ScreenStrong Families

In this holiday episode, Melanie Hempe and Dr. Stacey unpack the #1 screen mistake parents make at Christmas: giving in and gifting devices. They reveal the hidden blind spots that cause even the best parents to rationalize smartphones and gaming systems as “good gifts,” especially during the emotional pressure of the holidays. Together, they explain why teaching teens to “use social media wisely”...

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...

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 unpa...

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...

In today’s episode, ScreenStrong Ambassador Liaison and host Mandee Hamann welcomes Katie Kimball , founder of Kids Cook Real Food and two-time TEDx speaker, for an inspiring conversation about helping kids build real life skills in a world obsessed with screens. As a mom of four, teacher, and creator of the #LifeSkillsNow summer camps, Katie has helped thousands of families empower their kids to...

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 insi...

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...

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 al...

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 pe...

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. S...

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 se...

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...

The First Voice Matters: Talking to Kids About Porn Before the Internet Does  Welcome to this powerful encore episode of the ScreenStrong Families Podcast with Melanie Hempe and Doug Smith (author, ScreenStrong Ambassador), where we tackle one of the most critical conversations parents must have in today’s digital world: pornography.  Together, Melanie and Doug explain why the first voice your chi...

In this powerful episode of the ScreenStrong Families Podcast , Melanie Hempe sits down with digital addiction pioneer Dr. Hilarie Cash, one of the earliest voices to sound the alarm on the dangers of screen overuse and gaming addiction in kids and teens. As the co-founder of reSTART Life , the nation’s first residential treatment program for internet and video game addiction, Dr. Cash shares what...

In this special episode, originally aired on the Developing Minds podcast and shared with permission, host Mariana Carazo sits down with Mandee Hamann from ScreenStrong to explore how early tech exposure impacts brain development—and what parents can do about it. Mandee and Mariana discuss practical insights grounded in brain science, emphasizing the vital role of play in early childhood and the i...

In this powerful crossover episode, Dr. Andrew Doan welcomes Melanie Hempe—registered nurse, author, and founder of ScreenStrong—to share her deeply personal and eye-opening journey from screen struggles to screen solutions. Originally featured on Dr. Doan’s Podcast , this conversation dives into the real impact of screens on families and how one mom’s wake-up call became a national movement. Mela...

In this encore episode of the ScreenStrong Families Podcast, Melanie Hempe revisits an important conversation with Dr. Douglas Gentile, award-winning research scientist, educator, author, and professor of developmental psychology at Iowa State University. Together, they dive into the scientific research behind the addictive nature of video games and explore why many parents struggle to accept the...

In today’s episode, Melanie Hempe sits down with Dan Rothert—a former college soccer coach, now consultant, and proud ScreenStrong dad—to share how he and his wife, Karen, a middle school teacher, successfully raised three thriving teens without personal smartphones. Yes, you read that right: no phones, no pushback—and no regrets. Dan’s story challenges the cultural script and shows that strong le...

In this urgent and eye-opening episode of the ScreenStrong Families Podcast , host Melanie Hempe is joined by child and adolescent psychiatrist Dr. Adriana Stacey to tackle one of the most difficult, but essential, topics facing parents today: early porn exposure. Drawing from real-world stories and powerful brain science, Melanie and Dr. Stacey explain why today’s digital landscape is especially...

In this inspiring episode, Mandee Hamann sits down with Chet Kittleson, entrepreneur and founder of Tin Can , a company on a mission to help kids and families connect offline—without the interference of screens. Chet shares the story behind Tin Can's creation, the challenges of raising kids in a hyper-digital world, and how meaningful connection can be reclaimed through intentional, tech-free...

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 transpa...

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 be...

In this deeply personal and sobering episode, Melanie Hempe and Mandee Hamann unpack the haunting Netflix film Adolescence , a raw portrayal of the modern teenage experience and how easily even “good kids” can spiral when left alone with the wrong influences online. Together, Melanie and Mandee walk through the film’s most powerful moments, examining the disconnection between parents and teens, th...

Big news! In this episode, Melanie Hempe and Mandee Hamann share an exciting announcement— Kids’ Brains & Screens now has a Home Edition ! After the incredible success of the Student Edition in classrooms, ScreenStrong is making the same science-backed content more accessible for families. Designed for easy home discussions, book clubs, and personal use, this compact, streamlined resource brin...

In this powerful episode, Mandee Hamann sits down with Andrea, ScreenStrong Ambassador, and her 8th-grade son, Colin, to share their eye-opening journey through screen addiction. Colin once watched over 16,000 YouTube videos in class , trapped in a cycle of digital distraction that left him disengaged and overwhelmed. But everything changed when his parents took action, guiding him through the Kid...