The Learning Geeks Podcast

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.   CON...

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...

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.   RE...

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.   🎧 LIST...

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 conversati...

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...

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' a...

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 FR...

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.   M...

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 expe...

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, con...

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 y...

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: htt...

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...

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, level...

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: htt...

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...

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 learni...

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 decoratin...

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), o...

  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,...

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...

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  learninggeekspod@gmail...

Tessa Forshaw, co-founder of Harvard University’s Next Level Lab, rejoins the show to discuss the various social dimensions of learning transfer. Tessa shares key insights from an apprenticeship study including socially enabled priming to facilitate the transfer of learning, how to best learn from 'experienced others' through apprenticeship, and the role of the educator and learner in these social...

Dana kicks off the season by sharing his team’s latest research on what makes a strong learning culture. The research identified five areas and we discuss each and their value. We also discuss some of the barriers that prevent a learning culture.    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...