Bring Out the Talent: A Learning and Development Podcast

In this episode of “Bring Out The Talent,” we speak with Matt Resteghini, Chief Marketing Officer of Total Brain. It is no secret that there is a Mental Health Crisis impacting our world. Studies have found that 19% of people have a mental health condition and 51% are at risk for a mental health condition. So how can business leaders better understand employee stress levels, risks of mental conditions, and their impact on brain capacities? And more importantly, what can we do about it? Matt discusses their powerful work surrounding neuroscience-based mental health and brain performance. With digital neuroscience, mental health can be measured, improved, and managed - just like physical health. Matt will also discuss their recent work developing the Mental Health Index: U.S. Worker Edition, the impact of COVID on mental health risks and brain capacities, some of the biggest challenges of the broader mental health crisis, and how to help remove the stigma around mental health. Tune in and learn how you can proactively support some of the challenges around the mental health crisis for your employees. 

In this episode of “Bring Out The Talent,” we speak with Bonnie Rivers, Director of Employer Relations for Work Without Limits at UMass Chan Medical School’s Commonwealth Medicine. With one in four adults in the US living with a disability, what can business leaders do to support their success? With so many organizations increasing their focus on inclusion and diversity, many are looking to find ways to better support employees with disabilities. Bonnie and the team at Work Without Limits provide training and consulting services to help build the capacity of employers, employment service providers, state agency personnel, and educational institutions in advancing workplace disability inclusion. Bonnie will discuss how their programs work, training programs they offer, how to address neurodiversity in the workplace, and much more. Tune in and learn how you can support a more diverse workplace that thrives without limits.  About Work Without Limits: Work Without Limits is an initiative of Commonwealth Medicine, the consulting and operations division of UMass Chan Medical School. Their goal is to position Massachusetts as the first state in the nation where the employment rate of people with disabilities is equal to people without disabilities.

In this episode of “Bring Out The Talent,” we speak with Erin Diehl on ways to engage and cultivate company culture in this new hybrid world. Erin is the energetic founder of “Improve it!” a unique professional development company that pushes others to laugh, learn, play, and grow. Erin has spoken on stages nationwide for associations including SHRM, HRMAC, and ATD. She has also worked with many amazing organizations such as United Airlines, PepsiCo, Uber, Groupon, Deloitte, Walgreens, and Warby Parker – just to name a few. Erin shares ideas on how leaders can improve engagement for remote, in-office, and hybrid employees. Tune in and learn from an expert how we can all shift our mindsets to focus on the quality of how we connect, ways to maximize engagement, and the tools to cultivate a thriving company culture.

In this episode of “Bring Out The Talent,” we speak with Brian Boyle about extended reality (XR). Brian is a training designer, technologist, and founder of the award-winning CrossTrainer. With the global XR market expected to rise over 300 billion dollars by 2024 and more cost-effective solutions available, organizations are looking at XR to help increase learning engagement. Brian will discuss several XR solutions, share some interesting use cases, and give listeners tips to help determine which avenue is best for your organization. As the world accelerates its path of digital transformation, tune it and learn from an XR expert the key to the future of work and what is next for mixed reality.

In this episode of “Bring Out The Talent,” we speak with Dr. Christopher Croner, Principal, Lead Sales Psychologist, and Sales Assessment Developer at SalesDrive. With sales positions having such a high turnover rate, many organizations are looking for the secret to hiring and keeping exceptional salespeople. In this episode, Dr. Croner uncovers that secret formula for success, and here’s a hint – it all begins with the assessment. Dr. Croner gives listeners a deep dive into the three elements of drive, how to test a sales candidate's drive, and interview questions that you can use to assess the three critical elements of drive. With the average sales turnover at 35%, tune in and learn from an expert how you can never hire a bad salesperson again!

In this episode of “Bring Out The Talent,” we speak with Jon O’Keefe the Technology Education Jedi at Logical Operations. Jon discusses the Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification (CMMC). Developed by the U.S. Department of Defense, the CMMC is a cybersecurity program designed to protect information that is shared by the Department with its contractors. With over 350,000 contractors within the DoD vendor supply chain needing the CMMC, there is an increasing demand for the training. Jon gives listeners a deep dive into the training program and who would benefit from this certification. He will discuss how there are heightened risks for companies as more employees are working from home. With a compliance requirement date looming, tune in and learn from an expert how you can begin preparing now.

In this episode of “Bring Out The Talent,” we shake it up a bit and speak with Kris Myer an Emmy nominated and award-winning producer and co-founder and CEO of Muddhouse Media. In this off-the-cuff episode, Kris discusses his 20+ year career working in the entertainment industry. From his work with the comedic duo The Farrelly Brothers on blockbuster hits such as “There’s Something About Mary,” “Me, Myself & Irene,” “Shallow Hal,” “Fever Pitch,” and “Dumb & Dumber To.” To his independent ventures on a number of films and tv shows ranging from the Sports Emmy nominated ESPN show “THE LOST SON OF HAVANA” to “PLIMPTON!” Kris also discusses his most recent venture in podcasting with his new production company “Muddhouse Media.” Tune in for a fun look behind the scenes of some of the best tv shows, movies, and podcasts of our time!

In this episode of “Bring Out The Talent,” we speak with Pari Smart, a Certified Gallup StrengthsFinder Coach. Pari takes us for a deep dive into the strengths-based philosophy utilizing Gallup’s CliftonStrengths assessments. Over 26 million people have utilized CliftonStrengths assessments to help define their unique talent DNA. In fact, these assessments are so beneficial that thousands of companies have incorporated them into their employee development programs in order to help maximize their team's potential at work. As a certified StrengthsFinder coach, Pari discusses ways that leaders can use and understand their own strengths, as well as, their employees' strengths, to help develop and reinforce the positive attributes of their teams. Tune in and discover the significant impact that CliftonStrengths assessments can have in the workplace and how managing to employees’ strengths can lead to improved workforce engagement and increased employee retention.

In this episode of “Bring Out The Talent,” we speak with Magda Bukala, the Diversity Inclusion and Social Responsibility Manager II, and ATA Global Project Manager at Akamai Technologies. Magda takes a deep dive into the origins of the Akamai Technical Academy (ATA), a training program for diverse talent, specifically people with the aptitude for technology who might not come from typical technical backgrounds. Magda discusses the candidate process and experience, the profound impact ATA had on Akamai and its employees, and how the program went on to win a 2020 Brandon Hall Group Award for Excellence in Learning. Tune in and discover how your organization can develop strong talent from non-traditional backgrounds and diversify your workforce.

In this episode of “Bring Out The Talent,” we speak with Jerry Gschwind, President of Symphony Learning Partners, Learning Strategy Expert, and Senior TTA Learning Consultant. Jerry shares stories from his thirty years as a Learning Strategist and shares some remarkable stories from some of his notable award-winning projects. Jerry also takes a deeper dive into Learning Strategy, when to use a Learning Strategist, the core benefits of developing a Learning Strategy, and how to determine if a Learning Strategist is right for you. Tune in and discover from an expert how a Learning Strategy can positively impact your organization’s learning initiatives.