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

    1D AGO

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

    6D AGO · 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
  3. 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
  4. 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
  5. Sarah Armstrong-Smith: When Culture Fails: What Crisis Teaches Us About People, Power and Prevention

    FEB 12

    Sarah Armstrong-Smith: When Culture Fails: What Crisis Teaches Us About People, Power and Prevention

    If you enjoyed this podcast, we'd love to hear from you! In this episode of Secrets of Learning and Development, hosts Julia and Valerie sit down with Sarah Armstrong Smith, former Chief Security Advisor at Microsoft and author of Effective Crisis Management and Understanding the Cyber Attacker. Sarah’s career spans fraud investigation, crisis response and cybersecurity, with frontline experience of major global events including the 9/11 attacks, the 7/7 London bombings and the COVID-19 pandemic. What connects them all is her enduring focus on human behaviour,  how people respond under pressure, and what gets overlooked until it’s too late. Together, they explore why so many lessons from major crises are ignored, how small issues spiral into large-scale failures, and what leaders can do differently to build cultures of integrity and accountability. Sarah shares candid stories from her earliest days investigating fuel card fraud to her time managing crisis response in some of the world’s most high-pressure environments. They also discuss the motivations behind cyber attackers, the dangers of diluted reporting, and why integrity, not process, is often the deciding factor in how well an organisation recovers from disaster. This episode is a rare behind-the-scenes look at what happens when systems break, leaders freeze, or culture fails. With clarity and conviction, Sarah makes the case for braver conversations, sharper foresight and truly putting people first. Whether you lead teams, manage risk, or want to understand how to respond better when the pressure is on, this conversation is packed with insight. Key Learnings Culture is the real crisis indicator. Many disasters aren’t the result of sudden events, but of longstanding warning signs that were ignored or downplayed. Poor culture, where employees don’t feel safe to speak up, leadership avoids uncomfortable truths, and red flags are buried, creates the perfect conditions for failure. The real risk isn’t always technical; it’s cultural. Cyber threats are deeply human. Behind every cyber attack is a motivation, and it’s not always financial. From nation-state espionage and disinformation to insider threats and emotionally manipulative scams, understanding the human drivers behind attacks is just as critical as protecting systems. If we focus only on the technology, we miss the full picture. Guest Information:  Info@securehorizons.co.uk Sarah Armstrong-Smith | LinkedIn Keynote for Tech Show London: https://www.techshowlondon.co.uk/tech-show-london-2026-programme/keynote-presented-by-sarah-armstrong-smith? 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

    52 min
  6. The MAYA Principle: Innovation People Will Actually Say Yes To

    FEB 5 · BONUS

    The MAYA Principle: Innovation People Will Actually Say Yes To

    If you enjoyed this podcast, we'd love to hear from you! Why do some ideas land effortlessly while others get rejected, even when they promise progress? In this bonus episode of The Secrets of Learning & Development, Julia and Valerie explore the MAYA Principle, a design concept coined by Raymond Loewy that holds surprising relevance for business development, learning strategy and organisational change. MAYA stands for Most Advanced Yet Acceptable, the idea that people are most likely to embrace new ideas when they feel innovative but still familiar. Valerie shares how this plays out in real L&D scenarios, from programme redesigns to digital transformation. Julia brings a fresh lens through thoughtful questions, exploring how language, framing and psychology all shape whether change is adopted or resisted. If you’re designing, pitching or repositioning anything in your work, this short episode will help you think more strategically about how to gain buy-in without compromising on innovation. 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
  7. Can AI Ask a Better Question? Coaching, Access and the Role of Technology with Sam Isaacson

    JAN 29

    Can AI Ask a Better Question? Coaching, Access and the Role of Technology with Sam Isaacson

    If you enjoyed this podcast, we'd love to hear from you! In this episode of Secrets of Learning and Development, we’re joined by Sam Isaacson, coach, author and founder of an AI-powered coaching platform that is currently being piloted within the NHS and explored by several large organisations. With a background in technology risk consultancy, Sam brings a unique lens to the evolving conversation around AI and coaching. He shares how his own shift into coaching sparked a deeper interest in human behaviour, and how this eventually led him to create a non-directive AI tool designed to open up coaching access to people who might otherwise never experience it. We discuss: The early pilots of his AI coaching platform, including work with NHS staff Why the platform never gives answers and instead focuses on asking thoughtful questionsWhat it means to bring coaching into organisations as a scalable, reflective practiceThe role of choice, tone and trust in both human and AI-led conversationsWhy Sam believes good coaching, whether human or digital, starts with listening wellWhile opinions may differ on how far AI should go in the world of coaching, this episode offers space to consider the questions it raises. Sam shares his thinking with openness and clarity, giving listeners the chance to reflect on what might support or challenge their own views. Key Learnings AI can expand access to coaching, but it is not a replacement for human connection. Sam is clear that his platform is not designed to replace human coaches. Instead, it offers a non-directive, reflective experience to people who would not otherwise have access, such as NHS staff or frontline workers. For some, the AI experience may be their first exposure to coaching-style questioning. The tool focuses on asking one thoughtful question at a time, rather than providing solutions, encouraging users to do the thinking themselves. Measuring coaching impact matters and AI can help with that. Drawing on his consultancy background, Sam questions why coaching often goes unmeasured. His platform incorporates self-efficacy and goal attainment metrics into the process, aiming to show tangible outcomes from reflective work. He argues that this kind of measurement strengthens the case for coaching as an organisational investment, rather than something optional or difficult to justify. Guest information:  https://isaacson.uk  http://isaacson.uk/digital-and-ai-coaches-conference https://www.aicoach.chat/ linkedin.com/in/samisaacson https://tidycal.com/isaacson/intro 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

    39 min
  8. Bonus Episode: Stop Waiting for Calm: Why Your Growth Can’t Be Delayed

    JAN 22 · BONUS

    Bonus Episode: Stop Waiting for Calm: Why Your Growth Can’t Be Delayed

    If you enjoyed this podcast, we'd love to hear from you! In this bonus episode, Julia and Valerie unpack why so many high-performing professionals delay their own development waiting for things to calm down, for space to appear, or for the perfect time that never quite arrives. Julia reflects on the hidden resistance that often sits behind busyness, over-delivering and perfectionism. She shares why growth can feel threatening when your identity is built around being competent, and how reconnecting with your values and purpose can shift everything. If you’ve been putting off your next step because life is too full, this conversation is a gentle challenge and a timely reminder that your growth doesn’t have to wait. 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
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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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