Learning Uncut
Education & Explainer
About
Learning Uncut is about real conversations around real learning solutions and real experiences with real advice from real people.We're all about keeping it "real."Here's an overview of our approach:Strategy and tactics. We want to unpack the strategy and how-to's of creating great learning solutions, frameworks and teams.CONVERSATIONS, NOT SCRIPTED DISCUSSIONOur podcasts are professional but not so edited and polished that they lose their authenticity. We want our audience to hear real people having real conversations and sharing real examples and advice.PROGRESSIVEWe want to showcase the "unsung L&D heroes" out there doing great work, being brave and trying new things.PRACTICALWe invite our guests to share tips and strategies to help listeners take their solutions to the next level. We aim to provide actionable takeaways for our listeners through show notes, links and downloads wherever possible.
Episodes
- 184: From Darkroom to AI: Reflective Practice Across an L&D Career – Greg Wilton
In episode 184 of Learning Uncut, Greg Wilton joins host Michelle Parry-Slater to discuss his L&D career. They reflect on his journey through darkroom photography, web publishing, e-learning, and generative AI, sharing insights on performa…
- Elevate 47: The Craft of Conference Chairing – Niall Gavin, Helen Palmer & Anit Mahay
This episode of Learning Uncut features a discussion with conference chairs Niall Gavin, Helen Palmer, and Anit Mahay, hosted by Michelle Parry-Slater. They delve into the detailed preparation required for conference chairing, covering asp…
- 183: Hearing Loss Awareness Designing for Empathy at Scale (HSBC) - Georgie Cooke, Louise Bassiri and Michelle Parry-Slater
HSBC UK implemented an award-shortlisted hearing loss awareness program, created with RNID and Jam Pan. The program used simulated first-person video scenarios to help colleagues experience hearing loss, leading to over 4,000 completions,…
- 182: The Power of Evolution in Learning Transformation (Girlguiding UK) – Arnika Knight and Michelle Parry-Slater
Arnika Knight and Michelle Parry-Slater detail the ten-year process of updating Learning & Development for 80,000 Girlguiding UK volunteers. They discuss overcoming resistance to change, developing a varied learning system, and prioritizin…
- 181: Beyond Role Play: Using AI to Build Real Skills – Ryan Byrne and Dr Nathan Moore
Learning Uncut episode 181 features Ryan Byrne and Dr. Nathan Moore discussing Project CIVIL, an initiative by Sydney Trains that employs AI-driven simulation to develop frontline staff
- 180: When Leaders Lead the Leadership Programme – Matthew Peade
Matthew Peade discusses TFE Hotels' People Leaders Program, a 12-month leadership development initiative. The program features on-the-job experience, peer learning, and formal sessions, aiming to build a strong pipeline of leaders in the h…
- Elevate 46: The Learning and Development Handbook – Michelle Parry-Slater
Michelle Ockers and Michelle Parry-Slater discuss Parry-Slater's book, The Learning and Development Handbook. Ideas from the book focus on practitioners advocating for appropriate learning solutions.
- 179: Blood Processing Centre Virtual Tour – Liz Seskus and Kate Schulze
Liz Seskus and Kate Schulze from Australian Red Cross Lifeblood detail their creation of a virtual tour for hematology registrar induction. The tool applies learning science and co-design principles to effectively teach blood processing pr…
- Elevate 45: The L&D Leader: Navigating to Business Value – Laura Overton and Michelle Ockers
Michelle Parry-Slater interviews Michelle Ockers and Laura Overton about their book, The L&D Leader, discussing its principles for delivering business value, the research behind it, and the mindset shifts for modern L&D professionals.
- 178: Sodexo Academy: Facilitating Flexible, Practical Onboarding – Peter Brace
Peter Brace of Sodexo Australia details his journey in L&D, including experiences in Papua New Guinea, and how this influenced a practical, learner-centred approach to onboarding at Sodexo. The episode, hosted by Michelle Ockers and Michel…
- 177: 2025 End of Year Review – Michelle Ockers and Michelle Parry-Slater
Michelle Ockers and Michelle Parry-Slater review 2025 on Learning Uncut, examining professional achievements, podcast case study trends, and insights into relevance, value, and the human element in L&D. Topics include learning culture, co-…
- 176: Mentoring That Works: Lessons from Construction – Jana Clyde and Jo Farrell
Learning Uncut episode 176 discusses NAWIC ACT's successful mentoring program for women in construction, addressing gender equity, participant matching, psychological safety, and trust-building. Jo Farrell and Jana Clyde share insights on…
- 175: AI in L&D: Race for Impact – Donald H. Taylor
Donald H. Taylor shares research findings on the growing use of AI in Learning and Development (L&D), discussing its current role and three potential future scenarios for the profession.
- 174: Crafting a Learning Culture – Hannah Ryan
Hannah Ryan shares insights on cultivating a learning culture at Versent, including enabling learning in the flow of work and developing technical mastery through peer-led programs. The discussion covers self-directed learning, community b…
- 173: Frontline Leadership Development in a Tech Environment – Matthias Nauwelaers
Matthias Nauwelaers discusses Imec's approach to developing frontline leaders in a technical R&D setting. The program focuses on real work, peer support, and behavioral change, designed for busy experts and implemented iteratively for glob…
- 172: Human-Centred Approach to AI Literacy – Christine Gaynor-Patterson
Christine Gaynor-Patterson shares insights with Michelle Ockers on enabling 10,000 professionals in AI literacy within a large organization. She details their framework, change enablement strategies, and scaled support, emphasizing an AI a…
- 171: AITD L&D Capability Framework – Ben Campbell and Lisa Elias
Michelle Ockers discusses the AITD L&D Capability Framework with Ben Campbell and Lisa Elias. They cover its collaborative development, structure, practical uses, and how it aims to standardize L&D language and elevate professional practic…
- 170: Rethinking Learning: Autonomy Over Content – James Swift
In episode 170, James Swift shares his experience at Leyton UK, detailing a transition from buying content to building a culture of learner autonomy and accountability. This approach, prioritizing informal coaching and learner-driven devel…
- 169: Empowering Peer Learning at One Zealand – Angela Forde, Lane Hannah and Dan Hibberd
Angela Forde and Lane Hannah from One New Zealand, with Dan Hibberd from Makeshapes, detail their shift to a peer-to-peer learning model supported by the Makeshapes platform. The discussion covers fostering collaboration, building capabili…
- 168: KPMG's AI Learning Academy – Amy Vig
Amy Vig shares insights from KPMG Australia's AI Learning Academy, detailing how the team promoted innovation, psychological safety, and continuous learning amidst technological shifts. The discussion covers designing internal learning sol…
- Elevate 44: Stretching Your L&D Budget Further
Michelle Parry-Slater and Michelle Ockers discuss practical approaches for L&D professionals to maximize their budgets in the current environment. They cover prioritizing spend, aligning learning with business needs, and utilizing existing…
- 167: Inside the Design of a Learning Design Qualification – Keith Heggart
Keith Heggart details the design process for the Graduate Certificate in Learning Design, including industry consultation and challenging university structures. He also touches on the demand for learning design skills and the need to conne…
- Elevate 43: Current Practices in Leader Development
Michelle Ockers talks with Catherine Lombardozzi about her research with The Learning Guild concerning the evolution of leadership development strategies. The findings highlight shifts towards experiential, sustained, and relational learni…
- 166: Building Real World Skills for Structural Engineers – Alex Jovanovski and Moly Ashtari
Moly Ashtari and Alex Jovanovski discuss Australia's structural engineering skills shortage and co-found Learnpedia to address it, offering project-based traineeships with real-world experience and mentorship.
- Elevate 42: Bridging the Gap: Reskilling Women in Tech
The podcast episode discusses Australia's tech skills gap, highlighting women as a key talent pool. It features research findings on skills diversity and the business case for reskilling women, along with organizational strategies for attr…
- 165: Personalising Leadership Development – Mark Saddic and Terra Wallace
Mark Saddic and Terra Wallace discuss personalizing leadership development on Learning Uncut.
- Elevate 41: L&D Global Sentiment 2025
In Elevate 41, Michelle Ockers and Donald H Taylor discuss the 2025 Global Sentiment Report. Key findings show L&D professionals are focused on AI, skills, data, and the rise of creating value, with regional variations noted.
- 164: Customer Service Performance Campaign – Ryan Byrne
In episode 164, Ryan Byrne, Senior Manager of Capability and Learning at Sydney Trains, discusses the 'First Impressions Count' performance campaign with host Michelle Ockers. The campaign aimed to improve customer service through station…
- 163: McKinsey's Feedback Skills Surge – Lisa Christensen
In this episode of Learning Uncut, Michelle Ockers and Laura Overton speak with Lisa Christensen of McKinsey about the Receive to Grow program, an initiative to improve feedback reception skills. The discussion covers McKinsey's broader fe…
- Elevate 40: Shift Your Thinking
Dr. Cathryn Lloyd, founder of Maverick Minds, discusses with Michelle Ockers how Learning & Development professionals can shift their thinking. Cathryn shares insights from her experiences and book on storytelling and creativity to support…
- 162: Driving Engagement with Microlearning and Gamification – Catherine Sharpe and Mark Eggers
Catherine Sharpe and Mark Eggers discuss Blackmores' award-winning learning solution, which used gamification and microlearning to enhance financial acumen across 13 Asia-Pacific markets. The initiative was recognized at the AITD 2024 Exce…
- 161: Blended Learning with Business Impact at ANZ – Millie Law
Millie Law discusses ANZ Bank's award-winning blended learning initiative for home lending specialists. The program combined various learning methods and coaching, leading to sustained improvements in business metrics.
- 160: Playbook – Artificial Intelligence in L&D
In episode 160, Michelle Ockers presents an AI playbook for Learning and Development (L&D) professionals, compiled from 2024 industry discussions. The episode focuses on practical principles for effectively implementing AI in L&D, aiming t…
- 159: 2024 End of Year Review – Michelle Ockers and Chemène Sinson
In episode 159, hosts Michelle Ockers and Chemène Sinson review the 2024 themes from the Learning Uncut podcast, such as implementing AI, skills-based strategies, community building, and driving behavioral change, emphasizing the connectio…
- 158: A Self-Directed Learning Experiment – Matthew Murray and Sydney Cannon
In episode 158 of Learning Uncut, Michelle Ockers talks with Matthew Murray and Sydney Cannon about Bain & Company's 'Skills Boost' campaign, an email-driven initiative to foster self-directed learning. They discuss the campaign's design,…
- 157: APS L&D Community of Practice – Adam Le Nevez and Adrian Manning
In this episode of Learning Uncut, Michelle Ockers speaks with Adam Le Nevez and Adrian Manning about the APS L&D Community of Practice. They discuss its function in fostering collaboration, addressing the challenges of capability building…
- 156: Skills Portfolio Management at Scale – Cameron Hedrick
Michelle Ockers interviews Cameron Hedrick on skills portfolio management. They explore treating skills as organizational assets, improving workforce planning and resilience, and the challenges of implementing skills management at scale, i…
- 155: Innovating with Generative AI in Education – Brad Hodge
On Learning Uncut, Brad Hodge, an educator at La Trobe University, shares how he utilizes generative AI, such as chatbots, to enhance student support, encourage innovation, and address challenges in rural healthcare education.
- 154: Universal Design for Learning – Thomas J. Tobin
In episode 154, Michelle Ockers and Thomas J. Tobin discuss the application of Universal Design for Learning (UDL) in an organizational context. They explore how UDL principles foster inclusivity and benefit all learners, discuss responsib…
- 153: Future-proofing Your Organisation with Adaptive Skills – Lozanne Pretorius
This episode features Lozanne Pretorius discussing Mitsubishi Motors Australia's MiCareerTrak program. The program aims to build adaptive skills and resilience, fostering a customer-centric culture and driving organisational transformation…
- 152: L&D Innovation with AI – Ericsson's Community Approach – Pauline Rebourgeon & Peter Sheppard
Pauline Rebourgeon and Peter Sheppard discuss Ericsson's approach to innovating in Learning and Development using AI, highlighting the Learning NEXT community's role in fostering experimentation with new technologies and the importance of…
- Elevate 39: Making Sense of Trends
David Kelly and Michelle Ockers discuss how Learning & Development professionals can make sense of technology trends. They cover the importance of trends, methods for staying informed like attending conferences and following experts, and c…
- 151: World of L&D – From Learning to Performance – Henriette Kloots and Evitha Scharloo
Henriette Kloots and Evitha Scharloo explain their Impact Maps, which use associative cartography to visualize the path from learning to performance. The maps aim to create a shared language for L&D teams to improve analysis and organizati…
- 150: Social Learning at Scale – Mehri Doyle
Mehri Doyle and Michelle Ockers discuss the implementation of small private online courses (SPOCs) focused on social learning through asynchronous online communities at Australia's Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade. This initiative s…
- Elevate 38: Psychological Safety in Learning
Sonali D'Silva joins Michelle Ockers on Elevate 38 to discuss the importance of psychological safety for learning. They cover research-backed benefits and five practical strategies for L&D practitioners to foster psychological safety.
- 149: Improving performance with an AI coaching bot – Dan Redman
Dan Redman discusses with Michelle Ockers the creation of a conversational AI coaching tool for HSBC. This tool uses AI-powered simulations for on-demand skill practice and feedback, largely replacing traditional role plays.
- 148: L&D in Start-ups and Scale-ups – Dinye Hernanda
Dinye Hernanda shares insights on learning and development in start-up and scale-up environments with Michelle Ockers. The discussion includes challenges, onboarding, a 70/30 skill development approach, and strategies for L&D professionals…
- Elevate 37: 2024 Australian Institute of Training and Development (AITD) Conference
Chemène Sinson and Michelle Ockers recap the 2024 Australian Institute of Training and Development (AITD) Conference. They discuss key themes including collaboration, inclusion, learning design, and the influence of AI on the future of lea…
- 147: Putting Skills to Work at Ericsson – Peter Sheppard
Peter Sheppard discusses Ericsson's transformation into a skills-based organization, detailing how this change streamlines the employee experience and improves retention, inclusion, and recruitment. He also shares insights into the project…
- Elevate 36: Fieldwork in L&D
Nigel Paine and Michelle Ockers explore the role and techniques of fieldwork in learning and development. They cover identifying when fieldwork is essential and how it can reveal obstacles and resolve issues, offering actionable advice.