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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

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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6:43

Is Your Story Landing? Why Perception Shapes Opportunity

The Secrets of Learning & Development ·

2025/04/10

If you enjoyed this podcast, we'd love to hear from you! In this reflective bonus episode of The Secrets of Learning and Development, Valerie Merrill is joined by co-host and executive career transition coach Julia Bend to unpack the real impact of perception during times of change. It’s not just about your experience, it’s about how others interpret it. Julia shares practical insights on spotting blind spots, reframing your narrative and making sure your CV, LinkedIn profile and interview ...

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32:24

Mastering Workplace Harmony: Proactive Conflict...

The Secrets of Learning & Development ·

2025/04/02

If you enjoyed this podcast, we'd love to hear from you! S2:E In this episode of Secrets of Learning and Development, hosts Julia and Valerie welcome Nicole Posner, an expert mediator and executive conflict coach. With a background in PR and psychology, Nicole shares how her early experiences in a toxic work environment inspired her to specialise in workplace conflict resolution and leadership coaching. Nicole discusses the importance of proactive communication, the role of listening in pr...

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6:13

Bonus Episode: Bespoke Training – Why It’s More Than...

The Secrets of Learning & Development ·

2025/03/29

If you enjoyed this podcast, we'd love to hear from you! In this special fireside edition of The Secrets of Learning and Development, Julia hands the mic to co-host Valerie Merrill for an expert deep dive into the world of bespoke training. If you’ve ever been involved in rolling out a customised system, you’ll know it’s far from straightforward. Valerie unpacks what really goes into training for bespoke software – from understanding unique business processes to designing tailored learning ...

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32:33

Brad Borkan - Decisions Under Pressure: What...

The Secrets of Learning & Development ·

2025/03/19

If you enjoyed this podcast, we'd love to hear from you! S2:E7 In this episode of Secrets of Learning and Development, hosts Valerie and Julia welcome Brad Borkan, an author and decision-making expert with a unique approach to leadership inspired by history. Brad’s career spans from roles at tech giants like SAP and Oracle to becoming a published author, exploring how historical figures navigated complex decisions under extreme conditions. Brad shares his journey from the corporate wor...

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11:32

Cyber Security Essentials with Valerie Merrill: How...

The Secrets of Learning & Development ·

2025/03/13

If you enjoyed this podcast, we'd love to hear from you! In this special bonus episode of The Secrets of Learning and Development, Julia and co-host Valerie Merrill dive into the crucial topic of cyber security awareness for end users. With cyber threats evolving rapidly, understanding the risks and how to safeguard yourself is more important than ever. Valerie, an expert in workplace technology training, breaks down key cyber security threats including phishing, malware, ransomware, and i...

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35:19

Breaking Barriers, Leading Change: I.Stephanie Boyce...

The Secrets of Learning & Development ·

2025/03/05

If you enjoyed this podcast, we'd love to hear from you! In this powerful episode of The Secrets of Learning and Development, we welcome I. Stephanie Boyce, a trailblazer in the legal profession and a relentless advocate for social justice, equality, diversity, inclusion, and social mobility. As the first person of colour to become President of the Law Society of England and Wales, Stephanie's journey is one of resilience, leadership, and breaking down systemic barriers. She shares he...

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9:44

From Experience to Opportunity: Julia Bend on Making...

The Secrets of Learning & Development ·

2025/02/28

If you enjoyed this podcast, we'd love to hear from you! In this special bonus episode of The Secrets of Learning and Development, hosts Valerie Merrill and Julia Bend explore one of the most critical yet overlooked elements of career success, leveraging transferable skills. Whether you're considering a career shift or looking to elevate your leadership potential, recognising the skills that transcend job titles is key to unlocking new opportunities. Julia shares her transition from Process...

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36:56

Glen Williamson Reveals the Secret to Building...

The Secrets of Learning & Development ·

2025/02/20

If you enjoyed this podcast, we'd love to hear from you! S2:E5 - In this episode of Secrets of Learning and Development, hosts Julia and Valerie welcome Glen Williamson, a visionary sales coach with nearly four decades of experience. Glen has transformed the concept of selling, introducing an approach he calls coach-based selling, which combines human psychology with cutting-edge sales techniques to create genuine connections and purpose-driven success. Glen shares his journey from co...

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7:34

M365 Copilot: Your AI Assistant for a Smarter Workday

The Secrets of Learning & Development ·

2025/02/15

If you enjoyed this podcast, we'd love to hear from you! In this episode of The Secrets of Learning and Development, Julia and Valerie explore Copilot for Microsoft 365, an AI-powered assistant designed to help professionals work smarter, not harder. Valerie explains how M365 Copilot enhances productivity by automating repetitive tasks, managing emails, scheduling meetings, and improving collaboration—all within the familiar Microsoft 365 environment. They discuss practical features like th...

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33:38

Redefining Learning: Donald Taylor on Networks,...

The Secrets of Learning & Development ·

2025/02/06

If you enjoyed this podcast, we'd love to hear from you! S2:E4 In this episode of The Secrets of Learning and Development, hosts Julia and Valerie welcome Donald Taylor, Chair of the Learning Technologies Conference and a pioneering thought leader in the L&D field. With a career spanning decades, Donald reflects on how his early decisions and experiences shaped his approach to integrating technology with learning and building meaningful professional networks. Donald delves into the evo...

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11:49

Feeling Stuck in Your Career? It Might Be Time to...

The Secrets of Learning & Development ·

2025/02/01

If you enjoyed this podcast, we'd love to hear from you! In this special bonus episode of The Secrets of Learning and Development, Valerie and Julia shine a light on a career dilemma many professionals face but rarely discuss: the hidden costs of staying in a role for too long. What happens when comfort turns into stagnation? Julia, an Executive Career Transition Coach, shares real-life experiences of executives who came to realise, sometimes gradually, that staying put had cost them more t...

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28:57

Unlocking Client Attraction: Henriette Danel on...

The Secrets of Learning & Development ·

2025/01/22

If you enjoyed this podcast, we'd love to hear from you! S2:E3 - In this episode of The Secrets of Learning and Development hosts Valerie and Julia welcome Henriette Danel, an award-winning business coach, client attraction specialist, TEDx speaker, and host of the Entrepreneurial Success Podcast. Henriette shares her journey from interior design to business coaching, revealing how she transitioned from a creative industry into coaching, where she now helps entrepreneurs achieve sustainable ...

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6:08

Beyond the Basics, Transform Your Workflow with Excel...

The Secrets of Learning & Development ·

2025/01/17

If you enjoyed this podcast, we'd love to hear from you! In this episode of The Secrets of Learning and Development, I’m joined by my co-host Valerie, founder and MD of Merrill Consultants, as she reveals the untapped potential of Excel 365. Drawing on over 30 years of training experience, Valerie explains transformative features like XLOOKUP, dynamic arrays, and advanced functions. She shares how tailored Excel training can boost efficiency, streamline workflows, and enhance collaborat...

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26:47

Leading with Laughter: Em Stroud on Creativity,...

The Secrets of Learning & Development ·

2025/01/10

If you enjoyed this podcast, we'd love to hear from you! S2:E2 In this episode of Secrets of Learning and Development, hosts Valerie and Julia are joined by Em Stroud, a multi-talented leadership coach, performer, and podcaster known for her unique blend of comedy, business expertise, and authentic storytelling. Em shares her inspiring journey from a career in sales to becoming a successful coach and creator of the The Comic Coach podcast.Em reflects on how she overcame the challenges ...

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36:28

Futurist Tom Cheesewright on Bridging the Skills Gap...

The Secrets of Learning & Development ·

2025/01/03

If you enjoyed this podcast, we'd love to hear from you! S2:E1 - In this insightful episode of Secrets of Learning and Development, we are excited to welcome Tom Cheesewright, a futurist, author, and commentator on the future of work. Known for his compelling take on tomorrow's world, Tom helps organisations and individuals navigate a rapidly changing landscape and prepare for an unpredictable future.With experience advising companies from global giants to ambitious startups, Tom shares...

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6:32

Season 2 of The Secrets of Learning and Development...

The Secrets of Learning & Development ·

2024/12/31

If you enjoyed this podcast, we'd love to hear from you! Join hosts Valerie Merrill and Julia Bend as they dive even deeper into the inspiring, the innovative, and the transformative. This season brings you more real stories, expert insights, and thought-provoking moments from leaders shaping the future of learning and growth.From mastering career transitions to embracing fresh approaches in leadership and development, each episode is designed to inform, challenge, and empower your journey.S...

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13:02

Julia Unlocks Career Satisfaction Through Core Values

The Secrets of Learning & Development ·

2024/12/17

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 Julia, my co-host and founder of Premier Coaching, who brings her expertise in helping individuals align their careers with their core values.She explores the transformative impact of understanding and prioritising values, sharing real-life examples of how misalignment can lead to dissatisfaction and burnout. Julia also provides actionable advice on identifying...

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40:03

Unlocking Growth: Paul Mills on Mastering Strategic...

The Secrets of Learning & Development ·

2024/11/25

If you enjoyed this podcast, we'd love to hear from you! S1:E11 - In this episode of Secrets of Learning and Development, hosts Valerie and Julia are joined by Paul Mills, a seasoned leader with a diverse background spanning pharmaceutical, corporate finance, and now the entrepreneurial world as a fractional CMO. Paul shares his personal journey of transitioning from a 20-year corporate career to running his own business, offering a candid look at the mindset shifts required to make such a l...

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7:30

How SharePoint Transforms Collaboration and Productivity

The Secrets of Learning & Development ·

2024/11/22

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 Valerie, my co-host and founder of Merrill Consultants, who shares her expertise in transforming team collaboration and productivity through SharePoint. She explores the common challenges faced by organisations, from document chaos to disjointed communication, and explains how SharePoint’s features like document libraries, team sites, and workflows can str...

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