Episodes

  • Join us for an eye-opening discussion with Dr. Stella Lee, Director of Paradox Learning, as we debate over the world of AI. Discover why the rush for innovation calls for stronger regulations and explore AI's transformative potential, from automating simple tasks like writing emails to navigating complex environments with autonomous vehicles.

    Dr. Lee shares how AI is reshaping learning and development, revolutionizing assessments, and fostering critical thinking. Her AI literacy framework offers a roadmap for understanding AI's broader societal impacts and preparing for a future defined by human-AI collaboration.

    In this episode, we discuss:The effects of rapid AI deployment without adequate regulation and the implications of machines making high-stakes decisions.The challenges of implementing driverless buses in South Korea and insights from Stella's AI literacy framework, emphasizing societal impacts and ethical considerations.How AI is transforming education and reshaping the workforce, highlighting the importance of retraining displaced workers and ensuring ethical AI adoption.

  • Today we sit down with industry expert Danny Klein to discuss the impact of inflation on the restaurant sector and the evolving perception of value in fast food establishments. Danny sheds light on the role of technology, such as kiosks and robotics boosting efficiency, while addressing the broader implications of labor costs. The challenges we are facing with rising prices, causing us to focus on the importance of internal promotions for cutting costs and fostering career growth, Flexibility and adaptability have never been more important to navigating the fast-paced, ever-changing landscape of the restaurant industry.

    Join us as we discuss:How rising prices are reshaping customer behavior and the need for restaurants to reassess their value propositions.The role of kiosks and AI in optimizing operations, enhancing employee roles, and improving efficiency. The financial benefits of internal promotions and providing growth opportunities to keep the workforce motivated and aligned with brand values.

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  • Today, we’re joined by John Leh, CEO of Talented Learning, to shed light on the often-overlooked but vital role of customer education in business success. John underscores the importance of aligning training with business goals, tackling the complexities of globalizing customer education, and the promising future of embedding learning into everyday work environments. He also explores the pivotal role of AI in personalized learning, highlighting how effective customer education not only boosts loyalty and advocacy but also drives significant positive impact on the bottom line.

    Join us as we discuss:The connection between learning and development and customer experience, and how external groups are hiring experts directly.The potential for L&D to become a revenue generator through strategic customer education The future of integrating learning into daily work, the role of AI in personalized learning, and showing tangible results to justify training investments.

  • In today's episode we sit down with Kelly Palmer, the Chief Strategy Officer at Southern New Hampshire University. Kelly, brings her extensive experience in skills development to the table as they explore the ever-evolving nature of skills in the modern workplace.

    Together, they address the challenges of maintaining relevant skills in a rapidly changing environment, the role of technology and AI, and the necessity for ongoing professional development.

    Join us as we discuss:How skillsets have been slowly outshining the significance of traditional degrees in the face of rapidly evolving job demands.The challenges within organizations to adjust their hiring criteria and the communication gap between universities and employers.How the future of online education could lead to the closure of many traditional universities due to lack of adaptability.

  • From the role of AI in corporate settings to the potential of virtual reality, our host, David, is joined by special guest Lefteris Ntouanoglou the Founder & CEO of Schoox, to dig into the realistic applications and common misconceptions of technology in the workplace. This episode is a must-listen for anyone interested in the intersection of technology and corporate development. Together, they dive into the critical issue that plagues many organizations: the misalignment between the continuous nature of learning and the often non-continuous approaches to improve performance management.

    Join us as we discussHow technology, particularly AI, could revolutionize how we identify skills gaps and tailor learning.The role of AI in corporate settings to the potential of virtual realityThe complex terrain of AI, corporate training, and the small, calculated steps organizations can take towards future learning and development

  • Listen in as we speak with Vincent Lebunetel, the Co-founder of Boostrs, to unpack the crucial role of measurement in learning and development.. In this discussion, we tackle the challenges that professionals face in the analytical side of HR, especially those who might find data analytics rather intimidating. With the emergence of Gen AI, the stakes are higher than ever for integrating analytics into our HR practices.

    Join us as we discussDealing with Data and the challenges of embracing analytics for L&D in the workplace.How AI and natural language processing are revolutionizing the way we think. The importance of understanding and upskilling HR in the wake of Gen AI advancements

  • We sit down with Felicia White, Director of Scooter's Coffee. We discuss the practical application of learning strategies in business, and focusing on the quick-service industry. She shares her experiences implementing effective training and engagement techniques at Scooter's Coffee. We also explore how these strategies enhance employee skills and contribute significantly to business growth and customer satisfaction. Felicia emphasizes the importance of adapting training to meet diverse customer needs and the role of technology in modern learning environments.

    Key takeaways from this episode:Innovative methods like 'quick upsell' for practical sales training.The impact of tailored training on customer service and employee engagement.Exploring the future of training with a blend of human interaction and technology use.

  • We sit down with Charles Jennings, managing director at Duntroon Consultants and a renowned expert in learning and development, to explore the complex relationship between skills development and organizational performance. Charles discusses the nuances of building high-performing teams and organizations, challenging the conventional wisdom prioritizing skill accumulation and collaborative team dynamics. We also talk about the role of AI in reshaping learning strategies and the potential pitfalls if not aligned with a performance-centric mindset.

    Key Points:Charles emphasizes the limitation of focusing solely on skills acquisition, arguing for a more holistic approach that integrates skills within the broader context of team dynamics and organizational objectives.The dialogue underscores the need for shifting from a traditional learning-centric approach to a performance-oriented mindset, advocating for learning strategies that directly contribute to tangible organizational improvements.Charles predicts challenges in effectively integrating AI into learning and development, stressing the need for a paradigm shift in operational models beyond conventional content-centric methodologies.

  • Listen in as we talk with Brent Kedzierski, Chief Industrial Advocate at HumanWRKS. He talks about the evolving landscape of learning strategy and the challenges organizations face in developing and implementing coherent learning strategies that are aligned with their business goals. Brent also highlights the crucial role of learning leaders in shaping and executing these strategies while also adapting to industry-specific needs and future trends in workforce development. Brent brings a wealth of experience, discussing integrating learning strategies with overall organizational strategy and the importance of professionalizing the learning function.

    Key discussion points include:The gap between theoretical learning strategies and their practical application in various industries.The critical role of learning leaders in aligning learning and business strategies.Future trends in learning, including the impact of technology and the need for personalized learning solutions.

  • Listen as we talk with Kevin M. Yates, the L&D Detective and founder and president for Meals in the Meantime. He speaks about the intricate world of Learning and Development. We also discuss the challenges and strategies of measuring the impact of training programs and how they contribute to human and business performance. Kevin shares his insights from over three decades in the industry, emphasizing the importance of proactive planning and the evolving role of instructional design in L&D.

    Join us as we discuss:The role and identity in L&D focus on the unique concept of the "L&D Detective" and the significance of job titles.The complexities of measuring training effectiveness and the connection between training, human performance, and business outcomes.The future of L&D, including the use of AI and the necessary professional skills and mindsets for advancing in this ever-evolving field.

  • David Wentworth and special guest, Mike Martin Principal Partner at Changency, Inc dive into the evolving landscape of learning and development in the professional world, particularly emphasizing the irreplaceable value of in-person interactions. They discuss the dynamic balance between leveraging technology and nurturing human connections, especially in a post-pandemic era. The conversation explores how organizations can maximize the impact of in-person learning experiences and the potential role of AI in automating certain aspects of learning to focus more on human-centered activities.


    Key points include:The importance of face-to-face interaction in learning and development post-pandemic.Strategies for enhancing the effectiveness of in-person training and events.The future role of AI in learning and development and its impact on human interaction.

  • The saying “the numbers don’t lie” might be true when it comes to certain settings, but when it comes to measuring learning analytics, numbers are not the end all be all. If that’s the case, how can we measure the impact of L&D initiatives?

    Learning and development expert Dani Johnson shares her insights on how to better successfully measure the impact of L&D. In her 15 years of experience as an analyst and as Co-Founder of RedThread Research, Dani talks about the different obstacles that Learning Analytics face when it comes to development, accurately capturing impact, and evolving alongside new technology.

    Join us as we discuss:Traditional LMS vs. new technologyLeadership prioritizing new data, showing the impact of learning initiatives Measuring learning when it comes to more complex jobsThe limitations of using ROI as a measurement

  • Everyone knows the difference a good coach can make, but when it comes to fully knowing what their purpose and process is within an organization there is less understanding. What is a good coach and how will they provide value to my team?

    With over 25 years of experience working with talent management, leadership, hiring, and learning, David welcomes Claude Werder, Senior Vice President and Principal Analyst at Brandon Hall Group, to the show. Claude shares all the benefits of coaching, how personalization is vital, how it is different from mentoring, and how it will continue to grow and benefit organizations for the future.

    Join us as we discuss:The improvements made in an organization from personalized coaching The differences between Coaching vs. MentoringWhat makes an effective coach and what their outcomes should beTechnology’s role in the coaching process with automation

  • “What’s in it for me?”

    This may sound like a selfish question, but it should be top of mind for Learning and Development (L&D) leaders when it comes to employee engagement and retention. Why? Because that’s what your employees are asking themselves with every new initiative you roll out, and if they don’t like the answer, you might lose them altogether. To help us better understand how L&D impacts employee engagement and retention, David welcomes Schoox’s Chief People & Culture Officer, Matthew Brown, to the show. The duo dives into employee loyalty, the need for reciprocal loyalty from organizations, and the importance of investing in broader skills for employees.

    Join us as we discuss:
    The results of investing in employee development:Creating individualized development plans to help with retentionUnderstanding what drives people in L&DTaking L&D assessment results into account when making business decisions

  • For the longest time, organizations invested in Learning Management Software (LMS) to meet the learning and development needs of their employees. Then, all of a sudden, everyone started talking about the need for a Learning Experience Platform (LXP). But are LMS and LXP really that different?

    Although they often get mistaken for one another, LMS and LXP are different, and while both can be helpful for your organization, you need to understand each platform to use it best. To help find the signal through the noise surrounding these types of platforms, David welcomes Fiona Leteney, Senior Analyst at Fosway Group, to the show. Fiona has long been on the cutting edge of the LMS/LXP discussion, predicting a shift in how learning systems were approached as early as 2017.

    Join us as we discuss:
    Importance of integrating programs with communication platformsHow learning experience differs from learner experienceBest ways to shortlist LXPs for your organization’s needsState of the digital experience in cohort-based learning programsLarger issues in education that extend beyond LMS and LXP

  • Should L&D professionals take lessons from… video game streamers?

    It may seem an odd question, but with the rise in AI and digital tools, so many learning experiences are now being designed without an eye toward how humans actually learn. Those who understand online content consumption and user experience design will be at a massive advantage. These are areas that today’s guest, Lan Tran, understands very well. As the Director of Learning Design and Technology at McDonald’s—a company as diverse as it is massive—Lan is dedicated to creating learning materials that are customized to local cultures to meet the needs of their people.

    Join us as we discuss:
    The unique approach to learning McDonald’s uses to serve its vast employee baseHow our struggles, motivations, and engagement factors contribute to effective L&DThe impact of different organizational models on learning design effortsCreating a culture of reflection and practice (even with limited time)

  • Learning experiences should never be stale, predictable, or cookie cutter. They should be meaningful and people-first, because when your people learn, your organization wins—and the business results follow.

    That’s what we believe, and on They Learn You Win, that’s how we’ll approach the world of learning and development. Host David Wentworth is joined by colleagues and industry experts to highlight new technology that is blowing our socks off (or just blowing smoke), discuss the latest issues and trends, and put a spotlight on those who are doing L&D so well that it makes us jealous.

    Join us on They Learn You Win: where L&D meets people.