145. How can learning to read change lives? with literary advocate Oliver James

According to the Department of Education, more than 8 million Americans are considered functionally illiterate, meaning they cannot read and comprehend short texts or understand basic vocabulary.  Illiteracy often leads to low self-esteem and isolation, as well as higher chances of unemployment and poverty. What are the impacts of illiteracy? What factors influence literacy development? And how can learning to read change lives?  Oliver James joins Kevin in this episode to share how learning to read can change lives.  Meet Oliver: Oliver James is a literacy advocate and social media influencer. In 2022, he began using TikTok to share his struggle with reading. He has more than 300,000 TikTok followers and has formed a community focused on literacy and mental health. This is, What I Want to Know.