Explore every episode of the podcast Learning Rebels Podcast
| Title | Pub. Date | Duration | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Creative Thinking: The Unexpected Essential Skill | 17 Feb 2026 | 00:31:28 | |
It all started with the BIG question on the table.
What skills did we need in 2025 that we didn't see coming—and what does that mean for our careers?
This Coffee Chat was all about looking in the rearview mirror at the year behind us and thinking forward to what skills matter now. We kicked off with the big one: prompt engineering. Would we have known in January 2025 that mastering AI prompts would become critical? Some of us saw the signals, but most of us didn't jump on it fast enough. The question became: how do we get better at spotting trends before they pass us by? The conversation turned to staying informed and developing a radar for what's next. Reading widely—Wall Street Journal, Harvard Business Review, industry newsletters—and practicing pattern recognition helps you see what's coming down the hall. One participant carved out intentional innovation time each week to stay ahead of trends. Another pointed out that AI isn't just a tool—it's part of the workflow now. Prompt engineering, understanding AI agents versus simple prompts, and knowing which AI tool fits which task all became essential skills this year. We explored creativity, storytelling, and binge-worthy learning. One participant asked: what if we designed learning people actually wanted to come back to, like a Netflix series? The group talked about framing content around compelling narratives, using humor and relatability (even corny stuff works if it's memorable), and building playlists instead of learning paths. Old-school techniques came back up too—process mapping, branching scenarios, empathy mapping, and the lost art of asking the right questions. Not "What problem are you solving?" but "What happened that brought you to my office today?" We also tackled content curation with purpose. Throwing an entire library at people doesn't work. Instead, we need to help learners build targeted playlists—whether it's curated courses, YouTube videos, or internal resources—that actually match what they need. And we talked about dusting off skills like questioning, critical thinking, and creative problem solving. These aren't nice-to-haves anymore. They're essential. The takeaway? The skills we need keep shifting faster than ever. Staying curious, staying informed, and staying flexible isn't optional—it's how we keep up. So what skill are you sharpening as we head into 2026? Stay curious! -Shannon Video Transcript Transcript Summary Chat Box Other Resources: Don’t forget! Pass the Cranberry Sauce Q1 Coffee Chat Schedule Coffee Chat Schedule Blog Posts: Order taker to STRATEGIC Business Partner (2025) Five skills L&D professionals couldn't ignore 6 must-have skills for 2025 Ditch Engagement! Create Learning People Can’t Ignore Why Everyday Development is Crucial to Closing the Skills Gap Podcasts: Harvard’s Taylor Swift Course What You’re Really Learning Examples: When HR Goes Too Hard Destinos: An Introduction to Spanish - Annenberg Learner Webinar: Creating Training Videos That Stick: Small Changes for Improved Outcomes LinkedIn Posts LinkedIn post on Microsoft by Dylan Tokar Building Your Radar: How to Spot Signals and Make Sense of Change by Al Dea Dear Leadership, We Need to Talk Not Activity by Shannon Tipton
Books: The CEO's Guide to Training, eLearning & Work: Empowering Learning for a Competitive Advantage by Will Thalheimer Think Like a Marketer, Train Like an L&D Pro: Strategies to Ignite Learning by Bianca Baumann and Mike Taylor Made to Stick: Why Some Ideas Survive and Others Die by Chip and Dan Heath The Accidental Instructional Designer by Cammy Bean Practical Empathy by Indi Young Be part of the Community. Gain more valuable resources to build your skills! Learn more here. Join the conversation Be part of the live chat! Sign up here. Hire Learning Rebels When you need learning that sticks, we’ll fight to make performance results happen. Visit the Learning Rebels website to learn more Host: Shannon Tipton Podcast produced by: Obsidian Productions | |||
| Demands and Deadlines: Working with Stakeholders | 10 Feb 2026 | 00:43:05 | |
It all started with the BIG question on the table.
What do we wish our stakeholders knew about learning—and how do we actually tell them?
This Coffee Chat was all about the communication breakdowns between L&D and stakeholders, and how to fix them without just venting for an hour (though we did some of that too). We kicked off with a hard truth: sometimes the misunderstandings are our fault. When we say yes to impossible deadlines, we train stakeholders to keep asking. So how do we break the cycle and have better conversations?
The group tackled the classic stakeholder statements. "Everyone needs this training" got unpacked with the five whys—asking why, why, why until you get to the actual problem they're trying to solve. We talked about shifting from big questions like "What's the business goal?" to smaller, clearer ones like "What behavior are you seeing that you don't like?" or "What failures are we trying to prevent?" Sometimes stakeholders have more clarity around what they want to avoid than what they want to create. We explored practical tools for working with SMEs and stakeholders. Training request forms that are short enough to actually get filled out. Checklists that prompt SMEs to gather what we need without us having to nag. Discovery meetings where we fill out the form together. And the magic phrase: "If I don't hear from you by Friday, silence means yes." Documentation and receipts matter—send back what you agreed on so there's no confusion later. The conversation turned to getting real reviews from SMEs. Sit with them and go through it together. Send them one section at a time instead of a 20-minute course. Give them specific examples of what feedback looks like—"This looks great" doesn't help, but "I like the tone you used on slide 3" does. Test it with someone who knows nothing about the topic. Read it out loud. Project it on a big screen. All of these catch things you'd never see otherwise. We also vented about the things that drive us up the wall. Everything defaults to one hour. SMEs who tell us the solution instead of the problem. Requests that arrive with "turn this into a game" or "make a video" already baked in. The key is reframing without being combative—asking what "game" means to them, explaining constraints, helping them break content into need-to-know versus nice-to-know buckets. The takeaway? We need to communicate better, set expectations upfront, and remember that stakeholders and SMEs aren't the enemy—they just don't know what we need unless we tell them clearly. So what's one conversation you could reframe this week? Stay curious! -Shannon Andrew Jacobs Chatbox Andrew Jacobs Transcript Transcript Summary Resources The Learning Rebels’ The 2025 Edition: From L&D Order-Taker To Strategic Business Partner Where L&D Will Survive and Where It Will Die In Age of AI What is Gilbert’s Behavior Engineering Model? Gilbert's Behavior Engineering Model Andrew Jacobs’ PPT Andrew Jacobs’ Four Cs:
Cathy Moore’s Action Mapping Management by Wandering Around Andrew Jacobs’ Linkedin Books Leading the Learning Function: Tools and Techniques for Organizational Impact by MJ Hall and Laleh Patel The Trusted Learning Advisor: The Tools, Techniques and Skills You Need to Make L&D a Business Priority by Keith Ketting Employee Engagement for Organizational Change: The Theory and Practice of Stakeholder Engagement by Julie Hodges Be part of the Community. Gain more valuable resources to build your skills! Learn more here. Join the conversation Be part of the live chat! Sign up here. Hire Learning Rebels When you need learning that sticks, we’ll fight to make performance results happen. Visit the Learning Rebels website to learn more Host: Shannon Tipton Podcast produced by: Obsidian Productions
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| Small Budgets and Big Impact: Scrappy Design That Actually Works | 03 Feb 2026 | 00:40:03 | |
It all started with the BIG question on the table.
How do we design learning fast without sacrificing quality?
This Coffee Chat was all about scrappy design—doing more with less time, smaller budgets, and whatever tools you've got at hand. We kicked off with a reality check: sometimes your best work isn't your most polished work. It's the work that gets done and actually helps people. One participant shared a story about creating an entire electrostatic discharge course in one week by scanning a workbook into PowerPoint, adding a quiz, and launching it. Five years later, that "rushed" course was still running successfully.
The conversation turned to mindset shifts and practical workflows. Progress over perfection. Templates over starting from scratch. Using tools in ways they weren't necessarily designed for—like turning PowerPoint into a graphic design tool or loading your brand guide into ChatGPT so it generates content in your voice. We talked about recording subject matter experts and repurposing that single video into scripts, podcasts, mini clips, job aids, and course content. One video, ten different outputs.|
Tool recommendations came fast. Canva for templates and quick graphics. TechSmith's suite (Snagit, Camtasia, Audiate) for seamless video workflows. iSpring for PowerPoint-based courses on a budget. Gamma for AI-powered slide design. Genially for building interactive content and internal resource hubs. The group emphasized finding tools that talk to each other—upload once, edit everywhere, export in seconds.
We also tackled the tension between being scrappy and putting out crap. There's a difference. Scrappy means helpful and useful, just faster. It means asking "What do people need to do?" before jumping into a full ADDIE process. Sometimes your analysis is one question. Sometimes the solution is a Word doc, not a course. And sometimes you say yes to the request, then gently steer the conversation toward what'll actually work.
The takeaway? Build your workflow. Know your tools. Reuse what works. And remember—scrappy doesn't mean sloppy. It means smart.
So what's in your scrappy design toolbox?
Stay curious! -Shannon
Resources: Video:VimeoScrappy Design & Smart Shortcuts - Coffee ChatChat Box: Learningrebelslearningrebels.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/Scrappy-Design-Smart-Shortcuts-chat.pdf Transcript:OtterOtter.ai Note | Otter.ai Transcript Summary: Learningrebelslearningrebels.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/Scrappy-Design-Smart-Shortcuts-Summary.pdf Resources: The Scrappy Instructional Designer’s Workflow Guide Dr Phil's Newsletter HeyGen TechSmith Tools Camtasia Snagit Audiate Screencast Keynote PowerPoint Storyline 360 Gamma Canva Canva Design School Presentation Zen Nolan Haims Creative ChatGPT Claude Monday.com Copilot Mico BrightCarbon BrightSlide Scribe Miro Venngage Vyond Sana Synthesia Goose Chase Genially
Books: DataStory: Explain Data and Inspire Action Through Story by Nancy Duarte slide:ology: The Art and Science of Presentation Design by Nancy Duarte Resonate: Present Visual Stories that Transform Audiences by Nancy Duarte Leaving ADDIE for SAM: An Agile Model for Developing the Best Learning Experiences by Michael W. Allen (Author), Richard Sites (Contributor) A Trainer’s Guide to PowerPoint: Best Practices for Master Presenters by Mike Parkinson Do-It-Yourself Billion Dollar Graphics: 3 Fast and Easy Steps to Turn Your Text and Ideas into Persuasive Graphics by Mike Parkinson Downloadables: ChatGPT CheatSheet: Learningrebelslearningrebels.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/ChatGPT-CheatSheet-10.pdf Image Prompt Sheet: Learningrebelslearningrebels.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/Image-Prompt-cheatsheet.pdf Be part of the Community. Gain more valuable resources to build your skills! Learn more here. Join the conversation Be part of the live chat! Sign up here. Hire Learning Rebels When you need learning that sticks, we’ll fight to make performance results happen. Visit the Learning Rebels website to learn more Host: Shannon Tipton Podcast produced by: Obsidian Productions | |||
| The Unmeasurable Problem: Soft Skills and Real Evidence | 27 Jan 2026 | 00:41:08 | |
It all started with the BIG question on the table.
How do we measure the unmeasurable—those soft skills that don't fit neatly into a spreadsheet?
This Coffee Chat tackled one of the trickiest challenges we face: proving that leadership development, communication training, and other "fuzzy-edged" programs actually work. We moved beyond completion rates and smile sheets to explore what real evidence looks like when the numbers just don't tell the story. The struggles came fast. Financial acumen training where clients want proof it makes people more money. Leadership programs where stakeholders won't touch 360 feedback. The classic problem of one person messing up, so now all 50 people need mandatory training. The group shared stories of self-assessments where the most confident people scored the lowest, and programs where leadership only cares about completion percentages. We explored practical approaches to gathering evidence when traditional metrics won't cut it. Anecdotal stories from learners and stakeholders, discussion boards that show what people are taking away, and post-training check-ins that nudge application while measuring retention. One clever idea: have learners submit real scenarios anonymously, then use those examples throughout training to build relevance and buy-in. The conversation turned to asking better questions upfront. Not just "What does success look like?" but "What's happening right now that's making us have this conversation?" and "What will this look like in the wild?" Because if you don't know what success sounds like and looks like before you build the program, you can't look for evidence of it afterwards. We also tackled an uncomfortable truth: sometimes we're order takers whether we like it or not. Leadership says "build this course" and strategic partnership isn't happening today. But that doesn't mean you can't still ask questions or look for evidence in the wild—even when leadership doesn't want formal metrics. Just because they say "I don't want you to measure X" doesn't mean you can't ask the question and build toward it anyway. Soft skills come with actions. Communication done well has body language, tone, and specific phrases. Leadership development shows up in how managers handle conflict. If you can describe what it looks like and sounds like when it's done well, you can watch for those signals after training. That's your evidence. So what does success actually look like in the wild for your soft skills training? Stay curious! -Shannon Video Chat Box Transcript Transcript Summary Resources: The Learning Rebels Podcast ft. Kevin Yates Will Thalheimer's Learning-Transfer Evaluation Model Books: Make It Stick: The Science of Successful Learningby Peter C. Brown, Henry L. Roediger III , Mark A. McDaniel Proving the Value of Soft Skills: Measuring Impact and Calculating ROI by Patricia Pulliam Phillips, Jack J. Phillips, Rebecca Ray Map It: The hands-on guide to strategic training design by Cathy Moore (More Affordable Option) Design Thinking for Training and Development: Creating Learning Journeys That Get Results by Sharon Boller, Laura Fletcher Be part of the Community. Gain more valuable resources to build your skills! Learn more here. Join the conversation Be part of the live chat! Sign up here. Hire Learning Rebels When you need learning that sticks, we’ll fight to make performance results happen. Visit the Learning Rebels website to learn more Host: Shannon Tipton Podcast produced by: Obsidian Productions | |||
| Bias Traps and Design Flops | 21 Jan 2026 | 00:32:56 | |
It all started with the BIG question on the table.
How do cognitive biases sneak into our learning designs—and what can we do about it?
It quickly became clear this conversation was going to hit close to home. We all fall into these traps—affinity bias, confirmation bias, halo effect, availability heuristic, and the Dunning-Kruger effect. It's not about shame; it's about recognizing that our brains have built-in shortcuts that sometimes help us and sometimes lead us astray.
The group shared real examples. One person caught themselves gravitating toward job candidates they liked rather than those with the best portfolios. Another realized they'd been making assumptions about learner personas based on who they wanted the audience to be, not who it actually was. We talked about how personality assessments like DISC can create bias, putting people in boxes and giving them excuses for behavior. And we explored the "squeaky wheel" problem—when one loud voice convincing us "everybody" needs something turns out to be just that one person.
The conversation turned practical. How do we catch ourselves? Listen for trigger words like "everyone," "always," and "never." Add a bias checkpoint to your needs analysis process. Share your assumptions with colleagues as accountability partners. One suggestion that landed: upload your training needs analysis into AI and ask it what you missed or overstated—an unbiased second look can reveal blind spots you didn't even know were there.
The takeaway wasn't about fixing ourselves overnight. It's about awareness. Recognizing when you're walking that worn path and choosing to step out of the trench. Starting with yourself before trying to point out biases in others. And when you see it happening in stakeholder meetings, using the gentle nudge: "I've heard that too—help me understand who 'everyone' is in your world."
So what bias are you going to watch for in your next stakeholder meeting?
Stay curious!
-Shannon
Video
Transcript
Transcript Summary
Chatbox
Resources
Cognitive Bias Quiz
5 Cognitive Biases Sabotaging Your Learning Programs
Explaining the Dunning-Kruger Effect
Unmasking the Mind: 11 Cognitive Biases That Can Derail Workplace Decisions (and How to Overcome Them)
The Cognitive Bias Checker
Books
Cognitive Biases - A Brief Overview of Over 160 Cognitive Biases: + Bonus Chapter: Algorithmic Bias by Murat Durmus
Mental Models: Learn How to Improve Decision Making, Problem Solving, Develop Better Strategic Thinking and Reasoning Ability to Avoid Cognitive Biases by Joe Silva
The Critical Mind: Enhance Your Problem Solving, Questioning, Observing, and Evaluating Skills (Cognitive Development Book 2) by Zoe McKey
How Our Brains Betray Us by Magnus McDaniels
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Gain more valuable resources to build your skills! Learn more here.
Join the conversation
Be part of the live chat! Sign up here.
Hire Learning Rebels
When you need learning that sticks, we’ll fight to make performance results happen. Visit the Learning Rebels website to learn more
Host: Shannon Tipton
Podcast produced by: Obsidian Productions | |||
| Murder Mystery Learning Design | 18 Dec 2025 | 00:40:12 | |
It all started with the BIG question on the table.
How can we set goals that truly align with our personal and professional aspirations while making the process motivating, realistic, and actionable?
This Coffee Chat was all about rethinking how we approach goal setting. Forget the old SMART goals you’ve heard about a thousand times—this conversation was focused on making goals meaningful, personal, and, most importantly, doable.
We talked about the problem with framing goals in a negative light. How often do we say, “I need to stop doing this” or “I should do that”? We instead tried to ask “What’s the positive motivation behind my goal?”
We also had some fun with numbers! By calculating the weekends left in our lives (yes, weekends), we got a new perspective on time and how to prioritize what matters most. It’s not about how many years you have left, but about how you’re using the time you’ve got.
There was a great moment when someone shared their experience with imposter syndrome. But remember, Identifying barriers upfront—like fear or complexity—is the first step to overcoming them.
This chat was full of “aha” moments and practical ideas, but what stuck with me most was this: Goal setting isn’t just about planning. It’s about believing in the process, breaking things down, and being kind to yourself along the way.
So, what are your big, hairy, audacious goals? What’s stopping you? Let’s keep the conversation going!
Stay Curious!
~Shannon
Resources: Video Transcript Transcript Summary Chatbox Resources BHAG Big Rock Goal Setting Planner Books SMARTER Goals: A Better & Smarter Approach To Setting & Achieving Goals by Tal Gur The Efficient Path to Success - A Practical Guide to Achieving Your Goals by Nelson JR Start Poorly: Sidestepping Perfection to Reach Your Goals by Justin Grifford Goal Setting: Forget SMART Goals Try SMARTER Goals by Martin Formato Be part of the Community. Gain more valuable resources to build your skills! Learn more here. Join the conversation Be part of the live chat! Sign up here. Hire Learning Rebels When you need learning that sticks, we’ll fight to make performance results happen. Visit the Learning Rebels website to learn more Host: Shannon Tipton Podcast produced by: Obsidian Productions | |||
| Strategic Rest, Not Strategic Stress | 05 Dec 2025 | 00:42:00 | |
It all started with the BIG question on the table.
What does burnout really look like, and how do we bring ourselves back from it without treating rest like another item on the to-do list?
This Coffee Chat opened with an honest acknowledgment that many of us are feeling stretched thin. Between back-to-school schedules, heavy workloads, shifting priorities, and the general pace of life, it has been catching up with people. Special guest Chris Coladonato joined us to talk about rest as a strategy rather than something you squeeze in when everything else falls apart. What stood out early on was the reminder that burnout is not always obvious. Sometimes you only recognize it when you finally stop.
The conversation was filled with relatable moments. People shared the signs they notice in themselves, like irritability, lack of motivation, mistakes that seem to pile up, or the feeling of being backed into a corner. Others admitted they do not realize they are burned out until something forces them to pause. Chris encouraged us to look for these cues sooner and to view rest as a practice that happens throughout the day rather than a reward you earn at the very end of a long stretch. Even small breaks create a reset, whether it is stepping outside, stretching, listening to the birds, or taking a minute to breathe without checking email.
There was also an honest look at the guilt so many of us feel when we take a break. A lot of that pressure comes from old beliefs, workplace culture, or past expectations about what “busy” is supposed to mean. We were reminded that we often put as much pressure on ourselves as anyone else does. Choosing rest is choosing yourself, and that choice matters. People shared creative ways they weave in restorative moments, such as using Notion boards to track energy levels, taking tiny walks, using music, doodling, or keeping a calming activity nearby so it is easy to reach for during short pockets of time.
As the chat wrapped up, the takeaway was simple. Burnout does not disappear through one long weekend or a single deep breath. It shifts when we build small practices that support us throughout the day. It shifts when we notice our signals and respond with care. And it shifts when we stop viewing rest as laziness and start treating it as maintenance for being human.
Stay curious!
-Shannon
Video
Transcript
Chatbox
Transcript Summary
Resources
Zentangle
Sacred Rest Book Club
Recharge-Renew-Refocus Your Toolkit
Books
Burnout Recovery: 15 techniques to overcome chronic stress, regain control, restore your energy and your focus by Amber Pierce
Burnout Recovery Breakthrough: A Compassionate Guide to Manage Stress Overload and Build Unshakable Mental Resilience to Reclaim your Happiness by Laurie Grist
I'm So Effing Tired: A Proven Plan to Beat Burnout, Boost Your Energy, and Reclaim Your Life by Amy Shah
The Burnout Solution: 7 Steps from Exhausted to Extraordinary by Sharon Grossman
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Gain more valuable resources to build your skills! Learn more here.
Join the conversation
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Hire Learning Rebels
When you need learning that sticks, we’ll fight to make performance results happen. Visit the Learning Rebels website to learn more
Host: Shannon Tipton
Podcast produced by: Obsidian Productions
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| Finding the Stories that Drive Workplace Culture | 28 Nov 2025 | 00:33:39 | |
It all started with the BIG question on the table.
What if learning and development professionals thought more like anthropologists?
This Coffee Chat explored what it means to study the culture of our organizations instead of simply observing it from a distance. How do we uncover the stories, rituals, and behaviors that shape it? We began by exploring the idea of acting as storytellers. We already curate knowledge and connect people to resources, but what if we also helped uncover the stories that show who we are as a company? Culture does not live in a PowerPoint slide about values. It lives in the moments people share, the choices they make, and even the quiet in between. Several participants reflected on how remote and hybrid work have changed the way we see culture. Without breakroom chatter or hallway check-ins, those unspoken stories are harder to find. Some suggested new ways to listen, like forming engagement committees, or simply asking questions that reveal what is really happening behind the scenes. Others noted that listening also means noticing what is not being said and understanding why. We shared examples of how learning can reflect culture instead of sitting apart from it. That might mean weaving company values into course content, highlighting real stories from employees, or recognizing behaviors that model the culture we want to build. When culture shows up in learning, it starts to feel real. Toward the end, the conversation turned practical. How do we help culture grow when budgets are tight and influence feels limited? The group offered creative, low-cost ways to build connection, such as virtual movie clubs, “Be Kind” chats on Teams, cross-department highlights, and even therapy dog visits at the office. Small, human moments like these help people feel part of something bigger, and that is where culture thrives. Being a workplace anthropologist is not about changing the company overnight. It is about paying attention, capturing stories, and creating spaces where people can connect and be seen. That is how we keep the heart of an organization beating strong. Stay curious! -Shannon Video Transcript Transcript Summary Chatbox Resources Workplace Redux: An Anthropological Approach to Today’s Workplace Design by Melissa Fisher and Hana Kassem How to Replicate Water Cooler Conversations in Hybrid & Remote Workplaces by Matthew Reeves What Is Employee Wellbeing? And Why Does It Matter? Books Your Wellbeing Blueprint: Feeling Good And Doing Well At Work by Michelle L McQuaid and Dr Peggy L Kern The Pandemic Workplace: How We Learned to Be Citizens in the Office by Ilana Gershon Beyond the Workplace Zoo by Nigel Oseland Cultural Sensitivity Training: Developing the Basis for Effective Intercultural Communication by Susann Kowalski Be part of the Community. Gain more valuable resources to build your skills! Learn more here. Join the conversation Be part of the live chat! Sign up here. Hire Learning Rebels When you need learning that sticks, we’ll fight to make performance results happen. Visit the Learning Rebels website to learn more Host: Shannon Tipton Podcast produced by: Obsidian Productions | |||
| Keeping the Human in Presentations | 22 Nov 2025 | 00:20:39 | |
It all started with the BIG question on the table.
Have we lost our edge when it comes to presentation skills?
This Coffee Chat centered on something many of us have noticed. With so much attention going to AI tools and digital platforms, it is easy to forget that connection and presence are still at the heart of great facilitation. Participants shared strategies they use to spark engagement, like starting with a playful question, calling people by name as they join, or choosing icebreakers that help everyone warm up without feeling awkward. We also talked about what keeps a session lively once it begins. Simple tools like chat prompts, polls, and annotation help, but small human gestures often matter more. Reading the room, noticing who is quiet, acknowledging comments in real time, and keeping your tone approachable can turn a presentation into a conversation. A few trainer red flags came up too, like saving questions for the very end or reading directly from the slides. The group shared ideas for keeping presentations fresh. Changing visuals to maintain energy, using a co host to help with tech, and keeping each slide focused on a single idea were all crowd favorites. We also laughed about what happens when things go wrong, whether the poll freezes or the audio drops. Great presenters stay calm, improvise, and keep the room connected through those moments. In the end, presentation skills are not about performance. They are about building trust, showing care, and making people feel included. Technology can support that work, but it cannot replace the human element that makes learning come alive. Stay curious! -Shannon Video Transcript Transcript Summary Chatbox Resources Presentation Skills Self Assessment 250 Conversation Topics Woodstock 1969 Playlist The Learning Rebels’ 22 Tips To Level-Up Your Virtual Learning Game How to Present Survey Results in PowerPoint Bingo in the classroom: A fun & educational tool Books Presentation Skills 201: How to Take It to the Next Level as a Confident, Engaging Presenter by William Steele The Confident Presenter: Ditch Your Fear of Public Speaking and Embrace the Stage by Ryan Millar Think Faster, Talk Smarter: How to Speak Successfully When You're Put on the Spot by Matt Abrahams Develop Your Presentation Skills: How to Inspire and Inform with Clarity and Confidence by Theo Theobald DataStory: Explain Data and Inspire Action Through Story by Nancy Duarte Be part of the Community. Gain more valuable resources to build your skills! Learn more here. Join the conversation Be part of the live chat! Sign up here. Hire Learning Rebels When you need learning that sticks, we’ll fight to make performance results happen. Visit the Learning Rebels website to learn more Host: Shannon Tipton Podcast produced by: Obsidian Productions
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| Writing for Humans, Not Experts | 14 Nov 2025 | 00:35:01 | |
It all started with the BIG question on the table.
How do we write learning materials that people actually want to read?
This Coffee Chat focused on the art and challenge of writing for learning. Whether it’s job aids, workbooks, or PowerPoint slides, the struggle is the same: keeping things clear, concise, and human. The discussion centered on how to cut through the noise, remove the fluff, and make content easy to digest without oversimplifying it. The group shared ideas about finding the right balance between too much and not enough. Some of us worry about losing meaning when we simplify, while others admit to writing a novel for a ten-minute course. Hemingway’s famous advice to “keep it short and use simple words” came up more than once. The goal is not to strip the story away but to make sure every word earns its place. We also explored design choices that make written content more engaging. White space, larger fonts, and shorter paragraphs keep readers focused and reduce visual fatigue. For learners who are neurodiverse or have visual limitations, those same choices make a huge difference. Clean layouts, chunked information, and thoughtful formatting improve accessibility and make the learning experience better for everyone. Before long, the talk shifted to tone and audience. Good writing starts with knowing who you are talking to. Not every learner reads the same way, and not every message needs the same level of context. Sometimes people are not looking for a history lesson; they just need to know how to do the thing. In the end, great writing for learning is about empathy. When we focus on what learners need to understand instead of what we want to explain, everything becomes clearer. Stay curious! -Shannon Video Chatbox Transcript Transcript Summary Resources What Hemingway Teaches Us About Instructional Writing Bright Carbon monthly webinars Books The Design of Everyday Things by Don Norman Design for How People Learn (Voices That Matter) by Julie Dirksen Write Like Hemingway: Find Your Voice, Discover Your Style Using the 10 Rules That Guided A Nobel Laureate by Ed Gleason Instructional Story Design: Develop Stories That Train by Rance Greene Be part of the Community. Gain more valuable resources to build your skills! Learn more here. Join the conversation Be part of the live chat! Sign up here. Hire Learning Rebels When you need learning that sticks, we’ll fight to make performance results happen. Visit the Learning Rebels website to learn more Host: Shannon Tipton Podcast produced by: Obsidian Productions | |||
| Managers: Champions or Roadblocks | 28 Oct 2025 | 00:35:44 | |
It all started with the BIG question on the table.
How do we partner with middle managers instead of clashing with them?
This Coffee Chat dove into one of the most complicated roles in any organization. Middle managers sit at the crossroads of leadership expectations, daily operations, and learning initiatives. They can be your biggest ally or your biggest barrier, often depending on how well they understand their role in supporting development. The chat quickly turned to some all-too-familiar struggles. Managers who block progress, expect new hires to be experts, or try to run training their own way. Others just don’t think helping their teams learn is part of the gig. And honestly, most are pulled in so many directions that learning ends up taking a back seat. We talked about what it looks like to shift that relationship from tension to partnership. It starts with inviting managers into the process early, giving them visibility into what’s coming, involving them in decisions, and offering easy-to-use tools that help them lead conversations about learning. One participant shared a “leader-led learning” model that made managers the heroes by equipping them with resources to guide discussions with their teams. Sometimes we toss training over the fence and expect managers to run with it, even though no one’s ever taught them how. When we bring them in, let them learn alongside their teams, and show how it connects to their own goals, the tension starts to ease. Suddenly, learning feels like something they want to be part of, not just another box to check. In the end, middle managers are not the enemy. They’re just caught in the middle. The more we treat them as partners rather than obstacles, the stronger our learning cultures become. Stay curious! -Shannon Video Transcript Transcript Summary Chatbox Resources Learning Rebels’ CTRL + ALT + BUILD: The Microlearning Lab for Modern L&D Workshop The Power Hour Tool Leader Led Learning Series 20 Ways Managers Can Create a Culture of Continuous Learning How to Involve Managers in Learning Programs3 Actionable Steps For Managers to Cultivate a Learning Culture How To Create a Learning Culture: 18 Best Practices Leaders' Critical Role in Building a Learning Culture Books Power to the Middle: Why Managers Hold the Keys to the Future of Work by Bill Schaninger, Bryan Hancock, and Emily Field Caught in the Middle: 5 Crucial Insights into Mastering Middle Management by Maria Simpson Leading Change from the Middle: A Practical Guide to Building Extraordinary Capabilities by Jackson Nickerson The Middle Management Challenge: Moving from Crisis to Empowerment by Alan L. Frohman and Leonard W. Johnson Be part of the Community. Gain more valuable resources to build your skills! Learn more here. Join the conversation Be part of the live chat! Sign up here. Hire Learning Rebels When you need learning that sticks, we’ll fight to make performance results happen. Visit the Learning Rebels website to learn more Host: Shannon Tipton Podcast produced by: Obsidian Productions | |||
| Making It Safe to Learn | 16 Oct 2025 | 00:38:16 | |
It all started with the BIG question on the table.
How do we make learning environments feel safe for everyone who walks through the (virtual or physical) door?
This Coffee Chat explored the heart of psychological safety—what it really looks like in classrooms, workshops, and training sessions. We opened with five common mistakes that unintentionally chip away at that sense of safety: assuming hierarchy disappears, mistaking compliance for engagement, treating all mistakes the same way, ignoring social dynamics, and underestimating the learning environment itself. Each point sparked stories, strategies, and honest reflections from the group. We talked about how hierarchies can quietly shape participation. Managers and employees in the same breakout room, long-tenured voices dominating newer ones, or facilitators unintentionally reinforcing authority can all influence who speaks up. Small shifts can make a big difference, like randomizing groups, normalizing dissent, and inviting learners to question the content openly. The discussion also turned to design choices and facilitation techniques that foster safety and inclusion. It’s about creating spaces where people can engage comfortably through low-pressure icebreakers, time to think before sharing, or reflection moments that don’t force conversation. Physical and digital cues such as fidget toys, flexible seating, and optional camera use can help signal that comfort matters. Just as important is the facilitator’s approach; tone, timing, and phrasing can either open the door to honest dialogue or quietly close it. A quiet room is not always an engaged one, and sometimes it’s simply a nervous one. Building psychological safety takes care, self-awareness, and consistency. The good news? It starts with small, intentional choices that tell learners, “You belong here.” Stay curious! -Shannon Video Transcript Transcript Summary Chatbox Resources 5 Psychological Safety Mistakes That Kill Learning (And How To Fix Them) How to Foster Psychological Safety on Your Teams Promoting Psychological Safety Toolkit Books Safe Spaces, Strong Minds: Nurturing Mental Wellness In Educational Environments by Leanndra Yates Safe Spaces, Brave Spaces: Diversity and Free Expression in Education by John Palfrey Safe Spaces by Lisa McAdams Be part of the Community. Gain more valuable resources to build your skills! Learn more here. Join the conversation Be part of the live chat! Sign up here. Hire Learning Rebels When you need learning that sticks, we’ll fight to make performance results happen. Visit the Learning Rebels website to learn more Host: Shannon Tipton Podcast produced by: Obsidian Productions | |||
| Champagne Learning on a Beer Budget | 09 Oct 2025 | 00:38:59 | |
It all started with the BIG question on the table.
How do we keep creating “champagne learning” when we’re working with a tap-water budget?
On this episode of the our Coffee Chat, the topic was all about getting scrappy, smart, and a little bit creative with the tools we already have. It’s that time of year when budgets tighten, priorities shift, and somehow the expectation still remains to deliver polished, high-impact learning. The challenge? Making it sparkle without spending a fortune. The group shared clever ways to stretch every dollar—using project management tools like Smartsheet, Trello, or Asana for learning paths and workflows. Others found creative substitutes for full-blown LMS platforms by using SharePoint, Confluence, or even Google Sites to organize and deliver learning content. It was proof that innovation often comes from limitation. We also explored design tools that do more than their job description. Canva and Vengage stood out for creating beautiful workbooks, infographics, and learning assets, while newer AI tools like Notebook LM and Napkin AI opened doors for curation, quick visuals, and even podcast-style learning recaps. When paired smartly, free and low-cost tools like these can create the illusion of a big-budget experience. The conversation wrapped with a simple reminder—great learning design isn’t about price tags, it’s about creativity and resourcefulness. Whether you’re repurposing tools, experimenting with AI, or reimagining what “good” looks like, the goal is the same: to make learning feel valuable, no matter the budget. Stay curious! -Shannon Video Transcript Transcript Summary Chatbox Resources Notebook LM Overview Cost-Effective Training: Leveraging Free Tools And Resources From AI to Interactivity: What’s New (and Next) in Canva Figjam: A collaborative online whiteboard that helps teams brainstorm, map out ideas, and create training workflows in real-time. 7 Taps: A mobile-first microlearning platform that lets you quickly create short, engaging learning modules with no design skills required. Napkin.AI: An AI-powered tool that helps visualize and map out complex ideas or concepts into simple diagrams and knowledge graphs. Manifestly: A checklist and workflow automation tool that helps streamline recurring training processes and improve accountability. Camtasia: A powerful screen recording and video editing software ideal for creating polished instructional videos and tutorials. Genially: A versatile tool for creating interactive presentations, infographics, and training materials with built-in gamification. H5P: An open-source tool that enables you to create interactive learning content—like quizzes, presentations, and videos—directly in your LMS or website. Slidemodel: Offers professional PowerPoint templates that help educators and trainers quickly build visually appealing slide decks. Screencastify: A browser-based screen recorder that allows you to create quick, shareable video tutorials directly from Chrome. Vyond: A user-friendly platform for creating animated training videos that explain concepts clearly and boost learner engagement. Wellsaid: Uses AI voice technology to turn text into realistic voiceovers, perfect for narrating training videos and eLearning content. Envato: A marketplace offering templates, graphics, and stock assets to enhance the visual design of training materials. Amazon Polly: Converts text to lifelike speech using AI, allowing you to add natural-sounding voiceovers to training content. Intellum: A comprehensive learning management platform that supports scalable employee, customer, and partner education programs. Books Instructional Design on a Shoestring by Brian Washburn Trends and Issues in Instructional Design and Technology by Robert A. Reiser, Alison A. Carr-Chellman, and John V. Dempsey 50 Ways to Speed Up Instructional Design with AI (Training with AI) by Steve Rosenbaum Be part of the Community. Gain more valuable resources to build your skills! Learn more here. Join the conversation Be part of the live chat! Sign up here. Hire Learning Rebels When you need learning that sticks, we’ll fight to make performance results happen. Visit the Learning Rebels website to learn more Host: Shannon Tipton Podcast produced by: Obsidian Productions | |||
| More Than PowerPoints: The L&D Visibility Challenge | 30 Sep 2025 | 00:36:09 | |
It all started with the BIG question on the table. How do we make L&D visible in our organizations—and actually get recognized for the value we bring? It quickly became clear this touches a nerve for all of us. We hesitate to promote ourselves because it feels too "salesy," like we're used car salesmen. But here's the truth—if we don't advocate for our work, no one else will. And we've all been there: when something goes wrong, training gets blamed. When it goes right? Crickets. The conversation turned to building a real department brand. Some in the group already have mission statements and logos in place, while others are starting from scratch or rebuilding after restructures. But a mission statement can't just sit on a wall—it needs to show up everywhere, from first slides to intranet pages, so people know what you stand for. We also tackled the vocabulary trap. Talking about "blended learning" doesn't land the way "reducing lost-time injuries" or "getting people back to work faster" does. Listen to what metrics matter to leaders, then connect your work to those outcomes in their language. Here's the reality: you already have a brand whether you're managing it or not. Right now it might be "the tick-a-box people" or "the PowerPoint people." Changing that perception takes intentional action—sharing relevant articles with stakeholders, asking to give five-minute updates in meetings, contributing to projects outside L&D. And the biggest piece? You have to ask for visibility. Ask what people say about L&D when you're not in the room. Because no amount of branding fixes a disconnect if you're not part of the conversation. So what's one step you can take this week to make your L&D work more visible? Stay curious! -Shannon
Resources
Job Opportunity: Entry Level Instructional Designer Role at the University of Arizona
Jason’s Spotify Playlist after his prom chaperone experience!
If you found value in this week’s coffee chat, please take a minute to leave a Google Review. Your feedback helps others discover our events and keeps the Coffee Chats brewing (will include in email as well).
Books
The Complete SEO Guide: Boost Your Online Business Visibility with SEO by Andrea Bensaid
Value Proposition Design: How to Create Products and Services Customers Want by Alexander Asterwalder
Internal Branding: Growing Your Brand from Within By Jerome Joseph
Upskill, Reskill, Thrive: Optimizing Learning and Development in the Workplace by James McKenna The Learning and Development Book: Change the way you think about L&D by Tricia Emerson and Mary Stewart Be part of the Community. Gain more valuable resources to build your skills! Learn more here. Join the conversation Be part of the live chat! Sign up here. Hire Learning Rebels When you need learning that sticks, we’ll fight to make performance results happen. Visit the Learning Rebels website to learn more Host: Shannon Tipton Podcast produced by: Obsidian Productions | |||
| Butt's in Seats Isn't the Answer: A conversation about KPI's | 23 Sep 2025 | 00:31:55 | |
It all started with the BIG question on the table.
What do KPIs really mean for learning and development—and how do we connect to them in a way that makes sense?
It quickly became clear that KPI's stir up mixed feelings: exciting for some, confusing or even intimidating for others. Some departments track them obsessively, while others barely mention them. And yet, whether in higher ed, nonprofits, or corporate spaces, KPIs are always there in the background—tied to growth, efficiency, donations, or retention. The conversation turned to how L&D can play a role. Instead of talking about “alignment” in vague terms, we unpacked what it looks like in practice. Training that speeds up the sales funnel, leadership programs that reduce turnover, onboarding that improves retention—all are ways to show impact in terms the business already values. Along the way, we explored the difference between lagging indicators (like employees leaving) and leading ones (like manager behaviors that influence retention). We also shared the challenge of shifting the dialogue. Too often, L&D is expected to deliver courses without asking how they tie to business outcomes. But when we reframe objectives as performance outcomes—“reduce manual processing time by 20%” instead of “complete data entry tasks”—we position ourselves as partners who impact KPIs, not just order takers. KPIs may not always be easy to find, but they’re out there in budgets, reports, and conversations with stakeholders. The more we connect our work to those measures, the stronger our seat at the table becomes. So what KPI in your organization could you start asking about today? Stay curious! -Shannon Video Transcript Transcript Summary Chatbox Resources From Urbie Delgado on KPI:
Technique Is it a KPI? Why it is Why it isn’t Before/After Snapshots KPI-ish Shows change over time More narrative than numeric Behavior Change in the Wild KPI-lite Tracks real-world actions Qualitative, not quantified Small Wins, Big Echoes KPI by anecdote Ties learning to outcomes Not tracked systematically Peer Recognition/Adoption Shadow KPI Indicates influence and trust Too soft for traditional metrics Performance Drift Reversal Covert KPI Links to process improvement Used case-by-case Stakeholder Testimonials Relational KPI Shows business partner buy-in Subjective and anecdotal
Learning Changemakers Tool 7: Improving Impact pdf Kevin Yates Detective Kit Substack on Execution, by Larry Bossidy & Ram Charan by Evan Samek Learning Rebels Blog: Connecting The Dots: From Skills Gaps To Business Outcomes Books Measurement Demystified: Creating Your L&D Measurement, Analytics, and Reporting Strategy by David Vance and Peggy Parskey Measurement and Evaluation on a Shoestring by Alaina Szlachta A Guide to the Business Analysis Body of Knowledge by Liba Execution: The Discipline of Getting Things Done by Ram Charan and Larry Bossidy Data Analytics and KPIs for Project Success by Moira Alexander Developing Meaningful Key Performance Indicators by Clive Keyte Be part of the Community. Gain more valuable resources to build your skills! Learn more here. Join the conversation Be part of the live chat! Sign up here. Hire Learning Rebels When you need learning that sticks, we’ll fight to make performance results happen. Visit the Learning Rebels website to learn more Host: Shannon Tipton Podcast produced by: Obsidian Productions | |||
| The SME Whisperer's Field Manual | 16 Sep 2025 | 00:40:09 | |
It all started with the BIG question on the table.
How do we work with subject matter experts in ways that build trust instead of tension?
Our Coffee Chat crew shared the full range of experiences—from relationships that clicked instantly to projects that felt like pulling teeth. We talked about SMEs who deliver 30-page data dumps, professors who think semester-long lectures are “online training,” and peers who guard information a little too closely. At the same time, there were stories of SMEs who leaned on trust, empathy, and shared understanding to make the process smoother for everyone. The common thread running through it all was the reminder that SMEs are people first, experts second. We set expectations, try and understand their pressures, and meet them where they are. That might mean starting with a kickoff chat to build rapport, distilling walls of content into manageable pieces, or even using AI tools to simplify technical jargon. The goal isn’t to win a battle—it’s to collaborate, filter, and ultimately help them focus on what learners really need. Every SME relationship looks a little different. Sometimes it’s the long game of building trust over years, and sometimes it’s about making the most of a 30-minute hallway chat. So how do we keep refining our approach to make the process easier for them—and in turn, for ourselves? Stay curious! -Shannon Video Chatbox Transcript Transcript Summary Resources Agile-Like Methodology Subject Matter Expert Collaboration Checklist Presentation for Team Transition to LLAMA ATD’s TD at Work Guide Wednesday Boosts Sign Ups Books Understanding and Working with Subject Matter Experts by Dean Reed The Guide to Working with Subject Matter Experts (SMEs) by Michele Medved Working with Smes: A Guide to Gathering and Organizing Content from Subject Matter Experts by Peggy Salvatore | |||
| The Rebel's Guide to Networking | 26 Aug 2025 | 00:38:10 | |
It all started with the BIG question on the table.
How do we build genuine professional connections without falling into the trap of sales pitches, awkward small talk, or ghosted messages? Our Coffee Chat crew shared the familiar pain of trying to connect online or at events, only to be met with instant “buy my service” pitches, one-sided conversations, or radio silence. Networking, we agreed, works best when it’s rooted in authenticity—and when we remember it’s a two-way street. Some of us find value in starting with our “why”—being clear on the purpose of a connection before reaching out. That might mean seeking fresh insights, industry peers, or people with complementary skills. We also talked about keeping things human: practicing open-ended questions, finding common ground before hitting “connect,” and remembering that a little curiosity goes a long way. Tips from the group ranged from LinkedIn “research” before events to offering introductions for others, using industry groups beyond L&D, and finding opportunities in unexpected places—like chatting with someone at the grocery store. And when networking online, consistency matters: engaging with posts, sharing resources, and contributing your own perspective builds trust over time. At its best, networking isn’t about chasing opportunities, but instead about building relationships and sharing value. So what’s one step you can take this week to make your network stronger, more authentic, and maybe even more fun? Stay curious! -Shannon Video Chatbox Transcript Transcript Summary Resources The 2 Hour Job Search by Steve Dalton Structural Building Components Association Icebreaker Questions for Networking Virtual Networking Planner
Books The Go Giver by Bo Burg and John David Mann 20-Minute Networking Meeting by Marcia Ballinger and Nathan Perez The Introvert’s Edge to Networking: Work the Room. Leverage Social Media. Develop Powerful Connections by Matthew Pollard The Power Of Networking: Strategies for Career Excellence, Job Development, and Building Greater Triumphs in Your Work by Michael Morgan Be part of the Community. Gain more valuable resources to build your skills! Learn more here. Join the conversation Be part of the live chat! Sign up here. Hire Learning Rebels When you need learning that sticks, we’ll fight to make performance results happen. Visit the Learning Rebels website to learn more Host: Shannon Tipton Podcast produced by: Obsidian Productions
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| Tools, Playlists, and Productivity | 08 Aug 2025 | 00:43:25 | |
It all started with the BIG question on the table.
How do we stay productive when distractions are everywhere? This Coffee Chat dug into the reality we all face—trying to get meaningful work done while notifications ping, tabs multiply, and our focus drifts to anything but the task at hand. Productivity isn’t just about checking boxes; it’s about managing our time, energy, and environment in a way that works for us. Many of us shared the tactics that keep us on track—color-coded calendars, Kanban boards, playlists that trigger focus, and even apps like Forest to gamify staying off our phones. Our Coffee Chat crew also explored the difference between distractions (the things that pull you away) and diversions (the things you wander into), and why each one needs its own strategy. We set time aside, try and understand our own work patterns, and meet productivity where it fits into our lives. That might mean tackling the toughest task first, stacking creative work during high-energy hours, or giving ourselves grace when the day doesn’t go as planned. Because in the end, productivity isn’t about doing more—it’s about doing what matters most, better. So what’s one small change you could make to protect your focus this week? Stay curious! -Shannon Resources: Video Transcript Transcript Summary Chatbox Resources Goblin Tools Jason Lewis’ Mind Amend YouTube Channel LoFi Focused Playlist Office Desk Accessories 2pcs Multifunction Computer Monitor Memo Board Elgato Stream Deck Andrew’s Kanban Board Smartsheet Learning Rebels’ Blog post: Mindset First, Tools Second: Building Your Productivity Foundation Personal Work Audit Books Do Something That Matters Journal Hardcover by Michael Bungay Stanier Purposeful Productivity: Multiply Your Time and Your Happiness by Tanya Dalton Slow Productivity: The Lost Art of Accomplishment Without Burnout by Cal Newport Dopamine Detox: A Short Guide to Remove Distractions and Get Your Brain to Do Hard Things by Thibaut Meurisse Be part of the Community. Gain more valuable resources to build your skills! Learn more here. Join the conversation Be part of the live chat! Sign up here. Hire Learning Rebels When you need learning that sticks, we’ll fight to make performance results happen. Visit the Learning Rebels website to learn more Host: Shannon Tipton Podcast produced by: Obsidian Productions
| |||
| The One Where Learning Became a Habit | 19 Mar 2025 | 00:46:17 | |
It all started with the BIG question on the table.
How do we actually build a habit of learning—for ourselves?
We're taking a step back from helping everyone else learn and focusing on a challenge we all share: making time for our own growth. We all want to learn more, but between meetings, deadlines, and life in general, it’s easy to let personal learning fall to the bottom of the list.
Many of us have tried blocking time on our calendars—only to watch it disappear when something "more urgent" comes up. Others have tried to tie learning to an active project, making it easier to justify. And then there are those who squeeze in reading, reflection, or microlearning into everyday moments whenever possible (because let’s be real, some of that doomscrolling could probably be put to better use).
So how do we make learning a real habit instead of an afterthought? We set time aside, try and understand what methods work best for us, and meet learning where it fits into our lives. Whether it’s scheduling dedicated learning time, stacking habits onto existing routines, or finding ways to reflect and apply new ideas, the key is making it stick.
At the end of the day, learning isn’t just something we should do—it’s something we deserve to do. So what small step can you take to build your learning habit today?
Stay curious!
-Shannon
Resources:
Video
Transcript
Transcript Summary
Chatbox
Resources
Groundhogs Day Playlist
OneTab
Liberating Structures
Learning Battlecards
Harvard Thinking Routines
Learning Rebels’ Blog: Small Learning Habits, Big Results: How To Keep Growing
Top 10 Actions to Build a Learning Habit
A Learning Rebels Guide: 10 Ways to Build a Learning Habit
Books
Meditations for Mortals by Oliver Burkeman
Learning Habits: Drive a Learning Culture to Improve Employee and Business Performance by Sarah Nicholl
Atomic Habits: An Easy & Proven Way to Build Good Habits & Break Bad Ones by James Clear
How Leaders Learn: Master the Habits of the World's Most Successful People by David Novak
Be part of the Community.
Gain more valuable resources to build your skills! Learn more here.
Join the conversation
Be part of the live chat! Sign up here.
Hire Learning Rebels
When you need learning that sticks, we’ll fight to make performance results happen. Visit the Learning Rebels website to learn more
Host: Shannon Tipton
Podcast produced by: Obsidian Productions | |||
| Curiosity, Rabbit Holes and “Aha!” Moments | 24 Feb 2025 | 00:42:36 | |
It all started with the BIG question on the table.
How do we spark and sustain curiosity in learning?
This Coffee Chat dove into how our curiosity fuels engagement. We kicked things off by brainstorming ways to design learning experiences that get people questioning, exploring, and leaning in for more. Whether through interactive quizzes, thought-provoking scenarios, or unexpected challenges, the goal is to keep learners thinking, What’s next?
We want to build structured designs that keep learners engaged and prevent that dreaded click-through-and-forget syndrome. From branching scenarios to drip-feeding content, the right approach can make learning feel more like an adventure than a checklist.
Keeping curiosity alive takes some intention. Real-world examples, case studies, and unexpected challenges help hold attention, while showing immediate benefits keeps motivation high. The goal goes beyond sparking curiosity and into making learning feel like something worth coming back to.
Curiosity fuels engagement, but it also builds lifelong learners. How do we help people stay curious beyond a single course?
Stay curious!
-Shannon
Resources:
Video
Transcript
Transcript Summary
Chatbox
Resources
Using The QFT To Drive Inquiry In Project-Based Learning
Genius Support with Andi McNair
Learning Battle Cards
Torrance Learning’s Instructional Design Ideas Deck
Learning Rebels Blog: Curiosity as a Business Practice
Books
Storytelling With Purpose: Digital Projects to Ignite Student Curiosity by Michael Hernandez
Cultures of Thinking in Action: 10 Mindsets to Transform our Teaching and Students' Learning by Ron Ritchhart
Curious: The Desire to Know and Why Your Future Depends On It by Ian Leslie
Cultivating Curiosity: Teaching and Learning Reimagined by Doreen Gehry Nelson
Be part of the Community.
Gain more valuable resources to build your skills! Learn more here.
Join the conversation
Be part of the live chat! Sign up here.
Hire Learning Rebels
When you need learning that sticks, we’ll fight to make performance results happen. Visit the Learning Rebels website to learn more
Host: Shannon Tipton
Podcast produced by: Obsidian Productions | |||
| Tools, Whiteboards and Wishful Thinking | 05 Feb 2025 | 00:37:42 | |
It all started with the BIG question on the table.
How can we leverage shared resources to better support our learning goals and professional growth?
This Coffee Chat was all about the power of collective knowledge. We kicked things off by reflecting on the big, audacious goals set in the last session. Some made progress, others hit roadblocks, but the common thread was the need for the right tools and accountability to keep moving forward.
From books and podcasts to digital organization tools, everyone had something valuable to contribute. Popular solutions like Pocket, Notion, and Raindrop emerged as favorites, with participants weighing in on their usability and learning curves.
We also explored must-read books like Aligning Instructional Design with Business Goals and ATD’s Organizational Development Handbook. The group discussed writing for social media, balancing engagement with authenticity, and how AI-powered tools can assist with content creation and organization.
No Learning Rebels chat is complete without a deep dive into learning technology, from hidden gems like Amazon Polly for text-to-speech to essential resources like Articulate’s eLearning Heroes.
In the final stretch, the conversation shifted toward continuous learning. How do we build habits that help us apply what we learn?
These are the questions we’ll tackle in future Coffee Chats, ensuring that we’re not just gathering resources—we’re using them to grow.
Stay curious!
-Shannon
Tools Pocket: Web plug in that saves articles and videos in personal library Raindrop: Bookmark manager Notion: All in one workplace app Book Bub: For bargain and free ebooks One Note: Digital note taking Remarkable: Organize files and perform screen shares Rocketbook: Share pages and whiteboards Amazon Polly: AI voice generator Gamestorming: Co-creation tools Liberating Structures: Tools to replace or complement existing practices Podcasts We Love Worklife with Adam Grant Rethinking with Adam Grant Pop Culture Happy Hour from NPR Resources Isabel Sterne on Linkedin for tips on Social media writing Dave Biriss on Linkedin for tips about using AI in social media Free Resources from Dave Biriss Action Mapping with Cathy Moore Devlin Peck Bootcamp for Instructional Design skills Tim Slade’s website for eLearning Training TechSmith's YouTube Channel ATD: Association for Training Development Connie Malamed: The eLearning Coach Training Magazine Network for free webinars Douglas Ferguson’s Linkedin from Voltage Control for facilitation and liberating structures Books Aligning Instructional Design With Business Goals: Make the Case and Deliver Results by Kristopher Newbauer The CEO's Guide to Training, eLearning & Work by Will Thalheimer ATD's Organizational Development Handbook by Brian James Flores Leading the Learning Function: Tools and Techniques for Organizational Impact by MJ Hall and Laleh Patel Telling Ain’t Training by Harold D. Stolovitch & Erica J. Keeps The Coaching Habit by Michael Bungay Stanier Smart Brevity: The Power of Saying More with Less by Jim VandeHei, Mike Allen, Roy Schwartz How To Give It So They Get It by Sharon L. BowmanBe part of the Learning Rebels Community. Continue the conversation while building connections and capability. Learn more here.
Join the Coffee Chat conversations Be part of the live chat! Sign up here.
Hire Learning Rebels When you need learning that sticks, we’ll fight to make performance results happen.Visit the Learning Rebels website to learn more
Host: Shannon Tipton Podcast produced by: Obsidian Productions | |||
| Setting Big Hairy Audacious Goals in 2025 | 03 Feb 2025 | 00:48:21 | |
It all started with the BIG question on the table. How can we set goals that truly align with our personal and professional aspirations while making the process motivating, realistic, and actionable?
This Coffee Chat was all about rethinking how we approach goal setting. Forget the old SMART goals you’ve heard about a thousand times—this conversation was focused on making goals meaningful, personal, and, most importantly, doable.
We talked about the problem with framing goals in a negative light. How often do we say, “I need to stop doing this” or “I should do that”? We instead tried to ask “What’s the positive motivation behind my goal?”
We also had some fun with numbers! By calculating the weekends left in our lives (yes, weekends), we got a new perspective on time and how to prioritize what matters most. It’s not about how many years you have left, but about how you’re using the time you’ve got.
This chat was full of “aha” moments and practical ideas, but what stuck with me most was this: Goal setting isn’t just about planning. It’s about believing in the process, breaking things down, and being kind to yourself along the way.
So, what are your big, hairy, audacious goals? What’s stopping you? Let’s keep the conversation going!
Stay Curious! ~Shannon
Resources: Video Transcript Transcript Summary Chatbox Resources BHAG Big Rock Goal Setting Planner Books SMARTER Goals: A Better & Smarter Approach To Setting & Achieving Goals by Tal Gur The Efficient Path to Success - A Practical Guide to Achieving Your Goals by Nelson JR Start Poorly: Sidestepping Perfection to Reach Your Goals by Justin Grifford Goal Setting: Forget SMART Goals Try SMARTER Goals by Martin Formato
Be part of the Community. Gain more valuable resources to build your skills! Learn more here.
Join the conversation Be part of the live chat! Sign up here.
Hire Learning Rebels When you need learning that sticks, we’ll fight to make performance results happen. Visit the Learning Rebels website to learn more
Host: Shannon Tipton Podcast produced by: Obsidian Productions | |||
| Focus and Flow: Tips and Tricks for Productivity | 29 Aug 2024 | 00:43:20 | |
It all started with the big question on the table:
Are we caught up in "Productivity Shiny Object Syndrome?" Do you ever feel like you’re juggling flaming chainsaws while blindfolded on a unicycle?
You’re not alone.
Between designing workshops, crafting engaging training materials and nurturing employee development, finding time to breathe, let alone be productive, feels like a pipe dream.
Today, let’s explore what really matters when choosing productivity tools. Together we can shift our mindset away from the “more tools, more productivity” myth and help identify the specific areas slowing us down in our unique workflow. Then, we can consider what tools and processes can make our work lives healthier and more efficient.
This podcast calls back to this Learning Rebels Blog Post: Here’s What Really Matters with Productivity Tools. https://www.learningrebels.com/2024/02/01/heres-what-really-matters-in-productivity-tools/ Additional reading:
Resources
Tools:
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Hire Learning Rebels When you need learning that sticks, we’ll fight to make performance results happen. Visit the Learning Rebels website to learn more
Host: Shannon Tipton Podcast produced by: Obsidian Productions | |||
| Finding Your Fire: Self-Motivation Techniques | 15 Aug 2024 | 00:33:05 | |
It all started with the big question on the table:
Are you feeling caught in the endless cycle of work, struggling to keep your motivation alive?
You’re not alone.
As we continue to wear numerous hats, maintaining a high level of self-motivation becomes difficult. Business is moving fast, and the expectation is that we should move even faster. We are caught up in the hamster wheel, and it is hard to keep ourselves motivated.
Are you tired, frustrated, maybe feeling a bit... crispy around the edges? Has it gotten to the point where every time you see an email notification, you break out in hives and daydream throwing your laptop out the window? Is your main accomplishment for the day discovering how many snacks you can consume in an hour? I see me, and I see you.
This podcast calls back to this Learning Rebels Blog Post: 3 Ways to Get Your Creative Mojo Going https://www.learningrebels.com/2015/10/02/3-ways-to-get-your-creative-mojo-going-when-you-arent-feeling-it/ Additional reading:
Resources
Video Transcript Transcript Summary
Tony Robbins’ How to Self Motivate
Susan David’s How to Identify Your Values
Mind Tools’ How Self-Motivated Are You
Harvard Business Review’s How To Keep Working When You’re Just Not Feeling It
Susan David with Adam Grant: Overcoming Forced Positivity
Start your week with a creativity boost! Sign up for Sunday Spark
Be part of the Community. Gain more valuable resources to build your skills! Learn more here.
Join the conversation Be part of the live chat! Sign up here.
Hire Learning Rebels When you need learning that sticks, we’ll fight to make performance results happen. Visit the Learning Rebels website to learn more
Host: Shannon Tipton Podcast produced by: Obsidian Productions | |||
| Boost Your Virtual Networking Skills: Top Tricks and Tips | 18 Jul 2024 | 00:42:33 | |
It all started with the big question on the table:
Why are some people good at networking and others, not so much? What are some practical tips and techniques to build and maintain meaningful connections?
There seems to be a lot of movement in the Learning and Development (L&D) industry. People are changing jobs, changing roles, and getting laid off. With all this movement building your network is critical, and this is the topic we are discussing today.
This podcast calls back to this Learning Rebels Blog Post: Hacking Virtual Networking: https://www.learningrebels.com/2021/01/14/hacking-virtual-networking/ Additional reading:
Resources
Coffee Chat video Video Full Coffee Chat transcript: Transcript Transcript Summary
Daily Virtual Network Checklist
4 Ways to Bypass The LinkedIn Connection Limit
The Why and What of Posting on LinkedIn by Brenda Peterson
Be part of the Community. Gain more valuable resources to build your skills! Learn more here.
Join the conversation Be part of the live chat! Sign up here.
Hire Learning Rebels When you need learning that sticks, we’ll fight to make performance results happen. Visit the Learning Rebels website to learn more
Host: Shannon Tipton Podcast produced by: Obsidian Productions | |||
| When Training isn’t Successful: Bridging the Learning/Doing Gap | 11 Jan 2024 | 00:46:11 | |
It all started with the BIG question on the table.
How can we ensure that the skills and knowledge acquired during training are effectively applied in the workplace?
We've all been there - we create what we feel is a learning solution that can't go wrong...then it does.
Most of us have been there, done that, bought the tee-shirt and don't want to go back.
We know that training fails for two reasons
But there is a third, more realistic reason—lack of management involvement. Activating managers early and often is the key to success when bridging the learning/doing gap. The managers are the gatekeepers and it was clear in our discussion that we've been manager-blocked many times.
Today we're going to be discussing the common pitfalls learning within organizations encounters, how we can provide ongoing learning support - without workplace disruption, and what tools we can use to help embed learning solutions into the organization?
Stay Curious! Shannon
Learning Rebels Programs are pre-approved for CPTD/APTD eligibility!
View video here: https://vimeo.com/885769904
Download the full transcript here: https://otter.ai/u/XL3_MrpFm_-7yPkgXu2rbqnxMKQ
Transcript Summary: https://www.learningrebels.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/Practical-Applications-To-Bridging-The-Learning-Doing-Gap-Transcript-Summary.pdf Chat box messages: https://www.learningrebels.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/meeting_saved_chat-5.pdf
Resources:
The Knowing-Doing Gap: How Smart Companies Turn Knowledge into Action by Jeffrey Pfeffer and Robert I. Sutton
Learning Organizations: Turning Knowledge into Actions (Strategic Management Collection) by Marcus Goncalves
Giving Students a Say: Smarter Assessment Practices to Empower and Engage by Myron Dueck
Be part of the Learning Rebels Community. Continue the conversation while building connections and capability. Learn more here.
Join the Coffee Chat conversations Be part of the live chat! Sign up here.
Hire Learning Rebels When you need learning that sticks, we’ll fight to make performance results happen.Visit the Learning Rebels website to learn more
Host: Shannon Tipton Podcast produced by: Obsidian Productions | |||
| The Future of Instructional Design | 16 Nov 2023 | 00:24:19 | |
It all started with the BIG question on the table.
What skills will L&D need in order to remain relevant in the business world of the future?
L&D is undergoing a seismic shift. With the advent of new technologies and changing workplace dynamics, we are facing challenges that are far more complex than ever before.
And then there was the wake-up call.
In December 2021, ByteDance, the parent company of TikTok, dissolved its entire L&D department. The reason? They felt that many of their learning initiatives were not adding value and were merely "feel-good activities" with limited impact.
Sure, there is more going on than meets the eye - but we can't deny that layoffs in L&D are on the rise. So what to do?
We can prepare for the future because the future is now. Today, we are going to be discussing the skills that instructional designers, and L&D in general, will need in order to prepare and be successful for the future.
Stay Curious! Shannon
Learning Rebels Programs are pre-approved for CPTD/APTD eligibility!
View video here: https://vimeo.com/880973223
Download the full transcript here: https://otter.ai/u/ORF_UDjBIja6Z4Rl9BvHQeXjRu8?utm_source=copy_url Transcript Summary https://www.learningrebels.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/Transcript-Summary-1.pdf Chat box messages: https://www.learningrebels.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/meeting_saved_chat-3.pdfploads/2023/11/meeting_saved_chat-2.pdf
Resources
Skills Board: Miro
Learning Rebels’ Navigating The Future Of L&D: Top 5 Skills You Can’t Ignore
Redthread’s Future-proofing L&D: Developing the Right Skills
The New Normal for L&D: https://www.learningrebels.com/2021/03/24/transforming-the-new-normal-for-ld/
Books
The Future of Learning & Development: Harnessing Generative AI by Samir Das
The Future of Learning & Development in Organizations: (Learning & Development in Organisations series #16) by Thomas Garavan, Carole Hogan, and Amanda Cahir-O'Donnell
The Modern Learning Ecosystem: A New L&D Mindset for the Ever-Changing Workplace by JD Dillon
Staying in the Game: Leading and Learning With Agility for a Dynamic Future by Pamela Meyer
Be part of the Learning Rebels Community. Continue the conversation while building connections and capability. Learn more here.
Join the Coffee Chat conversations Be part of the live chat! Sign up here.
Hire Learning Rebels When you need learning that sticks, we’ll fight to make performance results happen.Visit the Learning Rebels website to learn more
Host: Shannon Tipton Podcast produced by: Obsidian Productions
| |||
| Learning Rebels Live with Hadiya Nuriddin | 09 Nov 2023 | 00:40:25 | |
Going LIVE - Sharing the Story of the Storyteller, Hadiya Nuriddin
We all have something in our backgrounds that silently informs how we act and what we do, and Hadiya is no different.
Hadiya’s journey
It seems logical that Hadiya would want to grow up and be on the stage. Her skill for weaving a story is legendary. What wasn’t logical was how she grew away from acting and into customer support training for Kinko’s!
With her Master’s Degree in Writing, she single-handedly took over training support. Writing job aids and other learning materials to help the poor customers who were struggling with that new-fangled technology of a floppy disk.
Her story is inspirational. Who knew that little girl who was looking for her Oscar would grow up to write a book on Storytelling with another on the way for Quality Assurance? Yes, Quality Assurance! You’ll have to listen in to get the rest of the story!
All the Resources!
Build capabilities all while building relationships! Be part of the Learning Rebels Community! Learn more here.
Join the conversation Be part of the live Learning Rebels coffee chat community! Sign up here.
Hire Learning Rebels Visit the Learning Rebels website to learn more about how Learning Rebels can help you make your training stick!
Host: Shannon Tipton | |||
| The Future of Instructional Design | 26 Oct 2023 | 00:31:24 | |
It all started with the BIG question on the table.
What is the future of instructional design and what skills will we need to remain relevant?
L&D is undergoing a seismic shift. With the advent of new technologies and changing workplace dynamics, we are facing challenges that are far more complex than ever before.
And then there was the wake-up call.
In December 2021, ByteDance, the parent company of TikTok, dissolved its entire L&D department. The reason? They felt that many of their learning initiatives were not adding value and were merely "feel-good activities" with limited impact.
Sure, there is more going on than meets the eye - but we can't deny that layoffs in L&D are on the rise. So, what to do?
We can prepare for the future because the future is now. Today, we are going to be discussing the skills that instructional designers, and L&D in general, will have to have in order to prepare and be successful for the future.
Stay Curious! Shannon
Learning Rebels Programs are pre-approved for CPTD/APTD eligibility!
View video here: https://vimeo.com/877093139
Download the full transcript here: https://otter.ai/u/L6f9Ln4UTpGIZ4ey5euoa-NhYPI Transcript Summary:https://www.learningrebels.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/The-Role-of-Instructional-Design-Today-Transcript-Summary.pdf Chat box messages: https://www.learningrebels.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/chat.pdf
Resources
Josh Bersin’s A New Model For Corporate Training: The Adaptive Learning Organization
Redthread’s Future-proofing L&D: Developing the Right Skills
The Future of L&D: The Five Skills You Can’t Ignore: https://www.learningrebels.com/2023/10/26/navigating-the-future-of-ld-top-5-skills-you-cant-ignore/
The New Normal for L&D: https://www.learningrebels.com/2021/03/24/transforming-the-new-normal-for-ld/
Be part of the Learning Rebels Community. Continue the conversation while building connections and capability. Learn more here.
Join the Coffee Chat conversations Be part of the live chat! Sign up here.
Hire Learning Rebels When you need learning that sticks, we’ll fight to make performance results happen. Visit the Learning Rebels website to learn more
Host: Shannon Tipton Podcast produced by: Obsidian Productions | |||
| Curation Tools and Techniques | 19 Oct 2023 | 00:28:55 | |
It all started with the BIG question on the table.
What are the different tools impacting the curation process, and what challenges do we need to overcome to ensure relevance and impact?
Curation seems to be the L&D buzzword at the moment and while curation seems to be on everyone’s agenda - there’s a lot of anxiety over how to get started.
Here's the Good News: advancements in technology have provided L&D professionals with an army of tools and platforms designed to streamline content curation.
The bad news? These advances lead us to an army of tools. The sheer volume of available resources can be overwhelming, making it difficult to decide which tools are effective and will help us meet our curation goals.
During our last Coffee Chat, we discussed how to align our curation efforts with the needs and goals of the business. This week, we're discussing the different tools and techniques we can use.
Plus – Special Bonus! Mike Taylor joins us to share his views on the different tools he uses.
Stay Curious! Shannon
Learning Rebels Programs are pre-approved for CPTD/APTD eligibility!
View video here: https://vimeo.com/872531017
Download the full transcript here: https://otter.ai/u/uHk4a9rq2aklMb_VEeR310IQkuI Transcript Summary: https://www.learningrebels.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Tools-And-Techniques_-Curating-Content-Effectively-Coffee-Chat-Summary.pdf Chat box messages: https://www.learningrebels.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/meeting_saved_chat.pdf
Resources:
Mike Taylor’s C.U.R.A.T.E.D. Model for L&D Content Curation
Shannon Tipton’s Maximize Your Content: A Guide To Nine Curation Tools
Bublup collaboration app Eagle tool for organizing design files
Books:
Content Curation: How to Avoid Information Overload by Steven Anderson
Curate This!: The Hands-On, How-To Guide To Content Curation by Steven Rosenbaum
Content Curation for Learning: Why It Matters, How to Do It Right, Tips Tools and Examples by Stephen Walsh and Steve Rayson
The Best Content Curation Practices by Timothy Murphy
Be part of the Learning Rebels Community. Continue the conversation while building connections and capability. Learn more here.
Join the Coffee Chat conversations Be part of the live chat! Sign up here.
Hire Learning Rebels When you need learning that sticks, we’ll fight to make performance results happen.Visit the Learning Rebels website to learn more
Host: Shannon Tipton Podcast produced by: Obsidian Productions | |||
| Connecting Curation to Business | 28 Sep 2023 | 00:49:32 | |
It all started with the BIG question on the table.
What strategies does L&D need to consider to align curated content with business goals?
We’ve all seen the term “curation” used to describe the act of making generic content available either generally within the space of a social enterprise network such as Teams or Slack, or on a learning management platform.
However, without considering how the curated content impacts the people and the business, we’re doing the same thing we’ve always done – haphazardly throwing content to the wind with low engagement and, therefore, adding no real value to the business.
If we’re going to prove L&D value through curation efforts, then we can’t just keep doing the same thing only with a different name. We have to do more.
So, it was timely that Mike Taylors CURATED model burst unto to scene. We were able to incorporate his model into our discussion about connecting curation to business.
There was a lot to talk about and I hope you are able to take away key ideas to implement today.
Stay Curious! Shannon
Learning Rebels Programs are pre-approved for CPTD/APTD eligibility!
View video here: https://vimeo.com/864909979
Download the full transcript here: https://otter.ai/u/sgM2CldMGl12OPhyNZYRSutys4s Transcript Summary: https://www.learningrebels.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/Strategic-Curation_-How-Curation-Can-Help-Meet-The-Business-Needs-Transcript-Summary-1.pdf Chat box messages: https://www.learningrebels.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/meeting_saved_chat-2.pdf Resources:
Mike Taylor’s The C.U.R.A.T.E.D. Model Can Help Anyone Master Content Curation
How To Read and Evaluate A Scientific Paper: A Guide for Non-Scientists
McKinsey Research
World Economic Forum Future of Jobs 2023 Report
Books:
How To Create a Learning and Development Strategy: Aligning L&D With the Organisation’s Priorities by Bola Owoade
Content Curating Guidebook: The Definitive Instruction Manual For Content Curators by Bruna McCall
Ready, Set, Curate: 8 Learning Experts Tell You How by Ben Betts and Allison Anderson
Be part of the Learning Rebels Community. Continue the conversation while building connections and capability. Learn more here.
Join the Coffee Chat conversations Be part of the live chat! Sign up here.
Hire Learning Rebels When you need learning that sticks, we’ll fight to make performance results happen.Visit the Learning Rebels website to learn more
Host: Shannon Tipton Podcast produced by: Obsidian Productions | |||
| Learning Rebels Live with Mike Taylor | 21 Sep 2023 | 00:39:07 | |
Going LIVE with Curation Guru Mike Taylor!
We all have something in our backgrounds that silently informs how we act and what we do, and Mike is no different.
Mike’s journey
I was somewhat surprised, (but not really) to learn about Mike’s rich history in the IT space. His background in computer programming, IT and now cyber security clearly informs how he sees the internet. It developed his curious mindset around “what can the internet do for me” and setting up systems that allow him to find all the interesting bits from far-flung corners to share with all of us.
All the Resources!
Build capabilities all while building relationships! Be part of the Learning Rebels Community! Learn more here.
Join the conversation Be part of the live Learning Rebels coffee chat community! Sign up here.
Hire Learning Rebels Visit the Learning Rebels website to learn more about how Learning Rebels can help you make your training stick!
Host: Shannon Tipton | |||
| The Skill of Creative Problem Solving: So What, Now What? | 07 Sep 2023 | 00:48:02 | |
It all started with the BIG question on the table.
What are the important steps to prepare us and stakeholders for more creative thinking when it comes to learning solutions?
Note: Our previous coffee chat was different. The coffee chat crowd worked through a variety of creative problem solving techniques in break-out rooms and discussed their applicability. And because of this, we didn’t post the audio.
However, this week, we carried over the conversation and focused on the "So What, Now What?" behind our next steps.
Here’s the deal. We can't solve today's problems with yesterday's thinking. The world is simply evolving too quickly. As an L&D function, we must be more innovative and creative in how we treat learning solutions.
However, one man's creative thinking is another man's waste of time. So how do we get everyone on the same page? How can we get our teams and our stakeholders to buy into the idea of thinking creatively?
So today, we talked about the next steps to prepare us and stakeholders for more creative thinking. How do we get stakeholders on board with us, how can we put solid guard rails in place to host the most effective sessions, and what's the follow-up plan?
I hope you follow the conversation to the end - there will be many ideas shared, and I know you will be able to take at least one or two and begin using it today!
So, the big question on the table today is, "What is the ‘So What? Now What?’” and how can we get stakeholders onboard with more innovative thinking?
Stay Curious! Shannon Learning Rebels Programs are pre-approved for CPTD/APTD eligibility!
View video here: https://vimeo.com/861220339/6b62ccb8ed
Download the full transcript here: https://otter.ai/u/ISqa8hfiodODGGo3kTAcXptafH4 Transcript Summary: https://www.learningrebels.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/Transcript-Summary-9_1.pdf Chat box messages: https://www.learningrebels.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/meeting_saved_chat-3.pdf
Resources:
Learning Rebels Creative Problem-Solving Blogs
Part 1 Using Creative Problem Solving To Craft Unique L&D Solutions
Part 2 Brainpower Bonanza: The Magic Of Groups In Creative Problem Solving
Rethink and Redesign: The Power of Creative Solving Podcast
Creative Education Foundation: https://www.creativeeducationfoundation.org/cpsi/
Books:
Thinking Fast and Slow by Daniel Kahneman
The Creative Thinking Handbook: Your Step-by-Step Guide to Problem Solving in Business by Chris Griffiths, Melina Costi, and Caragh Medlicott
I Never Thought of It That Way: How to Have Fearlessly Curious Conversations in Dangerously Divided Times by Monica Guzman
Fixed: How to Perfect the Fine Art of Problem Solving by Amy Herman
Be part of the Learning Rebels Community. Continue the conversation while building connections and capability. Learn more here.
Join the Coffee Chat conversations Be part of the live chat! Sign up here.
Hire Learning Rebels When you need learning that sticks, we’ll fight to make performance results happen.Visit the Learning Rebels website to learn more
Host: Shannon Tipton Podcast produced by: Obsidian Productions | |||
| Rethink and Redesign: The Power of Creative Problem Solving | 31 Aug 2023 | 00:18:02 | |
It starts with a question: Why are we trying to tackle today’s problems with yesterday's thinking?
Don’t you want to create learning solutions that are more than just “tick a box?”
Don’t you want solutions that are tailored to fit the unique needs and aspirations of the people in your organization?
Sure you do, and collectively getting ideas from key people allows the best innovations to bubble to the top.
So why do we try to develop innovative solutions with traditional development practices?
Let’s face it - In the L&D industry, resistance to change and the adoption of Creative Problem Solving (CPS) techniques can often be traced back to a reliance on the “we’ve always done it that way” approach.
It’s time for a new approach - and I hope this episode inspires you to step out of the box and try new methods to gain more innovative ideas.
This solo podcast calls back to this Learning Rebels Blog Post: Brainpower Bonanza: The Magic Of Groups In Creative Problem Solving:
Additional reading:
Don’t wait! Join the Learning Rebels Community. Continue the conversation while building connections and capability. Learn more here.
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Hire Learning Rebels When you need learning that sticks, we’ll fight to make performance results happen.Visit the Learning Rebels website to learn more
Host: Shannon Tipton Podcast produced by: Obsidian Productions | |||
| Learning Rebels Live with Kevin Yates | 23 Aug 2023 | 00:42:03 | |
Going LIVE with Kevin Yates, the L&D Detective!
After getting to know Kevin over the past year, his passion for the industry and his community was contagious and I knew I had to share his story.
Kevin’s journey
I did not know that Kevin had been a second-grade teacher! Just when you think you know someone…
How can you walk away from this conversation and NOT feel inspired?
This is a hometown boy from the southside of Chicago who has never left his roots. He saw a path that led to his inner passions and didn't give up.
As Kevin admits, sometimes the work gets boring. But, this doesn't mean we have to throw in the towel - it's about the ongoing process of discovery. What can we find to ignite our passions?
He didn't seek to become the L&D detective, it found him through exploration and curiosity. I hope you found his journey motivating and inspiring!
Sit back and enjoy the ride.
All the Resources!
Build L&D capabilities, all while building relationships! Be part of the Learning Rebels Community! Learn more here.
Join the conversation Be part of the live Learning Rebels coffee chat community! Sign up here.
Hire Learning Rebels Visit the Learning Rebels website to learn more about how Learning Rebels can help you make your training stick!
Host: Shannon Tipton | |||
| Unleashing Creative Potential | 16 Aug 2023 | 00:34:40 | |
It all started with the BIG question on the table.
How can we tap into our inner business creativity more often?
When it comes to creativity, as L&D professionals, we often think about being creative in a meeting or a classroom, but how can we encourage creativity as a culture?
First, it means being aware of what is happening outside our own box, building relationships across departments, and providing the building blocks for creating a safe place to share creative ideas.
Second, it means in order for us to bring our creative best (as well as develop the creative best in others), we have to build connections first. Even the first spark of commonality creates a tentative bond where we are a little less afraid to share ideas.
So I hope this conversation sparked some ideas to help you connect and strengthen your creative tendencies.
Stay Curious! Shannon
Video: https://vimeo.com/851729163/9ecc2e6625
Learning Rebels Programs are pre-approved for CPTD/APTD eligibility!
Transcript: https://otter.ai/u/_KO6ukeGZTaxUecDDrWpk1mGzwU?utm_source=copy_url
Transcript Summary: https://www.learningrebels.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/Unleashing-Creative-Potential-Transcript-Summary.pdf Chat Box: https://www.learningrebels.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/Unleashing-Creative-Potential-Chat.pdf Resources:
Epstein Creativity Competencies Inventory for Individuals Creative Person’s Hierarchy of Needs Let Me Interrupt podcast
Books:
Creative Confidence: Unleashing the Creative Potential within Us All by Tom Kelley & David Kelley
The Innovative Team: Unleashing Creative Potential for Breakthrough Results by Chris Grivas & Gerard J. Puccio
Building a Second Brain: A Proven Method to Organize Your Digital Life and Unlock Your Creative Potential by Tiago Forte
Creativity Begins With You: 31 Practical Workshops to Explore Your Creative Potential by Andy Neal & Dion Star
Be part of the Learning Rebels Community. Continue the conversation while building connections and capability. Learn more here.
Join the Coffee Chat conversations Be part of the live chat! Sign up here.
Hire Learning Rebels When you need learning that sticks, we’ll fight to make performance results happen.Visit the Learning Rebels website to learn more
Host: Shannon Tipton Podcast produced by: Obsidian Productions | |||
| Learning Rebels Live with Don Becker | 09 Aug 2023 | 00:32:25 | |
Going LIVE with Don Becker!
Don first shared his expertise with the Learning Rebels Community while hosting a Learn Something New about gamification. It was then, I knew he had a story to tell - and boy did he!
Don’s journey
As Don has said - his journey to corporate L&D was a long and winding road. Filled with, as he called it, several gut punches and conversations with himself in the mirror.
His journey from being unable to get into Law school, to cold calling community colleges asking for a gig, to taking middle school science to new levels, all while being a single dad - is a story you have to hear. If you ever think that something isn’t possible - then you have to listen to Don’s story to feel re-energized and know that NOTHING is impossible
Sit back and enjoy the ride.
All the Resources!
Build L&D capabilities, all while building relationships! Be part of the Learning Rebels Community! Learn more here.
Join the conversation Be part of the live Learning Rebels coffee chat community! Sign up here.
Hire Learning Rebels Visit the Learning Rebels website to learn more about how Learning Rebels can help you make your training stick!
Host: Shannon Tipton
| |||
| Educational Comics - A Special AMA with Dr. Kevin Thorn | 02 Aug 2023 | 00:53:11 | |
It all started with the BIG question on the table.
Can comics help L&D communicate complex concepts, promote critical thinking, and foster greater learner engagement?
Today we handed the microphone to Dr. Kevin Thorn as he answered all your burning questions about Educational Comics, from which types of comics are appropriate in a training situation to how reach across cultures with comics.
There’s much to consider before we even put pen to paper and start sketching educational comics. Many different details about character development, scene assessment and messaging - all to ensure that we are connecting people to the message, not subliminally creating disengagement through poor structure. Educational Comics can be a powerful tool in your tool chest and Dr. Kevin helps us understand why.
Stay Curious! Shannon
Find Kevin here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kevinthorn/
Video: https://vimeo.com/843859334/06405777cc
Learning Rebels Programs are pre-approved for CPTD/APTD eligibility!
Transcript: https://otter.ai/u/72PBdv65cKtI_8YVKb123Ikmn8M?utm_source=copy_url
Transcript Summary: https://www.learningrebels.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/Comics-Unleashed_-An-AMA-On-Educational-Comics-For-Adult-Learning-With-Kevin-Thorn-Transcript-Summary.pdf Chat Box: https://www.learningrebels.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/chat-3.pdf Resources:
Graphic Medicine.org (website using graphic designs for Medicine)
Graphic Storytelling and Visual Narrative by Will Eisner
Will Eisner - Comics and Sequential Art 1985
Books:
PS Magazine: The Best of the Preventive Maintenance Monthly by Will Eisner and Eddie Campbell
Understanding Comics: The Invisible Art by Scott McCloud
Making Comics: Storytelling Secrets of Comics, Manga and Graphic Novels by Scott McCloud
Reinventing Comics: The Evolution of an Art Form by Scott McCloud
Be part of the Learning Rebels Community. Continue the conversation while building connections and capability. Learn more here.
Join the Coffee Chat conversations Be part of the live chat! Sign up here.
Hire Learning Rebels When you need learning that sticks, we’ll fight to make performance results happen.Visit the Learning Rebels website to learn more
Host: Shannon Tipton Podcast produced by: Obsidian Productions | |||
| LR Solo - My Experience with Imposter Syndrome | 26 Jul 2023 | 00:13:44 | |
It all started with a conversation: Where can they buy my book?
“I haven’t written a book.”
“Really? I thought you had.”
“Nope.”
“Why not?”
Cue: Awkward silence.
Truth is, I’ve been asked to write a book several times. But I just can’t get out of my own head to do so. About this time, I saw an HBR article about Imposter Syndrome. The universe calls.
So I hope this episode helps you to see that if you have these feelings, you are not alone. Take the negative inner dialog and leave it like day-old sushi at a gas station!
This podcast calls back to this Learning Rebels Blog Post: My Experience with Imposter Syndrome: https://www.learningrebels.com/2023/07/14/my-experience-with-imposter-syndrome/ Additional reading:
Be part of the Community. Continue the conversation while building connections and capability. Learn more here.
Join the conversation Be part of the live chat! Sign up here.
Hire Learning Rebels When you need learning that sticks, we’ll fight to make performance results happen.Visit the Learning Rebels website to learn more
Host: Shannon Tipton Podcast produced by: Obsidian Productions | |||
| The When, What and How Behind Knowledge Management Tools | 13 Jul 2023 | 00:40:04 | |
It all started with the BIG question on the table.
When it comes to knowledge management tools, how can we leverage them effectively and what features should we be looking for?
A lot of information being shared here!
In our last coffee chat episode, we discussed the benefits of collecting stories and information. In this follow-up podcast, we dive deep into the deep well of knowledge of management tools and explore the latest trends, strategies, and insights that empower L&D professionals in their search for effective knowledge management.
As Learning and Development (L&D) professionals, it is crucial to identify and implement the right knowledge management tools that can help us with curation efforts and also align with the overall organizational need. Once we accomplish this, we facilitate seamless knowledge-sharing and collaboration across people and departments.
Burying information into the dark hole of your LMS system isn't the answer to knowledge management - so we have to think beyond this. I hope this coffee chat gave you some solid ideas to move forward.
Video: https://vimeo.com/843859334/06405777cc
Learning Rebels Programs are pre-approved for CPTD/APTD eligibility!
Transcript summary:
Full Transcript: https://otter.ai/u/C_3RqvDsyHoOBx0bOt09zeJ7myM?utm_source=copy_url Chat Message file: https://www.learningrebels.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/chat-2.pdf
Stay Curious ~ Shannon
View the full Coffee Chat Video here View the Transcript here here View the transcript summary here Resources:
LMS365 - Learning Management System for Microsoft 365
Pros and Cons of SharePoint Knowledge Base Software
Books:
The Knowledge Manager's Handbook: A Step-by-Step Guide to Embedding Effective Knowledge Management in your Organization by Nick Milton and Patrick Lambe
The Knowledge Work Factory: Turning the Productivity Paradox Into Value for Your Business by William Heitman
Design Knowledge Management System by Santhosh Shekar
The Complete Guide to Knowledge Management by Edna Pasher
The Elements of Thinking in Systems: Use Systems Archetypes to Understand, Manage, and Fix Complex Problems and Make Smarter Decisions by Albert Rutherford
Be part of the Community. Continue the conversation while building connections and capability. Learn more here.
Join the conversation Be part of the live chat! Sign up here.
Hire Learning Rebels When you need learning that sticks, we’ll fight to make performance results happen. Visit the Learning Rebels website to learn more
Host: Shannon Tipton Podcast produced by: Obsidian Productions | |||
| Learning Rebels Live with Christy Tucker | 05 Jul 2023 | 00:28:04 | |
Going LIVE with Christy Tucker!
Don’t be fooled by the inherent humbleness of Christy Tucker - this lady knows her stuff! And while most of us know her for her ability to create e-learning designs for companies like Cisco, it was her journey from teacher to designer that caught my interest.
Christy’s journey
I have been lucky enough to be connected with Christy for a few years, and we frequently cross paths at assorted conferences. Christy also just recently hosted a Learning Rebels “Learn Something New Wednesday” about “Creating Branching Scenarios in 90 minutes” - one of our most popular programs! (Go Christy!)
However, I wanted to know how she got here from there. What was her story?
Christy does not disappoint! I can’t believe she got her start as a girls-only middle school MUSIC teacher. It just goes to show, you never know what the universe has in store for you!
Sit back and enjoy the ride.
All the Resources!
Build L&D capabilities, all while building relationships! Be part of the Learning Rebels Community! Learn more here.
Join the conversation Be part of the live Learning Rebels coffee chat community! Sign up here.
Hire Learning Rebels Visit the Learning Rebels website to learn more about how Learning Rebels can help you make your training stick!
Host: Shannon Tipton | |||
| Unlocking Organizational Knowledge | 28 Jun 2023 | 00:47:09 | |
It all started with the BIG question on the table.
How can we keep up with the knowledge and gather the stories that are leaving the business every day?
There were a lot of ideas flowing in this chat. Everything from tools to processes. However, it all boils down to how we gather the knowledge and stories of people. People have a funny way of deciding how they want to tell and share their stories.
This means starting with the basics.
Seek first to understand!
As Douglas stated - where does the story start? Is there a pain point to connect with? People want to know that they, and by extension their stories, have value. How are we, as L&D people and representatives of the organization, representing ourselves?
Do the people feel they can trust us with their knowledge, that the stories will be told with the same passion shared?
Are we asking for stories and then doing nothing with them? I hope that you took away some ideas for how to gather information, the importance of continuous documentation, and how we can incentivize those who participate in the gathering process.
I hope one of you starts your own - Tradition, Trash or Try podcast! If you do, let me know.
Stay Curious ~ Shannon
View the full Coffee Chat Video here View the Transcript here here View chat messages here
Resources:
Best Screencasting Sites: Loom and Vidyard Internal Podcast Tools: StoryBoard and UStudio
HBR’s Why Employees Don’t Share Knowledge with Each Other by Marylène Gagné, Amy Wei Tian, Christine Soo, Bo Zhang, Khee Seng Benjamin Ho, and Katrina Hosszu Books:
Becoming a Knowledge-Sharing Organization: A Handbook for Scaling Up Solutions through Knowledge Capturing and Sharing by Steffen Soulejman Janus
Mastering Organizational Knowledge Flow: How to Make Knowledge Sharing Work by Frank Leistner
Appreciative Sharing of Knowledge: Leveraging Knowledge Management for Strategic Change by Tojo Thatchenkery
StoryTraining: Selecting and Shaping Stories That Connect by Hadiya Nuriddin
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Hire Learning Rebels When you need learning that sticks, we’ll fight to make performance results happen. Visit the Learning Rebels website to learn more
Host: Shannon Tipton Podcast produced by: Obsidian Productions | |||
| Bridging the Business Communication Gap | 21 Jun 2023 | 00:48:18 | |
It all started with the BIG question on the table.
What strategies can L&D professionals employ to enhance cross-departmental communication and put us on a more even playing field with the business?
This was a hot conversation - I think we all had some latent feelings about how we want and need to communicate with the business.
I'll repeat this in case you missed it. Many times we focus on having a "seat at the table," which is great, but we're focused on the wrong table. We're focused on the leadership table when we should be focused on being accepted at the lunch table with the middle managers and team supervisors.
This means shifting the way we communicate. We used the phrase "wimpy language" and while that may seem harsh - it can be true. The language we use to communicate can either make us equals to those at the table or make us "less than." Which would you rather be?
I love that in the chat, everyone started reframing the "wimpy language" we use as L&D professionals. Words like collaboration, cooperation, and teambuilding, can trigger some serious PTSD for managers who have been part of well-meaning initiatives only to be a waste of time.
This means that we need to reframe conversations. I hope you found some great examples in the conversation. Be sure to check out the “Verbal Toolkit” mentioned by David.
Stay Curious ~ Shannon
View the full Coffee Chat Video here View the Transcript here here Verbal Toolkit: Here Resources:
The Power of Talk: Who Gets Heard and Why by Deborah Tannen
Deborah Tannen on Cross Cultural Communications at Work
How L&D Can Become a Trusted Business Advisor with Jess Almlie
Books:
Bridge the Gap: Breakthrough Communication Tools to Transform Work Relationships From Challenging to Collaborative by Jennifer Edwards and Katie McCleary
Successful Business Communication: Bridging the Gap by Deborah Luchuk
10 Skills for Effective Business Communication: Practical Strategies from the World's Greatest Leaders by Jessica Higgins
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Hire Learning Rebels When you need learning that sticks, we’ll fight to make performance results happen. Visit the Learning Rebels website to learn more
Host: Shannon Tipton Podcast produced by: Obsidian Productions | |||
| Learning Rebels Solo - The Power of Conferences | 14 Jun 2023 | 00:15:30 | |
It’s all so exciting!
In this Learning Rebels Solo, I wanted to focus my energy on diving into the power of attending conferences for professional growth. Whether you're a seasoned professional or just starting your career, conferences can be a game-changer.
Whether you attend conferences virtually or IRL - Conferences offer a unique platform for L&D professionals to expand their knowledge, network with industry leaders, and gain exposure to new ideas and trends.
One of the primary benefits is not only the opportunity to learn from experts who share their insights, but to network and share stories from those who have been in the trenches with us. Not to mention that you can meet potential mentors and even future employers. The connections made at conferences can lead to new job opportunities, partnerships, and valuable industry connections.
And who doesn’t want that?
In this solocast, I shared 6 tips for you to act on, if you attended or are planning to attend an industry conference.
But IMO, the most important tip is to take action! Why go if you are going to sit on all the knowledge? Don’t be a knowledge hoarder!
Here is some additional information:
Original blog post: Here Be part of the Community. Continue the conversation while building connections and capability. Learn more here. Join the conversationBe part of the live chat! Sign up here. Hire Learning RebelsWhen you need learning that sticks, we’ll fight to make performance results happen.Visit the Learning Rebels website to learn more
Host: Shannon Tipton Podcast produced by: Obsidian Productions | |||
| The Essential Transition of L&D into Business Partners | 01 Jun 2023 | 00:51:19 | |
It all started with a question: How can L&D become better business partners?
Let’s address the elephant in the room – in the business world today, Learning and Development (L&D) teams can’t just focus on creating cool learning programs. Our role within the workplace today goes way beyond that. Our role requires a skill that may not be familiar to many L&D professionals and could be a bit uncomfortable, being business partners.
Building business partnerships isn’t just a nice-to-have skill – it’s a must-have skill.
The conversation focused on these five points
By becoming better business partners, we can ensure efforts are aligned with business goals, address real organizational challenges, and ultimately, significantly impact the company’s bottom line. And who doesn’t want that? This Coffee Chat will help you to set yourself up for success, and here are the resources to support you.
View the recorded Coffee Chat Video: Review the transcript:
Articles:
The Essential Transformation of L&D into Business Partners by Shannon Tipton
Manage Uncertainty with Commander’s Intent by Chad Storlie Book Recommendations
Quiet: The Power of Introverts in a World That Can't Stop Talking by Susan Cain
Business Partnership Essentials: A Step-by-Step Action Plan for Succeeding in Business With a Partner by Dorene Lehavi
Learning and Development: From Cost Center to Business Partner by Zubin Rashid
Creating a Learning and Development Strategy: The HR Business Partner's Guide to Developing People by Andrew Mayo | |||
| LR Solo - Why We All Need Coaching and Mentoring | 24 May 2023 | 00:12:36 | |
It all started with a Coffee Chat.
We asked this question:
How can L&D maximize the value of working with a coach or mentor for their own professional growth and development, and what are some effective strategies for building a coaching or mentoring program that can be sustainable within an organization?
I felt this conversation was important enough to add some additional thoughts. As a refresher, here are some of the mentioned links.
This podcast calls back to this Learning Rebels Blog Post: Everyone Needs a Coach or Mentor Additional reading:
Read these!
10 Steps to Successful Mentoring (10 Steps Series) by Wendy Axelrod Mentoring Manual by Julie Starr The Mentoring Guide: Helping Mentors and Mentees Succeed by Vineet Chopra, Valerie Vaughn, Sanjay Saint Dare to Lead: Brave Work. Tough Conversations. Whole Hearts by Brene Brown
Be part of the Community. Continue the conversation while building connections and capability. Learn more here.
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Hire Learning Rebels When you need learning that sticks, we’ll fight to make performance results happen.Visit the Learning Rebels website to learn more
Host: Shannon Tipton Podcast produced by: Obsidian Productions | |||
| Coaching and Mentoring Yourself and Others | 17 May 2023 | 00:41:44 | |
It all started with the BIG question on the table.
How can L&D maximize the value of working with a coach or mentor for their own professional growth and development, and what are some effective strategies for building a coaching or mentoring program that can be sustainable within an organization?
This was an interesting conversation. When considering coaching and mentoring programs, we take many things for granted - we assume people know where to go and what to do.
There was a lot to consider and absorb. One particular point of discussion was remembering that many people are assigned “coaching” as a punitive action. They’ve done something wrong, now they must be “coached”. Honestly, a perspective I had overlooked.
I hope you find other A-HA moments too!
View the full Coffee Chat Video here View the Transcript here here
This chat calls back to this Learning Rebels Blog Post: Everyone Needs a Coach or Mentor Additional reading:
Read these!
10 Steps to Successful Mentoring (10 Steps Series) by Wendy Axelrod Mentoring Manual by Julie Starr The Mentoring Guide: Helping Mentors and Mentees Succeed by Vineet Chopra, Valerie Vaughn, Sanjay Saint Dare to Lead: Brave Work. Tough Conversations. Whole Hearts by Brene Brown
Be part of the Community. Continue the conversation while building connections and capability. Learn more here.
Join the conversation Be part of the live chat! Sign up here.
Hire Learning Rebels When you need learning that sticks, we’ll fight to make performance results happen.Visit the Learning Rebels website to learn more
Host: Shannon Tipton Podcast produced by: Obsidian Productions | |||
| Unexpected Discoveries: Encouraging Serendipitous Learning | 03 May 2023 | 00:46:14 | |
It all started with the BIG question on the table.
How can we help create momentum around looking for and “seeing” the unexpected? How can we encourage employees to take the time and explore resources to see new topics for learning and discover new ideas outside their immediate job responsibilities?
This was a fun conversation with many ideas. I found that many of the ideas could also be applied to our Coffee Chat about Creative Debriefing.
Debriefing Video here Debriefing Podcast Episode here
I like how the conversation included thoughts about our responsibility as L&D people. How are we embracing serendipity? Are we present and aware? If we aren't exploring the environment around us, how can we expect others to do the same?
Here are some quick ideas to encourage exploration:
But it all begins with trust. Sharing unexpected moments requires that the participants trust us with their thoughts and ideas. If we haven't bridged the trust issue, engaging and encouraging deeper learning will be hard.
Get chat video recording here Get your copy of the chat message box here Get the transcript here
Download these!
5 Questions to Help You Explore Serendipity
Read these!
The Serendipity Mindset: The Art and Science of Creating Good Luck by Christian Busch Think Again by Adam Grant Through the Lens of Serendipity: Helping Others Discover the Best in Themselves--Even if Life has Shown Them Its Worst by Allyson Apsey Serendipitous Discoveries from the Bookshelf by Alexander Atkins
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Hire Learning Rebels When you need learning that sticks, we’ll fight to make performance results happen.Visit the Learning Rebels website to learn more
Host: Shannon Tipton | |||
| Learning Rebels in 15: Debunking Learning Myths | 26 Apr 2023 | 00:09:48 | |
Your weekly double shot is “Debunking Learning Myths: What is Our Responsibility?”
You can find the full live video conversation here. Find the full podcast here
It all started with the question: How does Learning and Development (L&D) handle learning myths? Not about how to bust them but how to address them when they appear in the wild. When a colleague or manager states a myth as truth - now what? How can we handle this with grace and patience? Without making others feel inferior or stupid?
In this Learning Rebels in 15 we are hearing from:
Bob E. Evelien V. Maureen F. Renee M. John W. Betsy Erica B.
As they discuss these main points:
Point #1: Understand that people don’t know what they don’t know. That goes for L&D professionals too.
Point #2: It’s tough to let go of sacred cows. We have to have conversations with grace, patience, and science!
Point #3: Experience can misinform. Just because we’ve done a thing, doesn’t mean we’ve done the thing correctly.
Point #4: Always start with data and research.
Point #5: Sometimes good design is the solution.
I’ll leave you with this thought:
Handling learning myths can be tricky and must be handled with care and sensitivity. Being condescending, patronizing, or just plain rude and mean doesn't get the results we need - it doesn't move the needle. What does move the needle is knowing our audience. Where are they in their career? Are they SMEs turned trainers? Are they new to the industry? Do they work alone and depend on tribal knowledge?
Remember the words from the great Stephen Covey, “Seek for to Understand”. This is the only way to affect change.
Stay curious & take over the world! Shannon
View the original video recording here
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Host: Shannon Tipton | |||
| Learning from Others, Building a Collaborative Learning Culture | 20 Apr 2023 | 00:53:25 | |
How meta was this episode? People collaborating about collaboration.
So many great ideas were shared in this episode. In particular, it was an ah-ha moment for me to attribute the “Fight, Flight or Freeze” reflex into a learning situation. And it’s true! If people are scared, worried, or fearful, solid collaboration simply won’t occur.
There was also mention of recognizing the difference between cooperative and collaborative learning.
Cooperative learning involves a group of individuals working together to achieve a common goal or complete a task. In contrast, collaborative learning focuses on group members sharing knowledge, skills, and resources to achieve a shared outcome.
Cooperative learning is more structured and goal-oriented, whereas collaborative learning is more flexible and emphasizes peer-to-peer interaction.
While it is a nuanced difference, it’s important to recognize how to use one versus the other.
There was also a lot of discussion about “words.” How are we communicating collaboration? Are we being encouraging and thoughtful? It would be easy to trigger someone who suffers from imposter syndrome or might have an inferiority complex.
Some key positive phrases:
This thoughtful conversation was a great follow-up to our “Creating a Safe Haven” chat. I encourage you to listen and compare notes.
Get the video here. Get the podcast episode here
All the resources mentioned in this chat
Get the live recording here Get the LIVE video transcript here
Read these!
Broaden and Build Theory of Positive Emotions: A Historical Review of Collaborative Learning and Cooperative Learning
Be part of the Community Build connections and capability. Learning more here. Join the conversation Be part of the live chat! Sign up here.
Hire Learning Rebels Visit the Learning Rebels website to learn more about how Learning Rebels can help you make your training stick! Host: Shannon Tipton | |||