Literacy Talks

Episode 122: From Awareness to Action: Lessons from Literacy Changemakers

07 May 2026

Contributed by Lukas

What does it really take to improve literacy outcomes? In this wrap-up to the Changemakers series, Stacy Hurst, Donell Pons, and Lindsay Kemeny explor...

Episode 121: Turning Awareness into Impact with Kareem Weaver

30 Apr 2026

Contributed by Lukas

In this powerful conversation, Kareem Weaver—literacy advocate, educator, and featured voice in The Right to Read—challenges us to rethink what’...

Episode 120: Too Many Reading Assessments? What to Keep—and What to Let Go

22 Apr 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Are you spending too much time on assessments without getting the clarity you need? In this episode, we break down which reading assessments actually ...

Episode 119: Screening to Catch Reading Problems Before They Grow

15 Apr 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Show NotesEarly reading screening is one of the most powerful tools educators have—but only if it’s used well. In this episode of Literacy Talks, ...

Episode 118: You Have the Data—Now What? How to Actually Use Reading Data in Your Classroom

09 Apr 2026

Contributed by Lukas

If you’ve ever looked at your students’ reading data and wondered, “What am I actually supposed to do with this?”—this episode is for you.In...

Episode 117: What Your Reading Data Is Really Telling You

01 Apr 2026

Contributed by Lukas

What if the data you’re collecting could actually make your teaching easier—not more overwhelming? In this episode, we unpack what reading assessm...

Episode 116: Plain Talk Rewind: Practical Insights for Powerful Literacy Instruction

26 Mar 2026

Contributed by Lukas

What happens when you bring together thousands of literacy educators for one powerful conference? In this episode, we break down the biggest takeaways...

Episode 115: Changing the System: The Story Behind The Reading League

19 Mar 2026

Contributed by Lukas

What does it take to turn frustration into a nationwide movement? In this episode, Dr. Maria Murray shares the powerful story behind The Reading Leagu...

Episode 114: Investing in People, Not Programs: A District’s Literacy Transformation

12 Mar 2026

Contributed by Lukas

What does it take to transform literacy outcomes across an entire school district? In this episode of Literacy Talks, we explore how leadership, align...

Episode 113

26 Feb 2026

Contributed by Lukas

💬 Want more insights like this? Subscribe to the Literacy Talks Podcast Digest for episode recaps, resources, and teaching takeaways delivered stra...

Episode 112: Comprehension Starts at the Sentence Level

19 Feb 2026

Contributed by Lukas

We’ve spent years strengthening decoding instruction—but what if the next literacy shift begins at the sentence level? If we want true comprehensi...

Episode 111: Rethinking Literacy Through Community Collaboration

11 Feb 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Episode Summary:What if libraries played a central role in transforming literacy instruction? In this Changemaker Voices episode, Jenny Emery Davidson...

From Conversation to Collective Impact: Creating Change in Literacy

04 Feb 2026

Contributed by Lukas

What does it really take to change reading outcomes at scale?In this episode of Literacy Talks, Donell Pons, Stacy Hurst, and Lindsay Kemeny kick off ...

Literacy Wins and Wishes: 2025 Recap

17 Dec 2025

Contributed by Lukas

As 2025 draws to a close, the Literacy Talks trio—Stacy, Donell, and Lindsay—gather for a spirited season finale filled with highlights, reflectio...

Things We’ve Heard (That We Wish Weren’t True)

03 Dec 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Ever hear something in a meeting, online, or even at a conference that made you do a double take? In this episode, the hosts of Literacy Talks share s...

Rethinking AI Through a Literacy Lens: A Conversation with Viv Ramakrishnan

25 Nov 2025

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode of Literacy Talks, we sit down with Viv Ramakrishnan, founder of Project Read AI, to explore the intersection of artificial intelligen...

Inside Literacy: What Mattered Most at IDA 2025

05 Nov 2025

Contributed by Lukas

In this special recap episode, Stacy Hurst and Donell Pons share key takeaways from the 2025 International Dyslexia Association Conference. While Lind...

Through the Eyes of Dyslexia: A Mother-Son Story

29 Oct 2025

Contributed by Lukas

In this deeply personal episode of Literacy Talks, host Donell Pons sits down with her son Bridger for a heartfelt conversation about growing up—and...

Reflections from the Reading League Conference 2025

22 Oct 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Fresh from the Reading League Conference in Chicago, the Literacy Talks trio—Stacy Hurst, Donell Pons, and Lindsay Kemeny—share highlights, favori...

Free Literacy Sites We Actually Use (and Love)

15 Oct 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Looking for free, practical literacy tools that really work? In this episode, the hosts of Literacy Talks share their favorite go-to websites for ever...

Handwriting, Spelling, and Student Voice: A Writing Deep Dive

08 Oct 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Writing is anything but simple. In this episode, the hosts break down the foundational elements of writing instruction—from the mechanics of handwri...

Pet Peeves, Round 3: The Gripes That Just Won’t Quit

01 Oct 2025

Contributed by Lukas

We’re back with more of the literacy gripes that make us wince, laugh, and think deeper. In our third pet peeves episode, the Literacy Talks team—...

100 Episodes Later: Our Never-Aired First Episode

24 Sep 2025

Contributed by Lukas

We made it to 100 episodes! To celebrate, we’re doing something special—sharing the very first episode we ever recorded, one that never made it to...

The Great Syllable Debate: Balancing Science, Structure, and Student Needs

17 Sep 2025

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode, the hosts dive into the so-called “Great Syllable Debate,” unpacking recent research and long-standing practices around syllable ...

Making MTSS Work: Real Talk with Stephanie Stollar and Sarah Brown

10 Sep 2025

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode of Literacy Talks, we sit down with Dr. Stephanie Stollar and Dr. Sarah Brown—two leading voices in reading improvement and MTSS. To...

From Cookies to Keynotes: Our Big Sky Conference Recap

03 Sep 2025

Contributed by Lukas

What do cookies, comprehension, and courageous teaching have in common? They were all part of this year’s Big Sky Literacy Summit—and our team was...

Breaking Down the Language Domains with Dr. Tiffany Hogan

27 Aug 2025

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode, Dr. Tiffany Hogan joins the Literacy Talks team to unpack the five domains of language—phonology, morphology, syntax, semantics, an...

What Schools Must Understand About Dyslexia — with Tim Odegard

20 Aug 2025

Contributed by Lukas

In this powerful and deeply personal episode, Dr. Tim Odegard—renowned dyslexia researcher and advocate—joins hosts Stacy Hurst, Lindsay Kemeny, a...

No Merch, No Problem: Why SSSR Was Worth It — with Researcher Jake Downs

13 Aug 2025

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode, the Literacy Talks team is joined by researcher Jake Downs for a lively recap of the Society for the Scientific Study of Reading (SSS...

Back to School, Back to Basics: A Reading Reset

06 Aug 2025

Contributed by Lukas

In this season-opening episode of Literacy Talks, Stacy Hurst, Donell Pons, and Lindsay Kemeny kick off the school year with a powerful conversation a...

From Mighty to Masterful: Lindsay Kemeny’s Next Chapter

18 Jun 2025

Contributed by Lukas

In this special summer bonus episode of Literacy Talks, co-host Lindsay Kemeny steps into the spotlight to share the story behind her newest book, Roc...

From FOMO to Front Row: A Deep Dive into the Reading League Summit

14 May 2025

Contributed by Lukas

What happens when leading voices in literacy come together—not to lecture, but to listen, question, and grow? In this bonus episode, Donell Pons rec...

Season Finale: Highlights, High Points, and Lessons in Structured Literacy

01 May 2025

Contributed by Lukas

As we wrap up Season 7 of Literacy Talks, we reflect on a powerful journey through the lens of the 75th Anniversary Issue of the International Dyslex...

What Dr. Elsa Cárdenas-Hagan Taught Us About Structured Literacy for Multilingual Learners

24 Apr 2025

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode, we sit down with Dr. Elsa Cárdenas-Hagan—renowned author, educator, and advocate for multilingual learners—to explore how Struct...

The Magical Intersection: Where Structured Literacy Meets Tiered Instruction

16 Apr 2025

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode, the Literacy Talks team dives into Dr. Tim Odegard’s compelling article from Perspectives on Language and Literacy—“Structured ...

Expert Insights with Dr. Louise Spear-Swerling: Prioritizing the "How" in Literacy Instruction

10 Apr 2025

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode of Literacy Talks, we’re joined by the incomparable Dr. Louise Spear-Swerling—professor, researcher, and long-time advocate for ev...

Comprehension Starts Before the Text: Insights with Dr. Kate Cain

02 Apr 2025

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode, Dr. Kate Cain joins Literacy Talks hosts Stacy Hurst and Donell Pons to explore why comprehension isn’t just about decoding—it’...

Cracking the Code and Tying the Strands: Integrating Structured Literacy Across All Ages

26 Mar 2025

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode of Literacy Talks, Donell, Stacy, and Lindsay dive into Linnea Ehri’s article from Perspectives on Language and Literacy, exploring ...

The Infomap: A Roadmap for Teaching Literacy, Part 2

19 Mar 2025

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode of Literacy Talks, we continue our deep dive into the Structured Literacy Infomap, shifting our focus from word recognition, handwriti...

The Infomap: A Roadmap for Teaching Literacy, Part 1

12 Mar 2025

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode of Literacy Talks, we dive into the Structured Literacy Infomap, a powerful tool designed to align educators on the principles and pra...

The Ultimate Plain Talk Recap: Our Must-Share Insights from the Conference

06 Mar 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Join Literacy Talks hosts Stacy Hurst, Donell Pons, and Lindsay Kemeny as they dive into their favorite moments from the 2025 Plain Talk Conference! I...

Bridging the Gap: From Three Cueing to Structured Literacy

26 Feb 2025

Contributed by Lukas

This episode invites you into an eye-opening conversation about transforming reading instruction. Host Stacy Hurst, along with co-hosts Donnell Pons a...

The Urgency of Structured Literacy: Preventing Reading Failure

19 Feb 2025

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode of Literacy Talks, we dive into the essential question: Why is Structured Literacy critical for all learners?Hosts Stacy Hurst, Donell...

Structured Literacy: The Answer We’ve Had All Along

12 Feb 2025

Contributed by Lukas

For decades, we've had the research, the science, and the strategies to teach every child how to read—so why has it taken so long to put them i...

Structured Literacy Unpacked: Insights from IDA’s Landmark Issue

04 Feb 2025

Contributed by Lukas

This season opener of Literacy Talks dives into the foundational elements of structured literacy, inspired by the International Dyslexia Association&a...

Bright Beginnings: Shaping the Next Generation of Literacy Champions

08 Jan 2025

Contributed by Lukas

This bonus episode of Literacy Talks recaps the Bright Beginnings pre-service teacher conference. Hosted by Stacy Hurst and featuring insights from a ...

Addressing Some Misunderstandings of the Science of Reading

18 Dec 2024

Contributed by Lukas

In our Season 6 finale, the hosts dive deep into an article from The Reading League Journal that addresses common misunderstandings about the science ...

Part Two: Exploring Frustrations with Constructive Discussions

11 Dec 2024

Contributed by Lukas

This episode of Literacy Talks focuses on the hosts' shared pet peeves related to literacy education. Donell expresses frustration with the persi...

Dyslexia Talks: Empowering Students with Mentorship and Community Support

04 Dec 2024

Contributed by Lukas

This episode provides a powerful and inspiring look into the work of the Joseph James Morelli Legacy Foundation, which supports high school and colleg...

Leveraging Oral Language for Literacy Growth

27 Nov 2024

Contributed by Lukas

This episode of Literacy Talks examines the fundamental role of oral language in student success and literacy development. The hosts - Stacy, Donell, ...

Exploring Stanislas Dehaene's Groundbreaking Research on Reading Acquisition

21 Nov 2024

Contributed by Lukas

The trio dives into the insights and research of renowned neuroscientist Stanislas Dehaene on the cognitive science of reading. Dehaene's work ha...

Dyslexia Talks: Insights from Researcher and Professor of Psychology Tim Odegard

13 Nov 2024

Contributed by Lukas

In this insightful conversation, Donell Pons sits down with Dr. Tim Odegard, a leading expert in dyslexia research. Odegard shares his personal journe...

Exploring Frustrations with Constructive Discussions

06 Nov 2024

Contributed by Lukas

In this thoughtful episode of Literacy Talks, our hosts engage in a reflective discussion on insights and perspectives in the field of literacy educat...

Dyslexia Talks: Spotlighting Strengths and Reshaping the Narrative with Jeffrey Conger

30 Oct 2024

Contributed by Lukas

In this insightful conversation, Dr. Jeffrey Conger, a professor at Montana State University, shares his personal journey with dyslexia and the inspir...

Live from The Reading League Conference 2024—Highlights and Takeaways

23 Oct 2024

Contributed by Lukas

In this special episode of Literacy Talks, our hosts—Stacy Hurst, Donell Pons, and Lindsay Kemeny—take listeners on a journey through The Reading ...

Dyslexia Talks: Helping Students with Disabilities Succeed in College and Beyond with Christine Anderson

16 Oct 2024

Contributed by Lukas

In this insightful conversation, Donell Pons sits down with Christine Anderson, director of the Center for Disability and Access at the University of ...

Dyslexia Talks: A Personal Story of Perseverance, Discovery, and Advocacy with Curtis Pons

09 Oct 2024

Contributed by Lukas

In this powerful and personal episode, Donell Pons introduces her husband, Curtis, and his lifelong challenges with dyslexia. Through their candid con...

Depicting Dyslexia: Youth Advocate Michael Atkinson’s Inspiring Story and Advice

02 Oct 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Our hosts have a chat with Michael Atkinson, a recent high school graduate and youth advocate with Decoding Dyslexia Utah. Michael shares his personal...

Writing Matters: Integrating Reading and Writing Instruction

25 Sep 2024

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode of Literacy Talks, the terrific trio discusses the importance of teaching reading and writing in tandem. They explore teachers' c...

Connecting Literacy Research and Classroom Reality

18 Sep 2024

Contributed by Lukas

This episode of Literacy Talks explores the persistent challenge of bridging the research-to-practice gap in literacy education. Hosts Stacy Hurst, Do...

Multilingual Momentum: Accelerating Literacy for Diverse Learners

11 Sep 2024

Contributed by Lukas

This episode of Literacy Talks delves into the unique strengths and needs of multilingual learners (MLLs). Hosts Stacy Hurst, Donell Pons, and Lindsay...

Big Sky, Big Insights: Highlights from the 2024 Literacy Summit

04 Sep 2024

Contributed by Lukas

In the Season 6 premiere of Literacy Talks, hosts Stacy Hurst, Donell Pons, and Lindsay Kemeny dive into their experiences at the Big Sky Literacy Sum...

Cognitive Flexibility: The Mental Skill Every Learner Needs

05 Jun 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Switching between different cognitive tasks is critical in the classroom. Students learn one word can have multiple meanings. They move from one subje...

Big Numbers, Big Impact: Education Statistics and What They Mean for Literacy Instruction

22 May 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Our trio of experts takes a deep dive into statistics, looking at the data and trends in general education and what those numbers might mean for liter...

Comprehension: It’s the Heart of the Matter

08 May 2024

Contributed by Lukas

As we work to improve how we teach phonics, phonemic awareness, and word recognition while adding in writing instruction and content knowledge, we’r...

Little Literacy Controversies: Big Ideas to Find Common Ground

24 Apr 2024

Contributed by Lukas

As momentum continues to build for instructional practices and strategies rooted in the science of reading, sometimes controversies can arise. In this...

Spotlight on Dyslexia: Education, Advocacy, and Support

10 Apr 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Dyslexia is often misunderstood, missed altogether, and surrounded by myths. In this episode of Literacy Talks, our literacy experts revisit the state...

Informing and Transforming with Kindness, Patience, and Consideration

27 Mar 2024

Contributed by Lukas

As literacy instruction evolves and improves and the science of reading informs classroom practice more and more, we all need to make room for each ot...

Who Needs to Know What? Teachers and Students—Different Needs!

20 Mar 2024

Contributed by Lukas

There is much to know as we teach foundational and more advanced literacy. Here’s where questions arise. How much do teachers need to know about the...

Literacy Legislation: Challenges, Changes, and Choices

13 Mar 2024

Contributed by Lukas

In October of 2023, The Reading Council of North America filed a lawsuit against Ohio, attempting to reverse the state’s move to align classroom ins...

New Perspectives on the Orton-Gillingham Approach

06 Mar 2024

Contributed by Lukas

The Orton-Gillingham approach to teaching literacy is growing in popularity for students with dyslexia, and now it is often included in state-level ed...

All the Buzz from Plain Talk About Literacy and Learning 2024

21 Feb 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Whether you attended the Plain Talk 2024 Conference or wish you did, this episode is a whirlwind wrap-up of the event. From our hosts’ responses to ...

A Big Conversation about Small Group Instruction

07 Feb 2024

Contributed by Lukas

There is new interest in small group instruction as a key component of early literacy learning. Some educators are talking about skipping the small gr...

Valuable Words About Vocabulary, with Special Guest Dr. Elfrieda Hiebert

24 Jan 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Season 5 of Literacy Talks begins with a visit from special guest Dr. Elfrieda “Freddie” Hiebert, noted researcher, educator, author, and presiden...

Season’s Greetings and Literacy for All

13 Dec 2023

Contributed by Lukas

As the saying goes, “That’s a wrap!” This episode closes Season 4 of Literacy Talks. Our listening audience has grown remarkably, and we’re gr...

Writing: Rethinking How We Build the Foundation

29 Nov 2023

Contributed by Lukas

How can we encourage young learners to become confident writers? It’s a question every elementary classroom teacher continues to ponder. In this epi...

The Write Stuff: Handwriting Instruction and Why It Matters for Literacy

15 Nov 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Students’ ability to write fluently is important for literacy success. This episode tackles how we can confidently and carefully teach handwriting s...

ICYMI: The Reading League Conference 2023

08 Nov 2023

Contributed by Lukas

The Reading League Conference 2023 was a high-energy, high-impact event, and our three Literacy Talks hosts were there. This episode voices their obse...

Can We End “the Reading Wars?” Part Four—Comprehension Takes Center Stage

25 Oct 2023

Contributed by Lukas

With this episode of Literacy Talks, our literacy experts wrap up a four-part mini-series exploring the article Ending the Reading Wars: Reading Acqui...

Can We End “the Reading Wars?” Part Three—What is Skilled Word Reading?

18 Oct 2023

Contributed by Lukas

“There’s more to learning to read than phonics…” This statement is true, but without phonics at the core of foundational literacy, the progre...

Can We End “the Reading Wars?” Part Two—Cracking the Alphabetic Code

11 Oct 2023

Contributed by Lukas

This episode focuses on cracking the alphabetic code in part two of studying the article Ending the Reading Wars: Reading Acquisition From Novice to E...

Can We End “the Reading Wars?” Part One of a Four-Part Article Study

04 Oct 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Whether you participate in more formal professional learning communities or informal study groups with colleagues, you know the power of sharing and d...

A Mighty Moving Episode With Lindsay Kemeny

20 Sep 2023

Contributed by Lukas

This installment of Literacy Talks features and celebrates the publication of our own Lindsay Kemeny’s new bestselling book, 7 Mighty Moves: Researc...

The Story Gets Better With Special Guest Emily Hanford

06 Sep 2023

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode of Literacy Talks, the trio excitedly welcomes Emily Hanford, the award-winning journalist and media producer whose work and Sold a St...

We’ll Level With You: Unpacking the Reading Level Research

30 Aug 2023

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode of Literacy Talks, our trio of literacy experts unpacks all the information first introduced in Episode 3 of this season, featuring sp...

On Levels: A Candid Conversation with Guest Dr. Matt Burns

23 Aug 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Classroom teachers, families, reading coaches, and, most importantly, students have all experienced reading levels. In this compelling episode of Lite...

The Facts Matter: Data and Insights to Guide Your Back-to-School Approaches

16 Aug 2023

Contributed by Lukas

How many times have you heard the phrase, “Get real”? This episode extends our back-to-school conversation and focuses on the data and real-time i...

Welcome Back…to School!

09 Aug 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Whether you’re teaching for the first time or a seasoned classroom educator, the words ‘back to school’ always signal excitement, energy, and ne...

Lights, Camera, Literacy! Must-Watch Films about the Need to Read

07 Jun 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Pop some popcorn. Find a comfy couch. Settle in and listen to this episode of Literacy Talks as our terrific trio shares a lineup of films about liter...

When Students Need More: Techniques and Triumphs

23 May 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Every educator can relate to this episode as it delves into the complex issue of students encountering difficulties in reading. Our podcast hosts appr...

Set for Variability: Making Irregular Words a Regular Success

10 May 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Words that are spelled the same but are pronounced differently depending on their context can be perplexing for readers of all ages. What can you do? ...

Plain Talk 2023: Growing Literacy Momentum

25 Apr 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Whether you attended the March 2023 Plain Talk Conference in New Orleans or wish you did, this Literacy Talks episode will give you a front-row seat f...

Helping Hands: Bringing Families and Caregivers into Literacy Learning

11 Apr 2023

Contributed by Lukas

We’re all familiar with the phrase, “It takes a village to raise a child.” When it comes to literacy, that village includes teachers, families, ...

Space and Grace: The Drive for Improvement

29 Mar 2023

Contributed by Lukas

As schools and districts transform literacy instruction, invest in new professional learning for teachers, and train literacy coaches to implement ins...

Reading: The Numbers Help Tell the Story

14 Mar 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Reading and literacy statistics offer valuable insights. In this episode of Literacy Talks, our trio of reading experts takes a helpful look at the nu...

More Than a Few Words About Vocabulary

28 Feb 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Once students can master decoding, their vocabularies can blossom. In this episode of Literacy Talks, our trio of literacy experts tackles the challen...

Encouraging a Love of Reading

15 Feb 2023

Contributed by Lukas

How can we, as educators, caregivers, and family members, encourage a love of reading in students? This episode of Literacy Talks explores the challen...

SIDA 2022 Conference Recap

01 Feb 2023

Contributed by Lukas

In November 2022, our Literacy Talks hosts attended the International Dyslexia Association’s 73rd annual conference. In this episode, you’ll have ...

Being Intentional about the “Why!”

17 Jan 2023

Contributed by Lukas

The reading pendulum is swinging, and in this episode of Literacy Talks, our reading experts talk candidly about how to frame and navigate the changin...

Brave Voices for Literacy

04 Jan 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Our Literacy Talks trio of hosts took time to reflect on the things they’re grateful for and what they’re looking forward to in the months ahead. ...