About Us

We are the only literacy service that not only uncovers the root cause of reading apprehension—literacy trauma—but also guides individuals through a compassionate, healing process to overcome those negative experiences. Our unique method is designed to be simple and universal, empowering individuals to not only embark on their own literacy journey but also to help others do the same.

About The Founder- Daphne Russell

Daphne Russell is a seasoned educator with 35 years of experience who discovered how to use books as tools to foster introspective thought processes, leading to internal transformation. Her universal method, grounded in customer service principles, has the potential to level the literacy playing field, create confident readers, and eventually cultivate a collective reader conscious. Daphne's first book, Read or Die, chronicles her experience implementing this method at Mansfeld Middle School in Tucson, Arizona. After years of working with disengaged teens, she developed the VISCERAL Method, now available as an ebook. Her current manuscript, The Future of Education is Evolution, addresses the current state of education and advocates for honest, systemic change from within. Daphne considers herself an Educational Evolutionist, acknowledging the scholars and pioneers who paved the way for her insights. With three and a half decades of teaching and refining her approach, she has tirelessly worked to find a simple, effective solution to help every child embark on and strengthen their lifelong reading journey.

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When the Teacher is Ready, the Student Will Come

I know I missed many lessons that were offered me, but thankfully, I did not miss them all. In no particular order, with no last names, here is a running list of humans who taught me to be a teacher teacher. I am in your debt. Deborah, Kara, Alexa, Lexi, Alee, Cordero, Marissa, Shalina, Pablo, Tricia, Jessica, Jenn, David, Derrek, Abby, Alyssa, Tinkerbell, Nancy, Allison, Linda, Nicole, Ana, Danny, Pam, Arlan, Julena, Clinton, Noah, Melina, Jazmin, Bri, Donny, Jillian, Anabelle, Eddie, John, Mateo, Kam, Raul, Abel, Ivon, Francisco, Araceli, Angelina, Isaiah, Lopez, Luz, Tina, Melissa, Lisa, Andy, Dega, Simrit, LP, Brenda, Natasha, Victoria, Alisa, Angi, Cody, Judy, Richard, Jesse, CJ, Khalid, Beto, Alison, Chuy, and Jamal, Mihanna.

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Whether or Not You're Aware, We Are Grateful for You

The following organizations and/or humans have been with us in one way or another, pushing us along, dragging us along or even accidentally sending a text when it was most needed. Thank you. 

Katie and Will Conway, Monica Young, Denise Cook, Nicole Russell, Mike Sechrest, Lark Garr, Debbie Esparza, Jessica Carr, Mike Garvey, Jennifer Glass, Gretchen Kiehlbaugh, Michael Pavlich, Allison Clark, Jennifer Kidd, Kara Trowbridge, Michelle Gower, Briauna Jones, Debbie Esparza, Trish Fowler, Annette Bruenkant. 

And much appreciation to our board members: Tracy Cracchiolo, Lance Jones and Annette Parkhurst

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Thank you, Donors!

Over the past 6 years of service, we could not have gotten this far without all of you. Much appreciated! 

  • COX Charities 
  • HSL Family Foundation
  • Rick Small and the Stonewall Foundation
  • Joe Cracchiolo and Bradley Feder

Healing Literacy Trauma, Empowering Lives

Start your healing literacy journey today. Explore our free resources and empower yourself and others to overcome reading apprehension with compassion and confidence.