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PODCAST

The Secrets of Learning & Development

Valerie & Julia

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

business careers

All Episodes

30:52

Stella Collins: Rewiring the Way We Learn with...

The Secrets of Learning & Development ·

2025/09/04

If you enjoyed this podcast, we'd love to hear from you! S3:E7 In this episode, we sit down with Stella Collins, co-founder of Stellar Labs and a trailblazer in applying neuroscience and psychology to learning and development. From starting out as a coder to becoming an influential speaker and author of Neuroscience for Learning and Development, Stella shares how her career evolved through curiosity, frustration with traditional training, and a deep-rooted passion for making learning practi...

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26:37

Dr Seb Fox on Emergent Coaching: Rethinking What...

The Secrets of Learning & Development ·

2025/08/28

If you enjoyed this podcast, we'd love to hear from you! S3:E6 In this episode of The Secrets of Learning and Development, Julia and Valerie welcome Dr Seb Fox, an experienced team coach, researcher and soon-to-be author for a compelling conversation that challenges conventional coaching models. Seb shares his unexpected journey from finance and marketing into the world of coaching, and how a curiosity about behavioural change led him to specialise in team coaching. Drawing on insights fro...

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7:45

Cheers to One Year: Curiosity, Connection and...

The Secrets of Learning & Development ·

2025/08/22

If you enjoyed this podcast, we'd love to hear from you! It’s our podcast anniversary! One year, three seasons, and a whole lot of honest conversation later, we’re celebrating everything The Secrets of Learning and Development has become. In this special episode, we reflect on what sparked the podcast, how it’s evolved, and the moments that made it all worthwhile from the honest stories our guests have shared to the listener messages that stayed with us. We share a few behind-the-scenes mem...

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9:41

Bonus Episode: Reinvention Isn’t Just a New Job It’s...

The Secrets of Learning & Development ·

2025/08/14

If you enjoyed this podcast, we'd love to hear from you! What if career change isn’t just about your next role, but who you’re becoming? In this bonus episode of The Secrets of Learning and Development, Valerie Merrill and Executive Career Transition Coach Julia Bend uncover the hidden emotional load behind career change the identity shifts, quiet questions and inner work that rarely make it onto LinkedIn. They share real experiences and insights on what it feels like to lose your footing, ...

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39:39

The Message Behind the Brand: Laurie Kozan on Clarity...

The Secrets of Learning & Development ·

2025/08/07

If you enjoyed this podcast, we'd love to hear from you! S3 E:5 In this episode, we’re joined by Laurie Kozan, founder of Own Source Marketing Studio, whose career spans PR, branding, design and digital strategy, all anchored by a single golden thread: shaping how people experience information. Laurie talks about navigating transitions, from international moves to career pauses and pivots, and how each phase deepened her understanding of meaningful communication. She shares powerful insigh...

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8:56

Bonus: It’s Not What You Say: Why Feelings Shape What...

The Secrets of Learning & Development ·

2025/07/31

If you enjoyed this podcast, we'd love to hear from you! What if people don’t remember your words or actions, but how you made them feel? In this bonus episode of The Secrets of Learning and Development, Valerie Merrill and Executive Career Transition Coach Julia Bend explore why emotional presence shapes every interaction from coaching sessions to training rooms to everyday conversations. They share personal stories and insights about the subtle ways energy, connection and psychological ...

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38:24

From Neuroscience to TEDx: Gill McKay on Visibility...

The Secrets of Learning & Development ·

2025/07/24

If you enjoyed this podcast, we'd love to hear from you! S3 E:4 In this episode of The Secrets of Learning and Development, Julia and Valerie are joined by the inspiring Gill McKay, speaker, neuroscience advocate and co-founder of Speak and Shine. Gill shares her fascinating career journey across learning and development, corporate leadership and addiction recovery coaching, highlighting the pivotal moments that shaped her work. From designing leadership programmes informed by neuroscience...

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9:12

Bonus: From Repetitive to Remarkable: What...

The Secrets of Learning & Development ·

2025/07/17

If you enjoyed this podcast, we'd love to hear from you! In this special bonus episode, Julia Bend and Valerie Merrill dive into a trend that’s gathering pace across organisations the rise of the Superworker. Far from being a tech buzzword, this is about real people using AI tools to work smarter, not harder. Valerie shares what’s driving the shift, what traits define a Superworker, and why it’s less about being tech-savvy and more about being curious, thoughtful and human. We look at the o...

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34:57

Beyond Training: Cathy Hoy on How L&D Leaders Can...

The Secrets of Learning & Development ·

2025/07/10

If you enjoyed this podcast, we'd love to hear from you! S3 E3: In this episode of The Secrets of Learning and Development, we sit down with Cathy Hoy, a trailblazer in the L&D space with an impressive career spanning over 25 years at global giants like Tesco, Coca-Cola, and Expedia. Cathy shares her unconventional journey into L&D, the pivotal moments that shaped her leadership, and the lessons learned from leading global learning initiatives. From navigating cultural differences ...

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8:18

Bonus Episode Beyond Confidence: What’s Really...

The Secrets of Learning & Development ·

2025/07/03

If you enjoyed this podcast, we'd love to hear from you! What if confidence isn’t the real issue? In this bonus episode of The Secrets of Learning and Development, Valerie Merrill interviews Executive Career Transition Coach Julia Bend to unpack a common career assumption: “I just need more confidence.” But is that really what’s holding people back? Julia shares practical insights from coaching professionals in transition revealing how what looks like a confidence issue is often something...

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30:07

From Career Crossroads to Purposeful Work: Holly...

The Secrets of Learning & Development ·

2025/06/27

If you enjoyed this podcast, we'd love to hear from you! S3: In this episode, we meet the multifaceted Holly Worton – coach, author, shamanic practitioner and founder of North Downs Publishing. From quitting graduate school to running an eco hotel in Mexico, and later building a thriving publishing business in the UK, Holly shares the defining moments that shaped her unconventional career. She opens up about the mindset challenges she’s faced, particularly around self-worth, and the powerf...

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6:53

L&D in 2025: Personalised, Inclusive and Always Evolving

The Secrets of Learning & Development ·

2025/06/20

If you enjoyed this podcast, we'd love to hear from you! In this bonus episode of The Secrets of Learning and Development, Valerie takes the lead as she and Julia explore the trends shaping L&D in 2025. From the rise of personalised learning and microlearning to the growing emphasis on inclusivity and accessibility, Valerie shares timely insights and practical examples that reflect a rapidly changing environment. They also introduce the term “Learnership” and discuss how technology is c...

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33:02

The Mindset Shift You Need to Succeed: Lessons from...

The Secrets of Learning & Development ·

2025/06/12

If you enjoyed this podcast, we'd love to hear from you! S3 E1: What does it take to rise from financial devastation and build a thriving business? In this episode of The Secrets of Learning and Development, we welcome Sarah Pittendrigh award-winning entrepreneur, investor, mentor, and author of The ICAN Method. Sarah’s story is a testament to resilience. After facing bankruptcy and losing everything, she rebuilt her life and went on to create multiple successful businesses, including a se...

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7:51

Season 3 of The Secrets of Learning and Development...

The Secrets of Learning & Development ·

2025/06/08

If you enjoyed this podcast, we'd love to hear from you! This season hosts Valerie Merrill and Julia Bend, bring you fresh, thought-provoking conversations with the people shaping how we learn, lead and grow at work. From bold career moves to innovative approaches to leadership and development, each episode offers honest reflections, practical takeaways and new ways of thinking about success in a changing world. Expect curious questions, unexpected insights and conversations that go beyond ...

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33:39

Dynamic Alignment: Find Clarity, Energy & Purpose...

The Secrets of Learning & Development ·

2025/05/29

If you enjoyed this podcast, we'd love to hear from you! S2 E:13 In this insightful episode of Secrets of Learning and Development, Julia and Valerie are joined by authors Brad Borkan and Holly Worton to discuss their collaborative book, Dynamic Alignment. Together, they unpack the eight-step process designed to help you uncover your passions, align with your true values and create a fulfilling, purpose-driven life. Listen as Brad and Holly share how their contrasting backgrounds, corporat...

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28:09

Global Mindsets Unlocked: Viktoria Kish on Leading...

The Secrets of Learning & Development ·

2025/05/22

If you enjoyed this podcast, we'd love to hear from you! S2:E12 In this episode of Secrets of Learning and Development, hosts Valerie and Julia are joined by Viktoria Kish, a global business consultant, entrepreneur, and connector with over 25 years of experience in international business education and leadership. Viktoria shares her remarkable journey from founding her first company in the Czech Republic in 1999 to guiding CEOs and founders across the globe in navigating new markets and cu...

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7:07

Julia Bend: Why Boundaries Aren’t Harsh – They’re...

The Secrets of Learning & Development ·

2025/05/08

If you enjoyed this podcast, we'd love to hear from you! In this bonus episode of The Secrets of Learning and Development, the spotlight turns to our co-host Julia Bend as she unpacks the power of boundaries in leadership, coaching and life. Together with Valerie Merrill, she explores why boundaries are so often misunderstood, and how setting them with intention can boost resilience, prevent burnout and create healthier relationships — both at work and at home. Expect honest reflectio...

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36:25

Redefining Inclusion and Creativity: Allegra...

The Secrets of Learning & Development ·

2025/05/01

If you enjoyed this podcast, we'd love to hear from you! S2:E10 In this episode of Secrets of Learning and Development, hosts Julia and Valerie are joined by Allegra Chapman, co-founder of Watch This Sp_ce, a consultancy dedicated to promoting equality, diversity, and inclusion in workplaces. Allegra shares her inspiring and non-linear career journey, beginning in the charity sector, moving through publishing and communications, and ultimately co-founding her own business. Allegra reflect...

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5:04

Curiosity in Practice: Coaching Meets Training

The Secrets of Learning & Development ·

2025/04/25

If you enjoyed this podcast, we'd love to hear from you! In this episode of Secrets of Learning and Development, Julia and Valerie take a closer look at Curiosity, what it means, how it shows up in their work and why it matters more than ever. While they approach it from different angles, Julia through coaching and Valerie through IT training, they uncover how curiosity fuels deeper engagement, creative thinking and real change. They explore: How curiosity shows up in client conversations a...

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46:04

From Saving Lives to Leading Teams: Ashley Brice on...

The Secrets of Learning & Development ·

2025/04/18

If you enjoyed this podcast, we'd love to hear from you! S2:E9 In this episode of Secrets of Learning and Development, hosts Valerie and Julia are joined by Ashley Brice, a former military police officer, police negotiator, and now a highly sought-after communication and leadership expert. Ashley’s journey spans from handling covert police operations and life-or-death hostage negotiations to transforming businesses with his innovative approaches to communication. Ashley reflects on his pro...

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72 results

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