The Assembly

In this engaging episode, Brigid sits down with Charlie Manthorp.Charlie is a passionate workshop facilitator and the head of the talent development function at Wiser, where he focuses primarily on early talent and developing future leaders. With an unconventional career path that transitioned from management consultancy at Accenture to a coaching role at Multiverse (Europe's first EdTech unicorn), Charlie brings a highly adaptable and human-centric approach to learning and development .In this interview, Charlie shares his philosophy on creating impactful, memorable workshops and navigating the unpredictable nature of live facilitation. He covers:The "Rubik's Cube" of Facilitation: Charlie describes every workshop room as a Rubik's Cube, requiring constant mental agility and problem-solving to find the right combinations of interactions that work for the specific group. He advises facilitators to prepare thoroughly but remain willing to abandon the script and pivot transparently if an exercise is not landing.Breaking the Ice and Building Trust: To establish an immediate connection, Charlie uses informal, wacky icebreakers. He then relies on the Trust Equation (credibility, reliability, intimacy, and focusing on the audience's needs rather than his own) to deepen relationships in the room.Handling Dissent to Build Psychological Safety: When a participant openly challenges a workshop's premise, Charlie recommends thanking them, asking them to elaborate, and treating their viewpoint with respect. Handling pushback with curiosity signals to the entire room that diverse opinions are welcome, thereby modelling true psychological safety.Measuring "Nebulous" Behavioural Skills: Acknowledging that human behavioural skills (such as resilience and adaptability) are notoriously difficult to measure directly, Charlie advocates using proxy measures from organisations like Gallup and Randstad. He emphasises that while granular metrics are helpful, leaders must also trust the well-documented link between human connection, employee retention, and overall productivity.Charlie offers a refreshing, highly empathetic masterclass on holding space for learners. If you want to elevate your facilitation skills, build genuine trust with sceptical audiences, and inject strategic fun into your workshops, this is a must-listen-to episode.Connect with Charlie on LinkedIn: Charlie Manthorp | LinkedInLooking for a content library to help your team develop their productivity, communication, leadership skills and more? Check out assembleyou.com and follow us on LinkedIn.

In this insightful episode, Adam is joined by Dr Lalith Wijedoru.Dr Lalith is a social health champion, emotional well-being consultant, and a former NHS consultant paediatrician in emergency medicine. He is the founder of Behind Your Mask, a consultancy that uses the power of personal storytelling to improve human connection and trust within teams.In this interview, Dr Lalith explores the often-overlooked concept of "social health" and how organisations can leverage storytelling to build resilience, empathy, and retention. He discusses:Defining Social Health: Dr Lalith defines social health as the quality of our relationships and connections, distinct from physical health (the body) and mental health (the mind), yet equally critical.The Risks of Disconnection: The severe consequences of poor social health, which include not just loneliness but tangible physical risks like heart attacks and strokes, as well as mental health struggles like depression.Project, Reflect, Connect: How storytelling functions as a mechanism to bridge gaps between people. By projecting a story, both the teller and listener reflect on their experiences, moving from monologue to dialogue.The Mask of Leadership: Why leaders should drop their "professional mask" and embrace vulnerability. Dr Lalith argues that being human and authentic gives others in the workforce permission to do the same, fostering psychological safety.Amplifying Hidden Voices: The importance of looking within an organisation for inspiration. Dr Lalith advocates amplifying the "hidden voices"—often introverts or those in process roles—rather than relying solely on external speakers at events like International Men's Day.Musical Storytelling: A practical and fun icebreaker for remote teams where colleagues share stories attached to specific song prompts (e.g., a guilty pleasure or a breakup song) to fast-track relationship building.The Power of Uncomfortable Truths: Why we shouldn't shy away from "sad stories." Dr Lalith explains that hearing about tragedy or difficulty is often what inspires us to make the world—and our workplaces—a better place.Dr Lalith offers a profound and human-centric approach to employee well-being. If you want to understand the "missing pillar" of health and how to truly connect your hybrid or remote teams, this is a must-listen-to episode.Connect with Lalith on LinkedIn: Dr Lalith Wijedoru And check out Behind Your MaskLooking for a content library to help your team develop their productivity, communication, leadership skills and more? Check out assembleyou.com and follow us on LinkedIn.

In this insightful interview, Brigid sits down with Caroline Freeman of Grey Space Consulting.Caroline is a leadership and learning consultant and the founder of Grey Space Consulting. Her career began at Nordstrom in 2008 , where she learned the value of promoting from within and prioritizing people development. Today, she focuses on bridging the gap between ambition and reality , helping organisations move beyond simple "we need training" requests to instead diagnose real capability gaps and misaligned systems.In this episode, Caroline discusses how L&D professionals can adopt a commercial mindset to better align with business objectives , including:L&D as the Glue: Caroline describes L&D as the essential "glue" that connects an organisation's commercial strategy with its people strategy. Start with the Problem, Not the Program: Caroline emphasises working backward from the desired business outcome rather than simply taking orders for a new training course. She advocates for acting as a diagnostician to find the root of the problem.Transparency and Trust: Caroline advises on how to handle situations where business goals, like reducing headcount, conflict with L&D goals, like employee retention. She advocates for transparency with leadership and teams to build trust and ensure everyone understands the true mission.Thinking Outside the Box: L&D solutions do not always require a two-hour workshop with a slide deck. Caroline shares how unconventional approaches, like a simple 25-minute chat or a quarterly morning recognition meeting for support staff, can drive engagement and solve systemic issues . She also suggests pulling established tools like a nine-box grid out of the archives to quickly identify and develop high-potential employees.Flipping the Script on Delivery: Caroline discusses the power of shifting from a traditional subject matter expert model to facilitating peer-to-peer learning. She encourages bringing learners into the process and giving them a seat at the table to help design solutions.Caroline offers a highly practical perspective on elevating the L&D function. If you want to learn how to secure a seat at the table and prove the commercial value of your training initiatives, this is a must-listen-to episode.Connect with Caroline on LinkedIn: Caroline Alderman (Freeman) Looking for a content library to help your team develop their productivity, communication, leadership skills and more? Check out assembleyou.com and follow us on LinkedIn.

In this insightful interview, Adam sits down with Kelly Rodrigues. Kelly is a multi-award-winning learning specialist currently at WebPros, with a diverse background spanning the arts, non-profits, and commercial sectors. She shares her unique journey from professional dancer to global L&D leader and discusses the transition from community-focused roles to the fast-paced corporate tech world.In this episode, Kelly discusses how to disrupt traditional corporate training methods and build a strategic learning function, including:Lessons from the Charity Sector: Kelly shares three key principles she brought from community work to the corporate sector: getting truly familiar with the problem, removing constraints to be resourceful ("there is no box"), and measuring impact through storytelling.Building an L&D Brand: Despite L&D sitting within HR at WebPros, Kelly emphasises the importance of creating a distinct brand and vision to move the team from order-takers to strategic business partners.Challenging the E-Learning Default: Kelly reveals she placed a "light ban" on e-learning to force her team to find the right solution rather than the easy one, citing examples where simple checklists or video workflows were far more effective.Upskilling Technical Trainers: How she is transforming a team of technical trainers into true learning designers by grounding them in adult learning principles and learning science.Measuring Real Impact: Kelly discusses moving beyond "happy sheets" to use the LTEM framework for evaluation, combining data with qualitative narratives to prove that L&D is not just a cost centre. Kelly offers a refreshing, candid look at the realities of modern L&D leadership. If you want to learn how to build a learning brand from scratch and challenge the status quo of "default" training solutions, this is a must-listen-to episode.Connect with Kelly on LinkedIn:  Kelly Rodrigues (Brown) CMgr MCMILooking for a content library to help your team develop their productivity, communication, leadership skills and more? Check out assembleyou.com and follow us on LinkedIn.

In this inspiring episode, Brigid speaks with Kate Jenkinson, an HR Director turned Business Poet and Creative Executive Coach.With over 25 years of experience in HR within engineering and science sectors, Kate now runs her own business, Next Step HR. She is a sought-after neurodiversity coach, spoken-word artist, and founder of the Poetry in Business Conference. Kate uniquely bridges the gap between the corporate world and the creative arts, using poetry as a tool for leadership development and organisational change.In this interview, Kate discusses how poetry and spoken word can transform the workplace, offering a fresh perspective on learning and engagement. She covers:Poetry as the Language of Learning: Kate explains that our brains are wired for poetry, referencing how we first learn through rhyme and rhythm in childhood. Spoken word has historically been a primary method of passing on information, making it naturally memorable and engaging.Emotional Literacy in Leadership: Kate argues that emotional literacy and the ability to name and recognise emotions are precursors to emotional intelligence. Poetry helps leaders tap into nuance and empathy, allowing them to understand complex people dynamics that logic alone cannot resolve.The "Spoken Word Finale": Kate shares her unique service, summarising entire conferences or events into a 5-8-minute spoken-word performance. This creative summary bypasses cognitive overload, anchors learning through emotion, and leaves a lasting impact on attendees.Creativity as a Business Asset: In an age of efficiency and AI, Kate emphasises that creativity is essential for resilience and innovation. She describes poetry as the "language of the messy middle"—the ambiguous space between where we are and where we want to be—helping people navigate change and uncertainty.Neurodiversity and Divergent Thinking: Reading and writing poetry develops divergent thinking, a key skill for problem-solving and leadership. It trains the brain to be comfortable with paradox and multiple possibilities.Kate invites us to reclaim creativity in the corporate world, proving that beauty and truth have a powerful place alongside efficiency. If you are looking for innovative ways to engage your workforce and develop more empathetic, resilient leaders, this is a must-listen-to episode.Connect with Kate on LinkedIn: Kate Jenkinson PhD, FCIPD | LinkedInLooking for a content library to help your team develop their productivity, communication, leadership skills and more? Check out assembleyou.com and follow us on LinkedIn.

In this enlightening episode, Adam is joined by Zavier Coyne and Patrick Quinton-Smith, the founders of Gen Z Coach. Zav is the youngest qualified master intuitive psychology coach in the world and a TEDx speaker. Patrick is a certified leadership trainer and ICF PCC coach who has led multiple high-performing teams globally. Together, they combine their expertise to help businesses bridge the gap between managers and the incoming generation of talent.In this interview, Zav and Patrick unpack the concept of "Generational Intelligence" and offer strategies for leaders to navigate the unique challenges of a digitally native workforce. They discuss:Reframing the "Problem": Zav argues that leaders should not view Gen Z as the problem, but rather understand that they are navigating a "polluted" digital environment. Leaders must look at the context—the water the fish is in—rather than just judging the fish.The Digitally Native Impact: As the first generation to grow up entirely with the internet and smartphones, Gen Z’s social and cognitive development has been uniquely conditioned. This has created an expectation for rapid feedback loops and instant gratification that often clashes with traditional workplace structures.No News is Bad News: Unlike previous generations where "no news was good news," Zav explains that for Gen Z, silence is interpreted as bad news. They are accustomed to instant, personalised feedback data in their personal lives and disengage when they encounter silence in the workplace.Generational Intelligence: The duo defines this as the behavioural and strategic skillset to effectively understand, empathise, and communicate across all age groups . This involves moving away from "command and control" leadership toward a coaching style that asks questions to stimulate thinking.The Trust Gap in Recruitment: Patrick highlights that many young people leave within the first 12 months because the reality of the role does not match the vision sold during recruitment. Authenticity is critical, as 87% of Gen Z will leave a role to do the exact same job elsewhere if the new company is more aligned with their values.Zav and Patrick provide a compelling case for evolving leadership styles to meet the speed of change in today's society. If you are a leader looking to improve retention, engagement, and productivity by better understanding your younger employees, this is a must-listen episode.Connect with Zav and Patrick on LinkedIn: Zavier Coyne & Patrick Quinton-Smith And check out Gen Z CoachLooking for a content library to help your team develop their productivity, communication, leadership skills and more? Check out assembleyou.com and follow us on LinkedIn.

In this excellent interview, Brigid sits down with Julia Jones of Altezza People UK.Julia is the founder of Altezza People UK, a leadership and emotional intelligence consultancy that uses embodied learning with horses to create measurable behavioural change. With a background in financial services and psychometrics, she combines commercial acumen with a passion for helping leaders and teams understand how their behaviour influences trust, communication, and performance.In this episode, Julia discusses the limitations of traditional classroom training and the power of embodied learning to shift behaviour. She provides a fascinating masterclass on using physical experience to drive culture change, including:Why Horses?: How horses act as mirrors to human energy and emotion, providing immediate feedback on leadership and behaviour that reveals what is really going on beneath the surface.Embodied Learning vs. Cognitive Learning: Julia explains why we are often "tired of the mind" and how engaging the body creates lasting "lightbulb moments"—similar to the permanent skill of learning to ride a bike.Psychological Safety: How removing teams from their usual environment and asking simple questions like "How are you feeling?" can uncover vulnerability and build immediate trust and safety.Bridging Generational Gaps: Using shared experiences to connect the "fluid intelligence" of younger workers with the "crystallised intelligence" of the ageing workforce to foster better communication.Measuring the Intangible: The critical need to move beyond "happy sheets" and link behavioural change and soft skills directly to business ROI and corporate objectives to prove value to the board.Julia offers a unique and refreshing perspective on how to achieve deep behavioural change. If you are looking to move beyond theory and truly transform your team's culture, this is a must-listen-to episode.Connect with Julia on LinkedIn: Julia Jones | LinkedInCheck out Altezza Training: https://altezzapeople.co.uk/Looking for a content library to help your team develop their productivity, communication, leadership skills and more? Check out assembleyou.com and follow us on LinkedIn.

In this excellent interview, Adam sits down with Nelson Sivalingam of HowNow.Nelson is the CEO and Co-founder of HowNow, a learning experience platform used by over 100 fast-growing companies and global enterprises. A serial entrepreneur and author of Learning at Speed, Nelson brings an outsider's perspective to L&D, challenging traditional approaches to solve the "mother of all problems": ensuring people have the right skills.In this episode, Nelson discusses the future of L&D, the role of AI, and the critical shift from content-focused to skills-focused learning. He offers a forward-thinking guide for modern learning professionals, including:The Problem with the LMS: Why traditional Learning Management Systems often fail to solve the real problems executives care about and why L&D must pivot to helping people actually do their jobs better.Skills with a "Little s": Nelson distinguishes between massive organisational transformations and the practical application of skills—starting with work tasks to determine relevant learning interventions.Scaling One-to-One Teaching with AI: How AI agents like HowNow's "Guru" can finally scale the personalised, high-quality teaching dynamic found in elite coaching, moving beyond just generating more content.The Self-Running Platform: The potential for AI to automate admin and answer complex data questions (e.g., "Has this focus skill improved?") without needing a data science degree, finally connecting learning to business ROI.From Instrument Player to Conductor: Nelson argues that the future L&D leader must stop being a "content factory" and start orchestrating an ecosystem of curated, credible resources and AI-generated learning aligned with business goals.Advice for New L&D Professionals: Nelson shares his top three tips for those entering the field: master AI tools to gain an edge, learn marketing skills to drive engagement, and—crucially—understand how the business actually operates.Nelson offers a visionary yet practical roadmap for L&D leaders ready to embrace technology and prove their strategic value. If you want to understand how AI and skills will shape the future of workplace learning, this is a must-listen-to episode.Connect with Nelson on LinkedIn:  Nelson SivalingamLooking for a content library to help your team develop their productivity, communication, leadership skills and more? Check out assembleyou.com and follow us on LinkedIn.

In this excellent interview, Brigid sits down with Neil Cunningham.Neil is a strategic L&D people partner at the Children's Investment Fund Foundation with over 15 years of experience across diverse sectors such as tech, comms, utilities, and philanthropy. His expertise lies in developing key capabilities, measuring learning impact, and driving digital L&D strategy.In this episode, Neil discusses the philosophy of where L&D belongs in an organisation and how to navigate major external challenges. He provides a masterclass on stakeholder management and agility, including:L&D’s Core Function: Neil defines the core function as helping people acquire the knowledge, skills, and behaviours they need to perform at their best, acting similarly to R&D by researching needs and developing solutions.Create Your Own Table: Rather than worrying about where L&D sits hierarchically or fighting for a "seat at the table," Neil advises creating your own table by inviting stakeholders to engage one-on-one.Moving from "Nice to Have" to Business Driver: How to shift from reporting on activity and enjoyment to telling a data story that demonstrates monetised ROI, productivity gains, or staff retention.Navigating Major Challenges: Neil offers three tips for handling crises or restructuring: ensure solutions are agile and can pivot quickly, remove your ego from the work, and keep your ear to the ground with senior stakeholders.Building Trust: Why trust is not something you can teach, but an output of your actions—doing what you say you will do until you reach a level where leaders refer others to you.Decenter Yourself: Neil’s key advice for anyone in the industry is to remember that L&D is a support function existing to make everyone else's lives better.Neil offers a pragmatic and ego-free approach to L&D that focuses on service and strategic partnership. If you want to learn how to build stronger relationships and respond effectively to organisational change, this is a must-listen-to episode.Connect with Neil on LinkedIn: Neil John Cunningham Looking for a content library to help your team develop their productivity, communication, leadership skills and more? Check out assembleyou.com and follow us on LinkedIn.

In this interview, Adam sits down with Abi Holmes of Assemble You.Abi is the Head of Content at Assemble You, bringing over a decade of experience in learning design. She has led teams creating blended programmes, bespoke solutions, and off-the-shelf learning, always with human-centred design at the heart of her work. She now leads the development of Assemble You's audio learning content, solving real organisational challenges from leadership to digital skills.In this episode, Abi discusses a groundbreaking approach to one of L&D's most dreaded topics: compliance training. She reveals how podcasts can transform this essential but often disengaging subject, including:The Problem with Traditional Compliance: Abi highlights why compliance training often fails—it's too legislation-heavy, irrelevant to daily roles, and seen as a "tick-box" exercise rather than a meaningful learning experience.A Human-Centred Approach: Discover how shifting the focus from the "what" (legislation) to the "why" (personal responsibility) makes learning stick. Abi advocates for using real-world scenarios and expert voices to bring dry topics to life.Compliance You Can Listen To: Learn about Assemble You's innovative audio-first compliance solution. Abi explains how they balance engaging, conversational storytelling with the necessary legislative rigour and robust assessment to ensure organisations remain compliant.Why Podcasts Work for Compliance: Abi argues that podcasts meet learners "where they are," fitting into their daily lives and making complex, intimidating topics approachable through conversation.Abi offers a fresh and practical perspective on reimagining mandatory training. If you are looking to make your compliance training more engaging, relevant, and effective, this is a must-listen-to episode.Connect with Abi on LinkedIn: Abi HolmesAnd check out our compliance lessons: https://www.assembleyou.com/products/compliance-trainingLooking for a content library to help your team develop their productivity, communication, leadership skills and more? Check out assembleyou.com and follow us on LinkedIn.

In this excellent interview, Brigid sits down with Nick Lennon-Barrett.Nick is an award-winning L&D leader with over 20 years of experience driving transformation and building learning cultures. He is the founder of Superpower Mastery and the bestselling author of Organised Chaos: Turbocharge Your ADHD Superpowers. This book blends memoir with practical self-development advice for neurodivergent professionals.In this episode, Nick shares his personal journey of being diagnosed with ADHD late in life and offers a masterclass on turning neurodivergent traits into corporate superpowers. He provides a practical guide for L&D leaders on building inclusive, agile, and human-centric learning environments, including:Reframing Neurodivergence: Nick explains how to shift the narrative from "perceived weaknesses" (like emotional regulation struggles) to "inherent strengths" (like hyperfocus, planning, and risk-taking) that can be nurtured into superpowers.The "Design, Deliver, Refine" Approach: How to balance business-as-usual with transformation by building flexible, scalable learning solutions that can pivot quickly, rather than relying on rigid end-to-end programs.Designing for Different Brains: Practical tips for creating neuro-inclusive learning, such as sending questions in advance, avoiding the "round robin" speaking format, and simply asking people how they prefer to learn.Embedded Inclusion: Nick argues that D&I shouldn't be just a standalone initiative, but rather embedded in everything L&D does—for example, featuring diverse characters in compliance training scenarios to make people feel seen.Human-Centric Skills in the AI Age: Why "soft skills" like emotional intelligence, curiosity, and inquisitiveness are becoming crucial survival skills in the age of AI, and how this plays to the strengths of many neurodivergent people.Nick offers an inspiring and actionable perspective on how to navigate the corporate world with neurodivergence and how L&D can build cultures where everyone's unique strengths can shine. If you want to learn how to unlock potential in yourself and your teams, this is a must-listen-to episode.Connect with Nick on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nicklennonbarrett/And check out: Website - Superpower MasteryBook - https://books2read.com/organisedchaosLooking for a content library to help your team develop their productivity, communication, leadership skills and more? Check out assembleyou.com and follow us on LinkedIn.

In this excellent interview, Adam sits down with Scott Parkin.Scott is the Group CEO of the Institute of Employability Professionals (IEP), an award-winning global body with a mission to support the professionals who help others gain, progress in, and retain work. With nearly 35 years of experience across employment, skills, and social care, Scott has expanded the IEP's reach globally, establishing Centres of Excellence in the UK, Canada, and Australia.In this episode, Scott explores the vital intersection of employability and skills development. He provides a masterclass on the art of supporting people into work, including:Defining Employability: Scott defines it as the professional "art" of supporting individuals to gain the skills needed to be active in their local labour market.Core Skills for Life: Discover the essential "soft" or "meta" skills that underpin success, including resilience, emotional intelligence, communication, and curiosity, and why these are just as critical as technical qualifications.Early Intervention: Scott advocates for introducing employability and core skills support as early as Year 7 in schools to prevent young people from becoming NEET (Not in Education, Employment, or Training).AI in Employability: A look at how AI is changing the sector, from reducing administrative burdens to coaching apps. Scott argues that AI should be used to free up time for more human connection, not replace it.Scott offers a deeply human perspective on a sector that is critical to social and economic well-being. If you are interested in the future of work, skills development, and the power of human connection, this is a must-listen-to episode.Connect with Scott on LinkedIn:  Scott Parkin FIEP FRSA Looking for a content library to help your team develop their productivity, communication, leadership skills and more? Check out assembleyou.com and follow us on LinkedIn.

In this excellent interview, Brigid sits down with Sharon Claffey-KalioubySharon is a seasoned L&D executive and HR Tech leader with over two decades of experience at organisations like Thomson Reuters, State Street Global Advisors, and Learning Pool. A passionate advocate for gender equity, she has spent the last 12 years championing the Women in Learning initiative, working to bridge the gap in female leadership within the industry.In this episode, Sharon delivers a powerful and data-backed masterclass on the state of women in the learning industry. She offers a compelling framework for closing the leadership gap, including:The Leadership Paradox: Sharon reveals the startling statistic that while women make up two-thirds of the L&D workforce, they hold only one-third of senior leadership roles—a disparity that is often hidden in plain sight.Redefining the "Queen Bee": Learn about the "Five Bs" framework for inclusive leadership: Benchmarking, Being Bold, Building Bridges, Breaking Barriers, and going Beyond.Women in Learning are Women in Tech: Sharon challenges the industry to reframe its identity, arguing that the vast majority of L&D roles involve significant technology, and women should confidently claim their space as "Women in Tech" (who represent only 25-28% of the global tech workforce).The ROI of Gender Equity: Discover the business case for diversity, citing the "sheet Index" which proves that companies with more women in C-suite and board positions are not just more inclusive, but more profitable.The AI Double-Edged Sword: A discussion on how AI can both obscure the truth through bias and be a powerful tool for efficiency and uncovering data—if driven by diverse teams with empathy.A Call to Action: Sharon invites listeners to contribute to the upcoming "State of the Industry" report, emphasising that owning your narrative and supporting others is the key to moving the entire industry forward.Sharon offers an inspiring and urgent call for women and allies to reshape the narrative of leadership in L&D. If you want to understand the true state of the industry and how to drive meaningful change, this is a must-listen-to episode.Connect with Sharon on LinkedIn: Sharon Claffey Kaliouby Looking for a content library to help your team develop their productivity, communication, leadership skills and more? Check out assembleyou.com and follow us on LinkedIn.

In this special episode, Assemble You Co-Founders Adam Lacey and Richard Ward step out from behind the interview chair for a raw, founder-to-founder conversation - sharing the practical lessons from building Assemble You that L&D leaders can apply immediately to increase adoption, influence stakeholders and drive behavioural change.Instead of theory or frameworks, this episode is built from real experience: testing ideas fast, getting buy-in, marketing learning internally, and building the conditions where development actually sticks.Adam and Rich explore what happens when L&D is run with a startup mindset - agile, learner-led, problem-focused and impact-driven. They break down the lessons, mistakes and mindset shifts that helped Assemble You scale audio-based learning into hundreds of organisations, and how the same thinking can help you accelerate progress with limited resource.In this episode, you’ll learn:- How to validate learning needs like a product team- Why managers - not content - often determine adoption- How to build internal champions who spread learning for you- Simple internal branding tactics that boost visibility- The power of minimal viable learning vs. over-engineering- How to influence stakeholders and stay strategic under pressure- Where to focus first when resource is tight- Why psychological safety fuels experimentation and growth- How to turn requests into patterns - and patterns into strategyIf you want your learning initiatives to spread faster, embed deeper and demonstrate value sooner, this one is worth your time. It’s an honest behind-the-scenes conversation designed to give L&D leaders clarity, confidence and practical shortcuts they can use straight away.If you love podcast-style learning, Assemble You gives you ready-to-use, audio-first courses that slot straight into your learning strategy.Help your workforce build practical skills - communication, productivity, leadership and more - with engaging content people actually want to listen to. Explore assembleyou.com and follow us on LinkedIn.

In this excellent interview, Brigid sits down with Kat Hayes.Kat is the Senior Director of People at Boden, the iconic British fashion brand. With a commercial mindset and a passion for practical, human-centred change, she works closely with the executive team to shape culture, strengthen leadership, and build sustainable talent across the UK and US.In this episode, Kat shares the story behind Boden’s highly successful "In Conversation With" series, a masterclass in driving employee engagement through storytelling and external perspective. She offers a practical guide for L&D leaders looking to replicate this impact, including:The Power of External Voices: Kat explains why bringing in speakers from outside the organisation—like fashion editors, Olympians, and industry experts—can often resonate more deeply with employees than internal messaging, especially on topics like career growth, resilience, and diversity.Building a Culture of Permission: Discover how Boden’s executive team actively role-models learning by attending sessions themselves and explicitly giving their teams permission to take an hour out of their week to listen, learn, and be inspired.Connecting People to Purpose: Hear the moving story of how a chance conversation between a guest speaker and a long-serving warehouse employee highlighted the deep human connection and sense of belonging that these events can foster.Crowdsourcing Creativity: Kat reveals how tapping into the personal networks of employees—from the exec team to affinity groups—has been the secret sauce for finding diverse and relevant speakers without a huge budget.Learning Beyond the Classroom: Learn how Boden is expanding its development initiatives, from using the Insights Discovery model to improve team collaboration to launching a cross-functional "Boden Academy" that connects head office staff with the reality of the factory floor.Practical Steps for Implementation: Kat offers actionable advice for any organisation wanting to start their own speaker series: start small, listen to what your people actually want to hear about, and don't be afraid to be creative with who you invite.Kat offers an inspiring and achievable blueprint for creating a learning culture that is engaging, inclusive, and deeply connected to the wider world. If you want to spark energy and conversation in your organisation, this is a must-listen-to episode.Connect with Kat on LinkedIn: Kat Hayes Looking for a content library to help your team develop their productivity, communication, leadership skills and more? Check out assembleyou.com and follow us on LinkedIn.

In this excellent interview, Adam sits down with Samah Salih.Samah is a strategic talent and learning leader with over 18 years of experience in FTSE 100 retail and corporate environments, including pivotal roles at Nestlé, BGA, River Island, and BT. She specialises in helping organisations build leadership pipelines and align people strategy with business goals to enable transformation at scale.In this episode, Samah discusses the unique challenges of executive leadership development. She provides a candid look at why senior leaders often struggle to prioritise their own growth and offers a back-to-basics framework for building resilient, empathetic leadership teams, including:The Executive Development Paradox: Samah explains why leaders are often "time-poor" and risk-averse, treating development as a secondary habit rather than a core responsibility."Fail Fast" vs. "Fail Well": Why the popular buzzword is often misunderstood, and how true growth comes from the pause, reflection, and accountability that follows a setback.The Power of the Coaching Mindset: Why great leaders move from "telling" to "asking." Samah argues that coaching is a fundamental skill for life, driving accountability and clarity in a complex world.Case Study in Success: A deep dive into a successful global leadership program at Nestlé, highlighting the importance of sponsorship, application processes, and applying frameworks to real-world business context.AI and Human Skills: While AI can drive efficiency, Samah discusses why it cannot replace the human need for empathy, difficult conversations, and authentic connection.Building Psychological Safety: How to foster trust through clarity, transparency, and consistency. Samah emphasises that trust should be given first, not just earned, and highlights the underrated power of kindness.Samah offers a deeply human and practical perspective on what it takes to lead at the highest levels. If you are looking to understand how to support and develop your executive team effectively, this is a must-listen-to episode.Connect with Samah on LinkedIn:  Samah S. Looking for a content library to help your team develop their productivity, communication, leadership skills and more? Check out assembleyou.com and follow us on LinkedIn.

In this excellent interview, Brigid sits down with Jez Anderson.With over 30 years in L&D as a manager, leader, and consultant, Jez has a deep passion for understanding how people learn. He specialises in digital learning technologies, informal learning, and creating cultures that foster curiosity and growth.In this episode, Jez draws on his extensive experience to provide a masterclass on the principles of effective learning design. He offers a thoughtful and practical guide for L&D professionals, including:Learning Design as Experience Design: Jez defines learning design not just as constructing content, but as creating learning experiences that engage, inspire, and empower people to make meaningful changes.Balancing Needs: He discusses the crucial (and often difficult) balance L&D must strike between meeting organisational objectives and catering to the individual learner's needs and how they best learn.Three Core Pedagogies: Jez outlines the spectrum of learning approaches, from traditional instructor-led methods to adult-centred (ecological) designs, and the learner-driven heutagogical model, advocating for a blended strategy.Keep It Simple, Focus on Context: Learn why effective design isn't about chasing the latest tech fad (like VR for VR's sake). Sometimes the best solution is simple and tailored to the learner's context, even if it's a well-designed PDF for shop-floor staff.Beyond Content Download: Discover how to make traditional classroom or synchronous virtual sessions more impactful by shifting the focus from instruction to facilitation, using methods like reverse classrooms, experiential activities, and scenario-based learning to embed knowledge and encourage application.The "So What?" Question: Jez emphasises the most critical question for any learning experience: "So what?" If learners can't articulate what they'll do differently as a result, the learning hasn't landed.Embracing Digital & Informal Learning: He stresses the importance of thinking digitally about the entire learner experience (not just the LMS) and fostering informal learning through communities of practice and social connection.Jez offers a pragmatic and experience-led perspective, grounding innovative ideas in the fundamental principles of good learning practice. If you want to design more impactful and engaging learning experiences, this is a must-listen-to episode.Connect with Jez on LinkedIn:  Jez Anderson Looking for a content library to help your team develop their productivity, communication, leadership skills and more? Check out assembleyou.com and follow us on LinkedIn.

In this excellent interview, Adam sits down with Adela Paun.Adela is a global L&D leader with over 15 years of experience, known for her pivotal role as a founding member of Spotify's L&D team, "The Greenhouse." During her 11+ years at Spotify, she witnessed and supported hypergrowth, scaling learning initiatives for thousands of employees globally while navigating the shift to a work-from-anywhere model.In this episode, Adela provides a rare inside look at building and scaling L&D within one of the world's fastest-growing tech companies. She offers a masterclass on creating a thriving learning culture amidst constant change, including:Laying the Tracks for Hypergrowth: Adela explains how the L&D team's mission was to enable learning "at the pace of change," acting as enablers, not bottlenecks, for Spotify's rapid expansion.Navigating the Pandemic Pivot: Adela details the strategic decisions made when shifting L&D entirely virtual, prioritising leadership support, rethinking content ("killing darlings"), and managing the chaos of adopting (and later consolidating) new learning technologies.Leveraging Leaders for Impact: Hear how Spotify strategically involved senior leaders in key learning programs to provide business context, model behaviour, and foster connection, trusting them to speak authentically.L&D as a Cultural Engine: Adela highlights how L&D initiatives like Introdays and intentionally diverse training cohorts actively built cross-functional connections and reinforced Spotify's collaborative culture.Adela offers a unique and invaluable perspective on the realities of high-growth L&D. If you want to understand how to build adaptable, impactful learning experiences that scale, this is a must-listen-to episode.Connect with Adela on LinkedIn:  Adela Paun Looking for a content library to help your team develop their productivity, communication, leadership skills and more? Check out assembleyou.com and follow us on LinkedIn.

In this excellent interview, Brigid sits down with Anita Anthonj.Anita is the co-founder of Talaera, a New York-based business communication and cultural training company. Drawing on her own experience moving from Germany to the US, she has deep expertise in the challenges and opportunities of cross-cultural communication in a global business environment.In this episode, Anita provides a masterclass on why effective communication is not a "nice-to-have" but a business-critical "need-to-have." She offers a powerful framework for L&D leaders looking to foster connection and drive impact, including:Building Bridges, Not Barriers: Anita defines cross-cultural communication as recognizing that "your way is not the only way." It's about empathy, curiosity, and building connections across different lived experiences.The Challenges for Non-Native Speakers: Learn about the invisible hurdles non-native speakers face, from the mental processing delay in fast-paced meetings to the difficulty of bringing their "whole self" to work in a foreign language.Communication is ROI: Discover how effective communication is directly tied to business outcomes. Anita shares real-world examples of how improved communication skills can decrease customer call times, build stronger client relationships, and save significant money.A Bespoke, Not One-Size-Fits-All Approach: Anita explains why communication training is most effective when it’s customised to an organisation's specific pain points, using a blend of one-on-one coaching, group workshops, and scalable digital solutions.A Practical Guide for L&D: Get actionable advice on how L&D teams can champion communication training, from going on a "listening tour" to identify needs, to starting with small, high-impact pilots to prove the concept and demonstrate value.Why Communication Matters More Than Ever: In a volatile world with AI, hybrid work, and multiple generations in the workplace, Anita argues that human connection is the most critical skill, and investing in communication signals to employees that they are valued.Anita offers a compelling and practical guide to unlocking the power of communication in your organisation. If you want to learn how to build trust, foster connection, and drive measurable business impact, this is a must-listen-to episode.Connect with Anita on LinkedIn: Anita Anthonj Check out: https://talaera.com/Looking for a content library to help your team develop their productivity, communication, leadership skills and more? Check out assembleyou.com and follow us on LinkedIn.

In this excellent interview, Adam sits down with Ashley Robinson of Virgin Media/O2.Ashley is the Strategic Learning & Operational Lead at Virgin Media/O2, bringing a wealth of experience as a senior digital technology professional and project manager. He specialises in implementing learning systems globally, improving employee attainment, and demonstrating clear ROI across diverse workforces, including corporate and frontline staff.In this episode, Ashley draws on his journey from web developer to L&D leader to provide a masterclass on successfully implementing learning technology, especially at scale. Included in this weeks’ episode: The Power of Consultation: Ashley identifies the biggest challenge in tech rollouts: organisations failing to include all user archetypes (especially frontline workers) in the initial consultation and decision-making process.The Blueprint of a Successful Rollout: Learn why involving diverse working groups from the start, getting them in front of vendors, and facilitating collective reflection is crucial for building buy-in and creating internal champions.Marketing Beyond the Launch: Ashley stresses that the real work begins after implementation. Success requires ongoing, engaging communication and leveraging early champions to build grassroots momentum.Cracking the Frontline Code: Discover why accessibility and authentication are the most critical, yet often overlooked, factors for engaging frontline workers who might not have corporate devices or dedicated learning time.Lessons from Failed Rollouts: Ashley shares examples where lack of user consultation and unaddressed access issues killed adoption within the launch window.Speaking the Language of ROI: Understand the two key approaches to justifying investment: direct ROI (easily measured in areas like Sales) and indirect ROI (the strategic cost of not investing in people, impacting talent attraction/retention).Ashley provides a candid, practical, and highly valuable guide for anyone involved in selecting, implementing, or driving adoption for learning technology. If you want to avoid common pitfalls and ensure your next tech rollout lands successfully, this is a must-listen-to episode.Connect with Ashley on LinkedIn: Ashley RobinsonLooking for a content library to help your team develop their productivity, communication, leadership skills and more? Check out assembleyou.com and follow us on LinkedIn.