Listen to alumi Antoine Hunger and Jon Chavez —also Director of Academic Advising— tell how the Kaplan Leadership Program is making a tangible difference for high-potential, underserved community college students in New York City and New Jersey.

Jon talks about the important but not always easy decision to complete a Higher Ed education, while Antoine opens up about his life-changing transition from Hostos Community College to Yale University.

We delve into the importance of taking chances and believing you're worthy of them, finding scholarships and other sources of support, and considering alternative academic pathways to achieve your dreams.

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Hello everyone! My name is Ladek and my guest for today is Dr. Ayelet Zur-Nayberg. She is the Director of Adult Student Success at the Colorado Community College System (CCCS), where he has been working for two years. She is responsible for developing and implementing policies, programs, and initiatives that support the academic and career goals of adult learners across 13 colleges and 40 campuses.

Ayelet is passionate about enhancing the quality and accessibility of higher education for all learners, especially those who face barriers and disadvantages. She has been nominated for several awards that recognize her work and efforts to advance the Latinx community and the use of innovative pedagogy in Colorado.

In this ‘inclusive’ conversation Dr. Ayelet and I talk about
00:00 › Start

02:09 › Adulting—We discuss the importance of adult learners and the significant role they play in the community college ecosystem, especially given the shrinking population of traditional college-age students

06:01 › Toughing It Out There—Dr. Ayelet then outlines the primary challenges faced by adult learners, from scheduling to recognition of prior learning. We also cover systemic barriers that hinder adult learner progress and steps being taken to address them

20:10 ›Strategizing—Dr. Ayelet then discusses strategies for recruiting and retaining adult learners, focusing on the need for transparent communication regarding schedules, costs, and potential returns on investment. This also includes the importance of rebranding the community college experience to make it more appealing and accessible to adult learners

33:51 ›Inclusiving—Finally, we discuss the significance of creating a supportive and peer-inclusive environment for non-traditional learners, emphasizing the need for tailored approaches to tutoring and learning resources.

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Hello everyone! My name is Ladek and my guest for today is Ann Herrmann-Nehdi, who is the Chief Thought Leader and Chair of Herrmann International. She is an Author, researcher and keynoter, whose work is specialized on the practical application of neuroscience and cognitive diversity to human and organization development and improvement.

Ann has several widely viewed TEDx talks and is the co-author of The Whole Brain Business Book, now in its second edition. Her current research includes workplace resilience and the brain, the future of work and the development of women leaders in the workplace.

In this ‘very flowing’ conversation Ann and I talk about

00:00 › Start
02:27 › LITFOW—The core concept of "Learning In The Flow Of Work" and its significance in today's quickly changing work environments
04:03 › INSTINCT—Ann illustrates the natural human instinct to seek instant solutions and learning opportunities in everyday life challenges
15:43 › ACTION—We shift the discussion to the applicability of learning in the flow of work across different teams and its customization to fit diverse learning needs
29:21 › CONTEMPLATION—We end our conversation contemplating the balance between immediate, on-the-job learning and the necessity of taking time out for deeper, more immersive learning experiences, especially when considering significant pivots in one's career path.

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Hello everyone! My name is Ladek and my guest for today is James Robilotta.

James is a leadership author, motivational speaker, MC and trained improv comedian. After years of building, training, and leading teams, James followed an entrepreneurial dream and built two successful businesses. The first is an organization that incorporates freestyle rap into improv comedy—a success story for another day. The second, his speaking and coaching business, the success story we’re talking about today.

James’ cornerstone concept is that we as humans cannot learn from people who are perfect. We can only learn from people who are imperfect.

In this ‘very empathetic’ conversation
00:00 › Start

01:37 › Understand the Person—James sets the stage for understanding the person behind the professional and how he came to focus on empathy in personal development

04:20 › Are You Credible Or Relatable?—James discusses the difference between credibility and relatability and how these concepts play out in educational and leadership roles

10:08 › Making Your Transition—James explores the transition from credibility to relatability and provides practical advice for those of us looking to make this critical shift in their professional lives

13:12 › Don't Aim To Please—James ponders the appropriateness of relatability in various contexts and its potential pitfalls, adding a layer of complexity to our understanding of interpersonal dynamics

21:46 › Aim For Curious—James turns to curiosity, its significance, impact and transformative power. We also address challenges faced by introverts in being outwardly curious

31:43 › Ask Questions—We discuss practical advice on how to ask questions, and the risks associated with a lack of curiosity, within the broader implications for retention, innovation, and community building.

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Hello everyone! My name is Ladek and my guest for today is Charlotte Evans.

Charlotte is Senior Solutions Consultant at Coursera, and advises North American companies on their upskilling and reskilling learning solutions. She worked in Asia for five years in student services, where she also pursued a fellowship through the World Innovation Summit for Education (WISE) Learners’ Voice program.

In this ‘data driven’ conversation Charlotte and I talk about
00:00 › Start

01:12 › Her journey and her role at Coursera where she assists companies in sifting through the overwhelming array of learning options to find the right solutions for their teams.

03:00 › The core of our discussion revolves around the Skills Compass report, a pivotal piece of research to which Charlotte contributed. We probe into the significance of this report, its findings and its relevance in today's fast-paced learning and development landscape.

15:32 › The conversation then moves into ROI in learning, with Charlotte discussing how companies can balance short-term gains with long-term value through skill development.

20:17 › Charlotte then addresses the challenge of content chaos and how companies approach Coursera for help in organizing their learning strategies and making sense of the overwhelming amount of learning content available.

26:24 › Finally, we end our conversation talking about the impact of company size on approaches to learning and adapting to generative AI, with Charlotte sharing her observations on the diverse strategies employed by different organizations.

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Hello everyone! My name is Ladek and my guest for today is Devin Hughes. Devin founded a boutique training and development firm to help established and emerging leaders grow to reach their potential and their teams’.

Devin is a speaker, author, and culture expert. He is the author of 21 books and has spoken in over 15 countries.

His approach draws from the science of positive psychology, positive organizational research, appreciative inquiry, neuroscience, mindset, and mindfulness.

In this ‘very positive’ conversation we talk about
00:00 › Start

00:32 › Gratitude—Devin starts us off by sparking an insightful conversation about the power of dedicating time to reflection and thankfulness and the broader implications of using positive psychology in our lives

02:14 › Optimistic—Devin then shares his background, work, and the impact of positive psychology on organizational culture and personal well-being, offering listeners a deep dive into the principles that drive positive change

04:41 › Constructive—Devin then offers practical applications of positive psychology in educational settings, discussing strategies for educators and learners alike to foster environments that promote well-being and engagement, including how to start and end classes or lectures on a positive note

10:22 › Impact—Devin then discusses the lasting effects of positive psychology interventions, revealing how these moments of "fantasticness" can extend beyond the classroom and into the broader aspects of a learner's life

15:08 › Growth—We turn our attention towards the significance of human connection and the design of public spaces that encourage interaction, reflecting on how societal design impacts our ability to connect with one another

20:50 › Thrive—We wrap up our conversation with practical tips for educators on creating experiences that not only educate but also connect and enrich the lives of learners, emphasizing the role of educators in fostering environments of growth and belonging.

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Hello everyone! My name is Ladek and my guest for today is Bridgett McGowen. Bridgett is an award-winning author, publisher, and international speaker who is known to be both comical and memorable. She will not only energize you, but she will inspire you to not let anyone or anything get in the way of you being the most unforgettable person in the room.

In this ‘very presentable’ conversation Bridgett and I talk about
00:00 › Start
03:39 › The Art Of Engaging an audience effectively—Bridgett shares where she would start when it comes to captivating an audience, whether online or in person

04:00 › Your Engagement Style—Bridgett then tackles the positive aspects of engagement by outlining what successful engagement looks like across different teaching formats, offering actionable insights for educators and presenters alike

06:31 › Enhance, ENHANCE—Bridgett discusses common challenges faced by individuals aiming to enhance their presentation skills and provides solutions to overcome these hurdles and elevate your presenting game

08:29 › Role Nuances—Bridgett breaks down the roles of facilitator, teacher, and presenter, explaining how each persona interacts with their audience and the unique challenges they face. This segment is crucial for understanding the nuances of effective communication

14:03 › For Introverts—Bridget considers introverted professionals and their path to engagement success, by sharing personal anecdotes and tips for those who may not naturally seek the spotlight but still wish to make a significant impact

19:18 › Pacing—We shift to content delivery and pacing. Bridgett advises on how to balance your material within the constraints of time without overwhelming your audience

24:49 › Tweak It—Bridgett shares one or two small but powerful adjustments you can make to up your game in online presentations or webinars

26:33 › Cues—Finally we discuss the importance of nonverbal cues, camera positioning, and the choice of attire in enhancing online engagement. Bridgett provides practical advice to create a more personal and impactful online presence.
🎓

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Hello everyone! My name is Ladek and my guest for today is James McKenna, the author of Upskill, Reskill, Thrive! Optimizing Learning & Development in the Workplace (2023). He serves as Assistant Director of Professional Learning and Leadership Development at the California Collaborative for Educational Excellence. He also runs a consulting firm, McKenna Learning, where he helps organizations take a human-centered approach to learning and improvement.

In this ‘very expert’ conversation James and I talk about
00:00 › Start

01:33 › Workforce Insight—James shares insights from his book, which sets the stage for a deeper discussion on expert learning and its significance in today’s workforce

05:43 › Experiment, To Learn—James delves into the critical topic of experimentation and learning from failures, where he advises introducing these essential skills to colleagues and creating an environment that nurtures innovation and resilience

08:42 › Culture Roles—James then explores the pivotal roles within the workplace that enable and support a learning culture, highlighting the importance of leadership, management, and peer support in facilitating continuous growth and development

13:42 › OMG Moment—We pivot to address the "OMG moments" of learning discoveries that have the potential to transform organizational processes and outcomes, discussing how to effectively bring these insights back to the team without resistance

17:21 › Of All Sizes—James underscores the principle that "one size doesn't fit all" in learning, elaborating on how expert learners navigate and personalize their learning journeys to meet their unique needs and objectives

22:21 › When Learner Goals Deviate—James discusses the challenge of managing learners who might deviate from organizational goals in their quest for knowledge, seeking strategies to balance individual learning aspirations with business objectives

24:54 › Learning Culture Forward—We examine the common obstacles that organizations face in creating and sustaining a learning culture, emphasizing the mindset shifts and systemic changes necessary to overcome these barriers

29:30 › Practicalities—Our dialogue shifts towards practical steps for integrating a learning culture into the daily workflow, discussing how organizations can make learning an intrinsic part of their operations without overwhelming their employees

33:35 › Owning Every Learning—We touch on the importance of recognizing and formalizing learning achievements, exploring ways in which individuals can showcase their skills and competencies in a manner that aligns with career advancement goals

36:06 › James offers actionable advice for organizations eager to start implementing expert learning practices today, providing a roadmap for gradual, impactful change

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