The How To Learn Podcast

Why do we insist on using 60 minutes as a standard unit of learning? Jonathan has looked into Babylonian astronomy and decided that basically hours are too long. A mini-podcast which is part rant, part discussion of how to maintain our attention spans.. and which finishes bang on five minutes.

In this mini-podcast, Thembi talks about being a panellist at a big event - and how you can use the 'discomfort zone' to learn new skills and push yourself. What's the worst that could happen? It's fine to feel nervous, just do it anyway!

In "The Book at the Bottom of the Bag", Thembi and Jonathan discuss:

🎇 the classic problem of not quite getting round to reading that improving book (or pile of improving books)
🎇 some techniques for dealing with it

It's a Procrastination Special and only four minutes long 😄

Do you hate getting feedback? Do you love it? Do you see it as a useful developmental tool? Possibly all of the above?

This episode looks at.. The Mixed Gift of Feedback 🎁

Fact #1: one of the best ways to consolidate the learning you've gained at a course, conference or event is to come back and share it with your team. If you want to learn it, teach it!

Fact #2: it's a pain.

This episode looks at Cascading the Learning - even when you don't feel like it.

In Red Flags, Thembi and Jonathan take five minutes to discuss..

🎆 when you should be wary of learning - what are the tell-tale signs that something isn't for you?
🎆awkward silences and Q&As
🎆over-selling

All based on science, and in no way on personal prejudice 😉

Does shadowing actually work?

In this podcast:

🎆 Jonathan is a bit down on the traditional 'sit quietly and watch' model of shadowing
🎆 Thembi points out that well-designed internships and shadowing experiences can be fantastically developmental
🎆 a discussion of the benefits of "smart shadowing" (as tested in diplomatic negotiations): maybe follow a project or a process, not a person!

Does "finding a mentor" sound a bit intimidating?

In this podcast, Thembi and Jonathan talk about different types of mentoring - and how you can benefit from all sorts of arrangements, from formal to informal. Your mentors don't even have to know they're mentoring you!