The Secrets of Learning & Development

Valerie & Julia
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Our podcast is designed for business leaders, managers, consultants, industry experts, and individuals who are passionate about driving change and promoting growth in their organisations or personal development. Each episode will delve into crucial topics such as mindset recalibration, visibility, and strategic planning. We will have insightful conversations about change management and innovative initiatives that can transform your approach to learning and development.  Our aim is to equip you with valuable insights and practical strategies to enhance your leadership skills, business acumen, and personal growth.  We are focusing on our leaders and professional guests' unique journeys and the key moments that have shaped their careers.   We are passionate about sharing stories that inspire, educate, and ignite a spark within our listenersJoin us on this journey as we unlock the secrets to success in the dynamic world of learning and development. Stay tuned and get ready to be inspired!Host Information:Julia BendExecutive Career Coachhttps://www.premier-coaching.co.ukhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/julia-bend-premier-coachingValerie MerrillLearning & Development Trainer & Advisorhttps://www.merrillconsultants.comhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/merrillvalerie/

  1. Backing Yourself: Pooja’s Journey Through Change and Leadership

    3H AGO

    Backing Yourself: Pooja’s Journey Through Change and Leadership

    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 it means to adapt across cultures, step into unfamiliar territory and stay true to yourself along the way. Pooja shares candid reflections on finding her voice in British corporate life, leading high-stakes projects like Terminal 5, and making the jump from operations to technology leadership. With refreshing openness, she speaks about the power of asking for help, the myth of work-life balance and why she never looks for a perfect fit in her next role. This episode offers thoughtful insight into resilience, purpose and the quiet confidence that comes from backing yourself. Key Learnings You don’t need to know it all to say yes – Pooja highlights the importance of taking on new challenges before feeling fully ready, trusting that growth comes through action, not perfection. Real change is always about people – Whether leading major tech transformations or adapting to a new culture, Pooja reminds us that success hinges on connection, collaboration and shared purpose. Guest Information:  linkedin.com/in/poojabatrabagga1 poojabagga1@gmail.com Support the show ******************** Support the Show Help us continue making great content and get a shout-out on the show! https://www.buzzsprout.com/2389736/support

    30 min
  2. Outgrowing Old Beliefs: Why Open-Mindedness Matters Now

    NOV 6 · BONUS

    Outgrowing Old Beliefs: Why Open-Mindedness Matters Now

    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 opportunities are right in front of us. From coaching insights to learning design, they discuss why the real challenge isn’t adapting to change. It’s believing we can. Featuring practical thinking models like First Principles, Inversion and Second-Order Thinking, this conversation offers a thoughtful take on how leaders and learners can stay relevant, reflective and curious in the face of rapid shifts like AI and hybrid working. If you’ve ever questioned whether your mindset is helping or holding you back, this episode is for you. Support the show ******************** Support the Show Help us continue making great content and get a shout-out on the show! https://www.buzzsprout.com/2389736/support

    9 min
  3. Experiment, Challenge, Rethink: L&D with Tom McDowall

    OCT 30

    Experiment, Challenge, Rethink: L&D with Tom McDowall

    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 training was not only failing to deliver results, but was also letting people down. That early frustration led to a mission: to challenge ineffective practices, encourage experimentation and push L&D to think harder about what it really exists to do. Together, they explore why many L&D teams are still stuck in a cycle of producing content rather than solving problems, and how that mindset limits their influence and impact. Tom shares how simple A/B testing, bold thinking and candid internal dialogue can shift a team from doers to trusted partners in organisational performance. They also discuss what it truly takes to earn a seat at the top table. Beyond ambition, there is often a skills gap that prevents many from operating effectively at a strategic level. Tom opens up about the pressures of professionalising the industry, the need for clearer career pathways, and why generosity and support matter more than ever for those entering the profession. This episode is full of straight-talking insight, grounded advice and constructive provocation. Whether you are new to L&D or a seasoned leader ready to shake things up, Tom’s perspective offers a thoughtful call to action. Stop doing what has always been done and start thinking differently. Key Learnings L&D needs to stop measuring success by output and start focusing on impact. Tom challenges the long-standing reliance on metrics like number of courses delivered or attendance rates. He argues that these fail to reflect real learning or behavioural change, and that L&D teams must take responsibility for shifting the conversation toward more meaningful measures. Without that shift, L&D risks being undervalued and stuck in an order-taking role. Small-scale experimentation can lead to powerful insights and organisational change. Through a simple A/B test comparing traditional e-learning with a drip-fed email campaign, Tom demonstrated how alternative approaches can dramatically increase engagement and effectiveness. These kinds of experiments not only improve outcomes, they also prompt broader discussions about the purpose and direction of L&D within organisations. Guest Information: tom.mcdowall@outlook.com https://www.linkedin.com/in/tom-mcdowall https://www.youtube.com/c/InstructionalDesignTips Evolve L&D - Making L&D a Radical But Essential Business Partner Support the show ******************** Support the Show Help us continue making great content and get a shout-out on the show! https://www.buzzsprout.com/2389736/support

    36 min
  4. Bonus Episode: You Got the Promotion – So Why Does It Feel Empty?

    OCT 22 · BONUS

    Bonus Episode: You Got the Promotion – So Why Does It Feel Empty?

    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 something still feels off. Julia shares a real conversation that sparked this reflection, and together with Valerie, they unpack what happens when external success no longer aligns with internal motivation. They explore why this feeling is more common than you might think, what it could be telling you, and how to start listening to it without tearing everything down. If you’ve ever found yourself questioning the path you're on, even quietly, this one’s for you. Support the show ******************** Support the Show Help us continue making great content and get a shout-out on the show! https://www.buzzsprout.com/2389736/support

    7 min
  5. Bonus Episode: What Creating a Podcast Taught Us About Real Learning

    OCT 16 · BONUS

    Bonus Episode: What Creating a Podcast Taught Us About Real Learning

    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 what has made this journey meaningful — both for them and their listeners. They talk about: Why learning doesn’t need a classroomHow stories often stick more than strategiesThe surprising intimacy of audioWhy downloads don’t measure real impactIf you’ve ever wondered what goes on behind the scenes of a podcast — or how learning really happens in the moments between the frameworks — this episode offers a warm and thoughtful look at what matters most. Support the show ******************** Support the Show Help us continue making great content and get a shout-out on the show! https://www.buzzsprout.com/2389736/support

    5 min
  6. Angela De Souza: From Unqualified to Unstoppable – Building Business on Her Own Terms

    OCT 9

    Angela De Souza: From Unqualified to Unstoppable – Building Business on Her Own Terms

    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 business movement that spans continents. We explore her unshakable belief that business can – and should – be human. Angela shares powerful reflections on building with integrity, leading from lived experience, and why success must be self-defined. She opens up about shifting from pastoral care to profit, unpublishing her past to tell a new story, and how nature influences her approach to growth and sustainability. From pricing with confidence to redefining leadership and letting go of imposter syndrome, this episode is packed with honesty, encouragement and grounded business insight. Key Takeaways Profit isn’t a dirty word  it’s proof of a sustainable business. Angela challenges the discomfort many women feel around money, emphasising that making a profit should be seen as a strength, not something to apologise for. A healthy business isn’t just about passion, it must also be financially viable. Success should reflect your values, not social expectations. Rather than chasing a polished image of success, Angela encourages defining it on your own terms. For her, success is found in daily balance, meaningful impact and making time for what brings joy not just what brings revenue. Guest Information: https://www.linkedin.com/in/angelacdesouza/ https://www.angeladesouza.com/ https://womensbusiness.club/ https://www.muffinandpoppy.co.uk/ Support the show ******************** Support the Show Help us continue making great content and get a shout-out on the show! https://www.buzzsprout.com/2389736/support

    41 min
  7. From Audience Seats to Centre Stage: Our Speak and Shine Experience

    OCT 2 · BONUS

    From Audience Seats to Centre Stage: Our Speak and Shine Experience

    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. After watching from the sidelines, both Julia and Valerie decided to take the leap and discovered just how powerful it feels to step up and truly own your voice. They open up about the nerves, the preparation, the unexpected challenges, and the standout moments that made the experience unforgettable. From the writing process to the reactions in the room, this conversation is a candid look at what it really takes to move from “I could never do that” to “I did it and I grew from it.” If you’ve ever wondered what might happen if you said yes to being seen in a bigger way, this episode might be the encouragement you need. Support the show ******************** Support the Show Help us continue making great content and get a shout-out on the show! https://www.buzzsprout.com/2389736/support

    17 min
  8. The Emotional Intelligence Renaissance: EQ over IQ in the Age of Automation

    SEP 25 · BONUS

    The Emotional Intelligence Renaissance: EQ over IQ in the Age of Automation

    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 automation. They share real examples of leaders who used empathy and openness to ease anxiety around AI, highlight the five traits that make EQ practical rather than abstract, and touch on the rise of SQ (social quotient) in building stronger teams. Expect clear insights, relatable stories from the field, and practical ways to start developing your own emotional intelligence, even if it does not come naturally. Whether you are leading through change, working in a team that is adapting to new technology, or curious about the future of leadership, this conversation shows why EQ is no longer optional, it is essential. Support the show ******************** Support the Show Help us continue making great content and get a shout-out on the show! https://www.buzzsprout.com/2389736/support

    7 min
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About

Our podcast is designed for business leaders, managers, consultants, industry experts, and individuals who are passionate about driving change and promoting growth in their organisations or personal development. Each episode will delve into crucial topics such as mindset recalibration, visibility, and strategic planning. We will have insightful conversations about change management and innovative initiatives that can transform your approach to learning and development.  Our aim is to equip you with valuable insights and practical strategies to enhance your leadership skills, business acumen, and personal growth.  We are focusing on our leaders and professional guests' unique journeys and the key moments that have shaped their careers.   We are passionate about sharing stories that inspire, educate, and ignite a spark within our listenersJoin us on this journey as we unlock the secrets to success in the dynamic world of learning and development. Stay tuned and get ready to be inspired!Host Information:Julia BendExecutive Career Coachhttps://www.premier-coaching.co.ukhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/julia-bend-premier-coachingValerie MerrillLearning & Development Trainer & Advisorhttps://www.merrillconsultants.comhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/merrillvalerie/

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