What if your organization’s biggest performance issues aren’t due to talent—but bad learning models?

Learning isn’t about sitting in classrooms or ticking boxes—it’s about embedding growth into the real, messy challenges of everyday work. In this episode, listeners dive deep into how transformative learning can drive genuine performance change across organizations. You'll discover why traditional models are failing, and why courageous, purpose-driven approaches to development are the future.

Leonie Rothwell, co-founder of Encounters and Sprout and a global expert in leadership and organizational performance, shares her bold vision for what learning should be—and the pitfalls that many companies fall into when they don’t evolve. From live learning challenges to virtual coaching revolutions, this conversation will inspire you to rethink everything you thought you knew about L&D.

Key Takeaways

1. Real change in organizations happens when learning is embedded into real work, not isolated training rooms.
2. Redefining performance around purpose, motivation, and problem-solving transforms companies at every level.
3. True learning requires action—knowledge without application doesn’t drive real change or growth.

Timestamps

[00:00] Why Knowing Isn’t Enough Without Action

[00:49] Meet Leonie Rothwell: Learning Innovator

[01:22] Passion for People and Systemic Change

[02:11] How Development Is Changing Globally

[03:00] High-Stakes Learning: Real World Applications

[04:00] Filmmaking Lessons and Learning by Doing

[05:00] Solving Career Challenges for People with Disabilities

[06:13] The Dangers of Non-Expert L&D

[07:03] Meeting Robbie Williams and the Leadership Lesson

[08:32] How Virtual Leadership Coaching Changed the Game

Links & Future Learnings

• Leonie Rothwell on Linkedin
• Encountas
• Sprouta
• Tom Bailey on LinkedIn
• Tom Bailey Website

What if being good at your job isn’t enough anymore?

Confidence might just be the most overlooked skill in your professional toolkit. In this episode, we dive deep into what truly drives growth and fulfillment in the learning and development space—from the power of community, to the ways artificial intelligence is reshaping how educators work. It’s a conversation packed with vulnerability, real-world insights, and surprising moments of transformation.

Inna, a fifth-generation educator and learning strategist at Eli, shares the personal and professional stories that shaped her approach—from hosting her own Ed Talks podcast and building AI tools, to mentoring traumatized refugee children through karate. Whether you're stuck in your current role or seeking that next spark of inspiration, this episode offers both grounding wisdom and a fresh perspective on L&D today.

Key Takeaways

• Confidence often outweighs talent, especially when it comes to how you're perceived in your career.
• Belonging to a knowledge-sharing community can drastically enhance professional growth and help escape stagnation.
• Real transformation can come from unexpected roles—like teaching a language you barely know or using martial arts to rebuild broken lives.

Timestamps

[00:00] Confidence is more valuable than professionalism

[00:44] Inna’s background: educator, AI builder, and volunteer leader

[02:00] Why talking to different departments fuels her passion

[02:13] The power of the L&D Showcase community

[04:00] Avoiding stagnation in small orgs through community

[05:00] How teaching English before mastering it unlocked true learning

[06:00] Using AI to reduce hours of work to seconds

[07:00] Helping a traumatized child become a karate world champ

[08:26] The Zoom lecture with 0 interaction—and what came of it

[13:08] Why “acting like you understand” is a learned superpower

Links and Future Learnings

• Inna Horvath on Linkedin
• elai - L&D Essentials: A Starter’s Handbook
• Tom Bailey on LinkedIn
• Tom Bailey Website

Leadership isn’t about information—it’s about transformation.

What if leadership programs stopped focusing on “fixing” individuals and started designing for the real system they operate in? This episode unpacks why most L&D initiatives flop, what actually drives behavior change, and how to create a learning culture that sticks. Through vivid stories—from Ericsson’s transformation to Zoom cooking fails turned learning insights—Jennie Brown shares a refreshing take on how to do development that matters.

Jennie Brown, Managing Consultant at LIW, brings her strategic insights and deep experience leading transformative leadership initiatives across global organizations. In this conversation, she breaks down the mindset shift from pushing information to enabling real practice, and how flipping the usual learning sequence (context > team > self) unlocks meaningful performance. Whether you're in HR, L&D, or a leader looking to elevate your team—this episode is your blueprint for smarter, more human development.

Key Takeaways

• Building leadership from system to self makes development meaningful and measurable.
• Real change happens through practice and experimentation—not perfection or theory.
• Strong L&D programs demand line manager involvement and contextual, actionable learning.

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Timestamps:

[00:00] Choose what you care about in L&D

[00:51] Jennie introduces herself with personality and purpose

[02:00] Why work experience needs to change—and how leadership shapes it

[03:00] Deep dive into Ericsson’s cultural transformation program

[05:00] Why experimentation beats perfection in leadership

[07:00] The cooking story: what didn’t work, and what that teaches us

[09:00] Proudest moment leading a first-time intern to real impact

[12:00] The worst kind of L&D: overwhelming, unlinked, and manager-less

[16:00] Jennie’s contrarian take: reverse the order of leadership programs

[19:00] Best advice: Practice, curiosity, and intentional care

Links and Future Learnings

• Jennie Brown on Linkedin
• LIW Website
• Tom Bailey on LinkedIn
• Tom Bailey Website

This episode will challenge everything you thought you knew about effective learning and development.

Most training programs fail not because of poor content—but because they miss the one thing that matters: performance. In this episode, you’ll discover how to build training that delivers measurable business impact, the secrets behind immersive simulations, and how to filter out L&D noise that does more harm than good.

With over four decades in the field and clients like NASA, General Motors, and AT&T, Guy Wallace shares real stories, controversial truths, and actionable frameworks to help you escape buzzwords and build training that actually works. Whether you're leading L&D or just trying to make your workshops matter, this episode brings clarity and conviction to how real learning happens.

Key Takeaways

• Building truly impactful learning means focusing on performance, not just content—hands-on practice with feedback is non-negotiable.
• Not all expertise is equal; knowing how to validate credible sources in your network can prevent major missteps.
• Great training doesn't just deliver knowledge—it aligns with job realities and provokes behavioral change through simulations and context-specific experiences.

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Timestamps

[00:00] The dangerous myths still lingering in L&D

[01:00] Guy’s L&D journey from TV to training legend

[03:00] How a lucky first job shaped 40+ years of performance-first thinking

[05:00] The most effective training experience Guy ever went through

[07:00] Hands-on, feedback-driven learning: the key to real performance

[09:00] Using gestures to build trust and facilitate honest group feedback

[12:00] The lesson Guy learned as a 10-year-old paperboy

[14:00] The 8-day course that triggered managers—but produced real results

[21:00] A total training failure—and how Guy turned it into a massive win

[27:00] From child modeling to L&D transformation—surprising moments revealed

Links & Future Learnings

• Guy Wallace on Linkedin
• Guy Wallace Archives
• Tom Bailey on LinkedIn
• Tom Bailey Website

Hard work isn’t the key to success—smart work is.

​Most people think success is about working harder—but what if that’s the biggest lie you’ve been told? In this episode, we dive into the real psychology of achievement and how your mindset, habits, and beliefs shape your reality. You’ll discover the hidden barriers that keep you stuck, the simple yet powerful shifts that unlock massive growth, and the daily strategies that separate top performers from everyone else.

Wayne Brown, a leadership expert with decades of experience coaching high-level professionals, shares game-changing insights on breaking through limitations and unlocking your full potential. If you’re ready to stop holding yourself back and start making real progress, this episode is for you.

Key Takeaways

1. Self-awareness is the foundation of transformation. Understanding your own patterns and limitations is the first step to growth.
2. Mindset shifts create massive change. Adopting a new perspective can be the difference between stagnation and success.
3. Consistency beats motivation every time. The most successful people rely on systems, not willpower.
4. 
   

Timestamps:

[00:30] The unexpected truth about success

[01:45] The #1 limiting belief most people don’t realize they have

[03:10] How to rewire your thinking for unstoppable confidence

[04:25] The daily habit that changes everything

[05:50] Overcoming fear and self-doubt once and for all [07:15] The biggest mistake high achievers make

[08:30] The ‘aha’ moment that shifts your entire perspective [09:45] Real-life examples of transformational success stories

[10:30] How to take action starting today

[11:20] Final words of wisdom you can’t afford to miss

Links and Future Learnings;

• Wayne Brown on Linkedin
• The BRX Group
• Tom Bailey on LinkedIn
• Tom Bailey Website

Flexible work isn’t just for parents—and companies still don’t get it.

In this episode, we explore the intersection of leadership, flexibility, and personal growth with Cherry Ward, founder of Bluebird Leadership. From groundbreaking L&D programs that were ahead of their time to surprising leadership lessons from weightlifting, Cherry shares what truly makes a difference in workplace learning and culture.

We dive into why flexibility isn’t just for parents, how purpose-driven leadership can transform organizations, and the biggest mistakes companies still make when rolling out training programs. Plus, Cherry’s unexpected career journey—from stockbroking to a job at AOL that kickstarted her passion for learning and development.

Key Takeaways

1. Flexibility at Work Is for Everyone – Companies often assume workplace flexibility is only for parents, but when applied to all employees, it boosts engagement and performance.
2. Purpose-Driven Leadership Is the Future – Leadership should not only focus on individual success but also drive societal change and long-term impact.
3. L&D Can Be a Game-Changer—If Done Right – Many learning programs waste money due to poor design, but when executed well, they can set organizations apart.

Timestamps:

[00:15] – Introduction to Cherry Ward & Bluebird Leadership

[02:42] – Why purpose-driven leadership matters

[06:10] – A game-changing L&D program from 2009

[10:23] – The surprising impact of workplace flexibility

[14:57] – Lessons from weightlifting that apply to leadership

[18:30] – Why "Thrive Under Pressure" is making waves

[22:12] – The biggest mistakes in corporate L&D programs

[26:45] – How Cherry fell into L&D from a tech job at AOL

[30:20] – Why learning should always evolve with time

[34:05] – Cherry’s best career advice for anyone in L&D

Links & Future Learnings

• Cherry Ward on Linkedin
• Bluebird Leadership
• Tom Bailey on LinkedIn
• Tom Bailey Website

Can you actually prove that your training programs improve workplace performance?

Measuring the impact of training is no longer a nice-to-have—it’s essential for proving the value of L&D programs. In this episode, Kevin M. Yates, known as the "L&D Detective," shares his proven strategies for uncovering whether learning programs are actually driving business and human performance.

From test group control studies to the critical importance of discovery, Kevin breaks down what it takes to measure learning outcomes effectively. If you want to create training that gets results and gain leadership buy-in, this conversation is a must-listen.

Key Takeaways

• Without proof, training is just a cost. If you can’t measure how your programs impact performance, leadership won’t take them seriously.

• Test group control studies are a game-changer. Comparing trained vs. untrained employees is one of the most reliable ways to measure effectiveness.

• L&D professionals must think like detectives. Asking the right questions and using data helps uncover whether training is truly making a difference.

  
  

Timestamps:

[00:00] The Best Advice: Be Who You Are
[00:58] Who is Kevin M. Yates? The L&D Detective
[02:10] Why Measuring Learning Impact Matters
[04:15] A 30-Day Immersive Training Program That Worked
[06:05] Learning Tableau Without Formal Training
[07:40] A Powerful Study on Training Effectiveness
[09:25] The Worst Mistake: Failing to Understand Leadership Needs
[10:50] Turning a Failure into a Learning Opportunity
[11:55] Celebrity Encounter: Whitney Houston & Bobby Brown
[12:40] The Hidden Truth: Kevin Is Actually an Introvert

Links

Kevin M Yates on LinkedIn
Kevin M Yates L&D Detective Website
Tom Bailey on LinkedIn
Tom Bailey Website

Imagine spending thousands on training—only for no one to apply it. That happens every day.

Most training programs fail—not because they’re bad, but because they stop at knowledge instead of ensuring real-world application. In this episode, we dive into the missing piece that separates effective learning from wasted time and money: learning transfer.

Emma Weber, CEO of Lever Transfer of Learning, shares groundbreaking insights on how organizations can close the “knowing-doing” gap. From the power of AI-driven reflection to the biggest mistakes L&D leaders make, this conversation is a must-listen for anyone serious about making training stick.

Key Takeaways

• Learning transfer isn’t automatic – Training programs need structured support to ensure employees apply new skills.
• AI can play a major role in training success – Emma Weber’s Coach M tool proves that AI-driven reflection can drive deeper learning.
• Most organizations fail at this crucial step – Without built-in learning transfer processes, even the best training is wasted.

Timestamps:

[00:00] –

Why Most Training Fails

– The shocking truth about learning transfer and why companies waste millions.

[01:00] –

Emma’s Journey to Learning Transfer

– From retail buying to coaching and AI-driven training solutions.

[03:00] –

The Learning Transfer Gap

– Why traditional training doesn’t stick and what’s missing.

[05:15] –

AI’s Role in Learning

– How Emma’s AI tool, Coach M, helps employees apply what they learn.

[07:30] –

Microlearning Done Right

– A real-world example of a company successfully implementing AI-based learning transfer.

[10:00] –

Why Action Plans Matter

– The science behind turning knowledge into real-world results.

[12:45] –

Emma’s Biggest Misconception

– How she was proven wrong about the effectiveness of online learning.

[15:20] –

Training Horror Story

– The time Emma pushed a learner too far and they hung up on her.

[17:45] –

Emma’s Proudest Career Moment

– How her book changed the way L&D professionals approach training.

[19:30] –

Final Advice for L&D Professionals

– The one thing you must do to make learning truly effective.

Links

• Emma Weber on Linkedin
• Lever - Transfer of Learning Website
• Tom Bailey on LinkedIn
• Tom Bailey Website
• Turning Learning into Action