Welcome to the Training the Trainer Podcast with Vince Stevenson
In the coming months, I will be interviewing friends, colleagues and seniors from the world of Training, Learning and Development, and Human Resources. There will be trainers, coaches, facilitators and consultants from across the broadest spectrum of learning. I aim to produce 3 interviews each month, so please check back for the updated schedule. The podcast recordings on YouTube can be accessed by clicking on the podcast images below.
Podcast 4
Andy Pring has over twenty years of experience in active dialogue between religions and cultures, promoting shared values and facilitating difficult conversations. His main focus is building bridges between Muslims and non-Muslims. He is a qualified and experienced counter-radicalisation professional, with particular expertise in Somali, Pakistani and Palestinian communities.
He has travelled widely across the Middle East (Iran, Iraq, Lebanon, Jordan, Egypt), including living in both urban and rural areas of the West Bank with Palestinian families for 18 months while conducting field research for his Master's degree. He has a growing interest in neurodiversity, especially Autism.
Podcast 1
My guest on January 6th, 2026, is Paolo Ghisleni. We’re both associates at the Trainers’ Forum, a group of international trainers who believe in formal and non-formal education and training. In November 2025, Paulo successfully hosted the Trainers' Forum Bergamo Conference at Casa del Giovane.
Paolo will also tell us about his role as a trainer and his progress since his recent move to Switzerland.
Click the image below to access the podcast on YouTube.
Podcast 2
On Thursday, 8th January at 10 am GMT, I welcome Anna Zelno. Anna invited me to speak at the Wroclaw Diversity, Innovation and Equity conference in May 2025 and at the Benalmadena conference in November 2025.
Anna's professional journey started with a strong focus on intercultural communication, shaped by her studies and her lived experience of working and living across cultures. Over time, this expanded into broader work on diversity, innovation, and leadership, as she realised that intercultural dynamics are inseparable from organisational systems and power structures. Today, her niche is supporting leaders and organisations in navigating complexity across cultures, increasingly through a transcultural perspective.
Click the image below to access the podcast on YouTube.
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Podcast 3
On Tuesday, 20th January 2026, at 10 am GMT, it will be my pleasure to interview Andrea Martinez Celis, PhD. Andrea is an academic and practitioner specialising in English linguistics, intercultural communication, and human values in internationalised educational settings. She teaches at Rey Juan Carlos University in Madrid, where she developed the Master’s course Intercultural Language Teaching. Her research has recently culminated in the publication of her book Human Values and Intercultural Competence in Internationalised Universities (Palgrave Macmillan, December 2024).
Andrea has also had the privilege of speaking at the United Nations Science Summit, discussing the role of artificial intelligence in fostering intercultural competence and supporting the UN Sustainable Development Goals. Alongside her academic work, she engages in training and facilitation, applying frameworks such as the Symptomatic Thought Process to understand bias, and running initiatives such as UNESCO Story Circles to foster intercultural understanding. Her international experiences as a volunteer and educator in Ghana, Egypt, Morocco, and Turkey have also profoundly influenced her approach to intercultural competence.
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Podcast 5
In this session, I'll be interviewing my friend and colleague, Yumi Sykes. Yumi recently left a senior training role at a large corporation to become a freelance coach. We'll discuss the pros and cons of her move and the implications of AI for the training environment. Yumi also has a young daughter, and we'll discuss the difficulties of balancing professional success and personal fulfilment.
Podcast 6
Our guest for this session is another friend and colleague, Mr David Rigby, an intercultural leadership expert, mentor and coach. David is also a motivational speaker, trainer and the founding director of Smart Coaching & Training Ltd. David has worked in 22 countries, built teams across four continents, and has spent decades helping leaders navigate cultural differences with empathy and impact.
Podcast 7
Silvia Gutiérrez Gradillas is an enthusiastic Talent & Culture professional, passionate about people and their uniqueness. With over a decade of experience, living, studying, and working across Europe, she focuses on creating spaces that consciously unveil and nurture talent, fostering meaningful growth, engagement, and well-being, while honouring individual rhythms and journeys.
Silvia currently contributes as a Learning Enablement Specialist, connecting learning with business needs and cultivating a culture where everyone can thrive, feel seen, and develop with intention. She truly enjoys designing and delivering programs that empower leaders, build trust, and create safe, inclusive spaces for growth and meaningful collaboration. She also volunteers as an 'I Am Remarkable facilitator', guiding participants to recognise and celebrate their achievements while boosting confidence and self-advocacy in professional contexts. Through her work, Silvia is committed to nurturing human potential and fostering environments where people can bring their whole selves and flourish together.
Podcast 8
Paul de Roos is a neurologist specialising in movement disorders, with 20+ years of experience in medical and non-formal education, including skills training rooted in European student organisations. He is a co-founder of the organisation Zero Generation, a non-profit that supports the Youth Trainers Academy and the European Leadership Summer School. Paul studied his medical training in Amsterdam, where his educational career started. He is now based in Uppsala, Sweden, where he teaches Neurology and works as a clinician at Uppsala University Hospital. This year, he hopes with his company to launch a 'train the trainer' program on experiential learning for Residency Program directors, those who are responsible for the design and development of the learning environment of young doctors who are in training to be specialists.
https://www.linkedin.com/in/paulderoos/
Podcast 9
Melanie combines her entrepreneurial spirit with 18+ years of experience in L&D to build memorable, results-driven learning experiences. In her roles as CEO at the Institute for Transfer Effectiveness and Founder of Going Beyond Training, she is passionate about making transfer happen. She applies business acumen, rich practical experience across cultures, and a deep understanding of what makes learning stick, supporting clients to be more strategic in their L&D initiatives.
Key Focus & Skills: Designing Training Programs with Impact, Designing and Implementing Transfer-effective Development Programs, Training Evaluation (Kirkpatrick Gold Certified), Evaluating and Analysing Transfer Effectiveness, Transfer & Evaluation skills for Trainers and L&D Managers, Designing and Implementing Customised Transfer Tools and Intervention
Inspired by her original educational focus and 20 years of living and working abroad, Melanie enjoys a '2nd career' as a trainer, consultant, and university lecturer in the fields of Intercultural Communication, Virtual Collaboration, Corporate Culture, Leadership, DEI, Trust, and Negotiation.
Have you ever considered becoming a trainer?
If you have ever considered becoming a trainer, I highly recommend conducting some research. It's a wonderful industry with enormous personal rewards, but it also comes with several responsibilities. When you have a great attitude and direct that energy toward lifelong learning, you'll be well-positioned to excel in this discipline. If you're looking for more information and a thorough grounding as a trainer, select the link below and speak with my colleague, Rachel, who will share the background details with you.
We recognise the significant investment in your development, and potential students usually have questions to ensure they sign up for the correct course. If that sounds right, contact Rachel at +44 (0) 330 043 2677 or email admin@collegeofpublicspeaking.co.uk.
Do you want your training and professional efforts to be noticed? Are you satisfied with your salary and career trajectory? Are you likely to reach your goals in the next 12 months unassisted? If the answer is "No" to any of those questions, you can save yourself years of disappointment by working with us now.
Do you want to develop your training skills on our 2-day Training the Trainer courses in London's King's Cross? Of course, you have questions. Please speak to my colleague Rachel. You'll find her number below.
