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.
SEASON 5 TRAILER |Voices of Struggling Readers
What does it feel like to be the kid who can’t read?
We’ve spent four seasons talking about reading—scores, science, instruction, dyslexia, teacher preparation, policy, and the systems that shape how children learn.
Now, we’re going to listen.
Season 5 of My Child Can’t Read: A Heartland Crisis turns the microphone toward the people who have lived the experience of struggling to read: students, former students, parents, educators, and others who remember what it felt like when learning became difficult, frustrating, or even a source of shame.
This season asks:
- What happens when learning becomes a place of shame?
- What happens when a child begins to believe that struggling to read means something is wrong with them?
- What happens when children are told to wait for the help they need?
- And what becomes possible when we finally listen to the voices of struggling readers?
This is a season about reading, yes.
But also about identity.
About confidence.
About shame.
About systems.
And about what becomes possible when people finally get what they need to learn.
Season 5, Episode 1: “When Learning Hurts” drops Tuesday, November 3, 2026.
From there, new Season 5 episodes will be released on the first Tuesday of every month.
Subscribe or follow My Child Can’t Read: A Heartland Crisis wherever you listen to podcasts so you don’t miss an episode.
Learn more about the Phillips Fundamental Learning Center in Wichita, Kansas and its work to help children learn to read:
All kids reading. All kids succeeding.
PODCAST MUSIC – SOUNDSTRIPE.COM Alsever Lake – Ghostly Trails
This podcast is produced by KB PODCASTS
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