ScreenStrong Families
Melanie Hempe, BSN
After her oldest son, Adam, dropped out of college due to his video game addiction, Melanie Hempe, BSN, put her nursing degree and training from Emory University to good use and founded ScreenStrong. It’s her mission 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.Host of the popular weekly ScreenStrong Families Podcast, Melanie has been featured in Psychology Today, Thrive-Global, The Wall Street Journal, A&E Network, CBS, CNN, NPR, the documentary Screened Out, and various news and television outlets. Her ScreenStrong Kids’ Brains and Screens Courses are available for parents and students. Her four books include, “Kids’ Brains & Screens: A ScreenStrong Student Course,” “Will Your Gamer Survive College?” “Can Your Teen Survive—and Thrive—Without a Smartphone?” and “The ScreenStrong Solution: How to Free Your Child from Addictive Screen Habits.”
Episodes
Mentioned books
Jun 28, 2023 • 1h 1min
Surgeon General Warns Against Social Media with Dr. Adriana Stacey (#156)
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 & LinksFull Report: "Social Media and Youth Mental Health" - The U.S. Surgeon General’s AdvisoryPress Release: "Surgeon General Issues New Advisory About Effects Social Media Use Has on Youth Mental Health"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 KBS Home Edition! 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
Jun 21, 2023 • 1h 7min
Tips for Young Moms (#155)
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 MomsSupport 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 KBS Home Edition! 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
Jun 14, 2023 • 59min
Raising Healthy Teenagers: Equipping Your Child to Navigate the Pitfalls and Dangers of Teen Life with Tom Kersting (#154)
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 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 KBS Home Edition! 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
Jun 7, 2023 • 37min
ENCORE: Growing Up ScreenStrong with Andrew and Evan Hempe (#31)
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 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 KBS Home Edition! 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
May 31, 2023 • 46min
The Five Benefits of Going ScreenStrong with LaNissa Davison (#153)
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 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 KBS Home Edition! 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
May 24, 2023 • 30min
What's A ScreenStrong Ambassador? (#152)
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 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 KBS Home Edition! 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
May 17, 2023 • 54min
Twisted Truth: Dopamine and Screens with Dr. Adriana Stacey (#151)
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 JensenDopamine Nation: Finding Balance in the Age of Indulgence by Anna LembkeSupport 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 KBS Home Edition! 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
May 10, 2023 • 1h 19min
10 Things Every Parent Needs to Know About Video Games with Olivia Bruner (#150)
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 LembkeAssassination Generation: Video Games, Aggression, and the Psychology of Killing by Lt. Col. Dave GrossmanThe Village Effect: How Face-to-Face Contact Can Make Us Healthier and Happier by Susan PinkerBreaking 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 BrownSupport 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 KBS Home Edition! 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
May 3, 2023 • 38min
Prevent Screen Problems With Neuroscience with Sarah Hendrix, RN, MSN (#149)
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 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 KBS Home Edition! 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
Apr 26, 2023 • 1h 16min
Pornography Is Chasing Our Kids with Nadya Seboldt (#148)
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 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 KBS Home Edition! 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
