Reading Inspires by Reading Is Fundamental
Reading Inspires is a podcast by Reading Is Fundamental that celebrates the power of books and the joy of reading. Each episode features conversations with educators, librarians, families, authors, illustrators, and literacy advocates, all exploring the question: “What does reading inspire for you?” The show connects research with real-world practice, showing what literacy looks like in classrooms, libraries, and homes. It offers inspiration, practical insights, and stories that highlight why reading matters and how it can change lives.
Episodes
Growing Up Bilingual: Grace Bastidas on Books, Culture, and Raising Connected Readers
Summary
Grace Bastidas joins Reading Inspires to talk about the stories, books, and cultural traditions that shaped her as a reader—and how she is passing those gifts on to her own children. Grace is a journalist, speaker, parenting expert, and the former editor in chief of Parents.
Drawing on her Colombian heritage and experience raising bilingual children in a multicultural home, Grace
From Rocket City to the Artemis Generation: Lane Polak on Making NASA's Story Matter
Summary
What does it take to help children see themselves in the story of space exploration? Lane Polak, a technical writer and strategic communications professional for NASA’s Space Launch System (SLS) at Marshall Space Flight Center, joins Reading Inspires to talk about his unconventional path to NASA and the creative work behind making the Artemis program accessible to young readers.
L
Building a Culture of Reading: Denine Torr and Alicia Levi on Literacy Access
Summary
Erin Bailey talks with Denine Torr of the Dollar General Literacy Foundation and Alicia Levi of Reading Is Fundamental about why literacy access is a community responsibility. They discuss the long partnership between Dollar General and RIF, the specific barriers facing rural communities, the importance of books in homes and schools, and the role of motivation, confidence, and pra
Life Really Socks: How Two Cousins Turned Mismatched Socks into Stories of Belonging
SummaryWhat happens when two cousins turn a drawer full of lost socks into a graphic-story universe? Erin Bailey talks with Shidan and Roshan Youssefian, creators of Life Really Socks, a playful book series about mismatched socks, friendship, individuality, and belonging.Shidan and Roshan grew up in Italy in a culturally mixed family, followed different professional paths, and came togeth
Read, Lead, Succeed with Abby Quammen Conrad
Dr. Erin Bailey sits down with Abby Quammen Conrad, former Miss New York 2024, to discuss her lifelong passion for children's literacy. Abby shares how books became a source of stability after losing her home at age 12, and how that experience shaped her Read Lead Succeed initiative, through which she's run book drives, after-school reading programs in the Bronx, and tutored students one-
Rethinking Kids' Media Habits with Dr. Tiffany Munzer
Dr. Erin Bailey talks with Dr. Tiffany Munzer, a developmental behavioral pediatrician and digital media researcher at the University of Michigan, about screen time and children's development. They discuss how screen time guidance has shifted from rigid time limits to a focus on quality, content, and connection — emphasizing co-viewing, high-quality media (like PBS Kids and Skybrary), and
Lighting the Way to Reading Joy with Rina Madhani
In this episode, Dr. Erin Bailey speaks with Rina Madhani, co-founder of Start Lighthouse, about transforming underutilized school libraries into vibrant literacy hubs across New York City public schools. Rina shares how her time as a Bronx classroom teacher revealed deep inequities in access to books, inspiring her to launch an organization that staffs full-time educators in school libra
Building Confident Readers Through High Quality Decodables with Christine Hjorth, Cherish Mims & Letitia Truslow
In this episode, Dr. Erin Bailey hosts Christine Hjorth (author of the Aligned Decodables and CEO of Aligned Educational Resources), Cherish Mims (Epic's Manager of Education Relations), and Letitia Truslow (leads Epic School Plus) to discuss Epic's expansion of 250+ decodable books on its platform. The conversation covers what makes decodable texts effective for early readers, how they'r
Reclaiming, Reading, and Living the Story with Dr. Valarie Lee, Dr. Marjorie Madden & Dr. Susan Browne
In this episode, host Erin Bailey sits down with Dr. Valerie Lee, Dr. Marjorie Madden, and Dr. Susan Browne — longtime colleagues and co-authors from Rowan University — to discuss their book Literary Life Histories: Reclaiming, Reading, and Living the Story. The three educators share how their RISP framework (Read, Interpret, Script, Perform) invites students of all ages to go beyond surf
Toddlers Can Read with Spencer Russell
In this episode, host Dr. Erin Bailey sits down with Spencer Russell, founder of Toddlers Can Read, to discuss his journey from a struggling reader to a literacy advocate and educator. Spencer shares how his own challenges with reading as a child shaped his mission to empower parents as the most powerful — yet underutilized — tool in fighting illiteracy.About Spencer Russell:Spencer Russe
Race to Kindness with Orion Jean
At just 15, Orion Jean — TIME's 2021 Kid of the Year and founder of Race to Kindness — joins Dr. Erin Bailey to discuss how a fourth-grade kindness speech contest sparked a movement that's grown into initiatives distributing toys, meals, and over 500,000 books. Orion shares the origins of his nonprofit, his current Race to One Million Acts of Kindness campaign, and lessons on leadership d
Why Comics Belong in Every Classroom with Shannon Live
In this episode, host Dr. Erin Bailey sits down with Shannon Live, founder of Bat City Comics, at Comic-Con to explore how comics and graphic novels can transform literacy education. Shannon shares her journey from reluctant educator to comics advocate, explains the research behind why graphic novels boost vocabulary and lower the "affective filter" that blocks learning, and offers practi
Authentic Disability Representation in Children's Books with Jenna Elyse Johnson
In this episode of Reading Inspires, host Dr. Erin Bailey talks with author, educator, and bookseller Jenna Elyse Johnson about writing authentic disability representation for kids. Jenna shares her path from teacher to author, her personal experience with cerebral palsy and epilepsy, and how her books Every Body Move and I Spark Like Lightning celebrate mobility tools and epilepsy with j
Artfully Teaching Reading with Project-based Learning with Dr. Chase Young, Dr. Seth Parsons & Dr. Allison Ward Parsons
In this episode, Dr. Erin Bailey is joined by three literacy educators and co-authors — Dr. Chase Young (Sam Houston State University), Dr. Seth Parsons, and Dr. Allison Ward Parsons (both from George Mason University) — to discuss their book Artfully Teaching Reading with Project-Based Learning and the Future of Engaging Literacy Instruction. Together, they make a passionate case for bri
The Power of Story with Mary Pope Osborne
In this episode, Dr. Erin Bailey sits down with Mary Pope Osborne — author of the beloved Magic Tree House series — to explore how a life of adventure, imagination, and a love of words led to one of the most iconic children's book series of all time. Mary shares the origin of Jack and Annie's tree house, her dedication to literacy access through the Magic Tree House Classroom Adventures p
Building Young STEM Readers with Jay Flores
In this episode, Dr. Erin Bailey sits down with Jay Flores — engineer, author, and upcoming American Ninja Warrior competitor — to explore the powerful intersection of literacy, STEM, and representation. Jay shares how his lifelong curiosity, nurtured by a supportive family, led him from tinkering with pots and pans as a child to becoming an engineer and now a children's book author. His
The 1% Kid with Channing Chasten
In this episode host Dr. Erin Bailey sits down with Channing Chasten — former Ohio State and professional soccer player, author of The 1% Kid, and founder of the 1% Kid Foundation. Channing shares how growing up with a teacher mom, a love of Percy Jackson, and a determination to get "1% better every day" shaped both his athletic and academic journey. He opens up about navigating the deman
Every Family Is Worth Celebrating with Khrisma Antoinette
In this episode, Dr. Erin Bailey sits down with Khrisma Antoinette, author of children's books for kids in non-traditional family structures, including Precious Love and He's Mine. Khrisma shares how a church book club first introduced her to a main character who looked like her — a moment that sparked her mission to ensure all children see themselves in the books they read.The conversati
The Early Childhood Promise with Dr. Aimee Ketchum & Dr. Crystal Loose
In this episode, host Dr. Erin Bailey welcomes Dr. Aimee Ketchum, a pediatric occupational therapist and founder of Aimee's Babies, and Dr. Crystal Loose, a former teacher, reading specialist, and professor of early learning at West Chester University. Together, they co-host the Plant the Seed of Learning podcast and co-authored The Early Childhood Promise: Sparking Change for Parents, Ea
Helping Every Child Feel Seen with Maya Lê
In this episode, host Dr. Erin Bailey welcomes Maya Lê, creator of MaiStoryBook, in celebration of Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander Heritage Month. Maya shares her personal journey as a half-Vietnamese, half-Filipino creator who grew up with little cultural representation in children's books, and how that experience shaped her mission to ensure every child can see the
Every Book Is a Mental Health Book with Jessica Jones White
In this episode, host Dr. Erin Bailey sits down with Jessica Jones White — assistant principal, licensed counselor, and literacy advocate — to explore the powerful intersection of reading and mental health. Jessica shares her personal journey as a student with a 504 plan who found solace in books, and explains why every book is, at its core, a mental health book. The conversation covers b
The Science & Art of Effective Read-Alouds with Dr. Jill Pentimonti
In this episode, Dr. Erin Bailey sits down with Dr. Jill Pentimonti, a member of Reading is Fundamental's Early Childhood Literacy Advisory Board, to explore the science and art of effective preschool read-alouds. Jill shares her journey from finance major to early childhood educator to researcher, driven by her passion for understanding how young brains develop language and literacy skil
Memorable Lessons from Ordinary Moments with Matt Eicheldinger
In this Teacher Appreciation Week episode, host Erin Bailey chats with New York Times bestselling author and educator Matt Eicheldinger about his journey from reluctant reader to published author, how a classroom "story jar" sparked his writing career, and practical strategies for reaching kids who don't love reading — from short chapters and cliffhangers to finding the one book that hook
Leveled Reading, Leveled Minds with Dr. Tim Shanahan
In this episode, host Erin Bailey sits down with Dr. Timothy Shanahan — professor emeritus, former president of the International Literacy Association, and Reading Hall of Fame inductee — to discuss his groundbreaking new book, Leveled Reading, Leveled Lives.Dr. Shanahan challenges one of education's most deeply held assumptions: that students should be matched to texts at their individua
Creating Evidence-Based Reading Material for Families with Dr. Caitlin Khoury
Dr. Erin Bailey speaks with licensed pediatric psychologist Dr. Caitlin Khoury about her role in developing Lovevery's Reading Skillset. Dr. Khoury shares her journey from graduate school research and reading clinics to clinical practice assessing children for learning disabilities, and how those experiences shaped her approach to creating evidence-based reading materials for families. Th
Trusting Readers with Dr. Jennifer Scoggin and Hannah Schneewind
Dr. Erin Bailey talks with Dr. Jennifer Scoggin and Hannah Schneewind, founders of Trusting Readers and authors of Trusting Readers: Powerful Practices for Independent Reading. The duo shares their journeys from classroom teachers to literacy consultants and explains why trust—in teachers, students, and the independent reading process itself—is central to their philosophy. They break down
Reading and Relevance Reimagined with Dr. Katie Sciurba
Dr. Erin Bailey welcomes Dr. Katie Sciurba, assistant professor at the University of Georgia and author of Reading and Relevance Reimagined: Celebrating the Literacy Lives of Young Men of Color. Dr. Sciurba shares how her experiences as a fourth and fifth grade teacher in the Bronx led her to question assumptions about what makes reading relevant to students. She introduces her four dimen
The Evolving Landscape of Reading Assessment with Dr. Elena Forzani
Host Dr. Erin Bailey talks with Dr. Elena Forzani, a Boston University literacy researcher, about the evolving landscape of reading assessment and equity. Dr. Forzani shares her journey from first-grade teacher to assessment specialist, sparked by disillusionment with teaching-to-the-test practices. She discusses her work on the 2026 NAEP reading framework and explains how this "low-stake
Supporting Young Learners Through Uncertainty with Dr. Lauren Loquasto
In this episode of Reading Inspires, host Dr. Erin Bailey speaks with Dr. Lauren Loquasto, Chief Academic Officer at Goddard Systems, about supporting young children through big emotions and difficult conversations. Dr. Loquasto explains how children's brains operate in three states—survival, emotional, and executive—and why understanding these states is crucial for parents and educators
Read What Your Kids Are Reading with Nick Bruel
In this episode, host Erin Bailey talks with New York Times bestselling author and illustrator Nick Bruel, creator of the Bad Kitty series. Nick shares his path from bookseller at Books of Wonder to published author, his creative process using pen, pencil, and watercolor, and how early reading experiences—from Go, Dog, Go to the obscure Fat Cat—shaped his career. The conversation explores
Stauffer's Simply Animals with Sabetha Wells
In this episode of Reading Inspires, Dr. Erin Bailey speaks with Sabetha Wells, Quality Assurance lead at Stauffer's Biscuit Company, about the meaningful connection between snack time and story time as Stauffers celebrates 155 years and RIF marks 60 years. Sabetha shares how her grandmother's tradition of reading "How the Grinch Stole Christmas" alongside Stauffer's holiday cookies inspi
Creating Characters That Connect with Dan Yaccarino
In this episode of Reading Inspires, author and illustrator Dan Yaccarino joins Dr. Erin Bailey to discuss his creative journey from childhood drawings to beloved children's books and animated series like Oswald and Doug Unplugs. He shares insights on collaborating versus working solo, teases upcoming projects including Piccolo and two new animated series, and reflects on how reading insp
Reciprocal Teaching Strategies that Boost Comprehension with Lori Oczkus
In this episode, Erin Bailey sits down with literacy expert Lori Oczkus to explore reciprocal teaching and the "Fab Four" comprehension strategies. Lori shares her journey from classroom teacher to literacy coach, explaining how she transformed the research-based reciprocal teaching method into an engaging, accessible approach for students of all ages. The Fab Four—predicting, questioning
The Power of Picture Books with Dr. Deborah Pope & Jocelyn McCarthy
In this episode of Reading Inspires, host Dr. Erin Bailey speaks with Dr. Deborah Pope, Executive Director, and Jocelyn McCarthy, Associate Director of the Ezra Jack Keats Foundation, about the legacy of beloved children's author Ezra Jack Keats and the foundation's mission to champion diversity in children's literature. The foundation, established in 1964 after the publication of The Sno
Every Book is an Early Childhood Book
In this Every Book Counts webinar, host Erin Bailey welcomes Dr. Jill Pentimonti, Associate Research Professor at the University of Notre Dame and Executive Director of Research Advancement, to explore shared book reading as one of the most powerful tools for building young children's language, vocabulary, and comprehension skills. Dr. Pentimonti explains the essential building blocks of
Inspiring Middle School Readers to Read with Dr. Dowan McNair-Lee
In this episode, Erin Bailey interviews Dr. Dowan McNair-Lee about her experiences teaching literacy to middle school students. They discuss the importance of student choice in reading, the appeal of graphic novels and diverse texts, and the challenges educators face in balancing classic literature with contemporary works. The conversation also addresses the impact of the COVID-19 pandemi
Generative AI in the Writing Classroom
This webinar, part of the Every Educator Counts series, explores how generative AI and large language models (LLMs) can be thoughtfully and responsibly integrated into writing instruction. Dr. Shannon Kane, an expert in literacy and technology integration, leads the session, focusing on both the opportunities and challenges of using AI in education.Key Points:Generative AI as a Tool: AI c
AI Literacy with Dr. Shannon Kane
In this episode of the Reading Inspires podcast, host Erin Bailey sits down with Dr. Shannon Kane, an assistant clinical professor and literacy expert, to explore the intersection of artificial intelligence and literacy education. Dr. Kane shares her unique journey from international development to K-12 education and higher ed, and discusses how she and her colleagues began investigating
Read Aloud, Reach Every Learner
This webinar, hosted by Reading Is Fundamental (RIF), explores the critical role of reading aloud in fostering literacy and language comprehension for children of all ages. Dr. Molly Ness, a literacy expert, shares research-backed insights on the cognitive, emotional, and physiological benefits of read-alouds, both at home and in classrooms. Key points include:Reading aloud is the single
The Library Dads with Khari Arnold
In this episode of the Reading Inspires podcast, host Erin Bailey welcomes Khari Arnold, the founder of Library Dads, to discuss his journey and the mission behind his organization. Khari shares the story of how Library Dads began, highlighting the importance of father figures and male role models in promoting reading among children. The conversation explores the challenges and successes
Curiosity Over Clicks: Rekindling a Love of Reading in the Digital Age
In this episode, Dr. Erin Bailey hosts a conversation with bestselling children's authors and educators Susan Verde and Emma Walton Hamilton, exploring how to nurture a lifelong love of reading in children amidst the distractions of the digital age. The discussion highlights the cognitive and emotional benefits of reading, contrasts the effects of screen time versus print, and offers prac
The Transformative Power of Reading Aloud with Dr. Molly Ness
In this episode, host Erin Bailey welcomes Dr. Molly Ness, a renowned literacy expert, to discuss the transformative power of reading aloud. Dr. Ness shares her journey from classroom teacher to researcher, emphasizing that read alouds are not just enjoyable but essential for language comprehension, emotional well-being, and building lifelong readers. She explains that reading aloud shoul
Every Educator Counts: Science + Joy = Impact: The Writing Process
This is a recording of the webinar “Science + Joy= Impact: The Writing Process” presented by Jennifer Jump, Senior Academic Officer at Teacher Created Materials. Get ready to rediscover the power and playfulness of writing! In this energizing webinar, we’ll unpack the writing process not as a rigid sequence, but as a flexible, recursive journey where every stage—prewriting, drafting, revi
The Importance of K-2 Writing with Dr. Daris McInnis
In this episode, host Erin Bailey welcomes Dr. Daris McInnis, an educator with a unique journey from the military to early childhood teaching. Erin and Daris discuss the developmental milestones in K-2 writing, emphasizing the importance of handwriting, fine motor skills, and authentic writing experiences for young children. Daris explains concepts like invented and phonetic spelling, and
60 Years of Reading Is Fundamental with Alicia Levi and Jack Remondi
In this special 60th anniversary episode of Reading Inspires, host Dr. Erin Bailey speaks with Alicia Levi, President and CEO of Reading Is Fundamental, and Jack Remondi, Chairman of RIF's Board of Directors, to reflect on six decades of literacy leadership. The conversation explores how RIF's mission has remained steadfast since 1966—closing the gap in book access for children who need i
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