Episodes

What’s next for educators who are ready for a change? In this episode, Holly Owens sits down with Devin Lewis, founder of Next Ground, to discuss career transitions, professional growth, and the opportunities available to educators both inside and outside the classroom. Devin shares what inspired him to create a career navigation platform designed to help educators find their next path without having to figure it all out alone.

Episode Overview What happens when organizations expect employees to embrace change without the support they need? And how can experienced learning and development professionals stand out in an increasingly automated job market? In this episode of EdUp L&D, host Holly Owens sits down with Kristen Lee, a learning strategy and organizational change leader, to explore the intersection of L&D, change management, AI, and the future of work. With nearly 20 years of experience across financial...

In Episode 195 of EdUp L&D, Holly Owens sits down with learning experience consultant Sydne Kasle for a special HIRE THIS PERSON episode highlighting the talent, experience, and perspective that hiring managers shouldn't overlook. With nearly four decades of teaching experience, Sydne brings a unique perspective to instructional design, combining human communication, pedagogy, and a deep understanding of how people learn. She shares why organizations should stop overlooking transitioning teachers for L&D roles and start recognizing the transferable skills they bring to the table.

In this episode, Holly sits down with Nicole Papaioannou Lugara, founder of Your Instructional Designer, to talk about the changing world of learning and development and what it takes to build a sustainable career in an industry that continues to evolve. From the rise of AI to the expanding role of instructional designers, Holly and Nicole have an honest conversation about what is happening in L&D, what professionals need to pay attention to, and how to prepare for what comes next.

In this episode, Holly sits down with Dr. Panos Siozos, CEO and Co-Founder of LearnWorlds, to explore what the rise of AI means for instructional designers, L&D professionals, and the future of learning. Together, they unpack the opportunities and challenges AI brings to the field, and why the future isn't about replacing instructional designers, but empowering them to focus on the parts of learning that matter most.

This episode was previously recorded as a LinkedIn Live on 9/23/26. Holly kicks off the live session with a little housekeeping before inviting listeners to reflect on their own career journeys. The conversation dives into what it really means to build a career around your strengths, and why the experiences that seem unrelated at the time can actually become some of your greatest career assets.

What does it really mean to find a career that feels fulfilling—and how do you navigate the job search when the market feels harder than ever? In this episode of EdUp L&D, I’m joined by Dave Fano, founder of Teal, a career platform designed to help job seekers take more control of their search. Dave and I talk about what people are really looking for in their careers, why the current job market can feel so frustrating, and how AI is changing the way we search for and communicate about jobs. We also dig into something I think gets overlooked way too often: excitement. What if finding a job isn’t just about checking the right boxes, but about finding work that genuinely energizes you? Dave shares his perspective on approaching the job search more objectively, staying authentic throughout the process, creating opportunities instead of waiting for them, and navigating a job market that continues to evolve. If you’re job searching, thinking about your next career move, or si…

You Deserve a Happy Life Holly is finally back on the mic! After nearly a year away from podcasting, she’s catching listeners up on what’s been happening personally and professionally—from grief and family to leaving jobs, navigating the L&D job market, and figuring out what she actually wants next. This episode is a real-talk reflection on career, identity, and the reminder that your job is only one part of your life. Most importantly, Holly wants you to remember one thing: you deserve a happy life. Holly’s return to podcasting and what kept her away Navigating grief and putting family first Leaving jobs without having the next one lined up What Holly has learned from being back in the L&D job market Why your career shouldn't become your entire identity Figuring out what brings you joy and fulfillment Why you shouldn't wait for the “perfect” time to make a change

In this episode, Holly Owens is joined by Nicole Poff (EDCARTA) and Nicole L’Etoile (L’Etoile Education) to break down WCAG 2.1 in plain English and talk about what actually works in real courses. NOTE: This was previously recorded as a LinkedIn Live session What We Talked About: No fluff—just practical insights you can use right away. What WCAG 2.1 really means Why LMS accessibility scores aren’t enough Common mistakes institutions are making Simple, high-impact fixes you can start now Ho...