Does the thought of presenting in front of a room full of executives make your palms sweat? Or maybe you're more familiar with the feeling of being overwhelmed by data-heavy slides? You’re not alone! In this episode, Scott, Dan, and the Fabulous Learning Nerds welcome Neil Thompson, founder of Teach the Geek, who’s made it his mission to help engineers and technical pros conquer their public speaking fears. After surviving his own disastrous presentations, Neil learned the hard way that effective communication doesn’t come naturally—it’s built. Tune in as he shares strategies that will have you presenting with confidence, clarity, and a touch of storytelling magic.

In this Episode:

• The Power of Storytelling - Storytelling isn't just for TED Talks; it’s crucial for making complex data stick with your audience.

• "Say Goodbye to Filler Words" - Discover Neil’s top methods for cutting those pesky "ums" and "uhs" to sound polished and professional.

• "Empathy is the Key" - Understand why having empathy for your audience's knowledge level can transform your presentations from overwhelming to unforgettable.

Our Guest: Neil Thompson is an engineer-turned-speaker-trainer who helps technical professionals sharpen their presentation skills. Through his online course, "Teach the Geek to Speak," and his podcast, Neil empowers STEM pros to communicate their expertise effectively. He’s also the author of Teach the Geek to Speak: A No-Fluff Public Speaking Guide for STEM Professionals and the creator of its workbook.

Buckle up for a thrilling ride into the world of learning design as we welcome the incredible Dr. Jayne Lammers to the show! You’ve heard of L&D, but what about the true art and science of learning design? Dr. Lammers, the Director of Learning Design at Edmentum, is here to drop some knowledge (and a few truth bombs) about the future of education, blending technology and pedagogy to create learning magic. From video games like The Sims to secondary education’s biggest challenges, we’re diving deep into how learning design can help revolutionize the classroom.

In this Episode:

• Learning Design vs. L&D: Why it’s critical for today’s educators to rethink traditional methods.

• Gaming Meets Education: How video games like The Sims teach us powerful learning design principles.

• Designing for Real Learning: Technology alone isn’t the answer—pairing it with great educators is where the magic happens.

Our Guest: Dr. Jayne Lammers is the Director of Learning Design at Edmentum, where she leads a mission-driven team in designing technology that accelerates learning for students worldwide. With a Ph.D. in Curriculum and Instruction and over 15 years as a teacher educator, Jayne has presented globally on digital literacies, teacher preparation, and video games in learning. As a Fulbright Scholar in Indonesia, she explored digital literacy in Southeast Asia and continues to support global education initiatives.

This week on The Fabulous Learning Nerds, Scott, Dan, and Zeta (in spirit) welcome the brilliant Ross Romano to tackle the critical question: How can leaders and employees collaborate more effectively to foster real talent growth? Ross, a strategic advisor and connector with a wealth of experience in organizational leadership, marketing, and talent development, shares practical strategies to help you unlock collaboration at every level of your organization. Whether you’re a leader looking to nurture your team or an employee eager to grow, this episode is packed with actionable insights and real-world wisdom!

In this Episode:

• Know What You Want: Growth starts with clarity—both employees and leaders need to understand and communicate their goals to create collaborative success.

• Cross-Functional Collaboration: Explore how working across departments can build new skills, foster innovation, and strengthen relationships within the organization.

• Hiring for Potential: Learn why hiring for potential rather than immediate need is key to creating a growth-driven culture that retains top talent.

Our Guest: Ross Romano is a seasoned organizational leader, strategic advisor, and founder of September Strategies, where he helps organizations develop effective leadership and messaging strategies. With over 100 companies in his client roster, including big names like Spotify’s Soundtrap, Curriculum Associates, and FranklinCovey Education, Ross is a master at bringing people together to drive growth and innovation. He is also the founding program chair of the Excellence in Equity Awards, aimed at promoting equity in education, and hosts two popular podcasts, The Authority and Sideline Sessions.

Why does the middle matter? Find out in this week’s episode of The Fabulous Learning Nerds! 🎙️ Scott, Dan, and Zeta are joined by the insightful Jeff Sigel, who dives deep into the challenges and opportunities of being a middle manager. This episode is all about why middle managers play such a crucial role in organizations and how they can unlock their full potential.

In this Episode:

• Building Credibility: Learn how to master the details, foster a can-do attitude, and manage up to build trust with your superiors.

• Expanding Team Capacity: Discover the importance of providing purpose, feedback, and a supportive culture to help your team deliver outstanding results.

• Fostering Commitment: Find out how to gain buy-in from employees, peers, and leaders by taking ownership, removing obstacles, and navigating organizational politics.

Our Guest: Jeff Sigel is a seasoned business leader and middle management coach with over two decades of experience working for major companies like Nabisco, The Hershey Company, Ahold, and Cracker Barrel. Now focused on coaching mid-level leaders, Jeff is passionate about creating better work environments and more fulfilling careers for middle managers. His new book, The Middle Matters: A Toolkit for Middle Managers, is packed with valuable strategies for those looking to enhance their role and impact.

Hey folks, hold onto your hats (literally) and get ready for an electrifying episode of The Fabulous Learning Nerds! 🎧 This week, Scott, Dan, Zeta, and their special guest, the one and only Steve Corney, will blow your mind as they dive deep into groovy learning tech tools and share some of the coolest, nerd-approved learning technologies out there!

In this Episode:

• New Learning Tech: Discover how tools like Eleven Labs, SKL Chat, and Chameleon Creator can revolutionize your learning design, making it more interactive, inclusive, and adaptable.

• Voiceover Innovation: Learn how AI tools like Eleven Labs are transforming voiceover work, allowing for easy edits and saving tons of time, so you never have to worry about getting that perfect sound again!

• Bringing the Fun into Learning: Find out how injecting fun and creativity into learning experiences can help change behavior and drive engagement. From AI-enhanced content to game-like quizzes, get inspired to make learning enjoyable!

Our Guest: Steve Corney, is the creative force behind Learn Awesome, a forward-thinking agency based in Australia that specializes in crafting accessible and customizable learning experiences. With over 17 years of expertise in learning design and strategy, Steve is passionate about empowering organizations to create engaging content that’s easy to edit and maintain. When he’s not rocking his Batman mask on LinkedIn, Steve’s busy being a learning innovator, a tech enthusiast, and a true advocate for the learner's experience.

What if you could change behaviors with just a small nudge? Ever wondered how understanding the "why" behind what people do could revolutionize your approach to leadership, teaching, or even your daily habits? Fear no more, we can help! The Fabulous Learning Nerds are back with an electrifying episode that tackles these questions and more! Join hosts Scott Schuette, Dan Coonrod, and Zeta Gardner as they welcome Gary van Broekhoven, a true master in behavior change, innovation, and design.

In this Episode:

• Nudge Theory: Discover how tiny adjustments, like strategically placing healthy snacks, can lead to big changes without anyone feeling manipulated.

• Know the Why, Design the How: Learn why it's crucial to uncover your team’s motivations ("why") to effectively craft the right strategies ("how") for change.

• Make Behavior Change Stick: Find out how celebration and reinforcement are the keys to turning new behaviors into sustainable habits.

Our Guest: Gary van Broekhoven, the visionary behind WhatDrivesThem.com, has dedicated his career to making the world a better place through innovative behavior change strategies. With nearly three decades of experience (and some wild stories like designing slot machines for the French Mafia!), Gary brings his unique insights and actionable strategies to help you unlock the secrets of human behavior.