Mindful Mic Questions Guide
Mindful Mic
Interview Question Bank
Episode Recording Material
HOST:
DATE:
How to Use This Guide
Select 2-3 questions from each category to build your interview script. Remember to listen actively and ask "Why?" or "Can you tell me more about that?" to dive deeper into the conversation.
Managing Academic Stress
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What is one specific time during the school year when you feel the most pressure, and how do you prepare for it?
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How do you separate your personal worth from your grades or academic performance?
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When a project feels overwhelming, what is the very first step you take to break it down?
Emotional Regulation
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When you feel a strong emotion like frustration or anxiety, what physical "clues" does your body give you first?
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What is your go-to "reset" activity when you realize you are having a difficult emotional moment?
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How has your understanding of "it's okay not to be okay" changed over the last few years?
Social Connection
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In what ways does being part of a group (club, team, or friend circle) help your mental health?
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How do you balance "social battery" time with friends versus the need for solo time to recharge?
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What advice would you give to someone who feels lonely even when they are surrounded by people?
Physical Health & Well-being
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How does your physical activity level (or lack thereof) directly impact your mood that day?
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What role does sleep play in your ability to handle stress? How do you protect your sleep schedule?
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Can you describe a "comfort meal" or a healthy habit that makes you feel mentally stronger?
Cognitive Functioning
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When your brain feels "foggy" or you can't focus, what is your most effective strategy to clear your mind?
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How do you manage digital distractions (phones, social media) when you need to do deep thinking?
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What is one mental skill (like organization or memory) that you’ve improved by practicing a specific habit?
Questions for Teachers
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As an educator, what is one thing you wish students knew about how teachers view mental health?
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How do you model healthy boundaries and self-care for your students?
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What is the most common mental health challenge you see in the classroom, and how can students support each other?
Podcast Script Notes
Use this space to draft your opening hook, transition phrases, or custom follow-up questions.
Mindful Mic Producer Slides
Mindful Mic
Podcast Production 101
The Power of the Mic
Talking about mental health reduces stigma and builds a community of support.
Objectives
- Engage in deep, empathetic listening
- Explore the 5 Pillars of Well-being
- Bridge the gap between peers & teachers
Interviewing 101
Active Listening
Don't just wait for your turn to talk. Respond to what they actually said before moving on.
Safe Spaces
Ensure your guest knows they only have to share what they are comfortable with.
The "Follow-up"
The best moments happen when you ask: "Tell me more about that" or "How did that feel?"
Our Focus Areas
Academic Stress
Emotional Regulation
Social Connection
Physical Health
Cognitive Function
Each episode should aim to touch on at least two of these pillars.
Broadcast Blueprint
1
The Hook
Introduce your guest and the topic. Why does this matter?
2
The Heart
The deep questions. Stories, struggles, and strategies.
3
The Harvest
One key takeaway for the listeners. Final advice.
Aim for a 10-15 minute conversation for maximum impact.
Ready to record?
Mic Check. 1, 2... Action.
Grab your Question Bank
Check your battery
Take a deep breath
Mindful Mic Teacher Guide
Mindful Mic
Teacher Facilitation Guide
Project Overview
The "Mindful Mic" project invites students to step into the role of podcast producers and hosts. By interviewing peers and teachers about mental health, students develop empathy, media literacy, and a deeper understanding of well-being pillars.
Essential Question
How can sharing our mental health experiences strengthen our school community?
Grade Level
Middle School - High School (Ages 12-18)
The Five Pillars of Well-being
Academic Stress: Managing performance pressure, goal-setting, and school-related anxiety.
Emotional Regulation: Identifying complex feelings and developing healthy coping "resets."
Social Connection: Building belonging, understanding social battery, and peer support.
Physical Health: The direct link between mood, sleep, nutrition, and daily movement.
Cognitive Functioning: Maintaining focus, managing digital distractions, and habit-building.
Instructional Pacing
DAY 1
Introduction & Pillar Discovery
Use the Producer Slides to introduce the 5 pillars. Have students brainstorm potential guests and episode themes.
DAY 2
Interviewing Skills
Practice active listening and the "Tell me more" technique. Use the Questions Guide for roleplay.
DAY 3+
Recording & Gallery Walk
Students conduct interviews. Execute a "gallery walk" by having students set up tablet/laptop stations to share audio rough-cuts for peer review.
Handling Sensitive Topics
Mental health can be a sensitive subject. Ensure students follow these safety guidelines during production:
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Set Privacy Boundaries: Establish "Hard Stops" where guests can decline to answer questions or request a segment be edited out of the final cut.
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Resource Integration: Ensure hosts have a list of professional resources (school counselor, crisis lines) to mention in the outro of their episode.
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Teacher Oversight: Review guest lists and planned question sets before any student begins recording.
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Reporting Protocol: Establish a clear "red flag" process for students to report serious mental health concerns uncovered during an interview.
Assessment Rubric
| Criteria | Exceeds (3) | Meets (2) | Developing (1) |
|---|
| Preparation |
