On this episode, I celebrate the BLOC turning 4! Can you believe I started this podcast 4 years ago?

I talk about the origin story of the podcast, some of the tips I've learned along the way, and recap the most popular episodes!

Here's to more episodes of the BLOC! Thank you all so much for your support.

Thanks for listening to the BLOC!

Connect with me on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/heidiekirby/

Or check out what I'm working on over at https://www.getusefulstuff.com/

In this episode, I chat with engineer and founder of Teach the Geek, Neil Thompson, about how we can be better presenters as technical professionals or improve our training on technical topics, making them more useful for our audience.

After one too many failed presentations, Neil Thompson, an engineer who worked in the medical device industry, knew he had to improve. He did so, and now, via his company Teach the Geek, he works with technical professionals like himself to improve their presentation skills. He’s the creator of the Teach the Geek to Speak online public speaking course, geared towards those in the technical fields. He hosts a podcast, the Teach the Geek podcast, interviewing technical professionals about their public speaking journeys. He’s also author of the book, Teach the Geek to Speak: a no-fluff public speaking guide for STEM Professionals and the accompanying workbook. To get in touch with Neil, please visit http://teachthegeek.com, and to check out the podcast, visit http://podcast.teachthegeek.com.

Neil's advice for those who want to improve their presentation skills:

• Join your local Toastmasters

Thanks for listening to the BLOC!

Connect with me on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/heidiekirby/

Or check out what I'm working on over at https://www.getusefulstuff.com/

In this episode, I chat with my brilliant friend, Dr Linda Berberich about AI, learning technologies, prototypes, and how you're never too old to learn something new!

Linda Berberich, PhD, is a behavioral scientist specializing in innovative, impactful, and immersive learning and intelligent, intuitive technology product design. With an extensive background in data analysis, technical training, behavior analysis, learning science, neuroscience, behavior-based performance improvement, and sport psychology/performance enhancement, Dr. Berberich consults with clients developing innovative learning technology products, projects, and programs, especially for highly technical audiences, using her proprietary Level-Up Learning Framework. Her focus is on learning innovation, product/program/project vision, learning strategy, leading team ideation, rapid prototyping, and roadmapping the path to a fantastic final product in record time.

LI profile: https://www.linkedin.com/in/linda-berberich-phd-3745004/

LI business page: https://www.linkedin.com/company/linda-b-learning/

Website: https://www.lindablearning.com/

Linda's advice if you want to get into AI and learning technologies?

• Find your favorite GPT and ask it to create a curriculum on any topic. Use that as a jumping off point to assess the quality of the AI, add and remove your own content, and create something amazing.

Thanks for listening to the BLOC!

Connect with me on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/heidiekirby/

Or check out what I'm working on over at https://www.getusefulstuff.com/

In this episode, I chat with Karen Vieth about her journey and time at InSync Training. We also discuss how to do a better job collecting learning data and connecting it to the business goals.

Karen Vieth is a distinguished figure in the realm of virtual and hybrid learning, serving currently as the President & CEO of InSync Training. Her illustrious journey in education commenced within the academic sphere, progressively advancing to significant roles in teacher training at both district and national levels, thus cementing her status as a revered educational consultant. Vieth's ascent to the presidency in January 2024 was notably influenced by her substantial tenure at InSync Training, where she previously excelled as the Director of Training and later as the Vice President of Virtual Learning Solutions. During these formative years, she pioneered the integration of research-backed methodologies and professional expertise to develop learner-centric training experiences, setting new benchmarks for quality and engagement in virtual education. This rich background laid the groundwork for her visionary leadership, under which InSync Training has emerged as a beacon for pioneering accredited train-the-trainer certificate programs and customized virtual learning services. These offerings are meticulously designed to ensure optimal engagement, effective learning transfer, and enduring retention. Through her strategic foresight and dedication, Vieth has played a pivotal role in redefining the landscape of virtual education, thereby shaping her presidency at InSync Training.

Karen's suggestions for digging into the data:

• InSync Training's Hybrid Learning Research Report
• Virtual Learning is Real Learning

Thanks for listening to the BLOC!

Connect with me on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/heidiekirby/

Or check out what I'm working on over at https://www.getusefulstuff.com/

In this episode, I sit down with my brilliant friend and colleague, Mallori Steele, to talk about how she landed in L&D and how she uses her strengths as a connector to create spaces for marginalized people to network, learn, and grow.

Mallori is a multi-passionate and multi-talented Leader, Strategist, Solutionist, Entrepreneur, and Mom of 2. She is the CEO of Growductive Consulting, an L&D Consulting Agency, the Founder of the non-profit Black in L&D, and the visionary of the virtual conference, The Learning Exchange. Mallori is a connector! She strongly believes in the power of community and collaboration. She has a passion for helping people reach their full potential and has a unique skill set that allows her to communicate effectively with people from all walks of life. A California native, Mallori lived 10+ years abroad in Abu Dhabi, Hong Kong, and Turkey. She currently resides in the Washington D.C. Metropolitan area.

Mallori is launching her latest passion project, celebrating moms for Mother's Day. So, if you're a Bad-A$$ Mom, have a Bad-A$$ Mom, or know a Bad-A$$ Mom, register for the Bad-A$$ Mom event on May 9th: https://www.airmeet.com/e/3967c820-f793-11ee-84ef-3d68ce1df13c

Connect with Mallori on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/malloristeele/

Mallori's advice if you want to start something (a community, event, business, etc.):

• Focus on YOU
• Don't overthink it
• Collect your thoughts and resources in OneNote (or a similar notetaking app)
• Think about what you want and your capacity
• Realize that other people's advice is just that -- advice

Thanks for listening to the BLOC!

Connect with me on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/heidiekirby/

Or check out what I'm working on over at https://www.getusefulstuff.com/

In this episode I answer your questions about inspiration, adding value, skills development, L&D tools, and the L&D job search!

Here are some of the resources mentioned in the show:

• Bloc Podcast Episode 75: Why is There SO Much Bad Training?
• Bloc Podcast Episode 3: Positive Organizational Change with LaToya Smith
• Intro to Copyright for L&D

Thanks for listening to the BLOC!

Connect with me on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/heidiekirby/

Or check out what I'm working on over at https://www.getusefulstuff.com/

In this episode, I explain 5 helpful tips for making your training (and I'm talking ANY kind of training - job aids, virtual sessions, instructor-led, and even eLearning) more engaging. And if you know me, you know that I believe the best way to make training engaging is to make it useful.

So, forget all the bells and whistles and gimmicks, and let's talk making training highly effective.

Thanks for listening to the BLOC!

Connect with me on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/heidiekirby/

Or check out what I'm working on over at https://www.getusefulstuff.com/

In this episode, I chat with my new friend, Yen Tan. We chat about why they founded Kona and how they've built a product that uses AI to help coach remote managers. We talk about why you shouldn't "slap AI on everything" and how we can take a more deliberate approach to using AI in L&D. We also explore some use cases where it can really help teams and managers be their best.

Yen is co-founder of Kona, the AI-powered coach for remote managers. Yen's work on people-first leadership and employee happiness has been featured by The Guardian, Fortune, Yahoo, TechCrunch, Entrepreneur, Harvard Business School, Forbes, and more. They've led remote management, employee well-being, and feedback workshops at Mercury, Mailchimp, Circle, and more. In their free time, Yen likes exploring LA's bookstores and boba shops and convincing their partner that they could use another plant.

Yen's suggestion for folks who want an intro to practical AI use:

• HBR's Guide to AI Basics for Managers Toolkit

Thanks for listening to the BLOC!

Connect with me on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/heidiekirby/

Or check out what I'm working on over at https://www.getusefulstuff.com/