Advertise on podcast: The Learning & Development Podcast

In this episode of The Learning & Development Podcast, David James is joined by Danny Barrow, Lead Learning Program Manager at Ridgeline - an innovative Investment Management company - to explore how AI has reshaped what Danny believes his function is capable of delivering, and the practical, sometimes messy, process of turning that belief into something tangible. From solving live business needs to a project built for interns. Danny shares how he's laying the groundwork for taking AI to the next level, including the knowledge repository he's building and where his early experiments with AI agents are taking him. Along the way, David and Danny get into what this shift is doing to Danny's own sense of his role, and what it might mean for where the L&D profession is headed next. For anyone wanting to experiment more with AI in their own L&D practice but unsure where to begin, this episode offers a grounded, honest look at what it actually takes. Take your L&D to the next level Take advantage of thousands of hours of analysis. Hundreds of conversations with industry innovators and 25+ years of hands-on global L&D leadership. It's all distilled into one framework to help you level up L&D. Access the L&D Maturity Model here - https://360learning.com/maturity-model KEY TAKEAWAYS You need a human in the loop. When you chain multiple AI steps together without human review, small inaccuracies compound and your final output can be seriously off. At step 1 it will be about 90% correct, take that content unchecked through 5 AI driven steps and you end up with something that is only 59% right. Grounding AI in SME interviews, recordings, and a curated knowledge repository and a fact-checking process or tool is critical to avoid hallucinations and keep content fresh.   You don’t need to be a coder to build useful AI workflows: start with small “unit tests,” then turn repeatable wins into reusable skills your whole team can leverage.  AI creates space for L&D to stop being order takers and instead act as strategic consultants, orchestrating ecosystems, agents, and knowledge flows that solve real business problems.   BEST MOMENTS “I’m passionate about using AI to add business value and boost efficiency in learning and development without sacrificing the quality.”   “Where AI has come into the picture is it is making us move faster, not differently.”   “We shouldn’t be order-takers. We should be consultants to guide the business and coach them towards best practices.”   "Start small....  it doesn't even have to be learning and development related.” Danny Barrow Bio Danny Barrow is Lead Learning Program Manager at Ridgeline, an investment management technology company, where he designs and implements learning and enablement solutions to help the business scale. His recent work has included re-imagining the onboarding curriculum for Ridgeline's Customer Experience department and leading the implementation of 360Learning's LMS, transitioning the company's training operations from manual processes onto the platform. Before Ridgeline, he worked at InvestCloud as a technical trainer. He is based in Los Angeles and studied at Pitzer College.https://www.linkedin.com/in/daniel-barrow-4b199163/ VALUABLE RESOURCES The Learning And Development Podcast - https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/the-learning-development-podcast/id1466927523 L&D Master Class Series: https://360learning.com/blog/l-and-d-masterclass-home ABOUT THE HOST David James  David has been a People Development professional for more than 20 years, most notably as Director of Talent, Learning & OD for The Walt Disney Company across Europe, the Middle East & Africa.  As well as being the Chief Learning Officer at 360Learning, David is a prominent writer and speaker on topics around modern and digital L&D.  CONTACT METHOD  Twitter:  https://twitter.com/davidinlearning LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/davidjameslinkedin L&D Collective: https://360learning.com/the-l-and-d-collective Blog: https://360learning.com/blog This Podcast has been brought to you by Disruptive Media. https://disruptivemedia.co.uk/

In this episode of The Learning & Development Podcast, David is joined by Erica Farmer to discuss her new book ‘AI for People Professionals: Understand How to Use Artificial Intelligence in Your HR Role.’ Erica shares the experiences that convinced her the book was needed now and the patterns she noticed in how HR professionals perceive and use AI. They explore what it means for HR to "get out of living in Hard Mode," before diving into the AI dividend and what it could offer L&D and the wider workforce. Erica unpacks the practicalities of prompting, makes the case for sustainable AI adoption, and discusses the role of HR and L&D in driving AI adoption and advocacy. She also addresses concerns around AI-supported wellbeing, sets out L&D's role as a curator of skills, and explores the opportunity in AI-augmented coaching. Erica also touches on the impact of AI on talent management and paints a picture of how agentic AI is shifting people development from generative to autonomous, closing with her vision for learning-led HR. Take your L&D to the next level Take advantage of thousands of hours of analysis. Hundreds of conversations with industry innovators and 25+ years of hands-on global L&D leadership. It's all distilled into one framework to help you level up L&D. Access the L&D Maturity Model here - https://360learning.com/maturity-model KEY TAKEAWAYS L&D has a huge opportunity to become the stakeholder’s best friend by using AI to solve real operational problems, shifting  to architecting skills, intelligence, and quality solutions. AI is an opportunity to stop “living in hard mode” by automating low‑value work and doubling down on high‑value human skills and relationships.   AI should be treated as a thinking partner and coaching ally that democratizes access to support, not a replacement for human coaches, facilitators, or therapists.   BEST MOMENTS “AI can be an Iron Man suit that can help you to achieve an enormous amount more than before. But if you're going to stay in your lane … then AI is your meteor.  .” “Using AI as a thinking partner will help you challenge yourself and develop and start to think in a way that traditionally you might not of and therefore come up with more innovative ideas.” “If you're somebody who will say naturally, I'm not techy, then become techy.” Erica Farmer Bio Erica Farmer has over 25 years of learning and development and apprenticeships experience with some of the UK's best known brands such as LV=, British Gas, Specsavers and Virgin. Her area of specialism is AI and future skills. Erica speaks about this in her TEDx talk, 'Reforming Education through the Digital First Mindset', and in her courses as a LinkedIn Learning Instructor. Erica is passionate about driving human collaborations with tech. Examples are the 'AI for the Average Joe' podcast show, making the complex, simple, alongside her innovative keynotes and workshops focusing on AI for everyone, AI in leadership and practical uses AI in wellbeing. An advisory member of the AI in Work & Skills Forum, Erica is a seasoned presenter who was shortlisted as Best AI Speaker in the 2025 Speaker Awards. She is also an AI Strategist for a leading European learning and teaching assessment organization. https://www.linkedin.com/in/ericafarmer/ https://ericafarmer.ai/ AI for People Professionals book: https://www.amazon.co.uk/People-Professionals-Understand-Artificial-Intelligence/dp/139862599X/ ABOUT THE HOST David has been a People Development professional for more than 20 years, most notably as Director of Talent, Learning & OD for The Walt Disney Company across Europe, the Middle East & Africa.  As well as being the Chief Learning Officer at 360Learning, he is a prominent writer and speaker on topics around modern and digital L&D.  CONTACT  https://twitter.com/davidinlearning https://www.linkedin.com/in/davidjameslinkedin https://360learning.com/the-l-and-d-collective https://360learning.com/blog L&D Master Class Series: https://360learning.com/blog/l-and-d-masterclass-home This Podcast has been brought to you by Disruptive Media. https://disruptivemedia.co.uk/

In this episode of The Learning & Development Podcast, David James is joined by Rob Peacock, Director of Leadership & Learning at Merlin Entertainments, to discuss the transformation journey of the global learning function. They look at the disconnect between legacy training methods and the "hands-on" reality of managing a commercial P&L, while tackling the question of how to select and deliver "power skills" that genuinely serve a young, frontline workforce. They also explore how senior leaders are being embedded as active role models across the organization, the friction encountered when transitioning from local teams to global academies and the specific metrics needed to remain accountable and valued in 2026. Take your L&D to the next level Take advantage of thousands of hours of analysis. Hundreds of conversations with industry innovators and 25+ years of hands-on global L&D leadership. It's all distilled into one framework to help you level up L&D. Access the L&D Maturity Model here - https://360learning.com/maturity-model KEY TAKEAWAYS Merlin shifted from fragmented, locally driven L&D to global academies to build consistent leadership, enterprise capabilities, and democratised learning at scale. Including academies that target specific roles or departments e.g. engineers. A sharp focus on a few power skills, including storytelling, great conversations and  business partnering drives frontline performance and long‑term careers far more than catalogues of courses. Those soft but powerful skills work for a lifetime. Storytelling is treated as a core power skill because it makes everything else work better: presentations, influencing, leadership, and guest experience all become more effective when people can tell simple, human, memorable stories. A shared high‑performing team model combined with diagnostics drives systemic change and shows you where you need to focus next. L&D leaders must lean into discomfort, own their expertise with executives, and relentlessly tie learning to business impact.   BEST MOMENTS “The goal is great leaders, not great leadership development.”   “If you identify the right levers, you can make a very very substantive difference.” “Data informs people. Stories move people.”   “Leadership is the cornerstone of any successful organisation. It´s a cornerstone of any transformation.”   “You have to stay laser focused on the things that make the single biggest difference.”   Rob Peacock Bio Rob Peacock is a senior learning and development leader with over 15 years of experience building capability across global organisations. He currently serves as Global Director of Leadership and Learning at Merlin Entertainments, having joined in 2024. Before Merlin, Rob held senior L&D and talent roles at The Very Group, Samsung Electronics, and Virgin Media, where he led the company's L&D Academy. His career began at Tesco, where he spent nearly a decade across recruitment, HR business partnering, and learning roles spanning 22 countries. https://www.linkedin.com/in/robpeacockuyl/ VALUABLE RESOURCES The Learning And Development Podcast - https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/the-learning-development-podcast/id1466927523 L&D Master Class Series: https://360learning.com/blog/l-and-d-masterclass-home ABOUT THE HOST David James  David has been a People Development professional for more than 20 years, most notably as Director of Talent, Learning & OD for The Walt Disney Company across Europe, the Middle East & Africa.  As well as being the Chief Learning Officer at 360Learning, David is a prominent writer and speaker on topics around modern and digital L&D.  CONTACT METHOD  Twitter:  https://twitter.com/davidinlearning LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/davidjameslinkedin L&D Collective: https://360learning.com/the-l-and-d-collective Blog: https://360learning.com/blog L&D Master Class Series: https://360learning.com/blog/l-and-d-masterclass-home This Podcast has been brought to you by Disruptive Media. https://disruptivemedia.co.uk/

Step inside the courtroom of Learning & Development, where long-held beliefs are called to the stand and only evidence, experience, and impact will determine the verdict. This high-energy, live episode brings together three of L&D’s most respected voices to challenge the myths holding our profession back. David James will play the role of courtroom judge, inviting the audience to be the jury - and witnesses - in a fast-paced, interactive trial of truth versus tradition. Each expert panellist takes on a widely accepted L&D myth - presenting their “case,” examining the evidence and defending the reality based on years of frontline experience: Becky Willis (CLO & Founder, Tractus Learning)  Jess Almlie (Learning & Performance Strategist)  Kevin M. Yates (The L&D Detective®)  Audience members become the jury - voting “Guilty” or “Not Guilty” after each myth and ultimately deciding which challenged belief brought the biggest insight. This unmissable episode blends drama, debate and practical truth - leaving the audience with grounded strategies to modernise their L&D approach, reject outdated assumptions and focus on what truly drives performance and impact. Take your L&D to the next level Take advantage of 1000s of hours of analysis and conversations with industry innovators and 25+ years of hands-on L&D leadership - here - https://360learning.com/maturity-model KEY TAKEAWAYS Today’s challenges need integrated, AI-driven, business-aligned ecosystems, not legacy, course-catalogue LMS “dinosaurs with wheels.” L&D's value does not lie in delivering exactly what leaders request. Our value lies in helping the organisation achieve its goals through strategic performance improvement and capability development. Completions, surveys and smile sheets have value, but they will never show true performance impact. Focus measurement on workplace performance outcomes. BEST MOMENTS “It might look slick, but in reality, it won´t do the job.” “Training the business to think differently about how they approach us with requests ... happens one person at a time.” “We need to remove the myth that training alone can fix it, ghat L&D has magic dust, magic wands and secret formulas.” Becky Willis Becky Willis is founder and chief learning officer at Tractus Learning, helping customers build successful digital learning strategies. She also founded WillLearn Consulting. Previously, she was VP of Engagement at EdCast and led learning innovation at Hewlett Packard. https://www.linkedin.com/in/beckywillis/ https://tractuslearning.com/ Jess Almlie Jess Almlie is an L&D leader, consultant, speaker, and author of L&D Order Taker No More. With 20+ years of experience, she has led enterprise learning strategies across healthcare, education, and financial services. Most recently, she was VP of Learning Experience at WEX. https://www.linkedin.com/in/jessalmlie/ L&D Must Change Podcast: https://www.jessalmlie.com/podcast L&D Order Taker No More: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Order-Taker-No-More-Strategic-ebook/dp/B0F83XBBCV Kevin M. Yates Kevin M. Yates, the L&D Detective®, is a global expert in measuring learning’s impact on workplace performance. With 25+ years of experience at organisations including McDonald’s, Meta, and Grant Thornton, he helps L&D teams use data to demonstrate business impact. He also founded the nonprofit Meals in the Meantime. https://www.linkedin.com/in/kevinmyates/ https://kevinmyates.com/detective-kit https://kevinmyates.com/ RESOURCES L&D Master Class Series: https://360learning.com/blog/l-and-d-masterclass-home THE HOST David  James has been a People Development professional for more than 20 years, most notably as Director of Talent, Learning & OD for The Walt Disney Company across Europe, the Middle East & Africa.  As well as being the Chief Learning Officer at 360Learning, David is a prominent writer and speaker on topics around modern and digital L&D. https://twitter.com/davidinlearning https://www.linkedin.com/in/davidjameslinkedin This Podcast has been brought to you by Disruptive Media. https://disruptivemedia.co.uk/

In this episode, David James is joined by Larry Durham, President of St. Charles Consulting Group, and Jonathan Eighteen, Global Head of Consulting and Advisory Services at NIIT, to explore the findings of the 2026 Learning Transformation Benchmark. Together, they examine why L&D is entering a period of structural rebuild as the environment it was originally designed for ceases to exist. Larry and Jonathan reflect on the growing gap between organizational ambition and actual system readiness, highlighting how AI intensifies the need for learning to operate as enterprise infrastructure. They discuss the shift toward "invisible L&D," the necessity of moving skills from static taxonomies to active tools for workforce planning, and how L&D must evolve from a delivery engine into a strategic architect of performance to have a real business impact in an AI-accelerated world.   KEY TAKEAWAYS ·      Currently, the real gap is misaligned systems, governance, and funding. ·      As AI takes over declarative and procedural work, L&D must shift from compliance and content to performance, judgement, and stakeholder capability. ·      AI collapses design and development effort; the opportunity is to reinvest at the edges in performance consulting, measurement, and capability architecture. It gives us more impact. ·      Owning the organisation’s capability operating system is L&D’s path to lasting relevance in an AI‑driven workplace. BEST MOMENTS “The ambition is really clear. It's just the execution, the systems, and the governance that are holding people back.” “I think it (AI) inverts it, and it maybe even flattens the bell curve.” “If we don't have a seat going forward, it's because we didn't either take it or we didn't show up.”   Read the 2026 Learning Transformation Benchmark report for yourself, here: https://www.niit.com/en/learning-outsourcing/news-details/niitmts-stcharles-announce-2026-global-learning-transformation-benchmark-survey-report/   Larry Durham Bio  Larry Durham has spent 30 years helping organizations strengthen talent development, partnering with global professional services firms and Fortune 500 companies to deliver measurable business outcomes. He has worked in more than 30 countries as a consultant, facilitator, and speaker. Larry is President of St. Charles Consulting Group and previously led PwC's Learning Practice within Human Capital Advisory Services. His recent work includes developing AI strategies for learning organizations, redesigning learning operating models, and aligning learning with business, diversity, and performance goals. Larry hosts The HIVE podcast, co-authored The Talent-Fueled Enterprise, and is currently co-authoring The Judgment Void: How AI is Dismantling the One Human Capability It Cannot Replace. https://www.linkedin.com/in/larrydurham   Jonathan Eighteen Bio   Jonathan Eighteen is a transformation expert who helps leading organizations evolve learning, leadership, and talent strategies to improve performance. He has worked across complex public and private sector organizations in the UK, US, and globally, with deep expertise in learning operating models and organizational transformation. He has led large-scale learning function transformations, including strategy, governance, restructuring, technology modernization, and managed services transitions. Jonathan also helped lead Deloitte's research on skills-based organizations and later commissioned NIIT research on skills. He has since advised multiple organizations on designing and implementing skills-based talent strategies.   https://www.linkedin.com/in/jonathan-eighteen-5293396/   VALUABLE RESOURCES ·      https://twitter.com/davidinlearning ·      https://www.linkedin.com/in/davidjameslinkedin ·      https://360learning.com/the-l-and-d-collective ·      L&D Master Class Series: https://360learning.com/blog/l-and-d-masterclass-home   This Podcast has been brought to you by Disruptive Media. https://disruptivemedia.co.uk/

In this episode of The Learning & Development Podcast, David James is joined by Tracie Cantu to discuss her book Running L&D Like a Business. Tracie shares the L&D leadership experience that shaped her perspective and what compelled her to write the book. They explore what it truly means to run L&D like a business and why this mindset is so often missing, before diving into the Learning Operations Business Model and its four core components, and the three buckets of the Learning Operations Blueprint. Tracie unpacks the important distinction between the "customer" and the "consumer" of learning, explains what good governance looks like without it becoming bureaucracy, and makes the case for prioritising people and process before technology. Tracie also shares her advocacy for a go-to-market strategy for internal learning initiatives and closes with practical advice for listeners on where and how to begin applying these frameworks in their own organisations. Take your L&D to the next level Take advantage of thousands of hours of analysis. Hundreds of conversations with industry innovators and 25+ years of hands-on global L&D leadership. It's all distilled into one framework to help you level up L&D. Access the L&D Maturity Model here - https://360learning.com/maturity-model KEY TAKEAWAYS L&D’s challenge isn’t talent or effort, it´s a weak operating model - regardless of the industry.  Treating L&D as a business function is what fixes this problem. Every initiative must tie clearly to helping the organisation make money, save money or reduce risk, while still delivering a fit‑for‑purpose learner experience.   High‑impact programmes are launched, not just built apply go‑to‑market thinking, marketing assets and find champions to demonstrate the benefits so that your great work doesn’t become shelfware.   BEST MOMENTS "Our job is to help them make money, save money, and reduce risk - if we´re not, then it´s not aligned to the business goals."   "Build it and they will come. That is bulls**t. They will not come....because we are not marketing it."   "We should be anchoring every training we have to that high customer value." Tracie Cantu Bio Tracie Cantu, MHRM, CPTD is a recognised expert in learning operations and technology with more than two decades of experience leading and transforming enterprise L&D functions. Her career spans aviation, government, retail, and tech, including senior roles such as Director of Learning Technology at Whole Foods Market (Amazon), Head of Learning Ecosystems at Meta, and L&D leadership at Atlassian. Today she serves as CEO and Chief Learning Strategist at Your CLO, where she partners with CHROs, COOs, and senior L&D leaders to modernise learning operations, optimise technology ecosystems, and implement scalable processes that drive measurable business impact. A sought-after international speaker, Tracie regularly presents at major industry events including ATD and Learning Technologies UK. She is the author of Running L&D Like a Business https://www.linkedin.com/in/traciemcantu/ https://www.yourclo.net/ Running L&D Like a Business Book - https://www.yourclo.net/running-l-d-like-a-business VALUABLE RESOURCES L&D Master Class Series: https://360learning.com/blog/l-and-d-masterclass-home ABOUT THE HOST David James  David has been a People Development professional for more than 20 years, most notably as Director of Talent, Learning & OD for The Walt Disney Company across Europe, the Middle East & Africa.  As well as being the Chief Learning Officer at 360Learning, David is a prominent writer and speaker on topics around modern and digital L&D.  CONTACT METHOD  Twitter:  https://twitter.com/davidinlearning LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/davidjameslinkedin L&D Collective: https://360learning.com/the-l-and-d-collective Blog: https://360learning.com/blog L&D Master Class Series: https://360learning.com/blog/l-and-d-masterclass-home This Podcast has been brought to you by Disruptive Media. https://disruptivemedia.co.uk/

In this episode of The Learning & Development Podcast, David James is joined by JD Dillon to celebrate the launch of his new book, The Frontline Enablement Playbook. They explore why the traditional L&D toolkit often fails the deskless workforce and how JD’s experience at Disney helped shape a more grounded, practical philosophy for supporting those whose "office" is a shop floor, a hospital wing, or a delivery vehicle. JD reflects on the shift from digital accessibility to true operational enablement, arguing that L&D must stop asking how to get workers onto a desktop and start asking how to deliver value in the flow of demanding, high-pressure work. They delve into the impact of AI on frontline development, the necessity of data-driven strategies, and how to empower overstretched frontline managers to support their teams. JD provides a roadmap for evolving L&D from a corporate function into a vital support system that recognises skills, respects time, and drives genuine organisational performance. Take your L&D to the next level Take advantage of thousands of hours of analysis. Hundreds of conversations with industry innovators and 25+ years of hands-on global L&D leadership. It's all distilled into one framework to help you level up L&D. Access the L&D Maturity Model here - https://360learning.com/maturity-model KEY TAKEAWAYS Frontline enablement means shifting L&D’s focus from learning outputs to helping people do their jobs in time‑starved, heavily measured operations.   Build genuine community - start by helping overwhelmed managers succeed.   Technology and AI only add value when they’re grounded in real workflows, hardware constraints, and operational data.   Leverage the rich data around frontline roles. BEST MOMENTS “I'm not here to help people learn, I'm here to help people do - to help the organisation achieve by the everyday performance of the people who are doing the heavy lifting.” “The strongest frontline teams work in service of one another, in service of a shared success, in service of a pride in doing the job well and doing the job well together.” JD Dillon Bio JD Dillon began his career on the frontline, leading teams in theme parks, movie theatres, and contact centres. These roles shaped his understanding of how people learn, perform, and succeed in fast-paced environments. Over the past 25 years, JD has become a leading voice in frontline enablement, holding operations, marketing, and talent development roles with global organisations including Disney, AMC, and Kaplan. He has helped shape strategy, technology, and services that empower millions of frontline workers across industries such as retail, food service, hospitality, logistics, and financial services. A respected author, content creator, and keynote speaker, JD advises organisations on frontline performance strategy, ecosystem design, and AI-enabled solutions. His latest book, The Frontline Enablement Playbook – Equip Your Deskless Workforce to Power Organizational Performance, is a blueprint for rethinking how organisations engage and empower deskless workers. https://www.linkedin.com/in/jddillon/ Frontline Enablement Playbook - Equip Your Deskless Workforce to Power Organiaztional Performance, https://jddillon.com/ VALUABLE RESOURCES L&D Master Class Series: https://360learning.com/blog/l-and-d-masterclass-home ABOUT THE HOST David has been a People Development professional for more than 20 years, most notably as Director of Talent, Learning & OD for The Walt Disney Company across Europe, the Middle East & Africa.  As well as being the Chief Learning Officer at 360Learning, David is a prominent writer and speaker on topics around modern and digital L&D.  CONTACT https://twitter.com/davidinlearning https://www.linkedin.com/in/davidjameslinkedin https://360learning.com/the-l-and-d-collective This Podcast has been brought to you by Disruptive Media. https://disruptivemedia.co.uk/

In this episode of The Learning & Development Podcast, David James is joined by Egle Vinauskaite to discuss the launch of her highly anticipated follow-up to the ‘Race for Impact’ report. They explore the core objectives behind this new research and the methodology Egle used to capture the reality of today's learning landscape. Egle reflects on the "Transformation Triangle" - a core concept of the report - unpacking its components and arguing for a definitive move away from traditional, legacy training models. They delve into the practicalities of how L&D leaders can navigate these strategic paths, the organizational blockers or "drags" that routinely stall progress, and what it truly means when Egle writes that "influence is not a consolation prize." Egle provides a roadmap for teams facing leadership pushback, offering actionable advice on how to break out of a strictly content-focused lane and elevate L&D into a high-impact, influential business driver. Take your L&D to the next level Take advantage of thousands of hours of analysis. Hundreds of conversations with industry innovators and 25+ years of hands-on global L&D leadership. It's all distilled into one framework to help you level up L&D. Access the L&D Maturity Model here - https://360learning.com/maturity-model KEY TAKEAWAYS AI is rapidly taking over traditional L&D tasks, so L&D must redefine their role rather than just produce content faster. For L&D, the future lies in 3 areas: becoming a skills authority, an enablement partner and/or tackling performance as a systems problem. L&D’s ability to change is shaped by the organisation around it. Reporting lines, what leaders expect from “the training team,” and the skills the L&D team has will all determine how far beyond content L&D can really move. Building credibility by being involved early when business problems are defined, enables L&D to influence decisions and outcomes more powerfully. BEST MOMENTS “The transformation triangle is a strategic framework for L&D leaders…it maps the territory beyond content focused L&D.” “Understand the boundaries that you're operating within. Not that you cannot massage those boundaries over time.” Egle Vinauskaite Bio Egle Vinauskaite brings extensive expertise in learning, behaviour, and technology, working with both global enterprises and emerging edtech innovators. Her background spans AI, XR, mobile learning, digital platforms, and blended learning design, giving her a unique perspective on how technology is reshaping organisational learning and the future of work. As both an advisor and researcher, she helps L&D teams integrate AI into their operations and prepare workforces with the skills needed for effective adoption. Blending rigorous research with hands-on application, Egle has a sharp view of how AI is redefining the role of L&D and creating new possibilities for learning in the workplace. https://www.linkedin.com/in/vinauskaite/ http://nodes.works/ The Transformation Triangle report: https://www.nodes.works/transformation-triangle VALUABLE RESOURCES The Learning And Development Podcast - https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/the-learning-development-podcast/id1466927523 L&D Master Class Series: https://360learning.com/blog/l-and-d-masterclass-home ABOUT THE HOST David James  David has been a People Development professional for more than 20 years, most notably as Director of Talent, Learning & OD for The Walt Disney Company across Europe, the Middle East & Africa.  As well as being the Chief Learning Officer at 360Learning, David is a prominent writer and speaker on topics around modern and digital L&D.  CONTACT METHOD   https://twitter.com/davidinlearning https://www.linkedin.com/in/davidjameslinkedin https://360learning.com/the-l-and-d-collective https://360learning.com/blog L&D Master Class Series: https://360learning.com/blog/l-and-d-masterclass-home This Podcast has been brought to you by Disruptive Media. https://disruptivemedia.co.uk/

In this episode, Kevin Black joins David to explore why leadership so often feels chaotic and why most leadership development fails to prepare leaders for that reality. Together, they examine the gap between how leadership is taught and how it’s experienced, unpacking how leaders respond to pressure, uncertainty, and loss of control and why those responses can either escalate or stabilise chaos. Kevin shares insights from his research into leadership under pressure, introducing a more grounded way of understanding what effective leadership looks like when conditions are volatile and ambiguous. The conversation also focuses on the role of Learning & Development. Kevin explains where traditional leadership programmes fall short, what L&D can do differently to prepare leaders for real-world complexity and how embracing chaos as a design constraint - not a flaw - can lead to more credible and impactful leadership development. If you’re responsible for developing leaders and questioning whether current approaches are enough, this episode is for you. Take your L&D to the next level Take advantage of thousands of hours of analysis. Hundreds of conversations with industry innovators and 25+ years of hands-on global L&D leadership. It's all distilled into one framework to help you level up L&D. Access the L&D Maturity Model here - https://360learning.com/maturity-model KEY TAKEAWAYS If L&D keeps treating leadership as generic empathy and communication training, it leaves leaders under-skilled in critical thinking, planning, strategy execution, and behavioural adaptability – unprepared for the chaos they face. Reconnect leadership to context, critical thinking, planning and behavioural adaptability, so leaders can recognise the patterns of chaos and work with it rather than be overwhelmed by it. BEST MOMENTS “Chaos is experienced at the individual level, but it's measured at the team level.” “If leadership education is all people-oriented, and you're not learning how to critically think, plan, link your communication, then you are inviting people to go into behavioural overdrive.” “You should have a direct line to the C suite... Don't be the handmaid of HR and just doing services.” Kevin Black Bio Kevin Black is globally recognised as a leadership strategist and researcher, specialising in how leaders perform under pressure and uncertainty. Drawing on six years of frontline experience in the U.S. Army, he helps organisations develop leaders who make better decisions, build resilient teams, and deliver results when traditional leadership models fall short. Kevin is also the author of Strength in Chaos (2025), which equips leaders with a practical framework for navigating complexity and driving performance in high-stakes environments. You can follow and connect with Kevin via: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kevinblack1999/ Book: https://kevinblack.co/strength-in-chaos/ Website: https://kevinblack.co/ VALUABLE RESOURCES The Learning And Development Podcast - https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/the-learning-development-podcast/id1466927523 L&D Master Class Series: https://360learning.com/blog/l-and-d-masterclass-home ABOUT THE HOST David James  David has been a People Development professional for more than 20 years, most notably as Director of Talent, Learning & OD for The Walt Disney Company across Europe, the Middle East & Africa.  As well as being the Chief Learning Officer at 360Learning, David is a prominent writer and speaker on topics around modern and digital L&D.  CONTACT METHOD  Twitter:  https://twitter.com/davidinlearning LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/davidjameslinkedin L&D Collective: https://360learning.com/the-l-and-d-collective Blog: https://360learning.com/blog L&D Master Class Series: https://360learning.com/blog/l-and-d-masterclass-home This Podcast has been brought to you by Disruptive Media. https://disruptivemedia.co.uk/

In this episode of The Learning & Development Podcast, David James is joined by Nick Jones of Blue Eskimo to discuss the state of the industry following the launch of the 2026 Blue Eskimo Work & Salary Report. Nick dives into the current market reality, exploring what is actually happening on the ground and how global shifts are impacting the jobs market. The conversation addresses the significant rise in redundancies and identifies which specific roles are being hit hardest as organisations restructure. They look at the disconnect between "strategic" job descriptions and the "hands-on" reality of recruitment, while tackling the question of whether AI is truly replacing jobs or simply forcing the profession to evolve. They look into why many L&D professionals are currently finding themselves unprepared for the job market, the increasing importance of personal branding, and the specific skills needed to remain accountable and valued in 2026. Take your L&D to the next level Take advantage of thousands of hours of analysis. Hundreds of conversations with industry innovators and 25+ years of hands-on global L&D leadership. It's all distilled into one framework to help you level up L&D. Access the L&D Maturity Model here - https://360learning.com/maturity-model KEY TAKEAWAYS AI, budget cuts, and team bloat correction have had an impact. Globally, redundancies are high - but there are signs of recovery. Now, your personal brand really matters.  Showcase the fact you operate as a commercial partner and impact the bottom line.  Make it easy for hiring managers and stakeholders to understand the value you create and the problems you solve. Treat your CV and profile as live sales tools: show the strategic impact you’ve had, not just tasks you’ve completed. Stay ready, continually refresh them - so opportunities find you before you need them. - Nick explains exactly how to do this. Your next move will come more from your network and recruiters, than from job boards - show up where hiring managers actually look. BEST MOMENTS “Redundancies are … through the roof.” “The skills that are perhaps most in demand … are sales skills, marketing skills - stakeholder engagement skills.” “Everybody should have some semblance of a personal brand.” “They can't hold back on projects and expenditure for too long - businesses still need to deliver.” Nick Jones Bio Nick Jones is the owner and director of Blue Eskimo, the UK’s leading recruitment specialist for the learning and development and learning technology sectors. With a career rooted in L&D at firms like Qa LTD and Informatics Ctec, Nick  earned an MBA from Aston University and co-founded Blue Eskimo to provide targeted talent solutions for the training industry. He is a recognised expert on L&D salary trends, the impact of Generative AI on the workforce and the evolving skills required for modern learning professionals. LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nickjonesblueeskimo/ 2026 Blue Eskimo Work & Salary Report: https://www.blueeskimo.com/resources/downloads/2026-ld-work-and-salary-report-blue-eskimo VALUABLE RESOURCES https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/the-learning-development-podcast/id1466927523 L&D Master Class Series: https://360learning.com/blog/l-and-d-masterclass-home ABOUT THE HOST David James  David has been a People Development professional for more than 20 years, most notably as Director of Talent, Learning & OD for The Walt Disney Company across Europe, the Middle East & Africa.  As well as being the Chief Learning Officer at 360Learning, David is a prominent writer and speaker on topics around modern and digital L&D.  CONTACT METHOD  Twitter:  https://twitter.com/davidinlearning LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/davidjameslinkedin L&D Collective: https://360learning.com/the-l-and-d-collective Blog: https://360learning.com/blog L&D Master Class Series: https://360learning.com/blog/l-and-d-masterclass-home This Podcast has been brought to you by Disruptive Media. https://disruptivemedia.co.uk/

In this episode of The Learning & Development Podcast, David James is joined by Becky Willis to break down the essential components of her new book, 7 Steps to Better Learning Engagement: A Blueprint for Creating Impactful L&D. Together, they explore what it truly takes for an organization to shift its attention toward L&D and, more importantly, how to convert that attention into tangible business impact. Becky reflects on the transition from traditional L&D hurdles to a streamlined, step-by-step guide for modern professionals. The conversation covers the entire lifecycle of a successful initiative—from securing executive buy-in and refining strategy to optimizing learning technology. They also delve into the "marketing" side of the industry, discussing how to leverage internal champions and communication tactics to ensure L&D moves from the periphery to the heart of organizational performance. Take your L&D to the next level   Take advantage of thousands of hours of analysis. Hundreds of conversations with industry innovators and 25+ years of hands-on global L&D leadership.   It's all distilled into one framework to help you level up L&D. Access the L&D Maturity Model here - https://360learning.com/maturity-model   KEY TAKEAWAYS ●      Reposition L&D as a business function, not a course factory - move from “we create training” to “we solve business problems,” and prove it using time to proficiency, product quality, and profit KPIs.  ●      Start with one senior sponsor, co‑solve a pressing business issue, prove impact with data and stories, then scale support via a Learning Advisory Board or similar council.   ●      Modern, collaborative, AI‑enabled platforms with strong UX can transform engagement and visibility. But don´t bolt AI onto legacy LMSs and risk turning L&D into a “dinosaur on wheels.”  ●      Market L&D internally like a product - use champions and visible executives and continually showcase success stories. ●      Go way beyond courses, design for moments of need. Build experience sharing, in‑the‑flow support and AI‑enabled coaching - employees need to get exactly what they need, when they need it. BEST MOMENTS “If you have bolted on AI that's just added into there, onto your dinosaur, LMS, then what you have is a dinosaur on wheels.” “I think the mindset of going from I create courses to I solve business problems is a big step.” “The sweet spot of learning and development is to be there at the moment of need - to influence the moment of apply.” Becky Willis Bio Becky Willis is a founder and the chief learning officer at Tractus Learning. She helps guide Tractus customers to implement successful digital learning. She is also the founder of WillLearn Consulting, where she helps companies plan, design, and develop high-performance digital learning ecosystems. Previously, she was the vice president of engagement at EdCast and led learning innovation at Hewlett Packard. You can follow and contact Becky via: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/beckywillis/ Website: https://tractuslearning.com/ VALUABLE RESOURCES The Learning And Development Podcast - https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/the-learning-development-podcast/id1466927523 L&D Master Class Series: https://360learning.com/blog/l-and-d-masterclass-home ABOUT THE HOST David James  David has been a People Development professional for more than 20 years, most notably as Director of Talent, Learning & OD for The Walt Disney Company across Europe, the Middle East & Africa.  As well as being the Chief Learning Officer at 360Learning, David is a prominent writer and speaker on topics around modern and digital L&D.  CONTACT METHOD  ●      Twitter:  https://twitter.com/davidinlearning ●      LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/davidjameslinkedin ●      L&D Collective: https://360learning.com/the-l-and-d-collective ●      Blog: https://360learning.com/blog ●      L&D Master Class Series: https://360learning.com/blog/l-and-d-masterclass-home This Podcast has been brought to you by Disruptive Media. https://disruptivemedia.co.uk/

In this episode of The Learning & Development Podcast, David James is joined by Tom Kupetis and Brandon Dickens to explore how AI is revealing deep-seated flaws in the traditional L&D operating model. They discuss why the industry’s long-standing reliance on static content and "one size fits all" curricula is no longer fit for purpose in a world where expertise is now available on tap. Tom and Brandon reflect on the shift from managing content production to facilitating "action learning," where L&D practitioners must act more like business consultants to drive real performance change. They delve into the return of the apprenticeship model - now enabled at scale through AI - and how the role of L&D must evolve from a reactive cost centre into a high-value sensing engine that predicts and solves business failures in real-time. Take your L&D to the next level Take advantage of thousands of hours of analysis. Hundreds of conversations with industry innovators and 25+ years of hands-on global L&D leadership. It's all distilled into one framework to help you level up L&D. Access the L&D Maturity Model here - https://360learning.com/maturity-model KEY TAKEAWAYS L&D will have to stop being course producers and become performance partners. Working directly alongside the people who do the jobs to build apprenticeship-style coaching using AI. L&D must be deeply embedded in the business, driven by data and learning science, and judged on measurable performance outcomes, not on volume of training. BEST MOMENTS “Gen AI is … putting expertise on tap, basically.” “When you're trying to get a team to really adopt AI and champion it … you have to create that aha moment.” "If every L&D employee had the anthropic kind of ecosystem at their disposal, it would 10x what they're doing." GUEST BIOS Tom Kupetis, Executive Vice President, St. Charles Consulting Group Tom has 20+ years’ experience delivering management consulting and learning solutions to Fortune 500 organisations. A results-focused advisor, he partners with senior leaders to link learning directly to business outcomes such as strategic transformation, risk reduction, revenue growth, and speed to profit. As Executive Vice President, Tom leads new client acquisition and firm growth, shaping St. Charles’ client‑centric go‑to‑market strategy and positioning in strategic learning services. LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/thomas-a-kupetis-ii-5a427b3/ Brandon Dickens, Vice President for Advanced Solutions, NIIT Brandon is Vice President for Advanced Solutions at NIIT, where he leads AI-powered learning innovation for Fortune 500 clients. He focuses on AI coaching systems, adaptive simulations and performance platforms that shift L&D from content delivery to measurable business impact. Brandon helped create NIIT’s Modal AI Coach framework and “Judy,” an AI activity generator and coach for K-12 teachers built with The Writing Revolution. He co-authored The Transcendence Doctrine series, arguing that AI ends the business case for content-centric learning and forces L&D to prove value through performance. LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brandondickens/ VALUABLE RESOURCES https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/the-learning-development-podcast/id1466927523 https://360learning.com/blog/l-and-d-masterclass-home ABOUT THE HOST David James  David has been a People Development professional for more than 20 years, most notably as Director of Talent, Learning & OD for The Walt Disney Company across Europe, the Middle East & Africa.  As well as being the Chief Learning Officer at 360Learning, David is a prominent writer and speaker on topics around modern and digital L&D.  CONTACT METHOD   https://twitter.com/davidinlearning https://www.linkedin.com/in/davidjameslinkedin https://360learning.com/the-l-and-d-collective https://360learning.com/blog https://360learning.com/blog/l-and-d-masterclass-home This Podcast has been brought to you by Disruptive Media. https://disruptivemedia.co.uk/

In this episode, Simon Brown takes us inside his role as Global Learning & Development Leader at EY, sharing how he sits at the table shaping the organisation’s AI agenda rather than just delivering training. We explore how L&D can move from a support function to a strategic driver in the AI era, the practical ways his team is role-modelling AI, and the benefits of taking an integrated approach across departments to unlock real impact. Simon also gives his perspective on the speed at which AI is transforming L&D, what this means for day-to-day operations, and how teams can stay relevant in a rapidly changing landscape. He shares actionable advice for L&D leaders who feel they might be behind the curve, offering insights into how to forge influence, make AI work for learning, and prepare their organisations for the next wave of skills development. Take your L&D to the next level Take advantage of thousands of hours of analysis. Hundreds of conversations with industry innovators and 25+ years of hands-on global L&D leadership. It's all distilled into one framework to help you level up L&D. Access the L&D Maturity Model here - https://360learning.com/maturity-model KEY TAKEAWAYS A skills-based learning ecosystem where skills act as the “connective tissue” and people build visible skills profiles, earn badges by applying new capabilities, and are then scheduled onto projects based on those skills  turns learning into a direct driver of real work opportunities and career growth. A clear vision, strategy and operating model, agreed with the C‑suite, gives L&D a mandate and protects it from shiny object tech decisions. L&D only stays relevant if it matches consumer-grade, AI-powered experiences and uses AI itself to accelerate and personalise learning. Be part of early AI conversations. BEST MOMENTS “The learning is actually done by interaction with an AI agent, and that agent will guide you through step by step what might be a good agent for you to build.” “We've tried to role model how to use the (AI) technology ourselves in how we build the learning solutions.” Simon Brown Bio Simon Brown is Global Learning & Development Leader at EY and international best-selling author of The Curious Advantage. A commercially minded learning leader, he was previously Chief Learning Officer at Novartis and has led major learning transformations across sectors, including at Lloyds Banking Group. Earlier in his career he co-founded Brightwave, one of the UK’s leading e-learning companies, and consulted at Accenture for global brands such as BT, BP, Microsoft, and Canon. His work has earned multiple Chief Learning Officer Strategy Awards, and under his leadership Novartis was named #3 globally for Talent Development in the ATD BEST Awards. Simon co-hosts The Curious Advantage podcast, is a regular international keynote speaker, and is active in global learning communities and EdTech as an angel investor. https://www.linkedin.com/in/simoncbrown1/ https://www.amazon.co.uk/Curious-Advantage-Paul-Ashcroft/dp/1648713513 https://www.curiousadvantage.com/curious-advantage-podcast VALUABLE RESOURCES The Learning And Development Podcast - https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/the-learning-development-podcast/id1466927523 L&D Master Class Series: https://360learning.com/blog/l-and-d-masterclass-home ABOUT THE HOST David James  David has been a People Development professional for more than 20 years, most notably as Director of Talent, Learning & OD for The Walt Disney Company across Europe, the Middle East & Africa.  As well as being the Chief Learning Officer at 360Learning, David is a prominent writer and speaker on topics around modern and digital L&D.  CONTACT METHOD   https://twitter.com/davidinlearning  https://www.linkedin.com/in/davidjameslinkedin  https://360learning.com/the-l-and-d-collective This Podcast has been brought to you by Disruptive Media. https://disruptivemedia.co.uk/

In this episode, Hillary Miller takes us behind the scenes of scaling L&D across a complex healthcare system. She discusses how she adapted team structures to meet the needs of hospitals, outpatient services, and physician networks, and how she identified what was working and what needed to change. Hillary also explores her approach to influencing senior stakeholders, using evidence over anecdotes and guiding conversations from “what we want” toward “what the business actually needs.” She reflects on planning ahead, balancing competing priorities and building an L&D function that delivers real organisational impact. Take your L&D to the next level Take advantage of thousands of hours of analysis. Hundreds of conversations with industry innovators and 25+ years of hands-on global L&D leadership. It's all distilled into one framework to help you level up L&D. Access the L&D Maturity Model here - https://360learning.com/maturity-model KEY TAKEAWAYS Strategic partnerships with leaders, grounded in their metrics and realities, let L&D see 3–5 years ahead and shape the organisation’s future.   Great L&D teams are built around people’s strengths, transferable skills, and trust so people can fill new roles as the business needs it. That´s far more productive than periodically re-organising the whole team. Relationships are the real infrastructure. They are the most vital element for any organisation or business. Curiosity, candour and humour with stakeholders and your own team make the hard conversations possible.   Be ready to wait for the right moments to make your points or push for change. BEST MOMENTS “Quit calling them learners and students. These are our colleagues, right?”  “I care a lot about looking around the corner. So, where are we going to be three to five years from now? What is the business going to be experiencing.”  “Don't wait for the big wow. Acknowledge the things that are happening along the way that are actually helping.”   “I really stand by HCA mission, which, above all else. We're committed to the care and improvement of human life. There is nothing more mission driven to me than taking care of other people.” Hillary Miller Bio Hillary Miller shares how she’s building an L&D function that delivers real organisational impact across hospitals, outpatient services, and physician networks. She unpacks how she uses evidence over anecdotes, guides stakeholders from “what we want” to “what the business actually needs” and drives measurable results at scale. Hillary also takes us behind the scenes of scaling L&D, transforming team structures, assessing what works and what needs to change, balancing competing priorities and planning strategically to ensure learning initiatives truly move the business forward. You can follow and connect with Hillary via: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/hillarybmiller/ EPISODE REOURCES https://www.amazon.co.uk/stores/Michael-Bungay-Stanier/author/B002QK41GQ VALUABLE RESOURCES The Learning And Development Podcast - https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/the-learning-development-podcast/id1466927523 L&D Master Class Series: https://360learning.com/blog/l-and-d-masterclass-home ABOUT THE HOST David James  David has been a People Development professional for more than 20 years, most notably as Director of Talent, Learning & OD for The Walt Disney Company across Europe, the Middle East & Africa.  As well as being the Chief Learning Officer at 360Learning, David is a prominent writer and speaker on topics around modern and digital L&D.  CONTACT METHOD  Twitter:  https://twitter.com/davidinlearning LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/davidjameslinkedin L&D Collective: https://360learning.com/the-l-and-d-collective Blog: https://360learning.com/blog L&D Master Class Series: https://360learning.com/blog/l-and-d-masterclass-home This Podcast has been brought to you by Disruptive Media. https://disruptivemedia.co.uk/

In this episode of The Learning & Development Podcast, David James is joined by Brian Jarvis to explore what it takes to lead an L&D transformation inside a long-established organisation. Brian reflects on stepping into WM, the early signals that learning wasn’t supporting the business in the way it needed and the first moves he made to begin changing direction. He discusses building credibility with stakeholders, evolving ways of working within his team and how L&D has shifted from a reactive, request-led function to one that’s having a more meaningful impact on the organisation. Take your L&D to the next level Take advantage of thousands of hours of analysis. Hundreds of conversations with industry innovators and 25+ years of hands-on global L&D leadership. It's all distilled into one framework to help you level up L&D. Access the L&D Maturity Model here - https://360learning.com/maturity-model KEY TAKEAWAYS Make their problem your problem. Speak the language of stakeholders, take ownership of their goals and risks, and provide impactful and measurable solutions. Target where the business is hurting most, prove revenue and performance impact. Then, expand from there.   Play the long game: build trust, feedback loops, and champions.  Be ready to wow someone - you need stakeholders who advocate for L&D.  Measure time‑to‑proficiency, readiness, and confidence, not just completion of courses or content delivered.   Evolve your practice with design thinking, leverage AI, and technology. Put in place solid best practice to scale the impact of L&D without needing a bigger team. BEST MOMENTS “Every programme … is evolving and changing as they (the learners) grow into another year.” “Make their problem your problem.” “The management of the stakeholders is the most important piece.” “We either use smart tools to do dumb things, or we use smart tools to do the right things.” Brian Jarvis Bio Brian Jarvis is a strategic Learning & Development leader with more than 13 years’ experience leading enterprise-scale initiatives across large, complex organisations. He is currently responsible for Learning and Leadership Development for National Accounts at WM, supporting teams across North America, Canada, and India. In this role, Brian has modernised onboarding and upskilling for customer experience, billing, and sales functions—reducing time to proficiency, improving frontline readiness, and increasing retention while supporting significant business growth and transformation. Previously, he led large-scale learning strategies at CVS Health, Aetna, and United Bank, delivering data-driven, digital-first learning approaches that improved performance, strengthened capability at scale, and delivered measurable commercial impact. VALUABLE RESOURCES The Learning And Development Podcast - https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/the-learning-development-podcast/id1466927523 L&D Master Class Series: https://360learning.com/blog/l-and-d-masterclass-home ABOUT THE HOST David James  David has been a People Development professional for more than 20 years, most notably as Director of Talent, Learning & OD for The Walt Disney Company across Europe, the Middle East & Africa.  As well as being the Chief Learning Officer at 360Learning, David is a prominent writer and speaker on topics around modern and digital L&D.  CONTACT METHOD  Twitter:  https://twitter.com/davidinlearning LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/davidjameslinkedin L&D Collective: https://360learning.com/the-l-and-d-collective Blog: https://360learning.com/blog L&D Master Class Series: https://360learning.com/blog/l-and-d-masterclass-home This Podcast has been brought to you by Disruptive Media. https://disruptivemedia.co.uk/