How I Tricked Everyone (Even Myself) Into Thinking I Could Read

Why Good Grades Don’t Mean You Learned Anything: My Personal Story With Reading Challenges.In this episode, I get candid about a deeply personal struggle: never properly learning to read, despite excelling academically and scoring high on major tests. I open up about how the “whole word” method failed me and millions of others, and share how reading was once a source of embarrassment and frustration. I recount real-life stories; misreading “speedometer,” feeling lost with unfamiliar words, and using “survival skills” like memorizing word shapes or listening extra carefully in class.This episode explores how outdated teaching methods impact learners, practical ways technology helps today, and why anyone struggling with reading shouldn’t feel ashamed. I offer tools, mindsets, and encouragement for both adults and kids who feel stuck, showing how adapting and using resources can unlock knowledge and confidence. Whether you’re a parent, educator, or someone who’s felt “bad at reading,” you’ll find relatable stories and concrete takeaways for growing beyond old limitations. The Social Chameleon Show is here to help you keep learning, growing, and transforming, even when the school system didn’t set you up for it.Enjoy the episode!YouTube: youtu.be/JjVf0XMSbpA Show Notes: TheSocialChameleon.Show/faked-reading Available on: Apple Podcasts • Spotify • Overcast • Pocket Casts • Castbox • YouTube Music • Amazon Music • Audible • Substack • Everywhere you can listen📚 Timestamped Overview00:00 "Challenges with Reading New Words"03:16 "Tech Nostalgia: Early 2000s Tools"08:50 "Encyclopedias, Internet, and Learning"12:52 "Breaking Stigma Through Awareness"15:12 "Spell Check and Voice Tools"16:51 "Adapting to Learn Without Reading"22:37 "Competence, Confidence, and Reading Methods"24:26 "Skilled Readers Don't Rely on Context"26:51 "Context and Predictive Decoding"32:19 "Unlocking Knowledge and Potential"35:58 "Upgrading Mindset and Letting Go"37:50 "Research Resources and Podcast Recommendation"40:46 Hiring for Skill GrowthConnect With Us:Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | YouTube | LinkedIn More Podcast Apps: TheSocialChameleon.Show/Podcast-Show#SocialChameleonShow #ReadingJourney #NeverTooLateToLearn #PhonicsVsWholeWord #LiteracyMatters #AdultLearning #BreakingBarriers #EducationTransformation #LearningStruggles #UncommonSkills #OvercomingShame #ReadingStruggles #GrowAndTransform #ReadingSupport #MindsetShift #PersonalGrowth #LearningToolsShow notes and transcripts powered with the help of Castmagic. https://geni.us/castmagic-scs