Maria Melfa & Jocelyn Allen

Bring Out the Talent: A Learning and Development Podcast

Business EN ↓ 97 episodes

Tune into The Training Associates (TTA) “Bring Out the Talent” podcast to hear from learning and development talent and partners on their innovative approaches and industry insights. In each episode, TTA’s CEO, Maria Melfa, and Talent Manager, Jocelyn Allen will chat with subject matter experts and bring you casual, yet insightful conversations. Maria and Jocelyn use their unique blend of industry experience and humor to interview the L&D industry’s most influential people, latest topics, and powerful stories. Each episode has important takeaways that will help to create a culture of continuou...

Author

Maria Melfa & Jocelyn Allen

Category

Business

Podcast website

thetrainingassociates.com

Latest episode

Jun 9, 2026

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Episodes

Strengths, Team Dynamics, and the Hidden Side of High Performance 09.06.2026

Every team is made up of people who think differently, communicate differently, solve problems differently, and contribute in very different ways. Yet in many workplaces, there is still an unspoken expectation that everyone should operate the same way. That is why strengths-based development has become such an important conversation for organizations and leaders. Gallup research has consistently f...

The AI-Powered Coach: Driving Performance at Scale 12.05.2026

AI is changing the way organizations think about performance, coaching, and day-to-day work. Yet for many teams, the challenge is not simply adopting new technology. It’s understanding how to use AI in a way that feels practical and genuinely useful for the people doing the work.  In this episode of Bring Out the Talent, we’re joined by Tim Harrison, executive coach, founder of the Coaching Innova...

The AI Learning Revolution: Moving from Participation to Proficiency 07.04.2026

In this episode of Bring Out the Talent, we explore The AI Learning Revolution and what it takes to move beyond participation to true proficiency. This conversation introduces a model built on accountability, where AI and human expertise work together to elevate performance and reshape how organizations develop talent in real time. Joining us is Ed Lance, an expert AI trainer and practitioner with...

The Emotional Side of Leadership: How the 12 Emotional Gifts Shape Teams, Culture, and Performance 10.03.2026

In this episode of Bring Out the Talent , we’re talking about something that quietly drives almost everything at work but rarely gets measured in a meaningful way: emotion. Most leadership tools focus on what people think, what they do, or how they perform. Very few look at what people actually feel, even though emotions drive motivation, trust, engagement, and culture. In this episode, we discuss...

A Casual Conversation: Inside TTA Connect 17.02.2026

In this episode, we sit down with TTA leaders John Laverdure, Michael Aguirre, Jocelyn Allen, and Maria Melfa to explore how organizations are redefining the way they discover and engage talent, and why that shift led to the creation of TTA Connect. Today’s decision makers want greater control over how they evaluate options. Many prefer to research independently, compare choices, and build confide...

Revitalize Employee Onboarding: How Agile Thinking Helps Low-Energy Programs Deliver Results 13.01.2026

Organizations invest heavily in recruiting top talent, but without effective onboarding, much of that investment is at risk. In fact, companies with strong onboarding programs improve new hire retention by up to 82% and boost productivity by over 70%. The good news? With the right approach, onboarding can become one of the most powerful drivers of culture and performance. In this episode of Bring...

Change Management: What Do You Do When It Goes Wrong? 09.12.2025

What do stalled initiatives, employee resistance, and missed business outcomes all have in common? They’re often signs that change management has gone wrong. In this episode of Bring Out the Talent, we’re joined by Carrie Quick, a senior human capital, operations, and business development leader with over 23 years of multi-industry experience. Throughout her career, Carrie has guided organizations...

Setting the Stage for Success: Onboarding and Orientation Strategies 14.11.2025

Starting a new job should feel energizing, not overwhelming. Yet research shows that nearly 30% of new hires leave within their first 90 days, a costly miss that often traces back to ineffective onboarding and orientation. Even more telling, only 12% of employees believe their company provides a great onboarding experience, which means most people feel the system fails them at exactly the moment t...

Driving Positive Leadership in Today's Workplace 07.10.2025

What do higher productivity, stronger trust, and healthier cultures all have in common? They’re all fueled by one thing: positive leadership.  In this episode of Bring Out the Talent, we’re joined by Jason Murphy, President and Chief Consultant of JRM Human Capital, keynote speaker, executive coach, and master facilitator. For over 25 years, Jason has helped Fortune 500 companies, mid-sized firms,...

Driving Innovation Through Strategic Leadership 16.09.2025

What do billion-dollar innovation, a global marketplace, and bold leadership have in common? They were all driven by one thing: strategic leadership.  In this episode of Bring Out the Talent, we’re joined by John Rossman, former Amazon executive and author of Big Bet Leadership: Your Transformation Playbook for Winning in the Hyper-Digital Era. John led the launch of Amazon Marketplace, now respon...

Culture Killers: Addressing the Behaviors Disrupting Today’s Workplace Cultures 12.08.2025

A toxic workplace culture can drive out great employees faster than low pay, and nearly 70% of workers say culture directly impacts productivity. So, what’s quietly undermining your organization? In this episode of Bring Out the Talent , Brett Hoogeveen, Co-Founder of BetterCulture, shares how to spot and stop the behaviors that erode trust, lower morale, and sabotage performance. Brett offers a u...

Experts Leading Experts: Building a Culture of Teaching and Learning 08.07.2025

In this episode, we’re joined by Joel Podolny, CEO of Honor Education and the founding Dean of Apple University, for a deep dive into how organizations can build a culture where teaching and learning are embedded into everyday work. Joel shares insights from his leadership at Apple, Yale, Harvard, and Stanford, focusing on the concept of “experts leading experts.” We examine the challenges and opp...

High-Stakes Performance: How to Thrive Under Pressure 11.06.2025

In this episode of Bring Out the Talent, we’re joined by Olympic gold medalist and keynote speaker Connor Fields for a powerful conversation on mental toughness and resilience. As the first American to win gold in BMX racing, Connor’s story is one of grit, perseverance, and reinvention, from his historic victory in Rio to the life-changing crash in Tokyo that forced a dramatic career pivot.  Conno...

Resilience Reimagined: Navigating Change and Transformation 13.05.2025

In this episode of Bring Out the Talent, we welcome Chad Foster, author, innovator, and leadership expert known for helping global organizations turn adversity into advantage. Chad shares his remarkable journey of breaking barriers, from creating the first CRM software for the visually impaired to guiding leaders at Google, IBM, and Microsoft. We explore the anatomy of resilience, strategies for n...

AI Meets L&D: Unlocking the Potential of Personalized Learning 14.04.2025

In this episode of Bring Out the Talent, we explore the powerful intersection of artificial intelligence and learning and development with Margie Meacham. Margie is the renowned author of AI in Talent Development , learning consultant, and a global expert in applying neuroscience and AI to transform education and performance. Margie shares how AI is reshaping the learning landscape through persona...

Strategies to Enhance Your Team’s Decision-Making Skills 11.03.2025

Great teams make great decisions when they’re empowered to do so. In this episode of Bring Out the Talent, we welcome Chris Seifert, founder of Enabling Empowerment and author of Enabling Empowerment: A Leadership Playbook for Ending Micromanagement and Empowering Decision-Makers. Together, we discuss how leaders can foster shared leadership, empower decision-makers at every level, and build a cul...

AI to Improve Learning and Development Outcomes 11.02.2025

In this episode of Bring Out the Talent, we chat with Kayvon Touran, to explore how AI is transforming Learning & Development. Kayvon has been at the forefront of reshaping training strategies, leveraging AI to enhance personalization, engagement, and measurable business impact. Tune in as we discuss: ✅ How AI is revolutionizing L&D ✅ The challenges and opportunities of AI-powered traini...

Mental Wellness in the Workplace: Supporting Millennial and Gen Z Employees 14.01.2025

Anxiety has become a pervasive issue, especially among younger generations. In fact, according to the American Psychological Association, nearly 62% of Millennials report feeling overwhelmed by stress, and Gen Z-ers are not far behind at 59%. These statistics highlight the pressing need to address mental health challenges in our workplaces and communities. In this episode of 'Bring Out the Ta...

Harnessing Technology for Continuous Learning and Development 10.12.2024

In this episode of Bring Out the Talent, we’re diving into the transformative power of technology in employee learning and development. Our guest, Bonnie Anderson, Founder and President of Anderson Training and Development, brings her wealth of expertise in instructional design, project management, and technology integration to the conversation. Together, we discuss how AI and video are reshaping...

Embracing Failure: How Leaders Can Transform Setbacks into Stepping Stones 12.11.2024

In a world where the fear of failure often hinders progress, embracing and learning from our mistakes has become crucial for both personal and professional growth. In this episode of Bring Out the Talent, we chat with Jordan George, an award-winning HR leader, to explore how embracing failure can drive personal and professional growth. Jordan shares his "Learning Fail-osophy"—a practical...

Strategies for Building a Thriving Workplace Culture 08.10.2024

Workplace culture is a critical factor in modern business success. Engaged employees can boost performance by 202%, while disengaged employees lead to costly turnover—around $2.9 million per day for U.S. companies. In this episode of Bring Out the Talent, we’re joined by Dr. Mechelle Roberthon, a CPTD and expert in workplace culture strategy. We’ll explore how cultivating a positive work environme...

Unlocking Hidden Potential: The Power of Internal Influencers 10.09.2024

Did you know that key influencers within organizations can boost company performance by up to 25%? These are the go-to people for the “meeting after the meeting,” and leveraging their potential can transform your business. In this episode of 'Bring Out the Talent,' we speak with Jason Anthoine, who brings 35 years of experience working with top executives to inspire and engage employees....

AI Essentials: Equipping Professionals for the Future of Work 06.08.2024

In an era where AI is reshaping industries and redefining job roles, understanding and leveraging AI has become essential for professionals across various sectors. The World Economic Forum predicts that by 2025, AI will displace 85 million jobs but create 97 million new ones, underscoring the urgent need for digital fluency and AI literacy. Dr. James Stanger, our guest on this episode of 'Bri...

The Power of Presence: Strategies for Effective Leadership Communication 23.07.2024

In a world where effective communication can make or break a leader, mastering the art of presence and message crafting is more important than ever. In fact, according to a Forbes study, 85% of job success stems from well-developed soft skills, with public speaking and communication being paramount. This underscores the critical importance of not just what you say, but how you say it.  In this epi...

Navigating Change Management 09.07.2024

In an era where change is constant, mastering change management is crucial for organizational success. In fact, a McKinsey report found that 73% of organizations fail to achieve substantial returns on their change management investments, highlighting the need for effective leadership during transitions. In this episode of 'Bring Out the Talent,' we welcome longtime TTA partner Joe Jordan...

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