
Become an IDOL: Instructional Design and Online Learning
Instructional Design and Online Learning developer tips, tricks, advice, expert interviews, and insider information.
Latest episodes

May 5, 2023 • 39min
Instructional Design Resilience with Derek Dorsett | 79
In this episode, I'm chatting with Derek Dorsett, an Instructional Designer with LogicMonitor. Hear about his defining moment, higher education vs. corporate and the importance of a career roadmap. This was an episode to spark encouragement even in your struggles!
Connect with Derek on LinkedIn
Are you looking for a no-nonsense formula for creating engaging courses and training? Check out my new book, The Do It Messy Approach: A Step-by-Step Guide for Instructional Designers and Online Learners (IDOLs) on Amazon.
Interested in learning more about IDOL courses Academy, the only trade school for Instructional Design and Online Learning see a full list of programs

Apr 21, 2023 • 15min
Instructional Design Volunteer Project for the Massage Therapy Foundation with Whitney Lowe | 78
In this episode, I'll be chatting with Whitney Lowe. Whitney has been a massage educator for 34 years, and teaching online since 2006. He is a subject matter specialist with massage for pain and injury treatments, has authored two books, contributed to multiple others and written hundreds of articles. He hosts a popular podcast (The Thinking Practitioner) and is committed to producing high-quality learning experiences for all his students. We discuss the IDOL World Project and how he was able to get a volunteer project completed for the Massage Therapy Foundation.
If you are a non profit organization check out the IDOL World Project here. We can connect you with our volunteer learning designers.
Are you looking for a no-nonsense formula for creating engaging courses and training? Check out my new book, The Do It Messy Approach: A Step-by-Step Guide for Instructional Designers and Online Learners (IDOLs) on Amazon.
Interested in learning more about IDOL courses Academy, the only trade school for Instructional Design and Online Learning see a full list of programs

Apr 7, 2023 • 36min
Artificial Intelligence for Instructional Design with Ethan Webb and Mindsmith | 77
In this episode, I will be chatting with Ethan Webb, the Co-Founder and CEO of Mindsmith, a learning platform that uses generative AI to make it easy to create and share course material and training. Ethan is a current student studying economics and business strategy. He has many family members who are educators and has developed a passion for pedagogy and learning theory. Don't miss this trending episode on Artificial Intelligence and how it can benefit Instructional Designers.
Connect with Ethan on LinkedIn
Mindsmith discount code for our listeners is IDOL1 (10% off)
Are you looking for a no-nonsense formula for creating engaging courses and training? Check out my new book, The Do It Messy Approach: A Step-by-Step Guide for Instructional Designers and Online Learners (IDOLs) on Amazon.
Interested in learning more about IDOL courses Academy, the only trade school for Instructional Design and Online Learning see a full list of programs

Mar 24, 2023 • 44min
Strategic Assessment Learning Techniques with Tamara Schroer | 76
Tamara Schroer, Vice President of Education and Development at Working Solutions, discusses their unique approach to virtual training, teacher-led instruction, engaging different learning styles, and techniques for external motivation. They also talk about assessment methods for instructional design and how to connect with Tamara and learn more about Working Solutions.

Mar 10, 2023 • 38min
Accessibility for eLearning with Samuel Apata | 75
In this episode, I will be chatting with Samuel Apata, currently a Senior eLearning Developer for Starbucks. He has over 8 years of experience developing and retaining talent for organizations like T-Mobile, American Airlines and GM Financial. Listen in to here us chat about accessibility! You'll want to know the accessibility minimums to incorporate into course building, the guidelines you'll want to pay attention to on federal and state levels and finding the balance to not stifle your creativity!
Connect with Samuel on LinkedIn
Are you looking for a no-nonsense formula for creating engaging courses and training? Check out my new book, The Do It Messy Approach: A Step-by-Step Guide for Instructional Designers and Online Learners (IDOLs) on Amazon.
Interested in learning more about IDOL courses Academy, the only trade school for Instructional Design and Online Learning see a full list of programs.

Feb 24, 2023 • 1h 5min
Abundance in Instructional Design with Kim Tuohy | 74
In this episode, I will be chatting with Kim Tuohy, an Instructional Design and founding Director of Belvista Studios. You don't want to miss this episode of abundance in the way Kim lives her life. Through traveling Australia in a van with solar powered panels to running her own business, she gives great tips on the balance of it all. She seeks to live a life of joy everyday!
Connect with Kim on LinkedIn
Are you looking for a no-nonsense formula for creating engaging courses and training? Check out my new book, The Do It Messy Approach: A Step-by-Step Guide for Instructional Designers and Online Learners (IDOLs) on Amazon.
Interested in learning more about IDOL courses Academy, the only trade school for Instructional Design and Online Learning see a full list of programs.

Feb 10, 2023 • 25min
IDOL Success Story with Marilyn Day former Career Coach: Google | 73
In this episode, I will be chatting with Marilyn Day, an IDOL courses Academy member who transitioned into an Instructional Designer and landed her first contract with IDOL Talent in 6 months time. Just a few short months later, landed her next position at Google. She worked previously as a career coach. In this role, she started to problem solve for ways so she didn't have to verbally repeat the same information. She wanted to get creative with content delivery and this piqued her interest in the field of Instructional Design. Hear her story of how she was able to successfully transition into this field and also serve as a coach within IDOL courses Academy.
Connect with Marilyn on LinkedIn
Are you looking for a no-nonsense formula for creating engaging courses and training? Check out my new book, The Do It Messy Approach: A Step-by-Step Guide for Instructional Designers and Online Learners (IDOLs) on Amazon.
Interested in learning more about IDOL courses Academy, the only trade school for Instructional Design and Online Learning see a full list of programs.

Jan 31, 2023 • 46min
Government IDOL Jobs with Ron Nakamoto | 67
In this episode, I’m chatting with Ron Nakamoto, the Training Service Chief at the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) Academy. He is one of the most experienced people I've found in this field to talk to us about working as an Instructional Systems Specialist (ISS). He shares how to find these jobs, how to make yourself a competitive candidate, and why he thinks now is the best time to become an ISS.
If you’ve ever wondered what it’s like to have a learning and development career in the US government, this is the episode for you!
Connect with Ron on LinkedIn.
Get on the waitlist for my book, The Do It Messy Approach.

Dec 16, 2022 • 20min
IDOL Success Story with Former Teacher Jennifer Berman I 72
In this episode, I will be chatting with Jennifer Berman, an IDOL course Academy member who transitioned into an Instructional Designer in just 14 weeks. She worked for 17 years in Elementary Education when becoming the primary virtual teacher inspired a love for online learning. She tells how IDOL gave her the skills, feedback and goal setting that she needed to make such a quick transition. Listen in to hear how her corporate role compares to teaching!
Connect with Jennifer on LinkedIn
Are you looking for a no-nonsense formula for creating engaging courses and training? Check out my new book, The Do It Messy Approach: A Step-by-Step Guide for Instructional Designers and Online Learners (IDOLs) on Amazon.
Interested in learning more about IDOL courses Academy, the only trade school for Instructional Design and Online Learning see a full list of programs.

Dec 2, 2022 • 23min
IDOL Success Story with Barbara Taylor an Internal Promotion I 71
In this episode, I will be chatting with Barbara Taylor, IDOL alumni from cohort 3. She was able to transform her role within a fortune 100 company through her passion for Learning and Development with the implementation from IDOL courses Academy. She now serves as the training manager for 180 recruiters. Listen in now to hear more details on Barbara’s internal promotional journey.
Connect with Barbara Taylor on LinkedIn
Are you looking for a no-nonsense formula for creating engaging courses and training? Check out my new book, The Do It Messy Approach: A Step-by-Step Guide for Instructional Designers and Online Learners (IDOLs) on Amazon.