Episode 327: Holly Owens

Episode 327:  Learning & Development, Instructional Design, and AI Talk with Holly Owens  In this episode, I had the honor of chatting with Holly Owens, host of EdUp EdTech, Director of Growth Marketing at Yellowdig, and all-around L&D powerhouse. We talk about everything from instructional design to AI in learning, what "proficiency" really means, and how educators can pivot into the world of L&D with confidence.If you're an educator, learning designer, or someone navigating the fast-moving world of EdTech, this one's packed with takeaways you’ll want to keep coming back to.We go deep on human-first learning, ethical red flags with AI, and the importance of not letting imposter syndrome get in your way. Whether you’re pivoting careers or just trying to stay ahead of the curve, Holly brings the fire.🔗 Connect with Holly on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/hollyowens/ 🎧 Listen to the EdUp EdTech Podcast: https://www.edupedtech.com/👇 Check out the full breakdown and timestamps below:⏱️ Timestamps:00:00 – Welcome and intro 01:00 – Meet Holly Owens 03:00 – Holly’s journey from K-12 to L&D 05:30 – From marketing to education and vice versa 07:00 – The power of knowing your learners 09:00 – Human-first learning and why it matters 11:00 – Helping educators pivot and grow 14:00 – AI in learning: Hype vs. reality 17:00 – TruePeer and other AI tools Holly’s using 19:00 – Evaluating EdTech through an accessibility lens 21:00 – When to use AI—and when not to 24:00 – Losing your voice to AI? Here's Holly’s take 26:30 – AI and the emotional gap 28:00 – Digital wellness and AI companions 31:00 – What does proficiency in EdTech really mean? 33:00 – Navigating tech with teacher instincts 36:00 – Change management in the L&D world 38:00 – Ethical red flags in instructional design 40:00 – Not every problem needs a training 42:00 – AI and automation: What’s next? 44:00 – What skills are still uniquely human? 46:00 – Where to connect with Holly 47:00 – Rapid-fire Q&A: Kryptonite, billboards, and Taylor Swift?🙏 A huge thanks to our amazing sponsors: Book Creator | Eduaide.AI | Yellowdig💻 Visit https://www.myedtech.life for more episodes, resources, and guest spotlights.🎧 Until next time… Stay Techie!Peel Back Education exists to uncover, share, and amplify powerful, authentic stories from inside classrooms and beyond, helping educators, learners, and the wider community connect meaningfully with the people and ideas shaping education today. Authentic engagement, inclusion, and learning across the curriculum for ALL your students. Teachers love Book Creator.Support the show This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit myedtechlife.substack.com