177: 2025 End of Year Review – Michelle Ockers and Michelle Parry-Slater
Learning Uncut
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: Transcript and related resources: Podcast information and more episodes:
info_outline
176: Mentoring That Works: Lessons from Construction – Jana Clyde and Jo Farrell
Learning Uncut
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: ...
info_outline
175: AI in L&D: Race for Impact – Donald H. Taylor
Learning Uncut
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: Transcript and related resources: Podcast information and more...
info_outline
174: Crafting a Learning Culture – Hannah Ryan
Learning Uncut
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...
info_outline
173: Frontline Leadership Development in a Tech Environment – Matthias Nauwelaers
Learning Uncut
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...
info_outline
172: Human-Centred Approach to AI Literacy – Christine Gaynor-Patterson
Learning Uncut
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: Transcript and related resources: ...
info_outline
171: AITD L&D Capability Framework – Ben Campbell and Lisa Elias
Learning Uncut
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...
info_outline
170: Rethinking Learning: Autonomy Over Content – James Swift
Learning Uncut
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: Transcript and related resources: ...
info_outline
169: Empowering Peer Learning at One Zealand – Angela Forde, Lane Hannah and Dan Hibberd
Learning Uncut
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...
info_outline
168: KPMG’s AI Learning Academy – Amy Vig
Learning Uncut
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: Transcript and related...
info_outlineDavid Kelly, Chairman of the Learning Guild, joins Michelle Ockers to discuss how to make sense of technology trends as an L&D professional. Their discussion explores why trends matter and how to stay abreast of trends, including attending conferences, how to find experts to follow online, and leveraging your network. They also discuss how to think critically about trends and make better choices about what to experiment with and use. This episode will leave you with practical approaches to stay on top of trends as an L&D practitioner.
Conferences are a great way to stay abreast of trends and create a high-value network. DevLearn, run by Learning Guild, is North America’s largest learning technology event with more than 200 sessions and networking activities. DevLearn is celebrating 20 years of learning technology excellence in November 6-8, 2024 in one of the most exciting cities in the United States, Las Vegas. To join the international learning & development community at this event, register at devlearn.com. Use Promo Code UNCUT to save 100 US Dollars.
Hosted by Michelle Ockers
Transcript and related resources: https://learninguncut.global/podcast/elevate-39/
Podcast information and more episodes: https://learninguncut.global/podcast/