The Assembly
The Assembly: Where L&D Minds Assemble
The future of workplace learning doesn’t live in theory — it lives in lived experience, fresh research, and honest conversations.
That’s what The Assembly delivers.
Hosted by Adam Lacey, Co-Founder of Assemble You and digital learning veteran, and Brigid McCormack, a newcomer to the world of L&D, this is your go-to space for rich, real talk on what’s driving L&D forward.
In each episode, you’ll find:
Richer insights that go beyond surface-level tips to unpack what really works in learning today
Expert perspectives from leaders shaping the L&D landscape
Access to new research on tech, methods, and innovations defining tomorrow’s learning culture
Practical strategies you can use right now to build essential skills like leadership, communication, and adaptability
Whether you’re designing programs, shaping strategy, or driving culture change — if learning is your thing, this is your podcast.
Formally known as L&D Challenges.
- Update frequency
- every 8 days
- Average duration
- 40 minutes
- Episodes
- 74
- Years Active
- 2023 - 2025
Creating a Hive Mindset Around Learning with Dr Kinga Petrovai
In this fantastic interview, Dr Kinga Petrovai chats with Adam about her unique approach to workplace learning, The Learning Hive.
Dr Kinga Petrovai is a workplace learning consultant and podcaster w…
Building a Culture of Learning at Together Money through Learnfest with Tom Newman
In this fantastic interview, Adam chats with Tom Newman, the Group Head of Talent Development at Together Money. Tom is passionate about talent development and creating an environment for people to r…
The Role L&D Plays in Retaining Great People with Kelly Pirotte - Keys Group
In this excellent interview, Adam discusses the tips and tricks of retaining great employees with Kelly Pirotte. Kelly is the Group Head of Learning and Development for the Keys Group, a national mul…
How to Build Transferrable Skills that Stick with Clodagh Beatty
In this fantastic interview, Adam chats with head of talent management, learning and DEI at travel agency Love Holidays, Clodagh Beatty. Clodagh has spent over 20 years shaping Talent Management and …
The Six Essential Ways Ways to Take Control of Your Career in 2025
This bonus episode features Emma Ewing With a leading trainer provider and founder of Big Fish Training, Emma chats with Adam on how individuals can make the most of life at work, grow in their caree…
Testing New Technology to Improve Learning at SJP with Nicki Finnigan
In this great episode of L&D Challenges, Adam chats with Nicki Finnigan, Director of Learning and Development at financial advisory company St. James Place, about SJP’s new learning experiences they’…
Trauma-Informed Training with Alison Armstrong
In this incredible episode, Alison Armstrong walks us through the importance of trauma-informed training and the essential skills of intervention when having conversations around challenging topic of…
Driving Engagement and Learning Outcome with Harry Chapman-Walker
In this exciting interview, Adam speaks with Harry Chapman-Walker, CEO of Kallidus. Harry Chapman-Walker studied Politics and International Relations at the University of Bath and later earned a Mast…
Solving Big Challenges in Learning, Featuring Charles Jennings
In the second podcast episode recorded at the Learning Futures event by iVentiv, Adam chats with Charles Jennings, Sina Melder, Leon Jacob about embracing collaboration and different learning culture…
How Roche and STMicroelectronics are Harnessing the Power of Data and AI in L&D
In this special podcast episode, Adam interviews Sam Zalcman of ST Microelectronics, Priyakumar Nair of Roche, and Peter Fischer of HEC Paris at the Learning Futures event in Basel, Switzerland, host…
How to NOT be a Victim of Organisational Change
This episode features Ket Patel, the founder of Change Agitators and a Change Management Institute Accredited Master Change Practitioner. With over 20 years of experience helping organisations as the…
Building L&D Networks that Work with John Hinchliffe
In this excellent interview, Adam sits down with John Hinchliffe of Emirates NBD.
John is a digital learning expert recognised as a Top 30 thought leader in the eLearning Industry in 2022 and 2023 and…
Supporting and Embedding DEI and Well-Being with Wali Rahman
In this fantastic episode, Adam chats with Wali Rahman of the Forestry Commission.
Wali is the Diversity and Wellbeing Manager at the Forestry Commission, with over 18 years of experience in higher e…
Measuring Impact in L&D with Neil Cunningham
In this great episode, Adam chats with Neil Cunningham.
Neil began his career in acting before transitioning into sales. He then moved from sales to training, where he built an L&D program for new hir…
Enabling Skills-Led Transformation in L&D with Fred Thompson
In this fantastic interview, Adam sits down with Fred Thompson of Thirst.
As a seasoned learning and development expert and CEO of Thirst, with over two decades of experience helping businesses creat…
Next Level Leadership with Ruth Farenga & Adam Lacey
In this bonus episode, Adam and Ruth explore three of the nine leadership lessons Ruth has drawn from interviewing many CEOs and Managing Directors across the UK: Develop a Clear Intention, Actively …
Creating Engaging Content from Documented Processes & Systems with Shawn Jensen and Mallory Glessner
In this fun interview, Shawn Jensen and Mallory Glessner chat with Adam about their experience at, Trainual, a cloud-based training, onboarding and SOP platform.
Mallory is the Manager of Content and…
Adapting to Change and Implementing a Holistic Approach to L&D with Matt Jones
In this brilliant interview, Adam speaks with Matt Jones, Head of Talent at nonbank specialist mortgage lender Pepper Money, responsible for L&D and recruitment.
With 20 years of experience as an L&D…
Global Learning: Aligning L&D with Global Vision and Strategy with Avinash Chandarana
In this exciting interview, Adam speaks with Avinash Chandarana, a learning strategist and proven leader in global workplace learning and performance.
He is an innovative and passionate leader in the…
Developing Leaders in a Fast Growing Organisation with Phil Yetzes
In this exciting interview, Adam speaks Phil Yetzes, L&D Lead in the Nuclear Business Unit at Morgan Sindall.
He is passionate about leadership development and has crafted bespoke programs for senior…