The Middle School Mary Poppins Podcast

🍎Apple Listeners: The show’s ratings were hacked & dropped to  3.6 rating from 4.9. It is under investigation currently. If you could help out & provide a positive star rating, it would mean everything! TYSM!
———————————————————-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:
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🌱 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