Learning to read at age 32 – with Oliver James, author of Unread
Beyond 6 Seconds: Neurodiversity stories from neurodivergent people
05/18/26
•25m
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Oliver James is a California-based personal trainer, motivational speaker, literacy activist, and influencer. He has been featured by Today, NPR, the Jennifer Hudson Show, the Los Angeles Times, Newsweek, Rachael Ray, and ABC News, among many others. Additionally, he received the Barbara Bush National Literacy Award in 2023.
Oliver is the author of "Unread: A Memoir of Learning (and Loving) to Read on TikTok." His book is about teaching himself to read starting at the age of 32, and his experience with childhood learning disabilities and educational neglect. In just 365 days, he went from barely being able to read a restaurant menu, to closing in on his goal of finishing 100 books in a year.
Oliver has become a TikTok/BookTok sensation for the way he's documented his decision to learn to read as an adult, and his struggles and triumphs along the way.
During this episode, you will hear Oliver talk about:
- Why he describes himself as being "functionally illiterate" and how his experience with literacy "started wrong"
- What inspired him to share his journey to learn how to read on social media, at the age of 32
- How reading has profoundly changed his perspective on life
- What it was like writing a book about his experience
Buy Oliver's book "Unread": hachettebookgroup.com/titles/oliver-james/unread/9781454959403/
Follow Oliver at oliverspeaks1 on Instagram, TikTok, Threads and YouTube.
Email Oliver at OliverSpeaks1 [at] gmail.com.
Learn more about the Nardagani app that has helped Oliver learn how to read: nardagani.com
Support or sponsor this podcast: BuyMeACoffee.com/Beyond6Seconds
Watch the video of this interview on YouTube: youtube.com/watch?v=xWGXsqQaloQ
Read the episode transcript: carolynkiel.com/podcast/oliver-james-unread
Follow the Beyond 6 Seconds podcast in your favorite podcast player: pod.link/1336740192
Subscribe to the FREE Beyond 6 Seconds newsletter for early access to new episodes: mailchi.mp/f9f6e8356138/insider
*Disclaimer: The views, guidance, opinions, and thoughts expressed in Beyond 6 Seconds episodes are solely mine and/or those of my guests, and do not necessarily represent those of my employer or other organizations. These episodes are for informational purposes only and do not substitute for professional medical advice. Consult a medical professional or healthcare provider if you are seeking medical advice, diagnoses, or treatment.*
Previous Episode
Justin Valenti is an artist and disability advocate. He enjoys creating artwork in his home studio and at the VisAbility Art Lab at VisArts in Rockville, Maryland. He is also the business owner of Artistic Expressions by Justin K Valenti, and has exhibited his artwork in Maryland, Virginia and California.
Justin has been an advocate for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities since childhood. He has been on the Board of Directors for the Arc Maryland since 2020.
During this episode, you will hear Justin talk about:
- What his life was like growing up with disabilities
- How he discovered his passion and talent for art
- How creating art helps his mental health
- His proudest achievements as an artist and disability advocate
Learn more about Justin and his work at JKValenti2014.com and VisArtsCenter.org or contact Justin directly at justin.k.valenti [at] gmail [dot] com.
Support or sponsor this podcast: BuyMeACoffee.com/Beyond6Seconds
Watch the video of this interview on YouTube: youtube.com/watch?v=lbv80Y58CTU
Read the episode transcript: carolynkiel.com/podcast/justin-valenti
Follow the Beyond 6 Seconds podcast in your favorite podcast player: pod.link/1336740192
Subscribe to the FREE Beyond 6 Seconds newsletter for early access to new episodes: mailchi.mp/f9f6e8356138/insider
*Disclaimer: The views, guidance, opinions, and thoughts expressed in Beyond 6 Seconds episodes are solely mine and/or those of my guests, and do not necessarily represent those of my employer or other organizations. These episodes are for informational purposes only and do not substitute for professional medical advice. Consult a medical professional or healthcare provider if you are seeking medical advice, diagnoses, or treatment.*
Next Episode
This is a special crossover episode with Made For Us, a podcast that explores the intersection of innovation and inclusion. On Made For Us, host Tosin Sulaiman speaks to founders, designers and business leaders who are thinking deeply and creatively about how to build better and more inclusive products.
Tosin's guest on this episode is Maura Horton, CEO and founder of MagnaReady, an accessible fashion brand that enables millions of people with limited dexterity and mobility to dress independently. Maura developed the concept for MagnaReady after her husband was diagnosed with Parkinson's and struggled to button his shirts. She invented and eventually patented a magnetic closure system that replaces buttons and has since licensed the technology to Fortune 500 Companies including PVH Corp, owner of Calvin Klein and Tommy Hilfiger. Maura also partnered with and advised Tommy Hilfiger Adaptive, the first mainstream brand to launch a children's adaptive apparel line.
In this episode, Maura talks about:
- The state of the adaptive clothing market before MagnaReady
- How Maura got the inspiration to infuse magnets into her husband's shirts
- The challenges she faced in the design and manufacturing process
- Why Maura thinks the term 'adaptive' is unhelpful
Learn more about MagnaReady at magnaready.com and @magnaready on Instagram.
Listen to other episodes of Made For Us: podfollow.com/made-for-us/view
Follow Made For Us on social media: LinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/madeforuspodcast Instagram: instagram.com/madeforuspodcast
Support or sponsor Beyond 6 Seconds: BuyMeACoffee.com/Beyond6Seconds
Read the episode transcript: carolynkiel.com/podcast/accessible-fashion-maura-horton-magnaready
Follow the Beyond 6 Seconds podcast in your favorite podcast player: pod.link/1336740192
Subscribe to the FREE Beyond 6 Seconds newsletter for early access to new episodes: mailchi.mp/f9f6e8356138/insider
Disclaimer: The views, guidance, opinions, and thoughts expressed in Beyond 6 Seconds episodes are solely mine and/or those of my guests, and do not necessarily represent those of my employer or other organizations. These episodes are for informational purposes only and do not substitute for professional medical advice. Consult a medical professional or healthcare provider if you are seeking medical advice, diagnoses, or treatment.
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