182: The Power of Evolution in Learning Transformation (Girlguiding UK) – Arnika Knight and Michelle Parry-Slater
Learning Uncut
Arnika Knight and Michelle Parry-Slater share the decade-long journey of modernising L&D for 80,000 volunteers at Girlguiding UK. From navigating change resistance to building a multi-modal learning ecosystem, their story is packed with practical lessons for any L&D professional working at scale. The conversation explores respecting volunteers’ time, supporting motivation and using a clear learning strategy to modernise learning while maintaining strong human connections. Host: Transcript and related resources: Podcast information and more episodes:
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181: Beyond Role Play: Using AI to Build Real Skills – Ryan Byrne and Dr Nathan Moore
Learning Uncut
Sydney Trains frontline staff face customer aggression daily. They knew the de-escalation models. Applying them under real pressure was another matter entirely. And they'd made one thing clear: no more role play. In this episode, The Two Michelles speak with Ryan Byrne from Sydney Trains and Dr Nathan Moore from Frameless Interactive about Project CIVIL: Customer Initiated Violence Interactive Learning. Winner of the AITD Excellence Award for Best Use of Learning Technology 2025, Project CIVIL uses AI-driven simulation to build genuine capability under pressure, without a script, without an...
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180: When Leaders Lead the Leadership Programme – Matthew Peade
Learning Uncut
Matthew Peade from TFE Hotels discusses their award-winning People Leaders Program, a 12-month leadership development initiative that's seen 300 graduates and an impressive 86% promotion rate. Matthew shares how the program weaves together a blend of three learning streams of on-the-job experience through business change projects, peer learning with dedicated mentors, and formal sessions led by leaders across the business, all used to build a steady pipeline of capable leaders in Australia's fast-paced hospitality industry. Our conversation explores how Matthew selects participants, engages...
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Elevate 46: The Learning and Development Handbook – Michelle Parry-Slater
Learning Uncut
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: Podcast information and more episodes:
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179: Blood Processing Centre Virtual Tour – Liz Seskus and Kate Schulze
Learning Uncut
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: Podcast information and more episodes: ...
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Elevate 45: The L&D Leader: Navigating to Business Value – Laura Overton and Michelle Ockers
Learning Uncut
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: Podcast information and more episodes:
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178: Sodexo Academy: Facilitating Flexible, Practical Onboarding – Peter Brace
Learning Uncut
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: Podcast information and more episodes:
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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:
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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: ...
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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_outlineAustralia’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/