Episode 327: Holly Owens

Episode 327:  Learning & Development, Instructional Design, and AI Talk with Holly Owens

 In this episode, I had the honor of chatting with Holly Owens, host of EdUp EdTech, Director of Growth Marketing at Yellowdig, and all-around L&D powerhouse. We talk about everything from instructional design to AI in learning, what "proficiency" really means, and how educators can pivot into the world of L&D with confidence.

If you're an educator, learning designer, or someone navigating the fast-moving world of EdTech, this one's packed with takeaways you’ll want to keep coming back to.

We go deep on human-first learning, ethical red flags with AI, and the importance of not letting imposter syndrome get in your way. Whether you’re pivoting careers or just trying to stay ahead of the curve, Holly brings the fire.

🔗 Connect with Holly on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/hollyowens/
🎧 Listen to the EdUp EdTech Podcast: https://www.edupedtech.com/

👇 Check out the full breakdown and timestamps below:

⏱️ Timestamps:

00:00 – Welcome and intro
 01:00 – Meet Holly Owens
 03:00 – Holly’s journey from K-12 to L&D
 05:30 – From marketing to education and vice versa
 07:00 – The power of knowing your learners
 09:00 – Human-first learning and why it matters
 11:00 – Helping educators pivot and grow
 14:00 – AI in learning: Hype vs. reality
 17:00 – TruePeer and other AI tools Holly’s using
 19:00 – Evaluating EdTech through an accessibility lens
 21:00 – When to use AI—and when not to
 24:00 – Losing your voice to AI? Here's Holly’s take
 26:30 – AI and the emotional gap
 28:00 – Digital wellness and AI companions
 31:00 – What does proficiency in EdTech really mean?
 33:00 – Navigating tech with teacher instincts
 36:00 – Change management in the L&D world
 38:00 – Ethical red flags in instructional design
 40:00 – Not every problem needs a training
 42:00 – AI and automation: What’s next?
 44:00 – What skills are still uniquely human?
 46:00 – Where to connect with Holly
 47:00 – Rapid-fire Q&A: Kryptonite, billboards, and Taylor Swift?

🙏 A huge thanks to our amazing sponsors:
 Book Creator | Eduaide.AI | Yellowdig

💻 Visit https://www.myedtech.life for more episodes, resources, and guest spotlights.

🎧 Until next time… Stay Techie!

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