THE FABULOUS LEARNING NERDS
Because being a nerd is Fabulous.
Welcome to the funtastic world of the Fabulous Learning Nerds!
Scott Schuette, Daniel Coonrod and Zeta Gardner are Learning Executives with over 50 years’ experience between them. Together they share new ideas, learning tools, approaches and technology that increase learner engagement and impact. All while having FUN!
So, if you want to learn, connect, grow and have a good time doing it, The Fabulous Learning Nerds Podcast is for YOU!
Want to join in on the discussion? Email us at nerds@thelearningnerds.com
Is your learning strategy truly ready for the future, or are you just keeping up? In this episode of Fabulous Learning Nerds, hosts Scott Schuette, and Dan Coonrod, sit down AGAIN with Steve Corney, CEO and Head of Learning at Learn Awesome, to explore the rapidly evolving world of learning technologies. From AI-driven personalization to the latest EdTech innovations, they uncover the tools and strategies that will keep you ahead of the curve.
In this Episode:
Embracing Digital Transformation: Discover how integrating cutting-edge technologies can enhance learner engagement and break traditional educational barriers.
Strategic Implementation of AI in Education: Learn about practical applications of artificial intelligence to personalize learning experiences and improve outcomes.
Future-Proofing Your Learning Strategy: Gain insights into developing adaptable learning strategies that evolve with technological advancements.
Steve Corney is the CEO and Head of Learning at Learn Awesome, an organization dedicated to empowering clients to fall in love with learning and training. With a career that began as a face-to-face workshop facilitator, Steve has a reputation for delivering engaging and impactful programs. He is self-taught in building LMS platforms and creating eLearning solutions, focusing on solving client problems and commercializing knowledge. Steve is unapologetically authentic, aiming to partner with clients to harness the power of training and digital education.
Ever feel like your L&D team is stuck in the cycle of saying “yes” to every request, churning out training that doesn’t truly move the needle? It’s time to break free! In this episode of Fabulous Learning Nerds, we’re joined by Jess Almlie, a seasoned learning and performance strategist, who shares how L&D professionals can shift from order takers to strategic business partners.
In this Episode:
Stop Taking Orders – Start Driving Strategy: L&D teams must position themselves as performance consultants, not passive training providers.
Shift from Activity to Impact: It’s not about the number of courses created—it’s about measurable business results.
Know the Business Inside and Out: Learning leaders must understand organizational goals, KPIs, and pain points to be effective.
With over two decades of experience in learning and talent development, Jess Almlie is on a mission to transform L&D teams from order takers into strategic business partners. As the Founder of Almlie Consulting, she helps organizations rethink their approach to learning, moving beyond traditional training to measurable performance impact.
Are you ready to discover the secret to making a lasting impression and landing your next big opportunity? In this week’s episode of Fabulous Learning Nerds, Scott, Dan, and Zeta break down the strategies that help professionals stand out, tell their story, and build confidence to crush interviews and beyond.
Here’s what’s in store:
1️⃣ Crafting the perfect elevator pitch: Learn how to tell your story in 15 seconds, 1 minute, or 2 minutes, and make it unforgettable.
2️⃣ Mastering the interview mindset: From nailing your wardrobe to preparing for tough questions, we've got you covered.
3️⃣ Building confidence through preparation: Discover how to create a story toolbox and practice your way to polished perfection.
This is an episode you don’t want to miss! Get ready to laugh, learn, and level up as the Nerds dive into the art of putting your best foot forward!
Welcome back, Nerd Nation, to another egg-ceptional episode of Fabulous Learning Nerds! This week, we crack open the mysteries of “Right-Sizing Your Training” with our incredible guest, Stephen Rhyne, CEO of ConveYour.com. Stephen is a true innovator in the world of learning and development. His expertise lies in helping organizations optimize their recruiting, onboarding, and training processes to create high-performing dream teams. Through ConveYour, Stephen has transformed seller onboarding, leveraging personalized micro-learning and cutting-edge tech to address inefficiencies that cost billions in revenue annually.
In this Episode:
The Danger of Lowest Common Denominator Training: Why generic solutions might be your team’s biggest obstacle.
The Role of Personas: Learn how segmenting by job roles and experience levels leads to more effective training.
Adaptive Learning at Scale: Discover how micro-learning, data-driven workflows, and automation can transform how teams onboard and retain critical knowledge.
Our Guest: Stephen Rhyne’s mission is simple yet impactful: help organizations “right-size” their training to fit their learners' exact needs. With over a decade of experience, Stephen is passionate about infusing marketing and sales techniques into training to drive engagement and retention. His philosophy? Effective training isn't just about what you teach—it’s about why your learners care. Learn more at ConveYour.com.
Get ready for an incredible episode as Scott, and Dan dive into the art and science of e-learning design with special guest Karlis Sprogis. Tune in to discover why design matters as much as content and how the right visual and instructional mix can elevate learning experiences. Join us as we uncover the secrets to designing visually stunning, effective e-learning experiences with Karlis Sprogis from FasterCourse—your learners (and your results) will thank you!"
In this Episode:
Good Design is Non-Negotiable: Why outdated visuals can undermine even the best instructional content.
Tools and Templates are Game-Changers: How templates like those from FasterCourse can save time and enhance quality.
Motivation Meets Modern Design: How appealing visuals combined with clear WIFM (What’s In It For Me) statements can engage today’s learners.
Our Guest: Karlis Sprogis brings over 17 years of experience in e-learning and instructional design, having worked with renowned clients like NASA and Coca-Cola. He's the founder of FasterCourse, a company that crafts ready-to-use e-learning templates for modern instructional designers. His passion? Making e-learning both functional and visually stunning. Check out his work at FasterCourse.
It’s that time of year—are you ready to make your talent calendar work for you? As companies gear up for a new year, the pressure is on to align talent strategies with business goals. But how do you ensure your people plans don’t get lost in the shuffle? In this episode of The Fabulous Learning Nerds, we’re joined by Jennifer Brown, a seasoned Leadership and Development expert, to help you master Talent Development 101 and kick off 2025 with confidence.
In this Episode:
Plan Proactively: A well-structured talent calendar can help organizations align goals, prioritize development, and avoid last-minute chaos.
Focus on Big Rocks: Discover how identifying key priorities like calibrations and AOP early in the year leads to smoother talent management processes.
Invest in Personal Growth: Why emphasizing personal development goals increases retention, boosts morale, and enhances company culture.
Our Guest: Jennifer Brown is a seasoned Leadership and Development professional with extensive expertise in HR, talent management, and employee relations. She's mastered the art of creating tailored programs for leadership development, succession planning, employee retention, and more. Jennifer is passionate about driving individual and organizational growth, using data to optimize talent, and creating career progression pathways that align employee aspirations with company goals. Learn more about her work at Learn Better, Do Better, Be Better.
Who are the nerds?
With over 25 years of experience in the learning and development field, Scott is passionate about inspiring others. His mission: to rescue them from their own limitations and bring them into a new world of growth and impact. He and his team bring relevant and impactful change-making tools to audiences young and not-so-young. Utilizing a wide array of solutions such as micro learning design, device neutral mobile learning, distance learning solutions, augmented, and virtual reality learning.
As a certified Master Trainer and Leadership Coach, Scott places as much emphasis on developing and caring for human capital as he does for financial capital. Engaging in accountability and mentorship conversations is one of his greatest pleasures. Through those conversations, he unlocks others’ superpower so they too can grow, improve, develop a healthy work/life balance, and positively impact their families and communities.
Zeta's a seasoned fantasy illustrator and graphic designer with over a decade of expertise. She brings that eye for visual impact to how she designs compelling for educational materials and engaging learning experiences.
She has overseen projects for a diverse range of clients, managing all aspects of project development and stakeholder relations.
Now as a dedicated learning nerd, she brings that skillset to help others in their never ending journey for learning and development.
Why is Daniel a Fabulous Learning Nerd? Well for starters, because he's on the podcast.
Well that and over a decade of experience in the L&D industry.
Daniel is an experience focused instructional designer, and learning consultant with a decade of experience in the L&D industry. Daniel's passion is helping people to grow and develop, and each week on the show he gets to grow and develop himself with a multitude of interesting and exciting guests.