PODCAST · education
Real Reading Talk
by Sasha Beckette-Abdullah
We will discuss the systemic issues that are at the very core of why there are low levels of literacy in the Black community and the ways in which we can combat these issues together.
Episodes
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It Wasn't because of the Whuppings it was in Spite of them.
“I got whupped and I turned out fine.” But did you turn out fine because of the whuppings—or IN SPITE of them? That’s the conversation I had with my father, and that’s where this episode begins. We have got to stop calling whuppings, yelling, threatening and intimidating our children Black…
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The Literacy Crisis is Deeper Than: "These Kids Can't Read and Write."
A Texas teacher broke down over his 17- and 18-year-old seniors who, according to him, struggle to read and write. But my question is: Was it just they didn't know how to read or are they disconnected from the literature that they are being asked to read? In my latest episode of The Reading Is...
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The Right To Rest!
What if rest isn't a luxury—but a form of liberation? In this episode of Reading Is Freedom, I explore the powerful connection between literacy, history, and our right to rest. Drawing inspiration from Rest Is Resistance by Tricia Hersey, we examine how centuries of anti-Black racism conditioned...
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The Greatest Trick the devil Ever Pulled was Convincing the World he Doesn't Exist.
🚨 Podcast Premiere This Tuesday | Reading Is Freedom 🚨 If you don't understand racism/white supremacy what it is and how it works then everything you think you understand will only confuse you.-Neely Fuller, Jr. In this upcoming episode of Reading Is Freedom, I discuss why we must be willing to...
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Read the Book, Read Yourself, Read the Room
Reading teaches more than words—it teaches wisdom. When most people think about reading, they think about phonics, vocabulary, and comprehension. While those skills are important, reading also helps us develop life skills that can shape how we navigate the world. In this episode of Reading Is...
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The Freedom to Choose: Lessons from Sis Ayisha's Move to Africa
Freedom Requires Options: A Conversation with Sis Ayisha on Life Beyond America What does it look like to imagine a different future for yourself and your family? In this powerful episode of The Reading Is Freedom Podcast, I sit down with Sis Ayisha to discuss her inspiring journey from America…
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Growth Mindset Over Lack Mindset
🎙️📚 NEW EPISODE ALERT: The Reading Is Freedom Podcast 📚 What if the biggest thing standing between you and success isn't your ability—it's your mindset? In my latest episode, we're talking about the difference between a growth mindset and a lack or fixed mindset. Too many children—and...
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Beat the Summer Slide: Create the Reading Space That Your Child Will Love
Summer is a time for fun, relaxation, and family memories—but it can also be a time when children lose some of the reading skills they worked so hard to build during the school year. In this episode of The Reading Is Freedom Podcast, I explain what the "summer slide" is, why it happens, and how…
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Conversation with scholar and author Dr. Yusuf Malik Frederick.
What happens when faith, literacy, racial trauma, and liberation all collide in one powerful conversation? I recently sat down with New York native Dr. Yusuf Malik Frederick, author of the groundbreaking book I Love Islam but I'm Tired of Muslims: How Spiritual Abuse and Racial Trauma Intersect…
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Conversation with Bronzeville's own author and film maker Abdullah Rasheed Muhammad.
In this powerful episode of the Reading Is Freedom Podcast, I sit down with Bronzeville native and author Abdullah Rasheed Muhammad to discuss his new release, Hood Coma. This conversation goes far beyond the pages of a book — it dives deep into the realities many Black communities face…
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These Are The Five Books That Changed My Life!
There are books you read… and then there are books that change you. In this powerful episode, I’m breaking down five books that didn’t just inform me—they transformed how I see myself, my history, and what freedom truly means. From The Autobiography of Malcolm X by Malcolm X and Alex Haley, to…
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Conversation with Esteemed Author Kerwyn Phillip
Creating generational wealth and learning about financial literacy has been one of the most talked about conversations in the Black community over the last 20+ years. We have become more conscious about breaking free from the financial generational trauma that was created by design ever since the...
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The root cause of Black and Brown children falling behind in reading.
In this episode I'm addressing the recent article done in The Harvard Gazette that talks about the driving decline in U.S. literacy rates. Of course they mention things like the rise of electronic devices, children not being taught phonics anymore or not seeing adults around them reading.…
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Struggling with trusting yourself? Then this is the book for you.
You tired of not trusting your gut? Do you second guess yourself a lot? Are you constantly having to ask other people what to do before you make decisions? Well in this episode I break down where that lack of trust in yourself and the ability to make sound decisions come from. This is one of the...
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Why we stopped reading for pleasure and how to change it.
There was an article written in the Black Wallstreet Times that talked about how reading for pleasure has gone down about 40% for Americans within the last 20 years. For Black people that number looks even more dismal. Well if you've guessed the main reason are the internet, social media and...
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Picture books can be enjoyed by all ages.
Picture books are typically associated with young children. We assume because they are filled with illustrations that you must be 8 years old or younger to read them. That is quite the contrary. These books teach us how to have empathy, to have a higher level thinking and they usually have a wide...
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Nobody's coming to save us, that's why I started ABC READ.
"When you don't understand racism/white supremacy what it is and how it works then everything you think you understand will only confuse you."- Neely Fuller, Jr. This is the quote that I think about constantly when it comes to the deficit, disparities and lack that Black people have been dealing...
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The Time Is Now!
In this episode I'm addressing the article that The Grio wrote entitled, Trump Abolishing Education Department spells doom for Black America. I'm reminding us of how we should not be surprised or scared not one iota of what the president elect and his cabinet plan to put in place and take away...
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Cause and effect discussion on Real Reading Talk
In this episode the esteemed educator Ebony Donley and I are discussing what cause and effect is and how this is one of the foundational components that is needed to have strong reading skills. We also show you our creative and artistic way to teach show what cause and effect is for your child or...
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Elite College Students Can't Read Books?!
Yup you read that read that right. Alot of students from elite colleges like Stanford and Columbia are struggling to read the books that have been assigned to them in their classes because they did not develop the skills that are needed to read a book in its entirety. In this episode I'm talking...
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Three lessons I learned from the movie Inside Out 2.
One of the most talked about movies of this year so far is Inside Out 2. This movie in my opinion gave a good description of what emotional intelligence looks like. It was very relatable and on time especially during these very challenging times where we're seeing an uptick in mental health…
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"What happens if you just love your kids?"
You betta read the book and don't mess up on no words or I'm gonna give you a whuppin! What's your problem why can't you figure out that math problem?! How many times have we went off on our children because, they didn't get their homework done right? How many times have we threatened them for…
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There's Power In Silence
In this episode I'm on my solo box talking about the beauty and power of being silent. This topic came about because of a question that a teenager blurted out in a quiet classroom which was "why is it so quiet?" I remember I wanted to address this issue because I wrote it down in my notebook the...
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Are we empowering or enabling our children?
How many of you grew up being told to do this or that by your parents/caregivers but alot of times wasn't shown how to do it? It was almost like you were expected to know and when you didn't get it right you got in trouble for it. Unfortunately when we take that approach as adults it actually is...
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Conversation with author Tierra Banks on Real Reading Talk!
In this episode I had the absolute pleasure talking to the phenomenal author and founder of Mended Relationships Mrs. Tierra Banks. Our conversations was filled with memories of how her mother didn't play when it came to her children's education. She remembers the times that she had to go look up...
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Conversation with child advocate and author Ashley B.
In this episode I had the ultimate pleasure of talking with this dope sista who truly cares about our children. She's a behavior specialist, spiritual God-mother, child advocate and author Miss. Ashley B. She is truly in the business of helping our children navigate through struggles that may…
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Conversation with Author and Creator of All This Math Akil Parker!
I hate math! We ain't going to use this math anyway, so why do we have to learn it?! How many times have we heard these negative statements and more about the dreaded and most needed subject, math. Well Mr. Akil Parker the veteran High school math teacher, author and creator of All This Math is...
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Conversation with world traveler and author Taye Uhuru!
Been around the world ya ya yaaa! That's the first thing that comes to mind when I think about the conversation I had with brotha Taye Uhuru. It was such an engaging discussion he and I had in which one of the things he casually said is that he's been to 70+ countries! Of course his travels did…
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Conversation with author of the book Hidden In Plain Sight Kaleema Overton Ameen!
In this episode, I had the absolute pleasure with talking to North Carolina native Kaleema Overton Ameen on her journey to becoming an author of a book that deals with one of the most controversial topics of our time narcissism. Of course she starts us off with her strong family roots and what…
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Conversation with the multi-faceted author Khalil Muhammad!
In this episode of Real Reading Talk I'm talking to the multifaceted, art gallery owner, author and Detroit native Khalil Muhammad. Bro Khalil starts us off with his humble beginnings replete with stories about his close knit big family that was filled with love, trials and lots of literacy. He...
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Budget cuts in schools=bye bye to beneficial programs
In this episode, I'm discussing the recent article in our local online news platform cleveland.com that talks about the budget cuts that will be taking place this September in districts across the country. The money from the American Rescue Plan Act dollars are drying up and of course that means...
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The child who is not embraced by the village, will burn it down to feel its warmth.
The child who is not embraced by the village, will burn it down it to feel its warmth is an African proverb that reminds us of the importance of giving love, validation and grace to our children. Unfortunately Black children across this nation in particular, have been used to being dealt with in…
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Conversation with the esteemed award winning author Nikki Grimes!
Have you heard of the books Bronx Masquerade, A Walk In The Woods, Garvey's Choice or Make Way For Dyamonde Daniel? Well these books and many other children's and young adult books have been written by the award winning author Nikki Grimes. Guess what I get to talk to her on this episode of Real...
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Conversation with MC/author/activist/educator Tyson Amir!
This episode is most definitely going to have to be listened to at least twice. Brotha Tyson Amir who is a dope MC, author, activist, educator and Freedom Fighter for our people has graced our presence on the Real Reading Talk platform. What you'll hear is his literary journey that starts with…
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Light skin vs dark skin... really in 2023
In this episode I am addressing the article that I read in TMZ about Nick (woke) Cannon and a partnership with Zeus Network in which they were going to have a competition between dark skin and light skin women. Then, when Nick and the network received backlash they changed the name to chocolate...
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Amazing results occur when parent's understand their assignment!
After reading an article about a fellow Clevelander's mother who understood the assignment of being her children's first teacher, it definitely renewed my faith and reminded me to keep doing what I'm doing. I was in such awe after reading an article that a lady posted in LinkedIn that was written...
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You got the information now it's time to execute!
How come we seek out the knowledge, mentorship, coaching, watch the Youtube videos, listen to the lectures and then when it's time to execute we freeze!? Well grab your notebooks and pens because I'm going all in how we allow the f word, stop us from taking action steps consistently on the things...
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Stop being afraid to step into that highest version of you!
This episode was extremely therapeutic for me. I was most definitely talking to myself from the beginning to the end. I'm addressing an issue that so many people deal with on a daily basis which is being afraid to show who you truly are. I breakdown how this mindset leads to being bullied or...
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Conversation with Ebony Donley about the documentary The Right To Read.
The Right To Read has been one of the most talked about documentaries amongst educators and literacy advocates across this nation. It delves right into how this nation has been failing our children when it comes to them becoming successful readers due to inadequate resources, systemic racism and...
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Breaking down the documentary The Right To Read.
In this episode I'm talking about the documentary The Right To Read that highlights the obvious of how many of our children are not prepared as it pertains to reading across this nation. Kareem Weaver is the one who is like the guide if you will throughout the documentary and he focuses on how…
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Real Reading Talk presents conversation with author and life coach Will L. Little
This conversation had many going through a roller coaster ride of emotions. Philly native Will Latif Little shared his very challenging upbringing being raised by his single mother and aunt(grandma) in a racist society that helped to create the very environment he had to navigate his way through...
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Conversation with author and nonprofit strategist Asiya Nasir
When you think of hustle, dedication, determination and consistency after listening to this conversation with Asiya Nasir she surely will be the person to pop up in your mind. What's so phenomenal about listening to her journey is that she credits a lot of her success through the foundation that...
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Conversation with author, creative strategist, brand consultant and podcaster Zaakirah N. Muhammad.
In this episode I had one of the most inspiring conversations with a sister who encapsulates the meaning of determination and will power and her name is Zaakirah N. Muhammad. She shares her story about how she grew up in a house filled with books and two parents who are strong advocates of...
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We must be bold when speaking the truth!
In this episode I address two issues that have been talked about heavy in the media. The first is how Ron Disantis the racist governor of Florida is on mission to erase the truth about the history of this country being taught in the classrooms. Even though I address there ridiculous requirements...
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Conversation with author Masood Abdul-Haqq
In this amazing episode I get a chance to have a great conversation with a dope brother who wears many hats. Masood Abdul-Haqq is an author, executive, speaker, he owns and operates to pediatric clinics with his awesome wife and he's a community activist. We talk about his journey from his humble...
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Conversation with Ms. Ladosha Wright!
In this episode I had the absolute pleasure of speaking with awesome cosmetologist, author, hair salon owner, hair care activist and educator Ladosha Wright! You get to hear about her journey growing up in a house filled with love and of course some sprinkles of dysfunction like alot families in...
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Discussing the Book "The Subltle Art of Not Giving a F***"
In this episode I’m having an intriguing discussion with my son Ismail about the book we both read, The subtle art of not giving a F. There were gems and nuggets being dropped from both of us, so be sure to have your notebooks and pens ready. Episode 2.
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Conversation with author, motivational speaker, mentor and podcaster Mr. Demont Pope!
Purpose. Over. Pointless. Excuses. This is what is being discussed in this very first episode of season 3 of Real Reading Talk. Mark this down as one of the best episodes that I have ever done because this awesome guest Mr. Demont Pope was absolutely here dropping mad jewels, gems, nuggets and...
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Reading Is Freedom!
In this last episode of season 2 I talk about the concept of reading is freedom and how this message is at the very core of this podcast. I discuss the importance of being intentional about putting reading high on our value ladder in the Black community. Last I give 4 easy ways we can…
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Reading is a superpower!
Oh yes ya'll in this episode I talk about the quote that Kyrie Irving said when he was being questioned by the media in regards to a link to a movie he posted on his personal social media platform. I'm addressing the how made it clear that he understand as a 30 year old why it was said if you…
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ABOUT THIS SHOW
We will discuss the systemic issues that are at the very core of why there are low levels of literacy in the Black community and the ways in which we can combat these issues together.
HOSTED BY
Sasha Beckette-Abdullah
CATEGORIES
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Frequently Asked Questions
How many episodes does Real Reading Talk have?
Real Reading Talk currently has 108 episodes available on PodParley. New episodes are automatically indexed when they're published to the podcast feed.
What is Real Reading Talk about?
We will discuss the systemic issues that are at the very core of why there are low levels of literacy in the Black community and the ways in which we can combat these issues together.
How often does Real Reading Talk release new episodes?
Real Reading Talk publishes regularly with 108 episodes available. Check the episode list for the typical release schedule.
Where can I listen to Real Reading Talk?
You can listen to Real Reading Talk on PodParley by clicking any episode. We provide an embedded audio player for direct listening, and you can also subscribe via your preferred podcast app using the RSS feed.
Who hosts Real Reading Talk?
Real Reading Talk is created and hosted by Sasha Beckette-Abdullah.
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