TalentWise

Trucking touches every other industry, so why do so few young people see it as a career? On this episode of TalentWise, Danny Markstein talks with Lindsey Trent, co-founder and president of the Next Generation in Trucking Association, a nonprofit working to make trucking a career of choice for the next generation. They dig into the myths that keep students and parents away from diesel tech and driving jobs, the roles beyond the driver’s seat that young people rarely hear about, and how employers can start building pipelines as early as kindergarten. Trent also explains why the federal rule keeping drivers under 21 from crossing state lines, along with insurance costs, is the industry’s biggest hurdle, and why her advice to every trucking CEO comes down to investing in their own backyard.

How do you reskill 180 million American workers when AI and constant disruption keep changing what jobs require? In this episode of TalentWise, host Danny Markstein sits down with Jason Tyszko, senior vice president of policy and programs at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation, who has spent more than a decade helping employers rethink how they find and grow talent. He explains why the old "spot market" approach to hiring stopped working, how employers can team up to build talent pipelines that deliver results, and why he wants HR to become "the new registrar." He also offers a candid take on preparing workers for jobs no one can predict yet. He closes with a bold idea for funding upskilling: a skill savings account that works much like a health savings account, but for skills.

In this episode of TalentWise, we sit down with Greg Reed, Alabama’s first secretary of the Department of Workforce, to explore the future of workforce transformation and what it means for employers, educators and job seekers across the state. Drawing on his extensive experience as a former majority leader of the Alabama Senate and now as Gov. Kay Ivey’s senior advisor on workforce transformation, Secretary Reed shares his perspective on the challenges and opportunities shaping today’s workforce landscape. From aligning education and industry needs to building stronger talent pipelines and preparing Alabama for long-term economic growth, this episode provides a unique look at the vision and leadership helping shape Alabama’s workforce for generations to come.

In this episode of TalentWise, we sit down with Lindsay Cline, director of strategic partnerships for the U.S. Navy Maritime Industrial Base Program, to explore how innovative partnerships are helping shape the future of America’s maritime workforce. From connecting colleges and universities with career opportunities through the BuildGiants initiative to strengthening collaboration between the public and private sectors, Lindsay shares how strategic workforce development is supporting one of the nation’s most critical industries. With Alabama playing a key role in building the Navy’s next generation of vessels, this conversation offers a fascinating look at the people, partnerships, and long-term planning required to develop talent at scale. Whether you're interested in workforce development, economic growth, education, or industry collaboration, Lindsay provides valuable insights into what it takes to build sustainable talent pipelines and why these efforts matter now more than ever.

In this episode of TalentWise, Major General Lee Price shares her remarkable journey from joining the U.S. Army as a Private First Class clerk typist in 1975 to becoming a trailblazing Major General after 38 years of service. Entering the military at a time when women made up less than 2% of the workforce and many leadership pathways were still closed to them, Lee broke barriers at every stage of her career while learning what it truly means to lead with courage, resilience, and purpose. Drawing from decades of experience, she offers powerful insights on leadership, diversity and inclusion, and the mindset behind her “Lead Like A Warrior” philosophy. 

In this episode, we sit down with Dr. Don Barden, a classically trained behavioral economist and globally recognized authority on leadership and decision-making, whose career spans more than three decades of shaping organizations across the U.S. and around the world. From transforming global firms to redefining how leaders think, decide, and drive impact, Don brings a depth of experience that goes far beyond a traditional résumé. You’ll want to stick around for the full conversation to hear the insights you won’t find anywhere else.

In this episode, we sit down with Mark Colson, president and CEO of the Alabama Trucking Association, a longtime partner and champion of one of the state’s most essential industries. With more than 32,000 trucking companies and 130,000 Alabamians moving goods across the state, Mark offers a look at the people who keep communities running every day and the stories behind the wheel. His enthusiasm for elevating trucking as a meaningful, accessible career path comes through, making this a conversation that goes beyond logistics. If you’re curious about the impact and opportunities in this industry, be sure to listen.

Today’s episode features a conversation with Ani Huang, a leading voice at the intersection of executive leadership, compensation strategy and the future of work. As president of policy and practice for the CHRO Association and CEO of the Center on Executive Compensation, Ani is shaping how top organizations navigate complex workforce challenges, from executive pay and governance to the growing influence of AI on human capital strategy. With a front-row seat advising senior executives and policymakers, she brings a rare blend of insight and real-world perspective. If you’re curious how leadership decisions at the top ripple across an entire organization, you’ll want to tune in.

In this episode, we sit down with a dynamic leader whose impact on economic development speaks for itself. With more than two decades of experience shaping urban growth, fostering business expansion, and building powerful public-private partnerships, Cornell Wesley, executive director of Prosper Portland, brings both insight and real-world results to the conversation. During his time leading economic development for the City of Birmingham, his strategic vision helped generate $2 billion in economic impact and $1.2 billion in new investments. Combined with his strong academic foundation from Morehouse College and Mercer University, Cornell’s story is one of leadership, innovation, and measurable success. If you’re curious about what it really takes to drive meaningful economic growth in today’s landscape, this is a conversation you won’t want to miss.

In this episode, we sit down with two of our own colleagues from Markstein. Chief Creative Officer Chris Hoke and Brand Director Angela Thomas give a behind-the-scenes look at how thoughtful storytelling and bold creative strategies can help organizations tackle one of today’s biggest challenges: attracting and retaining talent. As a creative communications agency focused on transforming the workforce, Markstein has partnered with multiple organizations on impactful workforce initiatives, from campaigns with the Birmingham Police Department to the collaborative Good Jobs effort. Building on conversations from our recent episodes with ReBirth Marketing and the Good Jobs Birmingham team, this discussion explores how branding, messaging, and purpose-driven communication can shape stronger workforce pipelines and why the stories organizations tell matter now more than ever.