Podcast Reading Initiative: Summer Edition: Resources

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vpJ1OABiPFU – brief video about a day in the life as a podcaster. Talks about a typical workday and it also features a podcast interview where she discusses her work in advocacy.

20 best places to get royalty-free music for podcasters - Resound – information on music, should one choose to use it. Tips for what to do and what not to do and when to put it into the podcast. There are several free websites and ones that you can pay for, but they also have free trails. There are then examples of good use of music and podcast.

Podcast Sound Effects: How to Find and Use Them in Your Show (castos.com) – information on getting podcast sound effects – copyrights, royalty-free options, public domain, and fair use. The article also notes the types of sound effects – a stinger or bumper, a sweeper, and a transition. The rest are just called effects. Each effect is described (a bumper is music that often has a voiceover) and recommendations are made as to where the effects can serve well (a bumper is better at the beginning or end of the show, or between segments. There are also some options for fee sounds and the option to create your own.

Is The Podcast Club The New Book Club? (forbes.com) – we may be moving in the right direction. Reading can be isolating and time-consuming, while podcasts can bring a sense of connection to the person speaking and they can be listened to at the same time as other tasks, such as cleaning or exercising. This could also be an avenue for members to consider audiobooks.

Why Community Engagement Matters — Research — Department of Agricultural Economics, Sociology, and Education - community engagement involves everyday citizens playing a role in the projects and policies that affect them. Taking part in community decisions helps to ensure that initiatives are well-received by the public. It also helps in establishing communication skills and ability for people of different backgrounds come together. This helps give people an inside look into how policy is shaped, increasing trust in leaders. Through community engagement, all of the options are laid onto the table. All of this is essential in creating an informed public with agency.

Community Engagement Matters (Now More Than Ever) - this has a list of resources for improving community engagement that are worth exploring.

Social Connection | Social Connection | CDC - community engagement and events throughout the community contribute to social connection, which is important for overall well-being. Social connection involves the size and diversity of one's circle and one's role in it, what these relationships serve as, and those positive or negative qualities. Social connection gives a feeling of belonging, which is essential in preventing problems like anxiety and chronic illness, like heart disease. There are then a list of places where social connection can be nurtured, such as parks or churches, and there is importance based on creating safe spaces for connection to be made.

Human Connection: Why It's Important I Psych Central - human connection is a sense of closeness and belongingness to a certain group. It is based on interacting with a group and positive feelings associated with it, such as feeling heard and not judged. The benefits on overall health and well-being are in the literature, as a study conducted in 2018 found loneliness to be associated with depression, poor sleep, and cognitive decline (Social Isolation and Mortality in US Black and White Men and Women | American Journal of Epidemiology | Oxford Academic). Another study found that loneliness also bumped up mortality rates, even higher than smoking and obesity (Social relationships and physiological determinants of longevity across the human life span | PNAS). Loneliness has also been found to be a risk factor for many other problems, such as negative lifestyle choices or immune system problems. Connection helps us to express our emotions, which releases neurotransmitters, such as dopamine into the brain. There is then advice on how to get involved in the community, such as joining a club that meets regularly or connecting over common interests.

The importance of connections: Ways to live a longer, healthier life | Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health - "social prescribing" is brought up here, which involves a medical professional prescribing a community resource to help a patient. These resources can take many different forms, from volunteering to art classes. A researcher in this piece has actually started the Foundation for Art and Healing which offers Project UnLonely, which allows for connection through the arts, with the leader of the initiative noting that art rewires the brain. "Prosocial behavior" involves behavior that benefits those around you and can lead to health benefits for the individual doing the behavior, leading to a longer life span and, in the case of seniors in a study, better memory and increased mobility. Benefits can also be applied to having a faith practice, especially when one regularly attends religious services. These same benefits can also be applied to the work environment, specifically when dealing with relationships in the workplace and policy.

UnLonely Project - The Foundation for Art & Healing

3 Unexpected Benefits of Reading for Pleasure as an Adult - Upstream Prevention, Inc. - this piece focuses on the benefits of reading for pleasure as an adult. An assistant library director points to adults reaping the same benefits that children do. Reading is pointed to as a measure of stress-relief and self-care. Reading can also be beneficial for grammatical skills, vocabulary, decision-making, and understanding of different cultures. Reading can also lead to more empathy and creativity from being in another character's shoes. It also helps with cognitive engagement, which can help our brains as we age. It also helps people to improve on themselves, as reading involves learning something new. There is then advice given to get back into reading if one has fallen out of it, such as through audiobooks and through the use of a book recommendation service. There are also ideas for utilizing the local libraries. 

Social Prescribing USA - this website contains information on social prescribing, which emphasizes healing through connection, which is essential during the summer and can be practiced more in the summer months. This practice involves prescribing community activities at minimal cost to the patient. This can include activities such as book clubs. On the website, there are resources such as books, a blog, and allied organizations that may be of further interest.

Rx for Community Wellness: How Social Prescribing Can Empower Libraries to Boost Public Health - Public Libraries Online - this article is an exploration of how public libraries can serve as social prescribers through the connections that they foster. In fact, the Surgeon General pointed out the integral role of libraries to promote overall health for the community. In England, where social prescribing got its start, libraires are an integral part of social prescribing, as through promotion of activities and with "link workers," which coordinate with library staff to facilitate social prescribing. There are many ways that the U.S. can get involved, such as through providing support to local events through flyers or through hosting events.

The Importance of Summer Reading: Public Library Summer Reading Programs and Learning - this is an annotated bibliography curated by the New York State Library that has several article looking into the effects of the "summer slide" and how the library can be a resource for learning over the summer. Some of these articles are linked.

Get Serious About Summer Reading | NEA - toolkit from the National Education Association on summer reading. This a list of resources that is more geared towards kids and can be useful for those looking to go into education.

5 Reasons to Read Outdoors This Summer - Gwinnett County Public Library - reasons to read outside this summer. Besides the obvious benefits of reading, being outdoors can be good for your mood and overall well-being and for your sleep, as light helps to regulate our sleep rhythms. 

Know the advantages of adult summer reading | Community | ktbs.com - summer reading is important for adults' overall well-being, but can also serve kids, as kids are more likely to pick up a book when they see adults reading. Reading can also help adults professionally, as it helps to expand the mind and also helps with writing and conversational skills.

25 Examples of Reading Goals for Adults 2025 (With PDF Tracker) - a list of reading goals for adults to consider in the summer and year-round.

15 Reasons Why You Should Listen To Podcasts - with our focus on podcasting, it is important to note the benefits of listening to podcasts. Podcasts can be listened to anywhere and are a great way to expand horizons. There is a diverse range of topics covered, and podcasts are great opportunities for further learning about a topic of interest or an entirely new topic. Podcasts can serve as a source of entertainment, an opportunity to grow, and a source of news. It can also help in improving listening skills, as close attention is required to what the hosts and guess are discussing. Podcasts can also help to expose people to diverse views and opinions. Hearing all of these new ideas helps you to come up with new ideas, helping flex the creative muscle. Certain podcasts can also help reduce anxiety and stress, such as guided meditations.

15 Benefits of Podcasting | Why You Must Start a Podcast & Free Guide - benefits of hosting a podcast. Podcasts reach a wide variety of audiences, with 2023 seeing 150 million podcast listeners. It has also been found that characteristics among listeners are extremely varied, such as age and gender. It is even possible to reach people across the globe. Podcasts are also "long form," which means that one does not have to be constrained by time limits. This also helps to establish a personal brand and establish a community of people that are interested in your content. There is then information on creating engaging podcasts.

Podcast Benefits: Why Listening to Podcasts Is Good For Your Brain - brain benefits of listening to podcasts. Podcasting has become increasingly popular with people. According to statistics at the time of this writing, 55% of Americans had listened to at least one episode of a podcast and 37% said they listened to podcasts monthly. Consuming information activates the mesolimbic pathway in our brain, which is also known as the "reward pathway" where dopamine is released. A 2016 study found that listening to narrative stories, such as podcasts, has been found to affect the brain in various ways, such as through endorphins being released when listening to comedy. Meditation podcasts are known for activating your brain stem, hypothalamus, and auditory cortex. In these brain centers, oxytocin is released, which has been found to build empathy and trust, but also to help relieve stress and anxiety. Meditation podcasts can also help with focus and productivity. True crime allows the medulla oblongata to produce adrenaline in response to suspenseful stimuli. This activates the fight-or-flight response, giving that feeling of a rush. This also activates the pituitary gland, leading to the release of endorphins, which work in the brain similarly to opioids. Other feel-good neurotransmitters get released here too, serotonin and dopamine, which help you to enjoy the feeling of fear you get. Comedy podcasts help in activating the frontal lobe, which helps decipher a joke, and the cerebral cortex, which allows for laughter, surprise, and delight. Enjoying comedy also helps to reduce the stress hormone cortisol.

7 Soothing Health Benefits of Listening to Podcasts - You Must Get Healthy - further health benefits of enjoying podcasts. In addition to the mental health benefits of a better mood and less anxiety, which benefit the body as well as the mind, podcasts can be useful in other ways. In listening to information, the brain is expected to concentrate and focus.

9 Benefits of Hiking - with summer approaching, it is a great time to consider getting outside and hiking. There are many health benefits to doing this. One can hike with nothing to carry on the back for a lower body workout or with a backpack to work the whole body. Obviously, hiking is beneficial in getting exercise and spending time in nature. Hiking can be helpful for the heart by making it stronger and improving circulation through exercise. This has been shown to reduce the risk of heart disease. Physical activity also helps in improving oxygen consumption, which affects how the heart pumps oxygen-rich blood to the rest of the muscles. All of these factors help in one living longer. The same good effects can be found with blood pressure, which can have a drop as significant as medications. It is also of benefit for medical conditions like diabetes, as it can help with lowering blood sugar and increasing insulin sensitivity. It can also help with burning calories for those who are obese. The effects are also mentally beneficial too, as being in nature has been found to improve overall well-being. A doctor interviewed for this article notes that green is a color that is calming and helps the fight or flight response to relax. Moving also releases endorphins, making one feel good, and making one more sensitive to serotonin and norepinephrine, which helps reduce depression. Hiking can also help in improving sleep, as being outdoors helps regulate Vitamin D, which is important in the sleep-wake cycle. It also increases the body's temperature which, upon reduction, can send people to sleep. Hiking also helps with better bone density and strengthening of the muscles. In cases of arthritis, particularly in the knees and hips, hiking can be a great low-impact exercise, as you are carrying less of your body weight when you walk. Balance also is helped out here, as adjusting to the various terrains and changing center of gravity helps one practice this.

Benefits of Hiking - Trails & Hiking (U.S. National Park Service) - this source from the National Park Service points out similar benefits, as well as the benefits of hiking in a group or with a partner. It is found that hiking helps in building better relationships with others, whether that be through conquering a challenging trail or hanging out in nature.

Health Benefits of Being Outdoors: 8 Ways Nature Can Boost Wellness - with summer coming up, there is more daylight and warmer temperatures, making it an ideal time to be outdoors. More time in nature has many health benefits, physically and mentally. Being outdoors for around 2 hours (120 minutes) per week is enough for people to reap the benefits of nature. it helps with building a better respiratory system, as air pollutants are on the downward swing outdoors, with there being 2 to 5 times less outdoors than indoors. Those who had more access to fresh air were 34% less likely to die from respiratory problems. Open air, such as that found in a field, is more beneficial than being outside, but surrounded by skyscrapers. Spending time outdoors can also help in regulating sleep, as our circadian rhythm works in tandem with light. In the morning, the sun signals that it is time to wake up, while the darkness of night signals that it is time reset and sleep. The key is to let the light hit your eyes. As far as mental health benefits go, nature can be good for coping with depression, especially low mood and fatigue. Some think this is because of the Vitamin D it provides, while others point to the sleep benefits. Light is used in treatment of depression in the clinical setting as well. Nature can also help you ensure that you are building good habits, such as developing exercise routines in green spaces. It is also important to note more time walking outside, it will make you more able to exercise. Nature can also serve as a breather, taking one away from the screens and other things that can serve as stressors. Nature can also help in preventing illness due to microorganisms in the air to practice with and air circulation. Near-sightedness can also be prevented while the eye is growing, as it is posited, the eyes look at things from different vantage points and you have reflections from the sunlight. Dopamine also is released into the eye, helping improvement as other scientists sat. Overall, nature helps people to feel better, increasing those positive feelings. There are suggestions for activities the book, such as stargazing.

12 Best Outdoor Literacy Resources for Reading in Nature That Awaken Wonder - Paths of Learning - another fun summer activity. This resource has ideas for enhancing the reading experience outside, such as weatherproof objects and story time in nature.

Blue Mind - Humans Deep Connection With Water - summer is a time for being near the water, whether that be lakes or the ocean. This sense of well-being that is often found near water is known as "blue mind." This idea came from marine biologist Dr. Wallace Nichols. He notes the many benefits that come from being near the water and the very fact that we are so drawn to it, as we come from water and are made up of it. 65% of the body is made of water and 75% of the brain is made up of water. Scientists have found that the ions in the atmosphere are responsible for releasing the neurotransmitter serotonin and reducing blood lactate levels, which helps reduce stress. The release of feel-good dopamine and oxytocin and the reduction of cortisol have been found in neuroimaging studies as well. The source also notes the phenomenon known as "red mind," a state of mind that releases dopamine. When we are we are scanning the environment for new things, we can see the benefits of this soft attention.

The Blue Mind Movement | Wallace J Nichols - the official source from marine biologist and author Wallace J. Nichols.

.'Blue Mind': Why being near the water makes you happy - interview with the author. He notes that being near water puts one into a "mildly meditative state." He often life to asked people, "What's your water?" This question examines the water that has been influential in shaping a person's identity. In addition to relieving anxiety and stress, it is being used to treat a great number of conditions from PTSD to autism to addiction. Being near the water also helps to better conversations with others and to boost creativity. Experimentally, people who were shown images of water had a positive reaction compared with other images.

The Science Behind How Just Being Near Water Can Help Mental health — Even Virtually - Headlight - people have been using water as a balm for the struggles of life for millennia, such as with the ancient Greeks, as they sought out hot springs to feel better. Being around water allows people to use their brains in different ways. For example, observing the movement of water is a way to create a sense of focus. The overall effect of water is also very calming. Water also offers physical health benefits if it is engaged with through swimming. Swimming helps with muscle strength, endurance, and your heart rate. Saltwater and freshwater bodies both apply here and, if you are not near a body of water, watching or listening to online clips of water also has benefits. 

8 Reasons Why Being In, On or Around Water Makes You Feel So Good - Women + Waves - this source focuses on other ways that water is therapeutic. Water is immersive, as it can be experienced with all of the senses, making for a mindful experience. Water also helps to activate the parasympathetic nervous system, which helps in producing a calming effect, as being in water helps to slow heart rate, lower blood pressures, and stimulate digestion. The color is also useful, as the wavelength of blue helps to calm the mind and it recalls all of the blue that we have evolved around. Water also features what is called "pink noise," which is a combination of all the sound frequencies an ear can hear. The sounds are waves crashing, pebbles being pulled with the tide, etc. Water also helps to reduce the amount of hormones that activate the "fight or flight" response, to a level that is similarly found during meditation. Some scientists believe that water changes surrounding particles to rid them of negative ions in the atmosphere.

Online Learning Platforms: The Different Types And Their Benefits – Forbes Advisor - online learning platforms have grown in recent years, as they make education and connection possible for the masses. Learning destination sites give access to a variety of courses in one place. Examples of these platforms are Udemy, which has a variety of video-based courses, and Khan Academy, which offers courses for many different grade levels in different subjects. A learning management system is not public interfacing but is managed by groups that release content either for a fee or on an open-access basis. Blackboard and Canvas are examples of these. Learning ecosystems can be thought of as combining these two forms, but they also take into account an organization's culture, development strategy, etc., and are typically only available to members of the organization. There is a list of further platforms to explore.

Digital Learning: The Top 10 Benefits - eLearning Industry - there are many benefits that come with this growing technology. The material that is offered is available at any time, allowing for users to fit it with their schedule. It can also help in collaboration, as users can use video conferencing and shared documents. There are also ways of sharing other resources, such as video lectures and further reading. Along with more open scheduling, learning platforms can make it easier for individuals to figure out how they learn best and explore other methods. It also helps to expand other areas of digital learning, such as microlearning and learning through games. E-learning also helps students to connect more with their peers, have more independence in their learning journey, and learn to utilize new technology.

What Is Microlearning: A Complete Guide For Beginners - eLearning Industry - microlearning is a great resource for learning on the go and an easy way to sprinkle bits of learning into the day. Microlearning is very brief, which can be utilized in a variety of ways, such as through short videos on the subjects covered or quizzes on the subject matter. It can also be engaging due to its shorter format, as it often has a social media feel to it and can keep users engaged for the time to learn. Often, microlearning is able to fit 12 lessons into one hour. Microlearning also is useful in its cost effectiveness, as one foes noy have to pay much for short content and a special editor is not needed. Its portability is also a good investment in flexibility. It has also been found to increase retention of what has learned, as learning a bit as you go along is much effective than cramming it all in before a test. Multimedia is a great thing here, as videos and images help to hold interest in the lesson. Microlearning is versatile and can be used for a variety of simple ideas and can be used in various formats, such as games.

80 Summer Journal Prompts - summer journal prompts with ideas for many things: setting goals to planning trips and a day in nature, reflecting on past summers, and prompts for writing a creative story.

By the Numbers: Summer Reading | American Libraries Magazine - statistics on summer reading programs. Of note, 99% of public libraries offer a summer program for people of all ages. There is also a lot of information about what is being provided by libraries during the summer, with one library providing 800 meals for a food distribution center and another giving over 15,000 books to children during kickoff parties.

Summer Reading Statistics Statistics: Market Data Report 2025 - more stats on summer reading programs Of note, kids and teens said that they were more likely to read during the summer if they had access to a library and those who did read over the summer were likely to continue to perform well academically - reading at their grade level.

Strengthening Mental Health in Summer - Centerstone - as with every season, mental health is important in the summer. Summer is typically seen as a time of better mental health. In summer, there is more sunshine, which is found to enhance mental health. Summer also offers the opportunity to spend more time in nature, as the days are longer and warmer. Time in nature also enhances mental health. With more sun comes more Vitamin D and the potential for overall mood to improve. There is also a link to better sleep, as more sun during the day stimulates serotonin at night. Summer is a time for setting up healthy schedules so that they sustain you in the cooler months ahead.

Summer Loneliness and Mental Health: The Time to Act is Now | Psychology Today - while summer can be a great time for mental health, it can be harder on others. For example, extremely high temperatures can put stress on the body, therefore putting stress on the mind. There has also been a sign that loneliness is higher than it is in the colder months. Often, it is found that those who are more likely to isolate are mor likely to continue this behavior. While there are plenty of opportunities for connection, some people may struggle to make a close group of friends and may feel that they are missing out on fun activities. 

50 Ultimate Summer Self Care Ideas For Relaxation + Fun - Joyful State of Mind - a list of self-care ideas for summer. Many of these activities involve taking advantage of the sunlight and warmer weather, such as through hiking, swimming, visiting the beach, or a picnic.

Top 10 Things You Didn’t Know About the Ocean | U.S. Geological Survey - during summer, it is a great time to learn about the ocean. This article has interesting facts about the ocean and links to other sources. Oceans make up 71% of the Earth's surface and holds 37 of our critical minerals. There is so much of the ocean left to be explored as well, with less than 10% of the world's oceans being mapped and the majority to species not being discovered yet. There are also visuals used to illustrate these facts.

10 Tips for Beach Reading in Hidden and Secluded Paradises - beach reading guide. Starts with the benefits of beach reading - creating memories, stimulating the imagination, and it being a relaxing activity. There are suggestions on what to read, essentials to take, genres to consider, and a push for finding a secluded place on the beach.

What makes a perfect beach read? Your brain knows the answer - Odessa American - another interesting beach read article. It gives a general idea of what a beach read is - simple, yet engaging. It also delves into the history of summer reading - the first summer read: A Book for the Sea-Side, the arguments around the types of books - immoral, nice escape. There is also a discussion of the benefits of reading, including the potential to live longer.

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