The Learning+ Podcast

In this episode of The Learning+ Podcast, Vidya speaks with Connie about what it really means to be visible in today’s professional world. Together, they unpack why visibility is no longer vanity but service, and how consistency, authenticity, and self-awareness shape lasting credibility. Connie shares practical ways to overcome imposter thoughts, start from your strengths, and define success on your own terms. A grounded, insightful conversation on showing up with purpose… not for attention, but for impact.Connect with ConnieLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/conniemalamed/ ReferencesFree Email Course on VisibilityArticles:- How to Increase Your Visibility as a Learning Professional- Visibility Strategies for Introverts to Stand Out Professionally - Psychological Barriers To Career Visibility And What You Can Do About It - Developing Thought Leadership as a Learning ProfessionalConnect with LearnnovatorsWebsite: https://learnnovators.com/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/learnnovators/Connect with VidyaLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/srividyakumar/

What if learning isn’t about knowledge at all, but about what people care about? In this episode, Vidya speaks with Nick Shackleton-Jones, author of How People Learn and one of L&D’s most provocative voices. Nick argues that learning is an affective process - memory and behavior are shaped by emotion, not logic. They explore why compliance training often fails, why arguments rarely change people but experiences do, the difference between real resources and disguised modules, and how AI might both eliminate and transform learning.Connect with NickLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shackletonjones/ ReferencesHow People Learn by Nick Shackleton-Jones: https://a.co/d/ji8Ca4FThe Checklist Manifesto by Atul Gawande: https://a.co/d/5M7D3xY Iowa Gambling Task: https://youtu.be/9lR1Fwqt0G8?t=865 5Di: https://shackleton-consulting.com/5di-toolkit/ Connect with LearnnovatorsWebsite: https://learnnovators.com/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/learnnovators/Connect with VidyaLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/srividyakumar/

In this episode of the Learning+ Podcast, Vidya sits down with Guy Wallace, a pioneer who has been championing performance-first thinking in L&D for over four decades. Guy shares why most performance problems aren’t training problems, why only 5-15% of people can learn out of context, and why pilot testing should be designed to break your training, not validate it. He also explains why top performers often know the truth better than leadership, and why sometimes the smartest move is to cancel a training project altogether. Packed with sharp insights and practical wisdom, this conversation challenges us to look beyond courses and focus on what really drives results: performance.Connect with Guy LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/guywwallace/ Free Professional Resources: https://guywwallace.wordpress.com/ Connect with LearnnovatorsWebsite: https://learnnovators.com/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/learnnovators/Connect with VidyaLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/srividyakumar/

In this episode of The Learning+ Podcast, Vidya sits down with Mark Sheppard, senior learning advisor and respected voice in the L&D community. Mark brings sharp insights into why L&D so often becomes a band-aid for broken systems - and what it takes to break free of that cycle. From the danger of chasing credibility over impact, to the emotional labor L&D silently absorbs, to why real change starts with diagnosis instead of deliverables, this is a candid conversation about courage, systems, and the future of learning. If you’ve ever wondered whether L&D is solving the right problems, this episode will give you questions - and the courage - to rethink your role.Connect with MarkLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/marksheppard/ Connect with LearnnovatorsWebsite: https://learnnovators.com/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/learnnovators/Connect with VidyaLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/srividyakumar/

In this episode, Vidya speaks with Caner Akova about what it really takes to drive performance in the workplace, and why delivering content isn't enough. They explore why L&D needs to design for friction, not just information, and how influence and stakeholder alignment can make or break learning efforts. From rethinking how we run pilots to tying outcomes to business metrics, the conversation cuts through the noise to focus on what actually creates change. They also discuss what AI can’t do… and why the human side of L&D still matters.Connect with CanerLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/canerakova/ Newsletter: https://unriddled.substack.com/ Connect with LearnnovatorsWebsite: https://learnnovators.com/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/learnnovators/Connect with VidyaLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/srividyakumar/

Making L&D Matter: A Maturity Model Conversation with David JamesWhat does real L&D maturity look like in 2025? In this episode, Vidya speaks with David James (CLO of 360Learning and host of the Learning & Development Podcast) about his L&D Maturity Model - and what it takes to move from reactive training to strategic, business-aligned learning. They explore how to earn credibility, partner with stakeholders, close skills gaps, and harness AI to drive performance. If you’re rethinking your learning strategy or aiming to increase L&D’s organizational impact, this episode is for you.Connect with DavidLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/davidjameslinkedin/ The Learning & Development Podcast: https://360learning.com/solution/learning-and-development-podcast-by-david-james/ Referenced Guus Van DeelenLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/guusvandeelen/details/experience/Book - Organising L&D for Results: https://www.amazon.com/Organizing-results-Managing-Learning-Maximum/dp/9462724407Jess AlmlieLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jessalmlie/Book - L&D Order Taker No More: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Order-Taker-No-More-Strategic-ebook/dp/B0F83XBBCVLaura Overton & Michelle Ockers (The L&D Leader book to be published later this year)https://www.linkedin.com/in/lauraoverton/https://www.linkedin.com/in/michelleockers/Connect with LearnnovatorsWebsite: https://learnnovators.com/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/learnnovators/Connect with VidyaLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/srividyakumar/

In this episode of Learning+, Vidya speaks with Goutham Yegappan - educator, data scientist, and question-asker - about reimagining education beyond systems, silos, and standardization. They explore why curiosity fades, how the teacher-student divide holds us back, and why passion isn’t something to find, but a way of seeing. This isn’t a conversation about quick fixes… but about slowing down, asking better questions, and rethinking what it means to truly learn.Connect with GouthamLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gouthamyega/Website: https://www.reeducated.org/ Connect with LearnnovatorsWebsite: https://learnnovators.com/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/learnnovators/Connect with VidyaLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/srividyakumar/

Why doesn’t learning always lead to action? In this episode, Vidya sits down with Julie Dirksen - author, designer, and one of the clearest thinkers on behavior change in L&D. They explore why systems thinking can sometimes overwhelm us, how to design for motivation dips, what to do when learners don’t see themselves as part of the problem, and why behavior design needs ethical boundaries. If you’re trying to bridge the knowing-doing gap in your work, this conversation offers sharp insight… and plenty to reflect on.Connect with JulieLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/juliedirksen/ Website: https://usablelearning.com/ Books: https://usablelearning.com/the-books/ Connect with LearnnovatorsWebsite: https://learnnovators.com/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/learnnovators/Connect with VidyaLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/srividyakumar/

What does it really take to build a thriving learning community - one where people feel safe, supported, and inspired to grow? In this episode, Erin Chancellor joins Vidya to share how she co-manages the Useful L&D Community with care, clarity, and intentional structure. They explore what “lurker love” looks like in action, why creating space matters more than pushing content, and how community skills can reshape how we do L&D. It’s a quiet, reflective conversation - full of practical wisdom and gentle provocations. Whether you lead learning, design it, or just care about how people connect and grow… this one’s for you.Connect with Erin LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chancellorerin/Connect with LearnnovatorsWebsite: https://learnnovators.com/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/learnnovators/Connect with VidyaLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/srividyakumar/

In this episode, Tom McDowall joins us for a deep dive into learner autonomy, performance-focused design, and the real role of L&D in a fast-changing world. We unpack what it means to give learners control, how to balance autonomy with compliance, and why experimentation - not training - is often the better answer. From Dungeons & Dragons to chatbot-driven learning, Tom shares sharp insights and practical ideas for rethinking how we support performance at work.Connect with Tom LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tom-mcdowall/ Website: https://tommcdowall.com/ The iDeas Podcast: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLRvjaaAi-H8MW_yYwpqgtKXgL15cFaKhd Instructional Design Tips YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/c/InstructionalDesignTips Connect with LearnnovatorsWebsite: https://learnnovators.com/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/learnnovators/Connect with VidyaLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/srividyakumar/