Learning Through Experience

In this episode, Heidi Brooks talks with Jim Ferrell, who invites us to notice the invisible default of individualism that fragments our organizations and our lives. He describes a process for groups to map, measure, and manage the relational space—the "space between us"—for collective impact. Jim challenges us to see relationships fundamentally as the primary unit of analysis in work and life rather than the individual, arguing that everything we perceive as a standalone object actually emerges out of relation. From Yale Law to Georges Seurat's pointillist masterpiece and Martin Buber's classic philosophical distinctions, Jim shares his own journey that took him from his first book, Leadership and Self Deception, to his new book, You and We: A Relational Rethinking of Work, Life, and Leadership, and the experiences that shape is practice. Together, Heidi and Jim share why learning through experience is critical to exploring a key aspect of both of their work—exploring the relational impact on the system.…

Organizational leaders are often under constant pressure to deliver simple solutions in the face of deeply complex challenges, with confidence and speed. You may experience this as a kind of "either/or" decision-making, a tension between doing things this way or that way. A leader pressured to decide quickly may miss insights that emerge from sitting with the tension within the paradox they face. Amidst these dynamics, can leaders hold the possibility of "both/and"? Our guest, Wendy Smith, suggests that moving beyond reductionist thinking requires embracing the interdependent tensions of paradox. She encourages us to shift our focus from making forced choices to discovering how opposing forces can reinforce one another. Cultivating "both/and" thinking is no longer a purely theoretical exercise; it is an essential, everyday capability needed to navigate the ambiguity of our changing world, disrupt transactional habits, and build courageous, thriving communities. Dr. Wendy K. Smith is an expert in…

In this episode, Heidi Brooks talks with Robin Dembroff who invites us to notice the confining, prescriptive categories we get boxed into and the opportunity to maybe name or nudge our way to a more enlivened self. Robin challenges us to see gender fundamentally as a verb rather than a noun–an active, ongoing process of "gendering" rather than an immutable, biological trait. By looking at the "windshield of consciousness" that shapes our worldview, Robin deconstructs traditional ideas of patriarchal leadership, showing how the unattainable myth of the "real man" acts as a destructive standard that causes suffering for everyone. Together, Heidi and Robin share why learning through experience is critical to exploring a key aspect to both of their work - exploring the relational impact on the self. Robin explains why denying dualism and leaning into somatic body awareness are essential to their classroom. Heidi bridges this practice of self-cultivation with everyday leadership, highlighting the tension between…

In this episode, Heidi Brooks and Zoe Chance invite you to step out of the transactional pursuit of influence and into the relational, visceral reality of self-influence through coaching. Through their conversation, Heidi and Zoe take you on a journey to reframe coaching not as a corrective tool for fixing what is broken, but as an enlivening stance for everyday leadership and human connection. You'll get a sneak peak into the big ideas guiding the upcoming professional coaching certificate at Yale and why the cohort model is an important element of the program. They deconstruct traditional ideas of interpersonal influence, putting them back together as an inside-out process where changing our relationships requires us to first renegotiate our relationship with ourselves. Ultimately, Heidi and Zoe invite you to take a coaching stance to stretch beyond your comfort zone and expand your capacity to thrive. Connect with Zoe Chance at zoechance.com and check out her book. Learn more about the Yale SOM…

In this episode, Heidi Brooks and Gianpiero Petriglieri invite you to step out of the mechanical pursuit of efficiency and into the "beautiful problem" of being human in a professional world. Through their conversation, Heidi and GP take you on a journey to reframe your everyday experiences as moments of learning, curiosity, and choice. They guide you through the essential tension between convergence, the practice of meeting a standard, and divergence, the freedom to ask "what else?" as you build a more spacious relationship with your experiences. They deconstruct and put back together the tensions between our goals of work and life. Ultimately, Heidi challenges you to reclaim your agency through what GP calls "The Work": the intentional use of your attention and relationships with others to resist seductive shortcuts (including AI) that undermine the learning lab that is your life. Connect with Gianpiero Petriglieri's work at gpetriglieri.com. Notes [00:00] — Finding Agency in the Mystery of Life In this…

In this season finale, we do something a little different. Instead of featuring an outside guest, we bring you behind the scenes—with the voices and minds who help design and deliver the very work this podcast explores. Dr. Heidi Brooks is joined by her colleagues David Tate and Stacey Casamassima for a candid, deeply human conversation that essentially doubles as a real team meeting. This is the team that teaches and leads "Everyday Leadership" at Yale and facilitates high-touch programs like Interpersonal and Group Dynamics, Holding Space, and more. And this time, they're turning the mic inward. Together, they reflect on the life experiences that drew them to this work, the evolution of their own learning journeys, and the frameworks and practices they use to create conditions for meaningful growth—within themselves, their students and each other. They discuss what it means to "stay" in difficult moments, how trust and ambiguity support learning, and why the ability to be present—with curiosity and care—is…

What does it mean to create something that didn't exist before—and to do so with a sense of possibility, even in the face of constraint? In this episode, artist Mario Moore joins Dr. Heidi Brooks to reflect on art as agency, the power of process, and the untold stories behind his Yale-commissioned painting Black Governors. Together, they explore the tension between presence and invisibility, and what it means to embed stories within stories—without always offering a central gaze or a single interpretation. This is a conversation about creativity as resistance, about learning through making, and about honoring what came before—while imagining what's still possible. Whether you're an artist, educator, student, or leader, Mario Moore's perspective offers a powerful lens on agency in the face of constraint—and how storytelling, through image or action, can challenge assumptions, spark dialogue, and expand what feels possible. If you've ever wondered how art intersects with justice or how process itself can be a…

In a time marked by anxiety, division and disconnection, the path forward lies not in fixing the past but in expanding our freedom to imagine what's next. In this episode of Learning Through Experience, Dr. Heidi Brooks is joined by Suzi Tucker, a writer, teacher and pioneer of Family Constellations work. Together, they explore how our personal and ancestral stories shape the patterns we repeat—and how stepping into those patterns with curiosity can help us reorient toward hope. With warmth, wisdom and respect for the unknown, Suzi shares how facing uncertainty isn't about certainty at all—it's about accompaniment. It's about standing on the shoulders of those who came before us and choosing, even in fear, to take one generative step toward something more. Through stories of lineage, loss, and liberation, Heidi and Suzi offer listeners an invitation to slow down, pay attention and let learning emerge. "When I plant a seed, that's really all I have to do. I don't know what's going to come. That one generative…

How can storytelling deepen our understanding of emotional connection in turbulent times? Join Heidi Brooks for a powerful and special episode of Learning Through Experience featuring returning guest Marc Brackett, along with filmmakers Horacio Marquínez and Kirill Myltsev. Together, they explore the extraordinary journey behind their documentary, America Unfiltered: Portraits and Voices of a Nation, a film born out of curiosity, human connection and the transformative power of experience. Listen (and watch!) as they share deeply moving stories, from unexpected moments of vulnerability to profound encounters that challenge assumptions about identity, belonging, and resilience. This conversation beautifully demonstrates how art and genuine interpersonal connection serve as tools for learning, understanding and bridging divides. Don't miss this inspiring dialogue that invites us all to witness the intimate storytelling behind America Unfiltered and to see each other—and ourselves—with greater empathy,…

What does it take to cultivate joy—not as a fleeting feeling, but as a steady presence—even in times of deep uncertainty? In this luminous conversation, Dr. Heidi Brooks is joined by psychologist and author Emma Seppälä and artist Clara Nartey to explore the resilient, regenerative power of joy. With insights drawn from neuroscience, personal experience and artistic practice, Emma and Clara reflect on how inner sovereignty—the ability to return to center amid chaos—can help us meet the world with greater creativity, calm, and connection. From Clara's practice of beginning each day in prayerful gratitude to Emma's decades of meditation and breathwork, Heidi and her guests share how joy can be cultivated as a discipline of attention and care, and reflect on joy as an "inside job"—one that begins with how we treat ourselves and ripples outward in our relationships, our work and our communities. Together, they invite us to consider: What might it look like to build a "circle of delight" around ourselves and…

What if the institutions we rely on—our workplaces, schools, and legal systems—aren't built for full participation? And what if real change starts not from the top, but in small, intentional spaces we create ourselves? In this episode Heidi Brooks and legal scholar and change-maker Susan Sturm explore the paradoxes of institutional transformation, and how facing uncertainty–rather than seeking to eliminate it–can create new possibilities for participation, collaboration and justice. Drawing from her new book, What Might Be: How Universities and Other Institutions Can Change, Susan shares how we can confront the tensions within our systems—between power and powerlessness, justice and exclusion, certainty and humility—without rushing to resolve them. Through personal stories and deep insights, she introduces the concept of micro spaces of justice—small but intentional environments where people model the institutional change they wish to see. These spaces, she argues, offer a path forward amid today's…

What if the challenges you're facing aren't obstacles—but invitations to grow? In this episode, Heidi Brooks and leadership expert Jennifer Garvey Berger explore how we grow through uncertainty, not just survive it. They also discuss why change is essential for leaders, how to turn everyday challenges into opportunities for growth and why embracing imperfection might be the key to thriving in an anxious world. Sharing insights from her book Changing on the Job, Jennifer talks about the power of character development, the conditions that make learning possible and the small but profound shifts that help us navigate complexity. She and Heidi unpack a paradox of leadership today—where we admire vulnerability in others but still strive for perfection ourselves. Together, they ask: What if the difficulties we encounter are actually the curriculum for our growth? Whether you're a leader facing high-stakes decisions or simply looking to approach change with more courage and curiosity, this conversation will…

Creative expression is essential for everyone—to think differently, connect deeply and thrive through uncertainty. In the Season 4 premiere of Learning Through Experience, Heidi Brooks welcomes Ivy Ross and Susan Magsamen, co-authors of Your Brain on Art, for a thought-provoking conversation about how engaging with art can help shape the way we learn, collaborate and navigate life's complexities. Ivy and Susan share their personal journeys into the worlds of art and neuroscience, revealing how aesthetic experiences, whether through music, visual art or movement, can rewire the brain, strengthen emotional wellbeing and foster connection. They explore the science behind neuroplasticity and the role of sensory engagement in daily life. This episode is an invitation to reimagine learning and leadership, inspiring listeners to embrace art—not just as a form of expression but as a tool for building resilience, expanding perspective and finding wonder in the everyday. Learning Through Experience is produced through…

Welcome to a new season of Learning Through Experience! This season will explore something that resonates deeply with everyone right now: facing uncertainty. My conversations are with a diverse array of exceptional guests who will talk with us about how they see and experience uncertainty through their lens. Together, we'll dig into the mindsets, practices and environments that allow us to learn, adapt and thrive, even in—perhaps especially in—these uncertain times. Welcome to Season 4. I love having you here! Watch this episode on YouTube.

Thank you for tuning in this season on the Learning Through Experience podcast! In this season 3 reflection episode, I take a step back to reflect on the key themes, conversations, and experiences that shaped the show. This season featured several insightful and impactful conversations. I highlight discussions with guests like Lisa Lahey on overcoming change, Mark Brackett on emotional intelligence and attunement, Liliana Milkova and Jenny Frederick on the definition of education, Avi Kluger on feedback, Kim Weston on personal transformation through art, and Amy Bloom on writing to be read. As the podcast looks ahead to the new season, I am grateful to the students, team members, and listeners who have supported the podcast. I am so glad you're here! Learning Through Experience is produced through the Yale School of Management. For more insights about each episode, subscribe to the LinkedIn newsletter. Watch this episode on YouTube.

Writing has the power to transport us to the depths of the human experience – to illuminate the joys, sorrows and complexities that make us who we are. In this captivating final episode of Learning Through Experience Season Three, Amy Bloom and I explore the transformative power of the written word. Amy, an acclaimed writer and psychotherapist, shares a poignant reading from her memoir "In Love," which provides a deeply personal window into her journey with her late husband's early-onset Alzheimer's. The conversation takes us into the nuanced relationship between writing for oneself and writing for an audience, as Amy offers her thought-provoking perspective on the importance of reading diverse perspectives to enrich one's creative voice. Join us as we ponder the art of revision, strategies for creating a safe and supportive environment for student writers, and all the profound ways in which reflective writing can shape our understanding of ourselves and the human experience. Watch this episode on YouTube.…

Imagine a world where education isn't just about information but about inspiring awe—a spark that transforms learning into discovery. This episode of Learning Through Experience envisions this future where teaching and learning are more collaborative, experiential and empowering, for instructors and students alike. As my guest Jenny Frederick, director of Yale's Center for Teaching and Learning, emphasized in our conversation: "When experiences bring the conceptual to life—like, wow, I get it now—it can be a moment of wonder." Join us as we discuss the value of embracing ambiguity and equipping students with the skills to navigate uncertainty—a crucial capacity in our rapidly changing world. Beyond theory, we explore how disciplines bring unique strengths and shadows to the learning experience. When classrooms become spaces where curiosity sparks discovery and uncertainty fuels growth, we unlock the potential for truly transformative learning. Wonder isn't just a feeling; it's a force that drives connection,…

What if listening could change everything? This raw and captivating episode with guest Avi Kluger reveals how listening and the "space between" people can unlock new ways of seeing, feeling and transforming, and profoundly reshape how we lead, connect and grow. A pioneering researcher in feedback and organizational behavior, Avi shares his personal journey to understand the power of listening and its potential to unlock unexpected depths in ourselves and others. Beyond theory, he shows us the real-world stakes of genuine human connection. In a world where productivity often overshadows humanity, this conversation is a call to reimagine our workspaces and relationships as places of connection, resilience and hope. Watch this episode on YouTube. Key Topics 02:56 A Personal Journey: Growing Through Feedback Avi reflects on his early life and how the intense feedback he received from his father shaped his career and lifelong dedication to understanding the impact of feedback. 08:06 Limitations of Traditional…

Learning through experience is dynamic, not static. As you'll hear in this episode with artist Kim Weston, her photography is a way of deepening understanding of ourselves and the world around us, seen and unseen. Through compelling story and image, Kim takes us on a journey where each photograph tells a story of heritage, community and spirit. As she says, "Our ancestors are with us; the people we loved in the past are still beside us, even though we can't see them with the naked eye." Tune in to discover how Kim's evocative work is transforming spaces and touching lives, inviting each of us to engage, reflect and experience life through the lens of art. Watch this episode on YouTube. Key Topics 03:37 Finding Art: From the Bronx to the Museum Early experiences shape lifelong learning and creativity. Kim reflects on her childhood exposure to art in New York—immersive experiences that informed her sense of self and future as an artist. 06:25 Identity Through Art Representation in art can challenge societal…

Learning through experience requires us to shift from the purely intellectual to a more holistic engagement. I try to create that shift by opening each of my leadership classes with some form of art—a poem, a piece of music or a visual work. It's a way of helping my students, many of whom are management or law students, executives, or leaders in their fields, step out of their typical "brain-bound" mindset and into a space where they can let their thoughts, emotions and values guide their learning. For many, it's an inconvenient and unfamiliar approach, but it's exactly what I believe opens their minds and hearts to walking an unconventional path toward growth. Dr. Liliana Milkova and I share a passion for this type of experiential learning. The Nolan Curator of Education at Yale University Art Gallery, Liliana uses art to foster reflective, perspective-shifting experiences to encourage people to slow down and engage deeply with what they see and feel. Drawing on her upbringing in Bulgaria and her extensive…

How do different emotions impact everyday life? And what are the kinds of experiences we want and need—in the classroom, at work, and in our own developmental trajectories—to be able to deepen our emotional wisdom so we can make better decisions and have healthier relationships? In this episode of Learning Through Experience, we dig deep into feelings with Dr. Marc Brackett. As he underscored during our conversation, "We all have emotions, whether we want them or not, and they can either help us achieve our goals or derail us." The founding director of the Yale Center for Emotional Intelligence and professor in the Child Study Center at Yale, Marc is on a mission to ensure everyone gets an education in emotion and learns to navigate emotion effectively. After all, emotions are not going away; we have to learn to work with them wisely. Watch this episode on YouTube. Key Topics 2:54 An Emotional Journey – Marc reflects on his childhood experiences, including bullying and abuse, and an uncle who came into his…

How can we overcome change and learn to create a better experience at work—for ourselves and our teams? To launch us into Season Three of Learning Through Experience, my first guest explores with me the pedagogy of hope and transformation, focusing on interpersonal and group dynamics. As Dr. Lisa Lahey aptly put it during our conversation, "When we invest in our relationships and our own development, we pave the way for a more hopeful and transformative future." A renowned author on adult education and development, Lisa specializes in identifying personal and organizational impediments to change, and helping them unpack and understand these insights to ultimately break free of unproductive habits in order to achieve their goals. Watch this episode on YouTube. Key Topics 05:34 Formative experiences – Lisa shares two personal experiences that shaped her commitment to (and emphasized the importance of) listening and understanding group dynamics 08:06 Adult development theory – Introduction to adult development…

Welcome to a new season of Learning Through Experience! This season will echo the cadence of one of my popular courses here at Yale since it is a learning through experience pedagogy. My conversations are with brilliant guests who help us think about how we learn through interpersonal and group experience from their area of expertise. This podcast is not just for students though—it's for everyone who wants to co-create a future of work that is compelling, enlivening and worth fighting for. I'm glad you're here! Watch this episode on YouTube.

Can a mindfulness practice help us at work? In a season focusing on how we learn through experience, I wanted to make sure that we heard about some of the social science that supports the practices. My guest on this episode has lived a fascinating life and has so much wisdom to share on this topic. Lindsey Cameron is an assistant professor of management at the Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania. Her research focuses on the future of work and mindfulness. In addition to being a professor, she is also an experienced practitioner and teacher of meditation. Key Topics: 01:24 Caring about individual stories: These individual stories link to a much broader social structure - Lindsey's career journey; 05:02 The capacity to reflect: One of the core practices of learning through experience is the capacity to reflect; 09:27 Wisdom traditions and practices: Discovering and exploring wisdom traditions and practices despite an atheist upbringing; 16:03 The power of place: Place is not just held by the work…

How can we change and transform the education system through leadership? The Broad Center at the Yale School of Management fosters the ideas, policies, and leadership to help all students in K-12 public schools — particularly those from underserved communities — to learn and thrive. Broad is a stellar example of the unique mission of Yale SOM: educating leaders for business and society. Since I feel connected and inspired by the mission, I appreciate how much the presence of Broad in my experience at Yale keeps me particularly connected and inspired by the noble and meaningful work of transforming the school system. In March of 2024, the Broad Fellows were part of an immersion learning experience with me. I love Broad and was inspired by the way they engaged in learning through an immersion intensive. This episode is a window into their learning experience in the interpersonal and group dynamics course. Hanseul Kang, the executive director of the Broad Center, began her journey as a Broad Fellow. The…

This podcast season is all about the HOW of learning through experience. We learn through experience using four core practices: challenging your perspective, stretching and building range, directing your learning, reflection and inquiry. The core practice that we are paying attention to in this episode of Learning Through Experience is reflection and inquiry. In this episode, I spoke with reflective writing practitioner and teacher Stephanie Dunson about reflective practice through writing. We cover the practice of reflective writing, including the struggle of writing, and she offers some prompts for you to use in your own reflective writing practice. Stephanie is a renowned facilitator who uses writing as a tool for problem-solving and collaboration in both the academic and corporate worlds. Key Topics: 04:24 The challenge of writing: The limits of writing towards an outcome in contrast to writing for the reflection and exploration of our own thoughts and feelings; 08:33 The meander of writing: Writing…

This season we've been taking on HOW to learn through experience which fundamentally challenges the brain-bound assumption that learning starts and stays in the brain. We aren't so great at honoring the wisdom, expertise, and leadership that emerges from lived experience, but our own life may guide us – especially if we tap into learning practices, like reflection and challenging our perspective. My guest on this episode is a shining example of widely acknowledged wisdom and leadership gained primarily through powerful life experience. You will hear how he came to take risks without the fear of failing, and a good dose of learning through reflection in the company of others. Erik Clemons is co-founder of the Connecticut Community Outreach and Revitalization Program (ConnCORP) designed to explore and implement opportunities for economic development and investment in New Haven. In all his work creating systems and community change, he has found that before any transformation of others takes place, you need to…

Since this season of the podcast is all about the HOW of learning through experience, I wanted to talk to Annie Murphy Paul who basically wrote the book on learning outside the brain. She's the author of several books, and I love to talk with people after they have had a chance to learn through the experience of their book being out in the world. In this episode, we focus on The Extended Mind: The Power of Thinking Outside the Brain. Her book challenges the perspective that brain-bound cognition is the best way to learn. There are so many great nuggets in this book and in this conversation with Annie. She adds quite a bit to the conversation about HOW to extend our learning capacity beyond the brain. The brain evolved for survival in a very different era to the one we live in today, and the tasks our brains evolved to solve are so different from the tasks we are expected to do now. To more fully utilize our learning potential, we can extend the mind by utilizing the body, physical spaces, relationships with…

I love how art can take us on a journey to another way of seeing things. And, I don't think I'm alone in thinking that the human condition is a little rough and rocky these days — so I feel drawn to opportunities to cultivate joy. In my role as Chair of the Art Committee at Yale School of Management, I have the chance to impact the space through the iconography on the walls. I wanted to do something real and uplifting. Then I met Clara Nartey and experienced her work. I am delighted to welcome her to this podcast so others can hear about her perspective and process. In this episode, we speak about art as a reflective practice, the impact of art on education, and the power of art to encourage discussion and change minds. Clara encourages us to explore art as a means of reflection and a way to navigate difficult topics and conversations that we may have otherwise avoided. The Joy of Living Exhibit at the Yale School of Management is a permanent exhibit by artist Clara Nartey. Clara is a textile artist and…

In this first episode of season two, I talk with Tracee Stanley about how to have an experience of yourself through skilled and intentional rest, self-inquiry, and aligned learning. This season is about how we learn through experience using 4 core practices: Challenging your perspective, stretching and building range, directing your learning, and reflection and inquiry. Tracee's way of working is a deep way to learn through experience—listen to hear how our conversation touches on all four of these practices that might just change your life. Tracee Stanley, a yoga teacher and bestselling author who transitioned from a successful filmmaking career in Hollywood to teaching Yoga Nidra and self-inquiry, challenges conventional ideas surrounding work culture and productivity by emphasizing the need for balance, rest, and reflection so we can leave a greater legacy behind us. Key Topics: 01:24 Learning through experience to honor a less conventional path: From successful Hollywood filmmaker to yoga teacher; 08:03…

I'm Dr. Heidi Brooks. Last season of the podcast, Learning Through Experience, I focused on learning through the experience of mentorship and the guests were all my mentors in one way or another. In a podcast that lifts up that learning can not only happen through conventional exposure to concepts and theories but also through what we experience in life, the second season is all about the HOW. How do we learn through experience? I'm talking to artists, authors, professors, and even yoga instructors about four practices I decided to focus on in learning through experience. These four practices are: How to challenge your perspective, how to stretch yourself and build range, how to direct your own learning, and finally, the importance of reflection. I hope you follow along and join me for season two of Learning Through Experience.

Ok, Season 1 of Learning Through Experience is a wrap. (Woohoo!) I am learning a ton through the experience of podcasting- it's much more fun and definitely more work than I expected! This short episode is a check-in. One of the core practices in learning through experience is reflection, so this short podcast episode is a check-in on my own learning through the experience of podcasting. It's a way to share my learning in public, which feels slightly rebellious in a world that seems so committed to presenting finished products and hiding the human process. In this episode, I talk with a key partner and internal staff member Valerie Belanger about Season 1. We talk about what fun and ease and connection might look like in the podcast production process; learning in public, space-making and impact. Thanks for listening to the first season—just love your wonderful company and encouraging words. I hope you will stay subscribed and stay with me as we welcome new guests and topics in the next season, which is…

I love this episode with Rhona Weinstein! It's about coming full circle, working for what you dream about and how all people exist in context. Part of that context can include the experience of inspiring mentorship. Read an automated transcript of this episode.

I have a very clear memory of chasing Robin Rose down the hallway at college and asking her: "How can I be like you when I grow up?" I was fascinated with the way she invited people to step into learning through personal experience. Since most of my idea of learning involved lectures and assignments, this approach was refreshing and evocative. Discovering the power of learning through reflection on experience was a fundamental shift for me—and I never turned back. In this conversation, we discuss learning laboratories, the need for risk, and how leadership is, at its core, an art form. Read an automated transcript of this episode.

Learning through experience is an everyday practice — as Bill Torbert knows well. In this episode, he speaks about the power of surrendering to the part of us that is quite a "numbskull." Read an automated transcript of the episode.

In this episode, family systems experts Phil and Carolyn Cowan talk with grace and wisdom about their process of confronting aspects of family dynamics that they experienced but did not wish to pass on. If there's one thing you take away from our conversation, let it be this: pay attention to your story. Read an automated transcript of this episode.

In order to learn through experience, our doing needs a good pairing with reflective inquiry into what's working. Now that we're halfway through the first season of "Learning through Experience," I wanted to pause and take time to walk the talk. In this "check-in" episode, I share a bit of my reflection on what I am learning through the experience of podcasting. Read an automated transcript.

In this episode, I spoke with Karen Kimsey-House about transformational learning and how to reinvent yourself. When I was coming out of my PhD studies, I was wandering in my own wilderness, trying to find my way. Wondering what else I could do besides clean my house to avoid my dissertation, I enrolled in the Coach Training Institute. And that's how I met Karen, who eventually became my personal coach, teacher, and dear friend. Karen is the co-founder of the Co-Active Training Institute. Today, it's the largest in-person coach training organization in the world, delivering courses in North America, Europe, the Middle East, and Asia. Karen has been my personal coach, my teacher in a long-term immersion leadership program, a dear friend, and most importantly for the context of this podcast of Learning Through Experience, a mentor. Key Topics: 03:19 Co-active coaching: The client-centered coaching process that coaches the person, not the problem, and believes that we all have within us what we need to thrive in…

In this episode, I spoke with Parker Palmer about the connection between teaching and learning, healing the heart of democracy, and following the path of integrity. I've been reading Parker J Palmer's books for years. He's the author of 10 books about education, community leadership, spirituality, and social change. Three of these particularly resonated with my own experience: Let Your Life Speak, The Courage to Teach, and On the Brink of Everything: Grace, Gravity, and Getting Old. and one of them stood out as the scariest book I had ever read. Parker J. Palmer is also the founder and senior partner emeritus of the Center for Courage and Renewal. Key Topics: 03:33 The interplay of aging and vocation: How to keep learning through experience with the limitations that come with age; 09:38 The connection between teaching and learning: Teaching as an expert with relatively static knowledge versus teaching as a more dynamic process; 13:34 The community of truth: How we know what we know and the validity of our…

Not everything we learn in college comes from the classroom. When you think about learning and insights that have mattered most to you, you may find that the most powerful associations include people, events, feelings and places. Barbara Tannenbaum and her living room came easily to mind for me when thinking about when and where I learned through experience. Barbara taught one of the most popular courses on campus. So why the living room image? Barbara would invite some students into her home for gathering circles in her living room — and I feel lucky to have been one of them. Her living room — outside the walls of my college classrooms — is an important marker in my ongoing learning journey. I love how we all have the chance to learn outside the classroom (because that's most of life). In this episode, we discuss power talk, removing linguistic anchors, and why when we have more voice, we welcome more beauty. Read an automated transcript of this episode.

We are overloaded with so much information that we become full of ideas but too often lack the time to reflect, practice, and enact wisely. Ideas are not enough—we cannot run life by syllabus and read our way through—we have to learn our way through much of the experience of life, and integrate information as sensemaking to help us get better as we go. I'm Dr. Heidi Brooks, host of Learning Through Experience. I believe that we could upgrade life and face an unknown future with more confidence if we had the capacity to learn our way through experience. So I want this podcast to offer some ways to learn our way forward. Given the podcast format, it might be challenging - I can't simply tell you what learning through experience is, I want to show you, to offer you an experience. I am certainly doing that myself as I learn through experience how to podcast on this topic. I am hopeful that we will experience it together. In this first season, we looked at the experience of mentorship, an experience based on…