations

Gabb Wireless—Smartphone Replacement (use code STRONG for discount)
Canopy—Device Filter (use code STRONG for discount)

Production Team:

Host: Melanie Hempe
Producer & Audio Editor: Olivia Kernekin

Building Family Culture with Steve and Candice Watters (#67) Sep 15, 2021

Today, Melanie talks with Steve and Candice Watters, a married couple dedicated and passionate about helping and supporting young families. They have four children—13 to 22—whom they have raised ScreenStrong.

Steve and Candice share their “light bulb moments” that led to their realization and diligence in becoming intentional parents. They identified a focus and practice of building relationships with their children, building alternatives to what was being offered culturally, and being intentional about the culture of their home. They offer tips and guidance on how to introduce new habits and limits to create ways of reshaping your kids’ “appetites” for non-screen activities. Steve and Candice provide encouragement and remind us that “you are your child’s favorite toy,” and caution us on the small window of time we all truly have in building healthy families.

This is an episode to inspire you to reassess your family’s culture, reassess your spousal and parental bonds, and begin to cultivate alternative family choices and habits.

Support the show

Don't forget to subscribe, rate, and leave a review if you enjoy the episode. Your feedback helps us bring you more of the content you love. Stay Strong!

Start your ScreenStrong Journey today!
Become a Connect Member to get access to our exclusive online forum, the 30-Day ScreenStrong Challenge, LIVE webinars with medical experts, and the entire ScreenStrong library of videos, audio clips, interviews, e-books, handouts, and more!
Want to help spread the ScreenStrong message to your community? Consider becoming a ScreenStrong Ambassador!

ScreenStrong Tech Recommendations

Gabb Wireless—Smartphone Replacement (use code STRONG for discount)
Canopy—Device Filter (use code STRONG for discount)

Production Team:

Host: Melanie Hempe
Producer & Audio Editor: Olivia Kernekin

Detrimental Effects of Media Violence on Children with Lt. Col. Dave Grossman (#66) Sep 08, 2021

This week we'll be hearing from Lt. Col. Dave Grossman, a US Army Ranger, paratrooper, former West Point Psychology Professor, and author of Assassination Generation: Video Games, Aggression, and the Psychology of Killing. Lt. Col. Grossman describes how playing "innocent" video games progress to addiction, why video games make kids aggressive, the dangers of operant and classical conditioning, and the mental, physical, and emotional turmoil children are experiencing due to a saturation of media violence.

Support the show

Don't forget to subscribe, rate, and leave a review if you enjoy the episode. Your feedback helps us bring you more of the content you love. Stay Strong!

Start your ScreenStrong Journey today!
Become a Connect Member to get access to our exclusive online forum, the 30-Day ScreenStrong Challenge, LIVE webinars with medical experts, and the entire ScreenStrong library of videos, audio clips, interviews, e-books, handouts, and more!
Want to help spread the ScreenStrong message to your community? Consider becoming a ScreenStrong Ambassador!

ScreenStrong Tech Recommendations

Gabb Wireless—Smartphone Replacement (use code STRONG for discount)
Canopy—Device Filter (use code STRONG for discount)

Production Team:

Host: Melanie Hempe
Producer & Audio Editor: Olivia Kernekin

Single Parenting the ScreenStrong Way with Candace Collins (#65) Sep 01, 2021

This week, Melanie talks with Candace Collins, a single parent of a 6-year old daughter living a Screen Strong lifestyle. Candace works in Social Media and Digital Marketing and is well aware of the pull that hand held devices have on our daily lives.

Candace shares her parenting journey of how she began to notice the toxic effects of screen use and how she made the choice to live counter culturally to provide her daughter a nurturing and connected environment. She offers tips and simple suggestions on how to cultivate connection, creativity, and reduce the use of toxic screens in parenting your young child.

This is an episode you have been waiting for and one that you will want to listen to more than once.

Support the show

Don't forget to subscribe, rate, and leave a review if you enjoy the episode. Your feedback helps us bring you more of the content you love. Stay Strong!

Start your ScreenStrong Journey today!
Become a Connect Member to get access to our exclusive online forum, the 30-Day ScreenStrong Challenge, LIVE webinars with medical experts, and the entire ScreenStrong library of videos, audio clips, interviews, e-books, handouts, and more!
Want to help spread the ScreenStrong message to your community? Consider becoming a ScreenStrong Ambassador!

ScreenStrong Tech Recommendations

Gabb Wireless—Smartphone Replacement (use code STRONG for discount)
Canopy—Device Filter (use code STRONG for discount)

Production Team:

Host: Melanie Hempe
Producer & Audio Editor: Olivia Kernekin

How Screens Are Changing the Social & Academic Culture for Students with Joe Clement (#64) Aug 20, 2021

Today, Melanie is joined by Joe Clement, a teacher, parent of three, and co-author of Screen Schooled with Matt Miles. Joe is in his 28th year of teaching and brings a unique perspective as he has witnessed the change technology has brought into both the classroom and the home environment.

Melanie and Joe discuss the mental health risk factors that are influenced by the toxic use of screens that result in loss of empathy, loss of awareness of facial/social cues, increased stress, and lack of development of essential interpersonal skills for our children. Joe shares how the social and academic culture within the school environment has been negatively influenced by the toxic use of screens resulting in increased distractibility, increased impulsivity to cheat, and decreased educational discussion in the classroom. Lastly, Joe provides encouragement and tips to parents and educators to improve the balance in their use of technology in the home and the classroom.

Support the show

Don't forget to subscribe, rate, and leave a review if you enjoy the episode. Your feedback helps us bring you more of the content you love. Stay Strong!

Start your ScreenStrong Journey today!
Become a Connect Member to get access to our exclusive online forum, the 30-Day ScreenStrong Challenge, LIVE webinars with medical experts, and the entire ScreenStrong library of videos, audio clips, interviews, e-books, handouts, and more!
Want to help spread the ScreenStrong message to your community? Consider becoming a ScreenStrong Ambassador!

ScreenStrong Tech Recommendations

Gabb Wireless—Smartphone Replacement (use code STRONG for discount)
Canopy—Device Filter (use code STRONG for discount)

Production Team:

Host: Melanie Hempe
Producer & Audio Editor: Olivia Kernekin

Social Media: A Teen’s Perspective with Noah Reid (#63) Aug 12, 2021

Today, guest host, Mandee Hamann interviews Noah Reid, a 17 year old High School student and Competitive Debater and Public Speaker.
Noah shares the back story on how he, at the age of 15, wrote a persuasive speech about Age Restricting Social Media. He credits his parents’ continued open communication about Social Media and how their wisdom influenced the development of his speech and his perspectives.
Noah encourages parents to talk openly with their teens and for teenagers to question their use of Social Media by asking simply, “How is this benefiting you?” and “What is the purpose [behind your use]?”
This is an amazingly insightful interview that is sure to inspire a conversation between you and your teen.

Support the show

Don't forget to subscribe, rate, and leave a review if you enjoy the episode. Your feedback helps us bring you more of the content you love. Stay Strong!

Start your ScreenStrong Journey today!
Become a Connect Member to get access to our exclusive online forum, the 30-Day ScreenStrong Challenge, LIVE webinars with medical experts, and the entire ScreenStrong library of videos, audio clips, interviews, e-books, handouts, and more!
Want to help spread the ScreenStrong message to your community? Consider becoming a ScreenStrong Ambassador!

ScreenStrong Tech Recommendations

Gabb Wireless—Smartphone Replacement (use code STRONG for discount)
Canopy—Device Filter (use code STRONG for discount)

Production Team:

Host: Melanie Hempe
Producer & Audio Editor: Olivia Kernekin

Kids Are Our Greatest Resource with Tom Hayes (#62) Aug 11, 2021

Today, guest host, Mandee Hamann, introduces Tom Hayes, who is a nationally recognized comedian, speaker, entrepreneur, writer, and creator of an animation titled Beantown Pals.

Tom shares his personal story of being diagnosed with an aggressive form of cancer at 13-years-old—learning that adversity leads to character development. Mandee and Tom discuss how the evolution of screens in our culture has changed how we parent, and Tom cautions parents that by taking away their child’s pain, it may be at the cost of their child’s character development. He urges families to consider that devices not only rob your child’s brain development, but also robs their emotional connections to the world. He encourages parents to make hard choices and ask themselves what they truly value as well as consider the legacy they are passing onto their family. Tom and Mandee’s conversation is engaging, thought provoking and straightforward—a quick listen that you’ll be glad you tuned in for.

Support the show

Don't forget to subscribe, rate, and leave a review if you enjoy the episode. Your feedback helps us bring you more of the content you love. Stay Strong!

Start your ScreenStrong Journey today!
Become a Connect Member to get access to our exclusive online forum, the 30-Day ScreenStrong Challenge, LIVE webinars with medical experts, and the entire ScreenStrong library of videos, audio clips, interviews, e-books, handouts, and more!
Want to help spread the ScreenStrong message to your community? Consider becoming a ScreenStrong Ambassador!

ScreenStrong Tech Recommendations

Gabb Wireless—Smartphone Replacement (use code STRONG for discount)
Canopy—Device Filter (use code STRONG for discount)

Production Team:

Host: Melanie Hempe
Producer & Audio Editor: Olivia Kernekin

Why Screens Are Failing Students and Frustrating Teachers with Matt Miles (#61) Aug 04, 2021

Melanie is joined by Matt Miles, a teacher and co-author of Screen Schooled: Two Veteran Teachers Expose How Technology Overuse Is Making Our Kids Dumber. Matt is a passionate educator and advocate for his students. In this interview, he gives a teacher's perspective on virtual learning during the Covid pandemic and the negative outcomes that educators, parents, and students are facing. With his uniquely bold convictions, Matt Miles talks about the counterproductive nature of "ed tech," the social anxiety that screens perpetuate in students, and tips for parents to communicate with educators regarding screen use in the classroom.

Support the show

Don't forget to subscribe, rate, and leave a review if you enjoy the episode. Your feedback helps us bring you more of the content you love. Stay Strong!

Start your ScreenStrong Journey today!
Become a Connect Member to get access to our exclusive online forum, the 30-Day ScreenStrong Challenge, LIVE webinars with medical experts, and the entire ScreenStrong library of videos, audio clips, interviews, e-books, handouts, and more!
Want to help spread the ScreenStrong message to your community? Consider becoming a ScreenStrong Ambassador!

ScreenStrong Tech Recommendations

Gabb Wireless—Smartphone Replacement (use code STRONG for discount)
Canopy—Device Filter (use code STRONG for discount)

Production Team:

Host: Melanie Hempe
Producer & Audio Editor: Olivia Kernekin

Teens & Screens with Emma Lembke (#60) Jul 28, 2021

Our guest today is Emma Lembke, a teenager from Birmingham, Alabama, who is the CEO and Co-Founder of the LOG OFF Movement. The mission of LOG OFF is to seek further dialogue about the multifaceted nature of social media and promote the healthy usage of it. LOG-OFF is passionate about lowering social media’s impact on mental health while teaching teen users and their parents about how to navigate the vast inner-workings of life on social media.

Emma shares her experience with social media addiction and the moment she asked herself, “Why does this device have so much control over me?” Emma speaks of her passion to spread digital consciousness to empower teens to become digital advocates for themselves and others. She shares how societal expectations and the myth of hyper-connectivity impact the use of digital media in our young children and teenagers and affect their mental health. Emma describes the LOG OFF Movement’s Digital Challenge for teens that provides a structured plan for implementing social media and screen use reduction with the goal of encouraging teens to explore the world around them and gain insight into their own motivations.

Support the show

Don't forget to subscribe, rate, and leave a review if you enjoy the episode. Your feedback helps us bring you more of the content you love. Stay Strong!

Start your ScreenStrong Journey today!
Become a Connect Member to get access to our exclusive online forum, the 30-Day ScreenStrong Challenge, LIVE webinars with medical experts, and the entire ScreenStrong library of videos, audio clips, interviews, e-books, handouts, and more!
Want to help spread the ScreenStrong message to your community? Consider becoming a ScreenStrong Ambassador!

ScreenStrong Tech Recommendations

Gabb Wireless—Smartphone Replacement (use code STRONG for discount)
Canopy—Device Filter (use code STRONG for discount)

Production Team:

Host: Melanie Hempe
Producer & Audio Editor: Olivia Kernekin

Being Intentional with Doug Smith (#59) Jul 14, 2021

In today's episode, Mandee Hamann speaks with Doug Smith who is a Screenstrong Ambassador, father of four adult daughters, software developer, and a life-long Bible student. Doug is the author of [Un]Intentional, How Screens Secretly Shape Your Desires And How You Can Break Free. His book provides five practices to purposeful and intentional living with screen use. Doug encourages families to cast a vision of what their life could be without screen dependencies and to create a family mission to help guide their actions and choices intentionally. Mandee and Doug encourage families to be counter-cultural against screen dependency and recognize the negative impact of technology on our children's development. This episode offers profound solutions that would benefit any family.

Support the show

Don't forget to subscribe, rate, and leave a review if you enjoy the episode. Your feedback helps us bring you more of the content you love. Stay Strong!

Start your ScreenStrong Journey today!
Become a Connect Member to get access to our exclusive online forum, the 30-Day ScreenStrong Challenge, LIVE webinars with medical experts, and the entire ScreenStrong library of videos, audio clips, interviews, e-books, handouts, and more!
Want to help spread the ScreenStrong message to your community? Consider becoming a ScreenStrong Ambassador!

ScreenStrong Tech Recommendations

Gabb Wireless—Smartphone Replacement (use code STRONG for discount)
Canopy—Device Filter (use code STRONG for discount)

Production Team:

Host: Melanie Hempe
Producer & Audio Editor: Olivia Kernekin

Middle School Disrespect with Ronna Glickman (#58) Jul 07, 2021

In today's episode, Melanie has a candid conversation with Ronna Glickman, a retired middle school teacher passionate about educating students, parents, and educational administrators about internet safety and the dangers of social media's influence on children. Due to the pandemic, she is now active in tutoring children who are having difficulty managing the current online education platforms.

Melanie and Ronna talk about the culture of disrespect that is prevalent with children in our society today. They discuss the lack of parental authority which contributes to the disrespect children are actively displaying toward authority figures. Melanie and Ronna discuss how children's personalities are changing in relation to their poorly limited screen use. They discuss parental enabling and social conformity as the traps many parents are falling into.
Ronna provides many personal examples from her supportive interaction with families and children having difficulty with emotional dysregulation due to overexposure of screens. This is another fast-paced episode filled with tips, advice, and ideas to become ScreenStrong!

Support the show

Don't forget to subscribe, rate, and leave a review if you enjoy the episode. Your feedback helps us bring you more of the content you love. Stay Strong!

Start your ScreenStrong Journey today!
Become a Connect Member to get access to our exclusive online forum, the 30-Day ScreenStrong Challenge, LIVE webinars with medical experts, and the entire ScreenStrong library of videos, audio clips, interviews, e-books, handouts, and more!
Want to help spread the ScreenStrong message to your community? Consider becoming a ScreenStrong Ambassador!

ScreenStrong Tech Recommendations

Gabb Wireless—Smartphone Replacement (use code STRONG for discount)
Canopy—Device Filter (use code STRONG for discount)

Production Team:

Host: Melanie Hempe
Producer & Audio Editor: Olivia Kernekin

Four Critical Factors Needed for Building Strong Kids with Cris Rowen (#57) Jul 06, 2021

Melanie welcomes Cris Rowan, who is a registered pediatric occupational therapist, certified sensory specialist (SIPT), biologist, author of "Virtual Child", and prolific speaker on the impact of technology on child development and learning.
Melanie and Cris start their conversation discussing the 4 Critical Factors needed for the developing child which include movement, touch, human connection, and nature. Cris emphasizes a focus on increased engagement of these factors to create the foundation your child needs for healthy development of their brain and body.
Melanie and Cris also unpack her 2017 article Cris wrote for HuffPost, 10 Reasons Why Hand-Held Devices Should Be Banned for Children Under the Age of 12 and how those reasons cited relate to these 4 Critical Factors.
This episode is so full of science-based information that supports the reduction of screens and promotes the focus on a daily practice of movement, touch, human connection and nature.
You won’t want to skip this one!

Support the show

Don't forget to subscribe, rate, and leave a review if you enjoy the episode. Your feedback helps us bring you more of the content you love. Stay Strong!

Start your ScreenStrong Journey today!
Become a Connect Member to get access to our exclusive online forum, the 30-Day ScreenStrong Challenge, LIVE webinars with medical experts, and the entire ScreenStrong library of videos, audio clips, interviews, e-books, handouts, and more!
Want to help spread the ScreenStrong message to your community? Consider becoming a ScreenStrong Ambassador!

ScreenStrong Tech Recommendations

Gabb Wireless—Smartphone Replacement (use code STRONG for discount)
Canopy—Device Filter (use code STRONG for discount)

Production Team:

Host: Melanie Hempe
Producer & Audio Editor: Olivia Kernekin

It All Started With An iPad—Sarah's Story (#56) Jun 23, 2021

In today's episode, Mandee Hamann welcomes Sarah, one of our ScreenStrong Ambassadors, as she shares her family’s story of becoming ScreenStrong. She shares that it all started with an iPad and describes how quickly her family’s dynamic changed over the course of a few months. Sarah shares how she and her husband guided their family through the ScreenStrong Challenge, what happened after the Challenge was over, and how she reclaimed her family’s positive dynamic. This story will inspire you on your own journey and encourage you to reflect on shifting your own parenting perspectives.

Support the show

Don't forget to subscribe, rate, and leave a review if you enjoy the episode. Your feedback helps us bring you more of the content you love. Stay Strong!

Start your ScreenStrong Journey today!
Become a Connect Member to get access to our exclusive online forum, the 30-Day ScreenStrong Challenge, LIVE webinars with medical experts, and the entire ScreenStrong library of videos, audio clips, interviews, e-books, handouts, and more!
Want to help spread the ScreenStrong message to your community? Consider becoming a ScreenStrong Ambassador!

ScreenStrong Tech Recommendations

Gabb Wireless—Smartphone Replacement (use code STRONG for discount)
Canopy—Device Filter (use code STRONG for discount)

Production Team:

Host: Melanie Hempe
Producer & Audio Editor: Olivia Kernekin

How YouTube Impacts Middle School Development with Dr. Linda Charmaraman (#55) Jun 18, 2021

Today Melanie talks with Linda Charmaraman, Ph.D., a senior research scientist at the Wellesley Centers for Women and director of the Youth, Media & Wellbeing Research Lab. Dr. Charmaraman’s research interests include technology and adolescent health, digital citizenship, innovative research methods to include overlooked and hidden populations, and how social identities (e.g., gender, race/ethnicity, sexual orientation, political affiliation) affect wellbeing.

Dr. Charmaraman shares with Melanie her current research on middle school-aged children—6th to 8th grade—and early social media use. They discuss how the manipulation of algorithms in media influences addictive use and promotes feelings of control within games or other platforms. Dr. Charmaraman discusses how not only the quantity of hours spent on screens, but the quality of content is influencing the outcomes of symptoms of depression, anxiety, loneliness, and school efficacy in children. Her research supports ScreenStrong’s message to delay smartphones for children and cites it as a protective factor in their adolescent development as a whole.

Support the show

Don't forget to subscribe, rate, and leave a review if you enjoy the episode. Your feedback helps us bring you more of the content you love. Stay Strong!

Start your ScreenStrong Journey today!
Become a Connect Member to get access to our exclusive online forum, the 30-Day ScreenStrong Challenge, LIVE webinars with medical experts, and the entire ScreenStrong library of videos, audio clips, interviews, e-books, handouts, and more!
Want to help spread the ScreenStrong message to your community? Consider becoming a ScreenStrong Ambassador!

ScreenStrong Tech Recommendations

Gabb Wireless—Smartphone Replacement (use code STRONG for discount)
Canopy—Device Filter (use code STRONG for discount)

Production Team:

Host: Melanie Hempe
Producer & Audio Editor: Olivia Kernekin

Virtual Autism & Screens with Dr. Andrew Doan (#54) Jun 16, 2021

In this episode, Melanie introduces our ScreenStrong Families to Dr. Andrew Doan, who shares his expertise on gaming addiction and how it impacts development in children. Dr. Doan is a neuroscientist, physician, author & speaker. With a doctoral degree in neuroscience, his background in molecular neuroscience adds in depth knowledge into the areas of internet, video game, and technology addictions. Dr. Doan is the author of Hooked on Games.
Today, Dr. Doan discusses the increase in Autism diagnoses and how it has become an epidemic in our society. He identifies digital media as the "elephant in the room" and the unrecognized toxin that has been playing an integral role in the continued rise of Autism in children. He shares his collaboration with other experts, both internationally and nationally, in observing the impact of screens on eye disorders and believes that Opthamologists have an important role in recognizing and providing intervention in addressing brain developmental delays due to overuse of screen media. Dr. Doan introduces his theory of when we expose the child to excessive screen time, this causes an overdevelopment of the frontal lobe in one area and underdevelopment in areas of nonverbal communication, speech, behaviors, and social skills resulting in autistic behaviors. This is a fascinating and educational episode you won't want to miss.

Support the show

Don't forget to subscribe, rate, and leave a review if you enjoy the episode. Your feedback helps us bring you more of the content you love. Stay Strong!

Start your ScreenStrong Journey today!
Become a Connect Member to get access to our exclusive online forum, the 30-Day ScreenStrong Challenge, LIVE webinars with medical experts, and the entire ScreenStrong library of videos, audio clips, interviews, e-books, handouts, and more!
Want to help spread the ScreenStrong message to your community? Consider becoming a ScreenStrong Ambassador!

ScreenStrong Tech Recommendations

Gabb Wireless—Smartphone Replacement (use code STRONG for discount)
Canopy—Device Filter (use code STRONG for discount)

Production Team:

Host: Melanie Hempe
Producer & Audio Editor: Olivia Kernekin

The Power of Sharing Your Story with Jenny Hoey (#53) Jun 10, 2021

In today's episode, Mandee Hamann (filling in for Melanie Hempe) welcomes Jenny Hoey, the founder of Not My Kid, a group she created for the purpose of educating and supporting parents on the safety issues of raising children within the digital world. Jenny is a Screen Strong Ambassador and parenting coach that lives with her family in Australia. Today, Jenny shares her and her daughter's personal life-changing story of an on-line incident that occurred when her daughter was 9 years old. She shares her family’s journey of healing, what has inspired her in her endeavors, and how she began to bravely share their story to help empower other parents.

Support the show

Don't forget to subscribe, rate, and leave a review if you enjoy the episode. Your feedback helps us bring you more of the content you love. Stay Strong!

Start your ScreenStrong Journey today!
Become a Connect Member to get access to our exclusive online forum, the 30-Day ScreenStrong Challenge, LIVE webinars with medical experts, and the entire ScreenStrong library of videos, audio clips, interviews, e-books, handouts, and more!
Want to help spread the ScreenStrong message to your community? Consider becoming a ScreenStrong Ambassador!

ScreenStrong Tech Recommendations

Gabb Wireless—Smartphone Replacement (use code STRONG for discount)
Canopy—Device Filter (use code STRONG for discount)

Production Team:

Host: Melanie Hempe
Producer & Audio Editor: Olivia Kernekin

Achieving the Good Life: Going Game-Free with James Good, Former Gamer (#52) Jun 04, 2021

In this episode of the ScreenStrong podcast, Melanie talks to James Good, whose young life was overtaken by video game addiction. James describes how as he moved through high school and into university, his healthy hobbies, interests, and friendships were slowly replaced by gaming until he began to struggle socially, emotionally, and academically. One of James’ key realizations as he beat his gaming problem was that he had never learned how to “do hard things”–he has since built his ability to concentrate and deal with boredom through meditation, exercise, journaling, and goal-setting. James learned that although gaming felt like an easy escape, it actually made real life feel more difficult. Melanie notes how common James’ story is, since her own son and many others have followed the same path from a normal (and even gifted) childhood to a crippling gaming addiction. James also describes exactly how he quit gaming for the first time at nineteen, inspired by others’ stories of fulfilling accomplishments and pursuing fascinating hobbies, and spurred by the realization that video games are truly designed to be addictive to young men.
Hear more from James Good on his YouTube channel.

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Don't forget to subscribe, rate, and leave a review if you enjoy the episode. Your feedback helps us bring you more of the content you love. Stay Strong!

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Become a Connect Member to get access to our exclusive online forum, the 30-Day ScreenStrong Challenge, LIVE webinars with medical experts, and the entire ScreenStrong library of videos, audio clips, interviews, e-books, handouts, and more!
Want to help spread the ScreenStrong message to your community? Consider becoming a ScreenStrong Ambassador!

ScreenStrong Tech Recommendations

Gabb Wireless—Smartphone Replacement (use code STRONG for discount)
Canopy—Device Filter (use code STRONG for discount)

Production Team:

Host: Melanie Hempe
Producer & Audio Editor: Olivia Kernekin

LIVE "Disconnected" Discussion with Tom Kersting (#51) May 28, 2021

Tom Kersting, author of our May Book of the Month (BOTM) pick "Disconnected," joins the entire ScreenStrong Team and members from our community to answer YOUR questions about fear culture, parental denial, teen privacy online, smartphones in school, and so much more!

Support the show

Don't forget to subscribe, rate, and leave a review if you enjoy the episode. Your feedback helps us bring you more of the content you love. Stay Strong!

Start your ScreenStrong Journey today!
Become a Connect Member to get access to our exclusive online forum, the 30-Day ScreenStrong Challenge, LIVE webinars with medical experts, and the entire ScreenStrong library of videos, audio clips, interviews, e-books, handouts, and more!
Want to help spread the ScreenStrong message to your community? Consider becoming a ScreenStrong Ambassador!

ScreenStrong Tech Recommendations

Gabb Wireless—Smartphone Replacement (use code STRONG for discount)
Canopy—Device Filter (use code STRONG for discount)

Production Team:

Host: Melanie Hempe
Producer & Audio Editor: Olivia Kernekin

Preventing Porn Exposure with Barb Winters (#50) May 26, 2021

In this episode, Barb Winters, a Sexual Risk Avoidance Specialist, discusses the emotional discovery of her son’s pornography exposure and her passion to help parents not suffer alone in isolation after making similar discoveries. She and Melanie talk through tips to prevent porn use for teens and some unique approaches to help kids engage in helpful conversations.

Subscribe at Barb's website hopefulmom.net to receive updates and a free resource, “7 Actions When Your Child Has Seen Porn.” You can also follow her Facebook Page.

Support the show

Don't forget to subscribe, rate, and leave a review if you enjoy the episode. Your feedback helps us bring you more of the content you love. Stay Strong!

Start your ScreenStrong Journey today!
Become a Connect Member to get access to our exclusive online forum, the 30-Day ScreenStrong Challenge, LIVE webinars with medical experts, and the entire ScreenStrong library of videos, audio clips, interviews, e-books, handouts, and more!
Want to help spread the ScreenStrong message to your community? Consider becoming a ScreenStrong Ambassador!

ScreenStrong Tech Recommendations

Gabb Wireless—Smartphone Replacement (use code STRONG for discount)
Canopy—Device Filter (use code STRONG for discount)

Production Team:

Host: Melanie Hempe
Producer & Audio Editor: Olivia Kernekin

The Broader Effects of Tech and How to Reconnect Your Kids with Tom Kersting (#49) May 21, 2021

In the second half of Melanie’s discussion with author Tom Kersting, they move on to his chapters about how technology affects children’s social and emotional development, and how family dynamics are negatively impacted by screen saturation in kids. Kersting focuses on problems that Melanie and other parents are familiar with: kids who would rather game than make real friends, emotional dysregulation, and a feeling of disconnection between the generations. Finally, Melanie and Tom delve into the third section of ‘Disconnected,’ which gives tips, techniques, and practical solutions to mitigate problems caused by technology and help parents reconnect their children with their families, their friends, and with their own minds. Kersting emphasizes the importance of teaching children how to think independently of their peers and how to be mindful about all aspects of their lives, including their tech use.

Support the show

Don't forget to subscribe, rate, and leave a review if you enjoy the episode. Your feedback helps us bring you more of the content you love. Stay Strong!

Start your ScreenStrong Journey today!
Become a Connect Member to get access to our exclusive online forum, the 30-Day ScreenStrong Challenge, LIVE webinars with medical experts, and the entire ScreenStrong library of videos, audio clips, interviews, e-books, handouts, and more!
Want to help spread the ScreenStrong message to your community? Consider becoming a ScreenStrong Ambassador!

ScreenStrong Tech Recommendations

Gabb Wireless—Smartphone Replacement (use code STRONG for discount)
Canopy—Device Filter (use code STRONG for discount)

Production Team:

Host: Melanie Hempe
Producer & Audio Editor: Olivia Kernekin

Loving Your Kids Louder with Nate Webb, Bullies Be Gone (#48) May 14, 2021

Nate Webb is a bullying survivor and high school counselor who started the Bullies Be Gone podcast and speaks at schools about bullying, social media, and how kids can get back to loving their lives.
As a counselor, he has seen how smartphone access and social media have exacerbated bullying by opening kids up to 24/7 contact with their peers. In his conversation with Melanie, Nate emphasizes his parents’ positive influence on his attitude as a suffering middle- and high-schooler, and gives advice about how parents can “love their kids louder than their insecurities can hate them.”
He believes that when kids are exposed to more communication and kindness, they can not only overcome being bullied, but also stop bullying others.
You can find Nate on Instagram: @bulliesbe.gone
www.linktr.ee/bulliesbe.gone

Support the show

Don't forget to subscribe, rate, and leave a review if you enjoy the episode. Your feedback helps us bring you more of the content you love. Stay Strong!

Start your ScreenStrong Journey today!
Become a Connect Member to get access to our exclusive online forum, the 30-Day ScreenStrong Challenge, LIVE webinars with medical experts, and the entire ScreenStrong library of videos, audio clips, interviews, e-books, handouts, and more!
Want to help spread the ScreenStrong message to your community? Consider becoming a ScreenStrong Ambassador!

ScreenStrong Tech Recommendations

Gabb Wireless—Smartphone Replacement (use code STRONG for discount)
Canopy—Device Filter (use code STRONG for discount)

Production Team:

Host: Melanie Hempe
Producer & Audio Editor: Olivia Kernekin

Creating Screen-Free Memories & Traditions with Mary Mulliken (#47) May 11, 2021

Mary Mulliken is a healthy screen habits coach who encourages families to parent their children to be creators and not consumers of their environment. She is writing a book, Supercharged: 50 Reasons to Raise Kids Screen-Free from Birth to Age Seven. In today’s episode, Melanie and Mary talk about the benefits of raising your children screen-free during their early childhood years. From stimulating creativity in ideas as well as actions, Mary shared some of her family’s traditions and rituals with us. This interview is inspiring, perspective-shifting, and hopeful in bringing childhood back to real-life experiences.

Support the show

Don't forget to subscribe, rate, and leave a review if you enjoy the episode. Your feedback helps us bring you more of the content you love. Stay Strong!

Start your ScreenStrong Journey today!
Become a Connect Member to get access to our exclusive online forum, the 30-Day ScreenStrong Challenge, LIVE webinars with medical experts, and the entire ScreenStrong library of videos, audio clips, interviews, e-books, handouts, and more!
Want to help spread the ScreenStrong message to your community? Consider becoming a ScreenStrong Ambassador!

ScreenStrong Tech Recommendations

Gabb Wireless—Smartphone Replacement (use code STRONG for discount)
Canopy—Device Filter (use code STRONG for discount)

Production Team:

Host: Melanie Hempe
Producer & Audio Editor: Olivia Kernekin

Child Exploitation and Screens with Opal Singleton (#46) May 07, 2021

In today's episode, Melanie speaks with Opal Singleton. She is the President and CEO of Million Kids and serves as the Training and Outreach Coordinator for the Riverside County Anti-Human Trafficking Task Force and is contracted for human trafficking training services through the Riverside County Sheriff’s Department. Opal has authored two books, Seduced: The Grooming of America's Teenagers, and Societal Shift: A World Without Borders...A Home Without Walls. She has educated tens of thousands of first responders, government agencies, civic leaders, school administrators, medical personnel, faith-based organizations, parents and grandparents about how predators operate and how to prevent young people from becoming victims of exploitation. If you have any question about the harm a smartphone can have on your child, then this is the episode for you.

Support the show

Don't forget to subscribe, rate, and leave a review if you enjoy the episode. Your feedback helps us bring you more of the content you love. Stay Strong!

Start your ScreenStrong Journey today!
Become a Connect Member to get access to our exclusive online forum, the 30-Day ScreenStrong Challenge, LIVE webinars with medical experts, and the entire ScreenStrong library of videos, audio clips, interviews, e-books, handouts, and more!
Want to help spread the ScreenStrong message to your community? Consider becoming a ScreenStrong Ambassador!

ScreenStrong Tech Recommendations

Gabb Wireless—Smartphone Replacement (use code STRONG for discount)
Canopy—Device Filter (use code STRONG for discount)

Production Team:

Host: Melanie Hempe
Producer & Audio Editor: Olivia Kernekin

The Impact of Electronic Devices on Kids' Brains with Tom Kersting (#45) May 04, 2021

In this episode Melanie speaks with Tom Kersting, our featured author of our book of the month, Disconnected: How to Reconnect our Digitally Distracted Kids. Tom began his career as a School Counselor and Therapist almost twenty-five years ago. He is a nationally known speaker, author, TV personality, and he has a private practice located in Ridgewood, New Jersey.

Melanie and Tom explore the first part of his book where he discusses "Acquired ADHD" and other warning signs resulting from overexposure electronic screen exposure. They discuss how the overuse of technology has negatively impacted adolescents' ability to develop social relationships, create positive self-esteem, and a true sense of self. Melanie and Tom discuss how more screen exposure (with virtual classes) will create a stress response in kids that will likely result in increased anxiety, school phobia, and school avoidance. They give parents positive practical tips to help reduce family stress and increase family connection.

Support the show

Don't forget to subscribe, rate, and leave a review if you enjoy the episode. Your feedback helps us bring you more of the content you love. Stay Strong!

Start your ScreenStrong Journey today!
Become a Connect Member to get access to our exclusive online forum, the 30-Day ScreenStrong Challenge, LIVE webinars with medical experts, and the entire ScreenStrong library of videos, audio clips, interviews, e-books, handouts, and more!
Want to help spread the ScreenStrong message to your community? Consider becoming a ScreenStrong Ambassador!

ScreenStrong Tech Recommendations

Gabb Wireless—Smartphone Replacement (use code STRONG for discount)
Canopy—Device Filter (use code STRONG for discount)

Production Team:

Host: Melanie Hempe
Producer & Audio Editor: Olivia Kernekin

LIVE "Reset Your Child's Brain" Discussion (#44) Apr 30, 2021

Dr. Victoria Dunckley, author of our April Book of the Month (BOTM) pick "Reset Your Child's Brain" joins the entire ScreenStrong Team and members from our community to answer YOUR questions about screens and teens, tips for getting through the screen reset, how to troubleshoot difficult transitions, and so much more!

Support the show

Don't forget to subscribe, rate, and leave a review if you enjoy the episode. Your feedback helps us bring you more of the content you love. Stay Strong!

Start your ScreenStrong Journey today!
Become a Connect Member to get access to our exclusive online forum, the 30-Day ScreenStrong Challenge, LIVE webinars with medical experts, and the entire ScreenStrong library of videos, audio clips, interviews, e-books, handouts, and more!
Want to help spread the ScreenStrong message to your community? Consider becoming a ScreenStrong Ambassador!

ScreenStrong Tech Recommendations

Gabb Wireless—Smartphone Replacement (use code STRONG for discount)
Canopy—Device Filter (use code STRONG for discount)

Production Team:

Host: Melanie Hempe
Producer & Audio Editor: Olivia Kernekin

How Screens Contribute to Developmental Delays with Melissa Porcaro (#43) Apr 27, 2021

Melissa is an occupational therapist who specializes in sensory integration and processing. Her focus has moved from helping children with developmental delays to helping children and young people with screen and media addictions. This career trajectory made it clear to Melissa that the two problems were increasingly connected. Dependence on screens presents new challenges to sensory integration because children are no longer experiencing the world through physical experience the way they did a generation ago. Melanie and Melissa discuss how screen addiction affects children not only mentally and emotionally, but physically and socially as well. We all know that screen use changes the structure of kids’ brains—Melissa explains exactly how this happens and the negative effects she sees in real-life children in her practice.

Support the show

Don't forget to subscribe, rate, and leave a review if you enjoy the episode. Your feedback helps us bring you more of the content you love. Stay Strong!

Start your ScreenStrong Journey today!
Become a Connect Member to get access to our exclusive online forum, the 30-Day ScreenStrong Challenge, LIVE webinars with medical experts, and the entire ScreenStrong library of videos, audio clips, interviews, e-books, handouts, and more!
Want to help spread the ScreenStrong message to your community? Consider becoming a ScreenStrong Ambassador!

ScreenStrong Tech Recommendations

Gabb Wireless—Smartphone Replacement (use code STRONG for discount)
Canopy—Device Filter (use code STRONG for discount)

Production Team:

Host: Melanie Hempe
Producer & Audio Editor: Olivia Kernekin

Reset Your Child's Brain with Dr. Victoria Dunckley, Part 2 (#42) Apr 20, 2021

In this second episode featuring Dr. Victoria Dunckley, Melanie and Victoria discuss the goals and outcomes highlighted in the second half of the integrative psychiatrist’s book, Reset Your Child’s Brain: A Four Week Plan to End Meltdowns, Raise Grades and Boost Social Skills by Reversing the Effects of Electronic Screen Time. Victoria provides practical advice to parents on how to prepare for the reset, including how to engage a reluctant spouse, tips for the single parent, and what to expect from your child once you implement the reset plan. She also dispels some of the parental myths connected with screen and tech use, such as loss of friendships and preparing kids for adulthood by allowing technology use at an early age. Victoria describes the reset as a grieving process that creates a shift in your child’s thinking and allows your child’s brain to become stronger, more connected, and resilient. “A better developed brain is what manages and governs self-discipline in every area of life, including technology use.”
BOTM: Reset Your Child’s Brain: A Four Week Plan to End Meltdowns, Raise Grades and Boost Social Skills by Reversing the Effects of Electronic Screen Time.

Support the show

Don't forget to subscribe, rate, and leave a review if you enjoy the episode. Your feedback helps us bring you more of the content you love. Stay Strong!

Start your ScreenStrong Journey today!
Become a Connect Member to get access to our exclusive online forum, the 30-Day ScreenStrong Challenge, LIVE webinars with medical experts, and the entire ScreenStrong library of videos, audio clips, interviews, e-books, handouts, and more!
Want to help spread the ScreenStrong message to your community? Consider becoming a ScreenStrong Ambassador!

ScreenStrong Tech Recommendations

Gabb Wireless—Smartphone Replacement (use code STRONG for discount)
Canopy—Device Filter (use code STRONG for discount)

Production Team:

Host: Melanie Hempe
Producer & Audio Editor: Olivia Kernekin

Why There Is No Safe Smartphone with Anne Marie McDonald (#41) Apr 16, 2021

Anne Marie McDonald is Vice President of PR & Strategy for Gabb Wireless, the company that provides talk and text phones without access to internet or social media to help kids and teens stay safely connected without temptation or distraction. In this episode, Melanie talks to the working mother of four about the dangers of typical smartphones for children and teenagers, and how Anne Marie became passionate about helping kids thrive without them, both within and beyond her own family. Anne Marie only began working for Gabb after witnessing the benefits of a smartphone-free lifestyle for her own oldest teen, so she has a wealth of experience and advice for real parents facing the same challenges in their homes. She describes how even with a Gabb phone, parents are responsible for teaching their kids the lessons they need to absorb about phone safety and staying protected.

Support the show

Don't forget to subscribe, rate, and leave a review if you enjoy the episode. Your feedback helps us bring you more of the content you love. Stay Strong!

Start your ScreenStrong Journey today!
Become a Connect Member to get access to our exclusive online forum, the 30-Day ScreenStrong Challenge, LIVE webinars with medical experts, and the entire ScreenStrong library of videos, audio clips, interviews, e-books, handouts, and more!
Want to help spread the ScreenStrong message to your community? Consider becoming a ScreenStrong Ambassador!

ScreenStrong Tech Recommendations

Gabb Wireless—Smartphone Replacement (use code STRONG for discount)
Canopy—Device Filter (use code STRONG for discount)

Production Team:

Host: Melanie Hempe
Producer & Audio Editor: Olivia Kernekin

How to Protect Your Kids From Viewing Pornography by Smith Alley (#40) Apr 13, 2021

Smith Alley, a brave and inspiring 17-year-old, shares his story of a five year battle with pornography addiction as well as his struggles with social media. Determined to be more than a “success story,” he founded his company, Protecht Strong, to help families safely set up technology limits in their home.

Melanie and Smith discuss what it means to prepare our children for the real world and that preparing doesn’t have to mean giving them a phone. Smith challenges parents to ask themselves, “Am I getting this device or giving them access because I want to be their friend or because I’m trying to be their parent?” before handing them a smartphone or other device.

This episode is one that invokes reflection on how you are communicating with your children about difficult and hidden issues. It is one that challenges you to consider where your “blind spots” are in your relationship with your children.

Support the show

Don't forget to subscribe, rate, and leave a review if you enjoy the episode. Your feedback helps us bring you more of the content you love. Stay Strong!

Start your ScreenStrong Journey today!
Become a Connect Member to get access to our exclusive online forum, the 30-Day ScreenStrong Challenge, LIVE webinars with medical experts, and the entire ScreenStrong library of videos, audio clips, interviews, e-books, handouts, and more!
Want to help spread the ScreenStrong message to your community? Consider becoming a ScreenStrong Ambassador!

ScreenStrong Tech Recommendations

Gabb Wireless—Smartphone Replacement (use code STRONG for discount)
Canopy—Device Filter (use code STRONG for discount)

Production Team:

Host: Melanie Hempe
Producer & Audio Editor: Olivia Kernekin

Teen Suicide Ideation and Social Media with Tessa Stuckey (#39) Apr 09, 2021

Not only is Tessa Stuckey a licensed professional therapist and author of For the Sake of Our Youth: A Therapist’s Perspective on Raising Your Family in Today’s Culture, she’s also raising four boys of her own. Tessa became a therapist with the goal of helping support children through the emotionally confusing teenage years, but what she found was worse than the dating drama and adolescent angst she expected: instead, she found prevalent suicidal ideation and other surprisingly dark problems, despite a general lack of deep-seated trauma. In her conversation with Melanie, Tessa dives into how technology is the main contributor to the problems she sees teens facing today, and how we as parents can help them develop the resiliency and connection to make it to the other side as healthy, balanced adults.

Support the show

Don't forget to subscribe, rate, and leave a review if you enjoy the episode. Your feedback helps us bring you more of the content you love. Stay Strong!

Start your ScreenStrong Journey today!
Become a Connect Member to get access to our exclusive online forum, the 30-Day ScreenStrong Challenge, LIVE webinars with medical experts, and the entire ScreenStrong library of videos, audio clips, interviews, e-books, handouts, and more!
Want to help spread the ScreenStrong message to your community? Consider becoming a ScreenStrong Ambassador!

ScreenStrong Tech Recommendations

Gabb Wireless—Smartphone Replacement (use code STRONG for discount)
Canopy—Device Filter (use code STRONG for discount)

Production Team:

Host: Melanie Hempe
Producer & Audio Editor: Olivia Kernekin

Helping Your Children Avoid Screen Addiction with Tracy Markle (#38) Apr 06, 2021

In today’s episode, Melanie talks with Tracy Markle, MA, LPC, who is the Founder/Owner of Collegiate Coaching Services & Founder/Co-Director at Digital Media Treatment and Education Center in Colorado. Melanie and Tracy begin their discussion identifying protective factors as well as risk factors to consider when establishing limits of media use within your family. Tracy explains the Self-Determination Theory of Motivation, and how she uses this theory in her work with her clients. She also gives advice for the parents of middle-school aged children to high-school aged teenagers in addressing addictive media use in their daily lives. This is a must listen for any parent, whether you have a young child not yet introduced to screen-related games, or you are the parent who is wondering if you are doing enough with your family limits, and for the parent that needs guidance in steps to take to initiate change.

Support the show

Don't forget to subscribe, rate, and leave a review if you enjoy the episode. Your feedback helps us bring you more of the content you love. Stay Strong!

Start your ScreenStrong Journey today!
Become a Connect Member to get access to our exclusive online forum, the 30-Day ScreenStrong Challenge, LIVE webinars with medical experts, and the entire ScreenStrong library of videos, audio clips, interviews, e-books, handouts, and more!
Want to help spread the ScreenStrong message to your community? Consider becoming a ScreenStrong Ambassador!

ScreenStrong Tech Recommendations

Gabb Wireless—Smartphone Replacement (use code STRONG for discount)
Canopy—Device Filter (use code STRONG for discount)

Production Team:

Host: Melanie Hempe
Producer & Audio Editor: Olivia Kernekin

Reset Your Child's Brain with Dr. Victoria Dunckley, Part 1 (#37) Apr 02, 2021

In this first of two episodes featuring Dr. Victoria Dunckley, Melanie and Victoria discuss the premise of the integrative psychiatrist’s book Reset Your Child’s Brain: A Four Week Plan to End Meltdowns, Raise Grades and Boost Social Skills by Reversing the Effects of Electronic Screen Time. Victoria explains how she came to be passionate about screen time through her early work with troubled children and adolescents, and then digs into the first part of her book, which covers what she calls “electronic screen syndrome” and how it negatively affects young people. She brings her hands-on experience and medical expertise to bear on the issue in a frank conversation with Melanie. In the upcoming Part 2, Victoria will delve into her practical advice on how to implement the four week plan and what to expect when resetting your child’s brain.

Support the show

Don't forget to subscribe, rate, and leave a review if you enjoy the episode. Your feedback helps us bring you more of the content you love. Stay Strong!

Start your ScreenStrong Journey today!
Become a Connect Member to get access to our exclusive online forum, the 30-Day ScreenStrong Challenge, LIVE webinars with medical experts, and the entire ScreenStrong library of videos, audio clips, interviews, e-books, handouts, and more!
Want to help spread the ScreenStrong message to your community? Consider becoming a ScreenStrong Ambassador!

ScreenStrong Tech Recommendations

Gabb Wireless—Smartphone Replacement (use code STRONG for discount)
Canopy—Device Filter (use code STRONG for discount)

Production Team:

Host: Melanie Hempe
Producer & Audio Editor: Olivia Kernekin

LIVE "Playstation Nation" Discussion (#36) Mar 26, 2021

Olivia Bruner, author of our March Book of the Month (BOTM) pick "Playstation Nation" joins the entire ScreenStrong Team and members from our community to answer YOUR questions about video games and kids, how the industry has changed, connecting with your older teen, and so much more!

Support the show

Don't forget to subscribe, rate, and leave a review if you enjoy the episode. Your feedback helps us bring you more of the content you love. Stay Strong!

Start your ScreenStrong Journey today!
Become a Connect Member to get access to our exclusive online forum, the 30-Day ScreenStrong Challenge, LIVE webinars with medical experts, and the entire ScreenStrong library of videos, audio clips, interviews, e-books, handouts, and more!
Want to help spread the ScreenStrong message to your community? Consider becoming a ScreenStrong Ambassador!

ScreenStrong Tech Recommendations

Gabb Wireless—Smartphone Replacement (use code STRONG for discount)
Canopy—Device Filter (use code STRONG for discount)

Production Team:

Host: Melanie Hempe
Producer & Audio Editor: Olivia Kernekin

Candid Discussion About Gaming Addiction from a Former Gamer: Adam Brooker (#35) Mar 23, 2021

The show today is taken from an interview with Adam Brooker about growing up as a gamer. He is very candid with his description of how gamers think, how they trade the real world for the virtual gaming world and their need to dominate. He touches on the dangerous habit of pornography and explains how smartphones and social media are very similar to the gaming trap. Listen to discover if your child has a potential problem, to hear his advice on removing the devices, and for encouragement to be a strong parent.

Support the show

Don't forget to subscribe, rate, and leave a review if you enjoy the episode. Your feedback helps us bring you more of the content you love. Stay Strong!

Start your ScreenStrong Journey today!
Become a Connect Member to get access to our exclusive online forum, the 30-Day ScreenStrong Challenge, LIVE webinars with medical experts, and the entire ScreenStrong library of videos, audio clips, interviews, e-books, handouts, and more!
Want to help spread the ScreenStrong message to your community? Consider becoming a ScreenStrong Ambassador!

ScreenStrong Tech Recommendations

Gabb Wireless—Smartphone Replacement (use code STRONG for discount)
Canopy—Device Filter (use code STRONG for discount)

Production Team:

Host: Melanie Hempe
Producer & Audio Editor: Olivia Kernekin

Playstation Nation with Olivia Bruner, Part 2 (#34) Mar 19, 2021

Today Melanie continues her conversation with Olivia Bruner, author of our featured book of the month, Playstation Nation: Protect Your Child From Video Game Addiction. Olivia shares the rest of her family’s story and the steps she and her husband took to replace video games with parental connection and “real life.” Melanie and Olivia discuss the five most common mistakes parents make in attempting to set screen limits. They emphasize “rebuilding the muscles “ of your child’s connection to real life and share ideas for replacement activities for your family.

Support the show

Don't forget to subscribe, rate, and leave a review if you enjoy the episode. Your feedback helps us bring you more of the content you love. Stay Strong!

Start your ScreenStrong Journey today!
Become a Connect Member to get access to our exclusive online forum, the 30-Day ScreenStrong Challenge, LIVE webinars with medical experts, and the entire ScreenStrong library of videos, audio clips, interviews, e-books, handouts, and more!
Want to help spread the ScreenStrong message to your community? Consider becoming a ScreenStrong Ambassador!

ScreenStrong Tech Recommendations

Gabb Wireless—Smartphone Replacement (use code STRONG for discount)
Canopy—Device Filter (use code STRONG for discount)

Production Team:

Host: Melanie Hempe
Producer & Audio Editor: Olivia Kernekin

ADHD, Anxiety & Screen Addiction with Adrienne (#33) Mar 16, 2021

Today Melanie is joined by Adrienne, ScreenStrong Ambassador and mom of two teenagers. Adrienne shares her son’s struggle with ADHD, school anxiety, and the difficult decisions their family was forced to make because of his screen addiction. She emphasizes the importance of having like-minded community support because “no one can understand unless they are standing right there with you.” Adrienne also goes into how life changing the ScreenStrong Challenge was for her family and the long term benefits she’s already seeing in her son and daughter.

Support the show

Don't forget to subscribe, rate, and leave a review if you enjoy the episode. Your feedback helps us bring you more of the content you love. Stay Strong!

Start your ScreenStrong Journey today!
Become a Connect Member to get access to our exclusive online forum, the 30-Day ScreenStrong Challenge, LIVE webinars with medical experts, and the entire ScreenStrong library of videos, audio clips, interviews, e-books, handouts, and more!
Want to help spread the ScreenStrong message to your community? Consider becoming a ScreenStrong Ambassador!

ScreenStrong Tech Recommendations

Gabb Wireless—Smartphone Replacement (use code STRONG for discount)
Canopy—Device Filter (use code STRONG for discount)

Production Team:

Host: Melanie Hempe
Producer & Audio Editor: Olivia Kernekin

Screen Addiction & Parenting with Dr. Sarah Domoff (#32) Mar 12, 2021

In this episode, Melanie talks with Dr. Sarah Domoff, a Clinical Child Psychologist and the principal investigator for the Family Health Lab at Central Michigan University, Department of Psychology.

Melanie and Sarah talk about her research studies that she has published and what she discovered in her work that is forming her interventions with the parents she works with. Sarah shares her theory of what she and her collaborators believe on how problematic media use develops in childhood. Her research is focused on identifying the risk factors and maintaining factors for screen addiction or problematic media use within behaviors of children that can then be used as screening tools by professionals. Sarah also shares her work with parents on breaking the cycle of reinforcement of screens by teaching parenting skills, assisting with limit setting, and teaching parents how to implement replacement activities. This episode is one you will want to listen to more than once as it has so much essential information packed into each minute of dialogue.

Support the show

Don't forget to subscribe, rate, and leave a review if you enjoy the episode. Your feedback helps us bring you more of the content you love. Stay Strong!

Start your ScreenStrong Journey today!
Become a Connect Member to get access to our exclusive online forum, the 30-Day ScreenStrong Challenge, LIVE webinars with medical experts, and the entire ScreenStrong library of videos, audio clips, interviews, e-books, handouts, and more!
Want to help spread the ScreenStrong message to your community? Consider becoming a ScreenStrong Ambassador!

ScreenStrong Tech Recommendations

Gabb Wireless—Smartphone Replacement (use code STRONG for discount)
Canopy—Device Filter (use code STRONG for discount)

Production Team:

Host: Melanie Hempe
Producer & Audio Editor: Olivia Kernekin

Growing Up ScreenStrong with Andrew and Evan Hempe (#31) Mar 09, 2021

Andrew and Evan Hempe, now 17 years old, grew up in a video game-free home after their older brother’s life derailed due to a gaming addiction. Today, Andrew and Evan are answering parents’ common questions about the ScreenStrong lifestyle from the perspective of high school teens. They discuss what it was like living with a former gamer sibling, how they managed to live through middle school without video games and smartphones, and how they make friends without social media.

Support the show

Don't forget to subscribe, rate, and leave a review if you enjoy the episode. Your feedback helps us bring you more of the content you love. Stay Strong!

Start your ScreenStrong Journey today!
Become a Connect Member to get access to our exclusive online forum, the 30-Day ScreenStrong Challenge, LIVE webinars with medical experts, and the entire ScreenStrong library of videos, audio clips, interviews, e-books, handouts, and more!
Want to help spread the ScreenStrong message to your community? Consider becoming a ScreenStrong Ambassador!

ScreenStrong Tech Recommendations

Gabb Wireless—Smartphone Replacement (use code STRONG for discount)
Canopy—Device Filter (use code STRONG for discount)

Production Team:

Host: Melanie Hempe
Producer & Audio Editor: Olivia Kernekin

Screen-Free Parenting with Meghan Owenz, Ph.D. (#30) Mar 05, 2021

In today’s episode, Melanie talks with Meghan Owenz, Ph.D., who is a psychologist, author, psychology professor, and mom of two young children. They discuss and break down Meghan’s child development-based S.P.O.I.L. system for prioritizing activities for your child’s day. Meghan emphasizes maintaining positive parental structure and rules that will ultimately help your child develop good habits and a screen-free lifestyle that is full of doing what they love. Melanie and Meghan connect on their shared fascination for research studies that focus on the benefits of parental limits in regards to screen exposure to young children. Meghan identifies the screen-free process as a “Perspective Shift” for parents and encourages parents to say “Yes!” to all the good things that come from reducing screens in your home.

Meghan Owenz is the author of Spoiled Right: Delaying Screen Time and Giving Children What They Really Need. Her website Screen-Free Parenting is https://www.screenfreeparenting.com/. It has a blog and other resources that have a ton of screen-alternative activities.

Support the show

Don't forget to subscribe, rate, and leave a review if you enjoy the episode. Your feedback helps us bring you more of the content you love. Stay Strong!

Start your ScreenStrong Journey today!
Become a Connect Member to get access to our exclusive online forum, the 30-Day ScreenStrong Challenge, LIVE webinars with medical experts, and the entire ScreenStrong library of videos, audio clips, interviews, e-books, handouts, and more!
Want to help spread the ScreenStrong message to your community? Consider becoming a ScreenStrong Ambassador!

ScreenStrong Tech Recommendations

Gabb Wireless—Smartphone Replacement (use code STRONG for discount)
Canopy—Device Filter (use code STRONG for discount)

Production Team:

Host: Melanie Hempe
Producer & Audio Editor: Olivia Kernekin

Playstation Nation with Olivia Bruner, Part 1 (#29) Mar 02, 2021

In today's episode, Melanie talks with Olivia Bruner, one of the authors of our featured book of the month, Playstation Nation: Protect Your Child From Video Game Addiction. Olivia shares her family's journey with video game use and addiction, which ultimately led to the creation of their book Playstation Nation, to help other families identify and address video game addiction. Melanie and Olivia discuss the 8 Warning Signs or Questions to help determine if your child has a problem with game addiction. They explore the addictive nature of video games and how gaming affects the brain. Olivia identifies the reward pathways of addiction in where basic feedback leads to adaptation of your brain's dopamine reward pathways. She also identifies the 7 driving forces behind the compelling nature of video games and how science is now providing proof to a parent's intuition. This episode is fast-paced, anecdotal, and stresses how our children's addiction to video games is not their fault. It's truly one you don't want to miss!

Support the show

Don't forget to subscribe, rate, and leave a review if you enjoy the episode. Your feedback helps us bring you more of the content you love. Stay Strong!

Start your ScreenStrong Journey today!
Become a Connect Member to get access to our exclusive online forum, the 30-Day ScreenStrong Challenge, LIVE webinars with medical experts, and the entire ScreenStrong library of videos, audio clips, interviews, e-books, handouts, and more!
Want to help spread the ScreenStrong message to your community? Consider becoming a ScreenStrong Ambassador!

ScreenStrong Tech Recommendations

Gabb Wireless—Smartphone Replacement (use code STRONG for discount)
Canopy—Device Filter (use code STRONG for discount)

Production Team:

Host: Melanie Hempe
Producer & Audio Editor: Olivia Kernekin

LIVE "The Collapse of Parenting" Discussion (#28) Feb 26, 2021

Dr. Leonard Sax, author of our February Book of the Month (BOTM) pick "The Collapse of Parenting," joins the entire ScreenStrong Team and members from our community to answer YOUR questions about screens and kids, the American pharmaceutical companies, and so much more!

Support the show

Don't forget to subscribe, rate, and leave a review if you enjoy the episode. Your feedback helps us bring you more of the content you love. Stay Strong!

Start your ScreenStrong Journey today!
Become a Connect Member to get access to our exclusive online forum, the 30-Day ScreenStrong Challenge, LIVE webinars with medical experts, and the entire ScreenStrong library of videos, audio clips, interviews, e-books, handouts, and more!
Want to help spread the ScreenStrong message to your community? Consider becoming a ScreenStrong Ambassador!

ScreenStrong Tech Recommendations

Gabb Wireless—Smartphone Replacement (use code STRONG for discount)
Canopy—Device Filter (use code STRONG for discount)

Production Team:

Host: Melanie Hempe
Producer & Audio Editor: Olivia Kernekin

Your Daughter and Online Predators with Toni Ludlow (#27) Feb 23, 2021

In today's episode, Melanie is joined by Toni Ludlow, a mother of two young children, who shares her family's story of her daughter's traumatic experience with an online predator. Toni shares how her mother's intuition uncovered a manipulative bind her 10-year-old daughter fell into when she entered a chat room on a seemingly innocent online game. Toni points to the signs that her daughter displayed that told her something was off. She empowers parents to keep a keen eye on their children’s digital activity and not buy into the myth that kids need privacy online.

Support the show

Don't forget to subscribe, rate, and leave a review if you enjoy the episode. Your feedback helps us bring you more of the content you love. Stay Strong!

Start your ScreenStrong Journey today!
Become a Connect Member to get access to our exclusive online forum, the 30-Day ScreenStrong Challenge, LIVE webinars with medical experts, and the entire ScreenStrong library of videos, audio clips, interviews, e-books, handouts, and more!
Want to help spread the ScreenStrong message to your community? Consider becoming a ScreenStrong Ambassador!

ScreenStrong Tech Recommendations

Gabb Wireless—Smartphone Replacement (use code STRONG for discount)
Canopy—Device Filter (use code STRONG for discount)

Production Team:

Host: Melanie Hempe
Producer & Audio Editor: Olivia Kernekin

The Collapse of Parenting with Dr. Leonard Sax, Part 2 (#26) Feb 19, 2021

In today’s episode, Melanie continues her in-depth conversation with Dr. Leonard Sax, author of The Collapse of Parenting. Together they explore solutions while challenging several myths and misconceptions that many American parents have in raising children today. Dr. Sax pinpoints the “collapse of parenting” as occurring when we, as parents, allow our children to make decisions in every domain. Dr. Sax challenges parents to be courageous, to educate desire, to do the right thing at the right time, and to value family over the toxic American culture.

Support the show

Don't forget to subscribe, rate, and leave a review if you enjoy the episode. Your feedback helps us bring you more of the content you love. Stay Strong!

Start your ScreenStrong Journey today!
Become a Connect Member to get access to our exclusive online forum, the 30-Day ScreenStrong Challenge, LIVE webinars with medical experts, and the entire ScreenStrong library of videos, audio clips, interviews, e-books, handouts, and more!
Want to help spread the ScreenStrong message to your community? Consider becoming a ScreenStrong Ambassador!

ScreenStrong Tech Recommendations

Gabb Wireless—Smartphone Replacement (use code STRONG for discount)
Canopy—Device Filter (use code STRONG for discount)

Production Team:

Host: Melanie Hempe
Producer & Audio Editor: Olivia Kernekin

A Fresh Practice for Positive Screen Habits with Tiffany Shlain (#25) Feb 16, 2021

In today’s episode, Melanie has a conversation with filmmaker, author, and mother, Tiffany Shlain, who created a transformative weekly practice that she calls “Tech Shabbat'' for her family. She shares how taking one day completely off screens every week can inspire creativity, connectedness, and introspection. Tiffany and Melanie have a candid discussion about raising kids more offline than online and why we should pay attention to who is shaping your child. They talk about the benefits of going countercultural by practicing a ScreenStrong lifestyle. You can find Tiffany’s book 24/6: The Power of Unplugging One Day a Week on Amazon.

Support the show

Don't forget to subscribe, rate, and leave a review if you enjoy the episode. Your feedback helps us bring you more of the content you love. Stay Strong!

Start your ScreenStrong Journey today!
Become a Connect Member to get access to our exclusive online forum, the 30-Day ScreenStrong Challenge, LIVE webinars with medical experts, and the entire ScreenStrong library of videos, audio clips, interviews, e-books, handouts, and more!
Want to help spread the ScreenStrong message to your community? Consider becoming a ScreenStrong Ambassador!

ScreenStrong Tech Recommendations

Gabb Wireless—Smartphone Replacement (use code STRONG for discount)
Canopy—Device Filter (use code STRONG for discount)

Production Team:

Host: Melanie Hempe
Producer & Audio Editor: Olivia Kernekin

One Teen Shares Her Experience with Porn Addiction (#24) Feb 12, 2021

In this episode, Ashlee Ayre, an insightful and courageous young woman, shares her story of her 6-year addiction to pornography that started at age 11 when her parents gave her a smart phone. Melanie and Ashlee talk about the insidious nature of social media and the hidden dangers in Apps like Pinterest, Instagram, Snapchat, and other social media sites. They discuss how explicit content is easily accessible to children by a click or a swipe. Ashlee talks about her relationship with her mom and how they managed through the dark days while bringing to real life a problem that is hidden in the lives of so many teens today. She emphasizes the importance of creating a connection with your children that allows for continued communication about difficult situations as well as creating an environment of trust and safety, which is ultimately what parents want to provide their children.

Support the show

Don't forget to subscribe, rate, and leave a review if you enjoy the episode. Your feedback helps us bring you more of the content you love. Stay Strong!

Start your ScreenStrong Journey today!
Become a Connect Member to get access to our exclusive online forum, the 30-Day ScreenStrong Challenge, LIVE webinars with medical experts, and the entire ScreenStrong library of videos, audio clips, interviews, e-books, handouts, and more!
Want to help spread the ScreenStrong message to your community? Consider becoming a ScreenStrong Ambassador!

ScreenStrong Tech Recommendations

Gabb Wireless—Smartphone Replacement (use code STRONG for discount)
Canopy—Device Filter (use code STRONG for discount)

Production Team:

Host: Melanie Hempe
Producer & Audio Editor: Olivia Kernekin

The Science of Media Use and the Teenage Brain with Dr. Douglas Gentile (#23) Feb 09, 2021

Dr. Douglas Gentile is an award-winning research scientist, educator, author, and is professor of developmental psychology at Iowa State University. In this episode, he and Melanie discuss the science that supports the addictive quality of video games and the resistance of parents to believe the evidence supporting the conclusion to the question, "Are video games addictive?" He hints as to what is coming in the near future in regards to the diagnosis of issues related to screen use and the creation of screening tools to identify when overuse becomes a problem. Dr. Gentile concludes that video games don't allow kids to build the skills they need in the real world and cautions parents, "Don't feed the bears!" He encourages setting limits and creating balance in your family despite the resistance kids may present. "It's worth having the fight...trust that parenting matters."

Support the show

Don't forget to subscribe, rate, and leave a review if you enjoy the episode. Your feedback helps us bring you more of the content you love. Stay Strong!

Start your ScreenStrong Journey today!
Become a Connect Member to get access to our exclusive online forum, the 30-Day ScreenStrong Challenge, LIVE webinars with medical experts, and the entire ScreenStrong library of videos, audio clips, interviews, e-books, handouts, and more!
Want to help spread the ScreenStrong message to your community? Consider becoming a ScreenStrong Ambassador!

ScreenStrong Tech Recommendations

Gabb Wireless—Smartphone Replacement (use code STRONG for discount)
Canopy—Device Filter (use code STRONG for discount)

Production Team:

Host: Melanie Hempe
Producer & Audio Editor: Olivia Kernekin

The Collapse of Parenting with Dr. Leonard Sax, Part 1 (#22) Feb 05, 2021

Dr. Leonard Sax is an American Psychologist and Family Physician with over 30 years experience. He is the internationally acclaimed author of our featured book, The Collapse of Parenting, which identifies a cultural shift in the parenting role in relation to the way parents are raising their children.

In this conversation, Melanie and Dr. Sax focus on Chapters 1 thru 5, identifying multiple factors that have lead to a loss of parental authority. He pinpoints the toxic cultural shift over the last 20-30 years that is now at the forefront of our popular culture. Dr. Sax's book is weighted with research and world-wide studies that cover the negative impacts of sleep deprivation, over-importance of peer relationships, and the uncensored media use that are now having profound consequences on America's children.

Support the show

Don't forget to subscribe, rate, and leave a review if you enjoy the episode. Your feedback helps us bring you more of the content you love. Stay Strong!

Start your ScreenStrong Journey today!
Become a Connect Member to get access to our exclusive online forum, the 30-Day ScreenStrong Challenge, LIVE webinars with medical experts, and the entire ScreenStrong library of videos, audio clips, interviews, e-books, handouts, and more!
Want to help spread the ScreenStrong message to your community? Consider becoming a ScreenStrong Ambassador!

ScreenStrong Tech Recommendations

Gabb Wireless—Smartphone Replacement (use code STRONG for discount)
Canopy—Device Filter (use code STRONG for discount)

Production Team:

Host: Melanie Hempe
Producer & Audio Editor: Olivia Kernekin

LIVE "Breaking the Trance" Discussion (#21) Jan 30, 2021

George Lynn and Cynthia Johnson, co-authors of our January Book of the Month (BOTM) pick "Breaking the Trance," join the entire ScreenStrong Team and members from our community to answer YOUR screen questions.

Support the show

Don't forget to subscribe, rate, and leave a review if you enjoy the episode. Your feedback helps us bring you more of the content you love. Stay Strong!

Start your ScreenStrong Journey today!
Become a Connect Member to get access to our exclusive online forum, the 30-Day ScreenStrong Challenge, LIVE webinars with medical experts, and the entire ScreenStrong library of videos, audio clips, interviews, e-books, handouts, and more!
Want to help spread the ScreenStrong message to your community? Consider becoming a ScreenStrong Ambassador!

ScreenStrong Tech Recommendations

Gabb Wireless—Smartphone Replacement (use code STRONG for discount)
Canopy—Device Filter (use code STRONG for discount)

Production Team:

Host: Melanie Hempe
Producer & Audio Editor: Olivia Kernekin

Eight Screen Tips for Distance Learning Success (#20) Jan 29, 2021

In an online seminar, Melanie discusses how to reduce problematic screen use when learning from home.

Support the show

Don't forget to subscribe, rate, and leave a review if you enjoy the episode. Your feedback helps us bring you more of the content you love. Stay Strong!

Start your ScreenStrong Journey today!
Become a Connect Member to get access to our exclusive online forum, the 30-Day ScreenStrong Challenge, LIVE webinars with medical experts, and the entire ScreenStrong library of videos, audio clips, interviews, e-books, handouts, and more!
Want to help spread the ScreenStrong message to your community? Consider becoming a ScreenStrong Ambassador!

ScreenStrong Tech Recommendations

Gabb Wireless—Smartphone Replacement (use code STRONG for discount)
Canopy—Device Filter (use code STRONG for discount)

Production Team:

Host: Melanie Hempe
Producer & Audio Editor: Olivia Kernekin

Screen Impact on Early Childhood Education (#19) Jan 26, 2021

Patricia Gefert is a recently retired Early Childhood Educator of 35 years, a mother and grandmother, and a ScreenStrong Ambassador. In this podcast, Patricia shares her experiences with children from Kindergarten to Early Elementary. She notes the drastic changes she has witnessed in children's learning over the past 10-15 years, particularly how screens have affected their academic and social development. Patricia provides specific ideas and strategies for helping children grow in healthier ways, without screens, that focus on improving both brain and physical development to help create a strong foundation for growth, creativity, learning, and language.

Support the show

Don't forget to subscribe, rate, and leave a review if you enjoy the episode. Your feedback helps us bring you more of the content you love. Stay Strong!

Start your ScreenStrong Journey today!
Become a Connect Member to get access to our exclusive online forum, the 30-Day ScreenStrong Challenge, LIVE webinars with medical experts, and the entire ScreenStrong library of videos, audio clips, interviews, e-books, handouts, and more!
Want to help spread the ScreenStrong message to your community? Consider becoming a ScreenStrong Ambassador!

ScreenStrong Tech Recommendations

Gabb Wireless—Smartphone Replacement (use code STRONG for discount)
Canopy—Device Filter (use code STRONG for discount)

Production Team:

Host: Melanie Hempe
Producer & Audio Editor: Olivia Kernekin

ScreenStrong Stories with Special Guest: Jessica Ludlow (#18) Jan 19, 2021

Jessica Ludlow joins Melanie Hempe to share the most recent events in her journey to becoming a ScreenStrong Family.

Support the show

Don't forget to subscribe, rate, and leave a review if you enjoy the episode. Your feedback helps us bring you more of the content you love. Stay Strong!

Start your ScreenStrong Journey today!
Become a Connect Member to get access to our exclusive online forum, the 30-Day ScreenStrong Challenge, LIVE webinars with medical experts, and the entire ScreenStrong library of videos, audio clips, interviews, e-books, handouts, and more!
Want to help spread the ScreenStrong message to your community? Consider becoming a ScreenStrong Ambassador!

ScreenStrong Tech Recommendations

Gabb Wireless—Smartphone Replacement (use code STRONG for discount)
Canopy—Device Filter (use code STRONG for discount)

Production Team:

Host: Melanie Hempe
Producer & Audio Editor: Olivia Kernekin

Three Personalities of the Screen Dependent Child with George Lynn (#17) Jan 15, 2021

Melanie interviews George Lynn, co-author of "Breaking the Trance," our January pick for the ScreenStrong Book Club.
Get your physical or eBook copies of Breaking the Trance and read along with us!

Support the show

Don't forget to subscribe, rate, and leave a review if you enjoy the episode. Your feedback helps us bring you more of the content you love. Stay Strong!

Start your ScreenStrong Journey today!
Become a Connect Member to get access to our exclusive online forum, the 30-Day ScreenStrong Challenge, LIVE webinars with medical experts, and the entire ScreenStrong library of videos, audio clips, interviews, e-books, handouts, and more!
Want to help spread the ScreenStrong message to your community? Consider becoming a ScreenStrong Ambassador!

ScreenStrong Tech Recommendations

Gabb Wireless—Smartphone Replacement (use code STRONG for discount)
Canopy—Device Filter (use code STRONG for discount)

Production Team:

Host: Melanie Hempe
Producer & Audio Editor: Olivia Kernekin

ScreenStrong Teens: Lydia (#16) Jan 12, 2021

Melanie is joined by Lydia, a teen with an incredibly emotional ScreenStrong Challenge testimony.
Interested in being a podcast guest? Email us at team@screenstrong.com!

Support the show

Don't forget to subscribe, rate, and leave a review if you enjoy the episode. Your feedback helps us bring you more of the content you love. Stay Strong!

Start your ScreenStrong Journey today!
Become a Connect Member to get access to our exclusive online forum, the 30-Day ScreenStrong Challenge, LIVE webinars with medical experts, and the entire ScreenStrong library of videos, audio clips, interviews, e-books, handouts, and more!
Want to help spread the ScreenStrong message to your community? Consider becoming a ScreenStrong Ambassador!

ScreenStrong Tech Recommendations

Gabb Wireless—Smartphone Replacement (use code STRONG for discount)
Canopy—Device Filter (use code STRONG for discount)

Production Team:

Host: Melanie Hempe
Producer & Audio Editor: Olivia Kernekin

How to Reduce Screen Time in One Week (#15) Jan 08, 2021

Melanie and Mandee give a detailed overview of The ScreenStrong Challenge, what's required, what to expect, and tips for getting through the detox period.
Interested in being a podcast guest? Email us at team@screenstrong.com!

Support the show

Don't forget to subscribe, rate, and leave a review if you enjoy the episode. Your feedback helps us bring you more of the content you love. Stay Strong!

Start your ScreenStrong Journey today!
Become a Connect Member to get access to our exclusive online forum, the 30-Day ScreenStrong Challenge, LIVE webinars with medical experts, and the entire ScreenStrong library of videos, audio clips, interviews, e-books, handouts, and more!
Want to help spread the ScreenStrong message to your community? Consider becoming a ScreenStrong Ambassador!

ScreenStrong Tech Recommendations

Gabb Wireless—Smartphone Replacement (use code STRONG for discount)
Canopy—Device Filter (use code STRONG for discount)

Production Team:

Host: Melanie Hempe
Producer & Audio Editor: Olivia Kernekin

Parenting a Screen Dependent Child with Cynthia Johnson (#14) Jan 05, 2021

Melanie interviews Cynthia Johnson, co-author of "Breaking the Trance," our January pick for the ScreenStrong Book Club.
Get your physical or eBook copies of Breaking the Trance and read along with us!

Support the show

Don't forget to subscribe, rate, and leave a review if you enjoy the episode. Your feedback helps us bring you more of the content you love. Stay Strong!

Start your ScreenStrong Journey today!
Become a Connect Member to get access to our exclusive online forum, the 30-Day ScreenStrong Challenge, LIVE webinars with medical experts, and the entire ScreenStrong library of videos, audio clips, interviews, e-books, handouts, and more!
Want to help spread the ScreenStrong message to your community? Consider becoming a ScreenStrong Ambassador!

ScreenStrong Tech Recommendations

Gabb Wireless—Smartphone Replacement (use code STRONG for discount)
Canopy—Device Filter (use code STRONG for discount)

Production Team:

Host: Melanie Hempe
Producer & Audio Editor: Olivia Kernekin

Screen Use During the Holidays—ScreenStrong Families Q&A (#13) Dec 18, 2020

You sent us your questions, now we give you answers! Melanie and Mandee address questions from our ScreenStrong Families Facebook Group regarding screen time during the holidays, the benefit of a holiday detox, and tips for entertaining only children.

Support the show

Don't forget to subscribe, rate, and leave a review if you enjoy the episode. Your feedback helps us bring you more of the content you love. Stay Strong!

Start your ScreenStrong Journey today!
Become a Connect Member to get access to our exclusive online forum, the 30-Day ScreenStrong Challenge, LIVE webinars with medical experts, and the entire ScreenStrong library of videos, audio clips, interviews, e-books, handouts, and more!
Want to help spread the ScreenStrong message to your community? Consider becoming a ScreenStrong Ambassador!

ScreenStrong Tech Recommendations

Gabb Wireless—Smartphone Replacement (use code STRONG for discount)
Canopy—Device Filter (use code STRONG for discount)

Production Team:

Host: Melanie Hempe
Producer & Audio Editor: Olivia Kernekin

ScreenStrong Stories with Special Guest: Dian Gibson (#12) Dec 15, 2020

Dian Gibson, ScreenStrong Ambassador and mother of three, joins Melanie Hempe to share the most recent events in her journey to becoming a ScreenStrong Family.

Support the show

Don't forget to subscribe, rate, and leave a review if you enjoy the episode. Your feedback helps us bring you more of the content you love. Stay Strong!

Start your ScreenStrong Journey today!
Become a Connect Member to get access to our exclusive online forum, the 30-Day ScreenStrong Challenge, LIVE webinars with medical experts, and the entire ScreenStrong library of videos, audio clips, interviews, e-books, handouts, and more!
Want to help spread the ScreenStrong message to your community? Consider becoming a ScreenStrong Ambassador!

ScreenStrong Tech Recommendations

Gabb Wireless—Smartphone Replacement (use code STRONG for discount)
Canopy—Device Filter (use code STRONG for discount)

Production Team:

Host: Melanie Hempe
Producer & Audio Editor: Olivia Kernekin

Non-Tech Gifts for the Holidays (#11) Dec 11, 2020

Are video games and smartphones the only things on your child's Christmas list? If so, listen in as Melanie and Mandee discuss non-tech alternatives!

Support the show

Don't forget to subscribe, rate, and leave a review if you enjoy the episode. Your feedback helps us bring you more of the content you love. Stay Strong!

Start your ScreenStrong Journey today!
Become a Connect Member to get access to our exclusive online forum, the 30-Day ScreenStrong Challenge, LIVE webinars with medical experts, and the entire ScreenStrong library of videos, audio clips, interviews, e-books, handouts, and more!
Want to help spread the ScreenStrong message to your community? Consider becoming a ScreenStrong Ambassador!

ScreenStrong Tech Recommendations

Gabb Wireless—Smartphone Replacement (use code STRONG for discount)
Canopy—Device Filter (use code STRONG for discount)

Production Team:

Host: Melanie Hempe
Producer & Audio Editor: Olivia Kernekin

Non-Tech Screen Activities with Sue DeCaro (#10) Dec 04, 2020

Melanie Hempe and worldwide Coach and Educator, Sue DeCaro, discuss a variety of non-tech activities for all ages to implement both this holiday season and year round.

Support the show

Don't forget to subscribe, rate, and leave a review if you enjoy the episode. Your feedback helps us bring you more of the content you love. Stay Strong!

Start your ScreenStrong Journey today!
Become a Connect Member to get access to our exclusive online forum, the 30-Day ScreenStrong Challenge, LIVE webinars with medical experts, and the entire ScreenStrong library of videos, audio clips, interviews, e-books, handouts, and more!
Want to help spread the ScreenStrong message to your community? Consider becoming a ScreenStrong Ambassador!

ScreenStrong Tech Recommendations

Gabb Wireless—Smartphone Replacement (use code STRONG for discount)
Canopy—Device Filter (use code STRONG for discount)

Production Team:

Host: Melanie Hempe
Producer & Audio Editor: Olivia Kernekin

Five Benefits of Low-Tech Learning (#9) Dec 01, 2020

Melanie sits down with Anneka Daniell, a mom of four, who has discovered the secret to scree-free homeschooling.

Whether you are distance learning or truly homeschooling, Anneka lists 5 benefits to a low-tech, learning-at-home experience for your kids with tips and resources to get you started.

Support the show

Don't forget to subscribe, rate, and leave a review if you enjoy the episode. Your feedback helps us bring you more of the content you love. Stay Strong!

Start your ScreenStrong Journey today!
Become a Connect Member to get access to our exclusive online forum, the 30-Day ScreenStrong Challenge, LIVE webinars with medical experts, and the entire ScreenStrong library of videos, audio clips, interviews, e-books, handouts, and more!
Want to help spread the ScreenStrong message to your community? Consider becoming a ScreenStrong Ambassador!

ScreenStrong Tech Recommendations

Gabb Wireless—Smartphone Replacement (use code STRONG for discount)
Canopy—Device Filter (use code STRONG for discount)

Production Team:

Host: Melanie Hempe
Producer & Audio Editor: Olivia Kernekin

ScreenStrong Stories with Special Guest: Julie Christian (#8) Nov 24, 2020

ScreenStrong Ambassador, Julie Christian, shares her journey in becoming a ScreenStrong Family—highlighting the highs, lows, and everything in between.

Support the show

Don't forget to subscribe, rate, and leave a review if you enjoy the episode. Your feedback helps us bring you more of the content you love. Stay Strong!

Start your ScreenStrong Journey today!
Become a Connect Member to get access to our exclusive online forum, the 30-Day ScreenStrong Challenge, LIVE webinars with medical experts, and the entire ScreenStrong library of videos, audio clips, interviews, e-books, handouts, and more!
Want to help spread the ScreenStrong message to your community? Consider becoming a ScreenStrong Ambassador!

ScreenStrong Tech Recommendations

Gabb Wireless—Smartphone Replacement (use code STRONG for discount)
Canopy—Device Filter (use code STRONG for discount)

Production Team:

Host: Melanie Hempe
Producer & Audio Editor: Olivia Kernekin

Go Game Free and Never Have Bored Kids Again! (#7) Nov 17, 2020

Melanie Hempe and Mary Thorne (@maryellen0708) discuss the huge benefits of raising boys without video games—a choice that is so much easier than you may think! Happy parents and happy kids!

Episode Pre-Recorded: 9/17/20

Support the show

Don't forget to subscribe, rate, and leave a review if you enjoy the episode. Your feedback helps us bring you more of the content you love. Stay Strong!

Start your ScreenStrong Journey today!
Become a Connect Member to get access to our exclusive online forum, the 30-Day ScreenStrong Challenge, LIVE webinars with medical experts, and the entire ScreenStrong library of videos, audio clips, interviews, e-books, handouts, and more!
Want to help spread the ScreenStrong message to your community? Consider becoming a ScreenStrong Ambassador!

ScreenStrong Tech Recommendations

Gabb Wireless—Smartphone Replacement (use code STRONG for discount)
Canopy—Device Filter (use code STRONG for discount)

Production Team:

Host: Melanie Hempe
Producer & Audio Editor: Olivia Kernekin

Why Social Media Is NOT Smart For Middle School Kids (#6) Nov 10, 2020

Crazy things seem to happen to a tween’s brain the first day he walks into middle school...
With seven middle school kids between them, Melanie and Mandee discuss middle school maturity, the detrimental effects of social media, and the "Middle School Girl Phone Speech."

Support the show

Don't forget to subscribe, rate, and leave a review if you enjoy the episode. Your feedback helps us bring you more of the content you love. Stay Strong!

Start your ScreenStrong Journey today!
Become a Connect Member to get access to our exclusive online forum, the 30-Day ScreenStrong Challenge, LIVE webinars with medical experts, and the entire ScreenStrong library of videos, audio clips, interviews, e-books, handouts, and more!
Want to help spread the ScreenStrong message to your community? Consider becoming a ScreenStrong Ambassador!

ScreenStrong Tech Recommendations

Gabb Wireless—Smartphone Replacement (use code STRONG for discount)
Canopy—Device Filter (use code STRONG for discount)

Production Team:

Host: Melanie Hempe
Producer & Audio Editor: Olivia Kernekin

How to Become a ScreenStrong Family (#5) Nov 06, 2020

Melanie Hempe and Mandee Hamann share their stories about how they became ScreenStrong Families and give practical tips on how to begin reducing screen time in your home.

Support the show

Don't forget to subscribe, rate, and leave a review if you enjoy the episode. Your feedback helps us bring you more of the content you love. Stay Strong!

Start your ScreenStrong Journey today!
Become a Connect Member to get access to our exclusive online forum, the 30-Day ScreenStrong Challenge, LIVE webinars with medical experts, and the entire ScreenStrong library of videos, audio clips, interviews, e-books, handouts, and more!
Want to help spread the ScreenStrong message to your community? Consider becoming a ScreenStrong Ambassador!

ScreenStrong Tech Recommendations

Gabb Wireless—Smartphone Replacement (use code STRONG for discount)
Canopy—Device Filter (use code STRONG for discount)

Production Team:

Host: Melanie Hempe
Producer & Audio Editor: Olivia Kernekin

Distance Learning & Tips for Teachers (#4) Aug 28, 2020

Distance Learning & Tips for Teachers with Melanie Hempe and special guest Dawn Poulterer Woods, family coach and ScreenStrong Ambassador.

Support the show

Don't forget to subscribe, rate, and leave a review if you enjoy the episode. Your feedback helps us bring you more of the content you love. Stay Strong!

Start your ScreenStrong Journey today!
Become a Connect Member to get access to our exclusive online forum, the 30-Day ScreenStrong Challenge, LIVE webinars with medical experts, and the entire ScreenStrong library of videos, audio clips, interviews, e-books, handouts, and more!
Want to help spread the ScreenStrong message to your community? Consider becoming a ScreenStrong Ambassador!

ScreenStrong Tech Recommendations

Gabb Wireless—Smartphone Replacement (use code STRONG for discount)
Canopy—Device Filter (use code STRONG for discount)

Production Team:

Host: Melanie Hempe
Producer & Audio Editor: Olivia Kernekin

ScreenStrong Quarantine Q&A (#3) Aug 07, 2020

Melanie Hempe, Mandee Hamann, Michelle Barrett, and Olivia Kernekin discuss screen time during social distancing & quarantine, video game aggression, teen screen anxiety, and distance learning.

Support the show

Don't forget to subscribe, rate, and leave a review if you enjoy the episode. Your feedback helps us bring you more of the content you love. Stay Strong!

Start your ScreenStrong Journey today!
Become a Connect Member to get access to our exclusive online forum, the 30-Day ScreenStrong Challenge, LIVE webinars with medical experts, and the entire ScreenStrong library of videos, audio clips, interviews, e-books, handouts, and more!
Want to help spread the ScreenStrong message to your community? Consider becoming a ScreenStrong Ambassador!

ScreenStrong Tech Recommendations

Gabb Wireless—Smartphone Replacement (use code STRONG for discount)
Canopy—Device Filter (use code STRONG for discount)

Production Team:

Host: Melanie Hempe
Producer & Audio Editor: Olivia Kernekin

Screen Dependency Warning Signs (#2) Jul 29, 2020

ScreenStrong founder Melanie Hempe and family counselor Michelle Barrett as they discuss the 6 Warning Signs for screen dependency and prevention solutions.

Support the show

Don't forget to subscribe, rate, and leave a review if you enjoy the episode. Your feedback helps us bring you more of the content you love. Stay Strong!

Start your ScreenStrong Journey today!
Become a Connect Member to get access to our exclusive online forum, the 30-Day ScreenStrong Challenge, LIVE webinars with medical experts, and the entire ScreenStrong library of videos, audio clips, interviews, e-books, handouts, and more!
Want to help spread the ScreenStrong message to your community? Consider becoming a ScreenStrong Ambassador!

ScreenStrong Tech Recommendations

Gabb Wireless—Smartphone Replacement (use code STRONG for discount)
Canopy—Device Filter (use code STRONG for discount)

Production Team:

Host: Melanie Hempe
Producer & Audio Editor: Olivia Kernekin

Screen Immersion Levels (#1) Jul 29, 2020

ScreenStrong founder Melanie Hempe and family counselor Michelle Barrett as they discuss the levels of screen immersion and how to prevent childhood screen dependency.

Support the show

Don't forget to subscribe, rate, and leave a review if you enjoy the episode. Your feedback helps us bring you more of the content you love. Stay Strong!

Start your ScreenStrong Journey today!
Become a Connect Member to get access to our exclusive online forum, the 30-Day ScreenStrong Challenge, LIVE webinars with medical experts, and the entire ScreenStrong library of videos, audio clips, interviews, e-books, handouts, and more!
Want to help spread the ScreenStrong message to your community? Consider becoming a ScreenStrong Ambassador!

ScreenStrong Tech Recommendations

Gabb Wireless—Smartphone Replacement (use code STRONG for discount)
Canopy—Device Filter (use code STRONG for discount)

Production Team:

Host: Melanie Hempe
Producer & Audio Editor: Olivia Kernekin

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