The Learning Geeks Podcast

It’s our yearly holiday special and a chance to pause, reflect, and look ahead. We reflect on the personal and professional lessons of 2025, including how AI, feedback loops, and immersive experiences are shaping learning. We also discuss the most important lesson – that at the end of the day, development is still about helping people become better versions of themselves. We wrap by looking ahead to 2026 and what we want to learn and build next, both for ourselves and for the podcast.   00:00 Introduction and banter 02:51 Bob – Meta tech and the Future of Learning 14:04 Dana – Better versions of ourselves 18:59 Bob Bot 3000 21:02 Jake – Family outings and AI powered journalling 30:42 Looking Forward to 2026 36:45 Thank you to listeners   LISTEN AND SUBSCRIBE ON APPLE, SPOTIFY, AND YOUTUBE Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-learning-geeks-podcast/id1413446184  Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/7mACo97JvUL1LOmVJ9lATI?si=c430a6d9b08c4100 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@learninggeekspodcast   You can also download us anywhere you get your podcasts.   CONNECT WITH US If you have any feedback or want to join in on the conversation, connect with us via LinkedIN.   DISCLAIMER All thoughts and views are of our own.

In this episode, we’re joined by Brooke Weddle and Heather Stefanski from McKinsey to unpack why building tech skills is about unlocking human potential — not replacing it. We explore real client success stories and challenges with AI upskilling, the danger of ignoring human skills, why technology can’t fix broken work processes, and whether embedding AI into daily work actually improves apprenticeship and learning.   00:00 Cold open & banter 02:15 Introducing Brooke & Heather 04:26 What Tech Upskilling Really Means 07:13 Human Advantage vs. Machine Capability 14:52 Leadership, Storytelling & Positive Energy 17:29 Creating Space to Practice Tech Skills 18:26 Case Example: AI Transformation in Manufacturing 22:13 The Evolving Role of the CLO 26:09 Building a Developmental Ecosystem 31:27 AI as an Apprenticeship Engine 36:03 Final takeaways   LISTEN AND SUBSCRIBE ON APPLE, SPOTIFY, AND YOUTUBE Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-learning-geeks-podcast/id1413446184  Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/7mACo97JvUL1LOmVJ9lATI?si=c430a6d9b08c4100 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@learninggeekspodcast   You can also download us anywhere you get your podcasts.   READ MORE FROM BROOKE AND HEATHER We’re all techies now: Digital skill building for the future: https://www.mckinsey.com/capabilities/people-and-organizational-performance/our-insights/we-are-all-techies-now-digital-skill-building-for-the-future The future of the CLO: Leading in a world of merged work and learning https://www.mckinsey.com/capabilities/people-and-organizational-performance/our-insights/the-future-of-the-clo-leading-in-a-world-of-merged-work-and-learning   CONNECT WITH US If you have any feedback or want to join in on the conversation, connect with us via LinkedIN.   DISCLAIMER All thoughts and views are of our own.

Longtime friend Deidra Busbee (Managing Director at JPMorgan Chase) joins us to unpack the power of your “learning posse”, or the group of people who challenge you, support you, connect you, and help you learn faster. We discuss how to build this crew intentionally, why it reduces stress and accelerates onboarding, and what roles AI has within the posse or will never replace. It's a thoughtful discussion at the relationships that fuel real growth.   00:00 Cold open and Deidre welcome 02:23 Deidre's Background 07:06 Deidre's Current Role at JP Morgan Chase 09:39 Building a Learning Posse 11:14 Roles in a Learning Posse 20:06 Introducing Bob Bot 3000 21:36 The Role of Human Connection 30:08 Networking Beyond Your Organization 34:53 Wrap up   LISTEN AND SUBSCRIBE ON APPLE, SPOTIFY, AND YOUTUBE Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-learning-geeks-podcast/id1413446184  Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/7mACo97JvUL1LOmVJ9lATI?si=c430a6d9b08c4100 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@learninggeekspodcast   You can also download us anywhere you get your podcasts.   CONNECT WITH US If you have any feedback or want to join in on the conversation, connect with us via LinkedIN.   DISCLAIMER All thoughts and views are of our own.

We’ve been talking about skills for years — but how do you make them work? In this episode, we chat with Craig Friedman about his new book, Enterprise Skills Unlocked, and explore how to move beyond common misconceptions to connect learning, data, and business strategy. Craig shares practical insights on turning skills into measurable business impact — and even tells a story about throwing away pennies. Learn more about Craig’s book at https://stccg.com/enterprise-skills-unlocked-2/   00:00 Intro 02:10 Craig's Background and Experience 03:23 Skills-Based Organizations: An Overview 12:07 Defining Skills and Their Importance 17:05 Impact on Learning and Development 20:41 Validating and Assessing Skills 24:07 Strategies for Implementing Skills-Based Learning 29:06 Challenges and Mistakes in Skills-Based Technology 32:57 Final Thoughts and Book Information   LISTEN AND SUBSCRIBE ON APPLE, SPOTIFY, AND YOUTUBE Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-learning-geeks-podcast/id1413446184  Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/7mACo97JvUL1LOmVJ9lATI?si=c430a6d9b08c4100 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@learninggeekspodcast   You can also download us anywhere you get your podcasts.   CONNECT WITH US If you have any feedback or want to join in on the conversation, connect with us via LinkedIN.   DISCLAIMER All thoughts and views are of our own.

Jake shares some exciting news for the show - and provides a quick sneak peak behind the curtain on some upcoming episodes.   LISTEN AND SUBSCRIBE ON APPLE, SPOTIFY, AND YOUTUBE Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-learning-geeks-podcast/id1413446184  Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/7mACo97JvUL1LOmVJ9lATI?si=c430a6d9b08c4100 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@learninggeekspodcast   You can also download us anywhere you get your podcasts.   CONNECT WITH US If you have any feedback or want to join in on the conversation, connect with us via LinkedIN.   DISCLAIMER All thoughts and views are of our own.