Best Talentdevelopment Podcasts (2025)

1
Tech Reboot for Wildlife Conservation Projects 26:19

8d ago26:19

26:19

With wildlife populations plummeting, conservation teams are fighting back, using cutting-edge technology to track and protect the world’s flora and fauna. We discuss this with: Shannon Dubay, director of conservation technology, Panthera, Cape Town, South Africa: Dubay discusses how teams use camera traps, satellite imagery, AI and other technolog…

1
Talking Tech Without Losing Your Audience with Neil Thompson 27:04

20d ago27:04

27:04

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. Thi…

1
189: Looking Back and Moving Forward 42:01

21d ago42:01

42:01

Welcome to a new season of Magic In The Room! In this episode, hosts Hannah Bratterud, Chris Province, and Luke Freeman reflect on the evolution of their podcast as they enter this new season. They discuss the concept of seasons in both personal and professional contexts, emphasizing the importance of recognizing transitions and growth. The team sh…

1
Flip the Script: Turning “Negative” Traits into Career Strengths with Jenny Wood 30:51

1M ago30:51

30:51

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 stan…

1
How to Avoid AI Project Failure 23:05

1M ago23:05

23:05

More and more project professionals are managing artificial intelligence (AI) projects, but teams are struggling to make sure they deliver real value. What makes AI projects different—and what are some common reasons they fail? What does it take to lead successful AI projects—and how do you build those must-have skills? We discuss the big issues wi…

1
What Chocolate, Games, and Empathy Reveal About Strategy with Seth Godin 35:31

2M ago35:31

35:31

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 progr…

1
Go Beyond a Checklist Mentality and Design for All Learners with Sarah Mercier 43:44

2M ago43:44

43:44

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…

1
Gender Equality in Action: The Role of Project Leaders 27:57

2M ago27:57

27:57

International Women’s Day is a clarion call for gender equality—and project professionals around the globe are taking bold action to advance the cause. Our guests discuss the projects they’re leading to empower girls and women, how they ensure they’re delivering positive social impact, and how they keep themselves—and their teams—motivated in the f…

1
"Yes And," Failing, and Other Transformative Improv Techniques with Erin Diehl 38:56

3M ago38:56

38:56

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 chal…

1
The Happiness Strategy with Juliana Sawaia 39:26

3M ago39:26

39:26

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 wo…

1
What to Expect in 2025: A Guide for Project Professionals 26:26

3M ago26:26

26:26

What can project professionals around the globe expect to face in 2025? We talk with project leaders to help you prepare. Sanjukta Ghosh, PMP, data and AI leader at Siemens in Erlangen, Germany, and Alexandra Schutz, PMI-ACP, PMP, director of the program management office at Appfire in Washington, D.C., discuss what’s next for artificial intelligen…

1
New Year, New Trends: 2025 Predictions with Jessica Kriegel 48:51

3M ago48:51

48:51

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…

1
Arrive with Executive Presence, Leave with Results: Tips from Hilary Blair 45:21

4M ago45:21

45:21

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 ex…

1
188: Activating Shared Values at the Citizen Potawatomi Nation with Guests Kelley Francen and April Carter 56:40

4M ago56:40

56:40

In today’s episode of Magic in the Room, Chris and Luke sit down with Kelley Francen and April Carter to discuss leadership development at the Citizen Potawatomi Nation. Kelley and April developed a unique program that integrates the traditional cultural teachings of the Citizen Potawatomi Nation into leadership development. The goal of this progra…

1
Build, Borrow, or Buy Your Way to Better Evaluation with Alaina Szlachta 50:36

5M ago50:36

50:36

Alaina Szlachta, PhD, is the founder of By Design Development Solutions and author of the recently published Measurement and Evaluation on a Shoestring. Alaina’s book provides advice for L&D professionals navigating tight budgets, limited resources, and demanding expectations. In this episode, Alaina unveils her practical framework for measurement …

1
Measuring Up: How to Track and Deliver Positive Social Impact 30:29

5M ago30:29

30:29

To ensure projects deliver real social impact, organizations and their teams need to set clear targets, track progress—and adjust when plans and variables shift. We host a joint discussion with Karlijn Sibbel, innovation director at Notpla in London, and Grzegorz Wach, refugee employment initiative lead at NESsT in Warsaw. They discuss their work o…

1
Assessment-Based Coaching That Delivers with Jackie Sahm 46:17

5M ago46:17

46:17

As coaching grows in popularity, so does the misconception that all coaching methods deliver the same results. In this episode, Jackie Sahm, Vice President of Integrative Solutions at Hogan Assessments, joins us to explore why assessment-based coaching stands out as a transformative approach for L&D professionals. Jackie breaks down what makes asse…

1
Powerful Partnerships: Collaborating to Achieve UN SDGs 31:16

5M ago31:16

31:16

The UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are an urgent call to action to help people and the planet—and projects aligned to those goals require strong collaboration with stakeholders, whether they’re government agencies, teachers or farmers. We discuss this with: Jenny Buccos, CEO of EXPLR and co-director of the National STEM Festival, New York …

1
Communication Tips To Get You Noticed with Jessica Chen 41:19

6M ago41:19

41:19

Jessica Chen is the author of Smart Not Loud -How to Get Noticed at Work for all the Right Reasons. In this podcast episode, she explores effective communication strategies that elevate your professional presence. Jessica shares insight into understanding the common communication scale within organizations and how to assess your perceived position …

1
How Tech is Powering the Clean Energy Transition 29:00

6M ago29:00

29:00

Public and private organizations across the globe are taking action to reach net-zero emissions targets—investing heavily in new technology to build resilient and efficient energy systems. Guests discuss the push for cleaner energy, the tech their teams use to develop cleaner energy solutions and the skills project professionals need to lead these …

1
187: Wrapping up Lead a Team 42:51

6M ago42:51

42:51

To download the free guide that goes with all the Lead a Team episodes, subscribe at www.magicintheroom.com. Today we wrap up season five of Magic in the Room! This season has focused on the skills that people need when leading a team. The good news is that these skills can be learned, if we are intentional. In this episode, Hannah, Chris, and Luke…

1
The Project Management Skills That Keep Creatives On Track 29:12

6M ago29:12

29:12

Today’s creative agencies need to move rapidly, whether they’re executing campaigns, capitalizing on pop culture moments or averting a crisis. Project management helps channel that urgency into strong execution and buzz-worthy results. In a joint discussion, two project leaders at creative agencies discuss which project management skills help teams…

1
Reimagine Succession Planning as Workplace Development Strategy with Angela Stopper 37:01

6M ago37:01

37:01

Succession planning is evolving beyond the C-suite and becoming a critical, organization-wide strategy. In this episode, Angela Stopper, Chief Learning Officer and Director of People & Organization Development at UC Berkeley, redefines succession planning as a forward-thinking, people-centric approach tailored for today’s dynamic workforce. Angela …

1
A New Orbit: How Project Teams Are Using AI in Space 30:20

7M ago30:20

30:20

Artificial intelligence (AI) is making one giant leap in the space industry. In celebration of World Space Week, we’re highlighting how project teams are tapping AI for space exploration and innovation. A project leader from the European Space Agency shares how his team created a “flying laboratory” so that other organizations from across the globe…

1
From Tool to Teammate: Understanding AI Agents with Mike Hruska 31:37

7M ago31:37

31:37

AI Agents are having their “electricity moment” in this era of technological invention. In this episode, we define AI agents and their evolving role in L&D with Mike Hruska, President and CEO of Problem Solutions. Mike explains the difference between chatbots and agents and offers practical tips for experimenting with these tools—whether you're a b…

1
186: Meaningful Recognition 55:32

7M ago55:32

55:32

To download the free guide that goes with this episode, subscribe at www.magicintheroom.com. People who lead teams can (and should!) develop a new set of skills. One often overlooked skill is being about to intentionally recognize people's efforts and character in a way that is meaningful. This is a skill that can be learned, it just takes some eff…

1
Why AI Ethics Matters in Project Management 26:47

7M ago26:47

26:47

Artificial intelligence is fundamentally shifting how we work, but it’s imperative to use the emerging tech responsibly. Guests explore the major AI ethics concerns for project professionals and recommend good practices teams can employ to use and create ethical AI. They also share examples of how project teams handle AI ethics concerns—and how tho…

1
Craft Compelling Stories with G. Riley Mills 39:12

7M ago39:12

39:12

Storytelling is fundamental for connection, but most people would not be considered naturally skilled at the art. On this episode, G. Riley Mills, Chief Operating Officer and Co-Founder of Pinnacle Performance Company, dives into why storytelling can be a challenge for L&D professionals and shares actionable strategies for honing communication skil…

1
The Power to Defuse: Tips for Conflict Resolution on Project Teams 32:00

8M ago32:00

32:00

Conflict can occur on any project. And project professionals should know how to defuse it. Guests share tips for resolving conflicts on projects, how these strategies shift depending on the source, the must-have skills for effective conflict resolution and how project professionals can strengthen their conflict resolution capabilities. Key themes […

1
Take Your Career From Invisibility to Impact with Julie Winkle Giulioni 37:49

8M ago37:49

37:49

Julie Winkle Giulioni, a leadership and career development expert, is the author of Promotions Are So Yesterday and co-author of Help Them Grow or Watch Them Go. In this episode, Julie places her upcoming third edition of Help Them Grow or Watch Them Go in the context of today's rapidly changing workforce. Julie discusses the social invisibility im…

1
185: Corrective Action 49:54

8M ago49:54

49:54

To download the free guide that goes with this episode, subscribe at magicintheroom.com What do we do when people's behavior or performance are not aligned with the values and commitments of an organization? Corrective action is one tool for helping team members know when they are not meeting expectations and what steps they need to take to perform…

1
Learning from Mistakes: How Project Professionals Grow from Failure 33:17

8M ago33:17

33:17

Mistakes happen. It’s how you respond that really matters. In a group discussion, three project professionals share how they turned failure into lessons learned and career maturity. How do you help team members overcome mistakes? And how can project leaders create a culture that accepts mistakes—and spins them into opportunities for greater efficie…

1
Why Learning Transfer Will Never Be Automatic (And What To Do About It) with Jared Cooney Horvath 1:03:02

8M ago1:03:02

1:03:02

Jared Cooney Horvath, a neuroscientist, educator, and published author, joins the podcast to discuss overcoming the three biggest hurdles blocking learning transfer: knowledge, contextualization, and adaptation. The conversation also explores the distinctions between subject comprehension and ability, the dynamics of digital versus in-person learni…

1
Seeding Sustainability: Agriculture Innovations to Feed Future Generations 25:19

9M ago25:19

25:19

The agriculture industry will need to feed a projected 10 billion people by 2050. To meet this demand, project teams are transforming production—finding climate-friendly ways to maximize yields. Guests share how they’re helping agriculture giants like Cargill reduce carbon emissions through supply chain operations and farming practices. Plus, how i…

1
184: Feedback & Engagement 47:51

9M ago47:51

47:51

To download the free guide that goes with this episode, subscribe at magicintheroom.com Giving and receiving feedback is critical to individual and team success, yet for many people feedback can feel threatening or unwelcome. In this episode of Magic in the Room, Hannah, Luke, and Chris discuss how to give feedback that is helpful and leads to high…

1
Learning as a Lifestyle with Melissa Loble 49:19

9M ago49:19

49:19

Melissa Loble, Chief Academic Officer for Canvas by Instructure and a professor at UC Irvine, joins the podcast to discuss lifelong learning. Melissa offers practical advice for companies looking to move beyond the rhetoric and foster a true culture of continuous development. Melissa addresses common barriers to learning, such as time scarcity and …

1
From the Olympics to F1: How Project Teams are Making Events More Sustainable 31:02

9M ago31:02

31:02

Project teams behind the biggest events must manage stakeholders and resources to deliver thrilling experiences. But there’s a growing focus on sustainability, too—making sure events mitigate negative impacts on the planet. We speak with project leaders making two major spectacles—the Paris Olympics and Formula 1’s Abu Dhabi Grand Prix—more sustain…

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