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Paul Matthews: From Sahara Guide to L&D Pioneer – A Story of Learning by Living
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Ever wonder how someone goes from grubbing weeds in New Zealand to running a global L&D software company? This episode of Development Nerds dives into the wildly unexpected career journey of Paul Matthews, mechanical engineer turned desert explorer turned learning strategy pioneer.
We talk gorilla encounters (yes, really), sheep logic, overland expeditions, and how Paul’s engineering brain sparked a revolution in how organizations approach training and performance. But more than that, Paul shares the reflective practices and personal philosophies that helped him build a career (and life) filled with meaning—and impact.
This isn’t just a story for L&D professionals. It’s for anyone who’s ever felt stuck, curious, or ready for change.
🔎 In this episode:
- Behavior change vs content delivery
- Building learning that actually sticks
- Informal learning and performance support
- Leadership, risk-taking, and choosing purpose over “shoulds”
- Why your next move doesn’t need to be big—just intentional
Learning and Development, L&D Strategy, Behavior Change, Informal Learning, Training Impact, Performance Support, Career Growth, Leadership Development, Paul Matthews, People Alchemy, Development Nerds Podcast
More about Paul:
Paul Matthews is one of the leading Learning & Development experts, with three best-selling books to his name. An accomplished keynote speaker, he speaks around the world on a diverse range of topics. He brings L&D to life with stories from his extensive travels that fascinate and inspire. He is known for reducing complex theory down to practical tools and sharing them in a way that everyone can use to get better results. As well as being a sought-after speaker, Paul provides consultancy services, training workshops and webinars for blue-chip clients in the UK and beyond.
Connect with Paul:
X: PeopleAlchemy
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/paulmatthews100/
Website: https://peoplealchemy.com
Speaking Opportunities: https://paul-matthews.com
Your host, Candice Mitchell, can be found online at:
Website: https://talentdevelopmentnerds.com/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/candicemitchelltdnerd/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/talent_development_nerd/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@candicemitchell.TDNerd
Talent Development Academy: https://talentdevelopmentnerds.com/tda
Original music composed by: Paul DeHaven
41 episodes
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