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The Secrets of Learning & Development
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 listeners
Join 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 Bend
Executive Career Coach
https://www.premier-coaching.co.uk
https://www.linkedin.com/in/julia-bend-premier-coaching
Valerie Merrill
Learning & Development Trainer & Advisor
https://www.merrillconsultants.com
https://www.linkedin.com/in/merrillvalerie/
Episodes
84 episodes
Bonus Episode: Unlock the Strengths You're Already Using
Most of us rely on our strengths every day without naming them. But what happens when a strength goes into overdrive?In this bonus episode, Valerie interviews Julia on how character strengths shape the way leaders make decisions, handle ...
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Why coaching still matters in the age of AI
In this bonus episode, Julia Bend explores why coaching still matters in a world where AI can offer ideas, prompts and polished answers in seconds. Together with Valerie Merrill, she unpacks the difference between information and insight, showi...
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When Someone Sees More in You: Nigel Lowe’s Journey to Partner at PA Consulting
Nigel Lowe’s career did not begin with a fast track or a perfect plan. It began with starting where he could, learning quickly and saying yes to opportunities that stretched him.In this episode, Nigel Lowe, Partner at PA Consulting, ref...
Charlie Warsawski The Truth About Coaching Nobody Warns You About
In this episode of The Secrets of Learning and Development, we’re joined by Charlie Warshawski — coach, trainer, mentor, speaker, YouTuber, and founder of Love Your Coaching. Charlie’s known for his warmth, clarity and straight-talking insights...
The Foundation You Actually Need: Why Self-Worth comes before strategy
In this bonus episode, Julia and Valerie explore why strategy alone isn’t enough and how building from self-worth changes everything.Julia reflects on what happens when your confidence is tied to job titles, outcomes or external validati...
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When Everything Changed: Louise Pengilley on Reinvention, Energy and Finding a New Way to Work
What if the life you never planned for turns out to be exactly the one you needed?In this powerful episode, we sit down with Louise Pengilley, a business growth and mindset mentor whose journey from global corporate leadership to runnin...
Bonus Episode: Valerie Merrill Why Social Capital Matters More Than Ever
Social capital is the invisible force that shapes how work really gets done, especially in hybrid teams, fast-moving organisations and a world increasingly influenced by AI.In this bonus episode, Julia and Valerie unpack what social cap...
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Rethinking L&D Through Curiosity and Community: Lavinia’s Offbeat Journey
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 singl...
Leading without the Armour - Why Vulnerability isn't a risk
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 ...
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More Than Bouncing Back: A New Take on Resilience with Lucy Wooldridge
S4 EIn 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 redefinin...
Valerie Merrill - Learning in the flow of work
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 mom...
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Sarah Armstrong-Smith: When Culture Fails: What Crisis Teaches Us About People, Power and Prevention
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 th...
The MAYA Principle: Innovation People Will Actually Say Yes To
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 ...
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Can AI Ask a Better Question? Coaching, Access and the Role of Technology with Sam Isaacson
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.
Bonus Episode: Stop Waiting for Calm: Why Your Growth Can’t Be Delayed
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 o...
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Victoria Rennoldson on Being Seen, Heard, Understood: Communicating with Confidence Across Cultures
In this warm and insightful episode, we’re joined by Victoria Rennoldson – global communication coach, speaker and founder of Culture Cuppa. Her journey takes us from international brand marketing to supporting leaders worldwide to communicate ...
Bonus Episode: Valerie Merrill on The Smart Way to Set Learning Goals That Actually Matter
In this bonus episode, Julia and Valerie explore why learning goals matter more than ever in today’s fast-paced professional world. It’s not about rigid plans or endless courses, but about staying relevant, focused and intentional with how you ...
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Stage to Workshop: How Ashleigh Harvey Found Confidence in the Chaos
S4 E3In this episode, we sit down with Ashleigh Harvey actor, writer and confidence coach, whose career has taken her from the stages of South Africa to the West End and into a new chapter helping professionals present with confidence.
The Hidden Barriers to Success: Baiju Solanki on Identity, Energy and Self-Leadership
S4: E2What happens when success on paper doesn’t match how you feel inside?In this powerful conversation, performance psychologist, entrepreneur and author Baiju Solanki shares how redefining success, removing interference and ge...
Bonus Episode: How Real Relationships Begin: A Conversation About Networking
In this bonus episode, Julia and Valerie talk openly about what networking is really about. It’s not the awkward card-swapping kind, but the kind that leads to real relationships, unexpected opportunities and even co-hosting a podcast.Fr...
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Nick Shackleton-Jones: Finding Work That Actually Fits
S4:E1In this episode of The Secrets of Learning and Development, Julia and Valerie are joined by Nick Shackleton-Jones, award-winning learning strategist, author and speaker, known for shaking up traditional thinking in learning and deve...
Book Review :The Coming Wave by Mustafa Suleyman
Bonus Episode: Exploring The Coming Wave by Mustafa SuleymanIn this bonus episode of The Secrets of Learning & Development, Julia and Valerie explore The Coming Wave by Mustafa Suleyman a though...
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Backing Yourself: Pooja’s Journey Through Change and Leadership
S3 E:12In this warm and compelling episode, we’re joined by Pooja – senior leader, transformation expert and passionate advocate for women in tech and leadership. Her story takes us from restarting a career in a new country to leading co...
Outgrowing Old Beliefs: Why Open-Mindedness Matters Now
In this bonus episode of The Secrets of Learning & Development, Valerie and Julia unpack the role of open-mindedness in dealing with change, both personally and professionally.They explore how assumptions, like “I’m not creative” or...
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Experiment, Challenge, Rethink: L&D with Tom McDowall
S3: E11In this episode of Secrets of Learning and Development, hosts Julia and Valerie sit down with Tom McDowall, consultant, strategist and founder of Evolve L&D, for a conversation that questions long-standing norms in the learnin...
