Rebecca Hinds holds a PhD from Stanford University and is the author of Your Best Meeting Ever. She is a leading expert on organizational behavior and joins the podcast to explore why meetings are hurting your organization more than helping. Rebecca explains how, in their current format, meetings lead to wasted time and money. The solution, she argues, is treating meetings as if they were products – designed intentionally, measured regularly, and continuously improved. In this episode, Rebecca p...
Jan 21, 2026•43 min•Season 8Ep. 2
Learning is hard – but that's a good thing. In this episode of the ATD's Accidental Trainer podcast, learning scientist and co-founder of To Eleven, Julia Phelan, dives into why effective learning should feel challenging and how trainers can bring out the most growth in a learner amidst that challenge. Drawing from examples in music and sports, Julia emphasizes that struggle, practice, feedback, and time are essential for meaningful learning to occur. The conversation provides advice for setting...
Jan 07, 2026•56 min•Season 8Ep. 1
The key to higher performance isn't perks or programs, but genuine care for employees' well-being. Mark C. Crowley joins the podcast to share insights from his book The Power of Employee Wellbeing . Drawing on both research and his experience as a manager, Crowley explains why traditional engagement programs often fall short, how to meaningfully measure well-being, and the link between productivity and authentic workplace relationships. The conversation also explores how to build alignment betwe...
Sep 24, 2025•47 min•Season 7Ep. 17
Marty Dubin, a clinical psychologist and author of Blindspotting: How to See What's Holding You Back as a Leader , joins us to explore six leadership blind spots that may be affecting your work: identity, intellect, emotion, motive, traits, and behavior. These areas offer L&D professionals a framework for strengthening self-awareness and managing the many roles they take on. Marty explains the "why" behind analyzing blind spots, shares actionable steps for adopting new behaviors, and provide...
Sep 10, 2025•40 min•Season 7Ep. 16
When it comes to tackling the bias around age, is the juice worth the squeeze? Our guest, Tonya Wilson, says absolutely. Tonya, organizational strategist and founder of AFC Consulting Group, joins the podcast to discuss the hidden costs of age discrimination—an issue that drains more than $850 billion from the U.S. economy each year. Tonya debunks myths about older generations, reframes age bias as a change management challenge, and offers suggestions for creating systems that provide growth opp...
Aug 27, 2025•43 min•Season 7Ep. 15
Ryan Lufkin, Vice President of Global Academic Strategy at Instructure, joins the podcast to cut through the noise around AI-enabled skill building and explore how this technology can truly support a thriving learning culture. AI is an accelerator, a disruptor, and a powerful tool—but it's not replacing educators any time soon. Ryan shares how AI can work hand-in-hand with human oversight, expand accessibility, and take tedious tasks off your plate. He also offers practical, budget-friendly tool...
Aug 13, 2025•39 min•Season 7Ep. 14
Sabina Nawaz is a global CEO coach, leadership keynote speaker, author, and advisor to C-level executives in Fortune 500 corporations, government agencies, non-profits, and academic institutions. She joins the podcast to discuss themes of leadership from her book, You're the Boss: Become the Manager You Want to Be (and Others Need). As leaders navigate expanding power, increasing pressure to perform, and the impact of their decisions, Sabina offers tools to help mitigate the tension that builds....
Jul 31, 2025•35 min•Season 7Ep. 13
Many talented learning professionals feel invisible—despite doing incredible work. In this episode, Connie Malamed joins us to explore how to gain visibility by contributing meaningfully to the field. We talk about why visibility matters, how to build credibility without being performative, and the ripple effects of sharing your work. You'll also hear simple, low-pressure ways to raise your profile—whether it's online, inside your organization, or across the L&D field. We break down common b...
Jul 16, 2025•28 min•Season 7Ep. 12
Jonathan Halls is an author and consultant who uses learning science to streamline talent development to be digital and focused on business results. In today's episode, Jonathan takes on L&D's Goliath: Bloom's Taxonomy. If you've written a learning objective before, you've likely used a version of Bloom's Taxonomy. But what if we've been using it in ways it was never meant to be used? What if this framework is creating roadblocks and preventing real learning? Jonathan guides us through a tho...
Jun 25, 2025•41 min•Season 7Ep. 11
Chelsea C. Williams, Founder & CEO of Reimagine Talent, is an expert on intergenerational talent strategies and the Gen Z workforce. In this episode, Chelsea debunks myths about Gen Z and shares lessons we can learn from the youngest working demographic. She breaks down what research reveals Gen Z truly values—from transparency and purpose to wellbeing and career development—and reveals the stereotypes that ofen misguide managers. Discover what resonates with young professionals and how lead...
Jun 11, 2025•40 min•Season 7Ep. 10
To elevate your training, it's time to take a page from the marketing playbook. In this episode, we're joined by Bianca Baumann and Mike Taylor—co-authors of Think Like a Marketer, Train Like an L&D Pro: Strategies to Ignite Learning —to explore how applying marketing strategies within learning programs can supercharge engagement, drive measurable impact, and secure stakeholder buy-in. Bianca, VP of Learning Solutions & Innovation at Ardent Learning, and Mike, a learning consultant at Na...
May 28, 2025•36 min•Season 7Ep. 9
Siri Chilazi, senior researcher at the Women and Public Policy Program at Harvard Kennedy School and co-author of Make Work Fair: Data-Driven Design for Real Results , joins the podcast to explore how organizations can meaningfully advance fairness at work. Drawing on insights from her research and the book, Siri discusses how to drive change even in risk-averse or hesitant environments. She unpacks the difference between fairness and sameness, how to bias-proof training, and what it really take...
May 01, 2025•41 min•Season 7Ep. 8
Neil Thompson is the founder of Teach the Geek, a company dedicated to helping technical professionals effectively communicate the value of their work to non-technical stakeholders. He joins the podcast to share how anyone with a specialization can sharpen their presentation skills—moving beyond acronyms and jargon that only experts understand. This conversation also explores what L&D professionals can do when they're on the receiving end of technical lingo. How do you collaborate with a SME...
Apr 09, 2025•27 min•Season 7Ep. 7
Jenny Wood, former Google executive and author of Wild Courage: Go After What You Want and Get It , challenges the idea that success means playing it safe. In this episode, she reveals how to reclaim nine so-called "negative" traits—like being selfish, nosy, or even manipulative—and use them to build confidence, influence without authority, and stand out in your career. We explore how these traits play out in risk-averse vs. risk-friendly workplaces, how to apply them in team settings (not just ...
Mar 26, 2025•31 min•Season 7Ep. 6
Seth Godin – acclaimed entrepreneur, bestselling author of This is Strategy: Make Better Plans , and closing keynote speaker at ATD25 – joins the podcast to challenge the way we think about strategy. What if strategy isn't about rigid plans but about systems, time, and the games we choose to play? What happens when we mistake false proxies for progress? And how can community action and empathy fit into the puzzle of creating change? Seth shares his perspective on navigating ambiguity, designing ...
Mar 12, 2025•36 min•Season 7Ep. 5
Sarah Mercier is the CEO of Build Capable and the editor of the newly released book, Design for All Learners: Create Accessible and Inclusive Learning Experiences . Sarah joins the podcast to share an inside look into Design for All Learners , revealing why everyone benefits from more inclusive design, and actionable steps you can take immediately to create more accessible content. Sarah shares chapter sneak-peeks and explains how the story-driven format allows readers to understand accessibilit...
Feb 26, 2025•44 min•Season 7Ep. 4
Erin Diehl is a podcast host, a bestselling author, and the CEO of improve it!. In this episode, she discusses how improv shows up in day-to-day life and simple ways to use improv techniques to find success in your work and relationships. Improv as a strategic tool has a variety of uses, including building company culture, navigating workplace challenges, and reinforcing inclusivity. Try the "yes, and" theory to foster collaboration, the M.O.V.E. O.N. method to turn failure into a learning habit...
Feb 12, 2025•39 min•Season 7Ep. 3
Juliana Sawaia is a happiness-at-work scientist, business consultant, and researcher with over 20 years of experience specializing in corporate happiness. On this episode, Julianna explains "why" fostering happiness is imperative not just for individuals, but as a business strategy. Tune in for actionable steps on "how" to cultivate happiness at work, as the conversation explores what the research says about happiness, why psychological safety matters, and practical strategies for getting stakeh...
Jan 29, 2025•39 min•Season 7Ep. 2
Jessica Kriegel, Chief Strategy Officer at Culture Partners, is an author, podcast host, and culture expert. She joins the podcast to explore the many trend predictions for 2025, forecast which ones are likely to stick, and discuss how L&D professionals can anticipate changes to their roles. The conversation delves into the evolving use of AI tools, the future of middle managers, and why the five-day return-to-office (RTO) trend isn't as daunting as it seems. Jessica's insights provide a roa...
Jan 15, 2025•49 min•Season 7Ep. 1
Executive presence goes beyond confidence and charisma—it's a vital skill for every professional, not just those in the C-Suite. Hilary Blair, cofounder and CEO of ARTiculate Real&Clear, explores the evolving role of executive presence and its particular importance for trainers and instructional designers in the L&D field. Hilary delves into how executive presence shapes perceptions and challenges stereotypes tied to our "packaging." She also shares strategies for developing an authentic...
Dec 18, 2024•45 min•Season 6Ep. 24
Alaina Szlachta, PhD, is the founder of By Design Development Solutions and author of the recently published Measurement and Evaluation on a Shoestring . Alaina's book provides advice for L&D professionals navigating tight budgets, limited resources, and demanding expectations. In this episode, Alaina unveils her practical framework for measurement and evaluation, organized into three actionable strategies: Build, Borrow, or Buy. Build: Tailor strategies to your organization by forming hypot...
Dec 04, 2024•51 min•Season 6Ep. 23
As coaching grows in popularity, so does the misconception that all coaching methods deliver the same results. In this episode, Jackie Sahm, Vice President of Integrative Solutions at Hogan Assessments, joins us to explore why assessment-based coaching stands out as a transformative approach for L&D professionals. Jackie breaks down what makes assessment-based coaching unique, who benefits most from it, and how data-driven insights can act as a catalyst for meaningful progress. We'll also di...
Nov 20, 2024•46 min•Season 6Ep. 22
Jessica Chen is the author of Smart Not Loud -How to Get Noticed at Work for all the Right Reason s . In this podcast episode, she explores effective communication strategies that elevate your professional presence. Jessica shares insight into understanding the common communication scale within organizations and how to assess your perceived position on that scale. Throughout the conversation, Jessica provides a variety of frameworks for reframing your communication style to boost credibility and...
Nov 06, 2024•41 min•Season 6Ep. 21
Succession planning is evolving beyond the C-suite and becoming a critical, organization-wide strategy. In this episode, Angela Stopper, Chief Learning Officer and Director of People & Organization Development at UC Berkeley, redefines succession planning as a forward-thinking, people-centric approach tailored for today's dynamic workforce. Angela shares her future-ready, 4-stage process that L&D professionals can implement across their organizations. She also offers practical advice on ...
Oct 16, 2024•37 min•Season 6Ep. 20
AI Agents are having their "electricity moment" in this era of technological invention. In this episode, we define AI agents and their evolving role in L&D with Mike Hruska, President and CEO of Problem Solutions. Mike explains the difference between chatbots and agents and offers practical tips for experimenting with these tools—whether you're a beginner or an expert. Mike also shares insights on how to strategically integrate AI into your organization using an effort-impact evaluation. He ...
Oct 02, 2024•32 min•Season 6Ep. 19
Storytelling is fundamental for connection, but most people would not be considered naturally skilled at the art. On this episode, G. Riley Mills, Chief Operating Officer and Co-Founder of Pinnacle Performance Company, dives into why storytelling can be a challenge for L&D professionals and shares actionable strategies for honing communication skills. G. Riley Mills outlines his 6-step framework for crafting compelling stories, offering insights on how to tailor your message to different aud...
Sep 18, 2024•39 min•Season 6Ep. 18
Julie Winkle Giulioni, a leadership and career development expert, is the author of Promotions Are So Yesterday and co-author of Help Them Grow or Watch Them Go . In this episode, Julie places her upcoming third edition of Help Them Grow or Watch Them Go in the context of today's rapidly changing workforce. Julie discusses the social invisibility impacting remote worker professional development and how managers can integrate meaningful career conversations into regular interactions with employee...
Sep 04, 2024•38 min•Season 6Ep. 17
Jared Cooney Horvath, a neuroscientist, educator, and published author, joins the podcast to discuss overcoming the three biggest hurdles blocking learning transfer: knowledge, contextualization, and adaptation. The conversation also explores the distinctions between subject comprehension and ability, the dynamics of digital versus in-person learning, and the disparity between AI teachers and live instructors. Enjoy this episode to discover more about Jared's research and his "hack" for expediti...
Aug 21, 2024•1 hr 3 min•Season 6Ep. 16
Melissa Loble, Chief Academic Officer for Canvas by Instructure and a professor at UC Irvine, joins the podcast to discuss lifelong learning. Melissa offers practical advice for companies looking to move beyond the rhetoric and foster a true culture of continuous development. Melissa addresses common barriers to learning, such as time scarcity and the need for clear guidelines and engaging practice opportunities. She also provides best practice methods for catering programs for diverse audiences...
Aug 07, 2024•49 min•Season 6Ep. 15
Learn how to break up emotional disconnection and repair workplace relationships with organizational psychologist Lola Gershfeld, founder of EMC Leaders. Discover the evergreen importance of emotional intelligence, how to disrupt negative relationship patterns, and practical steps to build stronger connections within your team. We delve into building emotional connection training and explore metrics to measure its effectiveness. Resources: Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lolagershfeld EmC ...
Jul 17, 2024•54 min•Season 6Ep. 14
