The Art & Science of Learning
by Dr Kinga Petrovai
The Art & Science of Learning (TASL) Podcast connects ideas, people, and resources to inform and inspire exceptional learning experiences. Bridging the gap between research and practice across various industries promotes the cross-pollination of ideas to enhance learning for all. Through in-depth conversations with global leaders in learning, the TASL podcast aims to broaden the discussion on how we learn.In each episode, learning specialist Dr. Kinga Petrovai interviews industry leaders, academics, practitioners, and learning designers to explore various aspects of learning and development. These conversations weave together insights from around the globe and across industries, reaching listeners in 100 countries to inspire and inform innovations in lifelong learning.
Episodes
-
132: Built for the Age of AI: Insights from AccelerateOTT & Ottawa Innovation Week
This is a special episode reflecting on my experience at AccelerateOTT and Ottawa Conversations with Sonya Shorey (Invest Ottawa), Aydin Mirzaee (Fellow.ai), Ashley Faus (Atlassian), and Sarah Sedgman (LearnExperts) Innovation Week, a city-wide celebration of innovation featuring events across...
-
131. Why Podcasts Are Becoming a Powerful Learning Tool (Andrew Jacobs)
My guest in this episode is Andrew Jacobs, founder of the first-ever Podcast Learning Festival, which took place in London this February. The event brought together podcasters, learning professionals, and people interested in how podcasts can support learning. Andrew is the founder of Llarn and…
more -
130. The Power of Creativity to Transform Lives (Firdaus Kharas)
This episode is all about creativity, which is not just about making art, it’s about how we think, adapt, connect, and imagine new possibilities. It is essential for solving the problems that improve our lives and make the world better. I’m joined by Firdaus Kharas, award-winning filmmaker and...
-
129. How AI Is Reshaping Learning and What L&D Leaders Need to Consider (Dr. David Guralnick )
In this episode, I sit down with Dr. David Guralnick, Founder & Chair of the Learning Ideas Conference, to explore what’s really happening at the intersection of AI, creativity, and learning. Building on key themes from the Learning Ideas Conference, both the February event and the upcoming June...
-
128. Top Trends in Workplace L&D in 2026 (Donald Taylor)
The Learning and Development (L&D) Global Sentiment Survey takes the pulse of where workplace learning is headed this year. With thousands of L&D professionals from around the world answering the key question, “What will be hot in workplace L&D in 2026?”, this survey, now in its 13th year, has...
-
127. Reflecting on IEEE EDUCON 2025 London Conference
This episode brings you a special overview of the IEEE EDUCON 2025, held in London. EDUCON is one of the leading global conferences focused on engineering education, bringing together educators, researchers, and industry leaders to explore how teaching and learning are evolving in an increasingly...
-
126. Beyond the Hype: Rethinking Education in the Age of AI
Artificial intelligence is advancing at an extraordinary pace, and education is being reshaped whether we are ready for it or not. In this episode, we discuss a new and fascinating book on this topic — Artificial Intelligence in Education: The Intersection of Technology and Pedagogy. The...
-
125. Music and the Mind: Inside the Global Launch of the Royal Conservatory of Music’s Smart Start Program
This special episode comes directly from an inspiring day at the Royal Conservatory of Music (RCM) in Toronto, where the global launch of the Smart Start program was celebrated through a landmark symposium titled Music and the Mind: A Smart Start to Early Childhood Education. The event focused on...
-
124. Music & Neuroscience: The Royal Conservatory of Music’s Innovative Approach to Early Childhood Education (Alexander Brose)
For the past decade, The Royal Conservatory of Music in Toronto, Canada, has partnered with leading neuroscientists to develop an early childhood education program that uses music to strengthen the cognitive foundations of lifelong learning. Designed for children from six months to four years…
more -
123. Urgency of Learning How to Learn in the Age of AI (Trini Balart)
There are significant challenges in education that have been ignored for too long, and AI is forcing us to confront them urgently; otherwise, AI will think for us, rather than with us. The need to learn how to learn has been increasingly important, but it has rarely been fully integrated into the...
-
122. A Technical School Forged by Engineers, Fueled by Purpose (Tudor Andrei Tămâian, Principal of Anghel Saligny Technical High School)
This is very special episode of the podcast — one that’s quite personal and rooted in a story that spans generations. Earlier this summer, I had the privilege of visiting Anghel Saligny Technical High School (Liceului Tehnologic Anghel Saligny) in Baia Mare, Romania — a school that holds profound...
-
121. Learning in Museums - Visiting 9 Ottawa Museums in 3 Days
This is a special episode in which I’m reflecting on a unique experience that I undertook: visiting 9 Ottawa museums in just 3 days to explore how each one creates meaningful, accessible, and inspiring learning experiences. This whirlwind tour includes 7 of Canada’s national museums: Canada...
-
120. Entrepreneurial Mindset & Skills (Dr. Wendy Cukier)
Entrepreneurial skills aren’t just for entrepreneurs, they are essential to everyone. In times of turbulence and unpredictability, having an entrepreneurial mindset and skills is critical. In this episode, I speak with the research lead of the Future Skills Centre, and we explore what it means to...
-
119. Special Episode: Highlights from Ottawa Innovation Week
This is a special episode featuring highlights from the inaugural Ottawa Innovation Week, with seven insightful interviews from some of the most inspiring leaders in technology and innovation, many of whom were speakers and organizers during the week’s events. Ottawa Innovation Week is a...
-
118. Launching Ottawa Innovation Week (Sonya Shorey)
Something exciting is happening in my hometown of Ottawa, and I’m looking forward to sharing it with you on the podcast. Next week, from June 9th to the 13th, will be the inaugural Ottawa Innovation Week, a celebration of bold ideas, creative minds, and the game-changers who are driving the…
more -
117. Reflections on the Learning Ideas Conference - Mini interviews with speakers
This is a special episode that features seven mini-interviews with speakers at last year’s Learning Ideas Conference, which was held at Columbia University in New York City. As we approach the Learning Ideas Conference 2025, taking place from June 11th to 13th, I reflect on last year’s conference...
-
116. Learning to Build the Career of Your Dreams (Dr Ilona Holland)
Changing careers or building a business can be daunting, and it requires learning many new skills and being creative. In this episode, my guest is one of my former professors from the Harvard Graduate School of Education who has inspired me in the work that I do now as a workplace learning...
-
115. Fostering Innovation with Emerging Tech in L&D (Sam Lee & Veronica Gomez)
As new technologies like AI, are disrupting the way we work, there is an increasing need for effective ways to integrate these innovations into workflows. Learning to use new technologies effectively is a primary focus of learning teams around the world. But how can we quickly and proactively…
more -
114. Organizational Learning and Development Insights (Michelle Parry-Slater)
The author of a fantastic book - The Learning and Development Handbook: A learning practitioner’s toolkit – is the guest in this episode. I enjoyed reading her book and found it to be a great resource for all L&D professionals. In this episode, we discuss the importance of updating approaches to...
-
113. Podcasts as Learning Tools in the Workplace (Adam Lacey)
Podcasts can be a great way of learning but are rarely used in workplace training. In this episode, my guest is the co-founder of Assemble You, a company that develops podcasts for workplace training. We discuss strategies to design podcasts that help people retain new knowledge and about his...
-
112. How to Ensure Quality in Workplace L&D
Having a quality management system in L&D can help ensure that the final learning experience is of high quality. In this episode, the author of the new book, Quality Management in Learning and Development, discusses her book and shares tips on how to embed a quality management system in the L&D...
-
111. Chatbot Coaching in the Workplace (Emma Weber)
Coaching can be a powerful tool to transfer learning to improving on-the-job performance. However, it is often challenging to scale coaching to an entire organization, unless we use technology. I enjoyed testing out a new chatbot coaching tool called Coach M, which was developed by Lever…
more -
110. Leadership Insights from an Award-Winning Head of School (Helen Pike)
Leading a great school requires many diverse skills that enable both the students and adults in the school to thrive. In September 2023 I had the honour of attending the Tatler School Awards in London UK, hosted by Tori Cadogan, the Education Editor at Tatler (interview in episode #35). Tatler...
-
109. Oxford University’s Newest College - Reuben College (Prof. Lionel Tarassenko)
The University of Oxford is made up of over 30 colleges and halls spread across the city centre and beyond. These colleges are at the heart of Oxford's reputation as one of the best universities in the world and make it a very special place to study and live. With the oldest colleges being over…
more -
108. Workflow Learning with Superflow & Being a Female Tech Founder (Priszcilla Varnagy)
Learning in the flow of work is a powerful way of learning and improving business outcomes. Superflow is a new platform that enables organizations to design their own learning programs that engage learning in the workflow. In this episode, I speak with the founder of Superflow about how this...
-
107. What is a Futurist and Why Do We Need One? (Dr Fawaz Abu Sitta)
In a complex and ever-changing world, the role of futurists is becoming more prevalent. Governments and businesses are hiring futurists to help prepare for what is to come. However, what a futurist does is often misunderstood. In this episode, I speak with a futurist who helps organizations…
more -
106. Behavioural Intelligence in Workplace Learning Technology (Patrick Veenhoff)
What attributes impact an individual’s performance in the workplace? My guest in this episode addresses this with a technology he developed that uses an objective way to understand what knowledge, skills, motivation, perception, collaboration, information flow, and leadership attributes each...
-
105. Importance of Dialogue with AI and Learning Technologies (Prof. Rupert Wegerif, Cambridge University)
As technology evolves and we move into the age of AI, it is increasingly more important that we don’t just use technology, but we have a dialogue with the technology we use. Technology is a tool for collective thinking, but how do we use it well? My guest in this episode is a leading expert…
more -
104. A Leader’s Guidebook to Personal Development (Prof. Maja Djikic, University of Toronto)
As we strive to improve ourselves, to reach our true potential, it is easy to feel stuck. Learning and developing is a natural process for children. However, as adults, we can experience debilitating friction as we try to learn and develop in different areas of our lives. Even after having...
-
103. Top Trends in Workplace L&D in 2024 (Donald Taylor)
The Learning and Development (L&D) Global Sentiment Survey takes the pulse of where workplace learning is headed this year. With thousands of L&D professionals from around the world answering the key question of “What will be hot in workplace L&D in 2024?” this survey for eleven years provided a...
-
102. Designing Learning Spaces and Change Leadership (Liz Free)
In the beautiful Swiss Alps, the International School Rheintal has just finished building a completely new campus. It is rare for an established school to build its campus from scratch, which offers a unique opportunity to design a building designed to reinforce the school's learning philosophy.…
more -
Understanding Design Thinking (Nilufer Erdebil)
Design thinking is a skill that can transform all aspects of your work. However, it is not necessarily easy to fully understand the nuances and how to implement it effectively. I enjoyed reading the book Future Proofing by Design, which beautifully outlines the different steps of design thinking...
-
Celebrating 100 Episodes with Two Leading Learning Podcasters (Prof. Chris Dede & John Helmer)
Welcome to the 100th episode of The Art & Science of Learning podcast in which we are celebrating this major milestone. What an incredibly rewarding and enjoyable journey it has been, I learned a lot and met many fascinating people. I not only learned how to create a podcast from scratch, but I...
-
99. Reflections on The Learning Ideas Conference 2023 with Dr. David Guralnick
This special episode is a reflection on The Learning Ideas Conference that took place in June 2023 in New York City and online. The Learning Ideas Conference brings together experts from around the world, from industry and academia, who work on innovations in learning and technology for the...
-
98. Exploring the National Museum of Mathematics in NYC (Cindy Lawrence)
The National Museum of Mathematics, MoMath for short, is a magical place in Manhattan NYC where you can experience mathematics. This is the only museum in North America dedicated to mathematics and it is an immersive experience like no other. With colourful hands-on exhibits, unique learning...
-
97. Frontline Workers Learning in the Flow of Work (Carol Leaman)
Learning in the flow of work can be an incredibly effective tool for continuous improvement and employee engagement. Axonify is a technology company that develops mobile learning for frontline workers in industries ranging from retail to finance. Employees learn skills and gain knowledge as…
more -
96. Reinventing Work and the Workplace (Julia Hobsbawm OBE)
The debate on whether to go back to the office or work from home has been getting louder in recent years, but not necessarily clearer. The reimagining of the office is revolutionizing many aspects of the workplace, including how we learn at work. In this episode I speak with the author of The...
-
95. Strategies for Organizations to Make the Most of Online Learninng (Dr David Guralnick)
In this episode the author of the book How, Organizations Can Make the Most of Online Learning, discusses key strategies and insights on how to improve online learning. Although online learning has become an important part of many organizations learning and development strategy, there is still a...
-
94 Special Episode: Reinventing Hybrid Learning Events - Reflecting a Year On
In the seventh, and final, episode of the special series - Reinventing Hybrid Learning Events in collaboration with the The Learning Ideas Conference - we reflect on the experience of creating a hybrid event a year after the conference was designed as a fully hybrid experience. With less than…
more -
93. Top Trends in Workplace L&D in 2023 (Donald Taylor)
The Learning and Development (L&D) Global Sentiment Survey takes the pulse of where workplace learning is headed this year. With thousands of L&D professionals from around the world answering the key question of “What will be hot in workplace L&D in 2023?” this survey for nine years provided a...
-
92. Wellness in the Workplace
The start of a new year provides an opportunity to reflect on the past and make plans for the future. On this podcast we talk about different aspects of lifelong learning, with a focus on learning at work. In order to be able to learn and work at our best it is important to care for our overall...
-
91. What Can an Octopus Teach Us About Intelligence? (Prof Jennifer Mather)
What does intelligence really mean? Throughout history humans have looked in the mirror and defined intelligence in their image. Tests have been designed to measure people, and even animals, against a narrow definition of intelligence. Although in recent times there have been advances in...
-
90. Communicating for Organizational Engagement in a Hybrid World (Dr Susan Glaser & Dr Peter Glaser)
In the hybrid workplace it can be challenging to communicate in a way that fosters engagement. However, there are some new strategies and tools to that can help enhance organizational engagement. My guests in this episode have been helping people communicate more effectively in the workplace for...
-
89. Engaged Testing in the Classroom (Dr Melanie Adrian & Emily-Jean Gallant)
Exams can send shivers down a student’s spine, but it doesn’t have to be that way. Exams can be a positive learning experience, not a punitive exercise that induces unnecessary stress. In this episode we discuss an innovative form of testing that is student generated, collaborative and was found…
more -
88. How to Build Thriving Learning Communities at Work (Anamaria Dorgo)
Creating and fostering effective learning communities in the workplace requires a lot of skill, particularly in a hybrid world. There are many strategies, tools, and platforms that can help support learning communities, but it’s important to know how to use them effectively. In this episode I…
more -
87. Future Ready Talent Framework and Lifelong Learning (Anne-Marie Fannon)
The Work-Learn Institute, at the internationally renowned University of Waterloo in Canada, has developed the Future Ready Talent Framework. This framework is embedding important skills and lifelong learning mindset that are critical in the future of work. To discuss the framework and how it...
-
86. How to Get Your Ideas Across (Barry J. McLoughlin)
Getting your ideas across clearly is a critical skill in any career. However, speaking to an audience is one of the greatest fears people have. In this episode we will discuss how to improve the way you communicate ideas. My guest is an expert communicator who has trained leaders around the world...
-
85. Indigenous Conservation Courses by UN Association in Canada (Jaime Webbe)
The Indigenous Conservation curriculums, for elementary and high school students, are beautiful and insightful learning resource produced by the United Nations Association in Canada (UNAC). They were launched in June 2022 to coincide with Indigenous History Month and World Environment Day. In…
more -
84. Special Episode: Reinventing Hybrid Learning Events – How to Connect in Hybrid
In the sixth episode of the special series - Reinventing Hybrid Learning Events in collaboration with The Learning Ideas Conference 2022 – we discuss the nuances of programming a hybrid event. With less than a week until The Learning Ideas Conference in NYC and online, in this episode we discuss...
-
83. Reflections on the Learning Technologies Conference 2022
In this episode I reflect on the Learning Technologies Conference 2022 and my experience attending the conference in May 2022 in London. The following are the links to the people and resources that I discuss in the episode: Learning Technologies, London: https://www.learningtechnologies.co.uk...
About this show
The Art & Science of Learning (TASL) Podcast connects ideas, people, and resources to inform and inspire exceptional learning experiences. Bridging the gap between research and practice across various industries promotes the cross-pollination of ideas to enhance learning for all. Through in-depth conversations with global leaders in learning, the TASL podcast aims to broaden the discussion on how we learn.In each episode, learning specialist Dr. Kinga Petrovai interviews industry leaders, academics, practitioners, and learning designers to explore various aspects of learning and development. These conversations weave together insights from around the globe and across industries, reaching listeners in 100 countries to inspire and inform innovations in lifelong learning.
Hosted by
Dr Kinga Petrovai