The Secrets of Learning & Development

If you enjoyed this podcast, we'd love to hear from you! In this warm and insightful episode, we’re joined by Victoria Rennoldson – global communication coach, speaker and founder of Culture Cuppa. Her journey takes us from international brand marketing to supporting leaders worldwide to communicate with clarity, confidence and cultural awareness. We explore how Victoria built a purposeful car...

If you enjoyed this podcast, we'd love to hear from you! In this bonus episode, Julia and Valerie explore why learning goals matter more than ever in today’s fast-paced professional world. It’s not about rigid plans or endless courses, but about staying relevant, focused and intentional with how you grow. Valerie shares how she helps professionals cut through the overwhelm by identifying learn...

If you enjoyed this podcast, we'd love to hear from you! S4 E3 In this episode, we sit down with Ashleigh Harvey actor, writer and confidence coach, whose career has taken her from the stages of South Africa to the West End and into a new chapter helping professionals present with confidence. Ashleigh shares how she found her voice at 11 years old in a school production of The Pirates of Penza...

If you enjoyed this podcast, we'd love to hear from you! S4: E2 What happens when success on paper doesn’t match how you feel inside? In this powerful conversation, performance psychologist, entrepreneur and author Baiju Solanki shares how redefining success, removing interference and getting radically honest transformed his career and his life. From walking away from a high-paying role to lau...

If you enjoyed this podcast, we'd love to hear from you! In this bonus episode, Julia and Valerie talk openly about what networking is really about. It’s not the awkward card-swapping kind, but the kind that leads to real relationships, unexpected opportunities and even co-hosting a podcast. From the cringe of speed networking to the value of showing up consistently, they explore why some conn...

If you enjoyed this podcast, we'd love to hear from you! S4:E1 In this episode of The Secrets of Learning and Development, Julia and Valerie are joined by Nick Shackleton-Jones, award-winning learning strategist, author and speaker, known for shaking up traditional thinking in learning and development. Nick shares his unconventional career journey from psychology lecturer to leading roles at S...

If you enjoyed this podcast, we'd love to hear from you! Bonus Episode: Exploring The Coming Wave by Mustafa Suleyman In this bonus episode of The Secrets of Learning & Development , Julia and Valerie explore The Coming Wave by Mustafa Suleyman a thought-provoking bestseller examining how AI and biotech are reshaping our world. Valerie, ever the book enthusiast, shares why this title grabb...

If you enjoyed this podcast, we'd love to hear from you! S3 E:12 In this warm and compelling episode, we’re joined by Pooja – senior leader, transformation expert and passionate advocate for women in tech and leadership. Her story takes us from restarting a career in a new country to leading complex global programmes, uncovering strength in uncertainty and growth in discomfort. We explore what...

If you enjoyed this podcast, we'd love to hear from you! In this bonus episode of The Secrets of Learning & Development, Valerie and Julia unpack the role of open-mindedness in dealing with change, both personally and professionally. They explore how assumptions, like “I’m not creative” or “I’m too old for this tech”, can quietly shape behaviour and block growth, even when the tools and op...

If you enjoyed this podcast, we'd love to hear from you! S3: E11 In this episode of Secrets of Learning and Development, hosts Julia and Valerie sit down with Tom McDowall, consultant, strategist and founder of Evolve L&D, for a conversation that questions long-standing norms in the learning and development space. Tom’s career began in sales management, where he quickly saw how poor traini...

If you enjoyed this podcast, we'd love to hear from you! In this bonus episode of The Secrets of Learning and Development , we explore a question that many senior professionals carry quietly: “Is this all there is?” It’s not about failure or dissatisfaction. It’s about the unsettling moment when success doesn’t feel how you thought it would. The promotion comes through, the goals are met, but...

If you enjoyed this podcast, we'd love to hear from you! In this reflective bonus episode of The Secrets of Learning and Development , Julia and Valerie turn the mic on themselves to share the unexpected lessons they've learned from creating the podcast. From realising how people fit learning into their daily lives, to discovering the quiet power of voice and conversation, they explore wh...

If you enjoyed this podcast, we'd love to hear from you! S3 E10 In this rich and revealing episode, we’re joined by Angela De Souza – serial entrepreneur, author of over 30 books, and founder of Women’s Business Club, a global platform championing women in business. Angela’s story is anything but conventional, beginning with a childhood snail-breeding venture and evolving into a purpose-led bu...

If you enjoyed this podcast, we'd love to hear from you! In this bonus episode of The Secrets of Learning and Development , Julia and Valerie share their personal journey from sitting in the audience to stepping onto the stage at the Speak & Shine Summit . Speak & Shine is a platform that helps women build confidence, raise their visibility, and share meaningful messages on stage. Afte...

If you enjoyed this podcast, we'd love to hear from you! What if the real leadership advantage in the AI era is not about IQ at all, but EQ? In this bonus episode of The Secrets of Learning and Development , Training Consultant Valerie Merrill and Executive Career Transition Coach Julia Bend explore why emotional intelligence is emerging as the defining trait for leaders in a world shaped by a...

If you enjoyed this podcast, we'd love to hear from you! S3 E9: In this candid and engaging episode, we’re joined by Jo Cook, virtual learning pioneer, editor of Training Journal , and unapologetically curious creative. Jo shares her unconventional journey from teenage journalism dreams to discovering a passion for teaching, which sparked during a nerve-racking first classroom experience. We e...

If you enjoyed this podcast, we'd love to hear from you! S3 E8: In this engaging episode, Valerie and Julia are joined by Michael Strawbridge, Global Head of Community at the Learning and Performance Institute, whose unique journey from professional actor to L&D leader offers rich insights into confidence, connection and the power of asking questions. Michael shares how his stage training...

If you enjoyed this podcast, we'd love to hear from you! S3:E7 In this episode, we sit down with Stella Collins, co-founder of Stellar Labs and a trailblazer in applying neuroscience and psychology to learning and development. From starting out as a coder to becoming an influential speaker and author of Neuroscience for Learning and Development , Stella shares how her career evolved through cu...

If you enjoyed this podcast, we'd love to hear from you! S3:E6 In this episode of The Secrets of Learning and Development, Julia and Valerie welcome Dr Seb Fox, an experienced team coach, researcher and soon-to-be author for a compelling conversation that challenges conventional coaching models. Seb shares his unexpected journey from finance and marketing into the world of coaching, and how a...

If you enjoyed this podcast, we'd love to hear from you! It’s our podcast anniversary! One year, three seasons, and a whole lot of honest conversation later, we’re celebrating everything The Secrets of Learning and Development has become. In this special episode, we reflect on what sparked the podcast, how it’s evolved, and the moments that made it all worthwhile from the honest stories our gu...

If you enjoyed this podcast, we'd love to hear from you! What if career change isn’t just about your next role, but who you’re becoming? In this bonus episode of The Secrets of Learning and Development , Valerie Merrill and Executive Career Transition Coach Julia Bend uncover the hidden emotional load behind career change the identity shifts, quiet questions and inner work that rarely make it...

If you enjoyed this podcast, we'd love to hear from you! S3 E:5 In this episode, we’re joined by Laurie Kozan, founder of Own Source Marketing Studio, whose career spans PR, branding, design and digital strategy, all anchored by a single golden thread: shaping how people experience information. Laurie talks about navigating transitions, from international moves to career pauses and pivots, and...

If you enjoyed this podcast, we'd love to hear from you! What if people don’t remember your words or actions, but how you made them feel? In this bonus episode of The Secrets of Learning and Development, Valerie Merrill and Executive Career Transition Coach Julia Bend explore why emotional presence shapes every interaction from coaching sessions to training rooms to everyday conversations. The...

If you enjoyed this podcast, we'd love to hear from you! S3 E:4 In this episode of The Secrets of Learning and Development, Julia and Valerie are joined by the inspiring Gill McKay, speaker, neuroscience advocate and co-founder of Speak and Shine. Gill shares her fascinating career journey across learning and development, corporate leadership and addiction recovery coaching, highlighting the p...

If you enjoyed this podcast, we'd love to hear from you! In this special bonus episode, Julia Bend and Valerie Merrill dive into a trend that’s gathering pace across organisations the rise of the Superworker. Far from being a tech buzzword, this is about real people using AI tools to work smarter, not harder. Valerie shares what’s driving the shift, what traits define a Superworker, and why it...