In this powerful episode of the Right To Read Initiative Podcast, host Kathryn Garforth sits down with Kenneth B. Morris Jr., the great-great-great-grandson of Frederick Douglass and great-great-grandson of Booker T. Washington. Together, they explore the transformative legacy of Booker T. Washington, his early years in slavery, and his relentless pursuit of education as a pathway to freedom.

Kenneth B. Morris Jr. shares personal family stories passed down through generations, offering a unique, living connection to American history. Listeners will hear about Washington's journey from a nine-year-old freed from slavery to founding the Tuskegee Institute and revolutionizing Black education in America. The episode also covers Washington's collaborations with key historical figures, the building of Rosenwald Schools, and the significance of family legacy and generational trauma.

This episode is a must-listen for anyone interested in education, Black history, and the ongoing fight for equal access to literacy and opportunity. Tune in for inspiring stories, crucial lessons from the past, and a reminder of our shared responsibility to carry history forward.

In this powerful episode of the Right To Read Initiative Podcast, Dr. Kathryn Garforth sits down with Kenneth B. Morris Jr., descendant of both Frederick Douglass and Booker T. Washington, to explore the legacy of literacy and freedom in the history of his family. Together, they delve into the life of Frederick Douglass—his childhood under slavery, the cruelty he endured, and the extraordinary journey that led him to become one of America’s greatest abolitionists and advocates for education.

Kenneth B. Morris Jr. shares deeply personal insights into Douglass's early experiences, the transformative power of learning to read and write, and the pivotal moments that shaped his pursuit of knowledge and freedom. The conversation also acknowledges the crucial influence of women in Douglass's life, especially Anna Murray, and highlights Douglass’s dedication to human rights and women’s suffrage.

This episode is a meaningful reflection on the ways history continues to impact education, social justice, and equality today. Tune in for inspiring stories of resilience, self-liberation, and the enduring importance of education, as well as a preview of how Douglass's work paved the way for Booker T. Washington’s legacy, to be explored in the next episode.

Whether you’re an educator, student, or history enthusiast, this episode offers valuable lessons and sparks discussions around the power of literacy, the role of history in shaping our future, and the ongoing fight for justice and equality.

In this thought-provoking episode of the Garforth Education Podcast, Dr. Kathryn Garforth welcomes back David Chalk for a candid conversation about imposter syndrome—particularly through the lens of neurodiversity and lived experience. They explore the underlying psychological and neurological mechanisms that contribute to feelings of unworthiness, trauma, and self-doubt, especially for those with unique learning profiles. David shares personal stories from his journey through the education system, his experiences with prosopagnosia (face blindness), and how these challenges shaped his self-perception and fueled imposter syndrome.

Listeners will gain insight into the science of survival instincts, anxiety, and the role of the amygdala, as David explains why our brains are wired for fear and how this can impact daily life and public speaking. Kathryn and David discuss strategies for overcoming self-doubt—like conscious breathing, practicing presence, and embracing flow states—to help individuals regain confidence and thrive both personally and professionally.

Together, they offer an honest and encouraging message: imposter syndrome is a story our minds tell to keep us small, but through self-awareness, supportive relationships, and mindful choices, we can rewrite that narrative and move forward with authenticity and courage. Whether you're a parent, educator, student, or someone striving to overcome self-doubt, this episode is packed with compassionate advice and actionable tools.

Learn what David Chalk feels is the most important thing for parents and loved ones to do to support a child who is struggling at school.

In this heartfelt, Dr. Kathryn Garforth welcomes entrepreneur and dyslexia advocate David Chalk to share his extraordinary journey—one defined by resilience, curiosity, and the power of unconditional support. Despite facing traumatic experiences in the education system and being told he would never succeed, David went on to become a pilot, tech innovator, radio and TV host, and founder of multiple companies. He candidly describes living with dyslexia, ADHD, and prosopagnosia, and how the lifelong impact of educational trauma shaped his self-worth and drive.

David recounts pivotal moments, from solving an engineering problem no one else could, to learning how to fly without prior experience, and founding a $150 million tech business. He speaks on the importance of living in the present, harnessing flow, and believing in oneself—lessons inspired by his mother’s unwavering support. Kathryn and David also discuss why accurate identification of learning differences is crucial, how trauma can shape identity, and the life-changing experience of finally learning to read as an adult.

Tune in for an inspiring exploration of overcoming adversity, redefining success, and why curiosity and unconditional love are essential for every learner.

Join host Kathryn Garforth as she sits down with Dr. Maria Murray, founder of The Reading League, for an inspiring deep dive into the grassroots beginnings and remarkable growth of this movement that’s transforming literacy education. Dr. Murray shares her journey—from recognizing gaps in how reading science was (or wasn’t) reaching teachers, to coordinating the very first packed live event, to fostering a nationwide network now spanning nearly every state.

Together, they tackle big questions: Why has reading science taken so long to reach the classroom? How can schools, educators, and administrators work together to create lasting literacy change? And what does it take to truly support all learners, not just those with specific diagnoses? Hear behind-the-scenes stories about starting state chapters, launching electrifying conferences, and developing valuable resources like The Reading League’s Compass and curriculum evaluation guidelines.

If you care about literacy, advocacy, and the power of community-driven change, this energizing conversation is for you. Tune in for practical insights, a few good laughs, and a vision of a future where every child—and adult—has the right to read.

🌟 Dr. Maria Murray: My Story🌟

Don't miss the first Episode of Season 6!

Welcome, in this episode I sat down with Dr. Maria Murray, President of The Reading League, for a candid and heartfelt conversation about the state of reading education. Dr. Murray shares her personal journey from history teacher to literacy advocate, opening up about her initial lack of awareness regarding learning disabilities and dyslexia, and the frustration that drove her to spark real change in the field.

Together, Kathryn and Maria pull back the curtain on the persistent gaps between research and classroom practice, reflecting on why so many teacher preparation programs still fail to equip educators with the tools and knowledge grounded in the science of reading. From anecdotes about university roadblocks to the grassroots beginnings of The Reading League, they discuss the urgency of bridging disciplinary divides and ensuring every teacher—and every student—has access to evidence-aligned instruction.

You’ll hear stories about the real-world challenges faced by teachers, the surge of momentum for literacy reform, and the importance of honest, actionable professional development. Whether you’re an educator, parent, or advocate, this episode dives into the passion and perseverance it takes to transform how we teach children to read—and why the work is far from done.

Tune in for inspiration, practical insights, and a glimpse into the future of reading education.

Three fun facts from this episode are:

1. Dr. Maria Murray helped track down participants from a major dyslexia study 11 years later using creative methods like MySpace!

2. The Reading League grew rapidly by hosting free, energetic sessions—attracting thousands of teachers, some of whom drove six hours to attend after-school events.

3. Dr. Murray once handed out so many copies of the National Reading Panel report to her students that UPS would deliver them by the cartload to her office!

Meet Dr. Maria Murray:

Maria S. Murray, Ph.D., is the founder and CEO of The Reading League, a not-for-profit organization whose mission is to advance the awareness, understanding, and use of evidence-aligned reading instruction. Before founding The Reading League, Dr. Murray was an associate professor at the State University of New York at Oswego, where she taught courses related to literacy assessment and intervention for ten years. She received her Ph.D. in Reading Education from Syracuse University, where she served as project coordinator for Dr. Benita Blachman’s numerous federally funded early reading intervention grants. 

As a nationally recognized expert in the science of reading, Dr. Murray serves on advisory boards and committees for numerous local, state, and national literacy organizations, such as the National Joint Committee on Learning Disabilities and the Evidence Advocacy Center.

Dr. Murray is passionate about the prevention and remediation of reading difficulty and consistently strives to increase educator knowledge and the connections between research and practice. 

You can find more from Dr. Maria Murray on

LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/maria-murray-ph-d-734a1973/

Website: https://www.thereadingleague.org/

—-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Would you like a transcript of this episode? Click here

**** Enjoying this podcast? Please share it with someone who would benefit. Also, don’t forget to hit “follow” so you get all the new episodes as soon as they are released. **** Come hang out with me on Facebook or Instagram. Follow me @R2RInitiative to get more practical tools to help you create sustainable clinical medicine in your life.  **** Questions? Comments? Want to share how this podcast has helped you? Would you like to join me as a Guest? Shoot me an email at [email protected] I would love to hear from you.

Join host Dr. Kathryn Garforth on the latest episode of the Right to Read Initiative as she sits down with Elise Lovejoy, the founder of Express Readers, to delve into foundational reading skills and the creation of decodable books for young learners. Elise, a seasoned educator and parent, shares her personal journey, enriched by her experience with a neurodiverse family member, and how it has shaped her empathetic approach to teaching.

In this episode of the Garforth Education Podcast, host Dr, Kathryn Garforth is joined by Dr. Nathaniel Swain to delve into the transformative power of active learning in the classroom. Dr. Swain begins with a powerful quote by Anita Archer, "learning isn't a spectator sport," and emphasizes the need for engaging, participatory teaching strategies. From discussions and partner work to mini whiteboard responses and cold calls, discover how these methods foster an environment where students feel safe to take risks and learn from their mistakes.