New Children’s Podcast Launched by Second Lady Usha Vance

On Monday, Usha Vance, the Second Lady, unveiled a new podcast aimed at children, focusing on reading aloud and enhancing literacy. This initiative is part of wider efforts to combat the decline in reading comprehension among young Americans.

Vance announced the podcast, titled “Storytime with the Second Lady,” on social media, saying, “Now available: Storytime with the Second Lady, a new podcast for kids! Join me and a special guest as we read a good book out loud and share why we love reading. Episodes are available on YouTube and Spotify!”

The podcast premiered with three episodes. In the first, she reads the beloved children’s classic, The Tale of Peter Rabbit by Beatrix Potter. The second episode features the Disney favorite Cars with guest Danica Patrick, while the third, Lessons on the Playground, is written and read by Paralympic athlete Brent Poppen.

This podcast is part of Vance’s ongoing commitment to boost childhood literacy and motivate kids to read outside the classroom. Following her Summer Reading Challenge launched in June 2025, which drew tens of thousands of participants from all states and territories, she continues to push for literacy enhancements.

A spokesperson for Vance mentioned, “The Second Lady is passionate about early childhood education and hopes to instill a lifelong love of learning in children. The Summer Reading Challenge last year received tremendous support, and through this podcast, she aims to share her enthusiasm for literature in a way that’s fun and accessible for kids.”

Vance emphasized, “Reading for enjoyment at home not only improves literacy and classroom skills but also opens up a world of opportunities for children.” She expressed excitement about having special guests on the podcast to share stories that would encourage a passion for reading and address the worrying trends in child literacy rates.

In a conversation with Fox News host Kayleigh McEnany, Vance shared her long-standing interest in literacy and education policy. She noted that teaching her kids to read sparked her awareness of the declining literacy rates, a trend that has been concerning for decades. “It’s alarming to see this, and I realize there are things we can do at home to support the work being done in schools,” she stated.

Vance acknowledged that the pandemic has intensified existing literacy challenges, stating, “I’m sure that’s a factor, right? Parents have become more accepting of their kids not being in school as much. It’s really a struggle for many.” She noted that attendance is down and many kids are experiencing setbacks from not having direct interaction with their teachers, which has certainly worsened the previous trend.

The launch of her podcast has been met with enthusiasm from her husband, figures from the Trump administration, congressional members, and various conservative organizations.

In January, Vance and her husband, Vice President J.D. Vance, announced they are expecting their fourth child, a boy due in late July 2026, marking a significant milestone as it’s believed to be the first instance of an incumbent vice president experiencing pregnancy during their term.