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. 4d ago

    The Science of Selling: How to Understand Buyer Behavior and Make More Sales | Dr. Kieva Hranchuk

    Your buyer doesn't need another sales script. They need you to actually understand them. In this episode, Dr. Alexis sits down with Dr. Kieva Hranchuk, founder of Buyer Behavior Inc. and known to her audience as the Yes Scientist. With a PhD in applied behavior analysis from Columbia University, Kieva brings her background in behavior science into the world of sales, helping entrepreneurs understand how buyers make decisions and how to sell in a way that feels ethical, natural, and effective. If you've ever felt awkward about selling, struggled to turn your expertise into offers people actually want, or wondered whether you have to adopt a louder personality to succeed in business, this conversation will give you a different way to think about sales, marketing, and growth. What You'll Learn in This Episode: Why ethical selling starts with understanding your buyer's needs instead of pushing your own agendaHow to create an offer ecosystem that builds trust and meets buyers at different stages of readinessWhy your free and low-ticket offers should deliver genuine value, not just act as a teaserHow to balance selling what people want with delivering what they actually needWhy the client experience after the sale is essential to building trust and preventing buyer's remorseHow to make your marketing memorable without pretending to be someone you're notWhy you can build a successful business without subscribing to hustle culture or sacrificing your personal prioritiesHow to turn the skills and experience you've already developed into the foundation of a new business Connect with Kieva: Website: https://www.buyerbehaviorinc.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/the_yes_scientist/ 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/alexisbjelica/ Newsletter: https://alexisbjelica.myflodesk.com/newsletter   Subscribe to The Learning Alchemy Lab for more episodes on designing learning experiences that truly transform.

  2. Sep 23

    How to Build a Successful Coaching Business Without Being Tied to Zoom with Lauren Messiah

    In this episode, Dr. Alexis sits down with stylist, educator, coach, and entrepreneur Lauren Messiah, who spent more than a decade at School of Style before leaving in 2020 to rebuild her business around her own name, expertise, and vision. Together, they explore what happens when you stop forcing your business into traditional boxes and start designing it around the way you actually want to work and live. Lauren shares how she evolved from styling into education and coaching, why she replaced traditional weekly coaching calls with hands-on working days, and how she protects her time without sacrificing the personal connection that makes her work so valuable. If you've ever felt like your business is becoming a box you have to fit yourself into, this conversation will make you question whether you need to redesign the box entirely. What You'll Learn in This Episode: How Lauren built a business around the way she actually wants to work and liveWhy more content doesn't always mean better learning or better resultsHow to create deeply personalized coaching experiences without being tied to Zoom all dayWhy entrepreneurs need to redefine success in different seasons of lifeHow to know when it's time to let go of a successful offer and make room for what's nextWhy authenticity, play, and community can be just as valuable as information Connect with Lauren: Website: https://laurenmessiah.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/laurenmessiah 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/alexisbjelica/ Newsletter: https://alexisbjelica.myflodesk.com/newsletter   Subscribe to The Learning Alchemy Lab for more episodes on designing learning experiences that truly transform.

  3. Sep 9

    The Passive Course Myth, and Four Experiences To Build Instead

    Most people build an online course because they want passive income. In this episode of The Learning Alchemy Lab, Dr. Alexis Bjelica believes the passive course is the wrong goal, and that the most valuable part of your program happens after someone hits play. Through four real examples, from high-touch to low-commitment, she walks through how to build accountability, practice, feedback, and community into a course without turning it into a full-time coaching load. She isn't telling you to stop making courses. She wants you to keep making them. Your audience is savvier than it was three years ago, AI can generate a generic course in an afternoon, and the difference now is the experience you design around the content. If you're creating courses, coaching programs, or digital education, this episode will help you rethink what you're selling, and how you help people actually get results. What You'll Learn in This Episode: Why the passive income promise rarely holds up, and who the real exceptions areWhy great content alone doesn't guarantee great resultsThe shift that gets people to actually use your curriculumHow accountability and feedback can change everythingWhy your workbook might be the most underused part of your programHow to create community without adding more work to your plateThe low-touch additions that can make a course feel high-valueWhy AI is making human connection more important, not lessHow to design learning experiences that create results beyond the final video 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/alexisbjelica/ Newsletter: https://alexisbjelica.myflodesk.com/newsletter Subscribe to The Learning Alchemy Lab for more episodes on designing learning experiences that truly transform.

  4. Aug 26

    How to Create Client Experiences People Can't Stop Talking About | Dani Whitestone

    The businesses people can't stop talking about don't just deliver great results... they create unforgettable experiences. In this episode, Dr. Alexis sits down with customer experience expert Dani Whitestone, founder of The Experience Advantage and one of the few coaches worldwide certified in Will Guidara's Unreasonable Hospitality framework. Together, they explore why the biggest opportunity for service providers isn't better marketing—it's creating client experiences so memorable that retention, referrals, and business growth happen naturally. From mapping every client touchpoint to turning frustrating moments into loyalty-building opportunities, Dani shares practical ways coaches and service-based business owners can create experiences that clients remember long after the work is done. If you've ever wondered how to stand out in a crowded market without spending more on advertising, this conversation is for you. What You'll Learn in This Episode: Why exceptional client experiences outperform bigger marketing budgetsThe difference between delivering great service and creating true hospitalityHow to map every client touchpoint from first impression to offboardingWhy small moments often have the biggest impact on referrals and retentionHow to turn client frustrations into your greatest loyalty-building opportunitiesPractical ways to personalize onboarding without creating more workWhy thoughtful systems—not just good intentions—create memorable customer experiencesHow exceeding expectations builds trust, premium pricing, and long-term business growth Connect with Dani Whitestone: Website: https://www.daniwhitestone.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/daniwhitestone/ 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/alexisbjelica/ Newsletter: https://alexisbjelica.myflodesk.com/newsletter Subscribe to The Learning Alchemy Lab for more episodes on designing learning experiences that truly transform.

  5. Aug 12

    Online Courses Aren't Dead. We Are Just Building Them Wrong!

    Online courses aren't dead. But the way most people build them is. In this episode, Dr. Alexis challenges one of the biggest narratives in the online education space: that courses no longer work. She explains why the problem isn't the course model itself—it's how most courses have been designed. As information becomes increasingly accessible through the internet and AI, simply packaging knowledge is no longer enough to deliver meaningful results. Instead, she explores what actually helps people follow through, stay motivated, and create lasting change. Drawing on educational research and real-world examples, you'll discover why accountability, community, feedback, and thoughtful instructional design are becoming the true differentiators in modern learning experiences. If you're a coach, educator, consultant, or expert building programs online, this episode will change the way you think about creating courses that people actually complete—and recommend to others. What You'll Learn in This Episode: Why the idea that "online courses are dead" misses the real problem The difference between delivering information and creating transformation Why self-paced video libraries struggle to produce lasting results The surprising data behind course completion rates—and what it reveals How accountability, community, and feedback keep learners engaged The three essential ingredients of meaningful learning according to the Community of Inquiry framework Practical ways to design courses that increase engagement, implementation, and completion Why AI makes great information more accessible—but can't replace human learning experiences How to build educational programs that deliver results in the age of unlimited content 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/alexisbjelica/ Newsletter: https://alexisbjelica.myflodesk.com/newsletter Subscribe to The Learning Alchemy Lab for more episodes on designing learning experiences that truly transform.

  6. Jul 29

    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.

  7. Jul 15

    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.

  8. Jul 1

    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.

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About

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.