Make This Make Sense

MakeThisMakeSensePod

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Education
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Make This Make Sense brings together three Entrepreneurship professors unpack the systems, trends, and social dynamics everyone is confused about — with the women who actually understand them. Guests include academics and entrepreneurs covering various industries diving into the latest research and sharing their experiences.

12h ago

AI Won't Replace You… But It Will Change How You Think: Make This Make Sense ep6 with Tina Austin

AI Won't Replace You… But It Will Change How You Think: Make This Make Sense ep6 Tina Austin Artificial intelligence is transforming education faster than most institutions can adapt—but how do we embrace AI without losing critical thinking? In this episode, AI education leader Tina Austin explains why traditional teaching models need an upgrade, introduces her UnBlooms framework, and shares practical strategies for helping students and educatorsuse AI responsibly, thoughtfully, and effectively. Topics 🤖 AI in education 📚 UnBlooms framework 🧠 Critical thinking ⚖️ Responsible AI 🎓 Faculty adoption 💬Cognitive offloading 🚗 AI hallucinations 📝 Assessment redesign 🚀 Future-ready classrooms About Tina Austin Tina Austin is an AI education strategist, professor, andcreator of UnBlooms, a modern reimagining of Bloom's Taxonomy designed for the age of artificial intelligence. Her framework is used by educators in more than 100 countries to help measure critical thinking and metacognition before,during, and after AI use. Recognized as one of ASU GSV's Top Leading Women in AI(2025), Tina has been featured by OpenAI Academy and CNN and serves as a technical reviewer for the U.S. Department of Education while advising California's AI & Workforce initiatives. She also collaborates with organizations including Microsoft, Canva, Duolingo, and the Gates Foundation onresponsible AI implementation. 🔗 Connect with Tina Austin Connect on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tinaaustin/ Connect on Substack: https://substack.com/@tinaaustin Tina Austin’s website: https://tinaaustin.com/ The UnBlooms™ model: A Problem-Centered Framework forLearning Design in the AI Era by Tina Austin, AI in Education at Oxford University (AIEOU), https://zenodo.org/records/17298679 The UnBlooms™ Workbook on Amazon: https://a.co/d/0hXiAfBn 💬 Memorable Quotes "The conversation isn't whether students use AIanymore—it's how they use it." "AI can generate information, but it can't replacehuman judgment." "Bloom's Taxonomy was designed for a world whereinformation was scarce. That world no longer exists." "Responsible AI isn't about avoiding thetechnology—it's about learning to think alongside it." "The goal isn't to stop AI from changing education. Thegoal is to make sure learning doesn't disappear." 🎧 Who Should Listen? 👩‍🏫 Faculty and instructors trying to adapt their teaching for AI. 🎓 College leaders designing future-ready curricula. 🤖 Anyone curious about how AI is reshaping education. 📝 Instructional designers rethinking assessments. 💼 Business leaders responsible for AI adoption and workforce training. 🎒 Students who want to use AI without sacrificing real learning. 🔗 Connect with Make This Make Sense If you enjoyed this conversation, subscribe for moreepisodes where we break down the systems, trends, and ideas that shape our everyday lives with experts who make them make sense. Copyright © 2026, Make This Make Sense Team. All RightsReserved. Reuse/remix allowed with attribution. Chapters 0:00:00 Welcome to Make This Make Sense 🎙️0:00:25 Meet Tina Austin & the UnBlooms Framework 🌸0:04:15 Why Bloom's Taxonomy Needs an AI Update 🤖0:11:40 Helping Students Think Instead of Copy 🧠0:19:35 Cognitive Offloading: Are We Outsourcing Our Brains? 💭0:29:20 AI Hallucinations & Why Human Judgment Still Matters 🚗0:37:30 Redesigning Assessments for the AI Era 📝0:47:10 Practical AI Advice for Faculty & Institutions 🎓0:56:20 What the Future of AI in Education Really Looks Like 🔮1:02:30 Final Takeaways & Rapid-Fire Advice 💡
Jul 15

Why Great Teachers Are Leaving—and What Can Bring Them Back: Make This Make Sense ep5 Rachel Robins

Why Great Teachers Are Leaving—and What Can Bring ThemBack: Make This Make Sense ep5 Rachel Robins Instructional coach Rachel Robins joins Make This Make Sensefor a candid conversation about why teacher burnout has reached a crisis point—and what schools can actually do about it. From cell phone policies and student relationships to educator wellness and sustainable leadership, Rachelshares practical strategies that remind us why teaching is still one of the most impactful professions in the world. Topics 📱 Cell phone policies • 🧠 Teacher burnout • ❤️ Educator wellness • 🤝 Building student relationships • 🎓 Supporting new teachers • 🌱 Healthy boundaries • 🏫 School culture • ✨ Finding joy in teaching About Rachel Robins Rachel Robins is an instructional coach and educator dedicated to helping teachers thrive through practical coaching, educator wellness, and sustainable classroom practices. Her work focuses on strengthening school culture, reducing teacher burnout, improving instructional practice, and helping educators create meaningful learning environments where both teachers and students can succeed. Rachel is also recognized for her work and writing on classroom cell phone policies and supporting teachers through today's evolving educational landscape. 🔗 Connect with Rachel Robins Connect with Rachel on LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/in/rachel-robins-85631468 Connect with Rachel on Instagram: @therealmrsrobins 💬 Memorable Quotes "You don't have to take care of everybody else'semotions—you have to take care of yourself first." "When teachers are healthy, students benefit." "Relationships will always matter more than the newestinitiative." "We can acknowledge the hard things without lettingthem define our profession." "Every student deserves that one teacher who changesthe trajectory of their life." 🎧 Who Should Listen? 🍎 K–12 teachers looking to avoid or recover from burnout 🏫 School leaders, principals, and instructional coaches 🎓 Education students preparing to enter the classroom 📱 Educators navigating classroom technology and cell phone policies ❤️ Anyone passionate about improving teacher well-being and school culture 👨‍👩‍👧 Parents interested in understanding today's classroom challenges 🔗 Connect with Make This Make Sense If you enjoyed this conversation, subscribe for moreepisodes where we break down the systems, trends, and ideas that shape our everyday lives with experts who make them make sense. Copyright © 2026, Make This Make Sense Team. All RightsReserved. Reuse/remix allowed with attribution. Chapters 0:00:00 Welcome & Introducing Rachel Robins 👋 0:01:00 Rachel's Journey from Classroom Teacher to Instructional Coach 📚 0:03:00 Why Teachers Are Burning Out 🔥 0:06:00 The Reality of Instructional Coaching 🤝 0:10:00 Leadership, School Culture & Supporting Teachers 🏫 0:15:00 Cell Phones in the Classroom—What's Actually Working? 📱 0:21:00 Building Strong Relationships with Students ❤️ 0:26:00 Practical Wellness Strategies for Educators 🌱 0:31:00 Setting Healthy Boundaries Without Losing Your Passion ⚖️ 0:36:00 Advice for Future Teachers & Final Takeaways ✨
Jul 8

Why Most Workplace Training Fails (And How to Fix It): Make This Make Sense ep4 with Dr. Heidi Kirby

Why Most Workplace Training Fails (And How to Fix It): MakeThis Make Sense ep4 with Dr. Heidi Kirby What if the biggest problem with education isn't students—it's how we've designed learning itself? Dr. Heidi Kirby joins the professors to unpack instructional design, why most corporate training misses the mark, how AI is reshaping education, and why meaningful human learning experiences matter now more than ever. Topics 🎓 Instructional design explained • 🤖 AI changes learning but doesn't replace humans • 📊 Measure outcomes not completion rates • 🧠 Better questions create better learning • 💼 Freelancing in learning design • 🚀 Turning rejection into opportunity About Dr. Heidi Kirby Dr. Heidi Kirby is an instructional design strategist, consultant, and educator with experience spanning NASA, billion-dollar SaaS companies, government, retail, and nonprofits. She specializes in helping organizations design learning experiences that improve real-world performance—not just course completion—and is passionate about blendinghuman-centered learning with emerging technologies like AI. Heidi is also the creator of the Learning Rejects Conference, an innovative event showcasing conference proposals that were rejected elsewhere, proving that great ideas deserve a second chance. 🔗 Connect with Dr. Heidi Kirby LinkedIn: /heidiekirby https://www.linkedin.com/in/heidiekirby/ Website: https://heidikirby.com/ Learning Rejects Conference: https://www.getusefulstuff.com/learningrejects 💬 Memorable Quotes "Instructional design is finding out what people needto work or learn better—and creating education that helps them get there." "Stop measuring whether people completed the course.Measure whether anything actually changed." "What game have you ever played that quizzes you at theend?" "AI makes creating content easier—but human connectionis becoming even more valuable." "Sometimes the best opportunities come from the thingsthat rejected you." 🎧 Who Should Listen? 🎓 College faculty and educators looking to improve student engagement.💼Corporate trainers, HR professionals, and learning & development leaders.🚀Entrepreneurs building onboarding, customer education, or training programs.🤖Anyone curious about how AI is changing education and workplace learning.📈Freelancers and consultants interested in instructional design as a career. 🔗 Connect with Make This Make Sense If you enjoyed this conversation, subscribe for moreepisodes where we break down the systems, trends, and ideas that shape our everyday lives with experts who make them make sense. Copyright © 2026, Make This Make Sense Team. All RightsReserved. Reuse/remix allowed with attribution. Chapters 0:00:00 👋 Welcome to Make This Make Sense0:02:10 🎓 Meet Dr. Heidi Kirby & What Is Instructional Design?0:04:21 📊 FUSE Framework0:07:12 🤖 Could this course have been an email?0:09:25 😅 Beyond CYA: Real Business Results for Training0:16:00 ❓ Change Your Questions, Change Your Life0:21:25 🤝 Why In-Person Learning Is Making a Comeback0:24:51 💡 Winning Trust & Changing Organizational Culture0:28:42 🚀 Skills New Instructional Designers Need Today0:30:46 🎤 Engaging Audiences & Breaking the Ice0:33:47 💥 The Learning Rejects Conference & Turning Rejection Into Innovation0:37:00 👏 Final Takeaways & Closing Thoughts
Jul 2

Why Trauma-Informed Yoga Is Different: Make This Make Sense ep3 with Jess Ramos

Why Trauma-Informed Yoga Is Different: Make This MakeSense ep3 with Jess Ramos What if yoga wasn't about touching your toes—but aboutlearning how to feel safe in your own body again? In this episode, the hosts sit down with trauma-informed yoga instructor Jess Ramos to explore how breathwork, mindfulness, and intentional movement can reduce stress, support healing, and help anyone build a more compassionate relationship with themselves. Topics: 🧘 Trauma-informed yoga 🌬️Breathwork 🧠 Nervous system regulation ❤️Healing through movement 🤝 Creating safe spaces 💭Mindfulness 🌱 Starting a yoga practice ✨Everyday wellness About Jess Ramos: Jess Ramos is a double-certified trauma-informed yogainstructor who has been practicing yoga for over 11 years and teaching since 2017. She specializes in Vinyasa and trauma-informed yoga, helping individuals use movement, breath, and mindfulness to support healing and overall well-being. Jess completed her trauma-informed training through the Yoga to Transform Trauma program under the late Catherine Ashton and is passionate about creating safe, inclusive spaces where people can reconnect with themselves and build resilience. About Catherine Ashton: https://news.wttw.com/2020/11/22/chicago-yoga-community-remembers-catherine-ashton 🔗 Connect with Jess Ramos on Instagram: @Jessramos108 https://www.instagram.com/jessramos108/ 💬 Memorable Quotes "Yoga isn't about the pose—it's about creating safety in your body." "Breath is one of the simplest tools we have to regulate our nervous system." "Healing happens when we create space instead of judgment." 🎧 Who Should Listen? This episode is perfect for: 🧘 Anyone curious about yoga but unsure where to begin. 🌿 People interested in managing stress and anxiety naturally. 🎓 Educators, leaders, and caregivers looking to better understand trauma-informed practices. 💜 Anyone wanting practical tools for improving mental and emotional well-being. 🔗 Connect with Make This Make Sense If you enjoyed this conversation, subscribe for moreepisodes where we break down the systems, trends, and ideas that shape our everyday lives with experts who make them make sense. Copyright © 2026, Make This Make Sense Team. All RightsReserved. Reuse/remix allowed with attribution. Chapters: 00:00:00 Welcome to Make This Make Sense 🎙️ 00:01:35 Meet Jess Ramos: Trauma-Informed Yoga Instructor 🧘 00:03:22 What Is Trauma-Informed Yoga? ❤️ 00:08:05 Breaking Misconceptions About Yoga 🙌 00:11:49 Breathwork & Calming the Nervous System 🌬️ 00:14:51 Healing, Stress & Everyday Resilience 🌱 00:17:28 Creating Safe Spaces for Everyone 🤝 00:31:19 Facilitating Energy ☀️ 00:35:18 Breathe with us 😮‍💨 00:38:41 Final Takeaways & Where to Learn More 🎙️
Jul 2

Career Advice College Students Actually Need: Make This Make Sense ep2 with Nicki Joiner

Career Advice College Students Actually Need: Make ThisMake Sense ep2 with Nicki Joiner Former Fortune 100 recruiter turned career strategist NikkiJoiner pulls back the curtain on how hiring really works, sharing practical advice that helps students and early-career professionals stand out in an increasingly AI-driven job market. The conversation explores recruiting myths, networking, LinkedIn, interview strategies, and why treating your career like a long-term relationship—not a one-time job search—is the key to getting hired faster. Topics: 💼 Recruiting Secrets 🤖 AI & Job Searching 🔗 LinkedIn Strategy 🎯 Interview Tips 🌱 Career Growth 🚀 Personal Branding 🎓 Helping Students Get Hired 💬 Networking That Works 📈 Standing Out in a Competitive Market About Nicki Joiner: Nicki’s mission in the world is to help people navigatetheir future careers with confidence and clarity. And she does that by providing relevant and tangible career advice to thousands of students and administrators every year. With over a decade of experience in higher education andcorporate recruiting, she is able to effectively empower students to align their skills and passions with fulfilling career paths. She’s partnered with dozens of colleges/universities, non-profits, and youth organizations to guide students as they explore career opportunities and prepare for the professional world. Whether it’s landing that first internship or negotiating a job offer, she’s here to help students step into the future with clarity and confidence. 🔗 Connect with Nicki Joiner on Instagram: @howtheyhire https://www.instagram.com/howtheyhire/ Connect with Nicki Joiner on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nickijoiner/ Nicki’s site: https://nickijoiner.com/ 💬 Memorable Quotes "Candidates don't have an agent—I wanted to become theperson who advocates for them." "Recruiters aren't just reviewing applications—they'reactively searching for the right people." "Your career isn't built by sending out hundreds ofapplications. It's built by positioning yourself to be found." "Students don't need more motivation—they need someoneto show them how the hiring process actually works." "The job search isn't just about getting your firstoffer. It's about building a career that grows with you." 🎧 Who Should Listen? This episode is perfect for: 🎓 College students preparing for internships, their first job, or graduation. 💼 Recent graduates struggling to land interviews or navigate today's competitive job market. 🔄 Career changers looking to better understand how recruiters think and what employers value. 🤝 Parents, professors, and career advisors who want practical insights to help students succeed. 🚀 Aspiring entrepreneurs and professionals who want to build a strong personal brand and create long-term career opportunities. 📈 Anyone who's ever wondered, "Why am I not getting interviews?" and wants advice directly from someone who's been on the recruiting side of the table. 🔗 Connect with Make This Make Sense If you enjoyed this conversation, subscribe for moreepisodes where we break down the systems, trends, and ideas that shape our everyday lives with experts who make them make sense. Copyright © 2026, Make This Make Sense Team. All RightsReserved. Reuse/remix allowed with attribution. Chapters: 00:00:00 Welcome to Make This Make Sense 🎙️ 00:02:00 Meet Nicki Joiner: From Fortune 1 Recruiter toCareer Coach 💼 00:02:31 Nicki's Career Journey & Breaking Into Recruiting 🚀 00:07:05 Why "Just Follow Your Passion" Is Bad Career Advice 🎯 00:10:29 Entrepreneurship vs. Traditional Careers 💡 00:18:50 Understanding Gen Z's View of Work 🌱 00:22:50 Salary Expectations & What Students Get Wrong 💰 00:26:01 Is College Still Worth It? And why internships areimportant 🎓 00:32:15 What Recruiters Actually Look For 🔍 00:42:48 Getting in touch with Nicki ⭐ 00:46:04 Creating Your Own Opportunities 🚪 00:51:49 Final Thoughts 🎤
Jul 2

The Research behind Mansplaining: Make This Make Sense ep1 with Dr. Chelsie Smith

The Research behind Mansplaining: Make This Make Senseep1 with Dr. Chelsie Smith In the debut episode of Make This Make Sense, hostsDr. Colleen Robb, Annie Stout, and Kelly Werder sit down with Dr. Chelsea Smith to unpack the research behind mansplaining, workplace incivility, and why seemingly small interactions can have lasting effects on employees. Throughresearch findings, personal stories, and practical advice, they explore how bias shows up at work, what organizations can do differently, and how anyone can become more aware of the everyday behaviors that shape workplace culture. Topics:🎙️New podcast launch 🚀 Workplace research 💼Mansplaining 🗣️ Gender bias ⚖️ Workplace incivility 🧠Psychology of communication 💭 Practical strategies 🤝Better workplace culture 🎓 Research made relatable✨ About Dr. Chelsie Smith: Dr. Chelsie Smith is a Postdoctoral Research at theUniversity of Guelph in Ontario Canada. Her research interests include career sustainability; workplace mistreatment; speaking up or staying silent about negative workplace events; psychological safety and perceptions of injustice;organizational and leadership development; gender issues, including equity and access; and the transition to a hybrid workplace. 🔗 Dr. Chelsie Smith on Google Scholar: https://scholar.google.com/citations?user=VBHVujkAAAAJ&hl=en&oi=ao 🔗 Connect with Dr. Smith on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chelsie-smith-4a6b7563/ 🔗 Research and resources discussed during the interview: Dr. Smith and colleagues’ paper: ‘Well,actually’: investigating mansplaining in the modern workplace: https://www.cambridge.org/core/journals/journal-of-management-and-organization/article/well-actually-investigating-mansplaining-in-the-modern-workplace/19B44D34153E37F0C49A26BE8DDD2525 Let me mansplain: studies reveal impact of condescension, The Guardian: https://www.theguardian.com/science/2023/feb/03/let-me-mansplain-studies-reveal-negative-impacts-of-behaviour (about Dr. Smith’s research with commentary from Rebecca Solnit). Compentence-Questioning Communication and Gender: Exploring Mansplaining, Ignoring, and Interruption Behaviors: https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s10869-022-09871-7(research referenced by The Guardian) Mansplaining is rude,belittling and not going away. Here’s how to shut it down, The Globe and Mail: https://www.theglobeandmail.com/business/article-mansplaining-is-rude-belittling-and-not-going-away-heres-how-to-shut/ 💬 Memorable Quotes from this episode: "Intent is not part of the definition. People aren't necessarily intending to speak down to others—but the impact is still real." "Never attribute malice to the person. The vast majority of times people are doing this accidentally and with the best intentions." "It all comes down to setting the culture. Do people feel psychologically safe enough to speak up when something doesn't feel right?" 🎧 Who Should Listen? This episode is perfect for: 💼 Managers and workplace leaders looking to build healthier teams 🎓 Students preparing to enter the workforce 👥 Anyone who has experienced (or witnessed) workplace incivility or bias 📚 People interested in psychology, organizational behavior, and workplace research 🔗 Connect with Make This Make Sense If you enjoyed this conversation, subscribe for moreepisodes where we break down the systems, trends, and ideas with experts who make them make sense. Copyright © 2026, Make This Make Sense Team. All RightsReserved. Reuse/remix allowed with attribution. Chapters: 00:00 Intro 🎙️ 00:00:43 Meet the Hosts ☕ 00:03:15 Dr. Chelsea Smith & Her Research Journey 🎓 00:07:30 What Is Mansplaining? (And What the Research Says) 📊 00:16:30 The Real Impact of Workplace Incivility 💼 00:29:00 Why These Behaviors Matter for Employees & Organizations ⚖️ 00:39:42 What Leaders Can Do Better 👥 00:47:58 Advice for Students & Early Career Professionals 🚀 00:53:06 Final Takeaways 💡
Trailer

Welcome to Make This Make Sense

Make This Make Sense brings together three Entrepreneurship professors unpack the systems, trends, and social dynamics everyone is confused about — with the women who actually understand them. Guests include academics and entrepreneurs covering various industries diving into the latest research and sharing their experiences. Introducing your cohosts: Dr Colleen Robb: Since Colleen started teaching entrepreneurship and business in 2004, she's never looked back. She's been involved in startups in the athletic, cosmetic, manufacturing, nonprofit, retail, and technology sectors, but loves teaching more than anything. She's been blessed to work with thousands of entrepreneurs, be they students, veterans, or community members to grow their businesses beyond what they thought is possible. Check out her blog which is loaded with years of lessons on entrepreneurship and teaching: www.colleenrobb.comAnnie Stout: For over a decade, Annie has developed entrepreneurship education at every level at Florida Gulf Coast University, starting from a single first-year course to establishing a Living-Learning Community and creating a faculty development program that integrates entrepreneurship across various disciplines, including Engineering, Math, Education, Health, Hospitality, Legal Studies, and Music.Kelly Werder: Entrepreneurship Instructor turned crypto podcaster, Kelly Werder created the first Blockchain course for Entrepreneurs in a university Entrepreneurship program, leading to a first of its kind minor/concentration in Blockchain at Florida Gulf Coast University. Kelly left her full-time position in 2024 to focus on her livestream/podcast @GMFarcaster with her cofounder/cohost Adrienne, still streaming live 2x per week. Kelly is the production arm of this crazy MTMS experiment. Learn more about the cohost and how we got her in this Make This Make Sense trailer and look for new episodes dropping each Wednesday starting July 1, 2026.

Trailer

Welcome to Make This Make Sense

Make This Make Sense brings together three Entrepreneurship professors unpack the systems, trends, and social dynamics everyone is confused about — with the women who actually understand them. Guests include academics and entrepreneurs covering various industries diving into the latest research and sharing their experiences. Introducing your cohosts: Dr Colleen Robb: Since Colleen started teaching entrepreneurship and business in 2004, she's never looked back. She's been involved in startups in the athletic, cosmetic, manufacturing, nonprofit, retail, and technology sectors, but loves teaching more than anything. She's been blessed to work with thousands of entrepreneurs, be they students, veterans, or community members to grow their businesses beyond what they thought is possible. Check out her blog which is loaded with years of lessons on entrepreneurship and teaching: www.colleenrobb.comAnnie Stout: For over a decade, Annie has developed entrepreneurship education at every level at Florida Gulf Coast University, starting from a single first-year course to establishing a Living-Learning Community and creating a faculty development program that integrates entrepreneurship across various disciplines, including Engineering, Math, Education, Health, Hospitality, Legal Studies, and Music.Kelly Werder: Entrepreneurship Instructor turned crypto podcaster, Kelly Werder created the first Blockchain course for Entrepreneurs in a university Entrepreneurship program, leading to a first of its kind minor/concentration in Blockchain at Florida Gulf Coast University. Kelly left her full-time position in 2024 to focus on her livestream/podcast @GMFarcaster with her cofounder/cohost Adrienne, still streaming live 2x per week. Kelly is the production arm of this crazy MTMS experiment. Learn more about the cohost and how we got her in this Make This Make Sense trailer and look for new episodes dropping each Wednesday starting July 1, 2026.

5

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Make This Make Sense brings together three Entrepreneurship professors unpack the systems, trends, and social dynamics everyone is confused about — with the women who actually understand them. Guests include academics and entrepreneurs covering various industries diving into the latest research and sharing their experiences.

Creator

MakeThisMakeSensePod
Years Active

2026
Episodes

7
Rating

Explicit
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© MakeThisMakeSensePod
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Make This Make Sense