Welcome to EdUp Learning and Development, hosted by Holly Owens!

Career Development Episodes

Feb. 25, 2025

157: Talking All about Jobs with Chelsea Maude Averitt, Founder, Skip

In this episode, I was so excited to reconnect with one of my favorite people, Chelsea Maude Avirett, founder of Skip. In this tip-packed episode, we discuss the evolving landscape of Learning and Development (L&D) careers, focusing on job opportunities, salary transparency, and the transition from…

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Nov. 14, 2024

155: Essential Tools for Being an Effective L&D Professional with L&D…

In this engaging conversation, Holly Owens moderates a discussion with L&D experts Tom and Heidi, exploring the latest trends, tools, and strategies in Learning and Development. They delve into effective communication tools, task management, project management, instructional design, and graphic des…

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Nov. 6, 2024

Episode 1: The Digging in Series - The Journey of Entrepreneurship wi…

If you're thinking about getting into the entrepreneurial space, this episode is for YOU! In this episode of EdUp Learning and Development I got to sit down with my new boss Shaunak Roy, founder and CEO of Yellowdig, to chat about the realities of entrepreneurship, the importance of community and…

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Sept. 26, 2024

153: Instructional Design Interview Questions and How to Answer Them …

In this engaging webinar, Holly Owens shares her extensive experience in instructional design and offers valuable insights into the interview process for aspiring instructional designers. The discussion covers key strategies ...

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Sept. 11, 2024

151: From IBM to Dean: Isaac Herskowitz's Journey in Instructional Te…

In this episode of EdUp Learning and Development, Holly Owens interviews Isaac Herskowitz, the Dean of the Graduate School of Technology at Touro University. Isaac shares his journey from working at IBM to becoming the Dean and highlights the importance of practical education in the field of instru…

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Sept. 11, 2024

150: Learning & Development Demystified: L&D Across Sectors and Conte…

Some might ask... What is L&D? In this episode, hosts Holly Owens and Nadia Johnson discuss their experiences and expertise in the field of learning and development (L&D). They share their personal journeys from teaching to instructional design and highlight the transferable skills that teachers…

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Aug. 15, 2024

148: It's Not Just One Thing - Tips for Navigating the L&D Job Market…

In this episode, Holly Owens covers navigating the learning and development job market, emphasizing networking, authentic connections, and the skills needed for success as an instructional designer. She advises job seekers to be selective and find their niche. Holly also compares instructional desi…

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Aug. 6, 2024

147: Advice for Starting a Career in Instructional Design and Technol…

Payam Bina, the chair of the instructional technology program at Touro University, discusses the unique offerings of the program and its focus on integrating technology into educational and corporate settings. The program emp...

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July 16, 2024

144: Creating a Learning Culture within Organizations, Taresa Scott, …

In this episode, Holly Owens and Nadia Johnson interview Taresa Scott, the founder of Blueprint. They discuss Taresa's journey as a founder and the work that Bleuprint does. They also explore the importance of creating a learning culture within organizations and the trends in L&D and e-learning. Th…

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July 2, 2024

142: Closing the Gap: Aligning Education and Workforce Systems with A…

In this episode of EdUp Learning and Development, host Holly Owens interviews Dr. Angie Besendorfer, Chief Impact Officer at AstrumU. They discuss the challenges of the current job application process and the need for a more ...

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June 25, 2024

141: Continuous Learning and Growth in L&D: A Conversation with Sean …

In this episode, we got interview the amazing Sean Jennison, the Senior DSP Learning Experience Manager at Amazon. Sean shares his journey into the learning and development space, starting from wanting to be a geography teach...

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May 13, 2024

139: Advocating for Yourself in Interviews and Taking Control of Your…

In this episode, we got interview Dave Fano, the CEO and co-founder of Teal. Dave shares his background and journey, from studying architecture to starting a consulting business and eventually being acquired by WeWork. He discusses the challenges and lessons he learned as an entrepreneur and emphas…

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April 18, 2024

137: Starting Your Career Transition: Taking the First Step to a Care…

In this episode, Holly discusses the topic of transitioning into a career in learning and development (L&D), specifically in instructional design. The speaker emphasizes the importance of being intentional and strategic in the career transition process. She suggests five key steps to take before…

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March 21, 2024

135: TechTalent: Navigating Recruitment in Ed Tech with Former Educat…

In this episode of Edup Ed Tech, we interviewed Spencer Sharp, a Talent Specialist at Field Pros Inc., who specializes in recruiting for the ed tech industry. Sharp shares his journey from being a STEM teacher to entering the...

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March 5, 2024

133: Crafting Your Professional Presence: A Deep Dive into LinkedIn O…

In this episode, Holly Owens and Nadia Johnson delve into the intricacies of LinkedIn optimization, emphasizing the critical nature of establishing a polished professional profile. Key recommendations include utilizing a prof...

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March 2, 2024

132: Navigating Instructional Design Careers: Decoding Job Descriptio…

In this discussion, Holly provides advice on how to navigate job descriptions when applying for roles in instructional design or the learning and development (L&D) field. She emphasizes the importance of identifying the secto...

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Feb. 22, 2024

130: Mastering Skills through Video: A CEO's EdTech Odyssey with Josh…

In this episode, we got to interview Josh Kamrath, CEO of Bongo, an EdTech company that uses video assessment to help learners demonstrate skills or competencies. Kamrath shares his journey from being the first employee of Bo...

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Feb. 12, 2024

127: Job Search Jumpstart: Proven Strategies and Tips from Holly Owen…

Holly Owens and Nadia Johnson discussed their experiences transitioning into instructional design and ed tech roles. They emphasized the importance of knowing what you want to do, conducting thorough research, and networking....

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Nov. 27, 2023

118: Interview Insights - Navigating the Rounds and Questions of Job …

Holly takes us on our journey and discusses the challenging (and anxiety-inducing) interview stages. By the end of this episode, you will feel comfortable and confident when stepping into the your next interview. Our journey ...

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Oct. 31, 2023

111: Leveling Up Education - Taylor Shead's, Founder and CEO of Stemu…

In this episode of Edup Ed Tech, hosts Holly Owens and DaNadia Johnson interview Taylor Shead , the founder and CEO of Stemuli , an educational technology company. Shead shares her journey from aspiring to be a reconstructive...

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