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 communicat...
Aug 23, 2023•58 min
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! Get your copy of the BRAND NEW KBS Home Ed...
Aug 16, 2023•59 min
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 rev...
Aug 09, 2023•37 min
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 ...
Aug 02, 2023•1 hr 3 min
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 v...
Jul 26, 2023•1 hr 10 min
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 ...
Jul 19, 2023•1 hr 13 min
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. Vic...
Jul 12, 2023•1 hr 5 min
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...
Jul 05, 2023•52 min
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 A...
Jun 28, 2023•1 hr 1 min
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! Get your copy of the BRAND NEW KBS Home Edit...
Jun 21, 2023•1 hr 7 min
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...
Jun 14, 2023•59 min
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 ...
Jun 07, 2023•37 min
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! Get your copy of the BRAND NEW KBS Home Edition! Start your ScreenStrong Journey today!...
May 31, 2023•46 min
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! 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...
May 24, 2023•30 min
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 Survi...
May 17, 2023•54 min
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, Aggressi...
May 10, 2023•1 hr 19 min
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 w...
May 03, 2023•38 min
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! ...
Apr 26, 2023•1 hr 16 min
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 br...
Apr 19, 2023•43 min
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! Get your copy of the BRAND NEW KBS Home Edition! Start your Scree...
Apr 12, 2023•1 hr 7 min
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: Grit: The Power of Passion and Perseverance by Angela Duckworth How to Get Your Child to Take Music Lessons with Dr. Catharine McClure Jackson (...
Apr 05, 2023•1 hr 8 min
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. ...
Mar 29, 2023•49 min
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 Ac...
Mar 22, 2023•53 min
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 [email protected] . References & Links: Jonathan ...
Mar 15, 2023•58 min
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 Tweng...
Mar 08, 2023•34 min
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: How to Get Smartphones Out of School with Officer Gomez (#116) The Battle Against Screen Time with Officer Gomez (#86) 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 lov...
Mar 01, 2023•53 min
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 St...
Feb 22, 2023•1 hr 4 min
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 t...
Feb 15, 2023•58 min
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 [email protected] A must-read book on this topic is Your Brain on Porn by Gary Wilson Check out Gary Wilson’s TEDTalk “Th...
Feb 08, 2023•48 min
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. Cris Rowan's Website Cris Rowan's Blog Support the show Don't forget to subscribe, rate, and leave a review if you enjoy the episode. Your feedback helps us brin...
Feb 01, 2023•1 hr 16 min
