The Learning Hack podcast
What are the significant innovations shaping the future of learning? How is digital technology and scientific discovery changing the way we learn, train, teach and educate? Join John Helmer in conversation with the people who are visioning and actively creating that future. Published fortnightly (don't forget to subscribe!).
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LH130 Learning Technologies London 2026 Show Special
05/11/2026
LH130 Learning Technologies London 2026 Show Special
Augmented Workforce, Learning at the Frontline and the Destiny of L&D. For a long stretch, you could skip Learning Technologies for a year and miss almost nothing. Not this year. AI has stopped being something L&D is piloting and started being something the field is rebuilding around — and the conversation at LT26 had a sharper edge for it. In this season finale, John brings back five voices from the show floor and the studio to map what's actually changing: the augmented workforce, the 80% of workers L&D has long ignored, the readiness question nobody wants a straight answer to, the maturing of content into context, and the generational lens of a 30 Under 30. The destiny of L&D, in other words — sketched from five different angles, while the ground is still moving. Guests, in running order Giovanni Giamminola — AI advisor and author of The Augmented Manager; opening keynote speaker at LT26. The augmented workforce thesis: humans plus AI plus AI agents, and the cognitive shift that demands of management. JD Dillon — Founder of LearnGeek; former CLO at Axonify; author of The Frontline Enablement Playbook (out the week the episode airs). On the 80% of the workforce L&D conferences forget about. Alicia Sanchez — Chief AI Officer at MPF Federal LLC; LT26 panellist on future-proofing L&D. On AI readiness — organisational and workforce — and the failure modes at both extremes. Cheryl Clemons — CEO and co-founder of StoryTagger. On the show's themes from a vendor's chair: content to context, evidencing impact, and whether storytelling has had its day as a learning modality. Matt Caldwell — People Experience and DEI at Axon; LT26 30 Under 30 cohort. The generational lens: privacy, data, bias, and what younger workers actually feel about giving themselves to AI tools. In this episode The augmented workforce — humans, AI, and AI agents working together, and what that means for management itself Why 80% of the global workforce is frontline or deskless, and almost no L&D budget reflects it The two-track AI readiness question — organisational and workforce — and the trap of "we're getting ready" as a permanent excuse Content to context: AI maturing the L&D conversation at both ends of the learning programme A generational read on AI, privacy and bias from inside the workforce that grew up with the technology The destiny of L&D, sketched from five angles while the ground is still moving Links and resources Giovanni Giamminola — The Augmented Manager: How AI Makes Management More Effective, Creative and Strategic (2025) JD Dillon — The Frontline Enablement Playbook (2026); LearnGeek; the enabled newsletter Alicia Sanchez — Why Readiness Is Shaping the Future of Work (Learning Guild) Cheryl Clemons — StoryTagger Matt Caldwell — Axon; LT26 30 Under 30 cohort (Nigel Paine) CONNECT WITH LEARNING HACK LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/johnhelmer X: @johnhelmer Threads: @jphelmer Bluesky: @johnhelmer.bsky.social Website: learninghackpodcast.com Coming next on this feed The Learning Hack returns for a new season in September. But the feed isn't going quiet over the summer — John launches a brand-new podcast on Tuesday 26 May 2026: The Tech Imaginarium — How Science Fiction Made the Modern World, co-hosted with writer and consultant Ezri Carlebach. Six episodes, weekly, into this same feed. More at learninghackpodcast.com/tech-imaginarium.
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LH129 Ripping Scorm with Mike Alcock
04/27/2026
LH129 Ripping Scorm with Mike Alcock
Your organisation has probably spent years building a learning library. Courses, videos, SCORM files, PDFs — hundreds of them, living in the LMS or scattered across SharePoint. You can enrol in them. You can sit through them. What you can't do is ask them a question and get an answer in seconds, at the moment you actually need one. The knowledge is there. It just isn't retrievable. That's the problem Mike Alcock, founder of Talvi, has set out to solve. In this episode, Mike takes John through how Talvi works. They also cover Mike's own unlikely route into learntech: a Civil Engineering degree at Sheffield, a detour through an insulation factory in Newcastle, and three successive software businesses each arriving ahead of the market. And they have a searching conversation about what tools like Talvi mean for the LMS and for the instructional designer — neither of whom emerges entirely unscathed. Is the technology now genuinely good enough to make learning in the flow of work a practical reality, rather than a conference agenda perennial?. TIMESTAMPS 00:00 - Start 02:14 - Intro 04:15 - What is Talvi for? 16:20 - What's the journey for a learning leader adopting Talvi? 20:47 - Mike's story: from civil engineering to learntech 30:19 - What will tools like Talvi do to the LMS? 39:50 - Explanation of terms: RAG, vector databases… 49:01 - End CONNECT WITH LEARNING HACK LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/johnhelmer X: @johnhelmer Threads: @jphelmer Bluesky: @johnhelmer.bsky.social Website: learninghackpodcast.com
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LH128 Crossing the Divide with Lars Hyland
04/13/2026
LH128 Crossing the Divide with Lars Hyland
What does it take to change how an industry works — and what happens when it doesn’t change fast enough? Lars Hyland has been asking that question for thirty years, from the early days of interactive multimedia through nearly a decade leading EMEA for Totara Learning, and now at Enlytning, an AI-powered platform helping small businesses close the gap between policy and practice. In this conversation, John and Lars go back to the beginning — to the Epic days, when the e-learning model that now dominates the industry was taking shape around them — and trace a career-long argument about the one thing L&D keeps getting wrong. They cover the founding of Retenda in 2010 — a learning reinforcement platform built on spaced repetition, a decade before the category existed — and why good timing isn’t enough if the market isn’t ready. They get into the Totara years, open source as a power relationship, and the honest tension in spending nearly a decade championing infrastructure you know is being misused. And they dig into AI: not the conference version, but the harder question of whether the industry is using it to fix a broken model or just to run the broken model faster. Lars’s phrase for the latter — faster garbage in, garbage out — is both a provocation and a diagnosis. Lars has a view on what he thinks good actually looks like. The question is whether the industry is willing to build it. TIMESTAMPS 02:12 - Intro 05:05 - The formative years of elearning 17:59 - Why did he found Retenda? 21:35 - The Totara years 25:53 - What happens to open source tech when it goes commercial? 30:21 - Enlytning 40:26 - Compliance & HR 52:17 - Does the SaaS model still have a future? 57:51 - A way to cut down duplication in course catalogues? 01:08:51 - End CONNECT WITH LEARNING HACK LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/johnhelmer X: @johnhelmer Threads: @jphelmer Bluesky: @johnhelmer.bsky.social Website: learninghackpodcast.com
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LH127 Roll Away the Stone with Bob Mosher
03/23/2026
LH127 Roll Away the Stone with Bob Mosher
What if the ideas that L&D has been nodding at for thirty years are finally about to become unavoidable? Bob Mosher has spent his career arguing that training and performance are not the same thing — and that building courses, however well-designed, only meets two of the five moments when people actually need to learn. The other three happen in the workflow, at the point of need. Most of the profession has agreed with him in theory. Rather fewer have changed what they do. In this conversation, John and Bob catch up on how generative AI is changing that picture. Bob describes what AI is actually doing inside live workflow learning projects right now — including a headline figure on development time that stopped John in his tracks — and explains why the digital coach, not the course, is becoming the central deliverable. They also dig into the risks: what happens when AI accelerates the wrong thing, why L&D needs a seat at the IT table before it's too late, and what it means to be a performance architect rather than a training order-taker in an AI-assisted world. The boulder, Bob says, has been going uphill for a long time. He thinks it's about to roll back. This episode is about what happens when it does. TIMESTAMPS 00:00 - Start 01:55 - Intro 04:27 - The five moments of need 08:14 - How has AI changed the conversation about workflow learning? 10:44 - How does AI save time? 24:07 - Risks to workflow learning from AI 31:42 - Has AI caused a rethink in practice? 40:19 - Workflow learning impact 53:38 - End CONNECT WITH LEARNING HACK LinkedIn: X: Threads: @jphelmer Bluesky: @johnhelmer.bsky.social Website:
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LH126 Polynesian Navigators with Laura Overton and Michelle Ockers
03/09/2026
LH126 Polynesian Navigators with Laura Overton and Michelle Ockers
Does L&D know where it's going? What separates the L&D functions that genuinely move organisations forward from those that stay busy but never quite shift the dial? That question has driven 's research for over two decades — and it sits at the heart of The L&D Leader, the new book she co-authored with . Their answer, drawn from more than ten thousand L&D professionals and two hundred learning leaders, points not to new tools or models, but to something older and harder to teach: the ability to read the organisation, sense its currents, and navigate your own way to somewhere that matters. In this episode John talks with Laura and Michelle about the ideas behind the book, which opens with the extraordinary story of the ancient Polynesian navigators — people who crossed 2,500 miles of open ocean without a compass or a clock. They discuss the lasting legacy of the pandemic for L&D, why two decades of research on workplace learning strategy show surprisingly little change in how most functions operate, and the risk that chasing the latest tool or model is actually damaging L&D's ability to drive real value. And then there's the question that sits underneath all the talk of L&D maturity and business alignment: when we talk about driving value through learning, who exactly is that value for? TIMESTAMPS 00:02:44 - Intro 00:05:55 - What was the genesis of the book? 00:10:04 - The collaboration — how Laura and Michelle came to write together 00:13:29 - Legacy of the pandemic for L&D 00:16:10 - Was the pandemic a 'golden period' for L&D? 00:19:42 - What are they telling people in The L&D Leader? 00:30:00 - The Polynesian navigators — and what they mean for L&D leadership 00:39:09 - Is technology causing 'skill fade' in L&D? 00:41:42 - How has the L&D community changed over two decades? 00:50:55 - Who gets the value from workplace learning — the learner or the stakeholder? 01:02:58 - End CONNECT WITH LEARNING HACK LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/johnhelmer X: @johnhelmer Threads: @jphelmer Bluesky: @johnhelmer.bsky.social Website: learninghackpodcast.com
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LH125 What’s The Vibe, Don?
02/19/2026
LH125 What’s The Vibe, Don?
The results of the 2026 Global Sentiment Survey are out — and the mood in workplace learning is uneasy. In this episode, John speaks with about AI’s “hangover moment,” rising pressure on L&D teams, diverging regional trends, vendor anxiety, and what showing value really signals this year. Is this a temporary wobble — or a structural shift in what L&D is for? Timestamps 00:00 - Start 02:21 - Intro 04:14 - Overview of this year’s GSS 12:50 - Metaverse and virtual environments 21:59 - Opportunities and Challenges of AI 26:49 - More US respondents this year? 28:33 - Global differences in vibe? 33:46 - Personalisation and individualism 36:09 - New vs returning respondents 41:04 - The challenge of technology 52:47 - End Connect with Learning Hack LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/johnhelmer X: @johnhelmer Threads: @jphelmer Bluesky: @johnhelmer.bsky.social Website: learninghackpodcast.com
/episode/index/show/learninghack/id/40162650
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LH #124 Learning Hive: What's the Buzz? with Kinga Petrovai
02/09/2026
LH #124 Learning Hive: What's the Buzz? with Kinga Petrovai
What if the most powerful learning system in your organisation is already there — hidden in plain sight? In this episode, Dr Kinga Petrovai introduces The Learning Hive: a structured, research-informed model for peer learning that amplifies tacit knowledge, builds community, and accelerates learning transfer. Drawing on her academic background and real-world practice, Kinga explains why informal learning is often undervalued — and how deliberate design can make peer learning both human and effective. Timestamps 00:02 – Introducing the Learning Hive 00:06 – What makes it true peer learning 00:12 – Origins in academic research 00:19 – Why “hives”, not communities 00:25 – Systems thinking and learning design 00:31 – Peer learning, tacit knowledge, and AI 00:41 – Keeping the human at the heart of learning 00:50 – Karaoke closer Links & Contact LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/johnhelmer X: @johnhelmer Threads: @jphelmer Bluesky: @johnhelmer.bsky.social Website: learninghackpodcast.com
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LH123 – OEB Special: Learning and Humanity
01/26/2026
LH123 – OEB Special: Learning and Humanity
Voices from Online Educa Berlin 2025. Recorded at Online Educa Berlin 2025, this episode brings together five perspectives on keeping the human at the centre of learning in the age of AI. From global learning trends and AI maturity, to human-centred education, the Global South, emerging talent, and the long view of digital learning, these conversations capture the diversity, tensions, and possibilities shaping education and workplace learning worldwide. Guests Timestamps 00:02:19 – Intro: OEB 2025 00:02:52 – Donald H. Taylor: humanity, AI, and the learning peloton 00:26:48 – Margaret Korosec: human-centred AI and higher education 00:49:56 – Ibraheem Adedayo Adediran: AI, counselling, and the Global South 01:13:53 – Buena Jill Galleposo: 30 Under 30 and the future of learning 01:30:26 – Paul Bacsich: distance learning, perspective, and continuity 01:54:32 – End Connect LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/johnhelmer X: @johnhelmer Bluesky: @johnhelmer.bsky.social Website: learninghackpodcast.com
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LH122 The Changing Shape of Work with Josh Bersin
01/12/2026
LH122 The Changing Shape of Work with Josh Bersin
The year ahead for learning, skills and work As organisations head into 2026, Josh Bersin returns to The Learning Hack to make sense of what is really changing in work, skills and learning. Drawing on his latest research and global advisory work, Josh explains why AI has crossed a threshold, how jobs are being reshaped rather than eliminated, why skills velocity is fundamentally cultural, and why L&D is facing a once-in-a-generation structural reinvention. Timestamps 01:28 – Intro 03:12 – What happened in 2025? 05:08 – ‘Superworkers’ & ‘supermanagers’ 09:39 – What’s happening in the job market? 16:40 – Skills velocity 25:30 – What are the biggest shifts in L&D? 31:08 – Where are the real, durable changes in learntech, a year ahead? 36:44 – Obsequious LLMs 38:03 – Differences across global regions? 42:39 – What signals should people look out for in the coming year? 46:25 – Should we expect consolidation in the learntech market? 50:01 – End Connect LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/johnhelmer X: @johnhelmer Bluesky: @johnhelmer.bsky.social Website: learninghackpodcast.com
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AI Learning and the Global South (an episode of the Great Minds on Learning podcast)
12/15/2025
AI Learning and the Global South (an episode of the Great Minds on Learning podcast)
Recorded live at Online Educa Berlin, this episode of Great Minds on Learning explores AI and the Global South through history, hard lessons, and contemporary debate. John Helmer and Donald Clark examine early techno-utopian experiments, the ethics wars around AI, and newer perspectives rooted in language, power, and lived experience. From Negroponte and Mitra to Gebru, Arora, Manyika, and Mugane, the conversation asks who AI is really for—and who gets to decide. Timestamps 00:57 – Intro 01:58 – Introduction to AI & the Global South 14:11 – Nicholas Negroponte 17:38 – Sugata Mitra 24:11 – Global South takes on AI 28:11 – Timnit Gebru 32:27 – Payal Arora 37:39 – James Manyika 43:12 – John Mugane 54:49 – Summing up 58:41 – Q&A About the Show Great Minds on Learning explores 2,500 years of learning theory—from the Greeks to the geeks. Hosted by John Helmer and Donald Clark, the podcast connects historical ideas to today’s debates in education, technology, and society. Connect LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/johnhelmer X: @johnhelmer Bluesky: @johnhelmer.bsky.social Website: https://learninghackpodcast.com
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LH #121 A Make Or Break Year? 2025 in review with Myles Runham
11/24/2025
LH #121 A Make Or Break Year? 2025 in review with Myles Runham
2025 was billed as a “make-or-break year” for L&D. But what actually happened? To make sense of a turbulent twelve months in learning, talent and HR, John Helmer speaks with Myles Runham of Fosway Group, Europe’s leading analyst firm. They explore AI’s real impact, shifting buying patterns, skills intelligence, evaluation, and whether L&D is heading for reinvention or obsolescence. A clear-eyed, data-led look at where we stand — and where we’re heading. Timestamps 00:59 – Intro 03:30 – Did we make it or break it? 07:02 – Are organisations spending smarter or just spending less? 09:06 – Have HR buying patterns changed too? 16:24 – Where is he seeing genuine AI transformation? 22:06 – Are organisations training enough on AI? 25:00 – AI effects on the job market 28:31 – Are we any closer to meaningful skills intelligence? 34:57 – Are we getting any better at evaluation? 37:31 – Trends in the systems and tools market 43:06 – Will L&D avoid obsolescence? 49:16 – Karaoke favourite? Contact / Follow LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/johnhelmer X: @johnhelmer Bluesky: @johnhelmer.bsky.social Website: learninghackpodcast.com
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LH #120 Agent Provocateur with Dr. Ashwin Mehta
11/10/2025
LH #120 Agent Provocateur with Dr. Ashwin Mehta
How AI agents are reshaping learning workflows and the L&D ecosystem “Agentic AI” is the buzzword of the moment. But how many people fully understand what it really means—or how it will change learning and work? Dr. Ashwin Mehta, Chief AI Strategist at the Learning & Performance Institute and founder of Mehtadology AI, joins John Helmer to unpack the hype and explore the practical realities of AI agents, workflow re-engineering, and the emerging skills ecosystem in learning and development. Timestamps 00:00 - Start 01:51 - Intro 03:52 - AI strategist role with LPI 08:33 - What are AI agents? 12:41 - Is agentic AI tech widely available yet? 23:25 - What skills do L&D need to use Agentic AI? 29:25 - How Dr Mehta uses AI agents in his business 34:54 - Workflow re-engineering 40:14 - AI negatives Q&A: cost-cutting, slop, bias and AI armageddon 50:16 - How AI reshapes the L&D ecosystem 56:51 - End Connect LinkedIn: X (Twitter): Bluesky: Website:
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LH #119 Learning To Love America with Christian Ray Flores
10/27/2025
LH #119 Learning To Love America with Christian Ray Flores
From refugee to Russian pop star, startup founder to life coach and evangelist pastor — Christian Ray Flores’s journey has spanned continents, ideologies, and careers. In this remarkable conversation, John explores how those experiences shaped Christian’s views on creativity, entrepreneurship, AI, faith, and the American dream. Can such diverse identities truly fit together? The result is a thought-provoking dialogue across boundaries of culture, belief, and experience. Timestamps 00:00 – Start 00:51 – Intro 03:00 – Christian’s extraordinary backstory: refugee, pop star, entrepreneur 08:15 – Standing out by serving others 09:42 – Building a personal brand: the “outer game” 13:45 – How his program helps people flourish 18:35 – The role of “good fuel” and “bad fuel” in motivation 25:24 – AI and the future of coaching 35:46 – Faith and human potential 47:00 – Immigration and American values 54:31 – Go-to karaoke song? 55:21 – End Find John Helmer LinkedIn: X (Twitter): Bluesky: Website:
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LH #118 Human Moments: the View from Crotonville w. Jay Moore and Doug Scott
10/13/2025
LH #118 Human Moments: the View from Crotonville w. Jay Moore and Doug Scott
The human heart of learning in a digital age. Jay Moore and Doug Scott look back on the legendary Crotonville leadership institute — and forward to what its ethos means for learning in the age of AI. They tell John Helmer how a culture built on humility, connection and trust continues to shape GE’s learning legacy today. As training becomes more digital, how do we preserve those “human moments” that make real development possible? Timestamps: 00:51 - Intro 03:00 - What is Crotonville? 07:44 - What is the ethos and culture of Crotonville? 13:11 - How much learning is now digital at GE? 18:43 - Is Crotonville an ivory tower? 24:19 - How is the division into 3 business units affecting learning at GE? 40:44 - How do we keep humans in the loop – and in charge? 49:07 - Go-to karaoke song? 54:19 - End Connect with John Helmer 🔗 LinkedIn: 🐦 X: 🦋 Bluesky: 🌐 Website:
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LH117 AI, Productivity & Humans in Charge with Brian Murphy
09/29/2025
LH117 AI, Productivity & Humans in Charge with Brian Murphy
The Human Side of AI at Work Brian Murphy, Global Head of Learning & Development at NTT DATA, shares his perspective on how AI is reshaping work and productivity. Drawing on his experience at Microsoft, AstraZeneca, and Citi, Brian argues for a human-centric coalition between people and machines. He explores how L&D and HR can steer organizations through AI transformation, ensuring it’s about value creation and capability — not just cost cutting. Timestamps: 00:00 - Start 01:44 - Intro 03:45 - Challenges of redesigning work around AI 11:45 - Just a cost-cutting exercise? 16:08 - Role of people function in ensuring benefits, lessening friction 23:18 - An evolution of performance consulting 33:08 - Training AIs versus ‘training’ AIs 43:01 - How to be human-centric while deploying AI 51:01 - End Contact: LinkedIn: X: Bluesky: Website:
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LH #116 How L&D Gets Leverage, with Lori Niles-Hoffman
09/15/2025
LH #116 How L&D Gets Leverage, with Lori Niles-Hoffman
Systems, skills and the eight levers of learning transformation. Lori Niles-Hoffman, learning strategist and data evangelist, joins John to explore how L&D can escape legacy mindsets and regain strategic impact. Drawing on her new book, Lori outlines the eight key levers for enterprise learning transformation, why ecosystems matter more than platforms, and how AI is reshaping the role of the learning professional. Timestamps 00:01:43 - Intro 00:03:46 - What brought her into the world of learning tech? 00:07:03 - What convinced her of the need for this book? 00:12:58 - What are ‘the 8 Levers’? 00:24:06 - Stakeholder management 00:26:13 - Why is knowledge management lumped together with marketing? 00:33:03 - Ecosystems thinking 00:39:34 - Strategic alignment – a no-brainer? 00:40:17 - Why hasn’t L&D tackled its long-standing challenges to date? 00:48:58 - Will AI make us all systems designers? 00:57:43 - Lori’s interesting take on AI ethics Follow & Contact LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/johnhelmer X: @johnhelmer Bluesky: @johnhelmer.bsky.social Website: learninghackpodcast.com
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LH115 Meet Your New Math(s) Teacher: a Robot Dog, with Jan Liphardt
09/01/2025
LH115 Meet Your New Math(s) Teacher: a Robot Dog, with Jan Liphardt
Stanford professor Jan Liphardt—founder of OpenMind—joins the podcast to explore the future of learning at the intersection of AI, robotics, and human development. He explains why robot dogs might be ideal math tutors, how Socratic dialogue can be scaled through machines, and what AI means for education, healthcare, and daily life. A bold vision of multi-agent learning ecosystems from a scientist who’s seen both the lab and the startup world. Timestamps · 00:00 – Start · 01:47 – Intro · 04:34 – What is OpenMind’s mission? · 13:25 – What is Multi-Agent Endpoint and why does it matter? · 18:53 – The learning potential of robots · 24:50 – Robot dog tutors & socratic dialogue · 28:36 – AI and Higher Ed · 37:55 – AI & healthcare · 46:03 – Is robotics developing slower than AI? · 55:34 – End Contact LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/johnhelmer X: @johnhelmer Bluesky: @johnhelmer.bsky.social Website: learninghackpodcast.com
/episode/index/show/learninghack/id/38034250
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LH #114 Learning Technologies 2025 Special with Josh Bersin, Daniel Hulme, David Kelly, etc.
05/12/2025
LH #114 Learning Technologies 2025 Special with Josh Bersin, Daniel Hulme, David Kelly, etc.
AI shockwaves and human resilience in L&D At the Learning Technologies Conference 2025, John Helmer speaks with leading voices in learning and AI—including Josh Bersin, Daniel Hulme, David Kelly, Jerome Pereira, Sophie Costin, Tadelayo Sodipe, and Donald H. Taylor—about disruption, ethics, innovation, and the changing role of L&D. 00:03:08 - Intro 00:05:08 - Josh Bersin 00:41:44 - Daniel Hulme 01:01:39 - David Kelly 01:26:57 - Prof. Jerome Pereira 01:58:09 - Sophie Costin 02:12:23 - Tadelayo Sodipe 02:33:39 - Donald H. Taylor 03:01:44 - End Connect with John Helmer LinkedIn: X: Bluesky: Website:
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LH #112: Learning Futures 3 with Kevin Oakes, Kim McMurdo and Terry Jones
03/31/2025
LH #112: Learning Futures 3 with Kevin Oakes, Kim McMurdo and Terry Jones
Leading Through Culture, Teams, and AI-driven Change John Helmer discusses organizational culture, collective leadership, and AI's impact on future workplaces with Kevin Oakes (CEO, i4cp), Kim McMurdo (Global Head of OD, Standard Chartered), and Terry Jones (International Head of Talent Development, ex-PaloAlto Networks). Key themes include culture renovation, developing team-centric leadership capabilities, and leveraging AI for enhanced human productivity in rapidly evolving organizations. The McKinsey paper mentioned in Kim's interview: De Smet, A., D’Auria, G., Meijknecht, L., Albaharna, M., & Fifer, A. (2024, October 31). Go, teams: When teams get healthier, the whole organization benefits. McKinsey & Company. This article is available online at . (Please note that access to the full text may require a subscription or purchase.) Timestamps: 00:00:00 – Start 00:01:09 – Intro 00:03:31 – Kevin Oakes on culture renovation vs. culture change 00:27:58 – Kim McMurdo on collective leadership and hybrid teams 00:48:41 – Terry Jones on innovation, disruption, and practical AI use 01:14:59 – End Contact: LinkedIn: X: Bluesky: Website:
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LH #111 Is D.E.I. Now D.O.A.? with Amri B. Johnson
03/17/2025
LH #111 Is D.E.I. Now D.O.A.? with Amri B. Johnson
The Battle To Keep Inclusion on the Organizational Agenda. Is Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (D.E.I.) under existential threat? With political shifts and corporate cutbacks, is this the end of D.E.I. as we know it—or just a moment of transformation? In this episode, John Helmer speaks with Amri B. Johnson, author of Reconstructing Inclusion and CEO of Inclusion Wins, about the evolving landscape of D.E.I. in the workplace. They discuss whether D.E.I. is fundamentally flawed, if it will persist under different branding, and how organizations should adapt to changing times. Amri's links: Dr. Jonathan Ashong-Lamptey Dr. Lauran Star Dr. David Livermore / Dr. R. Roosevelt Thomas, Jr. Frederick G. Falker Peter Mousaferiadis Aubrey Blanche-Sarellano TIMESTAMPS: • 00:00 – Start • 01:09 – Intro • 04:36 – Does he still have a job? • 11:30 – Is the language of D.E.I. one of the problems with it? • 22:19 – Will D.E.I. persist, but change its name and go underground? • 25:40 – How does he respond to the studies that show D.E.I. training doesn’t work? • 30:26 – Is D.E.I. just ‘woke capital’ at work? • 51:41 – End Connect with Amri B. Johnson: • Website: • LinkedIn: • Twitter: Follow The Learning Hack: Website: LinkedIn: X (Twitter): Bluesky:
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LH #110 Will AI Wipe Out L&D? with Robert Guidi
03/03/2025
LH #110 Will AI Wipe Out L&D? with Robert Guidi
In this episode, John Helmer engages with UK-based artificial intelligence expert Robert Guidi to explore the potential impact of AI on Learning and Development (L&D). With a background in data science and technology policy, Robert has worked across industries to help organizations navigate the opportunities and risks of AI adoption, translating complex AI concepts into practical strategies. They discuss whether AI poses an existential threat to the L&D profession or offers new opportunities for growth and innovation. The conversation delves into practical applications of AI in L&D, the challenges of implementation, and the future landscape of learning technologies. They also discuss the book Robert is writing: ‘ChatL&D: A Practical Guide to AI-Powered Performance Support’. (This link will be live from 4 March 2025) Timestamps: • 00:01:09 - Intro • 00:03:36 - Does the world need another book about AI? • 00:12:30 - Is AI an existential threat to L&D? • 00:17:31 - An opportunity for 70/20/10 approaches? • 00:25:27 - Generic versus specialized software tools • 00:28:43 - The problem of ‘model drift’ • 00:31:35 - Implementation challenges • 00:43:23 - Change Management • 00:45:31 - Agentic AI • 00:55:29 - Small language models • 01:05:41 - When will the book come out? • 01:09:11 - End Contact Robert Guidi: • LinkedIn: Connect with Us: • Website: • Twitter: @johnhelmer • LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-learning-hack-podcast
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LH #109 The Skills Dat Pay da Bills with Teresa Rose
02/10/2025
LH #109 The Skills Dat Pay da Bills with Teresa Rose
Mastering Skills Tech: Implementation, Validation & Organizational Change. In this episode, we delve into the evolving landscape of skills technology with Teresa Rose, an award-winning learning and performance consultant and founder of ConsultHer Ltd. With over 16 years of experience in organizational and people development, Teresa shares her insights on implementing skills technology, the importance of skills validation, and how organizations can adapt to make skills initiatives successful. We also explore topics such as process mapping, change management, and designing effective reskilling journeys. Tune in to gain a deeper understanding of how to leverage skills to drive organizational success. Timestamps: • 00:00 – Start • 01:09 - Intro • 03:35 - Implementing skills technology • 07:45 - Skills validation • 10:31 - Data sources for skills tech • 21:22 - How does an organization need to adapt to make skills technology work? • 24:24 - Process mapping • 29:08 - Change management • 37:44 - Skills portfolio management • 40:23 - Designing reskilling journeys • 46:45 - Further reading • 49:06 - End Guest Contact Information: Teresa Rose • Website: • LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/teresar Resources Mentioned: • Guy W. Wallace’s work on process mapping and performance improvement • Peter Sheppard’s insights on skill sensing networks at Ericsson • Uncommon Sense by Julia Galef – a recommended read on decision-making and critical thinking • The Oxford Review – for research on competencies and skills in organizational performance Connect with Us: • Website: • Twitter: @johnhelmer • LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-learning-hack-podcast
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LH #108 Everything You Know About Learning Theory Is Wrong with Nick Shackleton-Jones
01/27/2025
LH #108 Everything You Know About Learning Theory Is Wrong with Nick Shackleton-Jones
Challenging assumptions about learning, performance, and the rise of AI. Nick Shackleton-Jones returns to The Learning Hack to challenge assumptions about learning theory, discuss his Affective Context Model, and reflect on the future of workplace learning. From TikTok as a learning platform to the risks of deceptive AI, this thought-provoking conversation will inspire and provoke in equal measure. Prepare for fresh insights and bold perspectives from one of learning’s great minds. 00:00:00 - Start 00:01:09 - Intro 00:03:40 - TikTok: the ultimate learning platform? 00:09:28 - What has Nick been doing in the last 5 years? 00:22:43 - Is learning ROI based on magical thinking 00:27:37 - How has his thinking changed since he first wrote ‘How People Learn’? 00:36:26 - Have digital media become too poisonous for learning? 00:42:37 - Has the move to performance support really happened in L&D? 00:47:05 - AI: Is Nick a P-Doomer? 01:09:41 - Who does he follow in learning? 01:13:03 - End Contact John Helmer LinkedIn: X: Bluesky: Website:
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LH #107 OEB Show Special with Gerd Leonhard, Laura Overton, Maribel Reyes Millán & Donald H. Taylor
01/13/2025
LH #107 OEB Show Special with Gerd Leonhard, Laura Overton, Maribel Reyes Millán & Donald H. Taylor
Voices from Berlin: Learning in the Age of AI. In this episode, John Helmer reports from the Online Educa Berlin (OEB) Conference, engaging with four influential voices in learning and development: futurist Gerd Leonhard, workplace learning expert Laura Overton, digital education innovator Maribel Reyes-Millán, and L&D thought leader Donald H. Taylor. Together, they discuss the transformative power of AI, strategies for navigating disruption, and the evolving demands of learning in an uncertain world. 00:00:00 - Start 00:01:06 - Intro 00:03:08 - Gerd Leonhard 00:22:32 - Laura Overton 00:46:23 - Maribel Reyes Millán 01:00:52 - Donald H. Taylor 01:21:06 - End Contact John Helmer LinkedIn: X: Bluesky: Website:
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GMoLS6E37 Question Time with Donald Clark
12/16/2024
GMoLS6E37 Question Time with Donald Clark
Revisiting Learning Theories: Insights and Challenges for the Future In this special live episode of Great Minds on Learning, recorded at Online Educa Berlin 2024, Donald Clark and John Helmer tackle listener questions about learning theory’s relevance, biases, and practical applications. They reflect on three years of the podcast, exploring 2,500 years of educational thought, and discuss the future of learning, including the transformative impact of AI. Engaging and insightful, this episode is a must-listen for learning professionals and enthusiasts alike. 00:00 - Start 00:59 - Introducing GMoL Question Time 08:17 - Why this podcast? 30:52 - What are the ‘lessons learned’? 47:48 - What next? AI and the future of institutional learning The Blog that started it all: Contact Donald X: @DonaldClark LinkedIn: Blog: Contact John Helmer X: @johnhelmer Email: LinkedIn: Website:
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LH #106 Include Me In with Chris Jay
12/02/2024
LH #106 Include Me In with Chris Jay
Breaking Barriers: Disability Awareness and Cultural Change in Workplaces In this episode, Chris Jay, founder of Bascule Disability Training, shares insights into creating inclusive workplaces and tackling stereotypes about disability. Drawing from personal experiences as a wheelchair user with cerebral palsy, Chris discusses the economic benefits of inclusion, the challenges of hidden disabilities, and the importance of cultural change. He also explores disability representation in media through his film initiative, Bascule Entertainment, advocating for authentic, empowering narratives. 00:00 - Start 00:51 - Intro 08:31 - Has disabilty awareness improved? 12:42 - The economic case for workplace inclusivity 15:42 - Hidden disabilities 20:04 - Does DEI training work? 24:03 - What really works in inclusiveness training? 28:51 - Do mental health disabiities get more ‘airtime’ nowadays than physical? 31:14 - Chris’s work in showbiz 36:55 - Where does he go for inspiration and information? 40:02 – End Follow Chris Jay: · LinkedIn: · Websites: (Bascule Disability Training) (Training for Businesses) (Bascule's online training) Email: chris@bascule.com Contact John Helmer X: @johnhelmer LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/johnhelmer Website: learninghackpodcast.com Patreon: patreon.com/LearningHack
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Great Minds on Learning – Question Time
11/21/2024
Great Minds on Learning – Question Time
Send in your questions for the Great Minds on Learning Q&A! Donald Clark and John Helmer will answer them at Online Educa Conference in Berlin, which will be recorded for a podcast episode to be issued before Christmas 2024. Email them in to or reach out on social media.
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LH #105: Learning Futures 2 with Anne-Valérie Corboz, Jane Underwood & Sarah Otley
11/18/2024
LH #105: Learning Futures 2 with Anne-Valérie Corboz, Jane Underwood & Sarah Otley
Strategic Insights on Leadership, AI, and Skills for Tomorrow John Helmer explores the future of learning with Anne-Valérie Corboz (HEC Paris), Jane Underwood (Reckitt), and Sarah Otley (Akkodis Academy). They discuss leadership evolution, generative AI’s impact, and strategies for building future-ready skills. From innovation challenges to aligning L&D with business goals, this episode offers actionable insights for learning professionals navigating rapid technological change and preparing for tomorrow’s workplace. A must-listen for those shaping the future of education and work. 00:00:00 - Start 00:01:11 - Intro 00:01:50 - Anne_Valerie Corboz 00:22:45 - Ad - iVentiv 00:23:26 - Jane Underwood 00:43:32 - Sarah Otley 01:13:49 – End Guest contacts: Anne-Valérie Corboz: Associate Dean for Executive Education at HEC Paris. Email: LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/corboz X: @AnneVCorboz Jane Underwood: Global Head of Learning at Reckitt. LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/janeunderwoodorganisationaldevelopment X: @JaneUnderwood Sarah Otley: Global Head of Akkodis Academy. LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/sarah-otley-0a065620 X: @SarahOtley Contact John Helmer X: @johnhelmer LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/johnhelmer Website: learninghackpodcast.com
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LH #104 AI Beyond the Low-Hanging Fruit
11/04/2024
LH #104 AI Beyond the Low-Hanging Fruit
The Future of Learning with AI: Moving Past Simple Applications to Transformational Impact (Learning Leaders pilot) This episode premieres the newest podcast from the Learning Hack stable, Learning Leaders, produced by NIIT in association with The Learning Hack. In this pilot episode, John explores the future of AI learning with Gregg Collins and Sailesh Lalla. Moving beyond content creation, they discuss how AI can drive performance by delivering personalized, real-time learning experiences. Discover the next wave of AI-powered simulations, intelligent tutoring, and immersive learning that goes beyond traditional courses, aiming to transform how organizations approach skill-building and unlock true business impact. 00:00:00 - Start 00:00:18 - Intro 00:02:03 - Will AI only intensify L&D’s addiction to courses 00:07:12 - Will AI be a solution looking for a problem in learning (like VR?) 00:19:44 - Does interacting with AI teach management skills? 00:38:10 - Learning and The Business 00:44:04 - What is the next step in AI for learning? 00:51:35 - What is the top level or goal of NIIT’s maturity model for AI? 01:04:36 - How do we preserve humanity in AI-driven learning? Sponsored by NIIT Website: https://www.niit.com/en/learning-outsourcing/ Follow Greg: LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/gregg-collins-54a3971 Email: gregg.collins@niit.com Follow Sailesh: LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/sailesh-lalla-3224b2 Email: saileshl@niit.com Contact John Helmer X: @johnhelmer LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/johnhelmer Website: learninghackpodcast.com Patreon: patreon.com/LearningHack
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LH #103 Hillbilly Podcasters with Brigid McCormack
10/21/2024
LH #103 Hillbilly Podcasters with Brigid McCormack
Exploring Appalachia’s Culture and Countering Stereotypes Through Podcasting In this episode, John Helmer is joined by Brigid McCormack, podcast producer and researcher, to discuss her study on podcasting in the Appalachian region of the United States. Brigid shares how local podcasters in this culturally rich yet often stereotyped region are using the medium to tell authentic stories and challenge long-standing negative narratives. She also touches on the power of oral storytelling and podcasting as a learning medium and reflects on her role at Assemble You. For her research, McCormack focused on four podcasts created by five podcasters from the Appalachian region: Appodlachia by Chuck Corra: A podcast that takes a critical look at politics and economics in Appalachia, often addressing current issues and challenging stereotypes. What's Appalachian? by Gabe and Cody: A more casual, conversational podcast where the hosts discuss their daily lives, providing an authentic glimpse into contemporary Appalachian experiences. Now Appalachia by Eliot Parker: This podcast focuses on storytelling and also touches on political and social issues in the region. Appalachian Imagination by Jason: A conversational podcast featuring local friends and community members, offering diverse perspectives on Appalachian life. Timestamps: 00:00 - Intro 03:44 - Brigid’s research work on digital futures 06:03 - About Appalachia 07:49 - Appalachian stereotypes 16:47 - What did she learn about Appalachia? 19:19 - What podcast formats did they use? 23:23 - What conclusions did she draw from her work? 29:22 - What did she learn about learning? 39:51 - Her role at Assemble You 43:31 - End Follow Brigid McCormack: LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/brigid-mccormack Website: podsandprose.com Contact John Helmer X: @johnhelmer LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/johnhelmer Website: learninghackpodcast.com Patreon: patreon.com/LearningHack
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