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What if the most powerful learning initiative isn't a program, but the way work itself is designed? In this episode of Talent Development Leader podcast, Sam Murray, Founder and CEO of AlignedCX, challenges traditional approaches to learning and enablement and makes the case for merging work and learning to drive real business outcomes. She describes how TD leaders can identify high-value work, decide what belongs with humans versus AI, and design employee experiences that fuel both growth and performance. Listen and explore new ways of thinking about data, performance measurement, and operating models for learning in a world where work is the classroom. Website: https://www.alignedcx.com/

Human sustainability is no longer a "nice to have"—it's a strategic imperative. In this episode of Talent Development Leader podcast, Allyson McElwain, Chief Diversity and Inclusion Officer and Director of Development, Learning, and Engagement at TELUS, describes what it means to create workplaces where employees leave better off than when they arrived. Topics include reimagining employee engagement, supporting mental health and well-being, enabling belonging, and designing meaningful and flexible work. You'll walk through TELUS's human-centric approach to AI, discover the company's transformation journey, and learn how to use AI thoughtfully across the talent development lifecycle.

As AI, reskilling, and shifting workforce expectations reshape organizations, talent development leaders face the unique challenge of balancing innovation with the enduring fundamentals of how people learn. In this episode of Talent Development Leader podcast, bestselling author, facilitator, and former learning executive Jonathan Halls suggests there is a dual mindset required of today's TD leaders: They must be anchored in evidence-based learning principles while navigating ambiguity and preparing for what's next. Listen for new research about current C-suite priorities (hint: AI literacy tops the list), and learn how asking the right questions can future-proof your learning strategy. Get Jonathan's book on learning objectives: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0FYYPY918

C-suite leadership is changing as talent development leaders are gaining expanded responsibilities across learning, succession planning, engagement, and more. Many leaders are expected to be experts in talent development, pros at creating vision and strategy, and adept at AI—all while overseeing initiatives for the entire employee lifecycle. In other words, they're expected to be and do the impossible. In this episode of the Talent Development Leader podcast, Sara Daw—entrepreneur, researcher, and CEO of The CFO Centre and The Liberti Group—suggests practical solutions to these unrealistic pressures placed on TD leaders. She explores the rise of fractional leadership and the access economy and explains how TD leaders can use this new workplace context to their advantage. Listen here and learn about the Strategy and Leadership as a Service framework, a pragmatic approach that helps executives and organizations better adapt, thrive, and co-create sustainable value in this new era of work. 

In this episode of Talent Development Leader podcast, Ryan Gottfredson—bestselling author, professor, and expert in leadership development—describes what it truly means to become better. Drawing from his latest book, Becoming Better: The Groundbreaking Science of Personal Transformation, Ryan shares why most leadership development is only incrementally helpful and how leaders can shift to transformational growth by elevating their "being side." Learn about mindset strategies, complexity quotient, and practical ways to build future-ready organizations. This episode will give you the tools to deepen your leadership impact and navigate complexity with greater clarity.

With an overwhelming abundance of skilling content and the rise of AI in talent development, what does effective employee support look like today—and what should organizations focus on? In this episode of the Talent Development Leader podcast, Lindsay Witcher, Global Leader at Randstad RiseSmart, discusses the evolving landscape of career development and the increasingly critical role of talent and learning leaders in building environments where employees can thrive. Listen here to learn what current research reveals about employee expectations around career growth, how to empower overwhelmed managers and create personalized development pathways, the strategic role of learning and development in a noisy ecosystem, and the impact of AI on career development strategies in 2025.

In this episode of the Talent Development Leader podcast, explore the power and pitfalls of performance feedback with renowned organizational psychologists Dr. Sandra Mashihi and Dr. Ken Nowack. With decades of experience in leadership development, coaching, and behavioral science, Sandra and Ken explore how feedback can fuel employee engagement, organizational culture, and business performance—when done right. From the neuroscience behind defensive reactions to feedback, to the essential elements that drive real behavior change, this conversation unpacks the disconnects between leaders and employees, and offers a clear, research-backed model for making feedback more effective. As a people leader and talent development professional, you'll walk away with practical strategies for building a feedback culture grounded in psychological safety and self-awareness.

Don't miss Amy on the main stage at ATD25. Register now to join us in D.C.: https://www.td.org/pre-checkout/atd25   In this special bonus episode of the Talent Development Leader podcast, we're joined by renowned Harvard Business School professor and bestselling author, Amy C. Edmondson—the Novartis Professor of Leadership and Management and a keynote speaker at ATD25 in Washington, D.C. this May.  Amy shares powerful insights from her latest book, The Right Kind of Wrong: The Science of Failing Well. She explores why failure is so difficult for many, identifying aversion, confusion, and fear as core barriers. She breaks down the concept of intelligent failure and offers practical strategies for learning from setbacks, building resilience, and fostering cultures where thoughtful risk-taking is encouraged.  Guest host Jennifer Homer, ATD's vice president of career development, leads this thoughtful conversation, which builds on Amy's groundbreaking work on psychological safety and its critical role in talent development. 

In a world of constant disruption and rapid change, how can leaders and organizations build resilience, adaptability, and success? In this episode of ATD's Talent Development Leader, Karen Hough, Founder & CEO of ImprovEdge, explores the intersection of improvisation, neuroscience, and business strategy to help talent development leaders thrive through uncertainty. Uncover practical strategies for fostering agility, embracing the unexpected, and leading with confidence. From real-world success stories to actionable insights, this podcast is your guide to navigating change with creativity, resilience, and a "Yes, And" mindset.  

In today's world of work, leadership demands more than just vision—it requires courage. In this episode of ATD's Talent Development Leader podcast, Angela Cheng-Cimini, an accomplished HR leader with three decades of experience across industries, and currently the fractional Head of HR for The Chronicle of Philanthropy, describes the concept of organizational courage. Angela explains what courage looks like in the workplace, how it differs from psychological safety, and why it's a critical skill for today's leaders. Tune in to learn actionable strategies to cultivate courage, key behaviors of courageous organizations, and surprising insights from Angela's latest research.

In this episode of ATD's Talent Development Leader podcast, Julio Zelaya, an Amazon bestselling author, EdTech innovator, and business transformation leader, describes the evolving role of AI in education, the latest trends in learning technologies, and strategies for talent development leaders to scale personalized learning in today's dynamic workforce. Julio shares insights from his research at the University of Pennsylvania, his work at The RBL Group, and his experience co-founding EdTech ventures like Escolaris and Bright Domino. Listen to learn about the ethical considerations of AI-driven learning, the impact of emerging technologies on organizational development, and the groundbreaking Talent Development Executive Certificate program he's co-facilitating with ATD and University of Pennsylvania Graduate School of Education.

In this episode of ATD's Talent Development Leader podcast, Amii Barnard-Bahn, a former Fortune 5 executive and CHRO, and a consultant and coach to the C-Suite, talks about imposter phenomenon. She explains the history of imposter phenomenon and describes a helpful tool to diagnose it. Learn what it feels like to experience imposter phenomenon and how to distinguish it from low self-esteem or low-confidence. And gain practical tips for taming your inner critic, embracing normal self-doubts, and taking advantage of discomfort to learn and grow.

In this episode of ATD's Talent Development Leader podcast, Lou Tedrick, Vice President of Global Learning & Development at Verizon, explains how she has seen the learning & development and talent leadership roles evolve over her career, and what she predicts for the future of the profession. She describes lessons learned and insights gained as she embarks on a new chapter in her career. And she offers practical advice to listeners who aspire to lead talent development in their organizations.

The Global Curiosity Institute's purpose is to empower individuals, organizations, and society to unlock their full potential through a relentless pursuit of learning, discovery, and innovation. In this episode of ATD's Talent Development Leader podcast, two Global Curiosity Institute fellows, Stefaan van Hooydonk and Hilary Lichterman, unpack the concept of curiosity and its connection to learning. Discover what great companies do to create curious employees and culture. Uncover an assessment for measuring curiosity on individual, team, and organizational levels. And learn how to grow your own curiosity muscle for gains in your personal and professional endeavors.

In this episode of ATD's Talent Development Leader podcast, Charlie Gilkey, bestselling author and founder of Productive Flourishing, unveils 8 habits for ultimate team effectiveness. He addresses critical topics like belonging and well-being, change management, and organizational transformation—and explains how healthy team dynamics are critical for all. Learn how to lead your team toward greater harmony, engagement, and results by modeling and reinforcing good habits.