Escaping Digital Incarcerations Podcast with Leron Gaskins

Leron Gaskins
Leron Gaskins
  • 4.4 (7)
  • Mental Health
  • Updated Weekly

The only podcast exploring digital incarceration and wellness through a Black perspective. Hosted by LeRon Gaskins, The Escaping Digital Incarceration Podcast (formerly Broken Traditions) is a weekly deep dive into how our devices, apps, and platforms are engineered to keep us locked in — what LeRon calls Digital Incarceration. Every Wednesday, we break down a different piece of the digital cell: doomscrolling, social media addiction, porn addiction, online gambling and AI-driven targeting, phone addiction, and the everyday habits that quietly control our attention, our relationships, and our mental health. We bridge the gap between digital habits and cultural identity, providing a much-needed lens on the "digital wellness gap" that mainstream tech conversations often ignore. Whether you're looking to reclaim your focus, protect your peace, or understand the psychological effects of our hyper-connected world, this show gives you the insights and strategies to recognize the cell your phone has built around you — and actually escape it. Support the Mission: This podcast is community-powered. Join our channel memberships on YouTube or become a member through BrokenTraditions.com for exclusive deep-dives and early access to episodes. 🫶🏾 Support the show: https://brokentraditions.com Reclaim Your Time: Ready to take control? Download "The Digital Release" — a 7-day workbook blueprint designed to help you reset your digital habits. ➡️ Get The Digital Release: https://brokentraditions.com/products/the-digital-release-7-day-guide-to-escape-the-digital-cell-and-reclaim-your-freedom Connect with us: 🌐 Web: http://brokentraditions.com 📸 IG: https://www.instagram.com/leron.gaskins/ 📧 Email: leron@brokentraditions.com 📍 Based in Atlanta, GA. New episodes every Wednesday. Breaking cycles. Restoring focus. Escaping digital incarceration.

  1. 2d ago

    Is Your Social Media Feed Shaping How You Vote? What Every Voter Needs To Know

    Is your social media feed shaping how you vote? Before the midterm elections, LeRon "Big Ellie" Gaskins looks at how political content reaches your feed and why you should look beyond it before you vote. The episode is based on The Atlantic's report by Ali Breland, "Inside a Conservative Operation to Hijack Your Social-Media Feed." According to the article, a service run from Latvia paid "clippers," many in Eastern Europe and the global south, to post pro-Republican clips from accounts made to look like ordinary Americans. LeRon explains what a clipper is, how clip campaigns pay, and why a clip that looks like an American's own opinion may not be one. He also plays a clip of Candace Owens describing her own experience of being targeted. Her claims are unverified, and he says so on the episode. He then shares his own experience: an agency offered him $150 to $500 per post to make pro-Biden content, and he turned it down. This happens on more than one side, and not only in politics. This is not a political episode and doesn't tell you how to vote. It's about getting your information from more than a feed. In this episode: - What a clipper is and how clipping campaigns work - What The Atlantic found, and how clippers are paid - Why location and identity are hard to check online - Candace Owens' claim, with a clear note that it's unverified - Why the same tactics show up in sports, entertainment and news - How to verify what you see before you vote References: The Atlantic, Ali Breland, "Inside a Conservative Operation to Hijack Your Social-Media Feed": https://www.theatlantic.com/politics/2026/09/conservative-hijack-social-media/688447/ Candace Owens podcast clip: https://www.youtube.com/live/0pSAhaAZz1w Download the free 7-day workbook to escape digital incarceration: https://brokentraditions.com/products/the-digital-release-7-day-guide-to-escape-the-digital-cell-and-reclaim-your-freedom Take LeRon's 1-minute survey, what's a good age for a child's first tablet? https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfchgPWw3LZVHh8i5Mqm84M5Ve5sUd0zDmXF1ZD8jsGUtKVRw/viewform?usp=sharing&ouid=117045085449504592289 Affiliate partners & tools (LeRon may earn a commission if you buy through these links, at no extra cost to you): Brick: If your feed is where you get most of your news, Brick is a physical device that lets you "brick" your phone, removing addictive apps so you scroll less and stay present. https://getbrick.com/?snowball=LERON81980 Bark: Comprehensive parental controls to monitor and manage your family's digital exposure to the "Three S's." https://barkparentalcontrols.pxf.io/c/6687714/1430413/17000?adname=affiliate_home_page If this episode hits home, leave a rating and review. It's the biggest way you can help the show grow. Follow Leron Gaskins wherever you listen, and find us on YouTube for the full video episode. Email: leron@brokentraditions.com Support the show: https://www.brokentraditions.com The Escaping Digital Incarceration Podcast is a weekly conversation about the overconsumption of digital devices and how to break free.

    Is Your Social Media Feed Shaping How You Vote? What Every Voter Needs To Know

  2. Oct 16 ·  Bonus

    Dating Someone Who's Always On Their Phone? You're The Digital Third Wheel *LiveStream Replay*

    Dating someone who's always on their phone? You might be the digital third wheel. A listener wrote in after hearing me say on an earlier episode that when your partner is always on their phone, you become a third wheel in your own relationship. In this episode, recorded live with callers, we take that conversation further. LeRon "Big Ellie" Gaskins talks about what it feels like to fight for attention against a screen, why some people struggle to put their phones down, and what you can do about it, whether you're the one waiting or the one scrolling. Listeners also call in to share their own stories and questions. In this episode: - What "digital third wheel" means and where the phrase came from - Why attention is the currency of a relationship - Signs your partner's phone use is hurting the relationship - How to bring it up without starting a fight - What to do if you're the one who can't put the phone down - Caller stories and questions Want to be part of a future live conversation? Follow the show and watch for the next stream. Watch the video version on YouTube and Rumble, or find all platforms at BrokenTraditions.com. The Escaping Digital Incarceration Podcast is a weekly conversation about the overconsumption of digital devices and how to break free.

    Dating Someone Who's Always On Their Phone? You're The Digital Third Wheel *LiveStream Replay*

  3. Oct 14

    Is Your Kid's Phone Showing Them Porn? Here's What Parents Need To Know

    Is your kid's phone showing them porn? Three in four US teens have seen online pornography, and the average age of first exposure is reported at 12 to 13. Phones, tablets and school laptops make access easy, and age checks are still uneven. In this episode, LeRon "Big Ellie" Gaskins talks about a conversation at a cigar lounge in Kennesaw, GA that started it all, and why curiosity plus easy access plus a "porn positive" culture is a risky mix for teens. He covers unrealistic expectations about sex, artificial intimacy and parasocial relationships, OnlyFans and AI chatbots, and what sending nudes can do to a teen's reputation. He also walks through what a Georgia visitor sees when they open two adult sites, with no VPN, even though 27 states now require age verification. Then he gives parents a practical starting point: have the hard conversations. This episode is for parents and caregivers. It discusses adult content and includes a news clip about a serious court case involving children. Listener discretion is advised. If you found this useful, share it with another parent. Watch the video and see the full news clip link at BrokenTraditions.com. If this episode hits home, leave us a rating and review, it's the biggest way you can help the show grow. Follow Leron Gaskins wherever you listen, and find us on YouTube for the full video episode. Support the show: PayPal, Cash App, YouTube Super Chats, or become a Channel Member 📩 Email: leron@brokentraditions.com  💛 Support the show: www.brokentraditions.com  Affiliate Partners & Tools   Bark: Comprehensive parental controls to monitor and manage your family's digital exposure to the "Three S's." https://barkparentalcontrols.pxf.io/c/6687714/1430413/17000?adname=affiliate_home_page  Brick: A physical device that lets you "brick" your phone, removing addictive apps and helping you stay present. https://getbrick.com/?snowball=LERON81980

    Is Your Kid's Phone Showing Them Porn? Here's What Parents Need To Know

  4. Oct 7

    Is Your Kid's Best Friend Actually An AI Chatbot? Here's Why

    Mileva Repasky noticed her usually chipper sixth-grade daughter, Madelyn, growing moody and quiet. On the drive home one day, she finally found out why: Madelyn had been talking to "someone" online. It turned out to be a chatbot, not a person. In this episode, I use a Wall Street Journal investigation by Julie Jargon as the jumping-off point for a conversation parents need to be having right now: a growing number of middle schoolers are choosing AI companions over real human friendship. A new study out of UNC found that 2 to 4 kids in every classroom now say they prefer talking to a chatbot over a human peer — and the reasons why are more complicated, and more human, than you'd expect. Madelyn, for instance, was going through something I recognized: she'd grown lonely as her older siblings moved on without her, and the chatbot became the one "friend" who always agreed with her and never pushed back. I also share the story of Adam Raine, a 16-year-old whose family is now suing OpenAI, alleging that his conversations with ChatGPT played a role in his death by suicide. This part of the episode includes a trigger warning. And I get personal — reflecting on my own childhood loneliness as the youngest in my family, and being honest about whether I would have made the same choice Madelyn did, if this technology had existed when I was her age. This isn't an episode with a clean, five-step fix. We're in uncharted territory as parents, and I think that's worth saying out loud instead of pretending otherwise. ⚠️ This episode discusses suicide. If you or someone you know is struggling, the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline is available 24/7 — call or text 988. In the show notes: a link to my short survey on what age is appropriate for a child to get a tablet (no email required), plus the WSJ article and the NBC News segment referenced in this episode. If this episode gave you something to think about, follow the show and share it with another parent who needs to hear it. Links referenced in this episode: Survey: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfchgPWw3LZVHh8i5Mqm84M5Ve5sUd0zDmXF1ZD8jsGUtKVRw/viewform?usp=sharing&ouid=117045085449504592289 WSJ article: https://www.wsj.com/lifestyle/relationships/ai-chatbot-use-middle-school-a1a77589 NBC News segment: https://youtu.be/gl5sd_AXdK4?si=Is68k8wwgOx1x873   f this episode gave you something to think about, follow the show and share it with someone who needs to hear it. New episodes of Escaping Digital Incarceration Podcast drop weekly. Follow so you don't miss one, and share this with someone weighing the same decision. If this episode hits home, leave us a rating and review, it's the biggest way you can help the show grow. Follow Leron Gaskins wherever you listen, and find us on YouTube for the full video episode. Support the show: PayPal, Cash App, YouTube Super Chats, or become a Channel Member 📩 Email: leron@brokentraditions.com  💛 Support the show: www.brokentraditions.com  Affiliate Partners & Tools   Bark: Comprehensive parental controls to monitor and manage your family's digital exposure to the "Three S's." https://barkparentalcontrols.pxf.io/c/6687714/1430413/17000?adname=affiliate_home_page  Brick: A physical device that lets you "brick" your phone, removing addictive apps and helping you stay present. https://getbrick.com/?snowball=LERON81980

    Is Your Kid's Best Friend Actually An AI Chatbot? Here's Why

  5. Oct 2 ·  Bonus

    Live Stream Replay - This Is Your Sign To Stop Online Sports Gambling: Trevor Lawrence's Knee Proved It

    This one deals directly with gambling addiction, so before anything else: if you or someone you know struggles with gambling, help is available right now, free and confidential — call or text 1-800-522-4700, any time, day or night. Stop. This Is Your Sign. Trevor Lawrence's Knee Proved It Trevor Lawrence took a knee at the one-yard line instead of pushing in for the touchdown — and it cost a lot of people money. Prop bets on Lawrence to score, fantasy lineups built around him, parlays riding on the touchdown — all of it gone in one decision that had nothing to do with the bettors watching at home. This is a direct follow-up to this week's episode on how DraftKings used AI to target gamblers most likely to lose. Tonight I want to talk about what moments like this actually tell us: players and platforms are not thinking about your prop bet, your parlay, or your rent money when the play is called. And sometimes you need a clear sign to walk away before gambling costs you more than money — your relationships, your job, your life. We'll break down the play, what it means for how these platforms are designed, and why walking away isn't weakness — it's the move. If this episode gave you something to think about, follow the show and share it with someone who needs to hear it. New episodes of Escaping Digital Incarceration Podcast drop weekly. Follow so you don't miss one, and share this with someone weighing the same decision. If this episode hits home, leave us a rating and review, it's the biggest way you can help the show grow. Follow Leron Gaskins wherever you listen, and find us on YouTube for the full video episode. Support the show: PayPal, Cash App, YouTube Super Chats, or become a Channel Member 📩 Email: leron@brokentraditions.com  💛 Support the show: www.brokentraditions.com  Affiliate Partners & Tools   Bark: Comprehensive parental controls to monitor and manage your family's digital exposure to the "Three S's." https://barkparentalcontrols.pxf.io/c/6687714/1430413/17000?adname=affiliate_home_page  Brick: A physical device that lets you "brick" your phone, removing addictive apps and helping you stay present. https://getbrick.com/?snowball=LERON81980

    Live Stream Replay - This Is Your Sign To Stop Online Sports Gambling: Trevor Lawrence's Knee Proved It

  6. Sep 30

    They Use AI To Make You Lose: The Reality Of Modern Sports Betting

    DraftKings built an AI tool to find gamblers who were most likely to lose — then used it to target them with "free" bets designed to keep them playing. A New York Times investigation, built on interviews with over 40 former employees and internal company documents, lays out exactly how it worked, and why some of the people who built it now say they regret it. In this episode, I walk through that investigation in detail, then put it side-by-side with a CBS Sunday Morning report comparing modern sports betting to the crack epidemic of the 1980s — an analogy I was skeptical of at first, having grown up across the street from a crack house in Long Island. By the end, I make the case for why online sports gambling might actually be the more dangerous addiction of the two. I also bring it back to something I saw myself: at a soccer match in Cartagena, Colombia, I watched a betting company's name replace the league's own — and started asking questions about just how deep that sponsorship goes, and what it might have meant for the outcome of the game I watched. 📌 To read the investigation from the NY Times - 'How DraftKings Uses A.I. to Target The Gamblers Likeliest to Lose' click here 👇🏾 https://www.nytimes.com/2026/09/19/business/draftkings-ai.html?utm_campaign=likeshopme&utm_content=ig-nytimes&utm_medium=instagram&utm_source=dash+hudson To watch the video from  ⁨@CBSSundayMorning⁩  - 'The addiction of online sports gambling: "Like crack in the 80s"' click here 👇🏾 https://youtu.be/WWaoZRuw8Gw?si=6jnFOYYqvNvO4gd-  This one deals directly with gambling addiction, so before anything else: if you or someone you know struggles with gambling, help is available right now, free and confidential — call or text 1-800-522-4700, any time, day or night. If this episode gave you something to think about, follow the show and share it with someone who needs to hear it. New episodes of Escaping Digital Incarceration Podcast drop weekly. Follow so you don't miss one, and share this with someone weighing the same decision. If this episode hits home, leave us a rating and review, it's the biggest way you can help the show grow. Follow Leron Gaskins wherever you listen, and find us on YouTube for the full video episode. Support the show: PayPal, Cash App, YouTube Super Chats, or become a Channel Member 📩 Email: leron@brokentraditions.com  💛 Support the show: www.brokentraditions.com  Affiliate Partners & Tools   Bark: Comprehensive parental controls to monitor and manage your family's digital exposure to the "Three S's." https://barkparentalcontrols.pxf.io/c/6687714/1430413/17000?adname=affiliate_home_page  Brick: A physical device that lets you "brick" your phone, removing addictive apps and helping you stay present. https://getbrick.com/?snowball=LERON81980

    They Use AI To Make You Lose: The Reality Of Modern Sports Betting

  7. Sep 16

    I Quit Social Media For a Year. Here Is What Happened.

    About a year ago, this started as a simple 30-day experiment: delete every social media app off the phone and go back to the old-school way of posting and scrolling — from a laptop, not a pocket. That 30-day experiment turned into a full year, and it's now just how life works. This episode isn't the typical "I quit social media and my life got better" story. It's an honest breakdown of both sides: the real gains — more creativity and productivity, a better mood from stepping away from algorithm-driven negativity, being fully present with the people in the room, and finally slowing down enough to get back into reading and writing — and the real costs — losing touch with relationships that lived entirely in Instagram DMs, missing major family news (finding out a cousin was pregnant only after she'd already had the baby), barely capturing any photos from a meaningful family trip because being present took priority, and missing the simple joy of seeing friends' good moments online. The conclusion: there's no one-size-fits-all answer, and a little friction might serve most people better than a full, cold-turkey cutoff. If you've ever thought about deleting your apps but wondered what you'd actually be giving up, this episode lays it all out. New episodes of Broken Traditions drop weekly. Follow so you don't miss one, and share this with someone weighing the same decision. If this episode hits home, leave us a rating and review, it's the biggest way you can help the show grow. Follow Broken Traditions wherever you listen, and find us on YouTube for the full video episode. Support the show: PayPal, Cash App, YouTube Super Chats, or become a Channel Member 📩 Email: leron@brokentraditions.com  💛 Support the show: www.brokentraditions.com  Affiliate Partners & Tools   Bark: Comprehensive parental controls to monitor and manage your family's digital exposure to the "Three S's." https://barkparentalcontrols.pxf.io/c/6687714/1430413/17000?adname=affiliate_home_page  Brick: A physical device that lets you "brick" your phone, removing addictive apps and helping you stay present. https://getbrick.com/?snowball=LERON81980

    I Quit Social Media For a Year. Here Is What Happened.

  8. Sep 9

    Why Minimalist Phones Are A Complete Waste Of Money

    Minimal phones like the Light Phone are having a moment right now — but are they actually solving digital addiction, or just an expensive way to feel like you're doing something about it? After digging into the actual hardware and software behind these devices, five reasons emerge for why a $700-900 minimal phone isn't the fix it's marketed to be. This episode covers why some minimal phones still give full access to the Google Play Store — meaning you can still download Instagram, TikTok, and Facebook, completely undercutting the point of buying one — how these phones cost roughly the same as a full iPhone or Samsung flagship, why they're nearly impossible to get repaired if something breaks, how free built-in tools on your current phone (plus cheap options like the Minimalist Phone app and the $50 Brick device) already do the same job, and how the "missing" features on a minimal phone — camera, music, GPS — can end up costing an extra $1,000+ once you replace them separately. Also: why flip phones, not minimal smartphones, might actually be the right call for anyone dealing with a genuine addiction to pornography, gambling, or social media. If you've been considering a minimal phone as your fix for screen addiction, this episode is worth a listen before you spend the money. New episodes of Broken Traditions drop weekly. Follow so you don't miss one, and share this with someone shopping for a "distraction-free" phone. If this episode hits home, leave us a rating and review, it's the biggest way you can help the show grow. Follow Broken Traditions wherever you listen, and find us on YouTube for the full video episode. Support the show: PayPal, Cash App, YouTube Super Chats, or become a Channel Member 📩 Email: leron@brokentraditions.com  💛 Support the show: www.brokentraditions.com  Affiliate Partners & Tools   Bark: Comprehensive parental controls to monitor and manage your family's digital exposure to the "Three S's." https://barkparentalcontrols.pxf.io/c/6687714/1430413/17000?adname=affiliate_home_page  Brick: A physical device that lets you "brick" your phone, removing addictive apps and helping you stay present. https://getbrick.com/?snowball=LERON81980

    Why Minimalist Phones Are A Complete Waste Of Money
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About

The only podcast exploring digital incarceration and wellness through a Black perspective. Hosted by LeRon Gaskins, The Escaping Digital Incarceration Podcast (formerly Broken Traditions) is a weekly deep dive into how our devices, apps, and platforms are engineered to keep us locked in — what LeRon calls Digital Incarceration. Every Wednesday, we break down a different piece of the digital cell: doomscrolling, social media addiction, porn addiction, online gambling and AI-driven targeting, phone addiction, and the everyday habits that quietly control our attention, our relationships, and our mental health. We bridge the gap between digital habits and cultural identity, providing a much-needed lens on the "digital wellness gap" that mainstream tech conversations often ignore. Whether you're looking to reclaim your focus, protect your peace, or understand the psychological effects of our hyper-connected world, this show gives you the insights and strategies to recognize the cell your phone has built around you — and actually escape it. Support the Mission: This podcast is community-powered. Join our channel memberships on YouTube or become a member through BrokenTraditions.com for exclusive deep-dives and early access to episodes. 🫶🏾 Support the show: https://brokentraditions.com Reclaim Your Time: Ready to take control? Download "The Digital Release" — a 7-day workbook blueprint designed to help you reset your digital habits. ➡️ Get The Digital Release: https://brokentraditions.com/products/the-digital-release-7-day-guide-to-escape-the-digital-cell-and-reclaim-your-freedom Connect with us: 🌐 Web: http://brokentraditions.com 📸 IG: https://www.instagram.com/leron.gaskins/ 📧 Email: leron@brokentraditions.com 📍 Based in Atlanta, GA. New episodes every Wednesday. Breaking cycles. Restoring focus. Escaping digital incarceration.

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