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Artwork for Sold a Story

Sold a Story

APM Reports
Direct Instruction
Success For All
Science Of Reading
Reading First
Ohio Literacy Programs
Reading Education
Neuroscience Of Reading
Zig Engelmann
Ed Reports
Literacy Coaching
Student Reading Proficiency
Common Core Standards
Education Research
Education Policy
Whole Language
Phonics
Project Follow Through
Dyslexia
Follow Through Project
Early Childhood Education

Sold a Story is an investigative podcast about how kids learn — what works in the classroom, the science behind those insights and why that research often doesn’t make it into schools. Season 1 revealed why so many kids are struggling to learn how to read, and it sparked a wave of change across the country. In Season 2, we go beyond reading to look at teaching itself.

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes30Founded4 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
DocumentarySociety & Culture

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Artwork for Sold a Story

Latest Episodes

Zig Engelmann’s Direct Instruction has a strong evidence base — so why is it so hard to find in schools? We look at why schools keep giving it up and visit a charter network in North Carolina that’s stuck with it for more than a quarter century.

Re... more

Direct Instruction has decades of research behind it, but what makes it work? We dig into Zig Engelmann’s theory of instruction, what cognitive science reveals about how children learn and what hundreds of studies show about the program’s effectivene... more

In a poor, Black neighborhood in Houston, Principal Thaddeus Lott transforms a struggling elementary school with Direct Instruction. Soon, his students are outperforming students at much wealthier schools. The results are so remarkable, some people t... more

Zig Engelmann gets the chance of a lifetime: Put Direct Instruction to the test in one of the largest education experiments ever conducted. The results could have changed the direction of American education. Instead, they’re contested — and ultimatel... more

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Recent Guests

Doug Carnine
Researcher who developed the theory of instruction with Zig Engelmann
Episode: S2 E5: Why It Works
Marty Siegel
Educator who worked with Zig Engelmann
Episode: S2 E5: Why It Works
Carl Hendrick
Former teacher who writes about cognitive science and teaching
Episode: S2 E5: Why It Works
Gene Stockard
Quantitative sociologist who analyzed research on Direct Instruction
Episode: S2 E5: Why It Works
Bob St. Pierre
Researcher who worked on the government evaluation of Project Follow Through
Episode: S2 E3: The Forgotten Experiment
Adrienne Allen
Direct Instruction coach who worked with Zig Engelmann on Project Follow Through
Episode: S2 E3: The Forgotten Experiment
Susie Andrist
Former college student who worked on Project Follow Through
Episode: S2 E3: The Forgotten Experiment
Zig Engelmann
Creator of Direct Instruction
Episode: S2 E3: The Forgotten Experiment
Gary Davis
Colleague of Zig Engelmann
Episode: S2 E3: The Forgotten Experiment

Host

Emily Hanford
Host of investigations into literacy education, focusing on the intersection of science and teaching practices.

Reviews

4.8 out of 5 stars from 12.8k ratings
  • Eye and Mind Opening

    Amazing podcast worth listenining to and sharing. Just happened to stumble across this jem of a podcast.

    Audible
    5
    HonestFeedback
    United States9 days ago
  • This explains a lot

    As a science educator in title I schools, I’ve always wondered why there was so much hate for direct instruction and this explains it. I was trained under constructivist theory but always knew that the population I taught needed to be taught. How does a kid who is in school poverty wonder about stoichiometry? They don’t, they have to be taught!!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Teyonda75
    United States11 days ago
  • Do I get the chance

    Conned by a man with

    Apple Podcasts
    4
    My hm jux
    United States11 days ago
  • Love it, informative, top tier podcast that can really change the world for good.

    Podcast Addict
    5
    kokella
    12 days ago
  • Hm c

    Just posted wort

    Apple Podcasts
    4
    Nightgjgh5
    United States13 days ago

Listeners Say

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

The coverage of systemic failures in the education system has resonated deeply, prompting engagements from educators and parents alike to advocate for evidence-based literacy practices.
Many find the content eye-opening, providing clarity on complex educational issues that affect children's literacy.
Listeners appreciate the investigative approach and personal stories shared throughout episodes, emphasizing the podcast's importance in raising awareness about reading instruction failures.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

‘Dyslexia and the Reading Wars’: Emily Hanford's Conversation with The New Yorker’s David Owen
Q: How can journalism help bridge the gap between complex research and practical classroom outcomes?
A long-form, in-depth approach that follows real-world implications, includes expert input, and uses personal stories to illustrate broader trends; it must avoid oversimplification while still making the material accessible.
‘Dyslexia and the Reading Wars’: Emily Hanford's Conversation with The New Yorker’s David Owen
Q: What should educators and the public take away about the science of reading and its implementation in schools?
Owen emphasizes that science supports more effective reading instruction, but translating it into classroom practice requires better communication between researchers, teachers, and policymakers, and sustained top-down and bottom-up commitment.

Audience Metrics

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

Listeners per Episode
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Frequently Asked Questions About Sold a Story

What is Sold a Story about and what kind of topics does it cover?

A rigorous investigation into the complexities of reading education, highlighting the gap between scientific literacy research and actual teaching methods in schools. Episodes feature personal narratives and systemic critiques, exploring the historical evolution of reading instruction and the consequences of ineffective teaching methods. The content is driven by powerful testimonials, scrutinizing the impact of educational policies on literacy rates, particularly among underprivileged communities. With a unique blend of personal stories and investigative journalism, the narrative seeks to empower parents, educators, and policymakers to approach literacy education from a more informed perspective, emphasizing the necessity of evidence-based ... more

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Which podcasts are similar to Sold a Story?

These podcasts share a similar audience with Sold a Story:

1. Science of Reading: The Podcast
2. Melissa & Lori Love Literacy ® | Science of Reading for Teachers
3. Chalk & Talk
4. Reach All Readers
5. The Cult of Pedagogy Podcast

How many episodes of Sold a Story are there?

Sold a Story launched 4 years ago and published 30 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 Sold a Story?

Recent guests on Sold a Story include:

1. Doug Carnine
2. Marty Siegel
3. Carl Hendrick
4. Gene Stockard
5. Bob St. Pierre
6. Adrienne Allen
7. Susie Andrist
8. Zig Engelmann

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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