Jonny Thomson isn’t an L&D professional. He’s someone who’s spent years figuring out how to earn learners’ attention.

After teaching philosophy in Oxford, Jonny shifted to short-form educational content, building an audience of over two million people across social platforms. He’s spent years capturing attention, encouraging curiosity, and making learning content that resonates with his audience and followers of Mini Philosophy.

In this conversation, he talks about microlearning as less of a format, and more of an activation tool. A tool that can capture attention and curiosity, and points learners toward deeper exploration.

If you’re responsible for designing, enabling, or influencing learning at scale, this episode will provide practical ways to use microlearning more deliberately.

Things to listen for:
(00:00) Introducing Jonny Thomson
(03:04) How to capture attention in 90 seconds
(05:31) Why learning remains human
(06:56) How to make microlearning feel natural and not forced
(07:49) Everyday moments that create authentic learning
(08:19) Three things to make microlearning succeed
(12:15) The three virtues of a successful leader

About Jonny Thomson:
Jonny Thomson taught philosophy in Oxford for more than a decade before turning to writing full-time. He’s a columnist at Big Think and is the award-winning, bestselling author of three books that have been translated into 22 languages.

Jonny is also the founder of Mini Philosophy, a social network of around two million curious, intelligent minds. He's known all over the world for making philosophy accessible, relatable, and fun.

To learn more about Jonny, check out Mini Philosophy on Substack or Instagram.

YouTube Content ID: MV0ZLFAMVUI3WWRB

Most leadership development programs look good on paper but fall short in practice. Leaders often miss the real support, core skills, and clear metrics they need to succeed.

Over the last few months, Lavinia Mehedințu, co-founder of Offbeat, spoke with over 150 L&D professionals to understand what’s working, what’s not, and how people feel about leadership development heading into 2026.

In this episode, she breaks down the findings and shares five recommendations for improving your leadership development programs. Her insights focus on what leaders truly need: practical support, clearer measures of success, and more opportunities to learn from one another.

You’ll learn:

• What’s missing from our leadership development programs
• Program cocreation and the “IKEA effect”
• The most effective learning modality (hint: it’s peer learning)
• How to measure leadership performance with confidence

Things to listen for:
(00:00) Introducing Lavinia Mehedințu
(01:17) What 158 L&D professionals revealed about the state of leadership development
(03:52) Clear performance metrics: the challenge
(07:42) The gaps in how leaders use AI
(10:54) Creating systems that support collaboration
(13:32) Co‑creation and the ‘IKEA effect’
(18:11) Why peer learning remains a powerful tool
(20:13) How delivery and communication shape adoption
(25:03) A simple first step for measuring leadership performance
(29:06) Where L&D teams should focus next year
(30:50) Leadership advice and book recommendations

To learn more about Lavinia, check out her LinkedIn and Offbeat’s website. Check out their upcoming conference, Offbeat Fest in London in May 2026.

Want to learn more about getting Big Think+ for your business? Schedule a call with us at https://www2.bigthink.com/request-a-demo-big-think-plus

About Lavinia Mehedintu:

Lavinia Mehedintu has been designing learning experiences and career development programs for the past 11 years both in the corporate world and in higher education. As a Co-Founder and Learning Architect at Offbeat, she’s applying adult learning principles so that learning & people professionals can connect, collaborate, and grow. She’s passionate about social learning, behavior change, and technology and constantly puts in the work to bring these three together to drive innovation in the learning & development space.

Content ID: MV0ZLFAMVUI3WWRB

Every great learning culture starts with one thing: a clear philosophy of how people grow.

Dwayne Britton has spent his career shaping culture and capability at Apple, Lululemon, Adidas, Zalando, and On. Across each, he’s learned that lasting impact comes when learning is guided by philosophy, not just programming.

In this episode, Dwayne shares how L&D teams can redefine their role from content creators to cultural amplifiers, by building a learning philosophy that connects business strategy, brand identity, and human growth.

You’ll learn:

• The difference between a learning culture and a learning philosophy
• How a learning philosophy positions L&D as a strategic partner
• The SPARK framework Dwayne used at On to connect learning to culture
• How to align brand, business, and learning goals
• How to identify your organization’s learning beliefs

Things to listen for:

(00:00) Introducing Dwayne Britton

(02:19) Dwayne’s path from musical theater to L&D

(04:36) What defines a learning culture vs. philosophy

(06:47) Three realms every L&D program should serve

(10:03) The question that defines your learning philosophy

(12:20) The SPARK method for scaling learning

(15:06) How to get leadership buy-in for new L&D initiatives

(19:36) Advice for L&D teams to increase cultural impact

To learn more about Dwayne, check out his LinkedIn, his website, and his musical background.

Want to learn more about getting Big Think+ for your business? Schedule a call with us at https://www2.bigthink.com/request-a-demo-big-think-plus

About Dwayne Britton:
Dwayne Britton brings 15+ years at the intersection of learning, culture and brand. He’s shaped programs at Apple, Adidas, Zalando and Lululemon, and led Global Learning & Development at On. Through his Berlin-based consultancy, DAY|WON, Dwayne provides fractional L&D leadership for startups, scale-ups and internal teams, with a focus on brand-led onboarding, culture building and collaboration. He partners with leaders to design clear, practical programs and workshops that align teams, clarify decisions and build momentum.Dwayne also serves as an L&D Strategic Advisor to Manageable, a UK startup helping managers build the confidence and habits to lead well.

Technical expertise doesn’t automatically translate into leadership traits. So how do we help engineers, scientists, and specialists become confident and effective managers?

Leadership development expert and former SpaceX trainer, Matt Gjertsen, shares how to grow strong leaders inside technical organizations. Drawing on 15 years of experience across aerospace, defense, and emerging tech, Matt specializes in turning skilled technical professionals into confident, effective leaders.

You’ll learn:

• Why leadership is often the biggest blocker to scale, not technology
• How to engage technical employees in learning (even the skeptical ones)
• Why engineers are uniquely suited to lead and what holds them back
• The mindset shift new technical managers must make

Things to listen for:

(00:00) Introducing Matt Gjertsen

(02:09) Why technical leadership is a unique challenge

(03:21) Scaling hard tech requires solving people problems

(05:23) The leadership gap in reindustrialization and the trades

(07:59) A humbling mindset shift: You can’t lead alone

(10:12) Why engineers are better at conflict than you think

(13:13) Getting skeptical technical leaders to buy in

(15:01) Designing leadership programs that drive measurable change

(16:27) Microlearning done right: Narrow goals, real impact

(19:16) How to get employees to engage in training

(22:54) Start small: The fastest way to executive buy-in

To learn more about Matt, check out his LinkedIn and his website.

Want to learn more about getting Big Think+ for your business? Schedule a call with us at https://www2.bigthink.com/request-a-demo-big-think-plus

About Matt Gjertsen:

Matt Gjertsen is a graduate of the United States Air Force Academy and former Air Force Instructor Pilot with 2500 flight hours. After leaving active duty, he spent over 4 years leading the training and development team at SpaceX before founding Better Every Day Studios in 2021.

Matt’s 20 years of experience working with and leading high performing teams all over the world has given him a unique perspective on what it takes to lead teams in this ever changing world. He has previously shared these lessons with organizations like the XPRIZE Foundation, Lockheed Martin, and NASA.

He and his team and Better Every Day Studios are now on a mission to train better managers, build better companies, and create a better world.

Ingrid Hu Dahl believes the most effective leaders are those who intentionally break rules, challenging the status quo.

With diverse experience as a punk-rock musician, executive coach and L&D leader at Gap, Meta and Capital One, Ingrid offers a radically human perspective on leadership - one that is rooted in rebellion and genuine connection. She shares personal stories and learnings about why the best leaders are the rebels who dare to challenge the status quo and lead with authenticity.

You’ll learn:

• Why rebellion is a powerful force in leadership
• Fast reset tools to reduce workplace stress
• How to break toxic patterns in traditional leadership cultures
• How to lead with empathy and inclusion in high-stress environments

Things to listen for:

(00:00) Introducing Ingrid Hu Dahl

(02:43) Rebellion as a foundation for authentic leadership

(04:07) The parallels of young musicians and high-performing teams

(05:41) Coaching executives through fear, doubt, and isolation

(10:09) Leading with empathy in high-stress environments

(12:07) Fast reset tools to reduce workplace stress

(16:20) Writing a memoir and not a leadership book

(21:49) Breaking toxic patterns in traditional leadership cultures

(25:12) Bringing experimentation and play into team culture

(28:38) Daily behaviors that define inclusive leadership today

(33:40) Advice for leaders who are ready to rebel

To learn more about Ingrid, check out her website and her book Sun Shining On Morning Snow.

Want to learn more about getting Big Think+ for your business? Schedule a call with us at https://www2.bigthink.com/request-a-demo-big-think-plus

About Ingrid Hu Dahl:

Ingrid Hu Dahl is an author, speaker, and leadership coach. She is the founder of a coaching and consulting business dedicated to empowering the next generation of leaders. With over two decades of experience in learning and development, she brings her expertise to a wide range of industries, from corporate and media to nonprofit and social justice organizations.

A TEDx speaker and a founding member of the Willie Mae Rock Camp in Brooklyn, Ingrid has a lifelong passion for amplifying underrepresented voices. She has written, filmed, and directed two short films exploring identity, representation, and the mixed-race experience. And, she has toured in multiple rock bands, playing bass, guitar, synth, drums, and singing.

Ingrid is certified by the International Coaching Federation and the Center for Creative Leadership. She is a global lecturer and speaker, and an advisory board member for the Institute for Women’s Leadership at Rutgers University. She lives in Sausalito, California, with her wife, Courtney, and their dog, Palo Santo.

• Invite Ingrid to be a speaker, facilitator, consultant or leadership coach: www.IngridHuDahl.com
• Buy Ingrid's book and get it signed at one of her upcoming events: www.SunShiningonMorningSnow.com
• Check out Ingrid's interview in Authority Magazine: “The Hidden Superpower of Every Great Leader: Ingrid Hu Dahl On Uncovering the Traits That Separate Good Leaders from Exceptional Ones”
• Read Ingrid's article for Women in Leadership: “Leading with Heart and Wading Through Fear—How Women Can Drop Control and Embrace Their Power”

Suzy Welch has helped thousands find clarity on the question: What am I meant to do with my life?

In this conversation, she shares the 3-circle methodology behind her wildly popular “Becoming You” methodology, which she also teaches at NYU Stern School of Business. She explains why knowing your true values is more powerful than skills training alone, and offers a practical path to purpose, at any stage of your career.

You’ll learn:

• Why most people don’t know their true values—and how to find yours
• How personal values, aptitudes, and economically viable interests intersect to reveal purpose
• How value conflicts show up in leadership and career choices
• Why aligning personal and organizational values can transform teams
• What leaders can do to help others live and work with purpose

This was our first ever live recorded podcast conversation in front of an audience - you’ll hear audience interaction throughout, and Q&A at the end of the episode.

Take The Values Bridge test Suzy references here: https://thevaluesbridge.com/

Read Suzy’s book, Becoming You here: https://www.suzywelch.com/books/becoming-you-the-proven-method-for-crafting-your-authentic-life-and-career/

About Suzy Welch:

Suzy Welch is an award-winning NYU Stern School of Business professor, acclaimed management researcher, and New York Times best-selling author, most recently with “Becoming You: A Proven Method for Crafting Your Authentic Life and Career,” which is also a #1 bestseller on Amazon.

A graduate of Harvard University and Harvard Business School, Professor Welch is a frequent guest of the Today Show and an op-ed contributor to the Wall Street Journal. Her podcast, “Becoming You” is one of America’s most listened to career podcasts. She serves on the boards of public and private companies, and is the Director of the NYU | Stern Initiative on Purpose and Flourishing.

As the founder and CEO of Becoming You Labs, Professor Welch, who received her PhD in business from the University of Bristol, has developed several digital assessment tools, including The Values Bridge and PIE360. Two more assessment instruments, the Career Traits Compass and the Holland Bridge, are currently in the final stages of beta testing.

Nearly 8 out of 10 workers feel stressed at work, and most say it's leaving them completely drained. If you're seeing warning signs on your team or feeling the impact yourself, this deep dive into the burnout epidemic will give you the science-backed strategies you need.

Dr. Ethan Kross, neuroscientist at the University of Michigan and author of Chatter and Shift, breaks down what's actually happening in your brain when stress feels debilitating. Jennifer Moss, workplace wellness expert and author of Why Are We Here? and The Burnout Epidemic, shares the organizational strategies that companies like Google and TD Bank use to transform their workplace cultures.

Together, they deliver both the "why" behind burnout and the "how" to fix it, giving you actionable frameworks to implement immediately.

You'll learn:

• The science behind burnout and brain function
• Case studies from Deloitte, Google and TD Bank on how they’re improving workplace culture
• Introduction to the WOOP framework to help employees build resilience
• The leadership practices that genuinely transform team mental fitness and engagement

Things to listen for:

(00:00) Introducing Dr. Ethan Kross and Jennifer Moss

(01:24) The science behind stress and burnout in the workplace

(03:51) How chronic stress affects focus and performance

(06:03) Emotional regulation and the impact on internal dialogue

(08:07) How stress alters brain function and decision-making

(09:01) The threat mode response and its influence on behavior

(15:19) The role of uncertainty and lack of control in workplace dissatisfaction

(17:53) Why culture plays a major role in mental fitness

(21:44) Building mental fitness muscles for long-term success

(25:23) Using the WOOP framework to handle negative emotions

(30:03) How leaders can help teams regain a sense of control

To learn more about Ethan, check out his website, most recent TED talk, and his books, Shift and Chatter.

And to learn more about Jennifer, check out her website and her books, The Burnout Epidemic, Why Are We Here, and Unlocking Happiness at Work.

Want to learn more about getting Big Think+ for your business? Schedule a call with us at https://www2.bigthink.com/request-a-demo-big-think-plus

In this episode of How to Make a Leader, we're joined by Al Dea, founder of Edge of Work consulting and a respected voice in talent and leadership development. Al breaks down why true leadership success hinges on a human-centric approach focused on two essential drivers: viewing leaders as developers of people and building social capital within organizations.

Drawing from his extensive experience as a consultant, keynote speaker, and podcast host, Al shares practical insights on how day-to-day leadership actions directly impact talent development. He challenges the notion that employee growth belongs solely to HR and L&D departments, revealing the common mistakes leaders make when developing their teams and offering actionable strategies that extend beyond traditional training programs.

You'll discover:

• Why developing your people is the highest-impact leadership investment
• Practical ways to implement human-centric leadership principles
• How to build and leverage social capital to enhance team performance
• Effective development strategies that don't require formal training programs

Things to listen for:

(00:00) Introducing Al Dea

(01:13) The evolution of workplace dynamics

(07:10) Defining human-centric leadership in real terms

(09:41) Leaders as developers of people

(12:09) Building growth into your weekly workflow

(15:28) How HR and L&D scale development

(18:02) Why investing in people ultimately saves time

(20:23) Common mistakes leaders make when developing others

(25:02) How to build social capital (and why it matters)

(31:26) A leadership development program that built real connections

(34:35) How to measure development and social capital

To learn more about Al and his work, check out his Linkedin profile, his website, and his podcast.

Interested in attending an interview live? Find out more at bigthink.com/plus/events

Want to learn more about getting Big Think+ for your business? Schedule a call with us at https://www2.bigthink.com/request-a-demo-big-think-plus