The Talent Development Hot Seat - The #1 podcast for L&D Professionals

Hosted by Andy Storch

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300

Latest episode

Jun 2026

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About the show

The Talent Development Hot Seat podcast is a show dedicated to helping you develop the most important part of your organization – the people! Each week, Andy shares interviews with Talent Development professionals, thought leaders, and experts to share best practices, learn about the latest trends and find out what has been successful in the world of talent development. This podcast and community are designed to enable you to be successful in the world of Talent Development. If you work in Learning and Development (L&D) this is the podcast for you Be sure to check out our website and join our membership community to learn more and connect with other exceptional talent development professionals. http://www.talentdevelopmenthotseat.com/

Listen to episodes

60 recent

June 16, 202638 min

The New Employee Contract: Why Career Growth and Transparency Matter More Than Ever with Tatiana G

In this episode, Tatiana Goldberg shares insights from more than 20 years in HR, talent management, and leadership development. She explores how the employer-employee relationship is evolving, why career growth has become the most important retention factor, and how organizations must rethink talent mobility, leadership development, and performance management in a rapidly changing world.Tatiana also discusses the impact of AI on early-career talent, the importance of business acumen for talent professionals, and why performance management systems are among the strongest drivers of organizational culture. Throughout the conversation, she emphasizes that behind every business challenge lies a talent challenge—and that talent leaders sit at the center of business success.I hope you enjoy it! As always you can learn more and connect with me on my website (andystorch.com) or LinkedIn. And you can find my books - Own Your Career Own Your Life and Own Your Brand, Own Your Career - on Amazon.Connect Tatiana Goldberg: linkedin

June 2, 202634 min

Leadership Development Lessons from Nike, Google, and Amazon with Vic Smith

Andy Storch sits down with leadership development expert Vic Smith to unpack what truly makes great managers and high-performing workplace cultures. Drawing from leadership development experience at Nike, Google, and Amazon, Vic shares why most leadership training programs fail, how organizations can actually drive behavior change, and why investing in managers is now a business imperative. The conversation explores modern leadership challenges, the impact of AI on management, culture transformation, coaching conversations, career development, and the critical role managers play in employee engagement and retention. If you lead people, build leadership programs, or work in learning & development, this episode is packed with actionable insights for building stronger leaders in today’s evolving workplace.I hope you enjoy it! As always you can learn more and connect with me on my website (andystorch.com) or LinkedIn. And you can find my books - Own Your Career Own Your Life and Own Your Brand, Own Your Career - on Amazon.Connect with Vic Smith: LinkedIn

May 19, 202639 min

How Sanjit Kaur is Transforming HR Through Culture, Leadership & Employee Experience at Cox Automotive UK

Andy Storch sits down with Sanjit Kaur to discuss how modern HR leaders can drive business transformation through culture, leadership development, and intentional employee experience. Sanjit shares her journey from frontline contact center roles into executive HR leadership, emphasizing the importance of understanding the business, speaking the language of leadership, and aligning people strategy with organizational growth.Throughout the conversation, Sanjit explores how Cox Automotive is transforming its HR function through technology modernization, inclusive people practices, leadership development programs, and investment in future workforce skills. She highlights the importance of creating safe spaces, empowering middle managers, building a strong learning culture, and preparing employees for the evolving impact of AI and digital transformation. The discussion ultimately centers on one key message: intentional cultures and continuous learning are essential for building engaged teams and future-ready organizations.I hope you enjoy it! As always you can learn more and connect with me on my website (andystorch.com) or LinkedIn. And you can find my books - Own Your Career Own Your Life and Own Your Brand, Own Your Career - on Amazon.Connect with Sanjit Kaur: LinkedIn

May 5, 202636 min

Building Leadership Stability and Neuro Resilience with Angus Nelson

Andy Storch speaks with Angus Nelson about why many high-performing leaders feel stuck in today’s fast-changing environment, despite having the experience and capability to succeed. They explore how traditional approaches like pushing harder and doing more are no longer effective as pressure, complexity, and expectations continue to rise. Angus explains that the real challenge is not effort, but internal capacity, and how an outdated “operating system” shaped by past experiences can limit how leaders think, respond, and perform.The conversation also dives into the role of identity and mindset in leadership growth, emphasizing that success at the next level requires becoming a different version of yourself. In addition, they highlight the importance of nervous system regulation, showing how stress and reactivity can impact decision-making and communication. Together, these insights offer a practical perspective on how leaders can stay clear, adapt to change, and perform more effectively under sustained pressure.I hope you enjoy it! As always you can learn more and connect with me on my website (andystorch.com) or LinkedIn. And you can find my books - Own Your Career Own Your Life and Own Your Brand, Own Your Career - on Amazon.Connect with Angus Nelson: LinkedIn

April 21, 202637 min

Leadership, Culture, and Career Mobility with Johanna Hummer, VP of Global People Success at Opella

Andy Storch speaks with Johanna Hummer, VP of Global People Success at Opella, about building a new company culture after its spin-off from Sanofi.They explore the challenges and opportunities of transformation, the importance of leadership and well-being, and how Opella is evolving its talent and learning strategies. Johanna also shares her passion for developing young and female leaders in today’s workplace.You’ll gain practical insights on navigating large-scale change, fostering an inclusive culture, and preparing teams for the future of work. Whether you’re a leader or an individual contributor, this conversation offers valuable takeaways to support your growth.I hope you enjoy it! As always you can learn more and connect with me on my website (andystorch.com) or LinkedIn. And you can find my books - Own Your Career Own Your Life and Own Your Brand, Own Your Career - on Amazon.Connect with Johanna Hummer: LinkedIn

April 7, 202636 min

Transforming Meetings and Management with Mamie Stewart: Practical Insights for Modern Leaders

In this episode, Andy Storch sits down with Mamie Kanfer Stewart—founder of Meteor and The Modern Manager, executive coach, and author of Momentum. With nearly two decades of experience, she shares practical insights on improving management, meetings, and workplace dynamics.They dive into one of the biggest workplace challenges: meetings—what makes them effective versus time-wasting, and how to set clear outcomes while involving the right people. Mamie also explores what it means to be a modern manager, from leading remote teams and navigating cultural differences to building essential skills like feedback, delegation, and conflict management.I hope you enjoy it! As always you can learn more and connect with me on my website (andystorch.com) or LinkedIn. And you can find my books - Own Your Career Own Your Life and Own Your Brand, Own Your Career - on Amazon.Connect With Mamie Kanfer Stewart: LinkedIn

March 24, 202641 min

Empowering Employees to Own Their Careers and Brands with Maura Lemon, The Talent Whisperer

In this episode of Talent Development Hot Seat, host Andy Storch speaks with Maura Lemon, known as the “Talent Whisperer,” who leads Learning and Development at FDH Aero and serves as president of ATD Los Angeles. With a background that includes Disney and executive recruiting, Maura shares her unique journey into talent development and how she built her personal brand.She introduces her RAD Talent framework—Resilient, Adaptable, and Driven—and explains how organizations can recruit, develop, and retain strong talent. Maura also discusses the importance of creating a supportive learning culture, empowering employees to take ownership of their careers, leveraging internal talent, and preparing for the growing influence of AI. She highlights why psychological safety and effective leadership are key to helping both people and organizations succeed.I hope you enjoy it! As always you can learn more and connect with me on my website (andystorch.com) or LinkedIn. And you can find my books - Own Your Career Own Your Life and Own Your Brand, Own Your Career - on Amazon.Connect with Maura Lemon: LinkedInMentioned in this episode:Thanks for listeningThanks again for listening. You can find more information about me and everything I do on my website: andystorch.com

March 17, 20267 min

Recognizing How Far You’ve Come

Today is March 17, 2026, and I am officially turning 46. I wanted to take a moment to step away from the "hustle" and the constant drive for the next goal to simply say thank you. Thank you for listening, for being part of my network, and for allowing me to share my journey with you.I’m recording this from my home in Spain, with my dog at my feet and my family nearby, feeling incredibly lucky—but also incredibly proud of the progress I’ve made.I hope you enjoy it! As always you can learn more and connect with me on my website (andystorch.com) or LinkedIn. And you can find my books - Own Your Career Own Your Life and Own Your Brand, Own Your Career - on Amazon.

March 10, 202638 min

Building a Thriving L&D Team at Bonadio Group with Allyson Roote

Andy Storch sits down with Allyson Roote, Vice President of Learning and Organizational Development at the Bonadio Group. Allyson Roote shares her inspiring journey from studying psychology and working with an executive coach, to leading a thriving L&D function at a major professional services firm.In this conversation, we dive into how Allyson Roote built Bonadio’s learning and development team from the ground up, scaling from a solo role to a team of nine—even expanding internationally. She explains the importance of relationships, taking a consultative approach to internal learning, and tying learning outcomes directly to performance results. We explore the innovative quarterly business reviews she’s implemented, her leadership development framework, Manager and Principal Development Programs, future leaders academy, and her latest initiative—Amplifier, an adaptive AI-powered learning platform.I hope you enjoy it! As always you can learn more and connect with me on my website (andystorch.com) or LinkedIn. And you can find my books - Own Your Career Own Your Life and Own Your Brand, Own Your Career - on Amazon.Connect with Allyson Roote: LinkedInMentioned in this episode:Thanks for listeningThanks again for listening. You can find more information about me and everything I do on my website: andystorch.com

February 24, 202646 min

How to Evaluate and Implement HR and L&D Software Effectively

In this episode Andy Storch explores the rapidly changing world of HR technology with guest Phil Strazzulla, founder of Select Software Reviews. Phil shares his journey from venture capital to HR tech, the story behind SSR, and how the platform helps HR teams confidently choose the right software at no cost. Together, they discuss key trends like platform consolidation, AI’s growing role, and adaptive learning in L&D, along with practical advice on evaluating tools, building a business case, and ensuring successful implementation—plus live insights from Christopher McCormick.So if you're wrestling with vendor choices, striving for better ROI from your HR platforms, or curious about where HR tech is headed, you won't want to miss this episode!I hope you enjoy it! As always you can learn more and connect with me on my website (andystorch.com) or LinkedIn. And you can find my books - Own Your Career Own Your Life and Own Your Brand, Own Your Career - on Amazon.Connect with Phil Strazzulla: LinkedInConnect with Christopher McCormick: LinkedInConnect with Emma Strong: LinkedInMentioned in this episode:Thanks for listeningThanks again for listening. You can find more information about me and everything I do on my website: andystorch.com