ScreenStrong Families
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.”
ScreenStrong Families
5 Simple Shifts for a More Peaceful Holiday (#253)
In today’s episode, Melanie shares five simple but powerful strategies to help your family enjoy a peaceful, connected, ScreenStrong Christmas. If you’ve ever watched the holidays get hijacked by devices, meltdowns, or gaming marathons at grandma’s house, this episode will give you the confidence and clarity you need to lead your family well this season.
You’ll learn:
- Why giving presence (not screens) creates a more meaningful Christmas morning
- How to plan tech-free traditions that help your kids settle in, connect, and regulate
- The importance of protecting sleep and slowing the holiday pace
- What to tell extended family about your low-tech celebration
- How to choose connection over perfection—and why it matters more than anything
Melanie also shares real stories from families who’ve removed toxic tech and discovered unexpected peace in their homes.
Make this the Christmas your kids will actually remember—not because of gadgets, but because you were fully present… and so were they.
Resources Mentioned in This Episode
- ScreenStrong Gift Guide (updated for 2025)
- Evan’s Soft Christmas Piano Album (perfect for calming evenings)
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 Hempe
- Producer & Audio Editor: Olivia Kernekin
