The Learning+ Podcast

In this episode of The Learning+ Podcast, Matthew Richter joins host Srividya Kumar to explore the powerful connection between motivation, leadership, and learning. Drawing on Self-Determination Theory, Matthew discusses how fulfilling core psychological needs - competence, autonomy, and relatedness - is key to fostering lasting motivation. He shares practical insights on how to create environments that empower individuals, enhance engagement, and drive performance. Whether you're in leadership or learning design, this episode provides actionable strategies for building motivated, high-performing teams.

Connect with Matt

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/matthew-richter-0738b84/

Website: https://www.thiagi.com/

Books: https://www.thiagi.com/books

The LDA Conference (April-May 2025)

Register Here: https://ldaccelerator.com/eipconference

Use discount code: EIP10MR (gives you 10% off)

Book Recommendations

Fluke, by Brian Klaas: https://www.amazon.com/Fluke-Chance-Chaos-Everything-Matters/dp/1668006529

Corruptible, by Brian Klaas: https://www.amazon.com/Corruptible-Who-Gets-Power-Changes/dp/1982154098

Connect with Learnnovators

Website: https://learnnovators.com/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/learnnovators/

Connect with Vidya

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/srividyakumar/

Margie Meacham, the “Brain Lady,” has dedicated her career to understanding how our brains learn and how that knowledge can shape more effective training. A pioneer in integrating neuroscience with learning design, she’s also been a trailblazer in using AI to create personalized learning experiences.

In this episode, Margie shares how neuroscience and AI are changing the landscape of learning and why every L&D professional should consider how the brain works when designing learning solutions. Tune in for practical insights that will help you take your learning strategies to the next level.

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Connect with Margie

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/margiemeacham/

Blog: https://learningtogo.ai/learn/

Margie’s book on Neuroscience: Brain Matters

Margie’s book on AI in Talent Development

Connect with Learnnovators

Website: https://learnnovators.com/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/learnnovators/

Connect with Vidya

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/srividyakumar/

Most workplace training falls short - not because we lack research, but because we fail to apply it well.

In this episode, Clark Quinn joins us to unpack what it really takes to make learning stick. We talk about why recall alone isn’t enough, how to design practice that drives real performance, and why so many learning programs get engagement wrong. Plus, Clark shares his take on AI in learning - where it helps, where it misleads, and where we should be cautious.

If you care about designing learning that actually works, this episode is for you.

Clark Quinn

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/quinnovator/

Website: https://quinnovation.com/

Blog: https://blog.learnlets.com/

Books: https://quinnovation.com/books.html

Learnnovators

Website: https://learnnovators.com/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/learnnovators/

Srividya Kumar

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/srividyakumar/

Most workplace training stops at delivering information - but does that actually help people apply what they’ve learned? In this episode of The Learning+ Podcast, Christy Tucker joins us to explore how scenario-based learning bridges the gap between knowledge and action. We discuss how practice and feedback build confidence, when branching scenarios are most effective, and how to get stakeholder buy-in. If you’ve ever struggled with making learning stick, this conversation is packed with insights you won’t want to miss.

Christy Tucker

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/christytucker/

Blog + Website: https://christytuckerlearning.com/

Learnnovators

Website: https://learnnovators.com/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/learnnovators/

Srividya Kumar

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/srividyakumar/

In this episode of The Learning+ Podcast, we chat with Satyarup Siddhanta, an extraordinary mountaineer and Guinness World Record holder, who defied asthma to conquer the highest peaks in the world. Satyarup’s journey is one of perseverance, mental toughness, and the relentless pursuit of personal growth. From near-death experiences to skiing at the South Pole, he shares powerful lessons on overcoming setbacks, pushing past self-limiting beliefs, and adapting to new challenges. Tune in for a conversation that proves the only real limits are the ones we impose on ourselves.

Satyarup Siddhanta

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/satyarupsiddhanta/

Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Satyarup_Siddhanta

Website: https://satyarupsiddhanta.com/

TEDx: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iHNu1j8FoyQ

Learnnovators

Website: https://learnnovators.com/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/learnnovators/

Srividya Kumar

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/srividyakumar/

In this episode of The Learning+ Podcast, we sit down with JD Dillon, a passionate advocate for frontline enablement and the author of the upcoming The Frontline Enablement Handbook. JD shares his unique perspective on empowering frontline employees—the 80% of the global workforce who are often overlooked in most learning strategy discussions. From involving frontline workers in decision-making to leveraging AI and personalized support, JD offers actionable insights to help organizations better equip their most vital teams. If you’re looking to rethink how you support the people who drive your business forward, this episode is a must listen!

JD Dillon

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jddillon/overlay/contact-info/

Website: https://learngeek.co/

Talk Show (In The Know): https://axonify.com/in-the-know/

Books:

- The Frontline Enablement Playbook (in development): https://learngeek.co/frontlinebook/

- The Modern Learning Ecosystem: https://learngeek.co/mle-framework/

Learnnovators

Website: https://learnnovators.com/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/learnnovators/

Srividya Kumar

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/srividyakumar/

In this episode of The Learning+ Podcast, behavioral scientist Vishal George shares how small, intentional experiments can spark meaningful change. From creating cultures that embrace experimentation to designing tools that make better behaviors easier, Vishal offers practical strategies that anyone can apply. He also explores why curiosity, community, and accessible insights are the real drivers of transformation in teams and organizations. If you’re ready to rethink how you learn, lead, and grow, this episode is for you.

Vishal George

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vishal-george-0a707a5b/

Website: https://www.behaviouralbydesign.com/

Tools To Think Like a Behavioral Scientist: https://www.behaviouralbydesign.com/toolkit

The COM-B Model in Behavioral Science: https://modelthinkers.com/mental-model/com-b-behaviour-change-wheel

Learnnovators

Website: https://learnnovators.com/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/learnnovators/

Srividya Kumar

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/srividyakumar/

In this thought-provoking episode, Lauren Waldman—scientist, learning designer, and yes, “The Learning Pirate”—takes us into the fascinating world of neuroscience. She reveals why learning professionals must stop designing for content and start designing for the brain. Discover how understanding memory, attention, and focus can revolutionize learning design and help create meaningful, lasting change.

Lauren Waldman

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lauren-waldman-learning-pirate-4666bab/

Website: https://www.learningpirate.com/

The Joining Forces With Your Brain Series: https://www.learningpirate.com/joining-forces-with-your-brain

Book Recommendation: How the Brain Learns, by David A. Sousa

Learnnovators

Website: https://learnnovators.com/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/learnnovators/

Srividya Kumar

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/srividyakumar/

In this solo episode, host Srividya Kumar (Vidya) dives into one of the most talked-about (and often misunderstood) topics in L&D—engagement. Reflecting on her early learning experiences, she shares insights on why excitement doesn’t always equal engagement, and explores how to foster emotional and cognitive connections in learners. Vidya demystifies engagement by breaking down the difference between fun and focus, behavioral and cognitive engagement, and how the right strategies can turn passive participants into active, motivated learners. Tune in for a thought-provoking episode on how to invoke and maintain learner engagement.

Srividya Kumar

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/srividyakumar/

Learnnovators

Website: https://learnnovators.com/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/learnnovators/

In this episode of The Learning+ Podcast, we sit down with Sam Rogers—musician, performer, and instructional designer whose path into L&D has been anything but traditional. Sam shares how his journey from the stage to instructional design shaped his unique approach to building effective learning ecosystems. With experience consulting for companies like Google and YouTube, Sam talks about blending user feedback, data, and creativity to create learning solutions that drive real impact. Tune in to discover practical insights on scaling L&D without losing sight of what truly matters.

Sam Rogers

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/samrogers/

Website: https://snapsynapse.com/

Learning Ecosystem Essentials Course: https://www.eli.lrnonline.com/course/learning-ecosystem-essentials/

Book Recommendation: How to Measure Anything, by Douglas Hubbard

Learnnovators

Website: https://learnnovators.com/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/learnnovators/

Srividya Kumar

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/srividyakumar/