In this episode, Ken Freire sits down with Kathy Van Benthuysen—founder of Converlation and Digital Prep Academy—to talk about why kids are being under-protected online, what “phone readiness” really means, and how parents and schools can give kids the why behind healthy tech habits.

Resources Mentioned

• Converlation - https://www.converlation.com/
• Digital Prep Academy - https://www.digitalprepacademy.com/
• Free Phone Readiness Assessment (Digital Prep Academy) - https://www.digitalprepacademy.com/free-phone-readiness-assessment

Timestamps

• 00:00–01:40 — Kathy’s two offers: Converlation (schools) vs. Digital Prep Academy (direct-to-kids)
• 01:40–05:25 — The real risk: under-protecting kids online while over-protecting them offline
• 05:25–09:20 — The 4-part “phone readiness” framework: responsibility, emotional maturity, digital awareness, character
• 09:20–15:10 — Origin story: what Kathy saw change in 30 years of teaching (and why she built this)
• 15:10–20:55 — Growth strategy so far: relationships, outreach, and staying in the conversation until people are ready
• 20:55–30:55 — School phone bans (NJ) and why bans alone aren’t enough: kids still need the “why”
• 30:55–33:45 — Community effect: why kids absorb lessons differently in groups than at home
• 33:45–41:05 — Fast Five: affiliates, focus decisions, growth goals, AI vs real connection, and legacy