The Lifelong Impact of Having Been a “Good Kid”, with Maggie Nick, LCSW

You’re listening to Voices of Your Village, and today’s episode is for the good kids—and the adults they became. I got to sit down with Maggie Nick, Licensed Clinical Social Worker, therapist and founder of Camp Lovable, whose new book, Good Kids: Why You Suffered in Silence and How to Break the Cycle, dives into what it really means to be a “good kid”—and how that label can come with a cost.
We explored the nervous system responses behind compliance, how shame shows up for people-pleasers, and what happens when kids feel like they can’t have needs. Maggie brings such warmth and clarity to topics like fawning, neuroception, boundaries, and the grief that can come with realizing how early we learned to silence ourselves. We also talk about raising our own kids in this awareness—how to stand beside them, not against them when they struggle—and what it looks like to break the cycle while still parenting with boundaries.
If you’ve ever been the “easy one,” or you’re raising a kid who gets praised for never rocking the boat… this one’s for you. Alright folks, let’s dive in.

Connect with Maggie:

Instagram: @maggiewithperspectacles

Website: maggienick.com 

Order the book: Good Kids: Why You Suffered in Silence, and How to Break the Cycle

Podcast: Coming Summer 2026!

Connect with us:

Instagram and TikTok: @seed.and.sew 

Seed and Sew's NEW Regulation Questionnaire: Take the Quiz

Order Big Kids, Bigger Feelings now! 

Website: seedandsew.org

Credits:

Host: Alyssa Blask Campbell

Co-host: Rachel Lounder

Production/Editing: Kristin Mork-McVeigh

Graphics: Kayla Kurland-Davis/ Beki Rohrig

Music by: Ruby Adams and  Bensound

Check out the transcript on Spotify or Apple Podcasts!