The Talent Development Hot Seat

Today on the Talent Development Hot Seat Podcast, host Andy Storch welcomes Cory Sanford, VP of Culture and Talent at Guidant Financial, HR consultant, speaker, and author of “hr. Are you kidding me? Surprisingly Simple Steps to Unlock the Power of People.” In this energizing conversation, Cory shares his unique philosophy on creating an award-winning remote culture and how intentional talent development practices can transform the employee experience.Subscribe to our weekly updates and monthly talent development newsletter here. Order Own Your Brand, Own Your Career on AmazonApply to Join us in the Talent Development Think Tank Community!This episode is sponsored by LearnIt, which is offering a FREE trial of their TeamPass membership for you and up to 20 team members of your team. Check it out here.Connect with Andy here: Website | LinkedInConnect with Cory Sanford here: LinkedInKey highlights from this episode include:Cory recounts his journey into HR and talent

Today I talk with my friend and coauthor, Mike Kim, personal branding expert, Wall Street Journal bestselling author, and co-author of the brand new book Own Your Brand, Own Your Career. In this special episode, we discuss how we wrote our book, the importance of trust and the importance of personal branding for corporate professionals.Subscribe to our weekly updates and monthly talent development newsletter here. Order Own Your Brand, Own Your Career on AmazonApply to Join us in the Talent Development Think Tank Community!This episode is sponsored by LearnIt, which is offering a FREE trial of their TeamPass membership for you and up to 20 team members of your team. Check it out here.And by Mento which offers a unique 80/20 coaching style utilizing coaches with real world experience to help your people drastically improve performance. Learn more at Mento.coConnect with Andy here: Website | LinkedInConnect with Mike Kim here: LinkedInKey highlights from this episo

Today, Andy Storch goes solo on the Talent Development Hot Seat to break down the misunderstood, high-impact topic of personal brand and what it really means, why it matters, and how anyone can start building theirs for career and organizational success.Subscribe to our weekly updates and monthly talent development newsletter here. Order Own Your Career Own Your Life on AmazonApply to Join us in the Talent Development Think Tank Community!This episode is sponsored by LearnIt, which is offering a FREE trial of their TeamPass membership for you and up to 20 team members of your team. Check it out here.This episode is also sponsored by Mento, which offers a unique 80/20 model of coaching with 80% powerful coaching and 20% real-world experience. Check them out at Mento.coConnect with Andy here: Website | LinkedInAndy takes listeners beyond the buzzwords, drawing on his experience as a coach, author, and talent development leader to explain why crafting an intentional,

Today on the Talent Development Hot Seat Podcast, host Andy Storch welcomes back Dr. Keith Keating, Chief Learning Officer, author, and L&D thought leader, to discuss his new book, "Hidden Value: How to Reveal the Impact of Organizational Learning."Subscribe to our weekly updates and monthly talent development newsletter here. Order Own Your Career Own Your Life on AmazonApply to Join us in the Talent Development Think Tank Community!This episode is sponsored by LearnIt, which is offering a FREE trial of their TeamPass membership for you and up to 20 team members of your team. Check it out here.Connect with Andy here: Website | LinkedInConnect with Dr. Keith Keating here: LinkedInKey highlights from this episode include:Dr. Keating explains the shift from a “knowledge economy” to a “value economy” and what it means for talent professionals.He uses the “mycelium network” analogy to describe how L&D is a hidden but vital driver of organizational success.Learn

Today on the Talent Development Hot Seat Podcast, host Andy Storch interviews Artem Ivanenko, Head of Global Learning at Indrive, about building learning cultures, leveraging technology, and developing future-ready skills in global organizations.Subscribe to our weekly updates and monthly talent development newsletter here. Order Own Your Career Own Your Life on AmazonApply to Join us in the Talent Development Think Tank Community!This episode is sponsored by LearnIt, which is offering a FREE trial of their TeamPass membership for you and up to 20 team members of your team. Check it out here.Connect with Andy here: Website | LinkedInConnect with Artem Ivanenko here: LinkedInKey highlights from this episode include:Artem shares how he moved from teaching philosophy at university to leading global talent development in major tech companies.He explains the importance of building a learning culture through experimentation and strong leadership participation.Indrive’s “

Today on the Talent Development Hot Seat Podcast, hosts Andy Storch and Jig Ramji dive deep into a critical and timely topic for HR and talent development professionals: how to leverage data analytics and evidence-based practices to drive business impact. Jig Ramji, a seasoned HR and talent executive with leadership roles at organizations like Bloomberg, LSEG, and Aviva, shares his journey and expertise on using people data to transform talent strategies and demonstrate HR’s vital role in organizational success.Subscribe to our weekly updates and monthly talent development newsletter here. Order Own Your Career Own Your Life on AmazonApply to Join us in the Talent Development Think Tank Community!This episode is sponsored by LearnIt, which is offering a FREE trial of their TeamPass membership for you and up to 20 team members of your team. Check it out here.Connect with Andy here: Website | LinkedInConnect with Jig Ramji here: LinkedInIn this insightful conversatio

Today on the Talent Development Hot Seat Podcast, I’m joined by Sarah Cannistra, longtime L&D leader, coach, and the author of “Land Your Next L&D Role: Creating a Career that Works for You.” With more than 15 years of experience across every facet of learning and development, both as a practitioner and as an entrepreneur. Sarah brings hard-won perspective and actionable advice to help professionals navigate career transitions in today’s talent market.Subscribe to our weekly updates and monthly talent development newsletter here. Order Own Your Career Own Your Life on AmazonApply to Join us in the Talent Development Think Tank Community!This episode is sponsored by LearnIt, which is offering a FREE trial of their TeamPass membership for you and up to 20 team members of your team. Check it out here.Connect with Andy here: Website | LinkedInConnect with Sarah Cannistra here: LinkedInIn this lively and practical conversation, Sarah opens up about her journey f

Today on the Talent Development Hot Seat Podcast, I’m joined by Lizzy Kizer, Director of Learning and Development at Johnson Controls, seasoned educator, and champion of building learning cultures for technical organizations. With a background spanning corporate, government, higher education, and K-12, Lizzy brings a unique blend of expertise in adult learning, instructional design, and science education to her work leading learning initiatives for JCI’s 30,000-strong technical labor force.Subscribe to our weekly updates and monthly talent development newsletter here. Order Own Your Career Own Your Life on AmazonApply to Join us in the Talent Development Think Tank Community!This episode is sponsored by LearnIt, which is offering a FREE trial of their TeamPass membership for you and up to 20 team members of your team. Check it out here.Connect with Andy here: Website | LinkedInConnect with Lizzy Kizer here: LinkedInIn this candid and practical conversation, Lizzy a

Today on the Talent Development Hot Seat Podcast, I’m joined by Nir Hindie—international keynote speaker, founder of The Artian, and passionate advocate for merging business with artistic creativity. With clients like Google, SAP, and TikTok, and a background teaching at institutions such as IE Business School, Harvard, and MIT, Nir is renowned for helping leaders and organizations unlock innovation through a mindset he calls “business artistry.”Subscribe to our weekly updates and monthly talent development newsletter here. Order Own Your Career Own Your Life on AmazonApply to Join us in the Talent Development Think Tank Community!This episode is sponsored by LearnIt, which is offering a FREE trial of their TeamPass membership for you and up to 20 team members of your team. Check it out here.Connect with Andy here: Website | LinkedInConnect with Nir Hindie here: LinkedInIn this insightful and energizing conversation, Nir and I explore why creativity isn’t just for

Today, Andy Storch takes a solo seat behind the mic for a focused, practical deep-dive into one of the most pressing and misunderstood topics in talent development: the power and ROI of personal brand, not just for individuals, but for your organization as a whole.Drawing from years of personal experience, ongoing research, and real-world examples, Andy breaks down why building a personal brand isn't just for entrepreneurs and LinkedIn influencers anymore. In fact, it’s becoming an essential differentiator for leaders and employees at every level—especially in today’s rapidly changing, AI-driven workplace.Subscribe to our weekly updates and monthly talent development newsletter here. Order Own Your Career Own Your Life on AmazonApply to Join us in the Talent Development Think Tank Community!This episode is sponsored by LearnIt, which is offering a FREE trial of their TeamPass membership for you and up to 20 team members of your team. Check it out here.Connect with

Today, I’m joined by Garry Ridge—beloved leadership coach, former CEO and Chairman of WD-40 Company, bestselling author, and passionate advocate for people-first workplace cultures.In this candid and energizing conversation, Garry and I dig into what it truly means to foster a workplace where people feel safe, valued, and connected—a space where anyone, with the right approach, can build an extraordinary culture. Drawing from his 25 years at the helm of a global brand and his latest book, Any Dumbass Can Do It, Garry shares his hard-earned wisdom, favorite behaviors of great coaches, and the core values that made WD-40 a beacon of trust, belonging, and performance.Subscribe to our weekly updates and monthly talent development newsletter here. Order Own Your Career Own Your Life on AmazonApply to Join us in the Talent Development Think Tank Community!This episode is sponsored by LearnIt, which is offering a FREE trial of their TeamPass membership for you and up to 20 tea

Today, I’m talking with Brittany Honor—a dynamic leader with more than 12 years of experience spanning the medical device and consumer packaged goods industries. In this inspiring and practical conversation, Brittany and I dig into the realities of learning and development, change management, and field enablement—particularly in fast-paced and high-performing sales-driven organizations. Through candid stories, tactical strategies, and reflections on her own journey, Brittany equips L&D and talent professionals to navigate change, support teams, and elevate their careers with authenticity and impact.Subscribe to our weekly updates and monthly talent development newsletter here. Order Own Your Career Own Your Life on AmazonApply to Join us in the Talent Development Think Tank Community!This episode is sponsored by LearnIt, which is offering a FREE trial of their TeamPass membership for you and up to 20 team members of your team. Check it out here.Also iSpring Sui

Today, I am talking with Kelsey Kelly who is Manager of Learning and Employee Experience at Point B, a small professional services firm. In this conversation Kelsey and I dive into the real-world challenges and opportunities of building impactful learning cultures—especially within professional services firms that demand both continuous client value and employee growth. With experience spanning HR, military service, banking, and consulting, Kelsey shares lessons from her journey and how she’s driving holistic learning, employee experience, and leadership development with a lean team and limited resources.Subscribe to our weekly updates and monthly talent development newsletter here. Order Own Your Career Own Your Life on AmazonApply to Join us in the Talent Development Think Tank Community!This episode is sponsored by LearnIt, which is offering a FREE trial of their TeamPass membership for you and up to 20 team members of your team. Check it out here.Also iSpring S

Today, Andy Storch welcomes Damon Lembi—CEO of Learn It, host of the Learn It All Podcast, and two-time bestselling author—back to the Talent Development Hot Seat Podcast for a deep dive into building world-class learning cultures.In this candid conversation, Andy and Damon explore what separates “learn it all” organizations from “know it all” cultures, and why curiosity, humility, and action are the keys to thriving in today’s fast-changing landscape. Damon shares lessons drawn from his unique journey from aspiring Major League Baseball player to L&D leader, plus actionable strategies for making learning stick—especially when budgets and headcount are tight.A must-listen for L&D professionals, HR leaders, and anyone passionate about upskilling teams and building resilient learning organizations.In this episode, Damon shares:How his path from professional baseball dreams to receptionist at Learn It shaped his approach to leadership and lifelong learning.The difference between “learn it all” and “know

Today, Andy Storch welcomes Keith Ferrazzi—#1 New York Times bestselling author, renowned management thinker, and founder of Ferrazzi Greenlight—to the Talent Development Hot Seat Podcast.In this energizing episode, Andy and Keith go deep into the future of work, the enduring power of connection, and how leaders and talent professionals can navigate the disruptive rise of AI. Drawing on research from his latest book, Never Lead Alone: 10 Shifts from Leadership to Teamship, Keith shares practical tools for fostering high-performing teams, building organizational cultures of candor and accountability, and future-proofing your career in an AI-enabled world.A must-listen for talent development professionals, people leaders, and anyone seeking to amplify impact through relationships, collaboration, and bold innovation.In this episode, Keith shares:How the principles from Never Eat Alone remain timeless—even as networking tools and remote work reshape the landscape.Why talent pros must go beyond indi

Today, Andy Storch welcomes Eric DiCenzo-Crotallo—Vice President of Talent, Learning, and Communication at Din Tai Fung and former Director of Talent and Learning Development at Chipotle—to the Talent Development Hot Seat Podcast.In this value-packed episode, Andy and Eric explore what it really takes to build world-class talent development for hourly, frontline teams—and why the best talent programs blend operational know-how with authentic care for people. Eric shares candid stories and practical advice from his journey pivoting from operations to HR, launching large-scale leadership development initiatives, and driving data-informed decisions that impact every corner of the organization.A must-listen for L&D professionals, HR leaders, and anyone dedicated to elevating frontline talent, building winning cultures, and translating strategy into real growth opportunities for people at every level.In this episode, Eric shares:His winding path from restaurant operations to finding purpose in talent developme

Today, Andy Storch welcomes Ingrid Hu Dahl—leadership coach, author, and founder —to the Talent Development Hot Seat Podcast.With two decades of experience across corporate, media, nonprofit, and social justice sectors, Ingrid shares her powerful journey from creating spaces for identity expression in youth programs to designing inclusive leadership frameworks at scale in global organizations. Her work is rooted in amplifying underrepresented voices, emotional intelligence, and redefining what it means to lead with authenticity and courage.In this conversation, Ingrid and Andy dive deep into the foundations of inclusive leadership, exploring the role of fear, identity, vulnerability, and self-awareness in building cultures where everyone can thrive. Whether you're developing leadership programs, supporting culture change, or working to foster more inclusion in your organization, Ingrid’s insights are both timely and transformational.This episode is a must-listen for talent development professionals, leadershi

Today, Andy Storch welcomes Marc Reede, a lecture agent, and author of "The Coffee Code," to the Talent Development Hot Seat Podcast.Marc shares his unique journey of connecting celebrities and organizations for speaking engagements, providing him with firsthand access to insights from influential figures across sports, business, and literature. Drawing from these experiences and his work with students, Marc offers practical advice on leveraging networking and mentorship to navigate career paths.The conversation explores key strategies for building genuine connections, identifying mentors, and proactively seeking opportunities, emphasizing the importance of these skills in today's increasingly digital world.This episode is a valuable resource for anyone looking to enhance their networking abilities, cultivate meaningful relationships, and guide others in their career development.In this episode, Marc shares:His path into the world of connecting speakers with organizations, influenced by a mentor's guidance an

In this episode, host Andy Storch welcomes Julie Rodda, SVP and Head of Culture and People at iRhythm Technologies, to the Talent Development Hot Seat Podcast. Julie’s career path is a compelling story of curiosity, adaptability, and embracing unexpected opportunities—starting as an organizational psychologist, moving through consulting and internal talent development leadership roles, and ultimately stepping up to lead all of HR at a fast-growing medical technology company.Together, Andy and Julie explore what it really means to pivot from being a specialist in talent development to overseeing the entire people function, especially in an environment of rapid organizational growth and change. Julie candidly shares her personal uncertainties about taking on the head of HR role, how she navigated steep learning curves—working with the board, tackling executive compensation, and more—and why her passion for creating real impact fueled her willingness to say “yes” to new challenges.The conversation digs deep into

In this episode, host Andy Storch sits down with Fabio Sacoman, Vice President of Learning and Development at Expedia Group. Fabio’s journey into the world of learning and talent development is anything but typical—starting as a chemical engineer in Brazil, working at General Electric, and then spending 18 years building a successful consultancy before making the leap to lead L&D at a global powerhouse like Expedia.Together, Andy and Fabio dive deep into what it takes to build a thriving learning culture across a global organization, the importance of leadership development, and why authentic, people-first leadership is at the core of cultural transformation. Fabio also unpacks his approach to aligning L&D with business strategy, balancing formal and informal learning, and designing programs that resonate across diverse cultures and regions.Whether you’re managing talent development for a multinational company or looking to uplevel your own approach to learning and leadership, this conversation is jam