Empowering Employees to Own Their Careers and Brands with Maura Lemon, The Talent Whisperer

In this episode of Talent Development Hot Seat, host Andy Storch speaks with Maura Lemon, known as the “Talent Whisperer,” who leads Learning and Development at FDH Aero and serves as president of ATD Los Angeles. With a background that includes Disney and executive recruiting, Maura shares her unique journey into talent development and how she built her personal brand.She introduces her RAD Talent framework—Resilient, Adaptable, and Driven—and explains how organizations can recruit, develop, and retain strong talent. Maura also discusses the importance of creating a supportive learning culture, empowering employees to take ownership of their careers, leveraging internal talent, and preparing for the growing influence of AI. She highlights why psychological safety and effective leadership are key to helping both people and organizations succeed.I hope you enjoy it! As always you can learn more and connect with me on my website (andystorch.com) or LinkedIn. And you can find my books - Own Your Career Own Your Life and Own Your Brand, Own Your Career - on Amazon.Connect with Maura Lemon: LinkedInMentioned in this episode:Thanks for listeningThanks again for listening. You can find more information about me and everything I do on my website: andystorch.com

Today is March 17, 2026, and I am officially turning 46. I wanted to take a moment to step away from the "hustle" and the constant drive for the next goal to simply say thank you. Thank you for listening, for being part of my network, and for allowing me to share my journey with you.I’m recording this from my home in Spain, with my dog at my feet and my family nearby, feeling incredibly lucky—but also incredibly proud of the progress I’ve made.I hope you enjoy it! As always you can learn more and connect with me on my website (andystorch.com) or LinkedIn. And you can find my books - Own Your Career Own Your Life and Own Your Brand, Own Your Career - on Amazon.

Andy Storch sits down with Allyson Roote, Vice President of Learning and Organizational Development at the Bonadio Group. Allyson Roote shares her inspiring journey from studying psychology and working with an executive coach, to leading a thriving L&D function at a major professional services firm.In this conversation, we dive into how Allyson Roote built Bonadio’s learning and development team from the ground up, scaling from a solo role to a team of nine—even expanding internationally. She explains the importance of relationships, taking a consultative approach to internal learning, and tying learning outcomes directly to performance results. We explore the innovative quarterly business reviews she’s implemented, her leadership development framework, Manager and Principal Development Programs, future leaders academy, and her latest initiative—Amplifier, an adaptive AI-powered learning platform.I hope you enjoy it! As always you can learn more and connect with me on my website (andystorch.com) or LinkedIn. And you can find my books - Own Your Career Own Your Life and Own Your Brand, Own Your Career - on Amazon.Connect with Allyson Roote: LinkedInMentioned in this episode:Thanks for listeningThanks again for listening. You can find more information about me and everything I do on my website: andystorch.com

In this episode Andy Storch explores the rapidly changing world of HR technology with guest Phil Strazzulla, founder of Select Software Reviews. Phil shares his journey from venture capital to HR tech, the story behind SSR, and how the platform helps HR teams confidently choose the right software at no cost. Together, they discuss key trends like platform consolidation, AI’s growing role, and adaptive learning in L&D, along with practical advice on evaluating tools, building a business case, and ensuring successful implementation—plus live insights from Christopher McCormick.So if you're wrestling with vendor choices, striving for better ROI from your HR platforms, or curious about where HR tech is headed, you won't want to miss this episode!I hope you enjoy it! As always you can learn more and connect with me on my website (andystorch.com) or LinkedIn. And you can find my books - Own Your Career Own Your Life and Own Your Brand, Own Your Career - on Amazon.Connect with Phil Strazzulla: LinkedInConnect with Christopher McCormick: LinkedInConnect with Emma Strong: LinkedInMentioned in this episode:Thanks for listeningThanks again for listening. You can find more information about me and everything I do on my website: andystorch.com

In this episode, I am talking with my friend, Al Dea, who is an expert on talent development and the future of work. In this conversation, we are doing a deep dive into the latest trends shaping the future of work. Al Dea, known for his research and consulting at Edge of Work and as a LinkedIn Top Voice, brings fresh insights from his recent report, where he interviewed over 40 talent and learning leaders across Fortune 1000 organizations.Together, we unpack what’s top of mind in talent development right now from navigating constant change, embracing AI, and building adaptable leadership pipelines, to the rising importance of skills-based talent strategies. Hear candid stories about the challenges of implementing new technologies, the evolving role of managers, and why a blend of “deep tech” and “deep human” skills will define the talent profession’s next chapter.I hope you enjoy it! As always you can learn more and connect with me on my website (andystorch.com) or LinkedIn. And you can find my books - Own Your Career Own Your Life and Own Your Brand, Own Your Career - on Amazon.Connect with Al Dea: LinkedIn

Today I'm sharing a short solo episode from my other podcast, The Andy Storch Show, all about the trade-offs between collaborating or working alone. I was reflecting on this beacuse how different it has been working on books on my own vs. with a partner. I wonder if you can relate. You can listen to more episodes on The Andy Storch Show now on Apple or Spotify or anywhere you listen to podcasts. You can also find more insights and sign up for our newsletter at: http://www.talentdevelopmenthotseat.com/

Welcome back to The Talent Development Hot Seat! In this episode, host Andy Storch sits down with Dr. David Morelli, co-founder and CEO of Owl Hub, to explore the evolving landscape of coaching in talent development. With decades of experience in organizational psychology and leadership assessment, David Morelli shares his journey from semi-pro volleyball player to executive coach and leadership innovator.Together, they dive into the importance of building a true coaching culture within organizations—one where managers are empowered to coach more effectively, not just rely on outside experts. David Morelli unpacks the groundbreaking Respect Coaching Styles Assessment, a tool that's already making waves at Fortune 500 companies, and explains the seven distinct coaching styles that can transform the way leaders support their teams.Andy Storch and David Morelli discuss why most coaching breaks down in organizations, how to scale coaching beyond top executives, and what it really takes to meet employees where they are. Whether you’re a talent development professional, a people leader, or just passionate about helping others grow, this conversation is packed with actionable insights on personalizing coaching, overcoming common pitfalls, and future-proofing your leadership strategy in the age of AI and skills-based transformation.Get ready for a deep dive into what it means to unlock the full potential of your people—and yourself—through the power of coaching. I hope you enjoy it! As always you can learn more and connect with me on my website (andystorch.com) or LinkedIn. And you can find my books - Own Your Career Own Your Life and Own Your Brand, Own Your Career - on Amazon. Connect with David Morelli: LinkedIn

Subscribe to The Andy Storch Show on Apple or Spotify You can learn more about the Talent Development Think Tank Community here As always you can learn more and connect with me on my website (andystorch.com) or LinkedIn. And you can find my books - Own Your Career Own Your Life and Own Your Brand, Own Your Career - on Amazon.

Welcome back to the Talent Development Hot Seat podcast! In this episode, I am talking with Siska D'hoore, Head of HR at the National Bank of Belgium. With over 20 years of experience spanning IT, banking, government, and work across three continents, Siska brings a wealth of insight into human resources strategy, talent management, learning and development, and diversity, equity, and inclusion.In this conversation, we dive into the challenges and opportunities of leading HR in a highly regulated, multilingual, and hybrid work environment. Siska shares her unique journey from engineering to HR leadership, the bank’s innovative approach to onboarding and leadership development, and how they navigate Belgium’s complex landscape with three national languages. They also explore the realities of return-to-office mandates, strategies for building an inclusive workplace that goes beyond gender, and the future of AI in HR at a central banking institution.As always you can learn more and connect with me on my website (andystorch.com) or LinkedIn. And you can find my books - Own Your Career Own Your Life and Own Your Brand, Own Your Career - on Amazon.Connect with Siska D'Hoore: LinkedInMentioned in this episode:Thanks for listeningThanks again for listening. You can find more information about me and everything I do on my website: andystorch.com

Welcome to the first episode of 2026 on The Talent Development Hot Seat Podcast! Join host Andy Storch for a solo deep dive into the six (plus a bonus!) biggest trends shaping talent development this year and beyond.In this episode, Andy Storch shares actionable insights and strategies informed by countless conversations with industry leaders—and even some innovative advising from his custom ChatGPT! Discover what organizations, L&D teams, and individual professionals MUST focus on to thrive in a rapidly evolving workplace.What you'll learn:Why "AI readiness" is about more than just tools—and how to create a growth mindset for tech adoption.The shift from roles to skills: How to actually execute as a skills-based organization (not just talk about it).Career ownership as the new retention strategy—in a world where promotions are slower and organizations are flatter.Coaching at scale: Managers as key drivers of employee engagement, performance, and growth.How L&D professionals can move from content creators to strategic business advisors.The essential role of personal brand—why visibility and reputation inside organizations are now business assets.BONUS: Why human skills will be the ultimate differentiator in a tech-dominated future.This episode is packed with real-world examples, practical frameworks, and resources for anyone responsible for talent development—or those simply interested in owning their career amid change.Grab the quick one-sheet summary of these 2026 trends at:https://talentdevelopmenthotseat.com/Hit ‘Subscribe’ for more expert discussions, practical strategies, and future-focused talent development insights!Talent Development, L&D, Learning and Development, Andy Storch, Future of Work, AI Readiness, Career Ownership, Coaching at Scale, Skills-Based Organization, Personal Brand, Employee Engagement, HR Trends, Workplace Innovation, Human Skills, Strategic Advisor, Talent Management, Leadership Development, Career Growth, Professional Development, Organizational Culture, Retention Strategies, Corporate Learning, Amazon, Allstate, BetterUp, ATD PressConnect with Andy:Website: https://andystorch.com/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andystorch/My books: https://www.amazon.com/stores/Andy-Storch/author/B08NF9QPFY?ref=sr_ntt_srch_lnk_2&qid=1767699536&sr=8-2&shoppingPortalEnabled=true