The Middle School Mary Poppins Podcast
Kids & Family
About
🍎 Apple is currently fixing a glitch affecting ratings/reviews. If yours doesn’t show yet, it’s coming! Spotify: 3.1K 5 Star Rated ⭐️⭐⭐⭐⭐🔥A+💜☂️👍Practical magic for real middle school life. Regulate. Connect. Thrive. 💜New here? Start with “Ridiculous Joy: It’s a Beautiful Life.” It captures the heart of the show—helping middle schoolers (and the adults who love them) navigate emotions, pressure, and growing up with warmth, humor, and honesty.Middle School Mary Poppins™ is for the kids who don’t fit the mold—and the adults who care about them. Maybe even still are.What if middle school wasn’t something to survive… but something to unlo...
Episodes
- S2 EP 25 - Dogs, Cats, and the Neurodivergent Brain: You’ve Got a Friend in Me
This unscripted episode explores how dogs and cats act as partners in regulating the nervous system for neurodivergent children. It discusses the neuroscience behind animal interaction and the specific ways pets can support emotional healt…
- S2 EP 24 - Leveling Up Self-Regulation: The Final Countdown
Suzanne discusses intentional screen time and emotional regulation, featuring a conversation with Jessica Ragnio, Clinical Director at Mightier. They explore how biofeedback video games help children practice coping skills to manage frustr…
- S2 EP 23 - The Screen Time Clash: Should I Stay or Should I Go?
Suzanne explores the challenges surrounding screen time for middle schoolers, discussing how to interpret behavior and build connection. The episode covers topics such as regulation, digital habits, and strategies for parents and educators…
- S2 EP 22 - Growing Up Neurodivergent: Karma Chameleon
This episode explores the experiences of neurodivergent adults and children, discussing ADHD, autism, and giftedness. Host Suzanne Swain addresses common labels, executive functioning challenges, and the importance of supporting neurodiver…
- S2 EP 21 - Cancer Changes Everything: Listen to Your Heart
Suzanne Swain discusses her experience as a primary caregiver for her best friend, who was diagnosed with stage four metastatic cervical cancer. The episode explores the emotional, financial, and logistical challenges of caregiving and the…
- S2 EP 20 - Unpacking Neurodivergence: She Blinded Me With Science
This episode explores current neuroscience related to neurodivergence, including how attention differences, sensory intensity, and emotional regulation are interconnected. It discusses practical strategies for supporting neurodivergent stu…
- S2 EP 19 - Anger & Reactivity: Under Pressure
Suzanne M. Swain, EDS, LMSW, discusses the nature of anger and reactivity with tweens and teens. The episode explains why anger is often a cover emotion, explores the science behind nervous system regulation, and provides tools to help lis…
- S2 EP 18 - Neurodivergent Perseverance: I Need a Hero
Suzanne M. Swain explores the concept of everyday heroism, focusing on persistence, joy, and empathy for neurodivergent learners. Drawing inspiration from the Winter Olympics and pop culture, she discusses the importance of quiet bravery a…
- S2 EP 17 - Outsmarting Bullies: Tainted Love
In this episode, child therapist and educational specialist Suzanne M. Swain, EDS, LMSW discusses the subtle and manipulative forms of bullying in middle school, including how group dynamics and digital spaces contribute to the issue. She…
- S2 EP 16 - Emotional Safety: Time After Time
In this episode, Suzanne M. Swain, EdS LMSW, explores why neurodivergent children may experience emotional meltdowns after school. The discussion covers sensory overload, the role of routine, and how to reframe these behaviors as signs of…
- S2 EP 15 - Food for Mood 2: Sweet Dreams are Made of This
In this episode of The Middle School Mary Poppins Podcast, Suzanne explores the connection between nutrition and emotional regulation for kids, teens, and neurodivergent individuals. The discussion covers how food, scent, and texture influ…
- S2 EP 14 - Food for Mood: Hungry like a Wolf
This episode explores the connection between food and emotions. It examines how diet can impact emotional regulation across the four core emotions of joy, sadness, anger, and fear, offering practical advice on supporting the nervous system…
- S2 EP 13 - Holiday Joy & Eustress: Run Run Rudolph
In this episode of The Middle School Mary Poppins Podcast, Suzanne M. Swain discusses prioritizing presence over presents during the holiday season. The episode explores ways to build connection through simple traditions and shares a perso…
- Poetry Special: Twas the Night Before Middle School Break
In this holiday special, the host shares a poem illustrating life in middle school during the festive season. The episode concludes with information on how listeners can support the podcast.
- S2 EP 11 - Ridiculous Joy: It's a Beautiful Life
This episode of The Middle School Mary Poppins Podcast features Suzanne exploring the concept of joy as a skill for middle schoolers facing challenges. The discussion focuses on practical ways to cultivate real, grounding joy to support em…
- S2 EP 10 - Thanksgiving Social Skills Special: We Are Family
This episode provides conversation starters and questions for Thanksgiving dinner to help family members connect and get to know each other better, particularly neurodivergent tweens and teens.
- S2 EP 9 - Learning Empathy: Right Here Waiting
Suzanne M. Swain introduces Elementary Empathy-Based Learning (EEBL), explaining its importance for children
- S2 EP 8 - Tweens & Money: The Secret of My Success
This episode of The Middle School Mary Poppins Podcast features child therapist Suzanne M. Swain offering practical strategies for neurodivergent children to build a healthy relationship with money, understand value, and learn the connecti…
- S2 EP 7 - Masculinity: Let’s Hear It for the Boys
This episode of The Middle School Mary Poppins Podcast, hosted by Suzanne, explores masculinity and emotional safety for adolescent boys. It covers how boys communicate, their struggles with opening up, and offers practical advice for nurt…
- S2 EP 6 - Educational Epic Fails: Insane in the Brain
Suzanne M. Swain recounts memorable teaching fails, including a U.S. Capitol incident and a mishap at Ford's Theater, demonstrating how difficult experiences can become valuable lessons.
- S2 EP 5 - ADHD Goes Back to School: Take on Me
In this episode of The Middle School Mary Poppins Podcast, therapist Suzanne M. Swain reframes ADHD as a potential superpower, discussing its creative and brave aspects. She shares practical strategies for organization and coping, explains…
- S2 EP 4 - Technology VR/ AI Killed the Radio Star
Suzanne Swain explores how technology, including AI and VR, can be used for meaningful play, creativity, and connection in families and therapy. The episode covers AI tools for content generation, VR for therapeutic experiences, and variou…
- S2 EP 3 - Trauma: When Bad Things Happen - The Labyrinth
In this episode, Suzanne Swain discusses finding comfort in the movie Labyrinth after experiencing anxiety. She reflects on the film's message of resilience and imagination, offering hope for difficult times.
- S2 EP 2 - Grandparents: A Coat of Many Colors
This episode of The Middle School Mary Poppins Podcast, hosted by Suzanne Swain, delves into the experiences and impact of grandparents. It features diverse stories, from career highlights to raising children, celebrating the unique contri…
- S2 EP 1 - Test Anxiety: This One's For the Children
Season 2 of The Middle School Mary Poppins Podcast begins with Suzanne M. Swain addressing test anxiety. She provides practical advice and reflections on supporting students' mental health, previewing topics like neurodivergence and emotio…
- S1 EP 8 - Simply the Best Around: Blow Pops, Business, & The 8th Grade Hustle
Middle School Mary Poppins Podcast episode 8 features Suzanne Swain guiding eighth graders on ethical entrepreneurship with their Blow Pop business, using behavioral psychology to teach teamwork and responsibility.
- S1 EP 7 - Perception: The Hidden Emotional Struggles of Teachers
This episode discusses the power of perception in shaping our experiences and society's view of teachers, highlighting their hidden emotional struggles, burnout, and the need for greater appreciation. It argues that shifting our perception…
- S1 EP 6 - Spirituality: The Wind Beneath My Wings
This episode of The Middle School Mary Poppins Podcast explores spirituality through influential childhood stories and characters, examining how they shape our understanding of kindness, bravery, and purpose. It includes personal reflectio…
- S1 EP 5 - Word Play: Nice Nice Baby
This episode discusses innovative educational approaches, including using rap for history, Dungeons & Dragons for life skills, and pop culture for learning. It also highlights community support and initiatives like Imagineering Labs.
- S1 EP 4 - Teacher Education: You Spin Me Like a Record - Dr. Akenson’s Class
This episode of Middle School Mary Poppins features Dr. James Akenson, known as the "Mr. Rogers of Teacher Education," who utilizes visual thinking, storytelling, and thematic teaching to create immersive learning experiences. The discussi…
- S1 EP 3 - New Kids On The Block: The Write Stuff
In "New Kids On The Block: The Write Stuff," host Suzanne celebrates the start of the school year, focusing on creativity, collaboration, and kindness. The episode introduces a new student, Hesse, and discusses rethinking challenges like A…
- S1 EP 2 - Teachers: Nothing's Gonna Stop Us Now
Suzanne uses the apple metaphor to discuss the unseen struggles and strengths of teachers and students. Drawing on her experience as an education professor and therapist, she shares an apple experiment that highlights mental health and res…
- S1 EP 1 - Mary Poppins 2.0: A Spoonful of Educator Sugar
In this episode of The Middle School Mary Poppins Podcast, host Suzanne M. Swain, EDS/MSSW, discusses how teachers can use creativity, empathy, and