Think video games are melting your kid’s brain? Think again. This week on Lady Party, we sit down with Dr. Rachel Kowert — internationally recognized expert on gaming, mental health, and digital safety — to get real about what’s actually happening when our kids (and, let’s be honest, we) pick up a controller.

Rachel has advised the United Nations, the U.S. State Department, and Congress on the psychology of gaming and has published over 100 papers on the subject. She’s also the author of Gaming and Extremism and The Video Game Debate and the founder of Psychgeist, a multimedia studio creating accessible, science-backed content about gaming, psychology, and culture.

In this episode, we talk about:
🎮 The truth about gaming and mental health (spoiler: shooter games does not a violent child make.)
🧠 What parents get wrong about “video game addiction.”
💬 How to talk to your kids about online safety and healthy gaming habits.
👾 Why games can actually boost creativity, empathy, and problem-solving.
💸 The billion-dollar world of e-sports and how scholarships are changing the game.
👑 And yes, which games Rachel actually recommends (Mario Kart FTW!)

We even get into the fun stuff — like why Grand Theft Auto can be totally fine (for grownups), why Nintendo is the most family-friendly system, and which gaming character Rachel would have dinner with (Princess Zelda, of course).

And when she’s not slaying myths about gaming, Rachel’s hydrating with @Tatcha Mineral Water (“the fountain of youth”), reading Alchemized, and insisting The Iliad is the best book ever written.

Whether you’re raising a Roblox junkie, a future Twitch streamer, or you’re just trying to understand what the heck a “server” is — this conversation will leave you feeling informed, calmer, and maybe even a little inspired to pick up a controller yourself.

• Knowledge can be scary, but fear of the unknown is scarier.

• There’s no scientific link between violent games and violent behavior.

• Games can teach creativity, strategy, empathy, and resilience.

• Video game “addiction” isn’t one-size-fits-all — context matters.

• Parents who play and talk about games with their kids have stronger connections.

• Nintendo offers the best family-friendly options for beginners.

• E-sports is a legit career path — with real college scholarships.

• Mario Kart is a perfect family starter game.

• Adults? Go ahead, enjoy Grand Theft Auto guilt-free.

• Not all screen time is created equal — connection beats consumption.

• Want trustworthy game reviews? Check out Common Sense Media.

• Psychgeist offers free, science-based videos, newsletters, and even a deep dive on Taylor Swift Easter eggs.

🎧 Listen now wherever you get your podcasts.
Follow Rachel on Instagram: @drrachelkowert
Explore more at psychgeist.com.

🔑 Key Takeaways