I had no idea what I was doing when I started podcasting.

This episode breaks open the often-overlooked truth in learning and development: formal training rarely creates real impact. Instead, we hear how genuine curiosity, performance-focused design, and unexpected life experiences shape transformative L&D practices. Whether you're a newcomer or a seasoned pro, this conversation will push you to rethink what works—and what’s just wasting time and budget.

Tom Bailey, Dr. Alistair Ritt L&D Professional of the Year 2025 and creator of the Rogue L&D Podcast, shares his journey from category manager to award-winning learning leader. With stories ranging from childhood kite contests to professional breakthroughs at Blackmores, Tom unveils the mindset shifts and tactical changes that power high-impact development in modern organizations. If you're ready to ditch the old models and learn from someone who’s actually done it, this one’s for you.

Key Takeaways;

• Great L&D isn’t about training—it’s about enabling behavior change that impacts business outcomes.
• Most professionals in L&D never studied it formally; real growth comes from experience and community.
• Building genuine, trust-based relationships in L&D opens doors to innovation, collaboration, and transformation.

Timestamps

• [00:00] — The energy cost of networking (and why it’s worth it)

• [00:51] — Who is Tom Bailey, and why he’s on the mic this time

• [01:40] — What drives real behavior change in L&D

• [02:40] — Why Nick Shackleton-Jones’ book changed his life

• [03:48] — Microlearning, space repetition, and why Yanu works

• [05:18] — How most of us learned L&D through the side door

• [07:01] — Building the award-winning Blackmores Commercial Academy

• [08:45] — The L&D fail that cost a company big (and why it still hurts)

• [10:50] — Renting vans to childhood heroes: the Keith Harris story

Turns out, balloon phobia and coaching have more in common than you'd think.

This episode digs into one of the most overlooked truths in workplace learning: human-centred L&D isn’t a nice-to-have—it’s the only way forward. With real stories, practical insights, and a sharp lens on coaching and leadership, this conversation explores how to design learning experiences that actually change behaviour and build long-term culture. It also takes a brutally honest look at what happens when organizations skip personalization in favour of generic, one-size-fits-none training.

Tia Chau, a seasoned leadership and culture strategist with 15+ years in people development, dives deep into why traditional content dumping fails, how AI is misunderstood in HR, and what it actually takes to influence resistant stakeholders. From coaching missteps to rethinking ROI, this episode is a call to rewire the way we see performance, development, and leadership from the inside out.

Key Takeaways

• Most leadership programs fail because they ignore the human behind the role—Tia lays out how to change that through identity and coaching-first approaches.
• Coaching isn’t just for execs anymore—when used early and often, it becomes a culture-building engine rather than a corrective tactic.
• L&D must stop chasing shiny content and start collaborating cross-functionally with marketing, IT, and HR to create true behavioural change.

Timestamps

[00:00] Introduction to Human-Centred L&D[00:06] Vulnerability, Burnout, and Personal Growth in Leadership Development[00:07:35] Exploring AI’s Role in HR and Coaching[00:10:00] Automation vs AI: Misconceptions and Strategic Use[00:13:00] The Problem with Content Dumping in L&D[00:16:00] Applying Agile Methods in Learning Development[00:20:00] Handling Difficult Stakeholders in Learning Projects[00:42:54] Coaching vs Mentoring: What’s the Real Difference?[00:55:00] Personalizing Leadership: Identity and Early Coaching[01:00:00] Personalized Learning Journeys & Humanized Leadership

Links

• Tia Chau on Linkedin
• Tia in Instagram
• Tom Bailey on LinkedIn
• Tom Bailey Website

What’s the real reason great leadership programs fail to make an impact?

What does it take to create truly impactful learning programs? In this episode, we explore why even perfectly designed leadership programs fail when culture and relationships aren’t prioritized.

You’ll learn how starting L&D initiatives early, building strong workplace relationships, and asking the right questions can transform your organization's approach to development. We’ll also uncover the role of evidence-based practice in solving real business challenges.

Key Takeaways

1. Leadership programs fail when culture and environment aren’t addressed, no matter how well-designed the curriculum is.
2. Starting L&D early in product or solution development creates more impactful learning outcomes.
3. Building strong relationships and asking “how do you know?” ensures solutions solve the right problems.

Timestamps

• [00:00] – Introduction and Michelle's career journey from teaching English in Japan to founding Kairo Modern Learning.
• [02:54] – What Michelle is truly passionate about in L&D and why early involvement is crucial.
• [05:13] – The role of L&D in the age of AI and why curating and consulting skills are non-negotiable.
• [07:00] – How organizations risk being left behind by asking for “faster horses” instead of real innovation.
• [09:11] – Michelle shares a powerful story of a leadership program that failed due to poor learning culture.
• [11:57] – On embracing the power of a “thumbs up” and the accidental hilarity of her first big stage moment.
• [16:24] – A vulnerable reflection on trusting too easily and learning to say no in business.
• [19:02] – Michelle’s proudest professional moment: facilitating a critical DEI conversation post-George Floyd.
• [23:18] – Her biggest L&D fail and the lesson in leaning into discomfort during live speaking.
• [32:02] – Michelle's final and most important advice for anyone in the field of L&D.

Links

• Michelle Parry-Slater on Linkedin
• Michelle Parry-Slater’s latest book - The Learning and Development Handbook
• Tom Bailey on LinkedIn
• Tom Bailey Website

This episode will challenge everything you thought you knew about effective learning and development

Most training programs fail not because of poor content—but because they miss the one thing that matters: performance. In this episode, you’ll discover how to build training that delivers measurable business impact, the secrets behind immersive simulations, and how to filter out L&D noise that does more harm than good.

With over four decades in the field and clients like NASA, General Motors, and AT&T, Guy Wallace shares real stories, controversial truths, and actionable frameworks to help you escape buzzwords and build training that actually works. Whether you're leading L&D or just trying to make your workshops matter, this episode brings clarity and conviction to how real learning happens.

Key Takeaways

• Building truly impactful learning means focusing on performance, not just content—hands-on practice with feedback is non-negotiable.
• Not all expertise is equal; knowing how to validate credible sources in your network can prevent major missteps.
• Great training doesn't just deliver knowledge—it aligns with job realities and provokes behavioral change through simulations and context-specific experiences.

Timestamps

• [00:00] – Introduction and Guy Wallace's career origin story in L&D.
• [04:36] – Transition from journalism and radio/TV/film to performance development.
• [10:00] – The pivotal concept of job aids and performance support.
• [15:20] – Discussion on "what’s old is new again" in learning trends.
• [21:23] – Learning from past methods and the loss of historical insights in L&D.
• [27:27] – Guy’s most impactful L&D program at the Defense Information School.
• [35:09] – Facilitated group processes and the importance of disagreement in learning environments.
• [43:11] – Guy’s proudest moment: 8-day AT&T course with measurable impact.
• [58:22] – Worst experience in L&D and lessons learned from a failed training rollout.
• [01:06:04] – Surprising personal detail: Guy Wallace’s brief stint as a child model.

Links & Learnings

• Guy Wallace on Linkedin
• Guy Wallace Archives
• Tom Bailey on LinkedIn
• Tom Bailey Website

What happens when your L&D program is the only reason a $14,000 problem becomes a $1,000 fix?

Discover how making learning fun and memorable can lead to real-world business impact—like turning a $14,000 mistake into a $1,000 solution. In this episode of Rogue L&D Hotshots, you’ll hear a high-energy, insight-packed conversation about why behavior change matters more than ticking boxes, and how simple, well-designed digital training outperforms traditional methods.

Mark Eggers, co-founder of Yarno and lifelong advocate for engaging, impactful learning experiences, shares stories from cricket fields, digital agencies, and oil forecourts to reveal what actually makes a training program stick. Whether you’re tired of boring courses or looking for results that move the needle, this episode is packed with surprising lessons and inspiration.

Key Takeaways

1. Behavior change and learner enjoyment aren't mutually exclusive—they’re essential to real business impact.
2. Overcomplicated training is costing companies time, money, and attention—clarity wins.
3. The best validation of training isn't awards—it's what learners say when no one's watching.

Timestamps:

• [00:00] Intro to Podcast & Host — Tom Bailey introduces the Rogue L&D Hotshot format and what to expect.
• [00:27] Meet Mark Eggers — Mark shares his background from project management to co-founding Yarno.
• [00:59] Why He’s Passionate — The joy of behavior change and positive feedback from learners.
• [01:15] $14,000 to $1,000 Case Study — A real-world example of how Yarno’s training saved a company money.
• [01:53] Favorite Hand Gesture — Mark introduces the quirky “Rigi Dig” from an ‘80s TV show.
• [02:00] One Thing He Didn’t Learn — Cricket, courage, and hitting sixes with your eyes closed.
• [02:41] Proudest Moment — Hearing that learners truly enjoy the training and want more.
• [02:55] Worst L&D Experience — A 45-minute online training that could’ve been five bullet points.
• [03:25] Celebrity Moment — A nostalgic childhood encounter with racing legend Dick Johnson.
• [03:46] When No One Believed Him — Predicting the failure of a funded platform no one else questioned.
• [04:16] Closing Thoughts & Call to Connect — Tom wraps up and invites listeners to connect via his website or LinkedIn.

Links and Learnings:

• Mark Eggers on Linkedin
• Yarno Website
• Tom Bailey on LinkedIn
• Tom Bailey Website

What if your organization’s biggest performance issues aren’t due to talent—but bad learning models?

Learning isn’t about sitting in classrooms or ticking boxes—it’s about embedding growth into the real, messy challenges of everyday work. In this episode, listeners dive deep into how transformative learning can drive genuine performance change across organizations. You'll discover why traditional models are failing, and why courageous, purpose-driven approaches to development are the future.

Leonie Rothwell, co-founder of Encounters and Sprout and a global expert in leadership and organizational performance, shares her bold vision for what learning should be—and the pitfalls that many companies fall into when they don’t evolve. From live learning challenges to virtual coaching revolutions, this conversation will inspire you to rethink everything you thought you knew about L&D.

Key Takeaways

1. Real change in organizations happens when learning is embedded into real work, not isolated training rooms.
2. Redefining performance around purpose, motivation, and problem-solving transforms companies at every level.
3. True learning requires action—knowledge without application doesn’t drive real change or growth.

Timestamps

[00:00] Why Knowing Isn’t Enough Without Action

[00:49] Meet Leonie Rothwell: Learning Innovator

[01:22] Passion for People and Systemic Change

[02:11] How Development Is Changing Globally

[03:00] High-Stakes Learning: Real World Applications

[04:00] Filmmaking Lessons and Learning by Doing

[05:00] Solving Career Challenges for People with Disabilities

[06:13] The Dangers of Non-Expert L&D

[07:03] Meeting Robbie Williams and the Leadership Lesson

[08:32] How Virtual Leadership Coaching Changed the Game

Links & Future Learnings

• Leonie Rothwell on Linkedin
• Encountas
• Sprouta
• Tom Bailey on LinkedIn
• Tom Bailey Website

What if being good at your job isn’t enough anymore?

Confidence might just be the most overlooked skill in your professional toolkit. In this episode, we dive deep into what truly drives growth and fulfillment in the learning and development space—from the power of community, to the ways artificial intelligence is reshaping how educators work. It’s a conversation packed with vulnerability, real-world insights, and surprising moments of transformation.

Inna, a fifth-generation educator and learning strategist at Eli, shares the personal and professional stories that shaped her approach—from hosting her own Ed Talks podcast and building AI tools, to mentoring traumatized refugee children through karate. Whether you're stuck in your current role or seeking that next spark of inspiration, this episode offers both grounding wisdom and a fresh perspective on L&D today.

Key Takeaways

• Confidence often outweighs talent, especially when it comes to how you're perceived in your career.
• Belonging to a knowledge-sharing community can drastically enhance professional growth and help escape stagnation.
• Real transformation can come from unexpected roles—like teaching a language you barely know or using martial arts to rebuild broken lives.

Timestamps

[00:00] Confidence is more valuable than professionalism

[00:44] Inna’s background: educator, AI builder, and volunteer leader

[02:00] Why talking to different departments fuels her passion

[02:13] The power of the L&D Showcase community

[04:00] Avoiding stagnation in small orgs through community

[05:00] How teaching English before mastering it unlocked true learning

[06:00] Using AI to reduce hours of work to seconds

[07:00] Helping a traumatized child become a karate world champ

[08:26] The Zoom lecture with 0 interaction—and what came of it

[13:08] Why “acting like you understand” is a learned superpower

Links and Future Learnings

• Inna Horvath on Linkedin
• elai - L&D Essentials: A Starter’s Handbook
• Tom Bailey on LinkedIn
• Tom Bailey Website

Leadership isn’t about information—it’s about transformation.

What if leadership programs stopped focusing on “fixing” individuals and started designing for the real system they operate in? This episode unpacks why most L&D initiatives flop, what actually drives behavior change, and how to create a learning culture that sticks. Through vivid stories—from Ericsson’s transformation to Zoom cooking fails turned learning insights—Jennie Brown shares a refreshing take on how to do development that matters.

Jennie Brown, Managing Consultant at LIW, brings her strategic insights and deep experience leading transformative leadership initiatives across global organizations. In this conversation, she breaks down the mindset shift from pushing information to enabling real practice, and how flipping the usual learning sequence (context > team > self) unlocks meaningful performance. Whether you're in HR, L&D, or a leader looking to elevate your team—this episode is your blueprint for smarter, more human development.

Key Takeaways

• Building leadership from system to self makes development meaningful and measurable.
• Real change happens through practice and experimentation—not perfection or theory.
• Strong L&D programs demand line manager involvement and contextual, actionable learning.

Timestamps:

[00:00] Choose what you care about in L&D

[00:51] Jennie introduces herself with personality and purpose

[02:00] Why work experience needs to change—and how leadership shapes it

[03:00] Deep dive into Ericsson’s cultural transformation program

[05:00] Why experimentation beats perfection in leadership

[07:00] The cooking story: what didn’t work, and what that teaches us

[09:00] Proudest moment leading a first-time intern to real impact

[12:00] The worst kind of L&D: overwhelming, unlinked, and manager-less

[16:00] Jennie’s contrarian take: reverse the order of leadership programs

[19:00] Best advice: Practice, curiosity, and intentional care

Links and Future Learnings

• Jennie Brown on Linkedin
• LIW Website
• Tom Bailey on LinkedIn
• Tom Bailey Website

This episode will challenge everything you thought you knew about effective learning and development.

Most training programs fail not because of poor content—but because they miss the one thing that matters: performance. In this episode, you’ll discover how to build training that delivers measurable business impact, the secrets behind immersive simulations, and how to filter out L&D noise that does more harm than good.

With over four decades in the field and clients like NASA, General Motors, and AT&T, Guy Wallace shares real stories, controversial truths, and actionable frameworks to help you escape buzzwords and build training that actually works. Whether you're leading L&D or just trying to make your workshops matter, this episode brings clarity and conviction to how real learning happens.

Key Takeaways

• Building truly impactful learning means focusing on performance, not just content—hands-on practice with feedback is non-negotiable.
• Not all expertise is equal; knowing how to validate credible sources in your network can prevent major missteps.
• Great training doesn't just deliver knowledge—it aligns with job realities and provokes behavioral change through simulations and context-specific experiences.

Timestamps

[00:00] The dangerous myths still lingering in L&D

[01:00] Guy’s L&D journey from TV to training legend

[03:00] How a lucky first job shaped 40+ years of performance-first thinking

[05:00] The most effective training experience Guy ever went through

[07:00] Hands-on, feedback-driven learning: the key to real performance

[09:00] Using gestures to build trust and facilitate honest group feedback

[12:00] The lesson Guy learned as a 10-year-old paperboy

[14:00] The 8-day course that triggered managers—but produced real results

[21:00] A total training failure—and how Guy turned it into a massive win

[27:00] From child modeling to L&D transformation—surprising moments revealed

Links & Future Learnings

• Guy Wallace on Linkedin
• Guy Wallace Archives
• Tom Bailey on LinkedIn
• Tom Bailey Website

Hard work isn’t the key to success—smart work is.

​Most people think success is about working harder—but what if that’s the biggest lie you’ve been told? In this episode, we dive into the real psychology of achievement and how your mindset, habits, and beliefs shape your reality. You’ll discover the hidden barriers that keep you stuck, the simple yet powerful shifts that unlock massive growth, and the daily strategies that separate top performers from everyone else.

Wayne Brown, a leadership expert with decades of experience coaching high-level professionals, shares game-changing insights on breaking through limitations and unlocking your full potential. If you’re ready to stop holding yourself back and start making real progress, this episode is for you.

Key Takeaways

1. Self-awareness is the foundation of transformation. Understanding your own patterns and limitations is the first step to growth.
2. Mindset shifts create massive change. Adopting a new perspective can be the difference between stagnation and success.
3. Consistency beats motivation every time. The most successful people rely on systems, not willpower.
4. 
   

Timestamps:

[00:30] The unexpected truth about success

[01:45] The #1 limiting belief most people don’t realize they have

[03:10] How to rewire your thinking for unstoppable confidence

[04:25] The daily habit that changes everything

[05:50] Overcoming fear and self-doubt once and for all [07:15] The biggest mistake high achievers make

[08:30] The ‘aha’ moment that shifts your entire perspective [09:45] Real-life examples of transformational success stories

[10:30] How to take action starting today

[11:20] Final words of wisdom you can’t afford to miss

Links and Future Learnings;

• Wayne Brown on Linkedin
• The BRX Group
• Tom Bailey on LinkedIn
• Tom Bailey Website