Best Reluctant Readers Podcasts (2025)

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Messy, Fun, and Memorable: The Real Secret to Family Reading Nights 12:02

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5h ago12:02

12:02

Does the idea of a cozy family reading night sound wonderful in theory—but totally impossible in your real life? Between sports practices, dishes, and bedtime meltdowns, it can feel like there’s no way to add one more thing. But family reading nights don’t have to be perfect (or even quiet) to be powerful. In this episode of the Engaging Reluctant …

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Spies, Sonnets & a Sword 4:46

13m ago4:46

4:46

The Short, Daring Life of Thomas Watson On this day in Tudor history, 26 September 1592, poet and translator Thomas Watson was buried at St Bartholomew-the-Less. You may not know his name, but in Elizabethan circles he was the rule-bender who wrote 18-line “sonnets”, carried letters for Sir Francis Walsingham, supplied lyrics for William Byrd, and …

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Episode 353: The Shortcut Narrative Unit: How to Get Powerful Stories in Just 10 Days 23:21

3h ago23:21

23:21

I’d love to hear from you! Send me a text! Narrative writing is such an important skill for middle schoolers—but let’s be honest, it often feels like it takes forever to teach. Before you know it, weeks (or even months!) are gone, and you’re scrambling to fit in argument and informational writing. In this episode, I discussed how to make narrative …

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S3 | E12: Stars Like Acid x Marissa Lupe 12:56

8h ago12:56

12:56

This episode spotlights, the science fiction fantasy novel, Stars Like Acid by Marissa Lupe. In this episode the author shared tips for setting the reading mood for an immersive out-of-this-world literary experience and even reenacted a luxe scene from the book. Connect with Marissa Lupe: Instagram Connect with Books en Vogue: Instagram | Website…

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Fotheringhay Bound: Mary, Queen of Scots 4:07

5m ago4:07

4:07

The Day Mary, Queen of Scots’ Fate Was Sealed On this day in Tudor history, 25 September 1586, Mary, Queen of Scots was escorted to Fotheringhay Castle. She would never leave. That same week, Elizabeth I agreed to appoint 36 commissioners to try her cousin. The road from captive to condemned began here. I’m Claire Ridgway, historian and author. In …

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Born in the Tower 5:08

10h ago5:08

5:08

On this day in Tudor history, 24 September 1561, a baby with a claim and a cloud was born inside the Tower of London. Meet Edward Seymour, Viscount Beauchamp, son of Lady Katherine Grey (Jane Grey’s sister) and Edward Seymour, Earl of Hertford, a couple who secretly married without Elizabeth I’s permission. The queen refused to recognise the union,…

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Episode 352: ChatGPT Series: Differentiation Without the Extra Work 14:30

24h ago14:30

14:30

I’d love to hear from you! Send me a text! Differentiation doesn’t have to mean staying up late making three different versions of the same lesson. In this week’s Teaching Middle School episode, I shared how you can use ChatGPT to quickly create scaffolds, extensions, and tiered questions—so every student has a way into the learning without you dou…

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“Truce”… then Cannon Fire: San Juan de Ulúa (1568) - The Road to the Armada 4:33

1d ago4:33

4:33

On this day in Tudor history, 23 September 1568, a tense “harbour truce” at San Juan de Ulúa (Veracruz) exploded into close-quarters battle. Spanish warships surged in; cannon roared; John Hawkins and his young kinsman Francis Drake barely escaped with the Minion and Judith as the flagship Jesus of Lübeck was wrecked. Many English sailors were capt…

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The Carpenter Who Built Henry VIII’s World 5:02

2d ago5:02

5:02

Ever looked up at Hampton Court’s Great Hall and wondered who made that jaw-dropping roof? On this day in Tudor history, 22 September 1544, James Nedeham, master carpenter, architect and Surveyor of the King’s Works, died while on campaign with Henry VIII at Boulogne. You may not know his name, but you know his work: Hampton Court’s Great Hall roof…

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A Duchess’s Cry for Help 7:43

3d ago7:43

7:43

Content note: This video discusses historical allegations of domestic abuse. Imagine being one of the highest-ranking women in England, then writing that you were locked away, stripped of your jewels, pinned until you spat blood, and dragged from bed by your hair. Those are the claims of Elizabeth Howard, Duchess of Norfolk, set down in letters to …

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From “Looking for Richard” to Writing Richard III — Wendy Johnson Interview 48:33

5d ago48:33

48:33

Villain or maligned? In this interview, historical novelist Wendy Johnson—a founding member of Philippa Langley’s “Looking for Richard” project—joins me to discuss her debut novel, The Traitor’s Son, which traces Richard III’s formative decade (1461–1471). We explore: What being close to the 2012 discovery in Leicester changed for her as a writer a…

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Library Visits Without the Chaos: How to Make Them Work for Your Family 13:10

5d ago13:10

13:10

If your last library trip ended in chaos—or you’ve been avoiding going at all—you’re not alone. Maybe your kids melted down before you made it past the first shelf, maybe you left with a random pile of books no one read, or maybe you can’t even find your library card. In this episode of the Engaging Reluctant Readers Podcast, Ellen Westbrook shares…

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Katherine Willoughby: Duchess, Exile, Survivor 5:09

5d ago5:09

5:09

On this day in Tudor history, 19 September 1580, Katherine Willoughby (Katherine Brandon, later Katherine Bertie), Duchess of Suffolk, died after a long illness and was laid to rest at Spilsby, Lincolnshire. I’m historian and author Claire Ridgway, and today I’m telling the story of one of my favourite Tudor women, a brilliant, resilient figure who…

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Episode 351: Balancing Creative and Academic Writing in the Middle School Classroom 14:17

6d ago14:17

14:17

I’d love to hear from you! Send me a text! How do we strike the right balance between fun, engaging creative writing and the academic writing skills our students need to succeed? In this episode, let's dive into why both matter, how to weave them together, and practical strategies you can start using right away. Tune in to discover how creativity a…

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Heir, Hostage, Court Favourite… Dead at 15 - Henry Brandon’s Story 5:14

6d ago5:14

5:14

On this day in Tudor history, 18 September 1535, Henry Brandon, 2nd Duke of Suffolk, was born at Chartley in Staffordshire. The eldest son of Charles Brandon, Duke of Suffolk, and Catherine Willoughby, Henry’s life was full of promise, until it was heartbreakingly cut short. Educated alongside Prince Edward (the future Edward VI), Henry thrived at …

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The Quiet Power Behind the Reformation: Bullinger 5:07

7d ago5:07

5:07

On 17 September 1575, Zurich lost one of its great reformers: Heinrich (Henry) Bullinger. While Luther thundered, Calvin systematised, and Zwingli fought and died, Bullinger quietly anchored the Swiss Reformation, and his writings reached far beyond Switzerland, shaping the faith of Tudor England. In this episode, I explore: Bullinger’s rise from B…

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Climbing Mountains, Literal and Literary: Shareez Bagaria Conquers All 46:00

8d ago46:00

46:00

We'd love your feedback. Send us a message. What if we could teach our children to face life's challenges with resilience, courage, and self-belief? That's exactly what Durban author Shareez Bagaria is doing through her captivating children's book "Luna's Journey" - and she's living these principles herself in the most extraordinary way. Nestled in…

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Episode 350: ChatGPT Series: Communication & Admin Tasks Made Easier 17:46

8d ago17:46

17:46

I’d love to hear from you! Send me a text! Emails, newsletters, behavior documentation… oh my! Communication and admin tasks can easily eat up hours of your week—but they don’t have to. In today’s episode of Teaching Middle School ELA, I shared how ChatGPT can act like your personal assistant for the behind-the-scenes work of teaching. From draftin…

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S3 | E11: Through Our Teeth x Pamela N. Harris 14:34

8d ago14:34

14:34

This is a bonus episode in celebration of publication day! This episode spotlights the YA mystery/thriller novel Through Our Teeth by Pamela N. Harris, now available everywhere books are sold and/or borrowed. In this episode the author shared tips for setting the reading mood for a thrilling intentional literary experience and even reenacted a hear…

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Walter Devereux: Poison Plot or Tragic Misfortune 4:51

8d ago4:51

4:51

On 16 September 1539, Walter Devereux was born at Chartley in Staffordshire. Nobleman, soldier, coloniser—and father to Robert Devereux, Elizabeth I’s brilliant but doomed favourite—Walter’s life was full of ambition, controversy, and whispers that outlived him. From his meteoric rise at Elizabeth’s court to his brutal and ill-fated campaign in Ire…

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What did Henry VIII REALLY look like? 4:47

10d ago4:47

4:47

When you picture Henry VIII, do you see Holbein’s towering figure in furs and jewels—broad, bearded, and imposing? That image is iconic... but it’s not the full story. In this video, I’m going back to the start of Henry’s reign to ask: What did Henry VIII really look like when he took the throne in 1509? Before the tyranny, before the weight gain, …

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Tudor Quiz - 75 THOUSAND Youtube Subscribers - Play Along! 5:19

10d ago5:19

5:19

I can't believe that I've got over 75,000 subscribers on my YouTube channel, and to celebrate it, my lovely husband, Tim, put together a "mastermind" style expert round quiz to test my knowledge on the Tudors and especially the Boleyn family. There's a quick-fire round of two minutes where I have to answer as many questions correctly as I can, and …

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Was Henry VIII Really Protestant? 7:38

11d ago7:38

7:38

The Truth About His Faith and the English Reformation He broke from Rome. He dissolved the monasteries. He declared himself Supreme Head of the Church of England… So that makes Henry VIII Protestant, right? Not quite. In this video, we explore: Why Henry VIII broke with the Pope (spoiler: it wasn’t about theology) His 1521 book defending the Cathol…

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Who was Marten Micron? 5:33

12d ago5:33

5:33

We rarely hear about Marten Micron, a young Dutch pastor who came to London as a refugee, and helped organise one of the most radical experiments of Edward VI’s reign: the Stranger Church at Austin Friars. I’m historian and author Claire Ridgway, and in today’s video I’ll be sharing the remarkable story of Marten Micron: his ministry among London’s…

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S3 | E10: Living Legend x Allie Shante 17:05

14d ago17:05

17:05

This episode spotlights, the first novel of a paranormal/fantasy romance trilogy entitled, Living Legend by Allie Shante . In this episode the author shared tips for setting the reading mood for a discerning romance reader and even reenacted a flirty scene from the book. Connect with Allie Shante: Instagram | TikTok Connect with Books en Vogue: Ins…

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Episode 349: Scaffolding Evidence: How to Help Students Choose Quotes That Actually Work 15:11

13d ago15:11

15:11

I’d love to hear from you! Send me a text! Ever had a student pick a random quote just because it “sounded good”? 😅 You’re not alone! In today’s episode of Teaching Middle School ELA, I talked about practical scaffolds to help students go beyond guessing and actually choose evidence that supports their claims. From curated quote banks to our powerf…

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Back-to-School Chaos: Why Reading Feels Harder Right Now 14:56

15d ago14:56

14:56

Back-to-school season brings new routines, earlier mornings, and after-school exhaustion—and for many families, reading is the first thing to fall apart. If your child is suddenly resisting or your once-steady reading time feels impossible, you’re not alone. In this episode of the Engaging Reluctant Readers Podcast, Ellen Westbrook shares real-life…

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The Pope Who Celebrated a Massacre 4:13

13d ago4:13

4:13

A medal for a massacre. A Te Deum for thousands of deaths. A celebration that still shocks centuries later. On this day in history—11 September 1572—Pope Gregory XIII ordered Rome to give thanks for not one, but two "victories": the Catholic triumph over the Ottomans at Lepanto and the mass slaughter of French Protestants during the St Bartholomew’…

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She Faced the Flames Cheerfully – The Martyrdom of Joyce Lewis 4:12

14d ago4:12

4:12

On this day in Tudor history—10 September 1557—Joyce Lewis was led to the stake at Lichfield for her Protestant faith. Eyewitnesses said she faced the flames with cheerfulness. I’m historian and author Claire Ridgway, and in today’s episode, I share the powerful and heartbreaking story of a Tudor gentlewoman who chose faith and conscience over comp…

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Episode 348:ChatGPT Series: Planning Support Without the Overwhelm 19:42

15d ago19:42

19:42

I’d love to hear from you! Send me a text! Planning doesn’t have to feel overwhelming. In today’s episode of Teaching Middle School ELA, I am sharing how ChatGPT can be your planning partner—helping you brainstorm, differentiate, and save hours each week without sacrificing quality. Whether you’re an EB teacher already using the Portal or just look…

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“Near to Heaven by Sea”: Sir Humphrey Gilbert’s Last Voyage 7:23

15d ago7:23

7:23

We are as near to Heaven by sea as by land.” On this day, 9 September 1583, Sir Humphrey Gilbert’s tiny ship, the Squirrel, disappeared in an Atlantic storm, and an audacious Elizabethan life ended in a flash of foam and darkness. I’m historian and author Claire Ridgway, and today we follow Gilbert’s extraordinary arc: Devon gentleman and half-brot…

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The Boleyn Grandson Who Backed Shakespeare 4:12

16d ago4:12

4:12

Grandson of Mary Boleyn. Cousin to Elizabeth I. Patron to Shakespeare’s company. On 8 September 1603, George Carey, 2nd Baron Hunsdon, died, leaving a legacy that runs from court politics to the playhouse. Some even whispered he was Henry VIII’s grandson. Rumour or not, Carey stood right behind the stage that gave us Hamlet, Henry V and more. I’m h…

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Who was Anne Boleyn REALLY? 17:29

17d ago17:29

17:29

Who was Anne Boleyn...really? In this fast, source-based overview I cover her debated birth year, French education, rise to queenship, real influence on religion and politics, the 1536 downfall, and the biggest myths to bin (no, not a sixth finger). Perfect for newcomers and Tudor die-hards. What you’ll learn • How Mechelen & France shaped her poli…

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Mary Tudor’s Hidden Influence + How Tudors Learned - Claire Ridgway Interviews Amy McElroy 52:53

18d ago52:53

52:53

Join me for a lively deep-dive with historian and author Amy McElroy—whose books include Educating the Tudors and Women’s Lives in the Tudor Era, with Mary Tudor, Queen of France out next and a new project on Desiderius Erasmus underway. We talk Tudor education, women’s real power at home and court, Mary Tudor’s overlooked influence, and why Erasmu…

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Could You Really Get Away with Murder at Henry VIII's Court? - Tudor True Crime 11:07

19d ago11:07

11:07

In April 1532, Sir William Pennington was cut down on the very edge of Westminster sanctuary—and his killers walked away with a manslaughter verdict, a £1,000 pardon, and glittering careers. In this Tudor true-crime deep dive, I unpack the fight, the politics, and the legal loopholes that made it possible. What’s inside: The argument and fight, fro…

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Episode 347: From Summary to Justification: Teaching Students to Go Beyond the Obvious 24:19

20d ago24:19

24:19

I’d love to hear from you! Send me a text! Today’s episode tackles a challenge every ELA teacher knows well: getting students to move beyond simply summarizing a text and into true analysis. This episode, From Summary to Justification: Teaching Students to Go Beyond the Obvious, is all about helping students answer the big “So what?”—why their evid…

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How to Talk to Your Child's Teacher About Reading (Without Feeling Pushy) 11:48

22d ago11:48

11:48

You’ve noticed something about your child’s reading, but the thought of bringing it up with their teacher makes you hesitate. What if I sound pushy? What if I say the wrong thing? What if I’m overreacting? In this episode of the Engaging Reluctant Readers Podcast, Ellen Westbrook shares how to have low-pressure, supportive conversations with your c…

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From Paston Letters to Power 5:01

20d ago5:01

5:01

On this day in Tudor history, 4 September 1550, Sir Thomas Paston, a gentleman of the privy chamber under Henry VIII and Edward VI, died. If the name Paston rings a bell, it should: the Paston Letters gave us one of the richest pictures of late-medieval/early-Tudor gentry life. But Thomas Paston wasn’t just part of a famous family, he carved out hi…

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From Prison to Power to Poison? The Rise and Fall of Edward Courtenay 5:46

21d ago5:46

5:46

On this day in Tudor history, 3rd September 1553, Edward Courtenay was created Earl of Devon by Queen Mary I. It was a stunning reversal of fortune for a man who had spent 15 years imprisoned in the Tower of London after his father, the Marquess of Exeter, was executed for treason. In this podcast, I trace the extraordinary life of Edward Courtenay…

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Episode 346: ChatGPT Series: Brainstorming & Lesson Hooks Made Simple 14:07

22d ago14:07

14:07

I’d love to hear from you! Send me a text! Welcome back to Teaching Middle School ELA! Today, we’re continuing our ChatGPT Series with an episode called Brainstorming & Lesson Hooks Made Simple. If you’ve ever found yourself staring at your planner, wondering how to start a lesson in a way that actually captures your students’ attention—or if you’r…

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Priest, Diplomat, Powerbroker: The Life of Archbishop Thomas Savage 4:45

24d ago4:45

4:45

On 2nd or 3rd September 1507, Thomas Savage, Archbishop of York, died at Cawood Castle in Yorkshire. Savage wasn’t just a churchman — he was one of Henry VII’s most trusted servants, a skilled diplomat, and a powerful royal official in the turbulent north of England. In this video, I uncover his remarkable story: - His family connections to the inf…

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Not Just a Lord Mayor’s Wife: Dorcas Martin’s Story 5:11

23d ago5:11

5:11

On 1st September 1599, Dorcas Martin — translator, bookseller, Puritan, and wife of Sir Richard Martin, twice Lord Mayor of London — was laid to rest at All Hallows, Tottenham. Though she lived much of her life in her husband’s shadow, Dorcas carved out a place of her own in Elizabethan London. She acted as a bookseller during the fierce “pulpit wa…

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What If Arthur Tudor Had Lived? | Interview with Leah Toole, Author of The Rose and The Pomegranate 28:25

24d ago28:25

28:25

What if Prince Arthur, Henry VIII’s elder brother, had survived? In this special interview, I sit down with novelist Leah Toole to talk about her fascinating book "The Rose and The Pomegranate" — an alternative history novel that asks one of Tudor history’s biggest “what ifs.” In Leah’s world, Arthur Tudor doesn’t die in 1502 — and the ripple effec…

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Henry VIII’s “Stolen Mistress” Scandal: Adultery, Gossip… or Something Darker? 12:55

25d ago12:55

12:55

In 1537, Cromwell had to investigate a sordid rumour about William Webbe's "pretty wench" and Henry VIII. It claimed the king had not only been unfaithful to his new queen, Jane Seymour, but had stolen another man’s mistress and kept her for himself. The story spread so widely it ended up in Alison Weir’s modern-day "Henry VIII: King and Court" and…

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The Forgotten Tudor Adventurer Who Went Down With His Ship - Maurice Browne 4:00

26d ago4:00

4:00

When we think of Elizabethan adventurers, names like Sir Francis Drake and Sir Walter Raleigh usually come to mind. But on 29th August 1583, another Tudor mariner met a tragic fate — one whose name history has largely forgotten. His name was Maurice Browne. Browne wasn’t just an adventurer — he was a well-connected courtier who worked for Elizabeth…

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Episode 345: Teaching Grammar in the Flow of Writing 21:35

27d ago21:35

21:35

I’d love to hear from you! Send me a text! Have you ever taught a grammar skill on Friday, only to watch your students completely forget it by Monday? You’re not alone. Grammar taught in isolation rarely sticks—but when it’s woven into the flow of writing instruction, everything changes. In today’s episode, I’m sharing the EB Grammar Framework, a s…

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S3 | E9: Love Be Damned x Briana Garrett 19:48

29d ago19:48

19:48

This episode in celebration of the last week of Black August spotlights, the debut self-published novel, Love Be Damned by Briana Garrett . This novel is a love letter to the Black sitcoms of the 90s. In this episode the author shared tips for setting the reading mood for this romantic fantasy and even reenacted a heavenly scene from the book. Conn…

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The Secret to Raising a Reader: Why Confidence Matters More Than Skills 12:01

29d ago12:01

12:01

When your child sighs, groans, or says, “I hate reading”—it hits deep. It’s not just about the book in front of them—it’s about what they’re starting to believe about themselves as a reader. In this episode of the Engaging Reluctant Readers Podcast, Ellen Westbrook shares how to help your child build confidence with reading—even when it feels like …

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Tortured, Defiant, and Just 21 5:35

27d ago5:35

5:35

On 28th August 1588, the year of the Spanish Armada, a young Franciscan friar named Thomas Felton was hanged near Brentford, Middlesex. Felton’s “crime”? His Catholic faith, and his refusal to acknowledge Elizabeth I as head of the Church. The son of Blessed John Felton (executed in 1570 for posting the papal bull of Elizabeth’s excommunication), y…

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Lady Anne Bacon - A Remarkable Tudor Woman 4:19

28d ago4:19

4:19

When you hear the name Bacon, you probably think of Sir Francis Bacon — philosopher, scientist, genius. But behind him stood an equally remarkable woman: his mother, Lady Anne Bacon (née Cooke). Born in the 1520s, Anne was one of the famous Cooke sisters of Gidea Hall, all of them classically educated at a level most Tudor men could only dream of. …