The Talent Development Hot Seat - The #1 podcast for L&D Professionals

This week, Andy is joined by Dr. Martha Acosta on The Talent Development Think Tank Podcast. Martha is an internationally regarded expert in safety leadership, working with organizations such as the National Safety Council, Safety Canada, and the National Association for EHS&S Management. She is also a Senior Moderator in Harvard Business School's Corporate Learning division and has been a learning and development consultant supporting governments and global corporations for over a quarter century. She holds leadership positions on nonprofit Boards of Directors.Martha earned a doctorate in Human and Organizational Learning from The George Washington University in Washington, D.C., and an MBA in Organizational Behavior from Southern Methodist University in Dallas, Texas.In this episode, you’ll hear:Martha’s background in training and development and how she pivoted her career to focus on safety at work.Why culture has a significant impact on safety, and some common challenges organizations face that need to be improved.What psychological safety is and the reason it’s important to have it in a workplace environment.How biases can create hazards and some key ways psychological safety can be created along with a better culture.What talent development professionals can do to influence and create more psychological safety and better cultures organizations.Connect with Andy Storch here:WebsiteLinkedInJoin us in the Talent Development Think Tank Community!Talent Development Think Tank ConferenceConnect with Dr. Martha Acosta:LinkedInWebsiteParadoxes of Group Life book

On the 374th episode of the Talent Development Hot Seat Podcast, Andy Storch welcomes Jennifer Brown to the stage. Jennifer Brown is a globally recognized DEI thought leader, highly sought-after speaker, award-winning entrepreneur, and best-selling author. She envisions inclusive organizations where all of us can thrive. As someone who has experienced both the advantages of privilege and the sting of stigma, Jennifer is boldly redefining what it means to truly belong—in the workplace, in our families, and in our communities.  She openly shares her powerful and unforgettable true story with audiences to help us challenge our assumptions—about ourselves, about leaders, and others—and take meaningful action today for a more inclusive tomorrow.Jennifer has shared her thought leadership at corporations including Google, The Hartford, Hearst, IBM, Indeed, Intel, KFC Global (Yum! Brands), Liberty Mutual, LinkedIn, McDermott Will & Emery LLP, Medtronic, NASA Marshall Space Flight Center, Prudential, PSEG, Sony, Toyota, and more! She has also spoken at leading research institutions such as the Mayo Clinic, as well as multiple business schools, including William and Mary, Kellogg, Columbia Business School, the Owen GSB at Vanderbilt, and the University of Wisconsin. She currently sits on the Influencer Advisory Board for cultural intelligence consultancy Sparks & Honey, as well as L’Oreal’s Global Diversity and Inclusion Advisory Board.In this episode, you will hear: How Jennifer Browns got into the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion space and the struggles she had encountered as part of the LGBTQ+ community;Her transition from Jennifer’s passion projects to full-fledged work in the DEI space;What it takes to be an inclusive leader;The importance of naming, pronouns, and proper language as part of DEI learning; Jennifer’s best practices and tips to ensure an inclusive L&D.Connect with Andy Storch here:WebsiteLinkedInJoin us in the Talent Development Think Tank Community!Talent Development Think Tank ConferenceConnect with Jennifer Brown here:LinkedInWebsiteTwitter

In this episode, Andy is welcoming Rachel Druckenmiller to The Talent Development Think Tank Podast. Rachel is the CEO of UNMUTED, a training and development company, and she’s on a mission to ignite resilience, connection, engagement, and compassion in organizations, leaders, and teams. She is a national thought leader in the employee engagement and wellbeing field and was recently recognized by The Daily Record as one of Maryland’s Top 100 Women of 2022 and a Forbes Next1000 honoree in 2021. Additionally, Rachel was recognized as the #1 Health Promotion Professional in the U.S. by the Wellness Council of America in 2015 and a 40 Under 40 Game Changer in 2019.In this bonus episode, you’ll hear:Rachel Druckenmiller’s proudest career moment.Her biggest career failure and what she learned from that experience.The biggest challenge she sees right now in the talent development space.Why she’s following the trend of prioritizing connection over content.The three books she recommends reading that sent her on a journey to a somatic therapist.The app Rachel uses to help her focus.Why leaning into curiosity can be a career changer for you.Connect with Andy Storch here:WebsiteLinkedInJoin us in the Talent Development Think Tank Community!Talent Development Think Tank ConferenceConnect with Rachel Druckenmiller:LinkedInImmunity to ChangeWebsiteThe Myth of NormalThe Body Keeps the ScoreWaking the Tiger

In this episode, Andy is welcoming Rachel Druckenmiller to The Talent Development Think Tank Podcast. Rachel is the CEO of UNMUTED, a training and development company, and she’s on a mission to ignite resilience, connection, engagement, and compassion in organizations, leaders, and teams. She is a national thought leader in the employee engagement and wellbeing field and was recently recognized by The Daily Record as one of Maryland’s Top 100 Women of 2022 and a Forbes Next1000 honoree in 2021. Additionally, Rachel was recognized as the #1 Health Promotion Professional in the U.S. by the Wellness Council of America in 2015 and a 40 Under 40 Game Changer in 2019.In this episode, you’ll hear:Rachel Druckenmiller’s experiences as a timid child with perfectionist tendencies and the journey that transformed her into an unmuted version of herself today.Why your worth isn’t tied to your work and how competing commitments can prevent you from pursuing your goals.What organizations can do to help their employees avoid burnout and why leading with curiosity can make all the difference.The definition of unmuting and investing in yourself at work and beyond.Rachel’s steps for boosting your resilience and changing your mindset to build more confidence.Connect with Andy Storch here:WebsiteLinkedInJoin us in the Talent Development Think Tank Community!Talent Development Think Tank ConferenceConnect with Rachel Druckenmiller:LinkedInImmunity to ChangeWebsiteThe Myth of NormalThe Body Keeps the ScoreWaking the Tiger

On the 370th episode of the Talent Development Think Tank Podcast with Andy Storch, we welcome Larry McAlister for the third time. Larry is a strategic, energetic, inspirational, and visionary senior leader. He is consistently sought after as a thought leader in the HR space, both internally and externally and he was named in the Top 50 Human Resources Professional Award by OnConferences in January 2021.Over his career, Larry has built highly effective talent acquisition and enablement strategies and development programs. Larry is known for his exceptional ability to work with cross-functional leaders and silo bust throughout organizations.Currently, Larry is the Vice President of Global Talent at NetApp. He is transforming how NetApp thinks about talent with resilience, curiosity, and a growth mindset. He is leading a digital transformation of the HR functions, leveraging powerful technology to introduce an internal talent marketplace. Larry believes in leading with authenticity and creating a place where NetApp talent can continue learning and growing their careers.In this bonus interview, you’ll hear:Larry McAlister's biggest accomplishment throughout his career;His biggest mistake and what he learned from the experience;Why Larry sees budget and incoherent talent strategies as issues in the talent development space;The reason Larry is stoked about mental fitness in talent development; The lessons he got from James Clear's book, Atomic Habits;Larry's newfound love for an app and why he uses it so much;and his piece of advice for people who want to achieve more success and fulfillment in their careers.Connect with Andy Storch here:WebsiteLinkedInJoin us in the Talent Development Think Tank Community!Talent Development Think Tank ConferenceConnect with Larry McAlister here:LinkedInWebsiteTwitter

On the 370th episode of the Talent Development Think Tank Podcast with Andy Storch, we welcome Larry McAlister for the third time. Larry is a strategic, energetic, inspirational, and visionary senior leader. He is consistently sought after as a thought leader in the HR space, both internally and externally and he was named in the Top 50 Human Resources Professional Award by OnConferences in January 2021.Over his career, Larry has built highly effective talent acquisition and enablement strategies and development programs. Larry is known for his exceptional ability to work with cross-functional leaders and silo bust throughout organizations.Currently, Larry is the Vice President of Global Talent at NetApp. He is transforming how NetApp thinks about talent with resilience, curiosity and a growth mindset. He is leading a digital transformation of the HR functions, leveraging powerful technology to  introduce an internal talent marketplace. Larry believes in leading with authenticity and creating a place where NetApp talent can continue learning and growing their careers.In this episode, you’ll hear:The Golden Age of HR Technology and how people are attacking it or not;The big mistake organizations are making when it comes to revamping HR technology;Why Larry wrote his book The Power to Transform;How leaders in the HR field can make the big shift;Larry’s thoughts on the upcoming Talent Development Think Tank Conference Connect with Andy Storch here:WebsiteLinkedInJoin us in the Talent Development Think Tank Community!Talent Development Think Tank ConferenceConnect with Larry McAlister here:LinkedInWebsiteTwitter

Have you set your goals for 2023 yet? In this episode I will be leading you through a 5-step process that I use when I am setting goals. This process will support you to maximize your year, set yourself up for success, and take ownership of your career and life.Connect with Andy Storch here:WebsiteLinkedInJoin us in the Talent Development Think Tank Community!Talent Development Think Tank Conference

You don’t have to be imprisoned by your past. No matter how bad it was. And you’re not alone! Andy welcomes Susan Schmitt Winchester to share how to use career conflicts you face to overcome your past and build the future you deserve.Susan is SVP, CHRO for Applied Materials, with 30 + years of HR experience, previously as CHRO for Rockwell Automation and prior to that multiple leadership roles for the Kellogg Company. She is also author of the book, Healing at Work: A Guide to Using Career Conflicts to Overcome Your Past and Build the Future You Deserve, with Martha I. Finney.Highlights from this episode include:What has changed in HR over the last yearHow companies should be thinking about returning to the office and hybrid workHow to talk to people about this economyWhat talent development professionals need to be thinking about right now Why the topic of healing at work is so important  Susan shares a preview of her keynote at Think Tank Conference 2023Connect with Andy Storch here:WebsiteLinkedInJoin us in the Talent Development Think Tank Community!Talent Development Think Tank ConferenceConnect with Susan here:LinkedInWebsite

Today, Andy welcomes guest Leanne Huges to The Talent Development Hot Seat. Leanne is a business and performance consultant, speaker, facilitator, and positive disruptor on a mission to help people realize what’s possible for themselves and their businesses. Leanne works with organizations on strategy and with learning and development professionals to create exceptional training programs. Leanne is also the creator of two podcasts, including the First Time Facilitator podcast and the Work and Live Large podcast. In this bonus episode, you’ll hear:6. Leanne Hughes’ biggest career accomplishment and what stands out about it.7. Why having a job for only two days stands out as one of her biggest career failures.8. What she views as one of the biggest challenges in talent development right now.9. The reason she’s excited about the metaverse and how it’s creating community.10. Her book recommendation, How to Live, by Derek Sivers, and her favorite tool, Descript.11. Leanne’s advice for finding the career you love.Connect with Andy Storch here:WebsiteLinkedInJoin us in the Talent Development Think Tank Community!Talent Development Think Tank ConferenceConnect with Leanne Huges:LinkedInWebsiteFirst Time Facilitator podcastWork and Live Large podcastHow to Live bookDescript

Today, Andy welcomes guest Leanne Huges to The Talent Development Hot Seat. Leanne is a business and performance consultant, speaker, facilitator, and positive disruptor on a mission to help people realize what’s possible for themselves and their businesses. Leanne works with organizations on strategy and with learning and development professionals to create exceptional training programs. Leanne is also the creator of two podcasts, including the First Time Facilitator podcast and the Work and Live Large podcast. In this episode, you’ll hear:What business looks like for Leanne Huges at the end of this year and going into 2023 and how companies will make decisions about virtual or in-person events in the future.Why personal connections and building rapport is just important in a virtual environment as it is in person.Some of Leanne’s best practices for L&D professionals who want to create better virtual workshops.How to get tactical during virtual workshops using Zoom and an iPad.What people can expect from Leanne’s session at the upcoming Talent Development Think Tank Conference and why you should attend.Connect with Andy Storch here:WebsiteLinkedInJoin us in the Talent Development Think Tank Community!Talent Development Think Tank ConferenceConnect with Leanne Huges:LinkedInWebsiteFirst Time Facilitator podcastWork and Live Large podcastHow to Live bookDescript