Embracing Expansive Literacies: The Journal of Adolescent and Adult Literacy Podcast (2026-2029)

by Journal of Adolescent and Adult Literacy

Season 2

Sophia Tatiana Sarigianides & Rebecca Ashley "Solace, Mobility Strategies, and Meritocracy: High School Seniors Acquiring Social Class Literacy Through Young Adult Literature"

In this episode managing editor Tyler H.J. Frank and co-editor Mike Manderino chat with Sophia Tatiana Sarigianides and Rebecca Ashley about a recent article they authored in JAAL "Solace, Mobility Strategies, and Meritocracy: High School Seniors Acquiring Social Class Literacy Through Young Adult Literature". Sarigianides and Ashley describe their research engaging a group of high schoolers in analysis of social class through literature. In the conversation, they explore the ways the participants applied their social class literacy lens to their own lives, often finding what the authors refer to as "solace". Additionally, the authors consider the challenges of developing this social class literacy, particularly considering the meritocratic discourses the participants often repeated. Would you like to write for JAAL? For information about submissions follow this link. The Journal of Adolescent and Adult Literacy Podcast is recorded in the Digital Innovation and Learning Lab at the University of Arizona. The JAAL Podcast theme music is Spirit Blossom by RomanBelov.

S2 · E6

Sep 9, 2026

35:40

Zulfa Sakhiyya "To Read or Not to Read: Critical Literacy and Book Ban in Indonesia"

In this episode managing editor Tyler H.J. Frank and co-editor Eric Claravall chat with Zulfa Sakhiyya about a recent article she authored in JAAL "To Read or Not to Read: Critical Literacy and Book Ban in Indonesia". Sakhiyya describes the Indonesian context for book bans and her own critical action research engaging students in critical literacies around book ban. In the conversation, Sakhiyya elaborates on the unique ways critical literacy was enacted in her context and considers the potential for these approaches to contribute to democratic life and challenge systems of power. Would you like to write for JAAL? For information about submissions follow this link. The Journal of Adolescent and Adult Literacy Podcast is recorded in the Digital Innovation and Learning Lab at the University of Arizona. The JAAL Podcast theme music is Spirit Blossom by RomanBelov.

S2 · E5

Sep 2, 2026

25:26

Troy Potter "Mathematical Disciplinary Literacy: Enhancing Teacher Pedagogical Agency to Support Students’ Written Explanations"

In this episode managing editor Tyler H.J. Frank and co-editor Eric Claravall chat with Troy Potter about a recent article he co-authored with Marian Nicolazzo in JAAL "Mathematical Disciplinary Literacy: Enhancing Teacher Pedagogical Agency to Support Students’ Written Explanations". Potter talks about his research on professional learning for teachers around mathematical disciplinary literacy. The conversation explores the potential for adapting generic literacy approaches to support disciplinary literacy and the role disciplinary literacy can play in students' disciplinary thinking. Would you like to write for JAAL? For information about submissions follow this link. The Journal of Adolescent and Adult Literacy Podcast is recorded in the Digital Innovation and Learning Lab at the University of Arizona. The JAAL Podcast theme music is Spirit Blossom by RomanBelov.

S2 · E4

Aug 25, 2026

31:02

Zhihui Fang "Academic Writing in the Age of AI: Potentials, Problems, and Praxis"

In this episode managing editor Tyler H.J. Frank and co-editor Mike Manderino chat with Zhihui Fang about his recent review in JAAL "Academic Writing in the Age of AI: Potentials, Problems, and Praxis". Fang discusses current research on writing and AI, including affordances and limitations of AI use in writing, as well as offering a model for how practitioners might use AI in writing instruction. Would you like to write for JAAL? For information about submissions follow this link. The Journal of Adolescent and Adult Literacy Podcast is recorded in the Digital Innovation and Learning Lab at the University of Arizona. The JAAL Podcast theme music is Spirit Blossom by RomanBelov.

S2 · E3

Aug 10, 2026

18:12

Mellinee Lesley '“We Have to Find What We're Doing Right to Move Forward”: Enacting Secondary Level Writing Reform in a Sea of Change'

In this episode managing editor Tyler H.J. Frank and co-editor Jung Kim chat with Mellinee Lesley about her recent article in JAAL "'We Have to Find What We're Doing Right to Move Forward': Enacting Secondary Level Writing Reform in a Sea of Change" Lesley talks about what we can learn from her experience leading secondary level writing professional learning. She considers the challenges presented by the current testing setting and implications for future professional learning. Would you like to write for JAAL? For information about submissions follow this link. The Journal of Adolescent and Adult Literacy Podcast is recorded in the Digital Innovation and Learning Lab at the University of Arizona. The JAAL Podcast theme music is Spirit Blossom by RomanBelov.

S2 · E2

Jul 31, 2026

25:29

Dixie D. Massey and Samuel DeJulio "Popular Stories About Reading: Selling Simple Ideas in the Public Sphere"

To kick off season 2 of "Embracing Expansive Literacies" co-editors Jill Castek and Michael Manderino chat with Dixie D. Massey and Samuel DeJulio about the JAAL commentary they co-authored with James King and Norman Stahl "Popular Stories about Reading: Selling Simple Ideas in the Public Sphere." Massey and DeJulio discuss what they refer to as public crisis narratives about literacy in popular outlets. They describe the contradictions of complex issues and simple ideas and consider ways to respond. Would you like to write for JAAL? For information about submissions follow this link. The Journal of Adolescent and Adult Literacy Podcast is recorded in the Digital Innovation and Learning Lab at the University of Arizona. The JAAL Podcast theme music is Spirit Blossom by RomanBelov.

S2 · E1

Jul 7, 2026

20:29

Season 1

Olumide Ajayi "Reimagining Inclusivity in Literacy Education for African Immigrant Adolescents"

In this episode managing editor Tyler H.J. Frank and co-editor Michael Manderino chat with Olumide Ajayi about his recent article in JAAL "Reimagining Inclusivity in Literacy Education for African Immigrant Adolescents." Ajayi talks about what we can learn from the afrocentric literacy workshop he used in his research with African immigrant adolescents. He considers the ways participants expanded their own ideas of what counts as literacy and offers implications for practitioners working in a variety of contexts. Would you like to write for JAAL? For information about submissions follow this link. The Journal of Adolescent and Adult Literacy Podcast is recorded in the Digital Innovation and Learning Lab at the University of Arizona. The JAAL Podcast theme music is Spirit Blossom by RomanBelov.

S1 · E5

Jun 2, 2026

20:29

Shuling Yang and Julia Hu "A Teen's Journey With ChatGPT: Agency, Identity, and Ethics in in- and out-of-school literacy activities"

In this episode managing editor Tyler Frank and co-editor Eric Junco chat with Shuling Yang and Julia Hu about their recent article in JAAL "A Teen's Journey With ChatGPT: Agency, Identity, and Ethics in in- and out-of-school literacy activities". Yang and Hu present a high schooler's first-person accounts of using generative AI tools across diverse literacy activities in and outside school. Through her own words, she describes her first encounter with ChatGPT in 8th grade, a US history project that required AI feedback mandated by the school, and informal uses such as adapting a cookie recipe and crafting social media posts. Would you like to write for JAAL? For information about submissions follow this link. The Journal of Adolescent and Adult Literacy Podcast is recorded in the Digital Innovation and Learning Lab at the University of Arizona. The JAAL Podcast theme music is Spirit Blossom by RomanBelov.

S1 · E4

May 19, 2026

25:23

Amy Schoonens and Michael Dezuanni "Moving in and Out of Reading: Teens Talking about Books, Digital Games, Social Media, and Fan Fiction"

In this episode managing editor Tyler Frank and co-editor Michael Manderino talk with Amy Schoonens and Michael Dezuanni about their recent article in JAAL "Moving in and Out of Reading: Teens Talking about Books, Digital Games, Social Media, and Fan Fiction". Amy Schoonens and Michael Dezuanni's article explores teens' recreational reading activities as they move between books and digital media. It uses the model of connected reading to understand connections between teen reading practices and digital pastimes. Would you like to write for JAAL? For information about submissions follow this link. The Journal of Adolescent and Adult Literacy Podcast is recorded in the Digital Innovation and Learning Lab at the University of Arizona. The JAAL Podcast theme music is Spirit Blossom by RomanBelov.

S1 · E3

May 19, 2026

25:57

Kristie Camp "Let's Go on an Adventure: Literacy Lessons as a Material Starting Place for Writing Among High School Students Who Say They Can't Write"

In this episode managing editor Tyler Frank and co-editor Eric Junco talk with Kristie Camp about her recent article in JAAL "Let's Go on an Adventure: Literacy Lessons as a Material Starting Place for Writing". Kristie Camp's article explores how reconfiguring the learning environment (holding ELA classes outside) contributes to literacy learning for students tracked into classes that foreground required writing processes. She delves into how offering self-expressive writing opportunities outside, accompanied by active environmental engagement, might inspire students who had not written much in ELA class to create something original and thereby better inform their teachers of their literacy skills. Would you like to write for JAAL? For information about submissions follow this link. The Journal of Adolescent and Adult Literacy Podcast is recorded in the Digital Innovation and Learning Lab at the University of Arizona. The JAAL Podcast theme music is Spirit Blossom by RomanBelov.

S1 · E2

Apr 22, 2026

29:30

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