Visuals and videos are powerful, but creating them can feel overwhelming. Yet they are essential to creating content that impacts understanding, helps improve communication, and can save you and the viewers time and money. The Visual Lounge is a place where we talk about creating and using visuals and videos for all sorts of communication. Whether you’re creating a course to help your organization roll out new software, an educator learning to better communicate with your students, or a mark ...
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Harnessing Video for Enhanced Learning (Revisited)
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35:55Is video always the best way to teach something? Video has transformed the world of workplace learning and still makes up a huge part of it today. Just about any workplace, big or small, can create training videos with minimal cost. But it doesn’t always make it the right tool for the job. In this throwback episode of The Visual Lounge, host Matt P…
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The Evolving Future of Video: AI, Authenticity, and Connection in the Workplace (Revisited)
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27:59In just a few short years, AI usage has boomed in the content creation world. Not just that, it’s also changed a LOT, and in ways many of us never predicted. In this episode, Matt Pierce takes us back to 2023 when many of us were still experimenting with AI and had bold predictions about its future. He asked the audience on LinkedIn for predictions…
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Practical AI Applications for Video Production
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16:16Have you ever felt a little out of your depth when making an extra complex or brand new video type? Maybe AI could help. Host Matt Pierce shares his experience as someone used to creating training content, adapting to creating content for a commercial. We hear about the script drafting process, the challenges of balancing feasibility, including bud…
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The Real Barriers to Effective Learning: Organization, Learner, and L&D Missteps
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38:17What’s really holding your learners back from absorbing the information they need? We’ve all been through training at some point that’s either confusing or too broad, or perhaps the kind that puts you to sleep. The truth is that training and learning design are complicated. It’s a balancing act between the learners themselves (how they learn, their…
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If You’re Not Hooking Viewers in 5 Seconds… You’ve Already Lost Them
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11:08You have just five seconds. So hook ‘em in, keep them watching, and make those seconds count. Starting with a clear hook isn’t just for YouTubers looking to make it big. Even if you’re creating instructional videos that people have to watch for their job, you have just a few seconds to grab attention. If you don’t, the video might still play but th…
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Improving Your on Camera Presence (Revisited)
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50:00Here’s a secret… most people aren’t naturals on camera. For many, it can be daunting and can even hold us back from trying to make videos in the first place. But if you’re running training or making content, video is no doubt a part of your job. So how do you look good on camera? It’s a question we hear a lot, so we pulled this 2022 episode from ou…
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What do you need to know about the L&D space in 2025? The L&D Global Sentiment Survey is now in its 12th year and records the trends, attitudes, top challenges, and priorities in the L&D space. This year, over 3,000 voters from almost 100 countries participated in the research, sharing their experiences and thoughts on L&D today. We invited the aut…
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Harnessing AI for Visual Communication (Live at Training 2025)
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24:00Can using AI in visual design ever be truly creative? This week’s guest would go one step further and call AI the “future of creativity.” Mike Parkinson, Principal of 24 Hour Company and Owner of Billion Dollar Graphics, joins us for a special live show of The Visual Lounge, hosted at Training 2025, a conference and expo produced by Training Magazi…
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Easy and Simple Video Creation (Revisited)
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41:13A while back, we sat down with Edie Clarke, Virtual Video Producer and Editor and YouTube Strategist, to talk about why simpler is often better when it comes to video creation. And guess what? That advice still holds up. So, we’re bringing this episode back for another listen. With AI changing the way we create and edit videos, there’s never been a…
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The medium of video transformed drastically since it was first invented, but there’s one thing that hasn’t. Regardless of whether you’re creating entertaining or training content, storytelling is at the heart of video. The CEO of Cinécraft, Dan Keckan, heads up a learning solutions company that’s been around since 1939! As one of the first corporat…
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Approach to Scenario Writing and Multimedia
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28:30Storytelling is the golden ticket to understanding how we communicate and absorb information. It’s already a big focus in the marketing world. But what about learning design and training content? Can we (and should we) use storytelling to get key messages across? Spoiler: yes! And this episode is all about how to do it. Christy Tucker is a learning…
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Take your mind back to 2023. Generative AI was still relatively new on the scene, and we were all curious about how it would impact the world. Would it be a short-lived trend or would it signal a new age of tech? From content creation to data analysis, the potential of AI skyrocketed in just a few years and the technology and tools show no sign of …
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Rarely do we get the chance to hear the C-suite side of things when it comes to content and learning design. What do they really think about the training content they see out in the wild? But in this episode, we hear from business transformation expert and former Chief Learning Officer Christopher Lind on adapting your content creation process for …
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Video, Screenshots, and AI - Insights from a Customer Education Manager
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49:07Get to the point. That’s the way you entice audiences and ensure they stay. While front-loading instructional videos with the ‘why’ is tempting, it’s the ‘how’ that audiences have tuned in for. Attention spans are getting shorter and shorter, which is why you need to deliver value as soon as possible. This means a clear narrative, great video quali…
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Do You Know What Your Audience Thinks of Your Training Videos?
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15:29Training videos have a reputation for being dry and boring, but it doesn’t have to be this way! By communicating value and involving your audience, training videos can be an engaging part of your development strategy, as well as, dare we say, something to look forward to? In this episode of The Visual Lounge, Matt Pierce discusses widespread belief…
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Are you overcomplicating your videos? Great editing software comes packed with features that can transform simple videos into an all-singing, all-dancing production. But just because those features are there doesn’t mean you have to use them… Sometimes less is more. Matt Pierce dives into the art of simplicity in video production in this week’s epi…
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Revisited: Designing for How People Learn
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53:50The success of any instructional piece of content is in how well the information is retained, memorized and actioned. After all, we want the lessons we teach to have an impact. So, if you want to level up your instructional design skills, you need to know how people actually learn first and foremost. In this episode, we revisit a fascinating discus…
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Matt Pierce dishes out exciting updates for Camtasia 2024 in this mini episode. Enhanced functionality around dynamic captioning plus new color labels for the timeline are two features that will help to make your editing experience a lot smoother – something we can all get behind! He also teases an upcoming video mastery workshop at DevLearn in Las…
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Have you ever needed a great story to help with your training? This episode focuses on the power of storytelling with Rance Greene, the Founder of School of Story Design and Needastory.com. Host Matt Pierce and Rance explore the essential elements of compelling stories, including conflict and relatable characters, and how they can be used to drive …
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You asked, and we’re here to answer! Host of The Visual Lounge Matt Pierce has collected some of the most burning questions video trainers have about the art and science of making great videos. Ever wondered how to coach a camera-shy subject-matter expert to shine on screen? Matt's got you covered with tips that'll turn even the most reluctant expe…
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Who is your audience and what do they need? Whenever we create content, this should be top of mind. Whether we’re creating something fun and entertaining or educational and skill-based, our audience’s response and experience are the ultimate measure of success. But what do people want to see in videos? The good news is you don’t have to guess! We l…
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Let’s face it, talking to a camera is not something that comes naturally to anyone. And it can be daunting to look at that lens and come up with something coherent, energetic, and valuable to say once you hit record. But just like many things in the world of video, it’s a skill you can learn and this episode breaks down how to improve your on-camer…
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Video Design Strategies: Simplicity, Iteration, & Inspiration
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23:12Let’s get those creative muscles working! The secret to great learning content is just as much about creativity in your messaging as the content itself. How you deliver your content is key to that information being absorbed and remembered, so don’t be afraid to get a little creative. In this episode, host Matt Pierce sits down with Tim Slade, Found…
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Did you know that humans process visual information 30 times faster than blinking? And that we’re far more likely to remember things we see than things we hear or read? In other words, there’s a good reason that marketing and educational content have become so visual-centric. Visual content is the very best way to get your audience to consume, unde…
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Modular Video Training: Lessons from Creating the Camtasia Certification Program
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39:08What does it take to design a software certification program that remains relevant even when that software gets a fresh update? In this episode of The Visual Lounge, Jeff Batt, the Owner and Content Author of Learning Dojo, shares his journey to create Camtasia's certification program. Jeff talks about the challenges of maintaining a certification …
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Is Your Video Really Working for Learning? Can You Really Know?
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41:10How do you know if your video content is genuinely resonating with learners, or is it just another piece of corporate training that gets lost in a busy day? In this episode of The Visual Lounge, host Matt Pierce sits down with Richard Fleming, a seasoned filmmaker and learning designer for his company Sage Media, to dig into what truly makes effect…
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Designing vs. Engineering AI Prompts for Instructional Videos
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14:37Can AI help you make educational videos? In this episode of The Visual Lounge, host Matt Pierce sits down with AI and L&D expert Josh Cavalier, the Founder of JoshCavalier.ai, to explore how to effectively use AI. Josh is quick to point out that AI isn’t a replacement for our expertise and skills, but it can act as a handy partner to help you strea…
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Improving Accessibility in Digital Learning
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17:33Did you know that making your educational content more accessible can enhance the learning experience for everyone? In this episode of The Visual Lounge, Matt Pierce sits down with accessibility advocate and CEO of Build Capable, Sarah Mercier, to explore the world of accessible learning design. We hear about Sarah’s journey and insights on making …
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Enhancing VR Simulations with Practical Video Techniques
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9:54What is “practical video,” and will it become the future of instructional video creation? Practical video involves creating not just video, but also immersive experiences. Debbie Richards, Chief Technology Officer at Creative Interactive Ideas, sits down with Matt Pierce on The Visual Lounge to talk about the practical applications of video in inst…
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Transforming Learning and Development Strategy
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14:31Did you know that there are more AI-generated images now than there are photos in the entire history of photography? It’s a mind-blowing stat when you think about how fast things are moving! Join host Matt Pierce on The Visual Lounge as he sits down with Stella Lee, a seasoned expert in education technology at the Learning DevCamp. Together, they e…
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Making Video Production Doable as a Small Business
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9:10Creating videos can be a lengthy process with many tools and people involved. But when the pandemic hit, TorranceLearning had to adapt fast and figure out a way to make high-quality videos without having a team in the studio all at once. In this episode of The Visual Lounge, we sit down with Megan Torrance, CEO of TorranceLearning, to explore how s…
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Do you edit videos with your eyes or your ears? It may sound like an odd question, but hear us out! Many video editors focus on visuals first, which are definitely important. But audio is just as (if not more) important to your videos. In fact, the number one reason why people stop watching a video is poor audio. Joining this episode of The Visual …
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Workplace Communication Is Boring & How to Fix It
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34:30What comes to mind when you think of workplace communication? Do your eyes glaze over when someone fires up the latest PowerPoint presentation? Sadly, boring workplace comms is pretty common, but it doesn’t have to be that way. In this episode of The Visual Lounge, Matt has a great conversation with Grant Crowell from Design Laboratory Inc, a Senio…
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With over two decades of experience at the crossroads of education and technology, Instructional Designer Ephraim Ross provides invaluable insights on the significance of craftsmanship in your work during his appearance on The Visual Lounge. Hosted by Matt Pierce, this episode dives deep into tips and best practices for creators, focusing on visual…
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Video Is a Skill and Shrinking Attention Span Is a Lie
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20:16How can we create videos that people pay attention to? With many in the content world claiming that attention spans are shrinking, The Visual Lounge host, Matthew Pierce, has a different take… In this episode, Matt explains why he believes that attention spans aren’t the problem. It’s just that there’s so much content battling for our attention (ne…
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Breaking Down the Language Barrier with Content Localization
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29:09Today’s global businesses want to make sure their messages are heard far and wide. But sometimes, that means crossing a language barrier. Whether it’s marketing content or training content, getting your message across quickly and effectively is critical. Poorly translated materials could put a spanner in the works of what you’re trying to achieve. …
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On this podcast, we talk about creating video. We talk about editing video. But then there's the art of distributing your video and getting it out there so people can find it. And having your audience find it is a critical piece of the puzzle! Of course, we’re referring to search engine optimization (SEO). In this episode, we welcome SEO coach and …
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Humans Wanted: Using AI to Elevate Your Work
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29:56Is AI really coming for your job… or will it enhance it? In this episode of The Visual Lounge, host Matt Pierce discusses the importance and practical uses of AI with Brian Sykes, the founder of AdJourney, plus a seasoned branding and marketing strategist and expert in generative AI. They cover ways to integrate AI into everyday tasks, explore vari…
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“People will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.” The legendary quote from Maya Angelou sums up the take-home message of this episode nicely. In this episode of The Visual Lounge, we welcome Anastasia McCune, Instructional Designer for ChalkDust Consulting and eLearning Media C…
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Transforming Training: Using Video to Provoke Learning
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34:47Nowadays, trainers and L&D professionals often turn to the power of video to deliver training. But a video alone doesn’t guarantee your viewers will learn and retain the information. So how do you create a video that provokes true learning? In this episode of The Visual Lounge, we’re joined by Jonathan Halls, the President and CEO of Jonathan Halls…
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As the saying goes, “a picture is worth a thousand words.” Visuals are a quick, efficient, and effective way of getting your message across, so your audience understands and retains key information. But how do you create effective visuals? In this episode of The Visual Lounge, we welcome back Mike Parkinson, keynote speaker and trainer, Principal o…
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From Med School to Media: Anatomy of Video Creation
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36:16What makes great educational content? We dig into the anatomy (quite literally) of what makes a successful video in this episode with Taim Dawod, a recently graduated medical doctor who found success on YouTube. Taim began his channel as a way to learn and remember information in med school, but quickly realized that he wasn’t the only one benefiti…
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Engage, Educate, Entertain: YouTube's Triple Threat for Learning Innovation
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32:05It’s no news that our attention spans are tiny in the modern world of online content, social media, and everything else on the internet. For video creators, this means it’s a constant battle to grab attention and share information that people absorb. You might think you’re safe in the L&D space. After all, workplace educational content means you ha…
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Leveraging Video Agency Wisdom: How to Elevate Your Content Creation Game
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30:02If you want to level up your content creation game and make the best videos possible, grab a pen and take some notes from this episode. We sit down with the Co-Founders of Millbrook Studios, Carl Lechner and Tripp Green, to hear about what makes a great video and how you can improve the performance of your content. Carl and Tripp share tips on how …
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The 2024 Workplace Flexibility Trends Report
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46:58New ways of working, besides being in the office all day, have been a huge talking point since the pandemic pushed many of us into remote or hybrid work. But is this trend dying down in 2024? We published the 2024 Workplace Flexibility Trends Report recently to dig into what the data says about workplace flexibility today. To talk through the findi…
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What Ideas Can You Steal from Marketing for L&D
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31:41At first glance, it might seem that marketing and Learning and Development (L&D) are very different. But if you dig a little deeper, they both have similar goals – to grab attention, raise awareness, and spread a message to the audience. So, what can L&D creators learn from marketing? It turns out a lot! In this episode of The Visual Lounge, we spe…
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By now, many of us are content connoisseurs. With millions of videos out there in all different shapes and sizes, we need to be selective with what we consume vs. scroll past. So, is your imagery – whether that’s images or videos – resonating with your audience? We invited Leanna Pham, Director & Executive Producer of the widely popular Social Pros…
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Times have changed in the world of video creation. The “rules” of the past have been broken, issuing a new age of how we make and watch videos. Whether you’re a content creator, an influencer, or are creating videos in a corporate setting, you should still aim to master the basics of what makes a good video. After all, the goal of your video is to …
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Accelerating Workflows for Video Creation
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32:47Getting content out there fast is more important than ever. You don’t want to keep people waiting for your content, after all. But getting faster at video creation is no easy thing, and the last thing you want is to push out low-quality content just in the name of speed. In this episode of The Visual Lounge, we hear from Brandon Burtner, the Senior…
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With millions of videos at our fingertips, what is it that makes you stop scrolling and click on a video? Aaron King, an entrepreneur and filmmaker of the DeepSnap YouTube channel, joins this episode of The Visual Lounge to give his take on what makes scroll-stopping videos. We hear about how he got started in content creation, coming in from the w…
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