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
101 episodes
100 - Celebrating Human Connection and the 100th Episode of the BLOC!
It's the 100th episode of the BLOC! On this episode, I reflect on how this podcast turned into an L&D business and how human connection is what separates us from the robots.
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Episode 100
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15:13
99: Exploring Low Fidelity, High Value Modalities with Tom McDowall (Replay from LN Connect 2024)
This special episode is a replay of a live podcast recording I did with Tom McDowall on November 15 in London as part of the Learning Network's Connect 2024 conference. You can als...
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Episode 99
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38:43
98: Join The Useful L&D Community
In this episode, I invite all of you to join the Useful L&D Community I launched back in September. I share a little bit about why I started this (global - as I forgot to mention in the episode) safe space for aspiring, new, and expert L&am...
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Episode 98
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7:27
97: A Modern Approach to L&D with Fred Thompson
In this episode, I chat with Fred Thompson, CEO of Thirst, about staying current in L&D and how he's managed to continue to take a modern approach to L&D, despite beginning his career with Flash.
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Episode 97
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45:13
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...
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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...
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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...
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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!
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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. ...
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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...
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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...
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Episode 90
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35:45
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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. ...
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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:
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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...
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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...
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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...
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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...
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Episode 84
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38:17
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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.
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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
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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...
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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 ...
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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, ...
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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 ...
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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...
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Episode 77
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41:50
