In this episode of Catalysts, I sit down with Brandon Carson, Chief Learning Officer at Docebo, to explore the future of learning and development in a world reshaped by AI, transformation, and trust.

Brandon is a globally recognized L&D leader and the author of Learning in the Age of Immediacy and L&D’s Playbook for the Digital Age. He’s led learning strategy at Walmart, Starbucks, and now Docebo—and his vision for the next decade of work is bold, clear, and deeply human.

We talk about:

• The three tectonic shifts that have redefined L&D since the 1970s
• Why COVID—not AI—was the real catalyst for L&D’s elevation
• The shift from scalable efficiency to scalable learning
• How HR and L&D can restore workforce trust in the age of AI
• What it takes to lead talent development with empathy and strategy
• Brandon’s advice for emerging leaders—and the one skill he calls your “back pocket differentiator”

This episode is a roadmap for any L&D professional looking to lead boldly, scale human potential, and architect the future of work.

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What does real transformation look like in learning and development—and how do we design for it in a world defined by disruption?

In this episode of Catalysts, I sit down with Sean Bengry, Chief Learning Officer at Sablethorn Consulting and a global leader in educational innovation, to explore the intersection of human-centered design, technology, and organizational change.

With over 20 years of experience leading global L&D strategy, Sean shares why effective learning ecosystems don’t start with solutions—they start with curiosity, empathy, and trust.

We unpack:

• Why falling in love with the problem is more important than falling in love with the solution
• How to use the 5 Whys without triggering defensiveness
• The difference between digital transformation and cultural transformation
• What it really takes to shift mindsets inside complex organizations
• And how AI might make us more human—not less

Sean also introduces the Bengry Paradox—his belief that if you try to automate yourself out of a job in a year, you’ll never actually be without one.

If you’re leading learning strategy, navigating AI disruption, or rethinking how change actually happens inside organizations, this episode is a must-listen.

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In this episode of Catalysts, I sit down with Steven Van Cohen—global leadership consultant, executive coach, and Wall Street Journal bestselling author of Connectable. Dubbed “The Leadership Whisperer,” Steven helps companies reduce isolation, improve well-being, and foster true belonging in the workplace.

We explore what it really takes to build a culture of connection—far beyond icebreakers and happy hours. From combatting loneliness and creating psychologically safe teams to rethinking one-on-ones and using learning as a tool for relational growth, Steven shares actionable insights backed by data and grounded in empathy.

If you care about creating teams that perform, stay, and grow together—this is the conversation you’ve been waiting for.

🔑 In This Episode, You’ll Learn:

• Why connection is one of the most underrated performance levers in business
• What it means to be “connectable” as a leader (and how to get there)
• Why one-on-ones fall short without structure and intention
• How L&D can counteract rising workplace loneliness
• The role of vulnerability—beyond just “getting personal”
• Why micro-moments of connection matter more than you think
• How to build a social regimen into your team's workflow

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In this episode of Catalysts, I’m joined by Megan Dillon, Director of Learning and Development at Q-Centrix. Megan leads with clarity and heart, aligning workforce development with business strategy and building systems that create real behavior change—not just training events.

We explore how L&D is evolving from content creation to business enablement, and what it looks like to step into the role of strategic advisor. From leveraging AI as a co-pilot, to shifting mindsets around ROI, to developing managers into career coaches, Megan offers insight after insight for L&D professionals ready to elevate their work—and their influence.

Whether you're leading a team or shaping learning strategy inside your organization, this episode will push you to think deeper about the role of L&D in shaping the future of work.

In This Episode, You’ll Learn:

• Why the future of learning is personalized, adaptive, and AI-supported
• How L&D can shift from reactive support to proactive strategy
• What it really means to take a consultative approach inside the business
• How to partner with managers to turn learning into sustained behavior change
• The role of visibility, curiosity, and learning in public for modern leaders
• Why you shouldn’t wait for permission to innovate

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In this episode of Catalysts, I sit down with Patty Miller, a senior HR executive with over 24 years of experience helping leaders navigate complex people challenges across North America. Patty is known for her sharp insights, unshakable integrity, and powerful frameworks like the Core Values Index and Vitality Pulse Review that bring clarity to messy, fast-moving workplaces.

We talk about the evolution of leadership—from fixing problems to facilitating transformation—and how leaders can unlock better results through psychological safety, personalized development, and just the right mix of structure and storytelling.

If you care about building stronger teams, leading with empathy, and turning workplace complexity into confidence, this conversation is for you.

In This Episode, You’ll Learn:

• Why the future of learning will feel less more personalized and targeted
• How the Core Values Index can help leaders hire better and build stronger teams
• Why asking the right questions is more powerful than having the right answers
• How leaders can use visibility, vulnerability, and voice to expand their impact
• Why psychological safety isn’t just a nice-to-have—it’s a performance strategy

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In this episode of Catalysts, I sit down with Nick Day, a learning leader at Roundtable Learning, where he designs immersive, tech-driven learning solutions for enterprise clients—including over 50 Fortune 500 companies.

Nick shares why XR (extended reality) is more than a buzzword—and how it can deliver measurable impact when paired with the right learning strategy. We explore real use cases for AR, VR, and mixed reality in soft skills development, onboarding, and performance support, plus the surprising data insights these tools can reveal.

Whether you’re exploring immersive tech for the first time or trying to separate the hype from the real opportunities, this conversation is full of strategic takeaways.

Here's what we chat about:

• How virtual reality improves soft skills by offering _real practice with real feedback)
• The power of tracking body language, decision timing, and eye contact in VR
• Why Roundtable focuses on learning problems—not just tech solutions
• What bold innovations are being tested right now with real-world hardware + XR
• Why learning leaders need to slow down, ask better questions, and avoid shiny object syndrome
• How visibility, partnerships, and peer conversations accelerate innovation

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What does it really take to create learning that sticks?

In this episode of Catalysts, I’m joined by Taresa Scott, founder of Bleuprint, for a refreshing and thought-provoking conversation about what’s broken in traditional L&D—and what we need to do differently.

We talk about why emotional intelligence belongs at the center of learning strategy, how consulting skills can help L&D professionals get a seat at the table, and why supporting first-time managers isn’t just nice—it’s necessary. Teresa also shares her take on how AI is shaping the future of development and why curiosity—not compliance—is what drives real growth inside organizations.

If you’re tired of learning being treated like a box to check, this one’s for you.

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In this episode of Catalysts, I’m joined by Aaron T. Jones, Director of Onboarding and Training. With a background in performance and a passion for people, Aaron brings a storytelling-driven approach to L&D that’s both strategic and deeply human.

We explore how his skills-first onboarding framework has led to major gains in retention and time-to-productivity—and why that success starts with consulting skills, deep curiosity, and a clear connection to the business’s bottom line. From integrating AI into learning design to empowering first-time managers, Aaron shares actionable insights for creating high-impact programs that prioritize people and performance.

Whether you’re building a team, designing onboarding, or simply trying to make learning more effective, this conversation is packed with ideas you can run with today.

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