Season 9 Episode #9 The Power of Reading, Writing, and Southern Storytelling with Author Susan Gooch

Send us Fan MailIn this episode, Jebeh Edmunds sits down with Susan Gooch, an Arkansas author and proud Southern storyteller, to talk about the transformative power of reading, writing, and the stories we carry from our lived experiences.Susan shares her journey from a child with dyslexia who resisted reading to a voracious reader who devours nearly 200 books a year. She opens up about her mother's patient dedication, the eighth-grade moment a Dickens novel cracked her world wide open, and how those early struggles shaped her into an empathetic, passionate educator.Together, Jebeh and Susan explore creative classroom strategies for reluctant readers — from "book carrying" and lunch bunches to Book Bingo and million-word reading challenges — and discuss how building positive associations with reading can change a student's entire trajectory.Susan also dives into her Carrington Series, sharing how small-town Arkansas life, a cast of unforgettable Southern women, and a story that came to her while supervising standardized tests inspired her fiction debut. She reflects on finding her authentic author voice, the danger of mimicking other writers, and why it's never too late to start a new chapter — in books or in life.Key Takeaways:The brain must be trained to read — and great educators know how to make that happenWrite what you know: your lived experience is your greatest creative assetIt's never too late to pivot, start over, and chase new dreamsFind Susan Gooch: susangooch.com | Instagram & Facebook: @Y'allHaveGottoReadThisThe Carrington Affairs and The Non-Negotiable are available on Amazon and local booksellers. Support the showCOME SAY Hey!!Instagram: @cultrallyjebeh_Facebook: @JebehCulturalConsultingPinterest: @Jebeh Cultural Consulting LinkedIn: @Jebeh Cultural ConsultingLeave a Review on our Podcast! We value your feedback!Buy My Book: The Orange Blossom  https://a.co/d/dRgzqgB 🎉 Show your support and rock the culture!Check out the official Cultural Curriculum Chat™ merch — from cozy beanies to statement mugs that celebrate community, curiosity, and inclusive storytelling. Grab your favorite pieces and rep the movement! ➤ https://jebehedmunds.com/merch-shop/👉 Every purchase helps support the podcast and our mission to amplify diverse voices.Follow our BlogEnroll In Our Mini CoursesEnroll In My Digital Course: How To ...