ScreenStrong Families

Fourteen-year-old boys face a tricky gap every June—too old for camp, too young for a job, and just bored enough to default to hours of gaming. Evan Hempe knows the feeling firsthand: he grew up without video games or a smartphone, and in this episode he shares the real list of what filled his summers instead. Funny, candid, and packed with stories from his own backyard, Evan makes the case that a great summer isn't about avoiding screens, it's about going toward something better.

In this episode, Evan covers:

• Why a skill you can never "finish" (music, woodworking, cooking) beats a game that never ends
• How starting a small business at 14 builds confidence adults can't teach
• The difference between consuming and creating and why people respect both
• Why his most vivid memories are from creeks, ballfields, and rained-out camping trips, not screens

Whether you're a parent looking for ideas or a teen wondering what to do with three open months, this episode is the blueprint for a summer worth remembering.

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!

• Get your copy of the BRAND NEW Adventures of Super Brain book!
• Start your ScreenStrong Journey today!
• Check out our Kids' Brains & Screens products.
• Want to help spread the ScreenStrong message to your community? Consider becoming a ScreenStrong Ambassador!

ScreenStrong Tech Recommendations

• Canopy—Device Filter (use code STRONG for discount)

Production Team:

• Host: Melanie Hempe
• Producer & Audio Editor: Olivia Kernekin

In Part 2 of Melanie Hempe’s conversation with educator and Screen Schooled co-author Joe Clement, they continue unpacking the hidden impact of screens on today’s children and classrooms.

Building on their previous discussion, Joe shares more insights from his 30+ years as an educator, explaining how constant screen exposure is changing the way kids think, learn, socialize, and engage with the world around them. Together, Melanie and Joe explore why many students struggle with focus, emotional resilience, and meaningful connection—and what parents and educators can do to help.

They also discuss the growing momentum behind phone-free schools, the unintended consequences of educational technology, and why understanding the neuroscience of screens is one of the most powerful tools parents can give their children.

In this episode, you'll learn:

• Why screen-related challenges continue long after the school day ends
• How digital distractions impact memory, focus, and academic performance
• The connection between excessive screen use and emotional well-being
• Why face-to-face interaction is essential for healthy child development
• What teachers are seeing firsthand in today’s classrooms
• How phone-free environments are helping students reconnect and thrive
• Why educating kids about their brains can lead to healthier screen habits
• Practical ways parents can lead their families toward lasting change

If you’re looking for practical insight, encouragement, and a deeper understanding of how screens are shaping childhood, Part 2 offers valuable perspective—and hope—for families navigating the digital age.

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!

• Get your copy of the BRAND NEW Adventures of Super Brain book!
• Start your ScreenStrong Journey today!
• Check out our Kids' Brains & Screens products.
• Want to help spread the ScreenStrong message to your community? Consider becoming a ScreenStrong Ambassador!

ScreenStrong Tech Recommendations

• Canopy—Device Filter (use code STRONG for discount)

Production Team:

• Host: Melanie Hempe
• Producer & Audio Editor: Olivia Kernekin

In today’s episode, Melanie Hempe sits down with educator and co-author of Screen Schooled, Joe Clement, to unpack what’s really happening to kids in today’s screen-saturated classrooms—and why so many parents and teachers feel like something has fundamentally changed.

Drawing from more than 30 years in the classroom, Joe shares what he began noticing as smartphones and one-to-one devices became common in schools: declining attention spans, weaker social skills, emotional disconnection, and classrooms that grew strangely quiet. Together, Melanie and Joe explore how screens are reshaping childhood, replacing real-world interaction, and interfering with the deep learning and social development kids desperately need.

They also dive into the growing movement of phone-free schools, why educational technology has failed to deliver on its promises, and how constant screen exposure is impacting kids academically, emotionally, and socially. Most importantly, this conversation reminds parents that they are not powerless—and that awareness is the first step toward change.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

• What teachers first noticed when smartphones entered the classroom
• Why constant screen access destroys attention and deep learning
• How screens are replacing real-life social development and connection
• Why kids today are struggling more with anxiety, depression, and emotional resilience
• The truth about multitasking and what it does to the brain
• Why many educators now support phone-free schools
• How ed-tech and one-to-one devices have negatively impacted learning outcomes
• Why kids often don’t realize how screens are affecting their brains
• How teaching kids the neuroscience behind screens can empower them
• Why parents have more influence and leadership than they realize

If you’ve ever felt like your child is distracted, disconnected, or struggling in ways you can’t quite explain, this episode will help you better understand what’s happening beneath the surface—and why there is still so much hope for change.

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!

• Get your copy of the BRAND NEW Adventures of Super Brain book!
• Start your ScreenStrong Journey today!
• Check out our Kids' Brains & Screens products.
• Want to help spread the ScreenStrong message to your community? Consider becoming a ScreenStrong Ambassador!

ScreenStrong Tech Recommendations

• Canopy—Device Filter (use code STRONG for discount)

Production Team:

• Host: Melanie Hempe
• Producer & Audio Editor: Olivia Kernekin

In today’s episode, Mandee sits down with Kellyn Smythe from Pacific Quest to unpack a topic many families are quietly struggling with: screen addiction—and why it’s far more serious than we often assume.

Drawing from his experience working in residential treatment with teens, Kellyn explains how screen use isn’t just a habit—it can become a powerful “process addiction” that impacts the brain in ways similar to substance dependency. Together, they explore how technology is reshaping childhood, replacing real-world connection, and making it harder for kids to develop resilience, identity, and meaningful relationships.

From understanding the difference between normal screen use and true addiction, to what actually happens when you take devices away, this conversation gives parents both clarity and hope. You’ll also hear what withdrawal really looks like, how long it takes for kids to reset, and why boredom might be one of the best things for your child.

You’ll learn:

• What “process addiction” is—and how screens affect the brain like substances
• Key warning signs your child’s screen use may be a deeper issue
• Why video games and social media create a false sense of connection
• What to expect when you take screens away (including withdrawal symptoms)
• How long it takes for kids to begin resetting emotionally and mentally
• The different levels of support available if your child is struggling
• Why boredom, discomfort, and challenge are essential for developing joy
• Practical ways to replace screen time with meaningful connection

If you’ve ever wondered whether your child’s screen use is becoming a problem—or how to actually help them break free—this episode will equip you with both insight and practical next steps.

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!

• Get your copy of the BRAND NEW Adventures of Super Brain book!
• Start your ScreenStrong Journey today!
• Check out our Kids' Brains & Screens products.
• Want to help spread the ScreenStrong message to your community? Consider becoming a ScreenStrong Ambassador!

ScreenStrong Tech Recommendations

• Canopy—Device Filter (use code STRONG for discount)

Production Team:

• Host: Melanie Hempe
• Producer & Audio Editor: Olivia Kernekin

In today’s episode, Mandee sits down with Gayle Cheatham, founder of Thrive Offline, to explore a growing reality many families are feeling—but don’t always know how to address: our kids are more connected than ever, yet feeling increasingly disconnected.

Gayle shares her personal journey from the corporate world to leading a movement focused on helping families rediscover real-life connection. Together, they unpack how screens are quietly reshaping relationships in the home, crowding out critical life skills like resilience, creativity, and communication.

From the powerful moment her child asked her to “get off your phone,” to eye-opening stories of teens willingly giving up their devices, this conversation will challenge the way you think about screen time—and what your kids actually need most.

You’ll learn:

• Why presence—not just restrictions—is the real solution
• How screens are crowding out creativity, boredom, and growth
• Why kids are often relieved to unplug (even if they won’t say it)
• Practical ways to build stronger family connection and digital habits
• How to shift your mindset if you feel late or overwhelmed as a parent

If you’ve ever wondered whether it’s too late to make a change—or how to raise kids who thrive in a digital world—this episode will leave you encouraged and equipped.

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!

• Get your copy of the BRAND NEW Adventures of Super Brain book!
• Start your ScreenStrong Journey today!
• Check out our Kids' Brains & Screens products.
• Want to help spread the ScreenStrong message to your community? Consider becoming a ScreenStrong Ambassador!

ScreenStrong Tech Recommendations

• Canopy—Device Filter (use code STRONG for discount)

Production Team:

• Host: Melanie Hempe
• Producer & Audio Editor: Olivia Kernekin

What if your child’s struggle with screens isn’t a lack of discipline—but the result of how these platforms are built?

In this episode, we unpack two major jury verdicts against Google, including YouTube, and what they reveal about the addictive design of digital platforms.

You’ll learn why kids can’t “just use it in moderation,” what’s happening in the developing brain, and how you can step in with the guardrails your child needs to thrive.

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!

• Get your copy of the BRAND NEW Adventures of Super Brain book!
• Start your ScreenStrong Journey today!
• Check out our Kids' Brains & Screens products.
• Want to help spread the ScreenStrong message to your community? Consider becoming a ScreenStrong Ambassador!

ScreenStrong Tech Recommendations

• Canopy—Device Filter (use code STRONG for discount)

Production Team:

• Host: Melanie Hempe
• Producer & Audio Editor: Olivia Kernekin

We’re either creating or consuming—and that choice shapes who our kids become.

In this powerful episode of The ScreenStrong Families Podcast, host Mandee Hamann sits down with Bradley T. Morris—father, storyteller, and Founder & CEO of Majik Kids—to explore what’s quietly being lost in today’s screen-saturated childhood… and how we can take it back.

In a world designed to keep kids scrolling, watching, and comparing, many children are spending more time consuming than creating. But what does that mean for their brains, their confidence, and their future?

Together, Mandee and Bradley unpack the hidden cost of passive screen use and make the case for something better: raising creators.

You’ll hear:

•  Why today’s tech environment naturally pulls kids into consumption 
•  What happens to the brain when imagination is replaced with constant input 
•  How creativity builds confidence, curiosity, and emotional resilience 
•  Why “movies for the ears” and audio storytelling can reignite imagination 
•  Simple, practical ways to shift your home from entertainment-first to creation-first 

This conversation is both eye-opening and deeply hopeful. Because this isn’t about perfection, it’s about intention. And small shifts can make a lasting difference.

ScreenStrong isn’t about taking something away from your kids. It’s about giving them their childhood back.

As you listen, consider this simple question: Where is your child mostly creating—and where are they mostly consuming?

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!

• Get your copy of the BRAND NEW Adventures of Super Brain book!
• Start your ScreenStrong Journey today!
• Check out our Kids' Brains & Screens products.
• Want to help spread the ScreenStrong message to your community? Consider becoming a ScreenStrong Ambassador!

ScreenStrong Tech Recommendations

• Canopy—Device Filter (use code STRONG for discount)

Production Team:

• Host: Melanie Hempe
• Producer & Audio Editor: Olivia Kernekin

Host Mandee Hamann welcomes ScreenStrong Ambassador Kathleen Barlow for a heartfelt and eye-opening conversation about preserving childhood in today’s hyper-digital culture.

Kathleen is a mother of six, grandmother of three, former French teacher, and a passionate advocate for phone-free schools. After leaving full-time education in 2024, she committed herself to raising awareness about the impact of digital overuse, especially inside our schools. She now serves on the leadership team of Smartphone Free Childhood US, is a member of the Screen Time Action Network and the Tech-Safe Learning Coalition, and is part of ScreenStrong’s Speaking Ambassador team.

In this candid conversation, Kathleen shares what she’s witnessing firsthand while substitute teaching in the largest school district in Utah, including why “phone policies” that still allow access during the day simply don’t work. She explains why bell-to-bell phone-free policies are essential, how constant access undermines learning, and what happens when devices remain just tempting enough to derail focus.

This episode is both a wake-up call and a call to action. If you care about protecting childhood, restoring attention in classrooms, and changing the cultural norm around smartphones, this conversation will equip and inspire you. Because preserving childhood isn’t old-fashioned. It’s courageous.

Kathleen's Resources:

• Swimming UpScreen Blog
• GenFree: Unplugging 2 Connect Podcast
• Smartphone Free Childhood US
• G-Rated School Instagram Account: Allie Terry and Liz Jenkins

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!

• Get your copy of the BRAND NEW Adventures of Super Brain book!
• Start your ScreenStrong Journey today!
• Check out our Kids' Brains & Screens products.
• Want to help spread the ScreenStrong message to your community? Consider becoming a ScreenStrong Ambassador!

ScreenStrong Tech Recommendations

• Canopy—Device Filter (use code STRONG for discount)

Production Team:

• Host: Melanie Hempe
• Producer & Audio Editor: Olivia Kernekin

Are classroom screens really helping children learn—or quietly working against how their brains develop?

In this episode, neuroscientist Dr. Jared Cooney Horvath joins us to discuss his new book The Digital Delusion and what the science actually says about technology in the classroom.

For years, schools have been told that more technology means better learning. But many of the ideas that built the EdTech movement—like “multimedia enhances learning,” “kids learn best on their own,” and “AI tutors can replace teachers”—were never strongly supported by evidence.

Dr. Horvath explains what the data actually shows about classroom technology, including the surprising cognitive tradeoffs of 1:1 devices, why handwriting and reading on paper still outperform screens for deep learning, and why the brain struggles with multitasking and constant digital interruptions.

We also explore the three biological drivers of learning—attention, empathy, and transfer—and why screens often disrupt all three.

Perhaps most importantly, we discuss developmental timing. Children’s brains are highly sensitive to environmental input, and heavy exposure to screen-based stimulation can shape reward pathways, condition dopamine systems, and increase vulnerability to compulsive screen use later in life.

Is it really possible to “moderate” highly stimulating screen activities? And what should parents do in a world where technology seems unavoidable?

If you’ve ever wondered whether all this classroom technology is truly helping your child—or quietly making learning harder—this conversation will give you the science, the context, and the reassurance parents need.

Because the goal of education isn’t just to use technology. It’s to help children learn deeply and prepare for life beyond the screen.

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!

• Get your copy of the BRAND NEW Adventures of Super Brain book!
• Start your ScreenStrong Journey today!
• Check out our Kids' Brains & Screens products.
• Want to help spread the ScreenStrong message to your community? Consider becoming a ScreenStrong Ambassador!

ScreenStrong Tech Recommendations

• Canopy—Device Filter (use code STRONG for discount)

Production Team:

• Host: Melanie Hempe
• Producer & Audio Editor: Olivia Kernekin

What happens when schools trade screens for books, discussion, and teacher-led classrooms?

In this powerful episode of The ScreenStrong Families Podcast, host Mandee Hamann welcomes Dr. Kathleen O’Toole, Associate Vice President for K–12 Education at Hillsdale College, to explore why screen-free learning is essential for children’s mental health, intellectual growth, and civic formation.

Dr. O’Toole leads Hillsdale’s nationwide K–12 Education Office, supporting a growing network of classical schools committed to teacher-led classrooms, rich curriculum, and the cultivation of moral character and civic virtue. In a culture increasingly driven by devices, personalized learning algorithms, and now AI in the classroom, Hillsdale’s approach offers a strikingly different model—one rooted in wonder, truth, beauty, and human connection.

Together, Mandee and Dr. O’Toole discuss:

• Why teacher-led classrooms can never be replaced by “student-centered” digital learning
• How screen-free education strengthens focus, retention, and deep thinking
• Common misconceptions about technology in schools
• Real examples of students engaging in thoughtful disagreement and civil discourse
• Insights from Dr. O’Toole’s article Citizenship Starts in the Classroom

If you’ve ever wondered whether all that classroom technology is truly helping children—or quietly harming their ability to think, reason, and flourish—this conversation will challenge and encourage you.

You’ll walk away with clarity, practical next steps, and renewed confidence that a better path forward is possible.

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!

• Get your copy of the BRAND NEW Adventures of Super Brain book!
• Start your ScreenStrong Journey today!
• Check out our Kids' Brains & Screens products.
• Want to help spread the ScreenStrong message to your community? Consider becoming a ScreenStrong Ambassador!

ScreenStrong Tech Recommendations

• Canopy—Device Filter (use code STRONG for discount)

Production Team:

• Host: Melanie Hempe
• Producer & Audio Editor: Olivia Kernekin