Powered by Learning

As Ollie's Bargain Outlet continues its rapid expansion across the United States, learning and development plays a critical role in preparing leaders at every level to succeed. In this episode of Powered by Learning, Navia Lee, Senior Manager of Training at Ollie's Bargain Outlet shares how her team supports more than 670 stores through leadership development, scalable training programs, and a growing culture of learning.

 Show Notes:  Navia Lee from Ollie's Bargain Outlet share how their leaders build capabilities in team members. Her insights include these key points. 

•  Leadership development happens in everyday moments. One of Ollie's key leadership messages is "Build riders, not dependents." The focus is on helping leaders move beyond simply providing answers and instead develop critical thinking, judgment, and capability in others.
• Training must be practical, scalable, and immediately applicable. With hundreds of stores and rapid growth, Ollie's prioritizes learning experiences that can be used right away. Content is intentionally concise, focused, and designed for real-world retail environments.
• Ollie's University is creating consistency across the organization. The company's new learning management system provides foundational training, role-based learning pathways, reporting capabilities, and sustainment tools that reinforce learning long after formal training events conclude.
• The most effective leadership programs prioritize application over presentation. Programs like Rising Stars have evolved from presentation-heavy sessions to blended learning experiences that combine self-paced learning, real-world assignments, peer discussions, and facilitated debriefs.
• AI is helping a lean L&D team move faster and smarter. Navia's team uses AI to streamline course development, create engaging content featuring Ollie's brand characters, analyze survey feedback, and increase efficiency—all while maintaining responsible governance and data security.

 Learn more about Ollie's Bargain Outlet

Powered by Learning earned Awards of Distinction in the Podcast/Audio and Business Podcast categories from The Communicator Awards and a Gold and Silver Davey Award. The podcast is also named to Feedspot's Top 40 L&D podcasts and Training Industry’s Ultimate L&D Podcast Guide.

Learn more about d'Vinci at www.dvinci.com.
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From hands-on training and change management strategies to executive sponsorship and employee engagement, our guests Allison Meadows and Taylor Tagg explore practical lessons from Stratas Foods’ successful three-and-a-half-year ERP implementation. Learn how this leading supplier of fats, oils, mayonnaise, dressings and sauces kept their people at the center of the process to transform their business. 

Show Notes:

Guests Allison Meadows and Taylor Tagg explore how Stratas Foods aligned training, change management, and executive support to implement a new Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) system that impacted all 1,200 employees. 

• Change management and L&D must work together. Taylor Tagg explained that while learning and development and change management often operate differently, both rely heavily on listening, communication, and supporting employees through uncertainty.
• Hands-on learning drives adoption. Stratas Foods discovered that employees learned best by “getting in the sandbox” and practicing in real-world scenarios instead of relying solely on traditional instruction.
• Employee involvement increases buy-in. Allison Meadows shared how training became more effective when employees helped shape tools and job aids, transforming resistance into collaboration.
• Executive sponsorship is critical to success. Taylor emphasized that strong support from company leadership—including resources, visibility, and alignment—was essential to completing the transformation on time and under budget.
• Successful change focuses on people, not just processes. Both guests stressed that organizations can become overly focused on systems and workflows, but lasting change happens when employees feel supported, connected, and included throughout the process.

Powered by Learning earned Awards of Distinction in the Podcast/Audio and Business Podcast categories from The Communicator Awards and a Gold and Silver Davey Award. The podcast is also named to Feedspot's Top 40 L&D podcasts and Training Industry’s Ultimate L&D Podcast Guide.

Learn more about d'Vinci at www.dvinci.com.
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What does it take to deliver impactful learning in a global, highly regulated industry? Tim Greiner, Senior Director of USP Education at the U.S. Pharmacopeia, a global nonprofit that sets quality standards for medicines, food, and dietary supplements, shares how USP delivers education at scale to ensure those standards are applied effectively across industries and regions to improve quality and protect public health.

Show Notes:

Senior Education Director Tim Greiner explains how USP delivers training that improves quality and performance. Key takeaways from the conversation include:

• Impact over completion: In regulated environments, training success is measured by behavior change and improved quality practices—not just course completion. 
• Design for diverse, global audiences: Effective programs balance modalities, regional preferences, and roles (regulators, manufacturers, students) without overcomplicating delivery. 
• Blended learning drives stronger outcomes: Live and live-virtual experiences tend to have the highest impact, especially when paired with self-paced resources for reinforcement. 
• Operational discipline matters at scale: Managing global training requires strong processes—centralized content, regular reviews, and alignment with evolving standards. 
• Microlearning in the flow of work is the future: Delivering targeted learning at the exact moment of need can significantly increase retention, application, and overall impact. 

Powered by Learning earned Awards of Distinction in the Podcast/Audio and Business Podcast categories from The Communicator Awards and a Gold and Silver Davey Award. The podcast is also named to Feedspot's Top 40 L&D podcasts and Training Industry’s Ultimate L&D Podcast Guide.

Learn more about d'Vinci at www.dvinci.com.
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Education is key to preventing damage to underground infrastructure and keeping workers and communities safe. In this episode, Common Ground Alliance’s Erika Lee and Lisa O’Leary share how their Excavator Damage Prevention curriculum is using data-driven training to change behavior and reduce risk.

Show Notes:

CGA’s Erika Lee and Lisa O’Leary discuss how their comprehensive training curriculum is tackling the root causes of damage through education, accessibility, and industry collaboration. Their key points include:

• Education is the first line of defense against excavation damage: Erika Lee emphasized that if workers don’t understand risks and best practices, “we’re really not setting them up for success.”
• Failure to contact 811 remains the leading cause of damage: The top root cause year over year is not calling 811 before digging—highlighting a major opportunity for behavior change.
• Up to 65% of damage incidents are preventable through behavior change: The majority of incidents are tied to excavator actions that can be improved through targeted training, according to Erika.
• Microlearning and accessibility are key to adoption: Lisa O’Leary shared that short, 5–7 minute modules and mobile-friendly access make it easier for workers in the field to engage with training.
• Collaboration and consensus drive better outcomes: Common Ground Alliance’s consensus-based approach ensures diverse stakeholders align on best practices—strengthening both the curriculum and industry impact.

Learn more about Common Ground Alliance's education program. 

Explore d'Vinci's work with Common Ground Alliance. 

Powered by Learning earned Awards of Distinction in the Podcast/Audio and Business Podcast categories from The Communicator Awards and a Gold and Silver Davey Award. The podcast is also named to Feedspot's Top 40 L&D podcasts and Training Industry’s Ultimate L&D Podcast Guide.

Learn more about d'Vinci at www.dvinci.com.
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How do you deliver consistent training across a global manufacturing workforce without losing the human element? McCormick & Company, a global leader in flavor and spice, is tackling that challenge head-on. Regional Training and Development Leader Courtney Johnson Wasylenko explains how structured onboarding, on-the-job learning, and career pathways come together to support growth at scale.

Show Notes:

Courtney Johnson Wasylenko shares a practical, human-centered approach to building skills, confidence, and long-term careers. Her key points include:

• Standardization + flexibility is key: McCormick establishes consistent training frameworks across sites while allowing for local customization to reflect unique equipment, teams, and challenges.
• Onboarding builds both skills and community: A structured five-day onboarding program introduces culture, safety, and quality—while helping new hires form connections that support long-term success.
• Learning happens best on the job: Hands-on training, repetition, and immediate application are prioritized over classroom instruction to improve retention and real-world performance.
• Career pathways drive engagement and retention: Clear, flexible growth paths—including both vertical and lateral movement—help employees see a future within the organization and stay motivated.
• AI is a tool—not a replacement: AI is improving efficiency and access to information, but human oversight, strong content systems, and thoughtful implementation are critical to making it meaningful.

Powered by Learning earned Awards of Distinction in the Podcast/Audio and Business Podcast categories from The Communicator Awards and a Gold and Silver Davey Award. The podcast is also named to Feedspot's Top 40 L&D podcasts and Training Industry’s Ultimate L&D Podcast Guide.

Learn more about d'Vinci at www.dvinci.com.
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At kdc/one, learning is more than a support function—it’s a driver of business performance. In this episode, kdc/one’s Director of Learning and Development Sharron Northern shares how she’s building a global strategy that simplifies complexity, aligns with business goals, and creates real demand for development.

Show Notes:

Kdc/one’s Sharron Northern focuses on simplifying systems, focusing on leaders and creating meaningful learning experiences to drive engagement and performance. Her top takeaways include:

•  Start with what leaders care about. Align learning initiatives to real business priorities to quickly build trust and demonstrate value.
• Create a “pull” for learning—not just push. When learning solves real problems, leaders actively seek it out, increasing engagement and impact.
• Simplify to scale. Breaking down complex systems and focusing on clear priorities enables global organizations to move faster and more effectively.
• Integrate learning into performance systems. Embedding development into performance management ensures learning is reinforced, measured, and sustained.
• Design for engagement and application. Interactive elements like role play, peer discussion, and even gamification—when used intentionally—drive retention and behavior change.

Powered by Learning earned Awards of Distinction in the Podcast/Audio and Business Podcast categories from The Communicator Awards and a Gold and Silver Davey Award. The podcast is also named to Feedspot's Top 40 L&D podcasts and Training Industry’s Ultimate L&D Podcast Guide.

Learn more about d'Vinci at www.dvinci.com.
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Artificial intelligence is changing how learning teams work, but Chick-fil-A Learning Partner Lauren LePage believes the future of L&D goes well beyond automation. Hear her thoughtful perspective on how AI combined with human insight, care, and curiosity can efficiently deliver more strategic and creative learning solutions.

Show Notes:

Chick-fil-A’s Lauren LePage explores what it takes to use AI responsibly without losing the human connection that makes learning experiences truly resonate. Here are her key takeaways.

• AI should support learning strategy, not replace human judgment. Lauren makes the case that AI can be valuable for automation, speed, and creativity, but L&D professionals still carry the responsibility of making sure training is accurate, meaningful, and behaviorally sound.
• Human connection is not optional in L&D. Lauren emphasizes that while AI can help execute strategy, humans are the ones who build culture, create trust, and shape remarkable learning experiences.
• Not every use of AI requires the same level of human involvement. She introduces the idea of human “in the loop,” “on the loop,” and “outside the loop,” helping L&D practitioners think more clearly about when people should direct, review, or limit AI’s role.
• AI can save time in content development and scenario building. Lauren shares practical examples of using AI to support content creation, generate questions, surface answers from complex documents, and build realistic learning scenarios more efficiently.
• Great learning starts with curiosity and emotional readiness. Lauren reminds listeners that learners do not become true learners just because they show up. It takes intentional design, human understanding, and subtle moments that spark curiosity and create the conditions for learning to happen.

Powered by Learning earned Awards of Distinction in the Podcast/Audio and Business Podcast categories from The Communicator Awards and a Gold and Silver Davey Award. The podcast is also named to Feedspot's Top 40 L&D podcasts and Training Industry’s Ultimate L&D Podcast Guide.

Learn more about d'Vinci at www.dvinci.com.
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The 2026 Learning and Development Global Sentiment Survey is here, and lead researcher and author Donald H. Taylor joins us to unpack insights from more than 3,500 L&D professionals worldwide. This year’s survey shows rising pressure to demonstrate value, evolving perspectives on AI, and the challenges shaping the future of the profession.

Show Notes:

Donald Taylor discusses what this year’s results reveal about the state of L&D and why the future of L&D may depend on stronger relationships, smarter use of data, and a willingness to rethink familiar approaches.

• L&D leaders are being asked to do more with less. Don said budget pressure remains a major theme, with many professionals focused on proving value while protecting their teams and resources.
• AI is still dominant, but the conversation is maturing. Don noted that AI is no longer just about faster content creation. More leaders are thinking about how it can support skills, practice, simulation, and new kinds of learning experiences.
• Showing value is now a top concern. According to Don, this has risen to an all-time high, driven in part by concern over jobs, budgets, and the need to connect learning more clearly to performance.
• Data matters, but relationships matter just as much. Don emphasized that L&D cannot make better use of data without building trust and relationships across the organization. Access to useful business data depends on those connections.
• The most confident L&D leaders are better networked. Don observed that the people most ready to take action and try new things are often the ones with stronger internal and external networks to support them.

Read the 2026 Global L&D Sentiment Survey

Powered by Learning earned Awards of Distinction in the Podcast/Audio and Business Podcast categories from The Communicator Awards and a Gold and Silver Davey Award. The podcast is also named to Feedspot's Top 40 L&D podcasts and Training Industry’s Ultimate L&D Podcast Guide.

Learn more about d'Vinci at www.dvinci.com.
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Law enforcement training has to evolve as fast as the world officers work in. In this episode of Powered by Learning, ILEETA Executive Director Ray Merlin and Deputy Director Joe Willis share how ILEETA supports a global “tribe of trainers” focused on instructor excellence, year-round learning, and a conference built to recharge and raise the standard.

Show Notes:

ILEETA’s Ray Merlin and Joe Willis explain ILEETA’s mission to inspire excellence across the training ecosystem. Their key takeaways include:

1. ILEETA’s “north star” is instructor excellence—not just topics. Joe emphasizes that ILEETA is “a community that happens to have an outstanding conference,” built to elevate instructorship year-round. 
2. Law enforcement training pressure isn’t one issue—it’s everything, across roles. Ray notes that the training ecosystem spans far beyond patrol (corrections, federal, military, dispatch, and more), and the goal is continuous improvement in performance. 
3. The best modality is intentional blended learning—synthetic + live, with pre- and post-learning. Joe highlights that VR/AR/simulators and distance learning are powerful, but they work best when designed to set up instruction and reinforce learning afterward. 
4. Just-in-time refreshers matter because forgetting is real. Joe points to the value of quick, well-designed “bump” resources (the way people use short videos for quick help) to support recall and performance in the field. 
5. The biggest opportunity is staying relevant by connecting “pockets of excellence.” Ray frames it as ongoing evolution and professionalism; Joe adds that ILEETA helps connect emerging research and field innovations by bringing the right people together to “connect the dots.” 

Learn more about ILEETA

Learn more about d'Vinici's work in law enforcement

Editor’s Note: Edward J. Nowicki, who is referenced in this episode, was the founder of the International Law Enforcement Educators and Trainers Association. Harvey Hedden, who is also referred to, is the immediate past executive director. Learn more about ILEETA’s leadership team. 

Powered by Learning earned Awards of Distinction in the Podcast/Audio and Business Podcast categories from The Communicator Awards and a Gold and Silver Davey Award. The podcast is also named to Feedspot's Top 40 L&D podcasts and Training Industry’s Ultimate L&D Podcast Guide.

Learn more about d'Vinci at www.dvinci.com.
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What does it take to scale disability inclusion across an entire workforce? In this episode, National Organization on Disability leaders Beth Sirull and Sara Walsh explain how the EnAble Learning digital training system helps organizations embed inclusion, adaptability, and workforce readiness into their everyday operations.

Show Notes:

Beth Sirull and Sara Walsh of the National Organization on Disability share how their new EnAble Learning courses are helping organizations of all sizes create welcoming, productive workplaces through engaging, accessible online training. Here are some of their key points:

• Disability inclusion is a business imperative, not philanthropy. Beth Sirull shared that companies fully integrating disability inclusion hire twice as many people with disabilities—and promote five times as many—demonstrating measurable business impact.
• Most disabilities are invisible—and often undisclosed. Beth emphasized that the majority of disabilities are not visible, and disclosure rates are low due to stigma, making proactive inclusion essential.
• Scalable, on-demand training increases access and impact. Sara Walsh explained that EnAble Learning was created to make high-quality disability inclusion training accessible to organizations of all sizes, especially those unable to support in-person sessions.
• Engagement and relevance were non-negotiable in the digital experience. Sara noted that the courses were intentionally designed to be interactive, practical, and manager-focused—avoiding “click-through” compliance training in favor of meaningful learning.
• Inclusion benefits everyone—and anyone can join the disability community at any time. Sara pointed out that disability is a community anyone may become part of at any stage of life, reinforcing why inclusive practices matter across the entire workforce.

Learn more about National Organization on Disability's enAble Learning

Powered by Learning earned Awards of Distinction in the Podcast/Audio and Business Podcast categories from The Communicator Awards and a Gold and Silver Davey Award. The podcast is also named to Feedspot's Top 40 L&D podcasts and Training Industry’s Ultimate L&D Podcast Guide.

Learn more about d'Vinci at www.dvinci.com.
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