Episode Summary
In this episode of The BAGO Mic, two students share what stress feels like and how it shows up in their daily lives. They talk openly about bullying, peer pressure, sports anxiety, and feeling afraid to speak up when something feels overwhelming.
They describe stress as headaches, annoyance, anger, and even feeling “nonchalant” or shutting down. They discuss how teasing, class distractions, and conflicts with siblings or peers can build tension. The conversation also explores how stress can cause people to act differently—sometimes picking on others or lashing out because they don’t know what to do with their feelings.
The students share coping strategies that work for them, including basketball, sledding, music, gaming, spending time with friends, and talking with trusted adults. They emphasize the importance of reminding others that sports and life are supposed to be fun, and that mistakes are okay.
The episode ends with encouragement: talk to someone, don’t hold it in, and remember that you’re not alone when you’re stressed.
Takeaways
• Bullying and peer conflict are major stress triggers.
• Stress can cause headaches, anger, shutdown, or mood changes.
• Fear of embarrassment can increase sports anxiety.
• Some people take their stress out on others.
• Physical activity and music help release stress.
• Trusted adults and friends play a key role in support.
• Reminding others to “just have fun” can reduce performance stress.
Hainipi (hi-Ne Pee)… that means hi, hey, or hello in a friendly way.
Hi everyone! Welcome to The BAGO Mic, powered by student voice—where students lead the way.
We are students from Winnebago Public Schools, broadcasting from the Winnebago Native American Reservation in Winnebago, Nebraska. This podcast is created by us… for the world.
Let’s start by introducing ourselves.
My name is Matthew.
My name is Liam.
Today’s episode is about: Dealing with stress.
Before we begin, we want to share something we’re thankful for:
I’m thankful for my mom, my stepdad, my brother, and my sister that’s about to come.
I’m thankful for my mom, my basketball team, and my family.
Now let’s get into it!
Once again, the topic we are talking about is dealing with stress.
What does stress feel like for you, either in your body or mind?
It’s like… I don’t know how to describe it. It’s kind of like when you get bullied and then you get stressed out and annoyed, and then you can’t think.
You can’t think right. You’re scared to tell people you’re stressed out. You might be mean, or sad, or mad.
Then you turn nonchalant.
What are some things at school that can make students feel stressed?
Whenever a student is trying to distract and be funny—even though he’s not. The not-funny class clown. They always try to do goofy stuff but it’s not funny.
What are some things outside of school that can cause stress?
Like if you’re dealing with other stuff. Say you have a friend in the hospital and you don’t know what’s going to happen to him. But at the same time, someone’s trying to fight you or people are after you for no reason.
And whenever you’re getting bullied and you try to do something about it and they keep bullying you. That stresses me out.
How do you usually know when you are starting to feel stressed?
Whenever I feel stressed, I start to get a headache. Then I feel annoyed.
When I feel like I’m going to get stressed, I get a headache or I start getting mad for no reason.
Like when my brother keeps doing stuff my mom tells him not to do. Or when he cries when I’m trying to go to a friend’s house. Or when he gets his friends to try and mess with my friends. Then I get scared about what’s going to happen.
So like they think they can pick on older kids?
They’re not bigger, but they talk smack.
How can stress affect the way someone acts, talks, or treats others?
If someone starts treating others differently, that’s how you know they’re stressed. They might look sad or mad. They might not talk to their friends. They just sit there and don’t want to do anything.
Sometimes people try to get their stress out on someone weaker than them. They think they can just pick on the weak.
And they’re afraid to say something back because they might get in trouble or get beat up.
What is something healthy you do to help yourself calm down when you feel stressed?
I go play with friends and try to get it off my mind. I try to do something fun. I’ll play a game. Sometimes I walk to a friend’s house.
I’ll play basketball. Or go sledding. Or listen to music.
When it’s snowing, I sled.
Who is someone you can trust that you can talk to when stress feels too big?
I can talk to my dega because he’s been through stress too and talks to me about it.
I have like five people I trust—Mr. Kleve, Almond, my mom, Ms. Doherty, and Ms. Sam. They actually talk to you.
The ones I mostly trust are my dega and Ms. Doherty.
What is something adults or teachers can do that helps reduce stress for students?
They can take them to an instructor. Or parents can take them to therapy.
Or just have you do something fun to get it off your mind.
How can friends support each other when someone is feeling stressed?
They can say, “Come here, let’s go do something fun.” Go to a game, go to a movie, just walk around.
My friends just ask if I want to do something. Then it automatically gets off my mind. The people who stress me out don’t want to do stuff with me, but my friends do.
Sometimes when I play with my friends, I forget about it.
What advice would you give to another student who’s feeling overwhelmed or stressed right now?
Go talk to a teacher or a trusted adult.
At our last basketball games, a teammate didn’t want to go in. He thought he’d make mistakes. I told him everybody’s here—even the opponents are just watching. It’s supposed to be fun.
It doesn’t matter if you do good. Just try. Your mom’s here. The whole team is here. Everybody’s here.
Don’t be stressed out.
I gave him a hug and told him it’s okay. They don’t care how you play. Just have fun.
Thanks for listening to The BAGO Mic. We hope our voices made you think, feel, or smile today.
Remember: your voice matters, our story matters, and YOU matter.
Thank you. See you all again!
Wa’įniginąpšąną (Wa eenee gee nump shana) — thank you all
Žige hanicakjawi (Je ge honey chuck Ja wee) — see you all again in a warm way