Why does your middle schooler suddenly believe everyone is judging them? Why can one awkward interaction at school turn into “Nobody likes me!”? And why do worries seem to grow so quickly during adolescence?

Welcome to the strange garden of the middle school brain.

In this week’s episode of Middle School Mary Poppins, Suzanne M. Swain, EdS, LMSW, is joined by Jessica Ragnio, MSW, LICSW, Clinical Director at Mightier, to explore one of the most important mental health concepts parents can teach their children: cognitive distortions—the thinking traps that make anxiety feel real, even when our thoughts aren’t telling us the whole story.

Using a whimsical garden metaphor, Suzanne explains why middle school isn’t just a grade level—it’s a culture. Together, Suzanne and Jessica discuss how anxiety quietly plants “sticky weeds” in our minds, why belonging becomes so important during adolescence, and how parents can help children recognize these unhelpful thought patterns before they take over the entire garden.

🌸 In This Episode You’ll Learn

🌷 What cognitive distortions are—and why they feel so believable.

🌼 Why anxiety often shows up as stomach aches, headaches, perfectionism, school avoidance, or irritability.

🌺 How girls and boys may experience anxiety differently during adolescence.

🌻 Why friendships, cliques, and social belonging feel so overwhelming in middle school.

🪻 How thoughts, emotions, and behaviors work together to shape our experiences.

🌹 Practical ways to help children challenge anxious thinking with curiosity instead of fear.

🌿 Why Stop. Regulate. Listen. is a brain-based strategy that helps kids regulate emotions before solving problems.

🌱 Free Family Activity

Continue today’s conversation with the Garden of Weedy Thoughts family activity from Mightier:

https://www.mightier.com/resources/weeds-badge-activities/

💜 Special Offer from Mightier

NOTE: Suzanne is NOT being paid by them. She simply loves what they do for  for and the research behind it. An evidence- based way to help your child build emotional regulation skills? They created a video game tablet where the game uses heart rate information to include that in the gameplay where regulation is taught by the video game itself! Self-sufficiency is good! My neighbor kiddo used it and his mother is thrilled! Affordable too! The best part about the company are the people!

Middle School Mary Poppins listeners receive 15% OFF Mightier with promo code:MARYPOPPINS

🎥 Watch on YouTube

Watch full podcast episodes, parenting shorts, bonus clips, and exclusive content on our YouTube channel:

https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLE_8pZC17nLY&si=kiKjRO_sx9Uu-3l8

If you enjoy the show, I’d love for you to subscribe to our YouTube channel and turn on notifications so you never miss a new episode, short, or parenting tip. Every subscription helps us reach more families looking for practical, brain-based strategies for navigating the middle school years.

⭐ Thank You

A heartfelt thank you to our incredible community for your encouragement, thoughtful messages, and recent reviews. Because of your support, Middle School Mary Poppins is now approaching 675,000 downloads worldwide and has earned more than 6,100 five-star reviews on Spotify!

Every download, review, subscription, and recommendation helps another parent, educator, counselor, or caregiver discover tools that can truly make a difference in a child’s life.

If today’s episode encouraged you, one of the greatest ways you can support the podcast is by:

💜 Following the show on your favorite podcast platform.

⭐ Leaving a rating or written review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify.

🎥 Subscribing to our YouTube channel and sharing your favorite episodes.

📣 Sharing this episode with another parent, teacher, or caregiver who could use a little extra support.

Your kindness helps this community continue to grow, and I truly appreciate every single one of you.

Stay clever, little foxes. 🦊💜

SEO Topics

Middle school anxiety • Cognitive distortions • Parenting tweens • Tween mental health • Emotional regulation • School anxiety • Adolescent brain • Friendship drama • Self-esteem • Parenting middle schoolers • Social Emotional Learning (SEL) • Executive functioning • Neurodivergent children • Autism • ADHD • Anxiety in girls • Anxiety in boys • Parenting podcast • Teacher resources • Family mental health • Brain-based parenting • Cognitive behavioral strategies • Middle school behavior

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In Week 3 of our whole family Socioemotional Learning (SEL) Summer Camp series, Suzanne M. Swain, EdS, LMSW, is joined by Jessica Ragnio, MSW, LICSW, Clinical Director at Mightier, to explore the fascinating world of adolescent emotions. Always a good hang with Jessica! 

Together, the duo discuss why emotions become more intense during the middle school years, how identity development, independence, social awareness, and puberty shape emotional experiences, and what neuroscience can teach us about the adolescent brain.

In this episode, you’ll discover:
🌊 Why middle school emotions can feel like an emotional hurricane

🧠 How the adolescent brain develops differently than the adult brain

💜 Why kids often experience multiple emotions at the same time

⚡ How emotional energy and emotional valence help us better understand feelings

🌡️ Why emotions show up in the body before children always have words for them

🎣 How families can build emotional awareness through conversation and play

You’ll also learn why social rejection can genuinely hurt, what cortisol has to do with emotional regulation, and how helping kids recognize body signals can strengthen lifelong emotional intelligence.

🎣 FREE FAMILY ACTIVITY: FISHING FOR FEELINGS

Download this week’s activity here:

https://www.mightier.com/resources/emotional-awareness-activities/

Fishing for Feelings helps families build emotional vocabulary, identify body signals, and create meaningful conversations about emotions in a fun and engaging way.

SPECIAL OFFER: Our friends at Mightier help children build emotional regulation skills through gameplay and biofeedback.

Use coupon code: MARYPOPPINS for 15% off.

Guest:
Jessica Ragnio, MSW, LICSW
Clinical Director, Mightier

Remember:

We don’t stop the waves. We learn how to ride them.

Stop. Regulate. Listen.

Stay clever, little foxes. 💜🦊

A very special thanks to StellaMix productions and Janine Stella for her incredible production work. Please go to stellamix.com for all of your podcasting needs.

Send Suzanne a Question or Comment:

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Why do kids seem glued to their phones? Why do texts, group chats, likes, and social media feel so important during middle school? And are screens really harming kids—or is the answer more complicated than that?

In Week 2 of our SEL Summer Camp collaboration with Mightier, Suzanne Swain, EdS, LMSW sits down with developmental scientist Jason Kahn, PhD, co-founder of Mightier, to explore what brain science actually tells us about technology, screen time, dopamine, emotional regulation, social media, friendships, and adolescent development.

Together, we discuss:
 🧠 The middle school brain and dopamine
 📱 Why social media feels so powerful
 🍰 The “Chocolate Cake Theory” of technology
 💬 Why kids see phones differently than adults
 ❤️ The importance of belonging during adolescence
 🎮 Healthy technology habits and screen balance
 🌱 Boredom, creativity, and imagination
 🏕️ Family conversations that reduce conflict and build connection

This episode helps parents, educators, counselors, and caregivers better understand how technology interacts with the developing adolescent brain—and how to guide middle schoolers toward healthier digital habits without shame, fear, or constant power struggles.

Special SEL Summer Camp Partner: Mightier
Mightier uses biofeedback-powered video games to help kids build emotional regulation skills in real time. Middle School Mary Poppins listeners receive 15% off with code MARYPOPPINS at Mightier.com.

📥 Download this week’s Summer Camp activity guide:
 msmarypoppins.com

📧 Questions or stories?
 SuzanneSwain@gmail.com

#Parenting #MiddleSchool #ScreenTime #SocialMedia #Dopamine #AdolescentBrain #EmotionalRegulation #SEL #SocialEmotionalLearning #ExecutiveFunctioning #Neurodiversity #TweenParenting #TeenParenting #ChildDevelopment #DigitalWellness #Mightier #MiddleSchoolMaryPoppins #BrainScience #ParentingPodcast #FamilyConnection

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Pack your curiosity, grab your emotional toolkit, and join us for a one-of-a-kind summer adventure!

Middle School Mary Poppins is teaming up with Mightier for a special six-week SEL (Social Emotional Learning) Summer Camp designed specifically for middle school families.

Together, we’ll explore the fascinating world of emotions, friendships, technology, anxiety, anger, communication, and the developing adolescent brain through engaging conversations, family activities, brain science, and practical tools you can use right away.

Joining Suzanne throughout the series is Jason Kahn, PhD, Chief Science Officer at Mightier, who brings years of expertise in developmental psychology, emotional regulation, and helping kids build resilience through play.

Each week we’ll tackle a new topic:

🧠 Week 1: S2 EP 28 - SEL Summer Camp Week 1 - Adolescent Brains: A Powerful Engine, Sensitive Alarm, & Driver Still in Training
Understanding the middle school brain and why adolescents think, feel, and react differently than adults.

📚Camp Week 1 Download:
https://www.mightier.com/resources/5-steps-to-unstick-your-thinking-for-parents/

💜This article contains a list of strategies for parents & families that prompt them to stop and reflect in the moment of disagreement or miscommunication with their child. The strategies help families separate out their own emotions and perspective in order to better see their child's perspective. 

Future Camp Sessions & Topics:

📱 Week 2: Are Screens Evil or Not?
Technology, dopamine, gaming, and finding healthy family balance.

🌊 Week 3: Oceans of Emotion
Exploring feelings, emotional awareness, and the surprising ways emotions work together.

🌱 Week 4: Garden of Weedy Thoughts
Understanding anxiety, self-esteem, and those pesky cognitive distortions that can take over our thinking.

🌋 Week 5: Volcano of Anger
Learning what lives underneath anger and how to regulate big emotions before they erupt.

🤝 Week 6: Social Skills Lab
Building friendships, communication skills, empathy, and confidence through connection.

Throughout the summer, families will receive conversation starters, activities, reflection questions, and practical strategies that make Social Emotional Learning fun, meaningful, and accessible.

Why MSMP is Partnering with Mightier

At Middle School Mary Poppins, we believe emotional regulation isn’t something kids magically know how to do.

It’s a skill.

And skills require practice.

That’s why we’re excited to partner with Mightier, a program that helps children build emotional regulation skills through biofeedback-powered games that teach kids how to recognize what’s happening inside their bodies and practice calming strategies in real time.

💜 Special Offer for Middle School Mary Poppins Families

Receive 15% OFF Mightier with code: MARYPOPPINS

Whether you’re a parent, grandparent, teacher, counselor, therapist, or simply someone who loves a middle schooler, this series is for you.

So grab your camp gear, bring your curiosity, and join us as we spend six weeks exploring the most important classroom your child will ever have:

Their brain.

See you at camp!

☂️ Suzanne Swain, EdS, LMSW
 Middle School Mary Poppins

🦊 Stay clever, little foxes

🏆Shoutout to StellaMix Studios for making this possible! 🤗🔥💜

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In this episode of The Middle School Mary Poppins Podcast, Suzanne Swain, EDS LMSW explores the moments that make adults throw their hands in the air and ask, “Seriously?!” — and why that reaction is understandable, but often aimed at the wrong target. When behavior goes sideways, we tend to place the full weight of the situation on a 12- or 13-year-old navigating hormones, identity development, social pressure, emotional overwhelm, and a brain that is still developing impulse control and executive functioning. That isn’t an excuse for harmful behavior… it’s a roadmap for understanding it.

Drawing from years of real middle school classroom management experience, Suzanne walks listeners through a systems-based approach to behavior that focuses on emotional safety, clear expectations, simple procedures, and consistent boundaries. You’ll hear why consistency matters more than intensity, why fewer rules often work better than dozens of threats, and how becoming “annoyingly predictable” can actually help kids feel safer and more regulated. The episode also explores metacognition — the adult skill of noticing what’s happening internally before reacting externally — and how our own regulation often shapes the emotional climate around children.

But structure alone is never enough. Kids also need connection. This episode unpacks the idea of “connection before correction” and why trust, co-regulation, and emotional repair are critical parts of accountability. Suzanne also discusses some of the hidden stressors affecting today’s tweens and teens, including chronic sleep deprivation, overstimulation, emotional exhaustion, and constant screen saturation.

Blending neuroscience, humor, emotional critical thinking, and real classroom insight, this conversation offers a more compassionate lens for understanding middle schoolers without removing accountability or structure.

💜 ND Friendly Listening Note: MSMP is designed with neurodivergent listeners in mind. Ads and interruptions are intentionally kept to a minimum and placed thoughtfully for continuity and emotional regulation support.

☂️ ENTER THE NEW CONTEST: head to the website and join the mailing list for a chance to win a 45 minute family session with Suzanne! 

💜☂️Visit msmarypoppins.com for resources, updates, and ways to support the show.

Produced by StellaMix Podcast Productions. Reach out to my high school buddy Janine for all of your podcast needs as she is the wizard you need!
 🌐 stellamix.com

🦊Stay clever, little foxes. You got this! 

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feat. Adam Brooks, Program Coordinator from BARK Technologies adamb@bark.us

Special MSMP listener offer:
Use code POPPINS25 for $25 off any Bark phone model or watch (limit 2).  Learn more at: www.bark.us

Part 3 of our “Reimagining Screen Time” technology series focuses on one of the biggest modern parenting challenges of all: keeping kids safe online while still building trust, communication, and healthy independence.

Balancing screens with quality family time, creating intentional technology plans, and opening ongoing family discussions about devices and boundaries has become just as essential as having a family fire safety plan.

As an educational technologist and former middle school educator, Suzanne recently took a deep dive into researching modern family technology tools and discovered BARK Technologies. 

BARK has: more than 7 million users, strong professional reviews, extensive educational resources, and a kid & family-forward philosophy towatd devices and screen time.

BARK stood out as an innovative and highly acclained option for helping families navigate the digital world more safely together. 

What especially impressed Suzanne was Bark’s willingness to provide schools and educators with professional development and technology safety resources—even when schools are not purchasing products or services. That commitment to education, accessibility, and family discussion deserved a closer look.

So Suzanne invited Adam Brooks, Bark’s Program Coordinator and a former teacher himself, onto the podcast to discuss current research, internet culture, emotional health, and practical ways families can create healthier digital habits together.

Let’s face facts: middle schoolers are growing up in a digital environment that moves faster than most adults can realistically keep up with. Between social media pressure, group chats, cyberbullying, AI-generated content, online predators, and nonstop notifications, families are navigating challenges that simply did not exist a generation ago.

In this episode, Suzanne and Adam discuss:

• Why middle school brains are especially vulnerable online
• The emotional impact of social media and comparison culture
• Cyberbullying, online predators, and digital safety
• Healthy monitoring vs. invasive parenting
• How to build trust instead of constant power struggles
• Practical tools families can begin using immediately
• Creating collaborative family technology plans that encourage communication and emotional safety

Bark Technologies offers monitoring tools, parental controls, screen time management, content filtering, and affordable kid-safe phones and watches designed to help families navigate technology in a healthier and more balanced way.

As always, Suzanne takes ethics very seriously. BARK Technologies did not pay for this review, testimonial, or discussion. This episode reflects Suzanne’s independent professional opinion after personally researching family technology options that are affordable, highly regarded, innovative, and capable of encouraging stronger communication and healthier family relationships around technology use.

🎉 Special MSMP listener offer:
Use code POPPINS25 for $25 off any Bark phone model or watch (limit 2).
Learn more at: www.bark.us
Questions about Bark’s services or educational partnerships can also be directed to Adam Brooks at adam.b@bark.us. He is excited to hear from you! Come back anytime! 

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This episode is a different one, y’all!
No outline.
No “cheat sheet.”
No editing out the pauses or the “you knows.” 🤓🤫

Just a real “plain” conversation. I thought it would be fun to see what happens without my safe bullet points. 

💜 Give me about two minutes on this one—it settles in and gets really good. Besides, it’s all about FURRY FAMILY! 🤩 Animals are everything. Stepping out of your comfort zone can be a great experience. 

Middle school is a time when life feels unpredictable—friendships shift, social rules change by the hour, and for neurodivergent kids, sensory overload can turn an ordinary day into a storm.

So why do animals help so much?

In this off-the-cuff episode, we talk about dogs and cats not as “pets,” but as teammates—partners that help regulate a child’s nervous system in real, measurable ways.

We break down the neuroscience in plain language:
Petting an animal can lower cortisol, raise oxytocin, and help the brain feel safer. The limbic system begins to settle. The world feels different.

Then we get into what almost sounds unbelievable about dogs—their ability to detect emotional states through scent, track routines by “smelling time,” respond to subtle pressure changes, and hear what the rest of us miss.

If you’ve ever felt like your dog knew you were having a bad day before you did… you’re not imagining it.

And yes—we give cats their due.

Cats aren’t “less social.” They’re selectively social—wired for predictable, low-pressure connection. From the slow blink to their carefully chosen moments of closeness, we explore why cats can be exactly what an anxious brain needs.

You’ll also hear stories about Neville, a little “street council” energy, and the very real truth about loving animals—even knowing loss is part of the deal.

💬 Tell me: which animal has helped you (or your child) feel safe?

—

New here? Start with “Ridiculous Joy” to get a feel for the heart of the show.

Want to reach out?
Suzanne M. Swain, EdS, LMSW
📧 suzanneswain@gmail.com
🌐 msmarypoppins.com

Produced by StellaMix Podcast Productions: https://stellamix.com/

Support the show:
If this episode helped your family or classroom, visit msmarypoppins.com and click Support the Show.

Your support keeps this podcast free, research-based, and centered on emotional health for kids—especially neurodivergent tweens and teens. 

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This is episode two in our exploring screen time series, where we discuss how digital tools can be used in more intentional, supportive ways for kids and families. I found Mightier!  I think Mightier is doing something truly innovative, affordable, & educationally way ahead of the pack. So, I vetted it. Again and again. Nights of secretly evaluating on ridiculously high-level criteria. Had kids try it. 
And the Result? Legit👏🫶🏼

I sought THEM out. No paid testimonial. Just a shrewd educator seeking a diamond. Really thrilled to bring this solution to listeners.  There are kids out there that would be so benefited by what they do with biometrics. Brilliant.

WEBSITE: www.mightier.com
 COUPON CODE: MARYPOPPINS (15% OFF)

In this episode, I share a surprising tool I vetted myself: a set of video games that use heart-rate biofeedback to help kids practice emotional regulation while they play. If your child melts down quickly, struggles with anxiety, or gets stuck in frustration, this conversation offers a concrete way to think about intentional screen time and digital wellness at home. Please note: I am not being paid in any capacity for this interview. I simply am absolutely mesmerized by this software. Share the knowledge!

A VISIT FROM JESSICA RAGNIO FROM MIGHTIER:

Suzanne is joined by her first-ever guest, Jessica Ragnio, a clinical social worker, therapist, and mom of three who serves as Clinical Director at Mightier. She breaks down how the program grew out of research at Boston Children’s Hospital and Harvard Medical School, and why real-time practice matters more than simply talking about coping skills when a child is already flooded.

We dig into how the games respond to rising heart rate, what “red zone” and “blue zone” cues look like, and how kids are rewarded for bringing their bodies back down to calm.

We also cover what families tend to notice over time, including stronger emotional awareness, better frustration tolerance, and calmer recovery in school and friendships. For parents who want visibility, we talk through the companion app and the progress data it tracks, including cooldowns.

If you want to explore it yourself, head to www.mightier.com and use the code MARYPOPPINS for 15% off.

If this episode helps you rethink screen time, subscribe, share it with a parent friend, and leave a review so more families can find practical mental health tools.

Contact Suzanne M. Swain EdS LMSW: 

suzanneswain@gmail.com 

Website: msmarypoppins.com

Produced By: StellaMix Podcast Productions

Special thanks to our producer, StellaMix podcast productions, another Palm Beach County School of the Arts collaboration. Need a podcast? Connect with Janine Stella ASAP: http://www.Stellamix.com

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What looks like defiance might actually be overwhelm. What feels like obsession might be regulation. From dopamine hits and digital comparison to cyberbullying and late-night scrolling, we unpack what’s really going on behind the screen—and why simply taking the phone away might be missing the bigger picture.

With relatable stories, a dash of humor (shoutout to Lieutenant Steve 🐾), and practical strategies you can actually use, this episode helps parents, educators, and caregivers move from power struggles to real connection. Because the goal isn’t to win the screen time war—it’s to understand the kid on the other side of it.

Tune in for a fresh perspective, a few “aha” moments, and maybe even a little peace at bedtime. 

————-

PRO BONO: Currently, MSMP does not profitize nor monetize as an effort to avoid bias & to help build trust with new listeners. (Too many commercials ruin messaging.) 

Trust is everything & worth earning first. MSMP will only support rigorously vetted advertisers that commit to bettering the lives & mental health of kids and their families - no fluff. Your time is valuable. ——————————-

4/21/26: 🍎 Issue: Currently working with Apple to fix the incorrect rating & reviews. There is a glitch in the system currently but please feel free to continue to add your ratings & written review if possible! They hope to have it back soon. Thx -Suz 🤦‍♀️

For current & accurate ratings, please see MSMP’s page on Spotify. 2600 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟 Wow y’all! 🥳

Contact Suzanne M. Swain EdS LMSW: 

suzanneswain@gmail.com 

Website: msmarypoppins.com

Produced By: StellaMix Podcast Productions

Special thanks to our producer, StellaMix podcast productions, another Palm Beach County School of the Arts collaboration. Need a podcast? Connect with Janine Stella ASAP: http://www.Stellamix.com

Send Suzanne a Question or Comment:

Support the show

Contact Suzanne Swain:
Email: suzanneswain@gmail.com Website: msmarypoppins.com

Produced By: StellaMix Podcast Productions

Special thanks to our producer, StellaMix podcast productions, another Palm Beach County School of the Arts collaboration. Need a podcast? Connect with Janine Stella ASAP: http://www.Stellamix.com

Send Suzanne a Question or Comment:

Support the show

This has made me really think about what chosen family actually means when the crisis isn’t abstract. Tanya is my person—the friend who crossed countries, built a life from nothing, cared deeply for others, loved animals like family, and showed up for me through surgeries, pain, and all the messy parts of being human. Now she’s facing cancer that has spread to her bones, lungs, liver, and lymph nodes, and I’m trying to navigate pain management, treatment decisions, and the emotional whiplash that comes when someone you love can’t even sit up in a chair.

And I have to say the part people don’t always want to talk about: the cost. The reality of U.S. healthcare. Insurance questions, growing medical bills, and the impossible math of losing income while caregiving becomes a full-time job. If you’ve ever carried caregiver stress, unresolved grief, or that deep wound of losing someone too early, you’ll understand—this is raw, unfiltered, and straight from the heart.

If you can, please listen. Share this with someone who believes in showing up for others. Help Tanya in her fight by donating or spreading the word. Subscribe, leave a review, and tell me—what does showing up for your person look like in your life?

Contact Suzanne Swain:
Email: suzanneswain@gmail.com Website: msmarypoppins.com

Produced By: StellaMix Podcast Productions

Special thanks to our producer, StellaMix podcast productions, another Palm Beach County School of the Arts collaboration. Need a podcast? Connect with Janine Stella ASAP: http://www.Stellamix.com

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We also look at how brain networks—like the default mode network and executive control system—affect imagination, focus, and the ability to shift between tasks. That’s why things like the “rabbit hole effect,” zoning out, or struggling to transition between activities happen so often for neurodivergent kids.

Instead of blame, we focus on understanding and practical strategies—visual timers, movement breaks, previews of what’s next, and sensory tools that help kids transition from inner focus to outward tasks. The takeaway: neurodivergent brains aren’t broken—they’re wired with unique strengths and challenges. When we reduce the friction, those strengths have room to shine.

Contact Suzanne Swain:
Email: suzanneswain@gmail.com Website: msmarypoppins.com

Produced By: StellaMix Podcast Productions

Special thanks to our producer, StellaMix podcast productions, another Palm Beach County School of the Arts collaboration. Need a podcast? Connect with Janine Stella ASAP: http://www.Stellamix.com

Send Suzanne a Question or Comment:

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In this special, kid-requested episode, Suzanne M. Swain, EDS, LMSW — child therapist, educational specialist, and veteran middle school teacher — talks directly to tweens and teens about anger in a world that feels a little… charged.

Why does anger rise so quickly? What’s actually happening in your brain when you react? And how can choosing calm make you stronger — not weaker?

Suzanne breaks down:

• Why anger is often a “cover emotion” hiding fear, embarrassment, hurt, or feeling out of control
• Why you are not responsible for adult stress
• How to stop reactivity before it takes over
• What it means to regulate instead of react
• Simple, science-backed tools to reset your nervous system (hello, Lemonheads and the 90-second rule)

This episode is especially supportive for neurodivergent kids and sensitive hearts who feel overwhelmed by loud energy. Suzanne reminds listeners that peace isn’t flashy — it’s steady. And steady is powerful.

You don’t have to match someone else’s storm.
 You can be the anchor.

Perfect for middle schoolers, teens, and the grown-ups who love them.

Contact Suzanne Swain:
Email: suzanneswain@gmail.com Website: msmarypoppins.com

Produced By: StellaMix Podcast Productions

Special thanks to our producer, StellaMix podcast productions, another Palm Beach County School of the Art collaboration. Need a podcast? Stellamix.com

Send Suzanne a Question or Comment:

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• quiet bravery
• kids who feel different
• teams that thrive on joy and belonging
• and the truth that you fall down nine times, but you get up ten

Contact Suzanne Swain:
Email: suzanneswain@gmail.com Website: msmarypoppins.com

Produced By: StellaMix Podcast Productions

Special thanks to our producer, StellaMix podcast productions, another Palm Beach County School of the Art collaboration. Need a podcast? Stellamix.com

Send Suzanne a Question or Comment:

Support the show

You’ll learn how power, group dynamics, humor, and digital spaces fuel bullying, why neurodivergent kids are often targeted, and how calm, smart responses can disrupt the cycle without escalating conflict. This episode offers practical, compassionate tools for kids, families, and educators who want to recognize bullying, support kids effectively, and help them feel safe and understood.

Contact Suzanne Swain:
Email: suzanneswain@gmail.com

Website: msmarypoppins.com

Produced By: StellaMix Podcast Productions

Send Suzanne a Question or Comment:

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Suzanne connects the dots between ADHD, autism, sensory overload, food struggles, anxiety, and emotional regulation, all while explaining why routines feel calming (not rigid), why the safest parent often gets the biggest emotional release, and how the senses—especially smell and taste—play a powerful role in comfort and memory. With relatable stories, brain science you don’t need a degree to understand, and plenty of “ohhh… that makes sense” moments, this episode helps parents reframe meltdowns, reduce stress, and build more calm, predictable days at home.

If you’re parenting a neurodivergent child—or suspect you might be neurodivergent yourself—this one’s for you.

Contact Suzanne Swain:
Email: suzanneswain@gmail.com

Website: msmarypoppins.com

Produced By: StellaMix Podcast Productions

Send Suzanne a Question or Comment:

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Building on the foundation from Part One, this episode blends accessible brain science, school-based therapy experience, and practical, real-life strategies to explain how food, flavor, texture, and even scent can support emotional balance. Suzanne breaks down why anxiety and excitement share the same brain chemistry, how comfort foods and crunchy textures can calm or energize the nervous system, why boredom is often a signal for creativity rather than laziness, and how proper nourishment—not caffeine—fuels motivation. This educational episode focuses on nourishment over restriction, offering compassionate insight for parents, educators, and caregivers looking to better understand the connection between emotions, food, and behavior. For additional family and educational resources, visit msmaryoppins.com. 

Contact Suzanne Swain:
Email: suzanneswain@gmail.com

Website: msmarypoppins.com

Produced By: StellaMix Podcast Productions

Send Suzanne a Question or Comment:

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This episode dives into the four core emotions—joy, sadness, anger, and fear—and how each one shows up in your body. From why joy just wants to be savored, to why sadness loves soup, why anger needs cooling foods, and why fear sometimes just needs you to eat something, we keep it real and practical.

This is an honest, compassionate conversation about emotional eating, stress, and learning how to support your nervous system instead of fighting it.

If you’ve ever eaten your feelings, felt overwhelmed, or wondered why certain foods make you feel better (or worse), this episode is for you. Grab a snack, get comfy, and let’s start the year a little more regulated—together.

Contact Suzanne Swain:
Email: suzanneswain@gmail.com

Website: msmarypoppins.com

Produced By: StellaMix Podcast Productions

Send Suzanne a Question or Comment:

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Suzanne explores why time, attention, and shared experiences often mean more to kids than expensive gifts—and how families can use the holiday season to build gratitude, empathy, and real connection. From low-cost, high-impact traditions (like handmade gifts, wishing stars, love-heart ornaments, and family service projects) to practical ways kids can give back, learn life skills, and feel genuinely valued, this episode is packed with meaningful ideas you can actually use.

You’ll also hear personal updates, including a shout-out from Lieutenant Steve and Suzanne’s very real (and very cool) journey into cyborg territory with a robot-assisted, 3D-printed knee replacement—happening the day this episode drops.

If you’re feeling overwhelmed by holiday pressure, this episode is your reminder that kids want presence over presents—and that the simplest moments often become the most lasting memories.

Contact Suzanne Swain:
Email: suzanneswain@gmail.com
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Produced By: StellaMix Podcast Production

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In this episode of The Middle School Mary Poppins Podcast, Suzanne M. Swain, EdS, LMSW introduces the heart behind the show and the mission driving these conversations: helping kids, families, and educators better understand each other through neuroscience, emotional critical thinking, humor, and honest dialogue about what it actually feels like to grow up in today’s world.

“Ridiculous Joy” is Suzanne’s favorite phrase, and will be the title of her upcoming parenting book. It is through finding silliness and ridiculous joy in life that we are able to build up these experiences to remind us that life is full of wonder and excitement if we’re just strong enough to get through the darker days.

Drawing from years of experience as a middle school teacher, school librarian, administrator, professor of Education, and licensed master social worker working directly with students and families, Suzanne explores the complicated emotional world middle schoolers live in every day. Kids today are constantly moving between different environments — school, home, social media, peer groups, extracurricular pressure, and adult expectations — often without the emotional tools to fully process all of it yet.

This episode explores why communication between kids and adults can break down so easily, how cognitive distortions shape the way we interpret situations, and why emotional regulation has become one of the most important life skills we can teach. Suzanne also introduces the idea that joy itself can become an act of resilience — especially for neurodivergent kids, anxious kids, overwhelmed kids, and the adults trying to support them.

Blending humor, brain science, real classroom stories, and heartfelt honesty, Ridiculous Joy: It’s a Beautiful Life sets the tone for the entire MSMP podcast experience: compassionate, practical, slightly chaotic, and deeply hopeful.

💜 ND Friendly Listening Note: MSMP is designed with neurodivergent listeners in mind. Ads and interruptions are intentionally kept to a minimum and placed thoughtfully for continuity and emotional regulation support.

☂️ Visit msmarypoppins.com for resources, updates, and ways to support the show.

Produced by StellaMix Podcast Productions
🌐 stellamix.com

Stay clever, little foxes!🦊

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FYI: If you are in need of mental health services, please immediately contact the following contacts below:

#988

SAMHSA Helpine:1800 662 HELP

Findsupport.gov

Show Website:

www.msmarypoppins.com

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Suzanne dives into why today’s youngest learners—especially those who experienced early childhood during the pandemic—need intentional support in developing empathy, emotional awareness, and social connection. Through relatable stories, pop-culture references like Inside Out, and decades of school counseling experience, she shares how empathy builds safety, strengthens families, and helps kids understand themselves and others.

She explains how EEBL & empathy shows up in body language, storytelling, imagination, and even anxiety—and offers simple ways adults can nurture it through conversations, routines, respect, and everyday social skills. Suzanne also explores how middle schoolers can channel big emotions through creativity and art, turning anxious energy into meaningful self-expression.

This episode is a must-listen for parents, teachers, counselors, and anyone working with kids today. You’ll gain practical tools, deeper insight into child development, and a renewed appreciation for how empathy creates confident, connected, and capable kids.

Tune in to learn how empathy grows, why it matters, and how you can bring more of it into your home, classroom, or community—one intentional moment at a time!

Check out our website for more content & playlists. Steve pics too! Pass Suzanne a note in her locker - would love to hear from you! http://www.msmarypoppins.com

Contact Suzanne M. Swain, EDS LMSW
Email: suzanneswain@gmail.com

Facebook: Suzanne Swain
Produced By: StellaMix Podcast Production

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Tune in to learn how neurodivergent brains view money differently, creative ways to make financial lessons fun and manageable, tools to help kids save, budget, and spend wisely, and how families can talk about money without anxiety. It’s time to make money make sense—for kids and adults alike. Listen now, and don’t forget to subscribe, share, and leave us a 5-tar review. Let's help our little foxes thrive.

Contact Suzanne Swain:
Email: suzanneswain@gmail.com
Facebook: Suzanne Swain
Produced By: StellaMix Podcast Production

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If you’ve ever wondered how to help the boys in your life express themselves and feel safe doing it, this episode offers a compassionate, eye-opening perspective.

Contact Suzanne Swain:
Email: suzanneswain@gmail.com
Facebook: Suzanne Swain
Produced By: StellaMix Podcast Production

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In this episode, kid therapist and master teacher Suzanne M. Swain spills her epic teaching fails—the kind of stories you can only laugh at in hindsight. From leading a group of 10-year-olds astray in the U.S. Capitol, to accidentally becoming part of the Ford’s Theater tour (yes, involving projectile vomiting in the most historically inappropriate place), to clocking herself out cold during state testing and triggering a full-on firefighter rescue—Suzanne proves teaching is never boring. 

Between shredded-money envy at the U.S. Mint, the quirks of middle schoolers, and teachers who either scolded or cracked up at her disasters, Suzanne shows how the wildest fails can turn into the best stories. 

So buckle up, laugh along, and maybe even feel a little better about your own “oops” moments—because if Suzanne can survive them, so can you. 

Contact Suzanne Swain:
Email: suzanneswain@gmail.com
Facebook: Suzanne Swain
Produced By: StellaMix Podcast Production

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From hilarious back-to-school night stories to clever tips on organization and coping strategies, she shares how students (and adults) with ADHD can thrive. You’ll also hear about the three types of ADHD she encounters in her practice, her concept of the “flitter” response to anxiety, and why acceptance and compassion therapy can turn challenges into teachable moments.

Oh, and did we mention she met Tupac (well, kind of) and discovered she might actually be part alien? Yeah, this episode’s got it all—insight, humor, and a little extraterrestrial twist.

Whether you’re a parent, teacher, or clever little fox navigating life with ADHD, this one’s for you. Tune in and get ready to see ADHD through a whole new lens!

Contact Suzanne Swain:
Email: suzanneswain@gmail.com
Facebook: Suzanne Swain
Produced By: StellaMix Podcast Production

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Whether you’re a parent hoping to reduce Roblox time, a teacher looking for creative tools, or just a curious fox ready to explore, this episode is a treasure trove of tech tips that promote creativity, emotional wellness, and family connection—all served up with Suzanne’s signature mix of heart and humor. 

Contact Suzanne Swain:
Email: suzanneswain@gmail.com
Facebook: Suzanne Swain
Produced By: StellaMix Podcast Production

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Blending nostalgia, humor, and reflection, Suzanne explores the film’s timeless message of resilience and imagination—offering listeners a gentle reminder that even on the hardest days, there’s always light ahead. 

Contact Suzanne Swain:
Email: suzanneswain@gmail.com
Facebook: Suzanne Swain
Produced By: StellaMix Podcast Production

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With stories that range from Purple Hearts and polio to blueberry bushes and Jeopardy nights, Suzanne shines a light on the unsung heroes raising millions of children today. If you've got a “Glammy,” “TT,” or just good old “Grandma,” this episode’s for you. So grab a donut (sprinkles optional), give your grand a hug, and let’s celebrate the magic, moxie, and memories that only grandparents can bring. 

Contact Suzanne Swain:
Email: suzanneswain@gmail.com
Facebook: Suzanne Swain
Produced By: StellaMix Podcast Production

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Suzanne reflects on a whirlwind school year filled with everything from pre-K energy to fourth-grade insights, sharing what she's learned from her students and how we can all rethink the way we support mental health in schools. She introduces her shaggy sidekick, Lieutenant Steve, and previews the bite-sized, real-life topics coming this season—from neurodivergence to emotional intelligence to COVID kids.

Whether you're a parent, a teacher, or just someone who wants to understand how to better support the kiddos in your life, this season is all about doing the work together. So let’s boom, bounce, and breathe our way into a season full of learning, growing, and maybe even a little magic.

Contact Suzanne Swain:
Email: suzanneswain@gmail.com
Facebook: Suzanne Swain
Produced By: StellaMix Podcast Production

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In this engaging and unexpected journey, listeners will explore the fine line between leadership and chaos, ambition and accountability. Can these students turn their classroom scheme into a legitimate venture? And what happens when a group of rowdy 8th graders starts thinking like future CEOs? Tune in for a hilarious, insightful, and eye-opening take on middle school entrepreneurship and emotional intelligence.

Website: www.msmarypoppins.com

Contact Suzanne Swain:
Email: suzanneswain@gmail.com
Facebook: Suzanne Swain
Produced By: StellaMix Podcast Production

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Through personal stories, humor, and thought-provoking insights, we’ll unpack why teachers are often seen as both superheroes and scapegoats and how shifting our perception can change the way we value education. Plus, we’ll discuss why teachers deserve the Dumbledore treatment rather than being forgotten like Bing Bong. Tune in and discover what’s really happening behind the classroom doors—this is a conversation that will challenge what you thought you knew.

Contact Suzanne Swain:
Email: suzanneswain@gmail.com
Facebook: Suzanne Swain
Produced By: StellaMix Podcast Production

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Along the way, we dive into personal stories of loss, growth, and the unexpected teachers—whether human, animal, or animated—that have shaped a lifelong quest for understanding. With humor, nostalgia, and a deep appreciation for the small moments that make life meaningful, this episode invites you to step into the neighborhood of reflection and connection.

Contact Suzanne Swain:
Email: suzanneswain@gmail.com
Facebook: Suzanne Swain
Produced By: StellaMix Podcast Production

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We’re also celebrating community heroes and businesses that keep our district thriving, unveiling exciting plans for Imagineering Labs, and sharing quirky awards for staff who make magic happen every day. Whether it’s about sparking creativity, supporting mental health, or creating memorable learning experiences, this meeting proves that when schools and communities play nice, everyone wins. Let’s roll the dice and see what’s next!

Contact Suzanne Swain:
Email: suzanneswain@gmail.com
Facebook: Suzanne Swain
Produced By: StellaMix Podcast Production

Send Suzanne a Question or Comment:

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Contact Suzanne Swain:
Email: suzanneswain@gmail.com
Facebook: Suzanne Swain
Produced By: StellaMix Podcast Production 

Send Suzanne a Question or Comment:

Support the show

Send Suzanne a Question or Comment

Send Suzanne a Question or Comment:

Support the show

• The magic of "teacher profiling" to highlight student strengths.
• How to turn everyday moments into glitter bombs of positivity.
• Building emotional resilience through imagination and creativity
• Why kindness and a bit of silliness can transform the culture of a school.

Grab your coffee, take a seat, and let’s dive into a tapestry of teaching, learning, and heartfelt inspiration.

Contact Suzanne Swain:
Email: Suzanne@msmarypoppins.com
Website: www.msmarypoppins.com
Facebook: Suzanne Swain
Produced By: StellaMix Podcast Production 

Send Suzanne a Question or Comment:

Support the show

Send Suzanne a Question or Comment:

Support the show

Send Suzanne a Question or Comment:

Support the show

Send Suzanne a Question or Comment:

Support the show