The Women Talking About Learning Podcast

<p>Contact &amp; Support: Women Talking About Learning: <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="http://womentalkingaboutlearning.com">womentalkingaboutlearning.com</a> Podcast Learning Festival: <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="http://www.podcastlearningfest.live">www.podcastlearningfest.live</a> Support us: Ko-Fi Email: <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="mailto:[email protected]">[email protected]</a></p><p>This Episode: Returning to work is rarely just a logistics problem. It's a confidence problem, an identity problem, and for many women, a systemic problem that organisations still haven't taken seriously enough.</p><p>Clair Madeley and Jo Edgar speak from experience: as practitioners and as women who've navigated the return themselves. This is a conversation about what actually makes coming back harder than it needs to be and what genuine support looks like.</p><p>Full episode resources at <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="http://womentalkingaboutlearning.com">womentalkingaboutlearning.com</a></p><p>Guests: Clair Madeley is a Technology Trainer and Learning Specialist who has navigated her own career transitions. She knows firsthand what it's like to manage confidence dips, identity shifts, and the practical realities of stepping back into work. <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="http://linkedin.com/in/clair-madeley-175b8522">linkedin.com/in/clair-madeley-175b8522</a></p><p>Jo Edgar is a Freelance Executive Coach and Leadership Trainer with over 20 years in learning and development. She specialises in coaching women returning to work after career breaks — whether through maternity leave, caring responsibilities, redundancy, or life taking a different turn. <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="mailto:[email protected]">[email protected]</a> | <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="http://linkedin.com/in/jo-edgar-15b692151">linkedin.com/in/jo-edgar-15b692151</a></p><p>Resources: How to cope with mum guilt | Emma's Diary Back to the office: not what women need | NOON Caregiver Leave in the UK | Contend Legal Flexible Work Arrangements | Benepass Flexible Work Arrangements | Women in Research 10 ways flexible working attracts senior women | Timewise Investing in Women Return Ready Week Survey Results Challenges facing women in post-study jobs post-pandemic | HEPI Employers' return to office plans 2025 | CIPD Getting Back to Work | IES Office Return Varies Across Sectors | British Chambers of Commerce Gender Differences in Loneliness Returning to work after a break | South London Partnership Returner toolkit | <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="http://GOV.UK">GOV.UK</a> Women, work and caring | IES Women in AI (#WAI) Women Are Avoiding AI. Will Their Careers Suffer? | HBS Working Knowledge WISE Campaign Top 3 barriers women face returning to work | IEP Social Innovation Analysis on Women Back to Work Women's health: a quarter shamed into returning early | FemTech World Half of mothers have negative experiences returning after maternity leave. AI and gender equality | UN Women</p><p>Thank you for listening.</p>

<p>Contact &amp; Support: Women Talking About Learning: <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="http://womentalkingaboutlearning.com">womentalkingaboutlearning.com</a> Podcast Learning Festival: <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="http://www.podcastlearningfest.live">www.podcastlearningfest.live</a> Support us: Ko-Fi Email: <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="mailto:[email protected]">[email protected]</a></p><p>This Episode: Identity is not fixed. It shifts with experience, loss, diagnosis, place, and time. Susan Fitzell, Meghan Waldron, Niki Hobson, and Aiko Sato reflect on what it means to understand that fluidity — and what becomes possible when we stop trying to hold a self that no longer fits.</p><p>This is a conversation about who we are, who we've been, and who we're still becoming.</p><p>Full episode resources at <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="http://womentalkingaboutlearning.com">womentalkingaboutlearning.com</a></p><p>Guests: Susan Fitzell is a speaker and educator whose work centres on learning and human potential. Diagnosed with neurodivergence alongside her child, her lived experience shapes her practice across dyslexia, ADHD, autism, and auditory processing. <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="http://susanfitzell.com">susanfitzell.com</a> | <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="http://linkedin.com/in/susanfitzell">linkedin.com/in/susanfitzell</a></p><p>Meghan Waldron spent nearly two decades in K-12 education before moving into university advising. She works with women leaders through Women in Change USA, using writing and reflection to help people find and trust their own voice. <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="http://linkedin.com/in/meghan-waldron-ed-d-11b213255">linkedin.com/in/meghan-waldron-ed-d-11b213255</a> | <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="http://facebook.com/rvawrites">facebook.com/rvawrites</a> | <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="http://smartsolutionsva.com">smartsolutionsva.com</a> | <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="http://womeninchange.co.uk/wic-usa">womeninchange.co.uk/wic-usa</a></p><p>Niki Hobson is a Learning Specialist at the BBC with experience across private, public, and voluntary sectors. She also trains practitioners in smartphone videography — helping people tell their own stories, in their own way. <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="http://linkedin.com/in/nikihobson">linkedin.com/in/nikihobson</a> | <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="http://focusndevelop.com">focusndevelop.com</a></p><p>Aiko Sato works with people and organisations on how learning, culture, and behaviour evolve together. Her work sits in the space between insight and practice — interested in how meaning is made, shared, and carried into everyday action. <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="http://linkedin.com/in/aiko-sato-717441156">linkedin.com/in/aiko-sato-717441156</a> | <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="http://substack.com/@aikocecile">substack.com/@aikocecile</a></p><p></p>

<p><strong>Contact &amp; Support:</strong> Women Talking About Learning: <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="http://womentalkingaboutlearning.com">womentalkingaboutlearning.com</a> Podcast Learning Festival: <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="http://www.podcastlearningfest.live">www.podcastlearningfest.live</a> Support us: Ko-Fi Email: <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="mailto:[email protected]">[email protected]</a></p><p><strong>This Episode:</strong> Why does being on camera feel so uncomfortable, and what actually helps? Liù Batchelor and Sarah Pocklington share practical approaches to video presence, drawing on decades of experience as coaches, facilitators and performers. The conversation covers self-view fatigue, the gendered dynamics of video calls, lighting, and how to move past the cringe. This is about showing up on screen without the overthinking or the "I hate how I look" narrative.</p><p>Full episode resources at <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="http://womentalkingaboutlearning.com">womentalkingaboutlearning.com</a></p><p><strong>Guests:</strong></p><p>Liù Batchelor is a video and presenter coach, former TV presenter, videographer and TEDx producer. Her approach is "video without the cringe", helping service professionals get started with video and be themselves on camera. <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="http://linkedin.com/in/liubatchelor">linkedin.com/in/liubatchelor</a> <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="http://youtube.com/@LiuBatchelor">youtube.com/@LiuBatchelor</a> <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="http://instagram.com/liu_batchelor">instagram.com/liu_batchelor</a> <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="http://facebook.com/LiuBatchelorTV">facebook.com/LiuBatchelorTV</a></p><p>Sarah Pocklington is on a mission to help everyone, especially women, show up on camera without the cringe, overthinking or the "I hate how I look" narrative. A speaker, facilitator and coach with 30 years' experience in learning and development, she blends confidence and clarity with a no-nonsense approach to help business owners and teams build connection and real presence on camera. <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="http://linkedin.com/in/sarah-pocklington-coachonaboat">linkedin.com/in/sarah-pocklington-coachonaboat</a> <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="http://www.coachonaboat.co.uk">www.coachonaboat.co.uk</a></p><p>Thank you for listening.</p>

<p>Contact Women Talking About Learning Website: <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://womentalkingaboutlearning.com">https://womentalkingaboutlearning.com</a> Email: <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="mailto:[email protected]">[email protected]</a> Support us: <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://ko-fi.com/womentalkingaboutlearning">https://ko-fi.com/womentalkingaboutlearning</a> Twitter/X: @WTAL_Podcast Podcast Learning Festival: <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.podcastlearningfest.live">https://www.podcastlearningfest.live</a> (London, 26th February 2026)</p><p>This episode explores hybrid working and its impact on learning, collaboration and organizational culture. How do we manage change when teams are distributed? What happens to relationships when work becomes flexible? How can we be intentional about connection in hybrid environments? You will hear from three women researching, designing and implementing approaches to make hybrid work actually work.</p><p>Full episode resources All the articles, research and organizational guidance mentioned in this episode are listed on our website. 👉<a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://womentalkingaboutlearning.com">https://womentalkingaboutlearning.com</a></p><p>Guests</p><p>Sara Estevez Cores Researcher in the Strategy &amp; Entrepreneurship group at UCL School of Management, focusing on the future of work, particularly the impact of flexible work arrangements on collaboration practices and the influence of workspace design and social norms on organizational behavior. LaCaixa Scholarship recipient (2019). Previously worked as external and in-house leadership consultant in the US and UK.</p><ul><li>LinkedIn: <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/saracores/">https://www.linkedin.com/in/saracores/</a></li></ul><p>Valerie Merrill Training consultant with 30+ years' experience designing, delivering and managing learning programs for public and private sector clients. Built her reputation through referral and recommendation, dedicated to customized, impactful training solutions.</p><ul><li>Website: <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.merrillconsultants.com/">https://www.merrillconsultants.com/</a></li><li>LinkedIn: <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/merrillvalerie/">https://www.linkedin.com/in/merrillvalerie/</a></li><li>Podcast: <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://thesecretsoflearninganddevelopment.buzzsprout.com/">https://thesecretsoflearninganddevelopment.buzzsprout.com/</a></li></ul><p>Irma Aleshe With 25+ years expertise across HR management, healthcare and business leadership, Irma delivers transformational coaching empowering professionals and executives to unlock potential in career and wellbeing. Founder of AIINIIA | Nurture Culture, delivering programs focused on enhancing workspace performance and productivity based on effective relational connectivity as the transaction edge in all interaction.</p><ul><li>Website: <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="http://www.aiiniia.co.uk">www.aiiniia.co.uk</a></li><li>LinkedIn: <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="http://www.linkedin.com/in/irma-i-aleshe-71b568214">www.linkedin.com/in/irma-i-aleshe-71b568214</a></li></ul><p>Thanks for listening. Please share this episode with someone who would value it.</p>

<p><strong>Contact &amp; Support:</strong> Women Talking About Learning: <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="http://womentalkingaboutlearning.com">womentalkingaboutlearning.com</a> Podcast Learning Festival: <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="http://www.podcastlearningfest.live">www.podcastlearningfest.live</a> Support us: Ko-Fi Email: <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="mailto:[email protected]">[email protected]</a></p><p><strong>This Episode:</strong> When everything falls apart—work, health, loss—how do we keep going? Kirsty Lewis, Edeje Onwude, and Stella Collins share honest reflections on grief, resilience, and what it means to rebuild when life demands it. This episode is a conversation about loss, letting go, and the weight of carrying on when you'd rather not.</p><p><strong>Full episode resources at </strong><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="http://womentalkingaboutlearning.com"><strong>womentalkingaboutlearning.com</strong></a></p><p><strong>Guests:</strong></p><p><strong>Kirsty Lewis</strong> is the founder of the School of Facilitation, designing workshops that create purpose, ownership, and engagement. She convenes freelance facilitators through the SOF collective and supports organisations to evolve their learning practice. <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="http://www.schooloffacilitation.com">www.schooloffacilitation.com</a> <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="http://linkedin.com/in/kirsty-schooloffacilitation">linkedin.com/in/kirsty-schooloffacilitation</a></p><p><strong>Edeje Onwude</strong> (Ei-dei-jei) is a Nigerian-born, UK-based communications leader whose career spans brand, culture, and organisational change. For over 10 years she built brand work for global organisations including Coca-Cola and Reckitt. Her focus has shifted to ensuring what organisations say aligns with the lived experience of employees and stakeholders. She brings a candid perspective on career identity, letting go, and evolving when the work that once defined you no longer fits. <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="http://linkedin.com/in/edejeonwude">linkedin.com/in/edejeonwude</a></p><p><strong>Stella Collins</strong> is an internationally acclaimed learning strategist transforming workplace performance through neuroscience, AI, data, and technology. She's spent 30 years making complex ideas accessible and actionable. Author of <em>Neuroscience for Learning and Development</em>, her LinkedIn Learning programme has over 56,000 learners. She's founded three businesses, lived in four countries, and advocates for learning that matters: "In a world of constant change we have to move from knowing to doing." <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="http://linkedin.com/in/stellacollinslearningrevolution">linkedin.com/in/stellacollinslearningrevolution</a> <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="http://www.stellacollins.com">www.stellacollins.com</a></p><p><strong>Thank you for listening.</strong></p>