S8 E8: The Learner Never Retires
From The Learning Geeks Podcast by The Learning Geeks
March 26, 2026 · 37 min · Season 8 · Episode 8
About this episode
Dan Bielenberg discusses his journey of lifelong learning after retirement and the importance of self-awareness and emotional intelligence.
Dan Bielenberg was one of the original learning geeks who spent 25 years in adult learning at Accenture. After retiring, he only deepened that curiosity. His learning path took him through seminary studies, becoming a hospice chaplain, and now coaching faculty in higher education. Dan shares how stepping away from the corporate world opened a new chapter of intentional, reflective learning. We explore self-awareness, emotional intelligence, being present, and why the best learners never retire. 00:00 Cold Open 01:38 Learning from Seminary and Hospice 09:59 Strengths Coaching in Academia 17:13 Emotional Intelligence Matters 21:42 EdTech and Distracted Learner 25:16 Microlearning Revisited 29:55 What I'd Tell My Younger 34:45 One Last Thing… 36:10 Closing LISTEN AND SUBSCRIBE ON APPLE, SPOTIFY, AND YOUTUBE Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-learning-geeks-podcast/id1413446184 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/7mACo97JvUL1LOmVJ9lATI?si=c430a6d9b08c4100 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@learninggeekspodcast You can also download us anywhere you get your podcasts. CONNECT WITH US If you have any feedback or want to join in on the conversation, connect with…
People in this episode
Host: The Learning Geeks
Guest: Dan Bielenberg
Topics covered
- adult learning
- self-awareness
- emotional intelligence
- coaching
- reflective learning
- higher education
Keywords
- lifelong learning
- coaching faculty
- emotional intelligence
- reflective learning
- adult education
- higher education
Mentioned in this episode
Organizations: Accenture, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, LinkedIn
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