Training Impact Podcast

What does it really take to scale training in a high-risk, multi-location industry where mistakes are costly and downtime is not an option? In this episode of the Training Impact Podcast , Jeff Walter sits down with Tom Meyers of Excel Truck Group to explore how one of the nation’s largest commercial truck dealer networks approaches training as an operational system rather than a collection of cou...

What does it really take to sell, support, and scale an experience-based destination at massive scale? In this episode of the Training Impact Podcast , host Jeff Walter sits down with Stan Kravitz, Director of Global Tourism Sales and Partnerships for American Dream , for a deep conversation on how one of the most ambitious destinations in the world thinks about partner enablement, channel strateg...

In this episode of the T raining Impact Podcast , Jeff Walter talks with Angela Cote, founder and CEO of AC Inc ., about why field support is one of the most influential and least developed roles in franchising. Angela brings a rare, end-to-end perspective shaped by a lifetime in the franchise industry. She grew up in a franchise system that scaled to nearly 500 locations, spent years working dire...

In this episode of the Training Impact Podcast , Jeff Walter welcomes Matthew Reyes for one of the most human-centered conversations the show has hosted to date. What begins as a discussion about customer experience and training quickly becomes a deeper exploration of motivation, habit formation, and why many training programs struggle to create lasting behavior change. Matthew brings more than tw...

In this episode of the Training Impact Podcast , host Jeff Walter sits down with Kara Hale, Operations Director at MCP Emerson Canada , for a deep dive into what it really takes to scale complex partner operations across borders, brands, and retail channels. MCP Emerson Canada plays a critical role in helping U.S. and global consumer product brands enter and succeed in the Canadian market. With mo...

What does confident growth really look like for small businesses? In this episode of the ⁠Training Impact Podcast⁠ , Jeff Walter sits down with Matthew Gourgeot of ⁠Thryv ⁠ to explore how small businesses adopt technology, build confidence, and scale without adding unnecessary complexity. While many platforms focus on features, this conversation highlights why enablement and education are just as...

In this episode of the Training Impact Podcast , Jeff Walter sits down with Jimmy McFeeters to explore how Protein Bar & Kitchen has scaled thoughtfully while protecting food quality, brand culture, and operational clarity. While many franchise brands chase rapid expansion, Protein Bar & Kitchen has taken a different path—one rooted in intentional growth, experienced franchisee selection,...

What happens when a business grows faster than its systems? In this episode of the Training Impact Podcast, Jeff Walter speaks with April Porter, co-founder of Secretsos, about why operational clarity is often the missing ingredient in organizations struggling to scale. Many companies invest heavily in people, technology, and culture, yet still experience friction, burnout, inconsistent execution,...

In this episode of the Training Impact Podcast, Jeff Walter sits down with Kevin Trost, Co-Founder and President of Adminify AI , to explore how artificial intelligence is changing the way businesses scale, engage customers, and support channel partners. Rather than focusing on AI hype or surface-level tools, this conversation digs into how AI assistants can function as a true execution layer insi...

Most people assume franchising begins when an entrepreneur signs an agreement or opens their doors, but the real work happens long before that point. In this episode of the Training Impact Podcast, Jeff Walter talks with Jared Nassiff, Director of Business Development at Business Alliance, Inc., to uncover what truly happens behind the scenes of franchise development. Jared explains how Business A...

In this episode of the Training Impact Podcast , Jeff Walter sits down with Ed Powers, Director of Operations at Broken Yolk Cafe , to unpack how a beloved San Diego breakfast spot grew from a single Pacific Beach landmark into a multi-state franchise system. Ed’s career journey—from regional operations leader at Chili’s to helping build Broken Yolk’s franchise infrastructure—offers practical insi...

In this episode of the Training Impact Podcast, Jeff Walter sits down with Matt Shepanek of the National Institute of Automotive Service Excellence to explore how ASE shapes technician competence, shop performance, and customer trust across the automotive service industry. The National Institute of Automotive Service Excellence has long served as the gold standard for technician evaluation, and th...

In this episode of the Training Impact Podcast, host Jeff Walter speaks with Jolynn Ledgerwood, founder of Elevate Your Talent, to explore how creativity, neuroscience, and tactile learning can reshape the way teams solve problems. Elevate Your Talent helps organizations unlock deeper thinking, strengthen collaboration, and move beyond traditional training methods that rely heavily on lecture-base...

In this episode of the Training Impact Podcast, Jeff Walter sits down with Amber Burke, Chief Operating Officer of Burn Boot Camp, to explore how one of America’s fastest growing fitness franchises maintains its signature experience across more than 380 locations. What emerges is a closer look at how consistent training, thoughtful certification, and a philosophy centered on connection fuel both m...

n this episode of the Training Impact Podcast, host Jeff Walter sits down with Wyatt Borchetta Platt, Revenue Operations Leader at Design Pickle, to unpack how scalable creative systems and smarter processes help companies grow without sacrificing quality. Wyatt brings a rare blend of experience across sales ops, marketing, and cross-functional leadership. He explains how organizations can use str...

In this episode of the ⁠Training Impact Podcast⁠ , host Jeff Walter sits down with Willie Katinowsky, VP of Franchise Development of ⁠Dumpster Dudez⁠ , to explore how one of the fastest growing junk hauling and dumpster rental franchise systems built its momentum through simple operations, consistent execution, and a strong commitment to franchisee training. Willie explains that Dumpster Dudez did...

🎙️ A Conversation with Emily George of KTA Financial Services 📈 Training Impact Podcast – Hosted by Jeff Walter When it comes to financial services, trust is everything. In this episode, Jeff Walter sits down with Emily George of KTA Financial Services to explore how a client-first philosophy, rigorous internal training, and a culture of transparency are redefining what financial stewardship look...

When BlueStreak Learning President Jennifer DeVries talks about extended-enterprise education, she isn’t talking theory—she’s talking measurable ROI. In this episode of the Training Impact Podcast, host Jeff Walter explores how DeVries built a company that treats learning as a business strategy, not an operational cost. Her philosophy is clear: training should perform like any other investment—del...

The Secret Ingredient in Hungry Howie’s Success: Training That Sticks If you’ve ever walked into Hungry Howie’s whether it’s in Michigan, Florida, or Texas you know exactly what to expect: the smell of buttered crust, the energy of a team that knows its rhythm, and pizza made with the same consistency that’s defined the brand for 50 years. That kind of reliability doesn’t happen by accident. It’s...

When families face the emotional, time-pressured moment of moving a loved one into assisted or memory care, it’s rarely a business decision—it’s a crisis one. In this episode of the Training Impact Podcast, host Jeff Walter, CEO of LatitudeLearning, talks with Mike Lamkin, Director of Business Development at Care Patrol of Northern Indianapolis, about how empathy, education, and franchise-level tr...

In this episode of the Training Impact Podcast, host Jeff Walter, CEO of LatitudeLearning, sits down with Jake Wharton, Director of Franchise Growth at Bloomin’ Blinds, to unpack what it really takes to scale a franchise system—without losing the craftsmanship and care that made it successful in the first place. Bloomin’ Blinds is a fast-growing home service brand specializing in residential windo...

🎙️ Episode Summary: “Creating Connection Through Content: The Brand Networks Approach” In this episode of the Training Impact Podcast, host Jeff Walter welcomes Josh Gelfat, Vice President of Marketing at Brand Networks, for an insightful conversation on how digital marketing, automation, and education intersect to help businesses of all sizes thrive. Josh brings a unique perspective shaped by an...

In this episode of the Training Impact Podcast, host JeffWalter sits down with Patrick Sanchez, Vice President of BrandPartnerships at Franchise Fastlane, to unpack what makes a great franchise system work—not just on paper, but in practice. Patrick’s journey into franchising started on construction sites in Kansas and led to owning 12 nutrition stores across the western United States. That hands-...

In this episode of the Training Impact Podcast, host Jeff Walter sits down with three powerhouse leaders from eLearningDOC—Angela Robbins, Toni DiMella, and Diana Brandon—to unpack how great learning design happens when creativity meets structure. Together, they explore what it takes to turn subject matter expertise, operational chaos, and big ideas into consistent, measurable, and scalable traini...

In this episode of the Training Impact Podcast, host Jeff Walter sits down with two seasoned leaders from Learning Designs, Inc. (LDI): Mary Carter, Founder and President, and Julie Hiatt, Manager of Business Development. Together, they explore how decades of experience in instructional design, workforce development, and corporate training can be applied to today’s biggest challenges—skills gaps,...