L&D conversations and stories

What if learning wasn't an event, but a habit? In this episode, Julia sits down with Melody Wong, APAC Head of Learning and Development at Seek, to explore the evolving role of Learning and Development (L&D) within organizations. No longer confined to induction and compliance training, L&D is positioned as a key enabler of strategic workforce planning. The discussion emphasizes the importance of aligning L&D with broader workforce strategies, including building, borrowing, and balancing talent. The episode highlights the necessity for L&D to stay informed on market trends and industry research to effectively upskill teams, preparing them to meet future challenges in a rapidly changing environment.

How are L&D and HR careers evolving in the age of AI? In this episode, Julia speaks with Dr. Dieter Veldsman, Chief Scientist at the Academy to Innovate HR. Dieter shares his global perspective on where HR is headed, the skills leaders need to prioritize now, and why moving from a career “ladder” to a “lattice” matters for building future-ready workplaces. He offers practical frameworks—including his “Educate, Equip, Expose, Elevate” approach to AI adoption—and reflects on how HR and L&D teams can stay grounded in human connection while embracing new technologies.

How can L&D implement marketing strategies to improve their learning outcomes?   In this episode, Julia sits down with co-authors of the book “Think Like a Marketer, Train Like an L&D Pro” to discuss understanding audience behavior, using emotional design and the importance of learner personas. 

How can L&D and enablement maximize their impact through alignment and collaboration? In this episode, Julia sits down with Devon McDermott, Enablement Leader. Devon shares the ways that L&D and enablement overlap and the opportunities they have to support each other's objectives and initiatives to drive impact.

How can L&D leaders make microlearning successful? In this episode, Julia sits down with Craig McFadyen, Co-founder and Director of LearningPlanet, to discuss in depth. Craig discusses the evolution of microlearning and dives into tactical advice for integrating microlearning into training strategies. 

How can L&D make learning sticky and engage teams throughout their learning journey? In this episode, Julia sits down with Jackie Goldberg, Executive Coach & Facilitator. Jackie shares her insights into microlearning moments, aligning learning objectives and the importance of having common language within teams.

How has learning evolved, and how should companies adapt? In this episode, Dan sits down with Chris Eigeland, the co-founder and CEO of Go1. With a multifaceted background from theme park design to human rights law, Chris discusses the unique challenges and opportunities faced by today's learning and development industry.

How can L&D make their case to the C-Suite and prove ROI quickly? In this episode, Dan sits down with Donna Verdi, Head of Learning and Talent Development at Kroll. Donna is an award-winning Head of Talent Development with over 24 years of experience. She shares her insights into how to engage with the leadership team and tactics to quickly demonstrate the value of L&D initiatives.

How can L&D drive the top and bottom line for their company and customers, while proving ROI? In this episode, Dan sits down with Cassie Young, General Partner at Primary Venture Partners, to discuss how L&D teams can drive the top and bottom line, and the extra steps they can take to prove ROI. Cassie also shares her insights on aligning with business goals and focusing on the customer value chain. 

How can you foster a culture of learning in a hybrid environment? In this episode, Dan sits down with Dan MacPhail, Director, Organizational Capability at Go1. Dan shares his insights into the challenges and opportunities resulting from the shift to remote and hybrid work and how L&D can fill in the gap for lost “informal” interactions in the workplace.

How can you ensure online learning initiatives drive effective results? In this episode, Dan discusses with Peter Horwing, CEO of CHART Learning Solutions, a performance improvement powerhouse designed to help organizations reach new heights in leadership, sales, customer service, and more. Peter shares best practices for ensuring effective results from online learning platforms, emphasizing the importance of application activities, peer-to-peer coaching, and community discussions.

How can L&D support and empower frontline leaders? In this episode, Dan sits down with Monica Rothgery, a sought-after keynote speaker, consultant, and author who is on a mission to help organizations unlock pent-up productivity and growth by empowering their frontline leaders. Monica shares her insights on simplifying operations, fostering self-sufficiency among frontline leaders, and the importance of mentorship.

How is AI being used by the workforce, and how should L&D leaders leverage AI to improve learning outcomes? In this episode, Marc Zao-Sanders, Co-Founder and CEO of Filtered joins Dan to discuss how the workforce is currently using AI, top use cases and the benefits of personalized learning, and determining its ROI.

How can you use compliance training as an opportunity to advance workforce skills? In this episode, Dan sits down with Jennifer Dowdy, Director of Partnerships and Strategic Accounts at Emtrain,  to explore innovative ways to transform traditional compliance training.

How do you build empathy and trust on teams? In this episode, Dan sits down with Shawn Hunter, President and Founder of Mindscaling, to discuss the importance of giving trust, demonstrating that the workplace is safe, and empathy.