Digital Nutrition

18/04/2026

One of the most common questions I get from parents: how do I get my teenager to actually talk to a psychologist?

Honest answer? It depends. But here's what I know doesn't work: surprises. Tricking or ambushing your teen into a session will almost certainly backfire — and that's a $230 lesson no one needs.
Here's what can help:

- Start small. Invite them to try one session, no strings attached. No pressure to continue.

- Let them check me out first. Teens worry they'll be sent to someone who'll confiscate their devices and lecture them about screen time. My podcasts and TEDx talk exist so they can see I'm not that person before they walk in the door.

- If they're not ready — that's okay too. I can work with you as the parent instead. Supporting you is often the most powerful place to start, even before your teen is on board.

Yep, teens today have high mental health literacy — they know the language. BUT knowing the words doesn't always translate to seeking help, especially when they think you need to be "really struggling" to justify seeing someone. Lowering the stakes is often the first bridge to stepping in my door.

💬 Curious whether I might be the right fit for your teen? Get in touch — I'd love to talk about how I might be able to support your family.

10/04/2026

Asserting how really works, and its not how Cal Newport describes it!

Readers respond to an Opinion guest essay about digital consumption. Also: A failure of leadership; deconstructing Trump-speak; “moon joy.”

09/04/2026

Cal Newport talked about digital nutrition (in a random, vague and inaccurate way) in a NYT guest post.

I had feels. They were published in the Letters section.

Read it here: https://www.nytimes.com/2026/04/09/opinion/digital-social-media.html

30/03/2026

If you were waiting to make sure I actually swum my 100 laps before sponsoring me, I finished my this morning!

I can confirm I still don't love getting wet or the smell of chlorine, but I do love the work of and helping to give young people hope through some wild and dark times.

I'm also really grateful for my health and my fitness that allowed me to dive into the pool and smash out these laps when I haven't actually done any in a seriously long time. The muscle memory of literally 40 years since I started swimming training is still there!

THANK YOU to all the legends who have already donated (your contribution has collectively helped over 550 young people access support)!

If you have $10 to spare, chuck it my way before midnight on March 31 >> https://www.lapsforlife.com.au/fundraisers/jocelynbrewer

26/03/2026

A tale of two budgets.

24/03/2026

A done-with-you webinar series guided by me, ! 3 sessions plus tonnes of resources. Starts April 23. Full details in bio.

28/02/2026

Being a modern teen is a tough gig.

You're damned if you're on your phone too much and you're dammed if you go outside and roam. Parents often cant get it together either - first they buy the fancy devices, then the fancy bikes!

We assume that kids will 'go play' in ways we approve of without role modelling or direction, without scaffolding or supports.

They get into mischief and people complain, they stay at home in digital spaces and we lament.

Imagine a world we invested in infrastructure and guidance for teenagers the way we did little people or even submarines.

21/02/2026

The flight mode is strong when you're in a tight spot. No shame but just talking about some of this stuff randomly sometimes won't cut it!

21/02/2026

Make sure your kids know they're not going to get into trouble for seeking help, but in fact get them out of more serious s**t.

10/02/2026

A message about from my kitchen and in total goblin GNF mode

22/01/2026

We get obsessed with performative goal setting at this time of year, but 'what if' the goal was the opposite of what we've been lured into believing through these fragmented windows of content confetti?

What are your anti-goals for 2026?

02/01/2026

Lowfi design not perfect aesthetics, to start with.