The Assembly

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• Why People Don't Use the Learning You Buy With Michelle Hazelton 29.06.2026 44min

  You can buy great content, roll it out properly, and still watch most of your people never touch it. Michelle Hazelton explains why, and the reason is simpler than motivation.Adam sits down with Michelle Hazelton, former MD of Anders Pink (acquired by Go1) and now content lead at Access Learning, part of the Access Group, to unpack the shift reshaping learning technology: from learning as a place you go to, to support that finds you in the flow of work.With more than a decade at the sharp end of learning technology, from startups to a 1.2 billion pound software group, Michelle brings a rare both-sides-of-the-table view, having been acquired herself and now helping assess acquisitions.She breaks down why most L&D tech gets bought the wrong way round, what genuine learning in the flow of work actually looks like, and why even the smartest AI still needs a human in the loop.What you'll learn:Why you should choose a vendor on your biggest challenges, not their feature list, and the one roadmap question that reveals who is really aheadWhat "learning in the flow of work" finally looks like in practice, using Access's navigator screen as a live exampleWhy human in the loop stays non-negotiable when AI can confidently produce biased or wrong contentHow AI agents are taking manual curation off L&D's plate, shown through a real performance-management workflowThe career advice Michelle gives anyone entering L&D, starting with a history lesson🔗 Connect with MichelleLinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/michellehazelton/📮 The Assembly DebriefA short, practical email unpacking the best ideas from each episode, designed for modern learning leaders who want insight without the noise. https://www.assembleyou.com/the-assembly/newsletter👋 Come and connect with usWe're always keen to hear what's resonating or what you're seeing in your world.Adam Lacey - https://www.linkedin.com/in/adamlacey/Richard Ward - https://www.linkedin.com/in/richardpward/More from The Assembly & Assemble YouLearning that feels more like great content than training. Explore podcast-style lessons, video shorts, and series designed for real work. https://www.assembleyou.comPrivacy & DataThis podcast is hosted by Transistor. For more information on how your data is handled, please visit: https://www.transistor.fm/privacy/
• Stop Starting from L&D With Anne-Marie Burbidge 23.06.2026 42min

  If your L&D work feels invisible to business leadership, the problem might be where you're starting from.Brigid sits down with Anne-Marie Burbidge, founder of Spark L&D Consultancy and fractional Head of L&D, to unpack the mindset shift that changes everything: stop leading with what L&D can offer, and start from what the business actually needs. With 20+ years across HR and L&D in organisations of all shapes and sizes, Anne-Marie brings a sharp, practical lens to where L&D functions get stuck and how to move.She breaks down how to connect your work to the metrics that matter to leadership, why manager development remains one of the most under-supported moments in any organisation, and how to shift from reactive training deliverer to trusted business partner.What you'll learn:Why starting from L&D and pitching outward is the wrong direction and how to flip itHow to use business metrics and people data to identify where L&D will have real impactWhy the manager transition from individual contributor to people leader needs far more support than most organisations give itHow to build influence with the C-suite by speaking their language, not yoursThe mindset shift that unlocks everything else🔗 Connect with Anne-MarieLinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/anne-marieburbidge/📮 The Assembly DebriefA short, practical email unpacking the best ideas from each episode, designed for modern learning leaders who want insight without the noise. https://www.assembleyou.com/the-assembly/newsletter👋 Come and connect with usWe’re always keen to hear what’s resonating or what you’re seeing in your world.Adam Lacey - https://www.linkedin.com/in/adamlacey/Richard Ward - https://www.linkedin.com/in/richardpward/More from The Assembly & Assemble YouLearning that feels more like great content than training. Explore podcast-style lessons, video shorts, and series designed for real work. https://www.assembleyou.comPrivacy & DataThis podcast is hosted by Transistor. For more information on how your data is handled, please visit: https://www.transistor.fm/privacy/
• The Messy Middle: Why Your Managers Are Flying Blind With John Gregg 16.06.2026 38min

  Your senior leaders get coaching. Your early careers get apprenticeships. But the managers actually running your organisation day-to-day? They're on their own.John Gregg has spent over 20 years in L&D and OD across commercial, regulated and nonprofit sectors - most recently as Head of Learning and OD at Alzheimer's Research UK. With a small team and a tight budget, he built a management development programme that made it to the finals of the Learning Excellence Awards, competing with some of the biggest names in the industry.In this episode, John shares what it takes to develop the managers everyone else overlooks, prove L&D's impact when scrutiny is high and shift from a cost centre to a genuine performance function.What you'll learn:Why your mid-level managers are the engine room of your organisation and what a programme that actually develops them looks like in practiceHow to shift from a cost centre to a performance function and the language change that makes it stickWhy psychological safety isn't a course and how to build it incrementally across onboarding, appraisals, policies and everyday cultureThe "Big Four" stakeholder model and why misreading each group's agenda is where most L&D impact gets lostWhere AI is genuinely moving the needle in L&D right now and where the hype is running ahead of the realityFour pieces of advice for anyone starting out or levelling up in the profession🔗 Connect with JohnLinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/john-gregg-fcipd/📮 The Assembly DebriefA short, practical email unpacking the best ideas from each episode, designed for modern learning leaders who want insight without the noise. https://www.assembleyou.com/the-assembly/newsletter👋 Come and connect with usWe’re always keen to hear what’s resonating or what you’re seeing in your world.Adam Lacey - https://www.linkedin.com/in/adamlacey/Richard Ward - https://www.linkedin.com/in/richardpward/More from The Assembly & Assemble YouLearning that feels more like great content than training. Explore podcast-style lessons, video shorts, and series designed for real work. https://www.assembleyou.comPrivacy & DataThis podcast is hosted by Transistor. For more information on how your data is handled, please visit: https://www.transistor.fm/privacy/
• Why Your EDI and L&D Functions Are Fighting the Same Battle, Separately? With Shannon Rivers 09.06.2026 43min

  You've run the awareness session. The feedback was strong. People were nodding. And then... nothing changed. If that sounds familiar, it's not because your programme was wrong. It's because awareness alone doesn't change behaviour. Conditions do.Brigid sits down with Shannon Rivers, organisational development strategist, consultant and Director of Social Enterprise, Social Responsibility and Change. With over 12 years of experience helping organisations move beyond tick-box exercises, Shannon applies a Black, queer, and womanist liberatory lens to embed anti-oppressive practices into how organisations operate. Starting her career in marketing, she quickly realised that if you want to change what shows up externally, you have to address the internal culture first.Shannon argues that EDI and L&D are working towards the same goal: behaviour change. Keeping them in separate silos limits the impact of both. She explores why many EDI initiatives stall, what actually drives culture change and how L&D leaders can secure buy-in from senior stakeholders without compromising their values.If you're trying to make learning stick or embed inclusion beyond a one-off programme, this episode will change how you think about both.What you'll learn:Why EDI is scaffolding, not a separate workstream and what happens when it's treated as oneThe real reason learning sessions generate great feedback but little behaviour changeWhat actually works: line managers, action learning sets, accountability and designing for how people engageHow to build the business case for EDI and L&D investment, including the often-overlooked social returnWhy organisations mirror the external world and what that means for learning culture designShannon's marketing-inspired internal communications framework: problem, position, proposalOne mindset shift for L&D and EDI professionals who feel they need to do more🔗 Connect with ShannonLinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/shannonbethanyrivers/📮 The Assembly DebriefA short, practical email unpacking the best ideas from each episode, designed for modern learning leaders who want insight without the noise. https://www.assembleyou.com/the-assembly/newsletter👋 Come and connect with usWe’re always keen to hear what’s resonating or what you’re seeing in your world.Adam Lacey - https://www.linkedin.com/in/adamlacey/Richard Ward - https://www.linkedin.com/in/richardpward/More from The Assembly & Assemble YouLearning that feels more like great content than training. Explore podcast-style lessons, video shorts, and series designed for real work. https://www.assembleyou.comPrivacy & DataThis podcast is hosted by Transistor. For more information on how your data is handled, please visit: https://www.transistor.fm/privacy/
• Building the L&D Team of the Future with Simon Gibson of Center Parcs 02.06.2026 41min

  Adam sits down with Simon Gibson, the Talent Director at Center Parcs and former Group Head of L&D at M&S, to get brutally honest about what's holding L&D back and what high-performing teams do differently.With a career spanning banking, retail, nuclear decommissioning and hospitality, Simon has a rare cross-industry perspective: if you don't understand how your business makes money, you're probably doing nice things that don't matter.They cover how to diagnose the right problems, build a commercial business case, and tell stories that earn influence which includes a standout M&S example where fixing a policy search issue saved 5,000 managers 30 minutes a month and unlocked a multi-million pound productivity win. They also tackle the deskless workforce problem: most L&D solutions are built for people with desks and diaries, and frontline teams deserve better.If you want to sharpen your commercial edge and prove your worth - this one's for you.🔗Connect with SimonLinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/simongibsonlearning/📮 The Assembly DebriefA short, practical email unpacking the best ideas from each episode, designed for modern learning leaders who want insight without the noise. 👋 Come and connect with usWe’re always keen to hear what’s resonating or what you’re seeing in your world.Adam Lacey - https://www.linkedin.com/in/adamlacey/Richard Ward - https://www.linkedin.com/in/richardpward/More from The AssemblyLearning that feels more like great content than training. Explore podcast-style lessons, video shorts, and series designed for real work. https://www.assembleyou.comPrivacy & DataThis podcast is hosted by Transistor. For more information on how your data is handled, please visit: https://www.transistor.fm/privacy/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. 
• If They Can't See It, They Can't Do It: Scaffolded Learning That Actually Sticks. With Stephanie Alayyoubi-Trattles 26.05.2026 35min

  Most people don't fail because they're incapable. They fail because the support disappears too early.Brigid sits down with  Stephanie Alayyoubi-Trattles, founder of Kyoshi Consulting, to explore what it actually takes to build learning that drives measurable change.Stephanie has spent over a decade leading learning strategy and design across EdTech unicorn Multiverse, London Business School, and global organisations. She began her career in the classroom, and she makes a compelling case that the teaching frameworks we left behind in education are exactly what corporate L&D is missing.At the centre of the conversation is the gradual release of responsibility: I do, we do, you do. Stephanie unpacks what this looks like in practice inside an organisation, how to model best practice before expecting people to replicate it, and why most programmes skip the very steps that make learning stick. She also shares how to build the wider ecosystem around a training programme, from communities of practice and peer feedback to manager reinforcement in the flow of work.She doesn't shy away from the harder conversation either. L&D teams too often operate as order takers, delivering ad hoc content that isn't tied to business priorities. Steph's challenge is to pause, get a seat at the table, and design with intention so that learning creates real capability, not just compliance.If you're designing, running, or rethinking how learning lands in your organisation, this episode will give you a sharper, more grounded way to approach it.What you'll takeaway from this episode:What the gradual release of responsibility looks like in practice and why it works just as well for an 8-year-old as a 48-year-oldWhy people cannot do what they haven't seen and how to audit your existing programmes for this blind spotThe two traps that stop L&D from modelling best practice: the curse of knowledge and imposter syndrome and how to overcome bothHow to build a competency framework that defines best practice before you design a single piece of learningWhat scaffolding looks like inside a real organisation with a detailed example from Stephanie's time at MultiverseWhy communities of practice and mentorship are the parts of the learning ecosystem that create lasting capabilityHow to build a learning culture where people don't just attend, they queue up to get inThe first practical step for any L&D team ready to start integrating this approach🔗 Connect with Stephanie LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/stephanie-trattles/📮 The Assembly DebriefA short, practical email unpacking the best ideas from each episode, designed for modern learning leaders who want insight without the noise. https://www.assembleyou.com/the-assembly/newsletter👋 Come and connect with usWe’re always keen to hear what’s resonating or what you’re seeing in your world.Adam Lacey - https://www.linkedin.com/in/adamlacey/Richard Ward - https://www.linkedin.com/in/richardpward/More from The Assembly & Assemble YouLearning that feels more like great content than training. Explore podcast-style lessons, video shorts, and series designed for real work. https://www.assembleyou.comPrivacy & DataThis podcast is hosted by Transistor. For more information on how your data is handled, please visit: https://www.transistor.fm/privacy/
• Most manager development programmes are well-designed. They just weren't built for how humans actually behave. With Farley Thomas 19.05.2026 28min

  Adam sits down with Farley Thomas, CEO of Manageable, the global manager development platform he co-founded in 2020, to explore why manager development so often falls short and what it takes to build something that sticks.After a decade in investment banking at HSBC, Farley trained as a coach and spent years advising CEOs before spotting that managers were one of the most underserved populations in any organisation. Manageable was built to fix that.Farley breaks down eight pieces of the manager development puzzle, from building genuine learning habits to using AI as a safe practice environment for difficult conversations. He also tackles the cohort versus individual learning debate and explains why most organisations are getting both wrong.If you are designing, running, or rethinking a manager programme, this episode will give you a sharper framework to work from.What you'll learn:The eight pieces of the manager development puzzle and why most programmes only tackle two or threeWhy cutting practice from your programme is the most expensive corner you can cutHow to make cohort-based learning genuinely valuable rather than logistically painfulWhat scaffolding actually means and how it builds lasting learning habitsWhere AI fits into manager development and where it falls shortThree practical tips for any new or aspiring manager just starting out🔗 Connect with FarleyLinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/farleythomas/📮 The Assembly DebriefA short, practical email unpacking the best ideas from each episode, designed for modern learning leaders who want insight without the noise.👋 Come and connect with usWe’re always keen to hear what’s resonating or what you’re seeing in your world.Adam Lacey - https://www.linkedin.com/in/adamlacey/Richard Ward - https://www.linkedin.com/in/richardpward/More from The AssemblyLearning that feels more like great content than training. Explore podcast-style lessons, video shorts, and series designed for real work. https://www.assembleyou.comPrivacy & DataThis podcast is hosted by Transistor. For more information on how your data is handled, please visit: https://www.transistor.fm/privacy/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.
• Your middle managers are not underperforming. They are under-resourced. With Toluwa Hughes 12.05.2026 47min

  Brigid sits down with Toluwa Hughes, behavioural scientist, two-times TEDx speaker, and founder of Zoah Consultancy, to explore why the manager layer is so often the most overlooked group in any organisation and what L&D can do about it right now.Toluwa has coached over 4,000 leaders across the UN in East Africa, tech scale-ups, and global enterprises including HSBC, Dell, and Alzheimer's Society. Her work sits at the intersection of behavioural science and real-world leadership pressure - helping managers stay steady through growth, change, and AI adoption.In this episode, she breaks down the hidden cost of ignoring middle managers from the two things their role actually demands (translation and emotional regulation) to why high performers are the ones most quietly burning out. She also challenges L&D teams to stop asking managers what training they need, and start asking better questions entirely.If you work with or support managers, this episode will sharpen how you think about development, wellbeing, and where L&D can have the most impact.What you'll learn:Why middle managers carry more than any job description acknowledges and why they rarely say soThe two types of managerial silence, and how to tell them apartWhy 82% of managers step into leadership with no formal training and what that actually costsHow mindset, not skills, determines behaviour under pressureThe three things L&D already has that are more valuable than budget permission, proximity, and trustWhy leadership development and wellbeing must be the same conversationThe questions that surface what managers are really carrying🔗 Connect with Toluwa: https://www.linkedin.com/in/toluwa-oyeleye/Zoah Consultancy: https://www.zoahconsultancy.co.uk📬 The Assembly Debrief A short, practical email unpacking the best ideas from each episode, designed for modern learning leaders who want insight without the noise. https://www.assembleyou.com/the-assembly/newsletter👋 Come and connect with us We're always keen to hear what's resonating or what you're seeing in your world. Adam Lacey - https://www.linkedin.com/in/adamlacey/ Richard Ward - https://www.linkedin.com/in/richardpward/More from The Assembly & Assemble You Learning that feels more like great content than training. Explore podcast-style lessons, video shorts, and series designed for real work. https://www.assembleyou.comThis podcast is hosted by Transistor. For privacy information visit: https://www.transistor.fm/privacy
• How Do You Build Critical Thinking, Curiosity, and Better Decision-Making in an AI-Driven World? With Liggy Webb 05.05.2026 43min

  In this episode, Adam sits down with Liggy Webb to explore how L&D leaders can equip their people with the human skills that matter most - cutting through noise, thinking clearly, and performing in a complex environment.Liggy, a behavioural skills specialist and author, shares practical ways to develop an “inquiring mind” - from building self-awareness and asking better questions, to strengthening curiosity and critical thinking.Together, they unpack how learning can move beyond information and focus on how people think, decide, and act - offering simple, actionable ways to navigate today’s fast-changing world.If you’re looking to future-proof your workforce or build stronger thinking skills, this episode will give you practical ways to move forward.Episode breakdown:(00:00) Introduction to Inquiring Minds(02:00) Why critical thinking matters more than ever(04:00) The nine skills of an inquiring mind(05:00) Self-awareness and feedback(09:00) Cultivating curiosity(12:00) Lifelong learning in a changing world(16:00) The power of human conversations(21:00) Asking better questions(26:00) Critical thinking vs emotional reactions(31:00) Distilling complexity(34:00) Problem solving and decision making🔗 Connect with LiggyLinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/liggyw/📮 The Assembly DebriefA short, practical email unpacking the best ideas from each episode, designed for modern learning leaders who want insight without the noise.👋 Come and connect with usWe’re always keen to hear what’s resonating or what you’re seeing in your world.Adam Lacey - https://www.linkedin.com/in/adamlacey/Richard Ward - https://www.linkedin.com/in/richardpward/More from The AssemblyLearning that feels more like great content than training. Explore podcast-style lessons, video shorts, and series designed for real work. https://www.assembleyou.comPrivacy & DataThis podcast is hosted by Transistor. For more information on how your data is handled, please visit: https://transistor.fm/privacy/
• How do you prove the value of L&D in a business that sees it as a cost, not a driver of performance? With Jade Rogers 28.04.2026 29min

  In this episode, Brigid sits down with Jade Rogers to unpack how learning and development leaders can build influence, demonstrate impact, and secure a more strategic role within their organisations.Jade, an L&D professional in a tech consultancy, describes her role as “the bridge between potential and performance” - but like many in the field, she’s had to navigate the challenge of making that value visible.Together, they explore practical ways to reposition L&D - from using storytelling to demonstrate ROI, to speaking the language of senior leaders and aligning more closely with business goals.They also go deeper into the realities of organisational change. Jade shares her experience navigating multiple rounds of redundancies—what it does to culture, trust, and morale - and how L&D professionals can support others while managing their own resilience.If you’re trying to increase your influence, communicate your value more effectively, or navigate uncertainty in your organisation, this episode will give you practical ways to move forward.Episode breakdown:(00:00) From youth work to L&D(02:30) Why L&D is misunderstood(04:30) Storytelling as ROI(06:30) The link between L&D and culture(08:00) Why L&D is at risk during redundancies(10:00) Speaking the language of leadership(12:00) Progress over perfection(14:00) The emotional impact of change(17:00) Rebuilding trust and culture(20:00) Meeting people where they are(22:00) Turning insight into action(25:00) Building resilience at work(28:00) Communicating your value🔗 Connect with JadeLinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/in/jaderogers/📮 The Assembly DebriefA short, practical email unpacking the best ideas from each episode—designed for modern learning leaders who want insight without the noise.https://www.assembleyou.com/newsletter👋 Come and connect with usWe’re always keen to hear what’s resonating or what you’re seeing in your world.Adam Lacey – https://www.linkedin.com/in/adamlacey/Richard Ward – https://www.linkedin.com/in/richardpward/More from The AssemblyLearning that feels more like great content than training—explore podcast-style lessons, video shorts, and series designed for real work.https://www.assembleyou.com/Privacy & DataThis podcast is hosted by Transistor. For more information on how your data is handled, please visit: https://transistor.fm/privacy/
• Award-Winning L&D at Qatar Airways: Gary Clarke's Blueprint for Success 21.04.2026 31min

  Adam sits down with Gary Clarke, former Group Head of Learning & Development at Qatar Airways, for a candid conversation spanning 20+ years of global L&D leadership - from starting in the British Army at 16 to leading functions at BlackRock, Capita, and Qatar Airways.Gary delivers a masterclass on managing a complex, geographically dispersed L&D function. He shares the real work behind building a high-performing, award-winning team - uniting a fragmented function post-COVID, running internal learning conferences with 270 attendees, and creating a culture where cleaners and café staff get recognised alongside senior leaders. He also gives sharp, practical advice on what it means to truly understand your business - and why that skill separates good L&D professionals from great ones.He takes us through:Managing Global Complexity: Leading an 80-person L&D team responsible for the capability strategy of 65,000 employees. Overseeing learning technology, digital content, leadership pipelines, and highly regulated operational training across 170 international stations.Rebuilding Team Culture: The impact that fostering a culture of trust and psychological safety can have, and how in enabled people to innovate.Fostering Connection: To build community, Gary introduced cross-departmental "Lunch and Learns" , "potluck" meals and internal learning conferences. Inclusive Recognition: Gary highlights the importance of recognising the entire workforce. He implemented peer-nominated awards, including a "Pay It Forward" trophy for acts of kindness outside the workplace.Connect with Gary LinkedInhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/garyclarke21/The Assembly DebriefA short, practical email unpacking the best ideas from each episode, designed for modern learning leaders who want insight without the noise.Come and connect with usWe’re always keen to hear what’s resonating or what you’re seeing in your world.Adam Lacey - https://www.linkedin.com/in/adamlacey/Richard Ward - https://www.linkedin.com/in/richardpward/More from The Assembly & Assemble YouLearning that feels more like great content than training. Explore podcast-style lessons, video shorts, and series designed for real work. https://www.assembleyou.comPrivacy & DataThis podcast is hosted by Transistor. For more information on how your data is handled, please visit: https://www.transistor.fm/privacy/
• How do you move L&D from delivering training to driving real performance in an AI-powered world? with Yousaf Khan 14.04.2026 46min

   In this episode, Brigid sits down with Yousaf Khan, an AI strategy and business transformation consultant, to explore how learning and development leaders can shift from knowledge delivery to measurable impact, and stay relevant as work evolves.Starting his career in L&D, Yousaf quickly recognised the gap between learning and real performance. Now working across strategy, performance, and AI, he helps organisations rethink how work actually gets done and where L&D can add the most value.Together, they unpack what it takes to reposition L&D as a driver of performance, from diagnosing the real problem to focusing on workflows over skills and using AI to enhance how work happens day-to-day.They also explore how AI is reshaping the workplace, and how L&D leaders can use it as a performance multiplier - boosting speed, capacity, and efficiency - without jumping to solutions before fully understanding the challenge.If you’re looking to move beyond traditional training, show real business impact, or better understand how AI is changing the role of L&D, this episode offers practical, thoughtful ways to rethink your approach.What You’ll Learn•     Why “skills” alone aren’t enough and why behaviour in context is the real measure of performance•     How to reposition L&D as a driver of performance by starting with workflows, not training briefs•     What the Fix, Enhance, Reimagine framework looks like in practice across different business functions•     How AI can augment work - speeding up research, proposals, follow-ups, and content - without replacing human judgment•     Why most organisations aren’t ready to use AI effectively yet, and what “fixing the foundations” actually means•     Practical questions L&D leaders can ask themselves this week to start identifying where AI could have real impact•     How the role of L&D shifts as AI takes on more of the diagnostic and data-gathering work 🔗 Connect with YousafLinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/yousaf-khan-b36a0591/?originalSubdomain=aePerformance Intelligence AI - www.performanceintelligence.co📮 The Assembly DebriefA short, practical email unpacking the best ideas from each episode, designed for modern learning leaders who want insight without the noise.https://www.assembleyou.com/newsletter👋 Come and connect with usWe’re always keen to hear what’s resonating or what you’re seeing in your world.Adam Lacey - https://www.linkedin.com/in/adamlacey/Richard Ward - https://www.linkedin.com/in/richardpward/More from The AssemblyLearning that feels more like great content than training—explore podcast-style lessons, video shorts, and series designed for real work.https://www.assembleyou.com/Privacy & Data his podcast is hosted by Transistor. For more information on how your data is handled, please visit: https://transistor.fm/privacy/
• The Human Side of Change Management: Navigating Uncertainty at Work with Ket Patel 07.04.2026 25min

  In this excellent interview, Adam sits down with Ket Patel, the founder of Change Agitators and Assemble You Expert.Ket is a master change practitioner with over 20 years of experience, specialising in helping organisations navigate the uncertainty of scaling and modernising. Transitioning away from traditional, purely process-driven change management, Ket focuses deeply on the human and relational dynamics that dictate how groups respond to new organisational directions. He's worked with Assemble You on two series that support organisations, leaders, and individuals in managing change more effectively.In this episode, Ket unpacks the emotional reality of workplace transformations and shares practical frameworks to help leaders and teams navigate ambiguity, including:Combating "Ambient Fatigue": Ket explains that the most common reaction to a new corporate initiative is an eye roll, stemming from the "ambient fatigue" of being asked to adopt the next big thing before the previous change has even settled.Transferring Personal Resilience: While corporate change can feel frustrating because it is uninvited, Ket reminds listeners that every individual already possesses coping skills developed through personal life changes, like moving house or facing adversity. The Art of Honest Feedback: Creating a safe space does not mean a manager must action every piece of feedback they hear. It is about listening fairly, validating the employee's voice, and being honest that leadership must ultimately choose which feedback to implement.The Four Mindsets of Change: Ket shares his personal mental toolkit for enduring complex projects: Visionary Pragmatism, Sceptical Optimism, Belligerent Humility, and Persistent Humour.Cultivating Group Resilience: Resilience is highly effective as a collective trait, allowing the group to pick up an individual when they are struggling. Ket recommends having teams openly share their individual experiences with change to build empathy and shared strength.Connect with KetLinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/ketpatel-changeagitator/The Assembly DebriefA short, practical email unpacking the best ideas from each episode, designed for modern learning leaders who want insight without the noise. https://www.assembleyou.com/the-assembly/newsletterCome and Connect with UsWe’re always keen to hear what’s resonating or what you’re seeing in your world.Adam Lacey - https://www.linkedin.com/in/adamlacey/Richard Ward - https://www.linkedin.com/in/richardpward/More from The Assembly & Assemble YouLearning that feels more like great content than training. Explore podcast-style lessons, video shorts, and series designed for real work. https://www.assembleyou.comPrivacy & DataThis podcast is hosted by Transistor. For more information on how your data is handled, please visit: https://www.transistor.fm/privacy/
• Are your inclusion efforts driving real impact or just ticking boxes with Chris Shearer-Wright 31.03.2026 35min

  Are your inclusion efforts driving real impact or just ticking boxes?In this episode, Brigid sits down with Chris Shearer-Wright, Senior EDI and Community Partnerships Manager at Oliver Bonas, to explore how L&D and EDI can work together to create more inclusive, effective workplaces.Starting his career on the shop floor in 2012, Chris has grown with Oliver Bonas through every stage of the business - from store manager to people team to leading EDI strategy. That ground-level experience gives him a distinctive lens on how inclusion shows up (or doesn’t) across both customer experience and internal culture. He describes inclusion as a “golden thread” that should run through everything — from hiring and store design to supplier relationships and product decisions.Together, Brigid and Chris unpack how to design inclusive learning that drives real impact, from acting as a “critical friend” to L&D, to building bespoke workshops rooted in genuine business challenges. They also explore the nuances of balancing a strong brand identity with the need for true inclusivity, and how EDI can be woven into an organisation’s culture from the very first conversation rather than bolted on at the end.In this episode, Chris shares practical insights on how EDI and L&D can work together, including:1. EDI as a Critical Friend to L&D: At Oliver BonasEDI works alongside L&D to challenge whether learning is truly accessible, inclusive, and designed for everyone - turning inclusion from intention into practice.2. Bespoke Over Generic: Tailored workshops rooted in real business conversations outperform off-the-shelf training. Chris highlights sessions on Culture Add vs. Fit, Equitable Decision Making, and Leading Multi-Generational Teams.3. Measuring Real Impact: The true success of EDI learning shows up in behaviour change - like managers applying lessons weeks later in difficult conversations - alongside formal metrics.4. Diversity Drives Performance: Diverse perspectives improve creativity, problem-solving, and productivity. For a design-led business like Oliver Bonas inclusion is a commercial advantage, not just a value.5. Start with Inclusion Early: Inclusion works best when embedded from the beginning of a process, not added at the final review stage - making outcomes stronger, faster, and more effective.🔗 Connect with ChrisLinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/christopher-shearer-wright-087698118/📮 The Assembly DebriefA short, practical email unpacking the best ideas from each episode, designed for modern learning leaders who want insight without the noise.https://www.assembleyou.com/newsletter👋 Come and connect with usWe’re always keen to hear what’s resonating or what you’re seeing in your world.Adam Lacey - https://www.linkedin.com/in/adamlacey/Richard Ward - https://www.linkedin.com/in/richardpward/More from The AssemblyLearning that feels more like great content than training—explore podcast-style lessons, video shorts, and series designed for real work.https://www.assembleyou.com/Privacy & DataThis podcast is hosted by Transistor. For more information on how your data is handled, please visit: https://transistor.fm/privacy/
• From 9-to-5 to 24/7: How They Rolled Out Audio Learning at AO.com with Stephen Holderness 24.03.2026 30min

  In this special live episode recorded at the Podcast Learning Festival, Adam speaks with Stephen Holderness, Learning and Development Lead for Digital Strategy and Growth at AO.com.Stephen shares his journey of transforming the digital learning offering at AO, a rapidly growing electrical retailer known for owning every part of its customer journey—from in-house legal teams to logistics networks and a massive fridge recycling plant. Recognising that traditional e-learning was not meeting the needs of this diverse, 3,000-strong workforce, Stephen pioneered the introduction of audio learning to the business.In this interview, Stephen offers a candid look at the successes, mistakes, and lessons learned from launching an audio learning initiative. He discusses:Listening to the Learner: Stephen's first step was to stop looking at what other companies were doing and instead ask AO employees what they actually wanted. A company-wide roadshow revealed a strong preference for audio formats and podcast-style learning, especially among neurodivergent staff who struggled with text-heavy e-learning.The Power of the Expert Voice: AO employees specifically requested to hear from verifiable experts rather than faceless, authorless e-learning modules. Knowing the source of the information added immediate credibility and trust to the content.Unlocking the "Commute Commute": By offering learning via a mobile app, AO inadvertently transformed its 9-to-5 learning culture into a 24/7 operation. The L&D Professional as Marketer: Stephen emphasises that simply having a content library is not enough; L&D must act like marketers. He advocates for relentless, multi-channel promotion, integrating audio into existing leadership programs, aligning content with internal awareness days, and leaning heavily on word-of-mouth advocacy from peers.Measuring Impact Through Stories: While AO uses quantitative data, Stephen argues that the most powerful ROI metric is qualitative storytelling. The fact that operational staff (who previously only completed mandatory compliance) are now voluntarily learning on their own time is a massive win that proves the "cost of inaction" was too high.Stephen offers a highly practical roadmap for any organisation considering audio learning. If you want to understand how to align your training formats with your employees' daily realities, this is a must-listen episode.Connect with Stephen on LinkedIn: Stephen HoldernessLooking 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.
• How to Build Psychological Safety and Trust in L&D Workshops with Charlie Manthorp 17.03.2026 40min

  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.
• The Missing Pillar of Wellness: Why Social Health Matters at Work with Dr. Lalith Wijedoru 10.03.2026 29min

  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.
• Start with the Problem, Not the Program: Rethinking L&D Strategy with Caroline Freeman 03.03.2026 37min

  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.
• Community to Corporate - Lessons from the Third Sector for Corporate L&D with Kelly Rodrigues (Webpros) 24.02.2026 44min

  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.
• Poetry in Business: Navigating the "Messy Middle" with Kate Jenkinson 17.02.2026 31min

  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.