What were the most impactful moments from Development Nerds this year? This special Top 12 compilation episode pulls together the clips that stopped me mid-sentence, rewired a belief, or made me sit in silence for a second.

You’ll hear powerful takeaways on future readiness, confidence and self-worth, burnout, career pivots, mentorship, resilience, experimentation, and what real impact looks like beyond the workplace.

Featured guests and their moments:

1. Allister Frost: Make time to be future-ready, or the future will happen to you.
2. Amber Anderson: The story we tell ourselves, plus the missing accountability after training.
3. Chris Taylor: The turning point: knowledge doesn’t change anything until you apply it.
4. David James: You’re building skills, even when it feels like you’re not.
5. Dr. Sarah Nichols: Burnout hides in plain sight, and it quietly steals your confidence.
6. Elena Agaragimova: The courage to pivot, and the ache of trying to prove you belong.
7. Heather Burright: When learning saves a life, it changes how you see your work forever.
8. Jen Recla: “Think like a scientist.” Experiments, not identity. Data, not drama.
9. Kelsea Warren: Stop waiting for “when.” Live in your values, today.
10. Tara Rynders: Let yourself receive care. It can change everything.
11. Yogi Mueller: Don’t outsource your value. Find your strengths, your people, your mentors.
12. Lorie Jones: “It’s not going to get better” and the brave choice to change the story.

🎧 This episode is a highlight reel, but it’s also a nudge: if one clip hits you, go listen to the full episode for the context and the full conversation.

Candice Mitchell is a Talent Development Strategist, CEO of Talent Collective, and USA Today bestselling author of Choose You: For the People Who Refuse to Disappear. With nearly two decades of experience building and leading capability functions inside global and Fortune 500 organizations, she founded Talent Collective, a premium capability-building firm for L&D, HR, Change, and People leaders in high-growth companies.

Website: https://talentcollective.org/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/candicemitchelltc/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/candice_mitchell_msc/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@candice_mitchell_msc

Talent Development Academy: https://courses.talentcollective.org/bundles/talent-development-academy

Choose You book: https://chooseyoubook.com/

Original music composed by: Paul DeHaven

pauldehavenmusic.com

To wrap up the year, I’m bringing you something special — the most relatable moments shared by a curated group of incredible guests from the show.

Not all of this year’s guests appear in this episode.

These were specifically chosen because they shared something deeply human, honest, and universally felt.

This episode is part of our BEST Moments of the Year series, and this one is all about the moments that made us say:

“Wait… I’ve felt that too.”

“Oh wow, I thought I was the only one.”

“Yep. That’s exactly my life right now.”

In this compilation you will hear stories about:

• Losing jobs unexpectedly
• Mental health and the moments things fell apart
• Squiggly, non-linear careers that make sense only in hindsight
• Being brave enough to start before you’re ready
• Carrying pressure, expectations, and self-doubt
• Wanting to give up, and choosing not to
• Reinventing yourself at any age
• Building a life and career that actually feels like yours

These are the conversations listeners wrote to me about — the lines that stuck with you, the moments you sent to friends, the truths that made you breathe out and whisper: “Finally. Someone said it.”

⭐ FEATURED GUESTS IN THIS SPECIAL EPISODE

A curated selection of guests from across the year:

• AJ Lauer
• Andy Storch
• Brenda Noon-Schmidt
• Danny Delvecchio
• David Gilbert
• JB Ryan
• Jess Almie
• Jessica Schloemp
• Lauren Evans
• Matt Gjestsen
• Stacey Oliver-Knappe
• Clay Gill

Sponsored by Your360 AI

This episode is sponsored by Your360 AI — developmental 360 feedback turned into actionable growth.

The world of work is changing fast, and teams that don’t share honest feedback get left behind. Your360 uses Voice AI to deliver 360s that uncover what surveys miss — for just a couple hundred dollars. Real conversations turned into real growth.

Stop guessing — start growing.

Candice Mitchell is a Talent Development Strategist, CEO of Talent Collective, and USA Today bestselling author of Choose You: For the People Who Refuse to Disappear. With nearly two decades of experience building and leading capability functions inside global and Fortune 500 organizations, she founded Talent Collective, a premium capability-building firm for L&D, HR, Change, and People leaders in high-growth companies.

Website: https://talentcollective.org/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/candicemitchelltc/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/candice_mitchell_msc/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@candice_mitchell_msc

Talent Development Academy: https://courses.talentcollective.org/bundles/talent-development-academy

Choose You book: https://chooseyoubook.com/

Original music composed by: Paul DeHaven

pauldehavenmusic.com

Visit Your360.ai today.

This episode is special.

Across dozens of conversations this season, certain moments made me stop, scribble notes, replay the audio, or just sit back and breathe for a second.

These weren’t just good insights — they were the best learning moments shared by a handful of guests whose wisdom hit differently.

Today, I’m bringing them together for the first time.

You’ll hear the strongest, sharpest, most transformative moments from:

• Dr. Alaina Szlachta
• Alyssa Willet
• Andrew Jacobs
• Anna Ludwinowski
• Bianca Baumann & Mike Taylor
• Brianna Johnston
• Desiree Petrich
• Kevin M. Yates
• Lavinia Mehedințu
• Paul Matthews
• Susanne Biro
• 
  

These moments are practical. Human. Career-shaping.

Whether you’re an L&D professional, a leader, or someone who simply wants to build a career (and life) you love — this episode is a “bookmark it, save it, replay it” kind of experience.

Grab your notebook, your coffee, or the dog’s leash if you’re listening on your walk — and enjoy the best of the best.

This episode is sponsored by Your360 AI — developmental 360 feedback turned into actionable growth.

The world of work is changing fast, and teams that don’t share honest feedback get left behind.

Your360 uses Voice AI to deliver 360s that uncover what surveys miss — for just a couple hundred dollars.

Real conversations turned into real growth.

Stop guessing — start growing.

Visit Your360.ai today.

Candice Mitchell is a Talent Development Strategist, CEO of Talent Collective, and USA Today bestselling author of Choose You: For the People Who Refuse to Disappear. With nearly two decades of experience building and leading capability functions inside global and Fortune 500 organizations, she founded Talent Collective, a premium capability-building firm for L&D, HR, Change, and People leaders in high-growth companies.

Website: https://talentcollective.org/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/candicemitchelltc/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/candice_mitchell_msc/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@candice_mitchell_msc

Talent Development Academy: https://courses.talentcollective.org/bundles/talent-development-academy

Choose You book: https://chooseyoubook.com/

Original music composed by: Paul DeHaven

pauldehavenmusic.com

What does it look like to take ownership of your money, and your career, when the world told you not to?

In this episode, Lorie Jones (CFP®, MBA), owner of Fearless Financial Advisors, shares how she went from McDonald’s Hamburger University to helping grow an RIA from ~$30M to ~$230M, all while raising five kids, earning her licenses, and fighting imposter syndrome in a male-dominated industry. We dig into servant leadership, building systems when life is full, why “balance” is measured over years (not days), and how women can start feeling fear-less about their finances, today.

You’ll learn:

The mindset shift from “finance isn’t for me” → “I can do this.”

How Lorie organized the “bejesus” out of life to get her MBA + CFP while parenting five kids.

Why mentorship matters (and how to find a woman who’s in your corner).

Practical first steps for women who want to confidently participate in money decisions.

What “fearless” really means: taking one small brave step, even while scared.

Get to know Lorie:

Lorie Jones, MBA, CFP®, is a fourth-generation Wyoming rancher turned financial advisor with over thirteen years of experience in the industry. After raising five children, she found her calling at a small RIA in South Denver, driven by a passion to support women navigating financial transitions with clarity and confidence. She holds a History degree from the University of Wyoming, an MBA from Colorado State University, and is a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ professional, currently pursuing both CFA and CDFA credentials. Lorie’s mission is to transform financial chaos into peace of mind through practical, empowering plans. She hosts the Fearless Females podcast, mentors young women, and volunteers with groups like Leadership Douglas County. Married to David, with five grown children and two grand dogs, Lorie blends her love of storytelling, crafting, and spreadsheets into both her travel adventures and her holistic approach to financial planning.

Connect with Lorie:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/lorie.jones.505

Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61571028827696

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/loriejones_7/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/loriejones/

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@UC0oqApmg_k_QvSzbhP_pUyA

Candice Mitchell is a Talent Development Strategist, CEO of Talent Collective, and USA Today bestselling author of Choose You: For the People Who Refuse to Disappear. With nearly two decades of experience building and leading capability functions inside global and Fortune 500 organizations, she founded Talent Collective, a premium capability-building firm for L&D, HR, Change, and People leaders in high-growth companies.

Website: https://talentcollective.org/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/candicemitchelltc/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/candice_mitchell_msc/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@candice_mitchell_msc

Talent Development Academy: https://courses.talentcollective.org/bundles/talent-development-academy

Choose You book: https://chooseyoubook.com/

Original music composed by: Paul DeHaven

pauldehavenmusic.com

What if everything you do today is already out of date?

In this episode of Development Nerds, Candice sits down with Allister Frost — former Microsoft marketing leader, global keynote speaker, and author of Ready Already — to talk about developing a future-ready mindset in a world that won’t stop changing.

From wiping tables at 11 to leading marketing at Microsoft, Allister shares how curiosity, empathy, and continuous learning shaped his career. He unpacks his 5-step Ready Already Growth Cycle — Follow, React, Open, Surprise, Tell — a simple but powerful framework for staying adaptable, creative, and human in the age of AI.

💡 You’ll learn:

Why “if it works, it’s obsolete” is the mindset every modern professional needs

How to keep learning without burning out

The one question to ask every Friday to check if you’re still growing

Why your personal mission is the fuel that keeps you future-ready

How to replace fear of change with curiosity and action

This conversation is equal parts inspiration and practicality — perfect for anyone who wants to stay relevant, keep learning, and shape the future instead of reacting to it.

Get to know Allister:

Allister Frost is a business transformation and growth expert, known for his energy and passion for helping others to embrace change. As a former Microsoft leader, his highly acclaimed Future-Ready Mindset talks and workshops inspire greater curiosity, imagination, and courageous collaboration to unlock daily improvements, strengthen resiliency, and fuel high-performance teamwork. He is the author of ReadyAlready and an award-winning speaker and marketer. His mission each day is to help busy people transform their lives with the positive mindset needed to become—and remain—future-ready for life.

Connect with Allister:

https://www.instagram.com/allisterspeaks/

https://www.youtube.com/@allisterfrost

https://www.linkedin.com/in/allisterspeaks/

Candice Mitchell is a Talent Development Strategist, CEO of Talent Collective, and USA Today bestselling author of Choose You: For the People Who Refuse to Disappear. With nearly two decades of experience building and leading capability functions inside global and Fortune 500 organizations, she founded Talent Collective, a premium capability-building firm for L&D, HR, Change, and People leaders in high-growth companies.

Website: https://talentcollective.org/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/candicemitchelltc/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/candice_mitchell_msc/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@candice_mitchell_msc

Talent Development Academy: https://courses.talentcollective.org/bundles/talent-development-academy

Choose You book: https://chooseyoubook.com/

Original music composed by: Paul DeHaven

pauldehavenmusic.com

If you work in Learning & Development, HR, or People Enablement and you keep asking “How do we actually close skills gaps at scale?”, this episode with David James (Chief Learning Officer at 360Learning, former Director of Learning, Talent & OD at Disney, and host of The Learning & Development Podcast) is your blueprint. We go from stacking shelves at 14 and gigging in London, to running L&D functions, mentoring (without ever asking), and designing learning that drives proficiency, not vanity metrics—so you can genuinely love Mondays again.

What you’ll learn

Proficiency at scale: David’s practical approach to capability building that moves beyond “courses” to real performance.

Career inflection points: Leaving school at 16, bank cashier → trainer → Disney L&D leader → co-founder (Loop) → CLO at 360Learning.

Mentors without the awkward ask: How to build genuine relationships and get world-class guidance—no “will you be my mentor?” needed.

Readiness beats luck: The exact habits that make you “lucky” when opportunity arrives.

Stakeholder credibility: Partnering with HRBPs, reading the culture, and earning a seat at the table.

Early career reframed: Why those frontline jobs are powerful skill-building reps you’ll use for life.

Who this episode is for

L&D leaders, CLOs, HR/People leaders, enablement pros, OD practitioners, instructional designers, talent strategists, and anyone who wants their learning programs to be taken seriously by the business.

Get to know David:

David James is the Chief Learning Officer at 360Learning and a highly respected voice in the Learning & Development industry. With a focus on harnessing technology to drive impactful learning strategies, David is recognised as one of the top 10 global influencers in the L&D space. His expertise lies in helping organisations modernise their approach to workplace learning, ensuring measurable results and business alignment.

David is also the host of The Learning & Development Podcast, which has amassed over 500,000 downloads and ranks in the top 1% of podcasts globally. With more than 30,000 LinkedIn followers, he continues to shape the conversation around L&D innovation and best practices, drawing on his deep experience, including his time as Director of Learning, Talent & Organisational Development at The Walt Disney Company.

Connect with David:

https://360learning.com/lp/david-james/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/davidjameslinkedin/

https://360learning.com/lp/learning-and-development-podcast-by-david-james/

Candice Mitchell is a Talent Development Strategist, CEO of Talent Collective, and USA Today bestselling author of Choose You: For the People Who Refuse to Disappear. With nearly two decades of experience building and leading capability functions inside global and Fortune 500 organizations, she founded Talent Collective, a premium capability-building firm for L&D, HR, Change, and People leaders in high-growth companies.

Website: https://talentcollective.org/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/candicemitchelltc/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/candice_mitchell_msc/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@candice_mitchell_msc

Talent Development Academy: https://courses.talentcollective.org/bundles/talent-development-academy

Choose You book: https://chooseyoubook.com/

Original music composed by: Paul DeHaven

pauldehavenmusic.com

Executive coach Susanne Biro (Vancouver, BC) gets radically honest about leadership, self-doubt, and what entrepreneurship really looks like—sometimes 11 p.m., laptop open, tears flowing… and doing it anyway. We dig into “having your own back,” doing scary things before you feel ready, building a reputation that earns investment, and why the inside-out game (how you feel daily) drives sustainable success.

In this episode:

• From dancing duck and barbershop lessons to coaching CEOs of billion-dollar companies
• How to build confidence through action (not waiting to “feel” confident)
• Asking for investment: crafting the business case + earning it with your reputation
• Leading high-stakes rooms with candor and EQ
• The truth of entrepreneurship: resilience, risk, and that 11 p.m. moment
• Inside-out success: joy, health, and habits that compound
• Susanne’s upcoming book “This Could Be Everything” and her Deep Fear podcast/app

Timestamps (quick guide):

00:00 Meet Susanne Biro & early career

04:50 Marketing yourself (and negotiating for you)

13:45 Coaching, credibility, and getting a “yes”

21:50 Two years of tears: the messy middle of building a business

30:30 Doing it terrified + the TEDx story

36:30 Facilitating tough executive rooms with EQ

40:40 Where work is going: focus in an overloaded world

46:20 Inside-out success & health as a lifelong advantage

52:00 Who Susanne works with + accessible ways to learn from her

Get to know Susanne:

Susanne Biro has spent over two decades as a confidant to CEOs and C-suite executives, helping them confront what she calls 'Deep Fear' – the anxious thoughts that secretly limit even the most accomplished leaders. A TEDx speaker and author of This Could Be Everything, she transforms these hidden anxieties into a catalyst for authentic leadership through her signature Inner Life Leadership approach.

With 24+ years of global experience coaching over 200 CEOs and thousands of senior leaders, Susanne specializes in emotional intelligence, leadership effectiveness, and whole-life success.

She understands that leadership at the highest levels is demanding, exhausting, and often lonely. Through her signature approach, Inner Life Leadership, she helps leaders harness the power of self-awareness, because what happens inside always shapes what happens out there.

Connect with Susanne:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/susanne-biro-executivecoach/

Keywords: executive coach, CEO coaching, leadership development, entrepreneurship journey, imposter syndrome, confidence, self-belief, emotional intelligence, facilitation, high-stakes teams, Vancouver, TEDx, Susanne Biro, Deep Fear podcast, This Could Be Everything book

Candice Mitchell is a Talent Development Strategist, CEO of Talent Collective, and USA Today bestselling author of Choose You: For the People Who Refuse to Disappear. With nearly two decades of experience building and leading capability functions inside global and Fortune 500 organizations, she founded Talent Collective, a premium capability-building firm for L&D, HR, Change, and People leaders in high-growth companies.

Website: https://talentcollective.org/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/candicemitchelltc/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/candice_mitchell_msc/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@candice_mitchell_msc

Talent Development Academy: https://courses.talentcollective.org/bundles/talent-development-academy

Choose You book: https://chooseyoubook.com/

Original music composed by: Paul DeHaven

pauldehavenmusic.com

Dr. Jessica Schloemp’s story is a powerful reminder that leadership isn’t about titles, ladders, or likes — it’s about being honest with yourself. From dropping ketchup on a customer at 14, to door-to-door sales, to earning her doctorate in Strategic Leadership, Jessica has lived every lesson she now teaches.

In this episode, Jessica and Candice talk about:

✅ Finding yourself again after losing your identity in the corporate mold

✅ The difference between being nice and being kind

✅ How to lead authentically in a male-dominated industry

✅ Why getting off social media helped her find her true voice

✅ The power of honesty, reflection, and showing up for yourself first

Get to know Jessica:

I help companies turn chaos into culture.

I’m not your typical leadership consultant. I’m a corporate insider who rebuilt toxic, underperforming teams from the inside out. As Director of Operations and founder of Revive & Rise Consulting, I’ve developed a proven method for transforming culture, developing leaders, and empowering teams to take ownership without fear or micromanagement.

My TRUE TEAM Method (Transparency, Relatability, Understanding, Empowerment) is the framework I’ve used to double team output, reduce turnover, and bring clarity to disjointed organizations. It works because it’s built on what people actually need: psychological safety, consistent leadership, and a sense of purpose.

My best-selling book, The Leader Within Her, outlines a counter-cultural approach to leadership that’s resonating with a new generation of professionals and executives. I’ve also co-authored Financial Trendsetters 2 and am launching a leadership-focused podcast in late 2025.

I speak, I train, and I partner with forward-thinking organizations to fix what’s broken and build what’s next.

Currently booking for:

Keynote speaking (Fall 2025 and beyond)

Podcast interviews

Internal leadership workshops and culture strategy sessions

Let’s create a workplace people don’t just survive in. Let’s build one they can thrive in.

Connect with Jessica:

Contact: [email protected] for further information and collaboration

Instagram: @jessicaschloemp

LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/drjschloemp

Website: https://www.reviveandriseconsulting.com/

Her book: The Leader within HER: https://amzn.to/3JKe28J

Candice Mitchell is a Talent Development Strategist, CEO of Talent Collective, and USA Today bestselling author of Choose You: For the People Who Refuse to Disappear. With nearly two decades of experience building and leading capability functions inside global and Fortune 500 organizations, she founded Talent Collective, a premium capability-building firm for L&D, HR, Change, and People leaders in high-growth companies.

Website: https://talentcollective.org/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/candicemitchelltc/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/candice_mitchell_msc/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@candice_mitchell_msc

Talent Development Academy: https://courses.talentcollective.org/bundles/talent-development-academy

Choose You book: https://chooseyoubook.com/

Original music composed by: Paul DeHaven

pauldehavenmusic.com

On paper, Lauren Evans had everything: a secure corporate job, steady paycheck, even a pension. But inside her cubicle, she kept asking herself one quiet, uncomfortable question — is this it?

This is the story of what happens when you stop ignoring that question.

Lauren shares how she went from an 18-year-old UPS supervisor to the founder of Design and Streamline Solutions, where she helps small business owners reclaim time and sanity by simplifying their tech.

We talk about the real meaning of “paying your dues,” what happens when your weekends are the only time you feel alive, and how faith and courage guided her toward a business built on purpose, not pressure.

💡 In this episode:

• The early lessons that built lifelong confidence
• 
  
• Why “secure” can be the most dangerous word in your career
• 
  
• The turning point between staying safe and starting over
• 
  
• How a side gig became her real calling
• 
  
• The unfiltered truth about running your own business
• 
  
• What sustainability really means when the hype fades
• 
  

This isn’t a story about hustle. It’s about alignment — and the courage to build a life that finally makes sense.

Get to know Lauren:

Lauren Evans is the founder of Design & Streamline Solutions, where she helps small business owners simplify their technology and automate the behind-the-scenes systems that keep their businesses running. By streamlining the processes that often eat up time and energy, Lauren makes it easier for entrepreneurs to grow their businesses, serve their clients, and enjoy the freedom they set out to create.

Connect with Lauren:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/laurenshakevans

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lshakevans/

Instagram: @laurenshakevans

Candice Mitchell is a Talent Development Strategist, CEO of Talent Collective, and USA Today bestselling author of Choose You: For the People Who Refuse to Disappear. With nearly two decades of experience building and leading capability functions inside global and Fortune 500 organizations, she founded Talent Collective, a premium capability-building firm for L&D, HR, Change, and People leaders in high-growth companies.

Website: https://talentcollective.org/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/candicemitchelltc/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/candice_mitchell_msc/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@candice_mitchell_msc

Talent Development Academy: https://courses.talentcollective.org/bundles/talent-development-academy

Choose You book: https://chooseyoubook.com/

Original music composed by: Paul DeHaven

pauldehavenmusic.com

When you hear the name “L&D Detective,” you probably think: clever branding. But for Kevin M. Yates, it’s more than that — it’s who he is.

In this episode, Kevin shares his remarkable journey: from his first job at 16 stocking shelves in a Chicago pharmacy to a global career leading learning impact at brands like McDonald’s and Meta — and ultimately, to founding Meals in the Meantime, a nonprofit that’s fed thousands.

We talk about rediscovering purpose when work starts to feel flat, why mentorship and community matter more than strategy, and what it means to keep serving — even when you’ve “made it.”

If you’ve ever felt stuck, lost, or like you’ve outgrown your chapter — this conversation is your reminder: your next chapter might just be the one you were born for.

𝐆𝐞𝐭 𝐭𝐨 𝐤𝐧𝐨𝐰 𝐊𝐞𝐯𝐢𝐧:

Kevin M. Yates is known in the global training, learning, and talent development community as the L&D Detective®. He solves measurement mysteries and investigates how training and development as an experience and L&D as a function contribute to the workplace performance ecosystem. Kevin uses facts, clues, and evidence to uncover the truth about impact, focusing on collective contributions that influence business and human performance.

He has used his measurement expertise in roles with world-renowned brands including Grant Thornton, Kantar, McDonald’s, and Meta (Facebook). He is also president and founder of Meals in the Meantime, a nonprofit providing free, fresh, healthy, and high-quality food for people in need through pop-up pantries in the Chicagoland south suburbs.

𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐧𝐞𝐜𝐭 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐊𝐞𝐯𝐢𝐧:

Website: https://kevinmyates.com/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kevinmyates/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/kevmyates/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kevmyates