With an overwhelming abundance of skilling content and the rise of AI in talent development, what does effective employee support look like today—and what should organizations focus on? In this episode of the Talent Development Leader podcast, Lindsay Witcher, Global Leader at Randstad RiseSmart, discusses the evolving landscape of career development and the increasingly critical role of talent and learning leaders in building environments where employees can thrive. Listen here to learn what current research reveals about employee expectations around career growth, how to empower overwhelmed managers and create personalized development pathways, the strategic role of learning and development in a noisy ecosystem, and the impact of AI on career development strategies in 2025.

In this episode of the Talent Development Leader podcast, explore the power and pitfalls of performance feedback with renowned organizational psychologists Dr. Sandra Mashihi and Dr. Ken Nowack. With decades of experience in leadership development, coaching, and behavioral science, Sandra and Ken explore how feedback can fuel employee engagement, organizational culture, and business performance—when done right. From the neuroscience behind defensive reactions to feedback, to the essential elements that drive real behavior change, this conversation unpacks the disconnects between leaders and employees, and offers a clear, research-backed model for making feedback more effective. As a people leader and talent development professional, you'll walk away with practical strategies for building a feedback culture grounded in psychological safety and self-awareness.

Don’t miss Amy on the main stage at ATD25. Register now to join us in D.C.: https://www.td.org/pre-checkout/atd25

In this special bonus episode of the Talent Development Leader podcast, we’re joined by renowned Harvard Business School professor and bestselling author, Amy C. Edmondson—the Novartis Professor of Leadership and Management and a keynote speaker at ATD25 in Washington, D.C. this May.

Amy shares powerful insights from her latest book, The Right Kind of Wrong: The Science of Failing Well. She explores why failure is so difficult for many, identifying aversion, confusion, and fear as core barriers. She breaks down the concept of intelligent failure and offers practical strategies for learning from setbacks, building resilience, and fostering cultures where thoughtful risk-taking is encouraged.

Guest host Jennifer Homer, ATD’s vice president of career development, leads this thoughtful conversation, which builds on Amy’s groundbreaking work on psychological safety and its critical role in talent development.

In a world of constant disruption and rapid change, how can leaders and organizations build resilience, adaptability, and success? In this episode of ATD's Talent Development Leader, Karen Hough, Founder & CEO of ImprovEdge, explores the intersection of improvisation, neuroscience, and business strategy to help talent development leaders thrive through uncertainty. Uncover practical strategies for fostering agility, embracing the unexpected, and leading with confidence. From real-world success stories to actionable insights, this podcast is your guide to navigating change with creativity, resilience, and a “Yes, And” mindset.

In today’s world of work, leadership demands more than just vision—it requires courage. In this episode of ATD's Talent Development Leader podcast, Angela Cheng-Cimini, an accomplished HR leader with three decades of experience across industries, and currently the fractional Head of HR for The Chronicle of Philanthropy, describes the concept of organizational courage. Angela explains what courage looks like in the workplace, how it differs from psychological safety, and why it’s a critical skill for today’s leaders. Tune in to learn actionable strategies to cultivate courage, key behaviors of courageous organizations, and surprising insights from Angela's latest research.

In this episode of ATD's Talent Development Leader podcast, Julio Zelaya, an Amazon bestselling author, EdTech innovator, and business transformation leader, describes the evolving role of AI in education, the latest trends in learning technologies, and strategies for talent development leaders to scale personalized learning in today’s dynamic workforce. Julio shares insights from his research at the University of Pennsylvania, his work at The RBL Group, and his experience co-founding EdTech ventures like Escolaris and Bright Domino. Listen to learn about the ethical considerations of AI-driven learning, the impact of emerging technologies on organizational development, and the groundbreaking Talent Development Executive Certificate program he’s co-facilitating with ATD and University of Pennsylvania Graduate School of Education.

In this episode of ATD's Talent Development Leader podcast, Amii Barnard-Bahn, a former Fortune 5 executive and CHRO, and a consultant and coach to the C-Suite, talks about imposter phenomenon. She explains the history of imposter phenomenon and describes a helpful tool to diagnose it. Learn what it feels like to experience imposter phenomenon and how to distinguish it from low self-esteem or low-confidence. And gain practical tips for taming your inner critic, embracing normal self-doubts, and taking advantage of discomfort to learn and grow.

In this episode of ATD's Talent Development Leader podcast, Lou Tedrick, Vice President of Global Learning & Development at Verizon, explains how she has seen the learning & development and talent leadership roles evolve over her career, and what she predicts for the future of the profession. She describes lessons learned and insights gained as she embarks on a new chapter in her career. And she offers practical advice to listeners who aspire to lead talent development in their organizations.