Powered by Learning

What happens when decades of trusted learning and development expertise meet purpose-built AI? In this episode, Ken Taylor, CEO of Training Industry, and Amanda Longo, Vice President of Brand Strategy, explore TIA, Training Industry’s new AI-powered assistant, designed specifically for L&D professionals to support learning strategy and performance.

Show Notes:

Ken Taylor and Amanda Longo from Training Industry share the benefits of their organization’s AI Agent TIA including these key points:

• TIA is built for L&D and nothing else. Unlike general AI tools, TIA is trained exclusively on Training Industry’s vetted content, including research reports, articles, webinars, and expert contributions. This ensures responses are relevant, credible, and grounded in the realities of learning and development work.
• Transparency and attribution are non-negotiable. A core design principle of TIA is showing users exactly where information comes from. Every response is sourced, allowing learning leaders to explore original articles, compare perspectives, and build confidence in the guidance they receive.
• Guardrails matter for trust and quality. TIA is intentionally limited to Training Industry’s content ecosystem. If the answer isn’t there, TIA says so—reducing AI hallucinations and reinforcing integrity over convenience.
• TIA supports preparation, not content creation. TIA isn’t meant to replace instructional designers or subject matter experts. Instead, it helps learning leaders think through structure, strategy, and next steps—making the human work faster and more informed.
• AI works best when paired with community. TIA is designed to complement Training Industry’s peer and expert network. Learning leaders can use AI-generated insights as a springboard into conversations with practitioners, contributors, and Training Industry staff—turning AI into a catalyst for connected learning.

Related Articles:

[Product Demo] Meet Tia, Your AI Agent for Solving L&D Challenges

How Training Industry Turned Two Decades of Knowledge Into an AI Agent: A Case Study

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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When done well, learning design grabs participants’ attention like a great marketing campaign and engages them emotionally and intellectually to make learning stick.  That’s the premise of “Think Like a Marketer, Train Like an L&D Pro,” a book written by our guests  Mike Taylor and Bianca Baumann.  In this episode, you will learn how to elevate traditional training approaches with marketing tools such as learner personas, journey mapping, and content strategy that come together in high impact learning campaigns.

Show Notes: Co-authors Mike Taylor and Bianca Baumann share some of the top takeaways from their book, “Think Like a Marketer, Train Like an L&D Pro,” to help you create experiences that learners crave.

• L&D can learn a lot from marketing. Marketers know the value of making an emotional connection with their audience —L&D should too. Applying marketing principles can help learning designers create experiences that boost performance and influence behavior.
• Learner personas are foundational, not optional. Understanding who learners are, what they need, and what motivates them is critical to designing content that resonates and sticks.
• Journey mapping helps deliver learning at the right moment. Mapping the learner journey allows L&D teams to support employees before, during, and after key moments—not just during formal training events.
• Content strategy drives behavior change. When personas, journey maps, and content strategy work together, learning becomes more targeted, improving proficiency and long-term behavior change.
• It all comes together in a Learning Campaign. Smaller, well-timed content—resources, nudges, and reinforcements—create more impact than one-time standalone training events.
• Success is measured beyond completion rates. True learning impact shows up in measuring performance, confidence, and on-the-job behavior—not just in LMS reports.

Learn more about Think Like a Marketer, Train Like an L&D Pro

Connect with Mike 

Connect with Bianca 

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 build a learning culture that truly sticks? Brad Garfinkel, Vice President of Learning and Development at Members 1st Federal Credit Union shares how a clearly defined culture — grounded in the belief that “we is greater than me” — shapes everything from onboarding and frontline training to leadership development and career pathways. 

Show Notes:

Members 1st VP of Learning and Development Brad Garfinkel offers many practical, inspirational and actionable ways to make learning an integral part of any organization. 

• Culture must be embedded from day one: At Members 1st, learning starts on day one with a consistent message: culture isn’t a slogan — it’s a daily practice reinforced through onboarding, training, and coaching.
• “We is greater than me” drives learning design: This simple but powerful mindset shapes how training is built, delivered, and reinforced, helping employees see their role within a larger team and mission.
• Listening builds credibility for L&D: Brad’s organization-wide listening tour helped reposition learning and development as a strategic partner, not just a support function for frontline roles.
• Personalized pathways outperform one-size-fits-all training: By using flexible learning pathways, hybrid delivery models, and hands-on coaching, Members 1st meets learners where they are — and accelerates growth.
• Career exploration fuels engagement and retention: Programs like leadership development tracks and internal apprenticeships allow employees to explore new roles, build skills, and envision long-term careers within the organization.

Read the book Brad referenced, Attitude is Everything : 10 Life-Changing Steps to Turning Attitude into Action   By Keith Harrell

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.

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What happens when classic instructional design models meet cutting-edge AI tools? In this episode of Powered by Learning, Transcarent's Director of Learning and Development Sheldon Thomas talks about applying the ADDIE model to a modern healthcare call center environment, from multi-stage onboarding to AI-enabled simulations. Learn how his team balances speed, personalization, and strong design to deliver training that actually changes performance. 

Show Notes:

Transcarent's Director of Learning and Development Sheldon Thomas shares how his team uses AI-driven role plays, performance coaching, and thoughtful design to prepare team members for complex member conversations. His key takeaways include:

• Align L&D to business outcomes. Sheldon shares how Transcarent’s learning strategy mirrors the company’s mission to improve member health outcomes—using the ADDIE model to connect learner needs, performance metrics, and measurable impact.
• Design a multi-layered onboarding journey. New Performance Development Coaches move through a blended learning experience that combines instructor-led training, self-paced eLearning, performance development coaches, and a “cocooning” phase with supervisors to build both competence and confidence.
• Use AI role plays to make practice realistic and scalable. AI-driven simulations on Udemy’s platform allow health guides to practice complex conversations, demonstrate empathy, and navigate systems in a realistic, time-bound environment—without pulling live agents off the phones.
• Balance interactivity with meaningful design. While AI tools in Storyline and Rise accelerate development, Sheldon emphasizes that true design goes beyond uploading content—it’s about curating experiences that are both Interactive and genuinely engaging.
• Look ahead to real-time, personalized performance support. Sheldon envisions AI delivering just-in-time coaching immediately after calls and targeting specific skill gaps, moving beyond one-size-fits-all training to truly personalized learning in the flow of work.

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 does a three-person L&D team support 23,000 associates across seven states? In this episode, Chris Chappell, Director of Learning & Development at Weis Markets, shares how servant leadership, clear career paths, and just-in-time video microlearning are elevating the employee experience—and the customer experience—across retail, manufacturing, and logistics. 

Show Notes:

Weis Market’s Chris Chappell offers many key takeaways to empower team members to succeed. His top points include: 

• Lead as a servant, not a boss. Chris Chappell centers L&D on servant leadership—meeting associates’ needs, anchoring to mission, and role-modeling behaviors so people trust and follow. 
• Career paths + strong leadership = retention. Provide clear growth paths and accountable leaders. Weis Markets’ leadership development now spans five levels and correlates with higher engagement and reduced turnover that is 20–25 points lower than retail averages. 
• Make learning “in the moment.” Snapshot video microlearning—accessed via QR codes embedded in SOPs—powers fast cross-training (e.g., moving a bakery associate to deli) and reduces friction during call-offs. 
• Do fewer things, better. “Ruthless prioritization” keeps work aligned to mission, strategy, core operations, and compliance. The team consolidated ~1,798 courses to ~800 and is rebuilding high-value content for mobile delivery in Workday Learning. 
• Build a distributed training network. Centralize standards and content, then empower expert trainers across departments to deliver. Add feedback loops with structured homework and report-outs so learners hold themselves accountable. 

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 advertising agency business is rapidly changing making learning and development more essential than ever. In this episode of Powered by Learning, Sean McGlade, Senior Vice President of Talent and Learning Solutions at the 4As, shares how the association provides agencies of all sizes with innovative learning experiences that keep their business leaders, media strategists and technical and creative teams ahead of the competition. 

4As Sean McGlade explains how his organization equips member agencies to upskill talent, embrace AI, and build future-ready teams. Here are some of his key takeaways. 

• Learning is a stabilizer during change. Communicating and investing in L&D helps employees feel supported and confident as industries evolve.
• AI is reshaping roles—and training must evolve too. The 4As is using AI to personalize on-demand learning and enhance creativity while keeping the human element central.
• Cohort and community learning strengthen culture. Bringing learners together fosters engagement, inclusion, and real-world application.
• Subscription models reduce barriers to professional development. The 4As new approach simplifies access to learning while meeting agencies where they are.
• Partnerships and curation amplify impact. A small but mighty L&D team at the 4As collaborates with subject-matter experts and members to deliver relevant, high-quality training at scale.

Learn more about the 4As

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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UGI Corporation’s Global Enterprise Lead, Learning & Development Wendy Laverty shares how “Breakthrough Thinking” is reshaping leadership, structure, and strategy at UGI. She explains how a series of workshops with team members has encouraged intentional reflection, language, and a culture of curiosity that’s unlocking new solutions and sustainable change.

Show Notes:

UGI’s Wendy Laverty shares many inspirational and actionable ways to inspire better thinking that leads to sustainable change. Her key points include: 

• Breakthrough Thinking is intentional, not accidental. Leaders at UGI are asking “I wonder why/if/how…” to challenge assumptions, see blind spots, and design new pathways instead of defaulting to past practice.
• Language shapes outcomes. Words “get caught like colds.” The way leaders speak influences mindsets, behaviors, and results—so UGI is practicing saying the future they intend to create, then aligning actions to it.
• Structure enables speed. AmeriGas (a UGI company) shifted to a decentralized, pod-based model—returning authority to frontline managers, running weekly problem-solving calls, and using focus groups to surface gaps and improve the system.
• Trust + feedback fuel change.Transparent, authentic feedback sessions—and a bias toward curiosity over criticism—are building a culture where learning is continuous and leaders model the behavior they want to see.
• Lead with “both–and” and look ahead to AI-first learning. UGI equips leaders to hold healthy polarities (e.g., candor and diplomacy) and is exploring AI-first learning approaches to personalize development and drive measurable business results.

 
Wendy recommends the following books:

Navigating Polarities Using Thinking Transformation

Learning Revolution

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.

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Our guest Mike Kaput of SmarterX takes us inside the new AI Academy, a membership-based learning platform for organizations and individuals. Find out how their AI Academy delivers AI literacy for all—through frameworks, certifications, and personalized learning journeys that help organizations roll out AI training responsibly and at scale.

Show Notes: 

Mike Kaput, Chief Content Officer at SmarterX  explains how they are creating and distributing learning experiences in a fast-moving environment. Some of his key points include:

• AI literacy is step one for everyone. Every role needs a baseline understanding of what AI is, what it can do, and how to apply it—before tools or advanced use cases.
• Teach frameworks, not prescriptions. Because AI changes fast, focus training on durable  models and  principles learners can reuse as tools evolve.
• Blend evergreen with “live” learning. Pair on-demand eLearning courses (Foundations → Piloting → Scaling) with timely elements—Academy Live sessions, weekly gen-AI app reviews, and community—to keep skills current.
• Make it measurable and meaningful. Certification paths include quizzes and final exams; departmental/industry tracks signal practical, job-relevant competence (with digital badging on the roadmap).

About SmarterX:

SmarterX is an AI research and education firm and parent company of AI Academy, The Artificial Intelligence Show, and Marketing AI Institute. Learn more about the AI Academy.

Listen to The Artificial Intelligence Show

About Mike Kaput: 

Mike Kaput is a marketing and business AI expert, speaker, and author. In his role as Marketing AI Institute’s Chief Content Officer, he uses dozens of powerful AI tools daily to increase productivity and performance across hundreds of use cases. And his actionable talks can teach you and your team how to do the same thing. Mike’s talks help companies of every size in any industry to capture massive productivity and performance gains using practical AI knowledge, use cases, and tools. They also make AI approachable and accessible for professionals at every level and in every function.The result is that companies in every industry—including The Financial Times, Vimeo, and Vodafone—have come away from Mike’s talks armed with everything they need to start building a competitive advantage with AI.

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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We’re celebrating 100 episodes of Powered by Learning with a special conversation with past podcast guests Dr. Kristal Walker, Marjorie Van Roon, Ajay Pangarkar, Robyn DeFelice, and Connie Malamed. Together, we reflect on the past five years in L&D—AI’s promise (and limits), the rise of data-informed decisions, accountability for performance and ROI, and the renewed push for personalized, human-centered learning. Listen for an energizing look at where L&D is headed—and how your organization can evolve. 

Show Notes: 

Our podcast guests and co-hosts share practical perspectives you can use now while looking ahead to the future of L&D. 

• AI is a powerful assistant and creative partner—use it to draft content, visuals, questions, and interactions, but always apply expert human review to ensure accuracy and instructional soundness. - Connie Malamed, Mastering Instructional Design Community 
• The real shift is toward data and performance—L&D must tighten its partnership with the business, lead with data-informed decisions, and mature its advisory role. - Robyn DeFelice, Learning Strategist 
• Treat AI as an accelerator, not a replacement—let it handle the basics so teams can focus on human-centered elements; expect growing emphasis on professional upskilling and certifications to keep a “seat at the table.” - Dr. Kristal Walker, VP Employee Wellbeing, Sweetwater 
• Accountability is rising—L&D must show performance and financial impact. Build financial literacy to demonstrate value or risk losing resources to other priorities. - Ajay Pangarkar, Author & Speaker 
• AI boosts brainstorming, editing, translation, and recommendations, but watch for bias, hallucinations, and cultural nuance; learners prefer shorter, visual, sometimes in-person experiences, and Gen Alpha will amplify demand for interactive, gamified learning. - Marjorie Van Roon, Senior Manager, Learning & Development, Best Buy Canada 

The d’Vinci co-hosts also shared some important key points: 

• AI is still in its early days for L&D—what matters most is balancing ethical use with creating better, higher-impact learning. Instructional designers must remain the “human check and balance” to avoid bias, hallucinations, or copyright issues. - Luke Kempski, d’Vinci CEO
• AI works best as a creative partner and brainstorming tool. At d’Vinci, teams use it across functions—from design to strategy to development—but always within clear governance policies that align with client expectations. -  Mason Scuderi, d’Vinci President
• The rising learner demand for convenient, relevant, and personal training is pushing L&D professionals to grow their own design and consulting skills. The biggest opportunity ahead is balancing business impact with meaningful learner experiences. Jenny Fedullo, d’Vinci Learning Experience Director

 
Read the extended show notes and get links to past Powered by Learning podcast episodes featuring today's guest on d'Vinci's website.

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.

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Instructional design isn’t just about what learners know—it’s about what they can do. In this episode, Dr. Karl Kapp discusses his new book, Action First Learning, and why engagement, application, and challenge are essential for lasting impact. 

Show Notes: 

Karl Kapp challenges traditional instructional design methods and introduces ideas that inspire lasting behavior change from learners. His key takeaways include: 

• Design for Application, Not Absorption: Action First Learning emphasizes giving learners opportunities to apply concepts right away. By focusing on real-world tasks and challenges from the start, training becomes more relevant, memorable, and impactful. 
• Desirable Difficulties Improve Retention: Learning that feels too easy may not stick. Struggles—when designed well—lead to deeper understanding, stronger memory, and long-term performance. 
• Reflection Is Essential for Learning: Without intentional reflection, learners may have experiences but miss the lessons. Instruction should include built-in prompts or creative methods to encourage personal reflection. 
• Effective Learning Doesn’t Require Expensive Tech: High-impact learning experiences can be created using simple tools like card games, role-plays, or branching scenarios. It's the design, not the delivery method, that matters most. 
• Gamification Is Evolving—And So Should We: Today’s most effective gamified learning emphasizes strategy, feedback, and motivation—not just points and badges. The future lies in designing experiences, not rewards. 

Read more from Dr. Karl Kapp 

Beyond Gamification: A Move Toward Action-First Learning (published by ATD)

Action First Learning (plus Instructor’s Guide, Learning Tools, and Coloring Page published by ATD) 

Actions Speak Louder than Words: Why Action First Learning is the Key to Real World Preparedness (Published in Training Industry) 

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.

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