Literacy Talks
Welcome to Literacy Talks, a podcast from Reading Horizons, where reading momentum begins. Each episode features our trio of literacy champions: Stacy Hurst, an assistant professor of reading at Southern Utah University and Chief Academic Advisor at Reading Horizons; Donell Pons, a dyslexia specialist, educator, presenter, and writer, who now works with adults with reading challenges; and Lindsay Kemeny, a dedicated elementary teacher who is a CERI-certified Structured Literacy Classroom Teacher and author of 7 Mighty Moves.
Each episode is a conversation among friends with practical literacy strategies, powerful tips, and a real passion for teachers and students alike. Listen, laugh, and learn with Literacy Talks, brought to educators everywhere by Reading Horizons.
Episodes
122 episodes
Episode 122: From Awareness to Action: Lessons from Literacy Changemakers
What does it really take to improve literacy outcomes? In this wrap-up to the Changemakers series, Stacy Hurst, Donell Pons, and Lindsay Kemeny explore the systems, support, instructional practices, and leadership moves behind Mississippi’s wid...
Episode 121: Turning Awareness into Impact with Kareem Weaver
In this powerful conversation, Kareem Weaver—literacy advocate, educator, and featured voice in The Right to Read—challenges us to rethink what’s at stake when students don’t learn to read.From personal stories to system-wide solutions, ...
Episode 120: Too Many Reading Assessments? What to Keep—and What to Let Go
Are you spending too much time on assessments without getting the clarity you need? In this episode, we break down which reading assessments actually matter, which ones may be wasting your time, and how to make smarter, more efficient decisions...
Episode 119: Screening to Catch Reading Problems Before They Grow
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, we unpack what screening actually measures, why timing matters, and how to ...
Episode 118: You Have the Data—Now What? How to Actually Use Reading Data in Your Classroom
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 this episode, we discuss:Why reading data often feels more like compliance than inst...
Episode 117: What Your Reading Data Is Really Telling You
What if the data you’re collecting could actually make your teaching easier—not more overwhelming? In this episode, we unpack what reading assessment is really telling you and how to use it with clarity and purpose.In this episode...
Episode 116: Plain Talk Rewind: Practical Insights for Powerful Literacy Instruction
What happens when you bring together thousands of literacy educators for one powerful conference? In this episode, we break down the biggest takeaways you can actually use in your classroom tomorrow.In this episode, we discuss:
Episode 115: Changing the System: The Story Behind The Reading League
What does it take to turn frustration into a nationwide movement? In this episode, Dr. Maria Murray shares the powerful story behind The Reading League—and how one idea grew into a force for literacy change.Show NotesIn thi...
Episode 114: Investing in People, Not Programs: A District’s Literacy Transformation
What does it take to transform literacy outcomes across an entire school district? In this episode of Literacy Talks, we explore how leadership, alignment, and a commitment to the science of reading can create lasting change for studen...
Episode 113: Literacy Improvement Moves at the Speed of Leadership
Why do some schools see rapid literacy gains while others struggle to move the needle? The difference often isn’t the program—it’s the leadership behind the implementation.In this episode, we discuss:How courageous, humble le...
Episode 112: Comprehension Starts at the Sentence Level
We’ve spent years strengthening decoding instruction—but what if the next literacy shift begins at the sentence level? If we want true comprehension, we have to look beyond words and into syntax.In this episode, we discuss:Wh...
Episode 111: Rethinking Literacy Through Community Collaboration
Episode Summary:What if libraries played a central role in transforming literacy instruction? In this Changemaker Voices episode, Jenny Emery Davidson shares how a rural community library became a hub for science-of-reading-aligne...
Episode 110: From Conversation to Collective Impact: Creating Change in Literacy
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 a new conversation focused on changemakers in literacy. Together, they unpack commonly ...
Literacy Wins and Wishes: 2025 Recap
As 2025 draws to a close, the Literacy Talks trio—Stacy, Donell, and Lindsay—gather for a spirited season finale filled with highlights, reflections, and bold predictions. From progress in the science of reading to the growing spotlight on writ...
Things We’ve Heard (That We Wish Weren’t True)
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 surprising, questionable, and even cringe-worthy things they’ve heard about literacy—and why th...
Rethinking AI Through a Literacy Lens: A Conversation with Viv Ramakrishnan
In this episode of Literacy Talks, we sit down with Viv Ramakrishnan, founder of Project Read AI, to explore the intersection of artificial intelligence, pedagogy, and equity in literacy instruction. Viv shares his journey from teacher to tech ...
Inside Literacy: What Mattered Most at IDA 2025
In this special recap episode, Stacy Hurst and Donell Pons share key takeaways from the 2025 International Dyslexia Association Conference. While Lindsay Kemeny wasn’t able to attend, she joins the conversation to reflect on the insights and th...
Through the Eyes of Dyslexia: A Mother-Son Story
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 parenting—through the lens of dyslexia. From early signs and school struggles to moments of bre...
Reflections from the Reading League Conference 2025
Fresh from the Reading League Conference in Chicago, the Literacy Talks trio—Stacy Hurst, Donell Pons, and Lindsay Kemeny—share highlights, favorite sessions, and key insights that left a lasting impression. From impactful keynotes to deep dive...
Free Literacy Sites We Actually Use (and Love)
Looking for free, practical literacy tools that really work? In this episode, the hosts of Literacy Talks share their favorite go-to websites for everything from decodables and syntax support to articulation videos and classroom-ready texts. It...
Handwriting, Spelling, and Student Voice: A Writing Deep Dive
Writing is anything but simple. In this episode, the hosts break down the foundational elements of writing instruction—from the mechanics of handwriting and spelling to the role of oral language and student motivation. They share insights, pers...
Pet Peeves, Round 3: The Gripes That Just Won’t Quit
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—Stacy, Donell, and Lindsay—sound off on persistent myths, misplaced blame, phonics fluff, and why ...
100 Episodes Later: Our Never-Aired First Episode
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 air… until now. It’s raw, real, and full of heart. Join us as we look back on where it all began,...
The Great Syllable Debate: Balancing Science, Structure, and Student Needs
In this episode, the hosts dive into the so-called “Great Syllable Debate,” unpacking recent research and long-standing practices around syllable instruction. From the reliability of syllable division rules to the role of flexibility, they expl...
Making MTSS Work: Real Talk with Stephanie Stollar and Sarah Brown
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. Together, they unpack what MTSS really means, how it connects to the science of reading, and why i...