Rethinking Education with John O’Halloran: Skills, Purpose & the Future of Work

Why Learning Agility Is the Most Important Career Skill in the AI Era – with Thom Straight

In this episode, I sit down with Thom Straight, General Manager of Global Talent Acquisition for EMEA and Asia at Microsoft, to explore how AI is reshaping hiring, careers, and the future of work. Thom shares his journey from studying history and philosophy, into recruitment, and eventually leading talent strategy inside one of the world’s biggest tech companies. We talk about the shift from traditional recruitment to skills-first hiring, why learning agility matters more than ever, and how organizations can unlock hidden potential by focusing less on job titles and more on transferable skills. We also dive into how AI is changing early-career opportunities, internal mobility, and workforce planning. Thom shares practical examples of how Microsoft is using AI tools to help entry-level talent solve more complex problems earlier in their careers, while also freeing experienced employees to focus on higher-value work. Throughout the conversation, we discuss growth mindset, the importance of staying curious with new technology, and why the future of talent will depend on organizations connecting skills, learning, and career development more effectively than ever before. Connect With Thom  Straight https://www.linkedin.com/in/thomstaight/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/thomstaight/] Connect with the Global Skills Podcast * Connect with the Host Vanessa Wainwright LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/vwainwright/] * Visit Our Website https://www.globalskillspodcast.com [https://www.globalskillspodcast.com] * Send us an email at editor@globalskillspodcast.com [editor@globalskillspodcast.com]

How AI Is Transforming Learning and Skills Development with Clare Dygert

In this episode, I’m joined by Clare Dygert, a learning systems architect and chief learning strategist at SweetRush, now part of the NIIT group. We explore how AI is transforming learning, why personalized and adaptive learning is becoming essential, and what organizations need to do to truly close the skills gap. Clare shares her incredible career journey from wanting to become a school teacher to designing learning strategies for some of the world’s most complex organizations. We also discuss why employees must take ownership of their own growth, how micro-credentialing could reshape education, and why staying curious is one of the most important career skills anyone can develop. We also dive into the future of work, transferable skills, and why learning design needs to focus on people first. Clare shares practical advice for professionals wanting to future-proof their careers, including her personal strategy of reviewing job descriptions each year to identify new skills to learn. From designing sitcom-style training for learners with cognitive disabilities to using AI as a creative thinking partner, this conversation is packed with fresh ideas on learning, leadership, creativity, and adaptability. Clare also opens up about her passion for art, team cognition, and building learning cultures where people don’t just use AI — they grow with it. Connect With Clare Dygert https://www.linkedin.com/in/claredygert/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/claredygert/] Connect with the Global Skills Podcast * Connect with the Host Vanessa Wainwright LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/vwainwright/] * Visit Our Website https://www.globalskillspodcast.com [https://www.globalskillspodcast.com] * Send us an email at editor@globalskillspodcast.com [editor@globalskillspodcast.com]

Josh Chernikoff on Scaling EdTech: How to Turn Education Ideas into Real Impact

In this episode, I’m joined by Josh Chernikoff, who has spent more than two decades (20+ years) working alongside education founders, edtech innovators, and learning leaders. Together, we explore what it really takes to turn great ideas into real impact—getting solutions not just built, but into the hands of the learners who need them most. Josh shares his unconventional journey—from struggling in school and becoming a tutor, to building and scaling multiple businesses in the education space. What stood out to me is his deep belief that success isn’t just about having a great product, but about truly understanding your audience, building credibility, and consistently showing up as yourself. We also unpack the evolving role of AI in education, why human connection still matters more than ever, and how smaller, mission-driven companies can compete in a crowded market. We also dive into practical insights for educators, founders, and leaders navigating change. Josh talks about the importance of niching down, the power of personal branding, and why “people buy from people.” One of my favourite takeaways is his mindset around progress—focusing on going “1–0 each day” and remembering that “fear is a liar.” This episode is a powerful reminder that impact comes from consistency, authenticity, and a willingness to learn through doing.   Connect With Josh Chernikoff https://www.linkedin.com/in/joshuachernikoff/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/joshuachernikoff/]   Connect with the Global Skills Podcast * Connect with the Host Vanessa Wainwright LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/vwainwright/] * Visit Our Website https://www.globalskillspodcast.com [https://www.globalskillspodcast.com] * Send us an email at editor@globalskillspodcast.com [editor@globalskillspodcast.com]

Humanoids, AI Agents & the Future Workforce: Rebuilding Work from the Ground Up with Franz Gilbert

In this episode, I sit down with Franz Gilbert, who operates at the intersection of talent, technology, and transformation. Franz shares his unconventional career journey into HR and how it shaped his perspective on building human-centered business models. We explore how learning and development is evolving beyond silos and becoming embedded directly into the flow of work, powered by AI and real-time data. Franz also breaks down the complex world of skills taxonomies, explaining why ownership of skills strategy is no longer confined to one function but is becoming a shared, system-wide capability. We also zoom out to a global view of the workforce, discussing skills gaps, the rise of skills wallets, and the critical role governments will play in enabling workforce mobility and upskilling at scale. Franz offers practical insights for SMB leaders navigating AI disruption, highlighting how smaller businesses can actually move faster and gain a competitive edge. From agentic AI to humanoid robotics, we explore what the future workplace could look like—and why human skills like critical thinking and creativity will matter more than ever. Franz closes with powerful advice for mid-career professionals: find the work that energizes you, because passion is the key to thriving in a rapidly changing world.   Connect With Franz Gilbert https://www.linkedin.com/in/franzgilbert/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/franzgilbert/] Connect with the Global Skills Podcast * Connect with the Host Vanessa Wainwright LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/vwainwright/] * Visit Our Website https://www.globalskillspodcast.com [https://www.globalskillspodcast.com] * Send us an email at editor@globalskillspodcast.com [editor@globalskillspodcast.com]

Reinventing Your Career: Transferable Skills, Redundancy & Finding Opportunity with Jon Allan

In this episode of the Global Skills Podcast, I sit down with Jon Allen, Head of Learning, Innovation and Research at the British Parking Association. We explore Jon’s unconventional career journey — from aspiring actor and English teacher in Brazil to recruitment, learning innovation, and shaping professional pathways in a highly complex sector. Our conversation dives into the power of transferable skills, reinvention after redundancy, and why investing in yourself often matters more than following a linear career path. Jon also shares valuable insights on skills frameworks, leadership, EV infrastructure, and why people skills, relationship management, and adaptability are becoming non-negotiables in today’s evolving workforce.   Connect With Jon Allan  https://www.linkedin.com/in/jonathanallan1profile [https://www.linkedin.com/in/jonathanallan1profile] Connect with the Global Skills Podcast * Connect with the Host Vanessa Wainwright LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/vwainwright/] * Visit Our Website https://www.globalskillspodcast.com [https://www.globalskillspodcast.com] * Send us an email at editor@globalskillspodcast.com [editor@globalskillspodcast.com]