ABOUT THIS EPISODE
In this episode of the Dyslexia Explored Podcast, hosts Darius Namdaran and Jo Lee speak with David Chalk, Canadian entrepreneur and co-founder of Reading Road, about learning to read at 62 after decades of building businesses while struggling with written words. David describes the breakthrough he experienced with Nora Chahbazi’s sound-to-symbol approach during the filming of The Truth About Reading, and how it inspired his work on Reading Road. He shares his vision for an AI-powered tutor that responds to learners’ interests and emotions, building from spoken vocabulary towards writing and reading. Looking back, David reflects on the humiliation he experienced at school, his dyslexia diagnosis around 40, and the mother whose belief helped protect his self-worth. From building electronics and technology companies to presenting television programmes, he explains how curiosity, communication and pattern recognition helped him succeed, even while reading remained a struggle. The conversation explores emotional safety, mind mapping and three things David believes parents can offer their children: encouragement, unconditional love and the language to express their ideas.
If you’d like to hear more about David’s story and his work on Reading Road, look for Dyslexia Explored wherever you listen to podcasts.
This podcast is sponsored by ivvi. Visual Notes for Visual Thinkers.
Get ivvi notes now: https://www.ivvi.app/
Links:
- Reading Road: https://readingroad.ai/
- Reading Road Beta Programme Sign-Up: https://readingroad.ai/beta-program/
- About David Chalk and the Reading Road Team: https://readingroad.ai/about/
- David’s Email: David@chalkcorp.com
- The Truth About Reading Documentary: https://thetruthaboutreading.com/
- Episode 126: Other Ways to Teach Reading with Nora Chahbazi: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/126-other-ways-to-teach-reading-nora-chahbazi/id1387645599?i=1000585754816
- EBLI (Evidence-Based Literacy Instruction): https://eblireads.com/
- EBLI Parent Resources: https://eblireads.com/parent-resources/
- ivvi: https://www.ivvi.app/
- What is Dyslexia, British Dyslexia Association: https://www.bdadyslexia.org.uk/dyslexia/about-dyslexia/what-is-dyslexia
- How to Mindmap: https://www.bulletmapacademy.com/mindmap-beginners
Interested in being a guest? Email us at jo@ivvi.app.
