Penguin certainly did not hurt everyone.. only those that didn't know what they were doing....
Amen, brother!
The only way you're going to learn how to be an "expert" is by reading.... A LOT, and testing out methods until your techniques can and DO withstand any algorithm that Google comes up with.
Don't just read in these forums. Read other SEO forums as well.
Download pdfs that teach you different techniques, and try them out.
Try out SEO services and try to figure out what they're doing and why. If what they're doing works, try it yourself. If it doesn't work, then you know not to use that particular company's method.
Watch Youtube videos on SEO strategies.
Subscribe to SEO newsletters.
Go to SEO conferences.
Try out the latest SEO software (Like Senuke X, or Zennoposter)
Hang out on Google Webmaster Forums...people talk about a lot of stuff in there, particularly what NOT to do to your site.
Go to searchengine land and read the articles.
A true "expert" never stops learning...
Don't ask for handouts. Just do the research.