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. Charlie Warsawski The Truth About Coaching Nobody Warns You About

    1D AGO

    Charlie Warsawski The Truth About Coaching Nobody Warns You About

    If you enjoyed this podcast, we'd love to hear from you! In this episode of The Secrets of Learning and Development, we’re joined by Charlie Warshawski — coach, trainer, mentor, speaker, YouTuber, and founder of Love Your Coaching. Charlie’s known for his warmth, clarity and straight-talking insights on what it really takes to become a confident coach, supervisor or mindset practitioner. You’ll hear how he went from hotel management in the 80s, through education, to building an ILM-accredited training centre and why he believes most people underestimate what’s actually learnable. From letting go of coloured pens to calling out the coaching industry’s silence on business realities, Charlie brings honesty, humour and hard-earned wisdom to this conversation. If you're curious about growth mindset, coaching supervision, or building a practice with purpose, this one’s well worth a listen. Key Learnings Letting go of old habits is part of becoming a better coach Charlie spoke candidly about the challenge of unlearning certain behaviours during his PCC journey, especially his tendency to over-explain and blend coaching with mentoring. Through supervision and reflection, he realised that true coaching often lies in brevity, presence and trust in the client's thinking. Coaching as a business requires more than passion and accreditation Charlie emphasised that many new coaches underestimate the challenge of building a sustainable coaching business. He believes it is essential to be upfront about the marketing, visibility and resilience needed and that learning how to position yourself is just as critical as the coaching skills themselves. Guest Information: Website: https://www.loveyourcoaching.com/ Our courses: https://www.loveyourcoaching.com/course-dates/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/charliewarshawski/ Instagram / X: https://www.instagram.com/loveyourcoaching/?hl=en Podcast or YouTube https://www.youtube.com/@loveyourcoaching We are thrilled to share 'The Secrets of Learning and Development'  Podcast has won Podcast of the Year 2025 A heartfelt THANK YOU to all our listeners for your encouragement, shares and support.  It means the world. 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

    42 min
  2. The Foundation You Actually Need: Why Self-Worth comes before strategy

    4D AGO ·  BONUS

    The Foundation You Actually Need: Why Self-Worth comes before strategy

    If you enjoyed this podcast, we'd love to hear from you! In this bonus episode, Julia and Valerie explore why strategy alone isn’t enough and how building from self-worth changes everything. Julia reflects on what happens when your confidence is tied to job titles, outcomes or external validation. She shares her own experience of launching a coaching practice without guarantees, and how believing in her value before the results made the biggest difference. If you’ve ever found yourself chasing the next goal without feeling fully grounded, this conversation is an invitation to pause, reflect and reconnect with the foundation that really matters. We are thrilled to share 'The Secrets of Learning and Development'  Podcast has won Podcast of the Year 2025 A heartfelt THANK YOU to all our listeners for your encouragement, shares and support.  It means the world. 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

    8 min
  3. When Everything Changed: Louise Pengilley on Reinvention, Energy and Finding a New Way to Work

    MAR 26

    When Everything Changed: Louise Pengilley on Reinvention, Energy and Finding a New Way to Work

    If you enjoyed this podcast, we'd love to hear from you! What if the life you never planned for turns out to be exactly the one you needed? In this powerful episode, we sit down with Louise Pengilley, a business growth and mindset mentor whose journey from global corporate leadership to running her own business was sparked by a single, unexpected question: “Can you teach me everything you know?” Louise shares how she rebuilt her career and redefined success after redundancy, burnout and her husband's life-altering cancer diagnosis. This isn’t a story of polished pivoting. It’s about boundaries, burnout, brave choices and building a business that fits real life. You’ll hear: Why self-employment wasn’t the plan but became the right pathThe three ‘D’s from corporate life that still shape her approach todayHow illness shifted everything—priorities, pace and purposeWhy energy, mindset and wellbeing are the real performance strategyWhat her clients say when they finally feel calm, clear and back in controlLouise is real, grounded and unafraid to talk about the hard stuff. Whether you’re leading, building, or rethinking your next move this conversation will stay with you. Key Learnings Simplicity and Personalisation Beat Generic Strategy Louise has developed over 60 tools, templates and models not to overwhelm, but to simplify. Her approach is rooted in making strategy practical, personal and easy to implement. She emphasises that tools alone aren’t enough they need to be shaped around each individual’s personality, energy and business needs. Corporate Experience Still Matters Just on Your Own Terms Though Louise walked away from a successful corporate career, she hasn’t left her experience behind. The structure, discipline and empathy she learned in leadership roles continue to underpin her work. Her story challenges the myth that reinvention means starting from scratch instead, she shows how to repurpose your past for the future you want. Guest Information: https://www.facebook.com/louisepengilleybusinessmentor/ https://www.instagram.com/louisepengilleybusinessmentor/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/louisepengilleybusinessmentor/ We are thrilled to share 'The Secrets of Learning and Development'  Podcast has won Podcast of the Year 2025 A heartfelt THANK YOU to all our listeners for your encouragement, shares and support.  It means the world. 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

    28 min
  4. Bonus Episode: Valerie Merrill Why Social Capital Matters More Than Ever

    MAR 19 ·  BONUS

    Bonus Episode: Valerie Merrill Why Social Capital Matters More Than Ever

    If you enjoyed this podcast, we'd love to hear from you! Social capital is the invisible force that shapes how work really gets done, especially in hybrid teams, fast-moving organisations and a world increasingly influenced by AI. In this bonus episode, Julia and Valerie unpack what social capital actually is, how to spot it in action and why it has become a strategic advantage rather than a ‘nice to have’. Valerie breaks down the three types, bonding, bridging and linking, and explains how each one affects trust, collaboration and resilience. You’ll also hear real-world prompts on what high social capital looks like when teams are distributed and when cross-functional work either flies or stalls, plus the potential downsides such as cliques and gatekeeping, and how leaders and L&D professionals can think about building it more intentionally. We are thrilled to share 'The Secrets of Learning and Development'  Podcast has won Podcast of the Year 2025 A heartfelt THANK YOU to all our listeners for your encouragement, shares and support.  It means the world. 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

    12 min
  5. Rethinking L&D Through Curiosity and Community: Lavinia’s Offbeat Journey

    MAR 12

    Rethinking L&D Through Curiosity and Community: Lavinia’s Offbeat Journey

    If you enjoyed this podcast, we'd love to hear from you! In this episode of The Secrets of Learning and Development, we meet Lavinia Mehedintu, co-founder of Offbeat, whose journey from disengaged student to learning architect has reshaped how we think about professional growth. What began as a single LinkedIn post during lockdown has grown into a global newsletter, thriving membership hub and the intimate Offbeat Fest centred not on scale, but on real connection. Lavinia opens up about: Why traditional learning never clicked for herThe mindset shifts that came with entrepreneurshipWhat it really means to build a learning environment not just push contentHow burnout taught her the importance of boundaries, identity and doing meaningful work on your own termsIf you're curious about the real stories behind purposeful business-building and want fresh insight into what’s possible when learning meets community, this episode is for you Key Takeaways Learning Flourishes in the Right Environment - Not in the Right Content Lavinia emphasised that real learning doesn't come from cramming information or pushing more content. It comes from designing environments where people feel safe, autonomous and connected. Her concept of being a “learning architect” is rooted in this idea, it's not about delivering more, it's about shaping spaces where people want to learn. Entrepreneurship is as Much About Self-Discovery as It Is About Business Lavinia spoke candidly about the emotional journey of building Offbeat. Burnout, identity fusion and the pressures of growth all led her back to therapy and into a deeper understanding of how important it is to protect her own wellbeing. Her big lesson: separating your personal identity from your business is essential for long-term sustainability and mental health. Guest Information:  https://www.linkedin.com/in/laviniamehedintu/ https://www.offbeat.works/ lavinia@offbeat.works https://www.youtube.com/@offbeatlearning We are thrilled to share 'The Secrets of Learning and Development'  Podcast has won Podcast of the Year 2025 A heartfelt THANK YOU to all our listeners for your encouragement, shares and support.  It means the world. 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
  6. Leading without the Armour - Why Vulnerability isn't a risk

    MAR 8 ·  BONUS

    Leading without the Armour - Why Vulnerability isn't a risk

    If you enjoyed this podcast, we'd love to hear from you! In this bonus episode of The Secrets of Learning & Development, Julia Bend and Valerie Merrill explore what it really means to lead without emotional armour. When leaders are always composed and always capable, it can unintentionally create distance. Julia reflects on how the performance of strength, while often rewarded, can leave leaders feeling isolated and teams disengaged. Together, they unpack why vulnerability is not about oversharing, but about signalling safety, building trust and making space for real dialogue. With sharp insights and practical examples, this episode challenges the long-standing belief that openness is a risk and instead makes the case that it is a strength. We are thrilled to share 'The Secrets of Learning and Development'  Podcast has won Podcast of the Year 2025 A heartfelt THANK YOU to all our listeners for your encouragement, shares and support.  It means the world. 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
  7. More Than Bouncing Back: A New Take on Resilience with Lucy Wooldridge

    FEB 26

    More Than Bouncing Back: A New Take on Resilience with Lucy Wooldridge

    If you enjoyed this podcast, we'd love to hear from you! S4 E In this episode of The Secrets of Learning and Development, Julia and Valerie are joined by Lucy Wooldridge, accredited master coach and founder of Resilience with Lucy, whose work focuses on mindset, emotional literacy and redefining what it means to be resilient. Lucy shares her early experiences working in addiction and mental health services, and how those years shaped her belief that resilience isn’t about endurance it’s about awareness, adaptability and learning to pause. She discusses the power of emotional literacy, how NLP helps reframe limiting beliefs, and introduces the lesser-known benefits of auricular acupuncture as a tool for reducing stress and supporting wellbeing at work. This is an honest and insightful conversation about compassion, reframing what strength really looks like, and helping both individuals and organisations move from pressure to possibility. Key Takeaways Resilience isn’t about pushing through — it’s about adapting, pausing and choosing differently. Lucy challenges the outdated view that resilience means constant endurance. Instead, she reframes it as a capacity we all have, which can be rediscovered and strengthened through self-awareness, rest and conscious choice. Emotional literacy is a foundational skill for wellbeing, both individually and in teams. By expanding our emotional vocabulary and learning to name what we’re feeling, we create space to respond rather than react. This not only deepens self-connection but also improves empathy, communication and resilience in professional environments. Guest information: http://www.resiliencewithlucy.co.uk/ https://www.facebook.com/share/g/1FDvGw46d2/?mibextid=wwXIfr https://www.instagram.com/resiliencecoaching.lucy?igsh=MW9sdjBybXZ0a2RoNA%3D%3D&utm_source=qr https://www.linkedin.com/in/lucy-wooldridge?utm_source=share_via&utm_content=profile&utm_medium=member_ios We are thrilled to share 'The Secrets of Learning and Development'  Podcast has won Podcast of the Year 2025 A heartfelt THANK YOU to all our listeners for your encouragement, shares and support.  It means the world. 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

    27 min
  8. Valerie Merrill - Learning in the flow of work

    FEB 19 ·  BONUS

    Valerie Merrill - Learning in the flow of work

    If you enjoyed this podcast, we'd love to hear from you! What happens when learning is no longer an event, but a natural part of everyday work? In this bonus episode, Julia sits down with Valerie to explore the concept of learning in the flow of work what it means, why it’s gaining momentum, and how organisations can make it more than just a buzzword. Valerie draws on years of experience in L&D to share: Why traditional training models are struggling to keep upHow to support learning without taking people out of their rolesThe difference between organisational responsibility and individual ownershipThe thinkers influencing how we view learning todaySimple, effective ways to embed learning into the daily workflowPacked with practical insights, this episode is perfect for anyone looking to refresh their approach to learning at work, without adding more to the to-do list. We are thrilled to share 'The Secrets of Learning and Development'  Podcast has won Podcast of the Year 2025 A heartfelt THANK YOU to all our listeners for your encouragement, shares and support.  It means the world. 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

    10 min
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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/

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