What happens when people know exactly what to do—until the pressure is on? In this episode of Voices of The Learning Network, host Bill Banham sits down with Simon Strong, Co-Founder of Download Learning, to explore why traditional training often breaks down in high-pressure situations and what learning professionals can do to improve real-world performance. Drawing on research from neuroscience, education, and workplace learning, Simon explains how stress affects memory, attention, decision-making, and performance. He introduces the concepts of "cold training" and "hot training," revealing why content that works perfectly in a calm classroom environment may fail when learners face real-world consequences, tight deadlines, or critical decisions. The conversation explores one of the biggest challenges in instructional design: cognitive load. Simon argues that many learning experiences unintentionally overwhelm learners with information, making it harder—not easier—to perform when it matters most. Instead, effective learning design prioritizes clarity, simplicity, and decision-making support over content volume. Bill and Simon also dive into the science behind time-sequenced learning, examining how spaced learning approaches can improve retention, strengthen neural connections, and increase the transfer of learning into workplace performance. They discuss evidence from schools, universities, and workplace settings, as well as practical ways organizations can integrate time-sequenced learning into broader development strategies. The discussion concludes with an exploration of the CAR Model—Cognition, Application, and Review & Reflect—a framework designed to help learning professionals create learning ecosystems that support lasting behavior change rather than one-time knowledge acquisition. Whether you're an instructional designer, learning leader, compliance professional, or anyone responsible for workforce capability, this episode offers practical insights into designing learning that performs when it counts. In this episode: Understanding the difference between hot training and cold trainingHow stress affects memory, attention, and decision-makingWhy clarity often matters more than completenessThe hidden impact of cognitive load on workplace performanceCommon instructional design mistakes that undermine learning transferWhy knowledge recall is not the same as workplace competenceDesigning assessments that measure decisions and actionsThe neuroscience foundations of time-sequenced learningResearch on retention, application, and learning effectivenessApplying the CAR Model: Cognition, Application, Review & ReflectBuilding learning ecosystems that support behavior changeAbout Simon Strong Simon Strong is Co-Founder of Download Learning and a specialist in evidence-based learning design, workplace performance, and instructional effectiveness. His work focuses on helping organizations create learning solutions that improve real-world decision-making, retention, and performance under pressure. Voices of the Learning Network is the Learning Network podcast connecting the learning and development community. https://thelearning-network.org/
