The journey from classroom teaching to corporate instructional design can seem daunting, but it's entirely possible with the right education, strategy, and mindset. In this revealing conversation, recent Grand Canyon University (GCU) graduate Sakina Brandford shares her successful transition story just one week into her new role as an instructional design specialist in the oil and gas industry.

The conversation also explores how AI is transforming the field, from voice-overs to multi-language translations, while balancing concerns about proprietary information. Sakina's journey demonstrates that with proper preparation and a strategic approach, career changers can successfully navigate the transition from education to corporate instructional design. Whether you're currently pursuing your degree or contemplating a career shift, this episode offers valuable insights from someone who has recently made the leap.

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Mathematics doesn't have to be intimidating, confusing, or useless. Dr. Craig Hane proves this through his remarkable journey from being told he wasn't "college material" to revolutionizing how math is taught and learned.

Dr. Hane shares how his uncle taught him practical mathematics that put him ahead of his peers, yet traditional algebra instruction nearly derailed his academic future. This contradiction sparked a lifelong mission to transform mathematical education. With refreshing candor, he explains why 90% of what's in standard algebra textbooks is either obsolete or unnecessarily theoretical, serving examinations rather than real-life applications.

Whether you're a student struggling with mathematics, an educator seeking better approaches, or someone who's always felt alienated by traditional math instruction, this conversation offers a revolutionary perspective on learning and teaching. Dr. Hane’s practical, technology-embracing approach could transform how we think about not just mathematics, but education as a whole.

🔗 Website and Social Links:

Please visit Dr. Hane's website and social media links below.

Craig Hane's Website

Triad Math Army (TMA) Website

Triad Math Army Facebook Page

Triad Math Army X Social Media Page

Triad Math Army YouTube Channel

Triad Math Army Instagram Page

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Ready to revolutionize your instructional design approach? The SAM (Successive Approximation Model) might be exactly what you need. This episode explores how this agile alternative to traditional linear design can transform your learning development process.

Dr. Michael Allen created the SAM model to address common frustrations with traditional approaches like ADDIE, where problems are often discovered too late in the process. Whether you choose the streamlined SAM1 for small projects or the more comprehensive SAM2 for team initiatives, you'll benefit from early prototyping, continuous feedback, and reduced rework.

Whether you're new to instructional design or looking to refresh your approach, this episode provides a comprehensive guide to faster, more effective learning development. Remember, as we explore in the episode, rapid doesn't mean rushed; it means building better learning experiences through starting small, testing early, improving often, and staying flexible.

🔗 Episode Links:

Please check out the resource mentioned in the episode. Enjoy! 

The SAM Model Guide

📑 References:

OpenAI. (2025). ChatGPT (June 25 version) [Large language model]. https://chat.openai.com/chat

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When students suddenly started acing exams while finishing them in record time, Dr. Matthew Metzgar knew everything about education was about to change. Rather than fight this AI revolution, he embraced it – developing a practical framework that's now helping educators worldwide transform their courses for this new reality.

Drawing from his experience as a Clinical Professor of Economics and author of "The Overnight Educator: Transform Your Course in 24 Hours," Dr. Metzgar walks us through his innovative five-step approach designed specifically for busy educators who want to adapt without overwhelming time commitments. His method begins with targeting real-world skills employers actually value in the AI era, then designing authentic assignments that students are motivated to complete themselves rather than outsourcing to ChatGPT.

For educators feeling uncertain about embracing AI, Dr. Metzger offers reassurance through transparency: start by normalizing AI conversations with students, experiment with one tool at a time, and recognize that adapting education to technological change has always been part of teaching's evolution. The key is taking that first step.

Please visit Dr. Metzger's website, The Overnight Educator, to find current AI tools for education and information about his book "The Overnight Educator: Transform Your Course in 24 Hours."

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What does the future of work look like when AI becomes your daily assistant? Microsoft AI Solutions Architect Naveen Krishnan offers a compelling glimpse into this reality, sharing how artificial intelligence already handles 30-40% of his daily tasks—and why that percentage will likely reach 70-80% soon.

Naveen's 16-year journey from electronics engineering in India to his current specialized AI role at Microsoft provides valuable context for understanding how rapidly technology careers can evolve. After working with global companies like PepsiCo, JP Morgan Chase, and Capital One, he joined Microsoft in 2021, initially as a Cloud Architect before diving deep into artificial intelligence. His passion for continuous learning—encapsulated in his philosophy that "what I know is just 1% and what I don't know is 99%"—has driven him to write technical blogs, develop AI applications, and even author a comprehensive 350-page book on AI fundamentals and applications.

For instructional designers and educators, Naveen offers practical advice: experiment with AI tools across all aspects of your work now, while the technology is still evolving. He encourages approaching repetitive or time-consuming tasks with the question: "Is there an AI tool that could help me do this more efficiently?" This mindset, combined with staying current on industry developments, positions professionals to thrive in an increasingly AI-enhanced workplace.

🔗 Website and Social Links:

Please visit Naveen's website and social media links below.

Naveen Krishnan's Website

Naveen's LinkedIn Page

Naveen's Technical Blog on Medium

Naveen's Spotify Page

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Artificial Intelligence may be revolutionizing education, but are we using it effectively? In this eye-opening conversation with Nathalie Doremieux, we dive deep into the reality of online learning and how to create experiences that actually work.

The statistics are sobering—only 3-5% of people typically complete online courses. But this isn't just a student motivation problem; it's a fundamental design issue. "People don't want more; they want results," Nathalie explains, challenging the common belief that more content equals more value. Together, we explore how instructional designers can help subject matter experts translate their expertise into programs that don't overwhelm learners but instead guide them systematically toward achievement.

Whether you're an instructional designer, educator, or business owner creating online programs, you'll walk away with actionable strategies for implementing AI thoughtfully, adapting to different learning styles, and focusing relentlessly on what matters most—learner results. This isn't just about better course design; it's about transforming how we think about learning in the digital age.

🔗 Website and Social Links:

Please visit Nathalie's website and social media links below.

The Membership Lab Website

Nathalie's Facebook Page

Nathalie's LinkedIn Page

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What happens when a veteran educator with decades of classroom experience decides to formalize their instructional design skills? In this enlightening conversation, Caroline Amberson opens up about her journey balancing over 22 years of elementary teaching with a master's program in instructional design at Grand Canyon University (GCU).

Whether you're considering a master's in instructional design, curious about educational technology, or wondering how classroom teaching experience translates to other contexts, Caroline's journey offers valuable insights into the evolving landscape of educational design. What educational paths might you explore that build upon your existing expertise? 

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Welcome to episode 30 of the Designing with Love podcast, where I cover the Nine Events of Instruction and how to apply the model when designing a course. In addition, I share some tips for effective implementation and common pitfalls to avoid. 

🔗 Episode Links:

Please check out the resources mentioned in the episode. Enjoy!

Nine Events of Instruction Infographic

Nine Events of Instruction: Tips and Pitfalls Cheat Sheet

📑 References:

OpenAI. (2025). ChatGPT (May 20 version) [Large language model]. https://chat.openai.com/chat

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Welcome to episode 29 of the Designing with Love podcast, where I provide an overview of Bloom's Taxonomy and why it is an important tool for instructional designers to utilize when creating learning objectives, assessments, and activities. In addition, I outline some practical applications of using Bloom's Taxonomy in instructional design. Due to the amount of information covered in this episode, an interactive diagram has been created for you to reference in the future. 

🔗 Episode Links:

Please check out the resources mentioned in the episode. Enjoy!

Bloom's Taxonomy Diagram

Bloom's Taxonomy: Cognitive Domain (Revised)

Bloom's Taxonomy: Psychomotor Domain

Bloom's Digital Taxonomy

📑 References:

OpenAI. (2025). ChatGPT (May 8 version) [Large language model]. https://chat.openai.com/chat

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Welcome to episode 28 of the Designing with Love podcast, where I describe what Cognitive Load Theory is and why it is important in the instructional design field. In addition, I discuss the science behind cognitive load theory and some practical tips for managing it in your instructional design projects. Due to the amount of information covered in this episode, an interactive guide has been created for you to reference in the future. A copy of the guide and a visual of the Dr. Seuss quote I shared at the end of the episode are included in the show notes.

🔗 Episode Links:

Please check out the resources mentioned in the episode. Enjoy!

Cognitive Load Guide

Dr. Seuss Education Quote

📑 References:

Atkinson, R. C., & Shiffrin, R. M. (1968). Human memory: A proposed system and its control processes. In K. W. Spence & J. T. Spence (Eds.), The psychology of learning and motivation (Vol. 2, pp. 89–195). Academic Press. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0079-7421(08)60422-3

Baddeley, A. D. (1992). Working memory. Science, 255(5044), 556–559. https://doi.org/10.1126/science.1736359

Mayer, R. E. (2009). Multimedia Learning (2nd ed.). Cambridge University Press.

Sweller, J., Ayres, P., & Kalyuga, S. (2011). Cognitive Load Theory. Springer.

Note: The list of references above is a condensed version. Please visit the Cognitive Load Guide resource for a full listing of references.

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