Today, Andy Storch welcomes Damon Lembi—CEO of Learn It, host of the Learn It All Podcast, and two-time bestselling author—back to the Talent Development Hot Seat Podcast for a deep dive into building world-class learning cultures.

In this candid conversation, Andy and Damon explore what separates “learn it all” organizations from “know it all” cultures, and why curiosity, humility, and action are the keys to thriving in today’s fast-changing landscape. Damon shares lessons drawn from his unique journey from aspiring Major League Baseball player to L&D leader, plus actionable strategies for making learning stick—especially when budgets and headcount are tight.

A must-listen for L&D professionals, HR leaders, and anyone passionate about upskilling teams and building resilient learning organizations.

In this episode, Damon shares:

• How his path from professional baseball dreams to receptionist at Learn It shaped his approach to leadership and lifelong learning.
• The difference between “learn it all” and “know it all” cultures—and why modeling curiosity, courage, and humility at the top makes all the difference.
• Why learning without action is “treason,” and how real transformation happens when people apply what they learn.
• The biggest trends reshaping talent development, including upskilling after layoffs, leveraging AI, and adapting to constant uncertainty.
• How the best organizations create space and psychological safety for learning—backed by intentional programs, strategic business unit partnerships, and executive role modeling.
• Why investing in people—even on a tight budget—yields massive ROI through retention, engagement, and competitive advantage.
• Lessons from evolving Learn It from in-person Excel classes to live, virtual, and AI-supported human skills development serving 2 million+ learners.
• Best practices for marketing learning programs internally, building buy-in, and encouraging participation—even when everyone feels too busy.
• Insights on building holistic development programs that mix live, on-demand, and coaching elements tailored to each learner’s needs.

Plus, anecdotes from co-host Lucy Storch, discussion of Eurovision, and an exclusive offer for podcast listeners to try Learn It’s “Team Pass” for six months.

Tune in for practical inspiration and expert tips on creating learning cultures that enable people—and companies—to thrive through any challenge.

Thanks to our sponsor, Learnit, you can get a free 45-day trial to help your people build more skills that drive success Learn more.

Connect with Andy Storch here:

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Connect with Damon Lembi here:

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