The BLOC Podcast
The BLOC (Building Learning and Organizational Culture) Podcast is a useful learning and development podcast where Dr Heidi Kirby talks to professionals in the field who are passionate about finding creative, innovative ways to bring learning front and center at their organizations and beyond.
Episodes
97 episodes since 2020
96: Building an L&D Team Without L&D Tech with Dinye Hernanda
Dinye Hernanda is a distinguished practitioner in Learning & Development, known for her bold, results-driven approach. With a proven track record in building L&D departments for high-growth organizations, Dinye has made her mark...
September 17, 2024
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Episode 96
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57:24
95: Bringing Real-Life Learning to the Workplace with Caner Akova
In this episode, I chat with my new L&D pal, Caner Akova, about how we learn in real life, how we can bring some of those best practices into workplace learning, and why it isn't happening more often. Caner is an L&D expert with...
August 27, 2024
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Episode 95
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54:55
94: Job Interview Assignments for L&D Professionals
In this episode, inspired in part by my new friend M...
August 06, 2024
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Episode 94
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22:57
93: Happy 4th Birthday to the BLOC!
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!
July 16, 2024
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Episode 93
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12:54
92 - Better Training and Presentations for Technical Professionals and Topics with Neil Thompson
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. ...
June 25, 2024
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Episode 92
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28:01
91: Learning Technology and Always Learning New Things with Dr Linda Berberich
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 innov...
June 04, 2024
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Episode 91
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44:02
90 - Connecting L&D Data to Business Objectives with Karen Vieth
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 th...
May 14, 2024
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Episode 90
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35:45
89 - Creating Space to Work Together (especially as Badass Moms) with Mallori Steele
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. ...
April 23, 2024
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Episode 89
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55:21
88 - Ask Heidi
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:
April 02, 2024
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Episode 88
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48:22
87 - 5 Ways to Make Training More Engaging
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 t...
March 12, 2024
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Episode 87
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21:49
86: Kona (and AI) for Coaching Managers with Yen Tan
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...
February 20, 2024
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Episode 86
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49:47
85: The Path to L&D Leadership
In this episode, I talk about how I moved from an individual contributor role as an instructional designer to an L&D leadership role and give you tips if you're interested in doing the same. I talk about how to break it to your...
January 30, 2024
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19:17
84: How NOT to LinkedIn with Tim Slade
In this episode, I bring Tim Slade back to talk about building your reputation on LinkedIn. We use it to look for work... We use it to find new clients... We use it to connect and learn about each other... But there's so much noise! How do we k...
January 09, 2024
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Episode 84
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38:17
83: Wrapping Up 2023 and What's Ahead for 2024
In this episode, I chat about the lessons I learned in 2023 and what I think are L&D's brightest possibilities for 2024.
December 19, 2023
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Episode 83
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13:15
82: Ask Heidi
In this episode, I answer YOUR questions on L&D leadership, upskilling in tools, working cross-functionally, getting data for needs analysis, and more! Resources mentioned in the episode:Rachel Schell's
November 21, 2023
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Episode 82
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31:12
81: Marketing Your Learning Projects with Hannah Waddams
In this episode, I chat with Hannah Waddams -- or Han -- from MAAS Marketing about why you need a marketing strategy for learning projects and what other best practices we can borrow from our marketing departments!Marketing for learning...
November 07, 2023
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Episode 81
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44:34
80: Fighting Hustle Culture and Supporting Middle Management with Rachel Koblic
In this episode, I chat with Rachel Koblic about why she isn't buying into the hype around hustle culture and how she founded Starling to support middle management. Rachel Koblic is a leader at the intersection of learning, design, and ...
October 17, 2023
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Episode 80
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38:33
79: L&D for the Healthcare Industry with Alexandria Schefman
In this episode, Alexandria and I talk about L&D from the healthcare lens -- but the conversation is important to ALL of us in L&D as we talk about the importance of remembering that there are solutions that aren't eLearning out there, ...
September 26, 2023
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Episode 79
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42:38
78: How I Came To Create a Training for Astronauts
It's a short story, but as requested by Dr. Sonia Tiwari, who was interviewed in my last episode, I share the story of how I came to create training that was presented to actual astronauts! I also share a bit about what I'm working on today so ...
September 05, 2023
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Episode 78
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16:54
77: Balancing a PhD with Motherhood with Dr. Sonia Tiwari
In this episode, I sit down with my brilliant friend Dr. Sonia Tiwari to talk about what it's like to pursue your PhD while juggling the responsibilities of motherhood. It's a bit different than your normal episode, but whether you're a mom con...
August 08, 2023
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Episode 77
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41:50
76: Laid Off in L&D
In this episode, I share some previous episodes of the BLOC as well as some tips from my own personal experience being laid off (twice now). Here are the previous episodes of the BLOC I mentioned:
July 18, 2023
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Episode 76
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14:02
75: Why is There SO Much Bad Training?
In this episode, I share some stories of bad training -- why I think bad training is so prevalent in L&D, based off my dissertation research -- and some of the things I think we can do to help.
June 27, 2023
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Episode 75
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21:57
74: The Skills You ACTUALLY Need for your ID portfolio with Tim Slade
I finally get a chance to sit down with one of my L&D besties -- the one and only Tim Slade -- to talk about what you need to become an ID and how to present those skills in your portfolio. We tackle some common misconceptions and help you ...
June 06, 2023
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Episode 74
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33:34
73: Finding your Second ID Job with Clea Mahoney
In this episode, I chat with my pal Clea about reflecting on your first role as an ID and how to use that knowledge to find your SECOND ID role!Clea is an instructional designer who collaborates with cross-functional teams to design a...
May 16, 2023
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Episode 73
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44:42