PODCAST · education
Learning Rebels Podcast
by Shannon Tipton
Workplace learning doesn‘t have to create zombies. Listen in for seriously, off-the-wall conversations about workplace learning. Be inspired to think differently.
Episodes
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Dog-Ears and Sticky Tabs: How Do You Read?
It all started with the BIG question on the table. What are you reading this summer, and how are you finding the time to do it? This Coffee Chat was a lighter edition and we kicked it off with a confession: "I don't have time to read" is often a convenient excuse. Shannon admitted she'd just…
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Energizing Engagement
It all started with the BIG question on the table. What symptoms tell you it's time to try something different in your virtual training room? This Coffee Chat dug into engagement techniques for virtual sessions—not brand new tricks necessarily, but fresh spins on tools we've gotten bored with. We...
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Feedback That Actually Changes Behavior
It all started with the BIG question on the table. How do we give feedback that actually changes behavior instead of just making people feel good? This Coffee Chat dug into feedback across three very different environments—e-learning, virtual live sessions, and in-person training—and how the...
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Learning When Nobody's Watching
It all started with the BIG question on the table. How do you find and recognize the people who are growing their skills quietly on their own time, with no LMS involved? This Coffee Chat tackled the challenge of spotting and rewarding informal learning—the kind that happens in unplanned moments,...
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Help! My Subject Matter Expert Is Driving Me Bananas
It all started with the BIG question on the table. When those subject matter experts drive you bananas, what do you do about it? This Coffee Chat got real about the messy, human side of working with subject matter experts. We opened by asking the group about their main struggles, and the honesty...
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Baby Steps Toward Braver Brainstorming
It all started with the BIG question on the table. How can we solve today's problems with yesterday's solutions? Spoiler: we can't. This Coffee Chat dug into creative problem-solving—why we get stuck using the same tired approaches for every challenge, and how to break out of the rut. We opened…
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Networking Without the Performance
It all started with the BIG question on the table. How do we network like actual humans instead of robots collecting contacts? This Coffee Chat tackled the awkwardness, fear, and internal dialogue that makes networking feel like pulling teeth. We kicked off identifying the barriers—introversion,...
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Stop Consuming, Start Implementing
It all started with the BIG question on the table. What's the one skill you want to go deeper on this year—and how are you going to get there? This Coffee Chat was about moving from broad knowledge to deep expertise. We kicked off with a quick level set: participants named skills they wanted to...
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Give Yourself 5%: The Habit That Changes Everything
It all started with the BIG question on the table. How do we actually build a habit of learning—for ourselves? This Coffee Chat tackled a challenge we all share: making time for our own growth when everything else feels more urgent. We kicked off identifying the barriers—time, distractions…
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Creative Thinking: The Unexpected Essential Skill
It all started with the BIG question on the table. What skills did we need in 2025 that we didn't see coming—and what does that mean for our careers? This Coffee Chat was all about looking in the rearview mirror at the year behind us and thinking forward to what skills matter now. We kicked off...
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Demands and Deadlines: Working with Stakeholders
It all started with the BIG question on the table. What do we wish our stakeholders knew about learning—and how do we actually tell them? This Coffee Chat was all about the communication breakdowns between L&D and stakeholders, and how to fix them without just venting for an hour (though we did...
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Small Budgets and Big Impact: Scrappy Design That Actually Works
It all started with the BIG question on the table. How do we design learning fast without sacrificing quality? This Coffee Chat was all about scrappy design—doing more with less time, smaller budgets, and whatever tools you've got at hand. We kicked off with a reality check: sometimes your best...
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The Unmeasurable Problem: Soft Skills and Real Evidence
It all started with the BIG question on the table. How do we measure the unmeasurable—those soft skills that don't fit neatly into a spreadsheet? This Coffee Chat tackled one of the trickiest challenges we face: proving that leadership development, communication training, and other "fuzzy-edged"...
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Bias Traps and Design Flops
It all started with the BIG question on the table. How do cognitive biases sneak into our learning designs—and what can we do about it? It quickly became clear this conversation was going to hit close to home. We all fall into these traps—affinity bias, confirmation bias, halo effect…
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Murder Mystery Learning Design
It all started with the BIG question on the table. How can we set goals that truly align with our personal and professional aspirations while making the process motivating, realistic, and actionable? This Coffee Chat was all about rethinking how we approach goal setting. Forget the old SMART…
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Strategic Rest, Not Strategic Stress
It all started with the BIG question on the table. What does burnout really look like, and how do we bring ourselves back from it without treating rest like another item on the to-do list? This Coffee Chat opened with an honest acknowledgment that many of us are feeling stretched thin. Between...
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Finding the Stories that Drive Workplace Culture
It all started with the BIG question on the table. What if learning and development professionals thought more like anthropologists? This Coffee Chat explored what it means to study the culture of our organizations instead of simply observing it from a distance. How do we uncover the stories,...
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Keeping the Human in Presentations
It all started with the BIG question on the table. Have we lost our edge when it comes to presentation skills? This Coffee Chat centered on something many of us have noticed. With so much attention going to AI tools and digital platforms, it is easy to forget that connection and presence are…
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Writing for Humans, Not Experts
It all started with the BIG question on the table. How do we write learning materials that people actually want to read? This Coffee Chat focused on the art and challenge of writing for learning. Whether it’s job aids, workbooks, or PowerPoint slides, the struggle is the same: keeping things…
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Managers: Champions or Roadblocks
It all started with the BIG question on the table. How do we partner with middle managers instead of clashing with them? This Coffee Chat dove into one of the most complicated roles in any organization. Middle managers sit at the crossroads of leadership expectations, daily operations, and…
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Making It Safe to Learn
It all started with the BIG question on the table. How do we make learning environments feel safe for everyone who walks through the (virtual or physical) door? This Coffee Chat explored the heart of psychological safety—what it really looks like in classrooms, workshops, and training sessions.…
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Champagne Learning on a Beer Budget
It all started with the BIG question on the table. How do we keep creating “champagne learning” when we’re working with a tap-water budget? On this episode of the our Coffee Chat, the topic was all about getting scrappy, smart, and a little bit creative with the tools we already have. It’s that...
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More Than PowerPoints: The L&D Visibility Challenge
It all started with the BIG question on the table. How do we make L&D visible in our organizations—and actually get recognized for the value we bring? It quickly became clear this touches a nerve for all of us. We hesitate to promote ourselves because it feels too "salesy," like we're used car...
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Butt's in Seats Isn't the Answer: A conversation about KPI's
It all started with the BIG question on the table. What do KPIs really mean for learning and development—and how do we connect to them in a way that makes sense? It quickly became clear that KPI's stir up mixed feelings: exciting for some, confusing or even intimidating for others. Some…
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The SME Whisperer's Field Manual
It all started with the BIG question on the table. How do we work with subject matter experts in ways that build trust instead of tension? Our Coffee Chat crew shared the full range of experiences—from relationships that clicked instantly to projects that felt like pulling teeth. We talked about...
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The Rebel's Guide to Networking
It all started with the BIG question on the table. How do we build genuine professional connections without falling into the trap of sales pitches, awkward small talk, or ghosted messages? Our Coffee Chat crew shared the familiar pain of trying to connect online or at events, only to be met with...
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Tools, Playlists, and Productivity
It all started with the BIG question on the table. How do we stay productive when distractions are everywhere? This Coffee Chat dug into the reality we all face—trying to get meaningful work done while notifications ping, tabs multiply, and our focus drifts to anything but the task at hand....
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The One Where Learning Became a Habit
It all started with the BIG question on the table. How do we actually build a habit of learning—for ourselves? We're taking a step back from helping everyone else learn and focusing on a challenge we all share: making time for our own growth. We all want to learn more, but between meetings,...
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Curiosity, Rabbit Holes and “Aha!” Moments
It all started with the BIG question on the table. How do we spark and sustain curiosity in learning? This Coffee Chat dove into how our curiosity fuels engagement. We kicked things off by brainstorming ways to design learning experiences that get people questioning, exploring, and leaning in for...
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Tools, Whiteboards and Wishful Thinking
It all started with the BIG question on the table. How can we leverage shared resources to better support our learning goals and professional growth? This Coffee Chat was all about the power of collective knowledge. We kicked things off by reflecting on the big, audacious goals set in the last...
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Setting Big Hairy Audacious Goals in 2025
It all started with the BIG question on the table. How can we set goals that truly align with our personal and professional aspirations while making the process motivating, realistic, and actionable? This Coffee Chat was all about rethinking how we approach goal setting. Forget the old SMART…
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Focus and Flow: Tips and Tricks for Productivity
It all started with the big question on the table: Are we caught up in "Productivity Shiny Object Syndrome?" Do you ever feel like you’re juggling flaming chainsaws while blindfolded on a unicycle? You’re not alone. Between designing workshops, crafting engaging training materials and nurturing...
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Finding Your Fire: Self-Motivation Techniques
It all started with the big question on the table: Are you feeling caught in the endless cycle of work, struggling to keep your motivation alive? You’re not alone. As we continue to wear numerous hats, maintaining a high level of self-motivation becomes difficult. Business is moving fast, and the...
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Boost Your Virtual Networking Skills: Top Tricks and Tips
It all started with the big question on the table: Why are some people good at networking and others, not so much? What are some practical tips and techniques to build and maintain meaningful connections? There seems to be a lot of movement in the Learning and Development (L&D) industry. People…
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When Training isn’t Successful: Bridging the Learning/Doing Gap
It all started with the BIG question on the table. How can we ensure that the skills and knowledge acquired during training are effectively applied in the workplace? We've all been there - we create what we feel is a learning solution that can't go wrong...then it does. Most of us have been…
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The Future of Instructional Design
It all started with the BIG question on the table. What skills will L&D need in order to remain relevant in the business world of the future? L&D is undergoing a seismic shift. With the advent of new technologies and changing workplace dynamics, we are facing challenges that are far more complex...
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Learning Rebels Live with Hadiya Nuriddin
Going LIVE - Sharing the Story of the Storyteller, Hadiya Nuriddin We all have something in our backgrounds that silently informs how we act and what we do, and Hadiya is no different. Hadiya’s journey It seems logical that Hadiya would want to grow up and be on the stage. Her skill for weaving a...
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The Future of Instructional Design
It all started with the BIG question on the table. What is the future of instructional design and what skills will we need to remain relevant? L&D is undergoing a seismic shift. With the advent of new technologies and changing workplace dynamics, we are facing challenges that are far more complex...
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Curation Tools and Techniques
It all started with the BIG question on the table. What are the different tools impacting the curation process, and what challenges do we need to overcome to ensure relevance and impact? Curation seems to be the L&D buzzword at the moment and while curation seems to be on everyone’s agenda -...
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Connecting Curation to Business
It all started with the BIG question on the table. What strategies does L&D need to consider to align curated content with business goals? We’ve all seen the term “curation” used to describe the act of making generic content available either generally within the space of a social enterprise…
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Learning Rebels Live with Mike Taylor
Going LIVE with Curation Guru Mike Taylor! We all have something in our backgrounds that silently informs how we act and what we do, and Mike is no different. Mike’s journey I was somewhat surprised, (but not really) to learn about Mike’s rich history in the IT space. His background in computer...
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The Skill of Creative Problem Solving: So What, Now What?
It all started with the BIG question on the table. What are the important steps to prepare us and stakeholders for more creative thinking when it comes to learning solutions? Note: Our previous coffee chat was different. The coffee chat crowd worked through a variety of creative problem solving...
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Rethink and Redesign: The Power of Creative Problem Solving
It starts with a question: Why are we trying to tackle today’s problems with yesterday's thinking? Don’t you want to create learning solutions that are more than just “tick a box?” Don’t you want solutions that are tailored to fit the unique needs and aspirations of the people in your…
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Learning Rebels Live with Kevin Yates
Going LIVE with Kevin Yates, the L&D Detective! After getting to know Kevin over the past year, his passion for the industry and his community was contagious and I knew I had to share his story. Kevin’s journey I did not know that Kevin had been a second-grade teacher! Just when you think you…
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Unleashing Creative Potential
It all started with the BIG question on the table. How can we tap into our inner business creativity more often? When it comes to creativity, as L&D professionals, we often think about being creative in a meeting or a classroom, but how can we encourage creativity as a culture? First, it means...
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Learning Rebels Live with Don Becker
Going LIVE with Don Becker! Don first shared his expertise with the Learning Rebels Community while hosting a Learn Something New about gamification. It was then, I knew he had a story to tell - and boy did he! Don’s journey As Don has said - his journey to corporate L&D was a long and winding...
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Educational Comics - A Special AMA with Dr. Kevin Thorn
It all started with the BIG question on the table. Can comics help L&D communicate complex concepts, promote critical thinking, and foster greater learner engagement? Today we handed the microphone to Dr. Kevin Thorn as he answered all your burning questions about Educational Comics, from which...
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LR Solo - My Experience with Imposter Syndrome
It all started with a conversation: Where can they buy my book? “I haven’t written a book.” “Really? I thought you had.” “Nope.” “Why not?” Cue: Awkward silence. Truth is, I’ve been asked to write a book several times. But I just can’t get out of my own head to do so. About this time, I saw an…
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The When, What and How Behind Knowledge Management Tools
It all started with the BIG question on the table. When it comes to knowledge management tools, how can we leverage them effectively and what features should we be looking for? A lot of information being shared here! In our last coffee chat episode, we discussed the benefits of collecting stories...
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Learning Rebels Live with Christy Tucker
Going LIVE with Christy Tucker! Don’t be fooled by the inherent humbleness of Christy Tucker - this lady knows her stuff! And while most of us know her for her ability to create e-learning designs for companies like Cisco, it was her journey from teacher to designer that caught my interest....
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Frequently Asked Questions
How many episodes does Learning Rebels Podcast have?
Learning Rebels Podcast currently has 68 episodes available on PodParley. New episodes are automatically indexed when they're published to the podcast feed.
What is Learning Rebels Podcast about?
Workplace learning doesn‘t have to create zombies. Listen in for seriously, off-the-wall conversations about workplace learning. Be inspired to think differently.
How often does Learning Rebels Podcast release new episodes?
Learning Rebels Podcast has 68 episodes. Check the episode list to see recent publication dates and frequency.
Where can I listen to Learning Rebels Podcast?
You can listen to Learning Rebels Podcast on PodParley by clicking any episode. We provide an embedded audio player for direct listening, and you can also subscribe via your preferred podcast app using the RSS feed.
Who hosts Learning Rebels Podcast?
Learning Rebels Podcast is created and hosted by Shannon Tipton.
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