My Child Can’t Read: A Heartland Crisis
My Child Can’t Read: A Heartland Crisis
Podcast Description
In classrooms across America — and especially here in Kansas — too many children are being left behind in reading. And too often, their parents and teachers are left wondering: What did I miss? Why didn’t anyone tell me?
Hosted by Jesica Glover — a National Board Certified teacher, reading specialist, and parent who couldn’t help her own daughter learn to read — this podcast explores the literacy crisis in Kansas and across the country. Through real stories and expert insight, we uncover how reading is actually learned, where schools are falling short, and what families and educators can do to change it. Each episode combines real stories, expert insight, and a look at the science of how reading works —
From early warning signs and misdiagnoses to bold reforms and grassroots change, My Child Can’t Read traces a powerful journey from heartbreak to hope.
Whether you’re a parent, teacher, or policymaker, this podcast helps you understand what went wrong — and what we can do to make it right, right here in the Heartland.
Podcast Insights
Content Themes
The podcast focuses on the critical issues surrounding reading education, with specific episodes discussing topics like the inadequacy of balanced literacy programs, the realization of dyslexia among students, and the importance of structured literacy. For example, Episode 2 features Jeanine Phillips sharing her journey discovering her dyslexia and advocating for her son, illustrating the emotional impact of educational shortcomings.
In classrooms across America — and especially here in Kansas — too many children are being left behind in reading. And too often, their parents and teachers are left wondering: What did I miss? Why didn’t anyone tell me?
Hosted by Jesica Glover — a National Board Certified teacher, reading specialist, and parent who couldn’t help her own daughter learn to read — this podcast explores the literacy crisis in Kansas and across the country. Through real stories and expert insight, we uncover how reading is actually learned, where schools are falling short, and what families and educators can do to change it. Each episode combines real stories, expert insight, and a look at the science of how reading works —
From early warning signs and misdiagnoses to bold reforms and grassroots change, My Child Can’t Read traces a powerful journey from heartbreak to hope.
Whether you’re a parent, teacher, or policymaker, this podcast helps you understand what went wrong — and what we can do to make it right, right here in the Heartland.
What if the literacy crisis reveals something deeper than reading instruction alone?
In this reflective stand-alone episode, Jesica Glover sits down with David Boulton — creator of Children of the Code — to explore learning, shame, literacy, identity, and the systems surrounding children.
Together, they discuss:
- flatlined literacy outcomes
- learning shame
- generational impact
- inequity and access
- the emotional consequences of struggling to read
- and whether education systems may still be missing something fundamental about how human beings learn.
This conversation follows our Season 4 investigation into literacy, responsibility, and systemic reform.
Some ideas presented in this episode are unconventional and debated. This episode is intended as an exploration and reflection — not an endorsement of every conclusion discussed.
Be watching for our Season 5: Voices launch in late August 2026.
RESOURCES
- Children of the Code heartbeat
- Children of the Code: Learning Shame
- Children of the Code: What’s at Stake
- What the Words Say by Emily Hanford
- National Assessment of Educational Progress
PODCAST MUSIC – SOUNDSTRIPE.COM Marie – Help & Hope, Acreage – In My Head, Featherland – Growing Pains, Moments – Meridian Mood, Moments – Lost Love, Lost Ghosts – Celebrated Life, Matt Wigton – Year End.
This podcast is produced by KB PODCASTS
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