In this interview, Adam sits down with Will Thalheimer, a world-renowned expert in learning science, learning evaluation, and evidence-based practice in L&D.

Will is the founder of Work-Learning Research, a respected speaker, and the creator of the Learning Transfer Evaluation Model (LTEM). He is also the author of Performance-Focused Learner Surveys and his latest release, The CEO’s Guide to Training, eLearning and Work: Empowering Learning for a Competitive Advantage.

In this episode, Will explains how L&D professionals can better partner with business leaders by focusing on strategic impact. He unpacks the thinking behind his latest book, written specifically to help CEOs—and L&D teams—understand how to drive competitive advantage through better learning.

Will talks Adam through:

1. How to speak the language of business without losing your L&D soul
2. Why competitive advantage is a powerful frame for L&D’s value
3. The limitations of learner surveys—and what to measure instead
4. How to influence senior leaders using evidence-based learning principles
5. Practical ways to push back on poor training requests with tact and structure
6. The importance of empowering managers to support continuous learning
7. Why L&D needs more emotional intelligence and community

Will also explains how to use LTEM to evaluate learning in a meaningful way and shares actionable strategies for building stronger learning interventions grounded in the science of retention, decision-making, and performance.

This episode is packed with energising insights for learning professionals at any level. Whether you’re leading a function or just starting out, Will’s advice is a must-listen if you want to deepen your impact and influence in your organisation.

Connect with Will on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/john-hinchliffe-yourskillshub/

And check out Work-Learning Research: Work-Learning Research

More information on LTEM

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 episode of L&D 101, host Brigid McCormack sits down with renowned senior learning strategist Lori Niles-Hofmann to demystify the big shifts shaping Learning and Development today. With over 25 years of experience across international banking, consulting, and marketing, Lori offers a compelling look into the evolving world of L&D—from digital acceleration to AI and skills-based transformation.

Together, Brigid and Lori unpack:

• The three seismic shifts reshaping L&D post-pandemic
• Why skills—not job titles—are the future of workforce strategy
• What L&D professionals really need to know about AI and AI agents
• How to track and recalibrate skills over time like a supply chain
• Actionable tools and trusted resources for those new to the field
• Why the human element will always be at the heart of learning—even in an AI-driven world

Whether you're new to the industry or a seasoned pro navigating change, this episode is packed with practical insight and perspective on the path forward in L&D.

Connect with Lori on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lorinileshofmann/

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 Jez Light of Ground Control.

Jez is an award-winning learning leader, known for his transformational approach to L&D. He is Head of Learning and a member of the executive team at Ground Control, a national maintenance and construction company operating across the UK. Jez previously led learning for global brands including Phones4U and Superdry, where his work won a CIPD People Management Award.

At Ground Control, Jez has reimagined L&D—moving it from compliance-driven training to a vibrant, learner-first culture that supports everyone, from apprentices to senior leaders.

In this episode, Jez walks Adam through how he’s rebuilt learning at scale. He shares the tools, tone, and thinking behind GC Academy, and how he transformed a dormant apprenticeship levy into a major engine for growth and retention.

Jez covers:

1. How to rebrand L&D to engage the whole business
2. Creative strategies to make learning accessible, flexible and fun
3. Turning the apprenticeship levy into a company-wide perk
4. Practical systems for tracking ROI and learner impact
5. Building psychological safety inside L&D teams

Jez gives honest, inspiring, and refreshingly practical advice on how to create a learning culture people genuinely use—and love. If you’re trying to get your L&D function listened to, this is a must-listen episode.

Connect with Jez on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jez-light-07150249/

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 debut episode of L&D 101, host Brigid McCormack welcomes the inimitable John Helmer—podcast host, writer, and long-time learning industry figure—for a no-nonsense exploration of how the world of L&D has evolved over the past two decades. Drawing on his deep experience as a marketer, buyer, and thought leader, John shares practical advice on how to navigate the complex, often messy business of purchasing learning solutions.

This episode is essential listening for anyone stepping into the L&D space—especially those grappling with vendor selection, learning systems, or content procurement.

Brigid and John discuss:

• Why trust, scale, and innovation are non-negotiables in vendor relationships
• The difference between content vendors and LMS providers—and why it matters
• How to sniff out risk, recognise desperation, and avoid getting "nickeled and dimed"
• The buyer’s golden rule: Know your vendor

John gives practical advice and insight to the world of L&D, if you're just starting out or want to increase your knowledge then this is a must-listen-to episode.

Connect with John on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/johnhelmer/

Listen to the Learning Hack: The Learning Hack podcast

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 Ross Garner and Paul Buller of Mind Tools to explore one of the most pressing topics in L&D today: the role of AI in content creation and the future of learning.

Ross is Chief Learning Officer at Mind Tools and a former Learning Designer of the Year. He’s also a long-time podcast host and co-author of the L&D Dispatch newsletter. Paul is Head of Content at Mind Tools, an executive coach, and an expert in leadership and organisational psychology with a track record in leading hybrid learning teams at global organisations.

In this episode, Ross and Paul unpack how AI is reshaping what we create, how we design learning experiences, and the skills L&D professionals need to thrive in this new landscape.

They share their reflections on:

1. Why content creation jobs are shifting—not disappearing
2. How AI can free up time to focus on behaviour change and learning design
3. The continued importance of authentic human connection in digital learning
4. Practical ways to integrate AI into workflows without compromising quality
5. How L&D can defend against “internet slop” with trustworthy, research-backed content

Ross and Paul give thoughtful, grounded insights into what AI means for learning teams today—and why embracing it with optimism and intentionality is the smart move. If you’re navigating the shift to AI-enhanced learning design, this is a must-listen episode.

Duolingo AI Revolution: https://drphilippahardman.substack.com/p/duolingos-ai-revolution

Connect with them on LinkedIn

Ross: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ross-garner/

Paul: https://www.linkedin.com/in/pbuller/

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.

Welcome to the very first episode of The Assembly – the new voice of Assemble You. Formerly known as L&D Challenges, our rebranded podcast reflects a more inclusive, optimistic, and forward-thinking take on learning and development.

In this episode, co-founders Richard Ward and Adam Lacey are joined by new co-host Brigid McCormack to walk you through what’s changing—and why.

What’s new?

We're not just renaming the podcast—we're revamping the format too. Expect:

1. Broader topics that go beyond traditional L&D hurdles.
2. More voices, with Brigid launching her own series aimed at newcomers to the L&D space.

Meet Brigid:

New to the industry herself, Brigid is curating L&D 101 interviews with industry veterans who answer foundational questions for those just starting out—or those wanting a refresher.

Whether you’re a seasoned pro refining your approach or brand new to the L&D world, The Assembly is here to bring insight, inspiration, and ideas to help you thrive. It’s not just about the problems—it’s about what’s working, what’s next, and how we can grow together.

Follow Assemble You on LinkedIn and subscribe to The Assembly wherever you get your podcasts to catch the latest episodes each week.

Remember 'performance support'? Amid all the talk of AI, adaptive learning, and skills, it's kind of been forgotten.

But not by us! Or by respondents to Don Taylor's Global Sentiment Survey, who ranked it 11th hottest trend this year (up two from last year).

In the first of a two-part series of crossover episodes with our partner MindTools, Adam sits down with Ross G and Paul to discuss:

• What makes great performance support?
• What conditions make performance support effective?
• What role does AI play in all this?

To find out more about the performance support available for leaders and managers, from Mindtools, visit mindtools.com. And, good news! You can now add Microsoft Shorts from Assemble You to your subscription.

During this episode, Ross G discussed extended cognition and the productivity paradox.

Paul discussed Gloria Gery's definition of performance support.

Ross also discussed the book Think Like a Marketer, Train Like an L&D Pro, and our 2016 report 'The Secret Learning Lives of Managers'.

We also discussed the World Economic Forum's 'Future of Jobs 2025' report.

And in 'What I Learned This Week', Paul recommended the book Kill the Unicorn, and Adam recommended The Anxious Generation.

If you'd like to share your thoughts on this episode, connect with us on LinkedIn:

• Ross Garner
• Paul Buller
• Adam Lacey

In this excellent interview, Adam chats with Director of Learning, Leadership, & Inclusion at Marston's, a leading UK pub operator with over 1,300 pubs and over 10,000 workers.

With over 20 years of experience in the hospitality sector, she is recognised as a senior L&D thought leader and a strong believer in fostering high-impact cultures where individuals feel deeply aligned with their company’s mission, purpose, and values. Her expertise spans coaching, leadership development, employee engagement, learning technologies, apprenticeships, and skills development.

In this episode, Jane shares her experience as a coach and the coaching experience at Marston's, touching on some of her favourite experiences as a coach and sharing her thoughts. Including:

1. How to Ask the Right Questions and Be an Excellent Listener
2. Mastering the Core Competencies of Coaching: Listening, Questioning, and Creating Awareness
3. Why Practice and Reflection Make Perfect
4. Embedding Coaching into Everyday Conversations

If you’re looking to integrate coaching into your life, this one is for you.

Connect with Jane on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/janemurraytraining/

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.