OAN Staff Brooke Mallory
12:26 PM – Monday, March 30, 2026
Second Lady Usha Vance officially entered the digital media landscape on Monday, with the launch of her new podcast, “Storytime with the Second Lady.” The debut and expansion of her platform focuses on childhood literacy and education — as she balances her high-profile role with a growing family.
The podcast, which premiered with three episodes available on Spotify and YouTube, is designed to encourage reading for fun among children. Its launch comes at a critical time; according to the latest National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) data, only 31% of fourth and eighth-grade students in the U.S. are proficient in reading.
In the first episode, Vance read a personal childhood favorite, “The Tale of Peter Rabbit” by Beatrix Potter. Speaking in an interview with NBC News’ Kate Snow, ahead of the launch, Vance further emphasized that the project is “an advertisement for reading.”
“Reading for pleasure at home builds stronger literacy and classroom skills and opens the door to a world of opportunity for children,” Vance said in an official statement. “I’m excited to invite special guests to share great stories, spread their love of reading, and help reverse the decline of childhood literacy rates in our country.”
The podcast features a rotating cast of guest readers. The initial lineup included Danica Patrick, a former NASCAR driver who previously moderated a town hall with Vice President JD Vance, and Brent Poppen, an author and Paralympian who shared excerpts from his book, “Playground Lessons.”
“Storytime” is the latest in a series of education-focused ventures from the Office of the Second Lady. Since her husband took office in 2025, Usha has also spearheaded several initiatives:
- Summer Reading Challenge: Launched in June last year, the program saw tens of thousands of children across all 50 states compete to read 12 books over the summer break.
- Bookmark Design Challenge: Last month, Usha partnered with the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) to launch a national contest for K-8 students to design bookmarks celebrating America’s 250th anniversary.
- Phones in Focus: She has also been a vocal advocate for “cellphone-free schools,” urging governors’ spouses to support policies that remove mobile devices from classrooms to improve student focus.
Meanwhile, the launch coincides with a historic moment for the Vance family. In January, the second couple announced that they are expecting their fourth child, a boy, in July. This will make them the first Vice Presidential family to welcome a child while in office since 1870.
Despite the national spotlight, Mrs. Vance, a Yale-educated lawyer from San Diego, California, maintains a grounded approach to her role.
In a recent interview, she described herself as a “trusted adviser” to her husband, noting that while they don’t always agree, their “open-minded” discussions are a cornerstone of their marriage.
Stay informed! Receive breaking news alerts directly to your inbox for free. Subscribe here. https://www.oann.com/alerts
What do YOU think? Click here to jump to the comments!
Sponsored Content Below
