The Middle School Mary Poppins Podcast
💜 The Middle School Mary Poppins Podcast™
Parenting a middle schooler doesn’t come with a manual—but this podcast comes pretty close.
The Middle School Mary Poppins Podcast™ helps parents, educators, counselors, and caregivers better understand tweens and young teens during one of the most important—and misunderstood—stages of childhood.
Hosted by Suzanne M. Swain, EdS, LMSW—educator, therapist, former middle school teacher, school librarian, administrator, professor, and educational sociologist—each episode blends brain science, practical parenting strategies, emotional regulation, executive functioning support, and a little ridiculous joy to help families thrive.
Topics include anxiety, ADHD, autism, executive functioning, emotional regulation, friendships, bullying, motivation, screen time, school success, neurodiversity, family communication, and adolescent development.
Downloaded more than 675,000 times in 126 countries, with 6,100+ five-star Spotify ratings and multiple #1 Apple Podcasts rankings in Kids & Family and Parenting, the podcast has become a trusted resource for families and educators around the world.
Whether you’re raising a middle schooler, teaching one, counseling families, or simply trying to better understand the adolescent brain, you’ll find practical strategies, encouragement, and a little ridiculous joy along the way.
💜 Stop. Regulate. Listen.
🎙️ Listen wherever you get your podcasts—and now you can watch the conversation on YouTube! Subscribe for full episodes, video shorts, parenting tips, and exclusive content.
🌐 Learn more: https://msmarypoppins.com
▶️ Watch on YouTube: https://youtube.com/@middleschoolmarypoppinspodcast?si=Nn12Fq5dMpaoallA
Produced and edited by the incredibly talented Janine Stella of StellaMix.com, whose creativity helps bring every episode to life.
The Middle School Mary Poppins Podcast
S2 EP 9 - Learning Empathy: Right Here Waiting
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In this thoughtful and essential episode of Middle School Mary Poppins, Suzanne M. Swain, EDS, LMSW—Education Master & Specialist as well as working school-based Child Therapist introduces a new concept she believes every family, teacher, and community needs right now: Elementary Empathy-Based Learning (EEBL).
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
