Brave Learning, Bold Leadership

In this episode of The Inclusion Bites Podcast, Joanne Lockwood is joined by Pippa O'Brien to explore the transformative ideas underpinning brave learning and bold leadership. Their discussion centres on how immersive storytelling and authentic conversations can break through traditional barriers to inclusion—especially for frontline teams and those who may have been underserved by conventional education. Joanne and Pippa share insights on creating psychologically safe spaces in the workplace, delving into the importance of trust, integrity, and tailored learning experiences that meet people where they are.

Pippa is a learning innovator and founder of Poda, known for her pioneering use of drama-based training to embed inclusive behaviours in organisations. Her expertise lies in turning everyday people into empowered learners through compelling real-world stories. Starting her career as a chef in a male-dominated industry, Pippa later found her calling in learning and development, driven by the guidance of a leader who believed in her potential. Over the years, she has designed impactful programmes for diverse workforces—including those with lower literacy levels—championing experiential, inclusive approaches. Her focus on genuine allyship and empowering everyday voices underscores her commitment to building organisational cultures rooted in belonging and psychological safety.

Joanne and Pippa reflect on real-life challenges such as bias, banter tolerance, and generational assumptions, demonstrating how roleplay and lived experience can generate ruminative learning. They question the status quo around workplace culture, flexibility, and leadership, advocating for strategies that embrace trust and nuanced feedback rather than rigid enforcement or performative change. Their conversation is enriched with anecdotes from training sessions, highlighting the difference authentic conversations can make, especially in engaging those typically resistant to inclusion training.

Listeners are left with a powerful takeaway: fostering belonging and inclusion requires safe, creative environments where people can share openly, challenge biases, and take ownership of their personal growth. With practical stories and real-world examples, this episode offers both reflection and action points for leaders, learners, and those invested in shaping inclusive workplaces—making it a compelling listen for anyone serious about driving positive change.