Press Pause: Finding Balance in a Digital World
by Cassie Dietrich
In a world that never stops scrolling, Dublin City Schools invites families to press pause. Press Pause is a conversational podcast featuring educators, counselors, and local experts who live and work right here in our community. Each episode tackles a real issue affecting kids and teens today — from disrupted sleep to cyberbullying to the loss of creativity in a screen-saturated world. Tune in, reflect, and take one small step toward digital balance. New episodes released throughout the summer. A little pause goes a long way.
Episodes
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Truth or Trap
Guest: Stacia Naquin, Anchor for 10TV Clickbait, scams, and fake news can fool even the savviest students. Stacia Naquin shares tips to help kids question what they see online, spot misinformation, and decide whether to trust or trash what they’re reading. Topics covered: How to recognize biased…
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Wait Until 8th
Guest: Dr. Jess Shatkin Delaying a child’s first smartphone can protect mental health, improve focus, and give them more time to develop offline skills. Dr. Jess Shatkin explains why waiting until eighth grade makes sense — and how families can navigate the pressure to get a phone sooner. Topics...
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Unplug to Recharge
Guest: Leah Wolfe, Intervention Specialist Sometimes the best way to connect is to disconnect. Leah Wolfe discusses how setting aside devices — even for short, consistent breaks — can improve relationships, boost mood, and help students recharge mentally and emotionally. Topics covered: The...
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Tech and Tots
Guest: Dr. Megan Schabbing, Lead Psychiatrist at Ohio Health Screens can capture attention — but for young children, too much too soon can affect how their brains grow. Dr. Megan Schabbing explains the risks of early screen exposure and why pediatricians recommend waiting before introducing...
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The Real Cost of Shortcuts
Guest: Mike Aurin, Principal at Jerome High School Copying homework, misusing AI, or plagiarizing might save time in the moment — but it comes with consequences. Principal Mike Aurin talks about the short- and long-term costs of academic dishonesty, from grades to reputation, and why integrity...
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When “Going Viral” Goes Too Far
Guest: Eric Cochrun, School Resource Officer Viral challenges may seem harmless — or even funny — but some can lead to serious injury or worse. Officer Eric Cochrun explains why teens are drawn to risky trends, how dangerous they can be, and what parents can do to help kids think twice. Topics...
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Think Before You Share
Guest: Jeremy Miller, School Resource Officer A quick post can have lasting consequences. Officer Jeremy Miller breaks down the risks of oversharing online — from giving away your location to exposing personal details that hackers and scammers can exploit. Topics covered: How oversharing puts...
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Digital Drama
Cyberbullying, online rumors, and peer pressure can all unfold on a screen — but the impact on students is real. Whitney Shelton talks about the emotional toll of digital conflicts, the warning signs to watch for, and strategies students can use to protect themselves and support their peers.…
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What’s Your Digital Footprint?
Guest: David Aronovic, Dublin PD Detective Every post, search, and click leaves a trail. Detective David Aronovic explains what a digital footprint is, how it can follow someone for years, and why thinking before posting is a skill worth teaching early. Topics covered: What makes up a digital...
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Game Time vs Screen Time
Guest: Mike Ulring, Director of Building Leadership From pre-game scrolling to late-night gaming, screen time can drain athletes before they even step on the field. Mike Ulring shares how digital distractions can affect physical performance, focus, and mental health — and why building better tech...
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Stranger Danger
Guest: Scott Brown, School Resource Officer The internet can be a great place to connect — but it can also be a place where predators look for victims. Officer Scott Brown explains how online grooming works, what red flags to look for, and how families can build safe online habits to protect…
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Redefining Boredom
Guest: Margaret Robinson, Gifted Intervention Specialist Screens may entertain, but they can also crowd out the quiet moments kids need to spark imagination and solve problems. Margaret Robinson explains why unstructured, screen-free downtime is critical for developing creativity, focus, and...
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Pressure to Be Perfect
Guest: Amanda Levelle, NCH Behavioral Health Pressure to Be Perfect Filtered photos. Curated lives. Constant comparisons. Amanda Levelle breaks down how social media shapes self-esteem—especially in teens—and why the pursuit of perfection online can lead to real-world anxiety, loneliness, and...
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Always On, Always Anxious
Guest: Dr. Dawn Anderson-Butcher, The Ohio State University College of Social Work Always On, Always Anxious What’s the cost of constant connection? Dr. Dawn Anderson-Butcher explores the growing body of research linking excessive screen time to rising levels of anxiety, depression, and…
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How Phones Steal Your Zzz’s
Guest: Kevin Patton, DCS Pathways Counselor Too much phone use at night doesn’t just delay bedtime — it disrupts sleep quality and can lead to tired, unfocused, and emotionally drained students. Kevin shares what he’s seeing among teens today and why good sleep hygiene starts with putting the…
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Why It’s Time to Press Pause
In the premiere episode of Finding Balance in the Digital World, host Cassie Dietrich, Public Information Officer for Dublin City Schools, sits down with Superintendent Dr. John Marschhausen to explore why the district is launching the Press Pause campaign. They discuss growing concerns around...
About this show
In a world that never stops scrolling, Dublin City Schools invites families to press pause.
Press Pause is a conversational podcast featuring educators, counselors, and local experts who live and work right here in our community. Each episode tackles a real issue affecting kids and teens today — from disrupted sleep to cyberbullying to the loss of creativity in a screen-saturated world. Tune in, reflect, and take one small step toward digital balance.
New episodes released throughout the summer. A little pause goes a long way.
Hosted by
Cassie Dietrich