Behind The Print: From Page to Heart, Printing Stories That Teach Emotional Intelligence
Welcome to the latest episode of Behind The Print, where we bring you the creative stories of industry leaders shaping the world of professional printing. In this episode, I sit down with Nadine Levitt, founder of My Mama Says, to discuss her journey of transforming emotional intelligence education for children and families. We’ll explore Nadine’s passion for fostering self-awareness, her experience in education and storytelling, and how print materials play a crucial role in engaging young minds and supporting parents. From storybooks to interactive learning tools, Nadine’s approach reflects a commitment to making emotional learning fun, accessible, and impactful.
Below, you’ll find the transcript of our conversation, edited for clarity to ensure easy reading. If you want the full, authentic experience, make sure to check out the video attached below.
9-minute read
“Printing your own stuff and just getting it out to people, even if it’s not the end result—it doesn’t have to be the final version. Seeing it as a journey and just getting started is the most important thing.” Nadine Levitt, Founder
Transcripts from Behind The Print with Nadine Levitt, Founder of My Mama Says
Welcome back to Behind The Print podcast, where we feature industry leaders and uncover the creative minds behind businesses in the professional printing world. Our mission is to provide you with inspiring, actionable resources to elevate your business projects and accelerate your journey to excellence in profit and print.
Today’s episode is From Page to Heart: Printing Stories That Teach Emotional Intelligence, and I’m here today with My Mama Says founder, Nadine Levitt.
Nadine Levitt: Hello, hello. Thank you for having me.
“Just do it. You gotta start somewhere. Right. And I think this is a prime example. You don’t have to make everything like this forever. You could just do a small run. And then when you workshop it, you decide, you know what? I could make that better.” Nadine Levitt, Founder
Zoe Fisher: Of course! I’m so glad to have you on the show. I love your little books—they’re so cute!
Nadine Levitt: Oh, thank you.
Zoe Fisher: So tell me, how did My Mama Says all start?
Nadine Levitt: Well, I have kids of my own and have been in education for over a decade now. I started in ed tech, but before that, I was a recovering lawyer and a touring opera singer, a very circuitous path to education! I’m incredibly passionate about learning and seeing those light bulb moments in kids.
One of my daughters is highly sensitive and has big emotions. I wanted to understand how to empower her, not repress her emotions but also hold her accountable for her actions. Emotional intelligence is foundational for relationship skills, academic performance, and decision-making. Learning how to regulate emotions and read others’ emotions is key to a happy and successful life.
Zoe Fisher: That’s really cool! So it started as a family project and became something much bigger. Who is your primary audience, and how does My Mama Says support families in developing children’s emotional intelligence?
Nadine Levitt: We started in schools, running workshops across the country. The first book we created was all about building emotional vocabulary for young kids. Research shows that just labeling emotions creates space around them. For example, saying I feel frustrated instead of just reacting makes a difference.
That book led to a direct-to-consumer subscription box for families. Every box is themed around a specific emotion and comes with tools to help kids understand, express, and regulate emotions.
We provide:
- ✅ Worksheets & puzzles to build emotional vocabulary
- ✅ Tools to calm the nervous system
- ✅ A storybook focused on the monthly emotion
- ✅ Tactile items (like plushies) that help regulate emotions
- ✅ A QR code for a rap version of the book, because music helps with retention!
One major difference between My Mama Says and other programs is that we go beyond the first emotion. Emotions don’t exist in isolation. We always feel a blend of emotions at any given time. Our books explore how different emotions interact, helping kids understand their full emotional landscape instead of just naming one feeling.
Zoe Fisher: That’s fascinating! Can you explain your approach to integrating emotional learning into everyday life?
Nadine Levitt: We use storytelling because it provides a safe space for kids to relate to situations without their alarms going off.
For example, in The Angry Hippo, kids watch the hippo’s emotions build, peak, and calm down. This leads to guided discussions for the kids like:
👉 What did the hippo do to calm down?
👉 Have you ever felt like that?
👉 Does deep breathing work for you?
Each box also includes physical reminders, like the Scared Penguin’s ice tray, which teaches kids to put their fear on ice and fact-check their thoughts. These little tools create fun, engaging ways to talk about emotions daily.
Zoe Fisher: I love that it includes both kids and parents in the learning process. What’s the impact of modeling emotional intelligence for children?
Nadine Levitt: There’s a saying: Don’t worry about whether your kids are listening to you. Worry about whether they’re watching you. Kids mirror what we do. It’s natural to lose our cool sometimes, but what’s important is how we recover. Saying, I didn’t handle that well, I should have taken a breath first, models self-awareness and accountability.
My own daughter once de-escalated me! She wasn’t following our morning plan, and I was about to lose it. She calmly said, Mom, are you telling yourself the story that I don’t care about our plan? Because that’s not true. I just got distracted. Give me 10 minutes and I’ll be ready. That totally shifted my mindset!
“Listening to who the customers really are, getting feedback wherever you can, even in social settings, and being open to honest responses is really important. We have to balance growth with making sure we don’t expand too quickly and stay true to what our mission really is. I never want to include something because it’s good enough. It’s gotta be awesome.” Nadine Levitt, Founder
Zoe Fisher: That’s such a powerful story! How do you manage the creative process for My Mama Says?
Nadine Levitt: I do everything myself! I write, edit, and illustrate the books, and I even create the music videos for the rap versions. The original illustrations were done by my friend Mitzi Rosas, but she has a full-time job, so I took over the art direction. It’s a lot, but having a structured schedule and deadlines keeps me on track.
Zoe Fisher: That’s impressive! How do you choose which emotions to feature and the characters that represent them?
Nadine Levitt: We brainstormed with kids in workshops, asking them how emotions feel in their bodies. For anger, kids described huffing, puffing, and stomping, so we paired it with a red hippo that stomps around. Each character is designed to match the behavior kids associate with each emotion.
We also use coloring sheets where kids fill in their own emotion words. One child labeled the monkey funny instead of grateful, which sparked a great discussion. Another child said they felt fluffy! Which led to a conversation about how emotions are personal!
“I think emotions are like watercolors—we feel many at once, and they all influence each other. The more we understand that, the better we can predict how people are feeling and how we respond to them.” Nadine Levitt, Founder
Zoe Fisher: That’s such a creative approach! Do you think this shaped the overall vision for My Mama Says?
Nadine Levitt: Absolutely! My Mama Says is always evolving. Emotional intelligence is a huge field of study, and as research progresses, so do we. Our goal is to be fun and effective, combining scientific research with real-world testing to refine our methods.
Zoe Fisher: What’s next for My Mama Says?
Nadine Levitt: We’re expanding into schools and testing a build-your-own box option where families can customize their kits. Long-term, I’d love to turn this into a free resource for schools and create a platform for kids to share their own stories about emotions.
Zoe Fisher: That’s exciting! On the flip side, what challenges are you facing?
Nadine Levitt: The biggest one is balancing growth with quality. I never want to include a product just because it’s “good enough.” Everything must be tested and effective. Another challenge is the e-commerce side, balancing subscriptions and one-time purchases is tricky from a software standpoint.
Zoe Fisher: What advice would you give to new business owners?
Nadine Levitt: Just start! Don’t wait for a publisher or an agent, just print your own work and test it with real customers. Workshopping ideas, getting feedback, and refining your product is key. You don’t have to be perfect from the start, just take the first step!
Zoe Fisher: That’s great advice!!
“Don’t worry about whether your kids are listening to you. Worry about whether they’re watching you. They will mirror what you do, not just what you say. The way we handle our own emotions teaches them everything.” Nadine Levitt, Founder
Zoe Fisher: How can listeners connect with you and subscribe to My Mama Says?
Nadine Levitt: Visit MyMamaSays.com for subscriptions and product details. Follow us on Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube @MyMamaSaysBook!
Zoe Fisher: Fantastic! Listeners, be sure to visit MyMamaSays.com and check them out on social media.
That’s a wrap on another episode of Behind The Print. Thanks to our listeners for joining us as we explore the artistry and innovation of the printing world. Remember, have a strong vision, build the right strategy, and use tools like print to amplify your message and make your brand stand out.
If you enjoyed today’s episode, be sure to get your sample pack today from PrintingCenterUSA.com and share it with your fellow business enthusiasts. Until next time, keep your creative sparks flying, and remember, there’s always more to discover behind the print.
Start Your Journey!
From impactful storytelling to transformative learning, Nadine Levitt from My Mama Says brings her passion for emotional intelligence to life through engaging books and interactive tools. Her work blends research-backed education with creativity, helping children and families navigate emotions in a fun and meaningful way. For Nadine, we have been a trusted partner in crafting high-quality printed materials that bring her vision to life. Whether it’s storybooks, activity kits, or educational resources, you can elevate your brand with professional printing. Order today!
