ATD Accidental Trainer

If "high performance" leads to long nights, little recovery time, and feelings of burnout, then it's time we rethink our relationship to work. In this episode, Kate Zipay, Associate Professor of Management and Associate Director of Research & Impact at the Purdue Center for Working Well, and Allie Gabriel, the Thomas J. Howatt Chair in Management and Director of the Purdue Center for Working Well, explore how we can break the cycle of depletion and fundamentally change our work culture. The conversation explores the idea of "intuitive working," explaining why some work feels more like eating a bag of chips than meaningful progress. Kate and Allie challenge organizations to stop rewarding overwork as a sign of commitment and provide practical ways L&D can help people work more intentionally for the benefit of themselves and their organization. Resources: See Allie and Kate at ATD Core4: https://core4.td.org/keynote-speakers/  Thinkers50: https://thinkers50.com/biographies/kate-zipay-allison-gabriel/ Substack: https://payingattentionwork.substack.com/  Kate's Website: https://www.katezipay.com/  Allie's Website: https://www.allisongabriel.com/  Matches Measure: A Burnout Assessment Tool: https://profcindymuir.com/matchesmeasure Books Mentioned: Hope Is the Strategy: The Underrated Skill That Transforms Work, Leadership, and Wellbeing by Jen Fisher Thinking Fast and Slow by Daniel Kahneman

In a time of shrinking budgets, shifting priorities, and constant change, creativity can feel like a luxury. Josh Penzell, founder of Imagination Applied, argues it's exactly the opposite. Drawing on his background in theater, training, and AI, Josh explores why learning experiences should function more like rehearsal rooms than lectures, and why AI works best as a creative collaborator rather than simply a productivity tool. This episode discusses artistic intelligence, the power of the "magic if," and what learning professionals can borrow from directors, actors, and performers. Along the way, Josh shares practical ideas for building teams where creativity can thrive, rethinking stakeholder conversations, and designing experiences that lead to meaningful behavior change. If you've ever felt constrained by limited resources, uncertainty, or the pressure to do more with less, this conversation offers a fresh perspective on creativity, collaboration, and what's possible when we stop searching for the right answer and start asking better questions. Resources: Josh's Website: https://www.joshpenzell.com/  Josh's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/josh-penzell 

In this episode of ATD Accidental Trainer, Megan Torrence, founder of TorrenceLearning and author of AI Implementation Guide for Learning and Development, explores why learning professionals are uniquely positioned to lead AI adoption across their organizations. Megan explains the three AI impact zones every learning professional should understand during AI adoption and how L&D can influence technology initatives through trust, strategy, and thoughtful design. She also introduces her W.I.S.E.A.T.A.I. framework for responsible AI use, explains how her AI Implementation Canvas helps cross-functional teams ask the right questions before rolling out new technology, and teases what else listeners can expect from her new book. Resources: Megan's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/megantorrance  Megan's Website: https://www.torrancelearning.com/  Megan's Book: https://www.td.org/product/book--the-ai-implementation-guide-for-ld/112609  ATD AI Intensive: https://atdintensive.td.org/ 

Tonya Tucker Collins, Head of Talent and Growth at Intersect, joins the podcast live from ATD26 in Los Angeles. Tonya shares what it truly means to think and design like a strategist, tackling one very important question: What separates a training program that checks a box from one that drives real business impact? The conversation explores why great learning design alone isn't enough to gain buy-in and how L&D professionals can increase strategic impact by reading the signals from the organization's culture, program data, and your stakeholder relationships. You'll also learn practical tips for using prototypes and pilots to improve learning solutions, identifying the right champions to help your strategy, and determining whether an existing program should be maintained, enhanced, or completely redesigned. Resources: Tonya's LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/tonya-t-tucker-collins-shrm-scp

In this episode of ATD Accidental Trainer, learning expert, facilitator, and coach Moe Poirier explores the power of bringing your authentic facilitation strengths into the training room. Moe shares why facilitation isn't just a skill, but an expression of who you are and the gifts you bring to learners.  The conversation dives into Moe's five facilitator personas model (the Sensei, Drill Sergeant, Superhero, Confidant, and Jester) and explains how understanding your natural strengths can help you adapt to the learners and create more meaningful learning experiences. Moe also shares practical insights on reading the room, balancing structure with play, and designing training that creates connection and transformation. Resources: Moe's Website: https://shiftfacilitation.com/ Order Moe's Book: https://www.td.org/product/book--the-five-personas-of-facilitation/112610  Moe's LinkedIn: https://ca.linkedin.com/in/moepoirier  Discover ATD26: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLvUGjRiQsE45OPmr64Tvt-XYTfnP7wnSL