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.”

  1. 6h ago

    ENCORE: How Teachers and Parents Can Support Phone-Free Schools with Dr. Adriana Stacey (#214)

    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 Phone-Free School Resource Guide. 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 HempeProducer & Audio Editor: Olivia Kernekin

    ENCORE: How Teachers and Parents Can Support Phone-Free Schools with Dr. Adriana Stacey (#214)

  2. Jul 31

    ENCORE: A Smartphone-Free Adolescence: Melissa’s Story (#172)

    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 without social media or a smartphone. They discuss an overview of teen brain science, what makes social media irresistible for teens, the risks for teen girls, and end with some practical tips for parents. You will enjoy the candid nature of this conversation and will be inspired to make some changes in your home! 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 HempeProducer & Audio Editor: Olivia Kernekin

    ENCORE: A Smartphone-Free Adolescence: Melissa’s Story (#172)

  3. Jul 8

    ENCORE: A Psychiatrist's Tips on Managing Screen Time with Dr. Adriana Stacey (#106)

    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 screen removal may be the best option for your family and offer tips and tricks for handling addictive behavior. Dr. Stacey's areas of specialty include female mental health treatment, including treatment of depression, anxiety, adult ADHD, insomnia, and sports psychiatry.  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 HempeProducer & Audio Editor: Olivia Kernekin

    ENCORE: A Psychiatrist's Tips on Managing Screen Time with Dr. Adriana Stacey (#106)

  4. Jul 1

    ENCORE: Summer Strategies: Keeping Middle Schoolers ScreenStrong This Summer (#190)

    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 Ambassador and concerned middle school mom, to keep tweens engaged and social without resorting to video games or social media.  Get inspired and discover how to make this summer a ScreenStrong success for your family! 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 HempeProducer & Audio Editor: Olivia Kernekin

    ENCORE: Summer Strategies: Keeping Middle Schoolers ScreenStrong This Summer (#190)

  5. Jun 24

    10 Things Your 14-Year-Old Boy Can Do This Summer with Evan Hempe (#265)

    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 endsHow starting a small business at 14 builds confidence adults can't teachThe difference between consuming and creating and why people respect bothWhy his most vivid memories are from creeks, ballfields, and rained-out camping trips, not screensWhether 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 HempeProducer & Audio Editor: Olivia Kernekin

    10 Things Your 14-Year-Old Boy Can Do This Summer with Evan Hempe (#265)

  6. Jun 15

    Why Screens Are Changing the Classroom: What Parents Need to Know About Kids, Schools & Attention (Part 2) (#264)

    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 HempeProducer & Audio Editor: Olivia Kernekin

    Why Screens Are Changing the Classroom: What Parents Need to Know About Kids, Schools & Attention (Part 2) (#264)

  7. May 28

    Why Screens Are Changing the Classroom: What Parents Need to Know About Kids, Schools & Attention (Part 1) (#263)

    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 HempeProducer & Audio Editor: Olivia Kernekin

    Why Screens Are Changing the Classroom: What Parents Need to Know About Kids, Schools & Attention (Part 1) (#263)

  8. Apr 29

    What Happens When You Take Your Teen’s Phone Away: Understanding Screen Addiction & Withdrawal (#262)

    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 substancesKey warning signs your child’s screen use may be a deeper issueWhy video games and social media create a false sense of connectionWhat to expect when you take screens away (including withdrawal symptoms)How long it takes for kids to begin resetting emotionally and mentallyThe different levels of support available if your child is strugglingWhy boredom, discomfort, and challenge are essential for developing joyPractical ways to replace screen time with meaningful connectionIf 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 HempeProducer & Audio Editor: Olivia Kernekin

    What Happens When You Take Your Teen’s Phone Away: Understanding Screen Addiction & Withdrawal (#262)
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4.9
out of 5
112 Ratings

About

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.”

Information

  • Creator
    Melanie Hempe, BSN
  • Years Active
    2019 - 2026
  • Episodes
    291
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Families Managing Media Inc
  • Show Website
    ScreenStrong Families

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