PODCAST · business
The Learning+ Podcast
by Learnnovators
This podcast brings you conversations with experts from within the field of L&D and beyond, uncovering innovative ideas from unexpected places. Discover fresh approaches to learning and development that challenge the status quo. Brought to you by Learnnovators, your one-stop-shop for all things L&D.
Episodes
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Ep. 44: Building Reflection into the Structure of Training with Katrina Kennedy
Reflection is praised often and cut first when time runs short. Katrina Kennedy, author of Learning That Lasts, has spent over 25 years helping trainers and subject matter experts design learning that sticks. In this conversation, she shares why facilitators who talk less tend to have more…
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Ep. 43: Making Learning Stick with Chris Taylor
What actually makes behavior change stick after a learning session ends? Chris Taylor joins Learning+ to share findings from close to a million data points on behavior change commitments. Vidya and Chris explore the "big E" environment (culture, systems) versus the "small e" environment (the…
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Ep. 42: Putting Skills to Work with Ryan Tracey
Everyone is talking about skills. But what does it actually take to build a skills-based learning strategy that improves performance? In this episode, Ryan Tracey introduces his five-stage model for implementing a skills-based learning strategy and explains why validation - not course completion…
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Ep. 41: Designing for Learning Transfer with Melanie Martinelli
Only a small percentage of what people learn in training ever gets applied at work. In this episode of the Learning+ Podcast, Srividya Kumar speaks with Melanie Martinelli about why that gap continues to exist and what organizations can realistically do about it. The conversation explores manager...
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Ep. 40: Where Learning Science Meets Real-World Design with Dr. Kripa Sundar
What does it really take to use learning science in the real world? In this episode, Srividya Kumar speaks with Dr. Kripa Sundar about the gap between research and practice. They explore why research often enters too late, how “learning science-based” products oversimplify evidence, and why…
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Ep. 39: Designing for Impact in Non-Profit Learning with Heather Burright
In this episode, Vidya speaks with Heather Burright about what it really takes to design learning in complex, mission-driven environments. They explore how L&D shifts when authority is limited and influence becomes essential, especially in federated nonprofit structures. The conversation touches…
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Ep. 38: Using Storytelling Thoughtfully in Learning Design with Ajay Jacob
In this episode, Srividya Kumar and Ajay Jacob explore storytelling as a strategic skill in learning design. Their conversation moves beyond the usual advice about making learning “engaging” and looks more closely at what stories actually do for understanding and behavior change. They discuss…
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Ep. 37: Learning, Systems, and the Design of Work with Michael Snelgrove (Part 2)
In Part 2 of this two-part conversation, Vidya and Michael Snelgrove explore how organizational systems shape behavior. They discuss structural stupidity, incentives, and the hidden priorities that influence decisions in workplaces. Michael shares how small signals can reveal deeper systemic...
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Ep. 36: Learning, Systems, and the Design of Work with Michael Snelgrove (Part 1)
In Part 1 of this two-part conversation, Vidya speaks with Michael Snelgrove about how learning and performance actually work under real conditions. Drawing on experiences from high-impact settings, including work connected to bomb defusal in Afghanistan and offshore sailing, Michael challenges...
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Ep. 35: Making Sense of Learning Science in Practice with Dr. Alice Kim
What does it really mean to say that learning “works”? In this episode of Learning+, Vidya speaks with learning scientist Dr. Alice Kim about the assumptions we often make when designing learning experiences. Together, they explore why effort is not a flaw in learning but a requirement, why...
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Ep. 34: From Tools to Transformation: Making Learning Work at an Org. Level with Lori Niles-Hofmann
What does real transformation in learning actually look like… beyond new platforms and better interfaces? In this episode, Vidya speaks with Lori Niles-Hofmann about why so many transformation efforts stall, even with the right tools in place. They explore what happens when organizations focus on...
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Ep. 33: From Helpful to Strategic in L&D with Jess Almlie
In this episode of the Learning+ Podcast, Jess Almlie joins Vidya for a thoughtful conversation about what it really takes for L&D to move from being a service function to a strategic partner. Together, they explore how well-intentioned habits can limit L&D’s influence, why saying “yes” isn’t...
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Ep. 32: Bringing Learning Science into the Talent Cycle with Dr. Cynthia Nebel
In this episode, Dr. Cynthia Nebel joins Vidya to explore how learning science can reshape the entire talent cycle, from onboarding and leadership development to retention and even exits. They discuss why effective learning often feels effortful, how spaced retrieval strengthens real-world...
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Ep. 31: Beyond Learning Styles: Designing for Context, Not Labels with Dr. Kuva Jacobs
This episode explores a simple but powerful shift: learning modes, not learning styles. Vidya sits down with Dr. Kuva Jacobs to unpack why certain learning myths persist, what they reveal about unmet needs, and how reframing them opens more practical paths for design. They discuss metacognition,...
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Ep. 30: Beyond Learning: Navigating the Space Where Work Actually Changes
In this solo episode, Vidya dives into the real work of performance consulting… beyond courses, content, and completion rates. She explores why most behavior change dies in the “messy middle”, where systems, workflows, incentives, and culture collide. This is a practical, honest look at how L&D…
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Ep. 29: Showing Up Authentically in a Noisy World with Connie Malamed
In this episode of The Learning+ Podcast, Vidya speaks with Connie about what it really means to be visible in today’s professional world. Together, they unpack why visibility is no longer vanity but service, and how consistency, authenticity, and self-awareness shape lasting credibility. Connie...
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Ep. 28: All Thinking Is Feeling: A New Lens on Learning with Nick Shackleton-Jones
What if learning isn’t about knowledge at all, but about what people care about? In this episode, Vidya speaks with Nick Shackleton-Jones, author of How People Learn and one of L&D’s most provocative voices. Nick argues that learning is an affective process - memory and behavior are shaped by...
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Ep. 27: Rethinking Training Through a Performance Lens with Guy Wallace
In this episode of the Learning+ Podcast, Vidya sits down with Guy Wallace, a pioneer who has been championing performance-first thinking in L&D for over four decades. Guy shares why most performance problems aren’t training problems, why only 5-15% of people can learn out of context, and why…
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Ep. 26: From Credibility to Impact in L&D with Mark Sheppard
In this episode of The Learning+ Podcast, Vidya sits down with Mark Sheppard, senior learning advisor and respected voice in the L&D community. Mark brings sharp insights into why L&D so often becomes a band-aid for broken systems - and what it takes to break free of that cycle. From the danger…
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Ep. 25: From Resistance to Alignment: Navigating Stakeholders with Caner Akova
In this episode, Vidya speaks with Caner Akova about what it really takes to drive performance in the workplace, and why delivering content isn't enough. They explore why L&D needs to design for friction, not just information, and how influence and stakeholder alignment can make or break learning...
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Ep. 24: Making L&D Matter: A Maturity Model Conversation with David James
Making L&D Matter: A Maturity Model Conversation with David James What does real L&D maturity look like in 2025? In this episode, Vidya speaks with David James (CLO of 360Learning and host of the Learning & Development Podcast) about his L&D Maturity Model - and what it takes to move from…
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Ep. 23: Rediscovering Curiosity and Connection in Learning with Goutham Yegappan
In this episode of Learning+, Vidya speaks with Goutham Yegappan - educator, data scientist, and question-asker - about reimagining education beyond systems, silos, and standardization. They explore why curiosity fades, how the teacher-student divide holds us back, and why passion isn’t something...
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Ep. 22: Behavior, Motivation, and the Role of Learning with Julie Dirksen
Why doesn’t learning always lead to action? In this episode, Vidya sits down with Julie Dirksen - author, designer, and one of the clearest thinkers on behavior change in L&D. They explore why systems thinking can sometimes overwhelm us, how to design for motivation dips, what to do when learners...
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Ep. 21: The Quiet Power of Community with Erin Chancellor
What does it really take to build a thriving learning community - one where people feel safe, supported, and inspired to grow? In this episode, Erin Chancellor joins Vidya to share how she co-manages the Useful L&D Community with care, clarity, and intentional structure. They explore what “lurker...
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Ep. 20: Experiment First, Design Later with Tom McDowall
In this episode, Tom McDowall joins us for a deep dive into learner autonomy, performance-focused design, and the real role of L&D in a fast-changing world. We unpack what it means to give learners control, how to balance autonomy with compliance, and why experimentation - not training - is often...
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Ep. 19: Improving Value, Not Just Proving It with Michelle Ockers
What does it really take to build a learning strategy that sticks? In this episode, Michelle Ockers helps unpack the difference between tactical execution and strategic clarity. From shifting the conversation from skills to capability, to evaluating learning as a tool for improvement, and not…
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Ep. 18: Building Service Cultures That Power Organizations with Ron Kaufman
What if service wasn’t just a department, but a way of thinking across your entire organization? In this episode of The Learning+ Podcast, Ron Kaufman - global expert on service culture and best-selling author of Uplifting Service - joins us to break down what it really takes to build a culture…
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Ep. 17: Creating Impactful Practice Scenarios
In this solo episode, Srividya Kumar explores the power of practice in learning and why it's a crucial yet often overlooked aspect of effective training. She discusses how focusing too much on theory can hinder learners from applying their knowledge. Drawing on real-world examples, Srividya…
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Ep. 16: The Ripple Effect of Learning with Dr. Nigel Paine
In this episode of the Learning+ Podcast, Dr. Nigel Paine explores what it truly means to build a learning culture. He challenges the obsession with perfect courses, emphasizing the need to focus on impact instead. From the power of psychological safety to the role of leadership vulnerability,...
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Ep. 15: Unlocking Motivation in Leadership and Learning with Matthew Richter
In this episode of The Learning+ Podcast, Matthew Richter joins host Srividya Kumar to explore the powerful connection between motivation, leadership, and learning. Drawing on Self-Determination Theory, Matthew discusses how fulfilling core psychological needs - competence, autonomy, and...
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Ep. 14: Bridging Neuroscience and AI for Better Learning with Margie Meacham
Margie Meacham, the “Brain Lady,” has dedicated her career to understanding how our brains learn and how that knowledge can shape more effective training. A pioneer in integrating neuroscience with learning design, she’s also been a trailblazer in using AI to create personalized learning...
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Ep. 13: Learning Science, Engagement, and Real Impact with Clark Quinn
Most workplace training falls short - not because we lack research, but because we fail to apply it well. In this episode, Clark Quinn joins us to unpack what it really takes to make learning stick. We talk about why recall alone isn’t enough, how to design practice that drives real performance,...
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Ep. 12: The Power of Practice in Workplace Learning with Christy Tucker
Most workplace training stops at delivering information - but does that actually help people apply what they’ve learned? In this episode of The Learning+ Podcast, Christy Tucker joins us to explore how scenario-based learning bridges the gap between knowledge and action. We discuss how practice…
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Ep. 11: Conquering Peaks, Conquering Self with Satyarup Siddhanta
In this episode of The Learning+ Podcast, we chat with Satyarup Siddhanta, an extraordinary mountaineer and Guinness World Record holder, who defied asthma to conquer the highest peaks in the world. Satyarup’s journey is one of perseverance, mental toughness, and the relentless pursuit of…
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Ep. 10: Equipping Frontline Teams for Success with JD Dillon
In this episode of The Learning+ Podcast, we sit down with JD Dillon, a passionate advocate for frontline enablement and the author of the upcoming The Frontline Enablement Handbook. JD shares his unique perspective on empowering frontline employees—the 80% of the global workforce who are often...
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Ep. 9: Using Behavioral Science to Transform Work with Vishal George
In this episode of The Learning+ Podcast, behavioral scientist Vishal George shares how small, intentional experiments can spark meaningful change. From creating cultures that embrace experimentation to designing tools that make better behaviors easier, Vishal offers practical strategies that...
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Ep. 8: Designing Learning for the Brain with Lauren Waldman
In this thought-provoking episode, Lauren Waldman—scientist, learning designer, and yes, “The Learning Pirate”—takes us into the fascinating world of neuroscience. She reveals why learning professionals must stop designing for content and start designing for the brain. Discover how understanding...
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Ep. 7: Demystifying Engagement in Learning
In this solo episode, host Srividya Kumar (Vidya) dives into one of the most talked-about (and often misunderstood) topics in L&D—engagement. Reflecting on her early learning experiences, she shares insights on why excitement doesn’t always equal engagement, and explores how to foster emotional…
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Ep. 6: Blending Data and Insight for Better Learning with Sam Rogers
In this episode of The Learning+ Podcast, we sit down with Sam Rogers—musician, performer, and instructional designer whose path into L&D has been anything but traditional. Sam shares how his journey from the stage to instructional design shaped his unique approach to building effective learning...
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Ep. 5: Learning from Environmental Diplomacy with Erik Solheim
In this episode of The Learning+ Podcast, we sit down with Erik Solheim, global leader in environmental diplomacy and former head of the United Nations Environment Programme. Erik shares powerful insights on how nations can balance economic growth with sustainability, offering lessons that…
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Ep. 4: Inclusive Learning from the Start with Dr. Nicole L'Etoile
How accessible is your learning program? In this episode, we chat with Dr. Nicole Letoile, an expert in accessibility and inclusive design, who’s on a mission to make learning environments work for everyone. Together, we explore practical strategies to weave accessibility into your programs from...
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Ep. 3: Crafting Useful Learning Experiences with Heidy Kirby, PhD
In this episode, Heidi Kirby, PhD, brings her no-nonsense approach to learning design. We dive into her mission behind “Useful Stuff” and why focusing on solutions over tools is critical in L&D. We also explore her transition from academia to corporate, the evolution of learning, and how AI can...
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Ep. 2: Rethinking AI for Tomorrow’s Needs with Ross Stevenson
In this episode, we chat with Ross Stevenson, where we break down the misconceptions surrounding generative AI tools like ChatGPT, and explain why treating them like Google Search can lead to frustration. Ross highlights the importance of adapting our approach to these tools, focusing on…
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Ep. 1: Embracing Human-Centered Design in L&D with Ryan Tracey
In this episode, we dive into Human-Centered Design (HCD) with Ryan Tracey, where we unpack the concept, and talk about how it differs from and encompasses other design approaches. We discuss the relevance of HCD in the age of AI and its crucial role in designing learning solutions. Ryan offers...
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ABOUT THIS SHOW
This podcast brings you conversations with experts from within the field of L&D and beyond, uncovering innovative ideas from unexpected places. Discover fresh approaches to learning and development that challenge the status quo. Brought to you by Learnnovators, your one-stop-shop for all things L&D.
HOSTED BY
Learnnovators
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Frequently Asked Questions
How many episodes does The Learning+ Podcast have?
The Learning+ Podcast currently has 44 episodes available on PodParley. New episodes are automatically indexed when they're published to the podcast feed.
What is The Learning+ Podcast about?
This podcast brings you conversations with experts from within the field of L&D and beyond, uncovering innovative ideas from unexpected places. Discover fresh approaches to learning and development that challenge the status quo. Brought to you by Learnnovators, your one-stop-shop for all things L&D.
How often does The Learning+ Podcast release new episodes?
The Learning+ Podcast has 44 episodes. Check the episode list to see recent publication dates and frequency.
Where can I listen to The Learning+ Podcast?
You can listen to The Learning+ Podcast on PodParley by clicking any episode. We provide an embedded audio player for direct listening, and you can also subscribe via your preferred podcast app using the RSS feed.
Who hosts The Learning+ Podcast?
The Learning+ Podcast is created and hosted by Learnnovators.
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