Dr. Diane's Adventures in Learning

Dr Diane Jackson Schnoor
  • 5.0 (11)
  • EDUCATION
  • UPDATED WEEKLY

🎧 Adventures in Learning with Dr. Diane 🎧Inspire curiosity. Spark creativity. Fuel a lifelong love of learning. Are you an educator, librarian, parent, or STEM/STEAM enthusiast looking to make learning come alive for kids? Adventures in Learning with Dr. Diane is your go-to podcast for hands-on, joyful learning that connects STEM/STEAM education, multicultural children's literature, and real-world exploration. Join Dr. Diane Jackson Schnoor, educator and explorer, as she travels the world (literally and virtually!) to bring you conversations with award-winning authors, illustrators, educators, scientists, and STEM leaders. Each episode delivers fresh ideas, engaging stories, and practical tips to inspire early childhood and elementary learners—in the classroom, the library, or at home. Wonder, curiosity, connection, and play -- we bring the world to you! 🌎 Featuring: Innovative STEM/STEAM experiencesDiverse children's book recommendationsStrategies for inquiry-based, joyful learning through playVoices from around the globe that inspire the WOW 🧠 Perfect for:Early childhood & elementary educators | School librarians | Homeschoolers | Caregivers | STEM/STEAM champions 🔗 Explore featured books: bookshop.org/shop/drdianeadventures📝 Read full show notes: drdianeadventures.com/blog 💌 Have an idea or guest suggestion? Email: diane@drdianeadventures.com👉 Subscribe, rate, and review to support more Adventures in Learning!

  1. Protecting Our Oceans From the Inside Out with the Rozalia Project's Ashley Sullivan​

    15H AGO

    Protecting Our Oceans From the Inside Out with the Rozalia Project's Ashley Sullivan​

    Send a text If you’ve ever walked along a shoreline, spotted trash, and thought, “How did this get here, and what can I do about it?” -- this conversation is for you. Ashley Sullivan, Executive Director of the Rozalia Project for a Clean Ocean, joins me to unpack the very real problem of marine debris and microplastics, and to remind us that curiosity, community, and “lots of littles” can add up to big change.​ We explore how getting kids and adults outside for hands-on cleanups builds empathy and sparks those powerful “aha” moments that lead to action. Ashley explains what microplastics and microfibers actually are, how they move from our homes into rivers, lakes, and the ocean, and why they’re now being found in wildlife, soils, air, and even our own bodies. You’ll also learn what it’s like to live and learn aboard a 60-foot research sailboat in the Gulf of Maine.​ Ashley shares her winding career path from a childhood spent sailing in Florida to place-based environmental education and leading a marine conservation nonprofit. This episode is a rich resource for educators, caregivers, and young people imagining future STEM/STEAM and conservation careers, plus it serves up practical ideas and a generous dose of hope.​ Chapters  00:48 – Meet Ashley and the Rozalia Project02:30 – Marine debris 101: Where all this trash comes from02:54 – Starting with wonder: cleanups, empathy, and “aha” moments03:56 – Microplastics and microfibers made simple09:49 – The CORA Ball12:04 – American Promise: life and learning on a research sailboat18:25 – “Humans caused it, humans can fix it”22:06 – Place-based learning, philosophy, and the sea30:09 – Climate, storms, and why inland trash still reaches the ocean33:29 – What gives Ashley hopeIf this episode sparked curiosity, here are some next steps to take with your learners, families, or teams. Follow the Rozalia Project.​ Support the show Share this episode If this conversation sparked wonder, gave you a helpful strategy, or offered a needed reminder of hope, please share it with a friend or colleague. Subscribe • Download • Review • Tell a friend Stay updated with our latest episodes and follow us on Instagram, LinkedIn, and the Adventures in Learning website. Don't forget to subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts! *Disclosure: I am a Bookshop.org. affiliate.

    35 min
  2. Why Kids “Live in Books” -- James Ponti on City Spies: Europa and the Power of Middle Grade Readers

    FEB 10

    Why Kids “Live in Books” -- James Ponti on City Spies: Europa and the Power of Middle Grade Readers

    Send a text What happens when a bestselling middle grade author joins you on World Read Aloud Day -- and opens the episode with a live read-aloud from his brand-new release? In this return conversation, James Ponti celebrates the book birthday of City Spies: Europa (Book 7!) and takes us behind the scenes of what it really takes to write page-turning mystery-adventure that kids don’t just read, they inhabit. We talk about the research rabbit holes that make a story feel real (including the world's most expensive cup of tea!), the craft of writing dialogue that flows, and why the read aloud shouldn’t stop in early elementary, especially for books that beg to be heard. You’ll also hear why James believes hope lives in the reader community itself: kids who show up dressed as characters, remember details from five books ago, and prove, again and again, that middle grade readers are powerful. Favorite Takeaways Kids don’t just read books, they live in them.The best middle grade is never “dumbed down.” Kids notice everything.The read aloud is still one of the strongest tools we have for motivation, stamina, and connection.Hope lives in communities of readers who show up, reread, and care deeply.Timestamps 01:46 Special Read Aloud from the first chapter07:43 Behind-the-scenes research and inside jokes that add “richness” to the writing10:46 Middle grade growth: Sydney + Paris, insecurity, and learning to share what we carry12:57 Writing by ear: dialogue, flow, and reading drafts aloud 30+ times15:27 “Kids live in books”: fandom, rereads, deep questions, and catching mistakes28:35 Touring with author friends + building a wider reading life36:39 Hope: readers, community, and stories that model how people solve problems together40:36 What’s next: Sherlock Society: Art Attack (graffiti in Miami!) Connect + More Learn more about James Ponti and check out his appearances on episodes 69, 98, and 119 of the Adventures in Learning podcastCheck out all of James Ponti's booksSign up for Dr. Diane's 365 Day Picture Book Read Aloud calendarSupport the show Share this episode If this conversation sparked wonder, gave you a helpful strategy, or offered a needed reminder of hope, please share it with a friend or colleague. Subscribe • Download • Review • Tell a friend Stay updated with our latest episodes and follow us on Instagram, LinkedIn, and the Adventures in Learning website. Don't forget to subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts! *Disclosure: I am a Bookshop.org. affiliate.

    41 min
  3. Rewriting the Myths: Identity, Empathy, and Belonging in Middle Grade Fantasy with Tracy Wolff

    FEB 4

    Rewriting the Myths: Identity, Empathy, and Belonging in Middle Grade Fantasy with Tracy Wolff

    Send us a text What happens when young readers are invited to question the stories they’ve always been told? In this episode of the Adventures in Learning podcast, Dr. Diane Jackson Schnoor welcomes bestselling author Tracy Wolff to celebrate the launch of her middle grade fantasy debut, The Aftermyth. Together they explore how mythology, storytelling, empathy, and student identity come together in powerful ways, and why middle grade fiction plays a critical role in helping young readers discover who they are and where they belong. From challenging patriarchal myth narratives to reimagining Aphrodite through compassion and friendship, this conversation highlights how fantasy literature can spark critical thinking, emotional growth, and a love of reading. Perfect for educators, librarians, families, literacy advocates, and middle grade readers. Episode Chapters 01:21 Building a New Mythological World at Anaximander’s Academy03:12 Questioning History, Power, and Perspective in Stories07:13 Empathy, Friendship, and the Reimagining of Aphrodite10:12 Middle Grade Identity, Belonging, and Finding Your Voice13:29 Read-Alouds, Choice, and Building Reading Motivation18:32 Writing Middle Grade Fantasy and Keeping Kids Engaged19:49 What Brings Hope: Raising Compassionate ReadersWhat You’ll Learn in This Episode Why The Aftermyth challenges traditional Greek mythology narrativesHow middle grade fantasy supports identity development and belongingThe importance of empathy and compassion in children’s literatureWhy read-alouds should continue beyond early elementary gradesHow student choice and format flexibility support reluctant readersHow storytelling builds motivation and reading staminaFeatured Book 📚 The Aftermyth by Tracy Wolff, available wherever books are sold. Check out The Aftermyth Reading Guide. Join Tracy Wolff on tour. Support the show Share this episode If this conversation sparked wonder, gave you a helpful strategy, or offered a needed reminder of hope, please share it with a friend or colleague. Subscribe • Download • Review • Tell a friend Stay updated with our latest episodes and follow us on Instagram, LinkedIn, and the Adventures in Learning website. Don't forget to subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts! *Disclosure: I am a Bookshop.org. affiliate.

    22 min
  4. The Missing Piece in Reading Instruction: Motivation (with Behind the Book’s Anmarie Paul)

    JAN 28

    The Missing Piece in Reading Instruction: Motivation (with Behind the Book’s Anmarie Paul)

    Send us a text What if the biggest gap in reading instruction isn’t phonics or fluency — but motivation?Dr. Diane Jackson Schnoor sits down with Anmarie Paul, Executive Director of Behind the Book, to explore how intrinsic motivation, belonging, student choice, and joyful literacy experiences help children become lifelong readers. Together, they unpack how Science of Reading practices and reading engagement strategies must work together because children don’t just need to learn how to read, they need to want to read. From expressive read-alouds to author visits, STEM-literacy integration, and identity-centered storytelling, this conversation offers practical insights for educators, librarians, parents, school leaders, and literacy advocates. Episode Chapters 00:00 Motivation and Reading Instruction04:14 Read Alouds That Build Engagement and Fluency08:34 How Behind the Book Builds Reading Motivation15:30 Literacy, STEM, and Creative Learning18:40 Author Visits and Student Belonging24:55 Leadership in Literacy and Youth Development29:28 The Future of Reading: Engagement Meets Science of ReadingWhat You’ll Learn in This Episode Why intrinsic motivation is critical to reading successHow read alouds improve fluency, comprehension, and connectionWhat makes literacy programs truly engaging for studentsHow belonging and representation impact reading identityWays to combine Science of Reading + engagement-based practicesHow literacy, STEM, creativity, and storytelling intersectStrategies for building sustainable reading ecosystems🔗 Learn More & Get Involved Behind the Book: https://www.behindthebook.orgFollow Behind the Book on Instagram, Facebook, and LinkedIn.Download the Adventures in Learning 365 Day Picture Book Read Aloud CalendarSupport the show Share this episode If this conversation sparked wonder, gave you a helpful strategy, or offered a needed reminder of hope, please share it with a friend or colleague. Subscribe • Download • Review • Tell a friend Stay updated with our latest episodes and follow us on Instagram, LinkedIn, and the Adventures in Learning website. Don't forget to subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts! *Disclosure: I am a Bookshop.org. affiliate.

    32 min
  5. Indoor Days + Big Feelings: Play, Empathy, and Teachable Moments with Francine Prince

    JAN 21

    Indoor Days + Big Feelings: Play, Empathy, and Teachable Moments with Francine Prince

    Send us a text When cold weather keeps kids inside, big feelings can spike—for children and the adults supporting them. In this uplifting conversation, early childhood expert Francine Prince shares practical, realistic strategies for indoor days, and reminds us that the best early learning happens when we stay intentional, flexible, and deeply connected. In this episode, we'll discuss: How to plan indoor days so you’re not “teaching on the fly”What child-led really means (and what it doesn’t)Why teachable moments matter more than rigid timingSimple ways to communicate learning to families—without writing an essayThe power of leading with the positive to build trust and partnershipWhat early childhood can teach adults about conflict, adaptability, and routinesWhy burnout is rising—and what support teachers actually needTimestamps 01:41 Indoor-day advice: movement breaks, intentional planning, and being “ready for anything”03:27 Defining child-led for families (and how teachers still facilitate learning)05:08 Teachable moments: what great teachers notice—and why it matters07:10 Creating a climate where teachers feel safe to follow children’s learning08:41 Making learning visible to families 12:18 “Everything we need as adults, we should’ve learned in preschool” (3 big takeaways)15:23 Teaching empathy + conflict resolution through environment and facilitation17:03 What empathy means—and how to meet families where they are20:04 Coaching adults: empathy, communication styles, and partnering with parents24:05 Francine’s story: Head Start roots, coaching, leadership, disability advocacy, and statewide work29:28 Biggest challenges today: burnout, behavior, low pay, and support gaps33:16 What effective professional learning should look like (practical, real, implemented)37:24 Hope: why early childhood still matters—and why people in the field bring hopeLinks & Resources Dr. Diane’s free 365-day Picture Book Read-Aloud CalendarConnect with Dr. Diane and book her to speak or lead professional development workshops at your next eventConnect with Francine Prince on LinkedIn.Support the show Share this episode If this conversation sparked wonder, gave you a helpful strategy, or offered a needed reminder of hope, please share it with a friend or colleague. Subscribe • Download • Review • Tell a friend Stay updated with our latest episodes and follow us on Instagram, LinkedIn, and the Adventures in Learning website. Don't forget to subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts! *Disclosure: I am a Bookshop.org. affiliate.

    40 min
  6. Let Them Play: Rae Pica on Joyful Learning and Reclaiming Early Childhood

    JAN 14

    Let Them Play: Rae Pica on Joyful Learning and Reclaiming Early Childhood

    Send us a text What if the most powerful thing we could give young children is time to play? Early childhood expert Rae Pica joins Dr. Diane for a candid conversation about why play, movement, and joy are essentials, not extras -- and how rushing children into academics is doing real harm. 🎧 Episode Summary In this episode of the Adventures in Learning podcast, Dr. Diane Jackson Schnoor welcomes author, keynote speaker, and longtime advocate for developmentally appropriate early childhood education Rae Pica. Together, they explore what’s gone wrong in early childhood education—from scripted teaching and excessive seat time to the loss of play—and what the research actually tells us about how young children learn. Rae explains why play builds problem-solving, empathy, language, and executive function, how parents can become powerful allies, and why small acts of advocacy can help educators reclaim joy and reduce burnout. This is a hopeful, practical conversation for educators, families, and anyone who believes childhood should be honored, not hurried. ⏱️ Highlights & Chapters 00:00 — Meet Rae Pica + why early childhood matters02:22 — What’s gone wrong: rushed academics & ignored research07:01 — Why play is “everything” to young children10:32 — What block play teaches (SEL, STEM, critical thinking)16:14 — Why movement fuels the brain19:07 — Rae’s vision of a joyful early childhood classroom25:16 — Research on play, joy, and how the brain learns38:07 — Rae’s magic wand: follow child development39:38 — Advocacy, burnout, and teacher empowerment43:37 — Hope: signs the tide is turning🔗 Links & Resources Rae Pica's free resourcesRae Pica's online coursesRae Pica's booksDr Diane's 365 Day Picture Book Read Aloud CalendarSupport the show Share this episode If this conversation sparked wonder, gave you a helpful strategy, or offered a needed reminder of hope, please share it with a friend or colleague. Subscribe • Download • Review • Tell a friend Stay updated with our latest episodes and follow us on Instagram, LinkedIn, and the Adventures in Learning website. Don't forget to subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts! *Disclosure: I am a Bookshop.org. affiliate.

    45 min
  7. From AfroBets to Spirituals: A Lifetime of Making Books That Matter Cheryl Willis Hudson on Just Us Books, Representation, and Freedom to Read

    JAN 7

    From AfroBets to Spirituals: A Lifetime of Making Books That Matter Cheryl Willis Hudson on Just Us Books, Representation, and Freedom to Read

    Send us a text From AfroBets to We Rise, We Resist, We Raise Our Voices to a brand-new picture book that sings with history, legendary author and publisher Cheryl Willis Hudson has helped shape what children can see (and become) through books. If you care about diverse children’s books, freedom to read, and the cultural power of music, this episode is for you. Dr. Diane Jackson Schnoor welcomes Cheryl Willis Hudson, co-founder of the groundbreaking children’s publishing house Just Us Books. Cheryl shares why she and husband Wade Hudson created Just Us Books, and what it’s meant to write and publish stories that serve as windows, mirrors, and sliding glass doors for children. Cheryl reflects on growing up in the Jim Crow South and how the lack of accurate representation in children’s literature shaped her mission to publish books that affirm Black childhood, celebrate multicultural experiences, and expand the canon of children’s books. The conversation also addresses book bans and censorship, including how books are challenged by small groups who often haven’t read the full text -- and why that’s an urgent threat to freedom of expression and access to stories. In a moving highlight, Cheryl introduces her “dream book,” When I Hear Spirituals, and shares how spirituals carry history, resilience, and joy while shaping American music itself. She even sings a portion of “Over My Head,” offering listeners a moment that feels like story, song, and legacy braided together. Chapters: 01:00 Cheryl Willis Hudson + Just Us Books origin story 08:08 Growing up in Jim Crow South + why representation matters 13:49 Book challenges, lists, and censorship ripple effects 20:01 Reading from We Rise, We Resist… 30:13 When I Hear Spirituals + history of spirituals 🔗 Links & Resources  Dr. Diane's 365 Day Picture Book Read Aloud CalendarFollow Cheryl Willis Hudson on her website, Instagram, LinkedInRudine Sims Bishop: “Windows, Mirrors, Sliding Glass Doors” Freedom to Read / Anti-censorship resources: EverSupport the show Share this episode If this conversation sparked wonder, gave you a helpful strategy, or offered a needed reminder of hope, please share it with a friend or colleague. Subscribe • Download • Review • Tell a friend Stay updated with our latest episodes and follow us on Instagram, LinkedIn, and the Adventures in Learning website. Don't forget to subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts! *Disclosure: I am a Bookshop.org. affiliate.

    43 min
  8. Thanks to a Banned Book — Freedom to Read, Empathy, and Storytelling with Dynahlee Star Padilla-Vasquez

    12/30/2025

    Thanks to a Banned Book — Freedom to Read, Empathy, and Storytelling with Dynahlee Star Padilla-Vasquez

    Send us a text A book some adults tried to keep off shelves helped a seventh grader make sense of grief, addiction, and forgiveness and shaped the storyteller she became. This episode is a powerful reminder that books can be lifelines and freedom to read matters. In Episode 169 of Adventures in Learning, Dr. Diane Jackson Schnoor welcomes Dynahlee Star Padilla-Vasquez for a timely conversation about banned books, empathy, and the transformative power of reading. Dynahlee shares an excerpt from her essay, “Thanks to a Banned Book, I Forgave My Drug Addicted Grandpa and Escaped His Path,” and reflects on how Ellen Hopkins’ Crank, a frequently challenged book, helped her understand addiction, humanize a family story, and ultimately choose a path in journalism and storytelling. Together, Dr Diane and Dynahlee unpack why adults fear difficult topics in books, how communication (not censorship) supports kids, and how book challenges often come from organized efforts that pull lines out of context. They close with a hopeful look toward the new year, grounded in the belief that one book can change a life. ⏱️ Chapters 02:06 Reading from “Thanks to a Banned Book…” 07:41 Crank as a transformative tale 12:10 What makes a powerful story 14:10 Fear, censorship & book challenges 19:44 Research, PEN America, EveryLibrary, data, and banning trends 26:35 Books vs. the online “wild west” 28:23 What brings hope into the new year 🔗 Links  Dynahlee’s essay in Everyday AdvocacyFreedom to Read / anti-censorship resources: PEN America, EveryLibrary, Committee for the First AmendmentCheck out Support the show Share this episode If this conversation sparked wonder, gave you a helpful strategy, or offered a needed reminder of hope, please share it with a friend or colleague. Subscribe • Download • Review • Tell a friend Stay updated with our latest episodes and follow us on Instagram, LinkedIn, and the Adventures in Learning website. Don't forget to subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts! *Disclosure: I am a Bookshop.org. affiliate.

    30 min
See All (175)

5
out of 5
11 Ratings

About

🎧 Adventures in Learning with Dr. Diane 🎧Inspire curiosity. Spark creativity. Fuel a lifelong love of learning. Are you an educator, librarian, parent, or STEM/STEAM enthusiast looking to make learning come alive for kids? Adventures in Learning with Dr. Diane is your go-to podcast for hands-on, joyful learning that connects STEM/STEAM education, multicultural children's literature, and real-world exploration. Join Dr. Diane Jackson Schnoor, educator and explorer, as she travels the world (literally and virtually!) to bring you conversations with award-winning authors, illustrators, educators, scientists, and STEM leaders. Each episode delivers fresh ideas, engaging stories, and practical tips to inspire early childhood and elementary learners—in the classroom, the library, or at home. Wonder, curiosity, connection, and play -- we bring the world to you! 🌎 Featuring: Innovative STEM/STEAM experiencesDiverse children's book recommendationsStrategies for inquiry-based, joyful learning through playVoices from around the globe that inspire the WOW 🧠 Perfect for:Early childhood & elementary educators | School librarians | Homeschoolers | Caregivers | STEM/STEAM champions 🔗 Explore featured books: bookshop.org/shop/drdianeadventures📝 Read full show notes: drdianeadventures.com/blog 💌 Have an idea or guest suggestion? Email: diane@drdianeadventures.com👉 Subscribe, rate, and review to support more Adventures in Learning!

Information

  • Creator
    Dr Diane Jackson Schnoor
  • Years Active
    2022 - 2026
  • Episodes
    175
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Dr Diane Jackson Schnoor LLC
  • Show Website
    Dr. Diane's Adventures in Learning