Enjoy the story of several jailed preachers for the 'crime' of preaching without a state sanctioned license in Culpeper, Virginia.  What role did James Madison, George Mason and Thomas Jefferson play in resolving the issue of freedom of conscience? 

In this episode we discuss the Salem Witch Trials.  What would you do or decide in this video?  You be the jury? 

What was the grand bargain of 1738 that birthed religious liberty in small Shenandoah Valley town?  

What happens when the biggest barriers to learning math aren’t mathematical? In this episode, David Cicero talks with Dr. Geillan Aly, author of Compassionate Math, about the experiences, emotions, and beliefs that students and teachers bring into the math classroom. They explore how anxiety, confidence, prior experiences, and teachers’ own relationships with mathematics can shape learning—and why helping students succeed in math may require addressing more than the math itself. They also discuss what parents and educators can do to break cycles of negative math experiences and create classrooms where students and teachers feel more confident taking on difficult mathematics.

Summary Erin Bailey talks with Denine Torr of the Dollar General Literacy Foundation and Alicia Levi of Reading Is Fundamental about why literacy access is a community responsibility. They discuss the long partnership between Dollar General and RIF, the specific barriers facing rural communities, the importance of books in homes and schools, and the role of motivation, confidence, and practice in developing skilled readers. The conversation closes with practical ways listeners can support literacy through their time, talent, and treasure. Denine and Alicia share personal stories about the power of books, family reading, community programs, and the possibilities that open when children and adults have meaningful access to literacy. Chapters 0:00 — Welcome and introductions 1:01 — How reading shaped Alicia and Denine 5:37 — Why Dollar General made literacy a lasting commitment 7:39 — RIF and Dollar General’s long-term partnership 9:52 — Literacy access in rural communities 14:38 — Books, confidence, motivation, and practice 18:13 — Building literacy through community partnerships 24:22 — Remembering Dolly Parton’s literacy legacy 30:13 — Stories that show the power of books and family reading 36:20 — What listeners can do to support literacy 39:33 — What reading inspires Show Notes **Denine Torr** — Vice President of Corporate Social Responsibility and Philanthropy at Dollar General and Executive Director of the Dollar General Literacy Foundation. She leads philanthropic and social-responsibility efforts supporting communities nationwide and serves on several literacy and education boards. **Alicia Levi** — President and CEO of Reading Is Fundamental, the nation’s leading children’s literacy organization. She has expanded RIF’s reach through literacy programs, digital resources, partnerships, and professional learning. Reading Is Fundamental: https://www.rif.org/ Dollar General Literacy Foundation: https://www.dgliteracy.org/ This episode was produced for Reading Inspires.