After her oldest son, Adam, dropped out of college due to his video game addiction, Melanie Hempe, BSN, put her nursing degree and training from Emory University to good use and founded ScreenStrong. It’s her mission to create educational programs for kids and parents so no one will experience the pain of screen addiction. Her ability to simplify medical science and provide practical solutions for families has allowed her to share her passion and bold screen solutions nationally. ScreenStrong has won the hearts of many families who are preventing and reversing childhood screen conflicts and addiction.Host of the po...
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Nov 13, 2026 · 1:07:17
Originally Aired: April 12, 2023 Your child’s school may be the biggest source of screen time in your home, and it’s the one you feel least able to control. In this episode of…
Nov 5, 2026 · 50:11
How are screens changing the way children learn, connect, and develop—and what can schools do about it? In this episode, Melanie Hempe, RN, founder of ScreenStrong, shares a…
Oct 14, 2026 · 35:47
What does it look like to raise ScreenStrong kids for 10 years—and stick with it all the way through high school? In this episode, Melanie reconnects with Jodie, a mom who…
Sep 23, 2026 · 45:59
What if one of the best ways to help your teen spend less time gaming and scrolling is to give them something meaningful to do in the real world? In this episode, Melanie Hempe…
Sep 15, 2026 · 33:56
In Part 1, Andrew Hempe explained what he gained from growing up without smartphones or video games. In Part 2, he answers the questions parents and teens ask him most. Andrew…
Sep 8, 2026 · 31:40
What if growing up without a smartphone or video games didn’t mean missing out—but actually meant gaining more? In this episode of the ScreenStrong Families Podcast, 22-year-old…
Aug 26, 2026 · 44:54
How much technology should kids really be using at school? In this episode of the ScreenStrong Families Podcast , Melanie Hempe and Dr. Stacey explore the growing use of screens,…
Aug 21, 2026 · 57:34
Originally aired: March, 2022 Melanie welcomes back Dr. Richard Freed, author of Wired Child and a practicing Clinical Psychologist and supervisor studying the effects of…
Aug 12, 2026 · 45:25
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…
Jul 31, 2026 · 1:07:51
Originally aired November 8, 2023. In this episode, Melanie has a very special guest—her daughter, Melissa! In this episode, we will hear how Melissa feels about growing up…
Jul 8, 2026 · 1:19:54
Today we welcome back Dr. Adriana Stacey, a Board Certified Psychiatrist, for part two of her discussion with Melanie. In this episode they cover why going cold-turkey with…
Jul 1, 2026 · 57:26
Do you want to prevent your middle Schooler from becoming dependent on screen time this summer? Join Melanie as she offers practical strategies to Emily, a ScreenStrong…
Jun 24, 2026 · 53:26
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…
Jun 15, 2026 · 43:08
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…
May 28, 2026 · 31:24
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…
Apr 29, 2026 · 47:14
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…
Apr 16, 2026 · 32:12
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:…
Apr 7, 2026 · 27:10
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…
Mar 27, 2026 · 46:34
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…
Mar 11, 2026 · 48:47
Host Mandee Hamann welcomes ScreenStrong Ambassador Kathleen Barlow for a heartfelt and eye-opening conversation about preserving childhood in today’s hyper-digital culture.…
Mar 5, 2026 · 50:20
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…
Feb 18, 2026 · 37:53
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…
Feb 11, 2026 · 1:10:45
Join us in this episode as we dive into the world of Roblox, sleepovers, and Snapchat with invaluable insights from our friend Officer Gomez, a School Resource Officer (SRO) and…
Jan 22, 2026 · 37:05
In today’s episode, host Mandee Hamann sits down with Dr. Steven Klein ( Caron Treatment Center ), a physician-scientist specializing in addiction medicine and brain health, for…
Jan 14, 2026 · 30:15
Thank you all for listening and engaging with the podcast this past year. Here are just a few highlights from our 2025 episodes. Happy New Year! Episodes Featured (in order of…
Dec 17, 2025 · 35:15
In today’s episode, Melanie shares five simple but powerful strategies to help your family enjoy a peaceful, connected, ScreenStrong Christmas. If you’ve ever watched the…
Dec 10, 2025 · 59:09
For this special holiday encore episode, Melanie is joined by her son Evan to discuss practical holiday gift ideas—and encourage people to skip smartphones and video games as…
Dec 4, 2025 · 38:03
In this holiday episode, Melanie Hempe and Dr. Stacey unpack the #1 screen mistake parents make at Christmas: giving in and gifting devices. They reveal the hidden blind spots…
Nov 26, 2025 · 44:36
In this special Thanksgiving episode, Evan Hempe steps behind the microphone to share a powerful personal perspective you won’t want to miss. As a young adult looking back on a…
Nov 19, 2025 · 55:50
What is the best phone for kids? It’s the question parents everywhere are asking—and today, we’re finally going to answer it. In this episode, Melanie is joined by special guest…
Nov 13, 2025 · 1:11:04
In this special episode, we share audio from a virtual panel discussion hosted by Thrive Forward Therapy , “Protecting Youth in the Digital Age.” How can parents keep their kids…
Oct 31, 2025 · 45:49
In today’s episode, ScreenStrong Ambassador Liaison and host Mandee Hamann welcomes Katie Kimball , founder of Kids Cook Real Food and two-time TEDx speaker, for an inspiring…
Oct 24, 2025 · 39:12
This week, Melanie sits down with psychiatrist Dr. Adriana Stacey to discuss new research showing how social media use in adolescence may be changing the way our kids think. Most…
Oct 9, 2025 · 52:59
In this powerful and eye-opening episode, host Melanie Hempe sits down with Amy Eytchison, a mother of four grown children, to have an honest conversation about one of the most…
Oct 1, 2025 · 38:39
In this episode, Mandee Hamann sits down with Sarah Rebick to explore the unique qualities of the Maine Coast Semester at Chewonki and how they align with ScreenStrong’s mission…
Sep 24, 2025 · 35:37
In today’s episode, Melanie sits down with Beth, a high school teacher, to hear her firsthand experience with the new phone-free classroom policy this school year. Beth shares…
Sep 10, 2025 · 46:24
What really happens when kids grow up without smartphones, video games, and social media? In this eye-opening episode, Melanie Hempe sits down with Dr. Adriana Stacey to explore…
Aug 27, 2025 · 53:50
On this episode, host Mandee Hamann sits down with Aaron Plaat ( aaronplaat.com ) to unpack one of the most pressing questions for parents today: What does the rise of artificial…
Aug 20, 2025 · 37:25
Melanie is joined once again by Officer Gomez—School Resource Officer (SRO) and sworn Deputy of the Boise County Sheriff’s Department—to discuss how to remove smartphones from…
Aug 6, 2025 · 43:47
The First Voice Matters: Talking to Kids About Porn Before the Internet Does Welcome to this powerful encore episode of the ScreenStrong Families Podcast with Melanie Hempe and…
Jul 23, 2025 · 42:15
In this powerful episode of the ScreenStrong Families Podcast , Melanie Hempe sits down with digital addiction pioneer Dr. Hilarie Cash, one of the earliest voices to sound the…
Jul 9, 2025 · 48:23
In this special episode, originally aired on the Developing Minds podcast and shared with permission, host Mariana Carazo sits down with Mandee Hamann from ScreenStrong to…
Jun 25, 2025 · 1:02:25
In this powerful crossover episode, Dr. Andrew Doan welcomes Melanie Hempe—registered nurse, author, and founder of ScreenStrong—to share her deeply personal and eye-opening…
Jun 12, 2025 · 56:27
In this encore episode of the ScreenStrong Families Podcast, Melanie Hempe revisits an important conversation with Dr. Douglas Gentile, award-winning research scientist,…
May 28, 2025 · 54:13
In today’s episode, Melanie Hempe sits down with Dan Rothert—a former college soccer coach, now consultant, and proud ScreenStrong dad—to share how he and his wife, Karen, a…
May 14, 2025 · 39:19
In this urgent and eye-opening episode of the ScreenStrong Families Podcast , host Melanie Hempe is joined by child and adolescent psychiatrist Dr. Adriana Stacey to tackle one…
Apr 30, 2025 · 32:10
In this inspiring episode, Mandee Hamann sits down with Chet Kittleson, entrepreneur and founder of Tin Can , a company on a mission to help kids and families connect…
Apr 23, 2025 · 56:53
This episode deals with mature topics (suicide, cyberbullying, sextortion). Listener discretion is advised. In this powerful and deeply moving episode, Melanie is joined by Brian…
Apr 16, 2025 · 52:42
Why do smart, caring kids get stuck in harmful digital habits—and why do even the best parenting strategies sometimes fall flat? In this compelling conversation, Melanie Hempe…
Apr 9, 2025 · 44:48
In this deeply personal and sobering episode, Melanie Hempe and Mandee Hamann unpack the haunting Netflix film Adolescence , a raw portrayal of the modern teenage experience and…
Apr 2, 2025 · 34:34
Big news! In this episode, Melanie Hempe and Mandee Hamann share an exciting announcement— Kids’ Brains & Screens now has a Home Edition ! After the incredible success of the…
Mar 26, 2025 · 33:25
In this powerful episode, Mandee Hamann sits down with Andrea, ScreenStrong Ambassador, and her 8th-grade son, Colin, to share their eye-opening journey through screen addiction.…
Mar 19, 2025 · 51:27
In this episode, Melanie speaks with author and therapist Tom Kersting, diving into the profound impact of technology on children’s social and emotional development. Together,…
Mar 12, 2025 · 44:02
In this eye-opening episode, host Mandee Hamann sits down with Aleda Renter from Protect Me Project to discuss the alarming connection between screen use and child exploitation.…
Mar 5, 2025 · 56:42
In this episode, Melanie welcomes back Dr. Victoria Dunckley, an integrative psychiatrist and author of Reset Your Child’s Brain: A Four-Week Plan to End Meltdowns, Raise Grades,…
Feb 26, 2025 · 50:09
In this episode, Melanie welcomes Dr. Victoria Dunckley, an integrative psychiatrist and author of Reset Your Child’s Brain: A Four-Week Plan to End Meltdowns, Raise Grades, and…
Feb 19, 2025 · 49:01
Melanie Hempe welcomes Dr. Stacey to discuss the recent pushback against phone-free school initiatives and social media regulations. A recent Wall Street Journal article claims…
Feb 12, 2025 · 33:02
Host Mandee Hamann engages in a thought-provoking conversation with Erin Loechner, former social media influencer and founder of The Opt-Out Family movement. Erin shares her…
Feb 5, 2025 · 46:36
In this thought-provoking episode, host Mandee Hamann sits down with Andrew Liddell , a career federal courts litigator, technology attorney, and passionate advocate for youth…
Jan 29, 2025 · 1:01:13
Melanie Hempe is joined by Laura Wurzburger to tackle some of the most pressing screen-related parenting questions from our Facebook group. From managing screen-free boredom to…
Jan 22, 2025 · 38:56
In this inspiring episode of the ScreenStrong Families Podcast , Mandee Hamann sits down with Gabriela and Kaylee, the Founder and Vice President of APPstinent , a Gen Z-led…
Jan 15, 2025 · 43:45
This episode is shared with permission from Dr. Johann D'Souza and the Virtuous Leaders Podcast . In this episode, Dr. Johann D’Souza talks with Melanie Hempe, RN, founder of…
Jan 8, 2025 · 35:21
Thank you all for listening and engaging with the podcast this year. Here are just a few highlights from our 2024 episodes, and we look forward to continuing to see you in 2025!…
Jan 1, 2025 · 42:16
Happy New Year! In this special encore episode, Melanie and Dr. Stacey help you start the year off right by debunking common screen myths and offering practical tips to establish…
Dec 25, 2024 · 45:06
Got questions? We've got answers! In this episode, Melanie and Mandee tackle some of the most pressing holiday concerns from our ScreenStrong Families Facebook Group . From…
Dec 18, 2024 · 37:41
The holidays are here, and many parents are contemplating whether to gift their middle schoolers a smartphone. In this episode, Melanie and Amy, who together have raised eight…
Dec 11, 2024 · 42:47
In this episode, co-host Mandee Hamann is joined by Dany Elachi, co-founder of the Heads Up Alliance , to discuss Australia’s historic move to raise the minimum age for social…
Dec 4, 2024 · 54:45
In this powerful episode, Melanie Hempe sits down with Michael Rainer, a father of six, to discuss his inspiring journey of transforming his family's screen habits. After hearing…
Nov 27, 2024 · 59:09
For this special holiday ENCORE episode, Melanie is joined by her son Evan to discuss practical holiday gift ideas—and encourage people to skip smartphones and video games as…
Nov 20, 2024 · 43:38
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…
Nov 13, 2024 · 32:02
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…
Nov 6, 2024 · 40:38
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…
Oct 30, 2024 · 45:25
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…
Oct 23, 2024 · 1:09:44
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…
Oct 16, 2024 · 38:25
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…
Oct 9, 2024 · 1:00:10
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.…
Oct 2, 2024 · 50:28
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…
Sep 25, 2024 · 1:07:50
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…
Sep 18, 2024 · 53:29
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…
Sep 11, 2024 · 57:45
In today’s episode, we dive into a hot topic on the minds of many parents: “Why have a phone-free school?” We’re joined by the brilliant Dr. Adriana Stacey to unpack six key…
Sep 4, 2024 · 45:36
Tune in for a powerful live presentation with Melanie and her son Andrew, as they delve into the science of screen overuse and offer actionable solutions for reclaiming your…
Aug 28, 2024 · 36:38
In this enlightening episode, host Mandee Hamann sits down with learning specialist Jamie Seibert ( Enrichment Therapy and Learning Center ) to explore the essential strategies…
Aug 21, 2024 · 55:01
In this episode, Melanie sits down with Teralea Moore—a seasoned college math professor with over 20 years of teaching experience across high school, community college, and…
Aug 14, 2024 · 52:08
This interview is shared with permission from Dave Anderson and the Tech Seeking Human Podcast . In this compelling interview from the Tech Seeking Human Podcast , Melanie shares…
Aug 7, 2024 · 1:01:26
Join us as host Andrew Hempe sits down with Uly Junker, a fellow ScreenStrong Teen who made the bold decision to ditch his smartphone. In this compelling episode, Uly shares his…
Jul 31, 2024 · 1:02:28
CONTENT WARNING: Discussions around pornography and sexual material. Not suitable for anyone under 18 without parental approval. One of the hardest challenges in parenting today…
Jul 24, 2024 · 29:18
In this episode, we’re diving into the world of ScreenStrong travel! Join Mandee Hamann as she interviews ScreenStrong Ambassador, Heather Franklin, about her recent screen-free…
Jul 17, 2024 · 1:01:43
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…
Jul 10, 2024 · 50:03
In this episode, Melanie is joined by Lt. Col. Dave Grossman , public speaker and author of "Assassination Generation," to tackle one of the biggest challenges facing families…
Jul 3, 2024 · 38:51
Don’t let boredom rule this summer, and instead, have summer fun without the screens! Join this enlightening conversation with Mary Thorne and Melanie as they explore the magic…
Jun 26, 2024 · 38:32
In this episode, Melanie and Dr. Stacey dive into the recent article in the New York Times, "Surgeon General Calls for Health Warnings on Social Media for Younger Users." Join us…
Jun 19, 2024 · 1:05:09
Join us for an insightful discussion led by teens who have experienced the benefits of a smartphone-free upbringing. In this episode, these inspiring young voices share their…
Jun 12, 2024 · 59:31
Today, we're diving into some of the most frequently asked questions from our amazing listeners. Our very own Amie Robillard, who manages all your emails and comments, joins…
Jun 5, 2024 · 46:36
As summer approaches and routines shift, it's a perfect time to revisit some common screen time mistakes that parents might overlook, especially for homeschooling families…
May 29, 2024 · 41:40
Join Dr. Stacey and Melanie as they discuss a new study that suggests mental disorders could potentially spread within adolescent peer groups. In this episode, they unravel…
May 22, 2024 · 53:04
In today’s show, Melanie is speaking with Becky Grant, a ScreenStrong parent and teacher, about the topic of smartphones in the classroom. They discuss getting your teacher and…
May 15, 2024 · 57:43
Today, Melanie is joined by Joe Clement, a teacher, parent of three, and co-author of Screen Schooled with Matt Miles. Joe is in his 28th year of teaching and brings a unique…
May 8, 2024 · 40:55
Join Melanie Hempe and Dr. Victoria Dunckley, author of Reset Your Child's Brain , as they delve into the pervasive issue of Electronic Screen Syndrome (ESS) and its impact on…
May 1, 2024 · 32:34
Welcome back, ScreenStrong family! Today, we're diving into a crucial topic with the incredible Dr. Adriana Stacey: how to choose the perfect phone for your kids. Parents…
Apr 24, 2024 · 43:34
Join Mandee Hamann as she chats with Dory Suttmiller, an experienced educator and ScreenStrong Ambassador, about the changing role of technology in classrooms. Dory shares…
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