Shows / Reach Out and Read
Reach Out and Read
From the national organization Reach Out and Read comes a brand new podcast centered around the belief that children's books build better brains, better family relationships, and happier, healthy children and societies. Join us as host Dr Dipesh Navsaria, a pediatrician with a children's librarianship degree, dives into a wealth of varied early childhood health and literacy topics with expert guests examining the many facets of supporting the parent-child relationship as key to early success.
Episodes
- Reach Out and Read
Building Early Literacy Into Clinical Life
Epic, the most-widely used electronic health record system, recently made changes to their EMR that smooths the process of documentation and reporting around…
- Reach Out and Read
Fossils and Families: What Paleoanthropolgy Can Tell Us About Relationships
What can fossils — yes, fossils! — tell us about the history of shared parental care and infant helplessness? Jeremy DeSilva, an Endowed Professor of…
- Reach Out and Read
Chernobyl, Life, and Other Disasters
Whether man-made or naturally-occurring, chances are children will be exposed to some level of trauma at some point. How we regard these situations and…
- Reach Out and Read
Playmakers: The Creators of Modern American Childhood
The 20th Century was a time of unparalleled industry, creativity, innovation, and reach in the toy industry. Michael Kimmel, a SUNY distinguished professor…
- Reach Out and Read
Stories as Guides Through Darkness and Wonder
Can fear and enchantment be two sides of the same coin? How can stories help children navigate through darkness and wonder? Maria Tatar, the John L. Loeb…
- Reach Out and Read
Understanding the FAN: A Clinical Approach to Relationship-Building
We often understand why building strong relationships in pediatric clinical care is important, but the details of how matter. Linda Gilkerson, PhD, Founder and…
- Reach Out and Read
The Shock and Beauty of Early Parenthood
What does it mean to be "enough" as a parent, caregiver, or professional? Where is my "maternal instinct" if I don't feel an instant bond? How do fathers come…
- Reach Out and Read
The Storied Life of Ursula Nordstrom
She's the most influential person you may never have heard of. A new book, Books Good Enough for You: The Storied Life of Ursula Nordstrom, Editor of…
- Reach Out and Read
Overinvested: The Emotional Economy of Modern Parenting
When, why, and how did we decide as a society to dedicate all our parenting resources to the "human capitalization of children"—and at what cost? Nina Bandelj…
- Reach Out and Read
"Rebellion 1776"
Commemorating America 250, we asked author Laurie Halse Anderson to join us to discuss Rebellion 1776, a historical fiction middle grade adventure about a girl…
- Reach Out and Read
Ordinary Magic: The Power of Resilience
Underneath every 'comeback story' is a deep well of resilience that emerges from fundamental human capabilities that are at the same time both ordinary and…
- Reach Out and Read
On the Origin of Picky Eaters
Many families today have a child who is a "picky eater", but before the 1930's, the concept of a picky eater didn't even exist. What's responsible? Changes in…
- Reach Out and Read
Baby Giggles!
Baby laughs do more than just make us feel good — they actually serve a critical role in a baby's development. Dr. Gina Mireault, a developmental psychologist…
- Reach Out and Read
Books for Kids…That Adults Enjoy as Well!
Ideally, books offer something for kids and adults alike. Chances are if you and your child are independently enjoying a book, you probably will enjoy reading…
- Reach Out and Read
Practicing Pediatrics for Underserved Populations
Many pediatricians care for underserved populations, and have long recognized the inextricable links between the well-being of families and the outcomes for…
- Reach Out and Read
The Endless Appeal of Greek Mythology
It's been a few thousand years and yet Greek myths can still capture our imagination. What makes these stories so timeless? Katherine Marsh, an award-winning…
- Reach Out and Read
The Civil Rights Story You've Never Heard Of
We're always surprised — and a little chagrined — to find a piece of history we had not yet heard about. Author Maria Dolores Aguila joins us to talk about her…
- Reach Out and Read
Do Audiobooks Count as Reading?
For a question that brings up strong feelings on both sides, try asking: Do audiobooks qualify as 'reading'? Brian Bannon, the Merryl and James Tisch Director…
- Reach Out and Read
Stress, Trauma, and Children's Minds
We know that stress and trauma uniquely affects children. But we also know that intervening early can help reduce the associated adverse health outcomes — and…
- Reach Out and Read
The New AAP Digital Media Guidance
A child's engagement with digital media isn't just with a device or an app, but with an entire digital ecosystem. Managing these ecosystems can be challenging…
- Reach Out and Read
Sadie Stein on The Saddest Story Ever Told
Stories with a hefty emotional punch often stick with us — and when it comes to timeless stories (think fairy tales) — that punch is often rooted in some…
- Reach Out and Read
How Do You Choose 'Essential' Children's Books?
A few months ago, our host, Dr. Dipesh Navsaria, was one of several experts asked by The Atlantic magazine to share nominations for "best picture books for…
- Reach Out and Read
The Secret Languages of Families
Language shapes all aspects of our lives, including how we connect with our family. Often, the more "insider" that language is, the stronger the family bonds…
- Reach Out and Read
Voices from the 2025 National Summit
In early November 2025, nearly 300 people from the Reach Out and Read and Nurture Connection worlds — comprising clinicians, staff, community leaders, funders…
- Reach Out and Read
Returning to Gratitude
We're thankful, all year round, to those who read aloud to young children and who encourage shared reading with others. To celebrate Thanksgiving 2025, we're…
- Reach Out and Read
Fostering Health: Meeting the Needs of Children and Adolescents in Foster Care
Over 200,000 children enter foster care each year in the United States. How can we create safe, stable, and nurturing environments for foster children who…
- Reach Out and Read
Parenting Little Kids with Big Feelings
Sometimes called "spirited" or "deeply feeling", highly sensitive children are "more likely to have challenges regulating their big emotions because their…
- Reach Out and Read
Thinking Developmentally
We continue to learn so much about the development of our brains in the first 1,000 days of life, and how the social world around those young brains matter…
- Reach Out and Read
Questions (from young children) Without Answers
There are loads of poetry books for children but not too many by children. Sarah Manguso, author and curator of the new book "Questions Without Answers", joins…
- Reach Out and Read
One-on-One with Dr. Lynette Fraga, Reach Out and Read's New CEO
Dr. Lynette Fraga, Reach Out and Read's new CEO, joins us to talk about the lived experience she brings to this role, and her plans to accelerate our mission…
- Reach Out and Read
"Listening In" and "Not Knowing"
We don't know what we don't know. And when it comes to relationships, approaching others from the perspective of not knowing can often make those relationships…
- Reach Out and Read
The Genius of Judy
Judy Blume is one of the most prolific and beloved writers of our time — but also is at the center of many debates over what is appropriate for children, to…
- Reach Out and Read
Junie B. Jones Continues to Delight Children and Frustrate (some) Adults
Junie B. Jones was first introduced to young readers over thirty years ago, but her ability to make children laugh - and some adults angry - hasn't changed…
- Reach Out and Read
Kevin Henkes & Laura Dronzek: A Conversation
Kevin Henkes and Laura Dronzek are two of the most remarkable, beloved writers and illustrators working in children's books today. Working both together and…
- Reach Out and Read
Children and Media Use: The 5 Cs
How we think and talk about kids and digital media use has evolved as we've learned more and refined better approaches that are more practical for parents. Dr…
- Reach Out and Read
Leave Me Alone! Solitude and Creativity with Vera Brosgol
We can all benefit from healthy relationships and connections, but sometimes kids (and adults) just want some 'alone time' - and that's OK too. Author and…
- Reach Out and Read
Words With Wings
Poetry is often perceived to be "hard" or inaccessible, but as our next guests illustrate, poetry can offer an "uplifting journey through everyday moments…
- Reach Out and Read
The Hedgehog's Dilemma
How can one discuss topics such as social exclusion, anxiety, paranoia, human intimacy, affection, and our need to bond with others? A brilliant book, The…
- Reach Out and Read
Building Resilience in Caregivers
Approaching families with a 'resilience lens' is a relatively new practice but might turn out to be one of the most impactful tools in our pediatric toolbox…
- Reach Out and Read
Love to Learn: A Conversation with Isabelle Hau
Relationships have long been recognized as a catalyst of learning; changing our focus away from a solely child-centric model of education to…
- Reach Out and Read
The History of the Science of Reading
Despite humans having read for thousands of years, we still don't understand everything about how it happens. It is still a mystery of how the eye, mind, and…
- Reach Out and Read
Picture Books Help Us "See" Differently
Kids (and adults) sometimes have a hard time accepting unique characteristics in themselves and in others. But when a book lands just right, sometimes the…
- Reach Out and Read
Bonding with a Newborn
It's overwhelming to form a relationship with a new baby while your relationship with yourself as a new parent is in flux! Keeping it simple is one of the ways…
- Reach Out and Read
The Last Human Job: Part 2
In Part 2 of our interview with Allison Pugh, professor of Sociology at Johns Hopkins University and author of "The Last Human Job: The Work of Connecting in a…
- Reach Out and Read
The Last Human Job: Part 1
How people connect to one another is something we sometimes don't think about, and how technology touches modern life is a key factor. Allison Pugh, Professor…
- Reach Out and Read
The Science Sessions: Learning from Families About What Inspires and Enables Them to Share Books Together
Dr. Clare Crosh and Dr. Diogo Anyigbo join us to talk about what they have learned from families about how they view and practice shared reading and how that…
- Reach Out and Read
The Daycare Myth
Addressing childcare and education in this country has been a challenge for decades, but according to our next guest, fixing it comes down to one thing -…
- Reach Out and Read
How To Talk So Little Kids Will Listen
What does early relational health have to do with getting your kids to put their shoes on? Julie King, co-author of "How to Talk So Little Ones Will Listen: A…
- Reach Out and Read
A Conversation with Lois Lowry
For nearly 50 years, Lois Lowry's books have adeptly tackled friendship, loyalty, fear, comfort, family, war, political oppression, love, grief, racism, and so…
- Reach Out and Read
Creating the Magic of "The Yellow Bus"
Every so often, a book comes along that allows parents and children to slow down together, engage, and experience the joy of reading a book that requires, and…
- Reach Out and Read
Digging Into Nature
Instead of 'Screen Time', try 'Green Time'! Dr. Pooja Tandon and Dr. Danette Glassy, co-authors of the new book "Digging Into Nature: Outdoor Adventures for…
- Reach Out and Read
Spotlight on Poverty, Part 5: How Reach Out and Read is Helping
In the fifth and final episode in our multi-part series on poverty and early relational health we look inside our organization and examine the work Reach Out…
- Reach Out and Read
Spotlight on Poverty, Part 4: Positive Relationships Can Help Mitigate the Effects of Poverty
Positive, supportive interactions with children may help mitigate the effects of adverse childhood experiences resulting from poverty. Continuing our spotlight…
- Reach Out and Read
Spotlight on Poverty, Part 3: Home Visiting Supports Families Where They Need It Most
How can families help prepare their children for school when they're working multiple jobs, or struggling to buy groceries? Reading a book together can seem…
- Reach Out and Read
Spotlight on Poverty, Part 2: Seeing the Families Beyond the Numbers
There's a significant amount of data on childhood poverty, but the numbers only tell one part of the story. Cristi Carman and Dr. Philip Fisher of Stanford…
- Reach Out and Read
Breaking News: The New 2024 AAP Literacy Promotion Statement
AAP policy statements are powerful, well-researched, and meticulously-reviewed principles on the state-of-the-art in children's health. Yesterday, the AAP…
- Reach Out and Read
Spotlight on Poverty, Part 1: Nick Kristof on How to Talk so People Will Listen
How can we talk about poverty and early relational health so people will listen? How can you get people to care about public issues that seem insurmountable…
- Reach Out and Read
The Big Apple: Reach Out and Read Greater New York
Celebrating their 25th anniversary, Reach Out and Read Greater New York provides books and training to over 230 Reach Out and Read programs in predominantly…
- Reach Out and Read
Grandmothering While Black
Over the decades, more and more US children are being raised by their grandparents. Dr. LaShawnDa Pittman, author of the new book, "Grandmothering While Black…
- Reach Out and Read
Summer Rerun: The Wild Robot
Writing for children—especially books that can be emotionally challenging—requires a great deal of insight, honestly, talent, and self reflection; and that's…