Top 10 Listened-to Episodes of ATD’s Accidental Trainer Podcast

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ATD’s Accidental Trainer Podcast promises to connect you with industry experts whose stories and tips can help you grow your training career. This year, our listeners checked out episodes new and old, covering topics such as artificial intelligence, storytelling, and designing for all learners. Here are the most popular episodes to date:

ATD’s Accidental Trainer Podcast promises to connect you with industry experts whose stories and tips can help you grow your training career. This year, our listeners checked out episodes new and old, covering topics such as artificial intelligence, storytelling, and designing for all learners. Here are the most popular episodes to date:

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   “What Chocolate, Games, and Empathy Reveal About Strategy” with Seth Godin It’s no surprise that at the top of our list is Seth Godin. The author of several bestselling books and ATD25’s closing keynote speaker, Seth is a guiding voice for those in our industry. In this episode , Seth challenged the way we think about strategy, the systems we live and work in, and where we get our chocolate. Topics: Future-Readiness, Community Action, Change Management, Upskilling

   “What Chocolate, Games, and Empathy Reveal About Strategy” with Seth Godin
   
   It’s no surprise that at the top of our list is Seth Godin. The author of several bestselling books and ATD25’s closing keynote speaker, Seth is a guiding voice for those in our industry. In this episode, Seth challenged the way we think about strategy, the systems we live and work in, and where we get our chocolate.
   
   Topics: Future-Readiness, Community Action, Change Management, Upskilling
   
   

2. Content

   “Under the Hood of Chat GPT” with Myra Roldan ChatGPT went mainstream at the end of 2022. Luckily, Myra Roldan was already deep into the technology when she joined the podcast in February 2023 . Myra defined AI and ChatGPT, provided various AI use cases that can enhance L&D workflows, and predicted how new generative AI tools will shape the world. Did she get it right? Topics: Learning Technologies, AI, L&D Trends

   “Under the Hood of Chat GPT” with Myra Roldan
   
   ChatGPT went mainstream at the end of 2022. Luckily, Myra Roldan was already deep into the technology when she joined the podcast in February 2023. Myra defined AI and ChatGPT, provided various AI use cases that can enhance L&D workflows, and predicted how new generative AI tools will shape the world. Did she get it right?
   
   Topics: Learning Technologies, AI, L&D Trends
   
   

3. Content

   “Breaking Down Change Fatigue” with Holly Burkett Holly Burke joined the podcast to discuss change fatigue, its origins, and how TD professionals can help organizations overcome common challenges related to change fatigue. Holly reframed change management as energy management and offered suggestions on how to embed wellness into an organization’s culture. Her 4-R framework can alter how L&D tackles change fatigue and how leaders view capacity and capability within their employees. Topics: Wellbeing, Burnout, Change Management, Culture

   “Breaking Down Change Fatigue” with Holly Burkett
   
   Holly Burke joined the podcast to discuss change fatigue, its origins, and how TD professionals can help organizations overcome common challenges related to change fatigue. Holly reframed change management as energy management and offered suggestions on how to embed wellness into an organization’s culture. Her 4-R framework can alter how L&D tackles change fatigue and how leaders view capacity and capability within their employees.
   
   Topics: Wellbeing, Burnout, Change Management, Culture
   
   

4. Content

   “New Year, New Trends: 2025 Predictions” with Jessica Kriegel (+ “Predicting L&D Trends on the Rise” with Karl Kapp) Jessica Kriegel shared her trend predictions for 2025 at the start of the year. She forecasted which ones are likely to stick and discussed how L&D professionals can anticipate changes to their roles. The conversation explored the evolving use of AI tools, the future of middle managers, and why the five-day return-to-office (RTO) trend may not be as daunting as it seems. Halfway through the year, it’s time to check in on these trends again. (Also making this top 10 list was our 2024 trends predictions with Karl Kapp. I made the editorial choice to merge it with #4. Check it out here ). Topics: Learning Technologies, Organizational Culture, Workforce Trends

   “New Year, New Trends: 2025 Predictions” with Jessica Kriegel (+ “Predicting L&D Trends on the Rise” with Karl Kapp)
   
   Jessica Kriegel shared her trend predictions for 2025 at the start of the year. She forecasted which ones are likely to stick and discussed how L&D professionals can anticipate changes to their roles. The conversation explored the evolving use of AI tools, the future of middle managers, and why the five-day return-to-office (RTO) trend may not be as daunting as it seems. Halfway through the year, it’s time to check in on these trends again. (Also making this top 10 list was our 2024 trends predictions with Karl Kapp. I made the editorial choice to merge it with #4. Check it out here).
   
   Topics: Learning Technologies, Organizational Culture, Workforce Trends
   
   

5. Content

   “Arrive With Executive Presence, Leave With Results: Tips From Hilary Blair” Executive presence goes beyond confidence and charisma—it’s a vital skill for every professional, not just those in the C-suite. Hilary Blair examined the evolving role of executive presence and its particular importance for trainers and instructional designers in the L&D field. Hilary showed how our “packaging” shapes perceptions of us and shared strategies for developing an authentic executive presence that aligns with your personality. Topics: Communication, Presentation Skills, Authenticity, Relationship Building

   “Arrive With Executive Presence, Leave With Results: Tips From Hilary Blair”
   
   Executive presence goes beyond confidence and charisma—it’s a vital skill for every professional, not just those in the C-suite. Hilary Blair examined the evolving role of executive presence and its particular importance for trainers and instructional designers in the L&D field. Hilary showed how our “packaging” shapes perceptions of us and shared strategies for developing an authentic executive presence that aligns with your personality.
   
   Topics: Communication, Presentation Skills, Authenticity, Relationship Building
   
   

6. Content

   “Craft Compelling Stories” with G. Riley Mills In this episode , G. Riley Mills explained why storytelling can be a challenge for L&D professionals and shared actionable strategies for honing communication skills. Discover a 6-step framework for crafting compelling stories, offering insights on how to tailor your message to different audiences, embrace the art of brevity, evoke authentic emotion, and create stories that inspire action and influence listeners. Topics: Communication, Storytelling, Presentation Skills, Creativity, Gaining Buy-In

   “Craft Compelling Stories” with G. Riley Mills
   
   In this episode, G. Riley Mills explained why storytelling can be a challenge for L&D professionals and shared actionable strategies for honing communication skills. Discover a 6-step framework for crafting compelling stories, offering insights on how to tailor your message to different audiences, embrace the art of brevity, evoke authentic emotion, and create stories that inspire action and influence listeners.
   
   Topics: Communication, Storytelling, Presentation Skills, Creativity, Gaining Buy-In
   
   

7. Content

   “Reframing the Skills Gap Craze” with Bob Mosher I think I’ve heard the phrases “skills-based hiring” or “the skills gap” every day in 2025. So, it’s no wonder that Bob Mosher’s episode challenging the push for skills was popular. The skills gap craze continues to grow for many organizations. Bob discussed how aligning on the definition of “skill” is a crucial first step in reframing this industry phenomenon, the undervalued role of upskilling in the context of work, and the advantages of a performance-first mindset. Topics: Hiring, Skill Management, Performance Improvement, Organization Development

   “Reframing the Skills Gap Craze” with Bob Mosher
   
   I think I’ve heard the phrases “skills-based hiring” or “the skills gap” every day in 2025. So, it’s no wonder that Bob Mosher’s episode challenging the push for skills was popular. The skills gap craze continues to grow for many organizations. Bob discussed how aligning on the definition of “skill” is a crucial first step in reframing this industry phenomenon, the undervalued role of upskilling in the context of work, and the advantages of a performance-first mindset.
   
   Topics: Hiring, Skill Management, Performance Improvement, Organization Development
   
   

8. Content

   “Low Stake Ways to Boost Learning Transfer” with Katrina Kennedy Katrina Kennedy shared how she incorporates evidence-based learning strategies into her training programs. She passionately shared practical examples and tools you can use to facilitate retrieval, practice, and reflection for your learners. Katrina also discussed the value of spaced-retrieval and how to strategically incorporate feedback into your learners’ practice. Check out the episode for tips, tricks, and resources that will make implementing active learning strategies easier in both in-person and virtual training. Topics: Learning Science, Memory & Recall, Instructional Design, Training Facility, Training Delivery, Adult Learning Theory

   “Low Stake Ways to Boost Learning Transfer” with Katrina Kennedy
   
   Katrina Kennedy shared how she incorporates evidence-based learning strategies into her training programs. She passionately shared practical examples and tools you can use to facilitate retrieval, practice, and reflection for your learners. Katrina also discussed the value of spaced-retrieval and how to strategically incorporate feedback into your learners’ practice. Check out the episode for tips, tricks, and resources that will make implementing active learning strategies easier in both in-person and virtual training.
   
   Topics: Learning Science, Memory & Recall, Instructional Design, Training Facility, Training Delivery, Adult Learning Theory
   
   

9. Content

   “Design for Behavior Change” with Julie Dirksen Julie Dirksen, a learning strategist, discussed designing learning for behavior change. This episode explored several topics from her book, Talk to the Elephant , including the COM-B behavior model, mapping behavior change interventions, and various initiatives to get you started on organization-wide projects. Julie also revealed the biggest barriers to behavior change, like motivation, competing priorities, and feedback, and what you can do about them. Topics: Organizational Culture, Instructional Design, Adult Learning Theory, Performance Improvement, Change Management

   “Design for Behavior Change” with Julie Dirksen
   
   Julie Dirksen, a learning strategist, discussed designing learning for behavior change. This episode explored several topics from her book, Talk to the Elephant, including the COM-B behavior model, mapping behavior change interventions, and various initiatives to get you started on organization-wide projects. Julie also revealed the biggest barriers to behavior change, like motivation, competing priorities, and feedback, and what you can do about them.
   
   Topics: Organizational Culture, Instructional Design, Adult Learning Theory, Performance Improvement, Change Management
   
   

10. Content

    “Why Learning Transfer Will Never Be Automatic (And What to Do About It)” with Jared Cooney Horvath In this episode , Jared Cooney Horvath offered advice for overcoming the three biggest hurdles blocking learning transfer: knowledge, contextualization, and adaptation. The conversation also explored the distinctions between subject comprehension and ability, the dynamics of digital versus in-person learning, and the disparity between AI teachers and live instructors. Discover more about Jared’s research and his “hack” to expedite learning transfer. Topics: Learning Science, Instructional Design, Training Facility, Training Delivery, Adult Learning Theory

    “Why Learning Transfer Will Never Be Automatic (And What to Do About It)” with Jared Cooney Horvath
    
    In this episode, Jared Cooney Horvath offered advice for overcoming the three biggest hurdles blocking learning transfer: knowledge, contextualization, and adaptation. The conversation also explored the distinctions between subject comprehension and ability, the dynamics of digital versus in-person learning, and the disparity between AI teachers and live instructors. Discover more about Jared’s research and his “hack” to expedite learning transfer.
    
    Topics: Learning Science, Instructional Design, Training Facility, Training Delivery, Adult Learning Theory

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Get all ATD Accidental Trainer podcasts here , or check out the Talent Development Leader podcast here .

Get all ATD Accidental Trainer podcasts here, or check out the Talent Development Leader podcast here.