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Articles, whitepapers, customer stories and podcast episodes on delivering engaging, discussion-rich group learning at scale.

Featured

Learning Tips June 24, 2026 · 5 min

Designing for discussion: Why dialogue is the destination

A guide to designing learning around a simple rhythm that sparks richer conversations.

Whitepapers December 18, 2025 · 20 min

Beyond the trade-off: Group learning for a world in transformation

Inaction is a strategic risk. Break the trade-off between impact and scale with ODGL.

Customer Stories February 25, 2025 · 9 min

One NZ Case Study

One NZ reinvents employee learning, driving engagement and collaboration

Podcast by Makeshapes

Shapeshifters

Candid conversations with the wayfinders reshaping how organizations learn, grow, and thrive—hosted by Makeshapes co-founder Mike Courian.

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Shapeshifters Podcast October 6, 2026 · 46 min

The language of intent: What separates good leaders from great ones

Master the language of intent • Connection before content • Invitation over mandate

Shapeshifters Podcast September 18, 2026 · 25 min

Don't wait for a mandate: How to lead bottom-up AI adoption

Lead AI without a mandate • Leaders as force multipliers • Ditch slow needs analysis

Shapeshifters Podcast September 4, 2026 · 24 min

How to prove L&D ROI by solving real business problems

Simpler program design • Solve real business problems • Peer coaching at scale

Shapeshifters Podcast August 20, 2026 · 22 min

Scaling a leader-led development program globally

Leader-led development • Authentic storytelling • Scale global capability

Comparisions August 14, 2026 · 2 min

Makeshapes vs. Howspace

Howspace spreads the conversation across weeks in an async workspace. Makeshapes concentrates it into a live group session anyone can host—with the facilitation built in.

Learning Tips August 14, 2026 · 6 min

Our top ten tools for the future of learning, 2026

Our ballot for Jane Hart's 20th Top Tools for Learning survey—and what it says about where the real scarcity in learning now sits.

Comparisions July 25, 2026 · 3 min

Makeshapes vs. discussion guides

Build a deck, write a discussion guide, send both down the line. It's free and it's fast—here's where it holds up, and where it quietly stops working.

Product Updates July 1, 2026 · 2 min

Build richer experiences, faster with Makeshapes Assist (Beta)

Introducing a set of AI-powered helpers built right into the authoring experience

Learning Tips June 24, 2026 · 5 min

Designing for discussion: Why dialogue is the destination

A guide to designing learning around a simple rhythm that sparks richer conversations.

Comparisions June 15, 2026 · 2 min

Makeshapes vs. AhaSlides

Makeshapes is for Group, synchronous—social, peer-led discussion

Shapeshifters Podcast June 8, 2026 · 74 min

Moving from rigid training to intentional human connection

Champion the frontline • Leverage AI for connection • Make every shift count

Shapeshifters Podcast March 24, 2026 · 64 min

Why you need to build a "learning playground" to transform your organization

Build thriving communities • The "Trojan mice" strategy • Your learning playground

Comparisions March 15, 2026 · 2 min

Makeshapes vs. Uplimit

Uplimit replaces the human with an AI tutor. Makeshapes removes the expert but keeps the humans in the room—where behaviour and culture actually change.

Shapeshifters Podcast March 6, 2026 · 47 min

Institutionalized Idiocy and How to Cure It

Redefine transformation • Design better work • Release control

Shapeshifters Podcast February 19, 2026 · 57 min

The future of work is collaborative: How to design connection

Design better meetings • Neuroscience of storytelling • Why friction creates serendipity

Shapeshifters Podcast February 5, 2026 · 55 min

Becoming "Smart Bold": How to take agency in an uncertain future

Navigate uncertainty • The "Smart Bold" mindset • Wayfinding for L&D leaders

Shapeshifters Podcast December 19, 2025 · 55 min

The pioneers of Social Learning Theory: Moving beyond "transmission"

Unlock collective intelligence • Navigate uncertainty • Combat groupthink

Whitepapers December 18, 2025 · 20 min

Beyond the trade-off: Group learning for a world in transformation

Inaction is a strategic risk. Break the trade-off between impact and scale with ODGL.

Comparisions December 15, 2025 · 2 min

Makeshapes vs. Adobe Connect

Adobe Connect is delivery infrastructure for expert-led virtual sessions. Makeshapes is a learning-experience system built to scale and stick—no expert required.

Shapeshifters Podcast December 4, 2025 · 45 min

Stop creating "learning landfill" and bring joy back to learning

Fix broken L&D • The "learning landfill" • AI for coaching vs. microwaving

Shapeshifters Podcast November 20, 2025 · 44 min

Shifting from skilling to adaptability: Why the rapidly changing future demands it

Why training is broken • Wayfinding through L&D uncertainty • From proving to improving

Shapeshifters Podcast November 6, 2025 · 50 min

Why AI's focus on performance threatens human growth

Protect human learning from AI's efficiency • Transformative learning • The learning debt

Shapeshifters Podcast October 23, 2025 · 50 min

Transform top-down change into authentic, employee-led adoption

Transformation secrets • Scale change with heart • Drive employee-led change

Whitepapers October 17, 2025 · 7 min

Scale group learning without the trade-offs

Download our comprehensive analysis on scaling impactful group learning without compromise

Shapeshifters Podcast October 9, 2025 · 63 min

Disarm skeptical executives to lead bold change

Lead Persuasive Conversations • Unlock AI Transformation • Invaluable Wisdom on Burnout

Comparisions September 15, 2025 · 2 min

Makeshapes vs. Sparkwise

Sparkwise optimizes the logistics of getting people into groups. Makeshapes optimizes what happens when they get there—the experience, and how easily anyone can adopt it.

Customer Stories February 25, 2025 · 9 min