ScreenStrong Families
Melanie Hempe, BSN, received her bachelors of Nursing from Emory University. Her mission is 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 and are thrilled to experience a newfound freedom in their lives.
Melanie hosts the popular weekly ScreenStrong Families Podcast. She has been featured in Psychology Today, Thrive-Global, The Wall Street Journal, A&E Network, CBS, CNN, NPR, Screened Out (documentary film), and various news and television outlets.
ScreenStrong Families
Understanding Dopamine in Developing Brains with Dr. Anna Lembke (#211)
In this episode, host Melanie Hempe sits down with psychiatrist and author, Dr. Anna Lembke, to dive deep into the science behind screen addiction and its impact on teen brains. Using Melanie’s personal experience with her son Adam as a starting point, they explore dopamine's role in shaping behavior, particularly in a teen's developing brain.
Dr. Lembke breaks down what every parent needs to know about dopamine—the brain’s reward chemical—and how screen activities can hijack this system in ways that mirror addiction. They discuss how tolerance builds up, why moderation of high-dopamine activities like gaming can be more harmful than parents realize, and what permanent brain changes can occur.
Dr. Lembke also shares her DOPAMINE framework as a roadmap for parents struggling to help their children detox from screens. The episode walks through practical steps, from collecting data on screen usage to setting boundaries and managing the emotional fallout of screen detox.
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ScreenStrong Tech Recommendations
- Gabb Wireless—Smartphone Replacement (use code STRONG for discount)
- Canopy—Device Filter (use code STRONG for discount)
Production Team:
- Host: Melanie Hempe
- Producer & Audio Editor: Olivia Kernekin
