Learning Rebels Podcast

Learning Rebels Podcast

Get the live, unfiltered conversations behind the popular Learning Rebels Coffee Chat. Workplace Learning will never be the same.

Episodes

December 18, 2025 40 mins
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 goals you’ve heard about a thousand times—this conversation was focused on making goals meaningful, personal, and, most importantly, doable. W...

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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 back-to-school schedules, heavy workloads, shifting priorities, and the general pace of life, it has been catching up with people. Special...
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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, rituals, and behaviors that shape it?

 

We began by exploring the idea of acting as storytellers. We already curate knowledge and connect p...

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November 22, 2025 20 mins
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 still at the heart of great facilitation. Participants shared strategies they use to spark engagement, like starting with a playful question...

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November 14, 2025 35 mins
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 clear, concise, and human. The discussion centered on how to cut through the noise, remove the fluff, and make content easy to digest withou...

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October 28, 2025 35 mins
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 learning initiatives. They can be your biggest ally or your biggest barrier, often depending on how well they understand their role in support...

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October 16, 2025 38 mins
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. We opened with five common mistakes that unintentionally chip away at that sense of safety: assuming hierarchy disappears, mistaking comp...

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October 8, 2025 38 mins
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 time of year when budgets tighten, priorities shift, and somehow the expectation still remains to deliver polished, high-impact learning....

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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 salesmen. But here's the truth—if we don't advocate fo...

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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 departments track them obsessively, while others barely mention them. And yet, whether in higher ed, nonprofits, or corporate spaces, KPIs are al...

September 16, 2025 40 mins
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 SMEs who deliver 30-page data dumps, professors who think semester-long lectures are “online training,” and peers who guard information ...

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August 26, 2025 38 mins
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 instant “buy my service” pitches, one-sided conversations, or radio silence. Networking, we agreed, works best when it’s rooted in aut...

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August 8, 2025 43 mins
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. Productivity isn’t just about checking boxes; it’s about managing our time, energy, and environment in a way that works for us.

 

Many of u...

March 19, 2025 46 mins
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, deadlines, and life in general, it’s easy to let personal learning fall to the bottom of the list.   Many of us have tried blocking time on our...
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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 more. Whether through interactive quizzes, thought-provoking scenarios, or unexpected challenges, the goal is to keep learners thinking...
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February 5, 2025 37 mins
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 session. Some made progress, others hit roadblocks, but the common thread was the need for the right tools and accountability to keep mo...

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February 3, 2025 48 mins

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 goals you’ve heard about a thousand times—this conversation was focused on making goals meaningful, personal, and, most importantly, doable.

...

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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 employee development...

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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 expectation is that we should m...

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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 are changing jobs, changing roles, and getting laid off. Wi...

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