ScreenStrong Families

Nov 20 2024 230 ep. 51 mins 83
ScreenStrong Families Podcast artwork

Melanie Hempe, BSN, received her bachelors of Nursing from Emory University. Her mission is 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 and are thrilled to experience a newfound freedom in their lives.

Melanie hosts the popular weekly ScreenStrong Families Podcast. She has been featured in Psychology Today, Thrive-Global, The Wall Street Journal, A&E Network, CBS, CNN, NPR, Screened Out (documentary film), and various news and television outlets.

  Kids & Family  Education
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Why Give Real Toys During the Holiday Season with Liz Breen (#217)

Nov 20 2024 43 mins  
Every year, we talk about Christmas gifts, but this year we're getting ahead of the game with a plan for a Screen-Free Christmas.In this episode, Melanie Hempe and ScreenStrong Ambassador, Liz Breen, unwrap the magic of "real" toys—the ones that spark creativity, inspire imagination, and build lasting memories. They explore why video games and smartphones are not true toys and di

The Gift of Community: A Great New Book for Young Kids with Beth Wilson (#216)

Nov 13 2024 32 mins  
In this heartwarming episode, host Melanie Hempe sits down with children’s book author Beth Wilson to discuss her beautifully crafted book, Togetherness Town. Beth reads her inspiring story aloud, inviting listeners into a world where connection and community are at the heart of every page.Melanie and Beth dive into the themes of Togetherness Town, discussing the vital role of co

From World Records to Screen Limits: Thriving Beyond Tech with Rob McLeod (#215)

Nov 06 2024 40 mins  
Join Mandee Hamann and special guest Rob McLeod—known as Frisbee Rob—for an inspiring episode of the ScreenStrong Families Podcast, one you can listen to with your kids and teens! Rob, a Guinness World Record holder and newly certified ScreenStrong Ambassador, has spent over a decade traveling to schools, engaging over 200,000 students, and encouraging healthy screen habits and

How Teachers and Parents Can Support Phone-Free Schools with Dr. Adriana Stacey (#214)

Oct 30 2024 45 mins  
In this episode, Melanie and Dr. Stacey explore how teachers and parents can collaborate to create a phone-free school environment. Teachers can support the policy by using research-backed education, setting an example with their own phone use, and staying alert to signs of phone overuse, like distracted behavior and declining grades. Parents play a crucial role by supporting the s

ScreenStrong Teens: 10 Reasons Why Your Teen Doesn’t Need a Smartphone—Part 2 (#213)

Oct 23 2024 69 mins  
Are you considering a smartphone-free childhood for your teens? In a world where teens seem inseparable from their phones, it's refreshing to hear from those who have taken a different path.Andrew Hempe and Lydia Hamann share insights on making friends without social media, engaging activities that replace endless scrolling, thriving while being different from the crowd, and why th

Breaking Screen Addiction: A Teen’s Perspective on Setting Boundaries (#212)

Oct 16 2024 38 mins  
In this episode, host Melanie Hempe is joined by her son, Andrew, who shares his personal insights on screen habits and addiction. Together, they dispel the myth that setting boundaries around screen time leads to rebellion. Instead, Andrew explains how boundaries are an act of love that helps kids thrive.They focus on three main ideas:Boundaries = Love: Kids do better with limits,

Understanding Dopamine in Developing Brains with Dr. Anna Lembke (#211)

Oct 09 2024 60 mins  
In this episode, host Melanie Hempe sits down with psychiatrist and author, Dr. Anna Lembke, to dive deep into the science behind screen addiction and its impact on teen brains. Using Melanie’s personal experience with her son Adam as a starting point, they explore dopamine's role in shaping behavior, particularly in a teen's developing brain.Dr. Lembke breaks down what every par

Your Teen WILL Have Friends Without A Smartphone. Just Ask My Homecoming Queen. (#210)

Oct 02 2024 50 mins  
In this episode of the ScreenStrong Families podcast, host Melanie Hempe sits down with Jennifer, a mother who chose a unique approach to parenting in the digital age. Jennifer shares her story of raising several children thriving socially and academically without the constant presence of smartphones and social media. Contrary to the belief that children without devices will strugg

ENCORE: The Hero’s Journey and Immersive Gaming with Dr. Huu Kim Le (#75)

Sep 25 2024 67 mins  
In this episode, Melanie speaks with Dr. Kim Le, a child and adolescent psychiatrist based in Adelaide, Australia. He completed his psychiatry training in New South Wales and in 2015, Dr. Le received a federal grant to collaborate with an Internet Gaming Addiction Clinic for teenagers in Singapore. He has a special interest in “Gaming Disorder," which was recognized by the World

How to Protect Your Kids from the Pull of Addictive Screens (#209)

Sep 18 2024 53 mins  
In today's episode, Melanie tackles common misconceptions about screen use for children and teens. She emphasizes the importance of setting healthy boundaries to protect our children and shares practical strategies for limiting screen time. Melanie breaks down the warning signs of screen addiction and reveals the hidden dangers of persuasive design, showing how tech is intentionall