ScreenStrong Families
Melanie Hempe, BSN
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 popular weekly ScreenStrong Families Podcast, Melanie has been featured in Psychology Today, Thrive-Global, The Wall Street Journal, A&E Network, CBS, CNN, NPR, the documentary Screened Out, and various news and television outlets. Her ScreenStrong Kids’ Brains and Screens Courses are available for parents and students. Her four books include, “Kids’ Brains & Screens: A ScreenStrong Student Course,” “Will Your Gamer Survive College?” “Can Your Teen Survive—and Thrive—Without a Smartphone?” and “The ScreenStrong Solution: How to Free Your Child from Addictive Screen Habits.”
Episodes
Mentioned books
Dec 7, 2022 • 59min
The Endless Non-Tech Gift Ideas with Evan Hempe (#130)
For this special holiday episode, Melanie is joined by her son Evan to discuss practical holiday gift ideas—and encourage people to skip smartphones and video games as gifts this season. Evan, now a senior in high school, gives his perspective on the highs and lows of wanting a smartphone in middle & high school and shares some of his favorite childhood gifts.Grab your copy of our Non-Tech Gift Guide discussed in this episode!Support the showDon'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 RecommendationsCanopy—Device Filter (use code STRONG for discount)Production Team:Host: Melanie HempeProducer & Audio Editor: Olivia Kernekin
Nov 30, 2022 • 53min
Social Media & The Resistant Parent with Laura Hickman (#129)
Today, Melanie is joined by Laura Hickman, a 17-year practicing, licensed mental health counselor and mom to three daughters with a front-row seat to the mental health crisis that technology has created in our youth. In Laura's own words, "never before social media did I have clients coming to my office seeking diagnoses and rattling off symptoms from the DSM in hopes that I would tell them they have autism or OCD. This is the reality now. Some parents don't know and want to know. Other parents I find want to keep their heads in the sand and believe that it is not impacting their children."This is an in-depth episode on mental health and social media you won't want to miss!Support the showDon'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 RecommendationsCanopy—Device Filter (use code STRONG for discount)Production Team:Host: Melanie HempeProducer & Audio Editor: Olivia Kernekin
Nov 23, 2022 • 24min
Happy Thanksgiving from ScreenStrong!
To all our American friends, happy Thanksgiving from everyone at ScreenStrong! Today is a special bonus episode from ScreenStrong founder, Melanie Hempe, giving us all an important reminder. Support the showDon'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 RecommendationsCanopy—Device Filter (use code STRONG for discount)Production Team:Host: Melanie HempeProducer & Audio Editor: Olivia Kernekin
Nov 16, 2022 • 47min
The Mom I Want to Be: A ScreenStrong Family's Story with Carmen Lindner (#128)
In today's emotional episode, we hear from ScreenStrong Mom, Carmen Lindner. Carmen shares her struggle with social media addiction, its effect on her family, and how discovering ScreenStrong changed her life, helping her become a better mom, wife, and friend. Carmen's vulnerability and transparency can inspire anyone suffering through the painful reality of being at the mercy of screens.Support the showDon'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 RecommendationsCanopy—Device Filter (use code STRONG for discount)Production Team:Host: Melanie HempeProducer & Audio Editor: Olivia Kernekin
Nov 9, 2022 • 37min
Why Parents Cave to Screen Pressure From Their Kids (#127)
Using examples from conversations with parents from her workshops, Melanie Hempe walks through 10 reasons parents cave when it comes to their children's screen use.Support the showDon'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 RecommendationsCanopy—Device Filter (use code STRONG for discount)Production Team:Host: Melanie HempeProducer & Audio Editor: Olivia Kernekin
Nov 2, 2022 • 46min
Psychiatrist Says: "Take Advantage of Car Time With Teens" (#126)
Dr. Adriana Stacey joins Melanie to discuss the importance of a "phone-free car." Together they make some compelling arguments for not allowing teens to drive with smartphones and for parents to be intentional with their teens. They also give some anecdotes on why leaving the smartphone at home might be the best option.Support the showDon'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 RecommendationsCanopy—Device Filter (use code STRONG for discount)Production Team:Host: Melanie HempeProducer & Audio Editor: Olivia Kernekin
Oct 26, 2022 • 55min
Encouragement for Starting ScreenStrong Early with Alejandra Correa (#125)
On this episode, Melanie is joined by Alejandra Correa, and ScreenStrong Ambassador and mom to three young children. They discuss tips for living the ScreenStrong lifestyle, best practices for setting your home up for success, and giving specific reasons why starting your ScreenStrong journey when your kids are young is the best way to go!Support the showDon'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 RecommendationsCanopy—Device Filter (use code STRONG for discount)Production Team:Host: Melanie HempeProducer & Audio Editor: Olivia Kernekin
Oct 19, 2022 • 1h 6min
Welcome 'Glow Kids' Author Dr. Nicholas Kardaras! (#124)
Today, Melanie is joined by Glow Kids author Nicholas Kardaras to discuss his experience with treating video game addiction & social media dependency, as well as discussing childhood brain development.Check out Dr. Kardaras's NEW book 'Digital Madness: How Social Media Is Driving Our Mental Health Crisis—and How to Restore Our Sanity.'Support the showDon'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 RecommendationsCanopy—Device Filter (use code STRONG for discount)Production Team:Host: Melanie HempeProducer & Audio Editor: Olivia Kernekin
Oct 12, 2022 • 56min
Practical Tips for ScreenStrong Families (#123)
Today, Melanie answers YOUR questions about toxic screen use—video games, social media, pornography—screen use in school, and offers encouragement to make the best screen choices for your family.Support the showDon'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 RecommendationsCanopy—Device Filter (use code STRONG for discount)Production Team:Host: Melanie HempeProducer & Audio Editor: Olivia Kernekin
Oct 5, 2022 • 1h 3min
Why 8th Grade Is Not Smart for a Smartphone with Dr. Adriana Stacey (#122)
Melanie is joined by Dr. Adriana Stacey to discuss the current research and discourse around 8th grade being the worst age to give a child a smartphone. Together they go through a handful of tips and reasons why this statement is true and encourage parents to stand firm in their screen decisions.Support the showDon'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 RecommendationsCanopy—Device Filter (use code STRONG for discount)Production Team:Host: Melanie HempeProducer & Audio Editor: Olivia Kernekin
