The BLOC Podcast

In today's episode,  I chat with my new friend, Dr. Owen Chamberlain, about pracademia and how we can narrow the gap between theory and practice by approaching what we learn in academia with more practical intent. We talk about the role of truth in learning and asking the kinds of questions that matter.  Owen Chamberlain is a strategist, writer and speaker with 15+ years of experience in organizational transformation, remote work culture, and the future of leadership. He currently works at a Fortune 500 company, shaping strategy at the intersection of people, systems, and power. A British-born ‘pracademic’, he is currently based in Colorado. Owen has a doctorate in education and critical theory, and his research draws heavily from Foucault, systems thinking, and lived experience. He is particularly interested in the evolution of professional identity, how invisible power shapes our working lives, and the role of technology in shaping the future of work. Owen has spoken at major conferences in both the US and UK on topics ranging from the future of remote work to the politics of knowledge in corporate systems. He is a guest lecturer, podcast contributor, and behind-the-scenes advisor to executives seeking to redesign their organizations with humanity in mind. His writing has been featured in business journals and online platforms. Before his current role, Owen held senior positions in both corporate and educational sectors, often serving as the bridge between legacy institutions and emerging models of work. His previous roles include strategic advisor, director of execution, and consultant on distributed teams and transformation initiatives. He is best known for blending sharp analysis with irreverent humor, frequently asking the questions others avoid, whilst delivering this with a Northern British accent. He’s also after the perfect curry recipe. When not interrogating the cultural machinery of work, he spends weekends either hiking, fixing things, or playing music. He misses British pubs, but not British weather. Find him on  LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/owenchamberlain Website: owenchamberlain.com Owen's suggestions for: * Learning more about pracademia: Google "arts-based learning" and "arts-based research" to see pracademia in action * For your general professional journey: do a therapy course to learn how to ask great questions and listen well Please don't forget to visit our brilliant sponsor, Yellowdig [https://www.yellowdig.co/], if you're looking to create more engaging learning communities. To learn more and get more great resources: * Connect with me on LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/heidiekirby/] * Join our global Useful L&D Community [https://useful-stuff.circle.so/join?invitation_token=729b68d43899a5f480ee11363cc12b7a9b766573-aea3a980-a69c-4a70-b0f4-8d3b27a526c4] * Work with me or see what I'm working on with Useful Stuff [https://www.getusefulstuff.com/]

In this solo episode, I share 3 best practices for getting more or better leadership support for your learning initiatives based on my experience and research.  Those three tips include: 1.  Knowing the common obstacles and how to overcome them 2. Aligning your work with business goals from the beginning 3. Showing the impact of your work (going above and beyond survey and assessment data) Please don't forget to visit our brilliant sponsor, Yellowdig [https://www.yellowdig.co/], if you're looking to create more engaging learning communities. To learn more and get more great resources: * Connect with me on LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/heidiekirby/] * Join our global Useful L&D Community [https://useful-stuff.circle.so/join?invitation_token=729b68d43899a5f480ee11363cc12b7a9b766573-aea3a980-a69c-4a70-b0f4-8d3b27a526c4] * Work with me or see what I'm working on with Useful Stuff [https://www.getusefulstuff.com/]

In this episode, I chat with Dr. Carrie Graham about how to consult with intention in the learning space, specifically how to treat clients and organizations with patience, respect, and grace when you begin work with them and have to tell them they're doing things wrong or poorly.  Carrie is a Learning Solutions Architect known for translating executive vision into tangible performance outcomes. She specializes in designing training strategies that align with organizational values, support business goals, and deliver measurable impact—often within just 90 days. Carrie’s strategic approach has led to a 40% reduction in onboarding time, an 85% improvement in knowledge retention, and a 3x return on training investment. Her work ensures consistent execution across all levels of an organization, seamlessly integrating learning with broader business strategy to drive real, scalable results.  Carrie's suggestion for someone getting started with consulting to try an focus in their strategy/vision? The best resource is your mind -- you have to understand your own process and document it so that you can implement it.  Please don't forget to visit our brilliant sponsor, Yellowdig [https://www.yellowdig.co/], if you're looking to create more engaging learning communities. To learn more and get more great resources: * Connect with me on LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/heidiekirby/] * Join our global Useful L&D Community [https://useful-stuff.circle.so/join?invitation_token=729b68d43899a5f480ee11363cc12b7a9b766573-aea3a980-a69c-4a70-b0f4-8d3b27a526c4] * Work with me or see what I'm working on with Useful Stuff [https://www.getusefulstuff.com/]

In this episode, I chat with Hanan Harb Sahourieh, author of Everybody, Be Cool! 6 Personal Development Lessons to Elevate Your Workplace Vibe [https://www.amazon.com/Everybody-Be-Cool-Development-Workplace/dp/B0D2K9S66T]. We talk about what it really takes to level up at work, from asking tough questions to embracing self-awareness -- with plenty of pop culture and real talk along the way.  Hanan Harb Sahourieh is a writer, workshop facilitator, and learning & development strategist with over 20 years of experience in writing, marketing, and workforce development. As the author of 'Everybody, Be Cool!'—a practical (and real) guide to employee growth and communication—she’s captivated audiences as a keynote speaker at events like the ATD Sacramento Learning Conference and UKG’s Thrive Summit. Her insights have been featured in top industry outlets, including Training Industry, eLearning Industry, Chief Learning Officer, and Big Think. Hanan’s mission is simple: to help people and organizations grow, connect, and thrive by developing essential skills like empathy, introspection, and curiosity. Learn more about her work and approach at everybody-be-cool.com [https://www.everybody-be-cool.com/]. Please don't forget to visit our brilliant sponsor, Yellowdig [https://www.yellowdig.co/], if you're looking to create more engaging learning communities. To learn more and get more great resources: * Connect with me on LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/heidiekirby/] * Join our global Useful L&D Community [https://useful-stuff.circle.so/join?invitation_token=729b68d43899a5f480ee11363cc12b7a9b766573-aea3a980-a69c-4a70-b0f4-8d3b27a526c4] * Work with me or see what I'm working on with Useful Stuff [https://www.getusefulstuff.com/]

Linnéa Sjögren is a Stockholm-based educational training professional passionate about creating learning opportunities. With extensive experience in planning, developing, delivering, and evaluating various types of training, she creates everything from classroom training to blended learning and e-learning. Having worked in organizations that haven't always had the resources to hire external support, Linnéa has developed the skills to build everything from start to finish. Instructor materials, participant materials, exercises, videos, audio files, podcasts, and infographics are just a few of the things she can produce. More about her work can be found at www.linneasjogren.se [http://www.linneasjogren.se], and her educational tips are available under the hashtag #pedagogiskaverktygsladan or at www.pedagogiskaverktygsladan.wordpress.com [http://www.pedagogiskaverktygsladan.wordpress.com]. Linnéa's suggestion on honing in on your freelance skills? Ask your favorite AI or a friend "What it is I do that is so great?" Please don't forget to visit our brilliant sponsor, Yellowdig [https://www.yellowdig.co/], if you're looking to create more engaging learning communities. To learn more and get more great resources: * Connect with me on LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/heidiekirby/] * Join our global Useful L&D Community [https://useful-stuff.circle.so/join?invitation_token=729b68d43899a5f480ee11363cc12b7a9b766573-aea3a980-a69c-4a70-b0f4-8d3b27a526c4] * Work with me or see what I'm working on with Useful Stuff [https://www.getusefulstuff.com/]