In the latest episode of "Embracing The Unknown," host Mark Rodgers delves into the essential role of skill development in transforming great ideas into reality. He likens an idea to a seed, emphasizing that it requires the right skills—like water, sunlight, and nutrients—to flourish. Whether aiming to start a business, advance a career, or impact a community, the skills one possesses are crucial for actualizing ideas. Rodgers highlights the importance of actively developing these skills through various means such as online courses, workshops, and mentorship, stressing that continuous personal and professional growth increases one's value in the marketplace. He provides a list of free online courses, including offerings from IBM, Google, and Harvard, that help individuals enhance their skill sets. Rodgers also discusses the importance of perseverance and integrity in achieving success. He advises embracing challenges as growth opportunities, maintaining a positive outlook, and learning from failures. Additionally, he underscores the significance of honesty, reliability, and accountability, noting that integrity builds trust and credibility. Rodgers also addresses the impact of negative reviews on businesses, explaining how they can erode trust, visibility, and overall ratings, while also affecting employee morale. He recommends proactive reputation management and using negative feedback as an opportunity for improvement. In conclusion, Rodgers encourages listeners to dream big while recognizing the importance of skills, perseverance, and integrity. By committing to continuous learning and maintaining a positive mindset, individuals can turn their ideas into remarkable achievements. He signs off by urging listeners to share the podcast, subscribe, and explore the additional resources linked in the episode description. 1. **Coursera** (Free access to course materials, paid-for certificates) - Offers courses from universities like Stanford, Yale, and the University of London. - Topics include data science, computer science, business, health, and more. 2. **edX** (Free access to course materials, paid-for certificates) - Collaborates with universities like Harvard, MIT, and Berkeley. - Covers a wide range of subjects including humanities, engineering, and law. 3. **Khan Academy** - Free educational resources for K-12 and some college-level courses. - Subjects include math, science, economics, history, and more. 4. **Udemy** (Free and paid courses) - Offers courses on various topics such as programming, marketing, personal development, and more. - Look for the free courses by filtering search results. 5. **Harvard Online Learning** - Free online courses on topics like computer science, health & medicine, humanities, and more. - Includes access to some full-length courses from Harvard. 6. **MIT OpenCourseWare** - Free lecture notes, exams, and videos from MIT. - Wide range of subjects including engineering, physics, and business. 7. **OpenLearn by The Open University** - Free courses across various subjects such as health, sports, psychology, and education. 8. **Alison** - Offers free courses in areas like IT, business, languages, health, and more. - Certificates are available for a fee. 9. **FutureLearn** (Free access to course materials, paid-for certificates) - Offers courses from universities and cultural institutions globally. - Covers a wide range of subjects including business, health, and history. 10. **Codecademy** (Basic courses are free) - Focuses on coding and programming courses. - Learn languages like Python, Java, HTML, and more. free online courses with certificates - Google Search