The Free Spirits of L+D

This is the L&D Free Spirits Podcast, where we share everything about life as a freelancer in the world of learning and development, and ask our guests all the questions you wanted to know (but were afraid to ask). We even talk about how we get business AND what we charge. And as a bonus, each guest gets to set a question for the next. Whether you're thinking about taking the leap, you've just started freelancing, or an experienced freelancer - you won't want to miss this.

The Free Spirits of L+D is a business podcast hosted by L+D Free Spirits, with 20 episodes on record and a Required Pod Score of 80. PitchCentric scores this show on Booking Probability, Listen Score, and live audience signals refreshed every 24 hours.

L+D Free Spirits hosts The Free Spirits of L+D, a business show with 20 episodes published.

Our AI reads these to draft pitches. Use them as grounding for a pitch that cites a real guest and a specific topic.

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  Episode #10

  Episode 19 - The 3 stages of a freelance L&D career

  May 25, 202648 minS2

  <p>Join us on the Free Spirits of L&D podcast as we explore the world of freelancing in learning and development. In this episode — the final of Season 2 — we talk with Andy Candler, founder of Aprendido and self-styled "plain speaking learning consultant," who brings nearly 40 years of experience in digital learning, agency life, and now freelance consulting to one of our most grounded, honest conversations yet.</p><p><br></p><p>Andy shares how a company merger, a well-timed redundancy, and a long overdue moment of reflection led him to go it alone — and what the two years since have r...

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  Episode #9

  Episode 18 - Is your freelance L&D business solving the right problem?

  Apr 27, 202643 minS2

  <p>In this episode of the Free Spirits of L&D podcast, we chat with Jules Wyman, coach, speaker, and founder of Positive Belief — who, it turns out, may well be the longest-serving L&D freelancer we’ve ever had on the show, with 21 years under her belt.</p><p><br></p><p>Jules shares a remarkably honest origin story that begins not in a boardroom or a training room, but in theatre and television — and takes an unexpectedly raw and courageous turn before landing her in the world of coaching almost by accident. </p><p><br></p><p>She opens...

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  Episode #8

  Everything you missed from Free Spirits Live (Spring '26 edition)

  Mar 30, 202646 minS2

  <p>Join us on the Free Spirits of L&D podcast for a very special episode — we're bringing you the full Free Spirits Live conference in a box. Mark chats with speakers, attendees and the Free Spirit behind it all as the day unfolds, then catches up with a couple of guests a few days later once the dust has settled.</p><p>In this episode you'll hear from Emma Klosson, who shares reflections on her session about impact and recognition, the value of showing your work like a maths exam, and why building a case study is always worth it...

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  Episode #7

  Episode 16 - Losing it all and starting again as a freelancer

  Feb 23, 202646 minS2

  <p>Join us on the Free Spirits of L&D podcast as we delve into life as a freelancer navigating identity, impact and reinvention.</p><p><br></p><p>In this episode, we chat with Gary Butterfield, founder of Joy Junction and a wellbeing consultant with nearly two decades of self-employment under his belt. Gary shares how a disappointing appraisal experience set the trajectory for his entire career, why he believes social wellbeing is “the glue” that holds organisations together, and how he created the Conversation Canvas tool now used around the world.</p><p><br></p><p>We explore the...

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  Episode #6

  Episode 15 - The hidden cost of giving your value away

  Jan 26, 202643 minS2

  <p>Join us on the Free Spirits of L&D podcast as we explore what happens when freelancing grows up.</p><p>In this episode, we sit down with Emma Coller, a retired police officer turned executive coach, consultant, and co-founder of Growth Pod, a leadership development business based in Yorkshire. Emma shares her journey from policing into learning and development, what it was like entering the commercial world for the first time, and why confidence took longer to build than competence.</p><p>We talk openly about the loneliness of early freelancing, the moment Emma realised she did not...

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