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The Learning & Development Podcast

The Learning & Development Podcast

David James 194 Episodes Oct 12, 2026

The Learning & Development Podcast is a fortnightly show for L&D professionals hosted by David James and presented by 360Learning. Each episode features discussions and debates on topics affecting the profession alongside expert guests. David James, Chief Learning Officer at 360Learning, is recognized as a top global influencer in L&D. The podcast has over 500,000 downloads and ranks in the top 1% globally.

Episodes

What Is L&D For? Identity, Impact and Agency with Andrew Jacobs
What Is L&D For? Identity, Impact and Agency with Andrew Jacobs Oct 12, 2026 2754 Andrew Jacobs joins the pod to explore what L&D is really for and why the profession's identity has to shift from producing courses to engineering performance. Drawing on a career that spans retail banking, the fire service, retail and local and central government, Andrew explains why capability depends as much on the organisation's capacity to apply learning as on the ability L&D builds and why
Writing the AI Playbook in Real Time With Danny Barrow
Writing the AI Playbook in Real Time With Danny Barrow Sep 28, 2026 2327 In this episode of The Learning & Development Podcast, David James is joined by Danny Barrow, Lead Learning Program Manager at Ridgeline - an innovative Investment Management company - to explore how AI has reshaped what Danny believes his function is capable of delivering, and the practical, sometimes messy, process of turning that belief into something tangible. From solving live business needs
AI for People Professionals with Erica Farmer
AI for People Professionals with Erica Farmer Sep 14, 2026 2758 In this episode of The Learning & Development Podcast, David is joined by Erica Farmer to discuss her new book ‘AI for People Professionals: Understand How to Use Artificial Intelligence in Your HR Role.’ Erica shares the experiences that convinced her the book was needed now and the patterns she noticed in how HR professionals perceive and use AI. They explore what it means for HR to "get out of
Power Skills, Global Academies and Transforming L&D at Merlin with Rob Peacock
Power Skills, Global Academies and Transforming L&D at Merlin with Rob Peacock Aug 31, 2026 2899 In this episode of The Learning & Development Podcast, David James is joined by Rob Peacock, Director of Leadership & Learning at Merlin Entertainments, to discuss the transformation journey of the global learning function. They look at the disconnect between legacy training methods and the "hands-on" reality of managing a commercial P&L, while tackling the question of how to select and deliver "p
The Learning & Development Podcast Live: Common L&D Myths on Trial
The Learning & Development Podcast Live: Common L&D Myths on Trial Aug 17, 2026 3126 Step inside the courtroom of Learning & Development, where long-held beliefs are called to the stand and only evidence, experience, and impact will determine the verdict. This high-energy, live episode brings together three of L&D’s most respected voices to challenge the myths holding our profession back. David James will play the role of courtroom judge, inviting the audience to be the jury -
Rebuilding L&D for an AI-Driven World with Larry Durham & Jonathan Eighteen
Rebuilding L&D for an AI-Driven World with Larry Durham & Jonathan Eighteen Aug 3, 2026 3149 In this episode, David James is joined by Larry Durham, President of St. Charles Consulting Group, and Jonathan Eighteen, Global Head of Consulting and Advisory Services at NIIT, to explore the findings of the 2026 Learning Transformation Benchmark. Together, they examine why L&D is entering a period of structural rebuild as the environment it was originally designed for ceases to exist. Larry an
Running L&D Like a Business with Tracie Cantu
Running L&D Like a Business with Tracie Cantu Jul 20, 2026 2906 In this episode of The Learning & Development Podcast, David James is joined by Tracie Cantu to discuss her book Running L&D Like a Business. Tracie shares the L&D leadership experience that shaped her perspective and what compelled her to write the book. They explore what it truly means to run L&D like a business and why this mindset is so often missing, before diving into the Learning Operation
The Frontline Enablement Playbook: Bridging the Gap for the World’s Most Essential Workforce with JD Dillon
The Frontline Enablement Playbook: Bridging the Gap for the World’s Most Essential Workforce with JD Dillon Jul 7, 2026 3243 In this episode of The Learning & Development Podcast, David James is joined by JD Dillon to celebrate the launch of his new book, The Frontline Enablement Playbook. They explore why the traditional L&D toolkit often fails the deskless workforce and how JD’s experience at Disney helped shape a more grounded, practical philosophy for supporting those whose "office" is a shop floor, a hospital wing,
Beyond Content: Rebuilding L&D Around The Transformation Triangle with Egle Vinauskaite
Beyond Content: Rebuilding L&D Around The Transformation Triangle with Egle Vinauskaite Jun 22, 2026 2702 In this episode of The Learning & Development Podcast, David James is joined by Egle Vinauskaite to discuss the launch of her highly anticipated follow-up to the ‘Race for Impact’ report. They explore the core objectives behind this new research and the methodology Egle used to capture the reality of today's learning landscape. Egle reflects on the "Transformation Triangle" - a core concept of th
Strength in Chaos: Leadership Development for an Unpredictable World With Kevin Black
Strength in Chaos: Leadership Development for an Unpredictable World With Kevin Black Jun 9, 2026 2516 In this episode, Kevin Black joins David to explore why leadership so often feels chaotic and why most leadership development fails to prepare leaders for that reality. Together, they examine the gap between how leadership is taught and how it’s experienced, unpacking how leaders respond to pressure, uncertainty, and loss of control and why those responses can either escalate or stabilise chaos.
Navigating a Shifting L&D Jobs Market with Nick Jones
Navigating a Shifting L&D Jobs Market with Nick Jones May 26, 2026 2739 In this episode of The Learning & Development Podcast, David James is joined by Nick Jones of Blue Eskimo to discuss the state of the industry following the launch of the 2026 Blue Eskimo Work & Salary Report. Nick dives into the current market reality, exploring what is actually happening on the ground and how global shifts are impacting the jobs market. The conversation addresses the significan
7 Steps to Better Learning Engagement, A Blueprint for Creating Impactful L&D, Live in NYC with Becky Willis
7 Steps to Better Learning Engagement, A Blueprint for Creating Impactful L&D, Live in NYC with Becky Willis May 12, 2026 3598 In this episode of The Learning & Development Podcast, David James is joined by Becky Willis to break down the essential components of her new book, 7 Steps to Better Learning Engagement: A Blueprint for Creating Impactful L&D. Together, they explore what it truly takes for an organization to shift its attention toward L&D and, more importantly, how to convert that attention into tangible business

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