Bradley is an 8-year-old second grader and a member of Gen Alpha, who had a conversation with his Lolli (aka his grandmother, Kathleen), about what it's like attending his Waldorf-inspired charter school.

Whether it's learning to knit, gardening, or reading in the school's cozy library (which even boasts a fireplace!), Bradley is enthusiastic about school and engaged in the learning process there.

Screens are not a part of the curriculum, other than mandatory state testing, and Bradley does not hesitate to weigh in on his feelings about it all.

Please enjoy Kathleen's conversation with her oldest grandson, and see if you agree that the benefits of focusing on the whole child, while limiting digital technology in schools, are undeniable!

Ryan Huh is a director and photographer based out of the NYC metro area. He is fascinated by the power of stories to inspire the collective imagination, starting from a single moment passed down through generations. He holds a BFA from NYU Tisch School of the Arts in Film/TV Production. His recent documentary, Starting Over, was awarded the Lookup.Live grant. He is currently in post-production on his debut narrative short film, Profile.

Elianajoy Volin is a senior at Kenyon College, majoring in English with a Creative Writing emphasis, a concentration in Gender and Sexuality Studies, and a minor in Neuroscience.

She is passionate about living an intentional, low-screen lifestyle. From spending her childhood without a TV, to a year abroad studying at the University of Exeter in Devon, England, to spending a few days living at a monastery in France, Elianajoy is practicing the art of human connection.

She is interested in researching and working in the fields of mental health, public health, writing, and queer joy, and is deeply committed to enacting positive change in her own communities.

In this episode, Kathleen engages in a heartfelt conversation with Liddy and Corinne Johnson about the challenges of navigating digital technology and social media. Liddy, a 17-year-old advocate against social media addiction, shares her personal journey from addiction to recovery, while her mother, Corinne, discusses her advocacy for parental rights and digital safety. Together, they explore the generational differences in digital technology use, the importance of real-life connections, and the legislative efforts to protect children from harmful digital content. The episode emphasizes the need for open communication between parents and children, the significance of setting boundaries with digital technology, and the power of advocacy in creating positive change.

Hillary Kimball is a 16-year-old high school student who was published in the Salt Lake Tribune for an editorial based on the challenges of growing up in the age of digital technology. Hillary enjoys cheerleading at her school and loves to travel. 

Ngozi Edema is a children’s book author and time management coach who helps busy moms, writers, and entrepreneurs reclaim their time and turn minutes into milestones. With nearly two decades of writing experience, she’s passionate about storytelling and believes productivity should feel purposeful, not overwhelming. Through her coaching, books, and podcast, she empowers others to create space for their goals and finish
what matters most.

Michael Perrone resides with his wife and 6 children in the PNW. He’s a consultant who helps fathers lead in their home, their work and in their community. His mission is to help 1 million fathers unleash their leadership potential. 

Richard Freed, PhD, is a psychologist, author of the recently released book Better Than Real Life, and his insights have been featured in the New York Times, Wall Street Journal, and other media outlets. Dr. Freed has devoted his career to revealing how Silicon Valley is using its clandestine science of persuasive design to pull childhood away from the real world to exist on social media, video games, and online video. He is determined to bring knowledge of this addictive science—which now exists among a handful of tech elite—to all of those who care for kids. He believes a science-based childhood focused around family, school, and the outdoors must be made available to all youth. Freed lives in Walnut Creek, California and is the proud father of two daughters.

Morgan Monet is a 27-year-old licensed marriage and family therapist and proud “elder” Gen Z-er. She works at the intersection of mental health, identity, and connection, and brings a thoughtful, relational approach to her work, centering the experiences of LGBTQ+ individuals and anyone seeking more authentic relationships with themselves and others. Her work emphasizes mindfulness, emotional grounding, and curiosity as tools for resilience in a fast-paced, often disembodied world.  

As someone who deeply values human presence and intentional living, she’s both fascinated and concerned by the ways technology shapes our nervous systems, relationships, and sense of self. On today’s episode, she joins her mom to explore how we can stay rooted and connected in a tech-saturated age, without losing sight of what really matters.

Morgan is a 17-year-old high school senior whose mom is Hillary Wilkinson, co-founder of ⁠"Healthy Screen Habits."⁠  Morgan and her older brother have been raised by parents who practice a minimalist approach, when it comes to screen time.  

Morgan has a TED talk called ⁠"Embracing Community"⁠, in which she beautifully speaks about the people in her neighborhood whom she interacts with on the regular, and how important and enriching these interactions are in her life. 

Morgan is a high school senior who plans to go to college in the fall to study Health & Exercise Science, with the ultimate goal of becoming a dentist. Morgan has enjoyed being the captain of her high school weightlifting team, and is also a fan of mountain biking and exercise in general.

Morgan and I discussed the positive impact of physical movement on both our physical and mental health. We also talked about the necessity of becoming aware of screen overuse, and the practice of being intentional about limiting screen time whenever possible. She has some great insights about living life as a Gen Z-er in today’s world, and shares some simple yet solid advice on how to scale back when tech time creeps its way up, to the extent of becoming excessive.