
Leading Learning Podcast
The market for continuing education, professional development, and lifelong learning is large and evolving rapidly. Competition is growing and learners have more options than ever. The Leading Learning Podcast is for learning business professionals who want to thrive in this new landscape. In each episode, co-hosts Jeff Cobb and Celisa Steele provide actionable insights based on their own deep experience and expertise or invite in experts and practitioners to share their perspectives.
Latest episodes

Feb 26, 2019 • 39min
175: Leading Transformational Change with Greg Satell
Small groups, loosely connected, but united by a common purpose. This is the simple formula behind Greg Satell’s research that is essential to follow for anyone looking to make an impact and change the world. Greg is one of the world’s leading experts on innovation and transformational change and his new book, Cascades: How to Create a Movement That Drives Transformational Change, explores how to successfully navigate and lead large-scale change in today’s disruptive environment. He’s also behind the popular blog, Digital Tonto, which is a must-read for anyone interested in learning more about the topics of strategy, innovation, and leadership. In this episode of the Leading Learning podcast, Jeff talks with Greg about what it takes to drive transformational change including the important role of networks, empowerment, and purpose. Full show notes available at https://www.leadinglearning.com/episode175. Our sponsors for this episode are: Authentic Learning Labs, an education company seeking to bring complementary tech and services to empower publishers and L&D organizations to help elevate their programs. The company leverages technology like AI, Data Analytics, and advanced embeddable, API-based services to complement existing initiatives, offering capabilities that are typically out of reach for resource-stretched groups or growing programs needing to scale. Blue Sky eLearn, the creator of the Path Learning Management System, an award-winning cloud-based learning solution that allows organizations to easily deliver, track, and monetize valuable education and event content online. Blue Sky also provides webinar and webcast services, helping you maximize your content and create deeper engagement with your audience across the world.

Feb 19, 2019 • 46min
174: Network Leadership with Jane Wei-Skillern
As learning businesses, it’s safe to say that most are striving to move the needle in the field, profession, or industry they serve through large-scale impact. However, it’s reasonable to assume that a single organization won’t be as effective in achieving that as multiple organizations in partnership. Applying the network leadership model offers a way to structure collaborations aimed at collective impact, rather than solely on organizational success. This week on the Leading Learning podcast Celisa interviews Jane Wei-Skillern, a speaker, author, and Senior Fellow at the Haas School of Business at UC Berkeley who is a leading voice on the topic of network leadership. They discuss how this model differs from other approaches to collective impact, the four principles behind it, and how applying the model can help organizations work more efficiently while focusing on the larger purpose of why they exist. Full show notes available at https://www.leadinglearning.com/episode174. Our sponsors for this episode are: Blue Sky eLearn, the creator of the Path Learning Management System, an award-winning cloud-based learning solution that allows organizations to easily deliver, track, and monetize valuable education and event content online. Blue Sky also provides webinar and webcast services, helping you maximize your content and create deeper engagement with your audience across the world. Authentic Learning Labs, an education company seeking to bring complementary tech and services to empower publishers and L&D organizations to help elevate their programs. The company leverages technology like AI, Data Analytics, and advanced embeddable, API-based services to complement existing initiatives, offering capabilities that are typically out of reach for resource-stretched groups or growing programs needing to scale.

Feb 12, 2019 • 32min
173: The Impact of Artificial Intelligence on Learning Businesses
Artificial intelligence. It’s one of the biggest issues impacting the world and it’s going to have major implications for learning businesses. The key is making sure you’re tuned in to the topic and prepared for the accompanying changes on the horizon for learners in your particular field or industry. In this episode of the Leading Learning podcast, Celisa and Jeff discuss how artificial intelligence (AI) is impacting learning businesses across 4 key areas in the customer engagement cycle: employment, marketing, products/services, and evaluation and impact. They also share tips and resources to help learning leaders begin thinking about how to best position themselves to meet the evolving needs of learners. Full show notes available at https://www.leadinglearning.com/episode173. Our sponsors for this episode are: Blue Sky eLearn, the creator of the Path Learning Management System, an award-winning cloud-based learning solution that allows organizations to easily deliver, track, and monetize valuable education and event content online. Blue Sky also provides webinar and webcast services, helping you maximize your content and create deeper engagement with your audience across the world. Authentic Learning Labs, an education company seeking to bring complementary tech and services to empower publishers and L&D organizations to help elevate their programs. The company leverages technology like AI, Data Analytics, and advanced embeddable, API-based services to complement existing initiatives, offering capabilities that are typically out of reach for resource-stretched groups or growing programs needing to scale.

Feb 5, 2019 • 42min
172: Personal Knowledge Mastery with Harold Jarche
As an internationally renowned blogger, Harold Jarche is focused on providing actionable insights for organizations related to learning, work, and innovation. He’s best known for his approach to Personal Knowledge Mastery (PKM), which helps professionals become knowledge catalysts through a continuous process of seeking, sensing-making, and sharing. Because it’s designed to help each of us more effectively manage knowledge networks and the communities we are a part of, it’s definitely aconcept that every learning business professional should be familiar with. In this episode of the Leading Learning podcast, Jeff talks with Harold about the ongoing process of PKM, how individuals can pursue it, and the role learning businesses –particularly membership organizations – might play in supporting it. They also talk about the difference between social networks and communities of practice as well as the important role diversity plays in effective communities. Full show notes at https://www.leadinglearning.com/episode172. Our sponsors for this episode are: Blue Sky eLearn, the creator of the Path Learning Management System, an award-winning cloud-based learning solution that allows organizations to easily deliver, track, and monetize valuable education and event content online. Blue Sky also provides webinar and webcast services, helping you maximize your content and create deeper engagement with your audience across the world. Authentic Learning Labs, an education company seeking to bring complementary tech and services to empower publishers and L&D organizations to help elevate their programs. The company leverages technology like AI, Data Analytics, and advanced embeddable, API-based services to complement existing initiatives, offering capabilities that are typically out of reach for resource-stretched groups or growing programs needing to scale.

Jan 29, 2019 • 33min
171 - Predictive Business Analytics with Gary Cokins
Gary Cokins, founder and CEO of Analytics-Based Performance Management, LLC, is an internationally recognized expert in performance improvement systems, advanced cost management, and predictive business analytics. He’s also a speaker and co-author of Predictive Business Analytics: Forward Looking Capabilities to Improve Business Performance. And with data analytics being a focus area for those of us in the learning business—two of the leading trends that surfaced in our 2019 Trends in Learning Businesses survey were around using data to make better product decisions and show impact—Gary has tremendous insight to offer on the topic. In this episode of the Leading Learning podcast, Celisa talks with Gary about predictive business analytics including why it needs to be a part of your organizational competency, common misconceptions and barriers, and tips for getting started with it. Full show notes available at https://www.leadinglearning.com/episode171. Our sponsors for this episode are: Blue Sky eLearn, the creator of the Path Learning Management System, an award-winning cloud-based learning solution that allows organizations to easily deliver, track, and monetize valuable education and event content online. Blue Sky also provides webinar and webcast services, helping you maximize your content and create deeper engagement with your audience across the world. Authentic Learning Labs, an education company seeking to bring complementary tech and services to empower publishers and L&D organizations to help elevate their programs. The company leverages technology like AI, Data Analytics, and advanced embeddable, API-based services to complement existing initiatives, offering capabilities that are typically out of reach for resource-stretched groups or growing programs needing to scale.

Jan 22, 2019 • 37min
170: 3 Resources for Leading Learning Listeners
With a new year upon us, it’s likely that many of us are thinking about ways to grow and improve. And when it comes to professional growth, we at Leading Learning want to make sure listeners are aware of just a few of the resources we have available that can support an ongoing process of learning. In this episode of the Leading Learning podcast, Celisa and Jeff highlight three resources that all learning business leaders need to be aware of: Learning • Technology • Design™ (LTD) 2019, the Leading Learning Webinar series, and the Leading Learning List. Full show notes available at https://www.leadinglearning.com/episode170. Our sponsors for this episode are: Blue Sky eLearn, the creator of the Path Learning Management System, an award-winning cloud-based learning solution that allows organizations to easily deliver, track, and monetize valuable education and event content online. Blue Sky also provides webinar and webcast services, helping you maximize your content and create deeper engagement with your audience across the world. Authentic Learning Labs, an education company seeking to bring complementary tech and services to empower publishers and L&D organizations to help elevate their programs. The company leverages technology like AI, Data Analytics, and advanced embeddable, API-based services to complement existing initiatives, offering capabilities that are typically out of reach for resource-stretched groups or growing programs needing to scale.

Jan 15, 2019 • 45min
169: Back to the Future of Learning with Clar Rosso
As Executive Vice President of Engagement and Learning Innovation at the Association of International Certified Professional Accountants —the world’s largest accounting and finance professional organization—return guest, Clar Rosso has perhaps one of the biggest continuing education and professional education audiences that exist. She has tremendous insight regarding the future of learning and as a passionate, global leader, Clar is on a never-ending quest to find new and better ways to serve their members. In this episode of the Leading Learning podcast, Jeff talks with Clar once again about future of learning. They discuss the tremendous impact of technology, how employers are starting to look differently at the kind of learning they deliver, and what learning businesses can do in order to effectively meet the evolving needs of their learners. Full show notes available at https://www.leadinglearning.com/episode169. Our sponsors for this episode are: Blue Sky eLearn, the creator of the Path Learning Management System, an award-winning cloud-based learning solution that allows organizations to easily deliver, track, and monetize valuable education and event content online. Blue Sky also provides webinar and webcast services, helping you maximize your content and create deeper engagement with your audience across the world. Authentic Learning Labs, an education company seeking to bring complementary tech and services to empower publishers and L&D organizations to help elevate their programs. The company leverages technology like AI, Data Analytics, and advanced embeddable, API-based services to complement existing initiatives, offering capabilities that are typically out of reach for resource-stretched groups or growing programs needing to scale.

Jan 8, 2019 • 30min
168: Navigating Non-Obvious Trends with Rohit Bhargava
For almost a decade, trend curator and Wall Street Journal best-selling author, Rohit Bhargava, has published a list of the top “non-obvious” trends that he believes will shape the business world in the year to come. And just last week, the ninth edition in the annual book series, Non-Obvious: How to Predict Trends and Win the Future was released featuring 15 all-new trends, many of which have clear implications for leaders in the business of lifelong learning. In this episode of the Leading Learning podcast, Celisa talks with three-time guest Rohit Bhargava about a few of the trends from Non-Obvious 2019—innovation envy, passive loyalty, and artificial influence—as well as the evolving role of curation. Full show notes available at https://www.leadinglearning.com/episode168. Our sponsors for this episode are: Blue Sky eLearn, the creator of the Path Learning Management System, an award-winning cloud-based learning solution that allows organizations to easily deliver, track, and monetize valuable education and event content online. Blue Sky also provides webinar and webcast services, helping you maximize your content and create deeper engagement with your audience across the world. Authentic Learning Labs, an education company seeking to bring complementary tech and services to empower publishers and L&D organizations to help elevate their programs. The company leverages technology like AI, Data Analytics, and advanced embeddable, API-based services to complement existing initiatives, offering capabilities that are typically out of reach for resource-stretched groups or growing programs needing to scale.

Jan 1, 2019 • 27min
167: The Learning Business Market Outlook for 2019
As the first episode of 2019, we thought it would be the perfect time to look ahead and focus on the areas that will undoubtedly impact the market for lifelong learning, continuing education, and professional development. We recently surveyed learning businesses to see where they’re planning to focus their efforts in the new year (data that was shared in more detail in our Learning Business Trends & Predictions Webinar) , which helped us identify some of the key trends set to shake up this evolving learning landscape. In this episode of the Leading Learning podcast, Celisa and Jeff share three emerging trends in store for learning businesses this year, as well as their related implications and ways to prepare. Full show notes available at https://www.leadinglearning.com/episode167. Our sponsors for this episode are Blue Sky eLearn and Authentic Learning Labs. Blue Sky eLearn is the creator of the Path Learning Management System, an award-winning cloud-based learning solution that allows organizations to easily deliver, track, and monetize valuable education and event content online. Blue Sky also provides webinar and webcast services, helping you maximize your content and create deeper engagement with your audience across the world. Authentic Learning Labs is an education company seeking to bring complementary tech and services to empower publishers and L&D organizations to help elevate their programs. The company leverages technology like AI, Data Analytics, and advanced embeddable, API-based services to complement existing initiatives, offering capabilities that are typically out of reach for resource-stretched groups or growing programs needing to scale.

Dec 25, 2018 • 44min
166: Learning to Learn with Dr. Barbara Oakley
[This episode is from the Leading Learning archives. Most of it was originally published as Episode 104.] When it comes to engaging learners and designing truly effective learning experiences, it may not be as complex—or costly—as you may think. Dr. Barbara Oakley, professor, speaker, and author of Mindshift: Break Through Obstacles to Learning and Discover Your Hidden Potential and Learning How to Learn: How to Succeed in School Without Spending All Your Time Studying has proven this in her research and the wildly popular massive open online course (MOOC) she created, Learning How to Learn. With more than 2 million participants in the Coursera course thus far (yes, 2 million!), Barb’s work proves that learners appreciate practical methods and materials grounded in research about how the brain learns. In this encore episode of the Leading Learning podcast, Celisa talks with Barb about why helping people learn about learning is so effective, the importance of creating better online materials, and tips for organizations who provide learning to create more value by focusing on these areas. Full show notes available at https://www.leadinglearning.com/episode166. Our sponsor for this episode is Learning • Technology • Design™ (LTD), our annual virtual conference designed specifically for those who work in the business of lifelong learning, continuing education, and professional development. This will be our fourth time offering LTD, and we know from all the feedback we have received that past attendees have found it a unique and highly valuable experience. Registration is open at ltd.tagoras.com. We are also offering the opportunity to be a Patron for the event, an option that may be of interest to companies that serve learning businesses. You can find out about that by going to ltd.tagoras.com/patron. And we would like to spotlight some of our current patrons including: 360factor (Oasis LMS) Authentic Learning Labs Avilar BenchPrep CommPartners Digitell EthosCE Event Garde ReviewMyLMS Web Courseworks We have also highlighted these Patrons on the LTD Web site. Definitely do take the time to find out more about them because these companies have demonstrated their commitment to learning businesses by becoming Patrons, so we encourage you to support them.