The Commudemy Podcast

Farhan Quasem
  • 5.0 (4)
  • EDUCATION
  • UPDATED WEEKLY

This series is all about diving into inspiring conversations with change makers who are redefining how we learn, connect, and build communities.

  1. APR 17

    From Order Taker to Problem Solver: Dr. Keith Keating on Redefining Learning at Work

    🎙️ In this episode, I sit down with Dr. Keith Keating, Chief Learning & Development Officer at BDO Canada and author of The Trusted Learning Advisor, for a powerful conversation about learning, resilience, and what it really takes to thrive in a world of constant change. Keith shares his deeply personal journey, from dropping out of high school and struggling to find his place, to discovering the power of learning and ultimately building a career dedicated to helping others unlock their potential. We unpack what it means to “learn how to learn,” and why that skill is no longer optional, but essential for survival in today’s rapidly evolving world. At its core, this conversation is about redefining the role of learning, not as something we consume, but as something we own, apply, and use to create real impact. We explore: 🧠 Why learning is no longer a skill - but a survival mechanism in a world of constant change 📉 How traditional approaches to training fall short, and what it means to move beyond “checking the box” 🤝 What it takes to build a true learning culture - from psychological safety to individual ownership 🔄 How organizations can embed learning into the flow of work to drive real performance and collaboration 🚀 Why the future of L&D isn’t about delivering content, but solving problems and driving business outcomes 🤖 How AI is transforming the way we learn - and why it’s forcing the industry to evolve faster than ever Follow and explore more of Keith’s work: 📲 LinkedIn: Keith Keating🌐 Website: keithkeating.com If there’s one takeaway from this conversation, it’s this: learning isn’t something that happens to you - it’s something you choose, every single day. 🎧 Podcast produced by Riti Suresh.

    48 min
  2. Visualizing Latin America’s Potential: Ernesto Canales on Latinometrics and the Power of Insightful Data Storytelling

    MAR 20

    Visualizing Latin America’s Potential: Ernesto Canales on Latinometrics and the Power of Insightful Data Storytelling

    🎙️ In this episode, I sit down with Ernesto Canales, co-founder of Latinometrics, for a thoughtful conversation about data storytelling, curiosity, and the power of making complex ideas accessible. Ernesto shares his journey from Torreón, Mexico, to studying in the U.S., discovering economics and analysis, and eventually co-building a publication that helps readers make sense of Latin America through clear, visual, data-driven stories. We unpack how Latinometrics grew from an idea into a widely trusted platform for founders, operators, investors, and policymakers — and why its success comes from more than just charts. At its core, this conversation is about turning information into insight, and insight into something people can actually use. We explore: 📊 How Ernesto and his team turn dense data into simple, compelling stories 🧠 Why curiosity, not complexity, is the key to building a better relationship with data 🌎 What Latin America’s growth reveals about technical talent, soft skills, and opportunity 🤝 How Latinometrics is building community by making data more human, interactive, and engaging Follow and explore more of Ernesto’s work: 🌐 Latinometrics: latinometrics.com 📲 LinkedIn: Latinometrics If you’ve ever felt intimidated by data, this episode is a reminder: the goal isn’t to know everything — it’s to ask better questions. 🎧 Podcast produced by Riti Suresh.

    43 min
  3. People. Purpose. Paper: Jace Wallace on Building Community Through Daily Action

    FEB 17

    People. Purpose. Paper: Jace Wallace on Building Community Through Daily Action

    🎙️ In this episode, I sit down with Jace Wallace, founder of Uhsteem and creator of The Daily, for a grounded conversation about self-leadership, community building, and the power of simple, action-based tools. Jace’s journey spans music, film, entrepreneurship, and community-led experiences - and it all traces back to an early creative spark: making beats as a kid, building with friends, and discovering what it means to create with people, not just for them. We unpack how a tour that didn’t go as planned became the catalyst for The Daily, including the “champagne moments” practice: celebrating real wins (big or small) as fuel to move forward, especially when life feels overwhelming. We explore:  🥂 Why celebrating yesterday’s wins can reset your mindset today  ✍️ How The Daily turns reflection, goals, and affirmations into one simple system  🤝 What it really takes to build community - safe spaces, shared ownership, and passing the mic  🌍 Jace’s North Star, People. Purpose. Paper, and his his vision to take Uhsteem global Follow and explore more of Jace’s work:  🌐 Uhsteem: uhsteem.com  📲 Socials: @uhsteem 👤 Jace: @iamoliverlastname If you’ve been feeling overwhelmed, distracted, or stuck in “survival mode,” this episode is a reminder: progress doesn’t start with perfection -  it starts with intention. 🎧 Podcast produced by Riti Suresh.

    35 min
  4. Learning That’s Felt, Not Delivered: Adrian Duke on Designing Immersive, Interactive Experiences

    FEB 4

    Learning That’s Felt, Not Delivered: Adrian Duke on Designing Immersive, Interactive Experiences

    🎙️ In this episode, I sit down with Adrian Duke — Co-Founder & CEO of iX Labs — to kick off Season 3 of the Commudemy Podcast with a deep dive into immersive, gamified, and experiential learning. Based in Vancouver, Adrian leads iX Labs at the intersection of storytelling, spatial design, gaming, and emerging technology. His work challenges traditional approaches to learning by designing experiences that are felt, not just delivered. Adrian shares his unconventional journey - from building extreme amusement rides and escape rooms to architecting XR-powered learning environments for global brands - and explains why interactivity, emotion, and shared experience are the real drivers of engagement and retention. We explore:  🎮 How gamification and interaction design transform how teams learn and collaborate 🧠 Why technology should support learning, not distract from it 🌍 The difference between AR, VR, and XR — and how blending physical and digital worlds unlocks deeper engagement 🤝 How experiential learning reveals leadership styles, communication gaps, and team dynamics in real time 📊 What engagement really means — and how data, metrics, and self-reflection shape better learning outcomes ✨ Why storytelling and emotional connection matter as much as contentFollow and explore more of Adrian’s work:  🔗 LinkedIn: Adrian Duke 🌐 iX Labs: ixlabs.ca 📸Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ix_labs_studio/   🎧 Podcast produced by Riti Suresh.

    32 min
  5. Improv as a Leadership Tool: Sarah Filman on Playful Perspectives and Purposeful Practice

    06/25/2025

    Improv as a Leadership Tool: Sarah Filman on Playful Perspectives and Purposeful Practice

    🎙️ In this episode, I sit down with Sarah Filman – founder of Playful Perspectives and co-founder of The Improv Mindset – to explore how play and improv reshape the way we lead, connect, and build culture. Once a product manager navigating traditional leadership frameworks, Sarah shares how discovering improv transformed her approach to communication, risk, and authenticity - both personally and professionally. We dive into:  🎭 How improv builds trust, courage, and creative confidence  🧠 Why play is a mindset, not just a team-building exercise  🤝 What it means to co-create community and shift from solo to shared leadership Sarah also introduces her latest project: a hands-on activity deck designed to bring moments of play into everyday work - no facilitation experience required. ✨ Want to try it out? Sarah and her co-founder Jordan host a monthly Playful Mindset session—open to all professionals who are play-curious. Follow and explore more of Sarah’s work:  🔗 LinkedIn: Sarah Filman 🌐 Playful Perspectives: https://www.playfulperspectives.com 🧠 The Improv Mindset: https://improvmindset.fun 🃏 Playful Activity Deck: https://www.playfulperspectives.com/cards 🎟️ Join a session: improvmindset.fun/play 🎧 Podcast produced by Riti Suresh.

    31 min
  6. Rewriting the Entreprenurial Playbook in SE Asia: Will Fan on Scaling People and Cultures Across Borders

    06/11/2025

    Rewriting the Entreprenurial Playbook in SE Asia: Will Fan on Scaling People and Cultures Across Borders

    🎙️ In this episode, I have a wide-ranging conversation with Will Fan – CEO and Head of School at NewCampus, a modern business school based in Singapore that's reshaping how companies build learning cultures across Southeast Asia. 🇸🇬✨ Will shares his 10+ year journey as an entrepreneur, investor, and education innovator, from launching a scrappy startup called QLC to growing NewCampus into a regional powerhouse that has served over 130,000 learners and 500+ tech companies. We dive deep into: 🌏 Why Southeast Asia is the ideal testbed for reinventing education  📚 Building learning in the flow of work—not outside of it 🤝 Community as the cornerstone of business (not just a feature) ⚙️ Leveraging AI to reduce operational drag and increase human connection 🧠 Creating people-first companies and why Will’s team moved to a 4-day workweek 📈 Measuring impact in L&D—why ROI conversations must start with revenue His philosophy? Build skinny, think long-term, and center relationships—in your team, in your product, and in your ecosystem. Be sure to follow Will and his work here: 🔗 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/hellowillfan/ 🌐 NewCampus: https://www.newcampus.com 🎧 Podcast produced by Riti Suresh.

    31 min
  7. Healing Beyond the Algorithm: Rethinking Mental Health w/MyOasis Founder Daniel Chipres

    06/04/2025

    Healing Beyond the Algorithm: Rethinking Mental Health w/MyOasis Founder Daniel Chipres

    🎙️ In this episode, I sit down with Daniel Chipres — founder of MyOasis, an AI-powered mental health platform rooted in compassion, cultural fluency, and intentional healing. From a childhood marked by instability to a transformative chapter in the military, Daniel’s journey is a raw, moving story of growth, faith, and purpose. We explore how his lived experiences informed the creation of MyOasis — a tool that reimagines mental health care for communities often left out of traditional systems. We dive deep into:  🧠 Why mental health solutions must be culturally fluent, spiritually inclusive, and personalized.  🛠️ How AI can support, not replace, human connection in therapeutic settings.  📿 The role of spiritual awakening in Daniel’s healing and entrepreneurial journey.  💡 Building tech for good — designing an ecosystem that supports both therapists and clients. Daniel’s approach is deeply human: Design tools with empathy. Build systems that serve. And never lose sight of why we heal — to give back, to grow, and to uplift others. 🔗 Be sure to follow Daniel and MyOasis: Instagram: @elprofesor.ai LinkedIn: Daniel Chipres Website: MyOasis 🎧 Podcast produced by Riti Suresh.

    41 min
  8. Community as a Vehicle for Empowerment: The Story of LDC w/Co-Founders Shraddha Rawat & Parisha Jain

    05/28/2025

    Community as a Vehicle for Empowerment: The Story of LDC w/Co-Founders Shraddha Rawat & Parisha Jain

    In this episode, I sit down with Shraddha Rawat and Parisha Jain, the dynamic co-founders of The Learning Designers Community (LDC) — a volunteer-led global collective of 4,300+ learning professionals spanning 38+ countries. Born from a single post in a Google Group, LDC has rapidly become one of the most vibrant, cross-sectoral communities in the world — uniting educators, corporate L&D leaders, edtech innovators, and nonprofit professionals with one mission: to reimagine learning design for a more human, inclusive, and impactful future. We explore:  💬 How Shraddha and Parisha turned a grassroots idea into a thriving global community.  🌍 Why cross-sector collaboration is the key to unlocking meaningful innovation in learning.  🤝 What it really takes to nurture a member-led community — from orchestration to vulnerability. 🧭 Their vision for the future: regional chapters, sustainable operations, and a stronger Global South voice in L&D. Whether you’re a learning designer, community builder, or someone rethinking how humans learn — this episode is packed with practical wisdom, honest reflection, and inspiration for what’s possible when people come together with purpose. Be sure to follow and support the LDC here: 🔗 LDC LinkedIn Group: https://www.linkedin.com/groups/14371079/ 🔗 LDC Linktree: https://linktr.ee/learningdesigners 🔗 Shraddha’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shraddharawat11/ 🔗 Parisha’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/parishajain/  Podcast produced by Riti Suresh.

    43 min
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Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
4 Ratings

About

This series is all about diving into inspiring conversations with change makers who are redefining how we learn, connect, and build communities.

Information

  • Creator
    Farhan Quasem
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    25
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Farhan Quasem
  • Show Website
    The Commudemy Podcast