The Learning Hack podcast

John Helmer

What are the significant innovations shaping the future of learning? How is digital technology and scientific discovery changing the way we learn, train, teach and educate? Join John Helmer in conversation with the people who are visioning and actively creating that future. Published fortnightly (don't forget to subscribe!).

  1. 5 DAYS AGO

    Agent Provocateur with Dr. Ashwin Mehta

    How AI agents are reshaping learning workflows and the L&D ecosystem "Agentic AI" is the buzzword of the moment. But how many people fully understand what it really means—or how it will change learning and work? Dr. Ashwin Mehta, Chief AI Strategist at the Learning & Performance Institute and founder of Mehtadology AI, joins John Helmer to unpack the hype and explore the practical realities of AI agents, workflow re-engineering, and the emerging skills ecosystem in learning and development.     Timestamps 00:00 - Start 01:51 - Intro 03:52 - AI strategist role with LPI 08:33 - What are AI agents? 12:41 - Is agentic AI tech widely available yet? 23:25 - What skills do L&D need to use Agentic AI? 29:25 - How Dr Mehta uses AI agents in his business 34:54 - Workflow re-engineering 40:14 - AI negatives Q&A: cost-cutting, slop, bias and AI armageddon 50:16 - How AI reshapes the L&D ecosystem 56:51 - End   Connect LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/johnhelmer X (Twitter): @johnhelmer Bluesky: @johnhelmer.bsky.social Website: learninghackpodcast.com

    59 min

  2. 27 OCT

    Learning To Love America with Christian Ray Flores

    From refugee to Russian pop star, startup founder to life coach and evangelist pastor — Christian Ray Flores's journey has spanned continents, ideologies, and careers. In this remarkable conversation, John explores how those experiences shaped Christian's views on creativity, entrepreneurship, AI, faith, and the American dream. Can such diverse identities truly fit together? The result is a thought-provoking dialogue across boundaries of culture, belief, and experience.   Timestamps 00:00 – Start 00:51 – Intro 03:00 – Christian's extraordinary backstory: refugee, pop star, entrepreneur 08:15 – Standing out by serving others 09:42 – Building a personal brand: the "outer game" 13:45 – How his program helps people flourish 18:35 – The role of "good fuel" and "bad fuel" in motivation 25:24 – AI and the future of coaching 35:46 – Faith and human potential 47:00 – Immigration and American values 54:31 – Go-to karaoke song? 55:21 – End     Find John Helmer LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/johnhelmer X (Twitter): @johnhelmer Bluesky: @johnhelmer.bsky.social Website: learninghackpodcast.com

    1h 9m

  3. 13 OCT

    Human Moments: the View from Crotonville w. Jay Moore and Doug Scott

    The human heart of learning in a digital age. Jay Moore and Doug Scott look back on the legendary Crotonville leadership institute — and forward to what its ethos means for learning in the age of AI. They tell John Helmer how a culture built on humility, connection and trust continues to shape GE's learning legacy today. As training becomes more digital, how do we preserve those "human moments" that make real development possible?   Timestamps: 00:51 - Intro 03:00 - What is Crotonville? 07:44 - What is the ethos and culture of Crotonville? 13:11 - How much learning is now digital at GE? 18:43 - Is Crotonville an ivory tower? 24:19 - How is the division into 3 business units affecting learning at GE? 40:44 - How do we keep humans in the loop – and in charge? 49:07 - Go-to karaoke song? 54:19 - End   Connect with John Helmer 🔗 LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/johnhelmer 🐦 X: @johnhelmer 🦋 Bluesky: @johnhelmer.bsky.social 🌐 Website: learninghackpodcast.com

    56 min

  4. 29 SEPT

    AI, Productivity & Humans in Charge with Brian Murphy

    The Human Side of AI at Work Brian Murphy, Global Head of Learning & Development at NTT DATA, shares his perspective on how AI is reshaping work and productivity. Drawing on his experience at Microsoft, AstraZeneca, and Citi, Brian argues for a human-centric coalition between people and machines. He explores how L&D and HR can steer organizations through AI transformation, ensuring it's about value creation and capability — not just cost cutting.   Timestamps: 00:00 - Start 01:44 - Intro 03:45 - Challenges of redesigning work around AI 11:45 - Just a cost-cutting exercise? 16:08 - Role of people function in ensuring benefits, lessening friction 23:18 - An evolution of performance consulting 33:08 - Training AIs versus 'training' AIs 43:01 - How to be human-centric while deploying AI 51:01 - End   Contact: LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/johnhelmer X: @johnhelmer Bluesky: @johnhelmer.bsky.social Website: learninghackpodcast.com

    53 min

  5. 15 SEPT

    How L&D Gets Leverage, with Lori Niles-Hoffman

    Systems, skills and the eight levers of learning transformation. Lori Niles-Hoffman, learning strategist and data evangelist, joins John to explore how L&D can escape legacy mindsets and regain strategic impact. Drawing on her new book, Lori outlines the eight key levers for enterprise learning transformation, why ecosystems matter more than platforms, and how AI is reshaping the role of the learning professional. Timestamps 00:01:43 - Intro 00:03:46 - What brought her into the world of learning tech? 00:07:03 - What convinced her of the need for this book? 00:12:58 - What are 'the 8 Levers'? 00:24:06 - Stakeholder management 00:26:13 - Why is knowledge management lumped together with marketing? 00:33:03 - Ecosystems thinking 00:39:34 - Strategic alignment – a no-brainer? 00:40:17 - Why hasn't L&D tackled its long-standing challenges to date? 00:48:58 - Will AI make us all systems designers? 00:57:43 - Lori's interesting take on AI ethics Follow & Contact LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/johnhelmer X: @johnhelmer Bluesky: @johnhelmer.bsky.social Website: learninghackpodcast.com

    1h 13m

  6. 1 SEPT

    Meet Your New Math(s) Teacher: a Robot Dog, with Jan Liphardt

    Stanford professor Jan Liphardt—founder of OpenMind—joins the podcast to explore the future of learning at the intersection of AI, robotics, and human development. He explains why robot dogs might be ideal math tutors, how Socratic dialogue can be scaled through machines, and what AI means for education, healthcare, and daily life. A bold vision of multi-agent learning ecosystems from a scientist who's seen both the lab and the startup world. Timestamps ·       00:00 – Start ·       01:47 – Intro ·       04:34 – What is OpenMind's mission? ·       13:25 – What is Multi-Agent Endpoint and why does it matter? ·       18:53 – The learning potential of robots ·       24:50 – Robot dog tutors & socratic dialogue ·       28:36 – AI and Higher Ed ·       37:55 – AI & healthcare ·       46:03 – Is robotics developing slower than AI? ·       55:34 – End Contact LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/johnhelmer X: @johnhelmer Bluesky: @johnhelmer.bsky.social Website: learninghackpodcast.com

    58 min

  7. 12 MAY

    Learning Technologies 2025 Special with Josh Bersin, Daniel Hulme, David Kelly, etc.

    AI shockwaves and human resilience in L&D At the Learning Technologies Conference 2025, John Helmer speaks with leading voices in learning and AI—including Josh Bersin, Daniel Hulme, David Kelly, Jerome Pereira, Sophie Costin, Tadelayo Sodipe, and Donald H. Taylor—about disruption, ethics, innovation, and the changing role of L&D.    00:03:08 - Intro 00:05:08 - Josh Bersin 00:41:44 - Daniel Hulme 01:01:39 - David Kelly 01:26:57 - Prof. Jerome Pereira 01:58:09 - Sophie Costin 02:12:23 - Tadelayo Sodipe 02:33:39 - Donald H. Taylor 03:01:44 - End   Connect with John Helmer LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/johnhelmer X: @johnhelmer Bluesky: @johnhelmer.bsky.social Website: learninghackpodcast.com

    3h 1m

  8. 31 MAR

    Learning Futures 3 with Kevin Oakes, Kim McMurdo and Terry Jones

    Leading Through Culture, Teams, and AI-driven Change John Helmer discusses organizational culture, collective leadership, and AI's impact on future workplaces with Kevin Oakes (CEO, i4cp), Kim McMurdo (Global Head of OD, Standard Chartered), and Terry Jones (International Head of Talent Development, ex-PaloAlto Networks). Key themes include culture renovation, developing team-centric leadership capabilities, and leveraging AI for enhanced human productivity in rapidly evolving organizations. The McKinsey paper mentioned in Kim's interview:  De Smet, A., D'Auria, G., Meijknecht, L., Albaharna, M., & Fifer, A. (2024, October 31). Go, teams: When teams get healthier, the whole organization benefits. McKinsey & Company. This article is available online at https://www.mckinsey.com/capabilities/people-and-organizational-performance/our-insights/go-teams-when-teams-get-healthier-the-whole-organization-benefits. (Please note that access to the full text may require a subscription or purchase.)   Timestamps: 00:00:00 – Start 00:01:09 – Intro 00:03:31 – Kevin Oakes on culture renovation vs. culture change 00:27:58 – Kim McMurdo on collective leadership and hybrid teams 00:48:41 – Terry Jones on innovation, disruption, and practical AI use 01:14:59 – End Contact: LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/johnhelmer X: @johnhelmer Bluesky: @johnhelmer.bsky.social Website: learninghackpodcast.com

    1h 16m
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About

What are the significant innovations shaping the future of learning? How is digital technology and scientific discovery changing the way we learn, train, teach and educate? Join John Helmer in conversation with the people who are visioning and actively creating that future. Published fortnightly (don't forget to subscribe!).

Information

  • Creator
    John Helmer
  • Years Active
    2019 - 2025
  • Episodes
    99
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © John Helmer 2019
  • Show Website
    The Learning Hack podcast

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