The Learning+ Podcast

Learnnovators

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Business
Biweekly

This podcast brings you conversations with experts from within the field of L&D and beyond, uncovering innovative ideas from unexpected places. Discover fresh approaches to learning and development that challenge the status quo. Brought to you by Learnnovators, your one-stop-shop for all things L&D.

4d ago

Ep. 45: What L&D Can Learn from Change Management with Lata Hamilton

What can L&D learn from the people who get organizations to actually change? In this episode, I talk with Lata Hamilton, a change management consultant who has worked on projects touching over 100,000 people. We cover how a change project runs from kick-off to long after go-live, why “this will save you time” can backfire, how to rebuild trust after a failed rollout, why frontline staff belong on the project team, and how to measure whether change sticks, starting with a baseline before the announcement. We also talk about NLP, which Lata describes as more art than science (research links are in the show notes below). Stay to the end for one habit L&D teams can borrow from change managers. References Book - Pioneer Your Career Change by Lata Hamilton: https://www.latahamilton.com/pioneer On NLP Lata describes neuro-linguistic programming as more art than science. If you’d like to look at the research, here are two systematic reviews: • NLP in workplace settings: Kotera, Sheffield & Van Gordon (2019), “The applications of neuro-linguistic programming in organizational settings: A systematic review of psychological outcomes,” Human Resource Development Quarterly. https://nlp-professional.at/res21.pdf. The review found some positive results for outcomes like work-related psychological outcomes, and that further, more methodologically robust, research is warranted to investigate these effects further. • NLP and health outcomes: Sturt et al. (2012), “Neurolinguistic programming: a systematic review of the effects on health outcomes,” British Journal of General Practice. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3481516/. The review found little evidence of benefit, mainly because the studies were small and weakly designed. A Note on Terms “Chunking up” in NLP means moving to a higher level of abstraction by asking “for what purpose?” It’s different from chunking in learning design, where content is split into smaller pieces to suit working memory. Connect with Lata LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/latahamilton/ Website: https://www.passionpioneers.com.au/ Connect with Learnnovators Website: https://learnnovators.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/learnnovators/ Connect with Vidya LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/srividyakumar/
Sep 28

Ep. 44: Building Reflection into the Structure of Training with Katrina Kennedy

Reflection is praised often and cut first when time runs short. Katrina Kennedy, author of Learning That Lasts, has spent over 25 years helping trainers and subject matter experts design learning that sticks. In this conversation, she shares why facilitators who talk less tend to have more impact, and what pilots and surgeons do that L&D hasn't yet caught up with. We also get into handling stakeholders who want more content and less pause, and what AI is doing to the way people think. One of her sharper points: reflection can't rescue content that had little meaning to begin with. She also describes her own reflection routine after every workshop. A conversation for anyone who wants training to last beyond the room. References Used Book - Learning That Lasts by Katrina Kennedy: https://a.co/d/08vbQrRN Connect with Katrina LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/katrinakennedytraining/ Connect with Learnnovators Website: https://learnnovators.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/learnnovators/ Connect with Vidya LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/srividyakumar/
Aug 3

Ep. 43: Making Learning Stick with Chris Taylor

What actually makes behavior change stick after a learning session ends? Chris Taylor joins Learning+ to share findings from close to a million data points on behavior change commitments. Vidya and Chris explore the "big E" environment (culture, systems) versus the "small e" environment (the people right around a learner), and why the latter is far more within L&D’s control to influence and change. They dig into what accountability partners should and shouldn't do, why proving impact might be the wrong goal, and why there's no such thing as bad data. A conversation for anyone who's wondered why training doesn't always translate into changed behavior. References Used Report - Making Learning Stick: https://pages.actionable.co/insights-engagement Book - Liars and Outliers by Bruce Schneier: https://www.goodreads.com/en/book/show/12046245-liars-and-outliers Book - The Coaching Habit by Michael Bungay Stanier: https://www.goodreads.com/en/book/show/29342515-the-coaching-habit Connect with Chris LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chrisjrtaylor/ Connect with Learnnovators Website: https://learnnovators.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/learnnovators/ Connect with Vidya LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/srividyakumar/
Jul 7

Ep. 42: Putting Skills to Work with Ryan Tracey

Everyone is talking about skills. But what does it actually take to build a skills-based learning strategy that improves performance? In this episode, Ryan Tracey introduces his five-stage model for implementing a skills-based learning strategy and explains why validation - not course completion - should sit at its heart. Ryan and Vidya discuss how to identify priority skills, support workplace application, measure real-world performance, and where AI can help. It's a practical conversation about moving beyond learning as an activity and making it a driver of business performance. References Used A 5-stage model for implementing a skills-based learning strategy: https://ryan2point0.wordpress.com/2026/01/07/a-5-stage-model-for-implementing-a-skills-based-learning-strategy/ Connect with Ryan LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ryantracey/ Website: https://ryan2point0.wordpress.com/ Connect with Learnnovators Website: https://learnnovators.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/learnnovators/ Connect with Vidya LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/srividyakumar/
Jun 7

Ep. 41: Designing for Learning Transfer with Melanie Martinelli

Only a small percentage of what people learn in training ever gets applied at work. In this episode of the Learning+ Podcast, Srividya Kumar speaks with Melanie Martinelli about why that gap continues to exist and what organizations can realistically do about it. The conversation explores manager support, transfer barriers, active practice, satisfaction scores, and the industry’s tendency to jump toward solutions before fully understanding the problem. Melanie also shares practical examples from her work, including simple interventions that significantly improve learning transfer without adding complexity. A thoughtful conversation on learning, behavior change, and what it really takes for training to matter beyond the classroom. Connect with Melanie LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/melanie-martinelli/ Website: https://www.transfereffectiveness.com/en Connect with Learnnovators Website: https://learnnovators.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/learnnovators/ Connect with Vidya LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/srividyakumar/
Apr 26

Ep. 40: Where Learning Science Meets Real-World Design with Dr. Kripa Sundar

What does it really take to use learning science in the real world? In this episode, Srividya Kumar speaks with Dr. Kripa Sundar about the gap between research and practice. They explore why research often enters too late, how “learning science-based” products oversimplify evidence, and why balance matters more than blindly applying principles. The conversation also dives into seductive details, the limits of meta-analyses, and the importance of context. You’ll hear why measurement isn’t an endpoint, but an ongoing loop, and what it takes for learning scientists to influence real decisions inside organizations. References Used On seductive details: https://www.aft.org/ae/fall2020/sundar How to find, read and use academic literature: https://www.cultofpedagogy.com/academic-research/ Guide to read meta-analyses: https://pdf.retrievalpractice.org/MetaAnalysisGuide.pdf Role researchers and learning scientists can play: https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/what-do-we-call-were-feeling-naming-dr-kripa-sundar-ecjzc/ AI decision field guide: https://www.edtechrecharge.com/ai-decision-field-guide Connect with Kripa LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kripasundar/ Website: https://www.edtechrecharge.com/ Connect with Learnnovators Website: https://learnnovators.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/learnnovators/ Connect with Vidya LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/srividyakumar/
Mar 29

Ep. 39: Designing for Impact in Non-Profit Learning with Heather Burright

In this episode, Vidya speaks with Heather Burright about what it really takes to design learning in complex, mission-driven environments. They explore how L&D shifts when authority is limited and influence becomes essential, especially in federated nonprofit structures. The conversation touches on designing learning as a conversation, building from learner experience to enable inclusion, and rethinking measurement when post-training access is limited. Grounded in real practice, this episode offers a thoughtful look at how context shapes learning strategy, design, and impact. Connect with Heather LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/heather-burright/ The Non-Profit L&D Collective: https://www.skillmastersmarket.com/nonprofit-learning-and-development-collective The Learning for Good Podcast: https://learningforgood.buzzsprout.com/ Podcast Episodes About Measurement - https://podcasts.apple.com/sg/podcast/how-to-measure-behavior-change-and-impact-in/id1621971310?i=1000684674477&l=zh-Hans-CN - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/how-to-position-training-as-an-investment-from/id1621971310?i=1000742300016 Connect with Learnnovators Website: https://learnnovators.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/learnnovators/ Connect with Vidya LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/srividyakumar/
Mar 16

Ep. 38: Using Storytelling Thoughtfully in Learning Design with Ajay Jacob

In this episode, Srividya Kumar and Ajay Jacob explore storytelling as a strategic skill in learning design. Their conversation moves beyond the usual advice about making learning “engaging” and looks more closely at what stories actually do for understanding and behavior change. They discuss when stories support learning and when they become distractions, the idea of a “Minimum Viable Story”, why emotion plays a role in meaningful learning, and where the line lies between influence and manipulation. It’s a thoughtful conversation about how stories shape the way people see their work and the choices they make. Connect with Ajay LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ajaytj/ Storytelling Course on Udemy: https://www.udemy.com/course/storytelling-foundations-unlocking-the-power-of-stories/?referralCode=91BDA7E8C30712E28687 Connect with Learnnovators Website: https://learnnovators.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/learnnovators/ Connect with Vidya LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/srividyakumar/

This podcast brings you conversations with experts from within the field of L&D and beyond, uncovering innovative ideas from unexpected places. Discover fresh approaches to learning and development that challenge the status quo. Brought to you by Learnnovators, your one-stop-shop for all things L&D.

Creator

Learnnovators
Years Active

2024 - 2026
Episodes

45
Rating

Clean
Copyright

© Learnnovators
Show Website

The Learning+ Podcast