The 16 Best L&D Podcasts (2026)

David James has quietly built one of the most respected voices in the L&D space, and this fortnightly show is a big reason why. As Chief Learning Officer at 360Learning and a LinkedIn presence with nearly 30,000 followers, David brings genuine authority to every conversation. With 185 episodes and over half a million downloads, the show consistently ranks in the top 1% of podcasts globally -- and honestly, it earns that spot.

Each episode pairs David with a guest who actually works in the trenches of learning and development. Recent conversations have tackled turning L&D from a reactive service desk into a strategic business driver, skills-based organization models, and how to break free from legacy expectations that hold teams back. The format is conversational but focused -- you get real debate and occasional disagreement, not just polite nodding.

What sets this apart from other L&D shows is David's willingness to challenge assumptions. He asks the uncomfortable questions about whether what we are doing actually works. Episodes tend to run 30-45 minutes, long enough to go deep but short enough for a commute. The 4.7-star rating from 43 reviews backs up what regular listeners already know: this is essential listening for anyone who takes workplace learning seriously. If you only subscribe to one L&D podcast, this should probably be it.

Andy Storch runs one of the most prolific interview shows in the talent development world, with over 307 episodes and counting. The format is straightforward: Andy sits down with TD professionals, thought leaders, and practitioners from Fortune 1000 organizations to talk shop about what actually works in people development. No fluff, just practical frameworks you can steal for your own programs.

The show has built a strong community around it, including a membership network for L&D professionals who want to keep the conversation going between episodes. Recent topics have covered coaching culture and the RESPECT model, navigating multilingual hybrid workplaces, AI readiness in talent strategy, and building psychological safety. Andy has a knack for drawing out specific, actionable advice rather than letting guests speak in generalities.

With a 4.9-star rating from 132 reviews, the audience clearly appreciates the no-nonsense approach. Episodes drop weekly, so there is always fresh material. What makes Andy effective as a host is that he is genuinely curious and also an active practitioner himself -- he is not just asking questions from a script. He pushes guests to share the messy details, the failures alongside the wins. For anyone in talent development, HR, or organizational learning, this is one of those shows that pays for itself in ideas you can actually implement Monday morning.

With 488 episodes, The Mindtools L&D Podcast is one of the longest-running weekly shows dedicated to workplace learning. The Mind Tools team rotates hosts and regularly brings in external guests, which keeps the perspective fresh even after all these years. It is the kind of show that covers the full spectrum -- from learning needs analysis and evidence-based practice to the very practical question of how to design compliance training that people do not immediately forget.

The weekly cadence means you get a steady drumbeat of new material. Recent episodes have tackled AI upskilling programs, middle manager development challenges, induction design, and project management for instructional designers. The discussion format works well here because you get multiple viewpoints on each topic rather than a single expert monologue.

One thing to appreciate about this show is its consistency. The Mind Tools brand has been a go-to resource for professional development for years, and the podcast carries that same reliability. Episodes are well-structured, typically running around 20-30 minutes, making them easy to fit into a lunch break. The 4.6-star rating from 20 reviews reflects a loyal listener base. If you want a dependable weekly resource that keeps you current on what is happening in L&D and HR without requiring a huge time commitment, this is a solid pick.

Michelle Ockers built Learning Uncut around a simple promise: real conversations about real learning solutions. After 271 episodes, that promise still holds. The show features unscripted discussions with L&D professionals who are actively building and delivering programs in their organizations, not just theorizing about them. You hear about what worked, what bombed, and what they would do differently next time.

The format alternates between standard interviews and the book club series, where Michelle and guests unpack important L&D books together. Recent book club episodes have covered Michelle Parry-Slater's Learning and Development Handbook and discussions about navigating to business value as an L&D leader. On the case study side, episodes have featured virtual induction tools built on learning science principles and flexible onboarding at Sodexo Academy.

Michelle has a warm interviewing style that gets people to open up about the details that matter. She asks follow-up questions that a practitioner would ask, not the surface-level stuff. The show publishes weekly and typically runs 30-45 minutes. It has built a particularly strong following in the Australian and APAC L&D community, though the insights translate everywhere. If you are tired of podcasts that talk about L&D in the abstract and want to hear how real people solve real problems, Learning Uncut delivers exactly that.

Jeff Cobb and Celisa Steele from Tagoras have been running this show for a remarkable 472 episodes, making it one of the true veterans in the learning space. Their focus is slightly different from pure corporate L&D -- they look at the business of learning itself, which includes associations, continuing education providers, and professional development organizations. That broader lens actually makes it more useful, not less, because the business principles apply everywhere.

The co-hosting dynamic between Jeff and Celisa is a real strength. They clearly know each other's thinking well enough to build on ideas rather than just trade talking points. Recent episodes have covered social learning objects, lean startup methodology applied to learning organizations, mindset theory for adult learners, and strategic planning for 2026. They also bring in outside experts when a topic warrants it.

With a 4.9-star rating from 43 reviews, the show has earned deep trust from its audience. Episodes come out regularly and typically run 30-40 minutes. The show is especially valuable if you think about learning as a business function with reach, revenue, and impact as interconnected challenges. Jeff and Celisa bring a consultancy-honed perspective that helps you think more strategically about your learning programs, regardless of whether you work at a nonprofit, a membership organization, or a corporation.

John Helmer asks a great question with this fortnightly show: what innovations are actually shaping the future of learning? Not the hype, not the marketing buzz, but the real shifts happening at the intersection of digital technology, scientific discovery, and how people learn. With 99 episodes, the show has built a reputation for thoughtful, well-researched conversations.

John has a gift for landing high-profile guests and getting genuine insights from them. Recent episodes have featured Josh Bersin discussing the changing shape of work, Dr. Kinga Petrovai on structured peer learning models, and multi-perspective episodes recorded at conferences like Online Educa Berlin. The show is not afraid to tackle complex topics -- AI's impact on learning in the Global South, for instance -- without oversimplifying them.

The production quality is noticeably good, and John's interviewing style is calm but incisive. He does his homework, which means guests end up sharing things they have not said on other shows. Episodes run around 30-40 minutes and the fortnightly schedule gives each one time to breathe. The 4.6-star rating from 7 reviews understates how well-regarded this show is in the L&D community. If you want a podcast that makes you think rather than just nod along, The Learning Hack consistently delivers that.

Jay Johnson brings a behavioral science perspective to talent development, and it makes for a refreshingly different kind of L&D podcast. As a two-time TEDx speaker and self-described behavioral architect, Jay focuses on why people do what they do at work and how leaders can shape those behaviors intentionally. With 80 episodes and a perfect 5.0-star rating from 7 reviews, the show is newer but growing fast.

The format mixes guest interviews with Jay's solo "Solo Mission" episodes, where he unpacks a specific concept in depth. Recent Solo Missions have tackled the automatic yes reflex and burnout prevention, while guest episodes have explored using joy as a business strategy and emotional intelligence in tough conversations. Jay's background means he is always connecting abstract concepts to specific, repeatable actions.

What makes The Talent Forge stand out is its focus on the human side of development. This is not a show about learning platforms or course design. It is about understanding the behavioral patterns that drive performance and engagement, then deliberately working with them. Jay targets everyone from emerging leaders to C-suite executives, and the advice scales across levels. If you have ever wondered why your leadership development programs produce great evaluations but no lasting behavior change, Jay has probably covered exactly that problem.

Sarah Cannistra created this podcast for a specific audience that most L&D shows overlook: people trying to break into the field or level up their careers within it. With 140 episodes and a stellar 4.9-star rating from 44 reviews, she has clearly struck a nerve. The show takes the guesswork out of becoming an L&D professional, covering everything from landing your first corporate trainer role to making strategic lateral moves.

Sarah's approach is practical and direct. She talks about resume strategies, job search tactics, and how to position transferable skills when you are coming from teaching, customer service, or another field entirely. Episodes also cover the skills side -- neuroscience in L&D, facilitation techniques, copywriting for learning content -- so you are building capability alongside career strategy.

The tone is encouraging without being saccharine. Sarah speaks from experience, having made her own career transition into L&D, and she brings on guests who share their paths honestly, including the setbacks. The show is especially valuable for people in the first five years of their L&D career, though even veterans pick up insights about positioning and personal branding. If you are trying to figure out how to get into learning and development or how to move from a training coordinator to a senior instructional designer, this is the podcast that speaks directly to that journey.

Training Industry has been the go-to resource for corporate learning professionals for over 20 years, and their podcast distills that expertise into a monthly show. With 100 episodes, The Business of Learning sits at the intersection of business performance and human capital development. It is produced by people who literally research and report on the training industry for a living, which gives it a different kind of credibility.

The monthly release schedule means episodes are more substantive than your typical weekly drop. Recent ones have featured a McKinsey leadership expert discussing product management principles applied to L&D strategy, career pathways for L&D professionals eyeing executive roles, and a retrospective on 20 years of industry trends. There are also bonus episodes that go deeper on specific topics.

The show carries a 4.2-star rating from 24 reviews. The production is polished and professional, fitting for a publisher that serves the industry at large. What makes it valuable is the analytical lens -- Training Industry tracks market data, vendor ecosystems, and effectiveness research, so the conversations tend to be evidence-informed rather than opinion-driven. This is not a casual chat show. It is a monthly briefing that helps you understand where the industry is heading and how the best organizations are connecting learning investment to business outcomes. Great for L&D leaders who need to justify budgets and demonstrate ROI.

Nick Day hosts this UK-based show that bridges the gap between HR and L&D in a way that feels natural rather than forced. With 195 episodes and a perfect 5.0-star rating from 6 reviews, Nick has built a show that covers the full people development spectrum -- from recruitment and retention through to leadership development and organizational change.

The guest roster is impressive and varied. Recent episodes have featured conversations on suicide prevention in the workplace, building resilient teams, behavioral psychology behind sustainable change, and AI's evolving role in learning. Nick has a talent for taking highly specialized topics and making them accessible through well-structured interviews. As one reviewer put it, he breaks down complicated HR topics into action items you can actually use.

Nick comes from a recruitment background at JGA, which gives him a practical understanding of how organizations actually find and develop talent. That perspective keeps the show grounded in real-world business concerns rather than academic theory. Episodes typically run 30-45 minutes, and the show publishes regularly. It is particularly strong for HR generalists who also own L&D responsibilities, which describes a huge number of professionals in mid-sized organizations. If you live at that HR-L&D intersection and want a show that speaks to both sides of your role, this one gets it right.

Maria Melfa and Jocelyn Allen bring genuine chemistry to this L&D podcast, mixing industry experience with a sense of humor that keeps conversations from getting dry. With 93 episodes and a 4.3-star rating from 28 reviews, Bring Out the Talent has carved out a friendly, accessible corner of the L&D podcast world.

The show features casual but insightful interviews with learning and development experts. Topics range from agile onboarding strategies and change management recovery to workplace mental health and AI in learning development. Maria and Jocelyn are not afraid to discuss what goes wrong -- failed change management initiatives, orientation programs that miss the mark -- and that honesty makes the successes they highlight more credible.

Both hosts come from TTA, a staffing firm specializing in learning professionals, so they understand the talent marketplace from a unique angle. They know what organizations are looking for in L&D professionals and what common gaps exist. The conversational format makes this an easy listen, and the co-host dynamic means you get natural back-and-forth rather than a formal interview structure. Episodes cover practical topics like building teaching cultures and positive leadership alongside bigger-picture strategy discussions. If you want an L&D show that feels like a conversation with smart colleagues over coffee rather than a lecture, Maria and Jocelyn deliver that vibe consistently.

If you think the L&D industry needs more evidence and less intuition, The LDA Podcast is made for you. Hosted by Matt Richter and Clark Quinn from the Learning Development Accelerator, this show takes a deliberately research-driven approach to learning and development. With 58 episodes and a 4.6-star rating, it is more focused than prolific -- and that is by design.

The show covers validated tools and resources, debunked learning models, and genuine controversies in the industry. Recent episodes have explored self-determination theory, desirable difficulties, generative learning principles, and critical thinking research. There is also a monthly AI series hosted by expert Markus Bernhardt that examines large language models and their implications for learning professionals.

What makes this podcast special is its commitment to intellectual honesty. Matt and Clark are not trying to sell you anything. They want to help you develop a more critical, evidence-informed approach to your work. The show originally started with Will Thalheimer and Matt Richter, and it has maintained that academic rigor throughout. Episodes are thoughtful and well-prepared, typically featuring researchers or practitioners who bring actual data to their claims. For L&D professionals who are tired of trend-chasing and want to ground their practice in what the research actually says, this is essential listening. It will make you a sharper thinker about learning design.

Dr. Kinga Petrovai takes a genuinely global perspective on learning, and it shows. With 126 episodes reaching listeners in over 100 countries, The Art & Science of Learning connects ideas, people, and resources across industries and borders. Kinga interviews educators, researchers, and learning leaders from around the world, which gives the show a breadth that most L&D podcasts lack.

The topics reflect that range. Recent episodes have covered AI's impact on education, music's role in cognitive development, neuroscience-based approaches to early learning, critical thinking in an AI-driven world, and vocational education. It is not strictly corporate L&D -- the show looks at learning in museums, in entrepreneurship, in childhood development -- and that wider lens often surfaces insights that translate directly to workplace contexts.

Kinga brings a researcher's curiosity and a practitioner's pragmatism to every conversation. She earned a perfect 5.0-star rating from her listeners, which reflects the care she puts into each episode. The show bridges the gap between academic research and practical application in a way that feels organic, not forced. If your view of learning and development extends beyond corporate training -- or if you want it to -- this podcast will stretch your thinking in productive ways. It is especially strong for instructional designers and learning experience professionals who want to draw from diverse fields.

John Leh occupies a unique niche in the L&D podcast world: he is an independent learning technology analyst who actually tests and evaluates the platforms he discusses. With 108 episodes and a perfect 5.0-star rating, The Talented Learning Show focuses on the technology that powers learning programs -- LMS platforms, AI-native systems, customer education tools, and channel partner training solutions.

The show is essentially a buyer's guide in podcast form. John interviews vendors, practitioners, and consultants about specific learning technology use cases. Recent episodes have covered AI capabilities for channel partners, new global learning system tools, association member education technology, and building solo training enterprises. He asks the hard questions about what platforms actually do versus what they claim.

This is not a show for everyone. If you are looking for general L&D inspiration or leadership advice, look elsewhere. But if you are the person responsible for selecting, implementing, or managing learning technology in your organization -- and someone almost always is -- John's show is indispensable. His research and consulting background at Talented Learning means he brings market-level insight to every conversation. He knows which vendors are gaining traction, which trends are real versus marketing, and what buyers should actually care about. For L&D leaders navigating technology decisions, this podcast can save you from expensive mistakes.

Heather Burright created Learning for Good to fill a genuine gap: there was no L&D podcast specifically for nonprofit professionals. With 173 episodes and a perfect 5.0-star rating from an impressive 53 reviews, she has clearly proven the demand exists. The show covers instructional design, leadership development, and change management through the specific lens of mission-driven organizations.

Heather's focus is practical and empowering. She wants nonprofit L&D leaders to stop being seen as order-takers and start operating as strategic partners to their executive teams. Recent episodes have tackled personal branding for L&D professionals, diagnosing real training needs versus assumed ones, employee retention through better development programs, and women's leadership in the nonprofit sector. She also publishes episodes on essential skills nonprofits will need going forward.

The nonprofit angle makes this show unique, but the advice translates well beyond that sector. Resource constraints, skeptical leadership, the need to demonstrate impact with limited budgets -- these challenges show up everywhere, and Heather addresses them head-on. Her background as a leadership development consultant means she brings both strategic thinking and hands-on facilitation experience. If you work in a nonprofit, NGO, or any resource-constrained organization where you have to do more with less, Heather speaks your language. And even corporate L&D professionals will find her perspective on influence and organizational change refreshingly honest.

This podcast from Llarn Learning exists for a clear and important reason: women in senior L&D roles are underrepresented in industry conversations, and this show works to change that. With 131 episodes and a 4.7-star rating, it has built a dedicated community of listeners who value hearing perspectives that other shows often miss.

The format features women discussing all aspects of learning and development -- from video presence and on-camera confidence to hybrid work culture, grief and resilience in professional life, and gamification in leadership programs. The topics range widely, which keeps things interesting. An episode about learning design in the charity sector might be followed by one about professional networking or AI's impact on instructional practice.

What makes this show valuable beyond its specific mission is the quality of conversation. The guests bring diverse professional backgrounds and personal experiences that lead to richer, more nuanced discussions than you typically hear. They talk about the systemic challenges women face in L&D leadership -- getting heard in executive meetings, being taken seriously as strategic thinkers -- alongside practical advice on doing the work itself. The show does not shy away from difficult topics, and that courage makes it worth listening to regardless of your gender. For anyone who believes the L&D profession benefits from a wider range of voices and viewpoints, this podcast makes a compelling case every episode.