644. Reclaiming Joy from Screens and Ultra-Processed Foods with Michaeleen Doucleff

644. Reclaiming Joy from Screens and Ultra-Processed Foods with Michaeleen Doucleff

From unSILOed with Greg LaBlanc by Greg La Blanc

April 24, 2026 · 59 min · Episode 644

About this episode

Michaeleen Doucleff discusses how reducing screen time and processed food can enhance joy and fulfillment in life.

What if reducing screen time or eating less processed food didn’t feel like deprivation, but rather it was the key to unlocking more joy and excitement in our lives? Michaeleen Doucleff, PhD, is a correspondent for NPR’s Science Desk, where she reports on mental health, nutrition, psychology and neuroscience. She’s also the author of Hunt, Gather, Parent: What Ancient Cultures Can Teach Us About the Lost Art of Raising Happy, Helpful Little Humans and her latest, Dopamine Kids: A Science-Based Plan to Rewire Your Child's Brain and Take Back Your Family in the Age of Screens and Ultraprocessed Foods. Greg and Michaeleen discuss how many products are engineered to create bottomless, non-closure experiences that leave users feeling drained. They also unpack how the dopamine system in our brains really works, and go over practical tips to reduce reliance on screens and ultraprocessed foods that lead to happier, more fulfilling lives. *unSILOed Podcast is produced by University FM.*

People in this episode

Host: Greg LaBlanc

Guest: Michaeleen Doucleff

Topics covered

  • screen time
  • ultra-processed foods
  • mental health
  • nutrition
  • dopamine system
  • parenting

Keywords

  • screen time
  • processed food
  • dopamine
  • mental health
  • parenting
  • nutrition

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: NPR

Books & works: Hunt, Gather, Parent, Dopamine Kids

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