Become An Idol

In this episode, Susan Teague shares her career journey in learning and development.  Tune in to find out: How Susan transitioned from her first training role to becoming an instructional designer and elearning project manager. Susan's insights into leadership development and how she helps companies think about professional development for their employees. Advice Susan gives to new instructional designers for learning about different businesses and the challenges they face.

In this episode of the Become an IDOL podcast, host Robin Sargent interviews Monica Garcia about her role as an instructional systems designer for the Air Force. Monica describes her career path which began in air traffic control and led her to become a branch chief overseeing curriculum development for 70,000 Air Force students across 180 career fields. She discusses some of the differences between developing training for the military versus corporate settings and provides advice for those looking to enter the field of instructional design.

In this episode of the Become an IDOL podcast, host Dr. Robin Sargent interviews JD Dillon, the Chief Learning Officer at Axonify and author of the book The Modern Learning Ecosystem. JD discusses his background transitioning from operations management into learning and development, focusing on supporting frontline workers. He shares examples of understanding workers' needs and problems to design effective performance support solutions rather than traditional training. JD emphasizes the importance of focusing on problem-solving over learning and using a variety of tactics beyond just courses.   Tune in to find out: - How JD made the transition from operations management into learning and development while working for Disney - JD's example of redesigning performance support for grocery store employees by understanding their workflow and challenges - JD's advice to focus on understanding problems rather than "learning" and using a variety of tactics beyond just courses to solve problems Connect with JD on Link

This episode of the Become an IDOL podcast features Michael Shackleton, an instructional designer who transitioned into the field after 14 years of teaching. Michael shares his journey of discovering instructional design, enrolling in the IDOL Academy, and building his portfolio and skills. He discusses his application process, interviews he went through, and how he landed his first job as a learning content designer at a large company in Manchester. Michael offers advice to others looking to make a career change, emphasizing the importance of being yourself, accepting feedback, and pursuing your passions. Tune in to find out: How Michael discovered instructional design after leaving his teaching career and enrolled in the IDOL Academy to gain the skills needed for a career change How through applying to over 100 jobs, participating in interviews, and learning from each experience, Michael was able to land a fulfilling role as a learning content designer where he gets to be creative Michael's advice to others

In this episode, I'm chatting with Randi Myers and Teresa O from OWL which is Open World Learning, a FREE online training platform being offered to all registered charities in the US and Canada! Tune in to hear about this amazing resource and the process for volunteering as an instructional designer.    Learn more about OWL-Open World Learning   Are you looking for a no-nonsense formula for creating engaging courses and training? Check out my new book, The Do It Messy Approach: A Step-by-Step Guide for Instructional Designers and Online Learners (IDOLs) on Amazon.   Interested in learning more about IDOL Academy-click here! It is the only trade school for Instructional Design and Online Learning in the world. Your one stop shop for all your instructional design needs. Now including a tool suite! 

In this episode, I'm chatting with Meg Ramey. Meg is an IDOL Academy member, she is the owner of WorldKind and she is also a leader of one of our IDOL World projects. IDOL World is a volunteer section of our academy to place instructional designers with nonprofit and volunteer opportunities. Tune in to hear about the importance of real world experience and the things that make a good volunteer.    Connect with Meg on LinkedIn   Are you looking for a no-nonsense formula for creating engaging courses and training? Check out my new book, The Do It Messy Approach: A Step-by-Step Guide for Instructional Designers and Online Learners (IDOLs) on Amazon.   Interested in learning more about IDOL courses Academy, the only trade school for Instructional Design and Online Learning see a full list of programs. Enrollment is open!  

Unleash the power of your brain for training transformation with Matt Gjersten! Join me as I chat with the visionary founder of Better Everyday Studios, an instructional design consulting company. Get ready to be inspired as we delve into how Matt empowers learning teams to create a monumental impact. Don't miss out! Tune in now and discover the ultimate brain hacks for mastering behavior change in your training.   Connect with Matt on LinkedIn   Are you looking for a no-nonsense formula for creating engaging courses and training? Check out my new book, The Do It Messy Approach: A Step-by-Step Guide for Instructional Designers and Online Learners (IDOLs) on Amazon.   Interested in learning more about IDOL courses Academy, the only trade school for Instructional Design and Online Learning see a full list of programs. Enrollment is open!

In this episode, I am chatting with Theresa Francomacaro, the owner of Why Story Works. She helps others who want to get unstuck, sell their ideas, clarify their message and attract more clients. Tune in to hear her three golden rules for storytelling and so much more. You will feel Theresa's energy in this episode!    Connect with Theresa on LinkedIn   Are you looking for a no-nonsense formula for creating engaging courses and training? Check out my new book, The Do It Messy Approach: A Step-by-Step Guide for Instructional Designers and Online Learners (IDOLs) on Amazon.   Interested in learning more about IDOL courses Academy, the only trade school for Instructional Design and Online Learning see a full list of programs. Enrollment opens soon on Monday, June 5th!

In this episode, I'll be chatting with Sarah Cannistra who has an L&D Career, Executive and Business coach, and the founder of The Overnight Trainer, a coaching practice that helps purpose-driven people find, land, create, grow, and LOVE the L&D career of their dreams, so that they can live a life of fulfillment, inspiration, and freedom. Sarah utilizes her past experience as a modern learning leader and hiring manager to coach and consult her clients to ultimate career success. This is one you don't want to miss! Tune in to hear more now.    Connect with Sarah on LinkedIn    Are you looking for a no-nonsense formula for creating engaging courses and training? Check out my new book, The Do It Messy Approach: A Step-by-Step Guide for Instructional Designers and Online Learners (IDOLs) on Amazon.   Interested in learning more about IDOL courses Academy, the only trade school for Instructional Design and Online Learning see a full list of programs. Enrollment opens soon on Monday, June 5th!

In this episode, I'm chatting with John Reynolds, an Instructional Designer with at Activision Blizzard, and a lifelong nerd. He strives to blur the line between creative training content creator and quest-giver. As an insatiable learner, he hopes to continuously connect with new people and gather fresh and exciting ways to change the game and keep training fun! Tune in to hear his full story and what its like to work for a video game company!    Connect with John on LinkedIn    Are you looking for a no-nonsense formula for creating engaging courses and training? Check out my new book, The Do It Messy Approach: A Step-by-Step Guide for Instructional Designers and Online Learners (IDOLs) on Amazon.   Interested in learning more about IDOL courses Academy, the only trade school for Instructional Design and Online Learning see a full list of programs.

In this episode, I'm chatting with Derek Dorsett, an Instructional Designer with LogicMonitor. Hear about his defining moment, higher education vs. corporate and the importance of a career roadmap. This was an episode to spark encouragement even in your struggles!    Connect with Derek on LinkedIn    Are you looking for a no-nonsense formula for creating engaging courses and training? Check out my new book, The Do It Messy Approach: A Step-by-Step Guide for Instructional Designers and Online Learners (IDOLs) on Amazon.   Interested in learning more about IDOL courses Academy, the only trade school for Instructional Design and Online Learning see a full list of programs

In this episode, I'll be chatting with Whitney Lowe. Whitney has been a massage educator for 34 years, and teaching online since 2006. He is a subject matter specialist with massage for pain and injury treatments, has authored two books, contributed to multiple others and written hundreds of articles. He hosts a popular podcast (The Thinking Practitioner) and is committed to producing high-quality learning experiences for all his students. We discuss the IDOL World Project and how he was able to get a volunteer project completed for the Massage Therapy Foundation.    If you are a non profit organization check out the IDOL World Project here.  We can connect you with our volunteer learning designers.    Are you looking for a no-nonsense formula for creating engaging courses and training? Check out my new book, The Do It Messy Approach: A Step-by-Step Guide for Instructional Designers and Online Learners (IDOLs) on Amazon.   Interested in learning more about IDOL courses Academy, the only trade school for Instr

In this episode, I will be chatting with Ethan Webb, the Co-Founder and CEO of Mindsmith, a learning platform that uses generative AI to make it easy to create and share course material and training. Ethan is a current student studying economics and business strategy. He has many family members who are educators and has developed a passion for pedagogy and learning theory. Don't miss this trending episode on Artificial Intelligence and how it can benefit Instructional Designers.    Connect with Ethan on LinkedIn    Mindsmith discount code for our listeners is IDOL1 (10% off)     Are you looking for a no-nonsense formula for creating engaging courses and training? Check out my new book, The Do It Messy Approach: A Step-by-Step Guide for Instructional Designers and Online Learners (IDOLs) on Amazon.   Interested in learning more about IDOL courses Academy, the only trade school for Instructional Design and Online Learning see a full list of programs

In this episode, I will be chatting with Tamara Schroer, the Vice President of Education and Development at Working Solutions and she is not you typical corporate executive. She is a born educator and putting her formal training and innate talents to work, helping Working Solutions to develop one of the world's most powerful and effective approaches to virtual corporate education. You will love the energy in this episode!    Connect with Tamara on LinkedIn    Are you looking for a no-nonsense formula for creating engaging courses and training? Check out my new book, The Do It Messy Approach: A Step-by-Step Guide for Instructional Designers and Online Learners (IDOLs) on Amazon.   Interested in learning more about IDOL courses Academy, the only trade school for Instructional Design and Online Learning see a full list of programs.

In this episode, I will be chatting with Samuel Apata, currently a Senior eLearning Developer for Starbucks. He has over 8 years of experience developing and retaining talent for organizations like T-Mobile, American Airlines and GM Financial. Listen in to here us chat about accessibility! You'll want to know the accessibility minimums to  incorporate into course building, the guidelines you'll want to pay attention to on federal and state levels and finding the balance to not stifle your creativity!    Connect with Samuel on LinkedIn    Are you looking for a no-nonsense formula for creating engaging courses and training? Check out my new book, The Do It Messy Approach: A Step-by-Step Guide for Instructional Designers and Online Learners (IDOLs) on Amazon.   Interested in learning more about IDOL courses Academy, the only trade school for Instructional Design and Online Learning see a full list of programs.

In this episode, I will be chatting with Kim Tuohy, an Instructional Design and founding Director of Belvista Studios. You don't want to miss this episode of abundance in the way Kim lives her life. Through traveling Australia in a van with solar powered panels to running her own business, she gives great tips on the balance of it all. She seeks to live a life of joy everyday!   Connect with Kim on LinkedIn   Are you looking for a no-nonsense formula for creating engaging courses and training? Check out my new book, The Do It Messy Approach: A Step-by-Step Guide for Instructional Designers and Online Learners (IDOLs) on Amazon.   Interested in learning more about IDOL courses Academy, the only trade school for Instructional Design and Online Learning see a full list of programs. 

In this episode, I will be chatting with Marilyn Day, an IDOL courses Academy member who transitioned into an Instructional Designer and landed her first contract with IDOL Talent in 6 months time. Just a few short months later, landed her next position at Google. She worked previously as a career coach. In this role, she started to problem solve for ways so she didn't have to verbally repeat the same information. She wanted to get creative with content delivery and this piqued her interest in the field of Instructional Design. Hear her story of how she was able to successfully transition into this field and also serve as a coach within IDOL courses Academy.    Connect with Marilyn on LinkedIn   Are you looking for a no-nonsense formula for creating engaging courses and training? Check out my new book, The Do It Messy Approach: A Step-by-Step Guide for Instructional Designers and Online Learners (IDOLs) on Amazon.   Interested in learning more about IDOL courses Academy, the only trade school for Instructiona

In this episode, I’m chatting with Ron Nakamoto, the Training Service Chief at the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) Academy. He is one of the most experienced people I've found in this field to talk to us about working as an Instructional Systems Specialist (ISS). He shares how to find these jobs, how to make yourself a competitive candidate, and why he thinks now is the best time to become an ISS. If you’ve ever wondered what it’s like to have a learning and development career in the US government, this is the episode for you!  Connect with Ron on LinkedIn. Get on the waitlist for my book, The Do It Messy Approach.

In this episode, I will be chatting with Jennifer Berman, an IDOL course Academy member who transitioned into an Instructional Designer in just 14 weeks. She worked for 17 years in Elementary Education when becoming the primary virtual teacher inspired a love for online learning. She tells how IDOL gave her the skills, feedback and goal setting that she needed to make such a quick transition. Listen in to hear how her corporate role compares to teaching!   Connect with Jennifer on LinkedIn   Are you looking for a no-nonsense formula for creating engaging courses and training? Check out my new book, The Do It Messy Approach: A Step-by-Step Guide for Instructional Designers and Online Learners (IDOLs) on Amazon.   Interested in learning more about IDOL courses Academy, the only trade school for Instructional Design and Online Learning see a full list of programs.   

In this episode, I will be chatting with Barbara Taylor, IDOL alumni from cohort 3. She was able to transform her role within a fortune 100 company through her passion for Learning and Development with the implementation from IDOL courses Academy. She now serves as the training manager for 180 recruiters. Listen in now to hear more details on Barbara’s internal promotional journey.    Connect with Barbara Taylor on LinkedIn    Are you looking for a no-nonsense formula for creating engaging courses and training? Check out my new book, The Do It Messy Approach: A Step-by-Step Guide for Instructional Designers and Online Learners (IDOLs) on Amazon.