Engaged By Design

Engaged By Design

Hosted by: Dr. Michael Cottam and Dr. Vernon Smith

Exploring innovation trends in learning, design, leadership, and change management in higher education. Experienced, successful leaders who have been there, done that, and own the t-shirt share perspectives and...

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Episodes

Dr. Tom Lombardo: Science Fiction, Myth, and the Present

Episode Description: In part two, Dr. Tom Lombardo explores science fiction as more than entertainment—it is the evolutionary mythology of the future. This conversation examines how stories shape our imagination,...
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Dr. Tom Lombardo: The Past, Character, and Foundations of Future Thinking

Episode Description: In part one of this three-part series, Dr. Tom Lombardo reflects on the experiences that shaped his lifelong curiosity about time, history, and the future. From childhood fascinations with...
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Flock Logic & Leaderful Teams | Step Up, Step Back, Step Together

In this episode of the Engaged By Design Podcast, we welcome back Kathy Hagler and Robin Graham, co-authors of The ABCs of Murmuration. Together, we explore Flock Logic—a powerful nature-inspired framework drawn from...
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Happy Now? Becoming Happy Now with Dr. Sylvia Nemmers (Part 3)

Podcast: Engaged By Design Episode: Part 3 — Becoming Happy Now Guest: Dr. Sylvia Nemmers — scientist, educator, department chair, survivor, and author of Happy Now. Episode Summary In this powerful final chapter of...
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Happy Now? Faith, Culture, and Courage with Dr. Sylvia Nemmers (Part 2)

Podcast: Engaged By Design Episode: Part 2 — Faith, Culture & Courage Abroad Guest: Dr. Sylvia Nemmers — scientist, educator, world traveler, multilingual mother, and author of Happy Now. Episode Summary In this...
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Happy Now? Authenticity & Resilience with Dr. Sylvia Nemmers (Part 1)

Podcast: Engaged By Design Episode: Part 1 — Authenticity & Resilience Guest: Dr. Sylvia Nemmers — scientist, educator, and author of Happy Now: Shattering the Myth of Happily Ever After Episode Summary From...
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AI and Copyright: A conversation with Rachel Sweeney

In this episode of the Engaged By Design Podcast, Michael and Vernon sit down with Rachel Sweeney, Scholarly Communications Librarian at Bucknell University, for a deep and candid conversation about how generative AI...
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Live From the OLC Conference: Innovation, AI Realities, and Lessons from the Exhibit Hall

Episode Summary In this special conference edition of the Engaged By Design Podcast, Michael and Vernon bring listeners directly into the heart of the Online Learning Consortium (OLC) conference exhibit hall. This...
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The Power of ME in Murmuration: Awareness, Beliefs, and Connection - with Dr. Kathy Hagler and Robin Graham

Kathy Hagler and Robin Graham return to explore the “ME” in their ABCs of Murmuration framework—where awareness, beliefs, and connection lay the foundation for leaderful collaboration. In this episode of the Engaged...
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Storytelling and Leadership – Lessons from The Instructional Designer’s Guide to Project Management (part 2)

In Part Two of their conversation with Dr. Guieswende Rouamba, Michael and Vernon explore how storytelling brings project management to life. Guieswende introduces us to Bob and George — two characters who illustrate...
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People, Process, and Pedagogy – Dr. Guieswende Rouamba on Project Management in Instructional Design (part 1)

In this episode, Dr. Vernon Smith and Dr. Michael Cottam talk with Dr. Guieswende Rouamba, learning designer at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign and author of The Instructional Designer’s Guide to Project...
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Project Management Beyond Work with Bridget Davis (Part 2)

Description: Project management isn’t just for boardrooms or classrooms—it shows up in art studios, Renaissance fairs, and even around the gaming table. In part two of our conversation with Bridget Davis, PMP, CSM,...
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