Learning Experience Design for Changemakers

Renee Koster, Learning Design Strategist

Most educators start with content. Renee Koster starts with the outcome. Learning Experience Design for Changemakers is a podcast for nonprofit leaders and heart-led entrepreneurs who want to design learning experiences that engage, transform, and last. No hustle culture. No quick fixes. Just purposeful design that serves your learners and scales your impact.

  1. 2 days ago

    Episode 014: 3 Behind the Work Highlights — The real roots behind a learning experience design career, straight from the source.

    You know what I do — but do you know who I am underneath it? In this solo episode, I trade the usual teaching format for my own back-to-school exercise: sharing where my work in learning experience design actually comes from — a childhood love of one-room schoolhouses, an archaeology field crew, and the shovel test pits that taught me backwards design before I had a name for it. In this episode: Why I'm doing a "who am I" episode instead of teaching something todayThe one-room schoolhouse dream that's still the root of everything I designHow leading an archaeology field crew — down to shovel test pits — taught me backwards design before I had the term for itThe pivot from adjunct instructor to instructional designer, and the person who named it for meThe credential most people don't expect: I'm also a certified Automate Your Hustle CRM ConsultantThe Roots to Canopy Method, who I actually work with (and who I don't), and why "evergreen" beats "passive income" Timestamps: 0:00 — Intro & hook0:45 — Guess my background2:30 — The one-room schoolhouse3:40 — From archaeology to learning design10:35 — How I work11:20 — Who I work with12:20 — More than a resume13:45 — Your turnResources & links mentioned: Newsletter — renekoster.com/newsletterCallback: Episode 13 (learning ecosystems / the gardener thread)

  2. 26 Aug

    Episode 013: Build Your Learning Ecosystem Before It's Ready — How an evolving backyard garden reveals the real secret to organic audience growth.

    Three years ago, our backyard was one overgrown bed and a dying greenhouse. Today it's a full ecosystem — herbs, wildflowers, tomatoes, roses, blackberries, a grapevine-wrapped patio, and enough birds, bees, and butterflies to prove it. This episode is about what got us there, and what it teaches about building a learning ecosystem people actually stick around in. In this episode: Why "if you build it, they will come" doesn't mean it has to be finished firstThe one decision (no pesticides) that mattered more than anything we plantedWhat happened the first year — and why almost nothing showed upThe turning point: what we added, what we removed, and what we refused to introduceWhy an ecosystem — garden or business — is never "done," and why that's the pointHow to think about your own course, membership, or audience as something that evolves in seasons, not a launch you either nail or don't Timestamps: [0:00] Intro — the garden as it looks today[2:30] Year one: the no-pesticides decision, the overgrown bed turned patio, and the quiet first year[4:20] Year two: tomatoes, peppers, and tearing out the greenhouse[5:20] What actually brought the visitors: what we added, removed, and refused[7:15] Present day — why the garden still isn't passive[8:30] The business parallel: building your own learning ecosystem[10:20] Closing — reflection questions + how to keep tendingResources mentioned: Learn more about the Roots to Canopy Method by signing up for the newsletter at www.reneekoster.com/newsletter Call to action: If this metaphor landed for you, subscribe and leave a review — it helps this reach the next multi-passionate coach who's afraid to launch before everything's perfect.

  3. 19 Aug

    Episode 012: You Can't Prove It Worked If You Didn't Design For It — Why most program evaluation fails before the program even starts.

    Most of us find out we don't have real proof our program works right when we need it most — writing a report, walking into a renewal call, or facing a board. In this episode, Renee breaks down why that's a timing problem, not a talent problem, and walks through exactly how to fix it before your next program launches. In this episode: The one-sentence test that reveals whether you actually have evidence your program works (most people can't pass it)Why “afterthought” evaluation quietly produces thin data you can't hand to a funder or a boardThe reframe that changes everything: evaluation as a design commitment, not a measurement toolA real example of a program that documented a 50%+ jump in success — with a follow-up email sequence, not a research teamThe land-trust story that shows what happens when your objective and your evidence aren't built togetherHow the milestones you already run (weekly calls, check-ins) can double as evaluation checkpoints without adding new workTimestamps [0:00] Opening — the one-sentence test and why evaluation is a timing problem[1:00] The pattern: evaluation treated as the last step[2:00] The line to remember — you can't retroactively collect data on a transformation you didn't design for[3:00] The reframe: evaluation as a design commitment[5:00] Thin data vs. thick data, and a 50%+ documented success story[6:00] The land-trust example — an objective with no evidence architecture[8:00] Rebuilding a program backward from one observable behavior[9:00] The milestones you already have (weekly calls, check-ins)[10:00] Milestones as evaluation checkpoints — purposeful engagement[11:00] Recap and what's next for the series Resources mentioned Episode 6 — on designing milestones — referenced as a companion listen. [LINK TO EPISODE 6] Call to action Send Renee your evaluation questions or the places you're getting stuck — email with “podcast share” in the subject line, or send a DM. Listener questions will help shape where the series goes next. renee@kosterfreelancing.com · www.linkedin.com/in/renee-koster

  4. 12 Aug

    Episode 011: How to Notice the Data You Didn't Plan to Measure — A five-minute habit that turns unplanned observations into your next big idea.

    A goldfinch landing on a basil plant isn't data — until it is. In this short one, Renee tells the story behind her most-requested tangent of the summer and what it taught her about the evaluation plans we build (and the ones we don't). In this episode: The true story of the goldfinches that showed up on Renee's basil plant for the first time everHow the story surfaced mid-training-call while teaching program evaluation — and why a participant told her to "cut that out and post it"The goldfinch metaphor: why the best data often shows up somewhere you never designed your program to lookA simple, no-pressure weekly habit for capturing unplanned observations before they disappearA first look at what's coming next on the show: the Evidence Architecture mini-series on program evaluation Timestamps [0:00] Intro — the goldfinch story[0:45] The turn — how a training-call tangent became this episode[1:45] The Goldfinch Metaphor — data you didn't design your program to catch[2:45] More "goldfinches" — coaching calls, content, patterns you almost miss[3:15] This Week's Habit — start your own list[4:00] What's coming — the Evidence Architecture series[4:30] Close — go plant some basil Resources mentioned Newsletter: www.reneekoster.com/newsletterReply to any email from Renee with "podcast share" in the subject line — she reads every one Subscribe to the show, and get on the newsletter for more between episodes. Reply with "podcast share" in the subject line to tell Renee what resonated.

    Episode 011: How to Notice the Data You Didn't Plan to Measure — A five-minute habit that turns unplanned observations into your next big idea.

  5. 5 Aug

    Episode 010: Kindness Isn't a Skill You Teach — It's One You Model — Krista Spadt on raising empathetic kids one Smile Bag at a time.

    What if teaching kindness was as simple as a drop of food coloring in a glass of milk? In this episode, Renee sits down with Krista Spadt, founder of The Simple Gifts Project, to talk about how one nonprofit turns small gestures into hospital care packages — and how packing those bags changes the kids doing the packing just as much as the kids receiving them. In this episode: How a 501(c)(3) nonprofit grew out of a $100 candy cane fundraiser and one family's hospital stayWhat's actually inside a Smile Bag, Teen Bag, and Parent Bag — and why each is designed differentlyWhy teaching empathy to second graders is trickier than it sounds (and the one demo that finally makes it click)What happens when high schoolers ask "what else can I do?" after just one volunteer shiftWhy farmers markets and big events under-delivered compared to word-of-mouth and organic referralsThe neighborhood yard sale that turned into 320 donated care bagsKrista's simple answer for anyone who wants to bring more kindness into their own life this week Timestamps: [0:00] Meet Krista Spadt & The Simple Gifts Project [1:00] Inside the care bags: Smile, Teen & Parent Bags [3:00] The hospitals they serve — and how the need has shifted [4:00] The origin story: candy canes, a hospital stay, and a 2017 leap [7:00] What packing a bag teaches kids about empathy [10:00] A shared memory: Girl Scouts and Meals on Wheels [13:00] The milk-and-food-coloring lesson that makes kindness visible [17:00] What actually gets people to say yes to partnering [22:00] Why small acts are the whole point [24:00] How to get involved with Simple Gifts Project Guest bio: Krista Spadt is the founder of The Simple Gifts Project, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit she launched in 2017 after 25 years in education. The organization fills and donates Smile Bags, Teen Bags, and Parent Bags to hospitals across the Philadelphia suburbs, partnering with schools, Scout troops, and families to spread kindness "one smile at a time." Learn more / get involved: simplegiftsproject.org Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/simplegiftsproject  |  Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/simplegiftsproj Resources mentioned: The Simple Gifts Project — simplegiftsproject.orgCHOP (Children's Hospital of Philadelphia)Doylestown, Grandview, and Abington Hospitals If this episode resonated, subscribe to Learning Experience Design for Change Makers and leave a review — and go check out simplegiftsproject.org to get your school, troop, or family involved in packing a Smile Bag.

    Episode 010: Kindness Isn't a Skill You Teach — It's One You Model — Krista Spadt on raising empathetic kids one Smile Bag at a time.

  6. 29 Jul

    Episode 009: More Content Isn't Helping Your Students, It's Hurting Them — Why generosity without structure buries your best material instead of delivering it.

    You’ve built the milestones. You’ve built the engagement. Now here’s the last piece of the puzzle: how much content actually belongs in your course — and it’s probably less than you think. In this episode: Why "more content feels safer" is actually avoidance dressed up as thoroughness The fuel analogy that shows exactly how much content each milestone needs (hint: it’s not the same amount every time) Why unused content isn’t wasted — it just belongs on a different tree in your ecosystem A real case study: how Teresa trimmed her "Becoming Her" membership without re-recording most of it The five questions to run on any piece of content you’re not sure belongs How this final piece completes the full Roots to Canopy framework Timestamps [00:00] Recap of the Roots to Canopy series + today’s topic: content [01:00] Content is fuel, not the vehicle — why "more" isn’t automatically better [02:00] The public speaking course example — how much content each milestone actually needs [04:00] Why leftover content isn’t lost — it belongs somewhere else in your ecosystem [06:00] Generosity without structure vs. milestones with direction [07:00] The "give each topic its own tree" principle [08:00] Meet Theresa and her "Becoming Her" membership [09:00] Theresa’s five questions, module by module [10:00] What Theresa ended up with — tighter, not bigger [11:00] Your turn: run one piece of content through the five questions [12:00] Closing thoughts + what’s next Links & Resources Mentioned Roots to Canopy, Episode 6 — Roots: finding your one person Roots to Canopy, Episode 7 — Trunk: your A to B and milestones Roots to Canopy, Episode 8 — Purposeful engagement Newsletter signup: www.reneekoster.com/newsletter Reply to any email with "podcast share" in the subject line to share your results running Teresa’s five questions Teresa's Becoming Her Membership: https://shemanifestsmoney.com/ Follow the show so you don’t miss what’s next. Reply to any email from Renee with "podcast share" in the subject line to share what you found. Not on the email list yet? Sign up at www.reneekoster.com/newsletter.

    Episode 009: More Content Isn't Helping Your Students, It's Hurting Them — Why generosity without structure buries your best material instead of delivering it.

  7. 22 Jul

    Episode 008: 3 Milestones To Make Trainings Actually Work — Two real rebuilds show what happens when every action ties to a milestone.

    Emoji drops and polls aren't purposeful engagement — they're decoration. In part 3 of the Roots to Canopy miniseries, Renee draws the line between engagement that just holds attention and engagement that actually reinforces what you're teaching, then rebuilds two real trainings live to prove it. In This Episode: Why "purposeful engagement" has to do two jobs at once — earn attention AND reinforce the milestone in front of it The one-sentence test to run on every engagement moment you build, before you build it Why saving all the "doing" for a final project or test backfires on learners A full rebuild of a safety training, milestone by milestone, using a real near-miss scenario A full rebuild of a nonprofit's seasonal volunteer onboarding using the same milestone approach Why the most "boring" trainings — onboarding, safety, compliance — need this the most Timestamps: [~0:00] Opening — the line between decorative and purposeful engagement [~1:00] Recap: roots, trunk, and where canopy picks up [~2:00] The two jobs of purposeful engagement + the one-sentence test [~3:00] Why back-loaded engagement fails learners [~4:00] Do this now — audit your own training [~5:00] Safety training scenario: the real problem in the room [~6:00] Rebuilding safety training as three action-based milestones [~9:00] Volunteer onboarding scenario: the nonprofit case [~10:00] Rebuilding onboarding as three action-based milestones [~12:00] The real test: fun without reinforcement is still decoration [~13:00] Closing — name the milestone, build the moment, what's next Resources & Links Mentinoed: Episode 6 — the root stage (finding "your one person") Episode 7 — the trunk stage (A-to-B journey and milestones) Newsletter signup — reneekoster.com/newsletter Follow the show so you don't miss part four. If this gave you something to rethink in your own training, reply to any email from Renee with "podcast share" in the subject line.

    Episode 008: 3 Milestones To Make Trainings Actually Work — Two real rebuilds show what happens when every action ties to a milestone.

  8. 15 Jul

    Episode 007: Stop Teaching Everything: The A-to-B Rule Every Course Creator Needs — Why trying to teach it all is quietly sabotaging your learners.

    You know your person and what you want to teach them — but do you know exactly where you're taking them? In this episode, Renee breaks down the second stage of the Roots to Canopy framework: turning your teaching sweet spot into one clear, reachable transformation, then mapping the milestones that get your learner there. In this episode: Why "teaching everything" (A to Z) exhausts you and your learner — and what to do instead How to define your "A to B": one specific, reachable transformation for this course or offer A simple exercise using your own journey to find your learner's next reachable point What a milestone actually is, and how many your learner's journey needs A full walkthrough: 3 milestones for a public-speaking course, from mindset to practice Why action-taking (not passive content) is what makes learning "sticky" How milestones make your own content decisions easier when building or revising a course Timestamps: 0:00 — The mistake that happens right after the roots stage 1:00 — Welcome back + recap of Episode 6 2:00 — A to B, not A to Z: why teaching everything backfires 3:00 — Finding your own A to B (a reflection exercise) 4:00 — What milestones are: the pit-stop metaphor 5:00 — The map metaphor: plotting your learner's journey 6:00 — The bridge-and-tunnel metaphor 7:00 — Case study: a public-speaking course's 3 milestones 9:00 — Why action beats passive learning ("sticky learning") 11:00 — A note on accessibility: how to use this episode if you can't pause 13:00 — Recap: A to B, milestones, and 10-minute chunking 14:00 — What milestones do for you as the designer 15:00 — Closing: what's next in the canopy + how to share your A to B Resources mentioned: Episode 6 — the Roots stage (finding your teaching sweet spot and your one person) [LINK TO EPISODE 6] If this gave you a clearer next step, follow the show so you don't miss Part 3. Want to share the A-to-B journey you landed on? Reply to any email from Renee with "podcast share" in the subject line — she reads and responds to every one. Not on the newsletter yet? Go to www.reneekoster.com/newsletter and sign up!

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About

Most educators start with content. Renee Koster starts with the outcome. Learning Experience Design for Changemakers is a podcast for nonprofit leaders and heart-led entrepreneurs who want to design learning experiences that engage, transform, and last. No hustle culture. No quick fixes. Just purposeful design that serves your learners and scales your impact.

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