In this episode, Candice Mitchell sits down with learning & development leader, community builder, and solopreneur Anamaria Dorgo to unpack what a non-linear, intentional career really looks like.

From starting in retail, to staying with one company for a decade across countries and roles, to experimenting with consulting, community building, and finally finding the right hybrid — this conversation is an honest look at clarity, pivots, and designing a career that actually fits.

No hype. No “follow your passion” clichés. Just real decisions, trade-offs, and growth.

What you’ll get from this episode:

• Why variety and challenge matter more than titles
• How to think about sideways (and backward) career moves
• The role clarity plays when things get hard
• Why not every career needs an “all-in” leap
• How side projects quietly shape long-term success

This episode is for anyone questioning their next move or wondering if they’re “doing it wrong.”

Get to know Anamaria

Anamaria is a Learning & Development Manager and Community Builder, a podcast host, and the founder of Handle with Brain. You'll usually find her tinkering with collaborative projects at the overlap between community + (learning) experience design + facilitation.

She prefer practical approaches over grand theories, and she cares about creating environments where people share what they know, challenge each other, and make progress together.

Connect with Anamaria

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/anamariadorgo/

Podcast (Mapping Ties) : https://mapping-ties.com/

Newsletter: https://anamariadorgo.substack.com/

Your host, Candice Mitchell, can be found online at:

Website: https://talentdevelopmentnerds.com/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/candicemitchelltdnerd/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/talent_development_nerd/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@candicemitchell.TDNerd

Talent Development Academy: https://talentdevelopmentnerds.com/tda

Original music composed by: Paul DeHaven

pauldehavenmusic.com

In this episode, Candice Mitchell sits down with learning strategist, leadership expert, and author Nick Shackleton-Jones to unpack why traditional education and corporate learning miss the mark and what actually creates meaning, growth, and capability.

From lecturing psychology, to consulting at global organizations like the BBC, BP, and Deloitte, Nick shares real stories about learning systems, leadership mistakes, and why most development programs fail the people they’re meant to serve.

This is a candid conversation about purpose, experience design, and building learning that actually sticks.

What you’ll get from this episode:

1. Why education feels empty for so many people
2. What really shapes purpose and career direction
3. 
   
4. How learning became a ritual instead of an experience
5. Why breaking the mold often leads to impact
6. What leaders get wrong about learning and development
7. 
   

If you work in leadership, L&D, HR, or simply care about how people grow — this one’s for you.

Get to know Nick:

Nick Shackleton-Jones is the author of How People Learn, a book which introduces the first general theory of learning & describes how to apply it. An industry revolutionary, he introduced the ‘courses to resources’ mantra & pioneered human-centred learning design (5Di).

A track record of shaping future learning approaches for public & private organisations, he is winner of several awards for people development, strategy, innovation, & learning content (including the Learning & Performance Institute’s Award for Services to the Learning Industry, 2017). He is the former CLO at Deloitte UK & now CEO at Shackleton Consulting.

Connect with Nick:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shackletonjones/

X: @shackletonjones

Tiktok: @shackletonjones

Your host, Candice Mitchell, can be found online at:

Website: https://talentdevelopmentnerds.com/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/candicemitchelltdnerd/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/talent_development_nerd/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@candicemitchell.TDNerd

Talent Development Academy: https://talentdevelopmentnerds.com/tda

Original music composed by: Paul DeHaven

pauldehavenmusic.com

More courses.

More platforms.

More information.

But information isn’t the problem anymore.

In this episode, Candice speaks with learning leader Ajay to talk about what actually helps people learn, grow, and change their behavior at work.

Ajay shares his journey from discovering e-learning early in his career to working across the UK and Europe in corporate L&D. Along the way, he began noticing something important: the moments people remember most in learning aren’t slides or modules — they’re stories.

This conversation explores why storytelling is one of the most powerful tools in learning and development, why the industry may be focusing on the wrong problem, and what organizations need to rethink if they want learning to actually work.

If you work in L&D, leadership, HR, or anyone responsible for helping people grow at work, this conversation will give you a lot to think about.

What you'll get from this episode

1. Why information alone doesn’t drive learning
2. The role storytelling plays in behavior change
3. What many organizations misunderstand about learning content
4. Why human connection still matters in the age of AI
5. How L&D can move from content delivery to real impact

Get to know Ajay:

Ajay Jacob is an L&D professional and Storyteller. After 20 years of L&D roles across multiple countries, he founded Tell More Stories to help individuals and teams use storytelling principles to increase their impact. His work also involves working with L&D teams to integrate Story more deeply into learning design to drive better engagement and results.

Connect with Ajay:

LinkedIn: https://in.linkedin.com/in/ajaytj

Course: https://www.udemy.com/course/storytelling-foundations-unlocking-the-power-of-stories/?referralCode=91BDA7E8C30712E28687

Your host, Candice Mitchell, can be found online at:

Website: https://talentdevelopmentnerds.com/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/candicemitchelltdnerd/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/talent_development_nerd/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@candicemitchell.TDNerd

Talent Development Academy: https://talentdevelopmentnerds.com/tda

Original music composed by: Paul DeHaven

pauldehavenmusic.com

In this episode, Candice Mitchell sits down with keynote speaker, author, and musician Rachel Druckenmiller for a powerful conversation about courage, burnout, self-trust, and choosing yourself — even when it feels risky.

From studying abroad and finding her voice, to building a career through initiative, to burnout, a life-altering accident, and learning to trust herself again — Rachel shares what it really takes to live an unmuted life.

This is an honest, deeply human episode about agency, resilience, and why your contribution matters more than you think.

What you’ll get from this episode:

1. Why initiative matters more than titles or permission
2. How burnout often comes from proving instead of being
3. What it means to truly “bet on yourself”
4. Why your perspective matters more than perfection
5. How to reclaim trust in yourself after life knocks you down

This episode is for anyone who feels called to more but hasn’t fully stepped into it yet.

Get to Know Rachel:

Rachel Druckenmiller is a leadership strategist and keynote speaker who helps people stop holding back and start showing up with clarity, confidence, and courage so they come alive at work.

With nearly 20 years of experience, Rachel works with high-performing professionals who are capable, thoughtful, and committed to doing good work but who often second-guess themselves, downplay their strengths, or hesitate to speak up. Her work helps leaders think more clearly, advocate for themselves more effectively, and lead with greater presence and impact.

Rachel’s approach brings together psychology, leadership insight, and real-world experience, delivered through stories that stick and tools people actually use. She’s known for making complex human dynamics—like self-silencing, burnout, and self-doubt—feel understandable, relatable, and actionable.

A TEDx speaker, Rachel has been recognized by Forbes, Smart Meetings, and Workforce Magazine for her work helping people build confidence and lead from the inside out. She’s worked with a wide range of organizations and in the legal field, she’s spoken at events for the American Bar Association, the Association of Legal Administrators, and Squire Patton Boggs.

Rachel is respected for her ability to challenge assumptions, elevate thinking, and create moments of insight that change how leaders show up long after the session ends.

Connect with Rachel:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rachelbdruckenmiller/ Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/user/racheldruckenmiller Website: https://www.racheldruckenmiller.com/ Rachel's Music: https://open.spotify.com/artist/0u42nNEz1pAsJsoEcDkTvA

Your host, Candice Mitchell, can be found online at:

Website: https://talentdevelopmentnerds.com/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/candicemitchelltdnerd/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/talent_development_nerd/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@candicemitchell.TDNerd

Talent Development Academy: https://talentdevelopmentnerds.com/tda

Original music composed by: Paul DeHaven

pauldehavenmusic.com

In this episode, Candice Mitchell sits down with Al Dea, founder of Edge of Work, to unpack what leadership really looks like in practice not theory.

From Al’s first leadership role at age 14, to navigating loss early in his consulting career, to building a consulting practice rooted in empathy, curiosity, and context this conversation is honest, grounded, and deeply human.

Together, they explore how leaders are shaped, how trust is built, and why curiosity matters more than authority in today’s workplace.

What you’ll get from this episode

1. Why curiosity is a leadership skill — not a personality trait
2. How early leadership mistakes shape better leaders later
3. The role empathy plays in high-pressure work environments
4. How to build meaningful professional relationships over time
5. Why leadership is more about others than yourself

This episode is for leaders who care about doing it right, not just doing it fast.

Get to know Al:

Al is a speaker, facilitator, and advisor. He runs The Edge of Work, a talent and leadership consulting firm that helps organizations develop their leaders with the critical skills they need to lead in a changing workplace.

Al’s insights on leadership have been featured in Forbes, Fast Company, and Business Insider. He is also recognized by LinkedIn as a Top Voice in Leadership and the Future of Work. Previously, Al worked at Deloitte Consulting LLP and Salesforce. He holds a Bachelor’s Degree from Boston College and an MBA from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

Connect with Al:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/itsaldea/

Website: https://theedgeofwork.com/

Your host, Candice Mitchell, can be found online at:

Website: https://talentdevelopmentnerds.com/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/candicemitchelltdnerd/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/talent_development_nerd/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@candicemitchell.TDNerd

Talent Development Academy: https://talentdevelopmentnerds.com/tda

Original music composed by: Paul DeHaven

pauldehavenmusic.com

In this episode, Candice Mitchell sits down with Ryan Clark to explore what it actually takes to build a life and career you love without pretending it’s easy.

Ryan shares his journey from building a production company with close friends, navigating betrayal and reinvention, and ultimately choosing freedom, creativity, and values over status or certainty. Together, they talk about content creation, discipline, trusting yourself, and why loving the work matters more than motivation ever will.

This episode is reflective, honest, and deeply human.

What you’ll get from this episode

1. Why discipline alone won’t carry you long-term
2. The real reason most people burn out creating content
3. How to build a career around values instead of pressure
4. What “freedom” actually looks like in day-to-day life
5. A grounded reframe of success, struggle, and gratitude

Get to know Ryan:

Ryan Clark is a marketing consultant who helps entrepreneurs turn content into consistent, time-efficient revenue through clear messaging and sustainable systems. His career spans copywriting, video production, and brand strategy, giving him a hands-on perspective on what actually works in real businesses.

Known for helping clients book sales, fill offers, and close high-ticket deals through content alone, Ryan believes growth doesn’t have to feel frantic. His work centers on building peaceful, effective funnels that support both profitability and long-term alignment.

Connect with Ryan:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ryanhamiltonclark/

Your host, Candice Mitchell, can be found online at:

Website: https://talentdevelopmentnerds.com/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/candicemitchelltdnerd/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/talent_development_nerd/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@candicemitchell.TDNerd

Talent Development Academy: https://talentdevelopmentnerds.com/tda

Original music composed by: Paul DeHaven

pauldehavenmusic.com

In this episode, I sat down with Abi for a deeply honest conversation about building a business that’s profitable and sustainable.

Abi shares her journey from early entrepreneurship and freelancing to running an agency and coaching course creators — along with the reality of feast-and-famine cycles, mindset traps, and why there’s no single moment where everything suddenly feels “figured out.”

This conversation is calm, practical, and refreshingly real — especially for anyone tired of chasing constant growth.

What you’ll get from this episode:

• Why slowing down doesn’t mean you’re failing
• How to think long-term instead of chasing constant momentum
• The mindset shift from outcomes to transformation
• Why courses aren’t “dead” and what actually makes them work
• How to build something you still love when things get hard

If you’re building a business and questioning your pace, this episode will feel grounding.

Get to Know Abi:

Abi is an evergreen funnel strategist who helps course creators step off the launch treadmill and build businesses that feel both profitable and peaceful. Her work focuses on long-term strategy, messaging, and optimization guiding clients to become confident decision-makers rather than relying on tactics, trends, or constant urgency. Having built her career through resourcefulness and adaptability, Abi brings a grounded perspective on what it actually takes to grow in an unpredictable market. She helps creators build not just better funnels, but a deeper sense of trust in their work, their skills, and themselves.

Connect with Abi:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/abi-prendergast/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/abiprendy/

Website: https://www.aptcontent.co.uk/

Your host, Candice Mitchell, can be found online at:

Website: https://talentdevelopmentnerds.com/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/candicemitchelltdnerd/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/talent_development_nerd/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@candicemitchell.TDNerd

Talent Development Academy: https://talentdevelopmentnerds.com/tda

Original music composed by: Paul DeHaven

pauldehavenmusic.com

In this episode, I sat down with Erin Halper for a refreshingly honest conversation about entrepreneurship, consulting, and what it really looks like to build a sustainable business over time.

Erin shares her journey from early entrepreneurship to private equity, consulting, and eventually building The Upside — a global community for independent consultants and business owners. Along the way, she breaks down some uncomfortable truths we don’t talk about enough: nobody has all the answers, “overnight success” is mostly fiction, and slow, steady work beats flashy metrics every time.

This episode is for anyone who’s tired of pretending, tired of chasing vanity milestones, and ready to build something real.

What you’ll get from this episode

• Why even experienced entrepreneurs are still figuring it out
• The myth of overnight success — and what actually creates momentum
• How to spot bad advice and unhealthy business role models
• What sustainable success really looks like behind the scenes
• Why curiosity, humility, and patience matter more than hype
• 
  

If you’ve been questioning your pace, your progress, or yourself — this conversation will feel grounding.

Get to know Erin:

Erin Halper is a former private equity professional and entrepreneur who founded The Upside, a high-caliber community connecting experienced consultants and senior leaders to meaningful, flexible work. After more than a decade advising businesses, Erin set out to build a better way for top talent to collaborate as colleagues, not competitors. Her journey into entrepreneurship became deeply personal when her first son was born with a heart defect, reinforcing her belief in autonomy, flexibility, and sustainable success. Today, Erin helps seasoned professionals level up their impact, income, and control over how they work without sacrificing excellence.

Connect with Erin:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/erinhalper/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/erin.halper/

Website: https://betheupside.com/

Your host, Candice Mitchell, can be found online at:

Website: https://talentdevelopmentnerds.com/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/candicemitchelltdnerd/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/talent_development_nerd/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@candicemitchell.TDNerd

Talent Development Academy: https://talentdevelopmentnerds.com/tda

Original music composed by: Paul DeHaven

pauldehavenmusic.com

In this episode, Candice Mitchell sits down with Katrina Kennedy, facilitator, consultant, and author of Learning That Lasts, to talk about learning, change, and what really happens when organizations roll out new systems without supporting the people expected to use them.

Katrina shares stories from her early career in the district attorney’s office, the moment that shaped her philosophy on training, and how decades of experience taught her that learning isn’t about information, it’s about confidence, safety, and trust.

This is a practical, honest conversation for leaders, trainers, and anyone responsible for helping people adapt to change at work.

What you’ll get from this episode:

• Why “just telling people to use the new system” never works
• How poor training creates resistance, frustration, and disengagement
• The difference between access to tools and readiness to use them
• How trainers and leaders can design learning that actually sticks
• Why empathy is a critical leadership skill during change

If you’re responsible for rolling out change—or expected to adapt to it—this episode will change how you think about learning.

Get to know Katrina:

Katrina, known as the "trainer's trainer,” is a facilitator, speaker, and author with 25+ years in learning and development. Author of the book, Learning That Lasts, she has helped thousands of subject matter experts design and deliver engaging learning experiences in a variety of industries. She shares training insights and ideas at www.katrinakennedy.com

Connect with Katrina:

LinkedIn : www.linkedin.com/in/katrinakennedytraining

Website: https://www.katrinakennedy.com

Grab Katrina's Book Here: https://www.katrinakennedy.com/book

Your host, Candice Mitchell, can be found online at:

Website: https://talentdevelopmentnerds.com/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/candicemitchelltdnerd/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/talent_development_nerd/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@candicemitchell.TDNerd

Talent Development Academy: https://talentdevelopmentnerds.com/tda

Original music composed by: Paul DeHaven

pauldehavenmusic.com

In this episode, Candice Mitchell sits down with Jenny Wood, former Google executive and author of Wild Courage, for a wide-ranging conversation about career growth, confidence, and taking bold action before you feel ready.

Jenny shares the now-famous subway story that sparked her concept of “wild courage,” along with lessons from her 18-year career at Google, her transition into entrepreneurship, and the mindset shifts that help people stop waiting and start moving.

This conversation is honest, funny, and deeply practical. It’s about what it really takes to build a career (and life) you’re proud of without waiting for approval from anyone else.

What you’ll get from this episode

• Why no one gives you permission—and why that’s actually freeing
• How courage shows up in small, everyday decisions
• Lessons from Google on influence, promotion, and leadership
• Why bold action creates clarity (not the other way around)
• What it really takes to build a career you love over time

If you’ve been hesitating on a next step, this episode might be the nudge you didn’t know you needed.

Get to know Jenny:

Jenny Wood a New York Times bestselling author, speaker, former Google executive, and former Harvard Business School researcher who knows that real success isn’t about following the rules or waiting your turn. She is also the founder of Own Your Career, one of Google's largest career programs. In her new book Wild Courage: Go After What You Want and Get It , Jenny breaks down 9 bold traits that defy conventional career advice: Obsessed, Weird, Selfish, Shameless, Nosy, Manipulative, Brutal, Reckless, and Bossy.

Her practical, no-nonsense approach empowers ambitious people to break the mold, be better leaders, build influence, and reach their full potential. Jenny has been featured in NBC, Bloomberg, Harvard Business Review, Forbes, and Business Insider. She lives in Boulder with her husband and two children and is in constant pursuit of the perfect zucchini bread recipe.

Connect with Jenny:

Instagram: ⁨@itsjennywood⁩

LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/jennyilles

Website: http://itsjennywood.com

Your host, Candice Mitchell, can be found online at:

Website: https://talentdevelopmentnerds.com/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/candicemitchelltdnerd/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/talent_development_nerd/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@candicemitchell.TDNerd

Talent Development Academy: https://talentdevelopmentnerds.com/tda

Original music composed by: Paul DeHaven

pauldehavenmusic.com

In this episode, Candice Mitchell sits down with Mel Fox Dhar for an honest conversation about career alignment, burnout, and navigating transitions especially in big tech. Mel shares her journey from retail and customer-facing roles to Microsoft, Amazon, and ultimately into career coaching.

Along the way, she explains why alignment doesn’t come from optimizing your resume alone but from understanding who you are as a whole person. This conversation is practical, grounded, and deeply human. No hustle talk. No “just push through it.” Just real insight into how people actually build careers that fit their lives.

What you’ll get from this episode

1. Why separating “work life” and “real life” creates misalignment
2. How career clarity starts with understanding what lights you up
3. What to do when you’re burnt out, laid off, or stuck in a transition you didn’t choose
4. How early career experiences quietly shape long-term success
5. Why telling your story clearly matters more than having the perfect resume

If you’re questioning what’s next or why what you’re doing no longer fits, this episode will help you think differently about alignment and direction.

Get to Know Mel:

Mel Fox Dhar is a career coach and former Big Tech leader who helps experienced professionals make more intentional career moves. After a decade at Amazon and Microsoft, she knows what it’s like to be successful on paper while feeling misaligned underneath. Today, Mel works with senior and mid-career leaders to clarify their personal brand, identify the right next step, and navigate job transitions with confidence—so they can do meaningful work and actually thrive.

Connect with Mel:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/melfoxdhar/

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@UCdDreU78e0fRAEhp4w8mX-w

Website: https://www.melfoxdhar.com

Your host, Candice Mitchell, can be found online at:

Website: https://talentdevelopmentnerds.com/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/candicemitchelltdnerd/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/talent_development_nerd/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@candicemitchell.TDNerd

Talent Development Academy: https://talentdevelopmentnerds.com/tda

Original music composed by: Paul DeHaven

pauldehavenmusic.com

What you'll get from this episode:

• Why shame and self-judgment often show up during hard seasons

• How curiosity and compassion create more progress than criticism

• Why jealousy and resentment are usually signals of hurt, not failure

• How worthiness (not time or skill) is often the real thing holding people back If you’ve been telling yourself something is “wrong” with you, this episode offers a different perspective, one that feels a lot more human.

Get to know Rosie:

Rosie Milsom is a Self-Worth & Confidence Coach for purpose-driven women who know they’re meant for more. She helps founders, changemakers, and ambitious doers stop getting in their own way so they can finally build the confidence, clarity, impact and income they’re truly capable of - without burnout, self-doubt, or constant second-guessing. Her mission is simple: when a woman’s self-worth catches up with her potential, everything rises

Connect with Rosie:

Facebook: www.facebook.com/rosiemilsomcoaching

Instagram: @rosie_milsom_coaching

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@self-worthschool

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rosie-milsom-36667a5a/

Website: https://www.rosiemilsom.com/

Your host, Candice Mitchell, can be found online at:

Website: https://talentdevelopmentnerds.com/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/candicemitchelltdnerd/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/talent_development_nerd/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@candicemitchell.TDNerd

Talent Development Academy: https://talentdevelopmentnerds.com/tda

Original music composed by: Paul DeHaven

pauldehavenmusic.com

This episode brings together some of the most memorable, laugh-out-loud stories from past guests as they reflect on their earliest working experiences. From misunderstood presentations and customer blow-ups to first paychecks, first mistakes, and first lessons in responsibility, these moments are as funny as they are meaningful.

What begins as humor quickly turns into insight:

1. How early jobs quietly shape our work ethic and confidence
2. Why mistakes often become the doorway to growth
3. The leadership lessons we learn long before we ever manage a team
4. How being defended—or defending others—can leave a lifelong impact

Featuring moments from Mike Pacchione, Jo Watson, and others, this episode is a reminder that leadership doesn’t start with a title, it starts with experience.

If you’ve ever felt awkward, out of place, or unsure early in your career, this conversation will make you laugh, reflect, and maybe see your own journey a little differently.

Your host, Candice Mitchell, can be found online at:

Website: https://talentdevelopmentnerds.com/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/candicemitchelltdnerd/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/talent_development_nerd/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@candicemitchell.TDNerd

Talent Development Academy: https://talentdevelopmentnerds.com/tda

Original music composed by: Paul DeHaven

pauldehavenmusic.com

You’ll hear powerful takeaways on future readiness, confidence and self-worth, burnout, career pivots, mentorship, resilience, experimentation, and what real impact looks like beyond the workplace.

Featured guests and their moments:

1. Allister Frost: Make time to be future-ready, or the future will happen to you.
2. Amber Anderson: The story we tell ourselves, plus the missing accountability after training.
3. Chris Taylor: The turning point: knowledge doesn’t change anything until you apply it.
4. David James: You’re building skills, even when it feels like you’re not.
5. Dr. Sarah Nichols: Burnout hides in plain sight, and it quietly steals your confidence.
6. Elena Agaragimova: The courage to pivot, and the ache of trying to prove you belong.
7. Heather Burright: When learning saves a life, it changes how you see your work forever.
8. Jen Recla: “Think like a scientist.” Experiments, not identity. Data, not drama.
9. Kelsea Warren: Stop waiting for “when.” Live in your values, today.
10. Tara Rynders: Let yourself receive care. It can change everything.
11. Yogi Mueller: Don’t outsource your value. Find your strengths, your people, your mentors.
12. Lorie Jones: “It’s not going to get better” and the brave choice to change the story.

🎧 This episode is a highlight reel, but it’s also a nudge: if one clip hits you, go listen to the full episode for the context and the full conversation.

Your host, Candice Mitchell, can be found online at:

Website: https://talentdevelopmentnerds.com/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/candicemitchelltdnerd/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/talent_development_nerd/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@candicemitchell.TDNerd

Talent Development Academy: https://talentdevelopmentnerds.com/tda

Original music composed by: Paul DeHaven

pauldehavenmusic.com

Not all of this year’s guests appear in this episode.

These were specifically chosen because they shared something deeply human, honest, and universally felt.

This episode is part of our BEST Moments of the Year series, and this one is all about the moments that made us say:

“Wait… I’ve felt that too.”

“Oh wow, I thought I was the only one.”

“Yep. That’s exactly my life right now.”

In this compilation you will hear stories about:

• Losing jobs unexpectedly
• Mental health and the moments things fell apart
• Squiggly, non-linear careers that make sense only in hindsight
• Being brave enough to start before you’re ready
• Carrying pressure, expectations, and self-doubt
• Wanting to give up, and choosing not to
• Reinventing yourself at any age
• Building a life and career that actually feels like yours

These are the conversations listeners wrote to me about — the lines that stuck with you, the moments you sent to friends, the truths that made you breathe out and whisper: “Finally. Someone said it.”

⭐ FEATURED GUESTS IN THIS SPECIAL EPISODE

A curated selection of guests from across the year:

• AJ Lauer
• Andy Storch
• Brenda Noon-Schmidt
• Danny Delvecchio
• David Gilbert
• JB Ryan
• Jess Almie
• Jessica Schloemp
• Lauren Evans
• Matt Gjestsen
• Stacey Oliver-Knappe
• Clay Gill

Sponsored by Your360 AI

This episode is sponsored by Your360 AI — developmental 360 feedback turned into actionable growth.

The world of work is changing fast, and teams that don’t share honest feedback get left behind. Your360 uses Voice AI to deliver 360s that uncover what surveys miss — for just a couple hundred dollars. Real conversations turned into real growth.

Stop guessing — start growing.

Your host, Candice Mitchell, can be found online at:

Website: https://talentdevelopmentnerds.com/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/candicemitchelltdnerd/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/talent_development_nerd/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@candicemitchell.TDNerd

Talent Development Academy: https://talentdevelopmentnerds.com/tda

Original music composed by: Paul DeHaven

pauldehavenmusic.com

Visit Your360.ai today.

Across dozens of conversations this season, certain moments made me stop, scribble notes, replay the audio, or just sit back and breathe for a second.

These weren’t just good insights — they were the best learning moments shared by a handful of guests whose wisdom hit differently.

Today, I’m bringing them together for the first time.

You’ll hear the strongest, sharpest, most transformative moments from:

• Dr. Alaina Szlachta
• Alyssa Willet
• Andrew Jacobs
• Anna Ludwinowski
• Bianca Baumann & Mike Taylor
• Brianna Johnston
• Desiree Petrich
• Kevin M. Yates
• Lavinia Mehedințu
• Paul Matthews
• Susanne Biro
• 
  

These moments are practical. Human. Career-shaping.

Whether you’re an L&D professional, a leader, or someone who simply wants to build a career (and life) you love — this episode is a “bookmark it, save it, replay it” kind of experience.

Grab your notebook, your coffee, or the dog’s leash if you’re listening on your walk — and enjoy the best of the best.

🌟 Sponsored by Your360 AI

This episode is sponsored by Your360 AI — developmental 360 feedback turned into actionable growth.

The world of work is changing fast, and teams that don’t share honest feedback get left behind.

Your360 uses Voice AI to deliver 360s that uncover what surveys miss — for just a couple hundred dollars.

Real conversations turned into real growth.

Stop guessing — start growing.

Visit Your360.ai today.

Your host, Candice Mitchell, can be found online at:

Website: https://talentdevelopmentnerds.com/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/candicemitchelltdnerd/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/talent_development_nerd/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@candicemitchell.TDNerd

Talent Development Academy: https://talentdevelopmentnerds.com/tda

Original music composed by: Paul DeHaven

pauldehavenmusic.com

In this episode, Lorie Jones (CFP®, MBA), owner of Fearless Financial Advisors, shares how she went from McDonald’s Hamburger University to helping grow an RIA from ~$30M to ~$230M, all while raising five kids, earning her licenses, and fighting imposter syndrome in a male-dominated industry. We dig into servant leadership, building systems when life is full, why “balance” is measured over years (not days), and how women can start feeling fear-less about their finances, today.

You’ll learn:

The mindset shift from “finance isn’t for me” → “I can do this.”

How Lorie organized the “bejesus” out of life to get her MBA + CFP while parenting five kids.

Why mentorship matters (and how to find a woman who’s in your corner).

Practical first steps for women who want to confidently participate in money decisions.

What “fearless” really means: taking one small brave step, even while scared.

Get to know Lorie:

Lorie Jones, MBA, CFP®, is a fourth-generation Wyoming rancher turned financial advisor with over thirteen years of experience in the industry. After raising five children, she found her calling at a small RIA in South Denver, driven by a passion to support women navigating financial transitions with clarity and confidence. She holds a History degree from the University of Wyoming, an MBA from Colorado State University, and is a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ professional, currently pursuing both CFA and CDFA credentials. Lorie’s mission is to transform financial chaos into peace of mind through practical, empowering plans. She hosts the Fearless Females podcast, mentors young women, and volunteers with groups like Leadership Douglas County. Married to David, with five grown children and two grand dogs, Lorie blends her love of storytelling, crafting, and spreadsheets into both her travel adventures and her holistic approach to financial planning.

Connect with Lorie:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/lorie.jones.505

Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61571028827696

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/loriejones_7/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/loriejones/

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@UC0oqApmg_k_QvSzbhP_pUyA

Your host, Candice Mitchell, can be found online at:

Website: https://talentdevelopmentnerds.com/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/candicemitchelltdnerd/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/talent_development_nerd/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@candicemitchell.TDNerd

Talent Development Academy: https://talentdevelopmentnerds.com/tda

Original music composed by: Paul DeHaven

pauldehavenmusic.com

In this episode of Development Nerds, Candice sits down with Allister Frost — former Microsoft marketing leader, global keynote speaker, and author of Ready Already — to talk about developing a future-ready mindset in a world that won’t stop changing.

From wiping tables at 11 to leading marketing at Microsoft, Allister shares how curiosity, empathy, and continuous learning shaped his career. He unpacks his 5-step Ready Already Growth Cycle — Follow, React, Open, Surprise, Tell — a simple but powerful framework for staying adaptable, creative, and human in the age of AI.

💡 You’ll learn:

Why “if it works, it’s obsolete” is the mindset every modern professional needs

How to keep learning without burning out

The one question to ask every Friday to check if you’re still growing

Why your personal mission is the fuel that keeps you future-ready

How to replace fear of change with curiosity and action

This conversation is equal parts inspiration and practicality — perfect for anyone who wants to stay relevant, keep learning, and shape the future instead of reacting to it.

Get to know Allister:

Allister Frost is a business transformation and growth expert, known for his energy and passion for helping others to embrace change. As a former Microsoft leader, his highly acclaimed Future-Ready Mindset talks and workshops inspire greater curiosity, imagination, and courageous collaboration to unlock daily improvements, strengthen resiliency, and fuel high-performance teamwork. He is the author of ReadyAlready and an award-winning speaker and marketer. His mission each day is to help busy people transform their lives with the positive mindset needed to become—and remain—future-ready for life.

Connect with Allister:

https://www.instagram.com/allisterspeaks/

https://www.youtube.com/@allisterfrost

https://www.linkedin.com/in/allisterspeaks/

Your host, Candice Mitchell, can be found online at:

Website: https://talentdevelopmentnerds.com/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/candicemitchelltdnerd/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/talent_development_nerd/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@candicemitchell.TDNerd

Talent Development Academy: https://talentdevelopmentnerds.com/tda

Original music composed by: Paul DeHaven

pauldehavenmusic.com

What you’ll learn

Proficiency at scale: David’s practical approach to capability building that moves beyond “courses” to real performance.

Career inflection points: Leaving school at 16, bank cashier → trainer → Disney L&D leader → co-founder (Loop) → CLO at 360Learning.

Mentors without the awkward ask: How to build genuine relationships and get world-class guidance—no “will you be my mentor?” needed.

Readiness beats luck: The exact habits that make you “lucky” when opportunity arrives.

Stakeholder credibility: Partnering with HRBPs, reading the culture, and earning a seat at the table.

Early career reframed: Why those frontline jobs are powerful skill-building reps you’ll use for life.

Who this episode is for

L&D leaders, CLOs, HR/People leaders, enablement pros, OD practitioners, instructional designers, talent strategists, and anyone who wants their learning programs to be taken seriously by the business.

Get to know David:

David James is the Chief Learning Officer at 360Learning and a highly respected voice in the Learning & Development industry. With a focus on harnessing technology to drive impactful learning strategies, David is recognised as one of the top 10 global influencers in the L&D space. His expertise lies in helping organisations modernise their approach to workplace learning, ensuring measurable results and business alignment.

David is also the host of The Learning & Development Podcast, which has amassed over 500,000 downloads and ranks in the top 1% of podcasts globally. With more than 30,000 LinkedIn followers, he continues to shape the conversation around L&D innovation and best practices, drawing on his deep experience, including his time as Director of Learning, Talent & Organisational Development at The Walt Disney Company.

Connect with David:

https://360learning.com/lp/david-james/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/davidjameslinkedin/

https://360learning.com/lp/learning-and-development-podcast-by-david-james/

Your host, Candice Mitchell, can be found online at:

Website: https://talentdevelopmentnerds.com/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/candicemitchelltdnerd/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/talent_development_nerd/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@candicemitchell.TDNerd

Talent Development Academy: https://talentdevelopmentnerds.com/tda

Original music composed by: Paul DeHaven

pauldehavenmusic.com

In this episode:

• From dancing duck and barbershop lessons to coaching CEOs of billion-dollar companies
• How to build confidence through action (not waiting to “feel” confident)
• Asking for investment: crafting the business case + earning it with your reputation
• Leading high-stakes rooms with candor and EQ
• The truth of entrepreneurship: resilience, risk, and that 11 p.m. moment
• Inside-out success: joy, health, and habits that compound
• Susanne’s upcoming book “This Could Be Everything” and her Deep Fear podcast/app

Timestamps (quick guide):

00:00 Meet Susanne Biro & early career

04:50 Marketing yourself (and negotiating for you)

13:45 Coaching, credibility, and getting a “yes”

21:50 Two years of tears: the messy middle of building a business

30:30 Doing it terrified + the TEDx story

36:30 Facilitating tough executive rooms with EQ

40:40 Where work is going: focus in an overloaded world

46:20 Inside-out success & health as a lifelong advantage

52:00 Who Susanne works with + accessible ways to learn from her

Get to know Susanne:

Susanne Biro has spent over two decades as a confidant to CEOs and C-suite executives, helping them confront what she calls 'Deep Fear' – the anxious thoughts that secretly limit even the most accomplished leaders. A TEDx speaker and author of This Could Be Everything, she transforms these hidden anxieties into a catalyst for authentic leadership through her signature Inner Life Leadership approach.

With 24+ years of global experience coaching over 200 CEOs and thousands of senior leaders, Susanne specializes in emotional intelligence, leadership effectiveness, and whole-life success.

She understands that leadership at the highest levels is demanding, exhausting, and often lonely. Through her signature approach, Inner Life Leadership, she helps leaders harness the power of self-awareness, because what happens inside always shapes what happens out there.

Connect with Susanne:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/susanne-biro-executivecoach/

Keywords: executive coach, CEO coaching, leadership development, entrepreneurship journey, imposter syndrome, confidence, self-belief, emotional intelligence, facilitation, high-stakes teams, Vancouver, TEDx, Susanne Biro, Deep Fear podcast, This Could Be Everything book

Your host, Candice Mitchell, can be found online at:

Website: https://talentdevelopmentnerds.com/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/candicemitchelltdnerd/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/talent_development_nerd/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@candicemitchell.TDNerd

Talent Development Academy: https://talentdevelopmentnerds.com/tda

Original music composed by: Paul DeHaven

pauldehavenmusic.com

In this episode, Jessica and Candice talk about:

✅ Finding yourself again after losing your identity in the corporate mold

✅ The difference between being nice and being kind

✅ How to lead authentically in a male-dominated industry

✅ Why getting off social media helped her find her true voice

✅ The power of honesty, reflection, and showing up for yourself first

Get to know Jessica:

I help companies turn chaos into culture.

I’m not your typical leadership consultant. I’m a corporate insider who rebuilt toxic, underperforming teams from the inside out. As Director of Operations and founder of Revive & Rise Consulting, I’ve developed a proven method for transforming culture, developing leaders, and empowering teams to take ownership without fear or micromanagement.

My TRUE TEAM Method (Transparency, Relatability, Understanding, Empowerment) is the framework I’ve used to double team output, reduce turnover, and bring clarity to disjointed organizations. It works because it’s built on what people actually need: psychological safety, consistent leadership, and a sense of purpose.

My best-selling book, The Leader Within Her, outlines a counter-cultural approach to leadership that’s resonating with a new generation of professionals and executives. I’ve also co-authored Financial Trendsetters 2 and am launching a leadership-focused podcast in late 2025.

I speak, I train, and I partner with forward-thinking organizations to fix what’s broken and build what’s next.

Currently booking for:

Keynote speaking (Fall 2025 and beyond)

Podcast interviews

Internal leadership workshops and culture strategy sessions

Let’s create a workplace people don’t just survive in. Let’s build one they can thrive in.

Connect with Jessica:

Contact: jschloemp@hotmail.com for further information and collaboration

Instagram: @jessicaschloemp

LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/drjschloemp

Website: https://www.reviveandriseconsulting.com/

Her book: The Leader within HER: https://amzn.to/3JKe28J

Your host, Candice Mitchell, can be found online at:

Website: https://talentdevelopmentnerds.com/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/candicemitchelltdnerd/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/talent_development_nerd/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@candicemitchell.TDNerd

Talent Development Academy: https://talentdevelopmentnerds.com/tda

Original music composed by: Paul DeHaven

pauldehavenmusic.com

This is the story of what happens when you stop ignoring that question.

Lauren shares how she went from an 18-year-old UPS supervisor to the founder of Design and Streamline Solutions, where she helps small business owners reclaim time and sanity by simplifying their tech.

We talk about the real meaning of “paying your dues,” what happens when your weekends are the only time you feel alive, and how faith and courage guided her toward a business built on purpose, not pressure.

💡 In this episode:

• The early lessons that built lifelong confidence
• 
  
• Why “secure” can be the most dangerous word in your career
• 
  
• The turning point between staying safe and starting over
• 
  
• How a side gig became her real calling
• 
  
• The unfiltered truth about running your own business
• 
  
• What sustainability really means when the hype fades
• 
  

This isn’t a story about hustle. It’s about alignment — and the courage to build a life that finally makes sense.

Get to know Lauren:

Lauren Evans is the founder of Design & Streamline Solutions, where she helps small business owners simplify their technology and automate the behind-the-scenes systems that keep their businesses running. By streamlining the processes that often eat up time and energy, Lauren makes it easier for entrepreneurs to grow their businesses, serve their clients, and enjoy the freedom they set out to create.

Connect with Lauren:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/laurenshakevans

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lshakevans/

Instagram: @laurenshakevans

Your host, Candice Mitchell, can be found online at:

Website: https://talentdevelopmentnerds.com/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/candicemitchelltdnerd/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/talent_development_nerd/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@candicemitchell.TDNerd

Talent Development Academy: https://talentdevelopmentnerds.com/tda

Original music composed by: Paul DeHaven

pauldehavenmusic.com

In this episode, Kevin shares his remarkable journey: from his first job at 16 stocking shelves in a Chicago pharmacy to a global career leading learning impact at brands like McDonald’s and Meta — and ultimately, to founding Meals in the Meantime, a nonprofit that’s fed thousands.

We talk about rediscovering purpose when work starts to feel flat, why mentorship and community matter more than strategy, and what it means to keep serving — even when you’ve “made it.”

If you’ve ever felt stuck, lost, or like you’ve outgrown your chapter — this conversation is your reminder: your next chapter might just be the one you were born for.

𝐆𝐞𝐭 𝐭𝐨 𝐤𝐧𝐨𝐰 𝐊𝐞𝐯𝐢𝐧:

Kevin M. Yates is known in the global training, learning, and talent development community as the L&D Detective®. He solves measurement mysteries and investigates how training and development as an experience and L&D as a function contribute to the workplace performance ecosystem. Kevin uses facts, clues, and evidence to uncover the truth about impact, focusing on collective contributions that influence business and human performance.

He has used his measurement expertise in roles with world-renowned brands including Grant Thornton, Kantar, McDonald’s, and Meta (Facebook). He is also president and founder of Meals in the Meantime, a nonprofit providing free, fresh, healthy, and high-quality food for people in need through pop-up pantries in the Chicagoland south suburbs.

𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐧𝐞𝐜𝐭 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐊𝐞𝐯𝐢𝐧:

Website: https://kevinmyates.com/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kevinmyates/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/kevmyates/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kevmyates

In this episode, I sit down with Amber Anderson, Head of Learning & Leadership Development and Executive Coach, to unpack her incredible 25-year career journey. From working in her dad’s dive shop on the Great Lakes, to creating her own role in corporate training, to taking bold leaps of faith without a safety net — Amber’s story is all about courage, self-trust, and building a career that truly fits.

We talk about:

• How Amber pivoted from social work to learning & development
• What it was like consulting at age 22 with major automotive suppliers
• The turning point when she quit without another job lined up (and why it wasn’t quitting, but courage)
• Building Spectrum Health University and leading award-winning programs
• Why leaders must embrace self-leadership before servant leadership
• How Amber supports introverted and highly sensitive leaders through coaching and nervous system regulation
• 
  

If you’re in Learning & Development, Talent Development, or Leadership Coaching, this episode is packed with insights into career growth, resilience, and making L&D a true business partner.

🔔 Don’t forget to subscribe for more real stories from seasoned professionals who are reshaping how we think about work, leadership, and development.

Get to know Amber:

Amber Anderson is a leadership strategist who transforms workplace dynamics through her "Me Before We" philosophy. With 20+ years of experience in senior-level learning and leadership effectiveness roles in large and small organizations, Amber has seen first-hand how and why traditional leadership development doesn't work. She leverages this experience to bring playful wisdom and practical tools that help leaders create powerful ripple effects through intentional self-leadership. Through her work, Amber empowers leaders to elevate their teams not by depleting themselves, but by first becoming the leaders they were meant to be—powered by emotional regulation, mindset management, and skillset development.

Connect with Amber:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/coachamberanderson/

Your host, Candice Mitchell, can be found online at:

Website: https://talentdevelopmentnerds.com/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/candicemitchelltdnerd/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/talent_development_nerd/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@candicemitchell.TDNerd

Talent Development Academy: https://talentdevelopmentnerds.com/tda

Original music composed by: Paul DeHaven

pauldehavenmusic.com

We talk about:

• spotting burnout early (before it nukes your confidence)
• the stigma of stepping off the “straight-line” career ladder in medicine
• choosing a locum path for autonomy and recovery
• building community, asking for help, and why your “hype-girl playlist” matters
• adding micro-joy at work so healthcare doesn’t swallow your life
• 
  

If you’re a healthcare professional, resident, junior doctor, nurse, or any human who feels stuck in grind culture, this is your sign to rethink “work harder” and choose “work lighter.”

Free resource Sarah mentioned: “Switch Off” masterclass (link in description).

Get to know Sarah:

Life coach helping people recover from burnout.

Connect with Sarah:

Instagram:  @SarahNicholls 

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/c/sarahnicholls

Your host, Candice Mitchell, can be found online at:

Website: https://talentdevelopmentnerds.com/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/candicemitchelltdnerd/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/talent_development_nerd/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@candicemitchell.TDNerd

Talent Development Academy: https://talentdevelopmentnerds.com/tda

Original music composed by: Paul DeHaven

pauldehavenmusic.com

We talk about:

• moving overseas young and “growing up fast” — loneliness, culture shock, and finding your people

• the GE cocoon, BP culture, and the “I’m not building your KPIs for 25 years” epiphany

• maternity leave → unexpected product → wild demand → scaling pains → smart exit

• Spain, invisibility as an expat mom, grief, and rebuilding identity

• going back to study psychology in midlife and marrying it with business coaching

• the truth about “overnight success,” dopamine hits, and building something that lasts

• thanking your younger self for just doing it — even when others call it “a hobby”

Who this helps: midlife founders, women changing careers, expats starting over, anyone tired of duct-taped launches and looking to build a calm, recurring-revenue offer ecosystem.

Connect with Lisa:

Instagram: @lisalong_msc

LinkedIn: https://www.likedin.com/lisalongpsychologist

Your host, Candice Mitchell, can be found online at:

Website: https://talentdevelopmentnerds.com/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/candicemitchelltdnerd/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/talent_development_nerd/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@candicemitchell.TDNerd

Talent Development Academy: https://talentdevelopmentnerds.com/tda

Original music composed by: Paul DeHaven

pauldehavenmusic.com

In this real, unpolished conversation, I sit down with Mike Pacchione, founder of Best Speech, to hear his career journey — from comic books and mowing lawns, to botched interviews, a fax machine that changed his life, and the random Saturday class that opened the door to Nike and Silicon Valley.

Mike shares:

• Why he almost became a college professor (and how grad school changed his path)
• The accident that left him without the tip of a finger (and what it taught him)
• How a misheard word (“tower of story” instead of “power of story”) set him on the path to becoming one of the most sought-after speech coaches
• Why we should rethink people-pleasing — and even thank our younger selves for it
• What no one tells you about building a career you actually love
• 
  

If you’ve ever felt stuck, intimidated, or like you “missed the right path,” this episode is your reminder: careers aren’t straight lines — and sometimes the best opportunities come from accidents, detours, and saying yes before you feel ready.

🔗 Grab Mike’s free guide: bestspeech.co/candice

Get to know Mike:

Mike Pacchione helps speakers deliver the best speech of their lives. He works with speakers 1-1 and in group cohorts...which is where he met our dear friend Candice Mitchell. If you are impressed by such things, he has been featured in publications like Forbes, Entrepreneur and Toastmasters Magazine, and has worked with famous people like James Clear, Pat Flynn and Amy Porterfield. His most fulfilling work is always helping someone who is really smart find the words to come alive on stage.

Connect with Mike:

Instagram: @mpacc

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mpacchione/

Website: bestspeech.co

Freebie: bestspeech.co/candice

Your host, Candice Mitchell, can be found online at:

Website: https://talentdevelopmentnerds.com/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/candicemitchelltdnerd/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/talent_development_nerd/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@candicemitchell.TDNerd

Talent Development Academy: https://talentdevelopmentnerds.com/tda

Original music composed by: Paul DeHaven

pauldehavenmusic.com

In this video, I break down the 4 jobs AI will replace first — from content creators (yes, even in Learning & Development) to financial analysts, lawyers, and even managers who don’t actually lead. More importantly, you’ll learn what keeps you safe in an AI-driven world: doubling down on the skills no machine will ever touch.

You’ll discover:

✅ Why content isn’t impact (and what to do about it)

✅ How AI is reshaping law, finance, and compliance work

✅ The real risk for managers & leaders who only “manage tasks”

✅ What makes you irreplaceable when AI can already do the grunt work

In this episode, we’ll talk about:

0:00 - AI is coming for senior jobs too

01:10 Job 1 - Content creators

03:30 Job 2 - Lawyers & Compliance roles

05:48 - SCREENSHOT THIS!

06:19 Job 3 - Financial Analysts and Accountants

08:43 - SCREENSHOT THIS!

09:17 Job 4 - dum dum dah....

11:04 - SCREENSHOT THIS

11:41 - Why people want to stay

12:21 - senior level roles are in the danger zone

13:29 - Grab the AI Proof Skills checklist

👉 Grab your free AI-Proof Skills Checklist here: https://talentdevelopmentnerds.com/ai...

This survival kit shows you the exact human skills that will keep you relevant no matter how fast AI advances.

👀 Watch next:

What HR and L&D Really Need to Know About AI series -

 • Machine Learning vs Generative AI Explaine...  

📌 Subscribe for more: practical career growth, talent development, and how to stay future-ready in an AI-driven world.

Your host, Candice Mitchell, can be found online at:

Website: https://talentdevelopmentnerds.com/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/candicemitchelltdnerd/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/talent_development_nerd/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@candicemitchell.TDNerd

Talent Development Academy: https://talentdevelopmentnerds.com/tda

Original music composed by: Paul DeHaven

pauldehavenmusic.com

From bagging groceries in Cape Town to qualifying as a chartered accountant, from corporate auditor at KPMG to global learning facilitator, and finally taking the leap into entrepreneurship — Andrew’s journey shows the lessons hidden inside the hardest jobs and the courage it takes to keep moving forward.

In this episode of Development Nerds, Andrew shares:

• The “punishment” retail job that taught him empathy, diversity, and how to handle tough conversations.
• Why tutoring math opened his eyes to entrepreneurship and ignited his love for learning.
• The dreadlocks-and-audit years at KPMG, where he discovered facilitation and L&D.
• The move from South Africa to the US — and the freedom of reinvention.
• Painful lessons from starting his own business, Curious Lion, and why “the market drew my business out of me.”
• Why intellectual humility matters more than ever in careers and leadership.
• The advice he’d give to his younger self: you were good enough all along.
• 
  

If you’ve ever doubted yourself, coasted at work, or wondered whether to take the leap into something new, Andrew’s story will hit home.

🔔 Subscribe for more real, practical AF career and L&D conversations.

🎧 Listen on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or YouTube.

#CareerStories #LeadershipDevelopment #Entrepreneurship #LearningAndDevelopment #DevelopmentNerds

Get to know Andrew:

Andrew is a 20+ year veteran in learning and development, serving in executive roles at global organizations like KPMG. He is the founder and CEO of [Curious Lion](https://curiouslionlearning.com/), a company that specializes in developing self-leadership in individual contributors. Andrew and his team have developed 1,000s of leaders at clients like Workday, Pinterest, IMG, and USAA, winning numerous awards for their engaging learning experiences. He also hosts [The Learning Culture Podcast,](https://thelearningculturepodcast.buzzsprout.com/) where he shares key insights and trends in the industry.

Connect with Andrew:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/realandrewbarry

Your host, Candice Mitchell, can be found online at:

Website: https://talentdevelopmentnerds.com/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/candicemitchelltdnerd/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/talent_development_nerd/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@candicemitchell.TDNerd

Talent Development Academy: https://talentdevelopmentnerds.com/tda

Original music composed by: Paul DeHaven

pauldehavenmusic.com

In this video, we’ll talk about:

• AI is coming for jobs (why it matters now)
• Stop pretending AI is a fad
• How to know if your job is in the replaceable zone
• The human skills AI will never replace (your real safety net)
• How to reframe AI as a teammate, not a threat
• Why starting now puts you miles ahead of everyone else

👉 Grab your free AI-Proof Skills Checklist here

This survival kit shows you the exact human skills that will keep you relevant no matter how fast AI advances.

Coming up next:

• The 4 Jobs AI Is Replacing Fastest (and What To Do If Yours Is One of Them)

Want to learn more?

• What HR and L&D Really Need to Know About AI

📌 Subscribe for more: practical career growth, talent development, and how to stay future-ready in an AI-driven world.

Your host, Candice Mitchell, can be found online at:

Website: https://talentdevelopmentnerds.com/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/candicemitchelltdnerd/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/talent_development_nerd/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@candicemitchell.TDNerd

Talent Development Academy: https://talentdevelopmentnerds.com/tda

Original music composed by: Paul DeHaven

pauldehavenmusic.com

We talk about:

✅ Matt’s journey from yard work as a teen to the Air Force Academy and pilot training.

✅ How becoming an instructor pilot led to running training at SpaceX for 7,500+ employees.

✅ Why frontline managers hold the key to engagement, retention, and productivity—and what most companies miss.

✅ The messy reality of entrepreneurship: sales, scaling, and becoming someone you’ve never been before.

✅ The overlooked questions we should be asking about career fit, culture, and how life choices shape our work.

Whether you're an L&D professional, a new manager, or someone craving a career that energizes you, Matt’s story is proof that structure, pressure, and persistence can create incredible outcomes.

🎧 Listen in for actionable insights, candid career lessons, and a real conversation about why hitting a "home run" in the wrong game never counts.

Connect with Matt:

LinkedIn: http://linkedin.com/in/matthewgjertsen/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/matthewgjertsen/

Your host, Candice Mitchell, can be found online at:

Website: https://talentdevelopmentnerds.com/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/candicemitchelltdnerd/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/talent_development_nerd/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@candicemitchell.TDNerd

Talent Development Academy: https://talentdevelopmentnerds.com/tda

Original music composed by: Paul DeHaven

pauldehavenmusic.com

She grew up on a cattle ranch on the Arizona/Mexico border, worked six jobs in college (including teaching swim lessons and working at a cigar shop with retired cops), built a career in marketing and finance, and now runs her own business teaching moms how to outsource, delegate, and reclaim their time.

This episode is pure energy. We talk about:

✅ What ranch life taught her about systems and collaboration

✅ How she balanced multiple jobs, paid her way through college, and married an entrepreneur

✅ The surprising link between restaurant work and business strategy

✅ Her journey from finance to entrepreneurship and helping moms "run their home like a business"

✅ Why outsourcing isn’t a luxury (and how anyone can start with 5 hours a week)

If you’ve ever wondered how to juggle everything—career, family, adventure, and sanity—this conversation is your permission slip to stop doing it all yourself.

🎧 Listen in for stories about $2.13 diner shifts, cigar shop nights with Bill Murray types, and the secret to finally making time for the life you want.

📌 Watch now and learn how to buy back your time, build your village, and enjoy the life you’re working so hard for.

Connect with Brenda:

LinkedIn : https://www.linkedin.com/in/brenda-noon-schmidt-4880aa183/

Your host, Candice Mitchell, can be found online at:

Website: https://talentdevelopmentnerds.com/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/candicemitchelltdnerd/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/talent_development_nerd/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@candicemitchell.TDNerd

Talent Development Academy: https://talentdevelopmentnerds.com/tda

Original music composed by: Paul DeHaven

pauldehavenmusic.com

We also explore the massive opportunity AI offers L&D professionals to personalize learning and build truly future-ready teams — and what we, as parents and People leaders, need to do right now.

Get to know Gav:

I’m a husband to an ambitious woman and a dad to two curious girls. I’ve spent years in tech as a seasoned IT professional, certified in AI and other areas at the world’s largest cloud computing company. Now I’m building a generative AI school for kids. The idea came from both personal and professional motivation. I want my daughters, and others growing up in this AI-shaped world, to understand the tools shaping their future.

Connect with Gav:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gavin-b-4467198/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cutsmethod.official/

Keywords:

AI in education, personalized learning with AI, kids and AI, AI for parents, AI learning tools, future-ready skills, learning and development, adaptive learning technology.

Your host, Candice Mitchell, can be found online at:

Website: https://talentdevelopmentnerds.com/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/candicemitchelltdnerd/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/talent_development_nerd/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@candicemitchell.TDNerd

Talent Development Academy: https://talentdevelopmentnerds.com/tda

Original music composed by: Paul DeHaven

pauldehavenmusic.com

In this episode, Brianna shares:

• How writing and publishing a book at 7 shaped her entrepreneurial mindset
• The harsh lessons of bullying, judgment, and proving herself in boardrooms at 16
• Why she walked away from a thriving 10-year business to build Overflow
• The mindset shifts and support systems that keep her grounded while growing
• Why so many entrepreneurs hit big milestones yet still feel empty — and how to stop that cycle.

If you’ve ever felt like you’re carrying the weight of your clients, your dreams, or your business alone, Brianna’s story will inspire you to believe again. This isn’t just about scaling a business. It’s about creating a life of happiness, health, freedom, and impact — a life of Overflow.

Connect with Brianna:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brianna-johnston-8b1229102/?originalSubdomain=uk

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/_briannajohnston/

Your host, Candice Mitchell, can be found online at:

Website: https://talentdevelopmentnerds.com/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/candicemitchelltdnerd/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/talent_development_nerd/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@candicemitchell.TDNerd

Talent Development Academy: https://talentdevelopmentnerds.com/tda

Original music composed by: Paul DeHaven

pauldehavenmusic.com

We talk about automation, emerging roles, job redesign, and how People functions need to get ready — now. Plus: how to help your workforce shift, reskill, and stay relevant in a world where knowledge work is being redefined.

Get to know Gav:

I’m a husband to an ambitious woman and a dad to two curious girls. I’ve spent years in tech as a seasoned IT professional, certified in AI and other areas at the world’s largest cloud computing company. Now I’m building a generative AI school for kids. The idea came from both personal and professional motivation. I want my daughters, and others growing up in this AI-shaped world, to understand the tools shaping their future.

Connect with Gav:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gavin-b-4467198/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cutsmethod.official/

Keywords:

AI agents, future of work, HR automation, AI job disruption, strategic L&D, AI in business operations, reskilling workforce, AI adoption in HR

Your host, Candice Mitchell, can be found online at:

Website: https://talentdevelopmentnerds.com/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/candicemitchelltdnerd/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/talent_development_nerd/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@candicemitchell.TDNerd

Talent Development Academy: https://talentdevelopmentnerds.com/tda

Original music composed by: Paul DeHaven

pauldehavenmusic.com

In this episode, Elena Agaragimova shares her fascinating journey:

➡️ Moving from Russia to the U.S. as a teen and feeling like an outsider

➡️ Changing majors five times and navigating her way through community college

➡️ Traveling the world recruiting students and living out of a suitcase (while sick in Peru!)

➡️ Moving to Dubai, reinventing herself, and launching a startup from scratch

➡️ Facing rejection, career lows, and rebuilding her confidence—plus how she turned it all around

This is a story about reinvention, risk-taking, and what you learn about yourself when you keep stepping into the unknown.

🎧 If you’ve ever felt stuck in your career, doubted yourself, or wondered if it’s too late to pivot—this episode will inspire you to take the leap.

Connect with Elena:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/elenaagaragimova/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/elenaagaragimova/?hl=en

Your host, Candice Mitchell, can be found online at:

Website: https://talentdevelopmentnerds.com/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/candicemitchelltdnerd/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/talent_development_nerd/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@candicemitchell.TDNerd

Talent Development Academy: https://talentdevelopmentnerds.com/tda

Original music composed by: Paul DeHaven

pauldehavenmusic.com

We unpack targeted ads, cookies, echo chambers, and why your AI tools are so agreeable — and how that can be dangerous. Plus: how to use prompts like “act as” to break out of the bubble and get AI to challenge you instead of flatter you.

Get to know Gav:

I’m a husband to an ambitious woman and a dad to two curious girls. I’ve spent years in tech as a seasoned IT professional, certified in AI and other areas at the world’s largest cloud computing company. Now I’m building a generative AI school for kids. The idea came from both personal and professional motivation. I want my daughters, and others growing up in this AI-shaped world, to understand the tools shaping their future.

Connect with Gav:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gavin-b-4467198/

Website: https://nextgencloudacademy.com

Your host, Candice Mitchell, can be found online at:

Website: https://talentdevelopmentnerds.com/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/candicemitchelltdnerd/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/talent_development_nerd/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@candicemitchell.TDNerd

Talent Development Academy: https://talentdevelopmentnerds.com/tda

Original music composed by: Paul DeHaven

pauldehavenmusic.com

This episode isn’t about climbing a ladder. It’s about realizing the ladder’s against the wrong wall… and having the nerve to build your own.

We get into:

• How John spent 20 years in finance trying to leave
• Why LinkedIn became his personal TV channel (and what that even means)
• What people get totally wrong about brand partnerships and content monetization
• The business model he’s building next, and why it's designed to be replicable
• His “unhinged within professional guardrails” philosophy that keeps people watching
• Why he’d thank his younger self for booking a plane ticket, not picking a major

If you’ve ever felt stuck in a career that looks good on paper but drains your soul in practice, John's story will hit home. And if you're building something new from scratch? He’s got receipts, reality checks, and ideas you’ll want to steal.

🎧 Listen in for a very real, slightly wild, always strategic conversation about what it actually looks like to make your own lane.

Get to know John:

John Kraski is what happens when a former Big Four accountant decides to stop ignoring his creative instincts and start treating LinkedIn like late-night TV. After 20 years in finance (and knowing on day one it wasn’t for him), John’s built a second career as a content strategist, storyteller, and brand builder—logging 10,000+ hours on LinkedIn and driving over $10M in revenue for the companies he’s worked with.

He’s launched global event series, closed deals with CAA, helped raise $7M for a Mark Cuban–backed startup, and even chased Will Ferrell off a plane to pitch a screenplay.

Today, he’s obsessed with helping brands and leaders turn scrolls into strategy using the power of content that’s actually good. His style? “Unhinged within professional guardrails”—equal parts data-driven and delightfully unpredictable.

Oh, and he’s still got that screenplay. Hollywood, call him.

Connect with John:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/johnkraski/

Your host, Candice Mitchell, can be found online at:

Website: https://talentdevelopmentnerds.com/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/candicemitchelltdnerd/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/talent_development_nerd/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@candicemitchell.TDNerd

Talent Development Academy: https://talentdevelopmentnerds.com/tda

Original music composed by: Paul DeHaven

pauldehavenmusic.com

We explore how tools like ChatGPT work, what they can really do, and why understanding the difference between prediction and true intelligence matters more than ever. This is your no-BS AI 101 — and every People leader should hear it.

Get to know Gav:

I’m a husband to an ambitious woman and a dad to two curious girls. I’ve spent years in tech as a seasoned IT professional, certified in AI and other areas at the world’s largest cloud computing company. Now I’m building a generative AI school for kids. The idea came from both personal and professional motivation. I want my daughters, and others growing up in this AI-shaped world, to understand the tools shaping their future.

Connect with Gav:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gavin-b-4467198/

Website: https://nextgencloudacademy.com

Keywords:

machine learning vs generative AI, what is AI, AI for HR, ChatGPT explained, AI hallucinations, people-first AI, how does AI work, L&D and AI

Your host, Candice Mitchell, can be found online at:

Website: https://talentdevelopmentnerds.com/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/candicemitchelltdnerd/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/talent_development_nerd/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@candicemitchell.TDNerd

Talent Development Academy: https://talentdevelopmentnerds.com/tda

Original music composed by: Paul DeHaven

pauldehavenmusic.com

In this conversation, Chris shares the real behind-the-scenes story: the failure that humbled him, the habits that changed everything, and why he believes L&D must evolve from content delivery to driving measurable behavior change.

He also opens up about building Actionable (a tech platform now used in 7,000+ programs) and Catalyst (his community for early-stage consultants). Plus, we talk about the power of choosing yourself, building social capital before asking for anything in return, and how living nomadically reshaped his view on success.

If you’re in learning, leadership, consulting—or dreaming about what’s next—this episode is full of gems.

🎧 Topics we cover:

• Early entrepreneurial roots
• Failing hard as a young leader (and what turned it around)
• Building tech from a basement with $600
• How to prove the impact of your work
• Why you should create value before asking to be valued

Get to know Chris:

Chris founded Actionable.co in 2008 for the express purpose of helping corporate learners apply

what they learned; consistently and measurably. Since then, Chris – and his team at Actionable

– have supported the deployment of over 3000+ programs leveraging the Impact Certainty

model for driving change.

Described once by a client as “a curious blend of Boomer and Gen-Y”, Chris is often called

upon to act as a bridge and translator between generations at work, our new state of constant

change and impact technology has on team dynamics. He brings a self-deprecating sense of

humour and grounded-ness to his keynotes and workshops, ensuring attendees leave inspired

and well equipped to drive real change back in the workplace.

Chris is a regular speaker and writer on Learning Impact Measurement, Behavior Change and

how to overcome the challenges of eLearning.

Connect with Chris:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chrisjrtaylor/

Website: www.actionable.co

The Behavior Change Toolkit(TM): https://actionable.scoreapp.com/

Your host, Candice Mitchell, can be found online at:

Website: https://talentdevelopmentnerds.com/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/candicemitchelltdnerd/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/talent_development_nerd/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@candicemitchell.TDNerd

Talent Development Academy: https://talentdevelopmentnerds.com/tda

Original music composed by: Paul DeHaven

pauldehavenmusic.com

Whether you’re in HR, L&D, or just curious about real-world tech careers, this is a powerful reminder that your starting point doesn’t define your trajectory.

Get to know Gav:

I’m a husband to an ambitious woman and a dad to two curious girls. I’ve spent years in tech as a seasoned IT professional, certified in AI and other areas at the world’s largest cloud computing company. Now I’m building a generative AI school for kids. The idea came from both personal and professional motivation. I want my daughters, and others growing up in this AI-shaped world, to understand the tools shaping their future.

Connect with Gav:

LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/in/gavin-bull-aws-canada-technologist

Website: https://nextgencloudacademy.com

Your host, Candice Mitchell, can be found online at:

Website: https://talentdevelopmentnerds.com/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/candicemitchelltdnerd/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/talent_development_nerd/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@candicemitchell.TDNerd

Talent Development Academy: https://talentdevelopmentnerds.com/tda

Original music composed by: Paul DeHaven

pauldehavenmusic.com

Keywords:

career transitions, Gavin Bull, AI in business, AWS Principal, global career path, HR podcast, learning and development, people development, AI journey

What do snow shoveling, hurricanes, and a room full of grandmothers on a ferry have in common? They're all part of Dr. AJ Lauer’s winding, real-life journey to becoming a leadership coach for scientists, engineers, and STEM professionals.

In this episode, AJ shares her incredible path — from her first job trudging through Wisconsin snowstorms to standing on stage as an executive coach and author of My Monster Mungo, an illustrated book about imposter syndrome. We talk about the grit it takes to leave a toxic workplace, the courage to rebuild your confidence, and the power of knowing when it’s time to walk away.

Whether you’re in a leadership role, navigating burnout, or wondering if you really belong in the room — AJ’s story will hit home. She opens up about long-distance love, writing her dissertation while raising two babies, and why speaking up (even when it’s hard) matters more than ever.

🎧 You’ll love this if you:

• Feel like you're doing all the right things but still not getting recognized
• Are battling imposter syndrome (or coaching people who are)
• Want to hear a real, messy, inspiring story of reinvention
• Need a reminder that you can walk away and still rise

Get to know AJ:

With over 2 decades of experience in diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) work, 10+ years developing the future science and technology workforce, and multiple publications on DEI in STEM, Dr. AJ Lauer is a leading expert on workforce development in science and technology fields.

Dr. Lauer regularly coaches professionals at the executive level on how to create more inclusive and productive workplaces. Her 1:1 clients have held leadership roles at Amazon, Stitch Fix, The Ohio State University, the National Center for Atmospheric Research, and the American Meteorological Society.

Her new book, My Monster Mungo: A Story About Imposter Syndrome, uses relatable characters, humor, and engaging illustrations to present a fresh new way to think about the dreaded imposter syndrome — your Imposter Monster.

Connect with AJ:

LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/ajlauer

Website: http://www.thrivingibis.com

Book: My Monster Mungo on Amazon (amzn.to/43WWEUj) and Bookshop (bookshop.org/a/103170/9798992394214)

Info about Imposter Monsters, upcoming workshops, and coaching: https://www.thrivingibis.com/imposter-monsters

Your host, Candice Mitchell, can be found online at:

Website: https://talentdevelopmentnerds.com/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/candicemitchelltdnerd/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/talent_development_nerd/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@candicemitchell.TDNerd

Talent Development Academy: https://talentdevelopmentnerds.com/tda

Original music composed by: Paul DeHaven

pauldehavenmusic.com

What does it really take to own your voice and design a career you actually love?

In this inspiring and refreshingly honest conversation, I sit down with Alyssa Willett—leadership trainer, certified coach, and talent development powerhouse—who shares her journey from cleaning glasses at age 13 in her stepdad’s optometry shop to coaching women to ditch doubt and design lives they're proud of.

We talk about:

✨ Early jobs, leadership lessons, and the power of that one person who believes in you

✨ Building a career in higher ed and pivoting into corporate talent development

✨ Imposter syndrome, micro-managers, and the moments that cracked her confidence

✨ Experiencing pregnancy discrimination—and what she wishes more women knew

✨ The power of coaching, CliftonStrengths, and helping women feel less stuck

✨ Why leadership development isn't just a job—it's a mission

Alyssa’s story will speak to anyone who’s ever felt overlooked, underestimated, or unsure—and is ready to reclaim their confidence and take the next brave step.

Get to know Alyssa:

Alyssa Willet is an ICF certified life and leadership coach, CliftonStrengths practitioner, and founder of Willet Coaching. With a background in talent development and years of experience leading teams and empowering women in the workplace, she helps ambitious, heart-centered women — especially working moms — trade self-doubt for self-trust so they can lead, live, and design lives they love.

Through her signature group program, The Becoming Circle, Alyssa guides women to release limiting beliefs, reconnect with themselves, and design lives that feel true and fulfilling. She also offers 1:1 coaching for those seeking personalized transformation and is the creator of the Rooted Moms Book Club, a membership book summary community for moms craving reflection and connection.

Known for her warm, grounded presence, Alyssa blends mindset work, strengths-based tools, and practical action to help women become more of who they already are.

When she’s not coaching, you’ll find her soaking up Colorado sunshine with her family and new puppy.

Connect with Alyssa:

IG: @willetcoaching

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alyssawillet/

Website: https://www.willetcoaching.com/

Resources: https://www.willetcoaching.com/resources

Coaching: https://www.willetcoaching.com/group-coaching

Your host, Candice Mitchell, can be found online at:

Website: https://talentdevelopmentnerds.com/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/candicemitchelltdnerd/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/talent_development_nerd/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@candicemitchell.TDNerd

Talent Development Academy: https://talentdevelopmentnerds.com/tda

Original music composed by: Paul DeHaven

pauldehavenmusic.com

But the truth?

People leave when they don’t see a future.

In this video, we unpack why lack of development and growth opportunities has become the #1 reason employees are quitting, and what Learning & Development can actually do about it.

📉 Braverly. Lattice. Gartner. Deloitte.

The data is loud: employees are craving growth, not more eLearning.

So if you work in L&D, HR, Talent, or People Ops, and you’re tired of feeling like you're patching leaks with training courses, this episode is for you.

🎯 Inside this episode:

– What the latest reports say about why people are really leaving

– The three biggest pressure points HR is facing around retention

– How L&D can respond strategically and practically, from career pathing to succession, from onboarding to capability-building

– The real role of culture in making growth part of everyday work

– 3 conversations to start having today, with HR, managers, and employees

Because if development is only seen as a course… it’s already too late.

We’re not just here to train. We’re here to build careers that stick.

—

📌 Keywords:

employee retention strategies, L&D and HR partnership, career development in the workplace, talent development, performance enablement, succession planning, organizational culture, learning and development strategy

—

🎁 Download the free Talent Enablement Impact Toolkit here → https://talentdevelopmentnerds.com/impact

🧠 Practical frameworks to connect L&D with business priorities.

—

🙋‍♀️ Subscribe for new weekly episodes packed with smart, doable strategies for L&D professionals who want to lead, not follow.

Because development should never be an afterthought.

Your host, Candice Mitchell, can be found online at:

Website: https://talentdevelopmentnerds.com/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/candicemitchelltdnerd/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/talent_development_nerd/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@candicemitchell.TDNerd

Talent Development Academy: https://talentdevelopmentnerds.com/tda

Original music composed by: Paul DeHaven

pauldehavenmusic.com

We talk about:

• Why she felt unqualified for her first leadership role (and what helped her grow into it)
• How personal development books quite literally saved her
• The grief of losing her mom, and how she turned that loss into legacy
• What energy, boundaries, and resistance have to do with building a career (and a life) you actually want
• And the truth about the unglamorous grind of entrepreneurship

Whether you’re navigating your own career pivot, wrestling with purpose, or figuring out how to keep going when things feel heavy — this conversation will hit home. Desiree is the kind of guest who makes you feel seen and reminds you of the power you already hold.

🎧 Listen in and walk away with a little more strength, strategy, and self-belief.

In this episode, we explore how learning and development in human resource management can become a true strategic partnership. We’ll unpack:

✅ Why L&D and HR often operate in parallel

✅ What high-impact partnership really looks like

✅ How integrated L&D–HR teams drive better business outcomes

✅ Where to start—even if you don’t have a seat at the planning table yet

Whether you work in human resources, talent management, or organizational development, this video will help you see the bigger picture—and your powerful role within it.

✨ Plus: I’ll give you 3 practical questions to kick-start a real partnership with HR.

📌 Keywords: learning and development in HR, HR strategy, HRM, human resource development, employee training, L&D in HR

👇 Let’s rethink the relationship—and build something better.

—

🎁 Want bite-sized career-boosting ideas straight to your inbox?

Join the newsletter here: [insert link]

—

🔗 Explore more:

Watch the full "How L&D Fits into HR" series here → https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLRPqNNQbaJw8Kom88Oncmo7A_QIFTf0-1

Download the free Talent Enablement Impact Toolkit → https://talentdevelopmentnerds.com/impact

What do a toy store, a dance dream, and cross-country running have in common with a career in data strategy?

Dr. Alaina Szlachta joins Candice Mitchell to unpack the incredible journey from juggling four jobs at 15 to becoming a data-obsessed entrepreneur, real estate investor, and advocate for building a life of intention. In this episode, Alaina reveals the powerful (and painful) lessons learned from early burnout, undercharging as a consultant, and being undervalued by clients — and how she used all of it to design a business and life that actually works for her.

They talk openly about:

• Letting go of childhood dreams to build long-term stability
• Making big life decisions before you’re ready
• What no one tells you about being underpaid as a woman in business
• The emotional rollercoaster of entrepreneurship
• Real estate, money mindset, and the importance of measurable value

If you’ve ever wondered whether you’re doing it wrong, or feared you're the only one figuring it out in real-time, this conversation will make you feel seen.

👉 Learn how to take control of your data, your career, and your worth — one smart, intentional decision at a time.

Your host, Candice Mitchell, can be found online at:

Website: https://talentdevelopmentnerds.com/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/candicemitchelltdnerd/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/talent_development_nerd/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@candicemitchell.TDNerd

Talent Development Academy: https://talentdevelopmentnerds.com/tda

Original music composed by: Paul DeHaven

pauldehavenmusic.com

If you’ve ever felt like L&D is treated as an afterthought, just the training arm of HR or a line item on someone else’s to-do list—this video is for you. In this episode, we unpack what real partnership looks like between HR and L&D, and why that partnership is the key to unlocking better retention, performance, engagement, and business results.

We’ll explore:

✅ Why HR and L&D still operate in silos—and what that’s costing you

✅ What true alignment actually looks like inside high-performing organizations

✅ How to shift from being a service provider to a strategic partner

✅ Practical, doable steps to build trust and influence (even if you’re not in the C-suite yet)

Plus, I’ll give you three simple, high-impact things you can do this week to start showing your value as a partner, not just a learning provider.

Whether you’re in HR, L&D, Talent Development, or somewhere in between, this is your invitation to rethink your role, show your impact, and create people strategies that actually work.

In this episode, we trace Shelby’s journey — from her teenage jobs in small-town Wyoming to leading teams in higher education, healthcare, and beyond. She opens up about navigating imposter syndrome, why being “good with people” is the job, and how she rebuilt her career through 65+ face-to-face conversations (yep, real networking — the kind that works).

Whether you’re in career transition, questioning your worth, or trying to figure out what’s next, this conversation will hit home. Shelby doesn’t sugarcoat it — she shows you what it really takes to bounce back, reconnect with your bold younger self, and find the confidence to show up as the leader you already are.

Key themes:

Career transitions, imposter syndrome, soft skills as core capabilities, networking tips, mid-career layoffs, leadership development, women in the workplace, rebuilding confidence, job searching after 40.

Meet Shelby:

Shelby Burnette Kiernan is the Clinical Director of School-Based Services at Aurora Mental Health & Recovery, where she leads a team bringing mental health support directly into schools. With over 30 years of experience across healthcare, education, and nonprofits, she’s passionate about making care more accessible—especially for kids and families who need it most. Known for her people-first leadership and ability to turn big ideas into action, Shelby brings warmth, strategy, and a deep belief in the power of strong teams to everything she does. She’s also a licensed marriage and family therapist and proud mom of three.

Connect with Shelby:

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/shelby-b-kiernan

Your host, Candice Mitchell, can be found online at:

Website: https://talentdevelopmentnerds.com/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/candicemitchelltdnerd/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/talent_development_nerd/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@candicemitchell.TDNerd

Talent Development Academy: https://talentdevelopmentnerds.com/tda

Original music composed by: Paul DeHaven

pauldehavenmusic.com

In this eye-opening episode, we get real about what’s holding Learning and Development professionals back — and how to finally break the cycle.

Candice shares the exact practical framework she uses with corporate clients to align learning initiatives with real business KPIs (and no, it's not just about collecting smile sheets).

You’ll walk away with:

• A practical L&D Impact Alignment Matrix you can actually use
• The 3 levels of L&D ownership (so you stop saying “we have no control”)
• Examples across Finance, Engineering, and Packaging functions
• The shift from “what training can we build?” to “how do we enable this business outcome?”

Whether your organization is ready for strategic alignment or not — you need to hear this. Because when you start thinking this way, everything changes.

🎯 This episode is for you if:

• You're tired of reacting and want to lead L&D strategy like a boss
• You’ve struggled to prove the impact of your work
• You want to be seen as a business-critical partner, not just a training provider

📝 Download the Impact Toolkit

👉 Hit play and let’s end the order-taking era for good.

#LearningAndDevelopment #L&DStrategy #TalentDevelopment #KPIAlignment #L&DLeadership #InstructionalDesign #CorporateTraining #BusinessPartnering #L&DTransformation

Your host, Candice Mitchell, can be found online at:

Website: https://talentdevelopmentnerds.com/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/candicemitchelltdnerd/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/talent_development_nerd/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@candicemitchell.TDNerd

Talent Development Academy: https://talentdevelopmentnerds.com/tda

Original music composed by: Paul DeHaven

pauldehavenmusic.com

When Stacey dropped out of high school in her senior year, she didn’t have a plan — but she did have grit, curiosity, and a quiet belief that things would work out. In this deeply honest episode, Stacey Oliver-Knappe shares the real story behind her career in Learning & Development: from smelling like peanut oil while cleaning fryers at Chick-fil-A, to working at Walt Disney World, and eventually finding herself training teams in Paris (without speaking French).

We talk about mental health, workplace politics, growing up in corporate, and why falling in love with adult learning changed everything. Stacey opens up about what it really takes to thrive in L&D, why service is at the heart of everything she does, and the difference between being a corporate employee and running your own business.

If you’ve ever questioned your path, felt behind, or wondered whether you’re “allowed” to do meaningful work without the perfect résumé — this one’s for you.

Meet Stacey:

Stacey Oliver-Knappe is a business consultant, speaker, and author who helps organizations solve workplace challenges—through their people. Her career journey spans hospitality, contact centers, HR leadership, and organizational development, but the common thread has always been a passion for helping businesses become their best version.

Today, Stacey partners with small and mid-sized businesses to tackle retention, culture, and leadership challenges—often when leaders know “something isn’t right” but can’t quite pinpoint the problem. She's also the author of Compassion@Work and writes the popular Business Practical Magic newsletter.

Known for her optimistic, strategic approach (and a good dose of humor), Stacey believes every workplace can be transformed when you focus on the people who power it.

Connect with Stacey:

Instagram: @staceyok110

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@CruisePortCaptain

Website: https://www.staceyok.com/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/staceyok/

Your host, Candice Mitchell, can be found online at:

Website: https://talentdevelopmentnerds.com/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/candicemitchelltdnerd/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/talent_development_nerd/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@candicemitchell.TDNerd

Talent Development Academy: https://talentdevelopmentnerds.com/tda

Original music composed by: Paul DeHaven

pauldehavenmusic.com

You’ll learn:

✨ Why L&D is the infrastructure behind business sustainability

✨ How AI is changing the game (and why L&D is future-proof if you stay strategic)

✨ What makes this work so meaningful, even when it’s hard

✨ The business skills every L&D pro needs to build long-term credibility

✨ And how to move from overworked order-taker to trusted strategic leader

🎁 Grab the free L&D Impact Toolkit:

Includes the Infinity Loop, 5-Spoke Model, and Impact Checklist to help you shift expectations and show your value

🚀 Ready to lead Learning and Development with confidence?

Explore the Talent Development Academy, your next step in building a career you love and leading L&D like the business-critical function it truly is.

Your host, Candice Mitchell, can be found online at:

Website: https://talentdevelopmentnerds.com/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/candicemitchelltdnerd/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/talent_development_nerd/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@candicemitchell.TDNerd

Talent Development Academy: https://talentdevelopmentnerds.com/tda

Original music composed by: Paul DeHaven

pauldehavenmusic.com

In this episode, Anna shares what it really looked like to navigate that kind of loss—while keeping the business alive. We talk about what it’s like to run a legacy company for 30 years, the customer story that completely changed her business model, and how a surprise email led her to buy a gym she was once too scared to walk into.

This isn’t a highlight reel. It’s a real-life story of business ownership, grief, reinvention, and learning to sell yourself when you’ve always been product-adjacent.

If you’ve ever been the one everyone’s looking to for answers—while quietly wondering if you're making the right calls—this conversation will hit home.

🎧 We talk about:

• Taking over a family business without a guide
• Listening to your customers (even when it’s inconvenient)
• The silent grief of closing a business you loved
• Becoming the product when coaching is personal
• Why “I will never give up” still matters—especially when you almost do

Meet Anna:

Anna Ludwinowski is a 4x founder and seasoned entrepreneur of 32 years.

As a Strategic Business Coach, she helps Coaches and Fractional Executives simplify their strategies, refine their messaging, and build businesses with clarity and confidence.

Her approach focuses on actionable, easy-to-implement strategies that guide her clients to:

CLARIFY their messaging, SIMPLIFY their strategy, and ATTRACT the right clients without the fluff!

Based in beautiful Vancouver, Canada, Anna loves spending time on the water and fishing with her family.

She’s also a proud Mom to her one son, and Pet Mom to two dogs and eight rescued chickens.

Connect with Anna:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/anna-ludwinowski-strategic-business-coach/

Website: https://annaludwinowski.com/

The clarity toolkit: https://beneficial-raincoat-ecb.notion.site/The-CLARITY-Toolkit-1b17e21cda7c80a598f1cfd823166edc

Your host, Candice Mitchell, can be found online at:

Website: https://talentdevelopmentnerds.com/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/candicemitchelltdnerd/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/talent_development_nerd/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@candicemitchell.TDNerd

Talent Development Academy: https://talentdevelopmentnerds.com/tda

Original music composed by: Paul DeHaven

pauldehavenmusic.com

This episode dives deep into one of the biggest challenges facing Learning & Development professionals today: managing expectations.

We explore:

🎯 Why L&D expectations are so confusing (and where that history comes from)

📍 What you are actually responsible for (hint: it's not being the company therapist)

🚫 What you aren’t responsible for (say goodbye to being the catch-all solution)

🧠 How to reframe conversations and position yourself as a strategic leader, not an order-taker

This episode is practical, real, and a little bit freeing. Because the second you start defining your role with clarity, the easier it is to lead with confidence.

✨ Featuring frameworks from the L&D Impact Toolkit, including:

• The Infinity Loop
• The 5-Spoke Impact Model
• The L&D Impact Checklist

Whether you're an L&D practitioner, HR pro, or just trying to make learning actually work in your org, this one’s for you.

🔗 Grab the free L&D Impact Toolkit

💛 Explore the Talent Development Academy

Your host, Candice Mitchell, can be found online at:

Website: https://talentdevelopmentnerds.com/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/candicemitchelltdnerd/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/talent_development_nerd/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@candicemitchell.TDNerd

Talent Development Academy: https://talentdevelopmentnerds.com/tda

Original music composed by: Paul DeHaven

pauldehavenmusic.com

In this vibrant, raw, and wickedly insightful episode, I sit down with Mark Gaisford, a video strategist who went from delivering pizzas and motorbike couriering around London to leading a recruitment firm, getting diagnosed with ADHD at 52, and eventually building a business that fits him (not the other way around).

We talk about:

• What it’s like to realize late in life that you’ve been neurodivergent all along
• Why managing people isn’t for everyone—and how self-awareness is the ultimate career hack
• The real (unsexy) truth about being a business owner in 2025
• How to market yourself without selling out your soul
• Why video is the most powerful tool in your business arsenal today—and how to actually use it

This one’s full of laughs, truth bombs, and genuinely liberating reflections for anyone in the L&D, coaching, consulting, or entrepreneurial space.

Whether you’re neurodiverse yourself or just tired of fitting into a system that doesn’t feel built for you, Mark’s story is a reminder that your career doesn’t have to follow the rules to be right.

👀 Watch this if you:

• Want to show up authentically online
• Are building a business that feels good, not just profitable
• Are navigating late ADHD diagnosis, reinvention, or burnout
• Believe people matter more than perks

🎧 Let’s cut through the noise, ditch the LinkedIn lies, and talk about what building a career actually looks like.

One day you’re facilitating transformation. The next? You’re being asked to “just make it an eLearning.” 🙃

In this episode, we’re talking about what it really feels like to work in L&D:

✅ The highs that make it all worth it

✅ The lows that leave you questioning everything

✅ The emotional whiplash of being essential and invisible

✅ And how to lead with confidence, without burning out

Whether you’re just starting out or you’ve been in the game for years, this is your reminder that the work you do matters. A lot.

And no, you’re not imagining it. It is this complex. And you’re not alone.

✨ Mentioned in this episode:

➡️ Grab the FREE L&D Impact Toolkit: https://talentdevelopmentnerds.com/impact

➡️ Learn more about the Talent Development Academy:

https://talentdevelopmentnerds.com/tda

💬 Know someone in L&D who needs to hear this? Share it. We’re not here to complain, we’re here to change things.

Your host, Candice Mitchell, can be found online at:

Website: https://talentdevelopmentnerds.com/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/candicemitchelltdnerd/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/talent_development_nerd/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@candicemitchell.TDNerd

Talent Development Academy: https://talentdevelopmentnerds.com/tda

Original music composed by: Paul DeHaven

pauldehavenmusic.com

In this episode, I sit down with the incredible Andrew Jacobs — independent learning strategist, podcaster, and longtime L&D disruptor — for one of the most honest, wide-ranging conversations we've had yet. From pricing soda cans in the '80s to reshaping L&D in the fire service and public sector, Andrew's story is full of unexpected turns, hard-won lessons, and a level of self-awareness that's rare in any field.

We talk about what it means to put work in its place, the real cost of bad management (and why Andrew walked away from it), how L&D can evolve without losing its soul, and why amplifying underrepresented voices in our industry isn’t optional — it’s necessary.

You'll walk away with fresh insights on learning design, digital transformation, navigating austerity in the public sector, and what makes a great learning experience stick — plus a brand new way to think about how you’re spending your time (hint: it involves 52 minutes).

Whether you're a seasoned L&D professional or just starting out, this episode is for anyone who's ever questioned their path, doubted their place, or wondered if they’re doing enough. Spoiler: You are.

Listen in to hear:

– What the London Fire Brigade taught Andrew about inclusion, identity, and team culture

– How personal hardship reshaped his entire approach to work

– The birth of Women Talking About Learning and why it’s changing the game

– How to rethink your learning budget (even when it’s zero)

– Why Andrew refuses to manage people — and what that taught him about leadership

🔗 Connect with Andrew: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andrewjacobslnd/

Website: https://llarn.com/

🎧 Listen to Women Talking About Learning: https://womentalkingaboutlearning.com/ https://www.amazon.co.uk/Proving-Impact-doing-before-relied/dp/B0D8VKV3J6

If you're in Learning & Development and want to build a career that actually energizes you — this one’s not just worth your time, it’s a masterclass in doing L&D differently.

More about Andrew:

Andrew Jacobs is Founder and Chief Executive Officer for Llarn Learning. Known for innovative thinking about learning, training and technology, Andrew has significant experience in a range of roles across learning, training, talent and people development. This experience has been learnt in a range of industries in both the public and private sector, most recently in central government with HMRC and DHSC.

He has a been described as a learning strategist: he has experience in all areas of L&D, with particular expertise in leadership, management, online and digital learning, and measurement and evaluation.

He takes a consultative approach to learning design and development, helping organisations develop their principles, strategy, and channels with a focus on improving business performance.

He regularly chairs events and speaks globally about learning and people development at conferences and events. He also writes for People Management, Training Journal and other industry publications. He has also featured on numerous podcasts.

He is a Chartered Fellow of the CIPD.

He received the Internet Time Alliance award for his work on informal learning in July 2020 and was highly commended as part of the DHSC team at the CIPD People Management Awards in 2021. He was part of the team that won the Gold award at the 2022 Learning Awards for the work with Capita and the DHSC and individually won the Bronze award for Learning Professional of the year at the same event.

He blogs daily at www.lostanddesperate.com and produces the podcast Women Talking About Learning. In 2024 he published a book titled Proving Impact about how L&D needs to shift its learning evaluation.

Your host, Candice Mitchell, can be found online at:

Website: https://talentdevelopmentnerds.com/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/candicemitchelltdnerd/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/talent_development_nerd/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@candicemitchell.TDNerd

Talent Development Academy: https://talentdevelopmentnerds.com/tda

Original music composed by: Paul DeHaven

pauldehavenmusic.com

You’ve probably seen posts like:

👉 “Launched a leadership program!”

👉 “Facilitated onboarding for 80 new hires!”

👉 “So grateful to be in this role!”

But what about the real moments?

Like being asked to whip up a training by Friday.

Or being mistaken for the compliance person.

Or constantly explaining that, no, you don’t just make slides.

In this episode, I’m pulling back the curtain on what a career in L&D actually involves—the highs, the lows, and the everything-in-between.

We’ll cover:

✅ The fantasy vs. the reality of L&D work

✅ Why this field is so misunderstood (hint: most of us fell into it)

✅ What L&D roles actually do—from strategy and stakeholder wrangling to change enablement and capability building

✅ The impact strategic L&D can have on retention, performance, and business results

✅ How to grow your influence in the field—and stop being seen as “just the training person”

If you’re an L&D pro, thinking of switching careers, or want to understand what this role is really about, this is the video for you.

💡 Grab the free L&D Impact Toolkit mentioned in the episode

🎓 Explore the Talent Development Academy if you're ready to become a strategic L&D leader

💬 Message me anytime for a real, no-pressure convo

👉 Watch now and finally feel seen in your L&D journey.

And hey, there’s no other way to say this… we’re friends now. 💛

Your host, Candice Mitchell, can be found online at:

Website: https://talentdevelopmentnerds.com/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/candicemitchelltdnerd/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/talent_development_nerd/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@candicemitchell.TDNerd

Talent Development Academy: https://talentdevelopmentnerds.com/tda

Original music composed by: Paul DeHaven

pauldehavenmusic.com

She said no to people management. Dropped out of university. Burned out building Offbeat. And still? She built one of the boldest L&D communities on the planet.

She said no to people management. Dropped out of university. Burned out building Offbeat. And still? She built one of the boldest L&D communities on the planet.

In this episode, I’m joined by Lavinia Mehedintu — founder of Offbeat, a vibrant learning space for L&D professionals who are done with traditional.

We dive deep into:

💥 The messy reality of her first leadership role (spoiler: nobody thought she should be in it)

💥 Why she left a job and team she loved to build something of her own

💥 What therapy taught her about leading others — and herself

💥 Her raw take on burnout, money mindset, and building a business that doesn’t break you

💥 Why L&D careers need to be more human — and what we’re still getting wrong

Whether you’re an L&D leader, aspiring entrepreneur, or career explorer — Lavinia’s story will remind you that bravery isn’t loud... but it changes everything.

Connect with Lavinia:

🎟️ Offbeat LIVE is happening in London on June 9–10, 2025 — in a bar, not a ballroom. Come meet the movement.

LinkedIn

Instagram

Website

Your host, Candice Mitchell, can be found online at:

Website: https://talentdevelopmentnerds.com/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/candicemitchelltdnerd/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/talent_development_nerd/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@candicemitchell.TDNerd

Talent Development Academy: https://talentdevelopmentnerds.com/tda

Original music composed by: Paul DeHaven

pauldehavenmusic.com

If you’ve ever mumbled something like, “I create training” while knowing deep down that your role is so much more—this episode is for you.

👀 In this episode, I break down the REALITY of working in Learning & Development, and why it’s time to reframe our work as Talent Enablement. Because you don’t just build courses…

👉 You build capability.

👉 You grow leaders.

👉 You make strategy happen.

🎙 We’ll cover:

• What Talent Enablement really means (and why it matters)
• The evolution from training to L&D to Talent Enablement
• The Infinity Loop that explains how strategic and tactical work come together
• The 5-Spoke Impact Model that proves your business value
• How to talk about your role without sounding like a buzzword generator

This is your permission slip to stop underselling yourself—and start owning the full impact of your work.

📥 Download the Infinity Loop + 5-Spoke Impact Model visuals at the link below.

✨ Want to go deeper and step fully into your strategic L&D era? Check out the Talent Development Academy, where we go from order-takers to game-changers.

And hey… there’s no other way to say this—we’re friends now. 💛

Your host, Candice Mitchell, can be found online at:

Website: https://talentdevelopmentnerds.com/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/candicemitchelltdnerd/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/talent_development_nerd/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@candicemitchell.TDNerd

Talent Development Academy: https://talentdevelopmentnerds.com/tda

Original music composed by: Paul DeHaven

pauldehavenmusic.com

They’re all part of Andy Storch’s journey, from drifting through early career choices to building a purpose-driven life and business. In this episode, Andy and I swap stories on the underestimated power of journaling, why your "weakness" might actually be your greatest strength, and the reality of making trade-offs in your career and your life. He opens up about the conversation that crushed him—and the leader who built a new role around his true strengths. We talk cancer, mindset, and what it really means to own your career.

Whether you’re in the thick of figuring things out or on the edge of your next bold move, this one will leave you thinking deeply about the story you want to write.

Topics we cover:

• Growing up with a fixed mindset and flipping the switch
• What to do when your job doesn’t value your strengths
• The mindset shifts that helped him face cancer
• Why we must talk more about trade-offs
• The quiet power of journaling and self-reflection
• Why “taking ownership” isn’t just a buzzword, it’s a life strategy

🎁 Resources Andy mentions are at: andystorch.com

Your host, Candice Mitchell, can be found online at:

Website: https://talentdevelopmentnerds.com/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/candicemitchelltdnerd/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/talent_development_nerd/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@candicemitchell.TDNerd

Talent Development Academy: https://talentdevelopmentnerds.com/tda

Original music composed by: Paul DeHaven

pauldehavenmusic.com

Bianca Baumann and Mike Taylor didn’t plan to work together. In fact, they didn’t even meet in person until after their first joint workshop. But from different sides of the world and through radically different journeys—one with a laser focus on L&D from the start, the other with some unexpected detours through programming, consulting, and digital marketing, they landed in the same place: building learning experiences that actually work.

🎧 In this episode, we talk about:

• What it really looks like to build a career you love
• The early jobs that shaped who they are today (yes, scams and recorders included)
• How to know when to walk away from a job that isn’t for you
• The L&D/marketing crossover no one’s talking about enough
• The partnership that started with a tweet and led to a full-blown book

If you’ve ever doubted your direction, wondered whether L&D was “your thing,” or just needed a reminder that building a career is not a straight line, this episode will speak to you.

🗓️ Their book, “Bringing the Best of Marketing into L&D,” launches May 27. You can pre-order it now on Amazon!

About Bianca:

Bianca Baumann is a seasoned L&D strategist with more than 15 years of experience. She is passionate about consulting on effective new solutions to serve learners’ needs. She’s developed processes, methodologies, and frameworks to help organizations meet their growth targets with the help of innovative L&D approaches. Bianca has helped dozens of organizations with their workforce transformations, as well as onboarding and reskilling programs. She has also spearheaded multiple projects in the marketing, automotive, financial, and events industries, creating award-winning programs along the way. Bianca speaks at international conferences and is a facilitator at the Ontario Institute for Studies in Education. She’s the author of “Think Like a Marketer, Learn Like and L&D Pro – Strategies To Ignite Learning”

Connect with Bianca:

X: biancabaumann

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/biancabaumann/

The book: trainlikeamarketer.com

About Mike:

With over two decades of experience as a learning consultant, Mike has been a driving force behind transformative instructional design and organizational performance. Known for his captivating speaking style and influential newsletter, Mike is dedicated to making learning more engaging, accessible, and effective. As a faculty member in Franklin University's Graduate Instructional Design and Technology program, he bridges the gap between academic theory and real-world practice, equipping future learning professionals with the skills to excel in today's dynamic landscape. Mike's innovative approach and infectious passion are redefining the way we think about learning.

Connect with Mike:

LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/miketaylor

Website: https://mike-taylor.org

LinkedIn group: https://www.linkedin.com/groups/14552471/

Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/mike-taylor.org

Get the book today!

trainlikeamarketer.com

Connect with your host, Candice

Your host, Candice Mitchell, can be found online at:

Website: https://talentdevelopmentnerds.com/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/candicemitchelltdnerd/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/talent_development_nerd/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@candicemitchell.TDNerd

Talent Development Academy: https://talentdevelopmentnerds.com/tda

Original music composed by: Paul DeHaven

pauldehavenmusic.com

In this powerful conversation, JB Ryan shares her career story — from waiting tables in Johannesburg and working as a bank teller, to leading a billion-dollar sales team in the U.S. and writing a book on confident public speaking.

We talk about career growth, learning and development, making the leap into new industries, and how grit (and a little exposure) can change everything. Whether you're in the thick of your own pivot or leading others through theirs, JB's story will spark something in you.

🎧 Topics we dive into:

• The moment she knew she had to change her life
• From L&D and marketing to global brand leadership
• How being underestimated became her superpower
• What it really takes to lead a brand turnaround
• And the book she wrote to help others find their voice and speak with confidence

About JB:

JB Ryan is an author, seasoned presenter, international speaker, and Fortune 500 company corporate executive with more than twenty years of brand marketing and $1Billion plus sales leadership experience. JB’s life mission, through her business UIGNITED, is to inspire people to believe in themselves and reach their full potential. She believes communicating with impact is a critical part of igniting potential. JB has delivered over 5000 presentations and helped hundreds of corporate executives and entrepreneurs become more confident and successful presenters. She is originally from South Africa, where she was a journalist before successfully leading one of the biggest beer brand turnarounds in Africa. She lives in San Clemente, California with her husband and son.

Connect with JB:

Facebook page

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Instagram

LinkedIn

YouTube

Website

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👉 Rate & follow the podcast for more real, unfiltered stories from people who are building work they love — without waiting for permission.

In Episode 4 of this series, we’re talking about what it really takes to go from order-taker to strategic partner—and finally be seen as a business-critical leader in Learning & Development.

You’ll learn:

✅ Why most L&D professionals are stuck in support mode—and how to shift out of it

✅ What business leaders actually care about (hint: it’s not your engagement scores)

✅ Five powerful questions that instantly position you as a strategic partner

✅ How to speak the language of business and lead conversations that matter

✅ The mindset shift and skillset required to make L&D essential to business success

This is about more than building great courses. This is about driving results, leading with strategy, and making sure your role isn’t just respected—but indispensable.

🔥 Want the next step?

Learn more about the Talent Development Academy: a complete roadmap to becoming a strategic, high-impact L&D leader—with live coaching, practical tools, and a community that’s breaking the status quo.

📝 Read the full blog here

🔔 Subscribe so you never miss an episode.

Drop a comment: What would change for you if your company saw L&D as business-critical?

We go back in time to awkward teenage work placements, waitress tips from nuns, misogyny in football, and that moment Jo literally walked out of a toxic meeting — holiday booked, no job lined up, zero regrets. This is what it really looks like to build a business on integrity, humour, and no time for BS.

Jo and I talk about what no one’s saying enough when it comes to careers and entrepreneurship — the hard parts, the doubts, and the deep relief of finally doing things your way.

📌 Connect with Jo:

I'm the copywriter hired by people with great taste in copywriters. I create and consult on copy, content, and comms for businesses, brands, and bloody brilliant individuals. I have a Zoom-bombing cat called Barry, and I can’t guarantee which end you’ll witness on a call. I’ve got a dark sense of humour and make many inappropriate jokes, which is just one reason I left a “stable career” in teaching. Despite the snazzy CMI letters after my name, I enjoy swearing, sarcasm, and puns. Oh, and I love a good song lyric or cult movie quote. Look out for those in your first draft, won’t you. I make tea with the milk in first. Bring the hate.

🔗 LinkedIn

🔗 A Good Write Up website

🔗 Book (for business-owning parents who need a laugh)

Completion rates, smiley sheets, post-training quizzes… they might look good in a report, but they don’t prove business impact. And leadership knows it.

In this episode, I break down exactly why traditional L&D metrics fall short—and how to start tracking what actually matters. You’ll learn how to:

• Align learning with real business KPIs
• Balance ROI with the true, long-term value of L&D
• Show up as a strategic partner (not a course-creator on demand)

And I’ve got a gift for you: My free mini-course The Indispensable L&D Partner is waiting to help you turn all of this into action.

Let’s finally start proving our impact.

🎧 Press play.

We dive into how she accidentally fell in love with instructional design, the power of raising your hand for opportunities, and how to earn respect in a field where you’re often told to "just make it blue." She shares the behind-the-scenes of creating life-saving training for doulas and midwives, building boundaries in work-life, and navigating long-distance love (spoiler: it started in a bar).

We talk about:

• The problem-solving heart of real L&D work
• How to build credibility without conflict
• Why training isn’t always the answer—and how to dig deeper
• The unique world of nonprofit learning and development
• How Heather is cultivating community and connection in a digital world
• Why she thanks her younger self for learning to take care of herself

Whether you're in Learning and Development, building your consulting business, or just need a reminder that meaningful work is possible—this one’s for you.

Connect with Heather:

Heather Burright, founder of Skill Masters Market, combines her heart for people with her instructional design experience and individual and organizational change principles to give nonprofits and associations the training their mission deserves and the tools to implement it effectively. You can find her in her private community the Nonprofit L&D Collective, on LinkedIn, and through her podcast Learning for Good. Heather Burright, founder of Skill Masters Market, combines her heart for people with her instructional design experience and individual and organizational change principles to give nonprofits and associations the training their mission deserves and the tools to implement it effectively. You can find her in her private community the Nonprofit L&D Collective, on LinkedIn, and through her podcast Learning for Good.

Podcast: Learning for Good: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/learning-for-good-l-d-solutions-and/id1621971310

Website: https://www.skillmastersmarket.com/

Connect on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/heather-burright/

They lead with training instead of business strategy—and then wonder why nothing changes.

In this episode, we’re flipping the script.

I’ll walk you through the exact 5-step method I use—called the L&D Satellite View—to align learning with business priorities. This isn’t about running more workshops. It’s about positioning L&D as the function that drives performance, retention, and real business results.

You’ll learn:

• Why most alignment efforts fail—and how to fix it
• The 5 strategic steps to tie L&D directly to company goals
• Real examples from companies that got it right (and wrong)
• How to avoid being the first thing cut when budgets shrink

And yes—there’s a bonus. Stick around and I’ll tell you how to get my step-by-step L&D Alignment Roadmap course to put this into action right away.

💥 Want to stop being seen as a service desk and start showing up as a strategic partner? This episode is your playbook.

👉 Let me know: What’s your biggest challenge when it comes to aligning L&D with business strategy? I’d love to hear it.

What if your lowest moment was actually the beginning of your best chapter?

In this episode, I’m joined by Danny Del Vecchio, the video content strategist behind some of LinkedIn’s most recognizable creators. But before the consistent $30K months and shout-outs from big names, Danny was a cabana boy making tip money on the beach, a burned-out sales director caught in a corporate fraud scandal (yep, really), and a podcaster just trying to stay afloat during the pandemic.

Danny shares the real story behind building his business: the side hustles that flopped, the viral moments that never came, and the one DM that changed everything.

If you’ve ever felt stuck, late, or unsure what your next move should be—this is the episode for you.

We talk about:

• Why consistency > virality when it comes to video content
• The truth behind “overnight success” and what it really takes
• Building credibility on LinkedIn without acting like an influencer
• How Danny turned his podcasting skills into a 6-figure agency
• The mindset shift that helped him push through when everything was falling apart

✨ Whether you're in Learning & Development, consulting, or building your own brand—this is a must-listen on using content to grow your impact (without selling your soul).

Connect with Danny:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dannydelvecchio/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/danny.delvecchio/

Your host, Candice Mitchell, can be found online at:

Website: https://talentdevelopmentnerds.com/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/candicemitchelltdnerd/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/talent_development_nerd/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@candicemitchell.TDNerd

Talent Development Academy: https://talentdevelopmentnerds.com/tda

Original music composed by: Paul DeHaven

pauldehavenmusic.com

If you’re tired of being seen as a support function—if you’re done with L&D being the first to get cut when budgets shrink—this episode will challenge how you think, and change how you show up.

We’ll dig into:

• The real reason L&D is overlooked (and how to fix it)
• The dangerous trap of being reactive
• How to position L&D as a business growth engine
• What it feels like to make the shift—from invisible to influential
• Five actions you can take right now to start becoming indispensable

You’ll walk away with a completely different perspective on your role—and a free L&D Impact Checklist to help you get started.

Because you’re not just here to deliver training. You’re here to enable people, drive results, and lead real transformation.

Don’t forget to follow the show so you don’t miss Episode 2: Aligning Learning Initiatives with Business Goals.

Your host, Candice Mitchell, can be found online at:

Website: https://talentdevelopmentnerds.com/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/candicemitchelltdnerd/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/talent_development_nerd/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@candicemitchell.TDNerd

Talent Development Academy: https://talentdevelopmentnerds.com/tda

Original music composed by: Paul DeHaven

pauldehavenmusic.com

We talk gorilla encounters (yes, really), sheep logic, overland expeditions, and how Paul’s engineering brain sparked a revolution in how organizations approach training and performance. But more than that, Paul shares the reflective practices and personal philosophies that helped him build a career (and life) filled with meaning—and impact.

This isn’t just a story for L&D professionals. It’s for anyone who’s ever felt stuck, curious, or ready for change.

🔎 In this episode:

• Behavior change vs content delivery
• Building learning that actually sticks
• Informal learning and performance support
• Leadership, risk-taking, and choosing purpose over “shoulds”
• Why your next move doesn’t need to be big—just intentional

Learning and Development, L&D Strategy, Behavior Change, Informal Learning, Training Impact, Performance Support, Career Growth, Leadership Development, Paul Matthews, People Alchemy, Development Nerds Podcast

More about Paul:

Paul Matthews is one of the leading Learning & Development experts, with three best-selling books to his name. An accomplished keynote speaker, he speaks around the world on a diverse range of topics. He brings L&D to life with stories from his extensive travels that fascinate and inspire. He is known for reducing complex theory down to practical tools and sharing them in a way that everyone can use to get better results. As well as being a sought-after speaker, Paul provides consultancy services, training workshops and webinars for blue-chip clients in the UK and beyond.

Connect with Paul:

X: PeopleAlchemy

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/paulmatthews100/

Website: https://peoplealchemy.com

Speaking Opportunities: https://paul-matthews.com

Your host, Candice Mitchell, can be found online at:

Website: https://talentdevelopmentnerds.com/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/candicemitchelltdnerd/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/talent_development_nerd/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@candicemitchell.TDNerd

Talent Development Academy: https://talentdevelopmentnerds.com/tda

Original music composed by: Paul DeHaven

pauldehavenmusic.com

Below are the key takeaways from this episode:

• Shift from Reactive to Proactive Leadership: The Talent Development Academy (TDA) aims to transform learning and development (L&D) professionals into strategic leaders who are always one step ahead, leading with purpose and confidence.
• Comprehensive Toolkits and Real-World Frameworks: TDA provides plug-and-play frameworks and templates, derived from years of real-world experience, to ensure that members have a trusted roadmap for every project without starting from scratch.
• Community Support: One of the core features of TDA is its vibrant community of like-minded L&D professionals. This supportive network allows members to share ideas, troubleshoot challenges, and celebrate wins with peers who understand their unique struggles and aspirations.
• Expert Guidance: Members get access to a team of handpicked experts who provide actionable insights and strategies. These experts cover critical areas like measuring impact, facilitating engagement, and leveraging AI to optimize work, even with limited resources.
• Continuous Development: The journey within TDA begins with a 6-week intensive program followed by monthly coaching sessions. This structure ensures ongoing development with real-life case studies and practical coaching, helping members build confidence and internalize advanced L&D skills.

Your host, Candice Mitchell, can be found online at:

Website: https://talentdevelopmentnerds.com/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/candicemitchelltdnerd/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/talent_development_nerd/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@candicemitchell.TDNerd

Talent Development Academy: https://talentdevelopmentnerds.com/tda

Original music composed by: Paul DeHaven

pauldehavenmusic.com

From assembling anchors and selling Camel Cigarettes to building corporate learning programs that made more money than the company’s products, Christopher’s career has been anything but traditional. In this episode of Development Nerds, he shares:

🔥 The job that convinced him business transformation was his thing

🔥 The time he almost got fired (for pushing back on the CEO)

🔥 How he turned corporate learning into a profit center

🔥 The real reason training often fails—and how to fix it

Plus, we swap weird first-job stories. What’s the strangest job YOU had before your career took off? Let us know after you listen!

More about Christopher:

Christopher Lind is a seasoned executive leader passionate about leveraging technology to accelerate organizational growth and elevate talent. As a former Chief Learning Officer and founder of Christopher Lind Co., he brings nearly 20 years of experience designing and executing impactful strategies that measurably upgrade leadership capability and improve business performance. Christopher is globally known for his innovative approach and thought leadership. As a LinkedIn Top Voice and author of Future-Focused, he is committed to helping others navigate the evolving landscape of business, technology, and human experience.

Connect with Christopher:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/christopherlind/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Christopher_Lind

Newsletter: https://christopherlind.substack.com

Website: https://christopherlind.co/

Your host, Candice Mitchell, can be found online at:

Website: https://talentdevelopmentnerds.com/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/candicemitchelltdnerd/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/talent_development_nerd/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@candicemitchell.TDNerd

Talent Development Academy: https://talentdevelopmentnerds.com/tda

Original music composed by: Paul DeHaven

pauldehavenmusic.com

L&D professionals are expected to drive learning across entire organizations, yet we rarely have direct authority over the people, budgets, or KPIs we need to influence. We have to lead without authority, gain buy-in from multiple stakeholders, and execute learning initiatives in environments where learning is often an afterthought.

In this episode, we’re breaking down:

✅ How to lead learning projects when you don’t have direct control.

✅ How to manage multiple stakeholders and vendors, when they don’t ‘report’ to you.

✅ How to stop drowning in execution so you can actually lead.

You’ll learn the difference between Project Leadership and People Leadership, and why mastering both is the key to making an impact. We’ll also cover how to manage up, down, and across to position L&D as a business driver, not just a support function.

By the end of this episode, you’ll walk away with an action plan to take control of projects, rally people around your initiatives, and build a reputation as the person who makes things happen, without needing a title to do it.

Tune in now and start leading from where you are!

Key Takeaways:

1. The Power of Paying Attention – How Jess developed her L&D mindset long before she knew the field existed.
2. Stepping Back to Step Forward – Why taking a perceived “demotion” was actually her smartest career move.
3. Breaking Free from the Order-Taker Trap – What holds L&D professionals back and how to shift into a strategic role.
4. The Self-Sabotage of L&D – Why we unintentionally keep ourselves stuck—and how to stop.
5. The Book Every L&D Professional Needs – A sneak peek into L&D Order Taker No More! launching September 2, 2025.

Guest Bio

Jess Almie is a former Vice President of Learning and a dynamic leader in the learning and development field. She is passionate about empowering L&D to increase our impact by evolving from order takers to strategic business partners. With three decades of experience and a proven track record of driving strategic initiatives, Jess helps organizations solve talent challenges and improve performance. Jess also hosts a podcast called, L&D Must Change. Her book, L&D Order Taker No More! Become a Strategic Business Partner will be available on September 2, 2025.

Connect with Jess:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jessalmlie/

Website: https://www.jessalmlie.com/

Podcast: https://www.jessalmlie.com/podcast

Your host, Candice Mitchell, can be found online at:

Website: https://talentdevelopmentnerds.com/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/candicemitchelltdnerd/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/talent_development_nerd/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@candicemitchell.TDNerd

Talent Development Academy: https://talentdevelopmentnerds.com/tda

Original music composed by: Paul DeHaven

pauldehavenmusic.com

Website: https://talentdevelopmentnerds.com/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/candicemitchelltdnerd/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/talent_development_nerd/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@candicemitchell.TDNerd

Talent Development Academy: https://talentdevelopmentnerds.com/tda

Original music composed by: Paul DeHaven

pauldehavenmusic.com

Some of the most powerful people in organizations aren’t executives—they’re the trusted voices, the ones who shape conversations and drive action. And in Learning & Development, influence is our greatest asset.

In this episode, we’re breaking down how to build influence and establish yourself as a leader—even when you don’t have formal authority. You’ll learn:

✅ Why influence matters in L&D—and how it’s more valuable than any title

✅ The psychology of influence—why people follow certain voices and how to become one of them

✅ A 5-step framework for building credibility—so your insights actually move the business forward

✅ How to get decision-makers to listen, trust you, and act on your recommendations

✅ Practical strategies to lead and drive impact, no title required

By the end of this episode, you’ll have a clear plan to position yourself as someone whose voice needs to be heard—so you can drive real change in your organization.

🎧 Hit play and start leading with influence today!

In this episode, we cover:

🔹 How he accidentally found his way into L&D (and never looked back)

🔹 The hardest year of his career & what it taught him about leadership

🔹 The power of mentorship—why every leader needs both a mentor & a mentee

🔹 How to navigate imposter syndrome (especially when stepping into something new)

🔹 The best career decision he ever made—one that changed everything

💡 Action Step:

Think about one mentor who has shaped your career. Send them a message today—thank them, ask for advice, or simply reconnect.

📌 Resources Mentioned:

📖 How to Win Friends and Influence People by Dale Carnegie

📖 Yogi’s upcoming book on mentorship—stay tuned for the 2025 release!

🎧 Don’t forget to subscribe so you never miss an episode! And if this conversation resonated, leave a review—it helps more L&D professionals find this podcast.

More about Yogi:

Yogi Mueller is an accomplished Organizational Development and Talent Development leader with over 25 years of experience designing impactful learning experiences and delivering solutions that align human capital management with strategic business goals and objectives. As Owner and Chief Craftsman at Craft Leadership LLC, Yogi partners with organizations to enhance team cohesion and operational efficiency through innovative, data-driven strategies. Previously, he served as Vice President of Leadership and Talent Development at Hilton Grand Vacations and Bluegreen Vacations, leading initiatives that improved performance and fostered leadership excellence. With a collaborative, inclusive approach, Yogi empowers teams, builds high-performing organizations, and drives growth. He holds an MBA from Webster University, a BA in Public Relations from Marquette University, and certifications in Talent Development.

Connect with the guest:

📌 Follow Yogi: https://www.linkedin.com/in/yogimueller/

📌 Check out Craft Leadership: https://craftleadership.net/

In this episode, we’re breaking down:

🔹 Why leadership isn’t about avoiding challenges but navigating them

🔹 The three leadership mindsets that help you thrive under pressure

🔹 A step-by-step approach to handling difficult situations like budget cuts and resistance

🔹 How to turn challenges into opportunities that elevate your credibility

This is where true L&D leaders stand out. If you want to go from order-taker to strategic business leader, this episode is for you.

Action Step:

What’s one leadership move you’ll make this week to position yourself as a true L&D leader? DM me on Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/talent_development_nerd/)

or drop me a message on LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/in/candicemitchelltdnerd/) – I’d love to hear it!

Resources Mentioned:

How to Win Friends and Influence People by Dale Carnegie

Join the Talent Development Academy → www.talentdevelopmentnerds.com/tda

🎧 Don’t forget to subscribe so you never miss an episode! And if you found this valuable, leave a review, it helps more L&D professionals find this podcast.

#TalentDevelopment #Leadership #Influence #CareerGrowth

Dr. Keith Keating has lived it. From dropping out of high school and working in fast food to becoming a CLO, an academic advisor for an Ivy League university, and an author, his journey is one of resilience, reinvention, and sheer determination.

In this episode, Dr. Keith shares his unconventional career path, the power of learning, and how L&D professionals can shift from being order-takers to trusted advisors. His story will inspire you to take ownership of your career—because no one else will do it for you.

Why You Should Listen:

• If you've ever felt stuck or underestimated, Keith’s story will show you what’s possible.
• Learn how embracing discomfort and continuous learning can transform your career.
• Understand why L&D professionals must shift from order-takers to strategic advisors.
• Get practical advice on career ownership, mentorship, and preparing for your next role.

Key Takeaways:

• The Unlikely Beginning: From teaching English on cassette tapes in Korea to dropping out of high school, Keith’s early experiences shaped his resilience.
• Breaking into L&D: A failed job interview led to an unexpected opportunity—and a lifelong career in learning and development.
• Becoming a Trusted Learning Advisor: Why L&D professionals need to stop waiting for a seat at the table and start proving their value.
• Owning Your Career: Don’t wait for an employer to map out your career path—plan for your next move before you need it.

Bonus:

All those who sign up to The Talent Development Academy for our March 2025 intake will receive a free copy of Dr. Keith Keating's award winning book: The Trusted Learning Advisor.

Connect with Dr. Keith Keating:

• LinkedIn: Dr. Keith Keating (Replace with actual link)
• Book: The Trusted Learning Advisor – Available wherever books are sold.

Connect with Candice Mitchell:

Website: https://talentdevelopmentnerds.com/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/candicemitchelltdnerd/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/talent_development_nerd/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@candicemitchell.TDNerd

Talent Development Academy: https://talentdevelopmentnerds.com/tda

Too many Learning & Development (L&D) professionals are stuck in a support role, waiting for permission to lead. But here’s the truth: leadership isn’t about your title—it’s about your impact.

If you're tired of being brought in at the last minute to "execute training" instead of driving business strategy, this episode is for you. L&D isn't just a training function—it's a business-critical driver. And if we don’t step up, we risk being replaced, sidelined, or ignored when it matters most.

🔹 Why L&D is still stuck in a reactive support role—and how to change it

🔹 The outdated training models holding us back (and what to do instead)

🔹 Why leadership has nothing to do with your job title (and everything to do with influence)

🔹 How to stop being an “order taker” and start being a strategic business partner

🔹 The language shift that will get leadership to take you seriously

🔹 Three immediate actions you can take to step into a leadership role—starting today

💡 Key Takeaway: The future of L&D isn’t about training programs—it’s about solving real business problems. If we don’t position ourselves as business-critical partners, we’ll always be seen as a “nice-to-have” rather than a necessity.

🎯 Your Action Step: Identify ONE thing you can do this week to become more proactive in your role. It could be: