The Talent Forge: Shaping the Future of Training and Development with Jay Johnson
Welcome to The Talent Forge! Where we are shaping the future of training and development
I am your host, Jay Johnson. Through my 20+ years as a coach, trainer, and leader, I have seen the best and the worst of talent development across the globe. That has inspired and compelled me to create a show that helps other professionals like me navigate the challenging waters of growing people.
The Talent Forge isn't your typical tips and tricks podcast. We delve deeper, explore the future, and pioneer new thinking to help our audience achieve transformation with their programs and people.
In each episode, we talk with industry thought leaders, dissect real-world case studies, and share actionable strategies to help you future-proof your training programs. Whether you're a seasoned L&D professional or just starting out, The Talent Forge is your one-stop shop to shape a thriving learning culture within your organization.
Episodes
37 episodes
Strategic Storytelling: The Key to Transformational Training with Aleya Harris
How do you turn mandatory corporate training from a dreaded box-checking exercise into an engaging experience that actually changes behavior? The answer lies in strategic storytelling.In this eye-opening episode, Aleya Harris, a strateg...
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Season 1
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Episode 36
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37:47
Transforming Vision into Action: Emma Rainville's Guide to Operations
Dive into an insightful conversation with Emma Rainville, dubbed the Wizard of Ops, as she shares her unparalleled wisdom on the intersection of operations and talent development. With an incredible journey from managing one of the largest HVAC...
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Season 1
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Episode 35
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42:18
Crayon Revolution: How Child-Like Play Makes Better Executives with Susan Hensley
What happens when a television journalist becomes an HR executive and discovers the transformative power of crayons? Susan Hensley shares her transformative three-career act from television journalist to HR executive to art journali...
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Season 1
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Episode 34
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46:31
How to Create Inclusive Spaces: A Conversation with Delphia Howze
Explore the dynamic world of inclusion with Delphia Howze in our latest episode! Delphia shares her surprising career journey from aspiring attorney to leading advocate for inclusive practices in the workplace. In a world that increasingly valu...
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Season 1
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Episode 33
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39:17
From Service to Success: Understanding Veteran Workforce Challenges with Jason Anderson
Many veterans face challenges when transitioning from military service to civilian jobs. In this enlightening episode of The Talent Forge, Jason Anderson, a veteran with years of corporate experience, unpacks the complexities behind these trans...
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Season 1
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Episode 32
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43:40
From Traditional HR to Strategic Partnership with Andrew Almazan
What if HR could transcend its traditional role and become a true powerhouse of organizational success? Join us on this episode of the Talent Forge as we welcome Andrew Almazan, an ex-VP of people with 15 years of industry experience, who share...
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Season 1
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Episode 31
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47:36
Part 2: The Power of Assessments & Combating Burnout with Dr. Barb Thompson
Join us as we welcome back Dr. Barb Thompson, a seasoned expert in the world of assessments. In this episode, we explore the importance of having a trained professional guide the interpretation of these assessments to harness their full potenti...
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Season 1
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Episode 30
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37:26
Building High-Performing Teams with Dr. Michael Neal
Unlock the secrets to building a high-performing team with insights from this week's guest, Dr. Michael Neal, founder of Build My Team. Faced with the challenge of high turnover in his eye care practice, Dr. Neal sought inspiration from industr...
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Season 1
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Episode 29
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30:10
Training Leadership to Become Better Partners with Rebecca Vickers
Rebecca Vickers, our esteemed guest and VP of Operations and Marketing, joins us to explore the transformative power of storytelling in talent development. Her journey is a testament to the importance of fostering a people-centered approach in ...
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Season 1
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Episode 28
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51:31
From Policy to Practice with Legal Insights from Taylor Crabill
Unlock the complexities of legal and compliance training in the workplace with insights from our esteemed guest, Taylor Crabill, an accomplished employment lawyer. This episode of The Talent Forge promises to transform your understanding of sex...
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Season 1
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Episode 27
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30:23
From Setbacks to Stepping Stones with Rhonda Parker-Taylor
Unlock the secrets to personal growth with this week's guest, Rhonda Parker Taylor, a leader in talent development. Rhonda shares her remarkable journey from an entrepreneurial upbringing to finding her true calling in the world of emotional in...
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Season 1
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Episode 26
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47:38
From Tech Giants to Leadership Coaching with Emily Sander
Curious about the pivotal role of a Chief of Staff in shaping talent strategies at fast-growing tech companies? Join us for an enlightening conversation with Executive Coach and former Chief of Staff, Emily Sander, as she reveals her unique jou...
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Season 1
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Episode 25
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32:51
Journey to Growth: Dr. Danny Brassell on Resilience and the Power of Reading
Dr. Danny Brassell’s incredible journey from journalism to becoming a powerhouse in talent development and education is nothing short of inspiring. Starting his career covering President Bush in 1992, Danny found his true calling in teaching in...
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Season 1
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Episode 24
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38:07
Designing Events for All Personality Types with Rob Giardinelli
Join us as we welcome Rob Giardinelli, a seasoned professional who has made the fascinating transition from the tech sphere to becoming a master of social dynamics through his initiative, Event Mindset. Rob, a self-proclaimed introvert, shares ...
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Season 1
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Episode 23
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38:55
Wild Horses and Leadership: Lessons in Trust and Empowerment with Shane Jacob
What can wild horses teach us about effective leadership and human relationships? Join us as we welcome the multifaceted Shane Jacob, who draws from his rich experience in the horse industry to share insightful parallels between training horses...
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Season 1
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Episode 22
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35:21
Bilingual Insights and Future Trends in Training with Michelle Bonkosky
Discover the transformative power of bilingualism in training and development as we explore the unique insights of our guest, Michelle Bonkosky. Michelle takes us on her compelling journey from Puerto Rico to pursuing a doctorate in online educ...
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Season 1
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Episode 21
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41:24
Small Steps for Lasting Change with Roman Fischer
What if transforming your life was just a matter of embracing healthier habits? Today on The Talent Forge, we are thrilled to have Roman Fischer, an inspiring fitness coach whose personal journey is nothing short of transformative. Roman opens ...
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Season 1
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Episode 20
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36:42
Redefining Aging Through Mentorship and Generativity with Dr. Deborah Heiser
Discover how the drive to give back can redefine the aging experience with our insightful guest, Dr. Deborah Heiser. Dr. Heiser, a trailblazer in the study of aging, shares her unique journey from focusing on aging challenges to exploring mento...
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Season 1
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Episode 19
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36:19
From Coding to Coaching: Navigating Growth and Leadership with Brian Walch
What happens when a seasoned software developer turns his talents to nurturing human potential? Join us for an insightful conversation with Brian Walch, who shares his unique journey from the tech world to becoming a leader in talent developmen...
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Season 1
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Episode 18
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33:45
Leading With Purpose: The Journey from Corporate Life to Purpose-Driven Initiatives with Elona Lopari
Ever wondered how to align your professional life with your personal purpose? Join us in this enlightening episode of Talent Forge as we welcome Elona Lopari, CEO of the Life School, to share her inspiring journey from the corporate world to sp...
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Season 1
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Episode 17
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33:46
Redefining Success Through Transformational Relationships with Steven Falk
Steven Falk, CEO and founder of Switchback OS, reveals his transformative journey from a career in marriage and family therapy to a leader in talent development within heavy industry. With the backing of his supportive wife, he took a leap of f...
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Season 1
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Episode 16
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36:16
Behavioral Assessments Redefined with Dr. Barb Thompson
Welcome Dr. Barb Thompson, a distinguished clinical psychologist and Army veteran, into our conversation. Dr. Thompson takes us on her remarkable journey from clinical to operational psychology, sharing valuable insights from her experiences wo...
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Season 1
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Episode 15
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51:33
Rethinking Feedback: A New Era of Workplace Communication with John Larsen
Can surveys really mask deeper communication issues in the workplace? Join us as we welcome John Larsen from Vellum to shed light on this eye-opening topic. John challenges the status quo of organizational feedback mechanisms with his bold pres...
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Season 1
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Episode 14
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32:40
Elevating L&D: From Fast Food to VP with Jess Almlie
Join us as we explore the fascinating world of Learning and Development with seasoned expert Jess Almlie, whose nearly 30-year journey reveals the art of crafting impactful learning experiences. From her early days at McDonald's to her pivotal ...
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Season 1
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Episode 13
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55:53
Unlocking Leadership: Insights from Hank Wethington on Transformation and Growth
Ready to unlock the secrets of effective leadership? Join us on Talent Forge as we sit down with Hank Wethington, the IT professional turned executive coach, who reveals how a fortuitous opportunity in learning and development ignited his passi...
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Season 1
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Episode 12
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38:57