Dr. Diane's Adventures in Learning

What happens when artists refuse to stay silent? Puerto Rican actress and NBC Diversity Monologue Slam champion Jesenia joins Dr. Diane to discuss protecting First Amendment rights, creating comedy during difficult times, and why "productive delusion" might be the secret to hope. Dr. Diane and Jesenia—a seasoned actress, writer, and comedy performer who has appeared on Starz and Showtime...

What if a picture book could help children feel brave in the face of something bigger than themselves? In this episode of the Adventures in Learning podcast, Dr. Diane talks with Hudson Valley author/illustrator Kerry McQuaide   about The Biggest, Highest Wave , the power of read-alouds, and why picture books can help young readers see themselves as resilient. Summary In Episode 187 of the Adventu...

What happens when travel, conservation, and community come together? In this Earth Day episode of the Adventures in Learning podcast, Dr. Diane talks with Analu Huerta about ecotourism in the Galapagos and Ecuador, and why protecting what we love starts with truly seeing it. Summary In Episode 186, Dr. Diane welcomes Analu Huerta , a sustainable tourism professional and tourist guide based in Ecua...

When art is personal, playful, and purposeful, it can change the way people learn and connect. In Episode. 185, Dr. Diane talks with poet, teaching artist, and speaker LeJuane “El’Ja” Bowens about poetry, workshops, civic engagement, and why the next generation gives him hope. El'Ja shares how a 10th-grade poetry project sparked his love of writing, how an open mic after the military helped h...

What makes a classic story feel new again? In this episode of Adventures in Learning , Dr. Diane talks with author Máire Roche about Little Monsters , Little Women , Bromantasy , and the power of stories that help young readers feel seen. Máire shares how Little Women shaped her as a reader and writer, why Meg has always been her favorite March sister, and how Little Monsters grew from her desire...

What happens when the actors in Little Women read modern reinterpretations ( Little Monsters , and Beth Is Dead ) of the very characters they’re bringing to life onstage? Dr. Diane welcomes the March sisters from Riverside Center for the Performing Arts ’ Little Women for a lively conversation about sisterhood, performance, and reimagining classic characters. Sarah Mae Andersen (Meg), Ashlee Beary...

What if midlife isn’t a crisis, but a portal to your next adventure? In this episode, Dr. Diane sits down with Dr. Ellen Albertson , the “Midlife Whisperer,” for a conversation about self-compassion, reinvention, and what it really means to thrive in midlife. Dr. Ellen shares her approach to helping women move through midlife with more clarity, confidence, and compassion, blending psychology, well...

What if a Greek-underworld adventure could help middle grade readers name anxiety, see hidden home struggles, and believe they’re worthy of rescue too? In this episode, Dr. Diane talks with author and former costume designer Shana Targosz about Relic of Thieves , a companion to River of Spirits that can stand on its own and sits comfortably beside Percy Jackson on the shelf. Shana shares why Anya’...

In 2026, Candace Fleming did something no one else has ever done—she became the first author to receive both the Children’s Literature Legacy Award and the Margaret A. Edwards Award for Young Adult Lifetime Achievement in the same year, while also winning the YALSA Award for Excellence in Nonfiction for Death in the Jungle: Murder, Betrayal, and the Lost Dream of Jonestown . We celebrate that extr...

What if your next great STEM or STEAM lesson started with a pirate sheep, a muddy teddy bear, or a very confused Little Red who thinks a wolf is a cat? In this joyful springtime episode, author‑illustrator and former pre‑K teacher Ashley Belote joins Dr. Diane to share playful, practical ways to turn picture book read‑alouds into rich learning adventures for early childhood and elementary students...

What happens when you finally give that brave, younger version of yourself permission to come back out and play? In this episode, author and teaching artist Alicia D. Williams joins Dr. Diane to talk about solo travel, rediscovering joy, and seeking kindness around the globe—from Paris and Mexico to Ghana, Ireland, and Italy. Along the way, we celebrate Alicia’s beautiful new picture book, Nani an...

What if your next STEM lesson started with a 65‑foot whale and a beach cleanup scavenger hunt? For 25 years, Blue Ocean Society has been quietly protecting whales and marine life right in our New England “backyard.” In this ocean-focused episode, Dr. Diane talks with co-founder and executive director Jen Kennedy about how long-term whale research, monthly beach cleanups, and joyful, hands-on educa...

If you’ve ever walked along a shoreline, spotted trash, and thought, “How did this get here, and what can I do about it?” -- this conversation is for you. Ashley Sullivan , Executive Director of the Rozalia Project for a Clean Ocean , joins me to unpack the very real problem of marine debris and microplastics, and to remind us that curiosity, community, and “lots of littles” can add up to big chan...

What happens when a bestselling middle grade author joins you on World Read Aloud Day -- and opens the episode with a live read-aloud from his brand-new release? In this return conversation, James Ponti   celebrates the book birthday of City Spies: Europa   (Book 7!) and takes us behind the scenes of what it really takes to write page-turning mystery-adventure that kids don’t just read, they inhab...

What happens when young readers are invited to question the stories they’ve always been told? In this episode of the Adventures in Learning podcast, Dr. Diane Jackson Schnoor welcomes bestselling author Tracy Wolff to celebrate the launch of her middle grade fantasy debut, The Aftermyth . Together they explore how mythology, storytelling, empathy, and student identity come together in powerful way...

What if the biggest gap in reading instruction isn’t phonics or fluency — but motivation ? Dr. Diane Jackson Schnoor sits down with Anmarie Paul , Executive Director of Behind the Book , to explore how intrinsic motivation, belonging, student choice, and joyful literacy experiences help children become lifelong readers. Together, they unpack how Science of Reading practices and reading engagement...

When cold weather keeps kids inside, big feelings can spike—for children and the adults supporting them. In this uplifting conversation, early childhood expert Francine Prince shares practical, realistic strategies for indoor days, and reminds us that the best early learning happens when we stay intentional, flexible, and deeply connected . In this episode, we'll discuss: How to plan indoor d...

What if the most powerful thing we could give young children is time to play ? Early childhood expert Rae Pica joins Dr. Diane for a candid conversation about why play, movement, and joy are essentials, not extras -- and how rushing children into academics is doing real harm. 🎧 Episode Summary In this episode of the Adventures in Learning podcast , Dr. Diane Jackson Schnoor welcomes author, keyno...

From AfroBets to We Rise, We Resist, We Raise Our Voices   to a brand-new picture book that sings with history, legendary author and publisher Cheryl Willis Hudso n has helped shape what children can see (and become) through books. If you care about diverse children’s books, freedom to read, and the cultural power of music , this episode is for you. Dr. Diane Jackson Schnoor welcomes Cheryl Willis...

A book some adults tried to keep off shelves helped a seventh grader make sense of grief, addiction, and forgiveness and shaped the storyteller she became. This episode is a powerful reminder that books can be lifelines and freedom to read matters . In Episode 169 of Adventures in Learning , Dr. Diane Jackson Schnoor welcomes Dynahlee Star Padilla-Vasquez for a timely conversation about banned boo...

What if hope isn’t a feeling—but something you do ? From caring for orphaned rhinos to writing books that spark curiosity, this episode explores how learning, conservation, and community come together in powerful ways. In Episode 167 of Adventures in Learning , Dr. Diane Jackson Schnoor is joined by Brenda Scott Royce , author, former primate caregiver, and conservation advocate, for a heartfelt c...

In Episode 167 of Adventures in Learning , Dr. Diane Jackson Schnoor welcomes Ann Dye , Vice President of Sales Operations at HarperCollins, for a powerful conversation about books, belonging, and conservation. Ann shares her journey into publishing, how books help children (and adults) slow down in a noisy, screen-filled world, and why matching the right book to the right reader still matters. Di...

What happens when an illustrator channels courage, mental health, and a 600-year-old sarcastic snowman into a single powerful story? In this inspiring conversation, The Snowman Code illustrator Reggie Brown reveals how he transformed a charming seasonal narrative into a visually rich, emotionally resonant world—and how his own life experiences shaped every brushstroke. If you’re an educator, careg...

Just in time for the holidays, we whisk away on a cozy, magical journey through the enchanting world of The Snowman Code with Simon Stephenson . Warm yourself with this comfortable conversation about friendship, mental health, inner strength, and the transformative power of empathy as Simon shares the creative process behind his debut middle grade novel.  Summary This week on the Adventures in Lea...

Unwrap the joy of the holiday season with Jason M. Burns and Kate Kasch as they sprinkle holiday magic in every episode of their Dear Santa Podcast ! This magical podcast crossover takes us on a festive journey filled with storytelling, traditions, and a direct line to the North Pole. Whether you're curious about the enchanting travels of Christmas trees or eager to hear from Santa himself, t...