In Episode 15 of Food for Thought, host Stephen Zabala sits down with educator and mindfulness coach Leah Ferrone to explore the impact of technology and social media on mental health, relationships, and real-world connection. Leah shares neuroscience-backed insights, practical mindfulness tools, and stories from her work with kids, parents, and teens to help listeners build healthier tech habits and deeper human connections.
Learn more about Leah’s work and programs at bravelionmind.com and follow her on Instagram at @bravelionmind.
0:00 Intro to Leah Ferrone and digital wellness focus
2:08 The overwhelm of social media presence
4:11 Lessons from a year off Instagram
6:27 Mindfulness roots from Leah’s upbringing
9:36 Making mindfulness fun for kids
13:39 Tech and social media: pros and cons
17:34 Online judgment and cyberbullying
20:00 From outdoor play to online life
22:47 Unspoken social media “rules” for teens
25:07 Value of real-life social interaction
31:12 Power of phone-free events
36:07 Why mistakes help kids grow
40:15 Six-hour phone-free teen retreat
42:12 Teen-led digital well-being committee
45:49 How teens see their tech use
49:20 Teens want authentic childhoods
53:06 Unplugged creativity and problem-solving
55:27 Breaking autopilot phone habits
57:59 AI’s impact on learning and authenticity