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
Reciprocal Teaching Strategies that Boost Comprehension with Lori Oczkus
In this episode, Erin Bailey sits down with literacy expert Lori Oczkus to explore reciprocal teaching and the "Fab Four" comprehension strategies. Lori shares her jou...
The Power of Picture Books with Dr. Deborah Pope & Jocelyn McCarthy
In this episode of Reading Inspires, host Dr. Erin Bailey speaks with Dr. Deborah Pope, Executive Director, and Jocelyn McCarthy, Associate Director of the Ezra Jack K...
Every Book is an Early Childhood Book
In this Every Book Counts webinar, host Erin Bailey welcomes Dr. Jill Pentimonti, Associate Research Professor at the University of Notre Dame and Executive Director o...
Inspiring Middle School Readers to Read with Dr. Dowan McNair-Lee
In this episode, Erin Bailey interviews Dr. Dowan McNair-Lee about her experiences teaching literacy to middle school students. They discuss the importance of student ...
Generative AI in the Writing Classroom
This webinar, part of the Every Educator Counts series, explores how generative AI and large language models (LLMs) can be thoughtfully and responsibly integrated into...