https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/bouncing-back-with-karen-brisport--6889392enEducation for KidsCopyright Karen Brisporthttps://d3wo5wojvuv7l.cloudfront.net/t_rss_itunes_square_1400/images.spreaker.com/original/6a650bf477fe67010eedd4f6baab10e8.jpghttps://www.spreaker.com/podcast/bouncing-back-with-karen-brisport--6889392Sun, 20 Sep 2026 21:24:45 +0000Karen BrisportKaren Brisportfeeds@spreaker.comDear Parents and Educators, This podcast was created for you. This podcast delivers practical, research-based tips to help you confidently support middle schoolers academically, emotionally, and socially. Each episode breaks down what really works...false131bd541-a8cc-5096-a34f-44f91d6f03fcepisodichttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/when-the-hoodie-went-back-up--75266584]]>9aa3ab0f-778a-4e87-9a31-bafc2c5e2558Sun, 20 Sep 2026 19:12:15 +0000Karen BrisportEvery time the teacher asked, the new eighth grader removed her hoodie. Every time the teacher turned away, she put it back on. Eventually, the teacher stopped treating the repetition as simply another correction and asked one question: “Is there a...]]>497falsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/when-the-bell-rang-he-froze--751058845e13b13b-72d0-4bf2-bc20-073983dbc7afSun, 13 Sep 2026 17:28:00 +0000Karen BrisportThe bell rang, the teacher told everyone to put their books away and line up, and almost the entire seventh-grade class moved toward the door. One boy didn’t. His teacher had seen something similar the day before, and this time she carried that...536false55fullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/the-visit-before-sixth-grade-began--74940113]]>922465bf-78be-484f-8819-d42a5969cf28Sun, 06 Sep 2026 18:00:00 +0000Karen BrisportA week before sixth grade, a mother noticed that conversations about school were going nowhere. Then her daughter finally explained what was bothering her: unfamiliar teachers and the possibility of getting lost. An email to her homeroom teacher led...]]>435falsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/he-came-for-breakfast-then-returned--74759708]]>74b7abae-d3be-4740-b4eb-2b62b1845db5Sun, 30 Aug 2026 21:47:01 +0000Karen BrisportThe morning after summer school ended, one student walked reluctantly back into an almost-empty school cafeteria for breakfast. He ate quickly, hoping to leave before another student appeared. Then his counselor and gym teacher walked in, and a...]]>560falsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/when-the-teacher-needed-support-too--74588302]]>cb28b618-3140-4b57-bb5f-d8795093cb7fSun, 23 Aug 2026 14:45:44 +0000Karen BrisportOn the last day of summer school, a group of students gathered around their teacher’s desk with one question: “Did we pass?” She was still entering grades when her response became loud enough for the counselor walking past the classroom to hear. What...]]>371false52fullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/before-the-student-slammed-his-desk--74142982]]>4a4ef3fb-33cf-4bf9-a27b-33c30ca8645aSun, 16 Aug 2026 18:00:00 +0000Karen BrisportA student who was usually quiet suddenly slammed his fist on his desk and announced that his parents would call the district. It would have been easy for that moment to become the story of the day. But the teacher had already been watching something...]]>491falsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/the-words-she-overheard-at-recess--73713383]]>287e221d-d7a9-4e62-b152-41e017efacfaSun, 09 Aug 2026 14:03:01 +0000Karen BrisportIt wasn't the classroom that changed this story, it was a conversation during recess.Five students believed summer school had given them a label they couldn't escape. One teacher happened to overhear their words, and instead of dismissing them, she...]]>620false50fullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/the-morning-summer-school-changed--73343461]]>dca6af01-39d9-46e2-8957-5693587ea48aSun, 02 Aug 2026 15:38:43 +0000Karen BrisportOne difficult summer school morning began with a student watching her friends leave for the beach while she walked toward the school building. By the time she reached the front entrance, her frustration spilled into words that every nearby adult could...]]>596false49fullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/the-conversation-that-changed-summer-school--73180097e4038d83-d38a-4788-8992-8ebceb327668Sun, 26 Jul 2026 16:25:01 +0000Karen BrisportThere are moments in education when the most important lesson isn't found in the curriculum, it's found in a conversation. After recognizing that he was falling into the same pattern that had led him to summer school, one eighth-grade student made a...441false48fullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/the-cafeteria-conversation-that-changed-everything--73061287]]>e740f12f-5530-4f45-b9d6-ca097b161070Sun, 19 Jul 2026 21:28:18 +0000Karen BrisportSometimes the moments students remember most happen far away from the classroom lesson. A simple question during lunch became the beginning of a much larger story, one that revealed how a coordinated response from school staff can help restore a...]]>596false47fullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/one-question-changed-the-gym--72939349]]>b20e3ff8-43e4-4370-9d5b-37e8a744ea3dSun, 12 Jul 2026 14:16:50 +0000Karen BrisportThe gym class had ended, and the hallway was already beginning to quiet down. One student stayed behind with a question that revealed far more than anyone expected. What followed wasn't a quick solution, it was a series of conversations that brought...]]>596falsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/the-welcome-she-never-expected--72833150]]>fed2da33-4529-4610-b26a-51ef2b1f9a83Sun, 05 Jul 2026 22:32:38 +0000Karen BrisportThe first day of summer school rarely unfolds exactly as planned. One student walked into class carrying more than a late pass, she carried the fear that everyone had already formed an opinion about her. What happened next wasn't about excusing...]]>534false45fullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/when-summer-school-became-a-second-chance--72731736]]>95893967-6770-445c-a420-1cc05c920e7aSun, 28 Jun 2026 18:28:24 +0000Karen BrisportThe last day of school often brings excitement, but for one middle school student, a report card changed everything. What followed wasn't simply a conversation about grades, it became a series of steady responses from a teacher, counselor, principal,...]]>501false44fullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/when-the-class-monitor-went-quiet--72622230bb60c199-305a-4640-8d14-57603faef8e6Sun, 21 Jun 2026 18:00:00 +0000Karen BrisportFor two days, a student who had spent the entire year helping her teacher suddenly stopped participating in the very responsibilities she once embraced. What initially looked like disengagement became something entirely different once a conversation...551falsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/when-the-class-clown-went-quiet--72525772]]>ddd24122-1ab1-43ee-8c54-b7a9d7717878Sun, 14 Jun 2026 18:00:00 +0000Karen BrisportAs graduation approached, one of the most recognizable students in the building suddenly became quiet. What initially looked like a change in participation turned out to be a conversation about identity, connection, and what happens when students...]]>568false42fullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/when-the-presentation-kept-getting-delayed--72404460]]>09bad397-a1e9-4d6d-b091-1ced57bd4ce5Sun, 07 Jun 2026 16:07:33 +0000Karen BrisportShe finished her project before everyone else, yet somehow her presentation never seemed to happen. What initially looked like a delay revealed something different once a teacher asked a simple question. This week's story explores a classroom moment...]]>605false41fullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/when-the-iep-arrived-late--72265367]]>9436a1ea-fa16-46b5-99f8-ba27b7179b6cSun, 31 May 2026 17:52:37 +0000Karen BrisportThe school year was nearly over when a teacher received a document that changed everything. A student who had quietly attended class for two months should have been receiving support services the entire time. What happened next became a reminder that...]]>381falsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/when-exclusion-happens-in-plain-sight--72144004]]>87a17c5d-2c09-45c3-a141-0f9cbf52ed3eSun, 24 May 2026 17:10:22 +0000Karen BrisportHe was physically in the classroom, but emotionally outside the moment.A conversation that looked harmless to most students became something much heavier for one preteen who realized he had been left out.This week on Bouncing Back with Karen Brisport,...]]>511false39fullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/when-exhaustion-looks-like-defiance--72043085]]>f09f06ca-9f19-43bb-8f46-fd9e20354246Sun, 17 May 2026 15:48:22 +0000Karen BrisportSome classroom behaviors feel easy to name too quickly.A student falling asleep in class can look like disengagement, defiance, or refusal to participate. But sometimes the visible behavior is only the final signal adults notice after a longer pattern...]]>596falsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/the-behavior-started-at-question-one--71947819]]>28647adb-c0f5-423a-9740-7f35d406f87fSun, 10 May 2026 15:21:39 +0000Karen BrisportThe achievement test had barely started when the student began complaining about chest pain, stomach pain, and shortness of breath. The teacher recognized that this moment was no longer about motivation or effort. In this episode, we explore how calm...]]>541falsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/when-teacher-absence-triggers-anxiety--71844405]]>833d018a-a085-44a0-9e65-8f682a74f3bfSun, 03 May 2026 22:22:57 +0000Karen BrisportThere is a moment many teachers recognize right away. The regular teacher is absent, a substitute steps in, and the classroom begins to shift. Some students lose their footing faster than expected. In this episode, we look at how one simple...]]>297falsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/recognizing-autistic-students-without-spotlight--71656344]]>be7e5b95-6126-4e0e-bd5e-3ab7065cb27aSun, 26 Apr 2026 15:02:24 +0000Karen BrisportSometimes participation begins to change before students are ready for attention. In this episode, a teacher and counselor noticed a group asking more follow-up questions during conversations and chose to recognize that progress quietly. Their...]]>343false35fullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/when-autistic-students-watch-before-joining--71466247]]>6bf9ea22-f6f9-4979-b50f-7f9e5b88023bSun, 19 Apr 2026 17:42:20 +0000Karen BrisportIn this podcast "When Autistic Students Watch Before Joining", I share what can happen when teachers, counselors, and families work together to make interaction signals clearer and more predictable across settings. ]]>336false34fullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/when-autistic-students-shut-down-in-groups--7127732245b73a40-9a74-4068-b094-f376fd81b6caSun, 12 Apr 2026 17:51:15 +0000Karen BrisportSometimes during group work, a student doesn’t stop trying.They just stop talking.In this episode, When Autistic Students Shut Down in Groups, we look at what two middle school students were communicating when they quietly asked to work on their own,...402falsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/when-students-say-i-don-t-care--711090530fdc6b31-3187-401c-b4e9-755d296534ebSun, 05 Apr 2026 01:00:46 +0000Karen BrisportSometimes the words “I don’t care” are not about indifference at all.In this episode, we look at a familiar middle school moment: a student loses access to something important, and suddenly stops engaging. What sounds like defiance may actually be...324falsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/when-don-t-doesn-t-work--709812112e44914e-6815-49e6-ba86-1060cb26bae5Sun, 29 Mar 2026 19:17:40 +0000Karen BrisportSometimes the student who reacts the fastest isn’t refusing to listen, they’re responding before their emotions have time to settle.In When “Don’t” Doesn’t Work, we explore what impulsive behavior is often communicating beneath the surface, and how...340false31fullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/the-signs-we-almost-miss--70819734A repeated request to open a window.
A moment after class that changes everything.In this episode of the Bouncing Back with Karen Brisport podcast, “The Signs We Almost Miss,” we reflect on how one teacher noticed a hidden signal and responded in a way that protected a student when she needed it most.Because students rarely say, “I need help.”
They show us first.Listen now on Spotify and share with an educator, parent, or caregiver who believes noticing small changes can make a big difference. 🎧#BouncingBackwithKarenBrisport #PodcastForEducators #PodcastForParents #StudentSupport #MiddleSchoolMatters #TraumaInformedCare]]>bb555228-ac89-4368-82a8-b6731c7aa981Mon, 23 Mar 2026 00:13:49 +0000Karen BrisportSometimes the signs students give us are quieter than we expect.A long sleeve on a warm day. A repeated request to open a window. A moment after class that changes everything.In this episode of the Bouncing Back with Karen Brisport podcast, “The Signs...A repeated request to open a window.
A moment after class that changes everything.In this episode of the Bouncing Back with Karen Brisport podcast, “The Signs We Almost Miss,” we reflect on how one teacher noticed a hidden signal and responded in a way that protected a student when she needed it most.Because students rarely say, “I need help.”
They show us first.Listen now on Spotify and share with an educator, parent, or caregiver who believes noticing small changes can make a big difference. 🎧#BouncingBackwithKarenBrisport #PodcastForEducators #PodcastForParents #StudentSupport #MiddleSchoolMatters #TraumaInformedCare]]>472falsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/when-anger-walks-into-the-classroom--70650704522de3fb-6cc2-45f4-a35a-74a2fa38087cSun, 15 Mar 2026 21:08:20 +0000Karen BrisportSometimes anger shows up in a classroom before anyone understands why.A backpack hits the floor.A chair gets kicked.A student yells, “Leave me alone.”Moments like this can shock teachers and worry parents. But often, anger is a signal that something...567false29fullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/when-the-smart-kid-feels-like-the-outsider--70539140]]>12b6d957-6f7d-48c7-86d2-c9410cf13abeSun, 08 Mar 2026 16:53:25 +0000Karen BrisportA student finally gets the opportunity they worked for.The advanced class. The new group. The door opening.At first, there’s pride.Then something shifts.You may have seen that moment.Maybe as a parent watching confidence slowly fade.Maybe as an...]]>450falsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/when-they-stop-listening--70378013
]]>6dc083f8-e26b-45b1-ba57-3fd780ea2aabSun, 01 Mar 2026 19:22:29 +0000Karen BrisportThere’s a moment when you feel it happen.The room changes.Not loudly. Not all at once. Just enough that you know… something has shifted.Maybe it’s a classroom. Maybe it’s your kitchen table. Maybe it’s the back seat of your car on a regular Tuesday...
]]>539falsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/the-letter-no-parent-wants-to-open--70225321]]>38da9e21-38c2-42e3-9287-15744488299aSun, 22 Feb 2026 18:40:19 +0000Karen BrisportYou know the envelope I’m talking about.The one that sits on the counter a little too long.The one that changes the tone of the evening without anyone saying it did.Maybe you’ve opened it already.Maybe you haven’t.Either way… you can feel it.There’s...]]>470falsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/is-it-defiance-or-something-deeper--70225325006a783f-353a-45a4-9af6-e48a115196dfTue, 17 Feb 2026 00:10:51 +0000Karen BrisportIt can look like indifference. Or attitude. Or not caring.But sometimes it’s something else entirely.Middle school is tender in ways we forget. Pride sits right at the surface. So does fear. And when a child feels exposed, academically, socially,...570falsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/when-best-friend-moves-away-school-doesn-t-feel-the-same--70225323fa9f617c-25a0-4320-9d57-d2bae0fa4793Mon, 09 Feb 2026 03:01:24 +0000Karen BrisportThere’s a moment I keep thinking about.A student who’s technically “fine.”Still showing up. Still sitting in their seat.But something’s gone quiet.If you’ve ever noticed that shift in a child, in a classroom, at home you’re not imagining it.When a...552falsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/cyberbullying-when-belonging-turns-quietly-painful--70225332Join me on this podcast to continue the conversation.

With care,Karen
]]>50968b55-98dd-41a4-8b9d-2be249136802Sun, 01 Feb 2026 18:25:07 +0000Karen BrisportThere’s a particular moment I keep thinking about lately.The kind that doesn’t raise alarms.A child who’s always been “fine” …Suddenly isn’t.Nothing big happens on the surface.No loud conflict.No obvious story.Just a little less light in their eyes.A...Join me on this podcast to continue the conversation.

With care,Karen
]]>520falsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/autism-education-when-school-stops-feeling-safe--70225322With care,Karen
]]>be75eb48-66b8-4e51-90cf-74ba964d1303Sun, 25 Jan 2026 18:07:32 +0000Karen BrisportThere’s a look kids get when something has gone sideways at school.Not dramatic.Just… different.You can feel it before they say anything.Sometimes they don’t say anything at all.Lately, I’ve been sitting with how quickly school can shift from “fine”...With care,Karen
]]>546falsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/when-comments-start-to-stick--70225337Listen here →
I’m really glad you’re here.Karen]]>87f90528-088f-46c6-b567-66959a457324Sun, 18 Jan 2026 17:59:49 +0000Karen BrisportThere’s a certain look some kids get at this age.Shoulders a little tighter.Eyes scanning before they enter a room.You notice it at the breakfast table.Or in the hallway between classes.Or during lunch duty, when a joke lands and no one laughs, but it...Listen here →
I’m really glad you’re here.Karen]]>563falsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/when-a-rumor-walks-into-the-classroom--7022533873d6bb16-41c0-4746-8bde-4f0dbd444968Sun, 11 Jan 2026 17:47:55 +0000Karen BrisportThere’s a kind of shift that happens in schools, and at home, that’s hard to explain if you haven’t felt it yourself.Everything looks normal on the surface.The routine is the same.The plan hasn’t changed.And yet… something feels off.A student walks in...574false19fullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/when-learning-feels-hard-again--70225333

Looking unmotivated, disconnected, or shut down.

Homework goes missing.

Work feels overwhelming.

Some students freeze, avoid tasks, or ask to leave the room altogether.

In this episode of Bouncing Back with Karen Brisport, Karen helps parents and educators understand what’s really happening beneath these behaviors, and why they’re not signs of laziness or defiance.Drawing on her background as a school counselor, Karen explains how breaks can disrupt routines, confidence, and academic stamina, making learning feel hard again.You’ll learn how to decode common post-break behaviors, re-establish classroom routines with compassion, and support students as they rebuild focus and engagement.Karen shares practical, trauma-informed strategies for easing students back into learning, strengthening home-school partnerships, and recognizing effort in ways that restore confidence and connection.This conversation is a reminder that when adults respond with understanding instead of pressure, students feel safer, and learning can begin again.
]]>b4cb08f7-855c-4c9b-8c65-ccf065557ea0Sun, 04 Jan 2026 18:29:15 +0000Karen BrisportAfter a school break, many tweens and teens return to the classroom: - Looking unmotivated, disconnected, or shut down. - Homework goes missing. - Work feels overwhelming. - Some students freeze, avoid tasks, or ask to leave the room altogether. In...

Looking unmotivated, disconnected, or shut down.

Homework goes missing.

Work feels overwhelming.

Some students freeze, avoid tasks, or ask to leave the room altogether.

In this episode of Bouncing Back with Karen Brisport, Karen helps parents and educators understand what’s really happening beneath these behaviors, and why they’re not signs of laziness or defiance.Drawing on her background as a school counselor, Karen explains how breaks can disrupt routines, confidence, and academic stamina, making learning feel hard again.You’ll learn how to decode common post-break behaviors, re-establish classroom routines with compassion, and support students as they rebuild focus and engagement.Karen shares practical, trauma-informed strategies for easing students back into learning, strengthening home-school partnerships, and recognizing effort in ways that restore confidence and connection.This conversation is a reminder that when adults respond with understanding instead of pressure, students feel safer, and learning can begin again.
]]>589false18fullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/the-bittersweet-back-to-school-transition--70225343]]>57b0cc47-69a7-418f-81c4-8b3f9db6048fSat, 27 Dec 2025 17:12:36 +0000Karen BrisportReturning to school after a break can feel unexpectedly emotional for middle schoolers and the adults who support them. In this episode of Bouncing Back with Karen Brisport, Karen explores why the transition back to routine is often bittersweet for...]]>419false17fullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/supporting-tweens-and-teens-through-stressful-family-visits--70225324]]>33e6bc60-52f7-4057-bd7e-86f93931ed26Mon, 22 Dec 2025 01:58:07 +0000Karen BrisportFamily gatherings are meant to bring people together, but for many tweens and teens, they can feel overwhelming, exhausting, and emotionally draining.In this episode of Bouncing Back with Karen Brisport, Karen helps parents and educators understand...]]>365false16fullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/helping-middle-schoolers-with-holiday-boredom--70225327]]>96e92b9b-a02e-435d-ac54-0decb4ed0734Sun, 14 Dec 2025 00:54:59 +0000Karen BrisportWhen middle schoolers are home during long breaks, boredom can quietly turn into emotional overwhelm or risky behavior. In this episode of Bouncing Back with Karen Brisport. Former school counselor Karen Brisport explains why boredom is not harmless...]]>406false15fullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/helping-middle-schoolers-navigate-big-family-changes--70225339We walk through six practical, heart-centered strategies that parents and educators can use right away, including helping kids express their emotions, encouraging journaling, providing reassurance, strengthening connection, and creating predictable routines during uncertain times.
This episode is a compassionate guide for anyone hoping to help a young person navigate family change with confidence, resilience, and emotional clarity.
]]>d810ff6e-c2b7-4754-90e4-c19b45a32004Mon, 08 Dec 2025 03:38:38 +0000Karen BrisportWhen a family goes through major changes for example divorce, remarriage, a new baby, or shifts in routines. Middle schoolers often feel the impact more deeply than they can express. In this episode of Bouncing Back with Karen Brisport, we explore how...We walk through six practical, heart-centered strategies that parents and educators can use right away, including helping kids express their emotions, encouraging journaling, providing reassurance, strengthening connection, and creating predictable routines during uncertain times.
This episode is a compassionate guide for anyone hoping to help a young person navigate family change with confidence, resilience, and emotional clarity.
]]>289false14fullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/why-your-tone-matters-more-than-you-think-to-middle-schoolers--70225330]]>880e3b1b-e50a-4149-87d0-7633e71b6fb3Mon, 01 Dec 2025 02:40:13 +0000Karen BrisportWhen a middle schooler snaps, “Don’t raise your voice at me,” it can feel disrespectful, frustrating, and emotionally charged. But underneath that pushback is usually a very different message: “I’m overwhelmed,” “Your tone is stressing me out,” or “I...]]>408false13fullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/what-s-really-behind-holiday-behavior-changes--70225328]]>5c138d99-d3cf-4d1b-b7ae-167c0791028eMon, 24 Nov 2025 04:29:07 +0000Karen BrisportThe holidays are often filled with excitement, tradition, and anticipation, but for many middle schoolers, this season also brings hidden pressure, comparison, grief, and emotional overload. In this episode, Karen breaks down the silent stress...]]>408false12fullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/the-secret-language-of-middle-schoolers--70225335]]>0785b496-4a35-4e52-b0af-ef12521ad928Sat, 15 Nov 2025 02:40:18 +0000Karen BrisportMiddle schoolers can feel like a mystery, bored one minute, restless the next, quiet today, overflowing tomorrow. But their behavior is never random. In this episode, Karen Brisport breaks down the real reasons tweens and teens act the way they do in...]]>476false11fullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/when-your-child-says-i-m-not-good-at-anything--70225326This episode will help you:

• Create safe, judgment-free spaces for honest conversations.
• Use constructive hope to replace negative self-talk.
• Connect everyday actions to lasting impact and purpose.
• Celebrate progress to build authentic self-esteem.

Whether you’re a parent, teacher, or mentor, this conversation reminds us that when we truly listen, our kids learn to believe in themselves again.💬 “You don’t have to be perfect, you just have to show up.”]]>43c8d2b0-cf9e-4c2a-bd72-9b5068974a1dSat, 08 Nov 2025 03:12:11 +0000Karen BrisportWhen a child says, “I’m not good at anything,” it’s not a complaint, it’s a call for connection.In this heartfelt episode, former school counselor Karen Brisport breaks down how to turn moments of self-doubt into opportunities for growth, confidence,...This episode will help you:

• Create safe, judgment-free spaces for honest conversations.
• Use constructive hope to replace negative self-talk.
• Connect everyday actions to lasting impact and purpose.
• Celebrate progress to build authentic self-esteem.

Whether you’re a parent, teacher, or mentor, this conversation reminds us that when we truly listen, our kids learn to believe in themselves again.💬 “You don’t have to be perfect, you just have to show up.”]]>442false10fullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/the-digital-balance-check--70225340]]>265b18fc-e8e1-4810-8280-cba3f6a6d0b5Mon, 03 Nov 2025 02:47:25 +0000Karen BrisportThis episode explores how screen time can quietly become the dominant influence in a child’s emotional, social, and academic world, often before adults realize it. We discuss the subtle signs that a child may be retreating into digital spaces,...]]>299false9fullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/when-your-child-says-i-don-t-want-to-go-to-school--70225341]]>8c5a2a8a-2887-476a-87f5-3cf741748599Sun, 26 Oct 2025 01:45:18 +0000Karen BrisportWhen a child says, “I don’t want to go to school anymore,” it’s not just defiance, it’s a signal. In this powerful and compassionate episode, we uncover the real reasons why many middle schoolers stop caring about school, from hidden struggles like...]]>339false8fullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/building-bridges-not-battles-parenting-through-middle-school--70225345]]>7e3c3245-a12c-46a1-aade-2b92747b1b05Mon, 20 Oct 2025 01:40:23 +0000Karen BrisportMiddle school can feel like a whirlwind, for both kids and the adults who love them. In this episode, former school counselor Karen Brisport breaks down how parents and teachers can help students handle the academic, emotional, and social demands of...]]>329false7fullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/helping-kids-stand-strong--7022534248e112d1-9668-4440-8937-9cc96318580fMon, 13 Oct 2025 18:24:15 +0000Karen BrisportPeer pressure isn’t just about popularity—it’s about survival. In this heartfelt episode, Karen Brisport unpacks the emotional reality of what middle schoolers face and why belonging feels like oxygen.You’ll learn how to help your child (or student)...294false6fullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/helping-children-find-their-voice-against-bullying--70225346]]>1b2cb7b5-8c74-489a-8f52-df7e16483de8Sat, 04 Oct 2025 21:50:18 +0000Karen BrisportIn this episode, former school counselor Karen Brisport explores why children often stay silent when bullied and how parents and educators can recognize the hidden warning signs. From sudden resistance to school, avoiding the bus, and missing lunches...]]>370false5fullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/breaking-through-the-silence--70225334]]>c7f10cd9-8167-4840-b6e6-ded1abb2618fMon, 29 Sep 2025 02:37:13 +0000Karen BrisportWhen tweens and teens shut down, parents and educators are often left feeling helpless and disconnected. In this episode, school counselor Karen Brisport shares three proven strategies to reopen communication with young people: creating space for...]]>333false4fullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/homework-made-easier--70225347In this episode, former school counselor Karen Brisport explores why homework can feel overwhelming for kids and offers three practical strategies to make it manageable:
1. Create a distraction-free homework environment that promotes focus. 2. Partner with teachers to identify deeper challenges, from learning difficulties to anxiety. 3. Leverage school resources such as peer study groups, homework clubs, and online tools. The goal? To help middle schoolers not just get through homework, but thrive in both academics and life.]]>09b757a4-7bd6-4ccf-9189-7b2aa30be9a0Mon, 22 Sep 2025 01:28:07 +0000Karen BrisportHomework is one of the top stressors for middle schoolers, often leading to frustration, anxiety, and even physical symptoms like headaches and stomachaches. In this episode, former school counselor Karen Brisport explores why homework can feel...In this episode, former school counselor Karen Brisport explores why homework can feel overwhelming for kids and offers three practical strategies to make it manageable:
1. Create a distraction-free homework environment that promotes focus. 2. Partner with teachers to identify deeper challenges, from learning difficulties to anxiety. 3. Leverage school resources such as peer study groups, homework clubs, and online tools. The goal? To help middle schoolers not just get through homework, but thrive in both academics and life.]]>364false3fullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/fitting-in-fast--70225336f679545c-1b07-46ba-8a65-2a20da96d3ccSun, 14 Sep 2025 20:15:28 +0000Karen BrisportMiddle school is one of the most socially complicated times in a child’s life, identities are being formed, friendships are shifting, and kids are trying to carve out their place. Hi, I’m Karen Brisport, a former school counselor, and in this...342false2fullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/overcoming-first-day-fears--70225344d0068739-4f15-4047-8512-ce7f8689eee7Wed, 10 Sep 2025 06:00:00 +0000Karen BrisportThe first day of middle school can be quite a lot to handle, many kids feel nervous about being accepted, dealing with bullying, and even the chance of getting lost. I’m Karen Brisport, a former school counselor, and in my weekly podcast, I offer...375falsefull