
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
| Publishes | Weekly | Episodes | 101 | Founded | 2 years ago |
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| Number of Listeners | Categories | CoursesHow ToEducation | |||

You know the type—students who can read every word but still have no idea what they just read. In this episode, literacy expert Dr. Tim Shanahan breaks down why this happens and what you can do about it. Get ready for myth-busting moments and practic... more
Have you ever wondered why there is a silent W in the word two? In this episode, we explore a surprisingly powerful concept that helps students unlock word meaning just by noticing how a word is spelled. It is called a phonestheme, and once you under... more
Teaching students how to read longer words shouldn’t feel like a lesson in rule-breaker management. In this episode, I’m joined by Dr. Devin Kearns, a leading researcher in early literacy, who shares a simpler, more flexible way to teach multisyllabi... more
Can kids really build phonological awareness by pretending to sell you a $1 million cup of ice cream? According to literacy expert Beck Goodman… yes! In this episode, we’re unpacking how to teach phonological awareness through play—with fun, simple s... more
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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
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!
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
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
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
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A practical, research-informed show that translates the science of reading into classroom-ready strategies. Episodes cover phonemic awareness, phonics progression, dyslexia support, assessment for instruction, and classroom workflows designed to save teachers time while boosting student outcomes. Guests range from literacy experts and teachers to dyslexia advocates, sharing hands-on activities, data-driven decision-making, and real-world implementation tips for K-2 to early elementary settings. The host emphasizes teacher well-being, family partnerships, and scalable approaches that busy educators can adopt immediately, making the show useful for both classroom practitioners and literacy leaders seeking actionable insights.
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2. Science of Reading: The Podcast
3. The Cult of Pedagogy Podcast
4. unPAUSED with Dr. Mary Claire Haver
5. Literacy in Color: A Science of Reading Aligned Podcast for Educators
The Science of Reading Formula launched 2 years ago and published 101 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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Recent guests on The Science of Reading Formula include:
1. Devin Kearns
2. Beck Goodman
3. Joy Anderson
4. Rebecca Bush
5. Dr. Peter Bowers
6. Dr. David Kilpatrick
7. Rose Crystal
8. Vicki Davis
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