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The Science of Reading Formula

Malia Hollowell
Education
Phonics
Reading Instruction
Teaching Strategies
Science Of Reading
Phonemic Awareness
Dyslexia
Phonological Awareness
Teacher Training
Morphology
Literacy
Reading Comprehension
Phonics Instruction
Brain-Friendly Teaching
Phonics Skills
Classroom Management
Teacher Burnout
Sight Words
Reading Skills
Structured Literacy

Welcome to The Science of Reading Formula, the podcast that helps you simplify reading instruction, save time, and support every student’s success—without feeling like you’re running on empty.I’m Malia Hollowell—a National Board Certified Teacher, author, and founder of Playdough to Plato. Over the past 20 years, I’ve honed my craft, combining science-backed practices with practical solutions to m... more

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Artwork for The Science of Reading Formula

Latest Episodes

Ever feel like one more behavior outburst might push you over the edge? You’re not alone. In this episode, we’re breaking down practical, real-life strategies that help K–2 teachers handle challenging behaviors without shame, power struggles, or burn... more

Teaching kids to decode words is essential, but what happens when they can read the words and still don’t understand what they’re reading? In this episode, we dive deep into the often overlooked role of academic language in reading comprehension. Lan... more

What if reading isn’t just a skill we teach—but a right we protect?

In this episode, I’m joined by Dr. Tanji Reed Marshall, a powerful voice in education who invites us to rethink what it really means to teach every child how to read. We go beyond t... more

You’ve heard all about the science of reading—but what about the science of writing? Most K–2 teachers are handed phonics programs with zero guidance on how to actually teach writing. That changes today.

In this episode, Joan Sedita pulls back the c... more

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Recent Guests

Allie Szczecinski
Former special ed teacher, SEL coach
Former classroom teacher; SEL coach in a public school district
Episode: Behavior Management Strategies That Save Your Sanity with Allie Szczecinski
Dr. Trina Spencer
Director of Juniper Gardens Children's Project; expert in academic language and language learning
University of Kansas, Juniper Gardens Children's Project
Episode: You Can't Teach Every Vocabulary Word, So Teach This Instead with Dr. Trina Spencer
Tanji Reed Marshall
Educational advocate and author focusing on inclusive literacy and representation in curriculum
Educational advocate, author
Episode: Literacy is a Human Right with Dr. Tanji Reed Marshall
Joan Sedita
Literacy expert, author of The Writing Rope
Keys to Literacy
Episode: What No One Tells PreK-2 Teachers About Teaching Writing... Until Now with Joan Sedita
Lindsay Kemeny
Author of 7 Mighty Moves
Author of 7 Mighty Moves
Episode: 7 Mighty Moves That Transform Reading Instruction with Lindsay Kemeny
Beth Gaskill
Founder of Big City Readers, literacy entrepreneur, former kindergarten teacher
Big City Readers
Episode: Why Students Can Sound Out Words but Not Read Them with Beth Gaskill
Linsey Jones
Speech-language pathologist; school-based SLP; developer of tier two intervention program
Episode: The Tier 2 Formula You've Been Missing with Linsey Jones
Tim Shanahan
Professor/educator and literacy researcher introduced as guest
Shanahan on Literacy; Harvard Education Press (book publisher mentioned)
Episode: What to Do When Kids Can Read but Don't Understand with Dr. Tim Shanahan
Devin Kearns
Goodnight Distinguished Professor in Early Literacy at North Carolina State University; former teacher and reading specialist for kids with dyslexia
North Carolina State University
Episode: A Simpler Way to Teach Multisyllabic Words with Devin Kerns

Host

Malia Hollowell
Host of The Science of Reading Formula

Reviews

4.7 out of 5 stars from 79 ratings
  • More about the money?

    I went into The Science of Reading Formula podcast by Malia Hollowell hoping for substance… something that truly unpacked the research behind effective literacy instruction. What I found instead was a glossy, surface-level show that feels more like marketing than meaningful professional development.

    To be fair, Hollowell is articulate, enthusiastic, and clearly passionate about literacy. The podcast is well-produced and easy to follow, which might appeal to teachers new to the science of readin... more

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    EduProf5000
    Canada8 months ago
  • All About Access

    It was a pleasure being a guest on your show! You are a wonderful host and ask thoughtful questions, making a lot of information in this literacy realm really accessible for educators! Sending all the kudos!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    MSullivan-Literacy in COLOR
    United States10 months ago
  • Decodables vs Leveled Readers

    As a seasoned kindergarten teacher who began my Science of Reading (SoR) journey just a year ago, I’m always searching for resources that are both practical and research-aligned. This podcast on decodables vs. leveled readers was exactly what I needed — and I can’t recommend it highly enough to fellow K-2 educators.

    What made this episode stand out was how easy it was to understand while still tackling essential, research-based information. The host, Malia, laid out the pros and cons of both de... more

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Kinder Kay
    United Statesa year ago
  • GRTB69

    This content is long overdue to support teachers so kudos Malia. As an educator & parent of a child with hearing loss I LOVED this episode. The content is spot on and can really elevate your game to reach more students’ academic goals. We are seeing more students with hearing loss in the regular classroom. They can find more success academically with a few extra modifications from their teacher. Bonus points as the modifications will aid all students. AND it really isn’t that difficult. You need... more

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    GRTB69
    United Statesa year ago
  • Not just for educators, a must listen for parents too!

    I am the parent of 2 early elementary aged students. Outside of homeschooling my oldest for kindergarten (and inevitably and simultaneously pre-k for my youngest 😵‍💫), I am FAR from being an educator of any kind. With a BA in graphic design and visual communication, I have always been passionate about making personalized resources for my kids even if they just want a particular coloring page. Since finding Malia, I have not only been able to add real educational value to my home worksheets and... more

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Mandella6584
    United Statesa year ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

Listener comments frequently praise clarity and host energy, with appreciation for real-world classroom examples.
Some reviews note a strong marketing angle and wish for more balanced, research-cited content.
Feedback often highlights accessible, practical insights and clear, actionable tips for teachers.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Apple Podcasts
#71
United States/Education/How To
Apple Podcasts
#181
Canada/Education/How To
Apple Podcasts
#216
Australia/Education/How To
Apple Podcasts
#32
Indonesia/Education/How To
Apple Podcasts
#76
New Zealand/Education/How To
Apple Podcasts
#103
Chile/Education/How To

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Behavior Management Strategies That Save Your Sanity with Allie Szczecinski
Q: What would you say is the most practical tool a teacher can implement to prevent meltdowns during transitions?
Teach and reinforce coping skills during weekly routines, post an anchor chart of steps, and build a mood-awareness habit using tools like the Mood Meter so students can independently signal what they need during transitions.
Behavior Management Strategies That Save Your Sanity with Allie Szczecinski
Q: What is the core framework you want pre-K through second-grade teachers to start using tomorrow?
The core framework centers on identifying behavior in a structured way, using two case studies per behavior, involving a team approach with families and administrators, and applying inclusive, proactive strategies like sentence stems, visuals, and adjustments to the classroom environment.
You Can't Teach Every Vocabulary Word, So Teach This Instead with Dr. Trina Spencer
Q: For anyone who is new to your world, could you take a moment and introduce yourself? Tell us about your background and how you came to do what you do every day.
Dr. Spencer shares her journey from humble beginnings, through graduate study, and into leading the Juniper Gardens Children's Project, where she researches academic language and how to teach it effectively in schools. She emphasizes the goal of liberating students from poverty through rich language experiences and developing instructional practices that build generalized word learning.
Literacy is a Human Right with Dr. Tanji Reed Marshall
Q: Why is it important to think about literacy as a human right, and how does that change practical teaching approaches?
Literacy is power and must be developed in tandem with critical thinking; teachers should address both the foundational decoding skills and the higher-order processing that supports independent decision-making for students.
Literacy is a Human Right with Dr. Tanji Reed Marshall
Q: For anyone who is new to your world, could you tell us what you do and how you became an educational advocate?
Dr. Tanji describes transitioning from retail to education, partnering with states and districts to support equitable education through mindset and skill-building, with a focus on ensuring every kid receives excellent education.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

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Frequently Asked Questions About The Science of Reading Formula

What is The Science of Reading Formula about and what kind of topics does it cover?

A practical, researcher-backed show focused on literacy instruction, bridging theory and classroom reality. Episodes typically unpack science-based reading strategies, with hands-on tools for elementary and early childhood classrooms, while also addressing teacher burnout, planning efficiency, and parent involvement. Notable strengths include concrete routines, data-informed instruction, and a consistent emphasis on accessible implementation, making advanced literacy concepts feel doable for educators and school leaders alike. A few episodes stand out for spotlighting equity, inclusive language development, and structured writing and spelling pedagogy, showcasing a breadth of topics within the science-of-reading space.

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How many listeners does The Science of Reading Formula get?

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Which podcasts are similar to The Science of Reading Formula?

These podcasts share a similar audience with The Science of Reading Formula:

1. Reach All Readers
2. Melissa & Lori Love Literacy ® | Science of Reading for Teachers
3. Science of Reading: The Podcast
4. The Cult of Pedagogy Podcast
5. Angela Watson's Truth for Teachers

How many episodes of The Science of Reading Formula are there?

The Science of Reading Formula launched 2 years ago and published 109 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

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What guests have appeared on The Science of Reading Formula?

Recent guests on The Science of Reading Formula include:

1. Allie Szczecinski
2. Dr. Trina Spencer
3. Tanji Reed Marshall
4. Joan Sedita
5. Lindsay Kemeny
6. Beth Gaskill
7. Linsey Jones
8. Tim Shanahan

To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.

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