The Training Design Podcast – Details, episodes & analysis

In our latest podcast episode on neurodiversity, Eleanor Walker from Unboxed Talent joins us to talk about how embracing neurodiversity can transform training environments and help create a culture of inclusion and understanding.

In conversation we discuss what it means to be neurodivergent in the workplace and how simple changes can make training sessions more accessible and effective for everyone, no matter their neurological makeup.

Sheridan Webb and Eleanor Walker share personal stories and professional insights and discuss the crucial role the training environment plays in helping neurodivergent individuals tap into their unique abilities. Eleanor emphasises that small tweaks in how we design and deliver training can make a big difference.

Whether you’re a training professional or just interested in fostering more inclusive practices, this conversation is packed with valuable insights to help make training more inclusive.

Visit www.trainingdesignersclub.co.uk for more information and become a VIP member here: https://www.trainingdesignersclub.co.uk/vip-membership 

Check us out on YouTube https://www.youtube.com/c/TheTrainingDesignersClub 

Connect with Sheridan on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/trainingdesigner/ 

Episode specific

Connect with Eleanor on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/elewalker/  

Visit her website: https://www.discoverunboxed.co.uk/ 

Neurodiversity in Business report: https://neurodiversityinbusiness.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/Neurodiversity-in-Business-report_June-2023_Digital.pdf# 

Lunch n learn: Neurodiversity and training design: https://training-designers-club.newzenler.com/courses/lunch-n-learn-designing-training-neurodiversity 

Liberating Structures: https://www.liberatingstructures.com 

Neurodiversity in Business – website and resources: https://neurodiversityinbusiness.org/

In this insightful conversation, leadership expert Tracy Rotsey sheds light on a topic that many of us encounter at some point AND that we are often asked to cover in training - Imposter syndrome.

Tracy shares practical tips for silencing that inner voice that tells us we’re not good enough. Whether you’re a seasoned business leader, head of an L&D team, a freelance trainer, or just starting out in your career, Imposter Syndrome can be a tough mental hurdle. But it’s one you can overcome with the right tools and mindset.

In this episode, we discuss strategies for building confidence, recognizing your value, and understanding why self-awareness is key to both personal growth and professional success. And it’s not just about training design—it’s also about creating a work environment where people feel safe to make mistakes and learn from them.

Visit www.trainingdesignersclub.co.uk for more information and become a VIP member here: https://www.trainingdesignersclub.co.uk/vip-membership 

Check us out on YouTube https://www.youtube.com/c/TheTrainingDesignersClub 

Connect with Sheridan on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/trainingdesigner/ 

Episode specific

Connect with Tracey on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/traceyrotsey/ 

Visit her website: https://practicaltrainingsolutions.co.uk/ 

Lean In by Cheryl Sandberg: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Lean-Women-Work-Will-Lead/dp/0753541629 

Ready-Written Recruitment Interview Training: https://www.power-hour.co.uk/product-page/recruitment-interviewing-1

Sheridan is joined by corporate training specialist and international speaker, Sherine Clarke, in an insightful conversation of creating large-scale events and the nuances of addressing large audiences, in this latest podcast episode. 

Sherine brings over two decades of expertise to the conversation, discussing the challenges and strategies for engaging large corporations and multinational companies in meaningful training sessions. 

She addresses the importance of capturing and maintaining the attention span of professionals, and shares personal stories to give practical advice on creating intimacy with your audience, no matter the size.

Whether it's designing virtual sessions or designing impactful conferences, this episode is packed with valuable takeaways for anyone in the field of professional development and corporate training. 

Don't forget to subscribe for more fascinating discussions, and share your experiences in the comments below. 

Have you ever had to capture the attention of a massive audience? 

What tips and tactics worked for you?

Connect with Sherine on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sherineclarke/ 
Visit www.trainingdesignersclub.co.uk for more information

Become a VIP member here: https://trainingdesignersclub.co.uk/vip-membership 

Check us out on YouTube https://www.youtube.com/c/TheTrainingDesignersClub 

Connect with Sheridan on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/trainingdesigner/

In this episode, Sheridan Webb and Annette Barnes delve into the intricate world of consulting, training design, and how AI technology is shaping these fields. 

Sheridan and Annette discuss and unravel the difference and similarities between consulting and coaching. 

Expect a candid conversation that illuminates the differences and synergies between these roles, with both speakers sharing their rich experiences and practical advice.

Annette brings her perspective on consulting— clarifying the unique place consulting occupies in professional development.

For both newcomers and seasoned professionals, this conversation is filled with relatable scenarios, technical tips, and strategic approaches to consulting skills. As they tackle this broad topic, Sheridan and Annette provide clarity and strategy.

🎙️ Don't forget to subscribe for more discussions on AI, training, and consulting.

Visit www.trainingdesignersclub.co.uk for more information

Become a VIP member here: https://trainingdesignersclub.co.uk/vip-membership 

Check us out on YouTube https://www.youtube.com/c/TheTrainingDesignersClub 

Connect with Sheridan on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/trainingdesigner/ 

Episode specific

Connect with Annette on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/annette-barnes-877b163/ 

Visit her website:  https://innersolutionsltd.co.uk/ 

Find her on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/innersolutionslifecoaching

In the Episode, What? No Powerpoint, Sheridan Webb welcomes three guests from the VIP community: Emer O'Leary, Sonali Kumarakulasinghe, and Debbie Yarwood. This episode explores dynamic alternatives to PowerPoint in both face-to-face and virtual training environments, ideal for facilitators, trainers, and educators looking to enrich their visual storytelling toolkit.

Discover how Emer, a visual facilitator, trainer, and coach, harnesses the power of hand-drawn graphics for engaging workshops.

Sonali shares her passion for the Emotional Culture Deck and liberating structures in her consultancy, coaching, and facilitation sessions.

Meanwhile, Debbie emphasises the practical benefits of using Mural for management and leadership training, especially for remote delivery with small tech startups. Learn from their insights into adapting their methods for virtual interaction, drawing from the necessity of innovation during 2020's shift to online platforms.

Tune in to find the secrets of enhancing your training sessions, workshops, and presentations with visually compelling and participatory methods that go beyond conventional slides.

Don't forget to subscribe for more insightful episodes and share your thoughts in the comments about your experiences with visual aids!

Have you found a favourite alternative to PowerPoint? Let's discuss!

Connect with Emer O’Leary on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/emeroleary/ 

Sign up to her Secrets of Simple Graphics course: https://trainingdesignersclub.co.uk/emer-oleary 

Connect with Debbie Yarwood on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/debbieyarwood/ 

Visit her website: https://thesmartermanager.com/ 

Connect with Sonali Kumarakulasinghe on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sonalikmcipd/ 

Download a free version of the Emotional Culture Deck here: https://www.ridersandelephants.com/the-emotional-culture-deck and click on the link to Start by getting your free deck today Check out Liberating Structures here: https://www.liberatingstructures.com/

Lunch n Learn on using graphics in facilitation: https://training-designers-club.newzenler.com/courses/lunch-n-learn-hand-drawn-graphics 

Visit www.trainingdesignersclub.co.uk for more information

Check us out on YouTube https://www.youtube.com/c/TheTrainingDesignersClub 

Connect with Sheridan on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/trainingdesigner/

In this episode Sheridan chats with Marina Ibrahim from Globality Coaching on Designing Training for Multicultural Audiences.

This is a fascinating conversation which delves into the nuances of designing training for a multicultural audience, highlighting the complexities and considerations that come into play and emphasises the need for a thorough understanding of the diverse cultural backgrounds of the audience

Sheridan and Marina discuss the significance of adapting training materials, such as slides and handouts, to suit the diverse audience, ensuring that translations are accurate and inclusive of diverse cultural representations

This is a really thought-provoking conversation and one that really highlights the importance of the need for open-mindedness and continuous learning to effectively design and deliver training that is culturally sensitive and inclusive.

Have a listen and we’d love to know your takeaways! 

General

Visit www.trainingdesignersclub.co.uk for more information

Check us out on YouTube https://www.youtube.com/c/TheTrainingDesignersClub 

Connect with Sheridan on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/trainingdesigner/ 

Episode specific

Connect with Marina on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/marinaibrahim/ 

Visit her website: https://www.globility-coaching.com/ 

Lunch n Learn on designing for a multicultural audience https://training-designers-club.newzenler.com/courses/lunch-n-learn-designing-training-multicultural-audience 

Erin Meyer: The Culture Map https://www.amazon.co.uk/Culture-Map-Decoding-People-Cultures/dp/1610392760/ 

Culture mapping tools from Erin Meyer https://erinmeyer.com/tools/

Sheridan chats with Ross Stevenson, of Steal These Thoughts in this episode looking at a  strategic approach to training design.

This episode covers some key points about strategic approaches to skills development and training design including the idea of being a strategic ​L&D leader involves understanding an organization's culture, constraints, and contexts, and balancing the needs of the long term with current requirements.

Ross highlighted the importance of being smartly innovative and understanding that not everything that counts can be measured.

One thing that they are both very clear about is that for strategic skills development, you must understand the specific needs and constraints of an organization and gradually start to introduce innovative methods, to help to change mindsets around training and development.

This is a great episode to help you take a strategic approach to your training design.

Have a listen and we’d love to hear your thoughts on this subject.

Visit www.trainingdesignersclub.co.uk for more information

Check us out on YouTube https://www.youtube.com/c/TheTrainingDesignersClub 

Connect with Sheridan on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/trainingdesigner/ 

Connect with Ross on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rstevensonuk/
Visit his website and sign up for his brilliant newsletter here: https://stealthesethoughts.com/newsletter/

Sheridan chats with Eleanor Hudgell, of Pure Learning Limited in this episode exploring AI in training design.

Eleanor is a Freelance Training Designer who has worked in many industries over her career.

In this episode Sheridan and Eleanor talk about how AI has changed the landscape of Training Design. 

They have both fully embraced AI into their work and explain the many different ways that it can utilised.

This is a great episode and I am sure that you are going to really enjoy it.

Have a listen and we’d love to hear your thoughts on this subject.

Connect with Eleanor on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/eleanor-hudgell-learning-designer-8554945 

Lunch n Learn on using AI for training design https://training-designers-club.newzenler.com/courses/lunch-n-learn-using-ai-to-design-training-on-demand

Visit www.trainingdesignersclub.co.uk for more information

Check us out on YouTube https://www.youtube.com/c/TheTrainingDesignersClub 

Connect with Sheridan on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/trainingdesigner/

Today Sheridan chats with Natalie Houlton of Yellow Duck Development about designing and delivering graduate training programmes.

Natalie amongst other training roles works with graduates providing them with foundational skills and helping them to develop those skills, in a variety of different companies from SME’s to global companies in multiple industries.

Within her graduate training programme brings together the key aspects of training that other managers in businesses are already successful in doing such as networking and building relationships with their peers.

Natalie is currently working with one company and explains during the 18 month programme that it is being endorsed by The President of the company and this level of endorsement from senior management is a very important part in showing graduates how a company takes a programme.

Natalie is passionate about getting the right elements of a graduate programme together, making sure that all the parts are joined up and have the right management and infrastructure to allow this to happen. This includes having a programme sponsor, programme coordinator, programme administrator and a programme facilitator.

This is a fascinating conversation between Sheridan and Natalie, where Sheridan shares her own experience of being on a graduate programme and how things have changed with the new generation of graduates.

And if you have been on a graduate programme recently or a while ago, we’d love to hear your thoughts on this episode.

Connect with Natalie on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/nataliehoulton/ 

Visit her website here https://www.yellowduckdevelopment.co.uk/ Visit www.trainingdesignersclub.co.uk for more information

Check us out on YouTube https://www.youtube.com/c/TheTrainingDesignersClub 

Connect with Sheridan on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/trainingdesigner/

Today Sheridan chats with Penny Booth Smith of PBS Consulting, a long term VIP Member of Training Designers Club.

In this conversation Sheridan and Penny talk about situations that they have experienced where this training has been done well and not as well as it could have been when using Subject Matter Experts as trainers. 

They both agree that these are fabulous people but they might not have delivered training before and therefore need to have the understanding of how training works yet within businesses they have a lot of credibility due to the their knowledge.

Penny explains a situation where she trained alongside a Subject Matter Expert and how it went well due to providing both structured training and the subject knowledge.

Penny also believes that you need to get the WHY. If you don’t have the why and the buy in then employees are not going to take what you are training seriously and follow through to the what and how, which is what knowledgeable are able to do.

This is a great conversation that brings in other training topics as the conversation flows.

We’d love to hear your thoughts on this if you’re a subject matter expert or if you’ve worked alongside one and if you agree or not?