ScreenStrong Families

What Happens When You Take Your Teen’s Phone Away: Understanding Screen Addiction & Withdrawal (#262)

April 29, 2026

In today’s episode, Mandee sits down with Kellyn Smythe from Pacific Quest to unpack a topic many families are quietly struggling with: screen addiction—and why it’s far more serious than we often assume.Drawing from his experience working in residential treatment with teens, Kellyn explains how screen use isn’t just a habit—it can become a powerful “process addiction” that impacts the brain in ways similar to substance dependency. Together, they explore how technology is reshaping childhood,...

Why Kids Are Craving Disconnection: Helping Families Thrive Offline in a Screen-Filled World (#261)

April 16, 2026

In today’s episode, Mandee sits down with Gayle Cheatham, founder of Thrive Offline, to explore a growing reality many families are feeling—but don’t always know how to address: our kids are more connected than ever, yet feeling increasingly disconnected.Gayle shares her personal journey from the corporate world to leading a movement focused on helping families rediscover real-life connection. Together, they unpack how screens are quietly reshaping relationships in the home, crowding out crit...

The Courts Are Catching Up: What the Google & YouTube Verdicts Mean for Your Kids (#260)

April 07, 2026

What if your child’s struggle with screens isn’t a lack of discipline—but the result of how these platforms are built?In this episode, we unpack two major jury verdicts against Google, including YouTube, and what they reveal about the addictive design of digital platforms.You’ll learn why kids can’t “just use it in moderation,” what’s happening in the developing brain, and how you can step in with the guardrails your child needs to thrive.Support the showDon't forget to subscribe, rate, ...