What happens when a mom sees kids struggling to read – and realizes there is no tool out there good enough to help them?  She jumps in to help. And in doing so, creates a company that solves this far-reaching problem.  In this episode of Mom to MORE®, host Sharon Macey chats with Deb Mallin—a former stay-at-home mom turned educator, literacy advocate, and founder of Mighty Doodle, an AI-powered ed-tech app revolutionizing how children with learning differences are taught to read. With over 30 years of experience and a personal connection to dyslexia and learning challenges through her own son, Deb is on a mission to ensure that every child learns in a way that works for them. 

Motherhood wasn’t a detour for Deb—it was a masterclass in leadership. From raising three boys in Minneapolis to helping struggling readers thrive, she turned everyday experiences into powerful tools for change. What started as a challenge at the dinner table  –  over reheated Costco chicken pot pie – became Mighty Doodle—a nationwide literacy solution rooted in joy and science.

Tune in as Sharon and Deb explore how motherhood shaped her startup mindset, how she reluctantly (at first) stepped into this bold new chapter, and how age is never a limit. With humor, heart, and hard-won wisdom, Deb shows us that your “more” might be just one brave moment away.

 

[00:00] Meet Deb Mallin [02:10] Reframing stay-at-home motherhood as recalibration [04:30] How raising three boys built CEO-level resilience [06:00] The joy of teaching—and letting go—of her students [10:02] The family dinner that sparked Mighty Doodle [16:00] How motherhood skills powered her startup [20:15] Going direct-to-consumer and reaching thousands [25:00] Reinvention after 50 and social media trial by fire [28:13] Deb’s advice for moms ready to go from dreaming to doing

 

Meet my guest Deb Mallin: Website: MightyDoodle.com Instagram: @mightydoodle

LinkedIn: Deb Mallin

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@mightydoodle?lang=en

 

Looking for More? Follow @momtomore on Instagram, Facebook and TikTok.  @Sharon Macey on LinkedIn.

 

Keep an eye out for episode #43 of the Mom to MORE® podcast where Sharon is joined by Terry Grahl, Founder, Visionary and CEO of Enchanted Makeovers.  Coming soon - you won’t want to miss it ♥