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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
61 episodes
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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Season 3
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8:41
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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...
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Season 3
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Episode 11
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36:17
Bonus Episode: You Got the Promotion – So Why Does It Feel Empty?
In this bonus episode of The Secrets of Learning and Development, we explore a question that many senior professionals carry quietly: “Is this all there is?”It’s not about failure or dissatisfaction. It’s about the un...
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Season 3
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7:02
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Bonus Episode: What Creating a Podcast Taught Us About Real Learning
In this reflective bonus episode of The Secrets of Learning and Development, Julia and Valerie turn the mic on themselves to share the unexpected lessons they've learned from creating the podcast.From realising how people fit le...
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Season 3
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4:55
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Angela De Souza: From Unqualified to Unstoppable – Building Business on Her Own Terms
S3 E10In this rich and revealing episode, we’re joined by Angela De Souza – serial entrepreneur, author of over 30 books, and founder of Women’s Business Club, a global platform championing women in business. Angela’s story is anything but ...
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Season 3
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Episode 10
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41:28
From Audience Seats to Centre Stage: Our Speak and Shine Experience
In this bonus episode of The Secrets of Learning and Development, Julia and Valerie share their personal journey from sitting in the audience to stepping onto the stage at the Speak & Shine Summit.Speak & Shine ...
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Season 3
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17:21
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The Emotional Intelligence Renaissance: EQ over IQ in the Age of Automation
What if the real leadership advantage in the AI era is not about IQ at all, but EQ?In this bonus episode of The Secrets of Learning and Development, Training Consultant Valerie Merrill and Executive Career Transition Coach Julia...
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Season 3
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7:28
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Following the Spark: Jo Cook’s Journey into Learning and Leadership
S3 E9: In this candid and engaging episode, we’re joined by Jo Cook, virtual learning pioneer, editor of Training Journal, and unapologetically curious creative. Jo shares her unconventional journey from teenage journalism dreams to di...
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Season 3
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Episode 9
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26:24
From Stage to Strategy: Michael Strawbridge on Confidence, Curiosity and Community in L&D
S3 E8: In this engaging episode, Valerie and Julia are joined by Michael Strawbridge, Global Head of Community at the Learning and Performance Institute, whose unique journey from professional actor to L&D leader offers rich insights into c...
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Season 3
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Episode 8
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29:11
Stella Collins: Rewiring the Way We Learn with Neuroscience and Curiosity
S3:E7In 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 ...
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Season 3
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Episode 7
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31:15
Dr Seb Fox on Emergent Coaching: Rethinking What Teams Really Need
S3:E6In 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...
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Season 3
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Episode 6
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27:00
Cheers to One Year: Curiosity, Connection and Conversations
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 reflec...
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Season 3
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8:09
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Bonus Episode: Reinvention Isn’t Just a New Job It’s an Emotional Shift
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...
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Season 3
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10:04
The Message Behind the Brand: Laurie Kozan on Clarity and Connection
S3 E:5In 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....
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Season 3
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Episode 5
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40:02
Bonus: It’s Not What You Say: Why Feelings Shape What People Remember
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 pre...
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Season 3
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9:19
From Neuroscience to TEDx: Gill McKay on Visibility and Voice
S3 E:4In 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 acro...
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Season 3
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Episode 4
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38:48
Bonus: From Repetitive to Remarkable: What Superworkers Are Doing Differently
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 smart...
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Season 3
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9:36
Beyond Training: Cathy Hoy on How L&D Leaders Can Drive Real Business Impact
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...
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Season 3
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Episode 3
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35:20
Bonus Episode Beyond Confidence: What’s Really Holding You Back?
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...
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Season 3
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8:41
From Career Crossroads to Purposeful Work: Holly Worton on Reinventing Yourself with Confidence
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 publis...
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Season 3
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30:31
L&D in 2025: Personalised, Inclusive and Always Evolving
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 i...
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Season 3
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7:16
The Mindset Shift You Need to Succeed: Lessons from Sarah Pittendrigh
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 ...
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Season 3
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Episode 1
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33:25
Season 3 of The Secrets of Learning and Development has arrived!
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 an...
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Season 3
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8:14
Dynamic Alignment: Find Clarity, Energy & Purpose with Brad Borkan & Holly Worton
S2 E:13In 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 p...
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Season 2
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Episode 13
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34:02
Global Mindsets Unlocked: Viktoria Kish on Leading Across Cultures
S2:E12In 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 e...
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Season 2
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Episode 12
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28:32
