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In this bonus episode, Julia and Valerie unpack why so many high-performing professionals delay their own development waiting for things to calm down, for space to appear, or for the perfect time that never quite arrives.

Julia reflects on the hidden resistance that often sits behind busyness, over-delivering and perfectionism. She shares why growth can feel threatening when your identity is built around being competent, and how reconnecting with your values and purpose can shift everything.

If you’ve been putting off your next step because life is too full, this conversation is a gentle challenge and a timely reminder that your growth doesn’t have to wait.

We are thrilled to share 'The Secrets of Learning and Development' Podcast has won Podcast of the Year 2025

A heartfelt THANK YOU to all our listeners for your encouragement, shares and support. It means the world.

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In this warm and insightful episode, we’re joined by Victoria Rennoldson – global communication coach, speaker and founder of Culture Cuppa. Her journey takes us from international brand marketing to supporting leaders worldwide to communicate with clarity, confidence and cultural awareness.

We explore how Victoria built a purposeful career after stepping away from corporate life, and what it takes to find your voice in cross-cultural environments. She shares how a near-relocation, a bold career pivot and a decade of coaching led to her bestselling book, Become a Global Leader.

With candour and depth, Victoria reflects on confidence as a daily practice, the difference between being seen and being understood, and the legacy that drove her to capture ten years of insights. A rich conversation for anyone looking to lead across difference, show up with authenticity and create space for meaningful communication.

Key Learnings

Confidence grows through action, not before it.
Victoria highlights a common misconception many professionals hold — that confidence must come before action. In reality, she explains, confidence is built through action. By taking the first step, even when you're unsure, and continuing to show up, you gradually build the self-belief and presence needed to lead effectively. This mindset shift is especially powerful for those stepping into visibility or navigating unfamiliar territory.

Communication across cultures requires intentionality and adaptability.
Drawing from her global career and coaching experience, Victoria emphasises that effective cross-cultural communication goes far beyond language skills. It involves recognising non-verbal cues, understanding unspoken norms, and adapting your approach to create meaningful connection — especially in virtual environments. Tools may enable collaboration, but it’s human connection that ensures communication truly lands.

Guest information:

https://linkedin.com/in/victoria-rennoldson

https://culturecuppa.com/book

https://culturecuppa.com/podcast/

We are thrilled to share 'The Secrets of Learning and Development' Podcast has won Podcast of the Year 2025

A heartfelt THANK YOU to all our listeners for your encouragement, shares and support. It means the world.

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Support the Show
Help us continue making great content and get a shout-out on the show!

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In this bonus episode, Julia and Valerie explore why learning goals matter more than ever in today’s fast-paced professional world. It’s not about rigid plans or endless courses, but about staying relevant, focused and intentional with how you grow.

Valerie shares how she helps professionals cut through the overwhelm by identifying learning goals that actually support their next steps not just their current role. From daily habits to quick wins, she offers practical ways to embed learning into the everyday. Julia adds her perspective from coaching, highlighting how small actions and naming your intentions can create powerful momentum.

Whether you’re feeling behind on your development or just want to make smarter choices about where to invest your energy, this episode offers grounded advice and plenty to reflect on.

We are thrilled to share 'The Secrets of Learning and Development' Podcast has won Podcast of the Year 2025

A heartfelt THANK YOU to all our listeners for your encouragement, shares and support. It means the world.

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Help us continue making great content and get a shout-out on the show!

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S4 E3

In this episode, we sit down with Ashleigh Harvey actor, writer and confidence coach, whose career has taken her from the stages of South Africa to the West End and into a new chapter helping professionals present with confidence.

Ashleigh shares how she found her voice at 11 years old in a school production of The Pirates of Penzance, and what gave her the courage to leave everything behind and move to London. She talks openly about the realities of auditioning in one of the world’s toughest industries, handling rejection, and how she turned the challenges of the pandemic into a new way to support others.

We explore how her theatre experience has shaped the business she now runs helping leaders and teams bring their full selves to the room. While still performing in Fawlty Towers in London’s West End and on tour, Ashleigh now delivers training sessions in each city she visits, blending both worlds on her own terms.

This is a candid, honest and at times emotional conversation about keeping going, learning from rejection and staying grounded in what really matters.

Key Learnings:

Rejection isn't personal — it's part of the process.

Ashleigh explains that in the performing arts, being rejected is far more common than being selected. She shares how she learned to view rejection not as a judgment of her worth, but as a reflection of fit and how she uses each experience as a prompt to reflect, adapt and improve.

Her approach: “You have to run towards it, embrace it, and then learn from it.”

Do one thing every day to keep moving forward.

Whether it was sending a single email, doing vocal warm-ups, or going for a run, Ashleigh talks about the power of small, consistent actions. During long periods without work, she kept herself going by staying active in small ways, building momentum even when motivation was low.

As she puts it: “Everything adds up.”

Guest Information:

ashleigh@ashleighharvey.co.uk
linkedin.com/in/ashleigh-harveyldn
https://thoughtful-maker-2236.kit.com/behindthecurtain

We are thrilled to share 'The Secrets of Learning and Development' Podcast has won Podcast of the Year 2025

A heartfelt THANK YOU to all our listeners for your encouragement, shares and support. It means the world.

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S4: E2

What happens when success on paper doesn’t match how you feel inside?

In this powerful conversation, performance psychologist, entrepreneur and author Baiju Solanki shares how redefining success, removing interference and getting radically honest transformed his career and his life. From walking away from a high-paying role to launching multiple businesses, Baiju speaks candidly about identity, leadership and the mindset traps that hold even high-achievers back.

We explore:
• Why alignment matters more than accolades
• How fear and avoidance show up in leaders
• What true performance looks like when ego is stripped away
• Why AI is creating a new imperative for human-led leadership

Honest, energetic and full of sharp insight — this episode will stay with you.

Key Takeaways
Performance isn’t about potential — it’s about removing interference. Baiju unpacks how internal blockers like fear, self-doubt and people-pleasing can quietly limit even the most outwardly successful professionals.

True success comes from inner alignment, not external validation. Through stories and lived experience, Baiju explains why fulfilment starts with identity, self-awareness and taking responsibility at the highest level.

Guest Information:

linkedin.com/in/baijusolanki-performance-psychologist
baijusolanki.com/
changeyourgamebook.com/

Just to let our listeners know — we’ve just won Podcast of the Year at the Women’s Business Awards 2025

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In this bonus episode, Julia and Valerie talk openly about what networking is really about. It’s not the awkward card-swapping kind, but the kind that leads to real relationships, unexpected opportunities and even co-hosting a podcast.

From the cringe of speed networking to the value of showing up consistently, they explore why some connections last 15 years while others fade away. Valerie shares her approach to staying curious, being present and following up in a way that feels natural rather than strategic. Julia reflects on how her own view has evolved and why networking no longer feels performative.

If you’ve ever felt uncomfortable in a room full of strangers or unsure how to re-engage with your network, this conversation is for you. Practical, honest and full of warm insight, it’s a reminder that the best connections often begin with a simple conversation.

Just to let our listeners know — we’ve just won Podcast of the Year at the Women’s Business Awards 2025

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S4:E1

In this episode of The Secrets of Learning and Development, Julia and Valerie are joined by Nick Shackleton-Jones, award-winning learning strategist, author and speaker, known for shaking up traditional thinking in learning and development.

Nick shares his unconventional career journey from psychology lecturer to leading roles at Siemens, the BBC, BP and Deloitte, reflecting on how questioning the norm and embracing being a self-described “nuisance” shaped his path. He discusses what happens when your values no longer fit the corporate mould, why he believes success isn’t about scaling up, and how “holding hands” is essential when driving meaningful change.

This is a candid and thought-provoking conversation about challenging conventions, finding work that truly fits and redefining what success can look like.

Key Takeaways
Success doesn’t always mean scaling up – Nick challenges the obsession with constant growth, arguing that success can mean building a career and life that prioritise adventure, fulfilment and alignment with personal values over expansion for its own sake.

Meaningful change in organisations requires “holding hands” Driving change isn’t about racing ahead with big ideas. It’s about bringing people along, showing them the vision, moving at a sustainable pace and building trust so the change actually lasts.

Guest Information:

Shackleton Consulting
nick@shackleton-consulting.com
https://www.linkedin.com/in/shackletonjones/

Just to let our listeners know — we’ve just won Podcast of the Year at the Women’s Business Awards 2025

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Bonus Episode: Exploring The Coming Wave by Mustafa Suleyman

In this bonus episode of The Secrets of Learning & Development, Julia and Valerie explore The Coming Wave by Mustafa Suleyman a thought-provoking bestseller examining how AI and biotech are reshaping our world. Valerie, ever the book enthusiast, shares why this title grabbed her attention and how it’s influencing her thinking on innovation, ethics and inclusion.

Together, they unpack the book’s key themes, from the promise of AI-powered breakthroughs in healthcare and education to the darker concerns around power, pace and global inequality. Whether you're tech-savvy or just tech-curious, this conversation offers a balanced, accessible entry point into some of the most pressing questions of our time.

Tune in for honest reflections, sharp insights and a few surprises all sparked by one compelling read.

Just to let our listeners know — we’ve just won Podcast of the Year at the Women’s Business Awards 2025

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Help us continue making great content and get a shout-out on the show!

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