Podcast
The Fabulous Learning Nerds
Hosted by Scott Schuette · EN
Join the Nerds!
Welcome to the funtastic world of the Fabulous Learning Nerds! Scott Schuette and Daniel Coonrod and Zeta Gardner are Learning Executives with over 50 years’ experience between them. Together they share new ideas, learning tools, approaches and technology that increase learner engagement and impact. All while having FUN! To participate in the show and community please contact them at learningnerdscast@gmail.com
The nerds are all about creating a community of learning, innovation and growth amongst educational professionals: Instructors, facilitators, instructional designers, learning and development professionals, trainers, leadership development professionals, learning metric gurus, sales enablement wizards and more. So, if you want to learn, connect, grow and have a good time doing it, The Fabulous Learning Nerds Podcast is for YOU!
13episodes
Episodes
Newest firstAll episodes
125 - Don't Show Your Duck Butt featuring Dean Griess
Jul 1, 202500:49:47Tap to summarizeVisit us at https://www.thelearningnerds.com"Ever felt like you're flailing beneath the surface while trying to look calm in front of an audience? 🦆 Welcome back, Nerd Nation! This week on The Fabulous Learning Nerds, we dive headfirst into the pool of public speaking and facilitation with our returning guest, the one and only Dean Griess—author, speaker, leadership coach, and proud owner of a ripped pair of pants (you’ll see).In this episode, we go beyond slide decks and course outlines. Dean shares real, tactical tools from his new book, Don’t Show Your Duck Butt, that will help you show up with confidence, authenticity, and purpose—no matter if you're on stage, on Zoom, or in front of a classroom.From tent cards and cowboy boots to mastering movement and managing nervous habits, this episode is jam-packed with practical gold—and a few hilarious mishaps from the frontlines of learning.🧠 Key Takeaways:Breathe to sync your brain and your mouth. Shallow breathing equals fast talking and a disconnected message.Master the room—virtually or in-person. Movement builds engagement, presence, and energy.Preparation is personal. Your pre-session rituals set the tone for everything that follows—yes, even singing in the car counts.👥 About Dean Griess:Dean is a seasoned facilitator, keynote speaker, and learning leader with a career built on creating unforgettable audience experiences. He's the author of Don’t Show Your Duck Butt, a tactical guide to facilitation that emphasizes authenticity, confidence, preparation, and audience connection. You can find more of Dean’s work and musings at DeanGriess.com or follow his insights on LinkedIn.https://a.co/d/bdTjaDH🎧 About the Nerds:Hosted by Scott “Sketch” Schuette, Daniel Coonrod, Zeta, and Sam, The Fabulous Learning Nerds is your go-to podcast for L&D wisdom, industry laughs, and some seriously nerdy detours. These passionate learning pros combine decades of experience with a deep love for pop culture, facilitation, and helping people grow. #FabulousLearningNerds #DuckButtLeadership #FacilitationSkills #PublicSpeakingTips #LifelongLearning #DeanGriess #LearningAndDevelopment #AudienceEngagement #TrainerTips #NerdyLearningWins
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124 From SME to Storyteller
Jun 9, 202500:37:33Tap to summarizeVisit us at https://www.thelearningnerds.comWhat happens when your learning content goes from “just the facts” to “can’t-stop-listening”? This week on The Fabulous Learning Nerds, we’re diving into the storytelling revolution in L&D—and spoiler alert: it’s more than just a bedtime story.Scott, Daniel, and Zeta are back in full force, and this time they’re taking on a mission: transforming dry data dumps into memorable narratives. From personal tales in the West Virginia radio-free zone to cringeworthy motel stories (yes, “Another Dirty Room” makes an appearance), the Nerds walk you through why storytelling sticks and how to use it to supercharge your training.Whether you're launching onboarding, teaching new technology, or tackling leadership development, this episode provides the narrative playbook for making your content unforgettable.📌 Key Takeaways:💡 Storytelling increases retention by triggering emotion and empathy (hello, brain chemicals!).🧠 Neural coupling aligns your learner’s brain with the storyteller’s—yes, it’s real science.📚 You don’t need a novel—just a clear 3-act structure: Setup, Conflict, Resolution.🛠️ Use frameworks like The Hero’s Journey or Pixar’s Story Spine to shape compelling learning journeys.🎯 Good stories lower cognitive load and boost engagement.🤖 Even technical training (email servers, we see you!) becomes impactful when there’s a story behind the why.🔥 Whether you’re a SME, ID, or L&D leader, this is your cue to stop dumping and start tellingConnect with the NERDS:Email: nerds@thelearningnerds.comFacebook: Learning NerdsInstagram: @FabLearningNerdsWebsite: www.thelearningnerds.com
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117 - From Order Taker to Partner Featuring Jess Almlie
Feb 11, 2025Tap to summarizeVisit us at https://www.thelearningnerds.comEver feel like your L&D team is stuck in the cycle of saying “yes” to every request, churning out training that doesn’t truly move the needle? It’s time to break free! In this episode of Fabulous Learning Nerds, we’re joined by Jess Almlie, a seasoned learning and performance strategist, who shares how L&D professionals can shift from order takers to strategic business partners.Jess unpacks how learning teams can drive real business impact, push back against ineffective training requests, and build credibility by aligning with organizational goals. Whether you're a learning leader, instructional designer, or HR pro, this conversation will challenge the way you think about L&D’s role in your company. 💡 Key Takeaways:Stop Taking Orders – Start Driving Strategy: L&D teams must position themselves as performance consultants, not passive training providers.Shift from Activity to Impact: It’s not about the number of courses created—it’s about measurable business results.Know the Business Inside and Out: Learning leaders must understand organizational goals, KPIs, and pain points to be effective. Spotlight on Jess AlmlieWith over two decades of experience in learning and talent development, Jess Almlie is on a mission to transform L&D teams from order takers into strategic business partners. As the Founder of Almlie Consulting, she helps organizations rethink their approach to learning, moving beyond traditional training to measurable performance impact.Previously, Jess served as VP of Learning Experience at WEX Benefits, where she spearheaded initiatives to align L&D strategy with business outcomes, centralize learning functions, and transition teams to blended and virtual learning models. Her expertise lies in coaching L&D leaders, designing strategic learning blueprints, and facilitating workshops that challenge the status quo.Through her work, Jess empowers learning professionals to stop doing “nice” things and start doing what works—with clear business alignment and ROI.💡 Ready to shift from training provider to business partner? Connect with Jess on LinkedIn and start the conversation! Connect with Jess:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jessalmlie/Website: https://www.jessalmlie.com/Podcast: L&D Must Change https://www.jessalmlie.com/podcastNewsletter: https://almlie-consulting.kit.com/87e0251322Book: coming out September 2, to be published by ATD Press called, “L&D Order Taker No More! Become a Strategic Business Partner.” To find out more and/or follow along with progress visit my website and sign up for my newsletter: https://www.jessalmlie.comConnect with the NERDS:Email: nerds@thelearningnerds.comFacebook: Learning NerdsInstagram: @FabLearningNerdsWebsite: www.thelearningnerds.com 🎧 Listen to the episode on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, 🔖 10 Hashtags to Engage: #LearningAndDevelopment #LeadershipGrowth #LDStrategy #HRInnovation #TrainingThatWorks #BusinessImpact #PerformanceConsulting #LDCareer #WorkplaceLearning #FabulousLearningNerds
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