Stories That Stick

About Stories That Stick

Join Laura, resident storyteller, as she shows you how oral stories inspire and captivate minds young and old. Tune in each week to hear a compelling story and join in meaningful conversations. Laura will be digging deep into the heart of storytelling: connection and listening. Come get lost in another world and discover how stories shape our lives.

Publisher

Little Stories That Stick

Category

education · kids & family · leisure

Language

en

Explicit

No

First episode

30 Aug 2023

Latest episode

29 Oct 2026

Latest episodes

40 episodes in the feed.

1. 

   29 Oct 2026

   The Power of Our Voices in a Digital World with Carla Ward

   On this episode, I'm joined by early childhood speaker, podcast host, and friend Carla Ward for a conversation about the power of our voices in an increasingly digital world. Together, we explore why tone, expression, and human connection matter so much in the early years, how technology and AI are changing the ways children experience communication, and why something as simple as singing a song or telling a story can have a lasting impact on children's development. Highlights: The Power of Tone and Expression: Carla shares why she's been thinking more deeply about the role of our voices in early childhood education. We discuss how children learn to recognize emotions, interpret social cues, and communicate their own feelings through the tone and expression they hear in everyday conversations and stories. Human Connection in a Digital World: As AI, screens, and technology become increasingly present in children's lives, we consider what might be lost when human interactions are replaced by digital experiences. From playing a song on YouTube instead of singing together to watching a recorded read-aloud instead of sharing a book, we explore the importance of being intentional about the choices we make. Storytelling, Oral Language, and Reading Development: We connect expressive storytelling and read-alouds to children's developing oral language, comprehension, and eventual reading fluency. Long before children are reading independently, they're learning what stories sound like through the voices of the adults around them. Getting Comfortable Using Our Voices: You don't need to be a performer or have a perfect singing voice to bring stories to life. Carla and I share simple ways to begin experimenting with tone, volume, pacing, and expression, even if being silly in front of children feels uncomfortable at first. If you've ever reached for a screen to play a song or read a story, this episode invites you to think about what children gain when we use our own voices instead. Sometimes supporting children's language, connection, and literacy development starts with something as simple as putting down the device and telling a one-minute story. Connect with Laura: Instagram: @little.stories.that.stick (https://www.instagram.com/little.stories.that.stick/)Website: Little Stories That Stick (https://www.littlestoriesthatstick.com/) Connect with Carla: Instagram: @carlatheece (https://www.instagram.com/carlatheece/) Website: Carla The ECE (https://carlatheece.com/)The Everything ECE Podcast (https://podcast.elfoundations.com/)

2. 

   3 Sept 2026

   Becoming Keepers of Children's Dreams with Kisa Marx

   Today, I'm joined again by educator, author, speaker, and founder of The Play Lab Foundation, Kisa Marx, for a conversation inspired by her new book, We Are Who We're Waiting For. Together, we explore what it means to become keepers of children's dreams, how the stories adults tell about children shape who they believe themselves to be, and why meaningful change in education begins with seeing the humanity of the child right in front of us. Highlights: Becoming Keepers of Dreams: Kisa shares how being surrounded by people who protected her own dreams shaped the educator she became. We discuss what it means to notice children's dreams, take them seriously, and make choices that preserve rather than diminish them. Seeing the Child Before the System: We talk about the pressure educators experience from standards, curriculum, behavior expectations, and systems that can make it difficult to truly see the child in front of us. Kisa challenges educators to recognize the agency they still have and the power of changing their own minds first. Looking Beneath "Behavior": What if the behaviors that challenge us are actually showing us what children need? Kisa invites us to move beyond controlling children and instead consider what they may be communicating, what warmth they may be seeking, and what we still need to learn. Learning From the Children We Didn't Get It Right For: Laura reflects on children from her own teaching career whom she understands differently now. Together, we talk about regret, repair, unlearning, and how doing better for the children in front of us can honor the children we weren't yet equipped to support. If you've ever looked back at your teaching and wished you knew then what you know now, this episode is an invitation to keep learning rather than look away. Kisa reminds us that we can say the hard things out loud, learn from them, and use what we know now to see children more fully, preserve their dreams, and do better moving forward. Connect with Laura: Instagram: @little.stories.that.stick (https://www.instagram.com/little.stories.that.stick/) Website: Little Stories That Stick (https://www.littlestoriesthatstick.com/) Connect with Kisa: Instagram: @iam_still_learning (https://www.instagram.com/iam_still_learning/) Book: We Are Who We're Waiting For (https://www.redleafpress.org/We-Are-Who-Were-Waiting-For-Transformative-Change-in-Early-Childhood-Education-P3172.aspx)

3. 

   5 Aug 2026

   Seeing Children's Stories Through Small World Play with Jess Karpathios

   On this episode, I'm joined by registered early childhood educator, pedagogical consultant, and founder of Curious Educator Collective, Jessica Karpathios, for a conversation about small world play and why it's so much more than tiny figurines and Pinterest-worthy invitations. Together, we explore how children use small world play to build stories, make meaning, and invite us into the worlds they're creating. This episode challenges us to slow down, ask better questions, and respond to children's ideas with curiosity rather than control. Highlights: Small World Play as Storytelling: Jess shares her definition of small world play as bringing stories to life in three-dimensional ways. We discuss how these stories don't have to come from books. They can emerge from children's play, documentation, observations, and everyday experiences. Looking Beyond the Behavior: Instead of reacting to what children are doing, what if we asked, “What story are they telling?” We explore how shifting from assumptions to questions helps us better understand children's intentions, interests, and ideas before jumping in to redirect. Honoring Children's Imaginary Worlds: From classroom fairies and hidden treasures to tiny rocks tucked into pockets, we talk about the importance of valuing the worlds children create. These seemingly small moments reveal imagination, identity, problem-solving, and deep meaning-making when adults choose to notice them. Creating Invitations That Grow from Observation: Jess shares practical ways educators can use children's stories to inspire meaningful provocations. From documenting conversations at snack time to collaboratively building small worlds, revisiting stories through play, and using literacy in authentic, child-led ways. If you've ever thought of small world play as just another classroom center, this conversation will expand your perspective. You'll leave with new ways to see children's play, honor their stories, and create environments that invite curiosity, wonder, and imagination. Connect with Laura: Instagram: @little.stories.that.stick (https://www.instagram.com/little.stories.that.stick/)Website: Little Stories That Stick (https://www.littlestoriesthatstick.com/) Connect with Jess: Instagram: @curiouseducatorcollective (https://www.instagram.com/curiouseducatorcollective) Website: Curious Educator Collective (https://www.jessicakarpathios.com/) Small World Play Freebie (https://www.jessicakarpathios.com/playsummitfreebie) Memberships (https://www.jessicakarpathios.com/memberships) Podcast (https://www.jessicakarpathios.com/podcast)

Reach and audience

Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.

YouTube views

125,725,170

Score snapshot 15 Sept 2025

Apple Podcasts (US)

4.7 / 5

6 ratings

Spotify

5.0 / 5

3 ratings

Podcast Authority Score: 68 / 100

A composite of feed quality, social presence, YouTube performance and engagement. Read the methodology.

Quality

75

Social presence

0

YouTube

93

Engagement

60

Contact Stories That Stick

Guest appearances

Books guests

Based on episode analysis; this does not confirm that the show is currently accepting guests.