The Learning Alchemy Lab: A Modern Approach to Teaching Online with Dr. Alexis Bjelica

Dr. Alexis Bjelica

The Learning Alchemy Lab is where teaching expertise meets intentional design. Hosted by Dr. Alexis Bjelica, an online education expert with 20+ years in the field, this podcast explores how to create learning experiences that actually work. From inclusive course design to engagement strategies that drive real transformation, each episode helps educators, coaches, and creators build programs people don’t just start, but finish and apply.

  1. 29 juil.

    The Secret to Creating Coaching Programs People Finish | Kayla MacArthur

    The best coaching programs don't overwhelm clients with more information, they create lasting transformation. In this episode, Dr. Alexis sits down with transformational business coach Kayla MacArthur to unpack what it really takes to build coaching programs that create meaningful, lasting results. Together, they explore the evolution of Kayla's Sustainable Success Sanctuary, why simplifying curriculum leads to deeper learning, and how thoughtful program design creates better outcomes for both clients and coaches. From creating psychological safety and fostering genuine community to designing learning experiences that people actually implement, this conversation offers an inside look at what separates a good coaching program from one people rave about long after it's over. What You'll Learn in This Episode: Why transformation comes from implementation, not informationThe biggest mistakes coaches make when designing group programsWhy psychological safety is essential for meaningful learningHow community becomes one of the most valuable parts of a coaching programThe difference between teaching, consulting, and true coachingWhy identity work often matters more than business strategyHow Kayla blends transformational coaching, human design, and astrology to support sustainable business growth Connect with Kayla MacArthur: Website: https://kaylamacarthur.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kaylamacarthur/ The AI Teaching Shift Course: https://alexisbjelica.learnworlds.com/course/ai-teaching-shift Discount code: PODCAST20   Connect with Dr. Alexis: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alexis-bjelica/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thelearningalchemist/ Newsletter: https://alexisbjelica.myflodesk.com/newsletter Subscribe to The Learning Alchemy Lab for more episodes on designing learning experiences that truly transform.

  2. 15 juil.

    Book vs. Course: Which Is Better for Coaches and Experts?

    Should you write a book or create a course? The answer isn't as simple as choosing one over the other. In this episode, Dr. Alexis breaks down one of the most common questions coaches, experts, and thought leaders ask when they're ready to share their expertise at a bigger level. While books and courses may seem like competing options, they actually serve very different purposes—and understanding that difference can completely change how you package your knowledge. She explores why books are exceptional at building trust, credibility, and connection, but often fall short when it comes to creating lasting transformation. You'll also learn why well-designed courses bridge the gap between information and implementation, helping learners move from simply understanding ideas to confidently applying them. If you've been sitting on a framework, methodology, or body of knowledge and aren't sure how to bring it into the world, this episode will help you choose the right format based on the impact you want to create. What You'll Learn in This Episode: The fundamental difference between sharing information and creating transformationWhy books are powerful tools for building trust, authority, and connectionThe biggest limitation of books when it comes to changing behaviorHow courses create deeper learning through practice, feedback, and communityThe difference between "knowing that" and "knowing how"Why interaction is often the missing ingredient in lasting learningHow books and courses can work together instead of competing with one anotherThe key question every expert should ask before choosing a format for their expertise The AI Teaching Shift Course: https://alexisbjelica.learnworlds.com/course/ai-teaching-shift Discount code: PODCAST20   Connect with Dr. Alexis: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alexis-bjelica/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thelearningalchemist/ Newsletter: https://alexisbjelica.myflodesk.com/newsletter Subscribe to The Learning Alchemy Lab for more episodes on designing learning experiences that truly transform.

  3. 1 juil.

    The Value of Bringing Thinking into Coaching Spaces with Tiffany Sinton

    Why do some people leave a program transformed while others leave with a notebook full of notes? Most coaches, educators, and course creators focus on what they're teaching. Far fewer stop to consider how people actually learn. In this episode, Dr. Alexis sits down with learning designer and former school principal Tiffany Sinton for a thought-provoking conversation about what creates real transformation inside a learning experience. Together, they explore why information alone isn't enough, how traditional education continues to influence the coaching industry, and what it takes to create learning environments that challenge people to think, engage, and grow. If you've ever wondered why some clients experience breakthrough results while others stay stuck despite consuming all the content, this episode will change the way you think about teaching forever. What You'll Learn in This Episode: Why information and transformation are not the same thingThe surprising reason some highly engaged students still aren't learningHow traditional education has shaped the way many coaches teach todayWhat most masterclasses get wrong when trying to deliver valueThe overlooked skill that creates deeper learning and better resultsWhy creating space for discomfort can lead to powerful breakthroughsThe difference between participation, engagement, and genuine learningHow to design experiences that help clients think for themselvesWhy the best learning environments are co-created, not controlledWhat it really takes to create lasting change inside a coaching program Connect with Tiffany: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tiffany.sinton/ Website: https://www.tiffanysinton.com/ The AI Teaching Shift Course: https://alexisbjelica.learnworlds.com/course/ai-teaching-shift Discount code: PODCAST20   Connect with Dr. Alexis: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alexis-bjelica/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thelearningalchemist/ Newsletter: https://alexisbjelica.myflodesk.com/newsletter Subscribe to The Learning Alchemy Lab for more episodes on designing learning experiences that truly transform.

  4. 17 juin

    From One-on-One to One-to-Many | How to Scale Your Coaching Without Losing the Magic

    You’re not stuck in one-on-one coaching because you lack expertise. You’re stuck because you haven’t designed a way for your expertise to scale. In this episode, Dr. Alexis unpacks the biggest fears that keep talented coaches from creating group programs, courses, memberships, and other scalable offers—and why those fears are often design problems, not capability problems. Through her signature "From Genius to Guide" framework, she walks through the six phases of transforming your unique coaching process into a structured learning experience that delivers real results without losing the personalization, impact, and transformation that make your work special. From overcoming the fear that your work is "too nuanced" to helping more people without burning yourself out, this episode offers a practical roadmap for coaches who are ready to expand their impact beyond one-on-one sessions. What You'll Learn in This Episode: The three biggest fears that prevent coaches from scaling their expertiseWhy most barriers to creating group programs are actually design challengesThe importance of identifying outcomes before building contentWhy great programs focus on transformation, not information overloadHow to determine the right modality for your audience and goalsThe common mistake coaches make when trying to add more valueWhy group experiences can sometimes create even greater transformation than one-on-one coachingHow intentional learning design improves engagement, results, and client successThe role of testing, feedback, and iteration in building a program that truly works The AI Teaching Shift Course: https://alexisbjelica.learnworlds.com/course/ai-teaching-shift Discount code: PODCAST20   Connect with Dr. Alexis: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alexis-bjelica/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thelearningalchemist/ Newsletter: https://alexisbjelica.myflodesk.com/newsletter Subscribe to The Learning Alchemy Lab for more episodes on designing learning experiences that truly transform.

  5. 3 juin

    5 Biggest Mistakes Hurting a Coach's Reputation

    Most coaching programs don’t fail because the coach isn’t talented. They fail because the learning experience is poorly designed. In this episode, Dr. Alexis breaks down the five biggest mistakes quietly hurting coaching programs, client transformations, and brand reputation—and how most coaches are unintentionally creating overwhelm, confusion, and disengagement without realizing it. From unclear promises and cognitive overload to surface-level learning and AI-generated sameness, this episode explores what truly creates meaningful transformation inside a program—and why good intentions alone aren’t enough. Whether you run a course, group program, mastermind, or membership, this episode will help you rethink how your clients actually learn, engage, and succeed inside your offers. What You’ll Learn in This Episode: The “Absorb, Do, Connect” framework for better learning experiencesWhy unclear learning outcomes weaken client transformationThe difference between teaching information and designing transformationHow sequencing lessons properly creates momentum and confidenceThe hidden risks of relying too heavily on AI-generated contentWhy transformational programs require intentional design—not just good contentHow thoughtful learning design improves client results, referrals, retention, and reputation The AI Teaching Shift Course: https://alexisbjelica.learnworlds.com/course/ai-teaching-shift Discount code: PODCAST20 Connect with Dr. Alexis: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alexis-bjelica/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thelearningalchemist/ Newsletter: https://alexisbjelica.myflodesk.com/newsletter Subscribe to The Learning Alchemy Lab for more episodes on designing learning experiences that truly transform.

  6. 20 mai

    The Hidden Cost of Bad Learning Design (And How to Avoid It)

    What happens when a learning designer gets brought into a project way too late? Chaos, confusion, and a whole lot of rework. In this episode, Dr. Alexis shares a real-life case study that highlights one of the biggest mistakes organizations make when building learning programs: bringing in the instructional designer too late. After being asked to “fix” a leadership development program that had already been in development for six months—with launch only three months away—Dr. Alexis walks through the hidden costs of poor instructional planning, disconnected content, unclear learning outcomes, and designing around topics instead of transformation. From overlapping sections and AI-generated surface-level content to cognitive overload and lack of learner engagement, this episode is a powerful reminder that effective learning experiences don’t happen by accident. They are intentionally designed from the start. What You’ll Learn in This Episode: Why instructional designers should be involved at the very beginning of a projectThe risks of designing training around topics instead of learning outcomesHow unclear audience definitions lead to bloated, unfocused programsWhy too much content creates cognitive overload and disengagementThe hidden problem with multiple SMEs building content in isolationHow AI-generated training content can fall flat without proper contextWhat backwards design is and why it creates stronger learning experiencesHow experiential learning helps information actually stickWhy live cohort programs need interaction, reflection, and practice—not just lecturesThe true cost of retrofitting a poorly designed program at the end Connect with Dr. Alexis: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alexis-bjelica/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thelearningalchemist/ Newsletter: https://alexisbjelica.myflodesk.com/newsletter Subscribe to The Learning Alchemy Lab for more episodes on designing learning experiences that truly transform.

  7. 6 mai

    When Should You Create an Accelerated Online Course? (And When You Shouldn’t)

    Accelerated programs are everywhere right now—but faster doesn’t always mean better. In this episode, Dr. Alexis breaks down what actually makes an accelerated course effective (and where most people get it wrong). With a doctorate in online education and deep expertise in course design, she shares how to evaluate whether an accelerated format is the right fit for your content, your learners, and the transformation you’re promising. From cutting unnecessary content to designing for clarity and momentum, this episode will help you avoid the biggest pitfalls—and create a learning experience that truly works, even on a compressed timeline. What You’ll Learn in This Episode: What “accelerated learning” really means (and where it came from) Why faster does not mean easier—or more effective How to identify the true non-negotiables in your course content The difference between sequential vs. modular learning (and why it matters) How to design for clarity, momentum, and learner success in a compressed format Why most accelerated programs fail—and how to avoid it The critical role of instructor presence, feedback, and check-ins How to balance speed with real transformation (especially for mindset or behavioral work) The biggest design mistakes that derail learners in fast-paced programs Connect with Dr. Alexis: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alexis-bjelica/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thelearningalchemist/ Newsletter: https://alexisbjelica.myflodesk.com/newsletter Subscribe to The Learning Alchemy Lab for more episodes on designing learning experiences that truly transform.

  8. 22 avr.

    6 Essential Questions for Choosing the Right Learning Management System (LMS)

    When you're ready to create an online course, one of the first questions that comes up is: "What LMS should I choose?" In this episode, Dr. Alexis breaks down the learning management system (LMS) selection process so you can make a confident, informed decision without getting overwhelmed by all the options. An LMS can be a powerful tool for housing your course materials, tracking learner progress, facilitating community, and creating a seamless learning experience. But with so many platforms available—and so many bells and whistles being marketed—it's easy to feel stuck before you even begin. Dr. Alexis shares her top six questions to ask when evaluating an LMS, drawing from her experience using at least 12 different platforms throughout her career in education and instructional design. This episode will help you become a savvy consumer of educational technology and choose a platform that truly serves your needs and your learners. What You'll Learn in This Episode: What an LMS actually does and whether you even need oneThe six essential questions to ask before purchasing a platformHow to evaluate pricing structures and avoid overpaying for features you won't useWhy mobile responsiveness and integration capabilities matterThe difference between testing a platform as a creator vs. as a learnerHow to assess support services before committing to a platformBudget-friendly alternatives to traditional LMS platforms Connect with Dr. Alexis: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alexis-bjelica/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thelearningalchemist/ Subscribe to The Learning Alchemy Lab for more episodes on designing learning experiences that truly transform.

À propos

The Learning Alchemy Lab is where teaching expertise meets intentional design. Hosted by Dr. Alexis Bjelica, an online education expert with 20+ years in the field, this podcast explores how to create learning experiences that actually work. From inclusive course design to engagement strategies that drive real transformation, each episode helps educators, coaches, and creators build programs people don’t just start, but finish and apply.