x

75% of people globally want unbiased news (Pew Research) but are concerned they're not getting that.

Get balanced coverage with Symby. See how stories are covered across diverse outlets and spot when one side covers a story the other skips.

PODCAST

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

kids & family parenting

All Episodes

55:50

The Best Phone for Kids: The Answer Every Parent Is...

ScreenStrong Families ·

2025/11/19

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 unpack the whole story—and the bigger dilemma every parent is facing in today’s digital world. Toget...

en

71:04

"Protect Youth in the Digital Age" Expert Panel...

ScreenStrong Families ·

2025/11/13

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’t be more timely. Join Melanie Hempe, RN, BSN, founder of ScreenStrong, Homeland Security Special...

en

45:49

Life Skills, Not Screen Skills with Katie Kimball of...

ScreenStrong Families ·

2025/10/31

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...

en

39:12

Are We Training Distraction? How Social Media Is...

ScreenStrong Families ·

2025/10/24

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...

en

52:59

The Basement Generation with Amy Eytchison (#246)

ScreenStrong Families ·

2025/10/09

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...

en

38:39

Unplugged and Thriving: Lessons from the Maine Coast...

ScreenStrong Families ·

2025/10/01

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...

en

35:37

Phone-Free Classrooms: A Teacher’s Firsthand Report...

ScreenStrong Families ·

2025/09/24

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...

en

46:24

Raising Teens Outside the Anxious Generation with Dr....

ScreenStrong Families ·

2025/09/10

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...

en

53:50

Kids, Screens, and the Rise of A.I. with Aaron Plaat...

ScreenStrong Families ·

2025/08/27

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...

en

37:25

ENCORE: How to Get Smartphones Out of School with...

ScreenStrong Families ·

2025/08/20

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...

en

43:47

When Is Your Child Ready for a Phone? When You’re...

ScreenStrong Families ·

2025/08/06

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...

en

42:15

Why There Are Treatment Centers for Gaming...

ScreenStrong Families ·

2025/07/23

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...

en

48:23

Building Executive Function: Why Play Matters More...

ScreenStrong Families ·

2025/07/09

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...

en

62:25

Raising Kids in a Screen-Saturated World—Without...

ScreenStrong Families ·

2025/06/25

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...

en

56:27

ENCORE: The Science of Media Use and the Teenage...

ScreenStrong Families ·

2025/06/12

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...

en

54:13

No Phones, No Problem: How One Family Raised...

ScreenStrong Families ·

2025/05/28

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...

en

39:19

We Need to Talk About Kids & Porn Exposure with Dr....

ScreenStrong Families ·

2025/05/14

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 ...

en

32:10

Offline and Intentional: A Conversation with Tin Can...

ScreenStrong Families ·

2025/04/30

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...

en

56:53

ENCORE: Walker's Story: Social Media and Teen...

ScreenStrong Families ·

2025/04/23

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...

en

52:42

Why Your Child Can’t Put the Phone Down & the Power...

ScreenStrong Families ·

2025/04/16

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...

en

270 results

Similar Podcasts

Tale Teller Kids™

Sarnia de la Mare

米克馬故事坊

咪萊

Imagination Station

Imagination Station

Die Pferde sind nicht das Problem - und du bist nicht zu blöd. Der Aha-Podcast für Pferdemenschen

Silke Jahn & Maren Diehl

Hanna fragt Papa - Der Podcast für neugierige Kinder und Eltern

Hanna und Thomas Schamberger