ScreenStrong Families

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 epi...

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 gifts this season. Evan 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 show Don't forget to subscribe, rate, and leave a review if you enjoy t...

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 ScreenStrong childhood, Evan reflects on the unexpected (and sometimes overlooked) gifts that came from growing up without toxic screens. While the culture insists that kids “need” smartphones, video games, and social media to survive socially or academically, Evan’s story paints a very different—and hopeful—picture. T...

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 safe online? It’s one of the most urgent questions families face today. With nearly 70% of parents saying parenting is harder now than it was 20 years ago—largely due to technology and social media—this conversation couldn’t be more timely. Join Melanie Hempe, RN, BSN, founder of ScreenStrong, Homeland Security Special...

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 parents know that excessive screen time can impact mood and sleep, but Dr. Stacey explains how it goes much deeper — affecting attention, memory, and even language development. Together, they explore what’s happening inside the adolescent brain, why even “moderate” social media use can interfere with learning, and wh...

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 of raising healthy, well-balanced kids in a screen-heavy world. Together, they discuss how the program’s focus on community, connection with nature, and hands-on learning provides an inspiring model for families seeking alternatives to the digital default. Sarah shares stories of students who’ve thrived in this unplug...

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 the powerful changes families see when they step off the screen-saturated path. From more creativity and deeper conversations at the dinner table to stronger confidence, healthier friendships, and greater resilience, Dr. Stacey shares both personal stories and professional insights that prove life beyond screens is no...