When Our Kids Hurt 🌿

Reflections on the Good Inside Podcast “Let’s Talk Bullying”

The other day, I was driving to school, sipping coffee, and catching up on one of my favorite podcasts — Good Inside with Dr. Becky Kennedy. When I saw the episode titled “Let’s Talk Bullying” with Dr. Sheryl Ziegler, I hit play immediately.

I expected to pick up a few parenting insights, but what I didn’t expect was how deeply it would land — both in my heart as a mom and in my mind as a speech-language pathologist. I found myself nodding, pausing, reflecting, realizing how much this topic touches so many families I work with… and my own.

The Parent in Me

Listening as a mom, I immediately thought of my daughter and the world she’s growing up in — one that can be full of beautiful connections, but also subtle cruelties. Bullying today doesn’t always look like the playground taunts we remember; it can be exclusion, whispers, or even the silence of being left out of a group chat.

I felt the ache that every parent feels: How do I protect my child without overstepping? How do I empower her to find her voice without losing her softness?

The podcast reminded me that behind every “bully” and every “victim” is a child who’s struggling to belong — a child with a story that’s often about pain, fear, or disconnection.

My Own Experience

Part of what made this episode hit so hard for me is that I’ve been on the receiving end of bullying myself.

I remember what it felt like to walk into school with a pit in my stomach, wondering who would talk to me that day — or who wouldn’t. I remember trying to “be smaller,” to fit in, to not draw attention, because being different seemed to make me a target. I remember the day I called my mom from the girls bathroom to come pick me up because I just couldn’t go back to class.

Those experiences shaped so much of who I became — both personally and professionally. They taught me empathy in a way no textbook ever could. They also taught me how deeply kids internalize shame and how long it can take to rebuild a sense of safety and belonging once it’s been broken.

It’s why, even now as an adult and a clinician, I’m so passionate about helping children feel seen and supported for exactly who they are. Every time I meet a child who’s been left out, misunderstood, or labeled as “too much” or “too sensitive,” I see a little piece of my younger self — and I know how much difference one compassionate adult can make.

The SLP in Me

As a trauma-informed and neurodiversity-affirming SLP, I see this play out in schools and therapy rooms all the time. Children who communicate or regulate differently often face more misunderstanding — and sometimes, that turns into social isolation or bullying.

When a child lashes out, withdraws, or seems “mean,” my question is no longer “What’s wrong with them?” but rather “What happened to them?” and “What do they need to feel safe?”

What I loved most about Dr. Ziegler’s message was the call to focus on connection over correction. Helping kids build empathy starts with helping them feel seen and understood themselves. That’s true for the child who’s been hurt, and just as true for the child doing the hurting.

Bridging the Two

In both roles — mom and therapist — I’m learning that responding to bullying isn’t about punishment or quick fixes. It’s about creating environments where kids feel emotionally safe, supported, and valued for who they are.

It’s about slowing down, listening, and saying, “I’m here. You’re not alone. Let’s figure this out together.”

Because when children feel safe in their relationships, they start to show up differently in the world — and so do we.

A Gentle Takeaway

If you haven’t listened to this Good Inside episode yet, I truly recommend it. Whether you’re a parent, teacher, or therapist, it’s a powerful reminder that every behavior tells a story — and that our calm, curious presence can be the beginning of healing for our kids and for ourselves.

Where This Work Comes In

This is at the heart of why I created Homegrown, rooted in the connection-first approach — because lasting change begins not with fixing, but with understanding. When we lead with connection, we give children the safety they need to explore, communicate, and grow.

If you’ve ever worried about your child being misunderstood, left out, or struggling to find their voice, know that you’re not alone. Together, we can build spaces where kids feel safe to be their full selves — where their differences are not just accepted, but celebrated.