Creating a Culture of Belonging and Bravery with Claude Silver

I’m excited to share a special highlight from The Talent Development Hot Seat podcast perfect for anyone passionate about building thriving workplaces, authentic leadership, and truly inclusive cultures.Since this is a holiday week and many of us (myself included) are taking some well-earned downtime, I thought it would be the perfect opportunity to revisit the archives and reshare a few of our most popular and impactful episodes. Today’s feature is one I found especially meaningful and insightful: my conversation with my friend Claude Silver, originally released as Episode 365 in January 2023.Claude is on a mission to spread what she calls “emotional optimism,” which is simply an awareness that we have the capacity to influence how we think and how we feel.In this episode, you’ll hear:The mission of Vayner Media and what the term Honey Empire means to Claude Silver.How you can move away from leading with fear and instead leading with honey in your organization.Why safety in an organization is vital for employees to bring their authentic selves to work.What emotional optimism is, why it’s important in the workplace and what toxic positivity is.The definition of radical inclusion and how it can help others find their voices to participate in the conversation.A preview of Claude’s talk about building a culture of belonging and bravery at the upcoming Talent Development Think Tank Conference.And also LearnIt, which is offering a FREE trial of their TeamPass membership for you and up to 20 team members of your team. Check it out here.Order my new book, Own Your Brand, Own Your Career on AmazonAnd my first book, Own Your Career Own Your Life, is on Amazon as well. Here is the link to the YouTube channel of Talent Development Hot Seat Podcast.Connect with Andy Storch here: Website | LinkedInConnect with Claude Silver: LinkedIn | Website

Welcome back to The Talent Development Hot Seat! In this episode, I sit down with Elizabeth Villa, a dynamic people development leader and the global head of learning at Edenred, a leading French financial services firm. Elizabeth brings a truly international perspective growing up in Mexico, studying in the United States, and building her career in Paris with a background that’s both inspiring and practical for today’s global professionals.Elizabeth is recognized for her transformative approach to corporate learning, especially her pioneering work on integrating emotional intelligence and humanity into traditional learning and development programs. Throughout the episode, she shares how she designs learning experiences that go far beyond the classroom focusing on building circles of trust, cultivating psychological safety, and inspiring genuine human connection among participants.You’ll hear about her journey learning three languages, navigating different cultures, and crafting award-winning leadership programs that drive cultural change. Elizabeth also dives deep into the evolving intersection of technology, artificial intelligence, and the future of HR and learning, exploring what it means to be human in an increasingly digital world.Whether you’re an L&D leader, HR professional, or curious about the future of work, this conversation is packed with insights about creating meaningful development experiences, fostering career growth, and ensuring people stay at the heart of every organization even as robots and AI become more prevalent. Don’t miss Elizabeth’s practical tips, global perspective, and passion for the human side of talent development!Order my new book, Own Your Brand, Own Your Career on AmazonAnd my first book, Own Your Career Own Your Life, is on Amazon as well. And also LearnIt, which is offering a FREE trial of their TeamPass membership for you and up to 20 team members of your team. Check it out here.Connect with Andy here: Website | LinkedInConnect with Elizabeth: LinkedIn

Today, I am talking with Shrikant Pattathil from Harbinger Group, a recognized leader with more than 25 years in the eLearning and HR technology space. In this conversation, Shrikant shares his unique perspective on the evolution of eLearning from the early days of computer-based training to today’s dynamic, AI-powered personalized learning experiences.You'll learn how eLearning has transformed over the decades, the pitfalls organizations still encounter when implementing digital learning solutions, and the best practices for driving engagement and adoption. Shrikant dives into the concept of “industrialization” of eLearning, explaining how hyper-personalization and AI are reshaping the future of content creation and delivery for both learners and enterprises. Whether you’re a talent development leader, learning designer, or tech enthusiast, this episode is packed with actionable insights and fresh ideas for navigating the rapidly changing landscape of workplace learning.Learn more about The Harbinger GroupOrder my new book, Own Your Brand, Own Your Career on AmazonAnd my first book, Own Your Career Own Your Life, is on Amazon as well. This episode is also sponsored by The Harbinger Group, a trusted leader in eLearning. And also LearnIt, which is offering a FREE trial of their TeamPass membership for you and up to 20 team members of your team. Check it out here.Connect with Andy here: Website | LinkedInConnect with Shrikant: Website I LinkedIn

Today, host Andy Storch sits down with Geoffrey Roche, the inaugural North America Director of Workforce Development at Siemens Healthineers. With over 16 years of leadership experience in hospitals and higher education, and a deep passion for advancing talent development in healthcare, Geoffrey Roche brings a wealth of expertise to the conversation.In this episode, you'll discover how learning and development plays a crucial role in shaping the future-ready healthcare workforce, the unique challenges faced by frontline healthcare professionals, and why the industry is reimagining leadership development and talent pipelines. Geoffrey Roche shares powerful stories about the impact of great leaders, dives into the importance of connection, equity, and apprenticeship models, and discusses the evolving demands in healthcare and talent management.Whether you work in healthcare or are simply passionate about developing leaders, this episode offers practical insights and compelling strategies to help individuals and organizations thrive in today’s dynamic environment. Tune in and learn how transformational L&D can drive better culture, retention, and career mobility in healthcare and beyond!What You’ll Learn in This Episode:Why traditional approaches to healthcare leadership often fall short—and how to better prepare nurses and doctors for management roles.Real examples of inspiring executive leadership and the impact on retention, culture, and patient care.The importance of connecting learning initiatives to business strategy and organizational outcomes.Fresh solutions for delivering training to busy frontline healthcare workers (think microlearning and mobile-first!).The role of equity in workforce development and how to build pipelines for diverse future leaders.Trends to watch: AI in L&D, work-based learning, and the rising power of apprenticeship degrees.This episode is also sponsored by LearnIt, which is offering a FREE trial of their TeamPass membership for you and up to 20 team members of your team. Check it out here.Connect with Andy here: Website | LinkedInConnect with Geoffrey Roche here: LinkedInOrder my new book, Own Your Brand, Own Your Career on AmazonAnd my first book, Own Your Career Own Your Life, is on Amazon as well.

Welcome to a milestone episode of The Talent Development Hot Seat! In this very special 600th episode, host Andy Storch reflects on the incredible journey of the podcast, which has been igniting conversations in the world of talent and learning development since 2018. Andy Storch takes us behind the scenes, sharing heartfelt gratitude for listeners, guests, sponsors, and the team members who've helped make the show a success.But this isn’t just a celebration—Andy Storch dives deep into the most powerful insights uncovered over the last 600 episodes. You’ll hear his top eight takeaways on the evolving talent landscape, from the importance of fostering a learning culture to the game-changing impact of AI, the shift toward skill-based organizations, and why human-centered leadership and career ownership are now essential. Plus, Andy Storch shares memorable quotes from standout guests and outlines what’s ahead for talent development in the coming years.Whether you’re a longtime listener or discovering the podcast for the first time, this episode is packed with actionable ideas, heartfelt stories, and a roadmap for the future of learning and development. Join Andy Storch as he celebrates this major milestone and looks forward to helping you and your organization thrive in the ever-changing world of work!Certainly! Here’s a comprehensive sequence of topics covered in this episode of The Talent Development Hot Seat podcast, with sub-topic bullets under each primary topic. This breakdown follows the episode’s flow and highlights the main insights and supporting details discussed by Andy Storch.KEY TOPICS:1. Introduction and Milestone CelebrationAcknowledgment of episode 600 and the podcast’s evolution since 2018Initial doubts and challenges when starting the podcastGrowth into a vibrant community, conference, and ongoing conversations with top talent leaders2. Podcast Structure and GuestsBreakdown of solo vs. interview episodes (less than 10% solo)Types of guests: talent leaders, practitioners, gurus, authors, and sponsorsExpression of gratitude to listeners, guests, sponsors, and support staff3. Recognizing Support and Production TeamShoutouts to editors, assistants, and virtual staff for helping sustain the podcastPersonal reflection on strengths and weaknesses in managing podcast details4. Purpose of the Episode & Value to AudienceIntention to share actionable insights for listeners—especially those in talent developmentExplanation about the method: reviewing recent episodes to find key trends and lessons5. Eight Biggest Insights in Talent Development (Main Segment)Learning Culture is the Strategic FoundationImportance of fostering curiosity and growth mindsetRole of leadership in modeling and encouraging learningQuotes from guests emphasizing experiential and continuous learningLeadership Must Be Human, Authentic, and VulnerableShift from command-and-control to coaching and empathyEmployees’ desire for authenticity, transparency, and psychological safetySupporting quotes on modern leadership and human connectionCareer Ownership and Talent Mobility Are Now the NormRise of individual responsibility in career growthShift from linear career ladders to skill-based, lateral, and diagonal career movesOrganizations supporting internal mobility through marketplaces and stretch assignmentsL&D Must Become Data-Driven and Evidence-BasedEmphasis on measuring business impact and connecting to

In today’s episode, I'm talking with Andrew Wilhelms, VP of Talent Management at Databricks and a seasoned leader with a wealth of experience from organizations like Twilio and Tesla. In t his conversation, we explore the evolving world of talent development and break down the difference between building individual capabilities and managing organizational systems, and why understanding both is crucial in today’s dynamic business landscape.Andrew also shares insights from his unique journey, including how his philosophy background shaped his approach to leadership, what he believes actually transforms good teams into high-performing ones, and why the next wave of talent will require us all—no matter our title—to start thinking (and leading) like executives. They also dig into the impact of AI on both work and leadership, the importance of designing a positive employee experience, and practical ways to move beyond “knowing” to actually “doing” when it comes to developing great leaders.Key Notes and topics we cover in this episode:The Nature of LeadershipPreparing Future LeadersChallenges in Corporate LeadershipTalent Management vs. Talent DevelopmentThe Next Paradigm Shift in Talent: AIAI and Tools in Talent DevelopmentThe “Brickster Experience” at DatabricksPsychological Safety and Growth MindsetManager and Leadership Development ModelsCareer Development PhilosophyLessons Learned & ReflectionsTalent Development TrendsRecommended ResourcesCareer Advice for Talent ProfessionalsThis episode is also sponsored by LearnIt, which is offering a FREE trial of their TeamPass membership for you and up to 20 team members of your team. Check it out here.Connect with Andy here: Website | LinkedInConnect with Andrew Wilhelms here: LinkedInOrder my new book, Own Your Brand, Own Your Career on AmazonAnd my first book, Own Your Career Own Your Life, is on Amazon as well.

Welcome back to The Talent Development Hot Seat! In today’s episode, host Andy Storch sits down with Eric Nielsen, founder and CEO of YUI Consulting. With over 20 years of experience working with Fortune 500 companies—including a 17-year stint at Verizon—Eric is a recognized expert in organizational development and leadership transformation.This episode dives deep into the challenges and opportunities of designing truly effective training and development programs. Eric shares powerful insights into trends like experiential learning, the importance of focusing on root causes rather than symptoms, and how to build a training culture that drives high performance—rather than delivering “flavor-of-the-month” programs that fade from memory.We’ll also hear about common pitfalls in change management, why many soft skills trainings only scratch the surface, and how Eric’s unique ADEPT framework is helping organizations achieve dramatically better results—in customer and employee experience, engagement, and hard metrics like cost savings.If you’re in talent development and want to move beyond order-taking to real business impact, or you’re curious about what makes learning stick for the long term, this conversation is packed with practical advice and bold challenges to rethink your approach.Ready to unlock the untapped performance hiding in your organization? Let’s jump into this enlightening conversation with Eric Nielsen.Order Own Your Brand, Own Your Career on AmazonApply to Join us in the Talent Development Think Tank Community!This episode is also sponsored by LearnIt, which is offering a FREE trial of their TeamPass membership for you and up to 20 team members of your team. Check it out here.Connect with Andy here: Website | LinkedInConnect with Eric: Website I LinkedIn—They discuss:The biggest trends and opportunities in talent development, including experiential learning and the shift towards AI (Yes, it’s shaking things up!).Why so much corporate training fizzles out within months—and how to ensure learning lasts and drives real behavior change.The importance of focusing on root causes, not just surface-level issues, to create solutions employees truly run towards.Eric’s unique "ADEPT" framework for advanced soft skills and de-escalation—delivering powerful results like reduced escalations, higher employee engagement, and even fewer absences!The often-overlooked risks companies face when cutting back on training in uncertain times.The real reason employees resist change (spoiler: it’s not just “people hate change!”), and how leaders can effectively manage and communicate through organizational change.The staggering cost of delivering “okay” or generic training versus programs that create lasting WOW experiences.Eric challenges the industry to ditch checking the box on training hours and instead measure real outcomes—with the bold promise of guaranteed results....

Welcome back to The Talent Development Hot Seat! In this episode, host Andy Storch sits down with Molly Hill, Global Head of Talent Development at Toast, for a lively and insightful conversation on the evolving landscape of talent development. Molly shares her fascinating career journey, from her early days at Disney and impactful roles at Microsoft, Starbucks, and Airbnb, to her current adventure at Toast—where she blends her professional passion with the hands-on experience of owning a bar in picturesque Lake Chelan, Washington.Together, Andy and Molly dig into the art and science of large-scale leadership development, codifying company values, and fostering a culture of connection in remote and in-person environments. Molly offers practical advice and lessons learned from orchestrating major events at Starbucks and spearheading innovative programs like the Leadership Lunchbox series and executive development initiatives at Toast. Plus, the conversation touches on the importance of behavior change, using marketing principles in L&D, and adapting to the growing influence of AI in HR—including hosting internal hackathons to inspire curiosity and collaboration.If you're ready for fresh ideas on building manager capability, driving career development, or creating memorable learning experiences, you won't want to miss this episode!Order Own Your Brand, Own Your Career on AmazonApply to Join us in the Talent Development Think Tank Community!This episode is also sponsored by LearnIt, which is offering a FREE trial of their TeamPass membership for you and up to 20 team members of your team. Check it out here.Connect with Andy here: Website | LinkedInConnect with Molly: LinkedIn: LinkedInMentioned in this episode:Check out Learnit! For fantastic on-demand learning, check out learnit.com/hotseat

In today’s episode, host Andy Storch dives into one of the most pressing topics shaping careers and organizations right now: the rise of AI in career development. Andy explores how generative AI is not only transforming the way we work but also the way we identify, build, and leverage skills for the future. Whether you’re an individual looking to future-proof your career or a leader aiming to unlock new talent pathways within your organization, this conversation is packed with practical insights.Andy shares the latest AI-driven tools revolutionizing learning and development, offers actionable tips to stay ahead of disruption, and explains why owning your career journey, building authentic connections, and nurturing your personal brand have never been more important. Plus, he outlines the three essential habits you can adopt today to set yourself up for long-term success in an AI-powered world.Join us as we tackle the opportunities—and challenges—AI brings and learn how you can thrive now and in the years to come.Order Own Your Brand, Own Your Career on AmazonApply to Join us in the Talent Development Think Tank Community!This episode is sponsored by Mento which offers a unique 80/20 mix of coaching and mentorship so that your people can increase performance and success. This episode is also sponsored by LearnIt, which is offering a FREE trial of their TeamPass membership for you and up to 20 team members of your team. Check it out here.Connect with Andy here: Website | LinkedInMentioned in this episode:Check out Learnit! For fantastic on-demand learning, check out learnit.com/hotseatTry Mento for coachingFor coaching with real-world experience, check out Mento.co

Welcome back to The Talent Development Hot Seat podcast! In today’s episode, host Andy Storch sits down with Danielle Clark, VP of Talent and Head of Global Talent Strategy at eBay, for a practical and insightful exploration of the future of work and talent management. Danielle, a seasoned leader with more than 15 years of industry experience, shares her journey from recruitment in London to spearheading major talent transformations at eBay and other Fortune 500 companies.This episode dives into Danielle’s blueprint for building a unified talent ecosystem—connecting talent acquisition, development, and management under one strategic umbrella. Learn how she’s championed data-driven approaches, scalable learning initiatives, and internal mobility to keep eBay’s workforce agile, empowered, and ready for what’s next. Danielle also reveals eBay’s tactics for upskilling employees, the impact of live and on-demand learning, and how integrating AI into talent development is reshaping everything from recruitment to coaching.For talent leaders eager to drive sustainable change, Danielle shares actionable advice on sponsorship, communications, and building cross-functional teams. Whether you’re in HR, L&D, or simply passionate about helping people grow, you’ll find tons of value in this candid conversation.Ready to rethink talent development and get inspired to tackle the tough challenges? Let’s jump into the conversation with Danielle Clark.Order Own Your Brand, Own Your Career on AmazonApply to Join us in the Talent Development Think Tank Community!This episode is sponsored by Mento which offers a unique 80/20 mix of coaching and mentorship so that your people can increase performance and success. This episode is also sponsored by LearnIt, which is offering a FREE trial of their TeamPass membership for you and up to 20 team members of your team. Check it out here.Connect with Andy here: Website | LinkedInConnect with Danielle: LinkedInMentioned in this episode:Try Mento for coachingFor coaching with real-world experience, check out Mento.coCheck out Learnit! For fantastic on-demand learning, check out learnit.com/hotseat