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ScreenStrong Families

Melanie Hempe, BSN

268 episodes

2 days ago

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 cook, clean, and take responsibility for their daily lives—all while bringing families closer tog...

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All content for ScreenStrong Families is the property of Melanie Hempe, BSN and is served directly from their servers with no modification, redirects, or rehosting. The podcast is not affiliated with or endorsed by Podjoint in any way.

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 cook, clean, and take responsibility for their daily lives—all while bringing families closer tog...

Show more...

Episodes (20/268)

ScreenStrong Families

Life Skills, Not Screen Skills with Katie Kimball of Kids Cook Real Food (#248)

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 cook, clean, and take responsibility for their daily lives—all while bringing families closer tog...

2 days ago

45 minutes

ScreenStrong Families

Are We Training Distraction? How Social Media Is Weakening Cognitive Skills in Teens with Dr. Adriana Stacey (#247)

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 wh...

1 week ago

39 minutes

ScreenStrong Families

The Basement Generation with Amy Eytchison (#246)

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 a...

3 weeks ago

52 minutes

ScreenStrong Families

Unplugged and Thriving: Lessons from the Maine Coast Semester with Sarah Rebick (#245)

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 unplug...

1 month ago

38 minutes

ScreenStrong Families

Phone-Free Classrooms: A Teacher’s Firsthand Report with Beth Pannenberg (#244)

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 conn...

1 month ago

35 minutes

ScreenStrong Families

Raising Teens Outside the Anxious Generation with Dr. Adriana Stacey (#243)

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 no...

1 month ago

46 minutes

ScreenStrong Families

Kids, Screens, and the Rise of A.I. with Aaron Plaat (#242)

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...

2 months ago

53 minutes

ScreenStrong Families

ENCORE: How to Get Smartphones Out of School with Officer Gomez (#116)

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 dangers of Social Media and the internet. Make sure to follow Officer Gomez on Facebook. You can...

2 months ago

37 minutes

ScreenStrong Families

When Is Your Child Ready for a Phone? When You’re Ready for Them to See Porn with Doug Smith (#241)

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 child hears about porn should be yours, not the internet’s. They dive into the science beh...

2 months ago

43 minutes

ScreenStrong Families

Why There Are Treatment Centers for Gaming Addiction—And What That Should Tell Every Parent with Dr. Hilarie Cash (#240)

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 she saw—years before most of us were paying attention—and what every parent needs to know now. Fro...

3 months ago

42 minutes

ScreenStrong Families

Building Executive Function: Why Play Matters More Than Tech with Mariana Carazo (#239)

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 importance of delaying tech for as long as possible. Drawing from experience, they offer simple, e...

3 months ago

48 minutes

ScreenStrong Families

Raising Kids in a Screen-Saturated World—Without Losing Your Mind with Dr. Andrew Doan (#238)

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. Melanie recounts how her oldest son’s battle with video game overuse led her to uncover the science be...

4 months ago

1 hour 2 minutes

ScreenStrong Families

ENCORE: The Science of Media Use and the Teenage Brain with Dr. Douglas Gentile (#23)

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 mounting evidence. Dr. Gentile explains how gaming impacts children's developing brains, why cert...

4 months ago

56 minutes

ScreenStrong Families

No Phones, No Problem: How One Family Raised Tech-Strong Teens Without Smartphones with Dan Rothert (#237)

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 leadership and intentional parenting can lead to emotionally resilient, socially confident, and aca...

5 months ago

54 minutes

ScreenStrong Families

We Need to Talk About Kids & Porn Exposure with Dr. Adriana Stacey (#236)

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 dangerous for young, developing brains—and how porn exposure can become a deeply traumatic memory ...

5 months ago

39 minutes

ScreenStrong Families

Offline and Intentional: A Conversation with Tin Can Founder Chet Kittleson (#235)

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 moments. From the inspiration behind the simple-yet-powerful Tin Can to the importance of curiosity, t...

6 months ago

32 minutes

ScreenStrong Families

ENCORE: Walker's Story: Social Media and Teen Sextortion with Brian Montgomery (#166)

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 em...

6 months ago

56 minutes

ScreenStrong Families

Why Your Child Can’t Put the Phone Down & the Power of Persuasive Design with Dr. Richard Freed (#234)

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 the...

6 months ago

52 minutes

ScreenStrong Families

“He Was a Good Kid”: The Truth Behind the Netflix Show "Adolescence" (#233)

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, the normalization of harmful online behavior, the secret digital languages kids use, and the heartbr...

6 months ago

44 minutes

ScreenStrong Families

Introducing the "Kids’ Brains & Screens Home Edition" (#232)

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 brings powerful education straight to parents and kids. Melanie and Mandee break down the key differenc...

7 months ago

34 minutes