Ishara's Reading Podcast

Send us Fan Mail Can someone who didn't enjoy reading as a child grow up to become one of today's most celebrated authors? In this inspiring episode of Ishara's Reading Podcast, recorded at the Library of Congress National Book Festival, Ishara interviews Newbery Medal and Coretta Scott King Award-winning author and illustrator Jerry Craft. Jerry shares his remarkable journey from a...

Send us Fan Mail What happens when kids are given access to the world's knowledge? In this special episode of Ishara’s Reading Podcast, Ishara visits The Source, the Library of Congress's newest permanent exhibit designed to help children, families, and lifelong learners discover the power of asking questions, investigating evidence, and exploring primary sources. From historic documents...

Send us Fan Mail In this magical episode of Ishara’s Reading Podcast, Ishara goes behind the scenes at the Library of Congress for an unforgettable conversation with bestselling author Katherine Rundell, creator of Impossible Creatures ! Together they explore mythical creatures, fantasy worlds, storytelling, imagination, and the magic behind creating unforgettable adventures for young readers. Fro...

Send us Fan Mail Happy Independence Day, Guyana! 🇬🇾 Welcome to a very special episode of Ishara’s Reading Podcast!  Earlier this year, Ishara had the incredible opportunity to visit Guyana during International Women’s Day celebrations, and it became an experience she will never forget. 💛💚❤️ From meeting the First Lady to interviewing government ministers, entrepreneurs, and changemakers, Ishara...

Send us Fan Mail 10 year old Junior journalist and podcast host Ishara had the incredible honor of interviewing cancer immunotherapy pioneer Dr. Brian Czerniecki following his keynote presentation at the Pennies In Action Foundation Gala hosted by Olympic coach Uschi Keszler.  Pennies In Action is dedicated to supporting Dr. Czerniecki's groundbreaking cancer research while helping patients a...

Send us Fan Mail In this uplifting episode of Ishara’s Reading Podcast, Ishara sits down with author Chrissy Jay to explore her empowering children’s book, I Am All That!  A beautifully designed hardcover filled with 50 affirmations that inspire confidence, positivity, and self-belief in young readers. Perfect for kids, preteens, parents, and educators, this book goes beyond reading, each affirmat...

Send us Fan Mail Welcome to Season 5 of Ishara's Reading Podcast!  I am SO excited to kick off this new season by sharing one of the most incredible experiences of my life - attending the BEYA STEM Conference's 40th Anniversary and interviewing retired NASA flight controller Dr. Joeletta Patrick! This was hands down one of the BEST STEM experiences I've ever had. Being surrounded by...

Send us Fan Mail Season 4 wraps up in style! Join Ishara at the 2025 National Book Festival as she sits down with bestselling author Alan Weisman to talk about his new book, Hope Dies Last: Keeping the Future Alive . From tackling global environmental challenges to spotlighting individuals and communities from the book making a real difference, this conversation is full of insight, inspiration, an...

Send us Fan Mail This conversation was BUGGING me out (in the best way)! I got to interview Dr. Eleanor Spicer Rice, an entomologist and creator of "The Deadliest" book series,  where animals compete game-show style to see who's the most lethal! Dr. Rice broke down the fascinating world of pheromones, the secret chemical messages bugs use to communicate  and it blew my mind! We even...

Send us Fan Mail Ishara had an amazing time at the National Book Festival interviewing the brilliant Dr. Jorge Cham!  Dr. Cham is a cartoonist, author, and the creator of the popular webcomic "PHD Comics" (Piled Higher and Deeper), which hilariously captures life in academia and graduate school. In this exciting interview, Ishara and Dr. Cham dive into his wonderful book "Oliver&apo...

Send us Fan Mail Ishara is thrilled to share her latest interview with Mac Barnett, the 2025-2026 National Ambassador for Young People's Literature! As the ninth writer to receive this prestigious honor, Mac has been inspiring young readers across the country with his imaginative stories and dedication to fostering a love of reading. Mac Barnett is a celebrated author known for his wildly cre...

Send us Fan Mail Ever wonder what it's like to experience the National Book Festival through the eyes of a 10-year-old podcaster? In this special episode, Ishara takes you behind the microphone to share her favorite moments from this year's festival! ISHARA'S TOP SESSIONS:   "J vs. K" - Jerry Craft and Kwame Alexander's dynamic session that had the audience captivated...

Send us Fan Mail Two years ago, when Ishara was just 8 years old, she had the honor of interviewing U.S. Poet Laureate Joy Harjo on season 2 of Ishara's Reading Podcast about her book "Remember." What started as a young reader's curiosity blossomed into something truly special - a genuine connection that Joy treasured just as much as Ishara did! Now, at 10 years old, Ishara get...

Send us Fan Mail In this spontaneous 3-minute interview, host Ishara meets Marissa from PBS’s Social Media team right at the PBS booth during the National Book Festival! What began as a casual chat about NOVA quickly turned into an impromptu interview when they discovered their shared passion for learning and history. Marissa opens up about why she loves working at PBS, it’s all about her passion...

Send us Fan Mail Join Ishara for a delightful 3-minute interview with Tanner, a young reader and aspiring chef she met at the National Book Festival! When Ishara spotted Tanner holding a book, she just had to ask what she was reading, and that sparked a heartwarming chat about books, baking, and bold adventures! Tanner shares her favorite book, "Kids Baking Junior," and talks about how i...

Send us Fan Mail In this must-watch episode, Ishara had the amazing opportunity to sit down with the brilliant Mr. Joon S. Han, thanks to the incredible support from Ecamm’s Unstuck Studio! 😎 What you’ll learn in this episode: The behind-the-scenes of Podfest and how it’s transforming the podcasting industry Strategies to grow your podcast, brand, or business A thought-provoking discussion on AI’...

Send us Fan Mail Ready to uncover the next big mystery in how a pope is chosen? In this exciting follow-up episode of our special conclave series, Ishara and Father Ron return to reveal the secret world of papal voting inside the Sistine Chapel!  Ever wondered how the cardinals actually pick a new pope? Spoiler: it’s not just raising hands—there are handwritten ballots, a special stove, and smoke...

Send us Fan Mail Ever heard the word conclave and thought, “Wait—what’s that?” You’re not alone! In this special series, this fun, kid-friendly Catholic podcast! Discover how conclaves work, why cardinals meet in the Sistine Chapel, and what the black and white smoke really means. Perfect for grades 2–7, homeschool families, and Catholic educators. Ishara gets the help of Father Ron from St. Ignat...

Send us Fan Mail Join Ishara's Reading Podcast for the My Journey With Jesus Series, where young believers like you can grow in faith and have fun learning about Jesus! Ishara explores her personal relationship with Jesus and how He shapes her life. Each episode in this series, Ishara invites a special guest, which includes local priests and deacons, to answer common questions kids have about...

Send us Fan Mail Join Ishara's Reading Podcast for the My Journey With Jesus Series, where young believers like you can grow in faith and have fun learning about Jesus! Ishara explores her personal relationship with Jesus and how He shapes her life. Each episode in this series, Ishara invites a special guest, which includes local priests and deacons, to answer common questions kids have about...

Send us Fan Mail In this special episode of Ishara's Reading Podcast , Ishara sits down with Dominique Bradford, cofounder of the Achieve Movement, to discuss the powerful work she is doing alongside Warren Andrew Pinder. Dominique shares her insights into the Achieve Movement's mission and how it fosters community-driven success.  Ishara reads aloud from Warren Andrew Pinder's insp...

Send us Fan Mail So there I was at Podfest 2025, meeting the incredible Lou Diamond, host of ThriveLoud   and motivational speaker! I agreed to be a guest on his show, and this was my very first time being interviewed. It was such an amazing experience! As someone who's usually the one doing the interviewing, I have to admit, I was a bit nervous—but Lou made the whole thing so much fun! Pleas...

Send us Fan Mail In this exciting episode of Ishara’s Reading Podcast , Ishara has an amazing conversion with Thomas Helfrich, an entrepreneur, digital marketing expert, and host of "Cut The Tie" Podcast! Ishara has a fun and inspiring conversation with Thomas. They talk about books for kids and adults, and on how to stay motivated, overcome obstacles, and build confidence. Ishara’s vibr...

Send us Fan Mail Get ready for a wild, fun ride with "Chicken Little and the Very Long Race" written and Illustrated by Sam Wedelich,  in this exciting episode of Ishara’s Reading Podcast ! Ishara is back with another fantastic read-aloud that’s packed with humor, heart, and important life lessons. In this episode, Ishara brings Chicken Little’s race to life with her lively narration and...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode, Ishara had the amazing opportunity to sit down and chat with Nick Pavlidis, CEO of Podfest and CEO of Morgan James Publishing, all thanks to Ecamm's - Unstuck Studio! 😎 Together, they dive into Nick’s incredible work supporting podcasters, authors, and entrepreneurs, and how Podfest is helping people level up their businesses and grow their audiences. Packed...