Episodes

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 traditional instructional design process on its head by starting with clear learning outcomes before planning activities or selecting content. Throughout this episode, I break down each stage with practical examples, like designing customer service training where representatives lea...

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 evaluating training effectiveness, and for good reason. Developed in the 1950s, this four-level approach helps instructional designers measure what truly matters, from learner reactions all the way to organizational results. Whether you're creating corporate training or educational ...

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 lives and saving families thousands of dollars in specialized education costs. Russell's methodology produced remarkable results in a New York State Senate-funded program. His three-part approach starts with students' special interests (whether Disney, Theodore Roosevelt, or Fo...

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, also known as UDL, offers a powerful framework that transforms how we approach learning design, and it's simpler than you might think. Ready to elevate your instructional design practice? Pick one le...

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-based framework that transforms how we approach instructional design. Based on cognitive science and the realities of how our brains process information, these principles offer clear guidance for creating content that genuinely enhances learning rather than simply decorating ...

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 the four pillars that create truly motivational learning experiences for adults: Attention, Relevance, Confidence, and Satisfaction. Developed in the early 1980s, this powerful framework addresses ...

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 learning experiences resonate deeply with adult learners while others fall flat? The answer lies in understanding how adults learn differently from children – a critical distinction that shapes effective instructional design. In this illuminating episode, I dive into the ...

Ever wondered why so many online courses fail to deliver meaningful learning experiences? In this enlightening conversation with Dr. Catrina Mitchum, founder of Catrina Mitchum Learning Design, we uncover the critical mistakes that derail course creators and the powerful solutions that can transform digital learning. Dr. Mitchum shares her journey from higher education professor to course design specialist, revealing how she became an "accidental instructional designer" when her community colle...

Tommy Kilpatrick's spiritual journey takes us from the classrooms of California to the villages of the Philippines in this thought-provoking exploration of faith, purpose, and radical giving. Subscribe now to hear Tommy's practical wisdom on practicing "random acts of kindness" in cross-cultural contexts, his unique perspective on breathing as a spiritual practice, and his inspiring vision for rehabilitating those struggling with addiction. His story reminds us that true purpose emerges when...

Ever wondered how educators transform into instructional designers? Shane Strand takes us through his fascinating journey from high school teacher to curriculum coordinator to instructional designer in higher education. What begins as a story of career transition unfolds into a masterclass on navigating the evolving landscape of instructional design. For those entering the field or looking to advance, Shane offers practical advice: "There's always new tools popping up. Almost all of them have f...

The journey from classroom teaching to corporate instructional design can seem daunting, but it's entirely possible with the right education, strategy, and mindset. In this revealing conversation, recent Grand Canyon University (GCU) graduate Sakina Brandford shares her successful transition story just one week into her new role as an instructional design specialist in the oil and gas industry. The conversation also explores how AI is transforming the field, from voice-overs to multi-languag...

Mathematics doesn't have to be intimidating, confusing, or useless. Dr. Craig Hane proves this through his remarkable journey from being told he wasn't "college material" to revolutionizing how math is taught and learned. Dr. Hane shares how his uncle taught him practical mathematics that put him ahead of his peers, yet traditional algebra instruction nearly derailed his academic future. This contradiction sparked a lifelong mission to transform mathematical education. With refreshing candor...

Ready to revolutionize your instructional design approach? The SAM (Successive Approximation Model) might be exactly what you need. This episode explores how this agile alternative to traditional linear design can transform your learning development process. Dr. Michael Allen created the SAM model to address common frustrations with traditional approaches like ADDIE, where problems are often discovered too late in the process. Whether you choose the streamlined SAM1 for small projects or the mo...

When students suddenly started acing exams while finishing them in record time, Dr. Matthew Metzgar knew everything about education was about to change. Rather than fight this AI revolution, he embraced it – developing a practical framework that's now helping educators worldwide transform their courses for this new reality. Drawing from his experience as a Clinical Professor of Economics and author of "The Overnight Educator: Transform Your Course in 24 Hours," Dr. Metzgar walks us through his ...

What does the future of work look like when AI becomes your daily assistant? Microsoft AI Solutions Architect Naveen Krishnan offers a compelling glimpse into this reality, sharing how artificial intelligence already handles 30-40% of his daily tasks—and why that percentage will likely reach 70-80% soon. Naveen's 16-year journey from electronics engineering in India to his current specialized AI role at Microsoft provides valuable context for understanding how rapidly technology careers can evo...

Artificial Intelligence may be revolutionizing education, but are we using it effectively? In this eye-opening conversation with Nathalie Doremieux, we dive deep into the reality of online learning and how to create experiences that actually work. The statistics are sobering—only 3-5% of people typically complete online courses. But this isn't just a student motivation problem; it's a fundamental design issue. "People don't want more; they want results," Nathalie explains, challenging the commo...

What happens when a veteran educator with decades of classroom experience decides to formalize their instructional design skills? In this enlightening conversation, Caroline Amberson opens up about her journey balancing over 22 years of elementary teaching with a master's program in instructional design at Grand Canyon University (GCU). Whether you're considering a master's in instructional design, curious about educational technology, or wondering how classroom teaching experience translates t...

Welcome to episode 30 of the Designing with Love podcast, where I cover the Nine Events of Instruction and how to apply the model when designing a course. In addition, I share some tips for effective implementation and common pitfalls to avoid. 🔗 Episode Links: Please check out the resources mentioned in the episode. Enjoy! Nine Events of Instruction Infographic Nine Events of Instruction: Tips and Pitfalls Cheat Sheet 📑 References: OpenAI. (2025). ChatGPT (May 20 version) [Large language mode...

Welcome to episode 29 of the Designing with Love podcast, where I provide an overview of Bloom's Taxonomy and why it is an important tool for instructional designers to utilize when creating learning objectives, assessments, and activities. In addition, I outline some practical applications of using Bloom's Taxonomy in instructional design. Due to the amount of information covered in this episode, an interactive diagram has been created for you to reference in the future. 🔗 Episode...

Welcome to episode 28 of the Designing with Love podcast, where I describe what Cognitive Load Theory is and why it is important in the instructional design field. In addition, I discuss the science behind cognitive load theory and some practical tips for managing it in your instructional design projects. Due to the amount of information covered in this episode, an interactive guide has been created for you to reference in the future. A copy of the guide and a visual of the Dr. Seuss quote I sha...

Welcome to episode 27 of the Designing with Love podcast, where I cover the benefits and drawbacks to consider when utilizing the ADDIE Model in designing instructional solutions. In addition, I discuss my personal experiences with using this model in instructional design. The show notes include an infographic and an inspiring quote as resources for you to utilize. 🔗 Episode Links: Please check out the resources mentioned in the episode. Enjoy! The ADDIE Model Infographic Inspiring ID Quote Im...

Welcome to episode 26 of the Designing with Love podcast, where I review the top 10 instructional design models and theories that are used in the field today. The episode includes a brief description, the strengths, and how it is commonly used. The show notes include an interactive infographic to help you visualize the content. 🔗 Episode Links: Please check out the resource mentioned in the episode. Enjoy! Top 10 Instructional Design Models and Theories Infographic 📑 References: OpenAI. (2025)...

Welcome to episode 25 of the Designing with Love podcast, where I cover the benefits and drawbacks of using user surveys when designing learning experiences. In the episode, I also describe the most effective types of surveys you can incorporate to help ensure you obtain the data you need from your learners. 🔗Episode Links: Please check out the resource mentioned in the episode. Enjoy! Types of Survey Research Methods by SurveyMonkey 📑References: DeFranzo, S. E., & DeFranzo, S. E. (2023, Janua...

Welcome to episode 24 of the Designing with Love podcast, where I provide the key details about empathy and journey maps. In the episode, I describe how to create them, the benefits of using them when designing learning experiences, along with some best practices. 🔗Episode Links: Please check out the resources and templates mentioned in the episode. Enjoy! How to Create a Customer Journey Map Canva Journey Map Templates EDIT.org Free Customer Journey Map Templates Visual Paradigm Online Empath...