ATD Accidental Trainer

Juliana S awaia is a happiness -at-work scientist , business consultant, and researcher with over 20 years of experience specializing in corporate happiness. On this episode, Julianna explain s "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 rese...

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 f...

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 challe...

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 actionabl...

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 mo...

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 with in organizations and how to assess your perceived position on that scale.   Throughout t he conversation ,...

  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&...

A I Agents are having their "electricity moment" in this era of technological invention. In this episode, we d efine 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 t ool s—whether you're a beginner or an expert.   Mike also shares ins...

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 framewo...

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...

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 l...

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 addresse s common barriers to learning, such as time scarcity and the need for clear guidelines and engaging p...

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 metri...

Hadiya Nuriddin is the CEO and founder of Duets Learning and author of the new release,  Quality Management in Learning and Development . In this episode, Hadiya breaks down what quality management really is and the misconceptions around it. Go beyond the limited "review process" mentality of checking for typos and broken links and learn how to think bigger by developing a quality management syste...

Matt Beane is an assistant professor in the Technology Management Department at UC Santa Barbara and the author of the groundbreaking book, The Skill Code: How to Save Human Ability in an Age of Intelligent Machines . In this episode, we delve into leveraging technology and the "three Cs" of learning: Challenge, Complexity, and Connection. Matt also discusses the technological threats facing talen...

Karin Hurt and David Dye, CEO and President of Let's Grow Leaders, join the podcast to discuss their newly released book, Powerful Phrases for Dealing with Workplace Conflict: What to Say Next to De-stress the Workday, Build Collaboration, and Calm Difficult Customers . The duo shares practical communication techniques from their book to help start difficult workplace conversations. They empower l...

Katy Chandler, the VP of Talent Management at DuraServ, developed an internal credentialing program to train her industry's frontline technicians more efficiently and effectively. Katy shares how the program evolved to become a talent recruiting and retention tool by creating a visible career path for both new and experienced employees. She reveals the lessons she's learned and the progress made w...

Cortney Marchetti, HR Director at OverDrive, and Lindsey Levinsohn, Team Lead for OverDrive's corporate market, join the podcast to discuss how digital libraries can enhance strategic alignment for organizations. Cortney and Lindsey break down the inherent value of creating alignment, on both small and large scales. They share stories and examples of integrating digital libraries into work and tea...

In an era of technological disruption, the skill gaps craze continues to grow for many organizations. Bob Mosher, CEO of APPLY Synergies joins the podcast to offer an alternative way to think about skill building.   In this episode of Accidental Trainer , Bob discusses how aligning on the definition of "skill" is a crucial first step, the undervalued role of applying upskilling into the context of...

Global leaders agree that many people across the world are feeling the impact of a "loneliness epidemic." Speaker, author and thought leader Devin Hughes discusses the state of human connection and how loneliness affects employee productivity on this episode of the Accidental Trainer Podcast .   Devin offers solutions for leaders struggling to approach the topic of loneliness with their team, how...

Elaine Lin Hering is a facilitator, communications coach, and author of the newly released Unlearning Silence . An expert on using your voice in the workplace, Elaine unpacks several major themes from her book, common challenges facing trainers, cultivating awareness around learned silence, and empowering others to speak up.  Elaine offers practical advice for finding your authentic voice and navi...

Greg Harmeyer is the co-founder and CEO of TiER 1 Performance and the author of Impact with Love: Building Business for a Better World . On the podcast, Greg offers insight on how to shift an organization toward a modernized operating model , with the goal of intentionally creating a healthier work environment.   Greg details how clarity, consistency, and trust are essential to this process, the b...

Holly Burkett is the principal consultant of HB Consulting and Evaluation Works, a performance consultancy in Northern California, and the author of Learning for the Long Run . She joins the podcast to discuss change fatigue, where it comes from, and how TD professionals can help organizations overcome common change fatigue challenges.   Holly reframes change management as energy management and of...

Dr. Karl Kapp is a well-published author, professor at Commonwealth University, and all-around expert on instructional design and technology application in the L&D field. On the podcast, he shares his yearly predictions for the industry and which trends he expects to be popularized. Karl also gives his personal method for finding the latest fads, talks in-depth about the future of AI, and explains...

Katrina Kennedy is a talented master trainer who's been leading train-the-trainer for over 27 years. She joins the podcast to reveal how she puts evidence-based learning strategies into practice in her training programs. Katrina passionately shares practical examples and tools you can use to facilitate retrieval practice and reflection for your learners. Katrina also discusses the value of spaced...