Dr. Diane's Adventures in Learning

How can the simple act of play revolutionize early childhood education and reignite a passion for teaching? Join us on a transformative journey as Rebecca List Freedman , co-founder of FirstDay Learning , reveals the incredible potential of play in early childhood education. Discover how integrating play into classrooms not only addresses challenging behaviors but also enhances teacher well-being....

Are you ready to break through your limitations and unlock your full potential? Join us as Adolfo Gómez Sánchez , best-selling author, speaker, and Chief Passion Officer at Gold Results , shares his remarkable journey from competitive athletics to leadership in performance psychology. Adolfo Gómez Sánchez and Dr. Diane Jackson Schnoor met while speaking in New York under the direction of Tricia Br...

How can creating language-rich environments empower multilingual learners and elevate the educational experience for everyone in the classroom? Join us for a transformative discussion with Katherine Hamilton , former Vice President of Programs for Ensemble Learning , as she reveals powerful strategies to achieve just that. Summary: In this episode, Katherine Hamilton shares her inspiring journey f...

What if stories and play were the bridge between children (and their grown ups) and nature? Join us as we explore this concept with Susie Spikol , a naturalist and educator whose enchanting book, Forest Magic for Kids: How to Find Fairies, Make a Secret Fort, and Cook Up an Elfin Picnic , serves as a portal to the wonders of the natural world. Susie shares her journey from being a Brooklyn secret...

How can picture books and play combine to spark creativity, empathy, and joy in our youngest learners? Join the conversation with Rachel Rubin and Annie Dycus, the innovative minds behind L-M-N-O Play , a subscription service that uses open-ended play and amazing picture books to engage young minds (while sparking wonder in their grown ups as well). “Something we really need in our world is childr...

Imagine an early childhood classroom filled with diverse books, engaging play centers, and joyful experiential learning where every child feels seen and valued. How does play-based learning help celebrate the unique strengths each child brings to the classroom? Join us this week as we talk about the importance of early childhood education in setting the stage for a lifetime of critical thinking an...

How can a children's book spark a lifelong passion for conservation and inspire young activists to protect our planet's endangered species? Today we learn how "toucan" help endangered species. Dynamic author-illustrator duo Hayley and John Rocco discuss the power of storytelling to empower young conservationists.  We celebrate the book birthday of Hello, I'm a Toucan , the...

When Threat of the Spider, the second installment in the Web of the Spider series, came across my desk, I knew we had to have the author, Michael P Spradlin on the podcast. I couldn't put the book down. It's so relevant to where we are today. Join us for a discussion about why we need to study history and how important it is build meaningful connections from the past to our present. Span...

How can small steps spark significant changes for a healthier planet? Brenda Baker, Vice President of Exhibits, Facilities, and Strategic Initiatives at the Madison Children's Museum , walks us through the newly published (AND FREE) Climate Action Playbook designed to inspire and empower the next generation of environmental stewards. Highlighting the Caretakers of Wonder collaboration and add...

We’re reimagining the future of education in this episode of the Adventures in Learning podcast with Dr. Annalies Corbin, the chief goddess of the PAST Foundation. Dr. Annalies helps us discover how to bridge the gap between learning and real-world skills while empowering educators and fostering a community of lifelong learners. Summary: Drawing from her rich background in anthropology and archaeo...

You know Juana Martinez-Neal as the recipient of the 2019 Caldecott Honor for Alma and How She Got Her Name , her debut picture book as author-illustrator. You might also know her as the New York Times bestselling illustrator recipient of the 2020 Robert F. Sibert Medal for Fry Bread: A Native American Story and the 2018 Pura Belpré Medal for Illustration for La Princesa and the Pea . I first fell...

Feeling overwhelmed by the fast-paced world around you? Discover how to transform burnout into joy and purpose with Dr. Gitima Sharma , as she shares her personal journey and expert insights. Learn practical strategies to cultivate a dynamic sense of purpose and foster connections in a digital era. Dr Diane leads us through a transformative conversation with Dr. Gitima Sharma, an authority on over...

Get ready for some amazing adventures as you plan your summer reading journey with not one, but TWO thrilling middle grade tales of courage, growth, and resilience featuring strong female leads. Happy Book Birthdays to Ann Braden and Caroline Starr Rose! Join us as we unravel the magic behind Into the Rapids and The Burning Season , where young heroines face the fury of nature and discover their i...

Where Are You, Bronte? celebrates its book birthday this week -- and this book should come with complementary tissues for the adults reading it! Beloved illustrator Barbara McClintock took on the herculean task of illustrating Tomie de Paola's final manuscript. The result is a beautiful collaboration that pays tribute to his style while exploring the universal themes of love, loss, and memory...

The Gate, The Girl, and The Dragon is like a mug of hot tea on a snowy day. It warms your soul and sparks the imagination. The characters are memorable and Grace Lin’s lyrical storytelling and gorgeous illustrations are sure to make this an instant beloved classic for families and classrooms everywhere. In this episode of the Adventures in Learning podcast, Grace Lin delves into the inspirations b...

What's better than a novel in verse about a wild sea otter rescued by the Monterray Aquarium? A beautiful picture book that tells that otter's story! Award winning author Katherine Applegate returns to chat all things otter, as we explore environmental themes in her magical Odder: An Otter's Story , illustrated by Charles Santoso. We also offer some fun ideas for bringing the book t...

How did a humorous military anecdote about a mysterious Dorothy evolve into an enlightening nonfiction picture book about LGBTQIA history? Author Kyle Lukhoff and illustrator Levi Hastings share the creative journey behind Are You a Friend of Dorothy? Kyle and Levi discuss the challenges and joys of representing complex identities in children's literature, emphasizing the importance of these...

Celebrate Library Week and the freedom to read with acclaimed author Laurie Halse Anderson . On this episode, we celebrate Laurie's latest release, Rebellion 1776 , an adventure that began as Laurie recovered from COVID-19. Inspired by Abigail Adams' smallpox inoculation, this tale unravels the lives of working-class youth in Boston during the American Revolution. Elspeth Culpepper might...

Happy Poetry Month! This week we welcome Matt Forrest Esenwine, poetry's champion and ambassador, to the podcast to talk about his new anthology, A Universe of Rainbows: Multicolored Poems for a Multicolored World.  What do Yellowstone's Grand Prismatic Spring, Peru's Vinicunca mountain, the star Betelgeuse, and a drop of water have in common? Rainbows! Are you looking for a poetry...

Embark on a thrilling adventure with Stuart Gibbs , a master of storytelling who turns reluctant readers into avid book enthusiasts. The author behind such hit series as Spy School and Fun Jungle takes us on his creative journey through the realm of middle-grade fiction. Want to know what borborygmus means? We've got you covered (and so does the Once Upon a Tim series). We dive into storytell...

Dive into the dynamic world of rap as a powerful tool for youth empowerment with the acclaimed mother/son author duo, Carole Boston Weatherford and Jeffery Boston Weatherford. Discover how their newest picture book RAP IT UP! is transforming classrooms and empowering young voices worldwide. Summary: In this rollicking episode, we sit down with Carole Boston Weatherford, recipient of the 2025 Child...

What if the definition of Home extended beyond walls and roofs to embrace connection to nature and each other? We explore this question with Newbery medalist Matt de la Peña , author of beloved books like Last Stop on Market Street and Carmela Full of Wishes . Matt opens up about his creative process and how real-life experiences influence his writing.  Matt shares how personal anecdotes find thei...

What do starry nebula, Bruce Lee, and disgustingly cool science facts have in common? They are all products of the creative mind of author Teresa Robeson .  In this episode, we welcome back Teresa Robeson , a busy author with a rich background in science and storytelling. Teresa unveils her upcoming books, including Clear and Bright: A Ching Ming Festival Story ; Disgustology: The Science of Gross...

How do we make science engaging and relevant for students? And why is science literacy more important than ever for how we all live and work? Join Dr. Diane for a thoughtful and fascinating discussion with Ali Stone , the dynamic Chief Operating Officer of Kesler Science .  Join us as we explore Ali's inspiring journey from teaching to innovation and learn how creativity and hands-on learning...

Show Notes:  Dive into a world where play meets innovation! Discover how WOW! Children's Museum is reshaping STEAM education, fostering creativity, and bridging the gender gap in science for young learners -- even in an increasingly challenging landscape. Join us as we step into a world of wonder and imagination with Joanna Cagan , WOW's inspiring executive director. For nearly three dec...