Reading Inspires by Reading Is Fundamental
Reading Inspires is Reading Is Fundamental’s new podcast celebrating the power of books and the joy of reading.
Reading Is Fundamental · RIF
Show overview
Reading Inspires by Reading Is Fundamental has published 38 episodes during 2026. That works out to roughly 25 hours of audio in total. Releases follow a weekly cadence.
Episodes typically run thirty-five to sixty minutes — most land between 31 min and 43 min — and the run-time is fairly consistent across the catalogue. None of the episodes are flagged explicit by the publisher. It is catalogued as a EN-language Education show.
The show is actively publishing — the most recent episode landed 6 days ago, with 38 episodes already out so far this year. Published by RIF.
From the publisher
Reading Inspires is Reading Is Fundamental’s new podcast celebrating the power of books and the joy of reading. Each episode invites educators, librarians, families, authors, illustrators, and all who champion children’s literacy to explore one big question: What does reading inspire for you? Through engaging conversations and storytelling, Reading Inspires bridges the gap between research and real-world practice—showing what literacy looks and feels like in classrooms, libraries, and homes. Grounded in evidence yet open-ended in approach, this is a space for curiosity and connection. Whether you’re an educator seeking fresh ideas, a parent hoping to spark a love of reading, or simply a lifelong bookworm, you’ll find inspiration, practical insights, and stories that remind us all why reading matters—and how it changes lives.
Latest Episodes
View all 38 episodesBuilding Confident Readers Through High Quality Decodables with Christine Hjorth, Cherish Mims & Letitia Truslow
Reclaiming, Reading, and Living the Story with Dr. Valarie Lee, Dr. Marjorie Madden & Dr. Susan Browne
Toddlers Can Read with Spencer Russell
Race to Kindness with Orion Jean
Why Comics Belong in Every Classroom with Shannon Live
Authentic Disability Representation in Children's Books with Jenna Elyse Johnson
Artfully Teaching Reading with Project-based Learning with Dr. Chase Young, Dr. Seth Parsons & Dr. Allison Ward Parsons
The Power of Story with Mary Pope Osborne
Building Young STEM Readers with Jay Flores
The 1% Kid with Channing Chasten
Every Family Is Worth Celebrating with Khrisma Antoinette
The Early Childhood Promise with Dr. Aimee Ketchum & Dr. Crystal Loose
Helping Every Child Feel Seen with Maya Lê
Every Book Is a Mental Health Book with Jessica Jones White
The Science & Art of Effective Read-Alouds with Dr. Jill Pentimonti
Memorable Lessons from Ordinary Moments with Matt Eicheldinger
Leveled Reading, Leveled Minds with Dr. Tim Shanahan
Creating Evidence-Based Reading Material for Families with Dr. Caitlin Khoury
Trusting Readers with Dr. Jennifer Scoggin and Hannah Schneewind
Ep 19Reading 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 dimensions of relevance—identity, spatiality, temporality, and ideology—and explains how these factors intersect to shape students' reading experiences. The conversation explores why it's important to engage with texts that challenge your worldview, practical strategies for teachers navigating restrictive curricula, and how educators can foster joy in literacy even during challenging times. Dr. Sciurba also shares the story behind her book's cover art, illustrated by John Jennings and featuring her own son as a "reading superhero."About Dr. Katie Sciurba:Katie Sciurba (Sher-buh), Assistant Professor of Literacies and Children's Literature at the University of Georgia. Katherine (Katie) Sciurba received her PhD in English Education at New York University. She is an experienced elementary school teacher and, for nearly 20 years, has taught writing to K-12 children in after-school and intervention contexts. Her research focuses on reading and relevance, especially as connected to the experiences of Boys of Color, and representations of the sociopolitical world in children’s literature.Links:Website: katiesciurba.com IG: @katiesciurbaREADING AND RELEVANCE, REIMAGINED: CELEBRATING THE LITERACY LIVES OF YOUNG MEN OF COLOR was published by Teachers College Press in 2024. It won the 2025 Philp C. Chinn Multicultural Book Award from the National Association for Multicultural Education. Here is the link: https://www.tcpress.com/reading-and-relevance-reimagined-9780807786246Cover Art by John Jennings: JOHN JENNINGS STUDIO