Welcome to episode 41 of the Designing with Love podcast, where I cover why understanding Adult Learning Theory is fundamental to creating effective and engaging learning experiences for adult learners.

Ever wondered why some learning experiences resonate deeply with adult learners while others fall flat? The answer lies in understanding how adults learn differently from children – a critical distinction that shapes effective instructional design.

In this illuminating episode, I dive into the fascinating world of adult learning theory and why it matters for anyone creating educational experiences. We explore how adult learning differs fundamentally from pedagogy by emphasizing autonomy, relevance, and real-world problem-solving rather than dependent learning. Adults bring rich experiences to the table and seek learning that serves clear purposes with immediate application.

Whether you're creating corporate training, teaching college courses, or building online content, understanding adult learning theory makes your work exponentially more impactful. Download the reference diagram from this episode and share your own experiences applying these principles in your work. Education isn't about filling pails—it's about lighting fires in the minds of your adult learners.

🔗 Episode Links:

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

Adult Learning Theory Diagram

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Ever wondered why so many online courses fail to deliver meaningful learning experiences? In this enlightening conversation with Dr. Catrina Mitchum, founder of Catrina Mitchum Learning Design, we uncover the critical mistakes that derail course creators and the powerful solutions that can transform digital learning.

Dr. Mitchum shares her journey from higher education professor to course design specialist, revealing how she became an "accidental instructional designer" when her community college lacked these crucial professionals. Her insights stem from both academic expertise and hands-on experience helping course creators avoid the pitfalls of poor design.

Whether you're an aspiring instructional designer, a course creator looking to improve your offerings, or an educator seeking to enhance your teaching approach, this episode delivers actionable strategies to create learning experiences that truly transform knowledge into application. As Dr. Mitchum powerfully states, "Information without application is useless."

🔗 Website and Social Links:

Please visit Dr. Catrina Mitchum’s website and social media links below.

Catrina Mitchum’s Website

Catrina Mitchum’s LinkedIn Page

Catrina Mitchum’s YouTube Channel

📢 Call to Action: Free Course Maker Jumpstart

This jumpstart lets you get some initial feedback on early-stage ideas for a course without having to do a ton of work before seeing if people are interested in what you want to build. This can help you start the process in a way that feels less overwhelming.

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Tommy Kilpatrick's spiritual journey takes us from the classrooms of California to the villages of the Philippines in this thought-provoking exploration of faith, purpose, and radical giving.

Subscribe now to hear Tommy's practical wisdom on practicing "random acts of kindness" in cross-cultural contexts, his unique perspective on breathing as a spiritual practice, and his inspiring vision for rehabilitating those struggling with addiction. His story reminds us that true purpose emerges when we focus on giving rather than receiving.

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Please visit Tommy Kilpatrick’s website and social media links below.

Tommy Kilpatrick’s Website

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👍🏼 Please make sure to like and share this episode with others. Here's to great learning!

Ever wondered how educators transform into instructional designers? Shane Strand takes us through his fascinating journey from high school teacher to curriculum coordinator to instructional designer in higher education. What begins as a story of career transition unfolds into a masterclass on navigating the evolving landscape of instructional design.

For those entering the field or looking to advance, Shane offers practical advice: "There's always new tools popping up. Almost all of them have free trials, so be brave and test them out." This spirit of continuous experimentation and learning emerges as the key to success in this dynamic profession where technology and educational theory intersect in increasingly innovative ways.

Ready to expand your instructional design toolkit and connect with a community of like-minded professionals? Subscribe now and join the conversation about the future of learning design.

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🗣️ Want to be a guest on Designing with Love? Send Jackie Pelegrin a message on PodMatch, here: Be a guest on the show

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👍🏼 Please make sure to like and share this episode with others. Here's to great learning!

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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👍🏼 Please make sure to like and share this episode with others. Here's to great learning!

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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👍🏼 Please make sure to like and share this episode with others. Here's to great learning!

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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👍🏼 Please make sure to like and share this episode with others. Here's to great learning!

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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💟 Designing with Love + allows you to support the show by keeping the mic on and the ideas flowing. Click on the link above to provide your support.

☕ Buy Me a Coffee is another way you can support the show, either as a one-time gift or through a monthly subscription. 

🗣️ Want to be a guest on Designing with Love? Send Jackie Pelegrin a message on PodMatch, here: Be a guest on the show

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👍🏼 Please make sure to like and share this episode with others. Here's to great learning!

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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💟 Designing with Love + allows you to support the show by keeping the mic on and the ideas flowing. Click on the link above to provide your support.

☕ Buy Me a Coffee is another way you can support the show, either as a one-time gift or through a monthly subscription. 

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👍🏼 Please make sure to like and share this episode with others. Here's to great learning!

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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Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.

Support the show

💟 Designing with Love + allows you to support the show by keeping the mic on and the ideas flowing. Click on the link above to provide your support.

☕ Buy Me a Coffee is another way you can support the show, either as a one-time gift or through a monthly subscription. 

🗣️ Want to be a guest on Designing with Love? Send Jackie Pelegrin a message on PodMatch, here: Be a guest on the show

🌐 Check out the show's website here: Designing with Love

📱 Send a text to the show by clicking the Send Jackie a Text link above. 

👍🏼 Please make sure to like and share this episode with others. Here's to great learning!