Best L&d Operational Excellence Podcasts (2025)

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The Rigor and Relevance of Assessment: Blending Learning Science with AI 44:54

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3d ago44:54

44:54

Traditional assessments are often rigid, resource-heavy, and fail to fully capture on-the-job impact. In this session, Garima Gupta, founder of Artha Learning and creator of AIReady, shares a practical blueprint for modernizing assessments without losing scientific rigor. Drawing from her experience designing AI-enabled assessment systems for enter…

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17. From Fit to Flourish: How Franchise Fastlane Connects Visionaries with Operators Who Thrive 46:10

3d ago46:10

46:10

In this episode of the Training Impact Podcast, host JeffWalter sits down with Patrick Sanchez, Vice President of BrandPartnerships at Franchise Fastlane, to unpack what makes a great franchise system work—not just on paper, but in practice. Patrick’s journey into franchising started on construction sites in Kansas and led to owning 12 nutrition st…

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16. Building Learning Systems, Not Just Courses – Lessons from eLearningDOC 55:49

9d ago55:49

55:49

In this episode of the Training Impact Podcast, host Jeff Walter sits down with three powerhouse leaders from eLearningDOC—Angela Robbins, Toni DiMella, and Diana Brandon—to unpack how great learning design happens when creativity meets structure. Together, they explore what it takes to turn subject matter expertise, operational chaos, and big idea…

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Rethinking Microlearning: Moving Beyond 'Short and Cheap' 46:16

17d ago46:16

46:16

Stop treating microlearning as "just short training" — and start tackling the misconceptions that kill most implementations. Robyn A. Defelice cuts through the hype to reveal what L&D leaders consistently miss when rolling out microlearning initiatives. Robyn will arm you with the critical questions that expose whether your organization is truly re…

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The New ISO Standard for L&D and Goal-Based Learning 49:46

1M ago49:46

49:46

Join Dave Vance, architect of the groundbreaking ISO 30437 standard for L&D metrics, as he reveals why the first comprehensive measurement framework is a game-changer for L&D leaders. Dave shares his take on today's obsession with role/skills-based learning — and why this tunnel vision could be sabotaging your L&D impact. As an industry thought lea…

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Beyond Engagement Theater: What Drives L&D Performance 47:28

1M ago47:28

47:28

What if everything you think you know about learner engagement is wrong? Clark Quinn, renowned learning scientist and author of "Make It Meaningful," joins IDIODC to challenge conventional L&D wisdom. He reveals the research-backed approach to creating learning experiences that actually drive business results. We'll explore the critical difference …

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15. Learning Designs: Apprenticeships Beyond the Trades 54:01

2M ago54:01

54:01

In this episode of the Training Impact Podcast, host Jeff Walter sits down with two seasoned leaders from Learning Designs, Inc. (LDI): Mary Carter, Founder and President, and Julie Hiatt, Manager of Business Development. Together, they explore how decades of experience in instructional design, workforce development, and corporate training can be a…

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14. Powering Franchise Excellence: How Batteries Plus Trains Experts in Charge 1:07:45

2M ago1:07:45

1:07:45

In this episode of the Training Impact Podcast, host Jeff Walter sits down with Jason Moss, Vice President of Store Development and Training Operations at Batteries Plus, to explore how franchise training can drive business growth, brand consistency, and employee retention. Jason shares his unlikely path into training—beginning as an entrepreneur r…

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Visual Design for Learning Performance and Accessibility 45:36

2M ago45:36

45:36

What if better visual design could simultaneously boost learning outcomes and meet accessibility requirements? Visual design expert Connie Malamed, author of "Visual Design Solutions," reveals how strategic visual choices enhance learning for everyone — then shows how to make those same visuals accessible without compromising effectiveness. We'll e…

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Fix the Meeting: Frameworks for High-Performance L&D Teams 55:18

2M ago55:18

55:18

Let's be honest — L&D teams are drowning in meetings that feel like productivity black holes. But what if those same meetings could become your secret weapon for driving real business results? Communication expert Mike Simmons has figured out how to transform meetings from time-wasting rituals into strategic performance engines, and joins our IDIOD…

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13. Service That Sticks: Ray Miller on Embedding Customer Excellence 1:29:39

3M ago1:29:39

1:29:39

What does it take to truly transform an organization’s customer experience from the inside out? In this powerful episode of the Training Impact Podcast, host Jeff Walter sits down with Ray Miller, Managing Partner of The Training Bank—a globally respected expert in customer experience training and leadership development. With more than 35 years of …

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The Great Training Transformation: Adapt or Become Irrelevant 49:55

3M ago49:55

49:55

The future of workplace training is arriving faster than anyone predicted, and Donald H Taylor has a shocking forecast: traditional training courses have just 2-5 years left before they become extinct. Drawing from his latest Global Sentiment Survey and decades of L&D expertise, Donald will reveal how personalization, coaching/simulation and learne…

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Make Learners Want It: Marketing 101 for L&D Rebels 48:42

3M ago48:42

48:42

L&D’s relevance crisis is here — and hope isn’t a strategy. Marketing expert Ashley Hinchcliffe flips the script on traditional learning functions with the People Impact Loop™, a bold framework to transform L&D from content factories to business-critical enablers. Discover why learner-centric buzzwords fall short, how to design initiatives employee…

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12. Training Precision: How Ziemer Ophthalmic Raises The Bar For Medical Device Training 50:35

3M ago50:35

50:35

In this episode of the Training Impact Podcast, host Jeff Walter sits down with Bill Ryan, the Director of Technical and Clinical Education at Ziemer Ophthalmic Systems AG, a Swiss-based manufacturer of femtosecond lasers and diagnostic systems used in refractive and therapeutic eye surgeries. From LASIK flap creation to corneal transplants, these …

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11. The 10 Workstreams Behind Every High Impact Training Program 48:34

4M ago48:34

48:34

In this episode of the Training Impact Podcast, host Jeff Walter sits down with Matt Anderson, a 20-year veteran of LatitudeLearning and head of the delivery team, to tackle a critical topic for any learning leader: the workstreams that take a training program from vision to execution—and keep it thriving. As Jeff puts it, “This is where the rubber…

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Immersive by Design: Making Mixed Reality Part of the Blend 52:09

4M ago52:09

52:09

Immersive tech isn't just cool. It's useful. And more importantly, it fits right into the blended learning you're already building. In this IDIODC session, Destery Hildenbrand, a Learning Technology Consultant and Immersive Technology Evangelist, will walk you through integrating mixed reality, such as AR and MR, into your learning experiences. We'…

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10. Behind the Smoker: How Embedded Training Powers Tickle My Ribs 1:40:28

4M ago1:40:28

1:40:28

In this episode of the Training Impact Podcast, host Jeff Walter sits down with Sean Morris, a veteran of the restaurant industry and founder of the emerging franchise concept Tickle My Ribs. Together, they explore how deeply embedded, skills-based training can transform franchise operations, reduce turnover, and create a culture of long-term excel…

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9. From the Heart of the Community: How Academy 4 Trains 6,500 Volunteers to Mentor One-on-One 48:09

4M ago48:09

48:09

In this inspiring episode of the Training Impact Podcast, host Jeff Walter sits down with Susan Demers, Manager of Learning and Development at Academy 4, a Texas-based nonprofit delivering one-on-one mentorship to fourth graders in Title I schools. The conversation redefines what "extended enterprise learning" means—moving beyond franchises and par…

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The Quality Stack: Building Fail-Safes into L&D Pipelines 46:52

4M ago46:52

46:52

How do you move beyond endless checklists to bake quality into every layer of learning design? In this actionable conversation, Hadiya Nuriddin tackles this challenge head-on, drawing from her Quality Management in Learning and Development playbook and frontline experience. We’ll explore why “quality theater” fails, how to align standards with orga…

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The Performance Paradox: Solving L&D’s $100 Billion Waste Problem 44:29

5M ago44:29

44:29

Danielle Wallace, Chief Learning Strategist at Beyond the Sky, merges decades of corporate marketing expertise with cutting-edge L&D innovation to tackle the crisis of ineffective training. In this episode, she dismantles why traditional content-heavy approaches fail to drive real-world performance, revealing how AI-powered role-plays, immersive sc…

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8. Soft Skills, Real Impact: The Vertus Approach to Conflict Resolution 1:31:02

5M ago1:31:02

1:31:02

In this powerful and thought-provoking episode of the Training Impact Podcast, host Jeff Walter sits down with Rubens Tilkian—trial lawyer, master coach, mediator, and founder of Vertus Conflict Solutions. With over 70,000 resolved agreements and more than 550 professionals trained, Rubens brings deep experience and personal insight into one of the…

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7. IFA World Franchise Show: Turn Your Franchise Training into a Strategic Asset 37:03

5M ago37:03

37:03

In this powerful episode of the Training Impact Podcast, we spotlight Jeff Walter, Founder and CEO of LatitudeLearning, and his thought-provoking session at the 2025 IFA World Franchise Show. With over 20 years in Learning and Development, Walter brings clarity and urgency to a message franchisors need to hear: franchise training isn’t just a neces…

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6. The Core Difference: Partner vs. Employee Training Explained 25:11

5M ago25:11

25:11

In this unique episode of the Training Impact Podcast, Jeff Walter takes listeners on a reflective hike through the woods of Northern Michigan to answer a deceptively simple question: What makes partner training different from employee training? What begins as a casual query from a colleague unfolds into an in-depth comparison that explores the cor…

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Neuroscience and AI: Enhancing Learning and Performance 57:38

5M ago57:38

57:38

Join us for a captivating conversation with Margie Meacham, famously known as "The Brain Lady," a pioneer in applying AI to learning and talent development since 2013. Drawing from her hands-on experience developing educational chatbots, Margie will take us on a journey through the powerful intersection of neuroscience and artificial intelligence. …

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5. How Emerging Franchisors can Scale Training for Growth: A Blended Learning Blueprint 22:59

5M ago22:59

22:59

In this episode of the Training Impact podcast, Jeff Walter, CEO of LatitudeLearning, shared insights from his time at the IFA World Franchise Show in Miami. A recurring concern among attendees—particularly emerging franchisors with 10 to 50 locations—was the challenge of scaling their franchise training programs. While many new franchisors provide…

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Creating Accessible and Inclusive Learning Experiences, By the Book 51:24

6M ago51:24

51:24

Training content can only help create true change if it can help everyone in your organization. There is a whole range of reasons and circumstances why learners might find content inaccessible or exclusive, and it can seem very daunting to try and solve accessibility and inclusivity for all possibilities. In this session of IDIODC, we’re talking wi…

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4. The Five Stages of Training Program Evolution: A Roadmap to High-Impact Learning 41:24

6M ago41:24

41:24

In a recent episode of the Training Impact Podcast, host Jeff Walter breaks down a strategic framework called the Training Program Roadmap, a five-stage model that illustrates how organizations can evolve their training programs to significantly increase impact and return on investment (ROI). Drawing from years of implementation experience with Lat…

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Beyond Vanity Metrics: Driving Growth with Learner Engagement 42:07

6M ago42:07

42:07

L&D teams face mounting pressure to prove engagement isn’t just a vanity metric. Join Becky Willis, learning strategist and co-founder of Tractus Learning, as she reveals how to transform engagement from abstract concept to measurable business driver. Discover practical frameworks for connecting learning maturity to engagement strategies, including…

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3. The 7 Artificial Intelligence Use Cases for Learning and Development 25:33

6M ago25:33

25:33

In a recent episode of the Training Impact Podcast, Jeff Walter, founder and CEO of LatitudeLearning, explores the transformative potential of artificial intelligence (AI) in the learning and development (L&D) industry. Drawing historical parallels to past technological revolutions such as steam power, electricity, the internet, and personal comput…

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2. Transform Your Training Program into a Strategic Asset 24:03

6M ago24:03

24:03

In the premiere episode of the Training Impact podcast, Jeff Walter, CEO of LatitudeLearning, breaks down how learning and development professionals can elevate their training programs into true strategic investments. At the heart of the episode is a challenge that many face: despite knowing the value of knowledge, L&D teams often struggle to secur…

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1. Welcome to the Training Impact Podcast 1:33

6M ago1:33

1:33

The Training Impact Podcast is focused on partner training programs and how to maximize their impact on organizations. As an industry, we've done a lot of great work at the course level, figuring out how to use technologies to help students learn and how to develop skills. But there hasn't been a lot of focus on the program level, how to have a hig…

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The Accessibility Edge: How Benchmarking Fuels Inclusive Learning Success with Susi Miller 50:27

7M ago50:27

50:27

Tune in as 2025 LPI Learning Professional of the Year Susi Miller reveals how inaccessible learning content creates significant organizational risks, including compliance violations, talent exclusion, and reputational damage. Through her groundbreaking eLa1000 Accessibility Assessment initiative, Susi demonstrates how organizations that prioritize …

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xAPI in 2025: Growing Pains and Future Gains with Megan Torrance 50:24

8M ago50:24

50:24

It's been almost 12 years since Experience API (xAPI) version 1.0 was released, and it’s still experiencing some growing pains. With so much potential yet still waiting to take the world by storm (or by SCORM?), xAPI seems much like many other Tweens. The fabulous Megan Torrance joins us for this episode of IDIODC to discuss where xAPI stands in 20…

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Must-Steal Marketing Strategies for Your L&D Toolkit with Bianca Baumann 44:45

8M ago44:45

44:45

The goal of any L&D department is to influence and change behavior. And guess what? That’s the same goal of the marketing department. Marketers are great at grabbing attention and convincing people to carry out an action, and many of the strategies and tools they use can also help L&D teams improve the success of training programs. Tune in for a gr…

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Getting Real-World L&D Benefits from Artificial Intelligence with Tim Handley 53:58

8M ago53:58

53:58

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is in the spotlight these days, and many L&D teams are exploring the role it can play in their development processes—and even in the learning content itself. The team at Welbee began incorporating AI into its dominKnow | ONE courses a year ago. Welbee provides courses and learning content focused on school staff well-be…

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Top eLearning Challenges in 2025 - Obstacles or Opportunities? 44:00

9M ago44:00

44:00

It’s time to dust off our trusty coffee mugs and get back on the mic! Instructional Designers In Office Drinking Coffee (IDIODC) is back, and we have a lot to discuss. In our first session this year, we’ll cover the top eLearning industry challenges in 2025 – some are new and trendy, while others are legacy and persistent. How can we tackle these c…

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Solve Knowledge and Learning Issues with Organization Enablement with Mike Simmons 47:48

2+ y ago47:48

47:48

We've all heard of Sales Enablement roles. But why is it that only sales teams get special attention enabling them to do their jobs better? Shouldn't we be enabling the entire organization? One might argue that traditional onboarding and training has that responsibility. But it's not quite the same. Enabling all departments to be successful and pro…

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Debunking Myths About Creating Accessible Learning Content with Diane Elkins 43:59

2+ y ago43:59

43:59

Have you asked yourself lately why you don't put a stronger focus on accessibility when creating eLearning content? Oh c'mon, you know you've made excuses why you "can't" do it. We all have at one time or another in our careers. I include myself in that. Here are just a few I'm sure you've used: "Yea, but nobody in our organization has a disability…

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Improving Training Videos Using Neuroscience with Patti Shank 46:30

2+ y ago46:30

46:30

Just because you have the skills to shoot and edit a video doesn't mean it's instructionally sound. This is why some videos are easier to learn from than others. And why that learning sticks. Watching video is a passive experience and therefore you might think there isn't much more to it than just making it more entertaining. Yea, you'd be wrong. D…

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Using AI to Supercharge Training Team Productivity with Myra Roldan 45:19

2+ y ago45:19

45:19

AI is the hottest topic in L&D since Learning2.0. It's even hotter than Virtual Reality. Why? Because it's something everyone can use and doesn't require additional hardware expenses. And more importantly, when used creatively, AI apps can supercharge your individual productivity. But if you're a manager/director of an L&D or Training department, y…

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Navigating the NonProfit Learning Ecosystem with Nancy Bacon 45:35

2+ y ago45:35

45:35

Nonprofit organizations need training too. Just like the for-profit enterprise, a nonprofit has learning needs. Some of that learning is unique to the nonprofit world. And just like SMBs and large enterprises, nonprofits come in all sizes. And as these organizations scale up, so do their training needs. If you're an L&D professional you may have co…

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The 10 Principles of an Adaptive Learning Organization with Mike Hruska 43:44

2+ y ago43:44

43:44

Artificial Intelligence is the hottest thing since the internet. And it's the fastest growing, and fastest changing technology in human history. The businesses that survive will be those that can quickly adapt and incorporate these changes with minimal business disruption. Learning and Development will play a critical role in the future of this aug…

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Becoming an Accidental Instructional Designer with Cammy Bean 46:13

2+ y ago46:13

46:13

Oops! I tripped on a lego, and got back up as an accidental instructional designer. HA! Okay, maybe not that type of accident. But there aren't that many of us that grew up always wanting to be an ID. The reality of our workforce is that we're the island of misfit corporate professionals, and former school teachers. This is also the story of today'…

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The Realities and Future of Modern Learning Ecosystems with Craig Weiss 40:32

2+ y ago40:32

40:32

Is your company, or department, growing and needing to upgrade the training systems you've outgrown? Or maybe you're just curious about the future of your career in L&D or corporate training? Perhaps you just like to stay informed about the training industry for other reasons. Digital technology has been changing our industry for over 50 years. Kee…

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Powering Performance with Formal/Informal Learning at the 5 Moments of Need with Bob Mosher 44:56

2+ y ago44:56

44:56

The 5 Moments of Need exist in every department of every enterprise, and requires a strong and efficient learning ecosystem. Both formal and informal learning solutions support each of the moments in different ways. When you need to learn NEW stuff or MORE stuff, those are the first 2 moments of need and probably the most obvious. But there is also…

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Top Tips for Online Presenting with Kirsten Rourke 43:12

2+ y ago43:12

43:12

As your career progresses you will be asked to be a speaker, or deliver a presentation, more and more. And it doesn't matter if you enjoy it or not, your thoughts and ideas will need to be communicated to others if you expect to succeed in your career. Working from home, virtual meetings and training sessions, have become the norm. Just because you…

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How L&D Can Become a Trusted Business Advisor with Jess Almlie 39:35

2+ y ago39:35

39:35

Learning and Development leaders and their teams support many different stakeholders. But all of these stakeholders play an important role in the success of each enterprise. If our job is to help them improve their performance than we must learn to become better advisors to those lines of business. Jess Almlie joins us to talk about becoming a trus…

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eLearning Research Surprises that May Surprise You with Jane Bozarth 47:01

2+ y ago47:01

47:01

Industry research is an important part of advancing our profession. Did you know that, sometimes, researchers discover interesting trends that don't make the final edit of a report? Obviously, if it was industry changing findings it wouldn't hit the cutting room floor. But even the stuff you never read about can very interesting and helpful in your…

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Data Literacy for Learning Leaders with Zsolt Oláh 43:29

2+ y ago43:29

43:29

Data literacy is not something traditionally taught to training teams, but leveraging data for decision-making is critical in today's workplace. But just counting butts-in-seats doesn't cut it. It's necessary to interpret the business data you are expecting to impact with your training solutions. But that's often easier said than done. Especially i…

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How to Create Accessible Learning Content Supporting DEI with Susi Miller 45:44

2+ y ago45:44

45:44

When you hear about Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion initiatives, how often do you associate them with accessibility? Probably not immediately, right? But when you see it, your brain says "of course"! Accessibility conversations are often discussed as a separate initiative, when in reality, creating accessible learning content is exactly what DEI p…