

The Dr. Luke Hobson Podcast
Dr. Luke Hobson
The Dr. Luke Hobson Podcast discusses designing learning experiences, teaching, and learning. The purpose of this show is to help folks, like yourself, learn about best instructional design practices by sharing stories and bringing on incredible guests. We also discuss career tips and guidance for transitioning into instructional design and related learning and development positions. Other podcast topics include higher education and online learning. If you are a learning nerd, you are welcomed here.
Dr. Luke Hobson is the Senior Instructional Designer and Program Manager at MIT xPRO and a Lecturer in the Department of Teaching and Learning at the University of Miami's School of Education and Human Development. He's also the author of the book What I Wish I Knew Before Becoming an Instructional Designer, the host of the Dr. Luke Hobson Podcast and YouTube Channel, and the Instructor for Instructional Design Institute. Dr. Hobson was named as one of the top learning influencers in 2022 and top e-learning experts in 2023.
Dr. Luke Hobson is the Senior Instructional Designer and Program Manager at MIT xPRO and a Lecturer in the Department of Teaching and Learning at the University of Miami's School of Education and Human Development. He's also the author of the book What I Wish I Knew Before Becoming an Instructional Designer, the host of the Dr. Luke Hobson Podcast and YouTube Channel, and the Instructor for Instructional Design Institute. Dr. Hobson was named as one of the top learning influencers in 2022 and top e-learning experts in 2023.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Oct 16, 2025 โข 12min
Has AI Created a Spark for Community?
Has AI created a spark for community? On today's episode, we'll explore three reasons for this surge of communities in practice around AI. ๐ Mentioned Resources: Newsletter and transcript EdTech IDEAS Digest ๐ Recommendations: ๐Take your instructional design skills to the next level ๐Collaborating and Building Relationships with SMEs course ๐So, you want to become an instructional designer? ๐ My Book ๐ Connect with me: LinkedIn Confessions of a Learning Nerd YouTube Learning Nerd Group ๐ Support the Channel! Check out my favorite LMS: Brightspace

Oct 9, 2025 โข 21min
The Educator's Guide to Part-Time Entrepreneurship: A Collection of Thoughts
Today's episode explores the potential of part-time entrepreneurship for educators. This seems to be something many of you have been thinking about, but don't know where to begin. I'll share my thoughts around this topic, the importance of starting small, identifying a niche, and building a community. I'll share some real-life success stories and offer practical advice on diversifying income streams and avoiding common mistakes. ๐ Mentioned Resources: Project Management for Instructional Designers Jab, Jab, Jab, Right Hook Dr. Nicole's Course Transcript ๐ Recommendations: ๐Take your instructional design skills to the next level ๐Collaborating and Building Relationships with SMEs course ๐So, you want to become an instructional designer? ๐ My Book ๐ Connect with me: LinkedIn Confessions of a Learning Nerd YouTube Learning Nerd Group ๐ Support the Channel! Check out my favorite LMS: Brightspace

Sep 25, 2025 โข 58min
Dr. Guieswende Rouamba - Project Management for Instructional Designers
On today's episde, we are joined by Dr. Guieswende Rouamba. He's the author of the book the Instructional Designer's Guide to Project Management and a Learning Designer at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. In this conversation, you'll hear about his journey into instructional design and the critical role project management plays in the field. We discuss why project management often doesn't get the attention it deserves, the challenges instructional designers face today, the power of storytelling in conveying complex ideas, and the importance of collaborating with SMEs. Guieswende shares insights on conflict resolution, preventing burnout through effective project management strategies, and the future of instructional design in an AI-driven world. Our conversation focuses on strong leadership skills and the integration of project management principles into instructional design practices. Connect with Dr. Guieswende Rouamba Read his book Read the transcript / article with this link ๐ Recommendations: ๐Take your instructional design skills to the next level ๐Collaborating and Building Relationships with SMEs course ๐So, you want to become an instructional designer? ๐ My Book ๐ Connect with me: LinkedIn Confessions of a Learning Nerd YouTube Learning Nerd Group ๐ Support the Channel! Check out my favorite LMS: Brightspace
Sep 8, 2025 โข 13min
ADDIED - D for Destroy
We know about the importance of evaluation, especially from the ADDIE process. But most evaluations end with adding in more content. What if the solutions to our learning design problems were to destroy clutter? On today's episode, let's talk about making our designs clearer and concise. Read the transcript / article with this link ๐ Recommendations: ๐Take your instructional design skills to the next level ๐Collaborating and Building Relationships with SMEs course ๐So, you want to become an instructional designer? ๐ My Book ๐ Connect with me: LinkedIn Confessions of a Learning Nerd YouTube Learning Nerd Group ๐ Support the Channel! Check out my favorite LMS: Brightspace

Jul 9, 2025 โข 8min
Life Update! I'm a Dad!
Let the girl dad life commence! Here's what I've been up to recently. ๐ Recommendations: ๐Take your instructional design skills to the next level ๐Collaborating and Building Relationships with SMEs course ๐So, you want to become an instructional designer? ๐ My Book ๐ Connect with me: LinkedIn YouTube ๐ Support the Channel! Check out my favorite LMS: Brightspace

May 29, 2025 โข 26min
What Did We Talk About Before Gen AI?
Can you even remember life before 2021? On today's episode, let's reminicse about the good ol' days! ๐ Mentioned Links: Confessions of a Learning Nerd Newsletter ๐ Recommendations: ๐Take your instructional design skills to the next level ๐Collaborating and Building Relationships with SMEs course ๐So, you want to become an instructional designer? ๐ My Book ๐ Connect with me: LinkedIn YouTube ๐ Support the Channel! Check out my favorite LMS: Brightspace

May 8, 2025 โข 52min
Understanding Educational Developers at Teaching and Learning Centers with Dr. Chris Hakala and Dr. Leslie Cramblet Alvarez
On today's episode, I'm joined by Dr. Chris Hakala and Dr. Leslie Cramblet Alvarez as we discuss the folks who work at teaching and learning centers. They wrote a tremendous new book called, "Understanding Educational Developers: Tales from the Center." In this book and in our conversation, we explore the diverse pathways into educational development, the role of teaching and learning centers, and the skills necessary for success in this field. They share insights on the impact of AI, the importance of student engagement, and the future of educational development amidst challenges in higher education. ๐ Mentioned Links: Connect with Leslie Connect with Chris Understanding Educational Developers: Tales from the Center Video Interview Transcript Confessions of a Learning Nerd Newsletter 2025 Instructional Design Podcast Award by Feedspot ๐ Recommendations: ๐Take your instructional design skills to the next level ๐Collaborating and Building Relationships with SMEs course ๐So, you want to become an instructional designer? ๐ My Book ๐ Connect with me: LinkedIn YouTube ๐ Support the Channel! Check out my favorite LMS: Brightspace

Apr 17, 2025 โข 1h 3min
Ian August - The Collaborative Relationship Between Faculty and Instructional Designers in Course Design or Redesign Projects
What is the relationship like between faculty and instructional designers? In this episode, we'll hear from Ian August, Assistant Director of Online Learning and Adjunct Professor at St. John's University. Ian shares his research findings from speaking with both IDs and faculty about the course design and revision process. ๐ Mentioned Links: Connect with Ian Transcript Confessions of a Learning Nerd Newsletter 2025 Instructional Design Podcast Award by Feedspot ๐ Recommendations: ๐Take your instructional design skills to the next level ๐Collaborating and Building Relationships with SMEs course ๐So, you want to become an instructional designer? ๐ My Book ๐ Connect with me: LinkedIn YouTube ๐ Support the Channel! Check out my favorite LMS: Brightspace

Apr 4, 2025 โข 24min
Why We Don't Talk About the Psychomotor Domain
An off-chance conversation sent me down the rabbit hole of the psychomotor domain. Why is it that this domain doesn't get as much attention as the cognitive domain? So, I did some research and sifted through the origins of this domain. How did we get here? Who created it? Were there any signs that this domain was going to be looked down upon from the start? Well... I discovered some interesting takeaways that led to a few theories. This is the story of the psychomotor domain and why we don't talk about it. ๐ Mentioned Links: 2025 Instructional Design Podcast Award by Feedspot Confessions of a Learning Nerd Newsletter ๐ Recommendations: ๐Take your instructional design skills to the next level ๐Collaborating and Building Relationships with SMEs course ๐So, you want to become an instructional designer? ๐ My Book ๐ Connect with me: LinkedIn YouTube ๐ Support the Channel! Check out my favorite LMS: Brightspace

Mar 21, 2025 โข 19min
The Future of Instructional Design and Job Titles
What will Instructional Designers be called in the future? In this episode, I revisit a fun question from a recent webinar that got me thinking. Our field has gone by many names over the years, from training specialists and curriculum developers to multimedia designers and learning engineers. These shifts often reflect the trends, tools, and technologies of the time, from Gagnรฉโs Nine Events to the rise of LMSs and now AI. So, whatโs next? While job titles may continue to evolve, our core competencies remain steady. Join me for a lighthearted and slightly speculative look at the future of instructional design job titles. Itโs Friday, so grab your crystal ball and letโs have some fun with this episode! ๐ Mentioned Links: Transcript and Blog ๐ Recommendations: ๐Take your instructional design skills to the next level ๐Collaborating and Building Relationships with SMEs course ๐So, you want to become an instructional designer? ๐ My Book ๐ Connect with me: LinkedIn YouTube ๐ Support the Channel! Check out my favorite LMS: Brightspace


