“Smart people learn from everything and everyone, average people from their experiences, and stupid people already have all the answers.”
– Socrates
Happy Friday! As I reflect on the year that was, I can’t help but feel grateful and even optimistic for the year ahead. For this penultimate newsletter of 2022, I’ve rounded up the best of the best for your year-end reading pleasure. So grab a comfy seat, kick back, and let’s take a stroll down memory lane as we look back on the most clicked items of the year!
Thanks for reading. Merry everything and happy always!!!
What I’m Listening To: I discovered these remixes of classic Christmas songs several years ago and they continue to be my absolute favorite holiday music.
Last Week’s Most Clicked:
Transfer of Learning:
The necessary step to make learning stick
📰 News & Notes

How to Fill a Horizontal Slide
With a Vertical Image
In need of a quick fix for an image that just won’t fit your slide? Fear not! With this simple trick, you can turn that vertical image into a stunning widescreen masterpiece in no time. And the best part? No fancy software or design skills required. Just follow these easy steps and watch as your slide transforms before your eyes. Trust us, your audience will be none the wiser. So go ahead, give it a try and see the magic happen.

Virtual icebreakers: 42 fresh activities from top facilitators
Feeling a little…cold…when it comes to virtual team building? Don’t worry, Anamaria Dorgo and the butter team has some great solutions to warm up those virtual connections! These 42 virtual icebreakers from top facilitators are sure to elevate your next online event. So go ahead, try one out and watch your audience transform from awkward strangers to fast friends in no time.

Seven neuroscience backed-up facts for better learning experience design
This article discusses seven neuroscience facts that can help improve the design of learning experiences. These include the importance of attention and motivation, the role of emotion in learning, the benefits of spacing and interleaving practice, the effectiveness of retrieval practice and feedback, the role of sleep and rest in consolidation, the importance of setting goals and providing a clear structure, and the impact of physical activity on learning.

Five Ways to Reduce PowerPoint Overload
Overwhelmed by the never-ending bullet points and cluttered slides of PowerPoint? It’s time to say goodbye to the days of information overload and hello to clear, concise, and effective communication. Fortunately, science has our back with a set of research-backed techniques to reduce PowerPoint overload and make our presentations more in tune with the way people learn. Your audience will thank you.

20 Googling Tricks 99% of People Don’t Know About
Did you know that there are special tricks you can use when searching for things using Google? These tricks can help you find exactly what you’re looking for faster and more accurately. Check out this article to make your internet searches more efficient and help you find exactly what you’re looking for.

When Graphics Lower Learning
Did you know that too many flashy images and animations can actually hinder learning rather than enhance it? Research shows that overloading eLearning materials with graphics can lead to cognitive overload, causing learners to struggle to process and retain information. So the next time you’re tempted to go all out with the graphics, remember that sometimes less is more.

20 Things To Remember About Forgetting
Did you know that forgetting is actually an important part of the learning process? IWhen we forget something, it helps us to filter out unnecessary information and focus on what’s important. This is called the “forgetting curve,” and it shows that we tend to forget things quickly at first, but then the rate of forgetting slows down over time. There are a strategies we can use to help us remember things better, like spacing out our learning, using mnemonic devices, and practicing recalling information.
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🎧 Podcasts

Huberman Lab
Podcast
Andrew Huberman is a neuroscientist and Professor of Neurobiology at Stanford University School of Medicine. His podcast is a super informative adventure of the latest research on well-being, health and longevity with top global experts.

Learning Uncut
Podcast
Learning Uncut is a podcast by Michelle Ockers that focuses on topics related to learning, education, and personal development. Episodes feature interviews with educators, researchers, and other experts in the field, as well as discussion and analysis of various aspects of the learning process.

Presentation
Podcast
The Presentation Podcast is a podcast that offers tips, tricks, and insights on how to create and deliver effective presentations. Episodes feature interviews with experts in the field of presentation design and delivery, as well as practical advice on how to improve your skills as a presenter.
🧰 Tech, Tools & Tips
Canva
Easily the tool I use more than any other. Now with AI enabled content generation options & so much more!
Refind
Get 5 links every day from around the web that make you smarter, tailored to your interests.
Descript
Edit videos the way you edit a document, with AI and more, this is a game changer for video work.
xTiles
A flexible and great looking way to capture and organize ideas, links &
projects visually.
🧳 Where’s Mike?
- Central Ohio ATD, January 18 @ Dublin Public Library
- Mid-New Jersey ATD, February 21, 2023 @ Online
- New Zealand ATD Conference March 15-16, 2023 @ Auckland, NZ
The 4 best-read blogs on creating instructional videos
Thinking of making your own training video? Check out iSpring’s expert posts for helpful tips and inspiration:
Video-Based Learning: How to Become a Training Video Ninja
How to Make Tutorial Videos: A Complete Guide
How to Create a Training Video for Employees: A Practical Guide and Tips
Friday Finds is an independent publication that I produce in my free-time. You can support my work by sharing it with the world, booking an advertising spot, or by buying me a coffee.