Why Do 90% of Training Programs Fail to Create Lasting Change? 

Are your employees attending trainings but not applying what they’ve learned? If you’ve ever wondered why even well-designed learning programs fail to create lasting change, this conversation is for you. 

In this episode of The Learnit Lounge, host Mickey Fitch-Collins sits down with Starlyn Jamison, a seasoned talent development leader, to explore one of the most pressing questions facing HR and L&D professionals today: how do we make learning stick?  

Drawing on more than a decade of experience in nonprofit learning environments, Starlyn offers refreshingly candid insights into what causes training to fall flat—and what it takes to create real behavior change at work. This is a must-listen episode for anyone designing, delivering, or sponsoring employee learning programs. 

This Episode Covers: 

• Why “cookie-cutter” training fails—and how to individualize without reinventing the wheel every time 
• The role of mindset in learning retention and how to help employees shift from compliance to curiosity 
• Why follow-up is just as important as the training itself—and how to build it into your programs 
• How to set realistic expectations when programs can’t be fully customized—and still offer personal relevance 
• The most uncomfortable truth in L&D: everyone wants training, but no one wants to attend 

Timestamped Highlights: 

00:00 – Welcome to the Lounge: Mickey introduces Starlyn and the theme of making learning stick 

02:20 – Why most training doesn’t translate: mindset, tailoring, and meaningful application 

04:00 – “Everyone wants learning—no one wants to go through learning” 

05:35 – Be gentle with yourself: grace and self-reflection as keys to learning 

06:30 – Biggest obstacles to learning: cookie-cutter training and lack of individualization 

09:10 – Same outcome, different process: why personalization matters 

10:00 – Follow-up is everything: measuring learning beyond post-event surveys 

12:10 – Gymnasts and growth: how learning is like sticking the landing (after many falls) 

13:30 – Journaling for growth: why writing things down is underrated 

18:30 – Peer-to-peer coaching: turning individual gaps into collective growth 

21:30 – Microlearning: the rise of bite-sized, just-in-time development 

24:00 – What to do when training can’t be fully tailored: set expectations, stay open 

27:00 – Baking soda in the garden: learning happens when you least expect it 

28:30 – Biggest leadership lesson: never assume—ask, include, adapt 

32:10 – The uncomfortable truth: “We all want training, but nobody wants to take it” 

35:00 – Feedback that stings: learning to grow through discomfort 

36:10 – Final advice: stay open, practice, and journal to track your growth 

39:00 – Connect with Starlyn on LinkedIn and keep the conversation going 

39:50 – Subscribe, leave a review, and share the episode to keep the brew and banter flowing 

About Starlyn 

Starlyn Jamison is a learning and talent development manager at a nonprofit that provides affordable housing and services to underserved communities. With over a decade of experience, she specializes in designing programs that foster continuous learning and peer-to-peer knowledge sharing. Known for her authenticity, adaptability, and thoughtful approach to feedback, Starlyn brings a deep understanding of how adults learn—and what they need to succeed.  

Resources Referenced: 

Starlyn Jamison on LinkedIn 

Alameda Health 

Podcast Contact Information:

Website: www.learnit.com

Email: [email protected]

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