If you enjoyed this podcast, we'd love to hear from you! In this bonus episode of The Secrets of Learning & Development, Valerie and Julia unpack the role of open-mindedness in dealing with change, both personally and professionally. They explore how assumptions, like “I’m not creative” or “I’m too old for this tech”, can quietly shape behaviour and block growth, even when the tools and opportunities are right in front of us. From coaching insights to learning design, they discuss why ...

If you enjoyed this podcast, we'd love to hear from you! S3: E11 In this episode of Secrets of Learning and Development, hosts Julia and Valerie sit down with Tom McDowall, consultant, strategist and founder of Evolve L&D, for a conversation that questions long-standing norms in the learning and development space. Tom’s career began in sales management, where he quickly saw how poor training was not only failing to deliver results, but was also letting people down. That early frustrati...

If you enjoyed this podcast, we'd love to hear from you! In this bonus episode of The Secrets of Learning and Development, we explore a question that many senior professionals carry quietly: “Is this all there is?” It’s not about failure or dissatisfaction. It’s about the unsettling moment when success doesn’t feel how you thought it would. The promotion comes through, the goals are met, but something still feels off. Julia shares a real conversation that sparked this reflection, and toget...

If you enjoyed this podcast, we'd love to hear from you! In this reflective bonus episode of The Secrets of Learning and Development, Julia and Valerie turn the mic on themselves to share the unexpected lessons they've learned from creating the podcast. From realising how people fit learning into their daily lives, to discovering the quiet power of voice and conversation, they explore what has made this journey meaningful — both for them and their listeners. They talk about: Why learning do...

If you enjoyed this podcast, we'd love to hear from you! S3 E: In this rich and revealing episode, we’re joined by Angela De Souza – serial entrepreneur, author of over 30 books, and founder of Women’s Business Club, a global platform championing women in business. Angela’s story is anything but conventional, beginning with a childhood snail-breeding venture and evolving into a purpose-led business movement that spans continents. We explore her unshakable belief that business can – and sho...

If you enjoyed this podcast, we'd love to hear from you! In this bonus episode of The Secrets of Learning and Development, Julia and Valerie share their personal journey from sitting in the audience to stepping onto the stage at the Speak & Shine Summit. Speak & Shine is a platform that helps women build confidence, raise their visibility, and share meaningful messages on stage. After watching from the sidelines, both Julia and Valerie decided to take the leap and discovered just ho...

If you enjoyed this podcast, we'd love to hear from you! What if the real leadership advantage in the AI era is not about IQ at all, but EQ? In this bonus episode of The Secrets of Learning and Development, Training Consultant Valerie Merrill and Executive Career Transition Coach Julia Bend explore why emotional intelligence is emerging as the defining trait for leaders in a world shaped by automation. They share real examples of leaders who used empathy and openness to ease anxiety around ...

If you enjoyed this podcast, we'd love to hear from you! S3 E9: In this candid and engaging episode, we’re joined by Jo Cook, virtual learning pioneer, editor of Training Journal, and unapologetically curious creative. Jo shares her unconventional journey from teenage journalism dreams to discovering a passion for teaching, which sparked during a nerve-racking first classroom experience. We explore Jo’s fearless move into self-employment, her early adoption of virtual classrooms, and how cr...

If you enjoyed this podcast, we'd love to hear from you! S3 E8: In this engaging episode, Valerie and Julia are joined by Michael Strawbridge, Global Head of Community at the Learning and Performance Institute, whose unique journey from professional actor to L&D leader offers rich insights into confidence, connection and the power of asking questions. Michael shares how his stage training continues to shape his approach to public speaking, virtual engagement and leadership presence. He ...

If you enjoyed this podcast, we'd love to hear from you! S3:E7 In this episode, we sit down with Stella Collins, co-founder of Stellar Labs and a trailblazer in applying neuroscience and psychology to learning and development. From starting out as a coder to becoming an influential speaker and author of Neuroscience for Learning and Development, Stella shares how her career evolved through curiosity, frustration with traditional training, and a deep-rooted passion for making learning practi...

If you enjoyed this podcast, we'd love to hear from you! S3:E6 In this episode of The Secrets of Learning and Development, Julia and Valerie welcome Dr Seb Fox, an experienced team coach, researcher and soon-to-be author for a compelling conversation that challenges conventional coaching models. Seb shares his unexpected journey from finance and marketing into the world of coaching, and how a curiosity about behavioural change led him to specialise in team coaching. Drawing on insights fro...

If you enjoyed this podcast, we'd love to hear from you! It’s our podcast anniversary! One year, three seasons, and a whole lot of honest conversation later, we’re celebrating everything The Secrets of Learning and Development has become. In this special episode, we reflect on what sparked the podcast, how it’s evolved, and the moments that made it all worthwhile from the honest stories our guests have shared to the listener messages that stayed with us. We share a few behind-the-scenes mem...

If you enjoyed this podcast, we'd love to hear from you! What if career change isn’t just about your next role, but who you’re becoming? In this bonus episode of The Secrets of Learning and Development, Valerie Merrill and Executive Career Transition Coach Julia Bend uncover the hidden emotional load behind career change the identity shifts, quiet questions and inner work that rarely make it onto LinkedIn. They share real experiences and insights on what it feels like to lose your footing, ...

If you enjoyed this podcast, we'd love to hear from you! S3 E:5 In this episode, we’re joined by Laurie Kozan, founder of Own Source Marketing Studio, whose career spans PR, branding, design and digital strategy, all anchored by a single golden thread: shaping how people experience information. Laurie talks about navigating transitions, from international moves to career pauses and pivots, and how each phase deepened her understanding of meaningful communication. She shares powerful insigh...

If you enjoyed this podcast, we'd love to hear from you! What if people don’t remember your words or actions, but how you made them feel? In this bonus episode of The Secrets of Learning and Development, Valerie Merrill and Executive Career Transition Coach Julia Bend explore why emotional presence shapes every interaction from coaching sessions to training rooms to everyday conversations. They share personal stories and insights about the subtle ways energy, connection and psychological ...

If you enjoyed this podcast, we'd love to hear from you! S3 E:4 In this episode of The Secrets of Learning and Development, Julia and Valerie are joined by the inspiring Gill McKay, speaker, neuroscience advocate and co-founder of Speak and Shine. Gill shares her fascinating career journey across learning and development, corporate leadership and addiction recovery coaching, highlighting the pivotal moments that shaped her work. From designing leadership programmes informed by neuroscience...

If you enjoyed this podcast, we'd love to hear from you! In this special bonus episode, Julia Bend and Valerie Merrill dive into a trend that’s gathering pace across organisations the rise of the Superworker. Far from being a tech buzzword, this is about real people using AI tools to work smarter, not harder. Valerie shares what’s driving the shift, what traits define a Superworker, and why it’s less about being tech-savvy and more about being curious, thoughtful and human. We look at the o...

If you enjoyed this podcast, we'd love to hear from you! S3 E3: In this episode of The Secrets of Learning and Development, we sit down with Cathy Hoy, a trailblazer in the L&D space with an impressive career spanning over 25 years at global giants like Tesco, Coca-Cola, and Expedia. Cathy shares her unconventional journey into L&D, the pivotal moments that shaped her leadership, and the lessons learned from leading global learning initiatives. From navigating cultural differences ...

If you enjoyed this podcast, we'd love to hear from you! What if confidence isn’t the real issue? In this bonus episode of The Secrets of Learning and Development, Valerie Merrill interviews Executive Career Transition Coach Julia Bend to unpack a common career assumption: “I just need more confidence.” But is that really what’s holding people back? Julia shares practical insights from coaching professionals in transition revealing how what looks like a confidence issue is often something...

If you enjoyed this podcast, we'd love to hear from you! S3: In this episode, we meet the multifaceted Holly Worton – coach, author, shamanic practitioner and founder of North Downs Publishing. From quitting graduate school to running an eco hotel in Mexico, and later building a thriving publishing business in the UK, Holly shares the defining moments that shaped her unconventional career. She opens up about the mindset challenges she’s faced, particularly around self-worth, and the powerf...