Is Your Learning Program Just a Nicely Packaged Illusion?

In the season finale of the Kirkpatrick Podcast, Vanessa brings together three dynamic leaders who are proving every day that learning doesn’t matter unless it makes a difference. Join Veronica Soria, Genevieve Nystrom, and Deana Brown, practitioners and champions of the Kirkpatrick Four Levels® (aka the Kirkpatrick Model), as they share how they’ve built evaluation into the DNA of their organization. Whether you’re leading training in the military, higher education, or global consulting, this episode offers real-world strategies for showing impact, shifting culture, and leading with courage. 🔑 Key Takeaways: How to align stakeholders around performance outcomes—not activity Why courage and consistency are the foundations of learning cultures How these leaders went beyond smile sheets to track real behavior change Practical tips for integrating Level 3 and 4 data into performance conversations What it feels like when learning earns a seat at the strategy table 🎯 Topics Covered: Learning evaluation strategy Kirkpatrick Four Levels® in action Culture building and leadership ROI and behavior change Building systems for continuous improvement 🎧 Don’t miss this special sendoff to the season—packed with wisdom, candor, and real talk from three true champions of impact. Learn more about the Kirkpatrick Model Watch the Show on YouTube! Submit your Questions/Stories: Do you have a question you would like us to answer on the Kirkpatrick Podcast? Have a story about how the Kirkpatrick Podcast or other Kirkpatrick events/programs have positively impacted your career? We would love to hear from you! Follow this link to submit your questions and/or stories, and we may just share them on the next episode of the Kirkpatrick Podcast.  

Vanessa welcomes Dr. Nigel Paine, a global thought leader in organizational learning and author of The Great Reset, to the Kirkpatrick Podcast. Together, they unpack what it truly means to lead in a world of constant disruption. Nigel reflects on the dual forces that shaped his career—technology and adult learning—and why AI is not just a tool but an essential collaborator for the future of work. They explore how organizations must pivot beyond individual performance metrics to create systems that empower entire teams and embrace change. Vanessa also shares how Kirkpatrick Partners is integrating AI into evaluation processes to deepen impact and speed up learning feedback loops. Key Takeaways: Why the "clean fish in a dirty fishbowl" metaphor is the wake-up call your organization needs. How AI, when democratized and dialogic, becomes a partner in personal and organizational learning. Nigel's evolution from small grassroots education to leading global learning at the BBC. What the future of leadership requires: Less command-and-control, more courage, curiosity, and systems thinking. Kirkpatrick Partners’ AI-powered evaluation tools are reshaping how learners get feedback and how L&D proves value. Listen if you're a leader looking to: Future-proof your organization with a culture of learning agility Explore the role of AI in amplifying—not replacing—human performance Move from transactional training to transformational outcomes   Learn more about the Kirkpatrick Model Watch the Show on YouTube! Submit your Questions/Stories: Do you have a question you would like us to answer on the Kirkpatrick Podcast? Have a story about how the Kirkpatrick Podcast or other Kirkpatrick events/programs have positively impacted your career? We would love to hear from you! Follow this link to submit your questions and/or stories, and we may just share them on the next episode of the Kirkpatrick Podcast.

In this uniquely personal episode of the Kirkpatrick Podcast, Vanessa shares her reflections after hosting a very special pair of guests: her two young daughters, Giselle and Gianna, for Bring Your Kid to Work Day. What started as a fun, spontaneous activity quickly turned into a powerful conversation about what learning really looks like—free from jargon, metrics, and formality. What her children expressed, without realizing it, was a masterclass in emotional intelligence, behavior change, and human-centered performance. Why does this matter? Because emotional intelligence—the ability to recognize, understand, and manage our own emotions and those of others—is not only foundational for leadership... it's critical for learning transfer. In this episode, you’ll explore: How children instinctively understand key drivers of learning transfer: coaching, repetition, and emotional support Why emotional intelligence is a performance catalyst—not just a personal trait How feedback (even from a 7-year-old) reveals blind spots and builds trust The connection between microlearning and respect for cognitive and emotional bandwidth Why organizations must audit not just outcomes—but perception and morale Whether you're a CEO, VP, or L&D strategist, this episode invites you to see learning through a new lens—one rooted in empathy, human connection, and psychological safety. Because the truth is: when people feel seen, supported, and safe, they learn more, apply more, and contribute more. Key Takeaways: Emotional intelligence enables learning transfer by creating safe, supportive conditions Coaching and mentoring aren’t “extras”—they’re essential to behavior change Microlearning isn’t about speed—it’s about respect for time and attention Honest feedback—even hard truths—build stronger, more aligned teams Your people are paying attention. The question is: are you asking what they see? Listen if you’re asking: Why aren’t our people applying what they learn? How can I foster a more emotionally intelligent culture of feedback? What would I learn if I stopped assuming—and started asking? 🎧 Tune in for this unexpected yet powerful reminder: The most effective learning environments don’t just transfer knowledge. They affirm humanity.   Learn more about the Kirkpatrick Model Watch the Show on YouTube! Submit your Questions/Stories: Do you have a question you would like us to answer on the Kirkpatrick Podcast? Have a story about how the Kirkpatrick Podcast or other Kirkpatrick events/programs have positively impacted your career? We would love to hear from you! Follow this link to submit your questions and/or stories, and we may just share them on the next episode of the Kirkpatrick Podcast.

AI is revolutionizing everything—but one thing it won’t fix is our unwillingness to hear the truth. In this episode, Vanessa shares a powerful reflection sparked by OpenAI rolling back its “too agreeable” model—and how this parallels the fear many organizations have about evaluating their work. Are we more interested in being reassured than being right? 📌 In this episode: Why some execs fear evaluation—and how it’s holding them back How agreeable AI mirrors the L&D world’s dependence on surface metrics Emerging AI tools that can finally make Level 3 measurement doable A new Kirkpatrick offering to help you integrate AI and evaluation responsibly 🎧 Listen to this wake-up call for learning leaders—and what to do next.   Learn more about the Kirkpatrick Model Watch the Show on YouTube! Submit your Questions/Stories: Do you have a question you would like us to answer on the Kirkpatrick Podcast? Have a story about how the Kirkpatrick Podcast or other Kirkpatrick events/programs have positively impacted your career? We would love to hear from you! Follow this link to submit your questions and/or stories, and we may just share them on the next episode of the Kirkpatrick Podcast.

In this high-energy episode, Vanessa takes an unexpected turn into the NFL Draft—and lands directly in the heart of organizational performance. What do first-round draft picks and workplace learning have in common? More than you think. 🔍 You'll discover: Why elite athletes and top-performing employees both need systems, not just training How learning solutions should fit the culture and capability of your organization A step-by-step analogy to help senior leaders see that one training is never enough Why great onboarding is your competitive advantage—and how Tom Brady proves it If you're a business leader who wants your people performing at championship levels, this episode is a playbook for impact. 🎧 Listen now! Learn more about the Kirkpatrick Model Watch the Show on YouTube! Submit your Questions/Stories: Do you have a question you would like us to answer on the Kirkpatrick Podcast? Have a story about how the Kirkpatrick Podcast or other Kirkpatrick events/programs have positively impacted your career? We would love to hear from you! Follow this link to submit your questions and/or stories, and we may just share them on the next episode of the Kirkpatrick Podcast.

This episode of The Kirkpatrick Podcast takes an unexpected—and powerful—turn into the world of pop culture. Vanessa dives into Beyoncé’s Cowboy Carter tour and draws sharp, practical parallels between world-class performance branding and what it takes to build a high-impact learning department. You’ll walk away with: ✅ Fresh perspective on how brand reputation shapes learner behavior ✅ How to create emotional buy-in before training even begins ✅ Why perceived relevance must be tested—not assumed ✅ What concerts can teach us about Level 3 behavior change Whether you’re a CEO, VP, or L&D leader, this episode will help you rethink how your internal learning experiences shape real-world performance. 🎧 Listen now and start shaping a brand of learning that inspires action.   Learn more about the Kirkpatrick Model Watch the Show on YouTube! Submit your Questions/Stories: Do you have a question you would like us to answer on the Kirkpatrick Podcast? Have a story about how the Kirkpatrick Podcast or other Kirkpatrick events/programs have positively impacted your career? We would love to hear from you! Follow this link to submit your questions and/or stories, and we may just share them on the next episode of the Kirkpatrick Podcast.

It’s Bring Your Kids to Work Day—and Vanessa brought her most honest coworkers yet: her daughters, Gianna and Giselle! In this heartwarming and hilarious episode, the Kirkpatrick Kids take over the mic to explore what their mom actually does for a living. From peanut butter and jelly training plans to genius microlearning ideas and calling out work-from-home culture, this episode is filled with laughs, wisdom, and more insight than you’d expect from a couple of future entrepreneurs. 🎧 Tune in to hear: What kids really think training and evaluation means Adorable (and surprisingly accurate) takes on coaching, mentoring, and learning design Their wild ideas for checking behavior change (it involves FaceTime and possibly... lawyers?) Vanessa’s reflections on motherhood, work-life balance, and being a CEO Whether you're in L&D, a parent, or just need a smile, this one’s for you.   Learn more about the Kirkpatrick Model Watch the Show on YouTube! Submit your Questions/Stories: Do you have a question you would like us to answer on the Kirkpatrick Podcast? Have a story about how the Kirkpatrick Podcast or other Kirkpatrick events/programs have positively impacted your career? We would love to hear from you! Follow this link to submit your questions and/or stories, and we may just share them on the next episode of the Kirkpatrick Podcast.

In today’s spicy episode, Vanessa drops a bold truth: the real issue behind training failures is often the performance environment, not the training itself. With her birthday month in full swing, Vanessa shares why so many training programs set up for failure and how to ensure the right systems and environments are in place for true success. Key topics covered: What constitutes a performance environment and why it matters  The impact of manager support, peer support, and organizational culture on training success Why we need to stop blaming training when the root cause lies elsewhere How to create an environment that fosters learning transfer and behavior change  Get ready for a spicy take on why training alone isn’t enough and how to set up your performance environment for success. Learn more about the Kirkpatrick Model Watch the Show on YouTube! Submit your Questions/Stories: Do you have a question you would like us to answer on the Kirkpatrick Podcast? Have a story about how the Kirkpatrick Podcast or other Kirkpatrick events/programs have positively impacted your career? We would love to hear from you! Follow this link to submit your questions and/or stories, and we may just share them on the next episode of the Kirkpatrick Podcast.   Events and Resources: Learn more about the Performance Designer Certification Join us for the 2025 Kirkpatrick Summit!  Apply to be a speaker at the 2025 Kirkpatrick Summit: FREE Webinar: Are You Doing Kirkpatrick® Right?   FREE Webinar: Kirkpatrick + AI - https://kirkpatrick.getlearnworlds.com/aiwebinar NEW - Join the Kirkpatrick Community  Learn more about the Kirkpatrick Evaluation Toolkit Learn More About our Certification Programs   Stay Connected: Sign Up for our Free Resources and Weekly Newsletter Subscribe to our Podcast Newsletter Follow us on LinkedIn  Connect with Vanessa Visit our website   #TrainingEvaluation #CorporateTraining #LearningAndDevelopment #TrainingImpact #LearningAndPerformance #CultureOfEvaluation #KirkpatrickModel #Kirkpatrick

In today’s episode, Vanessa takes a deep dive into how to assess whether your vendor is truly delivering the Kirkpatrick Model’s four levels of evaluation. With so many tools claiming to help you automate the process, it’s important to understand what’s really being measured and whether the solution aligns with the updated Kirkpatrick methodology. Key topics covered: How to identify when a vendor is not aligned with the Kirkpatrick Model 🤨 Key questions to ask about Level 1, Level 2, Level 3, and Level 4 evaluations Why it's crucial to partner with vendors who truly understand the latest in the Kirkpatrick Model How Kirkpatrick Partners worked with Qualtrics to build a truly compliant platform Learn how to hold your vendors accountable and ensure your tools are delivering the impact you need! Don’t settle for "Kirkpatrick-compliant" tools that fall short. Let us help you make sure your solutions are up to date - and put you in touch with the tools that we authorize are doing it right. Learn more about the Kirkpatrick Model   Watch the Show on YouTube! Submit your Questions/Stories: Do you have a question you would like us to answer on the Kirkpatrick Podcast? Have a story about how the Kirkpatrick Podcast or other Kirkpatrick events/programs have positively impacted your career? We would love to hear from you! Follow this link to submit your questions and/or stories, and we may just share them on the next episode of the Kirkpatrick Podcast.   Events and Resources: Learn more about the Performance Designer CertificationLearn more about the Performance Designer Certification Join us for the 2025 Kirkpatrick Summit!  Apply to be a speaker at the 2025 Kirkpatrick Summit: FREE Webinar: Are You Doing Kirkpatrick® Right?   FREE Webinar: Kirkpatrick + AI - https://kirkpatrick.getlearnworlds.com/aiwebinar NEW - Join the Kirkpatrick Community  Learn more about the Kirkpatrick Evaluation Toolkit Learn More About our Certification Programs   Stay Connected: Sign Up for our Free Resources and Weekly Newsletter Subscribe to our Podcast Newsletter Follow us on LinkedIn  Connect with Vanessa Visit our website   #TrainingEvaluation #CorporateTraining #LearningAndDevelopment #TrainingImpact #LearningAndPerformance #CultureOfEvaluation #KirkpatrickModel #Kirkpatrick

In today’s episode, Vanessa dives deep into the importance of designing learning experiences that drive actual performance, not just knowledge acquisition. Drawing from her background in corporate training and instructional design, she introduces the new Performance Designer Certification by Kirkpatrick Partners. This program emphasizes integrating evaluation throughout the design process, ensuring that training is not just a one-off event, but a holistic, ongoing process that leads to real-world impact.  No more same old same old training design - its time to design with the end in mind! Key topics covered: The importance of measuring Levels 1 and 2 during the training  Designing for performance instead of content dumps  How to integrate formative evaluations into the design process The connection between Kirkpatrick’s evaluation model and ADDIE Join us as we explore how to avoid the “training graveyard” and design learning programs that actually move the needle. Ready to rethink your approach to instructional design? Join our Performance Designer Certification and start designing for impact! 🚀 Learn more about the Performance Designer Certification Watch the Show on YouTube! Submit your Questions/Stories: Do you have a question you would like us to answer on the Kirkpatrick Podcast? Have a story about how the Kirkpatrick Podcast or other Kirkpatrick events/programs have positively impacted your career? We would love to hear from you! Follow this link to submit your questions and/or stories, and we may just share them on the next episode of the Kirkpatrick Podcast.   Events and Resources:   Join us for the 2025 Kirkpatrick Summit!  Apply to be a speaker at the 2025 Kirkpatrick Summit: FREE Webinar: Are You Doing Kirkpatrick® Right?   FREE Webinar: Kirkpatrick + AI - https://kirkpatrick.getlearnworlds.com/aiwebinar NEW - Join the Kirkpatrick Community  Learn more about the Kirkpatrick Evaluation Toolkit Learn More About our Certification Programs   Stay Connected: Sign Up for our Free Resources and Weekly Newsletter Subscribe to our Podcast Newsletter Follow us on LinkedIn  Connect with Vanessa Visit our website   #TrainingEvaluation #CorporateTraining #LearningAndDevelopment #TrainingImpact #LearningAndPerformance #CultureOfEvaluation #KirkpatrickModel #Kirkpatrick