Most training fails because it forgets the human at the center.
This episode dives deep into how learning becomes more than just training—it becomes an experience people want to be part of. Vanessa Trower, award-winning learning consultant and industry leader, shares her creative approach to designing programs that connect both to the heart and to business outcomes. From the power of storytelling to the importance of collaboration, her insights reveal how to create initiatives that don’t just tick boxes but truly move the needle.
Along the way, Vanessa opens up about her proudest achievements, including winning L&D Professional of the Year, and even some epic failures—like the time an LMS mishap spammed an entire company. With humor, honesty, and practical wisdom, this conversation will leave you rethinking how learning works, what really matters, and how to design experiences people never forget.
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Training is the laziest—and often the worst—solution organizations reach for.
Most organizations rush into training without asking the most important question: what’s the real problem we’re trying to solve? In this episode, Tom Bailey, a seasoned people development maverick, breaks down why traditional training often misses the mark—and what to do instead.
Listeners will discover how to separate real skill gaps from deeper organizational issues, why performance consulting models are essential, and how to create measurable outcomes that actually change behavior. Whether you’re in HR, leadership, or team development, this episode will shift the way you think about learning forever.
Key Takeaways
Timestamps
[00:00] Don’t jump straight into training
[00:09] Why organizations default to “more training”
[00:22] Asking the critical outcome question
[00:36] When the issue isn’t training at all
[00:52] Examples of hidden causes: resources, pay, shifts
[01:05] Why L&D often misses the real gap
[01:15] The trap of traditional schooling bias
[01:25] What real learning and development should do
[01:35] Using performance consulting to diagnose issues
[01:45] How to measure behavior change that matters
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There I was, buried in a pile of buzzwords—‘capability,’ ‘instructional design,’ ‘OD’—wondering what L&D actually meant.
Most people hear “learning and development” and immediately think of training sessions or workshops—but that’s only scratching the surface. In this episode, Tom Bailey, a passionate expert in people development, breaks down the real meaning of L&D and why it’s the most underleveraged tool in your company’s arsenal. From debunking the “training equals learning” myth to showcasing how L&D drives real business performance, this episode reframes how organizations should think about their people strategy.
You’ll learn the broader toolkit behind successful L&D—from coaching and mentoring to experience-based learning—and how to apply it based on actual needs, not assumptions. If you’re tired of wasted training budgets and disengaged teams, this episode is the wake-up call that’ll help you build a smarter, more effective workplace.
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“It was just paper on a screen”—Jean-Marie on the dark days of e-learning.What if training didn’t feel like training—but instead felt like a game, a story, or even a personal journey? In this episode, we explore how AI and immersive design are turning old-school e-learning into brain-igniting experiences. You’ll hear about what actually lights up the learner’s mind and how to rethink engagement from the ground up.
Jean-Marie, CEO of Cognant AI and a veteran of marketing, gaming, and behavioral design, shares a radically human vision for development. From Burning Man insights to launching fragrances at L’Oréal, he connects tech, purpose, and creativity in a way that will challenge how you think about learning—forever.
Key Takeaways
Timestamps
[00:00] The core philosophy behind fun, choice, and change
[00:39] Jean-Marie’s background and mission with Cognant AI
[01:02] Why most training fails—and how immersion changes everything
[01:59] Gaming as the “MetaMedia” and its power in L&D
[02:51] The AI revolution that’s finally making learning “stick”
[03:58] What Corsican hand gestures taught about perspective
[04:30] Learning music without learning theory—and what that means for L&D
[05:14] The worst thing about early e-learning—and how AI is the antidote
[07:40] Burning Man, Cory Doctorow, and digital ethics
[10:47] Why Ikigai isn’t just philosophy—it’s a design blueprint for happiness
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You will never succeed in L&D if you don’t understand the business.What happens when a seasoned L&D leader is fired by HR but instantly rehired by the business? In this high-impact episode, we dive into the strategic, gritty, and sometimes controversial truths behind learning and development in the corporate world. This isn’t about theory—this is about what really works when you're trying to drive results, earn respect, and survive the shifting sands of internal politics.
Dirk Rossi—former CHRO, private equity director, and ex-head of L&D for JP Morgan across Asia Pacific—shares stories that redefine what success looks like in the people development world. From firing 5,000 employees to sending ignored “Cassandra” warnings that proved true, his experience proves one thing: real influence comes from understanding the business better than HR does.
Key Takeaways
Timestamps
[00:00] Why You Need to Leave L&D to Truly Succeed
[00:00:42] Dirk Rossi’s International Career and Background
[00:01:52] His Obsession With Business Results in L&D
[00:02:28] Project Panter: The Most Successful L&D Campaign
[00:03:23] The Hand Gesture That Changed His Divorce and Life
[00:04:18] The One Skill Dirk Still Struggles With After 30 Years
[00:04:50] Winning a Change Management Award for a Merger
[00:05:12] Getting Fired by HR—Then Rehired by Business Heads
[00:06:03] Cassandra Emails: Foresight With No Influence
[00:07:00] Final Advice: Step Out of HR to Earn Real Respect
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Humility—not knowledge—is the most underrated skill in learning and development.
This episode gets real about the ups and downs of learning and development, breaking down what it takes to create strategies that actually work. We’re talking about the power of sharp analytical and consulting skills, why old-school training often misses the mark, and how trailblazing leaders are shaking things up. Whether you want to wow your stakeholders, align L&D with business goals, or dodge some common (and costly) mistakes, this chat is packed with practical tips you can start using right away.
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This is what a broken L&D system sounds like — and Dan Hill has lived through it all.
Vocational training is broken in subtle but powerful ways — and Dan Hill has spent the last two decades trying to fix it. In this episode, he reveals the messy reality of what happens when training goes wrong, the traits that define a world-class trainer, and the difference between learning outcomes that stick versus those that evaporate.
From teaching in the military to co-authoring a bestselling textbook used by over 50,000 students, Dan brings a unique blend of rigor and real-world relevance. Listeners will walk away with a better understanding of how to design impactful L&D programs, the role of personal accountability in growth, and the future of individualized learning in a digital-first world.
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I had no idea what I was doing when I started podcasting.
This episode breaks open the often-overlooked truth in learning and development: formal training rarely creates real impact. Instead, we hear how genuine curiosity, performance-focused design, and unexpected life experiences shape transformative L&D practices. Whether you're a newcomer or a seasoned pro, this conversation will push you to rethink what works—and what’s just wasting time and budget.
Tom Bailey, Dr. Alistair Ritt L&D Professional of the Year 2025 and creator of the Rogue L&D Podcast, shares his journey from category manager to award-winning learning leader. With stories ranging from childhood kite contests to professional breakthroughs at Blackmores, Tom unveils the mindset shifts and tactical changes that power high-impact development in modern organizations. If you're ready to ditch the old models and learn from someone who’s actually done it, this one’s for you.
Key Takeaways;
Timestamps
[00:00] — The energy cost of networking (and why it’s worth it)
[00:51] — Who is Tom Bailey, and why he’s on the mic this time
[01:40] — What drives real behavior change in L&D
[02:40] — Why Nick Shackleton-Jones’ book changed his life
[03:48] — Microlearning, space repetition, and why Yanu works
[05:18] — How most of us learned L&D through the side door
[07:01] — Building the award-winning Blackmores Commercial Academy
[08:45] — The L&D fail that cost a company big (and why it still hurts)
[10:50] — Renting vans to childhood heroes: the Keith Harris story
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Turns out, balloon phobia and coaching have more in common than you'd think.
This episode digs into one of the most overlooked truths in workplace learning: human-centred L&D isn’t a nice-to-have—it’s the only way forward. With real stories, practical insights, and a sharp lens on coaching and leadership, this conversation explores how to design learning experiences that actually change behaviour and build long-term culture. It also takes a brutally honest look at what happens when organizations skip personalization in favour of generic, one-size-fits-none training.
Tia Chau, a seasoned leadership and culture strategist with 15+ years in people development, dives deep into why traditional content dumping fails, how AI is misunderstood in HR, and what it actually takes to influence resistant stakeholders. From coaching missteps to rethinking ROI, this episode is a call to rewire the way we see performance, development, and leadership from the inside out.
Key Takeaways
Timestamps
[00:00] Introduction to Human-Centred L&D[00:06] Vulnerability, Burnout, and Personal Growth in Leadership Development[00:07:35] Exploring AI’s Role in HR and Coaching[00:10:00] Automation vs AI: Misconceptions and Strategic Use[00:13:00] The Problem with Content Dumping in L&D[00:16:00] Applying Agile Methods in Learning Development[00:20:00] Handling Difficult Stakeholders in Learning Projects[00:42:54] Coaching vs Mentoring: What’s the Real Difference?[00:55:00] Personalizing Leadership: Identity and Early Coaching[01:00:00] Personalized Learning Journeys & Humanized Leadership
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What’s the real reason great leadership programs fail to make an impact?
What does it take to create truly impactful learning programs? In this episode, we explore why even perfectly designed leadership programs fail when culture and relationships aren’t prioritized.
You’ll learn how starting L&D initiatives early, building strong workplace relationships, and asking the right questions can transform your organization's approach to development. We’ll also uncover the role of evidence-based practice in solving real business challenges.
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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.
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What happens when your L&D program is the only reason a $14,000 problem becomes a $1,000 fix?
Discover how making learning fun and memorable can lead to real-world business impact—like turning a $14,000 mistake into a $1,000 solution. In this episode of Rogue L&D Hotshots, you’ll hear a high-energy, insight-packed conversation about why behavior change matters more than ticking boxes, and how simple, well-designed digital training outperforms traditional methods.
Mark Eggers, co-founder of Yarno and lifelong advocate for engaging, impactful learning experiences, shares stories from cricket fields, digital agencies, and oil forecourts to reveal what actually makes a training program stick. Whether you’re tired of boring courses or looking for results that move the needle, this episode is packed with surprising lessons and inspiration.
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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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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;
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
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
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
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
