This week on The Fabulous Learning Nerds, host Scott Schuette sits down with producer and learning engagement specialist Sam VanTassel to uncover his unexpected journey into L&D. From flipping metaphorical pages in eLearning to engineering dopamine-driven design, Sam shares what it means to be new to the field—and why that’s exactly where innovation begins.

Whether you're just starting out or mentoring the next generation of IDs, this episode is packed with relatable lessons, surprising insights, and just the right dose of nerdy joy.

• Know When NOT to Train – Sam emphasizes one of the most underrated ID skills: recognizing when L&D isn't the solution.

• Design for Delight – Discover how sound, interactivity, and tactile recall can create unexpectedly powerful microlearning moments.

• AI is Your Co-Pilot – Learn how AI doubled Sam’s productivity and transformed his research and content creation workflows.

Our Guest: Sam VanTassel—an emerging instructional design force bringing heart, creativity, and fresh eyes to the world of learning and development. Sam joined the Fabulous Learning Nerds in 2023 and brings a unique blend of communications, customer service, and psychology to his work in instructional design. His mission? To craft learning that’s not only effective, but meaningful—for individuals and organizations alike. Whether he’s engaging with subject matter experts or building tactile eLearning in Articulate, Sam is driven by one goal: helping people learn better.

In this power-packed episode of the Fabulous Learning Nerds, we’re thrilled to sit down with the dynamic Debbie Radish-Respess, founder of Invisible Horizons Coaching and Consulting, to break down what it really means to lead with excellence in today’s evolving workplace. From shedding the corporate armor to discovering your “zone of genius,” this conversation isn’t about fixing broken leaders — it’s about unleashing the authentic, high-impact versions of ourselves that already exist.

Debbie brings decades of experience, a whole lot of cheesehead pride, and a fresh philosophy on leadership that cuts through the buzzwords and gets to the heart of what makes people — and organizations — thrive.

In this Episode:

• Leadership isn’t one-size-fits-all. Debbie’s model redefines excellence by aligning authenticity, behavior, and strategy to create measurable business impact.

• The “Zone of Genius” vs. “Zone of Impact”: Discover the difference — and how leading from both can elevate your influence and team performance.

• Ditch accountability, embrace ownership. Replace punishment-based culture with one focused on internal drive, impact partners, and self-leadership.

Our Guest: Debbie Radish-Respess is the founder and CEO of Invisible Horizons Coaching & Consulting, where she helps organizations unlock their full potential through human-centered leadership development, executive coaching, and strategic facilitation. With a strong background in HR, operations, and supply chain management, Debbie empowers leaders to lead from their authentic selves — building stronger teams, cultures, and business results along the way.

What’s the most powerful learning moment you’ve ever had… that didn’t come from a classroom?

This week on Fabulous Learning Nerds, we dive into the surprising moments where real learning happens—when you’re not expecting it. From minute-and-a-half tutorials to epic Dungeons & Dragons sessions, Scott, Dan, Zeta, and Sam explore how unconventional experiences can spark powerful insights—and how we can harness that magic in the way we design learning today.

In this Episode:

• The best learning doesn’t always look like learning. Great instructional design often mirrors what games and pop culture do so well—immersive, intuitive, and fun.

• Too much content kills curiosity. Bite-sized, well-chunked learning beats information overload every time.

• People learn better when they help build the experience. Co-creation increases engagement, ownership, and stickiness—whether it’s a training session or a dungeon map.

Tap in to discover how everyday moments can transform your learning strategy—and how a little unexpected inspiration can go a long way.

In this episode of Fabulous Learning Nerds, we uncover the real HR horror stories—and how outsourcing your HR might just be the game-changer your business didn’t know it needed. Featuring the incredibly insightful Ali Yoder, founder of 2A Talent Resource, we explore how smart, scalable HR solutions can save you time, money, and major headaches. Throughout the conversation, Ali emphasizes the importance of proactive HR practices and the value of partnering with experienced professionals to navigate the complexities of workforce management.​

In this Episode:

• Proactive HR Audits are Essential: Regular HR audits help identify areas of risk and ensure compliance with labor laws, preventing potential legal issues before they arise.​

• Outsourcing HR Provides Expertise Without Full-Time Costs: Small to mid-sized companies can access top-tier HR services without the expense of maintaining a full-time, in-house HR department.​

• HR Needs Support Too: Even HR professionals benefit from mentorship and external guidance to effectively manage challenges and drive positive change within their organizations.

Ali Yoder is the founder of 2A Talent Resource, a professional HR outsourcing and consulting firm. With nearly 20 years of experience in human resources, Ali has worked across various industries, including manufacturing and pharmaceuticals. Her expertise encompasses HR compliance, risk management, training and development, and strategic workforce planning. Ali is dedicated to helping businesses, especially small to mid-sized companies, navigate the complexities of HR by providing tailored solutions that drive growth and operational excellence.

Ever wondered what it really takes to ditch the 9-to-5 and build a thriving freelance career in instructional design?  Is it freedom, flexibility, or just a whole lot of hustle? In this episode of Fabulous Learning Nerds, we sit down with Parker Grant, Ph.D., and Andrea Dottling, M.Ed., co-founders of IDLance, to uncover the secrets behind successful freelancing. Whether you're just starting out or looking to level up, this episode is packed with insights you can’t afford to miss!

In this Episode:

• Building a Freelance Network: Learn how to connect with other professionals to create a supportive community that fosters growth and collaboration.​

• Navigating Client Relationships: Discover strategies for managing client expectations and delivering high-quality work that keeps them coming back.​

• Continuous Skill Development: Understand the importance of ongoing learning to stay competitive and meet the evolving demands of the industry.​

Parker A. Grant, Ph.D is an instructional designer, eLearning developer, cartoonist, and learning consultant with over 21 years of experience at a Fortune 50 company. He holds an M.S. in Educational Technology and a Ph.D. in Adult Learning, specializing in mental models and concept mapping. In 2008, Parker launched his own consulting business, leading to the co-founding of IDLance in 2020. 

Andrea Dottling, M.Ed.: is a writer, instructional designer, technologist, consultant, drummer, artist, and reformed stand-up comedian. She has been passionate about instructional design since 2015 and holds degrees from NYU, The New School, and an M.Ed. in Learning & Technology from Western Governors University. Andrea co-founded IDLance alongside Parker, bringing her diverse talents to the forefront of the instructional design community.

Is your learning strategy truly ready for the future, or are you just keeping up? In this episode of Fabulous Learning Nerds, hosts Scott Schuette, and Dan Coonrod, sit down AGAIN with Steve Corney, CEO and Head of Learning at Learn Awesome, to explore the rapidly evolving world of learning technologies. From AI-driven personalization to the latest EdTech innovations, they uncover the tools and strategies that will keep you ahead of the curve.

In this Episode:

• Embracing Digital Transformation: Discover how integrating cutting-edge technologies can enhance learner engagement and break traditional educational barriers.

• Strategic Implementation of AI in Education: Learn about practical applications of artificial intelligence to personalize learning experiences and improve outcomes.

• Future-Proofing Your Learning Strategy: Gain insights into developing adaptable learning strategies that evolve with technological advancements.

Steve Corney is the CEO and Head of Learning at Learn Awesome, an organization dedicated to empowering clients to fall in love with learning and training. With a career that began as a face-to-face workshop facilitator, Steve has a reputation for delivering engaging and impactful programs. He is self-taught in building LMS platforms and creating eLearning solutions, focusing on solving client problems and commercializing knowledge. Steve is unapologetically authentic, aiming to partner with clients to harness the power of training and digital education.

Ever feel like your L&D team is stuck in the cycle of saying “yes” to every request, churning out training that doesn’t truly move the needle? It’s time to break free! In this episode of Fabulous Learning Nerds, we’re joined by Jess Almlie, a seasoned learning and performance strategist, who shares how L&D professionals can shift from order takers to strategic business partners.

In this Episode:

• Stop Taking Orders – Start Driving Strategy: L&D teams must position themselves as performance consultants, not passive training providers.

• Shift from Activity to Impact: It’s not about the number of courses created—it’s about measurable business results.

• Know the Business Inside and Out: Learning leaders must understand organizational goals, KPIs, and pain points to be effective.

With over two decades of experience in learning and talent development, Jess Almlie is on a mission to transform L&D teams from order takers into strategic business partners. As the Founder of Almlie Consulting, she helps organizations rethink their approach to learning, moving beyond traditional training to measurable performance impact.