The How To Learn Podcast

Networking is an important part of learning - and even introverts can be brilliant at it! In this two-minute special from the floor of a buzzing exhibition centre, Thembi and Jonathan share some quick networking tips: - how to set yourself an achievable target - how to use social media - how to act like a pro and collect the contacts.   Plus - after many years on the diplomatic circuit - Jonathan'...

The human brain is wired for distraction. We're always scanning, processing and deciding on trivial things.. from noises outside the window, to WhatsApp notifications, to random thoughts about shopping. But can you really define the human (or goldfish) attention span? In this mini-podcast, Jonathan gets grumpy about fake precision and Thembi asks, so if this is affecting our learning, what can we...

Part of learning is putting ourselves forward for new things: for new projects, for interesting experiments, for more responsibility, for stuff that looks a bit scary but will develop our confidence and skills. We need the confidence to say yes to good opportunities. So why do we hold ourselves back? This episode looks at 10 common psychological barriers to learning: from impostor syndrome to perf...

In this four-minute mini-podcast Thembi and Jonathan decide to pass some new legislation, and to enforce it immediately. So please get ready to comply with:   🎇 the new National Labelling Scheme for Training, based on the traffic light model for sugar, salt and fat in foods. "Short, one-off things" are now labelled Red. Consumer choice and employer information are paramount. If it isn't based in...

How can we use small fluffy animals to get valuable feedback? In this 5-minute mini-podcast we look at two tricky issues: how can you persuade people to give you feedback? and how can you offer it yourself - tactfully - in a way that lands? From hypothetical guinea pig hostage situations, to coaching techniques, here's five minutes of practical advice on feedback. Let us know what you think! (exce...

In this mini-podcast, Thembi and Jonathan talk about learning through imitation: - why copying people at work is a good thing - why we should worry about unconsciously absorbing toxic cultures - what we can learn from the story of the Japanese monkey and the sweet potatoes.    

How do we actually learn? Thembi and Jonathan abandon the theory and talk about how they actually learn, in real life: through 'snacking' on learning content, and through observing others; through saying yes, but also through saying no; and through getting into situations where practice is unavoidable. The good news: "There are no calories in learning" :)

Why do we insist on using 60 minutes as a standard unit of learning? Jonathan has looked into Babylonian astronomy and decided that basically hours are too long. A mini-podcast which is part rant, part discussion of how to maintain our attention spans.. and which finishes bang on five minutes.

In this mini-podcast, Thembi talks about being a panellist at a big event - and how you can use the 'discomfort zone' to learn new skills and push yourself. What's the worst that could happen? It's fine to feel nervous, just do it anyway!

In "The Book at the Bottom of the Bag", Thembi and Jonathan discuss: 🎇 the classic problem of not quite getting round to reading that improving book (or pile of improving books) 🎇 some techniques for dealing with it It's a Procrastination Special and only four minutes long 😄

Do you hate getting feedback? Do you love it? Do you see it as a useful developmental tool? Possibly all of the above? This episode looks at.. The Mixed Gift of Feedback 🎁

Fact #1: one of the best ways to consolidate the learning you've gained at a course, conference or event is to come back and share it with your team. If you want to learn it, teach it! Fact #2: it's a pain. This episode looks at Cascading the Learning - even when you don't feel like it.

In Red Flags, Thembi and Jonathan take five minutes to discuss.. 🎆 when you should be wary of learning - what are the tell-tale signs that something isn't for you? 🎆awkward silences and Q&As 🎆over-selling All based on science, and in no way on personal prejudice 😉

Does shadowing actually work? In this podcast: 🎆 Jonathan is a bit down on the traditional 'sit quietly and watch' model of shadowing 🎆 Thembi points out that well-designed internships and shadowing experiences can be fantastically developmental 🎆 a discussion of the benefits of "smart shadowing" (as tested in diplomatic negotiations): maybe follow a project or a process, not a person!

Does "finding a mentor" sound a bit intimidating? In this podcast, Thembi and Jonathan talk about different types of mentoring - and how you can benefit from all sorts of arrangements, from formal to informal. Your mentors don't even have to know they're mentoring you!

Can we download a new skill in ten seconds? If not, why are we pretending that we can? Too much learning seems to be based on how Trinity learns to fly a helicopter in The Matrix..