Episodes

Nov. 16, 2025

From Structure to Freedom: Balancing Creative Flow in Design with Pet…

What happens when the structures designed to support creativity start to suffocate it instead? Peter Swimm, project management consultant at Toilville, brings a refreshingly honest perspective to this tension that every desig...

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Nov. 12, 2025

From Theory to Practice: Bringing Learning Theories to Life in Instru…

Ever felt stuck translating learning theories into actual instructional design practice? You're not alone. Learning theories like Behaviorism and Constructivism often remain abstract concepts rather than practical tools—until now. This episode bridges that crucial gap between theory and application…

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Nov. 9, 2025

Think, Do, Reflect: Using Constructivism in Instructional Design

Whether you're brand new to the field or just looking for a refresher, today's episode will help you understand what constructivism is, how it's applied in instructional design, and how you can begin to incorporate it into your own practice. Constructivist Learning Theory transforms how we understa…

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Nov. 5, 2025

Designing with Layers: Exploring Elaboration Theory

Ever feel like your instructional design is missing that special something that makes learning truly stick? The answer might lie in the way you're structuring your content. In this episode, we explore Elaboration Theory—a pow...

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Nov. 2, 2025

Beyond the Burnout: Finding Your Why in Education with Dr. Albert Bra…

What happens when you're thrown into a college classroom with zero preparation and told, "You start tomorrow"? Dr. Albert Bramante faced exactly this scenario when he unexpectedly became a psychology professor overnight. His remarkable journey from panicked novice to confident educator reveals powe…

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Oct. 29, 2025

Training with Heart: Where Science Meets Inclusive Design with Tracy …

Tracy King's journey from accidental instructional designer to learning strategist reveals the transformative power of well-designed training experiences. As founder and CEO of InspirEd, they have built their career on making learning accessible and impactful for everyone—especially those whose nee…

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Oct. 26, 2025

Start with the Core: Merrill’s First Principles of Instruction

Ever wondered what separates truly effective learning experiences from those that fade from memory as soon as the lesson ends? The answer might lie in applying Merrill's First Principles of Instruction – a powerful framework ...

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Oct. 22, 2025

Designing on the Fly: How Rapid Prototyping Speeds Up Smarter Learnin…

Feeling overwhelmed by tight deadlines and shifting expectations in your instructional design projects? Discover how Rapid Prototyping can transform your approach to creating effective learning experiences. Rapid prototyping ...

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Oct. 19, 2025

The Power of Just-in-Time Learning with Grant Fuellenbach

In the latest episode of the Designing with Love podcast, host Jackie Pelegrin engages in an enlightening conversation with Grant Fullenbach, founder of GO First Consulting. The episode explores the fascinating intersection b...

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Oct. 15, 2025

Designing Effective Learning: A Deep Dive into the Dick and Carey Mod…

Have you ever struggled to create courses that truly engage your learners? The Dick and Carey model might be the game-changer you've been seeking. Unlike traditional linear approaches, this powerful framework views instructio...

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Oct. 12, 2025

Beyond Learning Outcomes: Designing for Humans or Learners?

Navigating the world of instructional design can be confusing when similar-sounding concepts appear to overlap. That's exactly the challenge many ID professionals face when distinguishing between human-centered design and lea...

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Oct. 8, 2025

Data vs. Soul: Finding Your Value in the AI Revolution with Jim Edwar…

When Jim Edwards graduated with a history degree in the 1980s, he never imagined he'd become a pioneer in AI-powered copywriting. After bouncing between seven sales jobs in 18 months, he discovered his talent for persuasion, eventually building a six-figure career in mortgage sales before turning t…

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Oct. 5, 2025

Mastering Complex Learning with the 4C/ID Model

Struggling with designing effective learning for complex skills? The Four-Component Instructional Design Model (4C/ID) might be exactly what you need in your instructional design toolkit. Most traditional learning models star...

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Oct. 1, 2025

Needs Analysis and Learner Personas: Your Secret Weapon for Effective…

What happens when you launch a learning experience that misses the mark despite solid content? The critical missing ingredient might be a deep understanding of your audience. In this episode, we explore the often-overlooked f...

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Sept. 28, 2025

Educational Trenches: Surviving and Thriving with Dr. Dana Goodier

When the classroom feels like a battlefield, who's there to pull you through? In this illuminating conversation with Dr. Goodier, we dive deep into the concept of "educational trenches" – those challenging periods when educators question their professional path. For instructional designers and thos…

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Sept. 24, 2025

Building Student-Centered Online Courses with Shannon Boyer

Shannon Boyer shatters the myth of passive income in online education, revealing why high-quality courses require active engagement and student-centered design. Drawing from her 17 years of experience developing innovative co...

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Sept. 21, 2025

Designing for the Connected Learner: A Connectivism Guide

Ever wondered why traditional learning designs feel increasingly outdated in our digital world? The answer lies in Connectivism : a revolutionary approach that's reshaping how effective learning happens today. Connectivism re...

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Sept. 17, 2025

Backward Design: Start with the End in Mind

Have you ever created a learning experience that left you wondering whether your learners truly understood the point? Backward Design might be the solution you've been seeking. This transformative approach flips the tradition...

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Sept. 14, 2025

The Kirkpatrick Model: Measuring Learning Impact That Actually Matters

How do you know if your learning experiences actually worked? The answer goes far beyond handing out smiley face surveys at the end of training. The Kirkpatrick Model stands as one of the most trusted frameworks for evaluatin...

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Sept. 10, 2025

Solving Dyslexia: A Revolutionary Approach with Russell Van Brocklen

What if everything we thought we knew about dyslexia was backward? Russell Van Brocklen, who is the self-described "Dyslexic Professor," turns conventional wisdom on its head with a revolutionary approach that's changing live...

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Sept. 7, 2025

Designing for Everyone: A Guide to Universal Design for Learning

Accessibility isn't an afterthought; it's the foundation of great instructional design. Have you ever designed a course only to realize not everyone can access it? Or did you receive an accessibility requirement that left you scratching your head? You're not alone. Universal Design for Learning, al…

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Aug. 31, 2025

Unlock Learning Potential with Mayer's 12 Multimedia Principles

Struggling to create multimedia content that truly engages your learners without overwhelming them? This episode delivers the solution you've been searching for. Mayer's 12 Multimedia Principles provide a powerful, research-b...

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Aug. 24, 2025

Mastering the ARCS Model for Adult Learning

Ever designed a learning experience that simply didn't connect with your audience? The missing ingredient might be motivation—the essential element that transforms passive content consumption into active, engaged learning. In this comprehensive exploration of John Keller's ARCS model, I break down …

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Aug. 17, 2025

Light the Fire, Don't Fill the Pail: Adult Learning Secrets

Welcome to episode 41 of the Designing with Love podcast, where I cover why understanding Adult Learning Theory is fundamental to creating effective and engaging learning experiences for adult learners. Ever wondered why some...

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