Middle School Mary Poppins
Middle School Mary Poppins www.msmarypoppins.com Host: Suzanne M. Swain, EDS LMSW Imagine Mary Poppins 2.0 or Mr. Rogers for the 2025 middle school set, with a splash of retro flair and a dash of divergent thinking for kids struggling with adolescence. What if our host, Suzanne is the Real Deal with degrees and the creds to bring receipts? I live near rural & upcoming Cookeville, Tennessee. Middle School is the best emotionally-creative place to be! . "Middle School Mary Poppins" is an educational podcast that's here to shake up the way we approach tween and teen development. Divergence focuses equally on creativity, mental health, and broad thinking. Grab your quarters and hit the pizza place for a multiverse ride through gamifying Middle School. Led by the enthusiastic veteran teacher, child therapist, & Mary Poppins 2.0, Suzanne M. Swain EDS LMSW, this show dives into the exciting world of divergent teens and tweens, celebrating their unique perspectives and untapped potential. Through a vibrant mix of pop culture references, boundless imagination, and a healthy dose of 80s and 90s nostalgia, we're on a mission to supercharge creativity and pave the way for success. Howard Gardner, Carol Dweck, Jean Piaget, and Erik Erikson are a few influences that give us clues on how to fix school violence once and for all. It ALL starts in the Middle. Let's rev up K12 again and fuel middle schools to be arts-based for mental health coping skills. We CAN do this; we're Goonies after all! Key Features: Explores the positive aspects of Autism, ADD, ADHD, and other behavioral and mental health conditions Empowers families and educators with strategies to nurture divergent thinking Utilizes metaverses and imaginative scenarios to engage and educate Packed with fun, humorous, relatable content that speaks to both kids and adults "Middle School Mary Poppins" is your guide to flipping the script on traditional approaches to neurodiversity. We're here to show that what some see as challenges are actually superpowers in disguise. Join us as we embark on a fun-filled journey, transforming the middle school experience one episode at a time. It's time for a retro remix of middle school. Let's rock y'all Ready Player One!
Episodes
What do Abraham Lincoln, a dead bird, and the local Fire Department have in common? Believe it or not—Suzanne’s teaching career.
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 vom...
Welcome back to the chaos and charm of back-to-school season! In this episode, therapist and former middle school teacher Suzanne M. Swain (EDS, LMSW) dives into one of her most requested topics—ADHD. Suzanne flips the script on the usual narrative, showing why ADHD isn’t a deficit but a secret superpower packed with bravery, creativity, and genius.
From hilarious back-to-school night stories to clever tips on organization and copin...
In this jam-packed, joy-filled episode, Suzanne Swain dives headfirst down the digital rabbit hole to share her lifelong love of tech—and how it’s changing the game for kids and families alike. From her first VGA monitor to today’s AI-powered tools, Suzanne walks listeners through fun, interactive ways to turn screen time into meaningful play and connection. She explores how to use AI to generate personalized coloring pages, DIY Po...
At 3:18 AM, Suzanne Swain found herself wide awake, anxious, and overwhelmed. In this heartfelt episode, she shares how a late-night rewatch of Labyrinth became the unexpected comfort she needed.
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...
What’s the grandest thing you’ve ever done? Built a treehouse? Made a birthday cake from scratch? Raised a child… twice? In this heartwarming episode, Suzanne Swain (aka your favorite rural kid therapist) dives into the grand world of grandparents—from Rockettes at Radio City to blueberry summers in Alabama.
With stories that range from Purple Hearts and polio to blueberry bushes and Jeopardy nights, Suzanne shines a light on the ...
Welcome back, clever little foxes! Season 2 of The Middle School Mary Poppins Podcast is officially here, and Suzanne M. Swain—your go-to guide for all things educational, emotional, and real—is kicking things off with a deep dive into test anxiety. This episode is packed with practical tips, thoughtful encouragement, and just the right amount of sass to help students (and their grown-ups) face testing season with confidence.
Suzann...
Normieville Middle School’s eighth graders have taken entrepreneurship to a whole new level—by launching a booming Blow Pop business that’s causing a stir. Suzanne Swain steps in to unravel the sticky situation, using her background in behavioral psychology and leadership to guide these young hustlers toward a smarter, more ethical approach. With the help of Dr. Daria Morgan and Nanny the beloved school mascot, Suzanne taps into wo...
Ever thought about how traffic jams and middle school classrooms have more in common than you’d expect? In this episode, we dive deep into the power of perception—how it shapes our experiences, learning, emotions, and even society’s view of teachers. From navigating California freeways to the emotional chaos of adolescence, we explore why mental health and education must go hand in hand and why teachers are the unsung heroes battli...
In this heartfelt and thought-provoking episode, we explore the essence of spirituality—not through religion, but through the stories, characters, and moments that shape our understanding of kindness, bravery, and purpose. From the gentle wisdom of Mr. Rogers’ Neighborhood to the powerful symbolism of The Lion King and Watership Down, we reflect on how childhood influences stay with us, guiding us toward living an honest and meanin...
This year, we’re taking education to a whole new level—one playful idea at a time! From Lin-Manuel Miranda’s rap seminar bringing history to life, to eighth graders designing a better recess experience, this district meeting is packed with fresh ideas and fun initiatives. Dive into how Dungeons & Dragons campaigns are helping students build life skills, and how pop culture gems like Stranger Things are being used to connect lea...
Step into the extraordinary world of Dr. James Akenson, the educator who redefines what it means to teach. Known as the "Mr. Rogers of Teacher Education," Dr. Akenson blends visual thinking, storytelling, and thematic teaching (like country music!) to create immersive learning experiences that inspire students and teachers alike. Suzanne Akenson, deeply inspired by a former professor, took learning to a new graphically or...
Join "Principal" Suzanne in this lively and heartwarming episode as she kicks off the school year with a celebration of creativity, collaboration, and kindness. From shouting out local sponsors like "Pretty Fly for a Wi-Fi" and "Curl Up and Dye," to introducing a remarkable new student, Hesse, Suzanne explores the beauty of seeing potential in every child.
Hesse, a military kid with a love for...
In this heartwarming and thought-provoking episode, Suzanne explores the metaphor of the apple to uncover the often hidden struggles and strengths of both teachers and students. Just like an apple may appear perfect on the outside, but be bruised within, people carry unseen emotions and experiences beneath their surface. Drawing from her experiences as a professor of education and therapist, Suzanne shares a powerful story about co...
Hey Gen Xers, remember when Mary Poppins seemed like the ultimate fix for everything? As a teacher and therapist, I’ve spent years wishing we had her magic back in the classroom. I’m Suzanne M. Swain, EDS/MSSW, and I've lived between the worlds of therapy and education, teaching emotions, middle school, and everything in between.
In this episode, we’ll dive deep into the heart of teaching and how creativity, empathy,...
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