The Assembly

If your L&D work feels invisible to business leadership, the problem might be where you're starting from.Brigid sits down with Anne-Marie Burbidge, founder of Spark L&D Consultancy and fractional Head of L&D, to unpack the mindset shift that changes everything: stop leading with what L&D can offer, and start from what the business actually needs. With 20+ years across HR and L&D in organisations of all shapes and sizes, Anne-Marie brings a sharp, practical lens to where L&D functions get stuck and how to move.She breaks down how to connect your work to the metrics that matter to leadership, why manager development remains one of the most under-supported moments in any organisation, and how to shift from reactive training deliverer to trusted business partner.What you'll learn:Why starting from L&D and pitching outward is the wrong direction and how to flip itHow to use business metrics and people data to identify where L&D will have real impactWhy the manager transition from individual contributor to people leader needs far more support than most organisations give itHow to build influence with the C-suite by speaking their language, not yoursThe mindset shift that unlocks everything else🔗 Connect with Anne-MarieLinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/anne-marieburbidge/📮 The Assembly DebriefA short, practical email unpacking the best ideas from each episode, designed for modern learning leaders who want insight without the noise. https://www.assembleyou.com/the-assembly/newsletter👋 Come and connect with usWe’re always keen to hear what’s resonating or what you’re seeing in your world.Adam Lacey - https://www.linkedin.com/in/adamlacey/Richard Ward - https://www.linkedin.com/in/richardpward/More from The Assembly & Assemble YouLearning that feels more like great content than training. Explore podcast-style lessons, video shorts, and series designed for real work. https://www.assembleyou.comPrivacy & DataThis podcast is hosted by Transistor. For more information on how your data is handled, please visit: https://www.transistor.fm/privacy/

Your senior leaders get coaching. Your early careers get apprenticeships. But the managers actually running your organisation day-to-day? They're on their own.John Gregg has spent over 20 years in L&D and OD across commercial, regulated and nonprofit sectors - most recently as Head of Learning and OD at Alzheimer's Research UK. With a small team and a tight budget, he built a management development programme that made it to the finals of the Learning Excellence Awards, competing with some of the biggest names in the industry.In this episode, John shares what it takes to develop the managers everyone else overlooks, prove L&D's impact when scrutiny is high and shift from a cost centre to a genuine performance function.What you'll learn:Why your mid-level managers are the engine room of your organisation and what a programme that actually develops them looks like in practiceHow to shift from a cost centre to a performance function and the language change that makes it stickWhy psychological safety isn't a course and how to build it incrementally across onboarding, appraisals, policies and everyday cultureThe "Big Four" stakeholder model and why misreading each group's agenda is where most L&D impact gets lostWhere AI is genuinely moving the needle in L&D right now and where the hype is running ahead of the realityFour pieces of advice for anyone starting out or levelling up in the profession🔗 Connect with JohnLinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/john-gregg-fcipd/📮 The Assembly DebriefA short, practical email unpacking the best ideas from each episode, designed for modern learning leaders who want insight without the noise. https://www.assembleyou.com/the-assembly/newsletter👋 Come and connect with usWe’re always keen to hear what’s resonating or what you’re seeing in your world.Adam Lacey - https://www.linkedin.com/in/adamlacey/Richard Ward - https://www.linkedin.com/in/richardpward/More from The Assembly & Assemble YouLearning that feels more like great content than training. Explore podcast-style lessons, video shorts, and series designed for real work. https://www.assembleyou.comPrivacy & DataThis podcast is hosted by Transistor. For more information on how your data is handled, please visit: https://www.transistor.fm/privacy/

You've run the awareness session. The feedback was strong. People were nodding. And then... nothing changed. If that sounds familiar, it's not because your programme was wrong. It's because awareness alone doesn't change behaviour. Conditions do.Brigid sits down with Shannon Rivers, organisational development strategist, consultant and Director of Social Enterprise, Social Responsibility and Change. With over 12 years of experience helping organisations move beyond tick-box exercises, Shannon applies a Black, queer, and womanist liberatory lens to embed anti-oppressive practices into how organisations operate. Starting her career in marketing, she quickly realised that if you want to change what shows up externally, you have to address the internal culture first.Shannon argues that EDI and L&D are working towards the same goal: behaviour change. Keeping them in separate silos limits the impact of both. She explores why many EDI initiatives stall, what actually drives culture change and how L&D leaders can secure buy-in from senior stakeholders without compromising their values.If you're trying to make learning stick or embed inclusion beyond a one-off programme, this episode will change how you think about both.What you'll learn:Why EDI is scaffolding, not a separate workstream and what happens when it's treated as oneThe real reason learning sessions generate great feedback but little behaviour changeWhat actually works: line managers, action learning sets, accountability and designing for how people engageHow to build the business case for EDI and L&D investment, including the often-overlooked social returnWhy organisations mirror the external world and what that means for learning culture designShannon's marketing-inspired internal communications framework: problem, position, proposalOne mindset shift for L&D and EDI professionals who feel they need to do more🔗 Connect with ShannonLinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/shannonbethanyrivers/📮 The Assembly DebriefA short, practical email unpacking the best ideas from each episode, designed for modern learning leaders who want insight without the noise. https://www.assembleyou.com/the-assembly/newsletter👋 Come and connect with usWe’re always keen to hear what’s resonating or what you’re seeing in your world.Adam Lacey - https://www.linkedin.com/in/adamlacey/Richard Ward - https://www.linkedin.com/in/richardpward/More from The Assembly & Assemble YouLearning that feels more like great content than training. Explore podcast-style lessons, video shorts, and series designed for real work. https://www.assembleyou.comPrivacy & DataThis podcast is hosted by Transistor. For more information on how your data is handled, please visit: https://www.transistor.fm/privacy/

Adam sits down with Simon Gibson, the Talent Director at Center Parcs and former Group Head of L&D at M&S, to get brutally honest about what's holding L&D back and what high-performing teams do differently.With a career spanning banking, retail, nuclear decommissioning and hospitality, Simon has a rare cross-industry perspective: if you don't understand how your business makes money, you're probably doing nice things that don't matter.They cover how to diagnose the right problems, build a commercial business case, and tell stories that earn influence which includes a standout M&S example where fixing a policy search issue saved 5,000 managers 30 minutes a month and unlocked a multi-million pound productivity win. They also tackle the deskless workforce problem: most L&D solutions are built for people with desks and diaries, and frontline teams deserve better.If you want to sharpen your commercial edge and prove your worth - this one's for you.🔗Connect with SimonLinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/simongibsonlearning/📮 The Assembly DebriefA short, practical email unpacking the best ideas from each episode, designed for modern learning leaders who want insight without the noise. 👋 Come and connect with usWe’re always keen to hear what’s resonating or what you’re seeing in your world.Adam Lacey - https://www.linkedin.com/in/adamlacey/Richard Ward - https://www.linkedin.com/in/richardpward/More from The AssemblyLearning that feels more like great content than training. Explore podcast-style lessons, video shorts, and series designed for real work. https://www.assembleyou.comPrivacy & DataThis podcast is hosted by Transistor. For more information on how your data is handled, please visit: https://www.transistor.fm/privacy/Looking for a content library to help your team develop their productivity, communication, leadership skills and more? Check out assembleyou.com and follow us on LinkedIn. 

Most people don't fail because they're incapable. They fail because the support disappears too early.Brigid sits down with  Stephanie Alayyoubi-Trattles, founder of Kyoshi Consulting, to explore what it actually takes to build learning that drives measurable change.Stephanie has spent over a decade leading learning strategy and design across EdTech unicorn Multiverse, London Business School, and global organisations. She began her career in the classroom, and she makes a compelling case that the teaching frameworks we left behind in education are exactly what corporate L&D is missing.At the centre of the conversation is the gradual release of responsibility: I do, we do, you do. Stephanie unpacks what this looks like in practice inside an organisation, how to model best practice before expecting people to replicate it, and why most programmes skip the very steps that make learning stick. She also shares how to build the wider ecosystem around a training programme, from communities of practice and peer feedback to manager reinforcement in the flow of work.She doesn't shy away from the harder conversation either. L&D teams too often operate as order takers, delivering ad hoc content that isn't tied to business priorities. Steph's challenge is to pause, get a seat at the table, and design with intention so that learning creates real capability, not just compliance.If you're designing, running, or rethinking how learning lands in your organisation, this episode will give you a sharper, more grounded way to approach it.What you'll takeaway from this episode:What the gradual release of responsibility looks like in practice and why it works just as well for an 8-year-old as a 48-year-oldWhy people cannot do what they haven't seen and how to audit your existing programmes for this blind spotThe two traps that stop L&D from modelling best practice: the curse of knowledge and imposter syndrome and how to overcome bothHow to build a competency framework that defines best practice before you design a single piece of learningWhat scaffolding looks like inside a real organisation with a detailed example from Stephanie's time at MultiverseWhy communities of practice and mentorship are the parts of the learning ecosystem that create lasting capabilityHow to build a learning culture where people don't just attend, they queue up to get inThe first practical step for any L&D team ready to start integrating this approach🔗 Connect with Stephanie LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/stephanie-trattles/📮 The Assembly DebriefA short, practical email unpacking the best ideas from each episode, designed for modern learning leaders who want insight without the noise. https://www.assembleyou.com/the-assembly/newsletter👋 Come and connect with usWe’re always keen to hear what’s resonating or what you’re seeing in your world.Adam Lacey - https://www.linkedin.com/in/adamlacey/Richard Ward - https://www.linkedin.com/in/richardpward/More from The Assembly & Assemble YouLearning that feels more like great content than training. Explore podcast-style lessons, video shorts, and series designed for real work. https://www.assembleyou.comPrivacy & DataThis podcast is hosted by Transistor. For more information on how your data is handled, please visit: https://www.transistor.fm/privacy/

Adam sits down with Farley Thomas, CEO of Manageable, the global manager development platform he co-founded in 2020, to explore why manager development so often falls short and what it takes to build something that sticks.After a decade in investment banking at HSBC, Farley trained as a coach and spent years advising CEOs before spotting that managers were one of the most underserved populations in any organisation. Manageable was built to fix that.Farley breaks down eight pieces of the manager development puzzle, from building genuine learning habits to using AI as a safe practice environment for difficult conversations. He also tackles the cohort versus individual learning debate and explains why most organisations are getting both wrong.If you are designing, running, or rethinking a manager programme, this episode will give you a sharper framework to work from.What you'll learn:The eight pieces of the manager development puzzle and why most programmes only tackle two or threeWhy cutting practice from your programme is the most expensive corner you can cutHow to make cohort-based learning genuinely valuable rather than logistically painfulWhat scaffolding actually means and how it builds lasting learning habitsWhere AI fits into manager development and where it falls shortThree practical tips for any new or aspiring manager just starting out🔗 Connect with FarleyLinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/farleythomas/📮 The Assembly DebriefA short, practical email unpacking the best ideas from each episode, designed for modern learning leaders who want insight without the noise.👋 Come and connect with usWe’re always keen to hear what’s resonating or what you’re seeing in your world.Adam Lacey - https://www.linkedin.com/in/adamlacey/Richard Ward - https://www.linkedin.com/in/richardpward/More from The AssemblyLearning that feels more like great content than training. Explore podcast-style lessons, video shorts, and series designed for real work. https://www.assembleyou.comPrivacy & DataThis podcast is hosted by Transistor. For more information on how your data is handled, please visit: https://www.transistor.fm/privacy/Looking for a content library to help your team develop their productivity, communication, leadership skills and more? Check out assembleyou.com and follow us on LinkedIn.

Brigid sits down with Toluwa Hughes, behavioural scientist, two-times TEDx speaker, and founder of Zoah Consultancy, to explore why the manager layer is so often the most overlooked group in any organisation and what L&D can do about it right now.Toluwa has coached over 4,000 leaders across the UN in East Africa, tech scale-ups, and global enterprises including HSBC, Dell, and Alzheimer's Society. Her work sits at the intersection of behavioural science and real-world leadership pressure - helping managers stay steady through growth, change, and AI adoption.In this episode, she breaks down the hidden cost of ignoring middle managers from the two things their role actually demands (translation and emotional regulation) to why high performers are the ones most quietly burning out. She also challenges L&D teams to stop asking managers what training they need, and start asking better questions entirely.If you work with or support managers, this episode will sharpen how you think about development, wellbeing, and where L&D can have the most impact.What you'll learn:Why middle managers carry more than any job description acknowledges and why they rarely say soThe two types of managerial silence, and how to tell them apartWhy 82% of managers step into leadership with no formal training and what that actually costsHow mindset, not skills, determines behaviour under pressureThe three things L&D already has that are more valuable than budget permission, proximity, and trustWhy leadership development and wellbeing must be the same conversationThe questions that surface what managers are really carrying🔗 Connect with Toluwa: https://www.linkedin.com/in/toluwa-oyeleye/Zoah Consultancy: https://www.zoahconsultancy.co.uk📬 The Assembly Debrief A short, practical email unpacking the best ideas from each episode, designed for modern learning leaders who want insight without the noise. https://www.assembleyou.com/the-assembly/newsletter👋 Come and connect with us We're always keen to hear what's resonating or what you're seeing in your world. Adam Lacey - https://www.linkedin.com/in/adamlacey/ Richard Ward - https://www.linkedin.com/in/richardpward/More from The Assembly & Assemble You Learning that feels more like great content than training. Explore podcast-style lessons, video shorts, and series designed for real work. https://www.assembleyou.comThis podcast is hosted by Transistor. For privacy information visit: https://www.transistor.fm/privacy

In this episode, Adam sits down with Liggy Webb to explore how L&D leaders can equip their people with the human skills that matter most - cutting through noise, thinking clearly, and performing in a complex environment.Liggy, a behavioural skills specialist and author, shares practical ways to develop an “inquiring mind” - from building self-awareness and asking better questions, to strengthening curiosity and critical thinking.Together, they unpack how learning can move beyond information and focus on how people think, decide, and act - offering simple, actionable ways to navigate today’s fast-changing world.If you’re looking to future-proof your workforce or build stronger thinking skills, this episode will give you practical ways to move forward.Episode breakdown:(00:00) Introduction to Inquiring Minds(02:00) Why critical thinking matters more than ever(04:00) The nine skills of an inquiring mind(05:00) Self-awareness and feedback(09:00) Cultivating curiosity(12:00) Lifelong learning in a changing world(16:00) The power of human conversations(21:00) Asking better questions(26:00) Critical thinking vs emotional reactions(31:00) Distilling complexity(34:00) Problem solving and decision making🔗 Connect with LiggyLinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/liggyw/📮 The Assembly DebriefA short, practical email unpacking the best ideas from each episode, designed for modern learning leaders who want insight without the noise.👋 Come and connect with usWe’re always keen to hear what’s resonating or what you’re seeing in your world.Adam Lacey - https://www.linkedin.com/in/adamlacey/Richard Ward - https://www.linkedin.com/in/richardpward/More from The AssemblyLearning that feels more like great content than training. Explore podcast-style lessons, video shorts, and series designed for real work. https://www.assembleyou.comPrivacy & DataThis podcast is hosted by Transistor. For more information on how your data is handled, please visit: https://transistor.fm/privacy/

In this episode, Brigid sits down with Jade Rogers to unpack how learning and development leaders can build influence, demonstrate impact, and secure a more strategic role within their organisations.Jade, an L&D professional in a tech consultancy, describes her role as “the bridge between potential and performance” - but like many in the field, she’s had to navigate the challenge of making that value visible.Together, they explore practical ways to reposition L&D - from using storytelling to demonstrate ROI, to speaking the language of senior leaders and aligning more closely with business goals.They also go deeper into the realities of organisational change. Jade shares her experience navigating multiple rounds of redundancies—what it does to culture, trust, and morale - and how L&D professionals can support others while managing their own resilience.If you’re trying to increase your influence, communicate your value more effectively, or navigate uncertainty in your organisation, this episode will give you practical ways to move forward.Episode breakdown:(00:00) From youth work to L&D(02:30) Why L&D is misunderstood(04:30) Storytelling as ROI(06:30) The link between L&D and culture(08:00) Why L&D is at risk during redundancies(10:00) Speaking the language of leadership(12:00) Progress over perfection(14:00) The emotional impact of change(17:00) Rebuilding trust and culture(20:00) Meeting people where they are(22:00) Turning insight into action(25:00) Building resilience at work(28:00) Communicating your value🔗 Connect with JadeLinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/in/jaderogers/📮 The Assembly DebriefA short, practical email unpacking the best ideas from each episode—designed for modern learning leaders who want insight without the noise.https://www.assembleyou.com/newsletter👋 Come and connect with usWe’re always keen to hear what’s resonating or what you’re seeing in your world.Adam Lacey – https://www.linkedin.com/in/adamlacey/Richard Ward – https://www.linkedin.com/in/richardpward/More from The AssemblyLearning that feels more like great content than training—explore podcast-style lessons, video shorts, and series designed for real work.https://www.assembleyou.com/Privacy & DataThis podcast is hosted by Transistor. For more information on how your data is handled, please visit: https://transistor.fm/privacy/

Adam sits down with Gary Clarke, former Group Head of Learning & Development at Qatar Airways, for a candid conversation spanning 20+ years of global L&D leadership - from starting in the British Army at 16 to leading functions at BlackRock, Capita, and Qatar Airways.Gary delivers a masterclass on managing a complex, geographically dispersed L&D function. He shares the real work behind building a high-performing, award-winning team - uniting a fragmented function post-COVID, running internal learning conferences with 270 attendees, and creating a culture where cleaners and café staff get recognised alongside senior leaders. He also gives sharp, practical advice on what it means to truly understand your business - and why that skill separates good L&D professionals from great ones.He takes us through:Managing Global Complexity: Leading an 80-person L&D team responsible for the capability strategy of 65,000 employees. Overseeing learning technology, digital content, leadership pipelines, and highly regulated operational training across 170 international stations.Rebuilding Team Culture: The impact that fostering a culture of trust and psychological safety can have, and how in enabled people to innovate.Fostering Connection: To build community, Gary introduced cross-departmental "Lunch and Learns" , "potluck" meals and internal learning conferences. Inclusive Recognition: Gary highlights the importance of recognising the entire workforce. He implemented peer-nominated awards, including a "Pay It Forward" trophy for acts of kindness outside the workplace.Connect with Gary LinkedInhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/garyclarke21/The Assembly DebriefA short, practical email unpacking the best ideas from each episode, designed for modern learning leaders who want insight without the noise.Come and connect with usWe’re always keen to hear what’s resonating or what you’re seeing in your world.Adam Lacey - https://www.linkedin.com/in/adamlacey/Richard Ward - https://www.linkedin.com/in/richardpward/More from The Assembly & Assemble YouLearning that feels more like great content than training. Explore podcast-style lessons, video shorts, and series designed for real work. https://www.assembleyou.comPrivacy & DataThis podcast is hosted by Transistor. For more information on how your data is handled, please visit: https://www.transistor.fm/privacy/

 In this episode, Brigid sits down with Yousaf Khan, an AI strategy and business transformation consultant, to explore how learning and development leaders can shift from knowledge delivery to measurable impact, and stay relevant as work evolves.Starting his career in L&D, Yousaf quickly recognised the gap between learning and real performance. Now working across strategy, performance, and AI, he helps organisations rethink how work actually gets done and where L&D can add the most value.Together, they unpack what it takes to reposition L&D as a driver of performance, from diagnosing the real problem to focusing on workflows over skills and using AI to enhance how work happens day-to-day.They also explore how AI is reshaping the workplace, and how L&D leaders can use it as a performance multiplier - boosting speed, capacity, and efficiency - without jumping to solutions before fully understanding the challenge.If you’re looking to move beyond traditional training, show real business impact, or better understand how AI is changing the role of L&D, this episode offers practical, thoughtful ways to rethink your approach.What You’ll Learn•     Why “skills” alone aren’t enough and why behaviour in context is the real measure of performance•     How to reposition L&D as a driver of performance by starting with workflows, not training briefs•     What the Fix, Enhance, Reimagine framework looks like in practice across different business functions•     How AI can augment work - speeding up research, proposals, follow-ups, and content - without replacing human judgment•     Why most organisations aren’t ready to use AI effectively yet, and what “fixing the foundations” actually means•     Practical questions L&D leaders can ask themselves this week to start identifying where AI could have real impact•     How the role of L&D shifts as AI takes on more of the diagnostic and data-gathering work 🔗 Connect with YousafLinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/yousaf-khan-b36a0591/?originalSubdomain=aePerformance Intelligence AI - www.performanceintelligence.co📮 The Assembly DebriefA short, practical email unpacking the best ideas from each episode, designed for modern learning leaders who want insight without the noise.https://www.assembleyou.com/newsletter👋 Come and connect with usWe’re always keen to hear what’s resonating or what you’re seeing in your world.Adam Lacey - https://www.linkedin.com/in/adamlacey/Richard Ward - https://www.linkedin.com/in/richardpward/More from The AssemblyLearning that feels more like great content than training—explore podcast-style lessons, video shorts, and series designed for real work.https://www.assembleyou.com/Privacy & Data his podcast is hosted by Transistor. For more information on how your data is handled, please visit: https://transistor.fm/privacy/

In this excellent interview, Adam sits down with Ket Patel, the founder of Change Agitators and Assemble You Expert.Ket is a master change practitioner with over 20 years of experience, specialising in helping organisations navigate the uncertainty of scaling and modernising. Transitioning away from traditional, purely process-driven change management, Ket focuses deeply on the human and relational dynamics that dictate how groups respond to new organisational directions. He's worked with Assemble You on two series that support organisations, leaders, and individuals in managing change more effectively.In this episode, Ket unpacks the emotional reality of workplace transformations and shares practical frameworks to help leaders and teams navigate ambiguity, including:Combating "Ambient Fatigue": Ket explains that the most common reaction to a new corporate initiative is an eye roll, stemming from the "ambient fatigue" of being asked to adopt the next big thing before the previous change has even settled.Transferring Personal Resilience: While corporate change can feel frustrating because it is uninvited, Ket reminds listeners that every individual already possesses coping skills developed through personal life changes, like moving house or facing adversity. The Art of Honest Feedback: Creating a safe space does not mean a manager must action every piece of feedback they hear. It is about listening fairly, validating the employee's voice, and being honest that leadership must ultimately choose which feedback to implement.The Four Mindsets of Change: Ket shares his personal mental toolkit for enduring complex projects: Visionary Pragmatism, Sceptical Optimism, Belligerent Humility, and Persistent Humour.Cultivating Group Resilience: Resilience is highly effective as a collective trait, allowing the group to pick up an individual when they are struggling. Ket recommends having teams openly share their individual experiences with change to build empathy and shared strength.Connect with KetLinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/ketpatel-changeagitator/The Assembly DebriefA short, practical email unpacking the best ideas from each episode, designed for modern learning leaders who want insight without the noise. https://www.assembleyou.com/the-assembly/newsletterCome and Connect with UsWe’re always keen to hear what’s resonating or what you’re seeing in your world.Adam Lacey - https://www.linkedin.com/in/adamlacey/Richard Ward - https://www.linkedin.com/in/richardpward/More from The Assembly & Assemble YouLearning that feels more like great content than training. Explore podcast-style lessons, video shorts, and series designed for real work. https://www.assembleyou.comPrivacy & DataThis podcast is hosted by Transistor. For more information on how your data is handled, please visit: https://www.transistor.fm/privacy/

Are your inclusion efforts driving real impact or just ticking boxes?In this episode, Brigid sits down with Chris Shearer-Wright, Senior EDI and Community Partnerships Manager at Oliver Bonas, to explore how L&D and EDI can work together to create more inclusive, effective workplaces.Starting his career on the shop floor in 2012, Chris has grown with Oliver Bonas through every stage of the business - from store manager to people team to leading EDI strategy. That ground-level experience gives him a distinctive lens on how inclusion shows up (or doesn’t) across both customer experience and internal culture. He describes inclusion as a “golden thread” that should run through everything — from hiring and store design to supplier relationships and product decisions.Together, Brigid and Chris unpack how to design inclusive learning that drives real impact, from acting as a “critical friend” to L&D, to building bespoke workshops rooted in genuine business challenges. They also explore the nuances of balancing a strong brand identity with the need for true inclusivity, and how EDI can be woven into an organisation’s culture from the very first conversation rather than bolted on at the end.In this episode, Chris shares practical insights on how EDI and L&D can work together, including:1. EDI as a Critical Friend to L&D: At Oliver BonasEDI works alongside L&D to challenge whether learning is truly accessible, inclusive, and designed for everyone - turning inclusion from intention into practice.2. Bespoke Over Generic: Tailored workshops rooted in real business conversations outperform off-the-shelf training. Chris highlights sessions on Culture Add vs. Fit, Equitable Decision Making, and Leading Multi-Generational Teams.3. Measuring Real Impact: The true success of EDI learning shows up in behaviour change - like managers applying lessons weeks later in difficult conversations - alongside formal metrics.4. Diversity Drives Performance: Diverse perspectives improve creativity, problem-solving, and productivity. For a design-led business like Oliver Bonas inclusion is a commercial advantage, not just a value.5. Start with Inclusion Early: Inclusion works best when embedded from the beginning of a process, not added at the final review stage - making outcomes stronger, faster, and more effective.🔗 Connect with ChrisLinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/christopher-shearer-wright-087698118/📮 The Assembly DebriefA short, practical email unpacking the best ideas from each episode, designed for modern learning leaders who want insight without the noise.https://www.assembleyou.com/newsletter👋 Come and connect with usWe’re always keen to hear what’s resonating or what you’re seeing in your world.Adam Lacey - https://www.linkedin.com/in/adamlacey/Richard Ward - https://www.linkedin.com/in/richardpward/More from The AssemblyLearning that feels more like great content than training—explore podcast-style lessons, video shorts, and series designed for real work.https://www.assembleyou.com/Privacy & DataThis podcast is hosted by Transistor. For more information on how your data is handled, please visit: https://transistor.fm/privacy/

In this special live episode recorded at the Podcast Learning Festival, Adam speaks with Stephen Holderness, Learning and Development Lead for Digital Strategy and Growth at AO.com.Stephen shares his journey of transforming the digital learning offering at AO, a rapidly growing electrical retailer known for owning every part of its customer journey—from in-house legal teams to logistics networks and a massive fridge recycling plant. Recognising that traditional e-learning was not meeting the needs of this diverse, 3,000-strong workforce, Stephen pioneered the introduction of audio learning to the business.In this interview, Stephen offers a candid look at the successes, mistakes, and lessons learned from launching an audio learning initiative. He discusses:Listening to the Learner: Stephen's first step was to stop looking at what other companies were doing and instead ask AO employees what they actually wanted. A company-wide roadshow revealed a strong preference for audio formats and podcast-style learning, especially among neurodivergent staff who struggled with text-heavy e-learning.The Power of the Expert Voice: AO employees specifically requested to hear from verifiable experts rather than faceless, authorless e-learning modules. Knowing the source of the information added immediate credibility and trust to the content.Unlocking the "Commute Commute": By offering learning via a mobile app, AO inadvertently transformed its 9-to-5 learning culture into a 24/7 operation. The L&D Professional as Marketer: Stephen emphasises that simply having a content library is not enough; L&D must act like marketers. He advocates for relentless, multi-channel promotion, integrating audio into existing leadership programs, aligning content with internal awareness days, and leaning heavily on word-of-mouth advocacy from peers.Measuring Impact Through Stories: While AO uses quantitative data, Stephen argues that the most powerful ROI metric is qualitative storytelling. The fact that operational staff (who previously only completed mandatory compliance) are now voluntarily learning on their own time is a massive win that proves the "cost of inaction" was too high.Stephen offers a highly practical roadmap for any organisation considering audio learning. If you want to understand how to align your training formats with your employees' daily realities, this is a must-listen episode.Connect with Stephen on LinkedIn: Stephen HoldernessLooking for a content library to help your team develop their productivity, communication, leadership skills and more? Check out assembleyou.com and follow us on LinkedIn.

In this engaging episode, Brigid sits down with Charlie Manthorp.Charlie is a passionate workshop facilitator and the head of the talent development function at Wiser, where he focuses primarily on early talent and developing future leaders. With an unconventional career path that transitioned from management consultancy at Accenture to a coaching role at Multiverse (Europe's first EdTech unicorn), Charlie brings a highly adaptable and human-centric approach to learning and development .In this interview, Charlie shares his philosophy on creating impactful, memorable workshops and navigating the unpredictable nature of live facilitation. He covers:The "Rubik's Cube" of Facilitation: Charlie describes every workshop room as a Rubik's Cube, requiring constant mental agility and problem-solving to find the right combinations of interactions that work for the specific group. He advises facilitators to prepare thoroughly but remain willing to abandon the script and pivot transparently if an exercise is not landing.Breaking the Ice and Building Trust: To establish an immediate connection, Charlie uses informal, wacky icebreakers. He then relies on the Trust Equation (credibility, reliability, intimacy, and focusing on the audience's needs rather than his own) to deepen relationships in the room.Handling Dissent to Build Psychological Safety: When a participant openly challenges a workshop's premise, Charlie recommends thanking them, asking them to elaborate, and treating their viewpoint with respect. Handling pushback with curiosity signals to the entire room that diverse opinions are welcome, thereby modelling true psychological safety.Measuring "Nebulous" Behavioural Skills: Acknowledging that human behavioural skills (such as resilience and adaptability) are notoriously difficult to measure directly, Charlie advocates using proxy measures from organisations like Gallup and Randstad. He emphasises that while granular metrics are helpful, leaders must also trust the well-documented link between human connection, employee retention, and overall productivity.Charlie offers a refreshing, highly empathetic masterclass on holding space for learners. If you want to elevate your facilitation skills, build genuine trust with sceptical audiences, and inject strategic fun into your workshops, this is a must-listen-to episode.Connect with Charlie on LinkedIn: Charlie Manthorp | LinkedInLooking for a content library to help your team develop their productivity, communication, leadership skills and more? Check out assembleyou.com and follow us on LinkedIn.

In this insightful episode, Adam is joined by Dr Lalith Wijedoru.Dr Lalith is a social health champion, emotional well-being consultant, and a former NHS consultant paediatrician in emergency medicine. He is the founder of Behind Your Mask, a consultancy that uses the power of personal storytelling to improve human connection and trust within teams.In this interview, Dr Lalith explores the often-overlooked concept of "social health" and how organisations can leverage storytelling to build resilience, empathy, and retention. He discusses:Defining Social Health: Dr Lalith defines social health as the quality of our relationships and connections, distinct from physical health (the body) and mental health (the mind), yet equally critical.The Risks of Disconnection: The severe consequences of poor social health, which include not just loneliness but tangible physical risks like heart attacks and strokes, as well as mental health struggles like depression.Project, Reflect, Connect: How storytelling functions as a mechanism to bridge gaps between people. By projecting a story, both the teller and listener reflect on their experiences, moving from monologue to dialogue.The Mask of Leadership: Why leaders should drop their "professional mask" and embrace vulnerability. Dr Lalith argues that being human and authentic gives others in the workforce permission to do the same, fostering psychological safety.Amplifying Hidden Voices: The importance of looking within an organisation for inspiration. Dr Lalith advocates amplifying the "hidden voices"—often introverts or those in process roles—rather than relying solely on external speakers at events like International Men's Day.Musical Storytelling: A practical and fun icebreaker for remote teams where colleagues share stories attached to specific song prompts (e.g., a guilty pleasure or a breakup song) to fast-track relationship building.The Power of Uncomfortable Truths: Why we shouldn't shy away from "sad stories." Dr Lalith explains that hearing about tragedy or difficulty is often what inspires us to make the world—and our workplaces—a better place.Dr Lalith offers a profound and human-centric approach to employee well-being. If you want to understand the "missing pillar" of health and how to truly connect your hybrid or remote teams, this is a must-listen-to episode.Connect with Lalith on LinkedIn: Dr Lalith Wijedoru And check out Behind Your MaskLooking for a content library to help your team develop their productivity, communication, leadership skills and more? Check out assembleyou.com and follow us on LinkedIn.

In this insightful interview, Brigid sits down with Caroline Freeman of Grey Space Consulting.Caroline is a leadership and learning consultant and the founder of Grey Space Consulting. Her career began at Nordstrom in 2008 , where she learned the value of promoting from within and prioritizing people development. Today, she focuses on bridging the gap between ambition and reality , helping organisations move beyond simple "we need training" requests to instead diagnose real capability gaps and misaligned systems.In this episode, Caroline discusses how L&D professionals can adopt a commercial mindset to better align with business objectives , including:L&D as the Glue: Caroline describes L&D as the essential "glue" that connects an organisation's commercial strategy with its people strategy. Start with the Problem, Not the Program: Caroline emphasises working backward from the desired business outcome rather than simply taking orders for a new training course. She advocates for acting as a diagnostician to find the root of the problem.Transparency and Trust: Caroline advises on how to handle situations where business goals, like reducing headcount, conflict with L&D goals, like employee retention. She advocates for transparency with leadership and teams to build trust and ensure everyone understands the true mission.Thinking Outside the Box: L&D solutions do not always require a two-hour workshop with a slide deck. Caroline shares how unconventional approaches, like a simple 25-minute chat or a quarterly morning recognition meeting for support staff, can drive engagement and solve systemic issues . She also suggests pulling established tools like a nine-box grid out of the archives to quickly identify and develop high-potential employees.Flipping the Script on Delivery: Caroline discusses the power of shifting from a traditional subject matter expert model to facilitating peer-to-peer learning. She encourages bringing learners into the process and giving them a seat at the table to help design solutions.Caroline offers a highly practical perspective on elevating the L&D function. If you want to learn how to secure a seat at the table and prove the commercial value of your training initiatives, this is a must-listen-to episode.Connect with Caroline on LinkedIn: Caroline Alderman (Freeman) Looking for a content library to help your team develop their productivity, communication, leadership skills and more? Check out assembleyou.com and follow us on LinkedIn.

In this insightful interview, Adam sits down with Kelly Rodrigues. Kelly is a multi-award-winning learning specialist currently at WebPros, with a diverse background spanning the arts, non-profits, and commercial sectors. She shares her unique journey from professional dancer to global L&D leader and discusses the transition from community-focused roles to the fast-paced corporate tech world.In this episode, Kelly discusses how to disrupt traditional corporate training methods and build a strategic learning function, including:Lessons from the Charity Sector: Kelly shares three key principles she brought from community work to the corporate sector: getting truly familiar with the problem, removing constraints to be resourceful ("there is no box"), and measuring impact through storytelling.Building an L&D Brand: Despite L&D sitting within HR at WebPros, Kelly emphasises the importance of creating a distinct brand and vision to move the team from order-takers to strategic business partners.Challenging the E-Learning Default: Kelly reveals she placed a "light ban" on e-learning to force her team to find the right solution rather than the easy one, citing examples where simple checklists or video workflows were far more effective.Upskilling Technical Trainers: How she is transforming a team of technical trainers into true learning designers by grounding them in adult learning principles and learning science.Measuring Real Impact: Kelly discusses moving beyond "happy sheets" to use the LTEM framework for evaluation, combining data with qualitative narratives to prove that L&D is not just a cost centre. Kelly offers a refreshing, candid look at the realities of modern L&D leadership. If you want to learn how to build a learning brand from scratch and challenge the status quo of "default" training solutions, this is a must-listen-to episode.Connect with Kelly on LinkedIn:  Kelly Rodrigues (Brown) CMgr MCMILooking for a content library to help your team develop their productivity, communication, leadership skills and more? Check out assembleyou.com and follow us on LinkedIn.

In this inspiring episode, Brigid speaks with Kate Jenkinson, an HR Director turned Business Poet and Creative Executive Coach.With over 25 years of experience in HR within engineering and science sectors, Kate now runs her own business, Next Step HR. She is a sought-after neurodiversity coach, spoken-word artist, and founder of the Poetry in Business Conference. Kate uniquely bridges the gap between the corporate world and the creative arts, using poetry as a tool for leadership development and organisational change.In this interview, Kate discusses how poetry and spoken word can transform the workplace, offering a fresh perspective on learning and engagement. She covers:Poetry as the Language of Learning: Kate explains that our brains are wired for poetry, referencing how we first learn through rhyme and rhythm in childhood. Spoken word has historically been a primary method of passing on information, making it naturally memorable and engaging.Emotional Literacy in Leadership: Kate argues that emotional literacy and the ability to name and recognise emotions are precursors to emotional intelligence. Poetry helps leaders tap into nuance and empathy, allowing them to understand complex people dynamics that logic alone cannot resolve.The "Spoken Word Finale": Kate shares her unique service, summarising entire conferences or events into a 5-8-minute spoken-word performance. This creative summary bypasses cognitive overload, anchors learning through emotion, and leaves a lasting impact on attendees.Creativity as a Business Asset: In an age of efficiency and AI, Kate emphasises that creativity is essential for resilience and innovation. She describes poetry as the "language of the messy middle"—the ambiguous space between where we are and where we want to be—helping people navigate change and uncertainty.Neurodiversity and Divergent Thinking: Reading and writing poetry develops divergent thinking, a key skill for problem-solving and leadership. It trains the brain to be comfortable with paradox and multiple possibilities.Kate invites us to reclaim creativity in the corporate world, proving that beauty and truth have a powerful place alongside efficiency. If you are looking for innovative ways to engage your workforce and develop more empathetic, resilient leaders, this is a must-listen-to episode.Connect with Kate on LinkedIn: Kate Jenkinson PhD, FCIPD | LinkedInLooking for a content library to help your team develop their productivity, communication, leadership skills and more? Check out assembleyou.com and follow us on LinkedIn.

In this enlightening episode, Adam is joined by Zavier Coyne and Patrick Quinton-Smith, the founders of Gen Z Coach. Zav is the youngest qualified master intuitive psychology coach in the world and a TEDx speaker. Patrick is a certified leadership trainer and ICF PCC coach who has led multiple high-performing teams globally. Together, they combine their expertise to help businesses bridge the gap between managers and the incoming generation of talent.In this interview, Zav and Patrick unpack the concept of "Generational Intelligence" and offer strategies for leaders to navigate the unique challenges of a digitally native workforce. They discuss:Reframing the "Problem": Zav argues that leaders should not view Gen Z as the problem, but rather understand that they are navigating a "polluted" digital environment. Leaders must look at the context—the water the fish is in—rather than just judging the fish.The Digitally Native Impact: As the first generation to grow up entirely with the internet and smartphones, Gen Z’s social and cognitive development has been uniquely conditioned. This has created an expectation for rapid feedback loops and instant gratification that often clashes with traditional workplace structures.No News is Bad News: Unlike previous generations where "no news was good news," Zav explains that for Gen Z, silence is interpreted as bad news. They are accustomed to instant, personalised feedback data in their personal lives and disengage when they encounter silence in the workplace.Generational Intelligence: The duo defines this as the behavioural and strategic skillset to effectively understand, empathise, and communicate across all age groups . This involves moving away from "command and control" leadership toward a coaching style that asks questions to stimulate thinking.The Trust Gap in Recruitment: Patrick highlights that many young people leave within the first 12 months because the reality of the role does not match the vision sold during recruitment. Authenticity is critical, as 87% of Gen Z will leave a role to do the exact same job elsewhere if the new company is more aligned with their values.Zav and Patrick provide a compelling case for evolving leadership styles to meet the speed of change in today's society. If you are a leader looking to improve retention, engagement, and productivity by better understanding your younger employees, this is a must-listen episode.Connect with Zav and Patrick on LinkedIn: Zavier Coyne & Patrick Quinton-Smith And check out Gen Z CoachLooking for a content library to help your team develop their productivity, communication, leadership skills and more? Check out assembleyou.com and follow us on LinkedIn.

In this excellent interview, Brigid sits down with Julia Jones of Altezza People UK.Julia is the founder of Altezza People UK, a leadership and emotional intelligence consultancy that uses embodied learning with horses to create measurable behavioural change. With a background in financial services and psychometrics, she combines commercial acumen with a passion for helping leaders and teams understand how their behaviour influences trust, communication, and performance.In this episode, Julia discusses the limitations of traditional classroom training and the power of embodied learning to shift behaviour. She provides a fascinating masterclass on using physical experience to drive culture change, including:Why Horses?: How horses act as mirrors to human energy and emotion, providing immediate feedback on leadership and behaviour that reveals what is really going on beneath the surface.Embodied Learning vs. Cognitive Learning: Julia explains why we are often "tired of the mind" and how engaging the body creates lasting "lightbulb moments"—similar to the permanent skill of learning to ride a bike.Psychological Safety: How removing teams from their usual environment and asking simple questions like "How are you feeling?" can uncover vulnerability and build immediate trust and safety.Bridging Generational Gaps: Using shared experiences to connect the "fluid intelligence" of younger workers with the "crystallised intelligence" of the ageing workforce to foster better communication.Measuring the Intangible: The critical need to move beyond "happy sheets" and link behavioural change and soft skills directly to business ROI and corporate objectives to prove value to the board.Julia offers a unique and refreshing perspective on how to achieve deep behavioural change. If you are looking to move beyond theory and truly transform your team's culture, this is a must-listen-to episode.Connect with Julia on LinkedIn: Julia Jones | LinkedInCheck out Altezza Training: https://altezzapeople.co.uk/Looking for a content library to help your team develop their productivity, communication, leadership skills and more? Check out assembleyou.com and follow us on LinkedIn.

In this excellent interview, Adam sits down with Nelson Sivalingam of HowNow.Nelson is the CEO and Co-founder of HowNow, a learning experience platform used by over 100 fast-growing companies and global enterprises. A serial entrepreneur and author of Learning at Speed, Nelson brings an outsider's perspective to L&D, challenging traditional approaches to solve the "mother of all problems": ensuring people have the right skills.In this episode, Nelson discusses the future of L&D, the role of AI, and the critical shift from content-focused to skills-focused learning. He offers a forward-thinking guide for modern learning professionals, including:The Problem with the LMS: Why traditional Learning Management Systems often fail to solve the real problems executives care about and why L&D must pivot to helping people actually do their jobs better.Skills with a "Little s": Nelson distinguishes between massive organisational transformations and the practical application of skills—starting with work tasks to determine relevant learning interventions.Scaling One-to-One Teaching with AI: How AI agents like HowNow's "Guru" can finally scale the personalised, high-quality teaching dynamic found in elite coaching, moving beyond just generating more content.The Self-Running Platform: The potential for AI to automate admin and answer complex data questions (e.g., "Has this focus skill improved?") without needing a data science degree, finally connecting learning to business ROI.From Instrument Player to Conductor: Nelson argues that the future L&D leader must stop being a "content factory" and start orchestrating an ecosystem of curated, credible resources and AI-generated learning aligned with business goals.Advice for New L&D Professionals: Nelson shares his top three tips for those entering the field: master AI tools to gain an edge, learn marketing skills to drive engagement, and—crucially—understand how the business actually operates.Nelson offers a visionary yet practical roadmap for L&D leaders ready to embrace technology and prove their strategic value. If you want to understand how AI and skills will shape the future of workplace learning, this is a must-listen-to episode.Connect with Nelson on LinkedIn:  Nelson SivalingamLooking for a content library to help your team develop their productivity, communication, leadership skills and more? Check out assembleyou.com and follow us on LinkedIn.

In this excellent interview, Brigid sits down with Neil Cunningham.Neil is a strategic L&D people partner at the Children's Investment Fund Foundation with over 15 years of experience across diverse sectors such as tech, comms, utilities, and philanthropy. His expertise lies in developing key capabilities, measuring learning impact, and driving digital L&D strategy.In this episode, Neil discusses the philosophy of where L&D belongs in an organisation and how to navigate major external challenges. He provides a masterclass on stakeholder management and agility, including:L&D’s Core Function: Neil defines the core function as helping people acquire the knowledge, skills, and behaviours they need to perform at their best, acting similarly to R&D by researching needs and developing solutions.Create Your Own Table: Rather than worrying about where L&D sits hierarchically or fighting for a "seat at the table," Neil advises creating your own table by inviting stakeholders to engage one-on-one.Moving from "Nice to Have" to Business Driver: How to shift from reporting on activity and enjoyment to telling a data story that demonstrates monetised ROI, productivity gains, or staff retention.Navigating Major Challenges: Neil offers three tips for handling crises or restructuring: ensure solutions are agile and can pivot quickly, remove your ego from the work, and keep your ear to the ground with senior stakeholders.Building Trust: Why trust is not something you can teach, but an output of your actions—doing what you say you will do until you reach a level where leaders refer others to you.Decenter Yourself: Neil’s key advice for anyone in the industry is to remember that L&D is a support function existing to make everyone else's lives better.Neil offers a pragmatic and ego-free approach to L&D that focuses on service and strategic partnership. If you want to learn how to build stronger relationships and respond effectively to organisational change, this is a must-listen-to episode.Connect with Neil on LinkedIn: Neil John Cunningham Looking for a content library to help your team develop their productivity, communication, leadership skills and more? Check out assembleyou.com and follow us on LinkedIn.

In this interview, Adam sits down with Abi Holmes of Assemble You.Abi is the Head of Content at Assemble You, bringing over a decade of experience in learning design. She has led teams creating blended programmes, bespoke solutions, and off-the-shelf learning, always with human-centred design at the heart of her work. She now leads the development of Assemble You's audio learning content, solving real organisational challenges from leadership to digital skills.In this episode, Abi discusses a groundbreaking approach to one of L&D's most dreaded topics: compliance training. She reveals how podcasts can transform this essential but often disengaging subject, including:The Problem with Traditional Compliance: Abi highlights why compliance training often fails—it's too legislation-heavy, irrelevant to daily roles, and seen as a "tick-box" exercise rather than a meaningful learning experience.A Human-Centred Approach: Discover how shifting the focus from the "what" (legislation) to the "why" (personal responsibility) makes learning stick. Abi advocates for using real-world scenarios and expert voices to bring dry topics to life.Compliance You Can Listen To: Learn about Assemble You's innovative audio-first compliance solution. Abi explains how they balance engaging, conversational storytelling with the necessary legislative rigour and robust assessment to ensure organisations remain compliant.Why Podcasts Work for Compliance: Abi argues that podcasts meet learners "where they are," fitting into their daily lives and making complex, intimidating topics approachable through conversation.Abi offers a fresh and practical perspective on reimagining mandatory training. If you are looking to make your compliance training more engaging, relevant, and effective, this is a must-listen-to episode.Connect with Abi on LinkedIn: Abi HolmesAnd check out our compliance lessons: https://www.assembleyou.com/products/compliance-trainingLooking for a content library to help your team develop their productivity, communication, leadership skills and more? Check out assembleyou.com and follow us on LinkedIn.

In this excellent interview, Brigid sits down with Nick Lennon-Barrett.Nick is an award-winning L&D leader with over 20 years of experience driving transformation and building learning cultures. He is the founder of Superpower Mastery and the bestselling author of Organised Chaos: Turbocharge Your ADHD Superpowers. This book blends memoir with practical self-development advice for neurodivergent professionals.In this episode, Nick shares his personal journey of being diagnosed with ADHD late in life and offers a masterclass on turning neurodivergent traits into corporate superpowers. He provides a practical guide for L&D leaders on building inclusive, agile, and human-centric learning environments, including:Reframing Neurodivergence: Nick explains how to shift the narrative from "perceived weaknesses" (like emotional regulation struggles) to "inherent strengths" (like hyperfocus, planning, and risk-taking) that can be nurtured into superpowers.The "Design, Deliver, Refine" Approach: How to balance business-as-usual with transformation by building flexible, scalable learning solutions that can pivot quickly, rather than relying on rigid end-to-end programs.Designing for Different Brains: Practical tips for creating neuro-inclusive learning, such as sending questions in advance, avoiding the "round robin" speaking format, and simply asking people how they prefer to learn.Embedded Inclusion: Nick argues that D&I shouldn't be just a standalone initiative, but rather embedded in everything L&D does—for example, featuring diverse characters in compliance training scenarios to make people feel seen.Human-Centric Skills in the AI Age: Why "soft skills" like emotional intelligence, curiosity, and inquisitiveness are becoming crucial survival skills in the age of AI, and how this plays to the strengths of many neurodivergent people.Nick offers an inspiring and actionable perspective on how to navigate the corporate world with neurodivergence and how L&D can build cultures where everyone's unique strengths can shine. If you want to learn how to unlock potential in yourself and your teams, this is a must-listen-to episode.Connect with Nick on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nicklennonbarrett/And check out: Website - Superpower MasteryBook - https://books2read.com/organisedchaosLooking for a content library to help your team develop their productivity, communication, leadership skills and more? Check out assembleyou.com and follow us on LinkedIn.

In this excellent interview, Adam sits down with Scott Parkin.Scott is the Group CEO of the Institute of Employability Professionals (IEP), an award-winning global body with a mission to support the professionals who help others gain, progress in, and retain work. With nearly 35 years of experience across employment, skills, and social care, Scott has expanded the IEP's reach globally, establishing Centres of Excellence in the UK, Canada, and Australia.In this episode, Scott explores the vital intersection of employability and skills development. He provides a masterclass on the art of supporting people into work, including:Defining Employability: Scott defines it as the professional "art" of supporting individuals to gain the skills needed to be active in their local labour market.Core Skills for Life: Discover the essential "soft" or "meta" skills that underpin success, including resilience, emotional intelligence, communication, and curiosity, and why these are just as critical as technical qualifications.Early Intervention: Scott advocates for introducing employability and core skills support as early as Year 7 in schools to prevent young people from becoming NEET (Not in Education, Employment, or Training).AI in Employability: A look at how AI is changing the sector, from reducing administrative burdens to coaching apps. Scott argues that AI should be used to free up time for more human connection, not replace it.Scott offers a deeply human perspective on a sector that is critical to social and economic well-being. If you are interested in the future of work, skills development, and the power of human connection, this is a must-listen-to episode.Connect with Scott on LinkedIn:  Scott Parkin FIEP FRSA Looking for a content library to help your team develop their productivity, communication, leadership skills and more? Check out assembleyou.com and follow us on LinkedIn.

In this excellent interview, Brigid sits down with Sharon Claffey-KalioubySharon is a seasoned L&D executive and HR Tech leader with over two decades of experience at organisations like Thomson Reuters, State Street Global Advisors, and Learning Pool. A passionate advocate for gender equity, she has spent the last 12 years championing the Women in Learning initiative, working to bridge the gap in female leadership within the industry.In this episode, Sharon delivers a powerful and data-backed masterclass on the state of women in the learning industry. She offers a compelling framework for closing the leadership gap, including:The Leadership Paradox: Sharon reveals the startling statistic that while women make up two-thirds of the L&D workforce, they hold only one-third of senior leadership roles—a disparity that is often hidden in plain sight.Redefining the "Queen Bee": Learn about the "Five Bs" framework for inclusive leadership: Benchmarking, Being Bold, Building Bridges, Breaking Barriers, and going Beyond.Women in Learning are Women in Tech: Sharon challenges the industry to reframe its identity, arguing that the vast majority of L&D roles involve significant technology, and women should confidently claim their space as "Women in Tech" (who represent only 25-28% of the global tech workforce).The ROI of Gender Equity: Discover the business case for diversity, citing the "sheet Index" which proves that companies with more women in C-suite and board positions are not just more inclusive, but more profitable.The AI Double-Edged Sword: A discussion on how AI can both obscure the truth through bias and be a powerful tool for efficiency and uncovering data—if driven by diverse teams with empathy.A Call to Action: Sharon invites listeners to contribute to the upcoming "State of the Industry" report, emphasising that owning your narrative and supporting others is the key to moving the entire industry forward.Sharon offers an inspiring and urgent call for women and allies to reshape the narrative of leadership in L&D. If you want to understand the true state of the industry and how to drive meaningful change, this is a must-listen-to episode.Connect with Sharon on LinkedIn: Sharon Claffey Kaliouby Looking for a content library to help your team develop their productivity, communication, leadership skills and more? Check out assembleyou.com and follow us on LinkedIn.

In this special episode, Assemble You Co-Founders Adam Lacey and Richard Ward step out from behind the interview chair for a raw, founder-to-founder conversation - sharing the practical lessons from building Assemble You that L&D leaders can apply immediately to increase adoption, influence stakeholders and drive behavioural change.Instead of theory or frameworks, this episode is built from real experience: testing ideas fast, getting buy-in, marketing learning internally, and building the conditions where development actually sticks.Adam and Rich explore what happens when L&D is run with a startup mindset - agile, learner-led, problem-focused and impact-driven. They break down the lessons, mistakes and mindset shifts that helped Assemble You scale audio-based learning into hundreds of organisations, and how the same thinking can help you accelerate progress with limited resource.In this episode, you’ll learn:- How to validate learning needs like a product team- Why managers - not content - often determine adoption- How to build internal champions who spread learning for you- Simple internal branding tactics that boost visibility- The power of minimal viable learning vs. over-engineering- How to influence stakeholders and stay strategic under pressure- Where to focus first when resource is tight- Why psychological safety fuels experimentation and growth- How to turn requests into patterns - and patterns into strategyIf you want your learning initiatives to spread faster, embed deeper and demonstrate value sooner, this one is worth your time. It’s an honest behind-the-scenes conversation designed to give L&D leaders clarity, confidence and practical shortcuts they can use straight away.If you love podcast-style learning, Assemble You gives you ready-to-use, audio-first courses that slot straight into your learning strategy.Help your workforce build practical skills - communication, productivity, leadership and more - with engaging content people actually want to listen to. Explore assembleyou.com and follow us on LinkedIn.

In this excellent interview, Brigid sits down with Kat Hayes.Kat is the Senior Director of People at Boden, the iconic British fashion brand. With a commercial mindset and a passion for practical, human-centred change, she works closely with the executive team to shape culture, strengthen leadership, and build sustainable talent across the UK and US.In this episode, Kat shares the story behind Boden’s highly successful "In Conversation With" series, a masterclass in driving employee engagement through storytelling and external perspective. She offers a practical guide for L&D leaders looking to replicate this impact, including:The Power of External Voices: Kat explains why bringing in speakers from outside the organisation—like fashion editors, Olympians, and industry experts—can often resonate more deeply with employees than internal messaging, especially on topics like career growth, resilience, and diversity.Building a Culture of Permission: Discover how Boden’s executive team actively role-models learning by attending sessions themselves and explicitly giving their teams permission to take an hour out of their week to listen, learn, and be inspired.Connecting People to Purpose: Hear the moving story of how a chance conversation between a guest speaker and a long-serving warehouse employee highlighted the deep human connection and sense of belonging that these events can foster.Crowdsourcing Creativity: Kat reveals how tapping into the personal networks of employees—from the exec team to affinity groups—has been the secret sauce for finding diverse and relevant speakers without a huge budget.Learning Beyond the Classroom: Learn how Boden is expanding its development initiatives, from using the Insights Discovery model to improve team collaboration to launching a cross-functional "Boden Academy" that connects head office staff with the reality of the factory floor.Practical Steps for Implementation: Kat offers actionable advice for any organisation wanting to start their own speaker series: start small, listen to what your people actually want to hear about, and don't be afraid to be creative with who you invite.Kat offers an inspiring and achievable blueprint for creating a learning culture that is engaging, inclusive, and deeply connected to the wider world. If you want to spark energy and conversation in your organisation, this is a must-listen-to episode.Connect with Kat on LinkedIn: Kat Hayes Looking for a content library to help your team develop their productivity, communication, leadership skills and more? Check out assembleyou.com and follow us on LinkedIn.

In this excellent interview, Adam sits down with Samah Salih.Samah is a strategic talent and learning leader with over 18 years of experience in FTSE 100 retail and corporate environments, including pivotal roles at Nestlé, BGA, River Island, and BT. She specialises in helping organisations build leadership pipelines and align people strategy with business goals to enable transformation at scale.In this episode, Samah discusses the unique challenges of executive leadership development. She provides a candid look at why senior leaders often struggle to prioritise their own growth and offers a back-to-basics framework for building resilient, empathetic leadership teams, including:The Executive Development Paradox: Samah explains why leaders are often "time-poor" and risk-averse, treating development as a secondary habit rather than a core responsibility."Fail Fast" vs. "Fail Well": Why the popular buzzword is often misunderstood, and how true growth comes from the pause, reflection, and accountability that follows a setback.The Power of the Coaching Mindset: Why great leaders move from "telling" to "asking." Samah argues that coaching is a fundamental skill for life, driving accountability and clarity in a complex world.Case Study in Success: A deep dive into a successful global leadership program at Nestlé, highlighting the importance of sponsorship, application processes, and applying frameworks to real-world business context.AI and Human Skills: While AI can drive efficiency, Samah discusses why it cannot replace the human need for empathy, difficult conversations, and authentic connection.Building Psychological Safety: How to foster trust through clarity, transparency, and consistency. Samah emphasises that trust should be given first, not just earned, and highlights the underrated power of kindness.Samah offers a deeply human and practical perspective on what it takes to lead at the highest levels. If you are looking to understand how to support and develop your executive team effectively, this is a must-listen-to episode.Connect with Samah on LinkedIn:  Samah S. Looking for a content library to help your team develop their productivity, communication, leadership skills and more? Check out assembleyou.com and follow us on LinkedIn.

In this excellent interview, Brigid sits down with Jez Anderson.With over 30 years in L&D as a manager, leader, and consultant, Jez has a deep passion for understanding how people learn. He specialises in digital learning technologies, informal learning, and creating cultures that foster curiosity and growth.In this episode, Jez draws on his extensive experience to provide a masterclass on the principles of effective learning design. He offers a thoughtful and practical guide for L&D professionals, including:Learning Design as Experience Design: Jez defines learning design not just as constructing content, but as creating learning experiences that engage, inspire, and empower people to make meaningful changes.Balancing Needs: He discusses the crucial (and often difficult) balance L&D must strike between meeting organisational objectives and catering to the individual learner's needs and how they best learn.Three Core Pedagogies: Jez outlines the spectrum of learning approaches, from traditional instructor-led methods to adult-centred (ecological) designs, and the learner-driven heutagogical model, advocating for a blended strategy.Keep It Simple, Focus on Context: Learn why effective design isn't about chasing the latest tech fad (like VR for VR's sake). Sometimes the best solution is simple and tailored to the learner's context, even if it's a well-designed PDF for shop-floor staff.Beyond Content Download: Discover how to make traditional classroom or synchronous virtual sessions more impactful by shifting the focus from instruction to facilitation, using methods like reverse classrooms, experiential activities, and scenario-based learning to embed knowledge and encourage application.The "So What?" Question: Jez emphasises the most critical question for any learning experience: "So what?" If learners can't articulate what they'll do differently as a result, the learning hasn't landed.Embracing Digital & Informal Learning: He stresses the importance of thinking digitally about the entire learner experience (not just the LMS) and fostering informal learning through communities of practice and social connection.Jez offers a pragmatic and experience-led perspective, grounding innovative ideas in the fundamental principles of good learning practice. If you want to design more impactful and engaging learning experiences, this is a must-listen-to episode.Connect with Jez on LinkedIn:  Jez Anderson Looking for a content library to help your team develop their productivity, communication, leadership skills and more? Check out assembleyou.com and follow us on LinkedIn.

In this excellent interview, Adam sits down with Adela Paun.Adela is a global L&D leader with over 15 years of experience, known for her pivotal role as a founding member of Spotify's L&D team, "The Greenhouse." During her 11+ years at Spotify, she witnessed and supported hypergrowth, scaling learning initiatives for thousands of employees globally while navigating the shift to a work-from-anywhere model.In this episode, Adela provides a rare inside look at building and scaling L&D within one of the world's fastest-growing tech companies. She offers a masterclass on creating a thriving learning culture amidst constant change, including:Laying the Tracks for Hypergrowth: Adela explains how the L&D team's mission was to enable learning "at the pace of change," acting as enablers, not bottlenecks, for Spotify's rapid expansion.Navigating the Pandemic Pivot: Adela details the strategic decisions made when shifting L&D entirely virtual, prioritising leadership support, rethinking content ("killing darlings"), and managing the chaos of adopting (and later consolidating) new learning technologies.Leveraging Leaders for Impact: Hear how Spotify strategically involved senior leaders in key learning programs to provide business context, model behaviour, and foster connection, trusting them to speak authentically.L&D as a Cultural Engine: Adela highlights how L&D initiatives like Introdays and intentionally diverse training cohorts actively built cross-functional connections and reinforced Spotify's collaborative culture.Adela offers a unique and invaluable perspective on the realities of high-growth L&D. If you want to understand how to build adaptable, impactful learning experiences that scale, this is a must-listen-to episode.Connect with Adela on LinkedIn:  Adela Paun Looking for a content library to help your team develop their productivity, communication, leadership skills and more? Check out assembleyou.com and follow us on LinkedIn.

In this excellent interview, Brigid sits down with Anita Anthonj.Anita is the co-founder of Talaera, a New York-based business communication and cultural training company. Drawing on her own experience moving from Germany to the US, she has deep expertise in the challenges and opportunities of cross-cultural communication in a global business environment.In this episode, Anita provides a masterclass on why effective communication is not a "nice-to-have" but a business-critical "need-to-have." She offers a powerful framework for L&D leaders looking to foster connection and drive impact, including:Building Bridges, Not Barriers: Anita defines cross-cultural communication as recognizing that "your way is not the only way." It's about empathy, curiosity, and building connections across different lived experiences.The Challenges for Non-Native Speakers: Learn about the invisible hurdles non-native speakers face, from the mental processing delay in fast-paced meetings to the difficulty of bringing their "whole self" to work in a foreign language.Communication is ROI: Discover how effective communication is directly tied to business outcomes. Anita shares real-world examples of how improved communication skills can decrease customer call times, build stronger client relationships, and save significant money.A Bespoke, Not One-Size-Fits-All Approach: Anita explains why communication training is most effective when it’s customised to an organisation's specific pain points, using a blend of one-on-one coaching, group workshops, and scalable digital solutions.A Practical Guide for L&D: Get actionable advice on how L&D teams can champion communication training, from going on a "listening tour" to identify needs, to starting with small, high-impact pilots to prove the concept and demonstrate value.Why Communication Matters More Than Ever: In a volatile world with AI, hybrid work, and multiple generations in the workplace, Anita argues that human connection is the most critical skill, and investing in communication signals to employees that they are valued.Anita offers a compelling and practical guide to unlocking the power of communication in your organisation. If you want to learn how to build trust, foster connection, and drive measurable business impact, this is a must-listen-to episode.Connect with Anita on LinkedIn: Anita Anthonj Check out: https://talaera.com/Looking for a content library to help your team develop their productivity, communication, leadership skills and more? Check out assembleyou.com and follow us on LinkedIn.

In this excellent interview, Adam sits down with Ashley Robinson of Virgin Media/O2.Ashley is the Strategic Learning & Operational Lead at Virgin Media/O2, bringing a wealth of experience as a senior digital technology professional and project manager. He specialises in implementing learning systems globally, improving employee attainment, and demonstrating clear ROI across diverse workforces, including corporate and frontline staff.In this episode, Ashley draws on his journey from web developer to L&D leader to provide a masterclass on successfully implementing learning technology, especially at scale. Included in this weeks’ episode: The Power of Consultation: Ashley identifies the biggest challenge in tech rollouts: organisations failing to include all user archetypes (especially frontline workers) in the initial consultation and decision-making process.The Blueprint of a Successful Rollout: Learn why involving diverse working groups from the start, getting them in front of vendors, and facilitating collective reflection is crucial for building buy-in and creating internal champions.Marketing Beyond the Launch: Ashley stresses that the real work begins after implementation. Success requires ongoing, engaging communication and leveraging early champions to build grassroots momentum.Cracking the Frontline Code: Discover why accessibility and authentication are the most critical, yet often overlooked, factors for engaging frontline workers who might not have corporate devices or dedicated learning time.Lessons from Failed Rollouts: Ashley shares examples where lack of user consultation and unaddressed access issues killed adoption within the launch window.Speaking the Language of ROI: Understand the two key approaches to justifying investment: direct ROI (easily measured in areas like Sales) and indirect ROI (the strategic cost of not investing in people, impacting talent attraction/retention).Ashley provides a candid, practical, and highly valuable guide for anyone involved in selecting, implementing, or driving adoption for learning technology. If you want to avoid common pitfalls and ensure your next tech rollout lands successfully, this is a must-listen-to episode.Connect with Ashley on LinkedIn: Ashley RobinsonLooking for a content library to help your team develop their productivity, communication, leadership skills and more? Check out assembleyou.com and follow us on LinkedIn.

In this excellent interview, Brigid sits down with Dan Philips.Dan is a highly experienced L&D consultant with a deep background in psychology and behavioural change. For the last 15 years, he has specialised in using the Insights Discovery model to help individuals, teams, and leaders improve their self-awareness, communication, and collaboration.In this episode, Dan provides a masterclass on the Insights Discovery model, a powerful personality profiling tool that uses a simple language of four colour energies to unlock profound behavioural change. He provides a comprehensive guide for L&D professionals, including:What is the Insights Discovery Model?: Dan explains the Jungian-based model and its four core colour energies: Cool Blue (detail and clarity), Sunshine Yellow (innovation and collaboration), Fiery Red (action and decisions), and Earth Green (values and trust).The Power of the Team Wheel: Discover how the model visually plots entire teams, helping individuals understand their colleagues' preferences and what it’s "like to be on the receiving end of me."Beyond a "Fun" Team Day: Dan stresses that while the model is engaging, its true power comes from aligning it with specific business challenges—from improving stakeholder communication and breaking down silos to enhancing leadership effectiveness.A Common Language for Feedback: Learn how the language of colour helps to depersonalise feedback, allowing for more open and constructive conversations that reduce interpersonal tension.Driving Real Business Value: Discover how improving self-awareness and collaboration directly impacts the bottom line by increasing employee engagement, reducing turnover, and saving money.How L&D Can Leverage the Model: Dan provides practical use cases for integrating Insights into leadership development, change management, one-to-one coaching, and even for an L&D team's own self-reflection.Dan offers a clear and practical guide to a tool that gets to the heart of what drives business success: how people work effectively together. If you are looking for a framework to improve communication and team dynamics, this is a must-listen-to episode.Connect with Dan on LinkedIn:  Dan PhilipsAnd check out: Kings Hurst ConsultingA short introduction to Insights DiscoveryInsights websiteLooking for a content library to help your team develop their productivity, communication, leadership skills and more? Check out assembleyou.com and follow us on LinkedIn.

In this excellent interview, Adam sits down with Sybrand Oudega.Sybrand is a global learning and talent development leader with 25 years of international experience at iconic brands like Nokia, Microsoft, and Adidas. As the former Senior Director of the Global Sales Academy at Adidas, he was responsible for the skills and performance of over 35,000 employees across 75 countries and 37 languages.In this episode, Sybrand provides a masterclass on how to design learning programs that scale globally while connecting locally. He shares the hard-won lessons from his extensive career, including:The Golden Rule of Global L&D: Sybrand explains his core principle: the success of a global team is not defined by what they create, but by how successful they make the local market teams. It’s a shift from dictating to enabling.Balancing Consistency and Autonomy: Discover how to maintain a consistent global brand and core frameworks (like a service model or leadership principles) while empowering local teams to adapt the application of these skills to fit their unique cultural context.The Power of Partnership: Learn why the most critical factor for success is building strong, trust-based partnerships with local market teams and involving them directly in the design and validation process.Scaling the Trainers: Sybrand details the 20-week global trainer certification program his team created to build a common language and skill set across 120 trainers, ensuring that when they localised content, they did so without compromising its integrity.The Technology Game-Changer: Hear how advancements in AI-powered video translation completely transformed their ability to deliver relevant, timely product training, causing content engagement to spike.Lessons in Cultural Nuance: Sybrand shares his personal experience of learning the hard way that a direct, Western approach to feedback doesn't work everywhere, and references Geert Hofstede's six dimensions of culture as a valuable resource.Sybrand offers an incredibly insightful and practical guide for any L&D professional operating in a multi-national environment. If you are looking to create learning that is both globally efficient and locally effective, this is a must-listen-to episode.Connect with Sybrand on LinkedIn:  Sybrand Oudega And check out Geert Hofstede's six dimensions of culture: The 6 dimensions model of national culture by Geert HofstedeLooking for a content library to help your team develop their productivity, communication, leadership skills and more? Check out assembleyou.com and follow us on LinkedIn.

In this excellent interview, Brigid sits down with Nahdia Khan.Nahdia is a strategic advisor and purpose-driven leader with over 20 years of experience in digital learning, public policy, and executive education. As the former Chief Impact Officer at Mind Tools, she has deep expertise in transforming customer relationships into vibrant communities of practice that drive both engagement and commercial success.In this episode, Nahdia provides a masterclass on the power of Learning Communities of Practice, built on her core belief that "people learn best when they're connected." She offers a comprehensive guide for anyone looking to build and sustain a thriving community, including:What is a Learning Community of Practice?: Nahdia defines it as a group of people sharing a common challenge or passion who come together regularly to learn from each other through a blend of peer learning, co-creation, and applied practice.The Key Ingredients for Success: Discover the essential elements needed to build a successful community, including trust, transparency, psychological safety, and co-creation, with the ultimate goal of the community becoming self-managing.A Practical Guide to Getting Started: Nahdia outlines a step-by-step process for building a community from scratch, from defining the problem you're solving to doing market research and involving members from the very beginning."Living Labs for Insight": Learn how communities solve critical challenges for L&D teams by serving as a real-time source of feedback, a space to test ideas, and a way to have nuanced, hype-free conversations on fast-moving topics like AI.How to Measure Success: Nahdia breaks down measurement into three key layers: engagement (participation rates), value (member feedback and stories of applied learning), and impact (contribution to business outcomes).The Future is Connection: Nahdia makes a powerful case for why communities are not a "nice-to-have" but a "must-have," arguing that the most sustainable asset an organization can build is the connection between its people.Nahdia offers an inspiring and actionable framework for creating powerful learning communities. If you believe in the power of connection and want to foster collaborative learning, this is a must-listen-to episode.Connect with Nahdia on LinkedIn: Nahdia Khan Looking for a content library to help your team develop their productivity, communication, leadership skills and more? Check out assembleyou.com and follow us on LinkedIn.

The Summer of Learning: Building an AI-Ready, Experimental Culture at Immediate with Kathryn SwandaleIn this fascinating interview, Adam is joined by Kathryn (Katie) Swandale, Senior Learning and Development Partner at Immediate. Immediate is a major publishing group known for brands like Radio Times, Good Food, and BBC Gardeners’ World. With over a decade of experience designing and delivering strategically aligned experiential learning,In this strategic and practical episode, Katie walks through the initiative's evolution, sharing the nuts and bolts of how they achieved an 86% AI adoption rate among employees, a figure significantly above the industry average.Key takeaways from this masterclass in strategic L&D and cultural change:Genesis: The initiative was sparked by the impact of generative AI, forcing Immediate to address a potential AI skills gap and meet people where they were on their learning journey.Program Structure: The eight-week program features an Immersion Day, self-serve workshops linked to five strategic themes, and dedicated Experimentation Days for safe project ideation.Driving Engagement: High engagement is ensured by strong leadership backing and Subject Matter Experts. Crucially, all activities are made tangible and clearly linked to the business strategyConnect with Katie on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kathryn-swandale/Looking for a content library to help your team develop their productivity, communication, leadership skills and more? Check out assembleyou.com and follow us on LinkedIn

In this excellent interview, Brigid sits down with Lindsey Coode and Funmi O'Dell of Learning Pool.Lindsey is Learning Pool’s Director of Content Software, with over 25 years of experience in learning design and technology. Funmi is a Product Manager at Learning Pool, specializing in shaping impactful digital learning and compliance solutions with a deep background in product development and UX design.In this episode, Lindsey and Funmi break down the core concepts of experience design and product innovation, explaining how these disciplines are transforming the L&D landscape. They provide a masterclass in product thinking for learning professionals, including:The Cereal Analogy: Funmi provides a brilliant and simple way to understand the difference between content (the cereal), user interface (the bowl and spoon), and experience design (the entire end-to-end feeling of eating it).The Goal is to "Delight Learners": Lindsey explains how experience design in learning moves beyond just knowledge transfer to focus on how the experience makes people feel, which is critical for both engagement and impact.Innovation vs. Invention: Learn why innovation isn't about creating something from scratch, but about applying existing ideas and technologies in new ways to solve real problems.Practical Techniques to Spark Creativity: Discover actionable brainstorming methods like "Worst Possible Idea," "Brain Writing," and "Working Alone Together" to generate better ideas and ensure all voices are heard.The Role of AI: Lindsey and Funmi discuss how AI is used both in their products (for role-plays and feedback) and in their process (as a "brainstorm buddy"), and why the question isn't just can we use AI, but should we?Lindsey and Funmi offer a clear and accessible guide to the skills and mindset needed to innovate in L&D. If you want to understand how to design more impactful and engaging learning experiences, this is a must-listen-to episode.Connect with Lindsey and Funmi on LinkedIn: Lindsey Coode & Funmi Wendel Looking for a content library to help your team develop their productivity, communication, leadership skills and more? Check out assembleyou.com and follow us on LinkedIn.

In this excellent interview, Adam sits down with digitial learning industry leader, Peter Riber.Peter is the Head of New Tech and Digital Learning Solutions at Novo Nordisk and is known for being at the forefront of technological innovation in L&D. Over the last two years, he and his team have pivoted to building and deploying internal Generative AI agents to tackle long-standing challenges in the workplace.In this episode, Peter shares the behind-the-scenes story of how his team moved from managing learning platforms to building bespoke AI coaches. He provides a masterclass on the practical application of GenAI in a large enterprise, including:The “Dilemma Coach”: Discover the AI agent Peter’s team has successfully deployed, which allows employees to practice difficult conversations in a safe, private, and contextual environment.Why Build When You Can Buy?: Peter explains the critical, non-negotiable reason for building internally: context. Learn why an AI trained on your company’s unique values, policies, and culture is the key to creating a believable and effective experience.Safety and Trust are #1: Hear about the meticulous process of ensuring user data is secure and building trust through early user testing and clear, human-centric communication.The Future is Career Coaching: Peter unveils his next ambition: an AI-powered career coach that connects employees to internal opportunities based on a rich, contextual skills assessment conducted by the AI itself.Lessons from the Trenches: Learn why you don’t need all the data to create a powerful AI experience, and why L&D must avoid over-engineering solutions.A Practical Guide to Getting Started: Peter provides clear, actionable advice for any L&D professional wanting to experiment with AI: start small, build a tangible prototype (not a PowerPoint), and educate yourself on the technology.Peter offers a rare and candid look into what it truly takes to move beyond the hype and implement generative AI in L&D. If you are looking for an inspiring and practical guide to building your own AI solutions, this is a must-listen-to episode.Connect with Peter on LinkedIn: Peter RiberLooking for a content library to help your team develop their productivity, communication, leadership skills and more? Check out assembleyou.com and follow us on LinkedIn.

In this excellent interview, Brigid sits down with Lavinia Mehedințu of Offbeat.Lavinia is a co-founder and Learning Architect at Offbeat, with 12 years of experience designing learning experiences and career development programs. She specialises in applying adult learning principles to help L&D professionals connect, collaborate, and grow.In this episode, Lavinia challenges the popular buzzword "learning culture" and offers a more tangible, systemic alternative. Lavinia provides a masterclass in systems thinking for L&D, including:Deconstructing "Learning Culture": Why the concept is often too nebulous to be useful and why the responsibility for creating it can't fall on L&D alone.The Four Conditions for Learning: Lavinia outlines the tangible elements that truly shape learning in an organisation: structure, procedures, information flow, and incentives.Introducing Learning Architecture: A more systemic approach that focuses on identifying and removing blockers to learning and adaptation across the entire organization.The Sensemaking Cycle: How to move from raw data to real impact through a cycle of sensing information, making sense of it collaboratively, experimenting with small changes, and scaling what works.The Role of AI: How AI can free up L&D to become true learning architects, improve information flow, and how organisations must now manage learning from both humans and machines.Lavinia provides a clear, actionable framework for moving beyond buzzwords to build organisations that truly learn. If you are looking for a more practical and systemic way to foster learning, this is a must-listen-to episode.Connect with Lavinia on LinkedIn:  Lavinia Mehedințu And check out OffBeat: Offbeat Learning & Development PlatformLooking for a content library to help your team develop their productivity, communication, leadership skills and more? Check out assembleyou.com and follow us on LinkedIn.

In this excellent interview, Adam sits down with Pooja Shemar.Pooja is a senior L&D leader and passionate mental health advocate with over 20 years of experience, including 17 years driving transformation at Microsoft. Fuelled by her own personal journey, Pooja is on a mission to normalise conversations around mental health in the workplace, creating environments where people can truly thrive.In this powerful and practical episode, Pooja shares her personal story and provides an essential guide to Mental Health First Aid (MHFA). She offers a masterclass in creating psychologically safe spaces, including:What is Mental Health First Aid?: Pooja breaks down the role of an MHFAider – not as a therapist, but as a crucial first point of contact to recognise signs, offer support, and guide colleagues toward professional help.How to Spot an Issue: Learn the simple, observable steps to recognise when a colleague might be struggling, centered around the powerful question: "Are you okay?"A Practical Toolkit for Offering Support: Pooja provides a step-by-step guide on how to help, including how to create a safe space, listen without judgment, show empathy, and encourage without forcing.Starting with Care, Not Assumptions: Discover the importance of framing conversations with concern for the individual, rather than labelling their behaviour or assuming you know what they're going through.How L&D Can Lead the Charge: Pooja outlines actionable ways L&D and HR can champion mental health, from embedding it in onboarding to making it a top-down leadership responsibility.The Power of Language: A crucial reminder to be mindful of casually using terms like "depressed" or "anxious," and the impact this can have on those with lived experience.Pooja offers a deeply human and actionable framework for anyone looking to build a more supportive and mentally healthy workplace. If you want to learn how to open up the conversation and make a real difference, this is a must-listen-to episode. Connect with Pooja on LinkedIn: Pooja Mehta Shemar (FLPI) Looking for a content library to help your team develop their productivity, communication, leadership skills and more? Check out assembleyou.com and follow us on LinkedIn.

In this excellent interview, Brigid sits down with Jayne Mather.Jayne is an author, consultant, and expert in technology adoption, focusing on digital transformation and intelligent automation. She is the author of Humans and AI: The Future of Work and Super User Networks for Software Projects and specialises in helping businesses integrate emerging technologies to deliver long-term value.In this episode, Jayne walks Brigid through understanding and leveraging AI within learning and the wider organisation. Jayne gives a masterclass on the practical application and human side of AI, including:The "Netflix of Learning": How AI and machine learning can finally deliver on the promise of creating truly personalised learning paths for employees.The Gift of Time: What organisations should do with the time they gain from AI, including re-skilling for the future and moving toward a four-day work week.Moving from Insight to Impact: Using AI to rapidly analyse data (like training evaluations) so your people can focus on high-value, strategic work.Practical Ways to Start: How to begin exploring AI, from experimenting with prompts to training chatbots on your own company policies and procedures.The Importance of Trust: Why technology projects must be done with people, not to them, and how to get buy-in for AI adoption.Diversity in AI: Jayne discusses the risks of biased AI and why having diverse perspectives at the table is crucial for creating technology that benefits everyone.Jayne provides a clear, strategic framework for thinking about AI. This is a must-listen episode if you want to understand how AI will shape the future of work and L&D.Connect with Jayne on LinkedIn: Jayne Mather And check out her website: Jayne Mather - Author | Speaker Jayne's books: Humans and AI: The Future of WorkSuper User Networks for Software Projects: Best practices for training and change managementLooking for a content library to help your team develop their productivity, communication, leadership skills and more? Check out assembleyou.com and follow us on LinkedIn.

In this excellent interview, Adam sits down with Dwayne Britton of DayWon.Dwayne is a seasoned expert in learning, brand, and culture with over 15 years of experience at iconic, people-first companies like Apple, Lululemon, and On. Now, through his consultancy, DayWon, he helps growing organisations align their learning initiatives with their unique brand culture.In this episode, Dwayne draws on his non-linear career to explain why L&D's role is not just to create content, but to act as a "cultural amplifier." He provides a masterclass on integrating brand identity into learning, including:The “Signature Brew” Model: Dwayne unveils his signature framework for creating impactful learning experiences that hit the sweet spot between three crucial realms: Strategic, Brand, and Human.Creating a Learning Philosophy: Learn why every organisation needs a clear point of view on "how people grow here" to avoid siloed, off-brand training and to build momentum behind learning.Making it Practical: Dwayne walks through a step-by-step example of applying his model to a common L&D request—feedback training—showing how to tie it to strategic KPIs, adapt it for brand and cultural fit, and make it resonate on a human level.From Sidelined to Strategic Partner: Actionable advice for L&D leaders who feel like a "training team" on the sidelines. Dwayne explains how to reclaim your strategic role by making your impact visible across the business.Dwayne offers a powerful perspective on how L&D can move beyond being a support function to become a core driver of culture and brand. If you are looking for a practical framework to elevate your strategic influence, this is a must-listen-to episode.Connect with Dwanye on LinkedIn:  Dwayne Britton And check out the mini needs analysis: https://www.daywon.co/blog/translating-great-ideas-into-learning-that-belongsDAYWON website: https://www.daywon.co/Looking for a content library to help your team develop their productivity, communication, leadership skills and more? Check out assembleyou.com and follow us on LinkedIn.

In this excellent interview, Brigid sits down with Barry Ryan of Thirst.Barry is a seasoned marketer turned L&D advocate and is the Head of Marketing at Thirst, the learning platform built for SMEs. With a deep background in B2B marketing, Barry is on a mission to help L&D teams think more like marketers to drive real impact and boost learner engagement.In this episode, Barry talks Brigid through how to apply marketing principles to L&D. Barry covers the core challenges L&D professionals face and how to overcome them, including:Know your audience: How to create and use learner personas to ensure you’re not "shooting in the dark."Content is king, but relevance is queen: Why great content is useless if it doesn't solve a problem for your learners.Engagement funnels equal learning journeys: Practical tips on how to build campaign momentum using hooks, segmentation, strong visuals, and repurposed content.Social proof and internal advocacy: Using testimonials, success stories, and internal influencers to build trust, credibility, and a fear of missing out (FOMO).Measure what matters: Moving beyond completion rates to track metrics like engagement, behaviour change, and long-term retention to prove and increase L&D's value.Barry gives practical advice on how to build and manage learning campaigns and highlights the commonalities between marketing and L&D. If you are looking to drive engagement with your learning, this is a must-listen-to episode.Connect with Barry on LinkedIn: Barry Ryan Looking for a content library to help your team develop their productivity, communication, leadership skills and more? Check out assembleyou.com and follow us on LinkedIn.

In this excellent interview, Adam sits down with Sarah Clayton Jones.Sarah is the Founder and CEO of Read to Lead, an organisation that delivers book-inspired peer learning experiences to develop human-skilled leaders and connected teams. With over 20 years of experience leading teams at global organisations, including VW and Accenture, Sarah is an ICF-accredited performance coach, facilitator, and certified NLP and neuroscience practitioner.In this episode, Sarah talks Adam through why it's business-critical to get people to think differently and how to overcome the common barriers that stand in the way. Sarah shares her journey into L&D and explains her unique, book-led approach to fostering cognitive diversity and creating a culture of curiosity.In this episode, Sarah and Adam cover:Why thinking differently is essential for organisational growth, innovation, and resilience.The common barriers to new ways of thinking, including the need for certainty and a lack of psychological safety.How to use books and structured, peer-led dialogue to catalyse change.Practical tips for designing learning experiences that provoke thinking shifts, focusing on "one insight, one action".Approaches to measuring the impact and ROI of developing human skills.Sarah gives practical advice on how to build a culture of curiosity and connection by challenging assumptions and making it safe to explore new ideas. If you are looking to spark innovation in your teams, this is a must-listen-to episode.Connect with Sarah on LinkedIn:  Sarah Clayton-Jones, FLPIFind out more about Read to Lead: Read To LeadLooking for a content library to help your team develop their productivity, communication, leadership skills and more? Check out assembleyou.com and follow us on LinkedIn.

In this episode of The Assembly, host Brigid sits down with Susi Miller, an internationally recognised expert in e-learning accessibility and the award-winning author of Designing Accessible Learning Content. With over 30 years of experience, Susi breaks down the essentials of creating digital learning that is not just compliant, but truly inclusive and effective for all learners.Together, Brigid and Susi unpack:The true meaning of accessibility—moving beyond compliance to create genuinely equitable experiences.Why up to 25% of your workforce may be facing learning barriers you don’t even know about.Practical, real-world examples of accessible design for sight, hearing, motor, and cognitive needs.How embracing accessibility leads to innovation and better learning design for everyone.The power of "Quiet Access-ability" and making an impact, one learner at a time.Actionable starting points for practitioners, including the "progress over perfection" mindset.Whether you're an instructional designer, an L&D leader, or anyone creating digital content, this episode is an essential guide to understanding why accessibility must be the default, not an afterthought.Connect with Susi on LinkedIn: Susi Miller Designing Accessible Learning Content eLa1000 Accessibility AssessmentLooking for a content library to help your team develop their productivity, communication, leadership skills and more? Check out assembleyou.com and follow us on LinkedIn.

In this interview, Adam sits down with Will Thalheimer, a world-renowned expert in learning science, learning evaluation, and evidence-based practice in L&D.Will is the founder of Work-Learning Research, a respected speaker, and the creator of the Learning Transfer Evaluation Model (LTEM). He is also the author of Performance-Focused Learner Surveys and his latest release, The CEO’s Guide to Training, eLearning and Work: Empowering Learning for a Competitive Advantage.In this episode, Will explains how L&D professionals can better partner with business leaders by focusing on strategic impact. He unpacks the thinking behind his latest book, written specifically to help CEOs—and L&D teams—understand how to drive competitive advantage through better learning.Will talks Adam through:How to speak the language of business without losing your L&D soulWhy competitive advantage is a powerful frame for L&D’s valueThe limitations of learner surveys—and what to measure insteadHow to influence senior leaders using evidence-based learning principlesPractical ways to push back on poor training requests with tact and structureThe importance of empowering managers to support continuous learningWhy L&D needs more emotional intelligence and communityWill also explains how to use LTEM to evaluate learning in a meaningful way and shares actionable strategies for building stronger learning interventions grounded in the science of retention, decision-making, and performance.This episode is packed with energising insights for learning professionals at any level. Whether you’re leading a function or just starting out, Will’s advice is a must-listen if you want to deepen your impact and influence in your organisation.Connect with Will on LinkedIn:  https://www.linkedin.com/in/john-hinchliffe-yourskillshub/ And check out Work-Learning Research: Work-Learning ResearchMore information on LTEMLooking for a content library to help your team develop their productivity, communication, leadership skills and more? Check out assembleyou.com and follow us on LinkedIn.

In this episode of L&D 101, host Brigid McCormack sits down with renowned senior learning strategist Lori Niles-Hofmann to demystify the big shifts shaping Learning and Development today. With over 25 years of experience across international banking, consulting, and marketing, Lori offers a compelling look into the evolving world of L&D—from digital acceleration to AI and skills-based transformation.Together, Brigid and Lori unpack:The three seismic shifts reshaping L&D post-pandemicWhy skills—not job titles—are the future of workforce strategyWhat L&D professionals really need to know about AI and AI agentsHow to track and recalibrate skills over time like a supply chainActionable tools and trusted resources for those new to the fieldWhy the human element will always be at the heart of learning—even in an AI-driven worldWhether you're new to the industry or a seasoned pro navigating change, this episode is packed with practical insight and perspective on the path forward in L&D.Connect with Lori on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lorinileshofmann/Looking for a content library to help your team develop their productivity, communication, leadership skills and more? Check out assembleyou.com and follow us on LinkedIn.

In this excellent interview, Adam sits down with Jez Light of Ground Control.Jez is an award-winning learning leader, known for his transformational approach to L&D. He is Head of Learning and a member of the executive team at Ground Control, a national maintenance and construction company operating across the UK. Jez previously led learning for global brands including Phones4U and Superdry, where his work won a CIPD People Management Award.At Ground Control, Jez has reimagined L&D—moving it from compliance-driven training to a vibrant, learner-first culture that supports everyone, from apprentices to senior leaders.In this episode, Jez walks Adam through how he’s rebuilt learning at scale. He shares the tools, tone, and thinking behind GC Academy, and how he transformed a dormant apprenticeship levy into a major engine for growth and retention.Jez covers:How to rebrand L&D to engage the whole businessCreative strategies to make learning accessible, flexible and funTurning the apprenticeship levy into a company-wide perkPractical systems for tracking ROI and learner impactBuilding psychological safety inside L&D teamsJez gives honest, inspiring, and refreshingly practical advice on how to create a learning culture people genuinely use—and love. If you’re trying to get your L&D function listened to, this is a must-listen episode.Connect with Jez on LinkedIn:  https://www.linkedin.com/in/jez-light-07150249/Looking for a content library to help your team develop their productivity, communication, leadership skills and more? Check out assembleyou.com and follow us on LinkedIn.