When I was a student in High School, I went to see my first Broadway Show, “The Man of La Mancha” in New York City on a student discount coupon for $5. It inspired me to love and someday produce events like conferences and Broadway theater.

Now, 30,000 students in New York City will be given free seats to see ‘Dolly” on Broadway in 2027 by the producers of our show. It builds on Dolly Parton’s deep philanthropy to students, libraries and reading.

Here is our good friend and colleague, Katie Rose Clarke, playing the grown up Dolly in this exciting musical. We are proud to be a part of the producing team. Link to Info

Yours in Learning & Storytelling,

Elliott Masie
MASIE Learning Foundation
MASIE Productions
www.masie.com
emasie@masie.com
Dublin and New York

Let’s take a few minutes to focus on Learner’s ANTICIPATION.

Yours in Learning,

Elliott Masie
MASIE Learning Foundation
www.masie.com
emasie@masie.com
Dublin and New York

I shared with them this video clip of Kermit and Dolly sharing the gift of acceptance:

Yours in Learning and Storytelling,

Elliott Masie
MASIE Learning Foundation
MASIE Productions
www.masie.com
emasie@masie.com

You are invited to a free 55-minute Learning Meetup that I will be hosting on Thursday, August 27, 2026, at 11:00 AM Eastern Time.

Join an interactive and engaging conversation that explores how we are approaching the wave of AI technologies now and in the near future. How do we add balance to the ever-changing world of AI? What are the ethics and experiments as learning and AI intersect in the workplace?

Reserve a space in this session (accessed via Zoom):

https://tinyurl.com/learningmeetup or click on the graphic above.

The MASIE Learning Foundation is proud to host a range of Learning Meetups.

Yours in learning,

Elliott Masie
MASIE Learning Foundation
MASIE Productions
Dublin, Ireland and Saratoga Springs, NY
www.masie.com
emasie@masie.com

Recent News: Captain Sullenberger recently announced that he has been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease.

Video Clip: Watch this six-minute interview clip from 2009, where Elliott Masie interviewed him in front of thousands of learning and talent development professionals about the power of instincts and experience.

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Yours in Learning,

Elliott Masie
MASIE Learning Foundation
MASIE Productions
www.masie.com
emasie@masie.com

RE: Honoring Names in Our Telephone Contacts That Have Died

As people die, their names stay in the contact list of our phones. I have about 20 names that have died in the last 2 decades. Should we delete the names? That feels strange. But, each time I see their name it feels awkward.

What if phones allowed you to grey out the name and perhaps add a year they died or other word. And, you could select if you wanted to see all of the contact names or just the ones that are alive. Or, allowed you to click on the name and go to a page about them. Or, maybe to a page with pictures and memories of them.

Love your comments:

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Your in Learning & Storytelling,

Elliott
Elliott Masie, Chair, MASIE Learning Foundation
Dublin, Ireland and Saratoga Springs, NY
www.masie.com
emasie@masie.com

PS: We are heading back to the United States for the summer on the Queen Mary 2 from Southampton, UK on Tuesday. 7 days of relaxing, reading from the 7,000 book library and sailing past the Statue of Liberty in NY on June 17th - just as my father did fleeing Nazi Germany in 1938.

In Dublin, it will be presented at the Royal College of Physicians of Ireland for medical professionals, theater colleagues and educators. In Cork, it will be performed at the MTU Cork School of Music and then at University of Galway. The actors will be appearing on the most popular TV show in Ireland right after the 3 shows to extend the conversation nationally.

Every audience member will receive a Special Honor/Challenge Coin we have created to help them remember the importance of “Aging with Empathy”:

The MASIE Learning Foundation is proud to fund and produce this moving play in Ireland and to raise the challenge of coping with Dementia and Alzheimers. The actors are donating their time and services.

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Yours in Learning and Storytelling,

Elliott Masie
MASIE Learning Foundation
MASIE Productions
Dublin and New York
www.masie.com
emasie@masie.com

Last Friday, we took a last minute trip to Yankee Stadium in the Bronx to see our friend and actor, Derek Klena, perform with the Savannah Bananas in a non-stop experience for 50,000 fans. Derek has been on Broadway in shows including Wicked, Anastasia, Dogfight and more. And, he had played baseball in college.

On Friday, he came on to the field twice, to sing Phantom of the Opera and also strike out a batter. Then, he returned with the cast of Aladdin to perform a medley of Broadway tunes with the Genie. Watch this short clip:

I was blown away by the strategic production of the game, blending real baseball with music, dance and lovable chaos. Yankee Stadium was filled with kid and families who were enjoying the blend of sports, engagement and the arts. The production was non-stop, from a welcome field loaded with music, baseball, merchandise and a stage with the players performing sing along music. It took the Harlem Globetrotters model to a new level and it was Wow!

We met colleagues from Broadway who came out to see Derek’s first Yankee Stadium experience. Many brought their children who were fascinated and moved by the whole experience.

It changed my view, as a producer of learning and theatrical events, to bring the pizzaz to the audience/learners from minute one and to break barriers in designing gatherings.

Thanks to the Savannah Bananas and Derek Klena for rocking my instincts as a producer.

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Yours in Learning,

Elliott Masie
MASIE Learning Foundation
MASIE Productions
Dublin, Ireland & New York
www.masie.com
emasie@masie.com

On November 4th, Elliott Masie had robotic surgery to remove his Prostate at Mount Sinai Hospital by the head of Urology, Dr. Tewari and his team.

I was diagnosed with prostate cancer at the end of the summer and was fortunate to have the amazing skills of the teams at Mount Sinai. For the past 6 weeks, I have been recovering and am excited about more decades of my life ahead.

I look forward to blending time working and collaborating from our homes in Dublin, Ireland and Saratoga Springs, NY in 2026.

Thanks for your thoughts, stories and prayers,

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Yours in Learning,

Elliott Masie
MASIE Learning Foundation
MASIE Productions
emasie@masie.com
www.masie.com

Marshall Goldsmith, an amazing business author and good friend, posted this quote from me on LinkedIn recently to his over 1 million followers. It triggered a wonderful range of comments. I would love your reactions:

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Yours in Learning,

Elliott Masie
MASIE Learning Foundation
www.masie.com
emasie@masie.com

Here is an update of the exciting global projects and adventures that I am doing to pursue my passion for Learning, Storytelling, Technology and Theater.

Right Now? The answer to “Where?” is onboard the Queen Mary 2 on a voyage between NY and Southampton, England. For 7 days, we are been at a range of TED Talks, performances of the National Symphony Orchestra from London and connecting with a range of passengers from around the world. For people that know me, you would be surprised to see me in my tux on the 2 Gala Nights where everyone gets spiffy:

Dublin, Ireland & New York State! About half the year, we are located in Dublin, Ireland doing a Learning Fellowship with Trinity College’s Learnovate organization, focused on the changing field of learning and exploring innovations in theatre, business and entrepreneurship. And, half the year, spending time in New York City and Saratoga Springs, helping to produce new theatre productions, including “Dolly” a new musical written by Dolly Parton and starring Katie Rose Clarke (coming to Broadway in the future):

Learning - Curiosity and ReSkilling: You will see new “Notes” from me in the time ahead focusing on these 2 aspects of Workplace Learning. Here are the questions that I an asking myself and a wide range of learning colleagues from around the world:

• Curiosity: What is the role of curiosity in shaping how an employee learns? How do we encourage, honor, adapt to and engage a learner’s curiosity?

• ReSkilling: Between the impacts of AI, changing marketplaces and evolving career expectations, how can organizations or societies approach large scale ReSkilling of large numbers of employees. What are new models for honoring the need for ReSkilling in these changing times?

I am excited to be heading to Sweden for a keynote speech in a week about these topics, working with my colleagues at Trinity College about the future of ReSkilling and dialoging with Chief Learning Officers around this critically important topic.

Theatre and Aging: In addition to the new musicals that MASIE Productions is helping to produce, we are supporting an amazing play, “Just Another Day” written by Dan Lauria (The Wonder Years). We are presenting this play about 2 performers that are in a senior facility and every day wonder “Do I Know You” when they meet on a bench. It is warm, touching and raising money for the TILDA project that is conducting research on aging. We will be presenting it in 2026 in Dublin, Belfast and London to raise money for this research.

Retired? No, Refired! At the young age of 75, it is a common question that I am asked. Not retired. Instead, I am Refired! Every day is an opportunity to learn, to mentor, to experiment, to invest and to explore. We have invested in new startups in Ireland, supported educators in the Philippines and continued to make good disruption in the worlds of theatre and learning.

Leading and Living in Disruptive Times: These are disruptive times. I hope that our collective work in evolving learning models and creating new storytelling and theatre formats can be a way of adding creativity to these times.

NOTES Ahead: I will be publishing occasional Notes, in text, audio or video format. And, I would love to be in touch with existing and new colleagues. Feel free to send me an email to emasie@masie.com or use this button below.

Yours in Learning: I wrap with my favorite phrase that I have used for over 55 years in my notes, letters and speeches:

Yours in Learning,

Elliott
Elliott Masie
MASIE Learning Foundation
MASIE Productions
www.masie.com
emasie@masie.com

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I am honored to host our next EMPATHY! Concert that will be held online on Thursday, June 19th from 1 to 2 pm Eastern Time. Please join us and invite your colleagues for a much needed, high energy concert and conversation about the key need for EMPATHY! in these changing times. Reserve a space: http://www.tinyurl.com/empathyjune19

Over the past 4 years, over 100,000 colleagues have viewed our EMPATHY! Concerts. We combine the powerful music and presence of Broadway stars with business colleagues from around the world. Here is the “cast’ for the next EMPATHY! Concert:

* Kate Baldwin, Broadway Star (Hello Dolly) and Co-Host.
* Melinda Doolittle (American Idol and White House Concerts)
* Telly Leung (Alladin, Allegiance & Glee) Co-Founder of EMPATHY! Concert * Connie Angela McGowan, (Dublin Actress - Into the Woods)
* Elliott Masie, Co-Founder and Chair of MASIE Learning Foundation

We will address the need for EMPATHY! as significant changes come from both political and corporate sources. And, we will refocus the need to honor the impact of these changes on our colleagues and organizations. Space is limited, so please reserve a free space ASAP at http://www.tinyurl.com/empathyjune19

Yours in Learning,

Elliott Masie
MASIE Learning Foundation
www.masie.com

• Story of My Car Ended!

• April 1 Items from Elliott’s Notes and Trends from 2004!

How the Story of My Car Ended Yesterday: I wish I could come up with some fun and almost believable items for April 1, 2025. But the intensity of change in our worlds, from politics to technology to behavior shifts makes that almost impossible.

I will share a true story of how a Car’s Story Changed … Resulting in a Sale!

As many of your know, we have owned Teslas for over 12 years. When I bought the first Model S, it was new and exciting. I was invited to go to the Tesla factory in California and actually see my can being manufactured. The spirit with the staff was amazing - excited about creating the next generation of cars and energy - and collaboration and trust was high.

We had the thrill of taking the Tesla on a 7,000 mile trip across the United States a few years ago, sharing pictures and experiences during a 32 day adventure. I met and dialogued with a wide range of people, from all political sides, who were intrigued and/or opinionated about the Tesla.

The story of my Tesla fit my life goal of exploring new technologies and sharing the experiences openly.

However, in the past year, the Story of Tesla shifted from technology innovation to the behaviors and attitudes of Elon Musk. His lack of empathy for making HR changes at Tesla and later in the Federal Government was shocking. And, the idea that a person’s influence on politics is directly linked to their wealth is not what my sense of democracy is about. Watching him give $1,000,000 checks to people who vote his way kills the story of Tesla that I treasured.

So, yesterday, our Tesla was sold to CarMax in Albany. I assume someone who wants a Tesla or values the Musk approach will buy it and it will have a new story. But, in life, YOUR STORIES about people, tasks, jobs, adventures, investments must align with your values. So, at mile 53,006, My Story about Teslas ended. May the car have a caring owner. And, may we recognize that governance by wealth is Not Our Stories.

Previous April 1st Notes from 2004:

TRENDS by Elliott Masie - April 1, 2004

1. e-Learning Tax Considered by Congress
2. Pretzels Seen to Increase Learning Rate

1. e-Learning Tax Considered by Congress: The MASIE Center has learned that several members of the U.S. Congress are considering a proposal to add an e-Learning Tax. As the use of on-line learning grows, this is seen as a ripe area for "revenue enhancement". The tax would be based on the level of interactivity and learning involvement. Some members of Congress have been taking a wide range of e-Learning courses themselves to better understand the revenue potential. A sticky issue might be the impact of a non-completion of a course on obligated taxes. LMS vendors are starting to prepare special modules aimed at tracking and paying this "learning
tax".

2. Pretzels Seen to Increase Learning Rate: Researchers at Bachman
University have discovered that eating pretzels has a direct impact on the rate and effectiveness of learning. This seems to apply to both on-line and classroom based learning. One study does reveal that stick pretzels are slightly more effective than round ones pretzels (updated research from 2019)~

Learning TRENDS by Elliott Masie - April 1, 2008

1. Giggle Launched by Google: Humor in Searching.
2. e-Learning for Super Delegates: Coping with Pressure.
3. Level 9 Evaluation: Kirkpatrick and and MRI.
4. Speed Presenting: More Words Per Minute.
5. Surrogate Students: Outsourcing Class Attendance.

1. Giggle Launched by Google (Humor in Searching): We have been briefed on a new service that will soon be launched by Google, called Giggle. Sometimes you want to do a search and don’t want serious results. In fact, you are looking for the funny or ridiculous. Giggle will use a new search algorithm to determine truly funny answers to search responses. Users of Giggle will also be able to turn on the speakers on their computers to hear a range of laughter based on the Giggle rating of each response. Launch date has not be announced.

2. e-Learning for Super Delegates “Coping with Pressure”: The Kennedy School of Government at Harvard is building a special e-Learning program for Super Delegates in the Democratic Presidential Campaign. Modules will focus on key issues such as “What to do when Bill Clinton calls you at 3 a.m. to get your vote?” and “Selling Your Vote on e-Bay - Is it Legal, Is it Wrong, How Much Could I Get?” Faculty will include Stress Specialists and Professors of Negotiation. Stephen M.R. Covey will teach a special module based on “Speed of Trust - Making Up Your Mind in Just 4 Months”.

3. Level 9 Evaluation (Kirkpatrick and and MRI): Evaluation of training results are taking a leap forward with the announcement of Level 9 Assessment from Kirkpatrick. While this requires the learner taking an extensive MRI, to see actual changes in brain structure, it should be extremely helpful in moving the ROI conversation forward. There are concerns about using this form of assessment too often with a single learner, in fields such as financial services. But, no pain, no gain!

4. Speed Presenting (More Words Per Minute): Train the Trainer methods are being changed to include a new approach called Speed Presenting. This technique involves removing all of the pauses and spaces from the lecture portion of a trainer’s presentation (either in the classroom or on-line). Research indicates that teachers can double or even triple their speed of presenting. Bob Pike, world famous Train the Trainer expert, believes that the total cost of training can be reduced by 25% to 33% using Speed Presenting. Of course, upcoming advances in Speed Bathroom Breaks and Speed Lunches will help move this movement of Accelerated Learning along.

5. Surrogate Students (Outsourcing Class Attendance): I was shocked to hear about the emergence of a new trend of outsourcing class participation. In very busy organizations, learners can hire an unemployed or off-shore surrogate to attend a course and later get the “abbreviated” version. Retired employees are now offering their services as surrogate learners as a way of increasing their revenues and also staying involved in their fields. Surrogate Learning is also involving the relatives of work-at-home learners. Hmmm.

Learning TRENDS by Elliott Masie - April 1, 2013.

1. Bring Your Parents to Work Day!
2. Big Data Expands: Maps of What Learners Aren’t Doing.
3. Right Handed Designer Bias in Usability.

1. Bring Your Parents to Work Day! After the success of “Bring Your Daughters to Work Day”, there is now a growing interest in “Bring Your Parents to Work Day”, pushed by both helicopter style parents and underutilized retired parents of workers.

“Bring Your Parents to Work Day” would allow highly involved and concerned parents to meet the colleagues and bosses of their kids. Just as they did in K to 12 school settings, parents are often able to advocate for higher performance ratings once they meet their children’s evaluators. Some parents might even help their children redecorate their work spaces or cubicles.

It will also be valuable for the older retired parents of some employees. These parents can come in and be deployed as meaningful one-day assistants, leveraging their skills and experiences of decades of work. In some instances, the retired parents can even be deployed while their children are on vacation, filling in for them on key assignments and committees.

Clearly, many organizations will find the “Bring Your Parents to Work Day” program challenging! But, in an attempt to bridge generational differences and reach for new levels of Work/Life balance, it is being embraced by some companies with a passion. Several underfunded Venture Startups have gone so far as experimenting with “Bring Your Parents to Work Week or Work Month”, in order to save compensation levels. While State Labor Departments are concerned about the legality of these practices, few want to take on the ire of the newly engaged parents on this issue.

2. Big Data Expands: Maps of What Learners Aren’t Doing: Increased interest in “Big Data” has pushed several LMS companies to expand reporting capabilities to display patterns of Learner Non-Activity. While traditional reports indicate which learners have met competency levels or participated in certain learning programs, the LMS was never pointed at massive and complex patterns of non-participation. Now, managers can see 3D displays indicating:

* What Books or Articles Are Not Read by Workers?
* For Each Learner, What Activities Do They Never Do?
* Which Video Titles Draw the Fewest Workers?
* Which Presenter Send the Most Webinar Participants to Early Departure?
* Whose Emails Are Most Often Not Read?

Many learning analysts believe that tracking what learners Don’t Do is even more important than tracking their active participation. One LMS company is experimenting with a gamification offering that would provide “points” to learners who most effectively skip the most content, while still meeting legal certification. These points can be traded in for a vacation day or lunchroom vouchers. Big Data can focus on what learners aren’t doing as great predictors of workforce participation patterns. We might even issue a “Didn’t Do Transcript” for each learner in the future.

3. Right Handed Designer Bias in Usability: University of Brazio recently published a study focusing on the difference in eLearning designs created by left vs. right handed designers. It seems that visual placement of content and buttons shifts dramatically based on the hand bias of the designer. They looked at “directionality distinctions” in screen design and the impact on learning effectiveness. Not surprisingly, they found that eLearning modules developed by left handed designers worked best with left handed learners. Eye movement, mouse movement and logical flow of content was optimized better for left handed learners when design was done by designers of the same hand dominance. But, the least effective designs for both left and right handed learners resulted in design teams that had 1 left handed and 1 right handed designer. “Collaboration in design often results in a mushy and fuzzy approach that underwhelms both types of users.” said Dr. Framer, head of their Hand Design Bias Lab. The next study will look at allowing the learner to indicate their left or right hand preference - yielding a distinctly different design. Even Google is considering moving their ads to the left side for users that more often place their mouse nearer to the Q, A or Z keys on their keyboards.

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We must find a way to use humor as one of our tools for the rate of change, stress and shifts in our society. I hope these former notes from Elliott Masie’s TRENDS are helpful. If you want to see more, go to http://trends.masie.com/display/Search?moduleId=1865197&searchQuery=%22April+1%22 and hit the Search Button after entering “April 1” or “April 2” and you will find some other fun items.

Remember, that Learning is one of the core parts of facing the future.

Yours in Learning,

Elliott Masie
MASIE Learning Foundation
www.masie.com
emasie@masie.com

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TO: Learning, Talent, HR and Business Colleagues
FROM: Elliott Masie, MASIE Learning Foundation
DATE: March 23, 2025

I would like to invite you to an interactive Workshop/ThinkTank “AI Changes Jobs! What’s Learning and Development’s Role?” This will be an interactve 2 hour intensive session that I will host on April 2nd at 1 pm Eastern Time via Zoom. There is no fee! Just bring your thinking and perspectives to this session. Space is very limited and reserve a space at https://www.tinyurl.com/masie402

We will be joined by Chief Learning Officers and Business Leaders sharing ideas and challenges about how we cope with rapid job changes, shifts and evolutions in our workplaces.

Reserve A Space: tinyurl.com/masie402

Yours in Learning,
Elliott Masie
MASIE Learning Foundation
www.masie.com
emasie@masie.com

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Reserve A Space: tinyurl.com/ai360view

TO: Learning, Talent, HR and Business Colleagues
FROM: Elliott Masie, MASIE Learning Foundation
DATE: February 22, 2025

I would like to invite you to an interactive briefing and dialogue to give “Artificial Intelligence & Learning” a fresh, 360° view and perspective.

We will be interviewing several global learning colleagues on how to jump over the “Hype” and frenzy about AI to building a readiness to blend rapidly evolving AI and great design into learning for your workforce.

The Zoom session will take place on Monday, March 11th hosted from US (1 pm EST) and Ireland (6 pm UTC -0) for 60 minutes.

Reserve A Space: tinyurl.com/ai360view

Yours in Learning,
Elliott Masie
MASIE Learning Foundation
www.masie.com
emasie@masie.com

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TO: Learning & Development Colleagues

Here is a summary of the “L&D and DEI Shifts” video discussion with 275 Learning Leaders on January 30, 2025, facilitated by Elliott Masie

Click for the Summary: http://www.masie.com/dei

Yours in Learning,

Elliott Masie
MASIE Learning Foundation
www.masie.com

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Join your Learning and Development colleagues for a non-political and non-partisan dialogue on “L&D and DEI Shifts.” This will be a free, 50 minute open Zoom Session, facilitated by Elliott Masie, on Thursday, Jan 30th from 12 Noon Eastern Time.

My inbox has been filled with notes from L&D colleagues wondering how to handle and react to the impact of the DEI Shifts in organizations.

Reserve a space at: http://www.tinyurl.com/deishifts

Yours in Learning,

Elliott Masie
MASIE Learning Foundation
http://www.masie.com
emasie@masie.com

Imagine if the moderators of the Harris vs Trump debate would ask us, as learning, talent, leadership and training professionals for a possible question!

Let me jump in and add a suggest of my own non-partisan questions, that would be fascinating to hear answers/reactions from both candidates:

• You as a Learner! Describe yourself as a learner. What is your approach to learning new and updated topics?

• Preparing for Next Generation of Skills! How can we prepare our children for the changing career, job and skills marketplace?

• Artificial Intelligence! In your own words, how would you describe AI? How might AI change the very nature of jobs and skills? Should AI be regulated?

• Tax Benefits for Workplace Learning! Could there be tax benefits for employers investing in workplace learning or employees updating their skills for a new job?

I would love to hear a few questions from our Notes Readers. Just press the comment button here:

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Yours in Learning,

Elliott Masie
MASIE Learning Foundation
MASIE Innovations
www.masie.com
emasie@masie.com

Note: Graphic was created using ChatGPT 4o

I would annoy some of my friends, as I sang "School Days” and prepared myself for the start of 3rd grade at PS 173 in Manhattan. My parents would buy me a few school supplies, including a compass and ruler. And, as a predictor of my role as event producer later in life, I was excited to put colorful “reinforcements” on the holes of each page of a loose leaf notebook:

“Back to School” for teachers and administrators was focused on planning their teaching strategies for the upcoming year. Would the curriculum change? How would they introduce new technologies into the classroom? Are the learners needing different approaches to mastering the materials.

So, how are we, as Learning, Talent and HR professionals getting ready for “Back to School” as Labor Day approaches? How are we evolving our learning content, skills focus, delivery and engagement strategies for the coming “school year”? Is AI going to be a large, medium or zero part of our learning plans? And, how will we keep ourselves motivated and innovative in these changing times?

I am excited about leveraging the “Back to School” energy for learning transformation. And, wondering what to do with all of the loose leaf reinforcements in my desk drawer. Please add your comments below:

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Yours in Learning,

Elliott Masie, Chair
MASIE Learning Foundation
www.masie.com
emasie@masie.com

PS: There are a few spaces remaining in my AI & Learning event in Saratoga Springs, NY on September 10 and 11. Info at http://ww.masie.com

In the video, Elliott Masie addresses:

• Beyond the Intro & Fascination Stage of AI

• Preparing for Changing Job Roles that Use AI

• Roles for Smart Tutors & AI Blended Learning

• Integrating AI into Learning and Talent Systems

• Big Learning Data and Predictive Data

• Governance, Standards and Strategies for AI

And, we would like to invite you to our AI & Learning Event in Saratoga Springs, NY on Sept 10 and 11th. Information at http://www.masie.com

Yours in Learning,

Elliott Masie
Chair, MASIE Learning Foundation
CEO, MASIE Productions
http://www.masie.com
emasie@masie.com