Become An Idol

In this episode, I'll be chatting with Maya Haritan about her journey to become an IDOL at Apple Inc.    Connect with Maya Haritan on LinkedIn Learn more about the IDOL courses Academy: the only implementation program and pre-authorized trade school of its kind that not only shows you exactly how to create your job application assets and build a portfolio from scratch, but also includes credentials, mentorship, expert coaching, and paid experience opportunities in corporate instructional design and online learning for life!

In this episode, I'll be chatting with a former teacher, April Black about her journey to become an IDOL. April offers some excellent advice and insights for those making the transition to instructional design.   Connect with April Black on LinkedIn Find out more about the IDOL courses Academy

In this episode, I'll be chatting with Smruti Sudarshan about educational data mining and how it can inform your learning designs. We get into the importance of data, how to capture it, and what to do with it once you have it. If you don't know what educational data mining is or how it can help you be a better IDOL check out this episode.  Here is the blog Smruti wrote on educational data mining. Connect with Smruti on LinkedIn Get connected with IDOL courses

In this episode, I'll be chatting with Jessica Oberto about her journey to land an instructional design role as the training manager at the biggest company in the world. When she joined the IDOL courses Academy, Jessica already had experience as an instructional designer. However, she wanted to enroll to shore up her foundation in the discipline and maybe land a new role. Not only did Jessica reach her goal, but she also exceeded it. Check out this inspiring IDOL journey with Jessica Oberto! Connect with Jessica Oberto on LinkedIn Learn more about the IDOL courses Academy

In this episode, I'll be chatting with Rued Riis about his journey to become an expert explainer video creator, and now online course creator.  Rued believes in FUN learning. He helps educators use animation to create engaging, entertaining, and humorous learning—for internal training, course creations, YouTube marketing, and much more. Rued's online courses include scriptwriting, voice-over production, screen-recording, and animation. His students subscribe on RuedRiis.com. Rued and I agree that it's important to modernize an industry that has fallen behind. eLearning is where marketing was 10 years ago. We need to make FUN (engaging, entertaining, motivating, inspiring) learning content if we want it to spread and ignite someone's interest in a subject.  

In this episode, I'll be chatting with Vanessa Alzate about marketing and building your personal brand as an instructional designer and eLearning developer. Vanessa Alzate is the Founder and CEO of Anchored Training. She received a BA in Communications & Political Science from Rutgers University, and an MS in Corporate & Organizational Communication from Northeastern University. For over a decade, she has consulted with many mid-large organizations in industries ranging from pharmaceutical sales to fashion to develop training strategies tailored to each individual organization and team. Throughout her career, Vanessa has excelled in assisting companies and individuals to expand their industry knowledge through innovative eLearning and classroom curriculum, while continuing to add consistently to her own education and training. Vanessa is the mother of two young girls, and is committed to helping everyone become the best versions of themselves. She is an advocate for empowering women and for increasi

In this episode, I'll be chatting with Dr. Sara Bania Dobyns about her journey to transition from higher education to corporate instructional design and online learning. Listen in as Dr. Dobyns shares her experience in the IDOL courses Academy and how she started landing more clients as a freelance instructional designer.  Connect with Dr. Sara Bania Dobyns on LinkedIn Check out the IDOL courses Academy!

In this episode, I'm chatting with Kate Udalova about microlearning principles and 7taps. Kate is the founder and CPO of the eLearning software, 7taps. 7taps is the fastest way to create mobile-first courses, summaries, and follow-ups. Kate shares tips and her story of how she founded 7taps.  Sign up to get your free trial of 7taps here! Connect with Kate Udalova on LinkedIn

In this episode, I'll be chatting with an IDOL success story, Amanda Kulik. Amanda is now a former teacher who made the transition to a full-time instructional role in 4 months after she joined the IDOL courses Academy.  She now works with Heidi Kirby at Datatrak International. She shares her journey and some incredible tips for teachers making the transition to instructional design and online learning development. Check it out!

In this episode, I'll be chatting with an IDOL success story, Gretchen Johanson. Gretchen is now a former teacher who made the transition to a full time IDOL role in under 3 months after she joined the IDOL courses Academy. Gretchen has not only landed her first job, but she is also now in her second role as an IDOL for Google. She shares her journey and some incredible tips for teachers making the transition to instructional design and online learning development. Check it out!   Connect with Gretchen on LinkedIn

In this episode, I'll be chatting with Andre Plaut about LXD and Human-Centered Design principles. Andre Plaut is the founder and owner of Human Machine, a learning design studio. Over the last 10 years, Andre has worked with Apple, Obama for America, General Assembly, and other clients. You'll also find Andre delivering captivating workshops on LXD or the ethics of technology design. Andre gives advice on how to address the whole learner in your design process. A must-listen episode! Connect with Andre here: LinkedIn Company Website

In this episode, I'll be chatting with an IDOL success story, Star Peterson. Star is now a former teacher who made the transition to a freelance instructional designer in under 3 months after she joined the IDOL courses Academy.  She shares her journey and some incredible tips for teachers making the transition to instructional design and online learning development. Check it out! Connect with Star Peterson on LinkedIn

In this episode, I'll be chatting with Nancy Varshini. Nancy is the first IDOL courses Academy member from India. It was a huge leap of faith for Nancy to pay the tuition in USD. However, the program has changed Nancy's life and that of her family. You'll hear her heartfelt story that makes me cry and cheer at the same time. She is now a top earner in her country and giving back to her people with free training programs.  Tune in to hear her touching story! Connect with Nancy on LinkedIn

In this episode, I'll be chatting with Mohsin Memon who is the director of learning games at Gamitar Learning. Mohsin shares the principles of gamification, what he's been working on, and how he became interested in gamified learning experiences.  Mohsin is fun and smart! You don't want to miss this episode. Connect with Mohsin on LinkedIn Check out his Evivve Leadership Game certification program

In this episode, I'll be chatting with Talia Taylor about her experience making the transition to corporate instructional design.  Connect with Talia Taylor on LinkedIn

In this episode, I'll be chatting with the Teacher Career Coach, Daphne Williams. She has helped 100s of teachers make career pivots to all sorts of roles outside the classroom. We talk about mindset and strategies for deciding what's next! Take the FREE quiz: What Career Outside of the classroom is right for you? Teacher Career Coach Website Teacher Career Coach Podcast Should I leave teaching blog post by Daphne Williams

In this episode, I'll be chatting with Samuel Apata about learning management systems (LMS) and how you can add this tool to your skill set as a new instructional designer. Connect with Samuel on LinkedIn.

In this episode, I'll be chatting with Anja Hartleb-Parson about using data and analytics in workplace learning. We try to break down the data that you want and need for the newbies.  Connect with Anja on LinkedIn.

In this episode, I'll be chatting with Leslie Marquez. She is a member of the eLearning Freelancer Bootcamp and a freelance instructional designer and eLearning developer. Her business is Inspire Learning Design and she's noticed quite a few changes in the IDOL industry when it comes to acquiring and working with new clients during the COVID pandemic. Join us and learn how you can find more clients for your freelance business in our current environment. Connect with Leslie here on LinkedIn or on her website here.

In this episode, I'll be chatting with Kerri Duncan about her 2020 journey. Getting laid off from her job during the pandemic spurred Kerri to invest in herself and her skills to land her next role as an IDOL. Listen in to hear her story and get tips on how to reskill if you've been laid off.