🎧 Podcast: Training & Assessment Professional Development with Donna Moulds

Are you walking into your training sessions to impress, or to make an impact? In this powerful episode, Donna explores what it truly means to show up as a trainer who leads with intention, humility, and service.

Too often in the world of training and facilitation, ego sneaks in — and when it does, it blocks the very thing we’re there to support: learning. Donna breaks down why ego has no place in the training space, and how shifting your mindset from “expert” to “guide” is where true transformation begins.

In this episode, we cover:

✅ What ego looks like in the training environment
✅ The difference between delivering content and facilitating growth
✅ Why learners thrive in spaces built on trust, not control
✅ The joy of witnessing real “aha” moments and what creates them
✅ Letting the learning flow through you — and why presence matters more than polish
✅ How to create an environment that empowers learners to grow and contribute

You’ll also hear real-life reflections and moments from Donna’s journey as a trainer, including the uncomfortable lessons, the breakthrough experiences, and the sheer magic of watching others step into their potential.

This episode is a must-listen for:

🎯 Trainers and Assessors
🎯 Learning & Development Professionals
🎯 Coaches and Facilitators
🎯 Leaders who support team growth and learning

📣 Final message: Check your intention before you step in front of a room. Are you leading with ego… or with service?

💬 If this episode resonates with you, please share your biggest takeaway. Tag @TrainingandAssessmentProfessionalDevelopment or connect with Donna directly — and let’s keep creating spaces that transform lives.

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🎙️ Episode: How to Stay Resilient in a Toxic Workplace

Toxic workplaces can leave you feeling drained, disrespected, and disconnected—but you don’t have to lose yourself in the chaos. In this episode, we're diving deep into what it means to stay resilient when you're surrounded by gossip, manipulation, or poor leadership. Because the truth is, your peace is worth protecting.

Inspired by Michelle Obama’s words, “When they go low, we go high,” we unpack how you can rise above without falling apart. You’ll learn why toxic behavior takes such a toll on your mental and emotional health—and more importantly, how to keep your energy grounded and your values intact.

✨ In this episode, we explore:

• What defines a toxic workplace
• How toxicity affects your mindset and self-worth
• Why staying silent vs. speaking up comes with risk—and strategy
• How to confide in the right people without fuelling more drama
• Tools to help you stay calm, focused, and aligned with your truth

This is for anyone who has ever: ✔️ Walked on eggshells at work
✔️ Felt the emotional weight of dysfunction
✔️ Been labelled for calling out poor behavior
✔️ Needed a reminder of their worth and their power

You’ll also hear how documenting facts, setting boundaries, and choosing when not to react can actually be your greatest strength.

💭 Remember: you win when you stop playing their game. You win when you choose your response with intention, not emotion. And sometimes… you win by walking away with your head held high.

If this conversation resonates, I’d love to hear what part hit home for you.

Want extra support? Download our free checklist and journal prompts to help you stay grounded while navigating a difficult workplace (link in description).

👂 Listen now and reclaim your power—because your peace is not up for negotiation.

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In this thought-provoking episode, we explore something many of us in learning and development have felt but rarely say out loud:

Training is being undervalued—and the consequences are far-reaching.

With workplaces shifting toward short-form, micro-learning and compliance-focused modules, we’re seeing less investment in deep, applied, and reflective learning.
But what’s lost when training becomes a checkbox? And what kind of future are we building for the next generation of leaders?

🎯 In this episode, I break down:

• Why training is no longer being treated as a strategic asset
• How digital platforms like LinkedIn Learning serve a purpose—but aren’t the full picture
• The difference between knowledge and wisdom in adult learning
• The danger of producing workers who are competent on paper but lack true confidence and problem-solving skills
• What we can do as trainers, assessors, and leaders to hold the line on quality education

👥 I also reflect on personal experiences in vocational education and the transformational impact of adult learning done right.

This episode is for educators, facilitators, RTO professionals, HR managers, and leaders who care deeply about capability, culture, and what it really means to be future-ready.

💬 If this resonates with you, let me know what part and why. I’d love to hear your stories—because it’s going to take all of us to shift the narrative and champion meaningful, lasting learning.

📣 Share this episode with a colleague, manager, or someone in your L&D team. Let’s reignite the value of deep training—because the next generation depends on it.

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Creating a Vision for Your Future with Gratitude and Visualization

Segment 1: Understanding the Power of Mindset

Before we get into the "how," let’s talk about the "why." Life can throw challenges our way – setbacks, disappointments, and moments of doubt. It’s easy to fall into a negative mindset, focusing on what’s wrong or what’s missing in our lives. But here’s the truth: what you focus on expands. If you’re constantly thinking about the negative, you’re inadvertently inviting more of it into your life.

Segment 2: The Transformative Practice of Gratitude

Gratitude isn’t just about saying "thank you" – it’s about cultivating a deep appreciation for the present moment and the abundance already in your life. When you focus on what you have rather than what you lack, you create a mindset of sufficiency and abundance. Here’s how to start:

• Daily Gratitude Practice: Each morning or evening, write down three things you’re grateful for. They don’t have to be monumental – it could be as simple as the warmth of your coffee or the sound of birds outside.
• Feel It Fully: Don’t just list your gratitudes; take a moment to feel them. Close your eyes and immerse yourself in the joy or comfort they bring.

Segment 3: Creating a Vision with Visualization

Now that you’re building a foundation of gratitude, let’s talk about creating your future. Visualization is a tool that allows you to imagine your goals and dreams as if they’re already happening. Athletes, performers, and successful entrepreneurs use visualization to prime their minds for success. Here’s how you can start:

• Set Your Scene:
• Imagine Your Ideal Future:
• Anchor Your Emotions:
• Repeat Daily:

Segment 4: Combining Gratitude and Visualization

Here’s where the magic happens: combine gratitude and visualization into a single practice. Start by expressing gratitude for what you already have, then transition into visualizing the future you’re creating.

Segment 5: Real-Life Examples

I share a couple of real stories

Segment 6: Taking Action

Gratitude and visualization are powerful tools, but they’re most effective when paired with action. Start taking small, intentional steps toward your vision.

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Understanding Fear

FEAR (False Evidence Appearing Real) is a natural, instinctive response to perceived threats or danger. It activates the "fight, flight, or freeze" response, preparing your body and mind to respond to potential risks. While fear often has a negative connotation, it serves a critical purpose: protecting us from harm and guiding us to make decisions that ensure survival.

Fear can manifest in various forms:

• Physical Fear:
• Emotional Fear:
• Psychological Fear:

Transforming Fear into a Positive Force

While fear can be paralyzing, it can also be a catalyst for growth and achievement when channeled effectively. Here’s how fear can be used in a positive manner:

1. Awareness and Preparedness
   
2. Motivation for Growth
   
3. Building Resilience
   
4. Enhancing Creativity
   
5. Clarifying Priorities
   
6. Fuel for Action
   

Strategies to Channel Fear Positively

1. Acknowledge the Fear
   
2. Reframe the Perspective
   
3. Take Small Steps
   
4. Practice Mindfulness
   
5. Seek Support
   
6. Visualize Success
   
7. Leverage the Energy
   

Embracing Fear

Rather than avoiding fear, embrace it as a powerful tool for transformation. By consciously re-framing and redirecting its energy, fear becomes a stepping stone to resilience, success, and self-discovery. Remember, courage isn’t the absence of fear—it’s the willingness to move forward despite it.

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Segment 1: Recognizing the Need to Train Yourself

Ask yourself:

• Am I feeling less motivated, stuck, or overwhelmed?
• Do I find myself going through the motions rather than feeling inspired?
• Am I struggling to adapt to new requirements, technologies, or expectations?

Segment 2: Using Self-Reflective Questions

Here are a few that I turn to when I need to center myself:

1. What am I really feeling about this change or challenge? Be honest with yourself. Naming the feeling without judgment can help you see it clearly and create space for the right response.
2. How would I approach this if I were guiding a learner? We often know exactly what to say to support others. Flip that knowledge inward and imagine that you’re your own trainee.
3. What aspects of this situation are within my control? Identify what you can influence—like your mindset, the strategies you apply, or the support you seek out—and release what’s beyond your control.
4. What is one small action I can take today? When things feel overwhelming, it’s the small actions that build momentum. Think of it as a micro-learning step, just like with a learner.
5. What am I afraid of losing or risking by making this change? This question can bring out hidden fears or anxieties. Addressing them openly helps us move forward more confidently.
6. What strengths have helped me overcome challenges in the past, and how can I use them now? Reflect on past successes and the qualities that got you through. It’s a reminder of your resilience.

Segment 3: Shifting Your Mindset as a Trainer

Segment 4: Practical Self-Coaching Techniques

Segment 5: Embracing Support and Building Your Community

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Hello, and welcome to the Training and Assessment Professional Development Podcast. I'm Donna Moulds, and today, we’re exploring an essential framework for trainers and assessors—the Conscious Competence Ladder. Understanding this model can help us guide our learners more effectively and enhance our training methodologies.

The Conscious Competence Ladder, also known as the Four Stages of Learning, was introduced by Noel Burch in the 1970s. It’s a powerful tool for understanding how individuals progress from ignorance to mastery in any skill. As trainers and assessors, it’s crucial for us to recognise and support our learners through each of these stages. Let's delve into each stage and discuss how we can tailor our training and assessment approaches accordingly.

Stage 1: Unconscious Incompetence

The first stage is Unconscious Incompetence. At this point, learners don’t know what they don’t know. They are unaware of their lack of skill or knowledge in a particular area. For example, a new employee might not realize the complexity of the software they need to learn. As trainers, our role here is to create awareness. We can use introductory sessions, demonstrations, or assessments to highlight the knowledge and skills gaps. It's about gently bringing them to the realization that there’s much to learn.

Stage 2: Conscious Incompetence

Next is Conscious Incompetence. Here, learners become aware of their gaps in knowledge. This stage can be challenging because they realize how much they need to learn. It can lead to frustration and discouragement. Our job as trainers is to provide support and encouragement. Break down the learning process into manageable steps, offer plenty of practice opportunities, and give constructive feedback. For instance, during a software training session, guide them through basic tasks first and gradually introduce more complex functions.

Stage 3: Conscious Competence

As learners practice and gain experience, they move into the Conscious Competence stage. They can perform the skill, but it requires significant focus and effort. This is where structured practice and repetition are crucial. Provide scenarios, simulations, and hands-on activities that mimic real-world tasks. Encourage learners to reflect on their performance and identify areas for improvement. For example, in a safety training program, allow them to practice emergency procedures repeatedly until they can perform them confidently.

Stage 4: Unconscious Competence

With continued practice, learners reach Unconscious Competence. At this stage, the skill becomes second nature. They can perform it effortlessly and without much conscious thought. Our role here shifts to reinforcement and refinement. Provide opportunities for learners to apply their skills in different contexts to ensure versatility. For instance, if they’ve mastered cu

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It's that time of year, you know, that time where if you were fortunate to have a break then you at some point will be returning to work, your job, your business your passion hopefully.

So how can you return to work without feeling that holiday hangover?

If you are already back at work and hating it, this message is for you.

There are some really simple strategies to help you get ready to return to work or your business without feeling dread.

One of the ways is to be sure you have enough rest, and you can feel like you have recharged. I don’t know about you but I reached the end of the year exhausted, fatigued from stress and really need a break, in fact day one of my 2-week break, I got sick, so sick that I couldn’t do anything, this wasn’t a coincidence I can assure you, I probably knew unconsciously that I was going to crash and burn and if I didn’t I would have kept pushing through.

2023 was full of amazing opportunities, and great achievements for all and it was also one of the hardest years of my career that I had experienced in some time. You see I had a plan, it was a great plan that would change lives, not only my team's but our client's lives and ensure they can build a better future.

By December I knew I needed a break so I could come back to work fresh and achieve all the plans we have made back in 2023 for 2024/2025.

Those of you that have a job and spend every day at work hating it, get a grip, or should I say a new job, you aren’t stuck so stop spending 40 hours a week doing something you hate. If that’s where you are going to stay, then start getting grateful for what you have and so on a daily basis.

I am grateful for my job as it …..fill in the blanks

Thank you for my job while I get my side hustle off the ground.

Even if you think you hate your job there are always things to be grateful for.

AFFILIATE DISCLOSURE: My podcast episode notes may contain affiliate links, if you purchase something through these links you won’t pay more, however, I may receive a commission that enables me to earn a living, keep the channel going and at times purchase a nice bottle of prosecco to celebrate your awesomeness, thanks for listening.

Thank you so much for your support and understanding! I am so very grateful for your support.

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