Learning at Large

Traditional L&D approaches often focus on solving isolated skills or knowledge gaps. But what if the real barriers to performance sit elsewhere in the organization? In this episode of Learning at Large, Chris Baldwin, founder of Performance Redesigned and organizational performance consultant, explores what L&D can borrow from organizational development (OD) practices to create more sustainable bu...

For frontline teams, no two days look the same. Priorities shift, challenges emerge without warning, and decisions are made in real time – often with little space to step away. Yet much of L&D is still designed as if work is predictable. In this episode of Learning at Large, JD Dillon, author of the Frontline Enablement Playbook, shares what it takes to better align learning with that reality. Dra...

Frontline workers make up the majority of most organizations – yet learning is often designed without their realities in mind. In this episode of Learning at Large, Paul Kent, Director of Functional Development at PepsiCo, shares how his team approaches learning differently to drive real impact where it matters most. Drawing on over two decades of experience, he explores how to move beyond traditi...

What is learning and development really responsible for in today's organizations? And why do so many L&D initiatives struggle to create measurable business impact? In this episode of Learning at Large, Peter Manniche Riber shares a candid view on the current state of L&D, why the function often defaults to content creation instead of solving real problems, and how teams can rethink their role in a...

What does the global L&D community really think about AI, job security, strategy, and the future of the profession? In this episode , we're joined by Donald H Taylor, author of the Global Sentiment Survey and a leading voice in workplace learning. Don dissects the biggest shifts in this year's data - from the cooling of AI hype to rising anxiety, expanding roles, and the pressure L&D teams are und...

Why does so much workplace learning fail to change what people actually do? In this episode of Learning at Large, Melanie Martinelli, CEO & Owner of the Institute for Transfer Effectiveness, explores why attendance, satisfaction, and completion rates aren't enough - and what really needs to change if learning is going to translate into performance.  Ep. 79 Brought to you by  Elucidat .  Want more...

What does it mean to uncover the true impact of learning, and how can L&D teams finally demonstrate their worth in ways the business understands? In this episode of Learning at Large, we're joined by Dr. Keith Keating, Chief Learning & Development Officer at BDO Canada and author of Hidden Value: How to Reveal the Impact of Organizational Learning . Keith shares why L&D's impact is so often misund...

In a twist on the usual format, this  special episode of Learning at Large hands the mic to AI, which interviews Dr. Heidi Kirby and Kirstie Greany - probing, provoking, and grilling them with tough questions about the future of learning design. From authority and relevance to the automation of design, and whether humans are simply too slow to keep up, this "botlight interrogation" pushes into the...

Where is AI really taking workplace learning? And what separates teams who are transforming performance from those simply doing the same things faster? In this episode of Learning at Large, we're joined by Donald H. Taylor, Chair of the Learning Technologies Conference and Founder and Lead Researcher of the L&D Survey Series. Donald unpacks new findings from his AI in L&D: The Race for Impact repo...

Is efficiency really the goal of L&D – or have we been optimizing for the wrong thing? In this episode of Learning at Large, we're joined by Neil Hunter, Chief Learning Officer at Deloitte Canada, who's on a mission to put people – not processes – back at the center of learning. Neil shares how his team is using neuroscience, experimentation, and empathy to reframe what "effective" really means in...

How do you know if your L&D team has slipped into tunnel vision? When the same mindsets, metrics, and default solutions keep showing up - even as the business around you changes. In this episode of Learning at Large, we're joined by Mark Sheppard, Diagnostic Learning & Development Lead at General Motors, who's spent 35 years exploring how to break free from the L&D echo chamber. He shares practica...

What does leadership in learning really look like when the ground beneath us keeps shifting? In this episode of Learning at Large, we're joined by Laura Overton and Michelle Ockers, co-authors of The L&D Leader: Principles and Practice for Delivering Business Value. Instead of offering another rigid playbook, Laura and Michelle share how L&D leaders can thrive in uncertainty by stepping away from...

What if the success of your learning programs wasn't measured by completion rates or ROI on every project - but by how much they make people want to stay? In this podcast episode , we're joined by Courtney Brouse, Talent & Development Manager at Midtown Athletic Clubs, who shares how she's reframing learning to focus on connection, culture, and the long game. From rethinking ROI to embedding core...

How do you support 170,000+ learners across every level of English football? In this episode , we're joined by Nick Baker, Head of Learning Design and Digital Innovation at the Football Association (FA), to explore how they're making coach education more personalized, inclusive, and effective. From grassroots volunteers to elite professionals, Nick shares how the FA is building a learning ecosyste...

What's the real opportunity AI presents for workplace learning, and how can L&D teams avoid just doing the same things faster? In this episode , we're joined by David Kelly, CEO of The Learning Guild and a respected voice at the intersection of learning and technology. David unpacks what AI really means for learning, why empathy and creativity are more important than ever, and how L&D can lean int...

What does it really take to make learning stick, and turn knowledge into action? In this episode , we're joined by Amy Brann, author of Make Your Brain Work and founder of Synaptic Potential. Drawing on years of experience applying neuroscience in the workplace, Amy shares practical insights on engagement, learning transfer, coaching, and how L&D teams can work with the brain - not against it. Ep....

The shift to a skills-based approach is no longer theoretical, it's operational, urgent, and redefining the role of L&D In this episode , we sit down with three influential L&D voices - Lori Niles-Hofmann, Sandra Loughlin, and Teresa Rose - to unpack what it really means to put skills at the center of learning strategies. Ep. 68 Brought to you by  Elucidat .  Want more insights? Get the latest tip...

In a world of constant change, learning is one of our most powerful tools for staying resilient. But real learning takes time, effort, and the right environment. In this episode , we're joined by Stella Collins, author of Neuroscience for Learning and Development, to explore how learning fuels real adaptation. Stella shares practical, science-backed strategies to help L&D teams build learning cult...

What can L&D teams learn from marketing? As it turns out - quite a lot. In this episode , we're joined by Bianca Baumann and Mike Taylor, two learning experts passionate about applying marketing principles to learning design. From learner personas to engagement strategies, they explain how a marketing mindset can help L&D teams better connect with audiences, drive meaningful impact, and prove valu...

Organizational learning isn't just a nice idea – it's essential to staying resilient, productive, and people-centered. But what does it really look like in action? In this episode , Dr. Nigel Paine, a learning and leadership expert, explores how organizations can shift away from individual performance and toward collective learning. Nigel shares his vision for learning cultures built on trust, tea...

AI isn't just around the corner – it's already transforming the way we work and learn. But how can Learning and Development (L&D) teams make the most of it today? In this episode , Egle Vinauskaite, a learning technology and AI consultant, uncovers the real impact of AI on workplace learning - unraveling the biggest opportunities, challenges, and common mistakes L&D teams face when integrating AI...

The world of workplace learning is changing. Traditional competency models are being challenged, and organizations are shifting towards skills-based learning. But what does this shift really mean, and how can businesses implement it effectively? In this episode , Nick Shackleton-Jones, CEO and Founder of Shackleton Consulting, joins us to discuss the key aspects of skills-based learning, its impac...

For too long, learning programs have relied on expensive tools and complex systems to measure impact. But what if organizations already have the data they need? Dr. Alaina Szlachta is on a mission to help L&D professionals leverage existing resources for smarter evaluation. In this episode , she shares why she believes measurement isn't as complicated as it seems - and how learning leaders can dri...

Dr. Heidi Kirby is revolutionizing the world of learning and development (L&D). With a passion for creating meaningful learning experiences, she's on a mission to align L&D strategies with business goals, all while keeping the learner at the center. In this episode , Heidi shares her journey, insights, and a bold vision for the future of L&D. Ep. 61 Brought to you by  Elucidat . 

For too long learning has happened without consideration of the underlying mental processes it involves. The results? We're all working against the brain, rather than with it. And this is something that Lauren Waldman, Founder and Learning Scientist behind Learning Pirate, has set out to change. Hear why she's on a mission to get L&D to  lead with the science . In fact, she thinks everyone should...