Interviews
From four walls to open fields: What SOFest taught us about connection and curiosity
TJ Editor Jo Cook takes us inside SOFest — the joyful, curious, and beautifully unorthodox learning festival in a field. With sessions ranging from AI coaching to human design, wild swimming to silent discos, this is professional development done differently — and maybe just how it should be, learning in the wild! This video captures the spirit of SOFest (School of Facilitation Festival) — a learning event like no other, complete with glamping and a festival atmosphere. Featuring interviews, reflections…
TJ interviews: VP of AI, Joseph LeslieÂ
Degreed’s Conor Gilligan discusses skills to enable AI-driven transformation with Joseph Leslie, Vice-President of AI at Golin. From upskilling 100,000 employees to embedding AI in global strategy, Joseph reveals how blending tech with business challenges can fuel creativity, close skill gaps and turn bold ideas into meaningful transformation at scale Training Journal: Tell us more about your background – you were based in the UK for some time and now in the US, right? Joseph Leslie: Indeed! I started in L&D…
Why human connection matters in training videos
Do people really want AI avatars, or to understand why their compliance videos are important? Amy Cassciotti explains In this insightful interview, Amy Casciotti, Vice President of HR at TechSmith, shares her expert perspective on creating engaging and effective training videos. Drawing from nearly 30 years of HR experience in the tech industry, Amy discusses how video content can transform workplace learning and development. 🔹 Key Topics Covered: Whether you’re an HR professional, L&D leader, or content creator, this conversation…
TJ interviews: Thought Industries CEO, Robin WadsworthÂ
This chat is about industry insights on learning platforms and AI in the e-learning space Training Journal: Thought Industries describes itself as an external enterprise learning platform for customer, partner, and professional training. The market for learning platforms is still developing and quite dynamic. What should someone shopping for a learning platform look for? Robin Wadsworth: We think the ability to tailor solutions should be table stakes – an absolute minimum. Learning, training, and certification programs tend to look a…
TJ interviews: L&D Trend Catcher, Ger DriesenÂ
A trend what? Trend watching is easy, it’s what you do that makes the difference and Ger Driesen explains to Jo just what is involves Training Journal: What is a trend catcher and what does it involve? Ger Driesen: Trend-watching is easy, you watch and then…? I introduced the term ‘trend catcher’; grabbing a trend, trying to understand it well and then translate it to what it could mean for your own profession – in my case, learning and development. …
TJ interviews: Cognitive neuroscientist and C-suite mentor Dr Lynda Shaw
How can leaders use neuroscience and psychology to improve business? Dr Lynda Shaw shares insights from her expertise in cognitive neuroscience and psychology and experiences as an adventurer in Antarctica trekker of mountains in six of seven continents Training Journal: How did you get into neuroscience and psychology? Dr Lynda Shaw: I have worked in several sectors including as an airline cabin crew, a gym owner and a personal trainer, but then my father died. He had previously told me…
TJ interviews: CEO and sales transformation expert Matt Webb
Jo asks Matt Webb to reveal the modern secrets to improving your organisation’s sales technique Training Journal: A lot of people have a specific, negative, impression of someone who is trying to sell them something. You promote “sustainable selling”, what is that and why is it important? Matt: Normally, when you hear the word sustainable, you assume it’s focused on environmental impact. In the world of sales, however, when we talk about sustainable selling, we are referring to ethical selling…
TJ interviews: Head of HR Laura Maffucci
Jo gets the lowdown from Laura Maffucci on AI’s game-changing impact on talent management strategies Training Journal: You are Head of HR at G-P. What does your role entail and what strategic tips can you share for L&D professionals? Laura: I am responsible for the company’s global workforce, talent and employee experience. I firmly believe that diversity of thought is paramount for a healthy workspace, and aim to foster a culture where people have equal voice and opportunity to contribute…
TJ interviews: Authors Tracey Camilleri, Samantha Rockey and Robin Dunbar
Jo speaks with authors of The Social Brain about group dynamics, human connection and thriving together Training Journal to all: Why come together to write a book about the social brain, and what does that mean? All: We come from different disciplines (evolutionary psychology, corporate leadership and learning design). Throughout our careers the three of us have been interested in the same question: Why is it that some groups function as more than the sum of their parts – and other groups, however talented,…
TJ interviews: L&D strategist, author and speaker Paul Matthews
Today is the 25th anniversary of People Alchemy: Jo interviews founder and CEO Paul Matthews Training Journal: What was different in L&D 25 years ago? Paul Matthews: 25 years ago, the range of things that L&D got involved with was much smaller. And that range was mostly delivering training on demand with little thought beyond the classroom. In hindsight, except for rare pockets of excellence, what we were doing back then was not good in terms of impact and business…
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