As 2024 comes to a close, it’s time to reflect on what we’ve achieved, learned, and shared in L&D. This year has been all about change, both in the workplace and in our field. Continuous change, driven by tech advances and evolving workforce needs, has brought both challenges and opportunities. Let’s dive in and explore the key themes from the Learning Uncut podcast in 2024.
I’ve noticed is that while big shifts in the world of work catch our imagination quickly, it can take time for practical applications to mature enough to share as robust case studies. This has been true for areas like AI and skills-based approaches which L&D has shown strong interest in for several years. By 2024, L&D teams had started to find their footing with these shifts and we’ve been able to highlight progress through concrete examples on the Learning Uncut podcast. At the same time, evidence-informed practices that stand the test of time – the “classics” – remain foundational and continue to feature in our episodes.
Two podcast formats
This year, regular listeners will have discovered two episode formats: case studies and the Elevate series. Case studies have always been the heart of the podcast – real projects and solutions implemented in organisations. They give us practical insights into what L&Ders are doing on the ground to address business needs and create impact. The Elevate episodes, on the other hand, dive deep into a single topic, approach, report, or innovative idea to help elevate our practice and impact one step at a time. While Elevate is currently on pause as I co-author a book (more on that in 2025!), it’s been a valuable platform for exploring and reflecting on emerging trends and ideas.
Appreciation on a podcast milestone
The podcast is now in it’s seventh year and 2024 brought a huge milestone: Learning Uncut hit over 250,000 downloads across 120 countries! Practitioners in Australia, the US, the UK, Canada, and New Zealand led the way. It’s incredible to see the ripple effect these conversations are having globally, and it wouldn’t have been possible without two amazing groups: our guests and our listeners.
To the guests, thank you for generously sharing your stories and insights. Your openness about your experiences, challenges, wins and advice for others is what makes Learning Uncut so useful. These case studies inspire and guide others in our field, proving time and again the value of shared learning.
To the listeners, your support and engagement mean the world to me. Knowing that these episodes resonate with you and help you navigate your own L&D challenges is incredibly rewarding. Whether you’ve shared feedback, recommended episodes, or simply tuned in, thank you for being part of this journey.
Humanity and technology: interwoven threads
One theme that connects this year’s stories overall is the interplay between humanity and technology. These two threads – sometimes seemingly in tension – are increasingly interwoven in the world of learning.
On one side, technological advances, especially in AI, are transforming what’s possible in L&D. They’re streamlining admin tasks, enhancing learning design, enabling personalised learning and fostering collaboration in ways we couldn’t have imagined just a few years ago. On the other side, the human elements of learning – the need for connection, behavioural change and inclusivity – are as vital as ever.
These dual threads are complementary. As we integrate new technologies, we must do so in ways that align with evidence-based practices and support the individuals at the heart of learning. Whether it’s helping employees develop skills for new challenges or creating safe spaces for experimentation and collaboration, the goal is to use technology as a tool to enhance – not replace – the human elements that make learning effective.
Throughout this year’s podcast episodes, these threads appear time and again. They’re present in how organisations use AI not just for efficiency but for deeper personalisation and support. They also emerge in the way communities of practice and storytelling continue to drive connection and engagement.
Let’s explore four key themes from the 2024 Learning Uncut podcast series.
AI and technology: moving from talk to action
One of the biggest threads running through the year’s episodes has been the evolution of technology in L&D, with AI leading the charge. AI is proven to be much more than buzzword or a fad; 2024 has been a year where we’ve started figuring out how to use it.
In Episode 146, Donald H. Taylor and Egle Vinuskaite joined me to discuss their report, AI in L&D – From Talk to Action. Their research offered a grounded view of how AI is being applied in real-world L&D contexts and provided invaluable insights into the shift from exploration to implementation. Donald and Egle also generously connected me with several guests featured on the podcast, enabling us to explore detailed case studies of AI in action.
One example is HSBC’s use of AI-powered coaching tools in their UK contact centres (Episode 149), which showcased how AI can deliver personalised, just-in-time support to employees. Ericsson’s Learning Next initiative (Episode 152) offered another perspective, using community-driven experimentation to explore emerging tech applications, including AI, across their organisation.
These episodes demonstrated how AI is not only transforming how learning is delivered but also fostering collaboration and innovation. As we navigate these advances, the key is to ensure that technology continues to complement and enhance the human aspects of learning.
“I just wish that I was 25 again because this is the ramping off point of L&D for the future. It’s going to be fabulous. There are issues for sure, but I think the promise of what we can do with it if we let our imaginations go is immense.”
– Donald H Taylor
Learning Uncut episode 146
Skills: Adapting to a dynamic workforce
The shift from job-based models to skills-focused approaches has been another recurring theme. Episodes like ‘Putting Skills to Work’ with Ericsson (Episode 147) and Cameron Hedrick’s discussion on skills portfolio management at Citi (Episode 156) exemplify the innovative ways organisations are rethinking workforce development.
These large-scale efforts involve significant investment and coordination, tackling questions around skills architecture, job role definitions and infrastructure. However, not every organisation has the resources, capacity or need for such sweeping changes.
Elevate Episode 33 with Nick Petch provided a contrasting approach through skills sprints. These smaller, focused initiatives target specific critical skills, often identified through direct conversations with business leaders or performance consulting. Skills sprints emphasise immediate, practical integration with job tasks and require less heavy lifting in terms of infrastructure. This approach offers a more lightweight alternative for organisations looking to make a difference without undertaking enterprise-wide transformation.
“Skills sprints offer the most personalised learning I’ve seen in the field. Learners prioritise job tasks they tackle each week, working in context and with peers. It’s not about content
consumption; it’s about inquiry, integration, and creating real-world impact in the flow of work.”– Nick Petch
Learning Uncut Elevate episode 33
Together, these episodes highlight the versatility of skills-focused approaches, from large-scale systems to nimble, targeted interventions, showing there’s no one-size-fits-all solution to workforce development in a dynamic world.
Community and Collaboration
Organisations are finding innovative ways to use the power of community and collaboration to engage their people and share knowledge, and we’ve seen some great examples on the podcast.
DFAT’s use of small private online courses (SPOCs) (Episode 150) was a fantastic example of creating a dynamic learning environment that included peer-to-peer interactions and professional communities. These courses not only facilitate learning but also build relationships and networks that extend far beyond the virtual classroom. It’s a powerful reminder that learning is about far more than content; it’s about connection.
Similarly, the APS Community of Practice (Episode 157) showed how bringing L&D professionals together across multiple teams fosters sharing of good practice and collective problem-solving. By creating spaces for connection and shared purpose, these initiatives highlight how learning can break down silos and encourage collaboration in even the largest and most dispersed organisations.
It’s a testament to the power of community in driving learning and change – which applies equally to our individual external L&D networks and communities.
Behaviour Change
Behavioural change remains central to the impact of L&D, and several episodes this year offered compelling examples of how to design learning experiences that drive lasting shifts.
Channel 4’s campaign-based approach to compliance training (Episode 144) stood out for its creative, culturally aligned focus on the question, “Is it OK?” It’s a simple yet powerful anchor for their code of conduct training, and a great example of how to make compliance training engaging and effective.
“Behaviour isn’t shaped by a policy or a one-off training module. It’s influenced in the moment—by capability, motivation, and opportunity. We focused on creating those moments where people could stop, think, and act appropriately.”
– James Woodman
Learning Uncut episode 144
Other standout examples include Multiplex’s program on appropriate workplace behaviours in the construction industry (Episode 139) and Fletcher Building’s safety leadership initiative (Episode 140), which emphasised leader-led learning. These examples reinforce the idea that addressing behaviour change requires thoughtful design, strong alignment with organisational culture, and active engagement from leaders.
Access the full 2024 Learning Uncut catalogue
If these highlights have piqued your interest, I invite you to explore the complete collection of 2024 Learning Uncut episodes. We’ve compiled a special resource for our listeners, which includes:
- a list of all episodes released in 2024, organised by theme
- brief descriptions of each episode to help you choose the most relevant content
- direct links to each episode page for easy access
To get your copy, simply click here to download the Learning Uncut 2024 Episode Guide.
Looking ahead
As we head into 2025, I’m hoping to share not only more polished, complete case studies but also to explore the “messy middle” of L&D change with you. The Bain & Company self-directed learning experiment (Episode 158) has sparked my interest in unearthing and sharing more examples of L&D in-progress experiments that we can learn from – regardless of the outcome. Why not follow the lead of Matthew Murray and Sydney Cannon and have the courage to reach out to me if you are testing out some new approaches and ideas.
I’d love to hear your thoughts on this year’s episodes and themes. What resonated with you? What challenges are you facing in your own practice? Drop me a line or join the conversation on LinkedIn by searching #LearningUncut.
Thanks again to our amazing guests and listeners. You’re the heart of this community. Let’s keep learning and growing together in the new year!
