1AM talks

Andry McFarlane
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⏰ Only 20 minutes to listen?  🎙️Discover what makes learning at work really work. Real workplace learning projects. 3️⃣From three perspectives - facilitator/coach, project lead & participant.  🙋‍♂️🙋🏽‍♀️🙋🏽‍♂️🙋🏽‍♀️For HR managers and  OD/L&D managers. 

  1. 8 HR AGO

    Ep 7: Educational leadership through growth

    📈As organisations grow, leadership needs to grow with them  - for both staff and students to thrive. How does L&D support that?  🌱Growing Leaders During Organisational Expansion: Coaching and Masterclasses at Brunel Academies Trust 🎙️In this 1AM Talks 20 minute deep dive episode, we speak with David West and Kirsty Fyfe from Brunel Academies Trust about how a coaching and masterclass L&D programme supported leaders during a period of significant organisational expansion. 🌱As Brunel grew from around 375 staff to more than 1,100, senior leaders were stepping into new roles, navigating different leadership styles, and learning how to work collaboratively across a fast-growing organisation. The programme combined 1-to-1 coaching and focused masterclasses, giving senior leaders skills to reflect, strengthen their leadership practice, and apply learning directly in their day-to-day roles with staff that ultimately impact positively on learners. 🙋🏻‍♂️David West offers a People & Culture perspective on why investing in leadership development mattered during a time of rapid growth, and how strengthening leadership capability helps organisations stay focused on what matters most — supporting staff so they can do their best work with students, learners, children and young people. 🙋🏻‍♀️Kirsty Fyfe shares how her career journey from corporate recruitment into education was driven by a desire to help children and young people by ensuring the right practitioners, support teams and leaders are in place. She also reflects on how the learning helped her rethink how she approaches leadership challenges as a woman, navigating complex dynamics, and building resilience that she could then pass on to her own team. 🙋🏽‍♀️🙋🏽‍♂️🙋‍♀️For HR, OD and L&D practitioners, this 20 minute episode shows: how L&D in Multi-Academy Trusts can support leaders as organisations expand how leadership development strengthens staff resilience, which ripples through teams and learning environments for students and learners how FE and school leadership benefits from coaching conversations and structured reflection how coaching and masterclasses create practical strategic learning for growing organisations how investing in people/HR staff development ultimately supports students,  strategy development and also supports resilient leadership  A thoughtful episode for anyone interested in Multi-Academy Trust leadership, staff resilience, organisational growth, and learning cultures in education. ➡️ In the next episode, David and Kirsty return to discuss the impact of the programme on them personally and across the organisation. 🔗 Find out more To find out more about your hosts Andry, Miranda, and Rachael: https://linktr.ee/andryam 🌐 Learning and development work in the UK https://thelearningmoment.org 💼 Connect with Andry Anastasis McFarlane on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/andrymcfarlane 📱 Follow the podcast on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/pod1amtalks ⭐ If you found this episode useful, consider sharing it with colleagues, rating the podcast and subscribing to help others discover these conversations on learning, leadership and organisational development.   Guest details Kirsty Fyfe and David West – Brunel Academies Trust https://www.brunel.org.uk David West — Guest Bio David West is Director of People & Culture at Brunel Academies Trust and a member of the Executive Leadership Team. He leads recruitment, learning and development, employee relations and organisational change to support  staff experience and effectiveness and untimately better outcomes for children and young people. Kirsty Fyfe — Guest Bio Kirsty Fyfe leads recruitment at Brunel Academies Trust, helping schools attract and appoint the right people to support children and young people with SEND. She brings experience from agency and MAT recruitment, with a focus on strategic resourcing and candidate experience. ⏱️ Episode Timeline 00:06 – 🎙️ Introduction Introduction to 1AM Talks and the focus on real learning and organisational development projects. 00:43 – 🧭 Episode context Overview of the coaching and masterclass programme supporting senior leaders at Brunel Academies Trust. 01:34 – 👥 Guest introductions Kirsty Fyfe and David West introduce their roles and backgrounds. 04:16 – 📈 David West The leadership challenge of supporting newly appointed leaders during rapid organisational growth. 07:10 – 👤 Kirsty Fyfe Leadership pressures and navigating complex leadership dynamics. 10:15 – 🛠️ Kirsty Fyfe Personal experience of the coaching and masterclass programme and the role of reflection in leadership practice. 15:15 – 🔚 Closing Closing reflections and preview of the next episode on programme impact. #MATLeadership #EducationLeadership #FELearning #SchoolsLeadership #LearningAndDevelopment #OrganisationalLearning #LearningForGrowth #SystemLeadership #EducationSector   We’d appreciate your ideas: What do you want to hear on future episodes? How is your organisation supporting leaders and staff while it grows and evolves?

    16 min

  2. SEASON 2 TRAILER

    Trailer 7 - Leading Through Growth

    🎉New Season, New Episode How do you develop leaders while an organisation is growing and changing? 🎙️In this  mini trailer for 1AM Talks, your hosts introduce a conversation with leaders from Brunel Academies Trust about how a coaching and masterclass L&D programme supported leadership development, while the organisation was expanding. As Brunel grew, leaders needed space to reflect, think strategically, and develop their own leadership practice. The L&D programme brought together coaching conversations and masterclasses to help leaders respond to new responsibilities, organisational priorities, and the realities of working in a complex education environment. ⏰This short 1AM talks trailer gives you a flavour of the upcoming episode, where leaders from Brunel Academies Trust reflect on how the learning supported them to respond to organisational growth while continuing to develop as leaders. 🎧You’ll hear about: How coaching and masterclasses can work together in an L&D programme Supporting leaders during organisational growth and change Creating space for reflection while responding to strategic priorities How leadership development connects with day-to-day practice Supporting staff working with colleagues, partnerships, students, learners, children and young people — some with special educational needs Guests David West — Director of People & Culture, Brunel Academies Trust David West is Director of People & Culture and a member of the Executive Leadership Team at Brunel Academies Trust. A CIPD Level 7 HR professional, he leads people strategy across recruitment, learning and development, employee relations, and organisational change. https://www.brunel.org.uk Kirsty Fyfe — Brunel Academies Trust Kirsty Fyfe works in recruitment and resourcing within the education sector and has previously led recruitment for a large multi-academy trust. At Brunel Academies Trust, she focuses on strategic recruitment and the wider people journey for staff. https://www.brunel.org.uk   Hosts To find out more about your hosts, Andry, Miranda, and Rachael: https://linktr.ee/andryam To find out more about the team’s workshops, coaching, and consultancy work with UK organisations for your staff: https://thelearningmoment.org   Part 1, the full 20 minute episode drops later this week. #LeadershipDevelopment #L&D #OrganisationalDevelopment #WorkplaceLearning #1AMtalks #podcasttrailer #podcastepisode #SEND #SpecialEducationalNeeds #SENDLeadership #MultiAcademyTrust #StaffResilience #EducationLeadership

    2 min

  3. 11 FEB

    Episode 6: Masterclass: Leading with quality on EDIB Programmes

    What makes EDIB Global Majority leadership programmes effective in the workplace? Share your ideas here and listen to the stories and tips from our team of facilitation experts. In part two of our Experts’ Masterclass episode, Andry, Rachael, and Miranda discuss what they have learnt about high quality design and delivery on effective EDIB (Equity, Diversity, Inclusion, and Belonging) leadership programmes. They focus on quality in Global Majority and Black leadership development programmes. You will hear stories and gain insights into: Collaborating with learning and development leads and commissioners to ensure your EDIB programme meets organisational needs and creates meaningful change Encouraging leadership at all levels—how to help individuals step up, even without a formal title The importance of lived experience in EDIB programme design, and why facilitators work best when they draw on their own stories to create authentic, relatable learning Scaffolding for success—what needs to happen before, during, and after a programme to make it truly effective With thanks to Rosie Grundy, who inspired our Global Majority Leadership Programme. Full Timestamps  00:00:06:06 – 00:00:41:02: Introduction to the episode; designing learning that is systemic, sustainable, and rooted in lived experience  00:00:41:04 – 00:00:57:08: Exploring the most impactful leadership programmes designed for underrepresented groups  00:00:57:10 – 00:01:53:21: The Authentic Leadership programme: origins, impact, and the importance of lived experience in facilitation  00:01:53:23 – 00:02:40:09: Addressing imposter syndrome and creating spaces for underrepresented Global Majority leaders to thrive  00:02:40:09 – 00:03:25:06: Evolving language: from "Ethnic Minority" to "Global Majority" leadership programmes  00:03:25:06 – 00:03:47:24: Developing tailored programmes for Global Majority and Black staff  00:04:30:22 – 00:05:19:14: Leadership without titles: encouraging individuals to step up and create their own opportunities  00:05:19:14 – 00:06:09:08: The importance of preparation and follow-up: why one-off workshops are not enough  00:06:09:08 – 00:07:15:05: Ethical considerations in programme design; ensuring participants are supported beyond the workshop  00:07:15:07 – 00:07:55:02: Long-term impact: career progression and the value of action learning, coaching, and networks  00:07:55:08 – 00:08:44:17: Face-to-face vs. online delivery: what works best for leadership development?  00:08:44:19 – 00:09:34:07: Scaffolding for success: what organisations need to have in place for programmes to be effective  00:09:34:13 – 00:09:55:19: Systemic change: working collectively and collaboratively for lasting impact  00:09:55:21 – 00:10:16:16: Tips for co-creating learning programmes with participants and organisations  00:10:16:18 – 00:11:17:13: Designing for engagement: moving beyond tick-box training to meaningful participation  00:11:17:15 – 00:12:08:00: Sustainability and longevity: providing practical tools and follow-up support  00:12:08:04 – 00:12:54:18: The power of consultation and authenticity in programme design  00:12:54:18 – 00:13:34:24: Creating opportunities for collaboration and ongoing conversation  00:13:35:01 – 00:14:52:24: Designing from lived experience, research, and flexibility; embracing both serious and joyful mindsets  00:14:53:01 – 00:15:49:08: Beginner’s mind: staying open, curious, and adaptable as a facilitator  00:15:49:08 – 00:16:09:23: Key takeaways: the importance of what happens before, during, and after a programme  00:16:10:00 – 00:17:00:17: Episode closing and preview of the next episode: exploring a learning programme from three perspectives This episode is for learning and development professionals, facilitators, and coaches who want to move beyond tick-box training and create programmes that empower leaders, foster inclusion, and drive real organisational change. As you listen, you are invited to reflect on what resonates for you—and to share your own thoughts and experiences with us. Please add your reponses  here. To find out more about your hosts, Andry, Miranda, and Rachael: linktr.ee/andryam . To find out more about the team’s workshops, coaching, and consultancy work with UK organisations for your staff: thelearningmoment.org . #LeadershipDevelopment #EDIB #GlobalMajority #Facilitation #L&D #OrganisationalDevelopment #WorkplaceLearning #InclusiveLeadership

    17 min

  4. SEASON 1 TRAILER

    Trailer 6 - Masterclass: Leading on EDIB Programmes

    What if you don’t need a title to be a leader? In this trailer for 1AM Talks, your hosts explore a powerful insight: leadership is not about the job title—it’s about how you show up. Many people wait for permission or a promotion to step into leadership, but sometimes leadership happens when you take ownership, create opportunities, and lead responsibly from where you are. This mini 1AM Talks trailer gives you a flavour of the 20-minute leadership and EDIB-focused masterclass episode, where you’ll hear how experienced facilitators and coaches—Andry, Miranda, and Rachael—help participants recognise their own leadership potential, even without formal roles. You will also hear how they lead on EDIB Global Majority leadership programmes. You’ll learn: How to reframe leadership as something you do, not something you are given Ideas for how to step up and create opportunities for yourself and others at work How to lead on EDIB programmes focusing on race and ethnicity What we’ve  learnt about the importance of language and EDIB Why waiting for a leadership role can hold you back—and what to do instead Whether you are a facilitator, coach, aspiring leader, or someone ready to make an impact at work, you’ll  discover tips to lead EDIB programmes effectively. The full 20-minute episode is released later this week. #1AMTalks #LeadershipWithoutATitle #StepUpAndLead #OwnYourLeadership #Facilitation #Coaching #WorkplaceLearning #CareerGrowth #LeadershipDevelopment #Empowerment

    1 min

  5. 21 JAN

    Ep 5. Facilitation and Coach Masterclass

    What keeps experienced facilitators and coaches curious, engaged and successful after years of practice? In this Expert Tips Masterclass episode of 1AM Talks, three experienced facilitators and coaches reflect on  insights they have gleaned over the years, including what to do when things go wrong. This episode looks at how learning happens not just through techniques, but through attention to what’s happening in the room, in our mindsets, between people, and within wider organisational systems — and how this shapes facilitation and coaching practice over time. You’ll hear reflections on: Working with discomfort in workshops and programmes Holding a beginner’s mindset, alongside deep experience How to set up a workshop with supportive guidelines Systemic and relational ways of thinking about coaching What long-term practice teaches you about motivation and failure A thoughtful, experience-led episode for facilitators, coaches and L&D and OD practitioners who are  interested in reflective, successful learning. As you listen, you’re invited to reflect on what resonates for you — and to share your own thoughts and experiences with us. Full Timestamps 00:00:11:06 – 00:00:45:16 Introduction to the episode and hosts; learning journeys as designers, coaches, and facilitators 00:00:45:18 – 00:01:06:03 Experiences, challenges, resilience, and working relationally and systemically 00:01:06:05 – 00:01:45:12 Current work: delivering the BFFs – Black Female Founders programme 00:01:48:17 – 00:02:18:10 Current work: coaching managers, mergers, and culture change 00:02:23:12 – 00:03:47:22 Research for book two; learning from new coaches and mentors 00:03:47:22 – 00:04:14:22 Moving from research to models, tools, and community support 00:04:30:14 – 00:05:41:16 Systemic and relational coaching practice; mentoring within coaching 00:06:21:22 – 00:07:42:04 Facilitation practice: expertise in the room, collaboration, reflective questioning 00:07:42:06 – 00:08:40:00 Authenticity, continuous learning, and drawing on participant expertise 00:08:55:11 – 00:10:42:18 Early learning experiences; internal narratives and assumptions in facilitation 00:10:42:24 – 00:11:34:12 Reflection, mindfulness, and learning through practice 00:11:34:12 – 00:12:30:21 Resilience, refinement, iteration, and learning from experience 00:12:38:19 – 00:13:20:24 Giving yourself grace; unexpected learning moments 00:13:21:01 – 00:15:12:22 Tailoring sessions, working with resistance, organisational involvement 00:15:12:24 – 00:17:42:07 Being a learner as an expert; beginner’s mind and openness 00:17:42:09 – 00:18:32:05 Ground rules, psychological safety, and learning spaces 00:18:32:07 – 00:20:36:00 Learning contracts, guidelines, and inclusive programme design 00:20:36:00 – 00:21:20:00 Episode closing and next episode preview 00:21:20:02 – 00:21:47:19 Where to listen, follow, and connect #1AMTalks #Facilitation #Coaching #CoachingMasterclass #FacilitationMasterclass #ExpertTips #OrganisationalDevelopment #ReflectivePractice #SystemicPractice #RelationalPractice #BeginnerMind #WorkplaceLearning #GlobalMajorityCoaches #GlobalMajorityFacilitators #FemaleFacilitators

    22 min

  6. SEASON 1 TRAILER

    Trailer 5 - Facilitation and Coach Masterclass

    What does 25 years of coaching and facilitating teach you? And what do you do when a workshop doesn’t land the way you hoped? Introducing the Expert Tips Masterclass episode, where three experienced facilitators and coaches share practical insights from real life — including what helps when workshops feel challenging or don’t go to plan. The full episode explores how practitioners stay resilient, keep refining their practice, and what they have learned from years of lived experience working in L&D and OD. In the full episode you’ll hear: Practical, experience-based tips from facilitators and coaches What helps when L&D sessions are challenging What is systemic and relational coaching  How to set up a workshop with supportive  guidelines  Honest, grounded, and full of takeaways you can use straight away. #1AMTalks #ExpertTips #Facilitation #Coaching #OrganisationalDevelopment #WorkplaceLearning #ReflectivePractice #LearningFromExperience #ContinuousImprovement #ResilientPractice #Facilitators #Coaches

    2 min

  7. 27/12/2025

    Ep. 3 - Culture Change Programme Design with Spiral Learning

    How do you design for culture change using  a coaching and leadership programme — including enabling leadership presence  for Women of Colour? How do you do set up that L&D culture change   programme in a  friendly, values-driven organisation? How do you facilitate  L&D and OD programmes for teams where staff care deeply about their work but sometimes find accountability, difficult conversations, and stress hard to navigate? In this episode of 1AM Talks, Andry McFarlane and Miranda Gay speak with Luna Ali and Aurora Arista from Spiral Learning, an inclusive charity supporting younger adults from underrepresented backgrounds. Together they share how a truly inclusive programme was shaped to help staff build calm, strengthen accountability, and support their work with clients — all within a workplace culture that aimed to keep client focus and professionalism at its core, while developing leadership,  including leadership by Women of Colour. A behind-the-scenes look at how thoughtful design and delivery — grounded in EDIB, safeguarding, and partnership — lays the foundation for meaningful transforming workplace-culture.   We’d love to know your thoughts: 💭 And when you’re working with teams who are friendly — even friends — but sometimes lack clear boundaries, how do you design learning that helps them stay supportive and professional? 💭 How do you lead learning programmes for youth-focused teams that build safeguarding and wellbeing into the design, set-up and communication — not just the workshops? #LearningAndDevelopment #ProgrammeDesign #CultureChange  #Accountability #OrganisationalDevelopment #WorkplaceWellbeing #YouthDevelopment #EDIB #InclusiveDesign #YouthEmpowerment #YoungAdults Contact 1AM talks:  📧 E: andrymcfarlane@gmail.com 
📱 Insta: @pod1amtalks Guest details: Aurora Arista and Luna Ali at Spiral Learning: https://www.linkedin.com/company/spiralskills/posts/?feedView=all https://www.spiralskills.co.uk/ ⏱ Episode Guide  00:11 – Welcome to 1AM Talks — Andry McFarlane and Miranda Gay introduce the series and their experience in learning and development. 00:59 – Introducing Spiral Learning — why the charity commissioned a post-Covid culture-change and wellbeing programme. 01:33 – Meet Aurora Arista and Luna Ali — how Spiral supports young people from under-represented backgrounds. 02:27 – The organisational challenge — communication, trust, accountability and managing conflict in a friendly culture. 04:13 – Designing the programme — six-session coaching cycles, workshops, and senior-leadership consultancy. Luna being a Woman of Colour in leadership. 07:28 – Building psychological safety — confidentiality, coaching boundaries and reassurance for staff. 09:23 – Embedding inclusivity and Safeguarding into learning design. 10:19 – Reflections from Luna —  cultural background, slowing down, stress, and learning to support young people calmly. 13:55 – Closing thoughts — wellbeing, culture change and partnership. 14:48 – Outro — connecting with 1AM Talks and The Learning Moment.

    16 min

  8. 17/12/2025

    Ep. 4 - Team Change.Leadership journeys. Diversity.

    Discover the impact of the 18 month culture-change journey at Spiral Learning. You’ll hear how clearer boundaries, honest conversations, and steady relationship-based work helped the team build a more sustainable and positive workplace culture and supported their work with young learners. After 18 months of development with Spiral, see how staff have created healthier ways of working and made intentional space for younger and more culturally diverse leadership to grow. At the heart of the episode is Luna’s leadership story. A British Black woman working in a youth-focused organisation, her journey shows how identity, culture and experience shape leadership. We hear how she steps into new leadership roles, grows alongside  her work with younger learners, and finds a more grounded sense of personal power. For OD and L&D practitioners, this episode shows: how clearer boundaries help people work well how leadership grows through relationships and reflection, not alone how work with young adults improves,  as your staff keep learning  how younger and more Global Majority leaders can truly thrive when given space how honest conversations and supportive relationships support workplace culture change An uplifting episode for anyone interested in culture change, Global Majority leadership, anti-racism, and creating healthier workplaces. Guest details: Aurora Arista and Luna Ali at Spiral Learning: https://www.linkedin.com/company/spiralskills/posts/?feedView=all https://www.spiralskills.co.uk/ #1AMtalks #CultureChange #OrganisationalDevelopment #InclusiveLeadership #GlobalMajorityLeadership #BlackWomenInLeadership #FutureOfWork #LeadershipJourney #YouthWork #PeopleAndCulture #HumanCentredWorkplace #LearningAndDevelopment #CoachingCulture #WorkplaceWellbeing #EquityAtWork #QualityAtWork We’d appreciate  your ideas:  *What do you want to hear on future episodes? *How could your organisation better support younger, female or  Global Majority staff stepping into leadership roles?  🎧 Episode Timestamps  00:00 – 01:27 Intro to 1AMtalks + setting up the culture-change focus. 01:28 – 01:59 Meet Aurora Artista  and Luna Ali. 01:59 – 03:18 Why Luna joined the  L&D and coaching programme — early motivations and encouragement. 03:18 – 04:09 Luna’s first professional coaching experiences and early “a-ha” moments. 04:09 – 05:47 ⭐ Luna reflects on leadership as a woman of colour East African upbringing, community expectations, grind culture, and how Luna’s  identity shapes leadership. 05:47 – 07:25 Working with younger learners, emotional insight, and stepping into leadership. 07:25 – 08:51 ⭐ Culture changes on the team Clearer boundaries, healthier ways of working, and confidence building across the organisation. 08:51 – 10:34 Belonging, identity, and settling into leadership more fully. 10:34 – 15:00 Closing reflections on change, confidence, and personal growth.

    15 min
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About

⏰ Only 20 minutes to listen?  🎙️Discover what makes learning at work really work. Real workplace learning projects. 3️⃣From three perspectives - facilitator/coach, project lead & participant.  🙋‍♂️🙋🏽‍♀️🙋🏽‍♂️🙋🏽‍♀️For HR managers and  OD/L&D managers. 

Information

  • Creator
    Andry McFarlane
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    14
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Copyright 2025 All rights reserved.
  • Show Website
    1AM talks