The Talent Development Hot Seat - The #1 podcast for L&D Professionals

Andy Storch speaks with Angus Nelson about why many high-performing leaders feel stuck in today’s fast-changing environment, despite having the experience and capability to succeed. They explore how traditional approaches like pushing harder and doing more are no longer effective as pressure, complexity, and expectations continue to rise. Angus explains that the real challenge is not effort, but internal capacity, and how an outdated “operating system” shaped by past experiences can limit how leaders think, respond, and perform.

The conversation also dives into the role of identity and mindset in leadership growth, emphasizing that success at the next level requires becoming a different version of yourself. In addition, they highlight the importance of nervous system regulation, showing how stress and reactivity can impact decision-making and communication. Together, these insights offer a practical perspective on how leaders can stay clear, adapt to change, and perform more effectively under sustained pressure.

I hope you enjoy it! As always you can learn more and connect with me on my website (andystorch.com) or LinkedIn. And you can find my books - Own Your Career Own Your Life and Own Your Brand, Own Your Career - on Amazon.

Connect with Angus Nelson: LinkedIn

Andy Storch speaks with Johanna Hummer, VP of Global People Success at Opella, about building a new company culture after its spin-off from Sanofi.

They explore the challenges and opportunities of transformation, the importance of leadership and well-being, and how Opella is evolving its talent and learning strategies. Johanna also shares her passion for developing young and female leaders in today’s workplace.

You’ll gain practical insights on navigating large-scale change, fostering an inclusive culture, and preparing teams for the future of work. Whether you’re a leader or an individual contributor, this conversation offers valuable takeaways to support your growth.

I hope you enjoy it! As always you can learn more and connect with me on my website (andystorch.com) or LinkedIn. And you can find my books - Own Your Career Own Your Life and Own Your Brand, Own Your Career - on Amazon.

Connect with Johanna Hummer: LinkedIn

In this episode, Andy Storch sits down with Mamie Kanfer Stewart—founder of Meteor and The Modern Manager, executive coach, and author of Momentum. With nearly two decades of experience, she shares practical insights on improving management, meetings, and workplace dynamics.

They dive into one of the biggest workplace challenges: meetings—what makes them effective versus time-wasting, and how to set clear outcomes while involving the right people. Mamie also explores what it means to be a modern manager, from leading remote teams and navigating cultural differences to building essential skills like feedback, delegation, and conflict management.

I hope you enjoy it! As always you can learn more and connect with me on my website (andystorch.com) or LinkedIn. And you can find my books - Own Your Career Own Your Life and Own Your Brand, Own Your Career - on Amazon.

Connect With Mamie Kanfer Stewart: LinkedIn

In this episode of Talent Development Hot Seat, host Andy Storch speaks with Maura Lemon, known as the “Talent Whisperer,” who leads Learning and Development at FDH Aero and serves as president of ATD Los Angeles. With a background that includes Disney and executive recruiting, Maura shares her unique journey into talent development and how she built her personal brand.

She introduces her RAD Talent framework—Resilient, Adaptable, and Driven—and explains how organizations can recruit, develop, and retain strong talent. Maura also discusses the importance of creating a supportive learning culture, empowering employees to take ownership of their careers, leveraging internal talent, and preparing for the growing influence of AI. She highlights why psychological safety and effective leadership are key to helping both people and organizations succeed.

I hope you enjoy it! As always you can learn more and connect with me on my website (andystorch.com) or LinkedIn. And you can find my books - Own Your Career Own Your Life and Own Your Brand, Own Your Career - on Amazon.

Connect with Maura Lemon: LinkedIn

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Thanks for listening

Thanks again for listening. You can find more information about me and everything I do on my website: andystorch.com

Today is March 17, 2026, and I am officially turning 46. I wanted to take a moment to step away from the "hustle" and the constant drive for the next goal to simply say thank you. Thank you for listening, for being part of my network, and for allowing me to share my journey with you.

I’m recording this from my home in Spain, with my dog at my feet and my family nearby, feeling incredibly lucky—but also incredibly proud of the progress I’ve made.

I hope you enjoy it! As always you can learn more and connect with me on my website (andystorch.com) or LinkedIn. And you can find my books - Own Your Career Own Your Life and Own Your Brand, Own Your Career - on Amazon.

Andy Storch sits down with Allyson Roote, Vice President of Learning and Organizational Development at the Bonadio Group. Allyson Roote shares her inspiring journey from studying psychology and working with an executive coach, to leading a thriving L&D function at a major professional services firm.

In this conversation, we dive into how Allyson Roote built Bonadio’s learning and development team from the ground up, scaling from a solo role to a team of nine—even expanding internationally. She explains the importance of relationships, taking a consultative approach to internal learning, and tying learning outcomes directly to performance results. We explore the innovative quarterly business reviews she’s implemented, her leadership development framework, Manager and Principal Development Programs, future leaders academy, and her latest initiative—Amplifier, an adaptive AI-powered learning platform.

I hope you enjoy it! As always you can learn more and connect with me on my website (andystorch.com) or LinkedIn. And you can find my books - Own Your Career Own Your Life and Own Your Brand, Own Your Career - on Amazon.

Connect with Allyson Roote: LinkedIn

Mentioned in this episode:

Thanks for listening

Thanks again for listening. You can find more information about me and everything I do on my website: andystorch.com

In this episode Andy Storch explores the rapidly changing world of HR technology with guest Phil Strazzulla, founder of Select Software Reviews. Phil shares his journey from venture capital to HR tech, the story behind SSR, and how the platform helps HR teams confidently choose the right software at no cost. Together, they discuss key trends like platform consolidation, AI’s growing role, and adaptive learning in L&D, along with practical advice on evaluating tools, building a business case, and ensuring successful implementation—plus live insights from Christopher McCormick.

So if you're wrestling with vendor choices, striving for better ROI from your HR platforms, or curious about where HR tech is headed, you won't want to miss this episode!

I hope you enjoy it! As always you can learn more and connect with me on my website (andystorch.com) or LinkedIn. And you can find my books - Own Your Career Own Your Life and Own Your Brand, Own Your Career - on Amazon.

Connect with Phil Strazzulla: LinkedIn

Connect with Christopher McCormick: LinkedIn

Connect with Emma Strong: LinkedIn

Mentioned in this episode:

Thanks for listening

Thanks again for listening. You can find more information about me and everything I do on my website: andystorch.com

In this episode, I am talking with my friend, Al Dea, who is an expert on talent development and the future of work. In this conversation, we are doing a deep dive into the latest trends shaping the future of work. Al Dea, known for his research and consulting at Edge of Work and as a LinkedIn Top Voice, brings fresh insights from his recent report, where he interviewed over 40 talent and learning leaders across Fortune 1000 organizations.

Together, we unpack what’s top of mind in talent development right now from navigating constant change, embracing AI, and building adaptable leadership pipelines, to the rising importance of skills-based talent strategies. Hear candid stories about the challenges of implementing new technologies, the evolving role of managers, and why a blend of “deep tech” and “deep human” skills will define the talent profession’s next chapter.

I hope you enjoy it! As always you can learn more and connect with me on my website (andystorch.com) or LinkedIn. And you can find my books - Own Your Career Own Your Life and Own Your Brand, Own Your Career - on Amazon.

Connect with Al Dea: LinkedIn

Today I'm sharing a short solo episode from my other podcast, The Andy Storch Show, all about the trade-offs between collaborating or working alone. I was reflecting on this beacuse how different it has been working on books on my own vs. with a partner. I wonder if you can relate.

You can listen to more episodes on The Andy Storch Show now on Apple or Spotify or anywhere you listen to podcasts.

You can also find more insights and sign up for our newsletter at: http://www.talentdevelopmenthotseat.com/

Welcome back to The Talent Development Hot Seat! In this episode, host Andy Storch sits down with Dr. David Morelli, co-founder and CEO of Owl Hub, to explore the evolving landscape of coaching in talent development. With decades of experience in organizational psychology and leadership assessment, David Morelli shares his journey from semi-pro volleyball player to executive coach and leadership innovator.

Together, they dive into the importance of building a true coaching culture within organizations—one where managers are empowered to coach more effectively, not just rely on outside experts. David Morelli unpacks the groundbreaking Respect Coaching Styles Assessment, a tool that's already making waves at Fortune 500 companies, and explains the seven distinct coaching styles that can transform the way leaders support their teams.

Andy Storch and David Morelli discuss why most coaching breaks down in organizations, how to scale coaching beyond top executives, and what it really takes to meet employees where they are. Whether you’re a talent development professional, a people leader, or just passionate about helping others grow, this conversation is packed with actionable insights on personalizing coaching, overcoming common pitfalls, and future-proofing your leadership strategy in the age of AI and skills-based transformation.

Get ready for a deep dive into what it means to unlock the full potential of your people—and yourself—through the power of coaching. I hope you enjoy it!

As always you can learn more and connect with me on my website (andystorch.com) or LinkedIn. And you can find my books - Own Your Career Own Your Life and Own Your Brand, Own Your Career - on Amazon.

Connect with David Morelli: LinkedIn