I'm Andrew Winkler, and in this episode of Now I Get It, I dive into one of the most overlooked causes of low literacy: the surprising complexity behind how we learn to read. We explore why simply recognizing words isn't enough—and why relying on context clues or outdated teaching strategies can leave learners guessing. I also explain how our brains process sounds and why phonemic awareness (though often misunderstood) is key to unlocking fluent reading.

We unpack the real science behind reading—what happens when we go from sounds to syllables, and syllables to meaning—and how that process is shaped by language history, pronunciation quirks, and the hidden structure of English. I break down practical strategies to boost reading skills, including why teaching sound combinations is easier (and more powerful) than you think. Whether you're an educator, parent, or lifelong learner, this episode will shift how you think about literacy.

In this episode, you will learn:

• (01:05) - Why the cost of learning to read isn’t just financial—it’s about time, access, and attention
• (03:50) - The original meaning of the word bead—and how language evolves through misunderstanding
• (05:45) - What “phonemic awareness” actually is—and why the term itself is misleading
• (08:30) - The difference between phonemes and allophones (and why it matters when learning to read)
• (10:40) - How simple sound combinations like p + ay = pay can build reading fluency
• (13:00) - Why English spelling feels so broken—and how phonemic skills help overcome it
• (16:30) - A full walkthrough of English consonant sounds, from lips to throat
• (22:00) - How dialects and simplification shape language—and what that means for teaching literacy today

Let’s connect!

linktr.ee/drprandy

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this thought-provoking episode, Dr. Andrew Winkler explores the psychology behind decision-making and how personality type influences whether we act quickly or hesitate. Drawing from John Cleese’s idea of the “last responsible moment,” Dr. Andy explains how people fall into two camps: those who feel pressure to decide quickly, and those who grow anxious if forced to decide too soon.

By breaking down cognitive functions—like thinking, feeling, sensing, and intuition—Dr. Andy shows how each of us has unique strengths we either turn outward or inward. These preferences not only impact how we process decisions but also how we interact with the world. This episode brings clarity to the mechanics behind Myers-Briggs types and what it means to be a "judger" or a "perceiver" at your core.

In this episode, you will learn:

• (00:30) – Why John Cleese’s “last responsible moment” is a powerful lens for understanding decision-making
• (01:10) – How personality types influence whether you feel rushed or delayed when making decisions
• (02:00) – The four core cognitive functions and how they shape how we gather and evaluate information
• (03:10) – What it means to turn your strongest mental functions inward or outward—and how it affects your interactions
• (04:30) – Why your dominant extroverted function determines your decision-making comfort zone
• (05:40) – How all of this connects to the Myers-Briggs personality model—and what it means for real-life choices

Let’s connect!

linktr.ee/drprandy

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of Now I Get It, I break down the real story behind tariffs—who actually pays them, how they affect the prices you see on store shelves, and why politicians might not be telling the full truth. Using real-world examples from manufacturing and retail, I explain the flow of goods and costs from producer to consumer, revealing why a 130% tariff isn’t just a number—it’s a seismic shift in how global trade plays out.

We also dive into the often-ignored parts of international trade: services and investment. While the media obsesses over the trade deficit in goods, I highlight why things like streaming movies, financial services, and foreign investments are critical components of our economy—and why excluding them from trade calculations paints a misleading picture. If you’ve ever wondered how tariffs impact more than just imported goods, this one’s for you.

In this episode, you will learn:

• (00:30) – Why the person writing the tariff check isn’t the one truly paying for it
• (02:00) – How elasticity of demand determines who absorbs the cost of import duties
• (03:20) – How a 50¢ product ends up costing $3—and what tariffs do to that chain
• (05:00) – Why a 130% tariff on Chinese goods can’t possibly be paid by Chinese manufacturers
• (06:45) – What the trade deficit leaves out—and why services and investments matter more than you think

Let’s connect!

linktr.ee/drprandy

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.