Tony Morgan and Dr Lena Jaspersen discuss experiential and team-based learning in this episode, sharing insights from both their classroom practice and their pedagogical research. They discuss the diverge-converge approach, how to include students with varying levels of confidence, language proficiency or neurodiversity, and their approach to building resilience in students. In this episode, they also introduce their “Learning in Tandem” framework, offering practical guidance for educators who wish to design meaningful, inclusive, and research-informed experiential learning.

This podcast episode was recorded remotely in March 2026. If you would like to get in touch regarding this podcast, please contact research.lubs@leeds.ac.uk. A transcript of this episode is available.

Useful resources:

• LITE Research Project
• Diverging and Converging for Team-Based Learning
• Design Thinking for Student Projects book
• Learning in Tandem framework

About the speakers:

Lena Jaspersen is a Lecturer in Innovation and Qualitative Research Methods at Leeds University Business School. Her expertise includes interdisciplinary teaching and research in technology and social innovation, organization theory, global development, cross-sector partnerships, sustainability research, and qualitative research methods. Lena is co-author of the bestselling textbook ‘Management and Business Research’ and co-author, with Tony, of ‘Design Thinking for Student Projects’, a textbook focused on experiential learning and employability skills development.

Tony Morgan (FHEA) is an Associate Professor in Innovation Management Practice at the University of Leeds in the UK, where he teaches interdisciplinary and team-based innovation modules at Undergraduate, Masters and MBA levels. He previously held senior innovation and technology roles at IBM. Research areas include how students learn when working in diverse and interdisciplinary teams. Tony is the author of multiple books, and co-author, with Lena, of ‘Design Thinking for Student Projects’.

In this episode, Dr Sanjay Popat speaks to former child actor Brandon Baker, best known for Johnny Tsunami and other Disney Channel hits. They explore Brandon’s mental health journey in the context of how early career success shapes identity, the psychological impact of career transitions, and what it took for him to find meaningful work.

This episode was recorded on 4 March 2026. A transcript of the episode is available. If you would like to get in touch regarding the episode or podcast, email research.lubs@leeds.ac.uk. Visit the podcast webpage for further information.

About the speakers:

Brandon Baker rose to fame on Disney Channel’s “Johnny Tsunami”, following earlier roles in “The Jungle Book: Mowgli’s Story” and later appearing in “Even Stevens”. Despite his success, he realised acting didn’t feel authentic to him and stepped away to explore other passions, including music and officiating weddings, bringing his energy and creativity to ventures beyond Hollywood.

Dr Sanjay Popat is a Chartered Organisational Psychologist and Postdoctoral Research Fellow specialising in occupational stress, well-being and mental health. His work focuses on how these phenomena occur over time and how time might influence whether we adapt to stressors or reach a breaking point.