Traveling with Kindness: Alicia D. Williams on Joy, Courage, and the Power of Story

What happens when you finally give that brave, younger version of yourself permission to come back out and play? In this episode, author and teaching artist Alicia D. Williams joins Dr. Diane to talk about solo travel, rediscovering joy, and seeking kindness around the globe—from Paris and Mexico to Ghana, Ireland, and Italy.

Along the way, we celebrate Alicia’s beautiful new picture book, Nani and the Lion, and dive deep into the power of oral storytelling and read‑alouds to transform classrooms and kids’ lives. Alicia names what many early childhood educators feel: we rush children into writing before we’ve honored the building blocks of story. She shares why story should begin with talking, acting, drumming, and drawing—and how oral storytelling grows vocabulary, empathy, expression, and confidence.

Looking for the perfect book for Read Across America or World Read Aloud Day? Look no further. Alicia has given us a lyrical original folktale that celebrates courage, rhythm, and the power of finding your voice.

Episode Chapters

• [01:07] Choosing bravery and joy through travel
• [06:55] What happens when you ask, “Show me how kind the world is”?
• [10:53] From invisible to seen -- finding community and connection
• [14:08] Curiosity, conservation, and connection
• [20:46] Nani and the Lion,
  • Alicia introduces Nani and the Lion,—an original folktale rooted in rhythm, drumming, repetition, and big, participatory read‑aloud moments that invite kids to march, roar, and join the story.
  • Alicia and Dr. Diane uncover the deeper theme: when you do the thing that brings you joy, you tame the “lions” that try to quiet you and help free others to be brave, too.
• [28:55] Joyful read‑alouds and playful learning through STEM
• [30:57] The power of oral storytelling
• [33:40] From spoken story to writers’ workshop
• [35:16] Sneak peek: Nani and the Monkey
• [40:21] Choosing joy every day

About Our Guest

Alicia D. Williams is an award‑winning author, teaching artist, and global traveler. She is the author of Genesis Begins Again (a Coretta Scott King Honor Book) and the new picture book Nani and the Lion, Learn more on Episodes 29 and 77.

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