The Learning Geeks Podcast

The Learning Geeks podcast is dedicated to those that passionately support the world in experiencing better learning. The podcast is hosted by three learning professionals - Bob Gerard, Dana Koch, and Jake Gittleson. In each episode, we dedicate time to talk about the things impacting the learning world including new science, approaches, technologies, and ideas. Guests will appear, popular games and movies may be discussed, and geeks will laugh.

The Learning Geeks Podcast is a education podcast hosted by The Learning Geeks, with 150 episodes on record and a Required Pod Score of 80. PitchCentric scores this show on Booking Probability, Listen Score, and live audience signals refreshed every 24 hours.

The Learning Geeks hosts The Learning Geeks Podcast, a education show with 150 episodes published.

Our AI reads these to draft pitches. Use them as grounding for a pitch that cites a real guest and a specific topic.

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  Episode #13

  S8 E13: Day Two of Durable Learning Summer Camp

  Aug 6, 202636 minS8

  On Day 2 of camp, we dive into all eight durable learning principles by reading their original definitions from the ancient scripture, which was dug up from an archeological dig of Jake's closet. We unpack what each one means, why it matters, and how they connect, plus a quick update on how practice and reflection have evolved since the framework's early days. 00:00 Intro and banter 02:36 Durable Learning Setup 03:19 Relevant 04:41 Engaging 06:53 Contextual 08:40 Effortful 15:19 Generative 17:45 Social 22:04 Practice 26:28 Reflection 30:12 Do Principles Still Hold? 34:16 Wrap Up ARTICLE REFERENCED https://www.mckinsey.com/featured-insights/people-in-progress/designing-for-the-cognitive-cost-of-change LISTEN AND SUBSCRIBE ON APPLE, SPOTIFY, AND YOUTUBE Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-learning-geeks-podcast/id1413446184 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/7mACo97JvUL1LOmVJ9lATI?si=c430a6d9b08c4100 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@learninggeekspodcast You can also download us anywhere you get your podcasts. CONNECT WITH US If you have any feedback or want to join in on the conversation, connect with us via LinkedIN. DISCLAIMER All thoughts and views are of our own.

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  Episode #12

  S8 E12: Durable Learning Summer Camp (Day One)

  Jul 28, 202632 minS8

  Summer's here and we kick off a multi-episode dive into durable learning with an overview of the eight core principles. We share personal learning examples from pinball, woodworking, and journaling to show durability in action, plus how AI tools intersect with metacognition and role-play practice. Consider this the fundamentals refresher before our next episode where we dig deeper into each principle. 00:00 Summer Camp Kickoff 00:33 Where have we been? 01:33 Movies and Broadway detour 06:58 Durable Learning Summer Camp Intro 07:58 Eight Principles Recap 12:05 Spaced Practice Pinball Story 15:38 Woodworking Skills and Recall 19:41 Experiential Learning and Journaling 24:39 AI Roleplays and Metacognition 29:54 Summer Agenda and Wrap Up LISTEN AND SUBSCRIBE ON APPLE, SPOTIFY, AND YOUTUBE Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-learning-geeks-podcast/id1413446184 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/7mACo97JvUL1LOmVJ9lATI?si=c430a6d9b08c4100 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@learninggeekspodcast You can also download us anywhere you get your podcasts. CONNECT WITH US If you have any feedback or want to join in on the conversation, connect with us via LinkedIN. DISCLAIMER All thoughts and views are of our own.

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  Episode #11

  S8 E11: What Gets in the Way of Curiosity (Part 2)

  Jun 9, 202640 minS8

  In part two, Dr. Megan Cuzzolino, Dr. Lauren Hodges, and Jessica Billiet dig into what prevents curiosity in our kids, our workplaces, and ourselves. From the neuroscience of dopamine and threat response, to how schools and organizations are designed for speed over exploration, the conversation gets practical. What does it take to protect the margin where curiosity lives? And what can leaders do to model and cultivate it? Part 2 of 2. 00:00 Intro 02:02 Neuroscience of Curiosity 05:39 Aperture Threat and Learning 10:35 Failure Safety and Workplace 21:23 Curiosity Needs Margin 24:14 Awe and Context for Kids 29:00 Patience and Social Safety 31:59 Leader Takeaways and Wrap LEARN MORE ABOUT OUR GUESTS Megan - https://pz.harvard.edu/who-we-are/people/megan-powell-cuzzolino Lauren - https://www.performance-on-purpose.com/about Jessica - https://www.linkedin.com/in/jessicabilliet/ RESOURCES Reflection Guide: Making Space for Everyday Awe: https://bpb-us-e1.wpmucdn.com/websites.harvard.edu/dist/a/108/files/2025/10/Making-Space-for-Everyday-Awe-Reflection-Tool.pdf Reflecting on Your Learning in the Workplace: https://nextlevellab.gse.harvard.edu/learning-modules/reflecting-on-your-learning-in-the-workplace/ LISTEN AND SUBSCRIBE ON APPLE, SPOTIFY, AND YOUTUBE Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-learning-geeks-podcast/id1413446184 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/7mACo97JvUL1LOmVJ9lATI?si=c430a6d9b08c4100 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@learninggeekspodcast You can also download us anywhere you get your podcasts. CONNECT WITH US If you have any feedback or want to join in on the conversation, connect with us via LinkedIN. DISCLAIMER All thoughts and views are of our own.

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  Episode #10

  S8 E10: Awe, Wonder, and Curiosity (Part 1)

  May 7, 202635 minS8

  What's the difference between curiosity, awe, and wonder and why does it matter for learning? In this episode, we welcome back three friends of the podcast: Dr. Megan Cuzzolino, researcher and educator at Harvard's Next Level Lab, Dr. Lauren Hodges, human performance researcher, and Jessica Billiet, neuroscience-informed change leader. Together, they explore curiosity as an epistemic emotion, the relationship between awe and meaning, and why widening our aperture might be the antidote to fear-based thinking. Part 1 of 2. 00:00 Cold Open 01:33 Dana Gets Meta-Curious 04:52 Meet Megan: Awe & Epistemic Emotions 07:23 Quick Curiosity vs. Sustained Interest 09:56 Does Learning Kill Awe? 11:12 Awe as Motivation at Work 14:00 Curiosity, Wonder & Vastness 21:02 Awe, Meaning & Purpose 24:18 Meet Lauren: Curiosity as Aperture 29:52 Curiosity as the Antidote to Stress 31:27 Reframing Fear with Curiosity 34:15 Wrap Up & Part 2 Preview LEARN MORE ABOUT OUR GUESTS Megan - https://pz.harvard.edu/who-we-are/people/megan-powell-cuzzolino Lauren - https://www.performance-on-purpose.com/about Jessica - https://www.linkedin.com/in/jessicabilliet/ LISTEN AND SUBSCRIBE ON APPLE, SPOTIFY, AND YOUTUBE Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-learning-geeks-podcast/id1413446184 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/7mACo97JvUL1LOmVJ9lATI?si=c430a6d9b08c4100 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@learninggeekspodcast You can also download us anywhere you get your podcasts. CONNECT WITH US If you have any feedback or want to join in on the conversation, connect with us via LinkedIN. DISCLAIMER All thoughts and views are of our own.

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  Episode #9

  S8 E9: How to Think When Machines Think Faster (Live from SXSW EDU)

  Apr 9, 202635 minS8

  Recorded live at SXSW EDU 2026, Jake and Bob sit down with Dr. Tessa Forshaw from the Harvard Graduate School of Education to explore metacognition in an AI-driven world. Tessa unpacks why our brains naturally offload thinking to AI, the power of productive friction, and what it takes to keep our own reasoning sharp. We close the show with simple strategies everyone can apply. 00:00 Cold Open 00:37 Live Show and Intro of Tessa 04:56 Metacognition in the AI Era 12:46 How to Stay Metacognitive with AI 17:26 Think While You Work, Not After 19:40 Productive Friction Explained 23:09 The Current Divide with EdTech 30:00 Practical Moves and Closing CONNECT WITH TESSA’S WORK https://pz.harvard.edu/who-we-are/people/tessa-forshaw LISTEN AND SUBSCRIBE ON APPLE, SPOTIFY, AND YOUTUBE Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-learning-geeks-podcast/id1413446184 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/7mACo97JvUL1LOmVJ9lATI?si=c430a6d9b08c4100 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@learninggeekspodcast You can also download us anywhere you get your podcasts. CONNECT WITH US If you have any feedback or want to join in on the conversation, connect with us via LinkedIN. DISCLAIMER All thoughts and views are of our own.

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