
S2 EP 17 - Outsmarting Bullies: Tainted Love
From Middle School Mary Poppins by Suzanne M. Swain, EDS LMSW
January 27, 2026 · 19 min · Season 2 · Episode 17
About this episode
This episode explores the subtle and emotionally manipulative forms of bullying in middle school and their impact on children's confidence and safety.
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 ki...
People in this episode
Host: Suzanne M. Swain
Topics covered
- bullying
- middle school
- emotional manipulation
- neurodivergent kids
- confidence
- safety
Keywords
- bullying
- middle school
- emotional manipulation
- neurodivergent
- confidence
- safety
- group dynamics
- digital spaces
More episodes of Middle School Mary Poppins
- S2 EP 28 - SEL Summer Camp Week 1 - Adolescent Brains: A Powerful Engine, Sensitive Alarm, & Driver Still in Training · June 9, 2026 · 29 min
- S2 EP 27 - Plain-Talk ~ Showing Grace: Don’t You Forget About Me · May 26, 2026 · 22 min
- S2 EP 26 - Internet Culture & Emotional Health: The Safety Dance · May 12, 2026 · 36 min
- S2 EP 25 - Dogs, Cats, and the Neurodivergent Brain: You’ve Got a Friend in Me · May 5, 2026 · 32 min
- S2 EP 24 - Leveling Up Self-Regulation: The Final Countdown · April 28, 2026 · 36 min
- S2 EP 23 - The Screen Time Clash: Should I Stay or Should I Go? · April 20, 2026 · 17 min
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