We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Nina Hersher a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Nina, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today.
Can you open up about a risk you’ve taken – what it was like taking that risk, why you took the risk and how it turned out?
Midway through my counseling degree, I was knee-deep in a clinical practicum at the student health center, focusing on how self-care and digital habits affected undergraduate performance. It quickly became clear that our increasingly tech-driven world was fueling distraction and mental health challenges at a staggering pace. In a time when no roadmap or career path existed in this space, I made the bold decision to break from the traditional trajectory and carve my own, focusing my degree on Digital Culture and Program Development. That risk laid the foundation for what would become the Digital Mindfulness movement—an initiative born out of necessity, grounded in the belief that we must navigate technology’s impact on our mental health to thrive in the modern world.
This decision wasn’t without its challenges. There was no blueprint, no guaranteed job prospects, just a clarity of purpose. I knew that these undergrads – the leaders of tomorrow – were struggling and needed to be equipped with the right tools to thrive in a tech-based world, and I was determined to provide that. My conviction was deeply influenced by my grandfather, a Holocaust survivor who founded the Hersher Institute for Applied Ethics after emigrating. He instilled in me the importance of giving back, championing social justice, and tackling the most pressing social and ethical challenges of our time—principles that fuel my drive to address the screen time and mental health crisis today.
Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.
Certainly! I’m a digital stress expert, keynote speaker, and curriculum developer with a passion for helping others navigate the complexities of our tech-driven world. I’m also a world traveler, outdoor enthusiast, and a devoted wife and mother.
Nina, I came across a compelling Voice of America feature that highlighted your personal journey with digital wellness and your resilience. The piece really stood out to me, noting, “For Hersher, the fight against screen time was personal. Struggling with a stutter as a child, she relied on eye contact to let people know she was trying to communicate.” It seems like your mission and vision have gained significant media attention over the years. Could you share more about what brought you to this work and some key moments when your work has been featured?
Certainly. Witnessing the erosion of eye contact and presence in the Digital Age was definitely formative to my interest in mental health and habits in our increasingly connected world. Overcoming obstacles has always been a part of my journey. Growing up, I had a hard time speaking due to Spasmodic Dysphonia, a condition where the vocal cords spasm at random times, causing what sounds like a stutter. This inherited condition, though challenging, was very treatable with intense speech therapy and the reconditioning of several neural pathways related to fluency. Through this challenge, I cultivated resilience, forged a deep sense of community, and ultimately overcame the disfluency to the extent that it’s barely noticeable unless I point it out.
By age 15, I was deeply involved with the Stuttering Association for the Young (SAY), traveling solo to NYC to take part in off-Broadway productions, write music, and record albums. I had the honor to perform alongside award-winning artists, including Bill Withers, Adriane Lenox, Kelli O’Hara, Daphne Rubin-Vega, and the cast of Spring Awakening. These early experiences presenting and advocating for social issues solidified my skillset as a leader and creator, using my voice—both literally and metaphorically—to promote stuttering awareness and education.
After completing my counseling degree and feeling frustrated by the lack of resources in the field of Digital Wellness, I co-founded The Digital Wellness Warriors in 2018, which later rebranded as the Digital Wellness Collective. This was the first global trade association for Digital Wellness professionals, creating a space where like-minded professionals could connect. Fast Company recognized it as a place “where software developers and others working to make smartphones less harmful can collaborate.” This initiative was a pivotal step in my journey as a leader and a founder in the Digital Wellness and Mindfulness movement. Al Jazeera also wrote about us, emphasizing my mission to “enhance human relationships through the intentional use and development of technology.”
The onset of COVID-19 was an “AHA” moment that drove many people to examine their digital habits, leading to widespread digital burnout as more people worked from home and spent unprecedented amounts of time with their tech. This situation highlighted a need for a standardized Digital Wellness education program.
Working with one of the Digital Wellness Collective co-founders, Amy Blankson of the UN Global Happiness Council, we combined our expertise and with contributions from top experts from the trade association, created the first accredited “Digital Wellness Educator Program.” We secured an impact partnership with the two-time Emmy Award-winning Social Dilemma, which was released in September 2020. The documentary website directed viewers to our program if they wanted to take further action after watching the film. With the right timing, perseverance, and incredible channel partners, we formally reorganized as the Digital Wellness Institute and released the program, which soared to success.
Our unique framework, Digital Flourishing®, sets us apart – a mindful approach to digital technology usage that supports our thriving in different areas of life. This approach empowers us to take advantage of the benefits of technology while avoiding associated harms. Dr. Sophie Janicke Bowles, a positive media psychologist, was instrumental in the research and rollout of this approach, also spearheading the creation of the first scientifically validated survey instrument to measure well-being in the digital era. We knew there was a need for a survey instrument that focused on how one could thrive online, and not just be shamed about screen time. Our goal was to provide solutions and evidence-based empowerment.
In 2020, I also co-founded Global Digital Wellness Day. Celebrated on the first Friday of May each year, its mission is to provide free, research-based resources to support well-being in the Digital Era. As we ventured into the realm of paid products, it was crucial for me, as an MSW, to ensure that diverse populations had access to free educational resources. We created Digital Wellness toolkits for individuals and employers, packed with research and tips for year-round use. Annual Digital Wellness Day just celebrated its 5th anniversary, reaching over 11 million people across 64 countries. This year, we hit a new milestone when the U.S. Surgeon General—who recently called for warning labels on social media—publicly endorsed Digital Wellness Day on X (Twitter). Calling this a milestone for the movement doesn’t quite capture its significance; it was a defining moment that underscored the growing global and governmental recognition of the need for digital balance and well-being.
In 2021, I co-authored Your Playbook for Thriving in the Remote Work Era with Amy Blankson, published by Wiley Beyond. The book quickly became a bestseller on multiple Amazon lists, garnering widespread public praise from industry leaders like bestselling author Nir Eyal and Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist Mar Cabra who had suffered digital burnout.
What are you most focused on now?
I’m currently Chief Learning Officer at the Digital Wellness Institute and have my own personal speaking brand. I’m honored to serve on the advisory boards of multiple mental health and digital wellness organizations, as well as the Workplace Wellbeing Initiative at The Global Wellness Institute. I hold additional credentials including Oasis in the Overwhelm Facilitator, Teen Outreach Program Facilitator, and Meditation Teacher. I’m also a member of JLA and A-list speakers bureaus, traveling all over the world—from San Francisco to London to Saudi Arabia—to speak on skills needed for future-proof work. I call this “Digital Resilience”: the ability to navigate the digital world in a way that promotes well-being and prevents burnout. It involves using technology mindfully—being intentional about how, when, and why you use digital tools—to ensure they enhance your life rather than drain your energy.
As the demand for my expertise continues to surge, I’m more mindful than ever of maintaining my own tech-life balance, especially with the arrival of my daughter last year. Given this, I’m increasingly selective about where I invest my energy, choosing to focus on the activities that bring me the greatest joy and have the most significant impact. This means prioritizing keynote speaking engagements, offering strategic corporate consulting on employee wellness programs, leading large-scale workshops and retreats at renowned wellness centers, and launching innovative courses tailored to the evolving market needs. A recent highlight of my work in the wellness space is my partnership with the award-winning company Loftie, known for its innovative, sleep-focused products. I recorded an evening wind-down meditation and digital disconnect ritual for their app, designed to help users unplug and transition into a more restful sleep. I’m thrilled to announce that I’ll be joining Loftie as their in-house meditation expert, where I’ll lead curated, themed guided meditations for their growing community of practice.
Looking ahead, I’m most excited about the upcoming launch of my Digital Mindfulness course, a game-changer for health promotion practitioners of all kinds—breathwork instructors, life coaches, yoga teachers, and beyond. This evidence-based program will translate how stress and screen time are often connected, and will be packed with cutting-edge solutions that professionals can easily integrate into their own practices and share with clients. From how blue light disrupts sleep to the hidden phenomenon of “email apnea,” the unconscious breath-holding we do while reading emails and its profound impact on nervous system regulation and anxiety—this course will cover modern mindfulness essentials. What makes this course unique is its blend of science and holistic wellness. While I’ll be the core teacher, I’m also bringing in renowned experts to add insight on topics from ergonomics to acupressure for tech tension and much more. To access the training details, join my newsletter at ninahersher.com
How did you build such a strong reputation?
My reputation as a founder of the digital mindfulness movement has been shaped by a combination of innovation, strategic action, and the ability to respond to unmet needs with timely solutions.
First, I individualized my education to focus on Digital Culture and Program Development at a time when these topics were barely on the radar. By trusting my instincts and committing to this niche, I was able to create a call to action that resonated deeply with others. I believed that if I addressed these emerging needs, people would naturally gravitate toward the solutions—and they did.
Timing also played a crucial role. My work gained momentum at a moment when this topic was just making its way into the public’s consciousness. This was amplified by media coverage from outlets like Al Jazeera, Voice of America, Fast Company, and Stanford Social Innovation Review, which helped propel the digital wellness conversation into the mainstream.
Another key factor has been my role in training over 500 Certified Digital Wellness Educators and students in various other courses. Through this work and my global keynote speaking engagements, I’ve had a unique opportunity to stay attuned to what’s most needed in the field. I’m constantly gathering insights on what approaches are working, what challenges remain, and how to adapt my offerings to stay ahead of the curve. This direct connection to the pulse of the industry is invaluable—it allows me to continually refine and tailor my work, ensuring it remains both relevant and impactful.
In essence, my reputation is built on foresight, responsiveness, and a commitment to driving meaningful change in a rapidly evolving landscape. Behind the scenes, I’m working at the intersection of AI and wellness. For both my family and the world. I’m dedicated to tech-focused work that enhances, rather than diminishes mental health, physical health, and social wellbeing. I believe the next frontier in Digital Wellness lies in harnessing AI to create tools and solutions that support human flourishing. I will be announcing exciting new partnerships and projects later this year that will drive this mission forward and ensure that how we engage with technology truly benefits humanity.
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Nina is dedicated to helping you thrive in the Digital Age by consolidating the latest research and resources, so you can spend more time doing what you love and less time searching for solutions.
To learn more about Nina’s work, join the waitlist for her upcoming course, or grab a free copy of her remote work ebook, visit ninahersher.com. Don’t miss out on the opportunity to stay ahead with insights from a leader in the movement!
Contact Info:
- Website: https://ninahersher.com
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/digitalwellbeing/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/digitalwellbeing/
- Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@ninadigitalstressexpert
