In this episode, we’re reading Chapter 5 of ⁠⁠Why Is Everybody Always Picking on Me?⁠⁠ . We change the focus from avoiding bullying to developing real confidence that changes how kids respond in difficult situations.

This episode introduces a powerful idea: you don’t become stronger by fighting back. You become stronger when you know you can handle a situation and choose not to escalate it.

We also look at the balance between physical and mental self-defence. Physical skills can help you feel capable, but it’s the mental skills (how you think, respond, and stay grounded) that actually prevent conflict from happening.

This episode walks through practical, nonviolent ways kids can respond to bullying. Not as quick fixes, but as skills that take awareness and practice. Things like using humor, walking away, setting clear boundaries, or simply not reacting can completely change the outcome of a situation.

Confidence comes from practice. The more children use these approaches, the more natural they become, and the less fear takes over.

These strategies are also the foundation of the “12 Ways to Walk Away” curriculum, where these skills are taught in a more structured and in-depth way.

Resources Mentioned:

• Read the full book ⁠⁠⁠Why Is Everybody Always Picking on Me?
• 12 Ways to Walk Away” curriculum⁠⁠⁠
• Explore our ⁠⁠⁠bullying prevention and SEL programs⁠⁠⁠
• Sign up for the ⁠⁠⁠Weekly Bullying Prevention Newsletter⁠⁠⁠
• Join our ⁠⁠⁠signature online course, MAP STARS

In this episode, we’re reading Chapter 4 of ⁠Why Is Everybody Always Picking on Me?⁠ . We explore a different way of thinking about bullying and conflict in general. Instead of focusing on how to fight back, this chapter introduces the idea that the strongest response is often not fighting at all.

Using the story of Bokuden, a swordsman who avoids conflict rather than engaging in it, we look at what it really means to have control. Not control over others, but control over your own reactions.

The episode breaks down three key changes: developing a genuine interest in stopping bullying, understanding why it happens, and learning nonviolent ways to respond. When you understand the reasons behind conflict, things like fear, jealousy, or the need for control, you’re less likely to react automatically and more able to choose how you respond.

A central idea in this chapter is that most people believe they have two options: fight or walk away. But both are driven by fear. The real skill is learning how to stay grounded, think clearly, and respond without escalating the situation.

Resources Mentioned:

• Read the full book ⁠⁠Why Is Everybody Always Picking on Me?⁠⁠
• Explore our ⁠⁠bullying prevention and SEL programs⁠⁠
• Sign up for the ⁠⁠Weekly Bullying Prevention Newsletter⁠⁠
• Join our ⁠⁠signature online course, MAP STARS

In this episode, we’re reading Chapter 3 of Why Is Everybody Always Picking on Me? . We take a closer look at the roles kids step into during bullying situations. Rather than seeing bullying as a simple “good vs. bad” issue, we explore how both the bully and the victim are often responding to fear in different ways.

We talk about how these roles aren’t usually chosen on purpose. They develop over time as kids try to protect themselves, either by gaining control or by avoiding conflict.

This episode also looks at the influence of family, school environments, friendships, and media. These all shape how kids understand power, control, and relationships, often without realizing it.

At a deeper level, these behaviours connect to basic survival instincts like fight or flight. While these responses once helped humans survive, they can now show up in ways that affect how kids relate to each other.

The focus of this chapter is understanding. When kids begin to recognize the roles they’re playing, they’re better able to step out of them and respond in more thoughtful and confident ways.

Resources Mentioned:

• Read the full book ⁠Why Is Everybody Always Picking on Me?⁠
• Explore our ⁠bullying prevention and SEL programs⁠
• Sign up for the ⁠Weekly Bullying Prevention Newsletter⁠
• Join our ⁠signature online course, MAP STARS

In this episode, we’re reading Chapter 2 of Why Is Everybody Always Picking on Me? and looking more closely at the long-term effects of bullying.

Through a powerful story, this chapter shows how bullying doesn’t just hurt in the moment and that the emotional impacts linger, shaping how a child sees themselves, how they relate to others, and how safe they feel in the world. When bullying is repeated or left unaddressed, the effects can follow kids into adolescence and even adulthood.

This chapter also introduces different types of bullying, including physical bullying and psychological bullying. While it doesn’t go deeply into each category yet, it helps listeners begin to recognize that bullying is not just about physical aggression. Hurtful words, exclusion, intimidation, and ongoing emotional pressure can leave just as deep of a mark.

Understanding the long-term effects of bullying is a critical part of effective bullying prevention. When we recognize both the visible and invisible harm, we are better equipped to intervene early and respond with care. Whether you’re a teacher, counselor, or parent, this chapter builds awareness around how different forms of bullying affect a child’s emotional well-being.

Bullying prevention starts with understanding what’s at stake and why early awareness matters.

Resources Mentioned:

• Read the full book Why Is Everybody Always Picking on Me?
• Explore our bullying prevention and SEL programs
• Sign up for the Weekly Bullying Prevention Newsletter
• Join our signature online course, MAP STARS

In this episode, we’re reading Chapter 1 of Why Is Everybody Always Picking on Me? and beginning with one of the most important steps in bullying prevention: learning how to recognize bullying behavior.

Before we can address bullying, we have to notice it. This chapter shares real-life stories that help kids, parents, and educators identify the signs of bullying; not just obvious teasing or aggression, but the subtle behaviors that often go unnoticed. It encourages us to slow down and pay attention to how words, tone, exclusion, and reactions can affect others.

One of the most powerful ideas in this chapter is that bullying behavior isn’t limited to “other people.” At times, all of us can act in ways that hurt someone else. When we understand that bullying can show up in small, everyday moments, we make space for growth and change.

Bullying prevention begins with awareness. Whether you’re a teacher looking to help students recognize bullying behavior, a counselor supporting social emotional learning (SEL), or a parent wanting to understand what your child may be experiencing, this chapter lays the groundwork. It sets the stage for deeper conversations about emotional reactions, responsibility, and how we can all respond differently.

Resources Mentioned:

• Read the full book Why Is Everybody Always Picking on Me?
• Explore our bullying prevention and SEL programs
• Sign up for the Weekly Bullying Prevention Newsletter
• Join our signature online program, MAP STARS

In this episode, we’re exploring why emotional intelligence is such a powerful tool in bully prevention.

Instead of relying on strict rules or punishments, emotional intelligence helps kids understand themselves and others. It gives them the skills to manage frustration, handle conflict, and treat people with more empathy and care.

Bullying doesn’t happen in a vacuum; it’s often a reaction to stress, insecurity, or emotional overwhelm. When we teach emotional intelligence, we get to the root of those behaviors instead of just reacting to the symptoms.

Whether you’re a teacher, counselor, or parent, this episode will help you see how small shifts in emotional awareness can make a big difference in creating safer, more connected schools.

Resources Mentioned:

• The full blog post

• Try our ⁠Bullyproof Your Child at Home⁠ curriculum

• Sign up for the ⁠Weekly Bullying Prevention Newsletter⁠

• Explore ⁠all our bullying prevention and SEL resources⁠

In this episode, we’re reading Boys Will Be Boys, which is a powerful short story from the book Why Is Everybody Always Picking on Me? by Dr. Terrence Webster-Doyle.

It gives us a look inside the mind of a child who bullies others, but instead of painting him as “the bad guy,” it digs deeper into what’s really going on. His home life, how he’s treated by adults, and all the pressure he’s carrying.

Kids don’t always expect to hear this side of the story and that’s what makes it so important. It helps them understand that there’s usually more behind bullying than what you see on the surface.

Whether you’re a teacher, counselor, or parent, this story is a powerful way to explore the roots of aggression and open up conversations about identity, pressure, and how we treat each other.

Resources Mentioned:

• Download the full book Why Is Everybody Always Picking on Me?
• Bullying Prevention Newsletter
• Check out MAP STARS, our student mentorship program
• Browse all our bullying prevention and SEL resources

In this episode, we’re continuing our 12-part podcast series based on the 12 Ways to Walk Away with Confidence curriculum. Each lesson shares simple, practical strategies kids can use to handle conflict and bullying.

Today’s topic is humor.

This lesson introduces the idea that humor, when used kindly and thoughtfully, can be one way to shift a tense situation.

It can feel a bit weird to talk about fun in the middle of a serious topic like bullying, but this lesson gives kids a new tool to work with. A well-placed moment of silliness or lightness can sometimes stop a situation from escalating and give them just enough space to walk away or shift the tone.

We also talk about how this tool won’t work for everyone or every moment and that’s okay. These lessons are meant to be practiced like any other skill. Some will feel natural, others won’t. But the more tools kids have, the more confident they’ll feel when it really matters.

Whether you’re a parent, teacher, or work with kids in another way, this is a great one to try out with your group.

Resources Mentioned:

• Explore the full curriculum: 12 Ways to Walk Away with Confidence

• Get weekly tools in our Bullying Prevention Newsletter

• Check out MAP STARS, our student mentorship program

• Browse all our bullying prevention and SEL resources