The Learning Curve Lounge

How well do you actually know the people you interact with... and why might you be holding back from finding out more? In this solo episode of The Learning Curve Lounge, Amber Douglas explores the power of curiosity and the impact of looking beyond surface-level conversations. Discover how asking a few more questions can lead to stronger connections, deeper conversations, and a better understandin...

When did you stop believing in yourself? In this solo episode of the Learning Curve Lounge, Martial Bechiau shares short stories and personal reflections that explore confidence, perseverance and the mindset needed to overcome self-doubt. A motivational episode designed to leave you feeling inspired, empowered and ready to take the next step forward.

Your personal brand is already speaking for you, so is it saying what you want it to? In this episode of The Learning Curve Lounge, Billie and Hayley dive into how you show up, how you're perceived, and how to take control of the narrative you’re creating every day.

When does “staying positive” start shutting real conversations down? Brittney and Hayley get into the moments where positivity feels forced, why it can leave people feeling unseen, and how to show up in a way that actually lands.

Why does rejection hit so hard, and how do you stop it from quietly holding you back? Hayley is joined in the Learning Curve Lounge by Learning & Development's Gwendeline Ramokopeloa and Partnership Sales Manager Kins Gachie to explore why rejection can feel so personal. Together, they discuss everything from hearing "no" in sales to missing out on opportunities and facing everyday setbacks, a...

Feedback can build you up or break you down - but only if you let it. In this solo episode, Billie Barnes takes a practical look at the art of receiving feedback. From separating emotion from fact to turning tough conversations into opportunities for growth, Billie shares how to process feedback, learn from it, and use it to your advantage without taking it personally.    

Why are we so afraid of asking questions? In this episode, Hayley is joined in the lounge by Laura Lopez Lopez & Lem Gallogo to unpack the fear of asking for help, explore cultural differences around speaking up, and challenge the idea that any question is “silly” when it comes to learning and growth.

Six months in and the year is already flying—so do you slow down or push forward? In this episode, Brittney and Hayley unpack the “half year itch,” exploring time slipping away, staying motivated, and how to reset your focus for the months ahead.

The conversations we avoid don’t disappear,  they build, fester, and grow heavier over time. In this episode, Brittney returns to Point Easy vs Point Hard, this time joined by Billie Barnes to unpack fear, honesty, and the quiet relief that comes from finally saying what matters.

Grief isn’t one-size-fits-all — and neither is growth. In this solo return, Hayley explores the many forms grief can take and how, with time and intention, those moments can quietly reshape who we become.

In this episode, Martial is back in the Learning Curve Lounge as part of our wellness series, focusing on mental health and mindfulness. Join him as he shares practical tips and simple breathwork techniques to help you stay present, notice what’s going on mentally, and support yourself when things start to feel overwhelming.

That voice in your head is not always telling the truth. In this episode, Brittney dives into negative self-talk, how it shows up in everyday decisions, and what happens when we stop letting our inner narrator run the show.

In this wellness-focused solo episode of The Learning Curve Lounge, Martial returns to a theme many of you loved in Season 1: stress management. This time, he revisits the topic with fresh insight and practical tools, guiding you through simple, grounded techniques to help reset your mind and manage daily pressures more effectively. Whether you tuned into the original episode or you’re joining thi...

Self-deprecating humor can feel relatable - but when does it start shrinking us instead? This episode unpacks why we minimize ourselves to fit in, where that habit comes from, and how self-awareness can turn connection into confidence instead of compromise.

We’re taught how our periods begin, but almost nothing about how they end. In this roundtable, Amber sits down with Helen, Elizabeth, Lesa, Christele and Tamsyn, women across different life stages, to speak openly about perimenopause and menopause, and the power of education, language, and shared experience in breaking the silence. Content note: This conversation includes brief personal references...

Why does a simple 'thumbs-up' to a message feel supportive to one person and dismissive to another? A generation apart, Hayley and Corporate Head of Recruitment, Stuart Endacott go head-to-head on generational differences in communication, leadership, and expectations — challenging assumptions and unpacking where perspectives clash.

Is pushing through always the answer? Or have we confused perseverance with pressure? In this episode Brittney is joined in the lounge by APAC Learning & Development Associate Lem Gallogo, exploring the tension between resilience and rest. Through opposing perspectives, they examine how grit can empower growth, but also how it can normalize exhaustion. A thoughtful look at redefining success i...

Why do we avoid the one task that’s actually the easiest to finish? In this solo episode, Hayley challenges our tendency to overinflate effort, unpacking why the thing we dread for hours often takes just minutes to complete.

In this roundtable, we’re pulling back the curtain on what “team culture” really means and why hiring for a perfect “fit” sometimes creates more sameness than strength. Joined by members of our L&D crew and a voice from Recruiting, we dig into culture bias, personality mix, and the magic that happens when teams are built to thrive on differences. This isn’t just about coexistence, it’s about c...

What did we learn this season and what are we still figuring out? In this Season 2 recap, Brittney and Hayley reflect on the stories, surprises, and standout moments that shaped the last half of the year in the lounge. From mom guilt to mental health, first-time fatherhood to grief and growth, we revisit the themes that resonated and share what’s still on our hearts as we continue navigating the c...

Is it possible to feel down during the “happiest time of the year”? In this episode, Hayley and L&D Manager, Chiara unpack the emotional weight the holiday season can carry — from loneliness to grief to the pressure to perform — and offer some thoughtful ways to reset expectations and protect your peace.

If we know rest is essential, why do we treat it like a luxury? In this follow-up to our Season 1 episode on stress management with Martial, Brittney enters the conversation — this time focusing on sleep, recovery, and the mental noise that keeps so many of us wired and tired. From night time overthinking to unhealthy hustle habits, this episode is about redefining rest as a non-negotiable part of...

Is the “dream job” even real — or is it just another pressure we put on ourselves? In this episode, Brittney is joined by Community Associate Kalee Payne to unpack the myth of the perfect career, the unspoken compromises behind professional success, and what it means to redefine ambition on your own terms. Whether you're climbing the ladder, pivoting paths, or simply questioning what’s next, this...

Can you be a great mom and still chase big dreams? In this episode, Billie & Amber dive into the guilt so many mothers carry — not just from trying to do it all, but from daring to want more. They explore the pressure to be the “perfect mom,” what it means to break away from traditional expectations, and how ambition and motherhood aren’t opposites — they’re both parts of who you are.

Can grief and growth really happen at the same time? In this honest & personal episode, Hayley explores what it means to carry loss while still moving forward. Whether it’s the loss of a loved one, a relationship, a version of your life, or even a dream, grief can reshape you — sometimes quietly, sometimes all at once. Together, we unpack how healing doesn’t always look like closure, and growt...