In this episode, we are joined by Professor Madj Sakr, Computer Science Professor at Carnegie Mellon University and Chief Learning and Research Officer at Accenture. We learn about Madj’s transition from academia to corporate learning environments, key differences, how to measure ROI of training, the challenges of maintaining learner engagement in fast-paced environments, and experimenting with innovative learning modalities. Madj wraps up the pod with practical tips for those in academia lookin...
Apr 16, 2025•34 min•Season 7Ep. 11
We are joined by Alex Kass from Accenture Labs to delve into the future of learning and technology. We discuss various advancements such as neurosensing, artificial intelligence, extended reality, and their implications for educational experiences. Alex shares insights on how these technologies can enhance user interaction, improve the design process, and create more personalized learning environments. We also discuss dynamic content that adapts in real-time to learners' needs and the ethical co...
Mar 27, 2025•37 min•Season 7Ep. 10
In this episode we are joined by Melina Palmer from The Brainy Business to discuss the intersection between behavioral economics and corporate learning. We dive into principles of behavioral economics and how they can influence training and learning strategies within organizations. We get into choice architecture, reward structures, decision-making, and application within education. Chapters 00:00 Cold Open 00:29 Banter 05:16 Welcoming Melina Palmer 09:45 Melina's Journey into Behavioral Economi...
Mar 05, 2025•39 min•Season 7Ep. 9
In this episode, we are joined by Matt Beane, assistant professor and author of 'The Skill Code.' We explore Matt’s research on the impact of AI and robotics on skill development between novices and experts. Matt also discusses the disruption of traditional learning methods, the effects of remote work on apprenticeship, and the need for new metrics to balance productivity and skill growth. LISTEN AND SUBSCRIBE ON APPLE, SPOTIFY, AND YOUTUBE Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/t...
Feb 19, 2025•38 min•Season 7Ep. 8
In this episode, we discuss why it’s the pieces we collect over time that shape us into who we are today. The good, the bad, the grey. It’s the variety of those pieces that’s necessary for effective learning and growth. It also creates the uniqueness in each of us. We spend this episode sharing our three “pieces”… either moments, experiences, or people. We get a little more vulnerable than usual, but we had a lot of fun sharing these stories and we hope you enjoy them too! LISTEN AND SUBSCRIBE O...
Jan 30, 2025•45 min•Season 7Ep. 7
We’re joined by Julia Stiglitz, CEO and co-founder of Uplimit, to explore the transformative role of AI in education, edtech, and corporate skill development. Julia shares her journey as an edtech entrepreneur and her insights on using AI for cohort-based learning, tutoring, course management, and practice. We also dive into the potential and challenges of AI in personalizing education and driving business outcomes. LISTEN AND SUBSCRIBE ON APPLE, SPOTIFY, AND YOUTUBE Apple Podcasts: https://podc...
Jan 15, 2025•34 min•Season 7Ep. 6
It's our yearly, end-of-year special where we reflect on personal and professional challenges, changes, and goals from 2024. We then pivot to look ahead to 2025, our goals, direction of podcast and more. LISTEN AND SUBSCRIBE ON APPLE, SPOTIFY, AND YOUTUBE Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-learning-geeks-podcast/id1413446184 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/7mACo97JvUL1LOmVJ9lATI?si=c430a6d9b08c4100 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@learninggeekspodcast You can also ...
Dec 21, 2024•34 min•Season 7Ep. 5
We are joined by Jessica Billiet to discuss the chemicals in the brain and how they influence learning. We dive into neurotransmitters like dopamine, glutamate, serotonin, and cortisol, explaining their roles and how learning professionals can harness them to improve development. We also dive into practical tips for onboarding, team settings, and creating brain-friendly learning experiences. CONTACT JESSICA Contact Jessica on LinkedIN at https://www.linkedin.com/in/jessicabilliet/ or through ema...
Dec 11, 2024•35 min•Season 7Ep. 5
We explore the concept of learning communities with Ben Chambers, head of learning performance and talent. Ben shares insights on his own journey in creating and leading the Talent and Leadership Club, a global network of over 1,000 learning professionals. The conversation provides valuable takeaways on the benefits and challenges of building and sustaining impactful learning communities for your organization. More about Ben and the Talent and Leadership Club See https://www.talentandleadership....
Dec 04, 2024•31 min•Season 7Ep. 4
We discuss the growing mainstream interest in durable learning by delving into key topics from Andrew Huberman's podcast on optimal learning methods, including neuroplasticity, the importance of testing, sleep, and the value of social and solitary study sessions. We discuss our personal examples and strategies for effectively applying these concepts in both educational and corporate settings. REFERENCES - Huberman Lab Podcast: Optimal Protocols for Studying and Learning https://podcasts.apple.co...
Nov 12, 2024•33 min•Season 7Ep. 3
Deb Arnold joins the show and dives into effective strategies for engaging stakeholders, learning from them, and measuring the impact of training on business outcomes so you can tell effective impact stories. Deb shares valuable insights from her extensive experience, including tips on improving business acumen, performing stakeholder analysis, and using effective questioning techniques. 🎧 LISTEN AND SUBSCRIBE ON APPLE AND SPOTIFY Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-learni...
Oct 24, 2024•38 min•Season 7Ep. 2
In our Season 7 premiere, we explore the evolving landscape of learning and development, debating whether traditional L&D structures should be reimagined as performance-focused functions. We discuss new skills we may need, how we may work with other functions, the role of data, and what we can do today to prepare. CONNECT WITH US If you have any feedback or want to join in on the conversation, connect with us via LinkedIN. CHECK US OUT ON YOUTUBE We now publish to YouTube so please subscribe...
Oct 09, 2024•31 min•Season 7Ep. 1
Not only is it our 100th episode, it’s Dana’s retirement special! After 35+ years within the profession, Dana shares his key elements necessary for impactful learning experiences. We get into areas of biology, psychology, sociology, geography, “performanceology”, and content design. Bob and Jake discuss each, share examples, and reflect on the meaning for you as listeners. CONNECT WITH US If you have any feedback or want to join in on the conversation, connect with us via LinkedIN, Twitter (@bob...
Aug 28, 2024•39 min•Season 6Ep. 19
Britt Andreatta, PhD joins the show to discuss the pressing issue of change fatigue and burnout – something that is occurring so frequently given the events of the past year. We get into the brain science behind our resistance to change, symptoms of burnout, and practical strategies to manage continuous change in the workplace. We also end the conversation with a review of Pixar's 'Inside Out 2' and its successful portrayal of emotions. MORE FROM BRITT https://www.brittandreatta.com CONNECT WITH...
Aug 05, 2024•37 min•Season 6Ep. 18
Lisa Christensen and Verónica Gómez from McKinsey & Company, join the show to share eight learning and people development trends that really matter for our profession. These trends were identified following an extensive analysis by looking at 40 plus major trend reports of various disciplines and industries. We share all eight and discuss what each of them mean for us moving forward. MORE FROM MCKINSEY’S LEARNING LAB Article: The most fundamental skill: Intentional learning and the career ad...
Jul 22, 2024•34 min•Season 6Ep. 17
Bob Mosher, Chief Learning Evangelist at Apply Synergies, joins the show to have an honest dialogue about the current skills-first, upskilling, and/or reskilling investments in organizations. We discuss how we can learn from similar moments in history (especially the failures), define what we mean by “skill", and how to shift from knowledge to application when partnering with business leaders. MORE FROM BOB - Are We Really “Skilling Up” Our Employees?: https://www.applysynergies.com/blog/are-we-...
Jul 08, 2024•35 min•Season 6Ep. 16
Cathy Hoy, former CLO and now CEO and co-founder of CLO100, joins the show to share what skills and capabilities are required for the next generation of learning leaders. She also leads a twelve-month Learning Leaders program and shares common struggles, what L&D will look like in future, and exciting innovations heard by her cohorts. Any type of inspiring leader will benefit from Cathy’s expertise. MORE FROM CATHY HOY LinkedIN: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cathyhoy/ CLO100: https://clo100.co...
Jun 19, 2024•32 min•Season 6Ep. 15
Col. Jason “Toga” Trew, PhD joins the show to discuss the benefits of strategic play at work and how it can be used for learning, development, creativity and innovation. Jason also live demos a portion of his workshop that requires Dana, Jake and Bob to build and tell creative stories using a very popular toy. CONNECT WITH US If you have any feedback or want to join in on the conversation, connect with us via LinkedIN, Twitter (@bobbyhollywood), or email our show at [email protected] . ...
Jun 05, 2024•35 min•Season 6Ep. 14
The three of us discuss our techniques to increase creativity during our many lulls and slumps. We discuss what we feel like during these times, techniques we use, and how we deal with ambiguity. Bob also shares his favorite creative story involving an eureka moment when he was a kid at camp – which we are now referring to as the “tighty-whities” moment. Can’t miss this one. CONNECT WITH US If you have any feedback or want to join in on the conversation, connect with us via LinkedIN, Twitter (@b...
May 15, 2024•31 min•Season 6Ep. 13
In this episode, Dr. Keith Keating, CLO and author, joins the show to discuss his book “The Trusted Learning Advisor” and shares what it means to be one, practical examples, and tips on how to be one regardless of your role. We also discuss how L&D can create the table vs finding a seat, and the difference from taking the order and order taking. MORE FROM DR. KEITH KEATING Read the book: https://www.amazon.com/Trusted-Learning-Advisor-Techniques-Business/dp/1398612456 LinkedIN: https://www.l...
Apr 11, 2024•35 min•Season 6Ep. 12
We are joined by Noah Rabinowitz, CLO at Commonwealth Fusion Systems and contributor in CLO Lift. Noah shares three unresolved problems facing the learning and development industry over multiple decades, despite meaningful activity and investment to solve them. Noah and group of about 40 CLO’s (CLO Lift from the Learning Forum) are partnering together to solve them. Noah shares the three, explains why they are complex, why they continue to be unresolved, what CLO Lift is going to solve them, and...
Mar 27, 2024•32 min•Season 6Ep. 11
Declan Dagger (PhD), Co-founder of ETU, joins the show to share insights from his applied research in the field of educational psychology, soft skills verification, development, and experiential learning (simulations, practice). Declan shares what it takes to design data-driven immersive learning, including how to break down skills and codify them to identify the characteristics, attributes, levels, and performance context you want to assess. We also discuss tips on how to influence stakeholders...
Mar 13, 2024•35 min•Season 6Ep. 10
Dr. Megan Cuzzolino from Harvard University's "The Next Level Lab", joins the show to discuss her research on the emotion of awe and how it can make learning happen. Megan explains what awe is, elicitors of awe, how it helps with meaning at work, and how awe impacts learning and motivation. We also share our personal stories of awe in innovation and in science MORE FROM MEGAN Next Level Lab: https://nextlevellab.gse.harvard.edu/ Research: Experiences of Awe and Meaning at Work CONNECT WITH US If...
Feb 22, 2024•36 min•Season 6Ep. 9
We are joined by a good friend of the show, Dr. Lauren Hodges, well-being, human performance, and learning expert. We discuss the latest research into how nutrition, exercise/movement, sleep, and stress management can optimize and accelerate your learning throughout your day. MORE FROM LAUREN https://www.performance-on-purpose.com/ CONNECT WITH US If you have any feedback or want to join in on the conversation, connect with us via LinkedIN, Twitter (@bobbyhollywood), or email our show at learnin...
Feb 08, 2024•36 min•Season 6Ep. 8
In late 2022, Conor Grennan never knew of GenAI. Now – he’s teaching companies and thousands of his followers on how to use it. This all started because he was completely fascinated by the potential. In this episode, Conor Grennan – NYU Stern Dean of Students, NY Times bestselling author, LinkedIn teacher – shares his personal learning narrative, his initial challenges with GenAI, what he’s learning when teaching GenAI, and how people can overcome common hurdles in their own growth and learning....
Jan 24, 2024•33 min•Season 6Ep. 7
Lisa Christensen, Director of the Learning Design COE at McKinsey, joins us as guest co-host to assist a jet-lagged Bob who recently returned from France. We get together and share our favorite learning moments and traditions from the holidays and what we learned. Stories such as Bob learning French, Dana studying at the holiday dinner table, Lisa starting new family traditions, and Jake decorating for the first time. SUBSCRIBE TO THE SHOW ON YOUTUBE https://www.youtube.com/@learninggeekspodcast...
Dec 19, 2023•32 min•Season 6Ep. 6
We continue our yearly tradition to recap things we learned in 2023. This year, we open up and share some of the struggles and fears we experienced while learning. We also discuss major changes that forced us to learn new things. Dana also shares major news! CONNECT WITH US If you have any feedback or want to join in on the conversation, connect with us via LinkedIN, Twitter (@bobbyhollywood), or email our show at [email protected] . DISCLAIMER All thoughts and views are of our own....
Dec 12, 2023•35 min•Season 6Ep. 6
Heather Stefanski, CLO from McKinsey, joins the show to discuss why we need more People, Talent, and L&D professionals working together to achieve business outcomes. Heather shares new skills we will need, how her teams are evolving, and how other CHRO’s and CLO’s are responding. CONNECT WITH US If you have any feedback or want to join in on the conversation, connect with us via LinkedIN, Twitter (@bobbyhollywood), or email our show at [email protected] . DISCLAIMER All thoughts and...
Nov 28, 2023•32 min•Season 6Ep. 5
Amanda Lannert, CEO of Jellyvision, joins the show to share how she is scaling employee support and personalized learning through simulated, friendly, human conversations. Amanda shares the tech to make this work, her history in this domain, and how AI will help in making things more accessible and personal. CONNECT WITH US If you have any feedback or want to join in on the conversation, connect with us via LinkedIN, Twitter (@bobbyhollywood), or email our show at [email protected] . DI...
Nov 15, 2023•33 min•Season 6Ep. 4
We love games. They’re enjoyable, sometimes difficult, but there’s a lot we learn from them. The three of us share the games we played, how they taught us life lessons, and how they taught us to be better designers. CONNECT WITH US If you have any feedback or want to join in on the conversation, connect with us via LinkedIN, Twitter (@bobbyhollywood), or email our show at [email protected] . DISCLAIMER All thoughts and views are of our own....
Oct 31, 2023•34 min•Season 6Ep. 3
