All Aboard with Rob Belliveau

On this episode of All Aboard with Rob Belliveau, Rob sits down with Nick Oddson, President of SkillsWave, to unpack why so many organizations are “doing training” without actually closing their skills gaps. Nick shares his 30‑year journey from programmer to president, how incubating a corporate learning startup inside D2L led to SkillsWave, and why connecting learning directly to business goals matters more than ever.

They dig into the disconnect between tuition benefits and real upskilling, why course catalogues and subscriptions often go under‑used, and how companies can move from ad hoc learning to a more targeted, strategic approach. Nick explains SkillsWave’s no‑platform‑fee model, their network of 50–60 learning providers, and how tools like SkillsWave Guide use skills data and AI to help employees map their current role, desired future, and the learning path between them.

Rob and Nick explore the power of micro‑credentials and “small boosts” that help people feel more confident in the jobs they have right now—not just prepare for their next role. Along the way, they share stories of employees moving from the shop floor to management, why everyone is chasing ROI on people development, and the key question leaders should be asking: “Did this learning build the skills our business actually needs?”

Learn more about Neon Train here: https://www.neontrain.com/

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If this episode helped you think differently about upskilling, tuition assistance, or how you invest in employee development, share it with a colleague, leader, or friend in HR, L&D, higher education, or corporate training.

On this episode of All Aboard with Rob Belliveau, Rob talks with Kris Lane, Director of Programs and Allied Health Professionals at the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Nova Scotia, about what it really takes to welcome internationally trained physicians into a new healthcare system. They dig into the Welcome Collaborative—a mandatory orientation program that goes far beyond clinical skills to cover Canadian medical law, billing and documentation, practice management, and the everyday basics of settling into life in Nova Scotia. They explore why helping doctors navigate housing, banking, transit, and schools is just as important as teaching clinical norms, and how that focus on belonging leads to safer care and better retention.

Kris shares how the program was co‑designed with internationally trained physicians, why orientation is actually a form of proactive risk reduction, and how blending in‑person cohorts with online learning in Brightspace, supported by Neon Train, has made the experience more consistent, responsive, and human. She and Rob talk about turning “drinking from a fire hose” into digestible, ongoing support, what happens when even US‑trained doctors start asking to join the program, and how any organization can adapt these ideas to improve onboarding, confidence, and long‑term engagement for their own people—inside or outside healthcare.

Learn more about Neon Train here: https://www.neontrain.com/ 

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If this episode helped you think differently about onboarding, belonging, or supporting internationally trained professionals, share it with a colleague, leader, or friend in healthcare, HR, higher education, or L&D.

On this episode of All Aboard with Rob Belliveau, Rob talks with guests Puneet Kaur and Rabia Ijaz, Technical Account Managers and IDEA co‑leads at D2L, about what it actually looks like to build inclusion into everyday work in EdTech. They dig into how IDEA at D2L evolved from “Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, and Allyship” to “Inspiration, Dialogue, Empowerment, and Allyship,” why safe spaces are something you experience—not something you declare—and how simple, well‑designed activities at Fusion have helped people talk honestly about intersectionality, unconscious bias, and allyship.

Puneet and Rabia share their lived experiences as women of colour in technical roles, what it’s like to show up as a non‑native English speaker in North American workplaces, and why vulnerability (“I don’t get that joke,” “Can you explain that to me?”) often builds more trust than getting it “right.” They and Rob explore how D2L’s IDEA work has grown from awareness to action, practical ways anyone can “Just Start” inclusion work in their own institution or organization, and why you don’t need a giant program to make a real difference for learners, employees, and colleagues.

Learn more about D2L here: https://www.d2l.com/

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If this episode helped you think differently about inclusion, allyship, or safe spaces in education or training, share it with a colleague, leader, or friend in EdTech, L&D, or higher education. 

On this episode of All Aboard with Rob Belliveau, Rob talks with this month’s guest, John Baker, President, CEO, and Board Chair of D2L, about what it really means to transform the way the world learns, and how that vision led to the creation of both Brightspace and NeonTrain. They dig into John’s journey from 22‑year‑old Systems Design Engineering student at the University of Waterloo to leading one of the most influential edtech companies in the world, why taking the “hard path” can be the smartest move in your career, and how to stay focused on solving the biggest problems in education.

John shares how D2L has approached major waves of change. From the early days of the internet to mobile, cloud, and now AI, while staying grounded in responsible use, data privacy, and real learner outcomes. He and Rob explore practical ways AI can cut course development time without replacing educators, why accessibility has to be a non‑negotiable in any serious learning strategy, and how the D2L–NeonTrain partnership is bringing Brightspace to smaller and mid‑sized organizations that traditionally couldn’t access this level of learning technology.

You can find John and D2L here: https://www.d2l.com/

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Rob talks with this month’s guest, Amanda Rogers, founder of iPlume Writing Inc., about how AI is reshaping grant writing and why strategy, fit, and authenticity still win over generic ChatGPT applications. They dig into the rise of AI-generated grants, how to stand out in oversubscribed funding programs, and the power of teaching people to build a live grant step by step instead of “outsourcing” everything to a tool.

Amanda shares how she turned years of nonprofit leadership and nearly $50 million in secured funding into two practical online courses—iPlume Grant Essentials for nonprofits and charities, and iPlume Funding Essentials for small and diverse-owned businesses—built with NeonTrain on Brightspace. She also talks about using asynchronous courses as the backbone for in-person and virtual workshops, growing demand for arts funding training, and early plans to expand her grant education into the U.S. market.

You can find Amanda here: https://iplumewriting.com/

iPlume Courses: NeonTrain Store 
iPlume Funding Essentials – Use code AllAboard10 for 10% off. (Business Training)

iPlume Grant Essentials – Use code AllAboard15 for 15% off. (Non-Profit Training)

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If this episode helped you think differently about online learning, edtech, or accessibility, share it with a colleague or friend in education, L&D, or training.

Rob talks with this month's guest, Rozalyn Werner-Arcé, about turning a legacy, instructor-led training program into a modern blended e-learning experience. They dig into choosing between fully asynchronous and blended models, keeping real-world stories alive online, and supporting instructors through the change. They also explore creative funding and partnerships, and how to scale education nationally without compromising quality.

Rozalyn Werner-Arcé brings over 30 years of experience in the non-profit sector, with a career dedicated to strengthening associations, human services, and charitable organizations. Since December 2021, she has served as Executive Director of the Ontario Public Buyers Association (OPBA), where she leads efforts to advance the association’s mission, deliver innovative member services, foster growth, and develop strategies that enhance engagement and non-dues revenue. Rozalyn is recognized for building meaningful connections and driving initiatives that create lasting impact for the profession and its members.

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In this episode of All Aboard, Rob continues his conversation with Blackfoot elder Joe Eagle Tail Feathers - litsooahp'potah (Attacks I Battles in the Water) and Dr. Christopher Grignard to dig deeper into truth, decolonization, and real action in education.

Building on their work together on the Blackfoot Odyssey course, they explore:

• Why decolonization must come before indigenization
• The hard truths of ongoing racism and fear faced by Indigenous communities
• Why Indigenous teachings are not a threat and are meant to enrich all learners
• Concrete steps educators and organizations can take, from learning the land you’re on to building genuine relationships with elders and knowledge keepers

This episode is both an invitation and a challenge: move beyond fear of “getting it wrong,” listen with sincerity, and turn talk into meaningful, respectful action toward reconciliation.

To learn more please visit: http://www.mru.ca/blackfootodyssey

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If this episode helped you think differently about online learning, edtech, or accessibility, share it with a colleague or friend in education, L&D, or training.

In this episode of All Aboard, Rob is joined by Blackfoot elder Joe Eagle Tail Feathers - litsooahp'potah (Attacks I Battles in the Water) and Dr. Christopher Grignard to explore what it truly means to Indigenize digital learning spaces. Together, they discuss the long-term relationship and deep trust that underpins their collaboration on the Blackfoot Odyssey course, built within the Desire2Learn (D2L) / Brightspace platform. Chris shares how together they transform the learning space into an Indigenous literary lodge, grounded in ceremony, authenticity, and respect for Indigenous knowledge. Joe reflects on his life, teachings, and the sacred tipi design that has become central to the course, emphasizing the importance of sincerity, humility, and not being afraid to make mistakes when reaching out to Indigenous communities. We are deeply grateful to both Chris and Joe for their generosity, stories, and guidance in showing how meaningful and respectful partnerships in education can be built.

To learn more please visit: http://www.mru.ca/blackfootodyssey 

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TIf this episode helped you think differently about online learning, edtech, or accessibility, share it with a colleague or friend in education, L&D, or training.

Season 3 is coming soon!
 
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If this episode helped you think differently about online learning, edtech, or accessibility, share it with a colleague or friend in education, L&D, or training.

In this special year-in-review episode of All Aboard with Rob Belliveau, host Rob Belliveau looks back on a powerful season exploring online learning, educational technology, and the human stories behind innovation in education.

Rob revisits conversations with guests from higher education, literacy organizations, assistive technology companies, and public safety, highlighting how AI, Brightspace (D2L), and other edtech tools are transforming teaching and learning—without losing the essential human-centered focus.

From AI as a learning companion to universal design for learning, from ending illiteracy in Nova Scotia to life-or-death training in the fire service, this wrap-up episode surfaces the big themes shaping the future of learning:

• Democratization of learning
• Accessibility and inclusion
• Community building in digital spaces
• The power of storytelling and podcasting in education

If you work in education, training, L&D, or edtech, this conversation will give you practical inspiration and big-picture perspective for 2026 and beyond.

Have feedback, questions, or ideas for future episodes?
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If this episode helped you think differently about online learning, edtech, or accessibility, share it with a colleague or friend in education, L&D, or training.