Matt Pasternack is the co-founder and CEO of Once, a science of reading-based software that teaches children ages three to seven how to read. He built the company after watching his wife teach their daughter to read in just 15 minutes a day during the pandemic, and realizing every parent could do the same.
He's also a father of three, with kids ages six, eight, and ten. His parenting journey has included launching a startup while raising young children alongside his wife Becca, an OB-GYN, navigating the demands of her residency with a newborn at home, and developing a deeply intentional approach to raising independent, curious kids. We discussed:
- Building a reading company as a parent: How Matt launched Once during the pandemic while homeschooling his daughter and became his own proof of concept.
- Fixing a broken system from the inside: How years of classroom teaching shaped Matt's belief that schools alone can't solve the reading crisis.
- Keeping startup stress in perspective: Why Matt believes that teaching a child to read matters more than any company milestone he'll ever hit.
- Taking an evidence-based approach at home: How Matt and his wife Becca stay aligned on parenting decisions, from sleep training to screen limits to raising independent kids.
- Letting kids own their own lives: Why Matt believes in giving children real responsibility early, from making their own lunches to managing their own social calendars.
- Choosing books over screens in a distracted world: Why Matt limits devices, teaches reading as a daily ritual, and believes literacy is the greatest gift of independence a parent can give.
Where to find Matt Pasternack
Where to find Adam Fishman
In this episode, we cover:
(00:00) Welcoming Matt Pasternack, Co-founder/CEO of Once
(02:17) What Once is and how it teaches kids to read
(03:00) Is having a doctor spouse a blessing or a curse
(04:14) The three parenting books every new parent needs
(04:49) The Happiest Baby on the Block and the five S’s
(05:31) The Good Sleeper and teaching babies to sleep
(06:10) Oh Crap Potty Training and the one-day method
(08:02) Raising autonomous kids and the Montessori mindset
(12:45) Why where you live is your biggest parenting decision
(18:31) What is the science of reading
(25:46) Why every parent can teach their child to read
(34:00) The US reading crisis and why it hasn’t moved in 50 years
(49:30) Advice for founders starting a family
(52:16) Finding the screen time sweet spot for kids
(01:02:57) Lightning round: diapers, the SNOO, and Magic Tree House
Resources From This Episode:
Once (Reading App):https://tryonce.com/
The Happiest Baby on the Block (Book/Video): https://www.happiestbaby.com/blogs/baby/happiest-baby-on-the-block
The Good Sleeper (Book): https://www.amazon.com/Good-Sleeper-Essential-Guide-Healthy/dp/0761177582
Oh Crap! Potty Training (Book): https://www.amazon.com/Oh-Crap-Potty-Training-Everything/dp/1501122983
SNOO Smart Bassinet: https://www.happiestbaby.com/products/snoo-smart-bassinet
Tin Can Phone (Toy):https://tincan.kids/
Tin Can Founder on Startup Dad: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7MmdPkMhqe8
Skylight Calendar: https://www.skylightframe.com/
Sold a Story (Podcast): https://features.apmreports.org/sold-a-story/
The Magic Tree House (Book Series): https://www.magictreehouse.com/
Ramona (Book Series): https://www.amazon.com/Ramona-Complete-Collection-Beverly-Cleary/dp/0062228641
Batteries Not Included (Film): https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0092494/
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