Episódios

  • Making It Safe to Learn

    Making It Safe to Learn
    Oct 16 2025
    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
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    38 minutos
  • Champagne Learning on a Beer Budget

    Champagne Learning on a Beer Budget
    Oct 9 2025
    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
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    39 minutos
  • More Than PowerPoints: The L&D Visibility Challenge

    More Than PowerPoints: The L&D Visibility Challenge
    Sep 30 2025
    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 Video Chatbox Transcript Transcript Summary Resources Be Seen Branding Action Sheet VA L&D Site Crafting Your Brand Workbook 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
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    36 minutos
  • Butt's in Seats Isn't the Answer: A conversation about KPI's

    Butt's in Seats Isn't the Answer: A conversation about KPI's
    Sep 23 2025
    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
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    32 minutos
  • The SME Whisperer's Field Manual

    The SME Whisperer's Field Manual
    Sep 16 2025
    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
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    40 minutos
  • The Rebel's Guide to Networking

    The Rebel's Guide to Networking
    Aug 26 2025
    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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    38 minutos
  • Tools, Playlists, and Productivity

    Tools, Playlists, and Productivity
    Aug 8 2025
    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
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    43 minutos
  • The One Where Learning Became a Habit

    The One Where Learning Became a Habit
    Mar 19 2025
    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
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    46 minutos