Big Mama's House Podcast | A Podcast for Teens cover art

Big Mama's House Podcast | A Podcast for Teens

Big Mama's House Podcast | A Podcast for Teens

By: Jesse Weinberger
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About this listen

** Big Mama’s House Podcast - a podcast for teens is written and hosted by Jesse Weinberger (Internet Safety Speaker for Schools)


Big Mama’s House Podcast is where real talk happens for teens who are done pretending everything is fine. We dive into the really real… like the widespread sense of loneliness no one wants to talk about, social media pressure, mental health struggles, tech true crime, generational drama, and what it’s like growing up in a digital world that doesn’t always make sense.


Hosted by Big Mama (she gets it) with rotating teen co-hosts, each episode brings laughs, truth, and real advice you can actually use. Bonus: we drop extra tools and resources every time to help you deal with life’s chaos.


This isn’t just another “don’t text strangers” lecture. It’s smart, funny, and packed with tools to help you stay safe and stay you both IRL and online. Big Mama’s House Podcast is built for teens, but also trusted by parents, educators, and schools who want to understand what today’s digital risks really look like … from the inside.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

2024 Big Mama's House Social Sciences True Crime
Episodes
  • This Isn't Build a Bear

    This Isn't Build a Bear
    Sep 11 2025
    In this episode of Big Mama’s House, Big Mama calls out the quiet truth: a lot of teens feel completely invisible at home. She reads real survey results and shares stories from student presentations, including one girl who dropped the now-legendary line: "This isn’t Build-A-Bear."It’s not about stuff. It’s about presence, connection, and being seen. From phone-addicted parents to screen-raised kids, this episode hits hard but keeps it real. Big Mama shares a brutal poolside moment with an Insta-mom, plus a heart-wrenching student story about growing up without ever having a conversation that mattered.This message is for the squids — and maybe for your parents too (if they can put their phone down long enough to hear it).Key Takeaways: You’re not alone — So many teens feel unseen, unheard, or just… tolerated. That doesn’t mean you’re wrong to want more.You're allowed to ask for connection. Wanting your parent to know you is valid.Love isn’t stuff. Phones, clothes, tablets ≠ attention, affection, or presence.Saying it out loud helps. Use this episode as a jumping-off point to start a convo. (Even if it feels awkward.)You don’t have to blame yourself. If your parent doesn’t show up the way you need — that’s on them, not you.You may be more emotionally mature than some adults. And that’s powerful.Action Items: Use the insights and stories shared in this episode as icebreakers to have real conversations with the people you love.Reflect on how you can be more present and engaged with the world… PARENTS: put down YOUR devices and have meaningful conversations.Parents: Seek to understand your child as an individual and make an effort to connect with them, rather than just providing material things.Episode Highlights:0:08 - Intro — Big Mama kicks off the episode with the truth: Teens are tired of being ignored by their parents.1:12 - Why she keeps doing student events — even when she’s sleep-deprived and running on caffeine and chaos.1:34 - Where the real data comes from — Big Mama explains how student convos and 15 years of surveys shape everything she teaches.2:39 - What teens actually want — Spoiler: it’s not money, shoes, or a Dodge Charger (except for one kid).3:27 - The Big 5 asks from teens: no unapproved posts, put the phone down, help with screen limits, real convo time, and just… be present.4:32 - “Just showing up” isn’t enough — teens want habits of connection, not drive-by check-ins.5:00- Why parents struggle — no manual, generational baggage, and general chaos.6:13- Big Mama Life tip — “There’s always someone better off and someone worse off.”7:10- Poolside InstaMom Fail — Big Mama recounts a gut-punching moment with a mom glued to Instagram while her daughter begs for attention.8:40- Big Mama Life Tip: The opposite of love isn't hate. The opposite of love is indifference.10:28 - Student quote bombshell — “This isn’t Build-A-Bear. Don’t give kids tablets just because you’re tired of parenting.”13:02 - Big Mama Life Tip: The appearance of love does not always equal the presence of love13:39 - Private story from a 12th grader — She opens up about screen-based parenting, zero connection, and the cost of feeling invisible.15:02 - She’s never heard a compliment from her parents — a powerful reminder that love needs words and time.17:16 - Outro — Big Mama encourages you to start real convos. And as always: eat more dirt, avoid moist dudes in basements.** Big Mama’s House Podcast - a podcast for teens is written and hosted by Jesse Weinberger (Internet Safety Speaker for Schools) Teen fans of this podcast are called squids. Together with the entire Squid Squad, this podcast for teens explores the immense amounts of pressure impacting young people including: generational disconnect, digital & social media issues, tech true crime, mental health. Each episode comes with additional resources to help teens navigate difficult life circumstances. Expect to laugh along with the host and guest co-hosts while learning something new. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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    18 mins
  • This Is the Best Time of Your Life & Other Lies

    This Is the Best Time of Your Life & Other Lies
    Sep 3 2025

    In Season 2, Episode 5 of Big Mama’s House Podcast, we examine a phrase well-intentioned adults in your life may use when speaking to teens: “This is the best time of your life.” Just the fact that adults say this at all, proves that they’re not understanding the reality of what you’re dealing with, just on an average day.


    Play this episode for the older adults in *your* life who don’t get it (we see you Boomers) and let Big Mama do the explaining. With a mix of truth bombs, jokes, and some jaw-dropping stats, we answer the biggest and challenging questions your generation is facing:

    • Why (this generation’s) teens have more pressure than any other generation in history.
    • In the United States, teens are the loneliest age group (yep, worse than your grandparents).
    • The upside down “attention economy” makes likes and followers feel like currency.


    By the end, you’ll know you’re not alone, why your future is gonna get better, and what to keep in mind in the day-to-day. Go to the webpage for this episode and grab all the free downloadable extras to help make it a bit easier.


    If you wish you could talk with a friend or family member about some of these issues - share this episode and let Big Mama be your ice-breaker.

    If you have a comment, or something to add email us at info@bigmamashousepodcast.com.


    If you’re feeling overwhelmed by your feelings of loneliness - or for ANY other reason - please reach out to one of these organizations - there are people interested in hearing from you. Do it right now.

    • In the US - just call or text a message to 988
    • In the UK - call 116-123
    • In Australia - call 131-1141


    Episode Highlights

    • 0:00 - “The best time of your life”... or not.
    • 1:10 - Big Mama’s story about her husband’s favorite (annoying) saying
    • 2:40 - Why your life is going to be SO much better as you get older!
    • 3:10 - PSA for Boomers: Here’s why adults can’t compare their teen experience to today’s teens.
    • 6:35 - Do teens have it easier than adults? No, they do not.
    • 7:15 - First reason why being a teenager now is harder than ever before: Your generation has more pressure than any generation ever.
    • 8:00 - The AI problem: what if your future career disappears?
    • 8:45 - Second reason why being a teenager now is harder than ever before: Loneliness levels are off the charts, teens have the highest rate of loneliness in history
    • 12:00 - How much social media use is too much? How much social media use impacts mental health?
    • Shocking stat: Being lonely can hurt your health like smoking 15 cigarettes a day.
    • 13:45 - Third reason why being a teenager now is harder than ever before: How the “Attention Economy” messes with self-esteem.
    • 14:58 - Self-esteem can only come from self.
    • 16:10 - Your entire world will be better as you get older. Here’s why.
    • 16:50 - You are enough as you are, right now (Listen to this before you leave for school every day)
    • 17:45 - Use the episode to start awkward conversations. Let Big Mama be your ice-breaker.



    ** Big Mama’s House Podcast - a podcast for teens is written and hosted by Jesse Weinberger (Internet Safety Speaker for Schools)


    Teen fans of this podcast are called squids. Together with the entire Squid Squad, this podcast for teens explores the immense amounts of pressure impacting young people including: generational disconnect, digital & social media issues, tech true crime, mental health. Each episode comes with additional resources to help teens navigate difficult life circumstances. Expect to laugh along with the host and guest co-hosts while learning something new.

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
    Show More Show Less
    19 mins
  • Cupcake Truck at a Health Fair

    Cupcake Truck at a Health Fair
    Aug 20 2025
    Summary


    In this episode, Big Mama talks about spotting when big organizations (like schools) say one thing but do another—like throwing a school health fair and then bringing in a cupcake truck. She shares funny personal stories (including her own “weird superpower”) and gives real-life examples from schools, colleges, and more. Teens get an easy 3-step plan for teens to speak truth to authority, respectfully and in a way to make change happen. And just to keep it real, she ends by sharing her own biggest contradiction - it’s a story of woe involving hugging cows and eating lunch.






    Timestamp Highlights


    00:00 Big Mama introduces the idea of “institutional hypocrisy” — when an organization says one thing but does another — and shares her “garbage superpower”

    02:00 Funny sixth-grade story: a health teacher warns kids about smoking… while sneaking smoke breaks behind the school dumpsters.

    3:59 The Health & Wellness Day gig — great activities like cooking classes and goat yoga… but then the principal makes an announcement

    7:11 Why the cupcake truck matters: how it works against the school’s own goal of promoting good nutrition.

    8:45 Why Big Mama’s House Podcast doesn’t use social media to promote the podcast, even though it’s meant for a teen audience

    9:27 Other real-world examples: schools closing libraries, colleges partnering with betting apps, and hospitals stocking vending machines with junk food.

    10:46 The social media hypocrisy: schools warning about screen time while using social media to promote events.

    11:22 Why this kind of hypocrisy is dangerous — how people either don’t notice at all or notice and lose trust in the organization.

    13:00 Big Mama’s 3-step method for respectfully pointing out contradictions.

    14:12 Her personal confession: Penelope the Cow

    15:30 Send in your examples of organizational hypocrisy and what you did about it to info@bigmamashousepodcast.com.

    Remember: “Eat more dirt and avoid moist dudes in basements.”





    Resources


    Do you think you might have body dysmorphia? Take the quiz from the Body Dysmorphic Disorder Foundation.

    https://bddfoundation.org/


    Another resource just for teens - it’s from the International OCD Foundation.

    https://bdd.iocdf.org/teens-young-adults/

    ** Big Mama’s House Podcast - a podcast for teens is written and hosted by Jesse Weinberger (Internet Safety Speaker for Schools)


    Teen fans of this podcast are called squids. Together with the entire Squid Squad, this podcast for teens explores the immense amounts of pressure impacting young people including: generational disconnect, digital & social media issues, tech true crime, mental health. Each episode comes with additional resources to help teens navigate difficult life circumstances. Expect to laugh along with the host and guest co-hosts while learning something new.

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
    Show More Show Less
    16 mins
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