The L&D Ninja Podcast

This episode is more than just a podcast; it’s a heart-to-heart chat where I open up about my experiences, hoping to guide and inspire you on your journey. Whether you’re seriously considering starting your own L&D business or are just curious about what it entails, you’re in the right place. Let’s embark on this journey together and uncover the real stories behind running an L&D startup.

Welcome back to another exciting episode of The L&D Ninja Podcast! In this episode, we dive deep into the world of microlearning and explore why this seemingly "micro" approach to learning is anything but small in impact. Join us as we unravel the myriad benefits of microlearning for busy professionals, its cost-effectiveness, its role in addressing today's dwindling attention spans, and why it's poised to shape the future of learning and development.In a world where time is a precious co...

In this riveting episode of The L&D Ninja Podcast, we delve deep into the transformative world of Artificial Intelligence in Learning and Development. Discover the groundbreaking benefits of AI-driven grading systems, the anticipated evolution of Learning Management Systems, and the power of real-time learning experiences. Don't miss out on this enlightening discussion that unveils the next frontier in L&D!

In this episode of The L&D Ninja Podcast, I'm back on the mic after a ten-month break! Coming at you from a new place, I’ve got some cool updates and fresh takes on what’s been happening in the Learning and Development (L&D) world. There's a lot that's changed in the instructional tech scene, and I'm excited to dive into all of it. I’ll be chatting about the latest in L&D and what’s been grabbing my attention while I was away. I’m super happy to be back and thrilled to have you jo...

After a two-week absence, I got to record a new podcast! In the spirit of this season of thanksgiving, allow me to express my gratitude to all of you for your kind words, your thoughts, and prayers after going through the difficult experience of losing my dad. Words cannot express how much they meant to me. In this episode, I share three important lessons I learned from my dad and how these can help us become better leaders and people!Gracias!

The Latino community in the United States accounts for about 18 percent of the population. It is projected to comprise most of the net new workers this decade (American progress.org). This reality presents unique challenges and great opportunities for businesses, higher education, and not-for-profit organizations. Including Latino/a voices at all organizational levels, including in Learning and Development, can help create more inclusive environments and bring an additional perspective.My gue...

The workplace is changing faster than ever before. The COVID-19 pandemic ushered a phenomenon coined "The Great Resignation," but others call it "The Great Reshufle." According to a Pew Research study, "Some 53% of employed U.S. adults who quit their job in 2021 changed their occupation or field of work at some point last year." The year, there are growing concerns the U.S. has or will enter a period of recession, which has already caused professionals to be displaced. This week's guest ...

The future of L&D and education is here, and it's a game-changer! A recent report published by the World Economic Forum states, "VR is a leading example and arguably a game-changer for the next generation of students, graduates and vocational learners and enables experiential learning. It allows students to immerse themselves in an interactive experience where they can visualize their actions' outcomes first-hand. Coupled with the metaverse, students and teachers can communicate and share...

With all the time, money, and energy spent on hiring and developing employees, it is crucial for companies to go the extra mile to keep their best performers. However, this is easier said than done, especially in a post-COVID-19 world. On this episode of The L&D Ninja Podcast, my guest, Michael Sabbag, discusses the "Seven Factors that Drive Performance" and what organizations can do to retain their top performers. Michael is currently the Director of Leadership and Organizational Develop...

If you or someone you know has been asking, “How can I land my first job in L&D?” “What do hiring managers look for when making their selection?” “What should I include in my resume?” “How can I strengthen my portfolio?” You definitely want to tune in to tomorrow’s episode of The L&D Ninja Podcast. My guest, Megan Dillon, Manager of Learning Design and Technology at GoHealth, gives practical and specific answers to these questions and then some!Watch. Like. Share. Subscribe.

Crypto, fintech, startups, blockchain, and cybersecurity are all hot topics of conversation these days, and tons of information is available to people at their fingertips. But all the news, information, and hype can sometimes cause great confusion, causing people to make big mistakes or shy away from getting involved. That is why it's so important to have a trusted advisor. In today's Podcast, I discuss these hot topics with one of the most experienced professionals in this space. Rob Valdez,...

We've all heard the statement, "Organizations are only as good and effective as their people." In a post-Pandemic, hybrid/remote, and hyper-competitive marketplace, growing our people has become more critical than ever. However, it's not all bad news. This "new normal" presents new and exciting opportunities for L&D professionals.In this episode, Tom Pender brings decades of first-hand experience working with hundreds of organizations. He gives practical advice on how other L&D profes...

Leadership is all about inspiring others; painting an exciting vision of what’s possible; believing in people’s potential, especially when they don’t quite believe it themselves; and bringing out the best in others. When leaders do this, those they lead will not only grow, thrive, and produce at a higher level, but they will also enjoy the process of working with and for you. My guest today is Edwin Garcia the Director of Learning and Development for HackerU (now Thrive DX), the world's premi...

It's an exciting time to be an L&D professional. As of this morning (6/19/22), there are a grand total of 6,228 Instructional Designer and 1,354 LMS Administrator job openings posted on just LinkedIn. Many of these job postings offer the opportunity to work remotely. If you're someone thinking making a move to an L&D career, or would like to start your own business in the space, you definitely need to listen to this week's podcast!In this exciting episode, Magali Carusotti...

Jay Chun was a former classroom K12 teacher who quickly learned being in the classroom wasn't the profession for him. But, what was he going to do. He decided to go back to school to get a graduate degree in hopes of being able to teach at college level; that was until he found out about Instructional Design. Since 2011, Jay has had a successful career as an Instructional Designer, doing work for major companies such as Cisco, Microsoft, Kaplan, University of Southern California,...

The phrase “servant leadership” originated with Robert K. Greenleaf in "The Servant as Leader" essay, first published in 1970. According to the Greeleaf Center for Servant Leadership, "A servant-leader focuses primarily on the growth and well-being of people and the communities to which they belong. While traditional leadership generally involves the accumulation and exercise of power by one at the “top of the pyramid,” servant leadership is different. The servant-lea...

Digital transformation is the process of using digital technologies to transform established, traditional and non-digital business processes and services, or creating new ones, to meet with the evolving market and customer expectations. This is easier said than done, and unless you have the right strategy and experienced team, your company may be left behind.In this episode, we discuss digital transformation with an industry expert. Teebu Philip, is a transformation business leade...

According to Monica Gragg, "Microlearning. will be redefined by TikTok." And she may be on to something. Since its introduction in May 2020, the TikTok hashtag, #learnontiktok, has had more than 271 billion views. People are learning everything and anything under the sun, 15 seconds at a time.In this episode, we discuss TikTok for L&D, L&D in the Metaverse, and a whole lot more. &nb...