Stella Collins: Rewiring the Way We Learn with Neuroscience and Curiosity

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 practical and effective.

We explore her journey into entrepreneurship, her creation of the GEAR model, and her insights on how AI and data can support learning that truly transfers into behaviour. Stella also shares her experience as a keynote speaker and her ambitions to help organisations build self-directed learning cultures that actually work.

Whether you’re in L&D, leadership or just fascinated by how we learn, this episode is packed with honest reflections, practical ideas and a few surprises (pirate ships included).

Key Learnings

Learning Transfer Requires More Than Just Content
Stella emphasises that real learning happens when people apply what they've learned, not just consume information. Her GEAR model (Guide, Experiment, Apply, Retain) and collaboration with experts in learning effectiveness highlight the importance of designing learning experiences that lead to behavioural change , not just knowledge gain.

AI and Tech Are Tools, Not Solutions , Without Human Understanding
While Stella champions the use of AI and data in learning, she is clear that these tools are only effective when grounded in a solid understanding of how people learn. It’s the human judgement, clarity of outcomes, and relevance that determine whether tech truly enhances learning.

Guest Information:
http://stellacollins.com/
https://www.linkedin.com/in/stellacollinslearningrevolution/

Chapters

• 4:31 How Stella transitioned from IT to Learning & Development
• 9:37 The GEAR Model: Stella’s approach to effective learning
• 15:49 AI, data and the future of learning
• 18:10 Writing ‘Neuroscience for Learning and Development
• 23:03 The case for self-directed learning cultures