Hi, it’s Lee Schneider, host of the future lab podcast.

In Season 3, The Future Lab goes after the big questions that readers, authors, parents, and educators are asking about reading and young audiences.

Why does reading drop off among nine-year-old kids, and even more when they reach thirteen? Why has screen-based entertainment grabbed so much attention?

Even adults are less likely to pick up a book these days.

In every episode, I’ll seek answers from guests like best-selling authors, librarians , publishers, YouTube and TikTok reviewers, and audiobook producers.

Join me for season three of the future lab. Look for the future lab with Lee Schneider on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or in your favorite podcast app. You can also find the show at thefuturelab.redcupagency.com

Join host Lee Schneider for an insightful discussion with poet, author, and library professional Sofía Aguilar as she she shares her journey through both indie and traditional publishing. She offers a candid look at the barriers in publishing and the importance of creating accessible literary communities. Whether you're interested in publishing pathways, library advocacy, or building inclusive literary spaces, this conversation offers valuable insights from someone working at the intersection of writing, community organizing, and information science.

Topics include: indie vs. traditional publishing, library resources, book challenges, literary festivals, the writing process, and the current state of publishing.

Creators & Guests

• Lee Schneider - Host
• Sofía Aguilar - Guest

In this conversation, host Lee Schneider explores the intersection of nature, storytelling, and climate change with Julie Carrick Dalton, author of The Last Beekeeper, and the upcoming novel The Forest Becomes Her.

Our discussion digs into how nature functions as a character in her work, the delicate balance between hope and realism when writing about catastrophic futures, and why she believes storytelling can inspire environmental action. Dalton shares her perspective on the importance of reconnecting with survival skills and food sources, while exploring how communities might adapt to a climate-changed world ten years after a major ecological collapse.

We also examine the role of government misinformation in environmental issues, the power of novels as "laboratories for climate futures," and how each person can find their sphere of influence in addressing climate challenges. Dalton also reflects on the current state of publishing today. Join Julie's mailing list on Substack.

Creators & Guests

• Lee Schneider - Host
• Julie Carrick Dalton - Guest