Upstream Podcast with Dr. Tracy White

What happens when educators stop accepting the status quo and start building something better? In this episode of the Upstream Podcast, Dr. Tracy White sits down with Dr. Amy Murdoch of Mount St. Joseph University to explore how research, courageous leadership, and a commitment to children are transforming literacy education. From reimagining teacher preparation to developing an integrated, resear...

What happens when schools become more focused on compliance than connection? In the Season 2 premiere of Upstream Podcast with Dr. Tracy White, Dr. White sits down with Dr. Ryan Lee James, Chief Academic Officer of the Atlanta Speech School and Director of the Rollins Center for Language and Literacy, for a candid conversation about literacy, evidence-based practice, teacher development, parent em...

What happens when children are given the opportunity to explore, question, and discover? Dr. Tracy White welcomes Rosa Aristy of Bridges to Science for a conversation about expanding access to STEM, nurturing curiosity, and preparing young people for a rapidly changing world. From hands-on science experiences to AI, future careers, and ethical leadership, they explore why exposure today can ignite...

Can music do more than inspire? In this episode of Upstream Podcast, Dr. Tracy White sits down with Dr. Ana Trevino, Director of Prelude Music Foundation, to explore the powerful connection between music, brain development, literacy, and early childhood education. Together, they navigate the science behind music's impact on learning, why it strengthens language, reading, math, and social-emotional...

Dr. Tracy White welcomes Dorian Cockrell, Vice President of Global Philanthropy at JPMorgan Chase, for a thought-provoking conversation about opportunity, workforce development, philanthropy, artificial intelligence, and building generational wealth. Their discussion explores why education must evolve to prepare people for the future of work, why opportunity begins with belief, and how investing i...

Dr. Tracy White sits down with literacy advocate and nonprofit leader Dr. Tracy Johnson Rockmore for a deeply personal conversation about dyslexia, faith, and the fight for literacy justice. After years of being labeled “slow” and struggling through school without proper support, Dr. Rockmore shares how a late dyslexia diagnosis transformed her life and led to the creation of Vessels of Hope, a no...

In this episode of Upstream, Dr. Tracy White is joined by Dr. Ioulia Kovelman to examine the neuroscience of language and literacy. They dissect how children acquire language, what bilingualism reveals about the brain, and why applied literacy science is critical for long-term success. This conversation connects research to real-world application for educators, leaders, and families working to imp...

Dr. Tracy White welcomes her spiritual sister and friend Dr. Martha Salazar-Zamora, 2023 Texas Superintendent of the Year and a national finalist, for an honest conversation about what it takes to lead public education in a polarized era. *This interview took place at the end of 2024, some events may have developed or changed since the recoding of this episode.* A special thank you to this episode...

Dr. Tracy White sits down with nationally recognized literacy advocate and dyslexia consultant Clarice Jackson for a deeply personal conversation about purpose, policy, and the fight for literacy as a human right. Clarice shares how her daughter’s educational suffering and eventual breakthrough transformed her into an advocate, leading to the creation of the Voice Advocacy Center and the Black Lit...

Dr. Tracy White welcomes award winning actor and author Ameer Baraka for a powerful conversation on dyslexia, literacy, and redemption. Ameer shares how being undiagnosed in school shaped his self worth, led him toward the streets, and how learning to read in prison became the turning point that changed his life. This episode challenges us to look upstream at the systems we have built and to recog...

Dr. Tracy White opens the Upstream Podcast with a heartfelt conversation with her mother, Bessie Mae White. Together they explore resilience, literacy, faith, and the power of a parent’s vision to transform generations. This episode reminds us why educators matter and how one person’s belief can change a child’s life. Intro Music By: Robin Lorraine