Why Distance Learning?

In this special episode of Why Distance Learning, the hosts become the guests. Seth Fleischauer, Allyson Mitchell, and Tami Moehring step out from behind the mic to share their personal journeys into distance learning, their current work in the field, and why this podcast exists. From museum basements to prairie dresses to viral Mets fandom, this episode dives into the stories that shaped their passion for virtual education.

They discuss the unique mission of the Center for Interactive Learning and Collaboration (CILC) and Banyan Global Learning, the challenges and triumphs of distance learning, and the surprising golden moments that define their purpose. It’s a candid, insightful, and at times comedic conversation that reminds us why distance learning matters—and what’s possible when it’s done with care, creativity, and connection.

Episode Highlights:
  • Allyson’s early roots in museum education and her passion for virtual learning that began in 2007.
  • Tami’s journey from prairie dresses to pioneering history education online—and a logging lesson kids never forget.
  • Seth’s origin story as the Sad Mets Fan and how it intersects with the founding of Banyan Global Learning.
  • The role of CILC as a global connector for educators, institutions, and learners across every stage of life.
  • Golden moments from remote Canada to Taiwanese seniors preparing for U.S. colleges—real stories of virtual learning done right.
  • Why this podcast was created: to challenge misconceptions, amplify untold stories, and advocate for the power of live virtual learning.
Episode Links:
Host Bios:
  • Seth Fleischauer is the founder of Banyan Global Learning and a longtime advocate for teaching global competencies through live virtual programs. He’s also the internet’s original Sad Mets Fan.
  • Allyson Mitchell is the Director of Partnership and Engagement at CILC. With deep roots in museum education, she’s a passionate voice for live virtual learning and co-creator of Why Distance Learning.
  • Tami Moehring is the Director of Member Relations at CILC, bringing 10+ years of expertise in supporting educators and institutions in delivering impactful virtual experiences.

Creators and Guests

Host
Allyson Mitchell
SF
Host
Seth Fleischauer
TM
Host
Tami Moehring

What is Why Distance Learning??

Why Distance Learning? is a podcast about the decisions, design choices, and assumptions that determine whether live virtual learning becomes shallow and transactional—or meaningful, relational, and effective at scale.

The show is designed for education leaders, instructional designers, and system-level practitioners responsible for adopting, scaling, and sustaining virtual, hybrid, and online learning models. Each episode examines the structural conditions under which distance learning actually works—and the predictable reasons it fails when it doesn’t.

Through conversations with researchers, experienced practitioners, and field-shaping leaders, Why Distance Learning? translates research, field evidence, and lived experience into decision-relevant insight. Episodes surface real tradeoffs, near-failures, and hard-won lessons, equipping listeners with clear framing and language they can use to explain, defend, or redesign distance learning models in real organizational contexts.

Hosted by Seth Fleischauer of Banyan Global Learning, and Allyson Mitchell and Tami Moehring of the Center for Interactive Learning and Collaboration, the podcast challenges outdated narratives about distance learning and explores what becomes possible when live virtual education is designed intentionally, human-centered, and grounded in evidence.