ScreenStrong Families

Join entrepreneur Chet Kittleson, founder of Tin Can, as he champions the power of offline connections. He shares insights on raising kids in a screen-saturated world and introduces an innovative communication device that boosts family ties, especially with grandparents. Chet emphasizes the importance of teaching children effective communication skills and discusses strategies for fostering healthy digital habits. Dive into his vision for an analog lifestyle that promotes well-being and authentic relationships, making family moments richer and more meaningful.

This episode deals with mature topics (suicide, cyberbullying, sextortion). Listener discretion is advised.In this powerful and deeply moving episode, Melanie is joined by Brian Montgomery—a devoted husband and father of four—who bravely shares the heartbreaking story of his son, Walker. Walker tragically lost his life to the devastating effects of sextortion on Instagram, and Brian’s raw transparency is a courageous gift that offers hope and awareness to families everywhere.Through this emotional conversation, Brian reflects on the painful lessons learned and offers critical insights every parent needs to hear. His mission is clear: to prevent other families from experiencing the same unimaginable loss. Join us as we honor Walker’s memory and uncover essential truths that can help protect our children in today’s digital 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

Why do smart, caring kids get stuck in harmful digital habits—and why do even the best parenting strategies sometimes fall flat? In this compelling conversation, Melanie Hempe sits down with psychologist and author Dr. Richard Freed to discuss his groundbreaking new book and the manipulative force shaping youth culture today: Persuasive Design.Dr. Freed explains how powerful tech companies use behavioral science to keep kids scrolling, gaming, and glued to screens—often at the expense of their mental health, relationships, and futures. They dive into the research behind screen addiction, the myth of “safe” screen time, and the science that parents must understand to protect their kids.You’ll walk away from this episode informed, empowered, and equipped with practical steps to reclaim your child’s attention—and your family’s connection.In This Episode:What persuasive design is—and how it targets your childWhy traditional parenting advice often fails in the digital ageThe role of Silicon Valley psychologists in youth screen addictionReal-life solutions for pushing back against Big Tech’s influenceWhy family connection is the antidote to persuasive techThis is a conversation every parent needs to hear.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

Dive into the harsh realities of modern adolescence as the hosts explore a powerful Netflix film that reveals the dangerous disconnect between teens and their families. They tackle the alarming normalization of harmful online behavior and the hidden digital languages used by kids. Emphasizing the need for proactive parenting, they question how families can better connect in a digital age. With a call to action, the conversation stresses the importance of reclaiming influence and fostering meaningful communication to prevent tragedy.

Mandee Hamann, a leading speaker on the impact of screens on children, joins the conversation. They unveil the new Home Edition of Kids’ Brains & Screens, designed for family use. Key differences between this and the Student Edition are discussed, emphasizing the importance of education in managing screen time. Inspiring teacher testimonials highlight the curriculum's success in schools. Mandee and her co-host also share strategies for parents and community-building through book clubs, empowering families to discuss screen effects collaboratively.

Andrea Boyd, a ScreenStrong Ambassador, shares her family’s journey through screen addiction, highlighting her son Colin’s transformation from watching 16,000 YouTube videos to advocating for healthier screen use in schools. They discuss the challenges of digital detox, the effects of screens on children’s behavior, and the importance of parental involvement. Colin’s newfound clarity and motivation to change legislation showcases the power of reclaiming childhood from technology’s grip. Their story serves as inspiration for families navigating screen time in today’s digital age.

In this episode, Melanie speaks with author and therapist Tom Kersting, diving into the profound impact of technology on children’s social and emotional development. Together, they explore the challenges many parents face—kids prioritizing gaming over real friendships, emotional dysregulation, and the growing disconnect between generations. Tom unpacks key insights from Disconnected, offering practical strategies to help families break free from screen saturation. He and Melanie discuss actionable steps to rebuild meaningful connections, foster independent thinking in children, and encourage mindful tech use. Tune in for expert advice and tangible solutions to help your family reclaim balance in the digital age.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 eye-opening episode, host Mandee Hamann sits down with Aleda Renter from Protect Me Project to discuss the alarming connection between screen use and child exploitation. Aleda shares her expertise on how traffickers use social media, gaming platforms, and other online spaces to groom and exploit young victims. She and Mandee explore the critical role that screens play in making children more accessible to predators and how seemingly innocent online interactions can escalate into dangerous situations. Drawing from Protect Me Project’s work in prevention and ScreenStrong’s mission to help families reclaim childhood from screens, this conversation provides parents with practical tools to safeguard their children online. Tune in to learn how to recognize the warning signs, educate your kids about online dangers, and take proactive steps to keep them safe.This episode is for mature audiences.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 episode, Melanie welcomes back Dr. Victoria Dunckley, an integrative psychiatrist and author of 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. This conversation, taken from a previous interview, focuses on the practical steps parents can take to successfully implement the screen-time reset. Dr. Dunckley shares strategies for preparing the whole family, including how to engage a reluctant spouse, tips for single parents, and what to expect from children as they adjust. She also debunks common myths about screen use, such as the fear of lost friendships or the belief that early tech exposure is necessary for future success. Describing the reset as a transformational process, Dr. Dunckley explains how reducing screen time strengthens a child’s brain, improves self-discipline, and fosters deeper connections.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 episode, Melanie welcomes Dr. Victoria Dunckley, an integrative psychiatrist and author of 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. This conversation, taken from a previous interview, highlights how Victoria’s early work with troubled children and adolescents led her to research the profound effects of screen time on young minds. She introduces the concept of Electronic Screen Syndrome and explains how excessive screen use impacts children's emotions, behavior, and cognitive function. With her hands-on experience and medical expertise, Victoria provides valuable insights into why reducing screen exposure is critical for a child's well-being.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