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

In this episode, we’re diving into one of the most powerful, but often overlooked, bully prevention tools: peer mentorship.

We talk about what happens when older students step into leadership roles to support younger ones, and how schools can create structured programs that actually work.

Peer mentorship helps younger students feel seen and supported, while older students build leadership skills and empathy. It’s one of the simplest ways to shift school culture from the inside out.

Whether you’re just getting started or looking to strengthen a program you already have, this episode will give you ideas, inspiration, and practical takeaways.

Resources Mentioned:

• Learn more about our peer mentorship curriculum, ⁠MAP STARS⁠.

• Browse all ⁠bullying prevention and conflict resolution resources⁠.

• Get weekly tools and lesson ideas in our ⁠Bullying Prevention Newsletter⁠.

Let us know what mentorship looks like in your school,we’d love to hear from you!

In this episode, we’re starting our 12-part podcast series based on the 12 Ways to Walk Away with Confidence curriculum. Each lesson gives kids simple, practical tools they can use to handle conflict and bullying, starting with this one: A Bully Can Be a Buddy.

This first lesson is all about breaking down the idea of what a bully is. It helps kids understand that sometimes, the person being mean isn’t just “a bully”; they might be someone who’s struggling, confused, or even open to friendship.

Whether you’re a parent, teacher, or anyone who works with kids, this episode gives you a quick way to introduce one of our most important concepts: that kids have choices in how they respond and sometimes, choosing civility and friendship instead of fear can help them diffuse a bullying situation.

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
• Find all our bullying prevention and SEL resources

In this episode, we’re sharing a powerful story from Why Is Everybody Always Picking on Me? by Dr. Terrence Webster-Doyle. It’s called The Day of the Bee Sting, which is a true story about childhood bullying, unexpected strength, and how one surprising moment can change everything.

This story is a favorite among students and educators because it opens up conversations about what it feels like to be bullied and how kids can find their power.

Whether you’re a parent, teacher, or working directly with students, this episode is a helpful tool to use alongside your other bullying prevention efforts.

Resources Mentioned:

• Download the full book Why Is Everybody Always Picking on Me?
• Get free weekly tools in our Bullying Prevention Newsletter
• Learn more about MAP STARS, our student mentorship program.

• Browse all our bullying prevention and conflict resolution resources

How do victims of bullying sometimes become bullies themselves? Let’s break the cycle.

In this episode of the Bully Proof Podcast, we’re diving into the bully-victim cycle, which is a pattern where kids who’ve been bullied begin to lash out at others.

This cycle of retaliation and desensitization is more common than you might think, but with the right tools, we can interrupt it early and create a safer space for everyone.

We discuss:

• Why hurt kids sometimes hurt others
• How repeated exposure to bullying can make kids numb to its harm
• Early signs a victim might be shifting into aggressive behavior
• Why pulling kids aside isn’t always the best solution and what works better
• Strategies for schools and parents to support kids and break the cycle

This is a must-listen for educators, parents, and anyone who works with kids.

RESOURCES & WAYS TO CONNECT

• Join our ⁠⁠⁠⁠weekly bully prevention newsletter⁠⁠⁠⁠
• Join our ⁠⁠⁠signature program, MAP STARS⁠⁠⁠
• For our curricula and books, visit ⁠⁠⁠⁠atriumsoc.org/resource-library/⁠⁠⁠⁠
• Have a question or topic suggestion? Email us at ⁠⁠⁠⁠podcast@atriumsoc.org⁠⁠⁠⁠
• Follow us on social media for more tips & updates on ⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠ and ⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook⁠⁠⁠⁠

If you found this episode helpful, please subscribe, comment, and share to help us spread the message of bully prevention. Let’s work together to create a safer world!

Can bully education be fun? We think so and here’s why it works.

In this episode of the Bully Proof Podcast, we explore how to bring energy, creativity, and even playfulness into a serious topic like bullying. Because while the subject is heavy, the way we teach it doesn’t have to be.

When kids are engaged, they learn better. Fun creates a safe space where they open up, practice skills like empathy and assertiveness, and actually want to participate. Whether you’re a teacher, parent, or camp leader, these ideas will help you make bully prevention interactive, impactful, and yes, even fun.

We discuss:

• Why making lessons fun increases engagement and retention
• How games, art, and movement reinforce social skills like teamwork and empathy
• Tips for creating safe, playful spaces where kids can open up
• Practical activities like roleplays, kindness challenges, and confidence-building exercises

RESOURCES & WAYS TO CONNECT

• Join our ⁠⁠⁠weekly bully prevention newsletter⁠⁠⁠
• Join our ⁠⁠signature program, MAP STARS⁠⁠
• For our curricula and books, visit ⁠⁠⁠atriumsoc.org/resource-library/⁠⁠⁠
• Have a question or topic suggestion? Email us at ⁠⁠⁠podcast@atriumsoc.org⁠⁠⁠
• Follow us on social media for more tips & updates on ⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠ and ⁠⁠⁠Facebook⁠⁠⁠

If you found this episode helpful, please subscribe, comment, and share to help us spread the message of bully prevention. Let’s work together to create a safer world!