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• Good Design is Non-Negotiable: Why outdated visuals can undermine even the best instructional content.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.

What if the key to changing the world wasn’t a grand invention, a revolutionary idea, or a heroic leader—but a single, everyday manager? In this episode of The Fabulous Learning Nerds, we’re exploring how the seemingly ordinary role of a manager holds extraordinary potential with the insightful and empowering Brian Walch. Brian explains why managers are the “translation layer” between strategy and action. This episode is packed with actionable tips, humor, and heart, designed to inspire managers to see their role as a noble profession—one that can ripple positivity far beyond the office walls.

In this Episode:

• The Power of One-on-Ones: Build trust and alignment with consistent, structured conversations.

• Crafting a Personal Productivity System: Management success starts with upgrading your systems for time and task mastery.

• Management Culture Matters: Collaboration and shared values among managers can create an unstoppable ripple effect.

Our Guest: Brian Walch, founder of ShiftFocus, is an Anchorage-based executive coach who helps organizations develop their management cultures. With years of experience scaling a consulting firm from 20 to over 200 employees, Peter combines technical know-how and people-centric strategies to transform workplaces. He’s passionate about empowering managers to own their development and make meaningful impacts on their teams, organizations, and communities.

Get ready for a brain-boosting ride with this week’s episode of The Fabulous Learning Nerds! We’re joined by the brilliant Peter Wallis and we break down what makes learning “good” with humor, practical insights, and a sprinkle of nerdy fun.  

In this Episode:

• Make Learning Useful: Why learning without application is like candy without Halloween—it just doesn’t stick.

• Challenge Your Learners: The best learning happens in the "zone of proximal development," where it’s hard enough to engage, but achievable enough to inspire.

• Focus on Habits Over Mastery: Great learning isn’t just about passing a quiz; it’s about building habits that transform behaviors long-term.

Our Guest: Peter Wallis has dedicated his career to making learning more impactful. From leading digital transformations at the University of Washington to delivering innovative solutions at startups like Learnexus, he’s a true master at blending research-backed strategies with practical application. Whether building cross-functional teams or designing habit-forming education, Peter’s all about creating learning that matters.

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.