Unplug and Plug In Lisa Honold

Did you know that humans have brains that are prone to addiction? So how do we protect our kids from addiction to excessive gaming and screen time? That's what we're going to discuss today with my special guest, Dr. Jill Bolte Taylor.
Yes - our topic is literally brain science and how we can apply what we know about the brain to help kids navigate screen time, social media and the pressures online.
Dr. Jill is profoundly gifted at taking complex scientific information and boiling it down into ideas that stick and are helpful in understanding humans and the way our brains work. One of my all time favorite quotes is from her. "Be responsible for the energy you bring into a room."
This interview was so insightful with so many aha moments that it's split into two podcast episodes. This is the second one. Please listed to the first one (episode 10) before this one! You'll get background information on the four sides of the human brain and how a child's brain and a teen brain is actually different than an adult brain and why that matters, when it comes to parenting and working with kids.
Grab a pencil. You're gonna wanna take notes on this one!
Guest informationDr. Jill Bolte Taylor is a Harvard-trained and published neuroscientist. In 1996 she experienced a severe hemorrhage (AVM) in the left hemisphere of her brain causing her to lose the ability to walk, talk, read, write, or recall any of her life. Her memoir, My Stroke of Insight, documenting her experience with stroke and eight-year recovery, spent 63 weeks on the New York Times nonfiction bestseller list and is still routinely the #1 book in the category Stroke in the Amazon marketplace.
Dr. Jill is a dynamic teacher and public speaker who loves educating all age groups, academic levels, as well as corporations and not-for-profit organizations about the beauty of our human brain. She focuses on how we can activate the power of our neuroplasticity to not only recover from neurological trauma, but how we can purposely choose to live a more flexible, resilient, and satisfying life.
In 2008 Dr. Jill gave the first TED talk that ever went viral on the Internet, which now has well over 27.5 million views. Also in 2008, Dr. Jill was chosen as one of Time magazine’s “100 Most Influential People in the World” and was the premiere guest on Oprah Winfrey’s “Soul Series” webcast. Her new book, Whole Brain Living – the Anatomy of Choice and the Four Characters That Drive Our Life is a #1 release on Amazon in categories ranging from Neuroscience to Nervous System Diseases and Stroke.
Unplug & Plug inWe always end with this question for guests - What are you plugging into? And what are you unplugging from?
Dr. Jill didn't disappoint! She's plugging into her needs and desires in all four areas of her brain. She's plugging into technology for interviews like ours, to satisfy her Character One, but she's also unplugging and making time to play, to keep her Character Three happy.
Takeaway"Ask yourself - what resonates with your soul - and go do more of that!" (Dr. Jill) is how we ended this episode and what a fantastic way to end!
I'd love to hear your a-ha moments!
Our sponsorOur sponsor today is the Center for Online Safety. Their mission is to keep kids safe online and they offer training for parents and schools to protect kids from cyberbullying, predators, pornography and other inappropriate content.
Next StepsFollow the Unplug & Plug In podcast for parents so you can get future episodes delivered to your device. It's free!Please leave a 5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ rating so our podcast will be seen by other parents.

Imagine having a way to peek inside your child's head and see what's going on inside their brain. Wouldn't that be fascinating?
Today our topic is literally brain science and how we can apply what we know about the brain to help kids navigate screen time, social media and the pressures online.
I'm thrilled to be chatting with Dr. Jill Bolte Taylor, a Harvard-trained brain anatomist and author, about the four sides of the human brain and how a child's brain and a teen brain is actually different than an adult brain and why that matters, when it comes to parenting and working with kids.
Dr. Jill is profoundly gifted at taking complex scientific information and boiling it down into ideas that stick and are helpful in understanding humans and the way our brains work. One of my all time favorite quotes is from her. "Be responsible for the energy you bring into a room."
This interview was so insightful with so many aha moments that it's split into two podcast episodes. This is the first one. In part 2, we'll talk about addiction and the human brain. How do we protect our kids from excessive gaming and screen time?
Grab a pencil. You're gonna wanna take notes on this one!
Guest informationDr. Jill Bolte Taylor is a Harvard-trained and published neuroscientist. In 1996 she experienced a severe hemorrhage (AVM) in the left hemisphere of her brain causing her to lose the ability to walk, talk, read, write, or recall any of her life. Her memoir, My Stroke of Insight, documenting her experience with stroke and eight-year recovery, spent 63 weeks on the New York Times nonfiction bestseller list and is still routinely the #1 book in the category Stroke in the Amazon marketplace.
Dr. Jill is a dynamic teacher and public speaker who loves educating all age groups, academic levels, as well as corporations and not-for-profit organizations about the beauty of our human brain. She focuses on how we can activate the power of our neuroplasticity to not only recover from neurological trauma, but how we can purposely choose to live a more flexible, resilient, and satisfying life.
In 2008 Dr. Jill gave the first TED talk that ever went viral on the Internet, which now has well over 27.5 million views. Also in 2008, Dr. Jill was chosen as one of Time magazine’s “100 Most Influential People in the World” and was the premiere guest on Oprah Winfrey’s “Soul Series” webcast. Her new book, Whole Brain Living – the Anatomy of Choice and the Four Characters That Drive Our Life is a #1 release on Amazon in categories ranging from Neuroscience to Nervous System Diseases and Stroke.
Important Links and ResourcesTakeaway"Be responsible for the energy you bring into a room," is a quote Dr. Jill is well-known for, or as she said in her interview "Please be responsible for the circuitry you're running".
Wouldn't the world be a better place if we taught our kids this idea - that how they show up energetically determines their success in relationships?
Our sponsorOur sponsor today is the Center for Online Safety. Their mission is to keep kids safe online and they offer training for parents and schools to protect kids from cyberbullying, predators, pornography and other inappropriate content.
Next StepsFollow the Unplug & Plug In podcast for parents so you can get future episodes delivered to your device. It's free!Please leave a 5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ rating so our podcast will be seen by other parents.

Show notesWouldn't it be fascinating to be able to talk to a teenager who could describe what it's really like to grow up with social media?
That's exactly what I get to do today - talk with a teen and ask lots of questions! This is one of my favorite episodes because my guest is insightful, funny, and has a lot to say to parents about what's really going on with teens and phones. Best of all, she's my daughter and we go deep into her digital world. This is a must listen to episode!
Our TopicThe teen perspective on Instagram, Snapchat and TikTok and what parents need to know
Here's some of what we cover:If Instagram was a person, what would it look like?How teens decide when to use Snapchat vs Instagram.Which social media platform does the most damage to teens? (I was surprised by this one!)What should parents be concerned about with social media
Our sponsorOur sponsor today is the Center for Online Safety. Their mission is to keep kids safe online and they offer training for parents and schools to protect kids from cyberbullying, predators, pornography and other inappropriate content.
Take action today: The Five Circles of SafetyOur articles on parenting for online safety are excellent. Start here with the actions parents should take to keep kids safe online - The Five Circles of Online Safety. The actions spell out FAMILY and don't let the five sections overwhelm you. Just start with one action today and your efforts will build over time.
Next StepsFollow the Unplug & Plug In podcast for parents to get future episodes delivered to your device. It's free!Please rate and review our podcast with five stars ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ to help other parents benefit from this topic.

Today our topic is your questions about protecting your kids on the internet! I'll be answering some of the most popular questions parents have about keeping kids safe online.
Topic: Common Questions about Parenting and Protecting Kids OnlineWouldn't it be interesting to learn what other parents are worried about, what they want to know about online safety and their kids?
Today, I've put together a list of questions that parents send in to me, or ask me at events all the time so that you can hear- you're not alone! Everyone has questions.
My child is obsessed with _____ (fill in the blank-some game or app). They're sneaking time, they're begging for five more minutes, we're arguing constantly, they're driving me crazy! What can I do?I know I need an internet filter at my house but where do I find a strong filter that keeps out most of the garbage?What about all the school technology - the Chromebooks that are coming home from school? The distractions that my child sees online? How do I help my child stay on track at school? How do I know the devices coming home from school are safe?
⭐Plus - a Bonus Question!⭐
Where do I start with online safety for my family?
(Full transcript available)
TakeawayThere is a lot competing for a parent's attention. What's important is to take tiny steps toward online safety, start early and ask lots of questions along the way.
Our sponsorOur sponsor today is the Center for Online Safety. Their mission is to keep kids safe online and they offer training for parents and schools to protect kids from cyberbullying, predators, pornography and other inappropriate content.
Important Links and ResourcesInternet filters Netgear routers like the Orbi and Nighthawk + a subscription to Netgear’s Smart Parental Controls Premium ($70 per year) offer strong parental controls, screen time limits, website history reports and content filtering.Bark Home (one time cost of $79) is a device that plugs into your existing router at home and adds parental controls. When you combine Bark Home with a Bark for Families monitoring subscription ($11 per month), you get a strong system for filtering and monitoring screen time, at home and on the go. ***BARK includes monitor + filter.**
Conversation starters and questions to ask your child's schoolHere are the topics to discuss with your child's school, so you understand what they are doing to protect their students.Need help talking with your school? Contact the Center for Online Safety.
Five Actions to take today: The Five Circles of SafetyHere is an article on the five things parents can do today to protect their kids online. The actions spell out FAMILY and they're mentioned briefly in this episode.
Next StepsFollow the Unplug & Plug In podcast for parents to get future episodes delivered to your device. It's...

Wouldn't it be interesting to learn what a baby born today in our world sees and decides is important as they watch us adults grab our phones to work, play, connect and everything else!
My guest this week gives us a look through a baby and a child's eyes, and it is truly eye opening.
Hillary Wilkinson's BioHillary is Director of Programs at Healthy Screen Habits and host of the the Healthy Screen Habits podcast.
She holds a Master's of Education and teaching credential from University of California at Santa Barbara. Before becoming a mom she enjoyed a career in primary education. Her background in motivational research and developmentally appropriate practice lead to many enjoyable years of working with the "under-tween" set.
Hillary passionately believes in the power of parent education. Her philosophy of approaching children with humor, empathy and love are pillars upon which she parents, instructs, and tries to cope with life!
She enjoys spending time with her husband and 2 kids with their variety of animals in beautiful Santa Rosa Valley, CA.
Topic: The unintended consequences of technology on babies and childrens' early yearsOur sponsorOur sponsor today is the Center for Online Safety. The Center for Online Safety shares the tools that make families stronger, safer and communicate better with each other. Their mission is to keep kids safer online and they offer training for parents and schools to protect kids from cyberbullying, predators, pornography and other inappropriate content.
Unplug and plug in segmentWhat are you plugging into this week? What are you choosing to unplug from? Our guest shares her thoughts.
Next StepsFollow the Unplug & Plug In podcast for parents so you can get future episodes delivered to your device. It's free!Please leave a 5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ rating so our podcast will be seen by other parents.Suggest future topics or share your story by calling our hotline! Leave me a voicemail at 415 737 5472 and I promise I’ll listen.

Today our topic is social media platforms and the movie that got us talking about harmful algorithms, "The Social Dilemma". Special guest Julia Hoppock joins me with her perspective as the Partnerships Director for The Social Dilemma impact campaign
More about Julia HoppockJulia is a filmmaker and campaign strategist with 15 years of storytelling experience in documentary film, journalism, and the non-profit sector. She has spent her career finding, pitching, writing, and producing stories that connect audiences to the issues that impact their lives. Prior to Exposure Labs, Julia worked at The Pew Charitable Trusts, where she ran film and advocacy campaigns to advance environmental conservation, public health, and other public policy issues.
Topic: Social media platforms and "The Social Dilemma"We covered a lot of ground in this episode. Here are some highlights:
What parents need to know about algorithms and how they work in social media accountsThe business model for social media companies and why it's harmful to all of us What it feels like to grow up surrounded by social media - a Gen Z's perspectiveThe Facebook Files and whistleblower Frances Haugen's contributions to this discussionThe UK's Age-Appropriate Design Code and how we can leverage it in the US
Links to learn more about this topicYou can watch "The Social Dilemma" on Netflix.
To learn more about ways to take action and access resources from The Social Dilemma, go here.
To access the free 40 minute educator version of the film and resources including discussion guides, go here.
To learn more about the UK's Age-Appropriate Design Code, go here.
Here are links to learn more about 2021 Senate Hearings on the Facebook whistleblower, Facebook/Instagram Files and TikTok, Snapchat and YouTube.
Unplug and plug in segmentWhat are you plugging into this week? What are you choosing to unplug from? Our guest shares her thoughts.
Next StepsWatch "The Social Dilemma"!Talk to your tweens and teens about mental health and the harmful effects of social media. Need help? Here's our workshop.Follow the Unplug & Plug In podcast for parents to get future episodes delivered to your device. It's free!Please rate and review our podcast to help other parents benefit from this topicSuggest future topics or share your story by calling our hotline! Leave me a voicemail at 415 737 5472 and I promise I’ll listen.