Rogue L+D Hotshots with Tom Bailey

While much of the L&D world is focused on AI, Andrew Lawson has doubled down on neuroscience and the results speak for themselves. What makes learning truly stick? In this episode of Rogue L&D, Tom Bailey sits down with 2026 AITD Learning and Development Professional of the Year, Andrew Lawson, to explore the neuroscience behind effective workplace learning. Andrew shares his journey from...

Most training requests are just guesses and they’re costing you more than you think. Most organizations are flooded with training requests. But what if those requests are solving the wrong problems? This episode explores how shifting from a training mindset to a performance mindset can completely change the value L&D delivers. It breaks down how to challenge assumptions, ask better questions,...

Most L&D teams are solving the wrong problems and Natal Dank explains why A pioneer in business and HR agility, Natal Dank joins the Rogue L and D Podcast to challenge everything you think you know about learning and development. Natal is a globally recognised workplace transformation specialist, author of Agile HR and Agile L&D, and Executive Director at PXO Culture. Known for her evidenc...

The most powerful learning does not happen in classrooms, it happens in the middle of the job In this episode of the Rogue L&D Podcast, Tom Bailey is joined by Andy Lancaster, Chief Learning Officer at Reimagine People Development and former Head of Learning at the CIPD. Andy reflects on over three decades in learning and development and explains why performance, not courses, should be the tru...

What if AI isn’t threatening your job — but exposing how we work? AI isn’t just another tool rollout, it’s reshaping how people think, work, and relate to their jobs. This episode explores why most AI initiatives struggle, what really drives adoption, and how learning and people teams can lead change without fear, guilt, or burnout. It’s a practical and human conversation about mindset, skills, an...

What happens when you let someone interview you on your own podcast and ask what you really think about L&D? This episode dives into the real truth behind modern L&D, exploring what actually moves performance, what does not, and what most learning teams never say out loud. Listeners will hear how to shift from order taker to strategic partner, why measurement still gets ignored, and how to...

What if the best learning event you ever ran didn’t have a single slide deck? In this episode of  Rogue L&D , Tom sits down with  Kirsty Lewis , founder of  School of Facilitation  and creator of  SoFest,  a three-day festival celebrating the art and energy of facilitation. Kirsty shares how her mission to bring connection back into corporate learning sparked a thriving global community of tra...

Most training fails because it forgets the human at the center. This episode dives deep into how learning becomes more than just training—it becomes an experience people want to be part of. Vanessa Trower, award-winning learning consultant and industry leader, shares her creative approach to designing programs that connect both to the heart and to business outcomes. From the power of storytelling...

Training is the laziest—and often the worst—solution organizations reach for. Most organizations rush into training without asking the most important question: what’s the real problem we’re trying to solve? In this episode, Tom Bailey, a seasoned people development maverick, breaks down why traditional training often misses the mark—and what to do instead. Listeners will discover how to separate r...

There I was, buried in a pile of buzzwords—‘capability,’ ‘instructional design,’ ‘OD’—wondering what L&D actually meant. Most people hear “learning and development” and immediately think of training sessions or workshops—but that’s only scratching the surface. In this episode, Tom Bailey, a passionate expert in people development, breaks down the real meaning of L&D and why it’s the most u...

“It was just paper on a screen”—Jean-Marie on the dark days of e-learning.​What if training didn’t feel like training—but instead felt like a game, a story, or even a personal journey? In this episode, we explore how AI and immersive design are turning old-school e-learning into brain-igniting experiences. You’ll hear about what actually lights up the learner’s mind and how to rethink engagement f...

You will never succeed in L&D if you don’t understand the business. What happens when a seasoned L&D leader is fired by HR but instantly rehired by the business? In this high-impact episode, we dive into the strategic, gritty, and sometimes controversial truths behind learning and development in the corporate world. This isn’t about theory—this is about what really works when you're tr...

Humility—not knowledge—is the most underrated skill in learning and development. This episode gets real about the ups and downs of learning and development, breaking down what it takes to create strategies that actually work. We’re talking about the power of sharp analytical and consulting skills, why old-school training often misses the mark, and how trailblazing leaders are shaking things up. Wh...

This is what a broken L&D system sounds like — and Dan Hill has lived through it all. Vocational training is broken in subtle but powerful ways — and Dan Hill has spent the last two decades trying to fix it. In this episode, he reveals the messy reality of what happens when training goes wrong, the traits that define a world-class trainer, and the difference between learning outcomes that stic...

I had no idea what I was doing when I started podcasting. This episode breaks open the often-overlooked truth in learning and development: formal training rarely creates real impact. Instead, we hear how genuine curiosity, performance-focused design, and unexpected life experiences shape transformative L&D practices. Whether you're a newcomer or a seasoned pro, this conversation will push...

Turns out, balloon phobia and coaching have more in common than you'd think. This episode digs into one of the most overlooked truths in workplace learning: human-centred L&D isn’t a nice-to-have—it’s the only way forward. With real stories, practical insights, and a sharp lens on coaching and leadership, this conversation explores how to design learning experiences that actually change be...

What’s the real reason great leadership programs fail to make an impact? What does it take to create truly impactful learning programs? In this episode, we explore why even perfectly designed leadership programs fail when culture and relationships aren’t prioritized. You’ll learn how starting L&D initiatives early, building strong workplace relationships, and asking the right questions can tra...

This episode will challenge everything you thought you knew about effective learning and development Most training programs fail not because of poor content—but because they miss the one thing that matters: performance. In this episode, you’ll discover how to build training that delivers measurable business impact, the secrets behind immersive simulations, and how to filter out L&D noise that...

What happens when your L&D program is the only reason a $14,000 problem becomes a $1,000 fix? Discover how making learning fun and memorable can lead to real-world business impact—like turning a $14,000 mistake into a $1,000 solution. In this episode of Rogue L&D Hotshots, you’ll hear a high-energy, insight-packed conversation about why behavior change matters more than ticking boxes, and...

What if your organization’s biggest performance issues aren’t due to talent—but bad learning models? Learning isn’t about sitting in classrooms or ticking boxes—it’s about embedding growth into the real, messy challenges of everyday work. In this episode, listeners dive deep into how transformative learning can drive genuine performance change across organizations. You'll discover why traditio...

What if being good at your job isn’t enough anymore? Confidence might just be the most overlooked skill in your professional toolkit. In this episode, we dive deep into what truly drives growth and fulfillment in the learning and development space—from the power of community, to the ways artificial intelligence is reshaping how educators work. It’s a conversation packed with vulnerability, real-wo...

Leadership isn’t about information—it’s about transformation. What if leadership programs stopped focusing on “fixing” individuals and started designing for the real system they operate in? This episode unpacks why most L&D initiatives flop, what actually drives behavior change, and how to create a learning culture that sticks. Through vivid stories—from Ericsson’s transformation to Zoom cooki...

This episode will challenge everything you thought you knew about effective learning and development. Most training programs fail not because of poor content—but because they miss the one thing that matters: performance. In this episode, you’ll discover how to build training that delivers measurable business impact, the secrets behind immersive simulations, and how to filter out L&D noise that...

Hard work isn’t the key to success—smart work is. ​Most people think success is about working harder—but what if that’s the biggest lie you’ve been told? In this episode, we dive into the real psychology of achievement and how your mindset, habits, and beliefs shape your reality. You’ll discover the hidden barriers that keep you stuck, the simple yet powerful shifts that unlock massive growth, and...

Flexible work isn’t just for parents—and companies still don’t get it. In this episode, we explore the intersection of leadership, flexibility, and personal growth with Cherry Ward, founder of Bluebird Leadership. From groundbreaking L&D programs that were ahead of their time to surprising leadership lessons from weightlifting, Cherry shares what truly makes a difference in workplace learning...