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Description
Learning Uncut is about real conversations around real learning solutions and real experiences with real advice from real people.
We're all about keeping it "real."
Here's an overview of our approach:
Strategy and tactics. We want to unpack the strategy and how-to's of creating great learning solutions, frameworks and teams.
CONVERSATIONS, NOT SCRIPTED DISCUSSION
Our podcasts are professional but not so edited and polished that they lose their authenticity. We want our audience to hear real people having real conversations and sharing real examples and advice.
PROGRESSIVE
We want to showcase the "unsung L&D heroes" out there doing great work, being brave and trying new things.
PRACTICAL
We invite our guests to share tips and strategies to help listeners take their solutions to the next level. We aim to provide actionable takeaways for our listeners through show notes, links and downloads wherever possible.
We're all about keeping it "real."
Here's an overview of our approach:
Strategy and tactics. We want to unpack the strategy and how-to's of creating great learning solutions, frameworks and teams.
CONVERSATIONS, NOT SCRIPTED DISCUSSION
Our podcasts are professional but not so edited and polished that they lose their authenticity. We want our audience to hear real people having real conversations and sharing real examples and advice.
PROGRESSIVE
We want to showcase the "unsung L&D heroes" out there doing great work, being brave and trying new things.
PRACTICAL
We invite our guests to share tips and strategies to help listeners take their solutions to the next level. We aim to provide actionable takeaways for our listeners through show notes, links and downloads wherever possible.
271 Episodes
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Michelle Ockers speaks with Learning Uncut co-host, and author, Michelle Parry-Slater about her book, The Learning and Development Handbook, A Learning Practitioner's Toolkit. Sharing ideas from within the book, Michelle talks through why practitioners "…must be advocates of the right solution, for the right problem, for the right people, at the right time, for the right reason, delivered in the right way." (P176, 2nd Edition 2024, The Learning and Development Handbook) Transcript and related resources: https://learninguncut.global/podcast/elevate-46/ Podcast information and more episodes: https://learninguncut.global/podcast/
Liz Seskus and Kate Schultz from Australian Red Cross Lifeblood discuss their development of a virtual tour to support the induction of new hematology registrars. They share how they applied learning science, user testing, and a co-design approach to create a practical, cost-effective learning tool that reduces cognitive load and enhances understanding of blood processing procedures. Winner of 2025 Australian Institute of Training and Development Excellence Award for Best Use of Gamification or Simulation for Learning. Transcript and related resources: https://learninguncut.global/podcast/179/ Podcast information and more episodes: https://learninguncut.global/podcast/
Michelle Parry-Slater speaks with co-authors Michelle Ockers and Laura Overton about their book, The L&D Leader. Principles and practice for delivering business value, released in October 2025. They reflect on the collaboration behind the book, the research and evidence that informed it, and its practical relevance for learning professionals. The conversation offers insights into leading with impact in L&D and the mindset shifts needed to thrive in today's environment of continuous changing. Transcript and related resources: https://learninguncut.global/podcast/elevate-45/ Podcast information and more episodes: https://learninguncut.global/podcast/
Peter Brace from Sodexo Australia shares how his path into L&D, including training under trees in Papua New Guinea, shaped his practical and learner-centred approach. Hosted by Michelle Ockers and co-host Michelle Parry-Slater, this episode explores adapting learning to diverse environments, building flexibility into facilitation, and the value of connecting learning to real-world settings. Transcript and related resources: https://learninguncut.global/podcast/178/ Podcast information and more episodes: https://learninguncut.global/podcast/
In this year-in-review episode, Michelle Ockers and Michelle Parry-Slater reflect on 2025 through the lens of Learning Uncut. They discuss professional highlights, patterns emerging across the podcast's case studies, and what the year revealed about relevance, value and the human role in L&D. The conversation explores learning culture, co-design, learner agency and the normalisation of AI, alongside reflections on community, lived experience and the evolution of the podcast itself. Host: Michelle Ockers Transcript and related resources: https://learninguncut.global/podcast/177/ Podcast information and more episodes: https://learninguncut.global/podcast/
This episode explores NAWIC ACT's award-winning mentoring programme for women in construction. Jo Farrell from Build Like a Girl and Jana Clyde from Wisdom Learning discuss addressing gender equity challenges through structured mentoring. They cover participant matching, workshops, psychological safety measures, and the importance of time in building trust. Jo shares her journey from apprentice to mentor, whilst Jana explains key design principles. The conversation examines retention challenges, programme evolution since 2017, and signs of cultural change in the industry. Host: Michelle Ockers Transcript and related resources: https://learninguncut.global/podcast/176/ Podcast information and more episodes: https://learninguncut.global/podcast/
Donald H. Taylor joins Michelle Ockers and co-host Michelle Parry-Slater to unpack findings from the latest instalment of his multi-year research on AI in L&D, conducted with Eglė Vinauskaitė: The Race for Impact. They discuss how AI has reached an inflection point, becoming a standard part of the L&D toolkit, along with its growing use in research and analysis. The conversation also examines three possible futures for L&D emerging from the research, each with implications for how the profession may evolve. Host: Michelle Ockers Transcript and related resources: https://learninguncut.global/podcast/175/ Podcast information and more episodes: https://learninguncut.global/podcast/
Hannah Ryan, Learning and Capability Manager at Versent, joins Michelle Ockers to share how she helped shape a vibrant learning culture at the Australian technology consultancy, recognised with the 2025 AITD Excellence Award for Best Learning Culture. As Versent's first and only L&D professional, Hannah reflects on how she reshaped her role managing an LMS and leadership program to enabling learning in the flow of work. The conversation dives deep into Craft | 180, a peer-led, program designed to grow technical mastery. Hannah unpacks how Versent cultivates self-directed learning, builds deep craft expertise, and strengthens community across a geographically dispersed and technically diverse workforce. This episode offers a compelling example of modern, scalable L&D practice—where learning is embedded, employee-led, and aligned with business and individual growth. Host: Michelle Ockers Transcript and related resources: https://learninguncut.global/podcast/174/ Podcast information and more episodes: https://learninguncut.global/podcast/
Matthias Nauwelaers, Learning Experience Lead at Imec, joins Michelle Ockers to discuss how Imec is building the capability of its frontline people leaders. In a fast-growing, highly technical R&D environment, consistent leadership is key. Matthias shares how Imec replaced ad hoc, inconsistent manager development with a scalable, structured program grounded in real work, peer support, and behavioural change. Learn how they engaged stakeholders, designed for busy experts, and built momentum through iterative improvement—creating a practical, flexible approach that supports leaders across the globe. Host: Michelle Ockers Transcript and related resources: https://learninguncut.global/podcast/173/ Podcast information and more episodes: https://learninguncut.global/podcast/
Christine Gaynor-Patterson joins Michelle Ockers to share how she and her L&D team enabled 10,000 professionals in a large US-based organisation to support workforce AI literacy. Drawing on her blend of experience in education, change management and learning design, Christine approached AI as a tool to enable humans to do better work. She discusses her team's framework for AI literacy, change enablement strategies, and how they tailored support at scale. A practical, example of how L&D can lead responsibly in the evolving AI landscape. Host: Michelle Ockers Transcript and related resources: https://learninguncut.global/podcast/172/ Podcast information and more episodes: https://learninguncut.global/podcast/
Michelle Ockers is joined by Ben Campbell, CEO of the Australian Institute of Training and Development, and organisational capability expert Lisa Elias to discuss the development of AITD's first-ever L&D Capability Framework. In addition to being our podcast host, Michelle was the Project Lead on this community-driven initiative, and offers insight into how the project came to life, its collaborative design process, and what it offers the Australian L&D profession. The trio explores the framework's purpose, structure and practical applications for individuals, teams and organisations. Learn how it establishes a common language for capability and raises the bar for L&D practice across the country. Host: Michelle Ockers Transcript and related resources: https://learninguncut.global/podcast/171/ Podcast information and more episodes: https://learninguncut.global/podcast/
When James Swift moved from Sales into his L&D role at Leyton UK, he started as many do—trusting the 'L&D experts', buying content, and chasing engagement. But it didn't deliver results. So he flipped the script. In this episode, James shares how he built a culture of accountability, motivation, and autonomy—putting learners in charge of their own development. Discover how informal coaching evolved into a structured pathway, and why trusting people to learn their way outperformed content-driven solutions in driving real performance. Host: Michelle Ockers Transcript and related resources: https://learninguncut.global/podcast/170/ Podcast information and more episodes: https://learninguncut.global/podcast/
Lane Hannah and Ange Forde from One New Zealand, alongside Dan Hibberd from Makeshapes, discuss how One New Zealand transformed its learning model to enable consistent, scalable, and engaging learning. The shift was driven by the need to support a diverse workforce across locations and roles, particularly during a major brand transition. The trio explore how peer-to-peer learning, supported by the Makeshapes platform, were used to foster collaboration, build capability, and support innovation - including around the adoption of AI. This episode offers practical advice on designing for social learning and building a modern learning ecosystem. Host: Michelle Ockers Transcript and related resources: https://learninguncut.global/podcast/169/ Podcast information and more episodes: https://learninguncut.global/podcast/
How do you equip a workforce for an AI-enabled future? Amy Vig from KPMG Australia joins Michelle Ockers to share the story behind KPMG's AI Learning Academy. Amy discusses how her team fostered innovation, psychological safety, and continuous learning while navigating rapid technological change. Discover practical insights into designing an internal learning solution that blends self-directed learning, curated pathways, and hands-on practice with emerging AI tools. A rich, real-world example of building future-fit skills and strengthening learning culture. Host: Michelle Ockers Transcript and related resources: https://learninguncut.global/podcast/168/ Podcast information and more episodes: https://learninguncut.global/podcast/
In this episode, Michelle Parry-Slater returns to Elevate to explore how L&D professionals can make their budget stretch further. With the current environment of budget constraints and rising business expectations, Michelle and Michelle Ockers share practical approaches to prioritising spend, aligning learning with business needs, and tapping into existing resources—both internally and externally. From curation and internal podcasts to cross-functional budget partnerships, leveraging existing tech and communities of practice, they outline actionable ideas drawn from both corporate and not-for-profit sectors. This conversation is a rich source of insight for anyone looking to deliver value on a tight budget. Hosted by Michelle Ockers Transcript and related resources: https://learninguncut.global/podcast/elevate-44/ Podcast information and more episodes: https://learninguncut.global/podcast/
Keith Heggart from the University of Technology Sydney joins Michelle Ockers to discuss the creation of the Graduate Certificate in Learning Design. He takes us behind the scenes of the design process—how he spent months consulting with industry experts, developing learner personas, and challenging traditional university structures to create a program that is fast-paced, practical, and immediately useful. Keith also shares key insights on the growing demand for learning design expertise, the critical role of communication in the field, and why the divide between corporate and higher education learning design needs to be bridged. Host: Michelle Ockers Transcript and related resources: https://learninguncut.global/podcast/167/ Podcast information and more episodes: https://learninguncut.global/podcast/
In this episode of Learning Uncut Elevate, Michelle Ockers speaks with Catherine Lombardozzi about her latest research with the Learning Guild, which explores how leadership development strategies are evolving. Catherine set out to understand what's changing in leadership development and how organisations are adapting to post-pandemic realities. Her findings highlight three key shifts: greater emphasis on experiential learning, more sustained and blended approaches, and an increasing focus on relational learning to strengthen leadership networks. This research provides L&D professionals with practical insights to design more relevant and effective leadership development programs. Hosted by Michelle Ockers Transcript and related resources: https://learninguncut.global/podcast/elevate-43/ Podcast information and more episodes: https://learninguncut.global/podcast/
Australia has a critical structural engineering skills shortage, yet many qualified graduates and migrant engineers struggle to find jobs. In this episode, Michelle Ockers talks to Moly Ashtari and Alex Jovanovski, co-founders of Learnpedia. Moly shares her personal challenges as a migrant engineer seeking local experience. Alex highlights difficulties small businesses face hiring skilled engineers. They discuss creating Learnpedia to provide project-based traineeships combining real-world projects, on-site training, and mentorship. Discover how their practical learning approach equips engineers with essential workplace experience and why industry collaboration is vital for solving Australia's engineering skills shortage. Host: Michelle Ockers Transcript and related resources: https://learninguncut.global/podcast/166/ Podcast information and more episodes: https://learninguncut.global/podcast/
Australia's tech sector faces a critical skills gap. Women – who make up just 30% of the tech workforce – represent the largest untapped talent pool to close this gap. Michelle Ockers speaks with Kade Brown from RMIT Online and Rhiannon Yetsenga from Deloitte Access Economics about their latest research report into skills and talent diversity in Australia's tech workforce. They explore the key findings of the report, including the scale of the skills gap, why women are the biggest untapped opportunity to close this gap, and the business case for investing in re-skilling. The conversation also highlights practical actions organisations can take to attract, retain, and develop more women in tech roles. Hosted by Michelle Ockers Transcript and related resources: https://learninguncut.global/podcast/elevate-42/ Podcast information and more episodes: https://learninguncut.global/podcast/
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