Is this popular phrase true? It certainly is typical for individuals living within the same society or culture to have their own set of cultural norms, beliefs, morals, and ideas about what is normal.

But what about when you cross over cultural lines? What happens when you move into or even visit another culture? Culture shock can occur because of unique traits and differences. People from one culture often question, judge, or consider that of another to be too progressive, oppressive, backward, or sometimes even criminal.

Let’s take for example slavery, cannibalism, and pedophilia. All of these are appalling practices. The very mention of these things invokes anger and disdain. Yet these practices are alive and well in other parts of the world.

Today we want to look at cultural lines that exist and the differences we encounter when we cross those lines. However, these lines occur within our very own country and culture today.

Think for a minute about what happens when someone parents differently than you do. Now a step further, what if a parent allows their children (or even equips them) to do things that are harmful, dangerous, abusive, or morally wrong? Is there an authority that transcends culture? How can we raise healthy kids no matter where we are in the world?

Dr. Kardaras is a psychologist, best-selling author, internationally renowned speaker, professor, and expert on mental health, addiction, and the impacts of our digital age. He has also developed clinical treatment programs and clinics all across the country.

His books include Glow Kids, How Plato and Pythagoras Can Save Your Life, as well as a new book currently in the works.

In his work with adolescents, Dr. Kardaras has discovered that many teens today are suffering from genuine psychiatric disorders such as anxiety, depression, and even psychosis-like symptoms as a result of their screen dependence. He understands that smartphones and screen time have become a new type of digital drug that is used as an escape for young people.

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But I’m thinking that with connection to each other there needs to be some balance. So I want to ask you this: “Is it possible to have too much of a good thing?”

Let’s take food for instance. Is it possible to eat too much? Too much chocolate cake may just give you a stomach ache but indulging in that chocolate cake day after day after day. You could really pay the price and I’m not just talking about the scale.

Let’s apply that same thought to our wired connections to each other. I’m wondering and wrestling with this. Have we and our kids become digital gluttons in society?

Today we are speaking with Arlene Pellicane. She is passionate about helping parents learn to find happiness in their homes. Arlene is a speaker and author of nine books including 2 that she co-wrote with Gary Chapman titled, “Screen Kids” and “Growing up Social.”

Arlene appeared on various media outlets including Fox & Friends, the Today Show, Focus on the Family, and now License to Parent.

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This is actually part of a whole series of miracles that included prophecies, a virgin birth, angelic warnings, protection from a wicked ruler set out to kill the newborn king, and so much more. We celebrate this series of miracles each Christmas as we proclaim the birth of Jesus Christ.

Today on License to Parent we want to tell you about some more miracles. In fact, these are miracles that have happened during the past year! The Miracles of Shepherd’s Hill.

We hope that by sharing these stories you may be blessed and may also gain a better understanding of what we do here and why we do what we do on License to Parent. You’ll also get a glimpse into what God is doing day in and day out at our year-long residential therapeutic program for teens in crisis; Shepherd’s Hill Academy.

Trace Embry is the Co-Founder and Executive Director of Shepherd’s Hill Academy in Martin, GA. Trace, along with his wife Beth (co-founder) has a heart and a passion for helping hurting teens and their families.

Shepherd’s Hill Academy was founded in 1994 in Martin, GA, where it has grown to serve families from virtually every state and across the world.

Along with being an entrepreneur and prominent business owner, Trace served as a Police Officer in their hometown after graduating from the Indiana Law Enforcement Academy in 1978. Trace and Beth felt the Lord’s prompting to full-time ministry and attended college at Toccoa Falls College, in Toccoa Falls, GA, and pursued other extensive training to prepare them for working with troubled teens. Trace is also the Host of the License to Parent radio program.

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Tina Marie Griffin went from baling hay and milking cows on a dairy farm in Wisconsin to working as an actress in Hollywood.  She enrolled at California State University – Los Angeles to pursue a film and TV broadcasting degree and start her acting career.  Tina is doing a great job as the founder of Counter Culture Mom – Helping Parents Safely Navigate the Pop Culture Chaos!

When she isn’t traveling and speaking, you will find her busy writing radio spots, blogging, cooking, camping, traveling, homeschooling her four munchkins, or having a romantic date night with her best friend and husband Luke.  Listen to her podcast The Counter Culture Mom Podcast with Tina Griffin.

Trace Embry, Michelle Hill, and friend Tina Marie Griffin discuss the challenges of raising children in a culture that increasingly contradicts Christian values.  Tina Marie is also known as the Counter Culture Mom, who shares her insights on how to raise godly kids in an ungodly culture.

Tina Marie, having worked in Hollywood, uses her knowledge of the entertainment industry to inform parents about the negative influences it can have on children. She emphasizes the importance of parents being in the Word of God daily and instilling it in their children. Griffin also discusses the negative impact of mainstream media and encourages parents to seek out positive entertainment alternatives.

She recommends her Counter Culture Mom app as a resource for parents, which provides pop culture updates, resource links, and solution-driven content.

Episode Highlights:

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Dr. Kardaras is an Ivy-League educated psychologist, a well known speaker and addiction expert. He is also the CEO and Chief Clinical Officer of Maui Recovery in Hawaii and Omega Recovery in Austin, Texas.  Dr. Kardaras is the author of the book titled “Glow Kids.”  Please visit his bio page to learn more about his amazing accomplishments.

Trace Embry, Michelle Hill, and Dr. Nicholas Kardaras speak about the dangers of excessive screen time for children and its impact on their emotional, social, physical, and spiritual health.  They highlight the importance of face-to-face interaction and the role of parents in setting examples for their children.

They also discuss the influence of digital technology on the mental health of young people, particularly the addictive nature of devices and the impact of social media influencers.  They suggest that the excessive information and lack of critical thinking skills can lead to mental health issues, self-destructive behaviors, and even suicide.

They advocate for delayed access to devices, regulation of screen time, and avoidance of social media and gaming to protect children from the harmful effects of digital technology.

Episode Highlights:

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Lt. Col. Dave Grossman is a Retired (1998) US Army Ranger, a paratrooper, and a former West Point Psychology Professor.  He has become one of our nation’s leading trainers for military, law enforcement, mental health providers, and school safety organizations. He has a Black Belt in Hojutsu, the martial art of the firearm, and has been inducted into the USA Martial Arts Hall of Fame.

Lt. Col. Grossman has five patents to his name, published many books including his bestseller “On Killing” and a New York Times best-selling book co-authored with Glenn Beck.  He is well-known for his research, has been cited by the President of the United States, and has presented papers before the national conventions of the American Medical Association, the American Psychiatric Association, the American Psychological Association, and the American Academy of Pediatrics.

Today, Lt. Col. Grossman is the director of Grossman On Truth, LLC.  After the 9/11 terrorist attacks, he has written and spoken extensively on the terrorist threat with articles published in many leading law enforcement journals.  He has been inducted as a “Life Diplomate” by the American Board for Certification in Homeland Security, and is a “Life Member” of the American College of Forensic Examiners Institute.

Trace Embry, Michelle Hill and our friend Lt. Col. Dave Grossman, who is an expert on human aggression and violence, together discuss the potential negative effects of violent video games on children.  They also speak about other dangers of technology on our young people.

Lt. Col. Dave Grossman shares his research and knowledge that the addictive nature of video games, combined with the violent content, can lead to serious issues such as sleep deprivation, impaired judgment, and increased aggression.  He also criticizes the video game industry for fighting against regulations that would limit children’s access to violent games.

Trace Embry and Lt. Col. Grossman agree that parents need to be proactive in monitoring their children’s gaming habits and enforcing age-appropriate content.  They also recommend resources like Lt. Col. Grossman’s book “Assassination Generation” and the website of our friend Melanie Hempe, ScreenStrong.org, for parents seeking guidance on this issue.

Episode Highlights:

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Melanie Hempe, BSN, is an author, speaker and the founder of ScreenStrong and Families Managing Media (FMM).  She received her bachelors of Nursing from Emory University and has worked with technology experts and researchers on the impact of social media and video game use.  She helps families avoid problematic screen use, i.e., video games, pornography, social media, etc. in their kids’ lives.

Through ScreenStrong, she provides resources and education courses on brain development and the effects of screen use on kids, and solutions for parents who desire to free their kids from screen addictions. Melanie hosts the popular weekly ScreenStrong Families Podcast and has been featured in Psychology Today, The Wall Street Journal, A&E Network, CBS, CNN, NPR, “Screened Out” (the movie), and many other news and television outlets.

Melanie lives in North Carolina with her husband, Chris, and their four children.  As a family they enjoy reading good books, spending time with friends in their home and just good family fun without screens.

Trace Embry, Michelle Hill and guest Melanie Hempe, BSN discuss the dangers of screen time and digital addiction with our children, comparing its effects on the brain to that of cocaine and heroin. The conversation brings out passions how the constant exposure to screens can lead to mental health issues like depression, anxiety, and even suicidal thoughts.

Trace and Melanie also highlight the importance of parents taking responsibility for their children’s screen time and setting boundaries.  Then Melanie Hempe shares the personal experience she encountered with her own son’s gaming addiction and how she managed to help him overcome it.

Melanie emphasizes the importance of real-life social interactions for children and warns against the false sense of social fulfillment that social media provides.  She encourages parents to stick together with other like minded parents.  The three of them encourage parents to seek support and gather resources to help manage their children’s screen time effectively.

Episode Highlights:

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G. Craige Lewis has been ministering for over 30 years. He’s been pastoring Adamant Believers Council in North Richland Hills, Texas for over a decade, promoting the message of Christ and fighting against the secularization of God’s church.

Lewis also leads and is the founder of EX Ministries; established to share God’s Truth to the body of Christ and others, and to expose the deception of the enemy. He is often called on to speak about the hip-hop sub-culture, as he authored the “The Truth Behind Hip Hop” series. 

Trace Embry, Rich Roszel and G. Craige Lewis discuss the impact of music on children and teenagers. They share that the music young people listen to can shape their identities and influence their behavior!  To a higher degree, certain types of music, particularly rock, rap, and hip-hop, can have a negative impact on young people, potentially leading them to engage in harmful behaviors.  They all stress the importance of parents being intentional in their parenting and being aware of the music their children are listening to.

G. Craige shares his views on the spiritual nature of music and its effect on human behavior. He argues that music can bypass a person’s moral code and influence them in ways they may not be aware of.  He also emphasizes the importance of being filled with the Holy Spirit to discern the spiritual nature of music.  Rich expounds on this and shares a personal story about how music touched his soul.

Trace expresses this;  “I think we’ve got too many people claiming the name of Christ who want to live like hell and expect heaven for a reward.  It just doesn’t work that way.”

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Our guest, Dr. Frank Turek is an Author and President of Crossexamined.org, a Christian Apologetics ministry helping young people defend the Christian faith. Frank hosts an hour-long TV program each week called “I Don’t Have Enough Faith to Be an Atheist.” He hosts a podcast with the same name.  He also writes for Townhall.com.

Together, Michelle Hill, Trace Embry and Dr. Frank Turk discuss the challenges of raising Christian children in a secularized culture.  Dr. Turek  emphasizes the importance of Christian apologetics in defending the faith and addressing tough questions sparked by secular standards.

Dr. Turek also highlights the role of the digital age in spreading distorted information and lies about God and His word. He encourages parents to equip themselves with cogent answers to these questions and to guide their children in navigating the digital world.

There is also discussion on the concept of miracles, arguing that the universe itself is a miracle and that natural laws require a lawgiver.  Frank shares that the fundamental essence of the story of Christ is sacrifice.  People sacrifice themselves to save others, and that’s what all the top movie blockbusters of the past 50 years have heroes that sacrifice.  Jesus sacrificed Himself to save His friends.  Jesus said ‘There’s no greater love than to lay down your life to save your friends.”

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First, we were able to teach our kids how to assimilate into the culture. This was due to the cultural norms of the day. These norms tended to line up with a biblical worldview, for the most part, and even unbelievers accepted them.

Those who strayed from the norms still knew the difference between right and wrong. They simply chose to do wrong. Even hardened criminals of the day viewed people of faith as those to be respected and even emulated.

Today, we’ve lost our common understanding of right and wrong. That means that as Christian parents, our culture no longer backs us up. God is now frowned upon, openly mocked, and depending on how you live out your faith can even get you arrested.

Today on License to Parent we look deeper into the entertainment side of our culture. How much has this shift had to do with the entertainment we have today? Could changing our entertainment habits at home allow us to better raise kids who are empowered to influence culture?

Adam Holz oversees the editing and publishing of Plugged In reviews as the website director. His official title at Plugged In is the Director of Media at Focus on the Family. Adam and his wife Jennifer have three children of their own, all in their teen years. In their free time, Adam and his family choose entertainment options of playing games, playing musical instruments, swimming, and watching movies.

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