Cooking is ancient, and every culture has its signature dishes. How do the foods we prepare and eat become part of our family stories? What are the elements of a recipe that endure the test of time? How can those who may not be trained chefs begin their cooking journey?

Victoria Duerstock and Chef John Malik share answers to these questions and offer tips giving family dinner a prominent place for hearing and telling stories in your home. Make sure you are part of the Afterword Podcast family.

Data reveals that what is being taught in school does not match the skills and information required for current and future careers. Will the 21st century learner be ready to step into the industries of tomorrow?

Joel Tanner & Christine Plumier explain that through robotics competitions, students gain critical thinking skills, use creative collaboration to solve problems and become more confident as readers and writers -- lessons that can move them into their next chapters.

The future of words will involve concepts like: #robotics, #coding, #collaboration, and #literacy. When educators combine the hands-on fields of STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) with research and writing, the literacy development pay-off creates benefits in every sector of our community.

Our guests, Joel Tanner of BCuz robotics at Clemson University and Christine Plumier, a VEX robotics coach in Greenville, SC, share how the power of robotics enhances literacy.

This week we wrap up our conversation with Adrienne Burris and Andre Sullivan. They share why we need to consider the importance of critique when we write and the value of patience as we create. Adrienne and Andre provide tips and tools for teachers, parents, and anyone who wants to energize young voices so that their words become part of the narrative in the future.

Don't forget to subscribe to The Afterword, leave us a review on iTunes, and make sure you join us next week at our table!

Safe, open environments allow for creativity in writing. Giving permission to fail is key to cultivating the power of young writers in particular. How do we collaborate with and listen to the voices of the next generation?

Adrienne Burris is the Director of Greenville Wordsmiths and the ARMES Writing Instructor at the Fine Arts Center. Andre Sullivan  is a best-selling author, illustrator and speaker. He co-founded the non-profit Young Brothers Academy and has been featured on radio and in the press.

Welcome back to our conversation with Dr. Tom LeGrand and Brendan Scott. These expert athletes and storytellers join Holland and Amy to discuss the power of social change and how the backstories of athletes and sports teams inspire and uplift so many people - even those who may not consider themselves sports fans.Whether it's beating the odds, fighting insurmountable challenges, or coming from behind as an underdog, we all can find an element of ourselves in these sport stories.

Some say sports stories are the hardest stories to write because we already know the endings. But readers and viewers love them anyway! Even folks who don't keep up with sports often find something to warm their hearts in an inspiring tale.

Why are sports stories captivating even to people who aren't sports fans? And why do sports stories carry their enormous power to create social change?

To talk about that, we invited Dr. Tom LeGrand, , and Brendan Scott, to the table.

Do you know what a #keystone species is? Our guest, Jill Hendrix used this unique metaphor to describe the impact of local independent bookstores. As incubators of words, ideas, and creativity, local bookstores can offer more than just books to their communities.

USA TODAY bestselling novelist Susan M Boyer joined Jill on the podcast. She gave evidence through her own experiences about the powerful connection that authors and booksellers provide to readers.

The “Buy Local” movement has helped fuel the resurgence of independent bookstores. 

How do local bookstores and booksellers keep afloat with the competitive marketplace of big box stores, the automation of online services and the influx of e-books? Why do authors seek out local bookshops?

Susan Boyer, USA TODAY bestselling novelist, and Jill Hendrix, owner of Fiction Addiction and past president of the Southern Independent Booksellers Alliance, join us to talk about these questions.

Rebecca Davis and Belinda Bauman join our conversation about how empathetic listening and authentic sharing of trauma stories can heal the brain. As compassionate witnesses, we have to learn humility along with giving time and energy to others. Rebecca & Belinda give us tools and insight into what systemic abuse is, and how to combat the rise of silencing those who have experienced trauma. We learned that we can move from being victims to being survivors when we feel safe.