Have you ever sat at your desk, physically present but mentally checked out, your stomach in knots, calling in "sick" when you're really just depleted, feeling like you're giving 110% while running on empty? Ryan Giordano knows that feeling intimately, and his journey from the breaking point of burnout to teaching emotional intelligence at Fleetio reveals a radical truth: we massively underestimate how much control we have over our own experience. Ryan shares why 50% of what happens to ...

What happens when your company faces multiple massive changes all at once? Allyson Carr knows exactly what that feels like. As Global HR Chief at Cyber Reason, navigating six months of hyper-change, she reveals why people understand change but struggle with the transition, and why there's a physical toll to transformation that most leaders completely miss. Allyson shares her battle-tested approach: why she hires for human skills over technical expertise at the executive level and ...

What if your next dream job came from a LinkedIn DM instead of a job application? Rachel Bolton landed her role as Director of Global Enterprise Leadership Development at Stanley Black & Decker when a leader reached out after discovering her through her consistent LinkedIn presence. In this episode, Rachel explores the intersection of authentic personal branding and professional growth, revealing how she maintains a vibrant online presence while juggling a demanding L&D ro...

What if the best career move you ever make is the one you didn’t plan for? In this episode, we follow the unexpected journey of Bozena Pajak, who found her way to Duolingo, not through a clear-cut plan, but by following her curiosity. You’ll hear how an interdisciplinary background became her superpower, shaping how millions of people learn languages today. But this story goes beyond career twists; it’s about how we learn, why we stay engaged, and what actually makes learning stick. Fro...

What does a Hollywood screenwriter know about learning design? Turns out, quite a lot. In this episode, Andrew Barry sits down with Lindsey Caplan, founder of The Gathering Effect, whose background in organizational psychology and TV writing gives her a unique lens on how to craft transformative learning experiences. Lindsey unpacks her go-to framework centered on motivation, structure, and storytelling, reveals the biggest mistakes L&D teams make, and introduces her two-by-tw...

What if the rise of AI isn’t making us less human - but demanding that we become more human? As AI accelerates productivity and automates expertise, a surprising truth is emerging: the most irreplaceable professionals aren't competing with machines; they're doubling down on what makes them human. Recorded live at the ATD International Conference & Expo in Washington, D.C., and playfully dubbed the podcast in the park, this special episode brings together powerful voices across L&D and...

What if your company’s biggest performance problem isn’t skill but disconnection? In this episode, we follow Elena Agaragimova’s journey from global leadership coach to founder of ShiftWell.ai, a tool born out of deep frustration with the corporate training status quo. After years of running workshops across continents, Elena began asking a simple but radical question: What if the reason people aren’t engaged isn’t because they’re unmotivated, but because no one’s ever asked what they really ...

In this special episode, Andrew Barry takes us to Workhuman Live in Denver, where he engaged with six forward-thinking leaders across HR, consulting, and academia. Together, they explore how AI is transforming not just the way we create, but also how we influence action. From first-draft generation and rapid prototyping to stress-testing ideas and influencing without authority, these leaders reveal how AI is collapsing the time from idea to execution. Yet, the real game-changer isn't speed - ...

Leah Caseley and Mark Turner never set out to rewrite the rules of leadership development - but that’s exactly what happened when they noticed a dangerous pattern. At LinkedIn, they saw top performers getting promoted into management only to regret it, brilliant individual contributors struggling to lead, and organizations losing talent to poor fits. So they flipped the script. Now, their emerging leaders don’t just train for management - they test it firsthand by gu...

What if the biggest threat to your career isn't AI taking your job, but you preparing for the wrong future? In this special episode, Andrew Barry dives into conversations with eight visionary people leaders who are witnessing the AI revolution unfold in real-time. Recorded live at the Transform Conference in Las Vegas, these aren't your typical "AI will change everything" predictions. These are raw, honest discussions from leaders making tough decisions right now about which skills to ...

Today, we’re joined by Matt Conrad, a sales leader and storyteller who isn’t afraid to take off the armor. In this powerful conversation, Matt opens up about the career setbacks, challenges, and moments of clarity that shaped his leadership journey. In this episode, Matt shares how vulnerability became his superpower and why leading with heart can transform not only teams, but entire cultures. We talk about the importance of curiosity, investing in personal growth, and creating space fo...

Today, we’re joined by Tami Rosen, a trailblazer in talent and transformation, who brings a sharp perspective on how AI is reshaping the workplace and what that means for leaders, teams, and culture. In this episode, Tami dives into the human edge: the adaptability, learning agility, and values-driven mindset that will define successful organizations in an AI-powered world. She explores how companies can foster a culture that embraces experimentation, clarity, and continuous learning an...

Today, we’re joined by Liz Moran, a forward-thinking talent and learning leader with deep experience in building cultures that help people grow, especially in times of change. In this episode, Liz explores how leaders can create space for experimentation, build trust through transparency, and rethink what it means to be “ready” in today’s world of work. We talk about navigating risk and readiness, the mindset shift needed to work alongside AI, and why curiosity and sound judgment are es...

Today, we’re joined by Robyn Ginese, a leadership development expert who’s spent nearly two decades helping people not just show up, but level up. From her early career in higher education to scaling impactful programs in the corporate world, Robyn brings a fresh, people-first perspective on what it really takes to lead. In this episode, Robyn unpacks how metaphor-based, experiential learning programs can unlock confidence, shift mindsets, and create lasting impact. She explores the transitio...

Today, we’re joined by Stephen Ivany, a former professional trombonist turned leadership development expert at Marriott, who brings a unique lens to the evolving world of leadership. In this episode, Stephen shares how his background in music shapes his approach to leadership. He explores the parallels between mastering an instrument and mastering human connection, emphasizing curiosity, mentorship, and the importance of balancing structure with spontaneity. We dive into his belief that emoti...

Send us a textWelcome to another enlightening episode of The Learning Culture Podcast! Today, we're thrilled to have Stefani Okamoto, a veteran in global learning and development with over 23 years of experience at Microsoft, joining us. Stefani has made waves in transforming corporate cultures, particularly with her work under the "Model Coach Care" framework emphasizing inclusive leadership, empathy, and care.In this episode, Stefani delves into her current role at ServiceNow, where she imp...

Send us a textWelcome to another insightful episode of The Learning Culture Podcast! In today’s episode, we sit down with Jennifer Butler, a passionate advocate for leadership growth and human development. Throughout the conversation, we explore the importance of creating impactful learning environments, whether through dramatic initiatives or practical, everyday experiences. Jennifer emphasizes breaking traditional expertise boundaries, fostering internal networks, and balancing the pu...

Send us a textWelcome to another enlightening episode of The Learning Culture Podcast! In today's episode, we sit down with the inspirational Ingrid Hu Dahl, a founder, CEO, and expert in leadership and inclusion. Ingrid delves deep into her unique framework for listening, highlighting the importance of empathetic, non-judgmental engagement to foster creativity and growth. Together, we explore the intricate connections between ego, fear, and early judgment, and how these elements can stifle i...

Send us a textWelcome to another thought-provoking episode of The Learning Culture Podcast! Today we’re diving deep into the transformative power of self-compassion in leadership with our special guest, Massimo Backus. Massimo, a pioneer in advocating for more human-centric leadership, shares insights from his upcoming book, "Human First, Leader Second." Together, we explore the radical shift away from the myth of perfection and control, toward embracing vulnerability and kindness in bot...

Send us a textIn today's episode, we sit down with Lisa Hammack for an insightful conversation that delves deep into the pivotal role of frontline managers and the dynamics of supporting team success. Lisa reflects on her pioneering work at Oracle, where she developed the Global Sales Leader Academy amidst a significant shift from on-premises to cloud-based solutions. The conversation explores leadership forums, town halls, and how involving everyone in strategic decisions fosters a robu...