The DTALKS Podcast Joe Shaw

What would you do if you suddenly had a new best friends who moved in...on your head!?
That is the situation Moose is in when Duck moves in right on top of his head in 'Duck and Moose (Duck moves in)' by Kirk Reedstrom.
Kirk comes on the show to share all about how he was able to go from dreaming of having painting hanging in galleries to getting books published by Disney in 2024!
ALSO! Huge shout-out to former guest, Scout Underhill, for making this possible! It was their recommendation back when they were on the show which directly lead to Kirk coming on this episode.
Enjoy!



About Kirk Reedstrom
Kirk Reedstrom has spent most of his adult life surrounded by books. He currently works at a public library and used to be a bookseller at Blue Willow Bookshop, an independent bookstore in Houston, TX. He has led children's art workshops at the Kimball Art Museum, the R.W. Norton Art Gallery, and interned with William Joyce at Moonbot Studios. Kirk mixes his past experience with traditional and digital mediums to develop fun-filled characters with a lot of heart and a little bit of mayhem. Kirk enjoys creating books that make people laugh. 
 

About Duck and Moose
Moose loves peace and quiet, relaxing, living alone, and spring! He can’t wait for the arrival of sun, flowers, and…a new neighbor?! Duck just landed himself a new home. He loves parties, karaoke, and living with—and on—Moose’s head. Moose tries everything he can to send Duck away, but he soon finds that this persistent neighbor might just be the best thing spring could bring.
 
Make sure to check out the Dtalkspodcast.com website!

Thanks to Empire Toys for this episode of the podcast!

Nostalgia is something everyone loves and Empire Toys in Keller Texas is on nostalgia overload.
 
With toys and action figures from the 70’s, 80’s, 90’s, and today, Empire Toys is a one-stop-shop for a trip down memory lane and a chance to reclaim what was once yours (but likely sold at a garage sale)
 
Check out Empire Toys on Facebook, Instagram, or at TheEmpireToys.com

AND Thanks to Self Unbound for this episode of the podcast:

Your quality of life: physically, emotionally, mentally, and spiritually, is a direct reflection of the level of abundant energy, ease, and connection your nervous system has to experience your life! 
 
At Self Unbound, your nervous system takes center stage as we help unbind your limited healing potential through NetworkSpinal Care. 
 
Access the first steps to your Unbound journey by following us on Facebook, Instagram, or at www.selfunbound.com

Do you know your history? 
How much do you see yourself represented in the history books today?
Dr. Seema Yasmin set out to provide education for both kids and adults with her latest book "The ABCs of Queer History".
In this episode of the podcast Joe and Dr. Yasmin get into a great conversation around representation and the importance of knowing all the various historical figures who helped shape history but may not be in your textbooks.
Enjoy!

About Dr. Seema Yasmin
Dr. Seema Yasmin is an Emmy Award-winning journalist, medical doctor, and professor. She is director of the Stanford Health Communication Initiative, clinical assistant professor in Stanford University’s Department of Medicine, and visiting professor at the Anderson School of Management at UCLA where she teaches crisis management and communications. Yasmin was a finalist for the Pulitzer Prize in breaking news in 2017 with a team from The Dallas Morning News, and she is the recipient of two awards from the Pulitzer Center on Crisis Reporting. Dr. Yasmin has been featured in and contributed to The New York Times, Rolling Stone, WIRED, Scientific American, and other outlets. She is a medical analyst for CNN and a correspondent for Conde Nast Entertainment. Her books paint vivid pictures about ourselves and how we interact with the world around us and include What the Fact?!: Finding the Truth in All the Noise, Muslim Women are Everything, the poetry collection If God Is a Virus and more.



About 'The ABCs of Queer History'
In this beautiful picture book brimming with P for Pride, writer and poet Seema Yasmin and illustrator Lucy Kirk introduce a different kind of ABCs—not just words like apple, ball or cat, but rather what it means to be diverse, to be equitable, and to be inclusive. That no one counts unless we all count, and how we must open our eyes and ears, minds and hearts, to hear everyone’s story and understand and celebrate their experience.
 
This is a book of people, of ideas, of accomplishments and events. It’s a book about Allies and Ancestors, about Belonging and Being accepted, about Hope, Knowledge, and Love. About historic moments like Stonewall, and how it changed the world. And all about Trailblazers, like Audre Lorde, James Baldwin, Josephine Baker, Harvey Milk, Barbara Jordan, George Takei, Elliot Page, and Sally Ride.
 
The ABC’s of Queer History celebrates both joyful and challenging moments in queer history in the United States through rhyming verse and bright, colorful illustrations.
 
Make sure to check out the Dtalkspodcast.com website!

Thanks to Empire Toys for this episode of the podcast!

Nostalgia is something everyone loves and Empire Toys in Keller Texas is on nostalgia overload.
 
With toys and action figures from the 70’s, 80’s, 90’s, and today, Empire Toys is a one-stop-shop for a trip down memory lane and a chance to reclaim what was once yours (but likely sold at a garage sale)
 
Check out Empire Toys on Facebook, Instagram, or at TheEmpireToys.com

AND Thanks to Self Unbound for this episode of the podcast:

Your quality of life: physically, emotionally, mentally, and spiritually, is a direct reflection of the level of abundant energy, ease, and connection your nervous system has to experience your life! 
 
At Self Unbound, your nervous system takes center stage as we help unbind your limited healing potential through NetworkSpinal Care. 
 
Access the first steps to your Unbound journey by following us on Facebook, Instagram, or at www.selfunbound.com

 

Have you ever used your voice to stand up and speak out?
Are you a 'force of nature?'
In this episode of the podcast, fabulous author and photographer Kate T. Parker stops by the show to promote her latest book 'Force of Nature.' It's an incredible book about the power of Women and Girls.
The conversation between Kate & Joe covers all manner of individual perspectives and how everyone can learn something from these powerful women and girls.
Enjoy!

About Kate T. Parker
KATE T. PARKER is a mother, wife, Ironman, professional photographer/director and New York Times Bestselling author who shoots both personal projects and commercial work for her clients. Her STRONG IS THE NEW PRETTY book led to collaborations with brands such as Disney, Athleta, Kellogg’s, and NBC. It has also inspired Kate to launch a philanthropic arm of SITNP, partnering with organizations such as Girls on the Run, Girl Up, The Arthur Blank Family Foundation, Disney, Glam4Good, and The Bully Project by investing in childrens’ health and education. Kate is also the author of Strong is the New Pretty: The Guided Journal, The Heart of a Boy Play Like A Girl and Force of Nature
About 'Force of Nature'

I first picked up a camera not long after my oldest daughter was born, eighteen years ago.  I felt as if something clicked in me (almost literally).  I loved making images and sharing stories of what it was like to be young, confident and free.  I found my calling and means of expression in celebrating kids, especially girls, authentically.  My first book, Strong is the New Pretty, started as a project to encourage my own two girls to know that they are enough just as they are and that being who they are is enough.  I’ve been photographing with that in mind ever since.  My hobby soon turned into a passion and then into a career.  Yes, it took me until I was in my thirties to find my “thing”, but I am so grateful.  This is my fifth book that celebrates the voices and stories of my subjects alongside images of them being themselves. I love helping to amplify their stories, told in their own words. It’s the best part of what I do, and it is how I use my voice.
 
Make sure to check out the Dtalkspodcast.com website!

Thanks to Empire Toys for this episode of the podcast!

Nostalgia is something everyone loves and Empire Toys in Keller Texas is on nostalgia overload.
 
With toys and action figures from the 70’s, 80’s, 90’s, and today, Empire Toys is a one-stop-shop for a trip down memory lane and a chance to reclaim what was once yours (but likely sold at a garage sale)
 
Check out Empire Toys on Facebook, Instagram, or at TheEmpireToys.com

AND Thanks to Self Unbound for this episode of the podcast:

Your quality of life: physically, emotionally, mentally, and spiritually, is a direct reflection of the level of abundant energy, ease, and connection your nervous system has to experience your life! 
 
At Self Unbound, your nervous system takes center stage as we help unbind your limited healing potential through NetworkSpinal Care. 
 
Access the first steps to your Unbound journey by following us on Facebook, Instagram, or at www.selfunbound.com

"Said you wanna be a legend
Or a statement, or a star
Said you wanna be a legend said you wanna
Be a statement, said you wanna be a star
No, we're legendary!"
On the episode today is THE ICON Dashaun Wesley!
I've been a fan of Dashaun ever since I first saw him on Max's 'Legendary' ballroom competition show! I then went back and watched him on Pose! 
This was an incredible episode where we covered Ballroom, Dashaun's performance background, and how ballroom can be used to further the conversation around the LGBTQ+ community.
Enjoy!

About Dashaun Wesley
A lifelong dancer & performer Dashaun has wowed crowds with his outstanding unique vogue dance style & charismatic personality!
His dedication, talent and ambition has landed Dashaun on MTV’s America’s Best Dance Crew,  in international commercials for Coca Cola and inspired the creation of the Hip Hop dance “The 5000” making him an internet and media sensation, garnering millions of hits on Youtube.
A Brooklyn, NY native Dashaun was introduced to the underground NYC Ballroom scene in High school where the dance phenomenon vogue was created; from that initial introduction it captivated his attention.





August 2009 marked Vogue performance’s return to mainstream attention when Dashaun competed on the fourth season of MTV’s America’s Best Dance Crew as 1/5 of the dance group Vogue Evolution. The crew’s showcase of different elements of the vogue performance alongside popular urban dance moves took them to the top five in the competition.  In January 2010 Dashaun was invited back to host the behind the scenes specials for “ABDC” season 5 interviewing & guiding new competitors on their journey.
Dashaun currently travels the world touring with his dance company & hosting international dance competitions in Helsinki, Finland,  Stockholm, Sweden, St. Petersburg, Russia & Hong Kong, China.
 
Make sure to check out the Dtalkspodcast.com website!

Thanks to Empire Toys for this episode of the podcast!

Nostalgia is something everyone loves and Empire Toys in Keller Texas is on nostalgia overload.
 
With toys and action figures from the 70’s, 80’s, 90’s, and today, Empire Toys is a one-stop-shop for a trip down memory lane and a chance to reclaim what was once yours (but likely sold at a garage sale)
 
Check out Empire Toys on Facebook, Instagram, or at TheEmpireToys.com

AND Thanks to Self Unbound for this episode of the podcast:

Your quality of life: physically, emotionally, mentally, and spiritually, is a direct reflection of the level of abundant energy, ease, and connection your nervous system has to experience your life! 
 
At Self Unbound, your nervous system takes center stage as we help unbind your limited healing potential through NetworkSpinal Care. 
 
Access the first steps to your Unbound journey by following us on Facebook, Instagram, or at www.selfunbound.com

Have YOU ever had a unicorn horn sprout suddenly form your forehead!?
What about having to go into the underworld to retrieve your BFF!?
Did I mention the horn sings!?
All this and more is covered in Dave Roman's FABULOUS graphic novel 'Unicorn Boy'!
Dave is on the show today to discuss all things unicorn, how they got started writing and illustrating, and how kids can take lessons from 'the boy' and apply it to their own lives.
Enjoy!

About Dave Roman
Dave Roman is the author/illustrator of the Astronaut Academy series (winner of Maryland’s Black-Eyed Susan Book Award) and writer of the graphic novels Teen Boat! (with John Patrick Green) and Agnes Quill: An Anthology of Mystery. He has contributed stories to Comics Squad: Recess!, Explorer: The Mystery Boxes, Nursery Rhyme Comics, and Goosebumps Graphix: Slappy’s Tales of Horror. Roman is a professor at the School of Visual Arts, a former editor at Nickelodeon Magazine and is currently series editor for First Second’s Science Comics and History Comics series of nonfiction graphic novels. He lives in New York City and draws webcomics like Starbunny, Inc. and Pup & Duck that can be found on his website
yaytime.com

About 'Unicorn Boy'
The first few years of Brian Reyes’ life were unremarkable—nothing weird about this kid, no sir. Then, one day, a bump appeared on his head, and it grew…and grew…and grew until it was a full-blown, sparkling, SINGING unicorn horn. That’s absolutely the last thing a shy kid like Brian wants, but destiny waits for no unicorn boy.
Luckily, Brian has his reassuring pal Avery to keep him grounded as weird occurrences start stacking up, like Brian’s breakfast muffin talking to him, or a bizarre black cat offering him a business card. But when shadowy creatures from another realm kidnap Avery, Brian has to embrace his fate to rescue his best friend.
In the pages of Unicorn Boy, Dave Roman has created a cast of charming oddballs reckoning with normal, every day problems like heroic destinies and the fate of all magic in the universe. Readers of Narwal and Jelly, Grumpy Unicorn, and InvestiGators will also endear themselves to these lovable characters.
 
Make sure to check out the Dtalkspodcast.com website!

Thanks to Empire Toys for this episode of the podcast!

Nostalgia is something everyone loves and Empire Toys in Keller Texas is on nostalgia overload.
 
With toys and action figures from the 70’s, 80’s, 90’s, and today, Empire Toys is a one-stop-shop for a trip down memory lane and a chance to reclaim what was once yours (but likely sold at a garage sale)
 
Check out Empire Toys on Facebook, Instagram, or at TheEmpireToys.com

AND Thanks to Self Unbound for this episode of the podcast:

Your quality of life: physically, emotionally, mentally, and spiritually, is a direct reflection of the level of abundant energy, ease, and connection your nervous system has to experience your life! 
 
At Self Unbound, your nervous system takes center stage as we help unbind your limited healing potential through NetworkSpinal Care. 
 
Access the first steps to your Unbound journey by following us on Facebook, Instagram, or at www.selfunbound.com

Do you ever find yourself consumed with the 'voice inside your head'?
How do you separate out what is helpful vs what is harmful? 
When do you speak up to obtain the necessary tools and resources to come out of a difficult situation?
These are some of the topics discussed in the latest episode of the podcast!
Author John Schu stops by the podcast to discuss his latest book 'Louder Than Hunger' and he and Joe get into a deep conversation about how to navigate some of life's most difficult times growing up.
Also, because John is a librarian there are plenty of discussions around libraries, enjoy!



About John Schu
John Schu has made a career out of advocating for the people and things he cares about most: kids, books, and the people that connect them. He was named a Library Journal Mover and Shaker for his dynamic interactions with students and his passionate adoption of new technologies as a means of connecting authors, illustrators, books, and readers. He is the children’s librarian for Bookelicious, a part-time lecturer at Rutgers University, and shares his love of reading with countless educators and students around the world. He served as the Ambassador of School Libraries for Scholastic Book Fairs for almost 6 years.
He is the author of This Is a School (Candlewick Press, 2022) illustrated by Veronica Miller Jamison, This Is a Story (Candlewick Press, 2023) illustrated by Caldecott Honor artist Lauren Castillo, Louder Than Hunger (Candlewick, 2024) and The Gift of Story: Exploring the Affective Side of the Reading Life (Stenhouse, 2022). He is a contributor to The Creativity Project (Little, Brown, 2018), edited by Colby Sharp. John Schu lives in Naperville, Illinois.



About 'Louder Than Hunger'
Revered teacher, librarian, and story ambassador John Schu explores anorexia—and self-expression as an act of survival—in a wrenching and transformative novel-in-verse.

But another voice inside me says,
We need help.
We’re going to die.

Jake volunteers at a nursing home because he likes helping people. He likes skating and singing, playing Bingo and Name That Tune, and reading mysteries and comics aloud to his teachers. He also likes avoiding people his own age . . . and the cruelty of mirrors . . . and food. Jake has read about kids like him in books—the weird one, the outsider—and would do anything not to be that kid, including shrink himself down to nothing. But the less he eats, the bigger he feels. How long can Jake punish himself before he truly disappears? A fictionalized account of the author’s experiences and emotions living in residential treatment facilities as a young teen with an eating disorder, Louder than Hunger is a triumph of raw honesty. With a deeply personal afterword for context, this much-anticipated verse novel is a powerful model for muffling the destructive voices inside, managing and articulating pain, and embracing self-acceptance, support, and love.
 
Make sure to check out the Dtalkspodcast.com website!

Thanks to Empire Toys for this episode of the podcast!

Nostalgia is something everyone loves and Empire Toys in Keller Texas is on nostalgia overload.
 
With toys and action figures from the 70’s, 80’s, 90’s, and today, Empire Toys is a one-stop-shop for a trip down memory lane and a chance to reclaim what was once yours (but likely sold at a garage sale)
 
Check out Empire Toys on Facebook, Instagram, or at TheEmpireToys.com

AND Thanks to Self Unbound for this episode of the podcast:

Your quality of life: physically, emotionally, mentally, and spiritually, is a direct reflection of the level of abundant energy, ease, and connection your nervous system has to experience your life! 
 
At Self Unbound, your nervous system takes center stage as we help unbind your limited healing potential through NetworkSpinal Care. 
 
Access the first steps to your Unbound journey by following us on Facebook, Instagram, or at www.selfunboun