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Scenario Secrets Podcast

Scenario Secrets Podcast

By Anna Sabramowicz

The Scenario Secrets Podcast explores this question:
How are instructional designers like us, who can’t sit back and accept the status quo, who are striving to realize our own creative potential, how do we work in a way that lets us truly create and contribute and make an impact that we can be proud of,.... while… at the same time, fall in love with the process?

Hi, my name is Anna Sabramowicz. I'm an instructional designer and coach. This podcast is my journey. Join me as I reflect on my work, my student’s work, engage in experiments and draw lessons from conversations with experts.
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Are you working in your zone of excellence?

Scenario Secrets PodcastJun 05, 2019

00:00
11:26
How to get better at using data to drive your decisions as an ID

How to get better at using data to drive your decisions as an ID

I reflect on past projects and experiences where I could have used current data to improve the training and elearning project design.
Dec 16, 202216:05
How to write the BEST scenario questions for ELEARNING | Part 1

How to write the BEST scenario questions for ELEARNING | Part 1

Ready to get help? https://scenariosecrets.com/schedule 

Free video case study on how to create engaging elearning: https://scenariosecrets.com/case-study 

Tips I get into in this video:  

00:00 Welcome and Introduction  

01:55 Tip #1 - 3 Options or less (with exceptions) 

04:44 Tip #2 - Write in the language of your audience 1

0:15 Tip #3 - Same scenario, 6 different ways  

Interactive Stories Mentioned in this experience: Broken Co-Worker (by yours truly Ryan Martin - he developed it in Storyline and played the protagonist, Sam! ) https://www.brokencoworker.com/ 

A Millennial Investment Story (by my student, John Trupiano) http://amillennialinvestmentstory.net/story_html5.html 

Also, check out the Hemingway App.   Make sure you're subscribed to get the latest teachings and insights.   

Thanks for listening! 

Anna

Apr 14, 202214:27
Work GREAT with SME on Creative Projects | Part 2

Work GREAT with SME on Creative Projects | Part 2

Ready to get help? https://scenariosecrets.com/schedule 

Free video case study on how to create engaging elearning: https://scenariosecrets.com/case-study 

Tips we get into:  

00:00 Welcome 

00:46 Tip #4 - Make them the Star 

05:11 Tip #5 - Always have a backup 

07:12 Tip #6 - Be prepared for the Curse of Knowledge 

09:13 Knowledge Spectrum Diagram  

Make sure you're subscribed to get the latest teachings and insights.  

Thanks for watching! 

Anna

Apr 07, 202214:30
Work GREAT with SME on Creative Projects | Part 1

Work GREAT with SME on Creative Projects | Part 1

Three key tips I get into in this video:  00:00 Intro and some context on working on collaborative projects.  

01:48 Tip #1: You get what you expect 

05:00 Tip #2: Your project is Your priority not Theirs 

10:40 Tip #3: Don't be a stranger.   

Make sure you're subscribed to get the latest teachings and insights.  

Thanks for listening and watching! 

Ready to get help? https://scenariosecrets.com/schedule 

Free video case study on how to create engaging elearning: https://scenariosecrets.com/case-study

Anna

Mar 31, 202217:14
Using Interactive Stories to Enhance Online Courses: Interview with Dennis O'Connor
Jun 08, 202143:42
Simple Patterns that Engage | Broken Co-Worker Under the Hood

Simple Patterns that Engage | Broken Co-Worker Under the Hood

Ready to get help? https://www.elearningsecrets.com/apply 

Interactive Stories Featured in this Episode: https://www.brokencoworker.com/

Jun 04, 202120:07
Storytelling Blueprint: The Hero's Journey for eLearning
May 28, 202119:14
3 Mistakes Elearning Designers Make When Trying Storytelling

3 Mistakes Elearning Designers Make When Trying Storytelling

Ready to get help? https://www.elearningsecrets.com/apply


Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/user/eLearnerEngaged

May 25, 202121:20
Story-Based Elearning: How to Craft Strong Characters That Engage Your Audience
May 21, 202122:50
Story Design: Crafting Relatable Characters
May 18, 202123:51
Core of Interactive Stories: Frameworks, Conversations & Iteration

Core of Interactive Stories: Frameworks, Conversations & Iteration

Ready to get help? https://www.elearningsecrets.com/apply

May 14, 202117:28
How to Make Time for Creative Work??
May 11, 202115:59
4 Tips to Get More Work You Love & a Shameless Plug for Interactive Stories!
May 06, 202111:36
3 Quick Strategies To Write Kick Ass Scenario Questions…That Make Adults Think
May 04, 202111:26
My first stint as an instructional designer: making difficult decisions
Mar 25, 202115:29
Role Playing and how strategic distance makes a difference in learning.

Role Playing and how strategic distance makes a difference in learning.

My interactive scenario and storytelling lessons from working as a trainer in the call center.
Mar 24, 202111:35
How I got started as an ID and then transitioned to interactive storytelling.

How I got started as an ID and then transitioned to interactive storytelling.

My journey from wanting to be a high school teacher to solo-developer.
Mar 23, 202128:21
Why John Built His 1st Elearning Portfolio Piece Using "Interactive Storytelling"

Why John Built His 1st Elearning Portfolio Piece Using "Interactive Storytelling"

Story:
Feeling like you have a great portfolio idea but, no idea where to start building your portfolio piece?

Well, that's exactly where my client John used to be!

He had done the hard work of deciding to transition out of K-12 Education and knew it was time help with business problems.

It was time to take his experience and put it to a different use, but he needed clarity, guidance, and support to create that portfolio piece he felt he needed!

John knew he had a choice to make: "figure it out himself" and build a traditional course, or make something special and join the program.

He had everything in place, it was just a matter of executing and being with the right people, right ideas, and putting it all together.

Recently, I sat down to chat with John.

So if you're ready to hear how he was able to make a career transition, to invest in himself and join my coaching program, then watch his interview now!

In this video, Anna and John will discuss:

  • How Anna's systematic approach to engagement and interactivity is exactly what you need when you're building your portfolio piece
  • How John was able to build a career-defining portfolio piece, while meeting the needs of a client/stakeholder
  • AND... how the program provides the clarity and guidance you need to know you are making the right choices for your portfolio

To learn more about the Interactive Storytelling Program go here: https://www.elearningsecrets.com/

To watch this video recording go here: https://www.elearningsecrets.com/john-trupiano

To experience John's Interactive Story go here: http://amillennialinvestmentstory.net/story_html5.html

Mar 17, 202128:59
How to make elearning experiences that engage: Interview with Kirk Wilson

How to make elearning experiences that engage: Interview with Kirk Wilson

Want to learn how he did it? https://www.elearningsecrets.com/free-training

Here's what we cover:    

  1. Where Kirk was before joining Interactive Storytelling Accelerator.    
  2. How Kirk discovered through taking action, how much buy-in he can get from SME's and stakeholders.  
  3. How applying the model has changed the way Kirk designs his elearning now.     
  4. How he's been able to remove "fear of failure" from his vocabulary.  
  5. What made him decide to join our coaching program.  
  6. Who his interactive story is for and what its about.  
  7. His "aha" moment around storytelling and the danger of over-developing. 8. What vulnerability has to do with putting out amazing learning products.   

Kirk's #1 piece of advice for new members:  

Check your ego at the door.   

To work with Kirk go to: http://www.kewel.ca/​   

Enjoy!

Feb 12, 202140:01
How to Create Space for Difficult Conversations: Don Rickard's Interactive Story

How to Create Space for Difficult Conversations: Don Rickard's Interactive Story

Want to craft your own interactive story that deeply engages your audience, like Don did? Let's chat to see if we can help you: https://www.elearningsecrets.com/ss-schedule  

What we talked about: 

0:33 What is Don’s background?

2:17 Don’s Interactive Story.. who is it for? who is he trying to impact? 

7:57 Where did the idea for Don’s story come from? 

9:35 What Don’s wife has to do with joining the program (she’s an instructional designer!) 

12:00 How Don modelled Broken Co-Worker  

15:13 What surprised Don about being part of the coaching program? 

18:51 Skills that Don added to his toolkit as a result of the program 

22:59 Don’s advice for someone just starting the Interactive Storytelling Accelerator program.  

25:34 Where to go to experience Don’s interactive story and get in touch.   

Experience Don Rickard's Interactive Story  "Whose Wedding is it Anyway?" https://recovering-catholic.com/  

Want to craft your own interactive story that deeply engages your audience, like Don did? Let's chat to see if we can help you: https://www.elearningsecrets.com/ss-schedule

Nov 02, 202027:01
Crafting a Viral Portfolio Piece: How Kristin Anthony Did Just That

Crafting a Viral Portfolio Piece: How Kristin Anthony Did Just That

Let's see if I can help you craft an interactive story too: https://www.elearningsecrets.com/ss-schedule

What we talked about:   

0:51 What was life like before they joined our program. 

4:14 Kristin's Interactive Story: It's purpose, target audience, and the context behind it. 

6:31 How Kristin pushed the development of the interactive story with software. 

9:07 Kristin's reaction to the comments and feedback for the interactive story. 

11:09 What surprised Kristin about joining the ISA program. 

12:80 What strategies Kristin found professionally were the biggest gains from being a part of the Interactive Storytelling program. 

14:50 How Kristin kept up motivation when working on the portfolio piece in their spare time. 

17:30 When do you know it's time to stop tweaking and ship? 

18:52 Advice for anyone starting the ISA Program.   

Connect with Kristin using these channels... 

Their site: https://www.knanthony.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/anthkris/ 

Twitter: @anthkris  Kristin's Interactive Story can be found here: https://brink-of-burnout.netlify.app/  

About Kristin Anthony:  Kristin (they/them)  is a learning technologist - a mix of front-end engineer, learning experience designer, and game developer - focusing on creating learning tools and experiences with code. They ran Dear Instructional Designer, the show about the instructional design journey, for four (awesome!) seasons. They have also built several resources centering the newbie LXD, including GoDesignSomething.co and HackID. Outside of work, they care for two of the cutest pupper dogs ever put on planet Earth.

Oct 29, 202022:18
Should you repurpose an old project into a storytelling project?

Should you repurpose an old project into a storytelling project?

Let's talk to see if you'd be a fit for our community of interactive story designers.  https://www.elearningsecrets.com/ss-schedule

Oct 28, 202025:03
Is an interactive story a good fit for your organisation?

Is an interactive story a good fit for your organisation?

Are you trying to turn all your learning into stories? That's major overkill. In this episode I'll help you add clarity and context around when an interactive story is a good fit for purpose. 

Want to see if I can help you take your skills to the next level? Schedule your free session with me here: https://www.elearningsecrets.com/ss-schedule

Oct 27, 202020:14
How Dianne Hope turned a content dump into an interactive story in 5 weeks!

How Dianne Hope turned a content dump into an interactive story in 5 weeks!

Want to learn how she did it? https://www.elearningsecrets.com/

How Dianne used an Interactive Story to Create Excitement and Buzz Around a New Performance Development Package   

Goal: Help a medical organisation create excitement and buzz around a new performance support package launch. Plus, show them they had a big part to play in the results the new program would bring to them personally.    

Here's some of what we discussed together:  

  1. What motivated Dianne to join the ISA coaching program.   
  2. What helped Dianne work through difficult feedback from clients.   
  3. Dianne's strategy for learning and taking her work to the next level - the mindset to adopt.   
  4. How she brought her client on board and the telltale sign that they had bought into this strategy. 

 Dianne's #1 piece of advice for members:   Be open, especially to feedback - everyone has your best interest in mind.   Enjoy!

Want to see if our ISA program is a fit for you? Go here to book your free strategy session: https://www.elearningsecrets.com/ss-schedule

Oct 26, 202027:01
What if it's your audience, not your elearning content?

What if it's your audience, not your elearning content?

What if your training content is already good enough? That's the question. Maybe revamping something is not where your effort should be spent. Maybe you need to consider how people feel about the content and training you've developed. If they haven't been sold on the learning journey, they don't even know it exists. So even if you're using the latest engagement strategies in your training.... if people are not inclined to check it out (because their world already makes sense) why spend all your effort on a losing battle?   

Want to see if I can help you take your design skills to the next level? Let's talk to figure out if I can help you do that. Here's a link to my calendar.  https://www.elearningsecrets.com/ss-schedule

Oct 17, 202024:47
What if you've lost the passion for work you once had?

What if you've lost the passion for work you once had?

Here's a link to see if I can help you craft your own interactive story: https://www.elearningsecrets.com/ss-schedule

Today I am sharing a story is about losing your passion for what you do and then taking that and moving it into some other place. A new "hobby" where it really doesn't add value, or even really build your skills, but it distracts you (yep, it distracts you!) from the fact that you're MISERABLE in the things that you're doing every day. A successful strategy in one way, but a detriment in so many others. 

Oct 16, 202011:03
Be okay with version one, knowing you can always go back to improve

Be okay with version one, knowing you can always go back to improve

Want to see if I can help you craft your interactive story? https://www.elearningsecrets.com/ss-schedule

Want to know if our community of makers can help you achieve your dreams of being a trusted advisor instead of a minion? 

Let's talk https://www.elearningsecrets.com/ss-schedule

Oct 14, 202010:11
Becoming knowledgeable in the content hurts your learners

Becoming knowledgeable in the content hurts your learners

Want to see if I can help you craft your own interactive story? Want to see if there's a way to get to the next level faster?

Let's talk https://www.elearningsecrets.com/ss-schedule

Oct 13, 202020:20
Compliance Training Sexy and Fun? How Gavin Did Just That

Compliance Training Sexy and Fun? How Gavin Did Just That

Let's see if I can help you craft an interactive story too: https://www.elearningsecrets.com/ss-s...

What we talked about:   

  • What was life like before he joined our program.  
  • Gavin's Interactive Story: It's purpose, target audience, and inspiration behind it.  
  • What made Gav actually pull the trigger and join the program 
  • What surprised Gav about being part of our community and the coaching he received.  
  • What Gavin found professionally were the biggest gains from being a part of the Interactive Storytelling program.  
  • Advice for anyone starting the ISA Program.   

See more about Gavin's interactive story here:  https://www.storytraining.pro/ 

Connect with Gavin on LinkedIn:  https://www.linkedin.com/in/gavinheryng/ 

Gavin is a Manchester, UK-based L&D Consultant with a decade of experience providing L&D solutions for some of the world’s leading organisations, including Telefonica, Centrica and EY. Beginning his career designing and delivering traditional classroom-based training sessions, Gavin has since built a considerable portfolio of skills and experience in leadership and management training, professional coaching and digital learning design.  Using the skills and knowledge gained from the Interactive Storytelling Accelerator, Gavin has established StoryTraining to help organisations provide their employees with effective, engaging and results-focused digital learning solutions that solve real-world problems.

Let's see if I can help you craft an interactive story too: https://www.elearningsecrets.com/ss-s...

Oct 11, 202025:46
Confused & Frustrated: Working with Stakeholders

Confused & Frustrated: Working with Stakeholders

Ready to talk about crafting your own interactive story? Let's talk: https://www.elearningsecrets.com/ss-schedule

Oct 05, 202015:48
How to Get Better at Pitching Your Interactive Story

How to Get Better at Pitching Your Interactive Story

Ready to talk about crafting your own interactive story? Let's talk: https://www.elearningsecrets.com/ss-schedule

Oct 02, 202016:19
Surprising Element of Interactive Stories

Surprising Element of Interactive Stories

Ready to talk about crafting your own interactive story? Let's talk: https://www.elearningsecrets.com/ss-schedule

Oct 01, 202012:12
Two crazy strategies for maximum engagement!

Two crazy strategies for maximum engagement!

Want to find out if I can help you take your skills to the next level? Here's a link to my calendar: https://www.elearningsecrets.com/ss-schedule

Sep 30, 202023:29
Surprising Truth: you might be accidentally sabotaging your elearning project.

Surprising Truth: you might be accidentally sabotaging your elearning project.

For those of you who want to see if this is a fit for you, here's my calendar link: https://www.elearningsecrets.com/ss-schedule  

Also, any Abyss fans in the house????

Sep 29, 202016:40
Praveena's Interactive Story: A Catalyst for Change in LGBTQ+ Inclusion

Praveena's Interactive Story: A Catalyst for Change in LGBTQ+ Inclusion

Let's see if I can help you craft an interactive story too: https://www.elearningsecrets.com/ss-schedule  

What we talked about:   

0:32 What was life like before she joined our program. 

4:00 What it was like moving from strategy to end to end development.   

5:39 Praveena's Interactive Story: It's purpose, target audience, and the context behind it. 

11:49 What it was like working with an illustrator.  14:32 What made Praveena finally decide to join the program. 

16:48 What surprised her about being part of our community and the coaching.  

19:36 What strategies Praveena found professionally were the biggest gains from being a part of the Interactive Storytelling program.  

24:00 Advice for anyone starting the ISA Program.   

Connect with Praveena on LinkedIn:  https://www.linkedin.com/in/praveena-mitran-9410324/  

About Praveena's Interactive Story: Colors of the Rainbow - The intention of this story is to encourage the non-LGBTQ employees to become accepting of LGBTQ individuals at the workplace, and to understand that they could have an unconscious bias and are discriminating against others based on that bias. The main idea of the interactive story is to change the perception of the non-LGBT employees so that a safe space can be created for LGBTQ individuals to come out, should they choose to, and to simply be who they are, without having a fear of being judged.  

Let's see if I can help you craft an interactive story too: https://www.elearningsecrets.com/ss-schedule

Sep 28, 202030:04
Two free tools for Interactive Storytelling
Sep 26, 202017:18
Battling the status quo? A story!
Sep 25, 202018:41
Freelancer Friends: How to get clients?
Sep 24, 202014:09
Portfolios and taking action!
Sep 23, 202018:07
Thoughts and feelings about our elearning projects.
Sep 22, 202018:57
Looking back at old projects with some regret?
Sep 21, 202022:52
Listener Question: How does ADDIE and Story mix?
Sep 19, 202016:54
Too many stakeholders or Design by Committee??
Sep 18, 202028:57
What is the cause of BAD elearning?
Sep 17, 202026:14
Improving Engagement and Motivation for taking your elearning?
Sep 16, 202019:17
How Cause and Effect Relationships Affect Your Story
Sep 15, 202020:24
How Kimberly Built an Interactive Story for a Digital Marketing Campaign

How Kimberly Built an Interactive Story for a Digital Marketing Campaign

Let's see if I can help you craft an interactive story too: https://www.elearningsecrets.com/ss-schedule  

Discussed during the interview:  

1:17 What was life like before you started your interactive storytelling journey? 

7:12 Walk us through your interactive story? Purpose, target audience, development process.  

13:13 What made Kimberly actually pull the trigger and join the program? 

24:06 Favourite tool or methodology Kimberly learned in the program. 

28:53 The process of getting information from practitioners to feed into the story. 

34:50 The big shift Kimberly experienced after joining the program and crafting her interactive story. 

40:40 Advice for anyone starting the ISA Program.   

Experience the Workplace War Zone interactive story here: https://www.elearningbrain.com/  

Connect with Kimberly on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kimberlyrgoh/ 

 Want to learn how she did it? Go here https://www.elearningsecrets.com/  

Kimberly created her Interactive Story, Workplace War Zone, as part of a digital marketing campaign for her client, EmC Leaders. Players acquire new emotional intelligence (EQ) skills as they make decisions that lead to one of three possible endings.  The story is designed to introduce potential customers to the company's proprietary Emotional Connection (EmC) process. At the end of the story, players are invited to purchase an emotional intelligence Master Class through the EmC Leaders website.   

To experience Workplace War Zone, please visit Kimberly Goh's portfolio at https://www.elearningbrain.com/

Sep 14, 202043:52
How Talvi used an Interactive Story to help CSR's deliver Better Service and Meet KPI's

How Talvi used an Interactive Story to help CSR's deliver Better Service and Meet KPI's

How Talvi helped new CSR's gain confidence helping customers using Interactive Storytelling.  

Want to learn how she did it? https://www.elearningsecrets.com/ 

 Goal: Help Customer Service Reps at international call centres build confidence and experience solving customer problems while navigating complex software, balancing KPI's, and customer satisfaction.  

Here's what we cover:   

1. What motivated Talvi to join the ISA coaching program.   

2. What surprised her about crafting interactive stories, what was completely different than what she imagined.   

3. What behaviour Talvi set out to change in her target audience.     

4. What the development process looked like.    

5. Her unique and surprising approach to validating her scenario choices.  

 6. Talvi's lessons from prototyping.  

Talvi’s #1 piece of advice for members:   Follow the steps, even if it feels overwhelming at first, everything ends up coming together... if you go step by step.   Enjoy!   

Want to learn how she did it?  https://www.elearningsecrets.com/

Jul 09, 202040:03
Setting yourself up to fail now, instead of thinking long term effort
Jul 08, 202015:34
How to measure performance and ROI of interactive stories?
Jul 07, 202017:56