Learning While Working Podcast

In this episode of the Learning While Working Podcast, Bianca Baumann and Mike Taylor share insights from their latest book, ‘Think Like a Marketer, Train Like an L&D Pro: Strategies to Ignite Learning’, and dive into actionable strategies that L&D professionals can borrow from the world of marketing.Discover why shifting your mindset from “order taker” to strategic business partner is essential for today’s L&D professionals. We also uncover how to personalise learning at scale, run effective learning campaigns, and apply marketing-inspired strategies to create learning experiences that resonate – and deliver results.About  Bianca BaumannBianca Baumann is a seasoned learning strategist, international speaker, and author who specialises in innovative workforce enablement solutions. With deep expertise across L&D, employee experience, performance management, and future workforce planning, she partners with global organisations to design data-driven, business-aligned strategies. Known for her wor

In this episode of the Learning While Working Podcast, Dr. Alaina Szlachta, founder of Design by Development Solution, explores measuring success in learning and development. She guides us in thinking like researchers to effectively gather data from stakeholders and align training solutions with business outcomes.Tune in as she highlights starting with simple, relevant data points and introduces 'Return on Expectations' to evaluate if training meets stakeholder goals. We'll also discuss the challenges of measuring soft skills, the pitfalls of satisfaction metrics, and the importance of understanding the core problems training aims to address.About  Alaina SzlachtaDr. Alaina Szlachta creates data-enablement systems for small businesses to show the outcomes and the impact of their learning programs. She is the founder and creator of Measurement Made Easy, a community of practice which uses microlearning, mentorship, and real case studies to create simpler solutions to common measurement and evaluation challenge

In this episode of the Learning While Working Podcast, we are joined by Dwayne Wood, an associate professor at National University and an expert in instructional design for workplaces. As the landscape of AI, especially generative AI like ChatGPT, rapidly evolves in higher education, Dwayne shares his unique perspective on how this technology is reshaping learning experiences. From the ethical implications to the challenges of maintaining critical thinking and creativity in students, this episode unpacks the complexities and opportunities AI brings into the educational sphere.About Dwayne WoodDwayne Wood, Associate Professor at National University, is a renowned educator and instructional designer. His expertise lies in creating highly effective and engaging pedagogical methods, designing effective and engaging curricula, creating learning materials tailored to diverse audiences, and designing educational experiences for adult learners.With a distinguished background in military service, Dwayne brings a uniqu

In this episode of the Learning While Working Podcast, Anamaria Dorgo Anamaria Dorgo, the founder of Handle With Brain, shares her innovative "No Course" approach to learning design. Learn how to create sustainable learning communities, encourage participant-led experiences, and leverage curiosity and adaptability in the learning process.About Anamaria DorgoAnamaria Dorgo is a Learning Experience Designer, Facilitator, and previously the Head of Community at Butter. With degrees in psychology and human resources, she has a lifelong commitment to learning, resulting in her creating engaging learning experiences for a global community. ​​She is the founder of Handle with Brain, an experience design consultancy.Key takeaways:Collaborative Learning: The "No Course" approach is based on peer-to-peer interaction and mutual support, encouraging participants to learn by doing and sharing real-time feedback. Ideal for projects involving new technologies, such as AI.Community Building: Start small with passionate peers

In this episode of the Learning While Working Podcast, Rance Green talks about the transformative power of storytelling in learning. He shares his "instructional story design" method, emphasising the need to understand the learning audience deeply and integrate conflict effectively into training narratives. Rance also provides practical advice on creating impactful training stories that act like flight simulators for the brain, driving both context and action.About Rance GreeneRance Greene is a story designer, author and speaker. Rance helps leaders connect with, inspire, guide and persuade their people through story-based messaging. He also equips talent development professionals to reach business outcomes through story-based training. A leader, consultant, coach and frequent speaker in live and virtual sessions on leadership storytelling, story-writing and instructional story design.Key takeaways:Understand your audience: Rance emphasises the importance of deeply understanding your learning audience to crea

In this episode of the Learning While Working Podcast, Lisa Bodell, CEO of FutureThink and a global leader in simplification and innovation, explores the vital role of curiosity in our rapidly evolving AI landscape. Robin and Lisa discuss the power of asking "killer questions," fostering a culture of curiosity, and the irreplaceable human touch in creativity and problem-solving. Lisa also shares practical examples and insights on how diverse questioning can lead to innovative solutions in both work and personal life.About Lisa BodellLisa Bodell is an award-winning author and CEO of FutureThink. She has repeatedly been selected as one of the Top 50 Keynote Speakers in the World and recognized as one of the top 50 futurists. As a futurist and expert on the topic of innovation and simplicity, she serves as a global council member of the World Economic Forum, and has helped thousands of senior leaders ignite innovation at Bloomberg, Pfizer, Lockheed Martin, and more.Key takeaways:Curiosity as a Skill: it is not j

In this episode of the Learning While Working Podcast, Sarah Hawk, co-CEO of Discourse, shares the transformative potential of chat platforms in facilitating learning and collaboration in the workplace. The conversation explores the concept of "fast lane" and "slow lane" chat environments, emphasising the significance of intentional information architecture and fostering a culture of open, transparent communication, and much more.About Sarah HawkSarah Hawk is an expert in online community building and manages the team that builds Discourse, the 100% open source discussion platform built for the next decade of the Internet. Prior to her current role, Hawk was Head of Community at community consultancy FeverBee.Key takeaways:Intentional Information Architecture: Hawk emphasises the importance of designing a well-structured information system. Ensuring people know where to post questions, how to find answers, and how to retain and document knowledge is crucial for long-term organisational growth.Mindful Cultural

In this episode of the Learning While Working Podcast, Kayvon Touran shares the transformative potential of AI in skill management. Tune in as we unpack the pivotal role of context in making skill frameworks effective and the innovative ways AI can address the nuances of managing skills within organisations. Kayvon also reveals how AI can streamline data collection and enhance skill assessments through dynamic simulations.About Kayvon TouranKayvon Touran is the CEO and co-founder of Zal.ai. Kayvon has spent his entire career working in early stage technology startups, and most recently as a product leader in education technology where he created and implemented a next generation lifelong learning platform for higher education institutions.Key takeaways:Context is king: Generic skill definitions won’t cut it. Kayvon shares how customised, context-specific skills frameworks are essential for genuinely impactful training.AI as a powerful tool: Artificial intelligence can streamline the collection and analysis of

In this episode of the Learning While Working Podcast, Brant Gibbons, President of Knowledge Anywhere, shares his expert insights on the current generation of AI tools, the balance between innovation and practicality, and the critical considerations for L&D professionals when integrating AI into their workflows. We explore the exciting potential of AI, the inherent risks, and the ongoing tension between cutting-edge technology and maintaining quality human interactions in learning experiences. About David GuralnickAs the President of Knowledge Anywhere, Brant Gibbons leads a team of passionate and innovative professionals who deliver technology-based learning solutions to help their clients achieve their goals. With over 20 years of experience in the learning industry, Brant has a proven track record of driving growth, building strategic partnerships, and enhancing customer satisfaction. Founded in 1998, Knowledge Anywhere, Inc. is an award-winning company that has emerged as a leader in knowledge transfe

In this episode of the Learning While Working Podcast, David Guralnick, the CEO of Kaleidoscope Learning and President of the International eLearning Association, shares the potential of AI-driven, learner-centric environments. He also unpacks the possibilities of AI as a personalised coach, and the challenges organisations face in adopting new technologies. Plus, hear David's valuable insights on moving beyond traditional constraints to dream big and scale back, ensuring that the ideal learning experience is always within reach.About David GuralnickDavid Guralnick is the current President and CEO of Kaleidoscope Learning. He is also the current president of the International E-Learning Association; founder and chair of The Learning Ideas Conference; Editor-in-Chief of the International Journal on Advanced Corporate Learning; Chair of the International E-Learning Awards; and an Adjunct Professor at Columbia University. He is the author of the book "How Organizations Can Make the Most of Online Learning”.Key t

In this episode of the Learning While Working Podcast, Bob Mosher shares the potential of performance support to enhance learning while working. We'll explore the concept of 'the Five Moments of Need' and how they revolutionise our approach to workplace training. Bob also sheds light on some crucial strategies like performing workflow analysis before developing training solutions, and redefining the roles of learners as performers and users.About Bob MosherBob Mosher is the Chief Learning Evangelist and Co-Founder of APPLY Synergies, a strategic consulting firm that specialises in helping learning organisations design, develop and measure effective learning and performance support strategies to meet the 5 Moments of Learning Need. Bob has been an active and influential leader in the learning and training industry for over 40 years and is renowned worldwide for his pioneering role in new approaches to learning.Key takeaways:Performance support is critical: Understanding that performance support isn't just abou

In this episode of the Learning While Working Podcast, Danny Stefanic is a pioneer in 3D technologies and is the founder of a number of  VR-related companies including LearnBrite. We'll be exploring the challenges and opportunities of using VR and AR in learning environments, how organisations can implement these technologies effectively, and the future of immersive learning experiences.About Danny StefanicDanny Stefanic has been working in the virtual reality industry for over 25 years and created the first web metaverse back in 2008. He is the founder of a number of VR-related companies including LearnBrite, MootUp and Hyperspace, and continues to be a pioneer in VR and AR in learning environments.Key takeaways:The practical applications of VR and AR in corporate learning: provide hands-free operation for on-the-job training and enhanced real-world simulations for skills like objection handling and customer service.Be aware of cross-device compatibility: develop experiences that operate across multiple plat

In this episode of the Learning While Working Podcast, Stella Lee unpacks her comprehensive competency framework for AI, crafted especially for learning and development professionals. The conversation covers everything from the AI fundamentals to the crucial aspects of data fluency, and the ethical implications to know about. Stella's framework emphasises the need for a mindset that balances adaptability and critical analysis.About Susan Stocker    With over 20 years of experience in the e-learning and edtech industry, Stella Lee is a director at Paradox Learning, a consulting firm that provides and evaluates innovative learning solutions across multiple devices, cultures, and platforms. Stella works with clients from various sectors, such as government, education, non-profit, and corporate, to help them achieve their learning and development goals with data-driven and technology-enabled approaches.Key takeaways:The AI Competency Framework: covering seven areas, it is designed to deepen our understanding of a

In this episode of the Learning While Working Podcast, Terry Pearce, the founder of Unfold Play, joins the show for a discussion on engaging learning through play. Terry shares strategies for game-based learning and the six levers that make games effective for learning. He also gives examples of how putting learners at the centre of the learning experience can transform seemingly dry content into engaging and effective learning activities.About Terry PearceTerry Pearce founded Untold Play to bring together his twin passions of learning design and games. Terry leverages the power of games and gamification in learning, and he regularly weaves the principles of game-based learning into the learning experiences he creates. He has won awards, through the London NHS Modernisation Agency, Reed Learning and the Healthcare People Management Association, for the services I deliver to clients, including HSBC, Imperial College Hospital, Thames Water and Zurich.Key takeaways:Putting learners at the centre: Games engage le

In this episode of the Learning While Working Podcast, Gregg Eiler, Senior Manager for Learning and Development at Powin, unpacks how motivation, clarity, and leadership interact to boost employee performance. Gregg also dives into the art of coaching, sharing actionable insights from his own experiences that redefine how to build expertise within L&D teams. Find out why it’s about being more than just an instructional designer – it's about being a business problem solver with a curious mindset.About Gregg EilerGregg Eiler is the Senior Manager for Learning and Development at Powin, where he built the company’s L&D operations from the ground up. He is an experienced Instructional Designer and Performance Improvement Expert with over 15 years of expertise, collaborating with global industry leaders to create impactful learning solutions. Greg’s particular passion lies in optimising performance ecosystems, focusing on elements such as motivation, bandwidth expansion, deliberate practice, coaching, and f

In this episode of the Learning While Working Podcast, Andrea Laus explores the importance of role plays for developing crucial human skills, the potential pitfalls in traditional role play designs, and the transformative impact of a digital approach to role plays guided by technology. Andrea als unpacks how AI can enhance role plays, improve the feedback process, and ultimately revolutionise the L&D landscape.About Andrea LausAndrea Laus has spent the last 20 years developing effective strategies for talent development. He is the CEO of SkillGym, which designs state-of-the-art digital role plays for rebalancing knowledge-based training approaches with actionable practice. He regularly shares his ideas about effective training methodologies and strategies through his blog, and speaks at several HR and L&D conferences around the world on these fascinating subjects. Key takeaways:The importance of role plays in learning experiences: Andrea shares how it's crucial for developing human skills such as comm

In this episode of the Learning While Working Podcast, Susan Stocker uncovers the world of computational thinking and its relevance in the age of artificial intelligence. With the skills gap becoming a concern in the era of AI and data-driven decision making, Susan's research on computational thinking in the workplace is timely and informative. Listen, as we explore what computational thinking is, the importance of critical thinking, and how these skills can shape our approach to problem-solving in the age of AI.About Susan Stocker    Susan Stocker is a Digital Transformation L&D Consultant where she helps organisations quickly change and get ahead of the skills and capability curve. She is committed to hands-on learning that enables teams to accelerate their success and companies to retain their people. She is also a certified Lean Six Sigma Master Black Belt, Certified Product Owner, Certified Scrum Master, and Certified BADIR Citizen Analyst.Key takeaways:Computational Thinking and AI in the Workplace:

In this episode of the Learning While Working Podcast, Eliza Cani, a learning designer at LearnWorlds, explores the topic of using ChatGPT for learning designers. Eliza shares valuable insights on how AI can be integrated into course design, the importance of prompting skills, and the future trends that can revolutionise the fieldAbout  Eliza CaniEliza Cani is an eLearning Designer at LearnWorlds, and an experienced public speaker with a background in IT. She started her career at LearnWorlds as a member of the support team where she demonstrated an in-depth knowledge of the platform and the ability to solve customer issues fast and efficiently. Over the years, Eliza has helped hundreds of trainers and course creators create engaging learning materials and deliver them effectively.Key takeaways:Prompt engineering and engaging with ChatGPT: there is a need for precise and specific prompts, e.g. specifying course duration, target audience, tone of voice, key takeaways, etc. Consider also the audience needs and

In this episode of the Learning While Working Podcast, Pedram Parasmand shares his insights on using AI tools for workshop designs and emphasises the importance of not relying on AI to do the creative work for you, but rather using it as a thought partner and brainstorming tool. He shares his experience with Chat GPT and Copy AI, highlighting how he trains these AI generative tools on his own methodology to support workshop design. He also explores the potential of using AI-powered transcription tools like Otter AI for analysis and evaluation.About  Pedram ParasmandPedram Parasmand is The Co-Founder and CEO of Skills Lab and has over 11 years experience working with executive teams to new entrants in the corporate, public, third and education sectors. Pedram has partnered with clients such as Accenture, Barclays Bank, Mind, Ministry of Justice, Red Bull, The European Union Commission, and The British Council. Previously, Pedram worked in Leadership Development at the education charity Teach First and started

In this episode of the Learning While Working Podcast, Marco de Rossi discusses the current issues with digital learning in workplaces, such as the misalignment between how we naturally learn as lifelong learners and how organisations push out content-driven learning. Tune in as we delve into social learning, synchronous vs. asynchronous activities, and how Generative AI is proving to be a valuable tool for L&D experts.About  Marco de RossiMarco de Rossi is the CEO of WeSchool, a learning platform that helps teams launch effective training in a user-friendly environment no matter their technical skills.Key takeaways:The challenges in digital learning in workplaces: there is a misalignment between how people learn in workplaces and how they naturally learn as lifelong learners. Learning is often seen as a buzzword, but not integrated into daily behaviours, so there needs to be a shift where learning becomes the responsibility of every team, not just HR.The people-centric approach: learning should be woven