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Literacy Talks

Reading Horizons
Dyslexia
Science Of Reading
Structured Literacy
Literacy
Education
Literacy Education
Reading Proficiency
Phonics
Phonemic Awareness
Teaching Strategies
Literacy Instruction
Reading Instruction
Assessment
Teacher Training
Comprehension
Reading Comprehension
International Dyslexia Association
Plain Talk Conference
Teaching Practices
Explicit Instruction

Welcome to Literacy Talks, a podcast from Reading Horizons, where reading momentum begins. Each episode features our trio of literacy champions: Stacy Hurst, an assistant professor of reading at Southern Utah University and Chief Academic Advisor at Reading Horizons; Donell Pons, a dyslexia specialist, educator, presenter, and writer, who now works with adults with reading challenges; and Lindsay ... more

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes131Founded5 years ago
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Education

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Artwork for Literacy Talks

Latest Episodes

Dyslexia awareness has grown dramatically—but has that awareness translated into meaningful change for students? Stacy, Donell, and Lindsay explore what’s happening in schools, what may still be missing, and what it will take to turn greater awarenes... more

YouTube

Fresh from the Big Sky Literacy Summit, Stacy Hurst and Donell Pons bring Lindsay Kemeny—and listeners—inside the conversations that had them thinking, questioning, and taking notes. Hear which ideas rose to the top and why they could matter for the ... more

YouTube

Are we reading less—or is the way we read changing? Inspired by a provocative recent article in The Atlantic, Stacy, Donell, and Lindsay take on some big questions about reading, attention, and what it means to be a reader today. Their conversation e... more

YouTube

Third-grade retention laws are gaining momentum—but does repeating a grade actually help struggling readers? Stacy, Donell, and Lindsay explore what the research suggests and why earlier, evidence-based intervention may be the better answer.

Show No... more

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Recent Guests

Andrea Setmeyer
Special guest appearing as an honorary host
Episode: Episode 124: The Best Assessment Takeaways from the Reading League Summit
Kareem Weaver
Educator and leader focused on literacy access
Fulcrum
Episode: Episode 121: Turning Awareness into Impact with Kareem Weaver
Adrea Truckenmiller
Associate professor at Michigan State University, school psychologist
Michigan State University
Episode: Episode 120: Too Many Reading Assessments? What to Keep—and What to Let Go
Patrick Kennedy
Dr. Patrick Kennedy, author of an article in The Reading League Journal focused on dyslexia screening
University of Oregon (referenced)
Episode: Episode 119: Screening to Catch Reading Problems Before They Grow
Jessica Toste
Editor of The Reading League Journal; Associate Professor focusing on reading development
The Reading League; University of Texas at Austin
Episode: Episode 118: You Have the Data—Now What? How to Actually Use Reading Data in Your Classroom
Elizabeth Lammerow
Representative, The Reading League
The Reading League
Episode: Episode 117: What Your Reading Data Is Really Telling You
Maria Murray
Special guest
[not explicitly stated in transcript]
Episode: Episode 115: Changing the System: The Story Behind The Reading League
Grant Rivera
Superintendent of the Marietta School District
Marietta School District
Episode: Episode 114: Investing in People, Not Programs: A District’s Literacy Transformation
Justin Browning
Founder of Soar for More, educator and district implementation leader
Soar for More
Episode: Episode 113: Literacy Improvement Moves at the Speed of Leadership

Hosts

Stacy Hurst
Host of Literacy Talks; professor and chief academic advisor at Reading Horizons
Donell Pons
Host of Literacy Talks, Dyslexia specialist; educator, presenter, and writer
Lindsay Kemeny
Co-host of Literacy Talks; elementary teacher and author; certified Structured Literacy specialist

Reviews

4.7 out of 5 stars from 109 ratings
  • Love this podcast

    I’m so grateful for this podcast. Your advice, candid conversation, honesty, and intentionality on who you bring on as guests are all so helpful for those of us in the world of literacy. You’ve inspired me to continue my own education and deepen my training to support teachers and other professionals in the field. Bravo!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Gk1180
    United States4 months ago
  • Strong Language 1

    Excellent podcast! I really enjoy the candid conversations. I’d love to hear a conversation about teaching and encouraging ELL families to strengthen their L1 so they can have a stronger L2. There is still a myth that if they want their child to learn English they should limit L1 speech.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Belinda40
    United States9 months ago
  • Powerful

    Wow, wow, wow! Listening to the episode about the life experience and journey that Donell’s husband, Curtis has had was so powerful. Thank you for sharing your words, feelings, thoughts and vulnerability. Every teacher should listen to this one (and every episode with this fabulous trio of hosts)!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    ClarkeNatalie
    United States2 years ago
  • Insightful

    I always find the episodes so insightful. They provide such helpful information. I feel inspired to do the best I can for my students with help from great podcasts like this one.

    Apple Podcasts
    4
    greatway yo start my morning.
    United States2 years ago
  • Talking out of both sides of their mouth

    The episode on Writing matters was infuriating. The hosts disparage Calkins and her approach to writing, yet they exalt the exact lessons and philosophies of writing instruction that Calkins has had in place for years. MANY of the “ideas” they shared were literally ripped from the pages of Calkins’ units of study. Calkins did phenomenal things for writing instruction. The hosts also mention ThinkSRSD in this episode, which is also very much copied from Calkins’s work. Can we stop skirting aroun... more

    Apple Podcasts
    3
    makenzie132
    United States2 years ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

Guest lineups are diverse and consistently center students' needs.
Candid conversations and actionable guidance across literacy topics.
Content is insightful and motivating for teachers seeking to improve literacy outcomes.
Listeners appreciate the mix of practical tips and research-grounded discussion.

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Episode 115: Changing the System: The Story Behind The Reading League
Q: How has the Reading League evolved since its inception?
From a grassroots gathering to a nationwide network with chapters, conferences, a summit, and a scholarly journal, all aimed at disseminating and implementing science-based reading practices while focusing on equity and professional learning.
Episode 115: Changing the System: The Story Behind The Reading League
Q: What inspired the founding of the Reading League?
The founders were frustrated by the recurring 'that's not our job' refrain and believed teachers needed direct access to science-based reading knowledge; this motivation spurred the creation of a national network and resources to empower educators.
Episode 111: Rethinking Literacy Through Community Collaboration
Q: What about the summit makes it so special?
Jenny describes the summit as a space for engaged collaboration among educators and scholars, emphasizing the importance of shared learning and the vibrant discussions that arise during the event.
Episode 111: Rethinking Literacy Through Community Collaboration
Q: What gaps do you think libraries can fill?
Jenny discusses how libraries can be more nimble in their community responses and highlights their role in fostering a love of reading and access to educational resources.
Episode 111: Rethinking Literacy Through Community Collaboration
Q: How did that transition happen to working at the library?
Jenny shares that her increasing passion for education and a discouragement with higher education led her to apply for the director position at the Community Library in Ketchum, which she has loved for its unique ability to provide flexible educational services.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

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Gender Skew
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Frequently Asked Questions About Literacy Talks

What is Literacy Talks about and what kind of topics does it cover?

A practical, educator-focused show that centers on literacy Instruction, assessment, and system-wide implementation. Across episodes, the discussions cover structured literacy, dyslexia, MTSS, and district-wide literacy transformations, blending classroom strategies with policy and leadership insights. Guests range from school-based practitioners to researchers and administrators, all exploring how to translate research into actionable instruction, data-informed decision making, and scalable programs. A notable strength is the trio of hosts who bring hands-on experience from Reading Horizons, coupled with guests who connect classroom realities to district pathways, making it valuable for teachers, coaches, and literacy leaders seeking tangi... more

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How many listeners does Literacy Talks get?

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How many episodes of Literacy Talks are there?

Literacy Talks launched 5 years ago and published 131 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

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What guests have appeared on Literacy Talks?

Recent guests on Literacy Talks include:

1. Andrea Setmeyer
2. Kareem Weaver
3. Adrea Truckenmiller
4. Patrick Kennedy
5. Jessica Toste
6. Elizabeth Lammerow
7. Maria Murray
8. Grant Rivera

To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.

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