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The Middle School Mary Poppins Podcast

The Middle School Mary Poppins Podcast

Living in a Material World - Ego, Spotlight People, Scapegoats, & Staying Clever

Sep 15, 2026 · 27m

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About this episode

What happens when someone seems to value your talent, creativity, or helpfulness more than they value you? In “Living in a Material World: Spotlight People, Scapegoats, and Staying Clever,” I explore something I desperately needed an adult to explain when I was young: other people do not necessarily think the way you do. That does not mean everyone is bad, and it certainly does not mean kids should become frightened or suspicious. It means we can keep our good hearts while learning to notice patterns, set boundaries, and choose carefully who receives access to our time, trust, and ideas. We talk about “spotlight people,” the surprising strengths often found in the person who becomes the…