Free Daily Podcast Summary
Route2Reading: Daily Summaries Delivered
by Amie Burkholder
A step-by-step roadmap guides you through a reader's journey—at every level. This podcast was made for you if you're ready to, get clear on what structured literacy is and the science behind it. Join me to learn precisely what your struggling readers need and find ways to reach them.
Latest Episodes
The most recent episodes — sign up to get AI-powered summaries of each one.
- 1 weeks ago37 min
Why Vocabulary Isn't What We've Been Teaching with Dr. Margaret McKeown
What does it actually mean for a student to know a word? In this episode, I sit down with Dr. Margaret McKeown, whose groundbreaking research has shaped how educators understand vocabulary instruction, reading comprehension, and deep word knowledge. We move beyond vocabulary lists, definitions, and Friday quizzes to talk about what robust vocabulary instruction really looks like—and what it takes for students to understand words deeply enough to recognize, use, and apply them across contexts. CLICK HERE FOR FULL SHOW NOTES
- 3 weeks ago32 min
From Struggling Readers to Engaged Readers: Rethinking Decodable Text with Sue Marasciulo
What makes a decodable text effective—and does "decodable" have to mean boring? In this episode, I sit down with author and educator Sue Marasciulo to talk about her journey from the classroom to creating Pat & Pals, a graphic novel series designed to give developing readers the practice they need without sacrificing engaging stories. We talk about what Sue learned from working with struggling readers and students with dyslexia, why she chose graphic novels as the format for her decodable books, and what teachers should really be looking for when choosing and using decodable texts. CLICK HERE FOR FULL SHOW NOTES
- Sep 21, 202648 min
Are Reading Levels Holding Students Back? with Tim Shanahan
For years, teachers have been told to meet students where they are—find their instructional reading level, put them in a just-right text, and group them with other students reading at a similar level. But what if that approach is actually limiting how much students can learn? In this episode of Route2Reading, I sit down with literacy researcher and author Dr. Tim Shanahan to talk about reading levels, small-group instruction, grade-level text, and what the research actually tells us about supporting struggling readers. Tim brings nearly 60 years of experience in reading education to this conversation—as a classroom teacher, reading specialist, professor, researcher, and former Director of Reading for Chicago Public Schools. CLICK HERE FOR FULL SHOW NOTES
- Aug 25, 202643 min
Interview with Louisa Moats
CLICK HERE FOR FULL SHOW NOTES
- Aug 10, 202646 min
Using Data to Make Better Instructional Decisions with Brennan Chandler
In this episode, I sit down with Dr. Brennan Chandler, Assistant Professor of Dyslexia at Georgia State University, to talk about how schools can move beyond simply collectingliteracy data and actually use it to make better instructional decisions. We dig into what a meaningful data deep dive looks like—from looking at schoolwide benchmark data to identifying grade-level patterns, examining specific subtests, and ultimately determining what instruction students actually need. CLICK HERE FOR FULL SHOW NOTES
- Jun 22, 202622 min
Stop Planning Activities. Start Building Systems.
Why do so many literacy initiatives start with excitement but struggle to produce lasting results? In this episode, I dive into one of the most common literacy mistakes happening in schools today: disconnected instruction. Too often, Tier 1 instruction, small groups, intervention, tutoring, and progress monitoring all operate as separate systems. Teachers are working incredibly hard, but when instruction isn't aligned, students are left trying to navigate different routines, expectations, and approaches throughout the day. The problem usually isn't a lack of effort—and it isn't always the program. The problem is often the system. Join me as I explore why alignment matters more than effort, how consistent instructional routines support struggling readers, and what schools can do to create a more cohesive approach to literacy instruction. CLICK HERE FOR FULL SHOW NOTES
- Jun 8, 202618 min
Repeatable Instructional Routines that Matter
Before you start buying new resources, rewriting your literacy block, or planning every detail of next year, there is one thing that matters more than all of it: reflection. In this episode, I share why the most effective teachers don't begin summer planning by searching for new programs or activities. Instead, they start by examining what actually worked, what didn't, and which instructional routines truly supported student growth throughout the year. If you've ever felt pressure to completely reinvent your literacy instruction every summer, this episode will help you step back, simplify, and focus on what matters most. CLICK HERE FOR FULL SHOW NOTES
- May 25, 202632 min
Building Stronger Family-School Partnerships in Literacy with Maya Smart
In this episode of the Route2Reading Podcast, I sit down with Maya Smart to explore how we can build stronger, more meaningful partnerships between schools and families to support early literacy. Maya brings a powerful parent perspective to this conversation, helping us rethink how we communicate with families, what parents truly need to know, and how we can better invite them into the literacy process. We talk about shifting from "sending work home" to building real partnerships, simplifying communication, and helping parents understand not just what to do—but why it matters. CLICK HERE FOR FULL SHOW NOTES
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About Route2Reading
A step-by-step roadmap guides you through a reader's journey—at every level. This podcast was made for you if you're ready to, get clear on what structured literacy is and the science behind it. Join me to learn precisely what your struggling readers need and find ways to reach them.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is Podzilla's Route2Reading daily summary?
It's a free AI-powered email that summarizes new episodes of Route2Reading as soon as they're published. You get the key takeaways, notable quotes, and links & mentions — all in a quick read.
How does the Route2Reading podcast summary work?
When a new episode drops, our AI transcribes and analyzes it, then generates a personalized summary tailored to your interests and profession. It's delivered to your inbox every morning.
Is this an official Route2Reading product?
No. Podzilla is an independent service that summarizes publicly available podcast content. We're not affiliated with or endorsed by Amie Burkholder.
Can I get summaries of other podcasts too?
Absolutely! The free plan covers up to 3 podcasts, any in the catalog. Basic raises that to 15, Pro to 40 and Max to 100. Browse our full catalog at /podcasts.
How often does Route2Reading release new episodes?
Route2Reading publishes biweekly. Our AI generates a summary within hours of each new episode.
What topics does Route2Reading cover?
Route2Reading covers topics including Education, How To. Our AI identifies the specific themes in each episode and highlights what matters most to you.
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