This milestone episode of Literacy Talks marks 100 insightful conversations on literacy, and to celebrate, the hosts—Stacy Hurst, Donell Pons, and Lindsay Kemeny—unearthed a special gem: the never-before-aired original episode recorded in 2021. It’s a candid “time capsule” of their personal journeys into the science of reading, revealing how their perspectives were shaped by professional challenges, personal experiences, and, most importantly, the ever-evolving literacy landscape.
🔍 What You’ll Hear in This Episode
- Personal paths into literacy work—from dyslexia advocacy and classroom experience to higher education and curriculum design.
- Reflections on how understanding dyslexia, phonics, and structured literacy has grown over the last four years.
- The role of research in refining instructional practice, especially influences from authors like David Kilpatrick, Sally Shaywitz, and Marianne Wolf.
- A nostalgic and inspiring look back at the original goals of the podcast—and how far it’s come.
📚 Resources Mentioned in This Episode
Here are the books, authors, and organizations discussed—perfect for deepening your own science of reading journey:
- David Kilpatrick – Essentials of Assessing, Preventing, and Overcoming Reading Difficulties
👉 Find on Amazon - Sally Shaywitz – Overcoming Dyslexia
👉 Official Site - Marianne Wolf – Proust and the Squid
👉 Find on Amazon - Dr. Steve Dykstra – Noted for his “Bullseye Analogy” presentation at the Reading League Conference
👉 The Reading League - Structured Literacy framework
👉 International Dyslexia Association on Structured Literacy - Andrew Watson – The Goldilocks Map
👉 Author Site - Daniel Willingham – When Can You Trust the Experts?
👉 Find on Amazon
💬 Looking Back, Moving Forward
Reflecting on four years of progress, the hosts encourage listeners to consider: What has changed in your literacy practice since 2021? Whether you’re just starting or well into your journey, this episode reminds us that growth comes from staying curious, connected, and committed to better literacy for all.
🔗 Listen to the episode and access more resources here: Reading Horizons – Literacy Talks
