The Science of Reading Formula

My Child Couldn't Read and No One Noticed with Missy Purcell

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

The Surprising Science Behind Play-Based Learning with Kristen Day

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 h

Stop Teaching Vocabulary the Wrong Way - Try This Instead with Natalie Wexler

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 w

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

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

The Surprising Way Your Voice Can Calm a Dysregulated Classroom with Tracy Goodwin

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 ac

"I Couldn't Keep Reteaching... so I Tried Something Different" with Rose Crystal

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 shar

How School Leaders Quietly Shape (or Sabotage) Reading Success with Dr. Terrie Noland

What if leadership is the reason your reading scores aren’t moving? You’ve trained your teachers. You’ve rolled out new curriculum. But something still isn’t working. In

Is Your Curriculum Aligned with the Science of Reading? with Kari Kurto

You’re told to teach with fidelity—but what if the curriculum itself isn’t aligned with the science of reading? In this episode, Kari Kurto from The Reading League breaks

Behavior Management Strategies That Save Your Sanity with Allie Szczecinski

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

You Can't Teach Every Vocabulary Word, So Teach This Instead with Dr. Trina Spencer

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 i

Literacy is a Human Right with Dr. Tanji Reed Marshall

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

What No One Tells PreK-2 Teachers About Teaching Writing... Until Now with Joan Sedita

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 t

7 Mighty Moves That Transform Reading Instruction with Lindsay Kemeny

What happens when a veteran teacher discovers that her reading instruction isn’t working—not even for her own son? In this episode, Lindsay Kemeny, author of 7 Mighty Mo

She Built an MTSS System That Actually Works—Here's How with Joan Schumann

What if your MTSS system actually worked—and didn’t leave teachers or students overwhelmed? In this episode, Dr. Joan Schumann shares the exact strategies she used to bu

Why Students Can Sound Out Words but Not Read Them with Beth Gaskill

Some students can sound out every letter in a word… but still not read it. In this episode, literacy interventionist Beth Gaskill helps us unpack why that happens and wha

The Tier 2 Formula You've Been Missing with Linsey Jones

What if Tier 2 didn’t feel like a last-ditch effort—but your most powerful tool for early reading success? In this episode, I sit down with Linsey, a school-based SLP who

What to Do When Kids Can Read but Don't Understand with Dr. Tim Shanahan

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 happ

Why Does "Two" Have a Silent W? (And Other Phonestheme Tricks You'll Love Teaching)

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 b

A Simpler Way to Teach Multisyllabic Words with Devin Kerns

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

How to Teach Phonological Awareness Through Play with Beck Goodman

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’