The Talent Development Hot Seat podcast - The Top podcast for L&D Professionals

In this episode, Andy dives deep into the realms of mental health, resilience, emotional well-being, and the importance of courage in the workplace with expert Justine Froelker. Justine brings over 25 years of experience as a licensed professional counsellor and together they dive into;The challenges we face in today's fast-paced worldPractical advice for improving well-being both at home and at work Justine's transformative career shift towards empowering leaders with courage-centered strategies. As the author of 11 books and a seasoned speakerJustine's unique perspective on fostering workplace cultures that support personal growth and authentic connection.Setting boundariesEmbracing vulnerabilityEnhancing emotional intelligenceJustine now shares her own curriculum, Courage is Built Here™, after being certified in Dr. Brené Brown’s work on vulnerability, courage, and empathy for 11 years. This transformative program empowers individuals to live and lead with self-awareness, authenticity, and resilience, building a foundation for courage-centered leadership. An accomplished author of eleven books—including five Amazon bestsellers—Justine has written across genres, from children’s books to in-depth explorations of infertility, faith, and grief. She has delivered two TEDx Talks, The Permission of the And and The Donut Effect, which highlight her unique perspective on navigating life’s complexities with grace. Justine is a sought-after speaker who travels nationally and presents virtually to global audiences, delivering keynotes, workshops, retreats, and trainings on topics such as leadership, resilience, mental health, coping with burnout, courageous and curious conversations, and fostering cultures of inclusion and belonging. Connect with Andy Storch here:WebsiteLinkedInJoin us in the Talent Development Think Tank Community!Connect with Justine Froelker here:LinkedInWebsite Mentioned in this episode:Learnit prerollVisit learnit.com/andy to start your free 45-day trial of their Team Pass which includes unlimited classes for up to 20 people. It's a no brainer!

In today's episode, Andy sits down with Jill Schulman, a former United States Marine Corps officer and acclaimed expert on the science of bravery. Together, they explore:Courage and bravery within the workplaceJills extensive background in military service Corporate leadership Positive psychology to offer actionable insights on how we can unlock individual and team potential through the science of braveryJills academic research on bravery Powerful strategies to help us recognize fear and take bold actions to overcome itWhether it's having difficult conversations, pursuing ambitious goals, or breaking out of our comfort zones, this episode is packed with valuable lessons for anyone looking to bolster their courage in both personal and professional spheres. Join us as we dive deep into cultivating a brave mindset for a more fulfilling and impactful career.Jill Schulman is a former USMC officer, leadership expert, happiness scientist, and keynote speaker who specializes in helping individuals and teams unlock their potential through the science of bravery. With a diverse background spanning military service, corporate leadership, and academia, Jill combines research-based insights with real-world experience to empower others to push limits, embrace bold goals, and elevate their impact—all while enhancing well-being and life satisfaction.Connect with Andy Storch here:WebsiteLinkedInJoin us in the Talent Development Think Tank Community!Connect with Jill Schulman here:LinkedInMentioned in this episode:Learnit prerollVisit learnit.com/andy to start your free 45-day trial of their Team Pass which includes unlimited classes for up to 20 people. It's a no brainer!

In this bonus Q&A with Jonathan Hodge, he shares:His proudest moment and biggest failure in his career so farA trend that he is following in Talent Development right nowThe biggest challenge he sees in Talent Development todayBooks that have made a big impact on his lifeOne piece of career advice he has for youJonathan Hodge offers a compelling journey of growth and transformation, highlighted by an impressive 22-year career in the professional development industry. Originally emerging from a background in tech sales, Jonathan honed his skills as a senior salesperson and eventually became a sales manager for a telecommunications company. His passion for personal and team development led him to the field of adult and professional growth. Taking inspiration from his father, a former business leader who transitioned into the realm of adult development later in his career, Jonathan carved a niche for himself in helping others reach their potential and is President of Advantage Performance Group (APG).Connect with Andy Storch here:WebsiteLinkedInJoin us in the Talent Development Think Tank Community!Connect with Jonathan Hodge here:LinkedInThanks to our sponsor at LearnIt, you can get a free 45-day trial to their Team Pass membership for you and your team. Learn more at Learnit.com/andyArticle: The Ethics of Generative AI in Learning and DevelopmentMentioned in this episode:Learnit prerollVisit learnit.com/andy to start your free 45-day trial of their Team Pass which includes unlimited classes for up to 20 people. It's a no brainer!

Today, we are diving into a crucial conversation about the ethical use of generative AI in the field of learning and development. Our guest is Jonathan Hodge, the CEO and President of Advantage Performance Group, a professional services firm dedicated to creative learning solutions. Andy and Jonathan discuss;Jonathan's insights on the potential challenges and risks associated with AI.Four key guidelines for its ethical use. How AI is reshaping talent development.The importance of balancing innovation with ethical considerations. Whether you're new to AI or already incorporating it into your work, this episode is packed with valuable insights to help you navigate this evolving landscape responsibly. Listen in as we uncover the future of AI in talent development and how it can be harnessed to drive growth and success while respecting ethical boundaries.Jonathan Hodge offers a compelling journey of growth and transformation, highlighted by an impressive 22-year career in the professional development industry. Originally emerging from a background in tech sales, Jonathan honed his skills as a senior salesperson and eventually became a sales manager for a telecommunications company. His passion for personal and team development led him to the field of adult and professional growth. Taking inspiration from his father, a former business leader who transitioned into the realm of adult development later in his career, Jonathan carved a niche for himself in helping others reach their potential and is President of Advantage Performance Group (APG).Connect with Andy Storch here:WebsiteLinkedInJoin us in the Talent Development Think Tank Community!Connect with Jonathan Hodge here:LinkedInArticle: The Ethics of Generative AI in Learning and DevelopmentMentioned in this episode:Learnit prerollVisit learnit.com/andy to start your free 45-day trial of their Team Pass which includes unlimited classes for up to 20 people. It's a no brainer!

In this bonus Q&A with Rashi, she shares:Her proudest moment and biggest failure in her career so farA trend that she is following in Talent Development right nowThe biggest challenge she sees in Talent Development todayBooks that have made a big impact on her lifeOne piece of career advice she has for youRashi Kakkar has a career spanning strategy consulting, sports management, design thinking / service design and digital transformations, before getting into learning and development at McKinsey. All of this has helped Rashi develop her own unique look at problems and servicing and developing others. Currently Rashi is the Global Manager and Portfolio Lead for Leadership Development at McKinsey and Author of the Decks and Diapers blog. All views expressed in this podcast interview are her own and not representative of the McKinsey organization. Connect with Andy Storch here:WebsiteLinkedInJoin us in the Talent Development Think Tank Community!Check out Andy's feature on Rashi's Blog here Connect with Rashi Kakkar here:LinkedInDecks and DiapersMentioned in this episode:Learnit prerollVisit learnit.com/andy to start your free 45-day trial of their Team Pass which includes unlimited classes for up to 20 people. It's a no brainer!

Today we welcome Rashi Kakkar, Global Manager and Portfolio Lead for Leadership Development at McKinsey & Company. Rashi shares her unique journey from strategy consulting, sports management, and digital transformations to her current role in learning and development. Together, Andy and Rashi delve into a range of compelling topics, including: The Brand of learning and development (L&D)Digital transformationsScaling and upskilling employees within a global organization, with a focus on professional services. Rashi provides valuable insights into the importance of clear communication, people alignment, and capability building during organizational transformations. She also discusses the significance of breaking down silos, working closely with IT and digital teams, and the need for L&D to take a more strategic, proactive approach. Additionally, Rashi shares her perspective on using principles from CX, UX design, service design, and agile thinking to enhance talent development practices. Listen in to discover how you can improve your strategies and elevate the impact of L&D within your organization.Rashi Kakkar who has a career spanning strategy consulting, sports management, design thinking / service design and digital transformations, before getting into learning and development at McKinsey. And all of this has helped Rashi develop her own unique look at problems and servicing and developing others. Currently Rashi is the global manager and portfolio lead for Leadership Development at McKinsey and Author of the Decks and Diapers blog. All views expressed in this podcast interview are her own and not representative of the McKinsey organization. Connect with Andy Storch here:WebsiteLinkedInJoin us in the Talent Development Think Tank Community!Check out Andy's feature on Rashi's Blog here Connect with Rashi Kakkar here:LinkedInDecks and Diapers

In this bonus Q&A with Mehmet, he shares:His proudest moment and biggest failure in his career so farA trend that he is following in Talent Development right nowThe biggest challenge he sees in Talent Development todayBooks that have made a big impact on his lifeOne piece of career advice he has for youHis full name is Mehmet Baha and everyone calls him Baha. Since his childhood, he has been fascinated by the question: “How can I make a difference in the lives of people?” His interest leads him to win a scholarship from Fulbright and finish his master’s in the USA on the topic of Conflict Resolution.He has lived and worked in Germany, Turkey, Ireland, Guatemala, and the USA with more than 24 years of work experience. Baha was one of the first employees of Facebook in Europe. Throughout his life, he has realized the importance of having psychological safety to create high-performing teams. So far, he has delivered training and given talks in more than 28 countries across 5 continents. Recently, he completed Harvard Business School’s Online Executive Education Programme “Organizational Leadership”.He is fluent in English, Spanish, Turkish, and German. In his free time, he loves to play percussion, travel with his family, and play basketball with his 8-year-old daughter. “Playbook for Engaged Employees“ is his first book.In September 2024, his second book “Creating Psychological Safety at Work: The Essential Guide to Boosting Team Performance“ was published.Connect with Andy Storch here:WebsiteLinkedInJoin us in the Talent Development Think Tank Community!Connect with Mehmet Baha here:LinkedIn

Today we delve into an essential topic for anyone in the world of talent development: Psychological Safety. Our guest, Mehmet Baha, is a renowned expert in this field, having started his career with Facebook in Europe and now conducting extensive research and training on creating and fostering psychological safety in organizations.In this episode, Mehmet will:Share his intriguing journey from his impactful time at Facebook to his broader research across various organizations. Explore what psychological safety truly means and how it significantly impacts culture, leadership, team performance, learning, and diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI). Provide both common pitfalls and valuable strategies that organizations can use to cultivate a psychologically safe environment.Whether you're keen on boosting team performance, navigating organizational change, or enhancing your company's learning and development initiatives, this episode offers invaluable insights. Mehmet's practical examples and actionable tips promise to help you understand and implement psychological safety to elevate your organizational culture. So, without further ado, let’s dive into this enlightening conversation with Mehmet Baha on creating psychological safety at work.His full name is Mehmet Baha and everyone calls him Baha. Since his childhood, he has been fascinated by the question: “How can I make a difference in the lives of people?” His interest leads him to win a scholarship from Fulbright and finish his master’s in the USA on the topic of Conflict Resolution.He has lived and worked in Germany, Turkey, Ireland, Guatemala, and the USA with more than 24 years of work experience. Baha was one of the first employees of Facebook in Europe. Throughout his life, he has realized the importance of having psychological safety to create high-performing teams. So far, he has delivered training and given talks in more than 28 countries across 5 continents. Recently, he completed Harvard Business School’s Online Executive Education Programme “Organizational Leadership”.He is fluent in English, Spanish, Turkish, and German. In his free time, he loves to play percussion, travel with his family, and play basketball with his 8-year-old daughter. “Playbook for Engaged Employees“ is his first book.In September 2024, his second book “Creating Psychological Safety at Work: The Essential Guide to Boosting Team Performance“ was published.Connect with Andy Storch here:WebsiteLinkedInJoin us in the Talent Development Think Tank Community!Connect with Mehmet Baha here:LinkedIn

In this bonus Q&A with Matthew, he shares:His proudest moment and biggest failure in his career so farA trend that he is following in Talent Development right nowThe biggest challenge he sees in Talent Development todayBooks that have made a big impact on his lifeOne piece of career advice he has for youMatthew has 25 years in the learning space - both corporate and for agencies. His experience ranges from working with global clients with large culture and organisational change programmes, develop learning strategies, develop learning solutions and occasionally getting out in the wild to deliver leadership programmes. All this is across lots of different sectors: pharma, automotive, manufacturing, telco and retail. His big passion is improving business performance through people - especially focusing on authentic leadership, innovation, culture, empowerment and trust.Connect with Andy Storch here:WebsiteLinkedInJoin us in the Talent Development Think Tank Community!Connect with Matthew Moxon here:LinkedIn

Today we dive deep into the complexities and nuances of leadership with our special guest, Matthew Moxon, the Global Director of Learning Experience Design at Nazare. With over 25 years of experience across sectors like pharma, automotive, and manufacturing, Matthew brings a wealth of knowledge on developing authentic leadership, fostering innovation, and cultivating an empowering corporate culture.In this episode, we’ll explore:Essential leadership principles such as empowering others, providing constructive feedback, and maintaining accountability. Matthew's personal journey with testicular cancer, emphasizing the importance of awareness and early detection, while using humour and resilience to inspire others.The challenges of ensuring strategic communication resonates with employees, the concept of leadership "Multipliers" to maximize team potential, and integrating leadership training into daily workflows rather than isolated events. The importance of understanding employee mindsets, addressing roadblocks, and fostering genuine engagement.So, settle in and get ready to rethink leadership, culture, and personal well-being with insights that can transform both your professional and personal lives. Let's get started!Matthew has 25 years in the learning space - both corporate and for agencies. His experience ranges from working with global clients with large culture and organisational change programmes, develop learning strategies, develop learning solutions and occasionally getting out in the wild to deliver leadership programmes. All this is across lots of different sectors: pharma, automotive, manufacturing, telco and retail. His big passion is improving business performance through people - especially focusing on authentic leadership, innovation, culture, empowerment and trust.Connect with Andy Storch here:WebsiteLinkedInJoin us in the Talent Development Think Tank Community!Connect with Matthew Moxon here:LinkedIn