ATD Accidental Trainer

In this episode of The Accidental Trainer, global learning partner Elizabeth Fine reaches out to fellow former K-12 teachers looking to transition into the field of training and talent development. The Jr High Dropout on Apple Podcasts The Jr High Dropout on Spotify Elizabeth on LinkedIn  

Executive Director of Quinnovation and ATD author Dr. Clark Quinn joins us for this episode of The Accidental Trainer to discuss his new book, Learning Science for Instructional Designers. We cover how learning science underpins all instructional design work, fills the gaps in learning theories as well as grounds those theories. Don't miss this cognitive-heavy episode with our very own learning doctor. Resources Clark's Book Quinnovator on Twitter Quinnovation.com, Clark on LinkedIn

The key to higher performance isn't perks or programs, but genuine care for employees' well-being.   Mark C. Crowley joins the podcast to share insights from his book The Power of Employee Wellbeing. Drawing on both research and his experience as a manager, Crowley explains why traditional engagement programs often fall short, how to meaningfully measure well-being, and the link between productivity and authentic workplace relationships.  The conversation also explores how to build alignment between managers and employees, gather feedback on your leadership style, and support well-being in both remote and in-person settings. You'll leave this episode with evidence-based practices to elevate performance and strengthen employee satisfaction.  Resources:   LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/markccrowley   Website: https://markccrowley.com/ Book: https://markccrowley.com/the_power_of_employee_well-being/ Fast Company Articles: https://www.fastcompany.com/user/mark-c-crowley    John Gottman's Website: https://www.gottman.com/  

Marty Dubin, a clinical psychologist and author of Blindspotting: How to See What's Holding You Back as a Leader, joins us to explore six leadership blind spots that may be affecting your work: identity, intellect, emotion, motive, traits, and behavior.  These areas offer L&D professionals a framework for strengthening self-awareness and managing the many roles they take on. Marty explains the "why" behind analyzing blind spots, shares actionable steps for adopting new behaviors, and provides strategies to prevent strengths ("gifts") from becoming weaknesses ("gaps"). Drawing on his experience as both entrepreneur and business coach, Marty also discusses the value of emotional agility, the four types of intelligence, and how to align your identity with your role—even amid rapid change.  Resources:   LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/martin-dubin/   Website: https://www.martindubin.com/   Book: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DRZFK8J6?tag=bk00010a-20&th=1&psc=1&geniuslink=true  

When it comes to tackling the bias around age, is the juice worth the squeeze? Our guest, Tonya Wilson, says absolutely.  Tonya, organizational strategist and founder of AFC Consulting Group, joins the podcast to discuss the hidden costs of age discrimination—an issue that drains more than $850 billion from the U.S. economy each year. Tonya debunks myths about older generations, reframes age bias as a change management challenge, and offers suggestions for creating systems that provide growth opportunities for all employers.   Building an ageless workplace begins with auditing processes that may favor younger employees—whether in job descriptions, promotion practices, or workplace culture. From fostering psychological safety to implementing reverse mentorships, Tonya shares research-backed insights on training older generations and reveals how to develop agility as a mindset first.  Reources: Website: https://www.afcconsultinggroup.com/   Blog: https://www.td.org/content/atd-blog/designing-ageless-workplaces-a-strategic-imperative-for-the-future TD article: https://www.td.org/content/td-magazine/the-future-of-work-is-ageless Resource Package: https://resources.afcconsultinggroup.com/unmaskingageism ATD25 Education Session: https://www.td.org/content/conference-recording/unmasking-ageism-raising-awareness-and-shaping-inclusive-talent-development  

Ryan Lufkin, Vice President of Global Academic Strategy at Instructure, joins the podcast to cut through the noise around AI-enabled skill building and explore how this technology can truly support a thriving learning culture. AI is an accelerator, a disruptor, and a powerful tool—but it's not replacing educators any time soon. Ryan shares how AI can work hand-in-hand with human oversight, expand accessibility, and take tedious tasks off your plate. He also offers practical, budget-friendly tools that L&D teams can put to work today. Resources: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ryanlufkin/ Website: https://www.instructure.com/ 

Sabina Nawaz is a global CEO coach, leadership keynote speaker, author, and advisor to C-level executives in Fortune 500 corporations, government agencies, non-profits, and academic institutions. She joins the podcast to discuss themes of leadership from her book, You're the Boss: Become the Manager You Want to Be (and Others Need). As leaders navigate expanding power, increasing pressure to perform, and the impact of their decisions, Sabina offers tools to help mitigate the tension that builds. Whether you're a first-time manager or a seasoned leader, this episode will help you avoid the common pitfalls that can turn even your superpowers into setbacks. Resources: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sabinanawaz/ Website: https://sabinanawaz.com/ Book: https://sabinanawaz.com/book/ 

Many talented learning professionals feel invisible—despite doing incredible work. In this episode, Connie Malamed joins us to explore how to gain visibility by contributing meaningfully to the field. We talk about why visibility matters, how to build credibility without being performative, and the ripple effects of sharing your work. You'll also hear simple, low-pressure ways to raise your profile—whether it's online, inside your organization, or across the L&D field. We break down common barriers like imposter feelings, lack of know-how, and the misconception that visibility is ego-driven. Connie shares practical strategies and ideas—like trying a 30-day visibility experiment or collaborating with peers to take the pressure off—plus plenty of ways to share your work with clarity, intention, and real impact. Resources: Free eMail Crash Course to Elevate Visibility: https://theelearningcoach.com/visibility LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/conniemalamed/ Website: https://theelearningcoach.com/author/connie/ Website: https://masteringid.com   Additional resources mentioned: Tiny Experiments by Ann Laure Le Cunff

Jonathan Halls is an author and consultant who uses learning science to streamline talent development to be digital and focused on business results. In today's episode, Jonathan takes on L&D's Goliath: Bloom's Taxonomy.   If you've written a learning objective before, you've likely used a version of Bloom's Taxonomy. But what if we've been using it in ways it was never meant to be used? What if this framework is creating roadblocks and preventing real learning?    Jonathan guides us through a thoughtful critique of Bloom's and offers an alternative framework for writing learning objectives that actually achieve the desired results.     Resources:   LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jonathanhalls Website: https://jonathanhalls.com/ Books: https://jonathanhalls.com/books/ 

Chelsea C. Williams, Founder & CEO of Reimagine Talent, is an expert on intergenerational talent strategies and the Gen Z workforce. In this episode, Chelsea debunks myths about Gen Z and shares lessons we can learn from the youngest working demographic.  She breaks down what research reveals Gen Z truly values—from transparency and purpose to wellbeing and career development—and reveals the stereotypes that ofen misguide managers. Discover what resonates with young professionals and how leaders can evolve to better engage, retain, and empower early talent in today's dynamic, diverse workplace. Resources: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chelseacwilliams/   Website: https://chelseacwilliams.com/ Reimagine Talent: https://www.reimaginetalentco.com/   Forbe's Content: https://www.forbes.com/councils/forbeshumanresourcescouncil/people/chelseacwilliams/ 

To elevate your training, it's time to take a page from the marketing playbook. In this episode, we're joined by Bianca Baumann and Mike Taylor—co-authors of Think Like a Marketer, Train Like an L&D Pro: Strategies to Ignite Learning—to explore how applying marketing strategies within learning programs can supercharge engagement, drive measurable impact, and secure stakeholder buy-in.  Bianca, VP of Learning Solutions & Innovation at Ardent Learning, and Mike, a learning consultant at Nationwide, share actionable insights on:  Building a program content strategy that captures learner attention  Leveling up with technology and measurement tools Tapping into the emotional drivers that make learning stick  Marketing strategies go beyond boosting program visibility. Learn to create learning experiences that resonate and reframe your L&D mindset through a marketer's lens. Resources: Book: https://www.td.org/product/book--think-like-a-marketer-train-like-an-ld-pro/112507 Website: Bianca: https://www.biancabaumann.com/  Mike: https://mike-taylor.org/ LinkedIn:   Bianca: https://www.linkedin.com/in/biancabaumann/  Mike: https://www.linkedin.com/in/miketaylor/      

Siri Chilazi, senior researcher at the Women and Public Policy Program at Harvard Kennedy School and co-author of Make Work Fair: Data-Driven Design for Real Results, joins the podcast to explore how organizations can meaningfully advance fairness at work.  Drawing on insights from her research and the book, Siri discusses how to drive change even in risk-averse or hesitant environments. She unpacks the difference between fairness and sameness, how to bias-proof training, and what it really takes to embed behavior change into day-to-day decision-making.  From debunking persistent workplace myths to practicing "norm entrepreneurship," Siri offers practical strategies—grounded in data—that leaders and teams can apply right away.  Resources:   LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sirichilazi/  Website: https://sirichilazi.com/  Book: https://sirichilazi.com/books/make-work-fair/ 

Neil Thompson is the founder of Teach the Geek, a company dedicated to helping technical professionals effectively communicate the value of their work to non-technical stakeholders. He joins the podcast to share how anyone with a specialization can sharpen their presentation skills—moving beyond acronyms and jargon that only experts understand.  This conversation also explores what L&D professionals can do when they're on the receiving end of technical lingo. How do you collaborate with a SME who seems to speak a different language? How can you encourage technical workers to embrace soft skill training? And where do we even start when it comes to AI?  Neil answers all of these questions and offers practical tips to solve a common workplace issue: getting too technical.  Resources:   LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/neilithompson/   Website: https://teachthegeek.com/   TD Magazine article (Member-only):  https://www.td.org/content/td-magazine/public-speaking-struggles-for-technical-professionals   YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/teachthegeek 

Jenny Wood, former Google executive and author of Wild Courage: Go After What You Want and Get It, challenges the idea that success means playing it safe. In this episode, she reveals how to reclaim nine so-called "negative" traits—like being selfish, nosy, or even manipulative—and use them to build confidence, influence without authority, and stand out in your career. We explore how these traits play out in risk-averse vs. risk-friendly workplaces, how to apply them in team settings (not just as individuals), and how to avoid Trait Traps that turn strengths into weaknesses. Plus, Jenny tackles skepticism around reframing words like "manipulative" and shares which trait challenged her the most. Resources:   LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jennyilles/   Website: https://itsjennywood.com/ Book: https://itsjennywood.com/book Download Get Promoted Guide: https://itsjennywood.kit.com/7b1b560076   More Tools from Jenny: https://itsjennywood.com/resources  

Seth Godin – acclaimed entrepreneur, bestselling author of This is Strategy: Make Better Plans, and closing keynote speaker at ATD25 – joins the podcast to challenge the way we think about strategy.  What if strategy isn't about rigid plans but about systems, time, and the games we choose to play? What happens when we mistake false proxies for progress? And how can community action and empathy fit into the puzzle of creating change?  Seth shares his perspective on navigating ambiguity, designing upskilling and reskilling strategies for roles that don't yet exist, and building a future-ready workforce.  And for a sweet bonus? A little chocolate talk for dessert. 🍫  Resources:   See Seth live at ATD25: https://atdconference.td.org/  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sethgodin/  This is Strategy: Make Better Plans book: https://seths.blog/tis/  Seth's blog: https://seths.blog/  Website: https://www.sethgodin.com/  

Sarah Mercier is the CEO of Build Capable and the editor of the newly released book, Design for All Learners: Create Accessible and Inclusive Learning Experiences. Sarah joins the podcast to share an inside look into Design for All Learners, revealing why everyone benefits from more inclusive design, and actionable steps you can take immediately to create more accessible content.    Sarah shares chapter sneak-peeks and explains how the story-driven format allows readers to understand accessibility in a new perspective. In addition, the conversation covers advocating for accessibility-focused roles and projects, how to make better design decisions, and going beyond a checklist mentality and basic standard compliance so that every learner can get the most out of your content.  Resources:  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sarahcmercier   Book: https://www.designforallbook.com/ Build Capable: https://www.buildcapable.com/   Episode Transcript: https://share.descript.com/view/h3uEvlW6HvR 

Erin Diehl is a podcast host, a bestselling author, and the CEO of improve it!. In this episode, she discusses how improv shows up in day-to-day life and simple ways to use improv techniques to find success in your work and relationships.  Improv as a strategic tool has a variety of uses, including building company culture, navigating workplace challenges, and reinforcing inclusivity. Try the "yes, and" theory to foster collaboration, the M.O.V.E. O.N. method to turn failure into a learning habit, and the Tomorrow Ready Checklist to set achievable goals.   Resources:  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/erindiehl/ Website: https://www.itserindiehl.com/ Podcast: https://www.learntoimproveit.com/podcast-page  Book: https://www.itserindiehl.com/i-see-you Tomorrow Ready Checklist: https://mailchi.mp/learntoimproveit/the-tomorrow-ready-checklist Other Free Resources: https://www.learntoimproveit.com/free-tools-resources  

Juliana Sawaia is a happiness-at-work scientist, business consultant, and researcher with over 20 years of experience specializing in corporate happiness. On this episode, Julianna explains "why" fostering happiness is imperative not just for individuals, but as a business strategy. Tune in for actionable steps on "how" to cultivate happiness at work, as the conversation explores what the research says about happiness, why psychological safety matters, and practical strategies for getting stakeholder buy-in.  Resources:  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/julianasawaia   Website: https://julianasawaia.com.br/en/  Send a Letter to Future You: https://futureme.com/  The PERMA Model: https://positivepsychology.com/perma-model/  

Jessica Kriegel, Chief Strategy Officer at Culture Partners, is an author, podcast host, and culture expert. She joins the podcast to explore the many trend predictions for 2025, forecast which ones are likely to stick, and discuss how L&D professionals can anticipate changes to their roles.  The conversation delves into the evolving use of AI tools, the future of middle managers, and why the five-day return-to-office (RTO) trend isn't as daunting as it seems. Jessica's insights provide a roadmap of trends that deserve your attention, and practical recommendations to navigate both the expected and unexpected in the year ahead. Resources: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jessicakriegel/   Website: https://www.jessicakriegel.com/   Podcast: https://www.jessicakriegel.com/podcast-3/   Jessica's 2025 Predictions article: https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/my-predictions-2025-workplace-trends-jessica-kriegel-w7mke/ Jessica's Book Recommendation: https://gregsatell.com/cascades/   RTO Article: https://www.smartbrief.com/original/what-the-data-shows-about-return-to-office-mandates    

Executive presence goes beyond confidence and charisma—it's a vital skill for every professional, not just those in the C-Suite. Hilary Blair, cofounder and CEO of ARTiculate Real&Clear, explores the evolving role of executive presence and its particular importance for trainers and instructional designers in the L&D field.  Hilary delves into how executive presence shapes perceptions and challenges stereotypes tied to our "packaging." She also shares strategies for developing an authentic executive presence that aligns with your personality, whether introverted or extroverted, and maintains your individuality. Leverage executive presence to foster stronger relationships, effectively communicate the value of your work, and deliver impactful training presentations.   Resources:   LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/hbarticulate   Website: https://articulaterc.com