Release Date: Jan 13
Winning teams—and learning cultures—aren’t built on checklists. They’re built on curiosity, clarity, and intentional design. In this energizing episode of The Learnit Lounge Podcast, host Mickey Fitch-Collins, PhD. is joined by Sarah Lundy, seasoned L&D leader and “forever learner,” for a candid look at what it takes to make blended learning programs that actually work. Together, they unpack today’s most common pitfalls (hello, box-checking and “smile sheets”), explore what alignment with business goals really feels like, and share the human-centered tactics that make digital, in-person, and on-the-job learning click—for any industry.
From manufacturing floors with zero laptops to hybrid cohorts craving belonging, this episode brims with real stories, practical tools, and fresh thinking for L&D pros, people leaders, and anyone intent on making learning stick.
What You’ll Learn:
- How the definition of “blended learning” has evolved—and why the old classroom vs. eLearning debate misses the mark
- The keys (and warning signs) for evaluating if your learning programs are truly working—or if you’re just “training for training’s sake”
- Why defining success upfront is essential for behavior change, not just satisfaction surveys
- Creative strategies for making virtual, digital, and in-person experiences truly equitable—even for remote or non-desk teams
- The crucial role of leaders in championing (and measuring) learning outcomes on the job
- Insider advice for new L&D leaders about audience research, accessibility, and what shortcuts to avoid
In This Episode:
- 00:01 – Welcome to The Learnit Lounge, today’s topic and guest intro
- 02:36 – Defining blended learning: past vs. present
- 04:39 – How to spot when blended learning is working (or not)
- 06:18 – Why alignment with the business is non-negotiable
- 08:35 – The high cost of unchecked, misaligned training
- 09:41 – Measuring learning: Beyond smile sheets, toward behavior change
- 12:14 – Why (and how) to involve leaders post-training
- 14:13 – Applying the 70-20-10 model… and why it may need an update
- 16:44 – Making digital/virtual training feel human, especially for non-office teams
- 19:39 – How manufacturing and “deskless” workforces demand creative L&D
- 22:23 – Are we overestimating people’s self-directed learning ability?
- 23:43 – Is in-person learning a “luxury” now? Considering fairness and equity
- 25:36 – Masterclass: How to facilitate hybrid training that feels inclusive
- 28:23 – Sarah’s best advice for first-time blended learning designers
- 30:36 – Leadership lesson: trust and relationships move mountains
- 31:59 – The uncomfortable truths and hidden biases in leadership development
- 34:33 – Connect with Sarah Lundy and episode wrap-up
About Sarah Lundy
Sarah Lundy is a passionate learning and development leader with a decade of experience designing impactful programs across multiple industries, most recently manufacturing. A self-described “forever learner,” Sarah is pursuing her master’s in Industrial-Organizational Psychology while bringing fresh curiosity and human-centered thinking to every audience she serves. Her approach blends research, real talk, and a deep belief in putting people—and their lived realities—at the center of professional growth. Sarah lives in Northern Nevada with her husband and adventurous dachshund puppy.
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