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EdUp L&D, Hosted by Holly Owens

Welcome to The EdUp Learning & Development Podcast – where learning gets personal, practical, and a little bit rebellious. Each week, we dive into real stories from L&D professionals who are rethinking how people learn and grow at work.

🎙️ What to expect:
-Honest conversations with innovators in instructional design, EdTech, and corporate learning
-Tools, tips, and tech that make your job easier
-Fresh perspectives to transform check-the-box training into truly meaningful experiences

If you’re ready to design learning that actually sticks, this is your podcast.

Hit play and let’s build the future of L&D, together.

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167: How to Stop Losing Great People: Taresa Scott’s

Recent Episodes

July 23, 2025

167: How to Stop Losing Great People: Taresa Scott’s "Bleuprint" for …

In this episode of EdUp L&D, host Holly Owens welcomes back Taresa Scott, founder of Bleuprint, to discuss the critical aspects of onboarding, employee retention, and the role of middle management in organizational success. Taresa emphasizes the importance of effective onboarding experiences, the n…

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July 21, 2025

166: The Future Isn’t Flashier—It’s Smarter: Christy Tucker on Buildi…

In this episode of EdUp L&D, Holly Owens welcomes back Christy Tucker, a seasoned expert in instructional design and scenario-based learning. They discuss Christy's journey from K-12 education to corporate training, the nuances of scenario-based learning, common pitfalls in instructional design, an…

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July 16, 2025

165: From “Not Yet” to “Now”: Ben Erwin on Turning Rejection Into Rei…

In this episode of EdUp Learning and Development, Ben Erwin shares his journey from being a writing instructor to becoming an instructional designer at Purdue University. He discusses the challenges of burnout in education, the importance of community and networking, and how LinkedIn played a cruci…

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July 14, 2025

164: Create What’s Missing: Cedric Scott, Jr. on Representation, Rein…

In this episode of Ed Up Learning and Development, host Holly Owens speaks with Cedric Scott Jr., an educator and edtech influencer, about his journey from a background in chemistry to becoming a leader in the education space. They discuss Cedric's mission to improve STEM education for underserved …

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July 9, 2025

163: Transforming Doubt into Drive: Whitney Kilgore’s Path from Educa…

In this episode, Whitney Kilgore shares her inspiring journey from being a first-grade teacher to co-founding iDesign, a leading organization in instructional design. She discusses the importance of recognizing educators' ski...

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July 7, 2025

162: Action First, Always: Karl Kapp’s Blueprint for Engaged Learning

In this episode of the EdUp Learning and Development podcast, host Holly Owens interviews Dr. Karl Kapp, a prominent figure in the learning space. They discuss Karl's journey from an instructional design intern to a respected...

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Recent Blog Posts

July 14, 2025

Practical Applications of 'Action First Learning' in Instructional De…

Welcome to the blog! In this post, we're diving deep into 'Action First Learning,' a powerful approach to instructional design that prioritizes active engagement and real-world application. We'll explore what it is, why it's important, and how you c…

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July 14, 2025

Leveraging Teaching Skills in the L&D World

Welcome to another deep dive into the world of Learning and Development (L&D)! In this blog post, we're exploring the incredible potential of teachers in L&D. Educators possess a wealth of transferable skills that make them ideally suited fo…

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June 11, 2025

Talent Recognizes Talent: Finding Your Mentor and Thriving

Welcome back to the blog! In today's post, we're diving deep into a concept that's both powerful and often overlooked: 'talent recognizes talent.' This idea, which suggests that those with exceptional abilities are naturally drawn to and supportive …

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About the Host

Holly Owens Profile Photo

Holly Owens

Host/Educator/Instructional Designer/Marketer

Holly Owens is the Director of Growth Marketing at Yellowdig where she leads strategic marketing initiatives to drive brand awareness, engagement, and customer acquisition. With over 17 years of experience in education, instructional technology, and marketing, Holly specializes in creating inclusive and engaging learning experiences that leverage technology to solve complex challenges.

Before joining Yellowdig, Holly built an extensive career in eLearning and instructional design, transitioning from teaching to instructional technology in 2011. She held roles at Northern Virginia Community College, Coppin State University, and the University of Maryland, Baltimore Countybefore serving as a Senior Instructional Designer at RisePoint (formerly Academic Partnerships). She also worked as an Instructional Designer at Touro University, where she remains an Adjunct Instructor in the Graduate School of Technology, teaching instructional design courses since 2012.

Holly holds two master’s degrees from the University of Maryland, Global Campus—one in Instructional Technology and another in Distance Education—along with a certificate in Distance Education Leadership. Her passion for education extends beyond the classroom as the host of the EdUp L&D podcast, where she explores emerging trends in learning and development, featuring industry experts who share insights on the future of education and workforce training.

Recognized for her expertise in marketing, UX, and project management, Holly has worked closely with executive leaders, including CEOs, VPs, and Public Affairs teams, to refine brand messaging, drive engagement, and support data-driven marketing strategies. She has also collaborated with sales teams—including the Land and Expand and Enterprise teams—to attract and convert new customers across higher education and online learning platforms.

Currently residing in Wilmington, NC, Holly shares her life with her partner, Will, their daughter, Juniper, and their furbaby, Berkley. She is dedicated to empowering learners, fostering innovation, and making education more accessible and impactful worldwide.

Sponsors

Reviews

Super Practical

"Love how this podcast provides super practical technological solutions to educational problems! Holly does an amazing job of highlighting the key takeaways for the listeners! I learn something ne…"

Elvin Freytes | Feb. 12, 2021

Bring the tech to ed tech!

"Holly Owens and Nadia Johnson of the Edup EdTech Podcast are a dynamic duo, seamlessly blending expertise and enthusiasm to make every episode a captivating journey into the world of educational tech…"

Anonymous | Jan. 8, 2024

Grad School of Tech students love it!

"Shared the podcast with the MS in Instructional Technology staff and students and they had rave reviews. It's become a must-listen for many of them and should be for anyone in the EdTech world!"

James Shafer | Feb. 25, 2024