By Melanie Hempe, BSN
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 addictio
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The podcast currently has 243 episodes available.
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 discuss the loss that comes when these screens replace traditional childhood gifts. Melanie shares personal stories, including a surprising realization from a friend's experience, showing how today's kids may be missing out on meaningful holiday traditions and the joy of unwrapping a gift that shows parents truly know them.
This heartfelt conversation covers everything from the disappearance of iconic childhood toys and stores to the impact of screen-based gifts on kids' mental health and social development. Plus, they reveal why giving non-tech gifts nurtures connection, empathy, and a sense of belonging.
Tune in for practical ideas on making this Christmas screen-free and creating gift traditions that support a healthier, happier childhood. And don’t miss their "vintage gift" suggestion: bring back a favorite toy from your own childhood to spark joy and imagination in the next generation.
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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 community, the often-overlooked gift of boredom, and the importance of building strong, in-person relationships. Whether you're a parent or educator, this episode is full of insights on how to nurture meaningful connections and create a supportive environment for children. Don’t miss this opportunity to reflect on the value of togetherness and learn how to bring its principles into your own family and community.
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Don't forget to subscribe, rate, and leave a review if you enjoy the episode. Your feedback helps us bring you more of the content you love. Stay Strong!
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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 active lifestyles.
In this episode, Rob shares his journey, offers a mini-version of his school assembly, and answers important questions about balancing technology with real-life activities. From discussing what kids really want to the importance of movement, Rob’s insights are perfect for families wanting to build healthier tech habits together. Don't miss his inspiring words and practical tips for kids, teens, and parents alike!
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Don't forget to subscribe, rate, and leave a review if you enjoy the episode. Your feedback helps us bring you more of the content you love. Stay Strong!
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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 school’s efforts, limiting contact with kids during school hours, and encouraging phone-free days.
For parents wanting to go further, we’ll also discuss becoming a Phone-Free Champion in your school, organizing fun, tech-free activities that encourage socializing and new hobbies.
Tune in to learn how phone-free schools can help students stay focused, build friendships, and feel more connected.
Download our NEW Phone-Free School Resource Guide.
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Don't forget to subscribe, rate, and leave a review if you enjoy the episode. Your feedback helps us bring you more of the content you love. Stay Strong!
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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 they don’t harbor resentment toward their parents for opting out of smartphones. This Show is perfect for your tweens and teens! It offers an invaluable opportunity for them to hear from 2 teens who have successfully navigated adolescence without smartphones.
LISTEN TO PART ONE
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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:
Andrew encourages parents to take action, replace screens with meaningful activities, and teach their kids about the science of screen use. It's never too late to create healthier habits. Tune in for practical tips and advice to protect your child’s future.
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Don't forget to subscribe, rate, and leave a review if you enjoy the episode. Your feedback helps us bring you more of the content you love. Stay Strong!
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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 parent needs to know about dopamine—the brain’s reward chemical—and how screen activities can hijack this system in ways that mirror addiction. They discuss how tolerance builds up, why moderation of high-dopamine activities like gaming can be more harmful than parents realize, and what permanent brain changes can occur.
Dr. Lembke also shares her DOPAMINE framework as a roadmap for parents struggling to help their children detox from screens. The episode walks through practical steps, from collecting data on screen usage to setting boundaries and managing the emotional fallout of screen detox.
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Don't forget to subscribe, rate, and leave a review if you enjoy the episode. Your feedback helps us bring you more of the content you love. Stay Strong!
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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 struggle socially, Jennifer's kids are confident, active, and leaders in their extracurriculars, with her oldest daughter even being voted Homecoming Queen.
Jennifer offers practical advice for parents looking to limit screen time while fostering communication and independence. She highlights the importance of creating a welcoming home environment, providing family access to social media through a shared account, and modeling balanced tech use. Tune in to hear Jennifer’s insights and tips for helping your kids navigate a low-tech lifestyle in today’s high-tech world.
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Don't forget to subscribe, rate, and leave a review if you enjoy the episode. Your feedback helps us bring you more of the content you love. Stay Strong!
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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 Health Organization in 2018 as a mental health disorder.
Dr. Le shares his professional journey that led to his interest and passion in treating families struggling with gaming addiction, and he is committed to increasing community awareness of the negative effects of online games on a child’s development.
Melanie and Dr. Le discuss how the game designers capitalize on the business aspect of video games that leads to the scientific development of the immersive design that hooks the player. Dr. Le introduces the idea of "The Hero's Journey" archetype that appears to meet the psychological needs of children but disconnects them from reality. They discuss why moderation is not encouraged, but rather to change the focus on family values in changing your family's routines. Identification and prevention of screen addiction are also discussed as Dr. Le shares stories of families he has worked with struggling to address issues of gaming addiction with their children. This is a must-listen episode for all parents, and we encourage you to share this with friends!
Dr. Kim Le's TedTalk
Learn more about Dr. Le's practice
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Don't forget to subscribe, rate, and leave a review if you enjoy the episode. Your feedback helps us bring you more of the content you love. Stay Strong!
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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 intentionally designed to capture young minds. Melanie also discusses how fostering offline activities can help create a healthier, more balanced lifestyle for children and teens.
This interview is shared with permission from Joel Pelland and the Raising Kingdom Warriors Podcast.
Support the show
Don't forget to subscribe, rate, and leave a review if you enjoy the episode. Your feedback helps us bring you more of the content you love. Stay Strong!
ScreenStrong Tech Recommendations
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