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In this episode*, we have the absolute honor of conversing with Donna Barba Higuera, Middle Grade and Picture Book Author, Newbery Medal and Pura Belpré Award Winner and New York Times Best Seller. Donna shares from where and whom she draws her stories, and how she went from an imaginative child to inspiring readers of all ages.

In a time where book challenges are on the rise, Donna discusses the importance and power of sharing stories, owning the stories you hear and having access to stories representing all kinds of readers.

*A follow-up conversation was had between Donna, Ericka and Pia live on stage at the Association of Library Services to Children (ALSC) National Institute on September 21, 2024 in Denver, Colorado. The theme of the Institute was Standing up for Stories, and the hosts were able to dig deeper into the stories shared in this conversation and Donna, in turn, asked questions of the hosts about the power of sharing voices and experiences on the podcast. Unfortunately, there were sound quality issues with that recording and in the end it was not able to be saved. Pia and Ericka share a small reflection on both conversations at the end of this episode.

Date of interview: August 27, 2024
Date of post interview reflection: October 16, 2024
Host(s): Ericka Brunson-Rochette & Pia Alliende

Additional Info. & Links:
Donna's website-https://www.dbhiguera.com/
2024 ALSC National Institute-https://www.ala.org/alsc/confsce/institute

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In this episode we are joined in conversation by Shannon LaRance (Dine'/Hopi/Assiniboine). Founder of Indigenous Empowerment, Indigenous Empowerment's mission is to ensure culturally sensitive counselors and social service agents are accessible to those in need. Their goal is to train human service organizations across the nation on the complexities, nuances, and beauty of Indigenous people. Social Worker, Counselor, So’oh Story Time.

So'oh, meaning "Grandmother" in Hopi, embodies the essence of our storytelling traditions. It reflects the nurturing and educational atmosphere created on her Youtube channel - “So’oh Story Time”. LaRance reads books for our children and grandchildren - with an emphasis on books written or illustrated by Native American/Indigenous authors and illustrators.

Date of interview: September 6, 2024
Host(s): LaRee Dominguez & Joan Vigil

Additional Info. & Links:
https://linktr.ee/SoohStoryTime
So'oh Story Time - YouTube

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In this episode we are joined in conversation by scholar, academic consultant, librarian and educational game designer, Fobzi Ettarh, who notably coined the concept of "vocational awe" in 2018. Ettarh shares how vocational awe operates at both the micro and macro levels, contributing to problematic hiring, onboarding, and retention practices in the library profession, and illustrates how this concept directly ties to workplace inequities and burnout.

Additionally, Ettarh provides actionable ways to escape the trap of vocational awe by prioritizing mental health and rest, achieving work-life balance, reframing how we are showing up for community, and urging administrators to lead by example.

Date of interview: July 17, 2024
Host(s): Ericka Brunson-Rochette & Rodrigo Gaspar-Barajas


Additional Info. & Links:

Vocational Awe- “the set of ideas, values, and assumptions librarians have about themselves and the profession that result in beliefs that libraries as institutions are inherently good and sacred, and therefore beyond critique.” (Ettarh, 2018)

• "Vocational Awe and Librarianship: The Lies We Tell Ourselves" (January 2018 article from, In the Library With the Lead Pipe)
• Ettarh's Webpage/Blog
• Follow Ettarh on Twitter @Fobettarh
• Latanya Jenkins' story
• ALA Memorial Resolution Honoring Latanya N. Jenkins