Bring Out the Talent: A Learning and Development Podcast

In this insightful discussion, guest Carrie Quick, a senior leader with over 23 years of experience in guiding complex transformations, tackles the common pitfalls of change management. She highlights the Five P's that often lead to failure, such as planning and communication gaps. Carrie emphasizes the importance of recognizing early warning signs like scope creep and team silence. She also delves into managing resistance and creating psychological safety, sharing practical tips for leaders to turn setbacks into growth opportunities.

Starting a new job should feel energizing, not overwhelming. Yet research shows that nearly 30% of new hires leave within their first 90 days, a costly miss that often traces back to ineffective onboarding and orientation. Even more telling, only 12% of employees believe their company provides a great onboarding experience, which means most people feel the system fails them at exactly the moment they need it most. And considering that organizations with a strong onboarding process improve new hire retention by 82% and productivity by over 70%, the stakes for getting it right are high. In this episode of Bring Out the Talent, we’re joined by Dr. Mechelle Roberthon, a nationally recognized HR and organizational development leader, keynote speaker, and consultant. With over 15 years of experience helping organizations strengthen culture and elevate employee experience, Dr. Rob is known for her practical, people-first approach that turns talent strategies into measurable business impact. This conversation is about shifting onboarding and orientation from administrative necessity into strategic advantage. From blending compliance with culture to designing orientation that truly resonates, Dr. Rob shares strategies leaders can use to set employees up for long-term success. Get ready for a future-focused discussion that will reshape how you think about onboarding, orientation, and those critical first chapters of the employee journey.

What do higher productivity, stronger trust, and healthier cultures all have in common? They’re all fueled by one thing: positive leadership. In this episode of Bring Out the Talent, we’re joined by Jason Murphy, President and Chief Consultant of JRM Human Capital, keynote speaker, executive coach, and master facilitator. For over 25 years, Jason has helped Fortune 500 companies, mid-sized firms, and mission-driven organizations unlock the full potential of their people by making leadership a lived experience. Known for his energy, authenticity, and #EveryDayGreatDay mantra, he’s inspired leaders around the globe to transform how they lead, connect, and grow. This conversation is all about what it really takes to drive positive leadership in today’s workplace. From closing the gaps in clarity, connection, commitment, and care to shutting out negativity and fueling teams with purpose, Jason offers practical steps that leaders can put into action right away.Get ready for an engaging, energizing discussion that will leave you rethinking how positivity can transform performance, culture, and leadership at every level. 

What do billion-dollar innovation, a global marketplace, and bold leadership have in common? They were all driven by one thing: strategic leadership. In this episode of Bring Out the Talent, we’re joined by John Rossman, former Amazon executive and author of Big Bet Leadership: Your Transformation Playbook for Winning in the Hyper-Digital Era. John led the launch of Amazon Marketplace, now responsible for over half of Amazon’s global sales, and has since guided high-impact transformation at organizations like T-Mobile, the Gates Foundation, and Walmart.This conversation is all about what it really takes to drive innovation and transformation at scale. From identifying strategic opportunities to breaking through organizational inertia, John offers a behind-the-scenes look at how leaders can make bold moves without losing alignment, culture, or control. Tune in for a sharp, energizing conversation that’ll challenge the way you think about leadership.

A toxic workplace culture can drive out great employees faster than low pay, and nearly 70% of workers say culture directly impacts productivity. So, what’s quietly undermining your organization?In this episode of Bring Out the Talent, Brett Hoogeveen, Co-Founder of BetterCulture, shares how to spot and stop the behaviors that erode trust, lower morale, and sabotage performance. Brett offers a unique lens on what makes organizations thrive and what tears them apart. From gossip and negativity to leadership blind spots, Brett reveals early warning signs of culture erosion and practical ways to course-correct. You’ll also hear about BetterCulture’s “20 Tenets of Culture” a blueprint for building workplaces people genuinely want to join.This episode offers actionable insights for leaders who want to build a higher-performing culture.Here is your link to a free resource mentioned in the episode:https://betterculture.com/bringoutthetalent/. 

In this episode, we’re joined by Joel Podolny, CEO of Honor Education and the founding Dean of Apple University, for a deep dive into how organizations can build a culture where teaching and learning are embedded into everyday work.Joel shares insights from his leadership at Apple, Yale, Harvard, and Stanford, focusing on the concept of “experts leading experts.” We examine the challenges and opportunities in empowering top talent to share knowledge, the role of humility and mutual respect, and the steps leaders can take to create meaningful, peer-driven learning environments.Whether you're shaping learning strategy, driving innovation, or developing your teams, this episode offers practical guidance for cultivating a stronger learning culture at every level.  

In this episode of Bring Out the Talent, we’re joined by Olympic gold medalist and keynote speaker Connor Fields for a powerful conversation on mental toughness and resilience. As the first American to win gold in BMX racing, Connor’s story is one of grit, perseverance, and reinvention, from his historic victory in Rio to the life-changing crash in Tokyo that forced a dramatic career pivot. Connor opens up about what it really takes to build mental toughness, not just in elite sports, but in everyday life and leadership. He shares how he stayed grounded through pressure, how he reframed failure, and the mindset shifts that helped him find purpose after adversity.Whether you’re facing a personal setback, navigating a career change, or simply looking to strengthen your resilience, this episode is full of honest insights and actionable takeaways to help you bounce back stronger.

In this episode of Bring Out the Talent, we welcome Chad Foster, author, innovator, and leadership expert known for helping global organizations turn adversity into advantage. Chad shares his remarkable journey of breaking barriers, from creating the first CRM software for the visually impaired to guiding leaders at Google, IBM, and Microsoft. We explore the anatomy of resilience, strategies for navigating change, and practical tools to help individuals and organizations build lasting strength through challenges.This inspiring conversation will encourage you to rethink what’s possible and reimagine resilience in your own life and work. Discover more of Chad’s insights here. 

In this episode of Bring Out the Talent, we explore the powerful intersection of artificial intelligence and learning and development with Margie Meacham. Margie is the renowned author of AI in Talent Development, learning consultant, and a global expert in applying neuroscience and AI to transform education and performance.Margie shares how AI is reshaping the learning landscape through personalized learning coaches, immersive simulations, and adaptive platforms. She also unpacks the ethical considerations and strategic opportunities L&D professionals must understand to leverage AI responsibly and effectively.Whether you’re just beginning to explore AI or looking to enhance your learning programs with smarter, data-driven tools, this conversation is full of forward-thinking insights and actionable takeaways.

In a dynamic discussion, Chris Seifert, founder of Enabling Empowerment and author renowned for his insights on leadership, dives into strategies for enhancing team decision-making skills. He emphasizes the importance of empowering individuals at all levels and fostering a culture of shared leadership. Chris highlights how clear communication can bolster confidence among team members and shares tactics to navigate cognitive biases in decision-making. Listeners will learn practical approaches to avoid micromanagement and embrace innovative brainstorming techniques for better outcomes.