Second Lady Usha Vance announced on Monday the launch of her new children’s podcast where she’ll read a variety of stories, often accompanied by special guests.
“Now available: ‘Storytime with the Second Lady,’ a podcast for kids! Join me and a special guest as we read a good book out loud and share why we love reading,” she posted on X, indicating it’s available on platforms like YouTube and Spotify.
The podcast features Vance, along with the occasional guest, reading aloud. The first episode, released on Monday, included Beatrix Potter’s classic “The Tale of Peter Rabbit.”
The channel description states that it’s intended to inspire a love of reading, with every episode bringing together Vance and special guests to share beloved children’s stories in a friendly and engaging way.
In the first few episodes, Vance also read Disney’s “Cars” with former racing driver Danica Patrick, and featured author Brent Poppen in a segment called “Playground Lessons.”
In a chat with Fox News, Vance expressed her longstanding interest in literacy and education policy. “For the past few years, I’ve been working with my kids on reading and writing. I’ve also been worried about the decline in literacy rates across the country. It’s alarming,” she explained. “Now I have the chance to discuss topics I care about while supplementing what schools are doing. I think this is a perfect fit for where I am in my life.”
At the start of her first episode, Vance shared her love of reading, noting how it’s been central to her family life. “Since childhood, reading has always been something I cherished. Now that I’m a mother, reading to my children is a highlight of my day,” she said. “Books have taken us on many adventures, teaching us about science, nature, history, and much more.” Vance concluded by saying she’d love to share this joy of reading with everyone through the podcast.
