The Middle School Mary Poppins Podcast

TRUE COLORS: 8 Hidden Superpowers for a Brand-New School Year 🌈💎 Season 4 is here! 🎉 And we’re starting with a radical idea: what if some of the things we’re quickest to label as “problems” in middle schoolers are actually unfinished strengths? In this episode, Suzanne explores potentiality—the difference between what something is right now and what it still has the capacity to become. Because an argumentative kid might be developing the persistence of an advocate. A hyper-observant kid may be building extraordinary social intelligence. An overexplainer might someday become a powerful communicator. And the kid who feels everything may not need less empathy—they may need help learning how to use that empathy without carrying everybody else’s emotions. Through middle school sociology, developmental science, classroom stories, a nearly indestructible Asheville geode, Holes , a few cognitive distortions, and Lieutenant Steve’s absolutely unforgivable excavation of a practically brand-new queen-sized memory foam mattress 🐶😂, we uncover eight hidden superpowers: ​🧠 Discernment and knowing which battles matter ​👀 Reading the social world ​👂 Deep listening ​🗣️ Communication, argument & advocacy ​🧰 Resourcefulness: being competent, capable & connected ​❤️ Empathy with healthy boundaries ​⚖️ The justice detector ​🌱 Knowing who you are without abandoning yourself to fit in ​ This is not about pretending trauma is a gift or telling kids that everything happens for a reason. Trauma is not the superpower. It’s about asking a much more useful question: Now what? What can we build with what’s already here? What skill might be hiding underneath a difficult behavior? What happens when adults stop confusing unfinished with incapable? As a new school year begins, last year’s evidence does not get to write this year’s conclusion. Your middle schooler is still becoming—and there are entire parts of them they haven’t even met yet. 💎 Stop looking for bruised apples. Start looking for geodes. And next week: Spotlight People—big egos, emotional gravity, manipulation, boundaries, and what happens when everybody else starts organizing themselves around one person’s spotlight. Stop. Regulate. Listen. And stay clever, little foxes. 🦊 suzanneswain@gmail.com msmarypoppins.com https://www.facebook.com/share/1HxRVp9juV/?mibextid=wwXIfr https://youtube.com/@middleschoolmarypoppinspodcast?si=lHbYdjE5OxnYxV_m Topics: middle school • tweens • teens • parenting • back to school • adolescent development • emotional regulation • neurodivergence • empathy • anxiety • resilience • social intelligence • self-esteem • boundaries • advocacy • executive functioning • parenting teens • parenting tweens • teachers • educators

🏕️ In the final episode of our SEL Summer Camp series, we bring together everything we’ve explored about the middle school years: the developing adolescent brain, screens and environment, emotions, anxiety, anger, resilience, identity, and belonging. This episode is about understanding the whole middle schooler. 😳 Behavior does not happen in isolation. It happens inside a developing brain, a body, a family, a peer group, a school, a culture, and a community. When we stop asking only, “How do I stop this behavior?” and start asking, “What is happening with this kid?” we begin to see children differently. Along the way, I take you back to Camp Sycamore Hills and some of the people and stories that shaped the way I think about kids and community: the mysterious one-eared rabbit, Rich and his Great Pyrenees, the Art Barn, Tractor Girl, the legendary kitchen manager who called me “Astor,” and the Shero Award that still reminds me to look out for the underdog. We also talk about the power of music and memory, including why hearing Des’ree’s “You Gotta Be” still takes me straight back to that campfire and reminds me of the kind of person I want to be. If you are raising, teaching, counseling, coaching, or simply trying to understand a tween or young teen, this episode is a reminder that middle schoolers are not finished products. They are growing people who need room to practice, make mistakes, recover, and know they still belong. Because healthy communities do more than manage behavior. They help build people. 🍪A huge thank-you to Jessica Ragnio & founder Dr. Jason Kahn for spending so much of SEL Summer Camp with us! 💰Use code MARYPOPPINS for 15% off Mightier. Learn emotional regulation through video games. Suzanne does not make any profit from Mightier. Just collabbing! 😁 And remember: 🏕️There is always room for the underdog around our fire. We’ve been saving you a seat. Next episode: We’re exploring the surprising strengths and “secret superpowers” that can sometimes develop from growing up in a difficult or emotionally complex childhood—and how those survival adaptations can become powerful tools with insight and healing. After that, “Spotlight People” & Ego! 🍿 #MiddleSchoolMaryPoppins #MiddleSchoolParenting #ParentingTweens #SocialEmotionalLearning #EmotionalRegulation #MiddleSchool #AdolescentBrain #TweenParenting #Resilience #Belonging #ChildDevelopment #BehaviorIsCommunication #ConnectionBeforeCorrection #MentalHealth #ParentEducation This is the website at www.msmarypoppins.com or email Suzanne: Suzanne swain@gmail.com for inquiries, listener questions, and just to say hello!

🍎Apple Listeners: The show’s ratings were hacked & dropped to 3.1 rating from 4.9. It is under investigation currently. If you could help out & provide a positive star rating, it would mean everything! So grateful! Best, Suz & Steve🐶 —————————————————-In this special Deep Dive episode , Suzanne is joined once again by therapist Jessica Ragnio, MSW, LICSW , for one of the most important conversations of the Summer Camp series. Together, they explore what is really happening beneath explosive behavior—and why anger is so often protecting something much more vulnerable. 💜 Using Hawaiian volcanoes 🌋, ocean currents 🌊, and stories from Suzanne’s years in the middle school classroom, this episode unpacks the science and psychology behind emotional regulation in a way that is practical, compassionate, and surprisingly hopeful. 🧠 In this episode, you’ll discover: • Why anger is often a secondary emotion • What happens inside the brain during emotional reactivity • How the amygdala can hijack logical thinking • The power of co-regulation—and why connection comes before correction • How to recognize the body’s warning signs before an emotional eruption • Why regulation is not about suppressing feelings • How to help tweens build awareness instead of shame • Practical strategies parents, educators, and caregivers can use today FREE ACTIVITY FROM MIGHTIER: ⛑️Anger Volcanoes: Strategies to help Effectively Deal with Teen/Tween Anger: https://www.mightier.com/resources/7-effective-anger-management-activities-for-kids/ Along the way, Suzanne shares personal stories, educational insights, and a few adventures with Lieutenant Steve and the Coconut Kingdom 🐾🥥—because learning does not have to be boring. Whether you are raising a tween, teaching one, counseling one, or trying to better understand your own emotional responses, this episode offers science, encouragement, practical tools, and plenty of hope. 🌈 Because, as always… 💜 People grow best when they know they belong. 🏕️ Special thanks to our Summer Camp sponsor, Mightier! Visit Mightier.com and use code MARYPOPPINS to save 15%. Suzanne does not receive payment for Mightier, as she loves the system! 🎙️ Hosted by Suzanne M. Swain, EdS LMSW 🌂 The Middle School Mary Poppins Podcast ✨ Stop. Regulate. Listen. 🎧 A heartfelt thank-you to my incredible producer, Janine Stella of StellaMix . Your creativity, talent, and countless hours behind the scenes help transform these conversations into something truly special each week. Thank you for believing in this mission and helping bring The Middle School Mary Poppins Podcast to families around the world. 💜 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 Send Suzanne a Question or Comment: Support the show

🍎Apple Listeners: The show’s ratings were hacked & dropped to 3.1 rating from 4.9. It is under investigation currently. If you could help out & provide a positive star rating, it would mean everything! So grateful! Best, Suz & Steve🐶 ———————————- 🌱 Garden of Weedy Thoughts: Helping Middle Schoolers Bust Cognitive Distortions & Calm Anxiety 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 Send Suzanne a Question or Comment: Support the show

Why does your middle schooler seem happy, anxious, excited, embarrassed, frustrated, and overwhelmed—all before dinner? 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. 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 Send Suzanne a Question or Comment: Support the show

💜☂️ Are Screens Evil or Not? Chocolate Cake, Dopamine & the Middle School Brain | SEL Summer Camp Week 2 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 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 Send Suzanne a Question or Comment: Support the show

☀️ SEL Summer Camp is Here! 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! 🤗🔥💜 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 Send Suzanne a Question or Comment: Support the show

Middle school can feel like a daily showdown… until you realize the kid isn’t always the problem. Sometimes the kid is the signal. 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! Send Suzanne a Question or Comment: Support the show

Internet Culture & Emotional Health: The Safety Dance 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! Send Suzanne a Question or Comment: Support the show

Plain Talk: Dogs, Cats, & the Neurodivergent Brain (Unscripted & Unedited) 🐶💕🐱🥹 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. Send Suzanne a Question or Comment: Support the show

Screen time is not going anywhere, so instead of arguing about whether it is “good” or “bad,” let’s get specific about what it doing positively for our kids. My EDS is in Education Technology, bring it! 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. C ontact Suzanne M. Swain EdS LMSW: suzanneswain@gmail.com Website: msmarypoppins.com Produced By: StellaMix Podcast Productio ns 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

Screens: the ultimate villain… or your kid’s emotional support sidekick? In this playful (and eye-opening) episode, Suzanne dives into the nightly showdown every parent knows too well—the “put the phone down” battle—and flips the script in a way you probably didn’t see coming. 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. ——————————- Contact Suzanne M. Swain EdS LMSW: suzanneswain@gmail.com Website: msmarypoppins.com Produced By: StellaMix Podcast Productio ns 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

You can be smart, creative, and deeply caring and still walk through life feeling like you’re getting “thrown to the curb.” That ache hits a lot of neurodivergent adults, especially when old childhood labels keep playing on loop: too sensitive, too emotional, too intense, too distracted, so much potential if you could just… I’m busting those cognitive distortions and telling a truer story about neurodiversity, ADHD, autism, giftedness, and what it’s like when your brain takes in more than the room expects. We start with a memory from childhood that’s equal parts funny and revealing: walking up to neighbors’ houses and asking if they had kids who wanted to be friends. Through that lens, we talk about why connection can become a core driver for neurodivergent people and why shame is often just misunderstood wiring. Then we get into brain science that matters, especially for parents and educators: the middle school brain renovation where the limbic system runs hot and the prefrontal cortex is still under construction. Add sensory sensitivity and emotional intensity, and the world can feel loud, fast, and harsh, even when you’re doing your best. From there we connect the dots to adulthood: executive functioning challenges, workplace expectations, the “inconsistent but brilliant” stereotype, and why “failure to launch” is often about planning, time management, stress regulation, and systems that weren’t built for neurodivergent minds. We also talk hyper empathy, reading body language, and the loneliness of being highly attuned. Most importantly, we practice reframes that are fair, specific, and actually usable and we translate that into how we can support neurodivergent kids without trying to fix them, by getting curious about their thinking steps and honoring their process. If this resonates, subscribe, share with someone raising or living as neurodivergent, and leave a review so more people can find language that replaces shame with clarity. What’s one label you’re ready to rewrite? Contact Suzanne Swain: Email: suzanneswain@gmail.com Website: msmarypoppins.com Produced By: StellaMix Podcast Productio ns 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

What I thought was a routine appointment turned into an 11-hour stretch in the ER—and then the words no one is ever ready to hear: stage four metastatic cervical cancer. I’m sharing this with a shaky voice but a steady purpose, because my best friend Tanya is fighting for her life, and right now, I’m one of her primary caregivers. 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 Productio ns 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

What if the behaviors we rush to fix are actually signals from a beautifully organized, differently wired brain? In this episode, we explore new neuroscience showing why attention differences, sensory intensity, and big emotions often appear together—and why that combination makes biological sense. Recent research suggests that thousands of small genetic variations shape overlapping pathways linked to ADHD, autism, and mood regulation, pointing to a more connected “systems view” of the brain. 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 Productio ns 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

Anger feels fast. Powerful. Loud. But what’s really underneath it? 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 Productio ns 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

Heroes aren’t always loud—and they don’t always wear capes.In this episode of Middle School Mary Poppins, Suzanne M. Swain explores what heroism really looks like in the real world: persistence, joy, empathy, and showing up as yourself—even when it’s hard.Inspired by the Winter Olympics, beloved pop-culture heroes, a surprising animal rescue, and the power of team culture, Suzanne reframes heroism for kids, parents, and educators—especially those supporting neurodivergent learners.This episode is a love letter to: 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 You’ll hear why joy is your greatest advantage to performance, why nothing is harder to stop than a team having a blast, and how everyday acts of courage can change classrooms, families, and lives.Whether you’re a parent, teacher, therapist, or a kid who’s still figuring it out—this one’s for you. Free, accessible, and made with care—always. Stay clever, little foxes. 🦊🤓🥰 Contact Suzanne Swain: Email: suzanneswain@gmail.com Website: msmarypoppins.com Produced By: StellaMix Podcast Productio ns 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

Bullying in middle school isn’t always loud or obvious—and that’s what makes it so confusing and harmful. In this episode of Middle School Mary Poppins, child therapist and educational specialist Suzanne M. Swain, EDS, LMSW explores the subtle, strategic, and emotionally manipulative forms of bullying that often get overlooked by adults but deeply affect kids’ confidence and sense of safety. 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 Productio ns Send Suzanne a Question or Comment: Support the show

Ever wonder why your child completely melts down the second they walk through the door after school? In this episode, veteran middle school teacher and child therapist Suzanne M. Swain, EdS LMSW breaks down what’s really going on in neurodivergent brains—and why it’s not defiance, manipulation, or “bad behavior.” It’s exhaustion. 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 Productio ns Send Suzanne a Question or Comment: Support the show

In Part II of the Food for Mood series, Suzanne explores how the Inside Out socially-based emotions like anxiety, embarrassment, envy, boredom, & ultimately motivation quietly influence behavior, mood, and emotional regulation. Kids, teens, and neurodivergent individuals all can benefit from knowing triggers in the body and ways to re-regulate through nutrition. 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 Productio ns Send Suzanne a Question or Comment: Support the show