Today’s guest, Ash Brandin, says we’ve been taught to fear screens — but what if that fear is keeping us from finding real balance? Ash is a longtime public school teacher, librarian, and creator of The Gamer Educator, where they help families understand how screens can be part of a healthy, connected life. Their new book, POWER ON: Managing Screen Time to Benefit the Whole Family, offers a calm, realistic approach to parenting in a digital world — replacing guilt and restriction with confidence and connection. In this episode, we talk about why screen time isn’t the enemy, how to set boundaries that actually work, and what it looks like to raise kids who feel balanced both online and off.

Links Discussed in This Episode |

• Diane's Resource: Instagram Post - Morgan Housel on Mel Robbins show
• Book: Dopamine Nation: Finding Balance in the Age of Indulgence
• Ash's Resource: Reminders app on iphone
• Connect with Ash:
• Website
• Instagram
• Book: Power On: Managing Screen Time to Benefit the Whole Family

About Ash |

Ash Brandin, EdS is an innovative public school teacher who uses their educational expertise and technological knowledge to empower families around the world. Since beginning their public school career in 2011, Ash has found innovative ways of using student interests- including video games- to increase engagement and create student-centered, immersive experiences. Ash has a wide variety of experience in teaching, including endorsements in K-12 Music, Secondary Math, Secondary Language Arts, Administration, and currently works as an endorsed K-12 Teacher Librarian. Since February 2021, their Instagram page- TheGamerEducator- has helped tens of thousands of families understand the appeal of video games and screens, and how they can be a part of a child’s life without being the center of their life. Ash lives in the Colorado front range; in their free time, they love to hike, bake, play video games, and spend time with their family.  

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