The Broken Traditions Podcast with Leron Gaskins

"This is your brain. This is social media. This is doomscrolling. This is your brain doomscrolling on social media. Any questions?" In 2026, we are facing a cognitive crisis. For the first time in human history, IQs are dropping, and the culprit is sitting right in your pocket. In this episode of The Broken Traditions Podcast, Leron Gaskins (Big Ellie) dives deep into the reality of Digital Dementia—a term coined by Dr. Manfred Spitzer to describe the early-onset cognitive decline caused by the overuse of digital devices. [What You'll Learn in This Episode] The "Pac-Man" Effect: Why social media companies are the villains eating away at your brain matter. Cold Hard Evidence: A look at brain scans from Dr. Mark Williams showing "widening ridges" in the brains of addicted teenagers. The New York Warning: The story of a 31-year-old marketing guru who started losing her words—and how she got her brain back. Digital Incarceration: Why your smartphone is actually a "cell" keeping you locked away from your purpose. The Power of Neuroplasticity: Why your brain isn't an egg, and how you can "re-cool" it through intentional habits. Resources Mentioned Ready to break the cycle? Grab your copy of "The Digital Release"—the essential digital workbook designed to help you regain control and protect your peace. ➡️ Download the Digital Release: https://brokentraditions.com/products/the-digital-release-7-day-guide-to-escape-the-digital-cell-and-reclaim-your-freedom Affiliate Partners & Tools Bark: Comprehensive parental controls to monitor and manage your family's digital exposure to the "Three S's." https://barkparentalcontrols.pxf.io/c/6687714/1430413/17000?adname=affiliate_home_page Brick: A physical device that lets you "brick" your phone, removing addictive apps and helping you stay present. https://getbrick.com/?snowball=LERON81980 [Support the Show] If this episode helped you see your phone differently, please Follow the show and leave a 5-star review. Your support helps us reach more people suffering in digital incarceration. The Broken Traditions Podcast with Leron Gaskins. Stories, science, and solutions for a digital world. 💎 JOIN THE COMMUNITY ON PATREON The Broken Traditions Podcast is community-powered. By joining our Patreon, you aren't just a listener—you're a partner. Get exclusive deep-dives, early episode access, and behind-the-scenes content. 🫶🏾 Support the mission: https://www.patreon.com/c/LeronGaskins STAY CONNECTED: 🌐 Website: http://brokentraditions.com 📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/broken_traditions/ ✉️ Business Inquiries: [email protected]

Leron Gaskins breaks down why prediction markets like Polymarket and Kalshi are evolving into the "Casino for Everything." This episode explores how "trading" on real-world events is creating a new frontier of digital incarceration and how you can reclaim your attention. We explore the rise of federally regulated prediction markets and why the parent company of the New York Stock Exchange is investing billions into "event-based trading." We encounter the tension between legal "trading" and ethical gambling, examining the risks of insider information and the cultural impact of betting on natural disasters. Learn to identify the psychological traps of financial gambling rebranded as "trading" and how to set boundaries against the high-stakes attention economy. Affiliate Partners & Tools Bark: Comprehensive parental controls to monitor and manage your family's digital exposure to the "Three S's." https://barkparentalcontrols.pxf.io/c/6687714/1430413/17000?adname=affiliate_home_page Brick: A physical device that lets you "brick" your phone, removing addictive apps and helping you stay present. https://getbrick.com/?snowball=LERON81980 The "Tradition Breaker" CTA Support the movement and get exclusive content on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/c/LeronGaskins Download "The Digital Release" (7-Day Workbook): https://brokentraditions.com/products/the-digital-release-7-day-guide-to-escape-the-digital-cell-and-reclaim-your-freedom Explore more Wins + Lessons at: https://brokentraditions.com Connect with Leron on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/broken_traditions/

Are you tired of losing hours to mindless scrolling? In today's live stream, I'm sharing my honest, real-world experience using Brick, a physical digital wellness tool designed to help you reclaim your time and focus. We've all tried screen time limits, but they are too easy to ignore. The Break device changes the game by adding physical friction—once your addictive apps are blocked, you have to physically rescan the tool to get them back. I've been putting this to the test in my daily life, and today I'm giving you my unfiltered thoughts on whether it actually works. If you're new here, I'm Leron Gaskins. I host the Broken Traditions podcast, where we dive deep into digital wellness and the impact of technology on our lives. My goal is to find practical ways to disconnect so we can be more present in the real world. 🚀 TAKE CONTROL OF YOUR DIGITAL LIFE Ready to break the cycle? Grab your copy of "The Digital Release"—the essential digital workbook designed to help you regain control and protect your peace. ➡️ Download the Digital Release: https://brokentraditions.com/products/the-digital-release-7-day-guide-to-escape-the-digital-cell-and-reclaim-your-freedom 💎 JOIN THE COMMUNITY ON PATREON The Broken Traditions Podcast is community-powered. By joining our Patreon, you aren't just a listener—you're a partner. Get exclusive deep-dives, early episode access, and behind-the-scenes content. 🫶🏾 Support the mission: https://www.patreon.com/c/LeronGaskins T he Broken Traditions Podcast is the only space dedicated to exploring digital overconsumption through a Black perspective. We bridge the gap between tech habits and cultural traditions to help you live more intentionally. STAY CONNECTED: 🌐 Website: http://brokentraditions.com 📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/broken_traditions/ ✉️ Business Inquiries: [email protected]

We used to watch sports for the community; now, we watch for the extraction. In this episode, Leron Gaskins breaks down how the $160 billion sports betting industry is engineered to keep you "digitally incarcerated" through your smartphone. Learn the history of the loopholes that put a casino in your pocket and how to build the "new muscle" required to reclaim your finances and your peace. We explore the transition from traditional fandom to the "Trojan Horse" of daily fantasy sports and how a 2018 Supreme Court ruling turned every mobile phone into a 24/7 sportsbook. The "freeze" happens when the government and sports leagues become the bookies. With $3.7 billion in tax revenue at stake, the system has no incentive to help you stop. We discuss the "cash out" features and neuroscience tricks designed to bypass your prefrontal cortex. Support the movement and get exclusive content on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/c/LeronGaskins Resources Mentioned: ResponsiblePlay.org Call/Text: 1-800-GAMBLER or 1-800-MY-RESET Crisis Support: Dial 988

In a groundbreaking ruling, social media giants are facing major liability for their impact on users' mental health, with many citing the dangers of excessive screen time and internet addiction. The tech industry is being forced to confront the ethics of their products, including the role of ai ethics in perpetuating doomscrolling and other addictive behaviors. As the future of tech continues to evolve, data privacy and the tech impact on society are becoming increasingly important considerations. The recent youtube lawsuit and meta lawsuit are just the beginning, as companies are being held accountable for their role in shaping the online landscape. With the rise of mental health tech, it's clear that the industry is at a crossroads, and the decisions made now will have far-reaching consequences for generations to come. The question is, will social media giants be able to adapt to these new expectations, or will they continue to prioritize profits over people?