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The Learning & Development Podcast Live: Common L&D Myths on Trial

August 18, 2026 · 52 min

Show notes

Step inside the courtroom of Learning & Development, where long-held beliefs are called to the stand and only evidence, experience, and impact will determine the verdict.


This high-energy, live episode brings together three of L&D’s most respected voices to challenge the myths holding our profession back. David James will play the role of courtroom judge, inviting the audience to be the jury - and witnesses - in a fast-paced, interactive trial of truth versus tradition.


Each expert panellist takes on a widely accepted L&D myth - presenting their “case,” examining the evidence and defending the reality based on years of frontline experience:


  • Becky Willis (CLO & Founder, Tractus Learning) 

  • Jess Almlie (Learning & Performance Strategist) 

  • Kevin M. Yates (The L&D Detective®) 


Audience members become the jury - voting “Guilty” or “Not Guilty” after each myth and ultimately deciding which challenged belief brought the biggest insight.


This unmissable episode blends drama, debate and practical truth - leaving the audience with grounded strategies to modernise their L&D approach, reject outdated assumptions and focus on what truly drives performance and impact.



Take your L&D to the next level


Take advantage of 1000s of hours of analysis and conversations with industry innovators and 25+ years of hands-on L&D leadership - here - https://360learning.com/maturity-model


KEY TAKEAWAYS

  • Today’s challenges need integrated, AI-driven, business-aligned ecosystems, not legacy, course-catalogue LMS “dinosaurs with wheels.”

  • L&D's value does not lie in delivering exactly what leaders request. Our value lies in helping the organisation achieve its goals through strategic performance improvement and capability development.

  • Completions, surveys and smile sheets have value, but they will never show true performance impact. Focus measurement on workplace performance outcomes.

BEST MOMENTS

“It might look slick, but in reality, it won´t do the job.”

“Training the business to think differently about how they approach us with requests ... happens one person at a time.”

“We need to remove the myth that training alone can fix it, ghat L&D has magic dust, magic wands and secret formulas.”

Becky Willis


Becky Willis is founder and chief learning officer at Tractus Learning, helping customers build successful digital learning strategies. She also founded WillLearn Consulting. Previously, she was VP of Engagement at EdCast and led learning innovation at Hewlett Packard.


https://www.linkedin.com/in/beckywillis/

https://tractuslearning.com/


Jess Almlie


Jess Almlie is an L&D leader, consultant, speaker, and author of L&D Order Taker No More. With 20+ years of experience, she has led enterprise learning strategies across healthcare, education, and financial services. Most recently, she was VP of Learning Experience at WEX.


https://www.linkedin.com/in/jessalmlie/

L&D Must Change Podcast: https://www.jessalmlie.com/podcast

L&D Order Taker No More: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Order-Taker-No-More-Strategic-ebook/dp/B0F83XBBCV


Kevin M. Yates


Kevin M. Yates, the L&D Detective®, is a global expert in measuring learning’s impact on workplace performance. With 25+ years of experience at organisations including McDonald’s, Meta, and Grant Thornton, he helps L&D teams use data to demonstrate business impact. He also founded the nonprofit Meals in the Meantime.


https://www.linkedin.com/in/kevinmyates/

https://kevinmyates.com/detective-kit

https://kevinmyates.com/

RESOURCES

L&D Master Class Series: https://360learning.com/blog/l-and-d-masterclass-home

THE HOST

David  James has been a People Development professional for more than 20 years, most notably as Director of Talent, Learning & OD for The Walt Disney Company across Europe, the Middle East & Africa. 

As well as being the Chief Learning Officer at 360Learning, David is a prominent writer and speaker on topics around modern and digital L&D.

https://twitter.com/davidinlearning

https://www.linkedin.com/in/davidjameslinkedin

This Podcast has been brought to you by Disruptive Media. https://disruptivemedia.co.uk/

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