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Learning Rebels Podcast

Learning Rebels Podcast

Written by: Shannon Tipton
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 Get the live, unfiltered conversations behind the popular Learning Rebels Coffee Chat. Workplace Learning will never be the same.Copyright 2021 All rights reserved. Careers Economics Personal Success
Episodes
  • Bias Traps and Design Flops

    Bias Traps and Design Flops
    Jan 21 2026
    It all started with the BIG question on the table. How do cognitive biases sneak into our learning designs—and what can we do about it? It quickly became clear this conversation was going to hit close to home. We all fall into these traps—affinity bias, confirmation bias, halo effect, availability heuristic, and the Dunning-Kruger effect. It's not about shame; it's about recognizing that our brains have built-in shortcuts that sometimes help us and sometimes lead us astray. The group shared real examples. One person caught themselves gravitating toward job candidates they liked rather than those with the best portfolios. Another realized they'd been making assumptions about learner personas based on who they wanted the audience to be, not who it actually was. We talked about how personality assessments like DISC can create bias, putting people in boxes and giving them excuses for behavior. And we explored the "squeaky wheel" problem—when one loud voice convincing us "everybody" needs something turns out to be just that one person. The conversation turned practical. How do we catch ourselves? Listen for trigger words like "everyone," "always," and "never." Add a bias checkpoint to your needs analysis process. Share your assumptions with colleagues as accountability partners. One suggestion that landed: upload your training needs analysis into AI and ask it what you missed or overstated—an unbiased second look can reveal blind spots you didn't even know were there. The takeaway wasn't about fixing ourselves overnight. It's about awareness. Recognizing when you're walking that worn path and choosing to step out of the trench. Starting with yourself before trying to point out biases in others. And when you see it happening in stakeholder meetings, using the gentle nudge: "I've heard that too—help me understand who 'everyone' is in your world." So what bias are you going to watch for in your next stakeholder meeting? Stay curious! -Shannon Video Transcript Transcript Summary Chatbox Resources Cognitive Bias Quiz 5 Cognitive Biases Sabotaging Your Learning Programs Explaining the Dunning-Kruger Effect Unmasking the Mind: 11 Cognitive Biases That Can Derail Workplace Decisions (and How to Overcome Them) The Cognitive Bias Checker Books Cognitive Biases - A Brief Overview of Over 160 Cognitive Biases: + Bonus Chapter: Algorithmic Bias by Murat Durmus Mental Models: Learn How to Improve Decision Making, Problem Solving, Develop Better Strategic Thinking and Reasoning Ability to Avoid Cognitive Biases by Joe Silva The Critical Mind: Enhance Your Problem Solving, Questioning, Observing, and Evaluating Skills (Cognitive Development Book 2) by Zoe McKey How Our Brains Betray Us by Magnus McDaniels Be part of the Community. Gain more valuable resources to build your skills! Learn more here. Join the conversation Be part of the live chat! Sign up here. Hire Learning Rebels When you need learning that sticks, we’ll fight to make performance results happen. Visit the Learning Rebels website to learn more Host: Shannon Tipton Podcast produced by: Obsidian Productions
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    33 mins
  • Murder Mystery Learning Design

    Murder Mystery Learning Design
    Dec 18 2025
    It all started with the BIG question on the table. How can we set goals that truly align with our personal and professional aspirations while making the process motivating, realistic, and actionable? This Coffee Chat was all about rethinking how we approach goal setting. Forget the old SMART goals you’ve heard about a thousand times—this conversation was focused on making goals meaningful, personal, and, most importantly, doable. We talked about the problem with framing goals in a negative light. How often do we say, “I need to stop doing this” or “I should do that”? We instead tried to ask “What’s the positive motivation behind my goal?” We also had some fun with numbers! By calculating the weekends left in our lives (yes, weekends), we got a new perspective on time and how to prioritize what matters most. It’s not about how many years you have left, but about how you’re using the time you’ve got. There was a great moment when someone shared their experience with imposter syndrome. But remember, Identifying barriers upfront—like fear or complexity—is the first step to overcoming them. This chat was full of “aha” moments and practical ideas, but what stuck with me most was this: Goal setting isn’t just about planning. It’s about believing in the process, breaking things down, and being kind to yourself along the way. So, what are your big, hairy, audacious goals? What’s stopping you? Let’s keep the conversation going! Stay Curious! ~Shannon

    Resources: Video

    Transcript

    Transcript Summary

    Chatbox

    Resources

    BHAG Big Rock Goal Setting Planner

    Books

    SMARTER Goals: A Better & Smarter Approach To Setting & Achieving Goals by Tal Gur

    The Efficient Path to Success - A Practical Guide to Achieving Your Goals by Nelson JR

    Start Poorly: Sidestepping Perfection to Reach Your Goals by Justin Grifford

    Goal Setting: Forget SMART Goals Try SMARTER Goals by Martin Formato Be part of the Community. Gain more valuable resources to build your skills! Learn more here. Join the conversation Be part of the live chat! Sign up here. Hire Learning Rebels When you need learning that sticks, we’ll fight to make performance results happen. Visit the Learning Rebels website to learn more Host: Shannon Tipton Podcast produced by: Obsidian Productions
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    40 mins
  • Strategic Rest, Not Strategic Stress

    Strategic Rest, Not Strategic Stress
    Dec 5 2025
    It all started with the BIG question on the table. What does burnout really look like, and how do we bring ourselves back from it without treating rest like another item on the to-do list? This Coffee Chat opened with an honest acknowledgment that many of us are feeling stretched thin. Between back-to-school schedules, heavy workloads, shifting priorities, and the general pace of life, it has been catching up with people. Special guest Chris Coladonato joined us to talk about rest as a strategy rather than something you squeeze in when everything else falls apart. What stood out early on was the reminder that burnout is not always obvious. Sometimes you only recognize it when you finally stop. The conversation was filled with relatable moments. People shared the signs they notice in themselves, like irritability, lack of motivation, mistakes that seem to pile up, or the feeling of being backed into a corner. Others admitted they do not realize they are burned out until something forces them to pause. Chris encouraged us to look for these cues sooner and to view rest as a practice that happens throughout the day rather than a reward you earn at the very end of a long stretch. Even small breaks create a reset, whether it is stepping outside, stretching, listening to the birds, or taking a minute to breathe without checking email. There was also an honest look at the guilt so many of us feel when we take a break. A lot of that pressure comes from old beliefs, workplace culture, or past expectations about what “busy” is supposed to mean. We were reminded that we often put as much pressure on ourselves as anyone else does. Choosing rest is choosing yourself, and that choice matters. People shared creative ways they weave in restorative moments, such as using Notion boards to track energy levels, taking tiny walks, using music, doodling, or keeping a calming activity nearby so it is easy to reach for during short pockets of time. As the chat wrapped up, the takeaway was simple. Burnout does not disappear through one long weekend or a single deep breath. It shifts when we build small practices that support us throughout the day. It shifts when we notice our signals and respond with care. And it shifts when we stop viewing rest as laziness and start treating it as maintenance for being human. Stay curious! -Shannon Video Transcript Chatbox Transcript Summary Resources Zentangle Sacred Rest Book Club Recharge-Renew-Refocus Your Toolkit Books Burnout Recovery: 15 techniques to overcome chronic stress, regain control, restore your energy and your focus by Amber Pierce Burnout Recovery Breakthrough: A Compassionate Guide to Manage Stress Overload and Build Unshakable Mental Resilience to Reclaim your Happiness by Laurie Grist I'm So Effing Tired: A Proven Plan to Beat Burnout, Boost Your Energy, and Reclaim Your Life by Amy Shah The Burnout Solution: 7 Steps from Exhausted to Extraordinary by Sharon Grossman Be part of the Community. Gain more valuable resources to build your skills! Learn more here. Join the conversation Be part of the live chat! Sign up here. Hire Learning Rebels When you need learning that sticks, we’ll fight to make performance results happen. Visit the Learning Rebels website to learn more Host: Shannon Tipton Podcast produced by: Obsidian Productions
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    42 mins
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