The EdUp Learning and Development Podcast

What happens when we stop treating accessibility as an accommodation and start making it a standard part of every learning experience?In this milestone 200th episode of EdUp L&D, Holly Owens talks with Colleen Sandquist, Strategic Partner Manager at ReadSpeaker, about accessibility, Universal Design for Learning (UDL), and creating more inclusive learning experiences.From voice technology and learner agency to belonging, choice, and the future of education, Colleen shares why accessibility needs to be proactive rather than reactive and why it's time to shift our mindset from "Why?" to "Why not?"In this episode, we explore:Why accessibility should be built into learning experiences from the beginning.How voice technology can improve access to digital learning content.The connection between Universal Design for Learning, learner choice, and agency.Why belonging and community are essential to learner success.How instructional designers and L&D professionals can rethink traditional approaches to learning.Why organizations need to make accessibility the norm rather than an afterthought.Connect with Colleen on LinkedInLearn More About ReadSpeaker: https://www.readspeaker.com/Connect With Us💼 Follow Holly on LinkedIn: Connect with Holly📹 Watch EdUp L&D on YouTube: Subscribe here📰 Subscribe to the Newsletter: It's Not Just One Thing in L&D💃 Follow on TikTok: @ihollyo💌 Connect with Holly: Schedule a conversation💙 Thanks for subscribing, listening, and supporting EdUp L&D! Here's to 200 episodes!

What happens when we give the next generation access to powerful technology before they've developed the foundational skills to use it?In this episode of EdUp L&D, Holly Owens talks with Ed Kim, Vice President of Education and Training at Code Ninjas, about the future of learning, AI in education, and preparing young people for the world of work.From coding and STEM education to critical thinking, creativity, and learning through failure, Ed shares why foundational skills matter more than ever in an increasingly AI-driven world.In this episode, we explore:Why coding and STEM education should be foundational learning experiences.The opportunities and risks of introducing AI to younger learners.Why critical thinking and foundational knowledge must come before AI acceleration.The importance of resilience, problem-solving, and learning through failure.How hands-on, project-based learning encourages creativity and ownership.What educators and organizations can do to better prepare the next generation for the future of work.Connect with Ed on LinkedInLearn More About Code Ninjas: https://www.codeninjas.com/Connect With Us💼 Follow Holly on LinkedIn: Connect with Holly📹 Watch EdUp L&D on YouTube: Subscribe here📰 Subscribe to the Newsletter: It's Not Just One Thing in L&D💃 Follow on TikTok: @ihollyo💌 Connect with Holly: Schedule a conversation💙 Thanks for subscribing, listening, and supporting EdUp L&D!

There’s a Playbook for Your Next Career: Helping Educators Find Their Next Ground with Devin LewisWhat’s next for educators who are ready for a change? In this episode, Holly Owens sits down with Devin Lewis, founder of Next Ground, to discuss career transitions, professional growth, and the opportunities available to educators both inside and outside the classroom. Devin shares what inspired him to create a career navigation platform designed to help educators find their next path without having to figure it all out alone.In this episode, we discuss:Devin’s journey from teaching to educational leadership and entrepreneurship.How NextGround is helping educators explore new career pathways.What teachers need to know about transitioning into instructional design.The importance of mentorship, sponsorship, and transferable skills.Why educators should know their worth and advocate for themselves.Devin’s three pieces of advice for educators ready for their next chapter.Connect with Devin Lewis and NextGround:Try NextGroundConnect with Devin on LinkedInConnect With Us💼 Follow Holly on LinkedIn: Connect with Holly📹 Watch EdUp L&D on YouTube: Subscribe here📰 Subscribe to the Newsletter: It's Not Just One Thing in L&D💃 Follow on TikTok: @ihollyo💌 Connect with Holly: Schedule a conversation💙 Thanks for subscribing, listening, and supporting EdUp L&D!

Episode OverviewWhat happens when organizations expect employees to embrace change without the support they need? And how can experienced learning and development professionals stand out in an increasingly automated job market?In this episode of EdUp L&D, host Holly Owens sits down with Kristen Lee, a learning strategy and organizational change leader, to explore the intersection of L&D, change management, AI, and the future of work.With nearly 20 years of experience across financial services, pharmaceuticals, and veterinary healthcare, Kristen shares how transitioning from learning and development into change management transformed her approach to learning strategy and measuring success.They discuss why successful change requires more than a training course or company-wide email. Leadership buy-in, consistent communication, employee incentives, and practical support all play a role in helping people adapt to new technologies and processes.The conversation also explores today's challenging job market, including AI-powered applicant tracking systems, the need for more human-centered hiring, and how experienced professionals can remain adaptable and discover new opportunities.Whether you're an instructional designer, an L&D leader, or navigating a career transition, this episode offers practical insights into leading change, building relationships, and growing professionally.In This Episode, You'll LearnHow change management connects to learning and development.Why training alone isn't enough to drive successful organizational change.How leadership, communication, and employee support improve adoption.How AI and applicant tracking systems are changing the hiring experience.Why expanding your skills and professional network can open new career opportunities.Key TakeawaysChange management is bigger than training. Successful change requires leadership involvement, clear communication, and support that addresses employees' needs.Employees need more than a mandate. Organizations must explain why change matters, provide resources, and give employees meaningful reasons to participate.AI should support human judgment, not replace it. Hiring automation can improve efficiency, but organizations must ensure qualified candidates aren't overlooked.Career flexibility creates opportunities. L&D professionals can expand their impact by developing skills in change management and business transformation.Your network matters. Alumni groups, former colleagues, and professional communities can help you uncover opportunities and navigate career transitions.Connect with Kristen LeeConnect with Kristen Lee on LinkedIn for insights on learning strategy, organizational change, and professional development. Check out her Down and Dirty Thursdays posts for practical workplace perspectives.Connect With Us💼 Follow Holly on LinkedIn: Connect with Holly📹 Watch EdUp L&D on YouTube: Subscribe here📰 Subscribe to the Newsletter: It's Not Just One Thing in L&D💃 Follow on TikTok: @ihollyo💌 Connect with Holly: Schedule a conversation💙 Thanks for subscribing, listening, and supporting EdUp L&D!

In Episode 195 of EdUp L&D, Holly Owens sits down with learning experience consultant Sydne Kasle for a special HIRE THIS PERSON episode highlighting the talent, experience, and perspective that hiring managers shouldn't overlook.With nearly four decades of teaching experience, Sydne brings a unique perspective to instructional design, combining human communication, pedagogy, and a deep understanding of how people learn. She shares why organizations should stop overlooking transitioning teachers for L&D roles and start recognizing the transferable skills they bring to the table.This is our first, but definitely not our last, HIRE THIS PERSON episode! 🎉 In this series, we're putting the spotlight on talented learning and development professionals YOU should consider hiring. In This Episode, We DiscussWhy transitioning teachers deserve a seat at the L&D table and the valuable skills they bring to instructional design.The importance of empathy and belonging in creating meaningful learning experiences.How AI can support instructional designers when paired with strong pedagogical knowledge and thoughtful prompting.Why training isn't always the answer and how to design learning that meets real needs.What makes professional development work, from intrinsic motivation to giving employees time, support, and a reason to participate.Career advice for learning professionals, including networking, asking better questions during interviews, and continuing to build your expertise.Why hiring managers need to rethink their approach to evaluating candidates and recognize the value of experience beyond specific tools.Why Should You Hire Sydne?Sydne is a creative problem-solver who cares deeply about people and knows how to make learning easier. She brings decades of experience in teaching, human communication, instructional design, and professional development. Her approach combines evidence-based practices with empathy, curiosity, and a willingness to tackle challenging problems.As she shares in this episode, effective learning isn't just about delivering content. It's about understanding people, meeting them where they are, and designing experiences that help them succeed.Know someone who should hire Sydne? Share this episode with a hiring manager, recruiter, or someone in your network. Let's get great learning professionals in front of the people who need to hire them!Be sure to connect with Sydne Kasle on Linkedin. Connect With Us💼 Follow Holly on LinkedIn — Connect with Holly on LinkedIn📹 Subscribe to our YouTube Channel — Watch EdUp L&D on YouTube📰 Subscribe to the Newsletter — Get It's Not Just One Thing in L&D delivered to your inbox💃 Check us out on TikTok — @ihollyo💌 Connect with Holly — Schedule a conversation💙 Thanks for subscribing, listening, and supporting EdUp L&D!

In this episode, Holly sits down with Nicole Papaioannou Lugara, founder of Your Instructional Designer, to talk about the changing world of learning and development and what it takes to build a sustainable career in an industry that continues to evolve.From the rise of AI to the expanding role of instructional designers, Holly and Nicole have an honest conversation about what is happening in L&D, what professionals need to pay attention to, and how to prepare for what comes next.Together, they discuss:How AI is changing the L&D landscapeWhy instructional designers need stronger business acumenSetting boundaries, defining scope, and knowing when to say noBuilding a sustainable and profitable L&D careerThe skills that will help L&D professionals future-proof their careersThe big takeaway? Future-proofing your L&D career isn't about chasing every new tool or trend. It's about developing durable skills, understanding the business, building relationships, and being willing to evolve.AI is changing the industry, organizations are changing, and the role of the instructional designer continues to expand. But Nicole makes the case that professionals who can think critically, understand business needs, communicate effectively, and adapt to change will continue to bring tremendous value.Whether you're an instructional designer navigating the job market, considering freelancing or entrepreneurship, or simply trying to figure out where L&D is headed, this conversation offers a realistic look at what it takes to keep growing in this field.Shoutouts and resources shared:Your Instructional Designer — Learn more about Nicole's work in learning and development.Nicole Papaioannou Lugara — Connect with Nicole and follow her work in instructional design and L&D.Christy Tucker — Nicole highlights Christy's approach to setting boundaries, defining her area of expertise, and knowing how to say no.Offbeat by Lavinia — A practical, community-centered L&D newsletter recommended by Nicole.Connect with US💼 Follow Holly on LinkedIn — Connect with Holly on LinkedIn📹 Subscribe to our YouTube Channel — Watch EdUp L&D on YouTube📰 Subscribe to the Newsletter — Get It’s Not Just One Thing in L&D delivered to your inbox💃 Check us out on TikTok — @ihollyo💌 Connect with Holly — Schedule a conversationThanks for subscribing, listening, and supporting our show! 💙

In this episode, Holly sits down with Dr. Panos Siozos, CEO and Co-Founder of LearnWorlds, to explore what the rise of AI means for instructional designers, L&D professionals, and the future of learning. Together, they unpack the opportunities and challenges AI brings to the field, and why the future isn't about replacing instructional designers, but empowering them to focus on the parts of learning that matter most.Together, the discussion explores:How AI is changing the instructional design processWhy AI can take on some of the repetitive work without replacing instructional design expertiseThe difference between generating content and actually creating learningWhy learner experience should be at the center of instructional designUsing AI to create more personalized, interactive, and engaging learning experiencesWhy organizations need to make learning a strategic priority in the age of AIMoving beyond "click-through" training and annual compliance coursesHow L&D teams can create an operating system of learning within their organizationsMeasuring real learning outcomes instead of relying solely on completion rates and activity metricsWhy instructional designers may become even more important as organizations adapt to constant changeThe opportunities AI creates for instructional designers, trainers, and subject matter expertsThe big takeaway? AI may change the work instructional designers do, but it doesn't eliminate the need for instructional design. As AI makes content creation faster and easier, instructional designers have an opportunity to focus more of their expertise on learner experience, meaningful practice, strategic learning design, and creating the friction that actually helps people learn.If you're an instructional designer wondering how to thrive in an AI-powered future, trying to figure out how to use AI in your work, or simply thinking about what's next for L&D, this conversation is for you.Shoutouts and resources shared:LearnWorlds — Check out the platform for creating, delivering, and selling online learning experiences.Dr. Panos Siozos— Connect with Panos and follow his work in AI, educational technology, and online learning.Connect with US💼 Follow Holly on LinkedIn — Connect with Holly on LinkedIn📹 Subscribe to our YouTube Channel — Watch EdUp L&D on YouTube📰 Subscribe to the Newsletter — Get It’s Not Just One Thing in L&D delivered to your inbox💃 Check us out on TikTok — @ihollyo💌 Connect with Holly — Schedule a conversationThanks for subscribing, listening, and supporting our show! 💙

This episode was previously recorded as a LinkedIn Live on 9/23/26. Holly kicks off the live session with a little housekeeping before inviting listeners to reflect on their own career journeys. The conversation dives into what it really means to build a career around your strengths, and why the experiences that seem unrelated at the time can actually become some of your greatest career assets.Together, the discussion explores:Embracing change and knowing when it’s time to pivotEvaluating career opportunities based on what you actually wantSetting healthy boundaries in the workplaceRedefining what career success means as your life evolvesRecognizing the value of your experiences—even the unexpected onesBuilding a career blueprint around your strengths, goals, and aspirationsThe big takeaway? Your career doesn't have to follow a straight line. You can change direction, redefine success, and build a career that fits the person you are now—not just the person you were when you started.If you're questioning your next move, feeling stuck, or wondering what comes next, this conversation is for you.Shoutouts and resources shared: Your Career Blueprint SKIP - Use the code "HOLLY" for 10% off your subscription and follow my friend Chelsea Maude Averitt on LinkedIn NextGround - Go join the waitlist for the NextGround paths (coming soon!) and follow my friend Devin Lewis on LinkedIn Check out and register for the Next Chapter Conference happening in New Orleans on November 4 & 5, and follow my friend Ella Epshteyn on LinkedInCheck out the fantastic master's programs offered through Touro University's Graduate School of Technology (where I teach!) Connect with US💼 Follow Holly on LinkedIn — Connect with Holly on LinkedIn📹📹 Subscribe to our YouTube Channel📰 Subscribe to the Newsletter — Get It’s Not Just One Thing delivered to your inbox💃Check us out on TikTok💌 Connect with Holly — Schedule a conversationThanks for subscribing, listening, and supporting our show! 💙

Episode 192: Finding Work That Actually Excites You with Dave FanoWhat does it really mean to find a fulfilling career—and how do you navigate the job search when the market feels harder than ever?In this episode of EdUp L&D, I’m joined by Dave Fano, founder of Teal, a career platform designed to help job seekers take more control of their search.Dave and I talk about what people are really looking for in their careers, why the current job market can feel so frustrating, and how AI is changing the way we search for and communicate about jobs.We also dig into something I think gets overlooked way too often: excitement. What if finding a job isn’t just about checking the right boxes, but about finding work that genuinely energizes you?Dave shares his perspective on approaching the job search more objectively, staying authentic throughout the process, creating opportunities instead of waiting for them, and navigating a job market that continues to evolve.In this episode, we talk about:Why pursuing fulfilling work mattersThe challenges job seekers are facing right nowHow AI is changing the job searchThe impact of AI on communication and how we present ourselvesWhy excitement should play a role in your job searchHow to approach your job search more objectivelyThe importance of authenticityCreating opportunities instead of waiting for the “perfect” job to appearChapters00:00 — Introduction to Teal and Career Aspirations01:03 — The Pursuit of a Fulfilling Career04:01 — Challenges in the Job Market20:57 — The Impact of AI on Job Seeking23:05 — The Impact of AI on Communication32:48 — The Role of Excitement in Job Search37:04 — The Value of Being Objective in Job SearchConnect with Dave & Teal➡️ Follow Dave on LinkedIn🔗 Sign Up for Teal — Start your job search with Teal📹 Check out Teal's YouTube ChannelConnect with US💼 Follow Holly on LinkedIn — Connect with Holly on LinkedIn📹Subscribe to our YouTube Channel📰 Subscribe to the Newsletter — Get It’s Not Just One Thing delivered to your inbox💃Check us out on TikTok📲 Grab Free Resources — Check out Holly’s Gumroad for helpful resources and tools.💌 Connect with Holly — Schedule a conversationThanks for subscribing, listening, and supporting our show! 💙

You Deserve a Happy LifeHolly is finally back on the mic! After nearly a year away from podcasting, she’s catching listeners up on what’s been happening personally and professionally—from grief and family to leaving jobs, navigating the L&D job market, and figuring out what she actually wants next.This episode is a real-talk reflection on career, identity, and the reminder that your job is only one part of your life. Most importantly, Holly wants you to remember one thing: you deserve a happy life.Holly’s return to podcasting and what kept her awayNavigating grief and putting family firstLeaving jobs without having the next one lined upWhat Holly has learned from being back in the L&D job marketWhy your career shouldn't become your entire identityFiguring out what brings you joy and fulfillmentWhy you shouldn't wait for the “perfect” time to make a change“You deserve to have a happy life.”Holly challenges you to think beyond your job title and ask yourself: What do you actually want? What brings you joy? And what are you waiting for?Episode Sections00:00 — Holly is back!02:19 — Touro Graduate School of Technology spotlight04:41 — Holly’s career journey since 202407:04 — Family, grief, and difficult career decisions09:27 — The reality of being in the job market11:55 — Who are you outside of your career?14:17 — “You’re going to die” and why that hit differently16:35 — Rejections, L&D, and figuring out what’s next19:00 — You deserve a happy life21:18 — What’s coming in Season 7Touro University Graduate School of TechnologyMel Robbins and Gary V EpisodeEdUp L&DLinkedIn: Follow me on LinkedIn TikTok: @ihollyoEmail: [email protected] to be featured in Holly’s upcoming “Hire This Person” content? Reach out via LinkedIn or email.Your career matters—but so does your life outside of work.So Holly’s question for you is: What are you waiting for?RSVP to my upcoming LinkedIn Live event