Learning Rebels Podcast

Curiosity Engagement

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

Shared Resources

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
 
 
VideoTranscript
Transcript Summary
Chatbox
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 ebooksOne Note: Digital note takingRemarkable: Organize files and perform screen shares
Rocketbook: Share pages and whiteboardsAmazon Polly: AI voice generatorGamestorming: Co-creation tools
Liberating Structures: Tools to replace or complement existing practices
Podcasts We Love
Learning Rebels Podcast
Learning Geeks
Armchair Expert
Scrubs and Subpoenas
Coaching for Leaders
Not Gonna Lie
Learning Uncut
On Purpose with Jay Shetty
Smartless
What Now with Trevor Noah 
Worklife with Adam GrantRethinking with Adam Grant 
Modern Mentor
HandsomeHidden Brain
Unmistakable Creative
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
e-Learning Training
ATD: Association for Training Development
Connie Malamed: The eLearning Coach
HBR.org
Training Magazine Network for free webinars
Douglas Ferguson’s Linkedin from Voltage Control for facilitation and liberating structures
The Learning Guild
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. Bowman
 
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

Setting Big Hairy Audacious Goals in 2025

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

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:
Building a Second Brain: A Proven Method to Organize Your Digital Life and Unlock Your Creative Potential by Tiago Forte
The Extended Mind: The Power of Thinking Outside the Brain by Annie Murphy Paul
Come Up for Air: How Teams Can Leverage Systems and Tools to Stop Drowning in Work by Nick Sonnenberg
Time Planning Tools and Techniques: Learn How to Create Your Personal Time Planning, Increase Your Productivity, and Discover the Most Efficient Tools and Techniques to Become the Master of Your Time by Scott Darley
Work Smarter, and Not Harder, Volume 3: Best Productivity Tools and Apps to Help You Achieve More by Emma Brown
 
Resources
 
Video
TranscriptTranscript Summary
 
Tools:
 
WellSaid Labs
 
Boomerang
 
Get Rocketbook
 
Boox
 
Toggl
 
Synthesia
 
Maestro Learning
 
Goodnotes
 
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

Finding Your Fire: Self-Motivation Techniques

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:
Master Your Motivation: A Practical Guide to Unstick Yourself, Build Momentum and Sustain Long-Term Motivation by Thibaut Meurisse
Changing Your Mindset for Good: The Quick Way to Control Your Emotions, Shift Your Reality for Mental Self Development by Jay Fenix
The Mountain Is You: Transforming Self-Sabotage into Self-Master by Brianna Wiest
Get out of Your Own Way: Overcoming Self-Defeating Behavior: Overcoming Self-Defeating Behavior by Philip Goldberg
Make Your Bed: Little Things That Can Change Your Life...And Maybe the World by William McRaven
 
Resources
 
VideoTranscriptTranscript 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

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:
Social Media Pie: How to Enjoy a Bigger Slice of the LinkedIn Pie by Brenda Meller
Networking in the 21st Century... on LinkedIn: Creating Online Relationships and Opportunities by David Fisher
The Introvert’s Edge to Networking: Work the Room. Leverage Social Media. Develop Powerful Connections by Matthew Pollard and Derek Lewis
Networking for People Who Hate Networking: A Field Guide For Introverts, the Overwhelmed, and the Underconnected by Devora Zack
 
Resources
 
Coffee Chat video VideoFull Coffee Chat transcript: TranscriptTranscript Summary
 
Daily Virtual Network Checklist
 
Hacking Virtual Networking
 
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

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
Lack of feedback mechanism and
Lack of learning reinforcement
 
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.pdfChat 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

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.pdfChat 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