The Women Talking About Learning Podcast

Contact Women Talking About Learning Website: https://womentalkingaboutlearning.com Email: hello@llarn.com Support us: https://ko-fi.com/womentalkingaboutlearning Twitter/X: @WTAL_Podcast This episode explores networking from women's perspectives. How we build connections. What makes networking different for women. How communities can create opportunities and combat professional isolation. You will hear from three women who are building networks, supporting peers and creating spaces for genuine connection. Full episode resources All the articles, research and community links mentioned in this episode are listed on our website. 👉https://womentalkingaboutlearning.com Guests Sharon Green Professional interim, qualified coach and consultant at Chiara Consultancy, running projects focused on people change, technology and experience. Sharon has worked across NHS, Department of Health, not-for-profit bodies, private banking, financial services, games, media and marketing. Her #payitforward passion project is the HR Interim Networking Group, a global LinkedIn community providing peer support for people professionals working as interims, coaches, consultants and freelancers. Helen Marshall Head of Learning at THRIVE, leading their content design team and working with customers to integrate content into the flow of work. With 8 years vendor-side experience, Helen previously started an Art History PhD before accidentally falling into digital learning. She believes change always starts with you. https://www.linkedin.com/in/helearning/https://womenin.community/Rhonda Martin Works across talent development, mentoring, coaching and inclusive leadership. She designs mentoring, coaching and senior leadership programmes, supports capability building and trains sales teams. Subject matter expert in diversity and inclusion, particularly gender diversity. Serves on City Women Network board as Chair for Corporate Relationships. Previously chaired mentoring for Women in Telecommunications. https://www.linkedin.com/in/rhonda-martin-0251579/Thanks for listening. Please share this episode with someone who would value it.

The Learning Podcast Festival takes place in London on 26 February 2026. Details are at https://podcastlearningfest.live. You can contact Women Talking About Learning at https://womentalkingaboutlearning.com. Support us at https://ko-fi.com/womentalkingaboutlearning. Email us at hello@llarn.com. This episode looks at how learning design is shifting in an AI driven world. New tools appear every week. Old assumptions keep moving. We explore what this means for people who build learning. What stays useful. What needs to stop. What comes next. Our guests work with content at scale and see the changes ahead. Gaenor Aitken Gaenor has more than 25 years in learning and development. She works in global shipping with a focus on systems training and large scale content. She is interested in how AI and short form video will change future learning work. LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/gaenor-aitken Karen Cureton Karen is a social media specialist after a long career in sales and marketing. She helps organisations use platforms with confidence and keeps her approach simple and practical. Website: https://curetonconsulting.co.uk LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/karencuretontraining Kathryn (Katie) Swandale Katie is Senior Learning and Development Partner at Immediate. She has experience across teaching, apprenticeships and CIPD qualification design. Her work focuses on inclusive learning and has been recognised with collaboration and transformation awards. LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/kathryn-swandale Company: https://linkedin.com/company/immediatemedia Laura Giles Laura is Head of Learning at Desq. She designs digital learning for global brands and uses behavioural science, UX and storytelling in her work. Her time building MOOCs at the University of Sheffield shaped her evidence based approach. Website: https://desq.co.uk LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/laura-giles-learning-designer Full episode resources All links and references are listed on our website. https://womentalkingaboutlearning.com/2025/11/25/the-more-content-one/ Thanks for listening.

Contact Women Talking About Learning Website: https://womentalkingaboutlearning.com Email: hello@llarn.com Support us: https://ko-fi.com/womentalkingaboutlearning Twitter/X: @WTAL_Podcast This episode looks at women’s voices. How they are heard. How they are silenced. What happens when we choose to amplify them. It is about confidence, power, bias and allyship. You will hear from two women using learning, science and leadership to shift systems and create impact. Full episode resources All the articles, research and book links mentioned in this episode are listed on our website. 👉https://womentalkingaboutlearning.com/?p=5045 Guests Aynsley Szczesniak Founder and CEO of Speak Out Sisterhood, a nonprofit helping young professional women in STEM become agents of social change. Aynsley is a third-year Honors Carolina scholar at UNC-Chapel Hill, studying Biology, Chemistry and Entrepreneurship on the pre-medical track. She writes for the Association of Women in Science magazine, sits on the Carolina Women’s Center Advisory Board and leads the Student Success in STEM Task Force. A proactive STEMinist and aspiring physician in women’s health, she is passionate about education, collaboration and social entrepreneurship. • LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/aynsley-szczesniak/ • Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/aynsleyszczesniak/ • Speak Out Sisterhood: https://www.speakoutsisterhood.org Alison Shea A fourth-generation educator who leads global learning and development for a tech start-up. Alison’s background spans financial services, organisational transformation and diversity, equity and inclusion. She has also worked in consulting and learning product development, designing award-winning workshops and speaking at international conferences. With an MEd in curriculum and instructional technology, Alison is passionate about mentoring and giving back to future learning professionals. • LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alisonmshea/ Thanks for listening. Please share this episode with someone who would value it.

Contact Women Talking About Learning Website: https://womentalkingaboutlearning.com Email: hello@llarn.com Support: https://ko-fi.com/womentalkingaboutlearning Podcast Learning Festival: www.podcastlearningfest.live This episode explores the intersection of fun, engagement, and effective learning. Our guests challenge conventional approaches to leadership development and learning design, sharing insights on creating psychologically safe spaces, using humour and gamification, and making learning truly memorable. Full episode resources All the links and articles mentioned are listed on our website: 👉 https://womentalkingaboutlearning.com/episodes/ Guests Jess Rogers — Leadership coach with nearly 20 years of experience helping ambitious, values-driven senior leaders find their voice and lead authentically. She works with directors, VPs, chiefs of staff, and senior counsel to build confidence, resilience, and clarity without compromise. https://www.jessicavrogers.co.uk/https://www.linkedin.com/in/jessrogerscoach/https://www.instagram.com/jessrogerscoach/Elaine Gosden — CEO and founder of Blue Gnu Consulting, a leadership development consultancy specialising in organisational growth. As a highly skilled facilitator with accreditations in Insights Discovery, MBTI, Hogan and Facet5, Elaine creates psychologically safe environments where teams can have authentic conversations and unlock their potential. http://www.bluegnuco.com/https://www.linkedin.com/in/elaine-gosden-bluegnu/Kuva — Co-founder of Emergent Learning, a learning strategist and designer fascinated by the sweet spot between fun and effectiveness. With a PhD in online learning design, Kuva explores how gamification, humour, and clever design can transform dry learning experiences into something unforgettable. https://www.emergentlearning.com.au/https://www.linkedin.com/in/kuvaj/Thanks for listening. Please share this episode with someone who would value it.

You can contact Women Talking About Learning through our website, womentalkingaboutlearning.com We’re on Twitter @WTAL_Podcast You can buy us a coffee to support Women Talking About Learning via Ko-Fi. Or you can email us via hello@llarn.com Episode Links: Data Leadership | Tableau Blog 5 Strategies for Supporting Women in Data Science Careers | WorkForce Institute How can you support amazing female talent in the data & analytics space? The challenges and opportunities of continuous data quality improvement for healthcare administration data - PMC 10 Common Data Quality Issues (And How to Solve Them) Why the World Needs More Women Data Scientists | Center For Global Development What’s Keeping Women Out of Data Science? | BCG Why aren’t more women considering a career working in data? - Digdata Why women don’t want to work in the data industry · Parker Shaw Stuck on the bottom rung: Why women are still falling behind in data and tech leadership 71% of consumers want generative AI integrated into their shopping experiences - Capgemini Forget What You Know About Search. Optimize Your Brand for LLMs. How People are Really Using Generative AI Now How and Why People Use Gen AI | The Learning and Development Initiative Why does all AI-generated content sound the same? How Large Language Models Work. From zero to ChatGPT | by Andreas Stöffelbauer | Medium | Data Science at Microsoft Ep 82 | everyday design & dataviz — storytelling with data What is Data-Driven Marketing? The Definitive Guide What Is Marketing Data? Definition, Types and Benefits GenAI-Driven Analytics: Product Evaluation Criteria for Conversational BI The jobs AI won’t take yet Will Robots Take My Job? Jobs AI Will Replace First in the Workplace Shift Artificial Intelligence and gender equality | UN Women – Headquarters storytelling with data AI's Missing Link: The Gender Gap in the Talent Pool Women in Data Science and AI | The Alan Turing Institute This week’s first guest is Rebecca Oliver. Through her business name Juxta Marketing Solutions, Rebecca Oliver helps startups and businesses launching new products or services build smart, human-first marketing strategies that actually connect. She specialises in go-to-market plans that don’t just attract customers but make people feel something. Her approach puts humans first, helping brands create marketing they’re proud of, and audiences proud to support. After being made redundant during maternity leave, Rebecca became a passionate advocate for mums in marketing. If that’s you, she’s here for you to follow along at @marketing__mum. https://www.linkedin.com/in/rebecca-oliver14/ Rachel George is a Generative BI Senior Manager, on the cutting edge of AI transformation within Business Intelligence. She is passionate about educating others in data and AI, creating an industry leading Data and AI Summer School which concluded its third year in 2025. LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rachelemmadickinson?utm_source=share&utm_campaign=share_via&utm_content=profile&utm_medium=android_app

Contact Women Talking About Learning Website: https://womentalkingaboutlearning.com Email: hello@llarn.com Support: https://ko-fi.com/womentalkingaboutlearning This episode explores writing, confidence, facilitation, and how learning happens inside teams. You’ll hear honest stories and practical insights from our guests. Full episode resources All the links, articles, and books mentioned are listed on our website: 👉 https://womentalkingaboutlearning.com/episodes/ Guests Hannah Brown — Author of Into the Hands of Leaders and Training that Clicks. With 25 years in learning development and two design awards, Hannah helps organisations build learning cultures through leadership. • Website: https://hannahbrown.co • LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/hannahbrown-learning/ Pam Hamilton — Collective intelligence expert, author of The Workshop Book and Supercharged Teams, and founder of Paraffin. Pam’s mission is to change the way the world works together, one team at a time. • Website: https://www.superchargedteams.com • LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/workshopbook/ Beth Cougler Blom — Facilitator, designer, and author of Design to Engage. Her new book, Everyday Acts of Facilitation, is due Winter 2025/26. She also hosts the Facilitating on Purpose podcast. • Website: https://bcblearning.com • LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bethcouglerblom/ Emily Gardner — Trainer, coach, and author of The Path of the Guide. Former head of Ninety Academy, recognised at the Learning Awards. Emily supports facilitators to grow their impact. • Website: https://www.emilyfacilitates.com • LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/emilygardnerfacilitator/ Thanks for listening. Please share this episode with someone who would value it.

Contact Women Talking About Learning Website: https://womentalkingaboutlearning.com Email: hello@llarn.com Support: https://ko-fi.com/womentalkingaboutlearning This episode explores writing, confidence, facilitation, and how learning happens inside teams. You’ll hear honest stories and practical insights from our guests. Full episode resources All the links, articles, and books mentioned are listed on our website: 👉 https://womentalkingaboutlearning.com/episodes/ Guests Hannah Brown — Author of Into the Hands of Leaders and Training that Clicks. With 25 years in learning development and two design awards, Hannah helps organisations build learning cultures through leadership. • Website: https://hannahbrown.co • LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/hannahbrown-learning/ Pam Hamilton — Collective intelligence expert, author of The Workshop Book and Supercharged Teams, and founder of Paraffin. Pam’s mission is to change the way the world works together, one team at a time. • Website: https://www.superchargedteams.com • LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/workshopbook/ Beth Cougler Blom — Facilitator, designer, and author of Design to Engage. Her new book, Everyday Acts of Facilitation, is due Winter 2025/26. She also hosts the Facilitating on Purpose podcast. • Website: https://bcblearning.com • LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bethcouglerblom/ Emily Gardner — Trainer, coach, and author of The Path of the Guide. Former head of Ninety Academy, recognised at the Learning Awards. Emily supports facilitators to grow their impact. • Website: https://www.emilyfacilitates.com • LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/emilygardnerfacilitator/ Thanks for listening. Please share this episode with someone who would value it.

You can contact Women Talking About Learning through our website, womentalkingaboutlearning.com We’re on Twitter @WTAL_Podcast You can buy us a coffee to support Women Talking About Learning via Ko-Fi. Or you can email us via hello@llarn.com Episode Links: How to MC, compère, or chair events What is typically expected of a conference session chair? - Academia Stack Exchange How to be a brilliant conference chair | Universities | The Guardian Chairing Events - The Turing Way What is the Role of the Session Chair in a Conference? How to be a great conference chair—Part 1: Prepare and open the session Guidance for session Chairs - RGS Seven Helpful Tips For A First-Time Speaker 10 Attributes of a Great Chair - Leading Governance How To Chair An Event | Helen Kara How to chair at a learning and development conference Learning Technologies This week’s guests are Sarah Clayton-Jones is the founder and CEO of READ TO LEAD, delivering book-inspired peer learning experiences that develop human-skilled leaders, connected teams, and curious workplace cultures. With over 20 years’ experience leading and developing teams at global organisations including Volkswagen and Accenture, Sarah blends sharp commercial insight with a people-centred approach, to create agile, high-performing, and engaged leaders at every level. An ICF-accredited performance coach and facilitator, certified NLP and Neuroscience Practitioner, and DiSC Trainer, her unique blend of expertise brings together the science of learning and the art of human connection. https://www.linkedin.com/in/sarahc-j/ Sheena Whyatt is an award-winning trainer, business coach, speaker, and founder of KAPOW! Business Coaching With Impact. With over 24 years in Learning & Development, she has spent the past decade working with the Learning Technologies Conference, serving as Chairs Captain for the last three years. Sheena helps small business owners grow with clarity and confidence, replacing overwhelm with practical action. She has been shortlisted for multiple business awards in 2025 and is known for her warm humour and no-nonsense support. https://www.linkedin.com/in/sheenawhyatt/ https://www.kapowme.com/ https://heroes.kapowme.com/sheenas-blog Claire Doody is a change leadership expert with 20+ years of global experience in learning and organisational development. She led transformation at Twitter and has held senior roles across sectors from tech to education. She now runs Work In Motion, a learning and advisory practice that offers a pragmatic, human-centered approach to leading change. Claire is a Certified Integral Facilitator®, Polarity Practitioner, and Transformational Coach. She regularly chairs at Learning Technologies and is a trusted guide to those shaping the future of work. www.workinmotion.io https://www.linkedin.com/in/clairedoody

You can contact Women Talking About Learning through our website, womentalkingaboutlearning.com We’re on Twitter @WTAL_Podcast You can buy us a coffee to support Women Talking About Learning via Ko-Fi. Or you can email us via hello@llarn.com Episode Links: Your Past Does Not Define You or Your Future - Skilled at Life No One Works Harder Than a Woman Who Doesn’t Like Asking for Help - luminate-group.co.uk Why Women Don’t Ask For Help - Thrive Global Why Do Women Find it Hard to Ask For Help? The Cognitive Dimension of Household Labor - Allison Daminger, 2019 Some Theories on Why Men Don't Do as Many Household Tasks - The Atlantic These Chores Don’t Count? On Men’s Hidden “Second Shift” - Life of Dad Men may not ‘perceive’ domestic tasks as needing doing in the same way as women, philosophers argue | University of Cambridge It’s a total myth that women are better at keeping track of household chores | Allison Daminger | The Guardian No, Men Don’t Suck at Doing Laundry or Other Housework ‘Because They’re Men’ | by Katie Jgln | The Noösphere | Medium Women, why is it so hard to say NO? – Angie Greaves Why Women Have a Hard Time Saying No | Psychology Today United Kingdom Gender differences on household chores entrenched from childhood The Second Shift - Wikipedia Finding Balance: A Woman's Guide to Juggling Work, Life, and Laughter American Time Use Survey Summary - 2024 A01 Results The Shriver Report What It Means to Be a Woman Juggling Motherhood, Wifehood, and Career Aspirations | by Ally Garofalo How Women Can Navigate Multiple Roles in Today’s World | SSI SCHAEFER Women Are Sharing The Unfair Expectations Society Places On Them That People Refuse To Talk About, And As A Fellow Woman, I Feel Seen, Heard, And Understood The Challenges of Being A Woman: Social Roles and Expectations - Avery Lane Gender-based Social Expectations for Women Expectation’s As Mothers – Peace Together The hidden load: How 'thinking of everything' holds mums back Losing a Parent | Coping after the Death of a Parent Alder Hey Children's Hospital - Wikipedia Women Still Handle Main Household Tasks in U.S. This week’s guests: With over 15 years in Learning & Development, Gemma Wells currently works as an eLearning Solutions Manager. Her life outside work involves raising three children, and she’s faced the complexities of supporting her daughter through a ruptured AVM. Community is important to Gemma, she’s the Media Officer and Under 13s Team Manager for her eldest daughter's rugby club. LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/gemma-wells- Website https://www.dayonetech.com/ Tanya Gallagher is the founder and Managing Director of Limitless Leadership. With over 20 years’ experience in learning and development, she brings deep expertise in the development of scalable development initiatives. Tanya is known for her collaborative approach, strong communication skills, and unwavering commitment to quality and ethical practice. She leads the delivery of client work across the business, ensuring every partnership is built on trust and excellence. Having worked with both global and local organisations, Tanya is passionate about empowering leaders and shaping high-impact learning experiences that drive real results. LinkedIn Tanya Gallagher | LinkedIn Limitless Leadership Limited: Overview | LinkedIn Website Limitless Leadership Engilla Loo is a mother of two, entrepreneur, and co-founder of Envia, a startup built to lighten the mental load of parenting. With over 15 years of product management experience across multiple industries, she brings deep expertise in building thoughtful, user-centred solutions. Engilla created Envia to help parents stay organised, reduce stress, and reclaim their time. LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/engilla-l-401b2a127/ https://www.linkedin.com/company/106679774/ Website https://www.enviatogether.com/

This week’s first guest is Romy Alexandra. Romy is on a mission to humanise workplaces and learning spaces to accelerate high performance cultures. She specialises in designing and facilitating transformative experiences that integrate psychological safety, experiential learning, neuroscience, and sustained behaviour change. A former Peace Corps Volunteer and Fulbright Scholar, Romy brings a global perspective and nearly 15 years of international expertise spanning 85 countries across 4 continents. She has worked with organisations across every sector - from governments to Fortune 500 companies to Formula 1 teams - helping individuals and organizations unlock their potential and build the collaborative competencies necessary for high performance. In 2024, Romy was honoured as a LinkedIn Top Voice for her thought leadership in experiential learning and workplace culture. Her work is rooted in the belief that fostering a culture of learning and psychological safety drives innovation and high performance at every level of an organisation. Romy’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/romy-alexandra/ Website: https://bento.me/romyalexandra One of the 30 u 30 learning technologists in the UK in 2024, Anu Roy is a senior instructional designer specialising in AI learner centred technology and design. Her design values are rooted in being inclusive, trauma informed and aligned with business KPIs. In her spare time she is an avid F1 watcher, badminton player and working on gender equity CSR projects with the UN. Her LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/anu-roy-inclusive-experiences-through-design-393993178/ Her contact email is : royanu994@gmail.com You can contact Women Talking About Learning through our website, womentalkingaboutlearning.com We’re on Twitter @WTAL_Podcast You can buy us a coffee to support Women Talking About Learning via Ko-Fi. Or you can email us via hello@llarn.com Episode Links: Learner Safety Daniel Ricciardo - Wikipedia Looking Ahead: Predictions for L&D in 2025 | Unboxed Training & Technology Creativity Scars — Jen Waldman Studio Your Brain on Art It takes a village - Wikipedia How L&D teams can build a learning culture that empowers individuals | Virtual College Collaborate vs cooperate (definitions and differences) | Indeed.com UK Attitude and Learning Approaches in the Study of General Didactics. A Multivariate Analysis - ScienceDirect Creating learning cultures: assessing the evidence Experiential learning - Wikipedia Social sharing of emotions - Wikipedia Chayn Why Girls' Education | Malala Fund Pedagogy - Wikipedia Andragogy - Wikipedia I’m neurodivergent – this is what we really need in the workplace What Are the Common Challenges of Neurodiversity? Gossip Girl (TV Series 2007–2012) - IMDb How Does ADHD Affect Learning 17 Things Adults Have To Do That Are Quite Frankly Exhausting AF Tired of Adulting? Try Relearning These 4 Lessons From Your Toddler Self | by Shine | Medium The power of vulnerability | Brené Brown | TED Build a Strong Learning Culture on Your Team Girls' education | UNICEF

You can contact Women Talking About Learning through our website, womentalkingaboutlearning.com You can buy us a coffee to support Women Talking About Learning via Ko-Fi. Or you can email us via hello@llarn.com Episode Links: Adult learner - Wikipedia Purposeful Reflection | Learner Variability Project 1 Continuous learning challenges the working adult – how to provide organisational support? Laura Erkkilä, Annu-Riina Lamberg Fix the System, Not the Women by Laura Bates | Goodreads The impact of leadership on the workplace learning of individuals and teams: a literature review and synthesis | Emerald Insight Unlearning Silence: How to Speak Your Mind, Unleash Talent, and Live More Fully by Elaine Lin Hering | Goodreads The Power of Unlearning | Psychology Today United Kingdom Learning and Work Institute What is Adult Learning Theory - LearnUpon Top 5 Challenges in Adult Education | Avado The impact of leadership on the workplace learning of individuals and teams: a literature review and synthesis - ScienceDirect How to Link Learning and Performance Management | Acorn Adult Learning Theory: How Adults Learn Differently | Park University How leaders learn Five reasons to learn as an adult – The Education Hub Pedagogy, Andragogy, & Heutagogy | University of Illinois Springfield This week’s guests are Candice Neveu is a certified life coach, educator, and the founder of Candice Neveu Coaching. With nearly 20 years of experience helping people grow into their fullest potential, she supports adult learners — especially women — to overcome self-doubt and take courageous, aligned action to step into their next level, whether that means returning to school, pivoting careers, or reclaiming their purpose. A former mid-career student herself, Candice understands the mindset shifts and inner courage it takes to grow beyond self-doubt. Her 2023 TEDx talk explored how closing the confidence gap is key to adult learning success — a message she brings to all her work. https://www.linkedin.com/in/candice-neveu-a055034b/ Website https://improveyourself.ca/ Instagram https://www.instagram.com/candiceneveu_coach/ TEDx https://www.ted.com/talks/candice_neveu_returning_to_school_mid_career_here_s_what_you_need_to_know?language=en An award-winning learning and development professional with over 15 years of experience, Giorgia Gamba Quilliam is recognised for crafting innovative and impactful learning content. She has a wealth of experience in creating digital, blended, and face-to-face learning programmes with areas of expertise in Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI), management and leadership, and sustainable business practices. After almost 10 years at the CIPD, Giorgia has joined Christian Aid as a Global Learning and Talent Partner. Alongside this, she works as a freelance and consultant to create learning content, facilitate courses, support with learning strategy creation and implementation as well as skill gaps analysis and learning evaluation. https://www.linkedin.com/in/giorgiagamba/

You can contact Women Talking About Learning through our website, womentalkingaboutlearning.com We’re on Twitter @WTAL_Podcast You can buy us a coffee to support Women Talking About Learning via Ko-Fi. Or you can email us via hello@llarn.com Episode Links: Organisation design | Factsheets | CIPD Karren Brady's Women in Business & Tech Expo (@wibtexpo) • Instagram photos and videos Here's how you can incorporate confidence into your HR decision-making. Increase Your HR Courage: Replace Fear with Confidence 3 Fundamental Flaws of Employee Surveys and a Way Forward The new possible: How HR can help build the organization of the future | McKinsey What Is Purposeful Leadership And Why It Matters Technology and data use in HR functions | CIPD People Analytics | Factsheets | CIPD Storytelling: The Secret Weapon for HR's Influence and Impact The science of storytelling in HR: four reasons to harness its power Embracing storytelling in HR: transforming engagement and culture through the power of narrative - HRD Women In HR Network | LinkedIn One in seven HR heads believe men are better suited to top jobs | Women in the boardroom | The Guardian Full article: Employee perceptions of HR practices: A critical review and future directions Why is HR going 'under the radar' with employees? DOMINANCE OF WOMEN IN HUMAN RESOURCES ROLES AND THE RISE OF A NEW NARRATIVE. | by Clean Technology Hub Human resources - Wikipedia This week’s guests are Joanne Whitlie is a senior HR, Projects and Operations Leader with 18+ years of global experience. She founded WHR to combine her corporate background with a deep understanding of people and psychology. Joanne turns strategy into action, delivering sustainable, people-first solutions that create real impact. Known for her clarity, empathy and energy. Through her consultancy she leads organisations through people challenges, transformation, growth and cultural change. A proud Geordie, mum, runner and nature lover, she brings warmth and honesty to everything she does and understands the reality of juggling priorities. She embraces both the chaos and the journey, helping others do the same via coaching and her hrleadermum community on linkedin. Website: www. whrpeople.com Linked in: Joanne Whitlie | LinkedIn LinkedIn Community: HR Leader mum Facebook: whitliehr Instagram: whitliehr Daman Kailley is a data-driven People & Culture professional at Lloyds Banking Group, specialising in colleague insights, leadership, and innovation. With a background spanning learning, recruitment, and strategic HR, her job is to blend analytical rigour with human-centred design to drive cultural transformation. From shaping behaviour-led campaigns to building insight dashboards that influence executive decisions, she thrives on turning ideas into impact. A passionate advocate for inclusive leadership and continuous learning, she brings curiosity, empathy, and bold thinking to every challenge; whether mentoring, podcasting, or reimagining the future of work. LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/damankailley

You can contact Women Talking About Learning through our website, womentalkingaboutlearning.com We’re on Twitter @WTAL_Podcast You can buy us a coffee to support Women Talking About Learning via Ko-Fi. Or you can email us via hello@llarn.com Episode Links: Women Rising: The Unseen Barriers Jacinda Ardern Captured the World. And Then She Walked Away. Nationwide boss: Women working at home risk missing out Nurturing Women’s Leadership: Building Strong Foundations Calling All Women: Supporting Other Women in Leadership Matters Bias in AI What is AI bias? What Do We Do About the Biases in AI? News flash: People tend to hire people like themselves Managers are hiring people based on whether or not they like them personally and it could lead to some big problems at work The High Cost Of Ambition: Why Women Are Held Back For Thinking Big Busting the Myth That Women Are Less Ambitious Than Men The #IlliniLeader's Digest Do Women Lack Ambition? Why male executives should not be praised for taking paternity leave Paternity leave: The hidden barriers keeping men at work Paternity Leave Benefits Both Men and Women. So Why Don’t More Fathers Take It? Queen perform a cover of John Lennon’s ‘Imagine’ in 2005 Breaking the chains of traditional masculinity: another hidden driver of ge The Masculinity Trap: Rethinking engineering culture Work as a Masculinity Contest A Bad Business The collapse of Enron and the dark side of business From the toxic culture that gave us mansplaining and manterrupting, here comes … hepeating The English Beat - Mirror in the Bathroom (Official) Equal Pay Day 2024: Gender Pay Gap HIGHER than previously thought Gender pay gap in the UK: 2024 Female leaders: Beware the glass cliff – Michelle Ryan, Professor of Social and Organisational Psychology at the University of Exeter Women leaders make work better. Here’s the science behind how to promote them Barriers for women in the workplace: A social psychological perspective - Hanek - 2022 Expanding Women’s Access to Male-Dominated Jobs - Center for American Progress 10 Male-Dominated Industries (And How to Succeed as a Woman) Patriarchy This week’s guests are Laura Howard. Laura’s passion and professional purpose is making work work for everyone – leaders, teams, and customers. After a twenty-year global career in the private and public sectors, including ten years as a senior leader, she qualified as an Organisational Psychologist in 2022. This led her to launch The Contented Workplace, fulfilling her ambitions for everyone to be their best and bring that best to work. She remains dedicated to research and teaching as an Associate Tutor for Birkbeck College (University of London). Her work is data and evidence-driven; as a previous people leader, her expertise has been forged in real-world experience. LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/execcoachlaura/ My research - Authenticity and woman’s leadership: a qualitative study of professional business services in the UK | Emerald Insight Cornelia Raubal is a former 9-figure CEO, certified NLP and strategic leadership coach who specialises in helping ambitious women become board-ready in 6 months. With a unique blend of commercial insight and mindset transformation, she equips professionals to lead with confidence, clarity, and impact. Her work is grounded in behavioural science and executive experience and whether in the boardroom or on stage, she empowers leaders to own their voice, develop the mindset and strategy that delivers results, and achieve measurable growth. Cornelia is also a board director for the national Governing Body of Ice Hockey in England and Wales, and hands on managing at club and national level. Cornelia Raubal - Executive Coach - CRAFTPORT CONSULTING LIMITED | LinkedIn www.craftport.com Cornelia Raubal (@craftport) • Instagram photos and videos

You can contact Women Talking About Learning through our website, womentalkingaboutlearning.com We’re on Twitter @WTAL_Podcast You can buy us a coffee to support Women Talking About Learning via Ko-Fi. Or you can email us via hello@llarn.com Episode Links: The Serviceberry Find Your WHY | Simon Sinek 4 Ways That Women Can Lead Authentically Developing Women’s Authenticity in Leadership Getting Real How High-Achieving Women Can Lead Authentically Why Women Hold The Key To Authentic Leadership Banned from education: A review of the right to education in Afghanistan | UNESCO Tracy Roberts Women and teaching Timeline of women's education How Continuing Education Is Opening Doors for Women Everywhere The Accessibility One The power of vulnerability in leadership Harvard Business Publishing Education The power of vulnerability | Brené Brown | TED Social eating connects communities Education Happens Everywhere The Imposter Syndrome One 6 Ways That Women Can Champion Each Other At Work What it really means when women celebrate each other Pedagogy, Andragogy, & Heutagogy Wildfire status Female education Girls' Education This week’s guests are Dr. Alisha David. Alisha is an educator, researcher, and lifelong lover of a good story. Over the past fifteen years, she has worked across a range of educational settings—from educational assisting to classroom teaching—and now serves as a full-time post-secondary instructor. Much of her learning and life has been shaped by the people of Treaty 8 territory in Alberta, Canada, the ancestral and traditional lands of the Cree, Dene, and Métis. Having called this beautiful region home for many years, she is deeply impacted by its ongoing destruction, which has inspired her research into disaster-induced loss and its implications for education and adult learners. Alisha can be reached via email (alisha.davide@gmail.com) or by LinkedIn: Alisha David Helena Prins is an advisor of learning and teaching at BC campus, where she coordinates the Facilitating Learning Online (FLO) portfolio. She began her career as a high school teacher in South Africa. Over the past 20 years, she has taught students of all ages and stages on four continents. A golden thread throughout her career has been breaking down barriers to learning. Prior to joining BCcampus in 2020, she worked as a career learning and development advisor at Royal Roads University. As an immigrant and now Canadian Citizen she continues to value the opportunity to support all students, especially international students, in finding and building their career path in Canada. She is a certified career strategist with Career Professionals Canada and associate faculty at Royal Roads University. At the time of the recording Helena was preparing for her doctoral defence at the Werklund School of Education at the University of Calgary. Helena can be reached via email (hprins@bccampus.ca) or by LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/helenaprins

You can contact Women Talking About Learning through our website, womentalkingaboutlearning.com We’re on Twitter @WTAL_Podcast You can buy us a coffee to support Women Talking About Learning via Ko-Fi. Or you can email us via hello@llarn.com Episode Links: Personal Boardroom – Who is in yours? How to build a personal board for your career Comparative Analysis of Trust in Online Communities 6 Tips To Build Trust In Your Online Community Building trust in communities How To Develop A Community Strategy Community Strategy Insights How to Create a Learning Culture: 18 Best Practices Build a Strong Learning Culture on Your Team Creating learning cultures: assessing the evidence : State of the Global Workplace Report GLDC (Global Learning and Development Community) Example of Career Change as a Journey with a Clear Destination in Mind Ep. 23: Efficiency vs. Effectiveness: Learning generosity in the L&D profession Tayloring learning: generosity of the L&D community The 10 Golden Rules of Building Communities That Matter The Institute for Performance and Learning The evolution of L&D: Strategies for success and impact | People Management The evolution of learning and development The evolution of L&D strategies examined The Learning Network L&D SHAKERS This week’s guests are Anita Gouveia. Anita is an organisational development and learning leader who's spent the last 20+ years helping people grow, lead and making work better for people (and people better at work). She's led leadership programs, built practical and inclusive learning strategies and coached teams across industries. She's not afraid to challenge outdated models or call out the fluff that gets in the way of real development. Outside her day job, she volunteers as Chair of the Peel-Halton Chapter of the Institute for Performance and Learning, where she helps connect and elevate L&D professionals. She's also a fan of improv, walks and a good podcast! https://www.linkedin.com/in/anitagouveia/ Sinead Heneghan has worked in senior roles with the Learning & Development Institute for many years. In her role as CEO, she leads the team to develop a high value member offer and the strategic alliance of the IITD with all stakeholders. She has vast experience with Individuals, Corporates, Further and Higher Education Providers and State Agencies and has represented the industry in an influencing and Advocacy role for many years. She holds an MBA from DCU, an MSc in Leadership & Change Management, a BA in Local and Community Development from Maynooth University and a Certificate in Training & Development. She has led the Institute's strategic development work and has overseen research and engagement with members to inform the ongoing development of the member offer and continuous professional development opportunities for practitioners. She is an industry representative on the Regional Skills Forum for the Mid East Region and has been appointed by the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science of Ireland to the National Skills Council. She has served as a Board Member of IFTDO (International Federation of Training & Development Organisations) which represents more than 500,000 learning and development professionals in over 30 countries. On a voluntary basis, Sinead strategically contributes to the work of Down Syndrome Ireland where she has represented and advocated at ministerial level, led fundraising campaigns delivering over €200,000 and contributed to doctoral research in the field of qualitative education provision for learners with special needs. She manages a heavily subsidised Speech & Language Therapy Service providing specialist interventions to over 70 people with Down Syndrome and manages a team of clinicians in this regard. Sinead sits on the GAA Leinster Council Games For All Committee where she has developed a framework for GAA clubs to include children and teenagers with additional...

Our first guest is Kirsty Lewis. She is the founder of the School of Facilitation. Known for her passion for designing and delivering brilliant workshops that create purpose, ownership, safety and engagement, she is a convener of freelance facilitators and trainers through the SOF collective whilst supporting corporate clients to evolve their learning game. On the side she is dishing up SOFest 2025, a festival for all facilitators and trainers. www.schooloffacilitation.com https://www.linkedin.com/in/kirsty-schooloffacilitation Sarah Wood loves creating learning and development programs that really help people grow and do their best work. With a solid background in L&D, she brings that experience into high-velocity sales enablement teams where things move fast and impact matters. Sarah builds practical, engaging frameworks that support both individual growth and team success. She’s big on collaboration and enjoys working closely with stakeholders to make things happen. From early ideas to full rollout and review, she takes a hands-on, flexible approach—making sure every learning experience feels relevant, useful, and helps people thrive in fast-moving environments. https://www.linkedin.com/in/woodsarah/ Episode Links: Building Rapport in a Professional Setting (With Tips) | Indeed.com How to build rapport: 6 tactics to build strong relationships The 6 Stages of Sales Process: Sellers vs. Buyers Do You Know What Your Company Is Actually Selling? The ‘Reflective Elevator Pitch’ – 100 Ideas for Active Learning The essential components of a successful L&D strategy L&D Disruptors Toolkit Part 1: How to sell learning internally Facing the Challenge: How to Sell eLearning Internally Daring to Zlatan: How To Sell E-learning Internally Selling consulting services into large organisations Women in sales: It’s time to smash clichés (including real tips from female sales leaders) What is the Difference Between Sales and Marketing? Women in Sales: How Female Leaders Are Empowering the Sales Industry [2025 Data] You can contact Women Talking About Learning through our website, womentalkingaboutlearning.com You can buy us a coffee to support Women Talking About Learning via Ko-Fi. Or you can email us via hello@llarn.com

You can contact Women Talking About Learning through our website, womentalkingaboutlearning.com We’re on Twitter @WTAL_Podcast You can buy us a coffee to support Women Talking About Learning via Ko-Fi. Or you can email us via hello@llarn.com Episode Links: What Job Seekers Really Want in 2025 Top 20 reasons we go to work Employees Seek Personal Value and Purpose at Work. Be Prepared to Deliver. This CEO Just Brilliantly Explained How Remote Work Will Change the World by 2030, and It's Next-Level Flexible working practices The Surprising Benefits of Work/Life Support Stress, overwork and poor work-life balance undermine UK job quality Nine in 10 women experience mental ill-health from poor work-life balance, study shows Exploring the Impact of COVID‐19 on Employees’ Boundary Management and Work–Life Balance Work-Life Balance vs Work-Life Fluidity: What's the Difference? Women value work-life balance more unless managers ‘Work-life balance is a lie’: women in business urged to stop trying to have it all “There is no such thing as work-life balance. Everything worth fighting for unbalances your life.” Work-life balance Self-Confidence and Work-Life Balance: Nurturing Personal Well-being. AI anxiety: The workers who fear losing their jobs to artificial intelligence Work–life balance This week’s first guest is Kim Edwards. Kim leads several of Getty Images’ learning and leadership initiatives, designing meaningful and memorable learning moments for 1,800 employees globally. Whether that’s crafting the company’s onboarding experience, enhancing leadership and team dynamics, or elevating employee well-being and potential, Kim enjoys helping others to work well and fulfil their potential. As Director of Culture & Development, Kim is focused on developing people managers’ capabilities and communication skills, and coaching and consulting with teams for success. In her spare time, she enjoys being a mum, mentoring other mums via Mentor Mums, playing netball, reading, gardening, and learning yoga and pilates. https://www.linkedin.com/in/kimsusanedwards/ Kavita Brown is the Owner and Learning Director for LDG Training. She is a highly experienced independent trainer, facilitator and learning and development consultant, having worked across various sectors. Kavita has significant experience in a range of people roles across learning and development, HR, Recruitment and organisational design. Kavita is passionate about empowering change, transformation and growth in a fun, creative and inspiring way. https://www.linkedin.com/in/kavita-brown-9943a332/

You can contact Women Talking About Learning through our website, womentalkingaboutlearning.com You can buy us a coffee to support Women Talking About Learning via Ko-Fi. Or you can email us via hello@llarn.com Episode Links: What Is Human-Centered Design? Microlearning Add a heading in a Word document Are young people’s attention spans really shrinking? It’s more complex than you might think Are attention spans really collapsing? Data shows UK public are worried – but also see benefits from technology User-generated content You Can’t Fix Every Problem With Training Why Many training progreammes fall short and how to fix them Three Data Points You Can Track in Your LMS and What They'll Tell You How to Track Employee Training: Here Are the 5 Best Ways Massive Open Online Course Completion Rates Revisited: Assessment, Length and Attrition 21+ Truly Shocking Online Course Completion Rate Statistics How to Run A Content Audit in 2024 Massive open online course The Art of Unlearning | Morgan Ogunleye | TEDxElmhurstUniversity Video reflection and feedback in learning and development Content IS NOT king in L&D L&D Must Resolve 'Content Chaos' to Meet Performance Goals - The LPI (Learning and Performance Institute) Yahoo Finance RARE John Cleese corporate training video | Bosses From Hell | vintage comedy | Video Arts Online learning in higher education Overcoming the Fear of Sharing Yourself Online (gentle visibility for sensitive souls in business) — Soul and Self The impact of social media on Teaching and Learning: Transforming education in the digital age This week’s guests are Gaenor Aitken. Gaenor has been working in L&D for over 25 years, specialising in systems training. Currently working as a Learning Solutions Lead for an international shipping management company (L&D project manager), she gets the opportunity to make a demonstrable impact on L&D and wider business. Gaenor has been pivotal in creating, reviewing, managing and “prettifying” content for several large organisations. With new innovations in AI and TikToc, she is excited about what the future for L&D content will look like. Always continuing to learn, she has just finished her advanced yoga teacher's qualification and makes great use of her Skillsoft access. https://www.linkedin.com/in/gaenor-aitken/ After working in sales and marketing for over 20 years, Karen Cureton was an early adopter of social media. As soon as it emerged, she embraced it with open arms. Roll on to today and she has become a results-driven social media specialist. Karen’s been helping businesses for over a decade with proven strategies for success. Her aim is to unpick the often-complex world of algorithms and analytics, and share her expertise. As an ex-pat Geordie, her straight-talking, friendly approach focuses on making social media simple and easy to understand. She believes that social media is a wonderful, cost-effective way to reach new audiences and build your brand. However, she is always surprised to find so many businesses lack the right knowledge and skills to use this valuable marketing tool effectively. Karen thrives on getting results for her clients. She’s worked with scores of businesses over the years, as both a Social Media Trainer and Manager. She has decades of experience when it comes to understanding the customer experience. She’s very proud of her high client retention rate and has over 100 recommendations on LinkedIn. Her broad client base covers the East Midlands, West Midlands and beyond. Since the pandemic, she now works internationally with clients as far away as Australia. www.curetonconsulting.co.uk https://www.linkedin.com/in/karencuretontraining/ Kathryn (Katie) Swandale is currently working at Immediate as Senior Learning and Development Partner and has over a decade of experience in designing and delivering strategically aligned, experiential learning. She began her career in teaching before moving into...

Episode Links: Women Still Handle Main Household Tasks in U.S. Worries about life in 2025 Taking Out the Trash? That’s Still a Man’s Job, Even for the Liberal Coastal Elite Women in the Workplace 2019 Ask an Expert: How Do I Relaunch My Career After a Long Break? Pregnancy, maternity and returning to work: An employer’s guide Do Longer Maternity Leaves Hurt Women’s Careers? Welcome to the Risk Zone: The period in which women’s potential for motherhood is negatively impacting their employability Gender Differences in the Relationship Between Empathy and Forgiveness All around the world, women are better empathizers than men, study finds Why I need a women’s leadership development programme Samantha Harman’s Post 'Progress Over Perfection': A Mantra For HR And Leadership How Women Can Stop Seeking Validation & Own Their Worth Overcoming Your Need for Constant Validation at Work How fearless women lead How To Level Up As A Woman: 21 Hacks To Get Started Vanessa Frater Robertson is a multi-award-winning international speaker, author, certified confidence and speaker coach with over two decades of corporate communication expertise. She has empowered hundreds of professional women to speak boldly and lead fearlessly. As the founder of the Global Confidence Core Movement, predominantly for faith-based women, Vanessa is dedicated to breaking barriers and igniting self-belief. Connect with Vanessa on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vanessafraterrobertson/ Amy Bond is an Account Executive for an award winning learning technology company. Passionate about empowering innovative Learning and development professionals, to drive engagement in their workforce and encourage a meaningful culture of social learning. I love supporting progressive organisations harnessing the power of impactful tech, to close skills gaps and transform organisational performance. https://www.linkedin.com/in/amy-bond-62a671104 Dr. Sunanda Banerjee brings over 16 years of diverse experience spanning domestic and international markets in the field of Leadership Development, Business & Strategy. She holds an MBA and an MS degree from reputed universities, and is a PhD in Neuromarketing and is an ICF Certified Executive Coach. She works with large and medium sized corporations and her expertise lies in Leadership Development, Neuroscience in Learning, and driving organisational success through Behavioural Interventions. A TEDx speaker and a writing enthusiast, Dr. Banerjee is a sought-after panellist and speaker at leadership forums. LinkedIn profile link: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sunandabanerjee You can contact Women Talking About Learning through our website, womentalkingaboutlearning.com We’re on Twitter @WTAL_Podcast You can buy us a coffee to support Women Talking About Learning via Ko-Fi. Or you can email us via hello@llarn.com

Susi Miller is an internationally recognised expert in eLearning accessibility, dedicated to helping organisations create inclusive and effective digital learning experiences. With over 30 years’ experience in learning and development, she is passionate about ensuring accessibility is embedded in digital learning, not just as a compliance requirement but as a core principle of effective design. She is the author of Designing Accessible Learning Content, the definitive guide for learning professionals, and was honoured as the Learning Performance Institute’s Learning Professional of the Year Gold Winner 2025 for her contributions to accessibility in digital learning. A sought-after speaker, consultant, and thought leader, Susi works with global corporations, government bodies, and educational institutions to integrate accessibility into their learning strategies. Her Designing Accessible Learning Content (DALC) Programme is equipping learning professionals worldwide with the skills to design, develop, and test accessible learning content. Described as ‘the godmother of eLearning accessibility’, she continues to drive progress in the field, ensuring that digital learning is truly inclusive for all. Designing Accessible Learning Content 2nd Edition Designing Accessible Learning Content Self-Access Programme information Designing Accessible Learning Content Self-Access Programme free showcase module eLa1000 eLearning accessibility questionnaire eLa1000 information video Gemma Nunn is the Head of Learning Design at Mint Interactive, with over 20 years of experience in Learning and Development. She began her career as a web developer before transitioning to teaching in further and higher education, ultimately specialising in eLearning development. Passionate about accessibility, Gemma has shared her insights through various podcasts and seminars. She aims to create inclusive and engaging learning experiences that ensure education is available to everyone. Her LinkedIn profile is https://www.linkedin.com/in/gemmanunn/ You can contact Women Talking About Learning through our website, womentalkingaboutlearning.com We’re on Twitter @WTAL_Podcast You can buy us a coffee to support Women Talking About Learning via Ko-Fi. Or you can email us via hello@llarn.com Episode Links: Many CEOs May Not Realize They’re Underdelivering on Disability Inclusion Menopause and brain fog: What's the link? Clearing the fog Women’s Mental Health: Cognitive Overload or Brain Fog? WEC calls for accessible product design by default, including for bank cards and websites to empower disabled consumers Our streets don't work for disabled women – why equity is the way forward Accessibility is Delicious: Food analogies for digital inclusion A guide to accessibility overlays AI can turn text into sign language – but it’s often unintelligible Overview: Generate image alt-text with Image Analysis Insights: AI and Accessibility How Artificial Intelligence (AI) Helps Improve Accessibility Burnout in the digital accessibility field Intelligence 5.0 a new school of thought rethinking the intelligence needed in Industry 5.0 Dos and don’ts on designing for accessibility – Accessibility in government Dyslexic thinking skills poster Neurodiversity Core elements of universal design, accessibility and inclusion Accessible Learning: 10 Ways to Create a Better Learning Experience Are animated gifs okay to have? Beginning your organisation’s digital accessibility journey Empower Everyone: 14 Ways To Make Learning Technology More Accessible Accessibility has an impact: 57% employees prefer inclusive companies Accessibility & Inclusion in L&D: Perspectives Inclusive L&D: the importance of accessible e-learning content WCAG 2 Overview 'Progress Over Perfection': A Mantra For HR And Leadership