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The Science of Reading Formula — Education
The Science of Reading Formula

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 meet the real challenges educators face every day.

Each episode dives into essential pillars of teaching success:

Smart strategies to meet the needs of every student without adding extra stress to your plate.

Honest conversations and tips to tackle teacher burnout and find a balance between school and home life.

Science-backed practices that actually work—saving you time and boosting student results.

Practical tips to streamline your planning and free up time for what matters most.

This is your space to find encouragement, expert insights, and actionable ideas to create a classroom (and life) that works for you. Let’s get started!

Copyright: © 2024 Playdough to Plato, LLC

Latest Episodes:

Structured Literacy Strategies That Actually Help with Dr. Lousie Spear-Swerling Oct 12, 2026

Show notes

Helping struggling readers can feel frustrating, but it doesn’t have to be a mystery. In this episode of The Science of Reading Formula Podcast, author and expert Louise Spear-Swerling breaks down the structured literacy strategies that actually move the needle for PreK–2 students. From spotting instructional mismatches to giving more effective feedback, this episode is packed with teacher-tested, science-backed insights.

In this episode, we'll talk about:

What structured literacy really means (and why it works).
How to use informal assessments to drive instruction.
A smarter way to monitor student progress weekly.
The most common myths about dyslexia in schools.
How to build consistency across MTSS tiers.

Show Links

Dr. Louise Spear-Swerling on LinkedIn
Dr. Spear-Swerling's book: Structured Literacy Interventions
Join Malia on Instagram.
Become a Science of Reading Formula member!

Rate, Review, and Follow

If you loved this episode, please take a minute to rate and review my show! That helps the podcast world know that this show is worth sharing with other educators just like you.

Scroll to the bottom, tap to rate with five stars, and select "Write a Review". Then let me know what you loved most about the episode!

While you're there, be sure to follow the podcast. I'm adding a bunch of bonus episodes to the feed and I don't want you to miss out!

Teaching Writing is Essential to Reading Success with Dr. Steve Graham Oct 05, 2026

Show notes

What if the secret to stronger readers isn’t more reading instruction—but better writing instruction?

In this episode, literacy expert Dr. Steve Graham reveals why writing is often the missing piece in early reading success—and how you can use it to supercharge your phonics, fluency, and comprehension instruction.

We’re talking research-backed strategies you can actually use in your PreK–2 classroom, even if writing always feels rushed, messy, or squeezed into the last 10 minutes of the day.

In this episode, we'll talk about:

Why writing instruction is a game-changer for early readers.
How sentence construction helps build comprehension.
What SRSD is (and why it works, even for first graders).
Smart ways to teach writing—without a full writing block.
What the science really says about the writing–reading connection.

Show Links

Dr. Steve Graham's Faculty Page at ASU
National Writing Project
Join Malia on Instagram.
Become a Science of Reading Formula member!

Rate, Review, and Follow

If you loved this episode, please take a minute to rate and review my show! That helps the podcast world know that this show is worth sharing with other educators just like you.

Scroll to the bottom, tap to rate with five stars, and select "Write a Review". Then let me know what you loved most about the episode!

While you're there, be sure to follow the podcast. I'm adding a bunch of bonus episodes to the feed and I don't want you to miss out!

Simple Moves That Supercharge Vocabulary Instruction with Blythe Anderson Sep 28, 2026

Show notes

What if teaching vocabulary didn’t mean adding more to your plate—but simply rethinking the words you already use? In this episode, Dr. Blythe Anderson shares simple talk moves that make a big impact. From classroom job titles to science experiments, you’ll learn how to turn everyday moments into powerful vocabulary instruction.

In this episode, we'll talk about:

Why word lists aren’t enough—and what actually works.
8 talk moves that boost vocabulary in seconds.
How to build word consciousness in your classroom.
Why vocabulary supports decoding, not just comprehension.
Practical tips for supporting multilingual learners.

Show Links

Dr. Anderson's Faculty Profile at University of Buffalo
Join Malia on Instagram.
Become a Science of Reading Formula member!

Rate, Review, and Follow

If you loved this episode, please take a minute to rate and review my show! That helps the podcast world know that this show is worth sharing with other educators just like you.

Scroll to the bottom, tap to rate with five stars, and select "Write a Review". Then let me know what you loved most about the episode!

While you're there, be sure to follow the podcast. I'm adding a bunch of bonus episodes to the feed and I don't want you to miss out!

Why Good Readers Still Struggle with Spelling & How to Fix It with Joanne Rudling Sep 21, 2026

Show notes

What if everything you’ve believed about spelling is only half the story?

In this episode, spelling expert Joanne Rudling reveals why even your strongest readers still misspell words like said, bottle, and shopping—and why the fix has nothing to do with more phonics worksheets.

Get ready for a conversation that will change the way you teach spelling forever.

In this episode, we'll talk about:

The surprising reason reading and spelling don’t develop at the same pace.
Why spelling rules have far fewer “exceptions” than you’ve been told.
How history, morphology, and silent letters actually make spelling EASIER.
Why mistakes aren’t setbacks—they’re shortcuts to mastery.
A simple shift that instantly boosts student spelling confidence.

Show Links

Joanne's Email Address // Books on Amazon
How to Spell Website
Join Malia on Instagram.
Become a Science of Reading Formula member!

Rate, Review, and Follow

If you loved this episode, please take a minute to rate and review my show! That helps the podcast world know that this show is worth sharing with other educators just like you.

Scroll to the bottom, tap to rate with five stars, and select "Write a Review". Then let me know what you loved most about the episode!

While you're there, be sure to follow the podcast. I'm adding a bunch of bonus episodes to the feed and I don't want you to miss out!

My Child Couldn't Read and No One Noticed with Missy Purcell Sep 14, 2026

Show notes

Missy Purcell was a teacher. Her son went to a “good” school. But in third grade, she realized something no one else had: he couldn’t read.

In this powerful conversation, Missy shares the story that shocked her district—and later, the country—when she told it on Emily Hanford’s Sold a Story. What happens when a bright, well-behaved child falls through the cracks of a balanced literacy system? And what does it take to finally get him the instruction he deserved?

This episode is part personal wake-up call, part rally cry for educators who want to get it right. If you’ve ever wondered whether your reading block is working for all kids… don’t miss this one.

In this episode, we'll talk about:

The moment Missy realized her son had been “passing” without reading.
How balanced literacy hides real reading struggles.
Why compliant kids are the easiest to overlook.
What Sold a Story revealed about systemic failure.
How teachers can shift without shame—and start making change now.

Show Links

Missy's Website // Instagram // Facebook
Join Malia on Instagram.
Become a Science of Reading Formula member!

Rate, Review, and Follow

If you loved this episode, please take a minute to rate and review my show! That helps the podcast world know that this show is worth sharing with other educators just like you.

Scroll to the bottom, tap to rate with five stars, and select "Write a Review". Then let me know what you loved most about the episode!

While you're there, be sure to follow the podcast. I'm adding a bunch of bonus episodes to the feed and I don't want you to miss out!

The Surprising Science Behind Play-Based Learning with Kristen Day Sep 07, 2026

Show notes

Is play just for fun—or is it doing something deeper? In this episode, I sit down with Kristen Day, founder of Butterfly Hill Nature Preschool and a fierce advocate for honoring how young children actually learn. We dig into the real science behind play-based learning—what it does for the brain, how it shapes behavior, and why removing it from early childhood classrooms may be doing more harm than we realize.

Whether you're feeling pressure to “get more academic” or just need language to advocate for more play in your day, this episode will leave you feeling grounded, validated, and inspired to make small changes that matter.

In this episode, we'll talk about:

What the research really says about play-based learning.
Why risky play (yes, even stick sword fights!) builds essential life skills.
What happens when children don’t get enough time to play.
Practical ways to bring meaningful play back into your PreK–2 classroom.
How to talk to admin about protecting playtime—using research, not guilt.

Show Links

Kristen Day's Website // Instagram // Facebook
Join Malia on Instagram.
Become a Science of Reading Formula member!

Rate, Review, and Follow

If you loved this episode, please take a minute to rate and review my show! That helps the podcast world know that this show is worth sharing with other educators just like you.

Scroll to the bottom, tap to rate with five stars, and select "Write a Review". Then let me know what you loved most about the episode!

While you're there, be sure to follow the podcast. I'm adding a bunch of bonus episodes to the feed and I don't want you to miss out!

Stop Teaching Vocabulary the Wrong Way - Try This Instead with Natalie Wexler Aug 31, 2026

Show notes

Still asking your students to guess word meanings from context? It’s time for a change. In this episode, Natalie Wexler breaks down the science of how vocabulary really works—and why it’s the key to unlocking reading comprehension.

You’ll learn how to move beyond surface-level word lists and start building deep, long-term word knowledge using techniques grounded in cognitive science.

In this episode, we'll talk about:

Why context clues often lead students away from true understanding.
How long-term memory supports comprehension—and how to build it.
The three-step process for helping students retain and apply new words.
How to use writing and oral language to deepen vocabulary.
Ways to integrate vocabulary across subjects—even in math and science.

Show Links

Natalie Wexler's Website / Book / LinkedIn
Join Malia on Instagram.
Become a Science of Reading Formula member!

Rate, Review, and Follow

If you loved this episode, please take a minute to rate and review my show! That helps the podcast world know that this show is worth sharing with other educators just like you.

Scroll to the bottom, tap to rate with five stars, and select "Write a Review". Then let me know what you loved most about the episode!

While you're there, be sure to follow the podcast. I'm adding a bunch of bonus episodes to the feed and I don't want you to miss out!

Why Kids Act Out and What Their Nervous System is Trying to Tell You with Kim Barthel Aug 24, 2026

Show notes

Why do some kids act out, melt down, or shut down—no matter how consistent or calm we are? In this powerful episode, I’m joined by internationally respected occupational therapist Kim Barthel, who helps us unpack the neuroscience of behavior. We talk about how trauma affects student behavior, what’s really happening when kids dysregulate, and why traditional behavior plans often miss the mark for the kids who need our help the most.

If you’ve ever felt helpless in the face of a child’s big emotions—or exhausted from trying to manage it all—this conversation will leave you feeling grounded, validated, and better equipped to support every learner in your room.

In this episode, we'll talk about:

How trauma affects student behavior—and what we often miss
Why some kids explode, while others shut down completely
What “co-regulation” looks like in real-life classrooms
How your own nervous system impacts your students
What you can do tomorrow to create more safety and connection

Show Links

Kim's Course: Trauma Sensitive Education (Use MALIA20 for 20%off!)
Join Malia on Instagram.
Become a Science of Reading Formula member!

Rate, Review, and Follow

If you loved this episode, please take a minute to rate and review my show! That helps the podcast world know that this show is worth sharing with other educators just like you.

Scroll to the bottom, tap to rate with five stars, and select "Write a Review". Then let me know what you loved most about the episode!

While you're there, be sure to follow the podcast. I'm adding a bunch of bonus episodes to the feed and I don't want you to miss out!

The Surprising Way Your Voice Can Calm a Dysregulated Classroom with Tracy Goodwin Aug 17, 2026

Show notes

What if your voice was the key to calming chaos in your classroom? In this episode, voice expert Tracy Goodwin shares how tone, pace, and presence can either soothe or activate a child’s nervous system—especially those who are dysregulated.

You’ll learn simple shifts you can make to use your voice as a powerful tool for connection, co-regulation, and classroom calm.

In this episode, we'll talk about:

How your voice impacts student behavior and emotional safety.
The science behind tone, cadence, and nervous system response.
Why some calm voices still feel “tense” to kids—and how to fix it.
Simple strategies to use your voice for co-regulation.
How to build student trust without raising your volume.

Show Links

Tracy Goodwin Website / Instagram / LinkedIn
Join Malia on Instagram.
Become a Science of Reading Formula member!

Rate, Review, and Follow

If you loved this episode, please take a minute to rate and review my show! That helps the podcast world know that this show is worth sharing with other educators just like you.

Scroll to the bottom, tap to rate with five stars, and select "Write a Review". Then let me know what you loved most about the episode!

While you're there, be sure to follow the podcast. I'm adding a bunch of bonus episodes to the feed and I don't want you to miss out!

"I Couldn't Keep Reteaching... so I Tried Something Different" with Rose Crystal Aug 10, 2026

Show notes

What if your students could finally retain what you teach—and you could stop second-guessing every phonics lesson?

In this episode, veteran first grade teacher Rose shares how she went from overwhelmed and unsure… to confident and clear—thanks to her first step inside The Science of Reading Formula: our four-week bootcamp called The Reading Roadmap.

If you’re tired of piecing together your reading instruction, this conversation is the encouragement and direction you’ve been looking for.

In this episode, we’ll talk about:

Why so many teachers feel stuck teaching reading—and how to break free.
The very first step Rose took to start seeing real student growth.
How the Reading Roadmap gives you just what you need (without the overwhelm).
What changed in her confidence, planning time, and student results.
How to know if you’re ready to join The Science of Reading Formula.

Show Links

Preview the Vault of Tools & Trainings
Join Malia on Instagram.
Become a Science of Reading Formula member!

Rate, Review, and Follow

If you loved this episode, please take a minute to rate and review my show! That helps the podcast world know that this show is worth sharing with other educators just like you.

Scroll to the bottom, tap to rate with five stars, and select "Write a Review". Then let me know what you loved most about the episode!

While you're there, be sure to follow the podcast. I'm adding a bunch of bonus episodes to the feed and I don't want you to miss out!

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