208 Weeks Podcast

Week 67

First and foremost, there is a spoiler in here for “The Pitt,” so listen/watch at your own peril. Social media is all a-chattering about America’s literacy crisis, so we weigh in. If you didn’t know, the Book-It program [https://www.bookitprogram.com/] is back! On a related note to the literacy discussion, we have the Wall Street Journal’s [https://www.wsj.com/us-news/education/youtube-chromebooks-schools-children-brain-f151dfbb] story about how much YouTube students are watching during school (sorry for the paywall—if you subscribe to Apple News, here’s that link [https://apple.news/AcUSjGSKSQuyIcLshuRLxwQ] instead). Here’s a link [https://bookshop.org/p/books/the-scarlet-alchemist-kylie-lee-baker/7a68d384ab9a6569?ean=9781335458018&next=t] to our latest Golden Sower pick, “The Scarlet Alchemist.” And finally, as we’ve been revisiting our old vlog over the last 19 episodes of this podcast, here’s the last episode [https://youtu.be/RilcFvZVJcc?si=6ikmQ-XvjqvFbBYc] of our vlog from 2012. It is a must watch, if for no other reason than to see the t-shirt Stueve is wearing. Thanks for listening. We’ll be back with an episode or two over the summer. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit 208weeks.substack.com [https://208weeks.substack.com?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_1]

Week 63

This week we explain our unplanned hiatus and discuss our latest Golden Sower pick, “Give Me A Sign.” This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit 208weeks.substack.com [https://208weeks.substack.com?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_1]

Week 52

This week we are talking about Adam Kirsch’s article in The Atlantic, “Reading is a Vice.” [https://www.theatlantic.com/ideas/2026/01/reading-crisis-solution-literature-personal-passion/685461/?gift=KBj3eoTY-kHRjpxvt73h0bI9TtLLvJysvTK_cYr3b-o&utm_source=copy-link&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=share] (That’s a gift link for you—please READ it!) We reference a quote attributed to a CBC journalist early in the episode; sadly, I cannot find any actual print or video evidence it was uttered by anyone affiliated with the CBC. Social media strikes again. Here’s a link to our next Golden Sower book, “Give Me A Sign” [https://bookshop.org/p/books/give-me-a-sign-anna-sortino/d3785e62f297859d?ean=9780593533802&next=t]. If you want to see all the Golden Sowers for the year, check them out here! [https://nebraskalibraries.org/GoldenSower] If you want to watch the vlog where we talk about Marco Rubio (amongst other things), go wild. [https://youtu.be/ZAMIpOnhbjo?si=xBZ2Lyb8JiwqTVn1] As usual, we’d love for you to share, like, subscribe, etc. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit 208weeks.substack.com [https://208weeks.substack.com?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_1]

Week 47

This week we have a few pieces of good news and our discussion of “Swarm” by Jennifer D. Lyle. Here’s the stories we reference in the podcast—but beware falling down the Steve Hartman rabbit hole. My advice if you do? Take a box of Kleenex. * This kid [https://youtu.be/pWox-qYPLPI?si=uxFAn0W3OE1hl6F4]who ran against his high school teacher for a board of supervisors position. * This coach [https://youtu.be/w7djgxcJ68M?si=vvrnDrqigH-t0Z-i] who told his team they lost after they thought they won. We hope you have a great holiday season, and we will see you in 2026! This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit 208weeks.substack.com [https://208weeks.substack.com?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_1]

Week 45

We figured the time for us to yap about conferences was *not* around the time we are actually having them, so this week, we are sharing our thoughts on ye olde tradition of parent-teacher conferences. Here is the dissertation [https://eric.ed.gov/?id=ED535466] Rowse references in the episode, if you’re into that sort of thing. Don’t forget—our next episode is when we are discussing Jennifer D. Lyle’s “Swarm,” so you have two weeks to read it! And you can always subscribe to us on Apple Podcasts or Spotify and listen to us there. We’d be honored. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit 208weeks.substack.com [https://208weeks.substack.com?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_1]