ScreenStrong Families

In this special Thanksgiving episode, Evan Hempe steps behind the microphone to share a powerful personal perspective you won’t want to miss. As a young adult looking back on a ScreenStrong childhood, Evan reflects on the unexpected (and sometimes overlooked) gifts that came from growing up without toxic screens.While the culture insists that kids “need” smartphones, video games, and social media to survive socially or academically, Evan’s story paints a very different—and hopeful—picture. This episode dives into the ten things he’s most grateful for now that he’s old enough to see the lifelong benefits clearly.From deeper friendships and genuine confidence to stronger focus, better sleep, and a childhood filled with real connection instead of digital distraction, Evan shares why he’s thankful his parents took the road less traveled. His list is honest, encouraging, and full of insight for families wondering whether the screen-strong path is worth it.As we head into Thanksgiving, this episode is a heartfelt reminder that protecting your kids from toxic screens isn’t deprivation—it’s a gift they will appreciate for the rest of their lives.Support the showDon'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! Get your copy of the BRAND NEW Adventures of Super Brain book! Start your ScreenStrong Journey today! Check out our Kids' Brains & Screens products. Want to help spread the ScreenStrong message to your community? Consider becoming a ScreenStrong Ambassador! ScreenStrong Tech Recommendations Canopy—Device Filter (use code STRONG for discount) Production Team: Host: Melanie Hempe Producer & Audio Editor: Olivia Kernekin

What is the best phone for kids? It’s the question parents everywhere are asking—and today, we’re finally going to answer it.In this episode, Melanie is joined by special guest and fellow mom, Hayley, who recently went on the journey of deciding what kind of phone her son should have. When Hayley casually mentioned that she uses a flip phone, Melanie knew she needed to get her on the show to unpack the whole story—and the bigger dilemma every parent is facing in today’s digital world.Together, they walk through The Grand Smartphone Experiment—how we all went from simple flip phones to handing miniature supercomputers to 12-year-olds, and why the cultural pendulum is finally swinging back toward sanity.Melanie and Hayley revisit the flip-phone era, the arrival of the smartphone, the “let’s give these to our kids” panic years, the rise of “safe phones,” and the slow slide back into danger as kid-phones become more like adult smartphones.Most importantly, they answer the real question:What do kids actually need—developmentally, emotionally, and socially—when it comes to tech?This conversation offers parents clarity, confidence, courage, and a fresh perspective on what independence really looks like. You’ll learn:Why kids never needed smartphones in the first placeHow “safe phones” slowly became unsafeThe hidden developmental costs of giving kids smartphonesWhy the simplest tool—a basic, boring flip phone—is often the smartest choiceThe surprising benefits kids gain by NOT having what everyone else hasWhy phones should be tools, not toysAnd why giving kids less tech builds more grit, leadership, and real independenceIf you’ve ever felt unsure, pressured, or alone in your phone decision, this episode will leave you empowered. The narrow road is rarely the easy road—but it’s always the right one.Support the showDon'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! Get your copy of the BRAND NEW Adventures of Super Brain book! Start your ScreenStrong Journey today! Check out our Kids' Brains & Screens products. Want to help spread the ScreenStrong message to your community? Consider becoming a ScreenStrong Ambassador! ScreenStrong Tech Recommendations Canopy—Device Filter (use code STRONG for discount) Production Team: Host: Melanie Hempe Producer & Audio Editor: Olivia Kernekin

In this special episode, we share audio from a virtual panel discussion hosted by Thrive Forward Therapy, “Protecting Youth in the Digital Age.”How can parents keep their kids safe online? It’s one of the most urgent questions families face today. With nearly 70% of parents saying parenting is harder now than it was 20 years ago—largely due to technology and social media—this conversation couldn’t be more timely.Join Melanie Hempe, RN, BSN, founder of ScreenStrong, Homeland Security Special Agent Dennis Fetting, and Jennifer Wilmoth, LMFT, founder of Thrive Forward Therapy, as they unpack the real risks kids face online and offer practical tools for families and educators. From digital safety and social media pressures to emotional health and prevention strategies, this powerful discussion equips parents to take confident, informed steps toward protecting and guiding their children in today’s tech-driven world.Support the showDon'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! Get your copy of the BRAND NEW Adventures of Super Brain book! Start your ScreenStrong Journey today! Check out our Kids' Brains & Screens products. Want to help spread the ScreenStrong message to your community? Consider becoming a ScreenStrong Ambassador! ScreenStrong Tech Recommendations Canopy—Device Filter (use code STRONG for discount) Production Team: Host: Melanie Hempe Producer & Audio Editor: Olivia Kernekin

Katie Kimball, founder of Kids Cook Real Food and two-time TEDx speaker, shares her passion for teaching kids essential life skills beyond screens. She emphasizes the importance of hands-on learning, confidence building through chores, and the need for controlled risk-taking for growth. Katie discusses finding time to teach practical skills in busy family schedules and presents an age-appropriate roadmap for fostering independence. With her insights, she encourages parents to trust their kids’ abilities and invest in their future.

This week, Melanie sits down with psychiatrist Dr. Adriana Stacey to discuss new research showing how social media use in adolescence may be changing the way our kids think.Most parents know that excessive screen time can impact mood and sleep, but Dr. Stacey explains how it goes much deeper — affecting attention, memory, and even language development. Together, they explore what’s happening inside the adolescent brain, why even “moderate” social media use can interfere with learning, and what parents can do to protect cognitive growth during these crucial years.You’ll also hear the story of one teen whose focus and motivation began to unravel with increased online use — and how simple changes helped restore his ability to think clearly and engage again in real life.Key Takeaways:How social media overstimulates the brain’s reward systemWhy cognitive performance may decline even with moderate useThe “opportunity cost” of screen time — what our kids lose when they scrollPractical steps for helping teens build stronger focus and healthier habitsIf you’ve ever wondered whether your child’s smartphone is interfering with their ability to think, focus, and learn, this episode is for you.Access FREE "Undoing Choices" DownloadSupport the showDon'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! Get your copy of the BRAND NEW Adventures of Super Brain book! Start your ScreenStrong Journey today! Check out our Kids' Brains & Screens products. Want to help spread the ScreenStrong message to your community? Consider becoming a ScreenStrong Ambassador! ScreenStrong Tech Recommendations Canopy—Device Filter (use code STRONG for discount) Production Team: Host: Melanie Hempe Producer & Audio Editor: Olivia Kernekin

In this powerful and eye-opening episode, host Melanie Hempe sits down with Amy Eytchison, a mother of four grown children, to have an honest conversation about one of the most overlooked issues in parenting today: video game addiction among boys.While the nation is finally waking up to the dangers of smartphones and social media for our daughters, many parents are missing the other half of the digital crisis—our sons, who are quietly slipping away behind glowing screens. Together, Melanie and Amy uncover why gaming is not “just a game,” how it preys on boys’ developmental needs, and why so many young men are struggling to launch in life.They discuss the cultural blind spots keeping parents in denial—like “he’s safe at home,” “he’s smart, so I’m not worried,” or “it’s just how boys socialize”—and reveal the neuroscience behind why gaming can rewire a child’s brain and fuel depression, loneliness, and loss of purpose.Whether you’re a parent, educator, or friend, this is an essential listen for anyone who cares about helping today’s boys grow into strong, healthy, and purpose-driven young men.Resources Mentioned:Start your family’s 7-Day or 30-Day Digital Detox through the ScreenStrong Connect community.Explore the Kids’ Brains & Screens Home Edition for science-based tools and family conversation guides.Visit ScreenStrong.org for more information, resources, and upcoming events.Articles Referenced:"Tyler Robinson and America's Lost Boys”'Failing at life': Psychiatrists reveal what made Tyler Robinson ideal lone wolf in Charlie Kirk caseThe Psychology of Charlie Kirk Killer Tyler Robinson Predicted by PsychiatristSupport the showDon'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! Get your copy of the BRAND NEW Adventures of Super Brain book! Start your ScreenStrong Journey today! Check out our Kids' Brains & Screens products. Want to help spread the ScreenStrong message to your community? Consider becoming a ScreenStrong Ambassador! ScreenStrong Tech Recommendations Canopy—Device Filter (use code STRONG for discount) Production Team: Host: Melanie Hempe Producer & Audio Editor: Olivia Kernekin

In this episode, Mandee Hamann sits down with Sarah Rebick to explore the unique qualities of the Maine Coast Semester at Chewonki and how they align with ScreenStrong’s mission of raising healthy, well-balanced kids in a screen-heavy world. Together, they discuss how the program’s focus on community, connection with nature, and hands-on learning provides an inspiring model for families seeking alternatives to the digital default. Sarah shares stories of students who’ve thrived in this unplugged environment—gaining confidence, building resilience, and rediscovering joy in authentic relationships. Whether you’re curious about immersive educational programs or simply looking for encouragement to create a screen-strong culture at home, this conversation will leave you inspired with practical takeaways for your own family.Support the showDon'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! Get your copy of the BRAND NEW Adventures of Super Brain book! Start your ScreenStrong Journey today! Check out our Kids' Brains & Screens products. Want to help spread the ScreenStrong message to your community? Consider becoming a ScreenStrong Ambassador! ScreenStrong Tech Recommendations Canopy—Device Filter (use code STRONG for discount) Production Team: Host: Melanie Hempe Producer & Audio Editor: Olivia Kernekin

In today’s episode, Melanie sits down with Beth, a high school teacher, to hear her firsthand experience with the new phone-free classroom policy this school year.Beth shares the contrast between last year’s inconsistent approach—where teachers set their own phone rules, leading to confusion and frustration—and this year’s unified, zero-tolerance policy: no phones, headphones, smartwatches, or personal devices from bell to bell.The results have been remarkable. Students are talking and connecting with each other, engaging more with their teachers, and showing up to class happier, less stressed, and better rested. Teachers are noticing fewer distractions, better focus, and improved productivity in class.Of course, there are challenges to keep an eye on, like students attempting to sneak in earbuds or use smartwatches, and some adjusting to moments of boredom without their devices. But overall, the shift has been transformative—for both students and teachers.This episode offers an inspiring look at what really happens when schools go phone-free.Support the showDon'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! Get your copy of the BRAND NEW Adventures of Super Brain book! Start your ScreenStrong Journey today! Check out our Kids' Brains & Screens products. Want to help spread the ScreenStrong message to your community? Consider becoming a ScreenStrong Ambassador! ScreenStrong Tech Recommendations Canopy—Device Filter (use code STRONG for discount) Production Team: Host: Melanie Hempe Producer & Audio Editor: Olivia Kernekin

What really happens when kids grow up without smartphones, video games, and social media? In this eye-opening episode, Melanie Hempe sits down with Dr. Adriana Stacey to explore the powerful changes families see when they step off the screen-saturated path.From more creativity and deeper conversations at the dinner table to stronger confidence, healthier friendships, and greater resilience, Dr. Stacey shares both personal stories and professional insights that prove life beyond screens is not only possible—it’s better.You’ll discover:The two big myths most parents believe about kids and screensWhat kids actually do with their time when they aren’t glued to devicesHow screen-free teens grow into more confident, capable, and connected young adultsWhy raising the bar with a ScreenStrong culture is easier—and healthier—than negotiating with kids about toxic techIf you’ve ever wondered whether your child will “miss out” without a smartphone or gaming console, this episode will show you the truth: when you remove toxic tech, you make room for freedom, growth, and joy.You’re not alone—and you’re not crazy. You’re just ahead of the curve.Support the showDon'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! Get your copy of the BRAND NEW Adventures of Super Brain book! Start your ScreenStrong Journey today! Check out our Kids' Brains & Screens products. Want to help spread the ScreenStrong message to your community? Consider becoming a ScreenStrong Ambassador! ScreenStrong Tech Recommendations Canopy—Device Filter (use code STRONG for discount) Production Team: Host: Melanie Hempe Producer & Audio Editor: Olivia Kernekin

On this episode, host Mandee Hamann sits down with Aaron Plaat (aaronplaat.com) to unpack one of the most pressing questions for parents today: What does the rise of artificial intelligence mean for our kids?From AI-driven apps and chatbots to personalized digital companions, Aaron shares his insights on how these technologies are shaping children’s development, relationships, and even their sense of identity. Together, Mandee and Aaron explore the promises and pitfalls of AI, including:How AI tools are targeting children and teensThe potential impact of AI on executive function, creativity, and critical thinkingWhy AI-powered “friends” and digital companions can be especially dangerous for young usersWhat parents can do now to protect, equip, and guide their kids in an AI-saturated worldIf you’ve been wondering how to navigate the rapidly changing landscape of artificial intelligence and its impact on childhood, this episode will give you the clarity and confidence you need.Support the showDon'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! Get your copy of the BRAND NEW Adventures of Super Brain book! Start your ScreenStrong Journey today! Check out our Kids' Brains & Screens products. Want to help spread the ScreenStrong message to your community? Consider becoming a ScreenStrong Ambassador! ScreenStrong Tech Recommendations Canopy—Device Filter (use code STRONG for discount) Production Team: Host: Melanie Hempe Producer & Audio Editor: Olivia Kernekin