Bring Out the Talent: A Learning and Development Podcast

Hosted by Maria Melfa & Jocelyn Allen

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Latest episode

Jun 2026

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EN-US

About the show

Tune into The Training Associates (TTA) “Bring Out the Talent” podcast to hear from learning and development talent and partners on their innovative approaches and industry insights. In each episode, TTA’s CEO, Maria Melfa, and Talent Manager, Jocelyn Allen will chat with subject matter experts and bring you casual, yet insightful conversations. Maria and Jocelyn use their unique blend of industry experience and humor to interview the L&D industry’s most influential people, latest topics, and powerful stories. Each episode has important takeaways that will help to create a culture of continuous learning within your organization. Tune in as we Bring Out The Talent!

Listen to episodes

60 recent

June 9, 202643 min

Strengths, Team Dynamics, and the Hidden Side of High Performance

Every team is made up of people who think differently, communicate differently, solve problems differently, and contribute in very different ways. Yet in many workplaces, there is still an unspoken expectation that everyone should operate the same way.That is why strengths-based development has become such an important conversation for organizations and leaders. Gallup research has consistently found that employees who have the opportunity to use their strengths every day are significantly more engaged, more productive, and more likely to thrive at work. Understanding how people naturally work, collaborate, respond under pressure, and contribute to a team can completely change the way teams communicate, partner, and perform together.In this episode of Bring Out the Talent, we explore how CliftonStrengths can help individuals and teams better understand working styles, improve collaboration, and recognize both the advantages and potential blind spots that can come with our greatest strengths. We’re joined by Chris Soucy, a Certified CliftonStrengths trainer and career development specialist. Chris spent nearly a decade at Harvard University’s Center for Workplace Development as a Program Manager for Leader and Manager Development, where he served as Lead Instructor for foundational leadership programs and designed courses to strengthen management practices across the university.Chris recently facilitated an in-person strengths workshop for our TTA team. The conversations that came out of that session sparked so much reflection around communication, contribution styles, and team dynamics that we wanted to continue the discussion here on Bring Out the Talent and share those insights with our audience as well.

May 12, 202645 min

The AI-Powered Coach: Driving Performance at Scale

AI is changing the way organizations think about performance, coaching, and day-to-day work. Yet for many teams, the challenge is not simply adopting new technology. It’s understanding how to use AI in a way that feels practical and genuinely useful for the people doing the work. In this episode of Bring Out the Talent, we’re joined by Tim Harrison, executive coach, founder of the Coaching Innovation Lab, and one of eight experts selected for the International Coaching Federation’s Global Task Force on AI. Tim works with organizations to help leaders and teams integrate AI into their workflows in ways that support growth, strengthen capability, and keep humans at the center of the process. We discuss how organizations can build confidence with AI, where leaders often get adoption wrong, and why the people closest to the work are often best positioned to discover meaningful use cases. Tim also shares his “Do GOOD DEEDS” framework, a practical approach to experimenting with AI in ways that create measurable value without overwhelming teams. Throughout the episode, we discuss how AI can amplify human strengths rather than replace them, why access and experimentation matter more than perfection, and how organizations can move from fear and hesitation to curiosity and momentum. From executive coaching and leadership development to productivity, workflow design, and organizational change, this conversation focuses on what AI adoption actually looks like in practice today. To learn more about Tim and his expertise in AI, explore more here. https://coachinginnovationlab.com/bringoutthetalent

April 7, 202642 min

The AI Learning Revolution: Moving from Participation to Proficiency

In this episode of Bring Out the Talent, we explore The AI Learning Revolution and what it takes to move beyond participation to true proficiency. This conversation introduces a model built on accountability, where AI and human expertise work together to elevate performance and reshape how organizations develop talent in real time.Joining us is Ed Lance, an expert AI trainer and practitioner with over 25 years of experience designing talent systems for high-stakes environments, including NASA and the U.S. Army. Ed brings a rare combination of strategic insight and technical depth, staying actively engaged in the code while helping organizations rethink how learning drives performance.Together, we unpack the “80% rule” for mastery, what it looks like to embed learning directly into the flow of work, and how AI-generated data is giving L&D and HR leaders a new level of visibility into skill development. The result is a clearer, more measurable path to proving readiness and impact at the executive level. Tune in and discover how AI is redefining what effective learning really looks like.

March 10, 202642 min

The Emotional Side of Leadership: How the 12 Emotional Gifts Shape Teams, Culture, and Performance

In this episode of Bring Out the Talent, we’re talking about something that quietly drives almost everything at work but rarely gets measured in a meaningful way: emotion. Most leadership tools focus on what people think, what they do, or how they perform. Very few look at what people actually feel, even though emotions drive motivation, trust, engagement, and culture.In this episode, we discuss the 12 Emotional Gifts of Leadership and the AgileBrain framework, which uses neuroscience and emotional data to reveal what individuals, teams, and organizations really need in order to thrive. Joining us is a certified AgileBrain trainer and a returning Bring Out the Talent favorite, Lynn Turner. Lynn works with leaders and organizations using this approach, helping them better understand what is really happening beneath the surface and how to lead in ways that truly resonate with people. We’re going to explore how emotional needs like Safety, Autonomy, Inclusion, and Justice show up in real workplaces, what happens when they go unmet, and how leaders can start creating cultures where people genuinely want to do their best work.

February 17, 202646 min

A Casual Conversation: Inside TTA Connect

In this episode, we sit down with TTA leaders John Laverdure, Michael Aguirre, Jocelyn Allen, and Maria Melfa to explore how organizations are redefining the way they discover and engage talent, and why that shift led to the creation of TTA Connect.Today’s decision makers want greater control over how they evaluate options. Many prefer to research independently, compare choices, and build confidence before ever entering a sales conversation. At the same time, expert guidance still matters when decisions become complex or high stakes. The modern buying journey is no longer purely sales driven or purely digital, it is a hybrid experience shaped by flexibility and trust.We discuss how TTA Connect was built for this new reality. By combining AI powered technology with more than 30 years of TTA’s vetting expertise and relationships, it delivers a faster, more transparent way to explore learning and development talent while maintaining the quality and partnership organizations expect.This conversation unpacks the data behind changing decision behavior, what it means for organizations navigating skills gaps and AI transformation, and how TTA Connect brings together self-directed discovery and trusted human insight.

January 13, 202645 min

Revitalize Employee Onboarding: How Agile Thinking Helps Low-Energy Programs Deliver Results

Organizations invest heavily in recruiting top talent, but without effective onboarding, much of that investment is at risk. In fact, companies with strong onboarding programs improve new hire retention by up to 82% and boost productivity by over 70%. The good news? With the right approach, onboarding can become one of the most powerful drivers of culture and performance.In this episode of Bring Out the Talent, we’re joined by Shauna Bona, a learning strategist and organizational development leader who has helped companies transform low-energy onboarding into programs that truly deliver results. With deep expertise in designing experiences that blend strategy, adaptability, and creativity, Shauna brings practical insights into how organizations can energize new hires from day one.This conversation is all about how agile thinking can revitalize onboarding programs that feel stale or uninspired. From spotting the warning signs of a program that’s lost momentum, to building in continuous feedback loops, to balancing consistency with adaptability, Shauna shares actionable strategies leaders can use to turn onboarding into a long-term engine for engagement, productivity, and success.Tune in for an insightful discussion that will leave you rethinking the role of onboarding in shaping employee experience and organizational outcomes.

December 9, 202548 min

Change Management: What Do You Do When It Goes Wrong?

What do stalled initiatives, employee resistance, and missed business outcomes all have in common? They’re often signs that change management has gone wrong. In this episode of Bring Out the Talent, we’re joined by Carrie Quick, a senior human capital, operations, and business development leader with over 23 years of multi-industry experience. Throughout her career, Carrie has guided organizations through complex transformations, helping leaders align people, process, and strategy when the stakes are high and the path forward isn’t always clear.This conversation is all about what happens when change doesn’t go as planned. From recognizing the early warning signs to turning setbacks into opportunities for growth, Carrie offers real-world insights that leaders can apply when facing their toughest change challenges. Tune in for a candid, practical discussion that will reshape how you think about failure, resilience, and leading people through uncertainty.

November 14, 202550 min

Setting the Stage for Success: Onboarding and Orientation Strategies

Starting a new job should feel energizing, not overwhelming. Yet research shows that nearly 30% of new hires leave within their first 90 days, a costly miss that often traces back to ineffective onboarding and orientation. Even more telling, only 12% of employees believe their company provides a great onboarding experience, which means most people feel the system fails them at exactly the moment they need it most. And considering that organizations with a strong onboarding process improve new hire retention by 82% and productivity by over 70%, the stakes for getting it right are high. In this episode of Bring Out the Talent, we’re joined by Dr. Mechelle Roberthon, a nationally recognized HR and organizational development leader, keynote speaker, and consultant. With over 15 years of experience helping organizations strengthen culture and elevate employee experience, Dr. Rob is known for her practical, people-first approach that turns talent strategies into measurable business impact. This conversation is about shifting onboarding and orientation from administrative necessity into strategic advantage. From blending compliance with culture to designing orientation that truly resonates, Dr. Rob shares strategies leaders can use to set employees up for long-term success. Get ready for a future-focused discussion that will reshape how you think about onboarding, orientation, and those critical first chapters of the employee journey.

October 7, 202546 min

Driving Positive Leadership in Today's Workplace

What do higher productivity, stronger trust, and healthier cultures all have in common? They’re all fueled by one thing: positive leadership. In this episode of Bring Out the Talent, we’re joined by Jason Murphy, President and Chief Consultant of JRM Human Capital, keynote speaker, executive coach, and master facilitator. For over 25 years, Jason has helped Fortune 500 companies, mid-sized firms, and mission-driven organizations unlock the full potential of their people by making leadership a lived experience. Known for his energy, authenticity, and #EveryDayGreatDay mantra, he’s inspired leaders around the globe to transform how they lead, connect, and grow. This conversation is all about what it really takes to drive positive leadership in today’s workplace. From closing the gaps in clarity, connection, commitment, and care to shutting out negativity and fueling teams with purpose, Jason offers practical steps that leaders can put into action right away.Get ready for an engaging, energizing discussion that will leave you rethinking how positivity can transform performance, culture, and leadership at every level.

September 16, 202544 min

Driving Innovation Through Strategic Leadership

What do billion-dollar innovation, a global marketplace, and bold leadership have in common? They were all driven by one thing: strategic leadership. In this episode of Bring Out the Talent, we’re joined by John Rossman, former Amazon executive and author of Big Bet Leadership: Your Transformation Playbook for Winning in the Hyper-Digital Era. John led the launch of Amazon Marketplace, now responsible for over half of Amazon’s global sales, and has since guided high-impact transformation at organizations like T-Mobile, the Gates Foundation, and Walmart.This conversation is all about what it really takes to drive innovation and transformation at scale. From identifying strategic opportunities to breaking through organizational inertia, John offers a behind-the-scenes look at how leaders can make bold moves without losing alignment, culture, or control. Tune in for a sharp, energizing conversation that’ll challenge the way you think about leadership.