What if success was not about building bigger, but building intentionally?

In this episode, Caitlin, founder of Liquid Form Design, talks about building a business that supports your life instead of consuming it.

From rebuilding after divorce, to redesigning her business model, to questioning the pressure to constantly scale, this conversation is honest, thoughtful, and packed with practical wisdom for anyone building a career or business they actually want to live inside of.

If you have ever felt stuck in hustle culture, questioned what success should really look like, or wondered if there is a better way to build something meaningful, this episode is for you.

• Why success should be defined on your terms
• The truth about entrepreneurship no one talks about
• How to build a business that gives you more freedom, not less
• Why mentorship and community still matter more than ever
• The mistake many entrepreneurs make with scaling
• How to think beyond revenue goals and build a life you actually want

Get to know Caitlin:

Caitlin Lang is a brand strategist, web designer and copywriter who works exclusively with women coaches, consultants, and thought leaders. Through her signature three-day design sprints, she creates premium brands and websites that make it easy for women to attract dream clients and charge what they’re worth. Caitlin’s work is all about helping other women show up like the experts they are, do big things, and have more impact

Connect with Caitlin:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/caitlin-lang-designer

Website: https://www.liquidformdesign.com

Freebie: https://www.liquidformdesign.com/homepage-fix

Candice Mitchell is a Talent Development Strategist, CEO of Talent Collective, and USA Today bestselling author of Choose You: For the People Who Refuse to Disappear. With nearly two decades of experience building and leading capability functions inside global and Fortune 500 organizations, she founded Talent Collective, a premium capability-building firm for L&D, HR, Change, and People leaders in high-growth companies.

Website: https://talentcollective.org/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/candicemitchelltc/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/candice_mitchell_msc/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@candice_mitchell_msc

Talent Development Academy: https://courses.talentcollective.org/bundles/talent-development-academy

Choose You book: https://chooseyoubook.com/

Original music composed by: Paul DeHaven

pauldehavenmusic.com

What if career growth had less to do with strategy and more to do with who you become along the way?

Let’s hear Candice with Jessica Miller-Merrell, founder of Workology, talk about entrepreneurship, resilience, career pivots, and the personal growth most people never expect when building meaningful work.

From losing her job because of a blog, to building a business that reaches over a million people a month, to learning how nervous system regulation changed everything, this conversation is honest, practical, and deeply human.

If you are building a career, growing a business, or trying to create work that actually feels good to wake up to, this episode is for you.

• Why career growth often starts with personal growth
• The hidden realities of entrepreneurship people rarely talk about
• How to navigate uncertainty and career pivots
• Lessons from building an online business before social media really existed
• How nervous system regulation impacts leadership and success
• What it really takes to build work you genuinely love

Jessica Miller-Merrell is the Founder of Workology, a workplace resource for HR, recruiting professionals and business leaders. The site was listed twice as a top 75 career resource by Forbes Magazine. Jessica is the president and CEO of Xceptional HR, a human capital strategy and consulting agency, and is listed by Forbes as a top 50 social media power user. Because of her industry expertise and knowledge, Jessica’s opinions and expertise are sought after and sourced by publications and media including: The Economist, Forbes, CIO Magazine, CBS, Entrepreneur Magazine, and SHRM’s HR Magazine. Her new book, Digitizing Talent: Creative Strategies for the Digital Recruiting Age was published in 2023 by the Society for Human Resources Management (SHRM).

Instagram: @workologyblog

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/jmillermerrell

Youtube: youtube.com/workology

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/workologyblog/

Website: https://workology.com

https://go.workology.com/nervous-system-reset/

Candice Mitchell is a Talent Development Strategist, CEO of Talent Collective, and USA Today bestselling author of Choose You: For the People Who Refuse to Disappear. With nearly two decades of experience building and leading capability functions inside global and Fortune 500 organizations, she founded Talent Collective, a premium capability-building firm for L&D, HR, Change, and People leaders in high-growth companies.

Website: https://talentcollective.org/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/candicemitchelltc/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/candice_mitchell_msc/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@candice_mitchell_msc

Talent Development Academy: https://courses.talentcollective.org/bundles/talent-development-academy

Choose You book: https://chooseyoubook.com/

Original music composed by: Paul DeHaven

pauldehavenmusic.com

Leadership isn’t about having all the answers it’s about being willing to ask better questions.

In this episode, Candice Mitchell sits down with Al Dea, founder of Edge of Work, to unpack what leadership really looks like in practice not theory.

From Al’s first leadership role at age 14, to navigating loss early in his consulting career, to building a consulting practice rooted in empathy, curiosity, and context this conversation is honest, grounded, and deeply human.

Together, they explore how leaders are shaped, how trust is built, and why curiosity matters more than authority in today’s workplace.

What you’ll get from this episode

1. Why curiosity is a leadership skill — not a personality trait
2. How early leadership mistakes shape better leaders later
3. The role empathy plays in high-pressure work environments
4. How to build meaningful professional relationships over time
5. Why leadership is more about others than yourself

This episode is for leaders who care about doing it right, not just doing it fast.

Get to know Al:

Al is a speaker, facilitator, and advisor. He runs The Edge of Work, a talent and leadership consulting firm that helps organizations develop their leaders with the critical skills they need to lead in a changing workplace.

Al’s insights on leadership have been featured in Forbes, Fast Company, and Business Insider. He is also recognized by LinkedIn as a Top Voice in Leadership and the Future of Work. Previously, Al worked at Deloitte Consulting LLP and Salesforce. He holds a Bachelor’s Degree from Boston College and an MBA from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

Connect with Al:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/itsaldea/

Website: https://theedgeofwork.com/

Candice Mitchell is a Talent Development Strategist, CEO of Talent Collective, and USA Today bestselling author of Choose You: For the People Who Refuse to Disappear. With nearly two decades of experience building and leading capability functions inside global and Fortune 500 organizations, she founded Talent Collective, a premium capability-building firm for L&D, HR, Change, and People leaders in high-growth companies.

Website: https://talentcollective.org/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/candicemitchelltc/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/candice_mitchell_msc/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@candice_mitchell_msc

Talent Development Academy: https://courses.talentcollective.org/bundles/talent-development-academy

Choose You book: https://chooseyoubook.com/

Original music composed by: Paul DeHaven

pauldehavenmusic.com

Signup for Jennifer's webinar: "Navigating your Workload: Prioritization & Resilience" happening January 14th, 2025.

Ever wondered how joy and leadership intertwine, or how mishaps like spilling a tray of drinks can shape your career? Join Candice Mitchell and Jen Recla as they dive into joy at work, career-defining moments, and the long game of professional growth—plus, some candid anecdotes from their early work days that'll have you laughing and reflecting.

Jen Recla is a passionate leader in Learning and Organizational Development, dedicated to helping leaders build effective, joyful teams. With a background in theater and a journey that spans from babysitting in her early years to navigating the challenges of running her own consulting business, Jen brings a unique blend of empathy, curiosity, and resilience to her work. Based in Maryland, Jen focuses on long-term leadership development, inspired by Simon Sinek’s "The Infinite Game," and actively fosters community support for solopreneurs. Her impactful work and dedication to creating positive workplace environments make her a standout guest on Development Nerds.

Below are the key takeaways from this episode:

• The Importance of Joy in the Workplace: Joy is contagious and can significantly impact both professional environments and personal relationships. Creating a joyful work atmosphere can combat negative experiences like poor leadership and the "Sunday blues."
• Playing the Long Game: Inspired by Simon Sinek's "The Infinite Game," Jen Recla advocates for focusing on long-term goals rather than quick wins, emphasizing the importance of persistence and long-term vision in career development.
• Navigating Career Changes: Jen’s journey from facing a leadership change to carving out a path in Learning and Organizational Development highlights the importance of adaptability and finding one's passion, like coaching and mentoring.
• Community and Support: Both Jen and Candice stress the importance of community, supportive networks, and mentorship in professional and entrepreneurial success, noting that solopreneurs especially benefit from these connections.
• Embracing Experimentation and Curiosity: Viewing life and career as experiments, as stated by Jen, encourages action, feedback, and adaptation. This mindset helps overcome rejection and fuels personal and professional growth.

About Jennifer:

As a leadership coach, trainer, and outdoor enthusiast; Jen Recla is on a mission to awaken passion, joy, and the spirit of adventure in every professional endeavor.

With over 15 years of organizational development experience in leadership, coaching, and mentoring, she specializes in creating growth experiences that inspire and equip leaders to build engaged, collaborative, and resilient teams. She leverages her top Gallup strengths of woo, maximizer, communication, futuristic, and arranger to make learning fun, bring knowledge to others, and inspire individuals to reach their full potential.

Learn more about Jen's work at www.jenrecla.com or connect with her on LinkedIn.

Todays guest, Jen Recla, can be found online at:

Website: https://www.jenrecla.com/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jenniferrecla/

Talent Development Academy: https://talentdevelopmentnerds.com/tda

Your host, Candice Mitchell, can be found online at:

Website: https://talentdevelopmentnerds.com/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/candicemitchelltdnerd/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/talent_development_nerd/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@candicemitchell.TDNerd

In this episode of Development Nerds, host Candice Mitchell explores the evolving role of L&D as it transitions from a support function to a strategic enabler. Learn how to uncover root business problems, create tailored solutions, and measure tangible business impact. Tune in for insights on transforming L&D into an indispensable force driving revenue, innovation, and a culture of continuous learning, especially as we approach the pivotal year 2025.

Below are the key takeaways from this episode:

• Strategic Positioning: L&D should be seen as a strategic enabler by focusing on understanding and solving business problems rather than just creating training content.
• Performance Consulting: Define clear goals and expectations tied to business outcomes like revenue growth and customer satisfaction, ensuring solutions are tailored and impactful.
• Measuring Impact: Focus on measuring business impact through tangible metrics such as sales increases and customer complaint reductions, rather than merely tracking attendance or completion rates.
• Evolving Role: L&D is evolving from a support function to a strategic business partner, emphasizing problem-solving, enabling leaders, and contributing to business goals and company culture.
• Continuous Improvement: Encourage a continuous learning culture and develop mindsets alongside skills to navigate challenges from AI, hybrid work, and leading diverse teams, ensuring L&D remains essential during economic shifts.

Talent Development Academy: https://talentdevelopmentnerds.com/tda

Your host, Candice Mitchell, can be found online at:

Website: https://talentdevelopmentnerds.com/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/candicemitchelltdnerd/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/talent_development_nerd/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@candicemitchell.TDNerd

In this episode of Development Nerds, host Candice Mitchell takes you on a journey into the future of work, where AI and human capabilities intersect. Imagine a world where your AI assistant handles the mundane, freeing you up for the creative, strategic, and truly human tasks that make your career fulfilling. Candice reveals why core human traits like creativity, connection, and emotional intelligence are essential in this tech-driven era, and provides actionable insights on how to stay irreplaceable. Don't miss this essential guide to navigating and thriving in the rapidly evolving workplace!

Below are the key takeaways from this episode:

• AI and Human Skills Must Coexist: AI is not here to replace us but to work alongside us, amplifying our strengths and handling repetitive tasks, allowing us to focus on strategic, creative, and meaningful work.
• Prioritize Core Capabilities: Core capabilities—connection, optimization, resilience, emotional intelligence—are fundamental for thriving in the modern workplace and should not be regarded as merely "soft skills."
• Future-Ready Skills: Critical thinking, effective communication, and collaboration are essential skills that make us irreplaceable, emphasizing the human element in an increasingly automated world.
• AI and EQ as a Dream Team: Combining AI's efficiency in handling data and processes with emotional intelligence’s ability to foster connection and empathy can lead to a more productive and meaningful work environment.
• Proactive Adaptation is Crucial: To thrive in today's evolving landscape, individuals and organizations must embrace continuous learning, leverage AI tools responsibly, and integrate human and technological capabilities effectively.

Resources & References Mentioned:

L&D mega trends for 2025: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/l-d-mega-trends-for-2025/id1781114824?i=1000679223851

Welcome to Development Nerds! In this episode, we’re diving into the 6 mega trends shaping Learning and Development (L&D) in 2025. These aren’t just trends—they’re opportunities for L&D leaders to step up, align with business goals, and create workplaces where people thrive.

From embedding whole-person development to leveraging AI and navigating the hybrid world, this episode is packed with actionable insights to help you prepare for what’s next. Whether you’re an L&D pro or someone passionate about driving meaningful change, this episode is your roadmap to success.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

Whole-Person Development with CORE Capabilities

• How emotional intelligence, resilience, and empathy are redefining “essential” skills.
• The CORE Framework: Connect, Optimize, Resilience, and Empathy.

Total Employee Experience in a Hybrid World

• Why connection is the missing ingredient in hybrid teams—and how L&D can lead the charge.
• The role of L&D in onboarding, continuous development, and even offboarding.

The Global Mindset

• What it takes to foster cultural competence and inclusion across global teams.
• Practical tips for making training accessible and meaningful worldwide.

Strategic Partnerships in L&D

• How to align with HR, IT, and business leaders for greater impact.
• Why external partnerships (think universities and gig workers) are a competitive advantage.

Technology in L&D

• AI as your new co-pilot for personalized learning and proactive skill development.
• Practical tech strategies that amplify—not complicate—your L&D initiatives.

The Capability to Adapt

• Why adaptability is the ultimate skill for 2025 and beyond.
• A 4-phase framework to build change capability within your organization.

Key Takeaways:

• L&D isn’t just about training anymore—it’s about driving culture, connection, and capability.
• The trends shaping 2025 aren’t challenges to fear; they’re opportunities to lead.
• Practical frameworks like CORE and Change Capability can transform how your organization thrives in the face of change.

Resources & References Mentioned:

• World Economic Forum: Future of Jobs Report
• Gartner: Playbook for Increasing HR’s Strategic Impact
• SHRM: Hybrid Work Statistics and Trends
• Microsoft’s Global Skills Initiative
• Link to the full blog post on L&D Mega Trends for 2025

Let’s Connect:

Loved this episode? Share your thoughts!

• Which trend resonates most with you?
• What are you planning to implement in 2025?

Find me on LinkedIn to continue the conversation.

And if you haven’t already, subscribe to Development Nerds so you never miss an episode.

Rate, Review, and Follow:

If this episode gave you fresh ideas, I’d love it if you could leave a review—it helps more people discover the show!

Thanks for listening, and here’s to making 2025 a standout year for L&D!

In today's episode of Development Nerds, host Candice Mitchell tackles the provocative question: Why does Learning and Development feel like it's stuck in 1975? She uncovers the deep-rooted issues, from outdated tools to perceived limitations, that have kept L&D professionals playing catch-up rather than leading the charge. Join us as we explore actionable strategies to shift from being order takers to becoming strategic partners, equipped with the acumen, relationships, and innovative thinking needed to drive real change. Whether you're an L&D veteran or just starting out, this episode offers the practical insights and tough love you need to rejuvenate your career. Don't miss it!

Below are the key takeaways from this episode:

• Shift from Reactive to Proactive: Learning and Development (L&D) professionals need to move beyond being order takers and strive to be strategic partners within their organizations. This involves being proactive in aligning training and development initiatives with business goals.
• Develop Business Acumen: Understanding financial metrics, strategic goals, and key performance indicators is crucial. L&D professionals must be able to demonstrate how their initiatives contribute to the bottom line effectively.
• Build Strategic Relationships: Partnering with leaders across departments can help L&D professionals understand real business challenges and deliver targeted, effective solutions. Engage deeply with leadership to become trusted advisors rather than mere service providers.
• Leverage Data and Innovation: Utilize data to inform decisions and track the effectiveness of training programs. Adopt innovative technologies and methods to make learning more engaging and applicable to real-world scenarios.
• Advocate for L&D: Clearly communicate the impact and value of L&D initiatives to the organization. Frame the narrative around achieved outcomes rather than completed tasks to secure support and resources from leadership.

Talent Development Academy: https://talentdevelopmentnerds.com/tda

Your host, Candice Mitchell, can be found online at:

Website: https://talentdevelopmentnerds.com/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/candicemitchelltdnerd/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/talent_development_nerd/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@candicemitchell.TDNerd

Join The Talent Development Nerds Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/377193705135533/

In this episode of Development Nerds, Candice Mitchell peels back the layers of the Talent Development Academy (TDA) to reveal why it's a game-changer for learning and development professionals. From exclusive frameworks and expert guidance to a supportive community that truly understands your challenges, TDA offers more than just another training course—it's your secret weapon for proactive leadership. Plus, stay tuned for a special bonus that promises to give your career a significant boost. If you're ready to rediscover your passion and lead with confidence, this episode is a must-listen!

Below are the key takeaways from this episode:

• Shift from Reactive to Proactive Leadership: The Talent Development Academy (TDA) aims to transform learning and development (L&D) professionals into strategic leaders who are always one step ahead, leading with purpose and confidence.
• Comprehensive Toolkits and Real-World Frameworks: TDA provides plug-and-play frameworks and templates, derived from years of real-world experience, to ensure that members have a trusted roadmap for every project without starting from scratch.
• Community Support: One of the core features of TDA is its vibrant community of like-minded L&D professionals. This supportive network allows members to share ideas, troubleshoot challenges, and celebrate wins with peers who understand their unique struggles and aspirations.
• Expert Guidance: Members get access to a team of handpicked experts who provide actionable insights and strategies. These experts cover critical areas like measuring impact, facilitating engagement, and leveraging AI to optimize work, even with limited resources.
• Continuous Development: The journey within TDA begins with a 6-week intensive program followed by monthly coaching sessions. This structure ensures ongoing development with real-life case studies and practical coaching, helping members build confidence and internalize advanced L&D skills.

Talent Development Academy: https://talentdevelopmentnerds.com/tda

Join The Talent Development Nerds Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/377193705135533/

Your host, Candice Mitchell, can be found online at:

Website: https://talentdevelopmentnerds.com/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/candicemitchelltdnerd/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/talent_development_nerd/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@candicemitchell.TDNerd

Curious about what it takes to build a thriving career in learning and development? Join Candice Mitchell as she shares her top five transformative tips from 17 years of experience. From getting your hands dirty to cultivating a growth mindset, these actionable insights will propel you to the next level. Tune in to discover how you can start loving your work and making a real impact today!

Below are the key takeaways from this episode:

• Get Your Hands Dirty: Actively engage and immerse yourself in projects, regardless of your current role, to develop impactful solutions through thorough research, brainstorming, and analysis.
• Build Relationships Up and Down: Establish credibility with stakeholders by understanding their pain points and delivering exceptional solutions to build trust and strong working relationships.
• Know the People: Spend time in the field to understand the work and build genuine relationships, showing that you have the people's best interests at heart and setting yourself apart.
• Align with Business Needs: Integrate your learning and development strategies with business goals and use data-driven decisions to continually improve. Avoid jargon and focus on practical, business-centric language.
• Cultivate Your Own Growth Mindset: Continuously invest in your own development and learning to stay ahead in the field, embodying the principle of lifelong learning to enrich both your career and the impact you have on others.

Join The Talent Development Nerds Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/377193705135533/

Talent Development Academy: https://talentdevelopmentnerds.com/tda

Your host, Candice Mitchell, can be found online at:

Website: https://talentdevelopmentnerds.com/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/candicemitchelltdnerd/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/talent_development_nerd/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@candicemitchell.TDNerd

In this debut episode of Development Nerds, Candice Mitchell dives deep into the essentials of launching a successful learning and development career. Get ready to explore the fundamentals of L&D, uncover the must-have skills for career success, and learn how to stay ahead of industry trends. With practical tips and personal anecdotes, Candice provides a roadmap to help you transform your 9 to 5 into a job you love. Whether you're just starting out or looking to level up, this episode is packed with actionable advice to energize and inspire your career journey.

Below are the key takeaways from this episode:

• Understanding Learning and Development: Candice explains that learning and development (L&D) is about enhancing employee skills and knowledge to benefit both individuals and organizations, emphasizing its strategic importance in keeping businesses competitive and employees capable.
• Essential Skills for L&D Professionals: Key skills include effective communication, analytical abilities, creativity and innovation, project management, and technical proficiency. Mastery in these areas is crucial for success in the L&D field.
• Educational and Certification Pathways: Pursuing relevant degrees, such as in HR, organizational development, or instructional design, along with obtaining workplace certificates from accredited bodies like SHRM, ATD, AIHR, and HRCI, can significantly boost your career in L&D.
• Building Experience and Networking: Actively seek out projects, such as developing an onboarding program, to gain practical experience. Additionally, connecting with other L&D professionals through platforms like LinkedIn can provide valuable support and guidance.
• Future Trends in L&D: Candice highlights four critical trends shaping the future of L&D: the integration of AI, the rise of talent marketplaces, the normalization of global workplaces, and the necessity for change agility. These trends underscore the evolving landscape of L&D and the importance of staying adaptable and informed.

Join The Talent Development Nerds Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/377193705135533/

Talent Development Academy: https://talentdevelopmentnerds.com/tda

Your host, Candice Mitchell, can be found online at:

Website: https://talentdevelopmentnerds.com/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/candicemitchelltdnerd/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/talent_development_nerd/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@candicemitchell.TDNerd

Welcome to the launch of Development Nerds with Candice Mitchell! Get ready to uncover the unvarnished truths of building a career you love, packed with real stories, gritty lessons, and actionable advice you can start using today. Ready for the ride? Tune in now!

Candice Mitchell is the host of "Development Nerds," a podcast designed for those eager to build fulfilling careers. As a mentor and guide, Candice brings together a community driven by self-development and a desire to wake up excited about their professional paths. "Development Nerds" cuts through the fluff, offering real stories and practical advice about the ups and downs of career life. In each episode, Candice explores the grit and lessons needed to thrive, even when challenges arise. For those with big dreams and relentless drive, Candice Mitchell is your go-to mentor on this career journey.

Below are the key takeaways from this episode:

• Authenticity and Real Stories: The podcast focuses on genuine, unfiltered stories about career development, avoiding the superficial "Insta-worthy" highlights in favor of discussing real challenges and triumphs.
• Practical Advice: Each episode aims to offer practical advice that listeners can apply immediately to their careers, moving beyond motivational rhetoric to actionable steps.
• Inclusive Content: While Candice brings her expertise in Learning and Development, the podcast is designed to provide valuable insights for listeners from all career backgrounds who are ambitious and driven.
• Support Through Tough Times: The show acknowledges that career journeys have highs and lows, and aims to equip listeners with the grit and lessons needed to thrive during tough times.
• Engaged Community: The podcast seeks to create a community of like-minded individuals who are passionate about building careers that excite them, urging listeners to tune in from anywhere and find solidarity and support in their professional journeys.

Join The Talent Development Nerds Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/377193705135533/

Talent Development Academy: https://talentdevelopmentnerds.com/tda

Your host, Candice Mitchell, can be found online at:

Website: https://talentdevelopmentnerds.com/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/candicemitchelltdnerd/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/talent_development_nerd/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@candicemitchell.TDNerd

In a world obsessed with hacks, shortcuts, and instant success, this conversation slows everything down.

In this episode, Candice Mitchell sits down with Ryan Clark to explore what it actually takes to build a life and career you love without pretending it’s easy.

Ryan shares his journey from building a production company with close friends, navigating betrayal and reinvention, and ultimately choosing freedom, creativity, and values over status or certainty. Together, they talk about content creation, discipline, trusting yourself, and why loving the work matters more than motivation ever will.

This episode is reflective, honest, and deeply human.

What you’ll get from this episode

1. Why discipline alone won’t carry you long-term
2. The real reason most people burn out creating content
3. How to build a career around values instead of pressure
4. What “freedom” actually looks like in day-to-day life
5. A grounded reframe of success, struggle, and gratitude

Get to know Ryan:

Ryan Clark is a marketing consultant who helps entrepreneurs turn content into consistent, time-efficient revenue through clear messaging and sustainable systems. His career spans copywriting, video production, and brand strategy, giving him a hands-on perspective on what actually works in real businesses.

Known for helping clients book sales, fill offers, and close high-ticket deals through content alone, Ryan believes growth doesn’t have to feel frantic. His work centers on building peaceful, effective funnels that support both profitability and long-term alignment.

Connect with Ryan:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ryanhamiltonclark/

Candice Mitchell is a Talent Development Strategist, CEO of Talent Collective, and USA Today bestselling author of Choose You: For the People Who Refuse to Disappear. With nearly two decades of experience building and leading capability functions inside global and Fortune 500 organizations, she founded Talent Collective, a premium capability-building firm for L&D, HR, Change, and People leaders in high-growth companies.

Website: https://talentcollective.org/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/candicemitchelltc/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/candice_mitchell_msc/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@candice_mitchell_msc

Talent Development Academy: https://courses.talentcollective.org/bundles/talent-development-academy

Choose You book: https://chooseyoubook.com/

Original music composed by: Paul DeHaven

pauldehavenmusic.com

What if the pressure to be “on” every single month is actually holding your business back?

In this episode, I sat down with Abi for a deeply honest conversation about building a business that’s profitable and sustainable.

Abi shares her journey from early entrepreneurship and freelancing to running an agency and coaching course creators — along with the reality of feast-and-famine cycles, mindset traps, and why there’s no single moment where everything suddenly feels “figured out.”

This conversation is calm, practical, and refreshingly real — especially for anyone tired of chasing constant growth.

What you’ll get from this episode:

• Why slowing down doesn’t mean you’re failing
• How to think long-term instead of chasing constant momentum
• The mindset shift from outcomes to transformation
• Why courses aren’t “dead” and what actually makes them work
• How to build something you still love when things get hard

If you’re building a business and questioning your pace, this episode will feel grounding.

Get to Know Abi:

Abi is an evergreen funnel strategist who helps course creators step off the launch treadmill and build businesses that feel both profitable and peaceful. Her work focuses on long-term strategy, messaging, and optimization guiding clients to become confident decision-makers rather than relying on tactics, trends, or constant urgency. Having built her career through resourcefulness and adaptability, Abi brings a grounded perspective on what it actually takes to grow in an unpredictable market. She helps creators build not just better funnels, but a deeper sense of trust in their work, their skills, and themselves.

Connect with Abi:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/abi-prendergast/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/abiprendy/

Website: https://www.aptcontent.co.uk/

Candice Mitchell is a Talent Development Strategist, CEO of Talent Collective, and USA Today bestselling author of Choose You: For the People Who Refuse to Disappear. With nearly two decades of experience building and leading capability functions inside global and Fortune 500 organizations, she founded Talent Collective, a premium capability-building firm for L&D, HR, Change, and People leaders in high-growth companies.

Website: https://talentcollective.org/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/candicemitchelltc/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/candice_mitchell_msc/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@candice_mitchell_msc

Talent Development Academy: https://courses.talentcollective.org/bundles/talent-development-academy

Choose You book: https://chooseyoubook.com/

Original music composed by: Paul DeHaven

pauldehavenmusic.com

What if the pressure to “have it all figured out” is the very thing holding you back?

In this episode, I sat down with Erin Halper for a refreshingly honest conversation about entrepreneurship, consulting, and what it really looks like to build a sustainable business over time.

Erin shares her journey from early entrepreneurship to private equity, consulting, and eventually building The Upside — a global community for independent consultants and business owners. Along the way, she breaks down some uncomfortable truths we don’t talk about enough: nobody has all the answers, “overnight success” is mostly fiction, and slow, steady work beats flashy metrics every time.

This episode is for anyone who’s tired of pretending, tired of chasing vanity milestones, and ready to build something real.

What you’ll get from this episode

• Why even experienced entrepreneurs are still figuring it out
• The myth of overnight success — and what actually creates momentum
• How to spot bad advice and unhealthy business role models
• What sustainable success really looks like behind the scenes
• Why curiosity, humility, and patience matter more than hype
• 
  

If you’ve been questioning your pace, your progress, or yourself — this conversation will feel grounding.

Get to know Erin:

Erin Halper is a former private equity professional and entrepreneur who founded The Upside, a high-caliber community connecting experienced consultants and senior leaders to meaningful, flexible work. After more than a decade advising businesses, Erin set out to build a better way for top talent to collaborate as colleagues, not competitors. Her journey into entrepreneurship became deeply personal when her first son was born with a heart defect, reinforcing her belief in autonomy, flexibility, and sustainable success. Today, Erin helps seasoned professionals level up their impact, income, and control over how they work without sacrificing excellence.

Connect with Erin:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/erinhalper/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/erin.halper/

Website: https://betheupside.com/

Candice Mitchell is a Talent Development Strategist, CEO of Talent Collective, and USA Today bestselling author of Choose You: For the People Who Refuse to Disappear. With nearly two decades of experience building and leading capability functions inside global and Fortune 500 organizations, she founded Talent Collective, a premium capability-building firm for L&D, HR, Change, and People leaders in high-growth companies.

Website: https://talentcollective.org/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/candicemitchelltc/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/candice_mitchell_msc/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@candice_mitchell_msc

Talent Development Academy: https://courses.talentcollective.org/bundles/talent-development-academy

Choose You book: https://chooseyoubook.com/

Original music composed by: Paul DeHaven

pauldehavenmusic.com

Why do so many workplace changes fail, even when the tools are “better” and the systems are “improved”?

In this episode, Candice Mitchell sits down with Katrina Kennedy, facilitator, consultant, and author of Learning That Lasts, to talk about learning, change, and what really happens when organizations roll out new systems without supporting the people expected to use them.

Katrina shares stories from her early career in the district attorney’s office, the moment that shaped her philosophy on training, and how decades of experience taught her that learning isn’t about information, it’s about confidence, safety, and trust.

This is a practical, honest conversation for leaders, trainers, and anyone responsible for helping people adapt to change at work.

What you’ll get from this episode:

• Why “just telling people to use the new system” never works
• How poor training creates resistance, frustration, and disengagement
• The difference between access to tools and readiness to use them
• How trainers and leaders can design learning that actually sticks
• Why empathy is a critical leadership skill during change

If you’re responsible for rolling out change—or expected to adapt to it—this episode will change how you think about learning.

Get to know Katrina:

Katrina, known as the "trainer's trainer,” is a facilitator, speaker, and author with 25+ years in learning and development. Author of the book, Learning That Lasts, she has helped thousands of subject matter experts design and deliver engaging learning experiences in a variety of industries. She shares training insights and ideas at www.katrinakennedy.com

Connect with Katrina:

LinkedIn : www.linkedin.com/in/katrinakennedytraining

Website: https://www.katrinakennedy.com

Grab Katrina's Book Here: https://www.katrinakennedy.com/book

Candice Mitchell is a Talent Development Strategist, CEO of Talent Collective, and USA Today bestselling author of Choose You: For the People Who Refuse to Disappear. With nearly two decades of experience building and leading capability functions inside global and Fortune 500 organizations, she founded Talent Collective, a premium capability-building firm for L&D, HR, Change, and People leaders in high-growth companies.

Website: https://talentcollective.org/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/candicemitchelltc/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/candice_mitchell_msc/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@candice_mitchell_msc

Talent Development Academy: https://courses.talentcollective.org/bundles/talent-development-academy

Choose You book: https://chooseyoubook.com/

Original music composed by: Paul DeHaven

pauldehavenmusic.com

What if the thing holding you back isn’t fear, skill, or timing but waiting for permission that’s never coming?

In this episode, Candice Mitchell sits down with Jenny Wood, former Google executive and author of Wild Courage, for a wide-ranging conversation about career growth, confidence, and taking bold action before you feel ready.

Jenny shares the now-famous subway story that sparked her concept of “wild courage,” along with lessons from her 18-year career at Google, her transition into entrepreneurship, and the mindset shifts that help people stop waiting and start moving.

This conversation is honest, funny, and deeply practical. It’s about what it really takes to build a career (and life) you’re proud of without waiting for approval from anyone else.

What you’ll get from this episode

• Why no one gives you permission—and why that’s actually freeing
• How courage shows up in small, everyday decisions
• Lessons from Google on influence, promotion, and leadership
• Why bold action creates clarity (not the other way around)
• What it really takes to build a career you love over time

If you’ve been hesitating on a next step, this episode might be the nudge you didn’t know you needed.

Get to know Jenny:

Jenny Wood a New York Times bestselling author, speaker, former Google executive, and former Harvard Business School researcher who knows that real success isn’t about following the rules or waiting your turn. She is also the founder of Own Your Career, one of Google's largest career programs. In her new book Wild Courage: Go After What You Want and Get It , Jenny breaks down 9 bold traits that defy conventional career advice: Obsessed, Weird, Selfish, Shameless, Nosy, Manipulative, Brutal, Reckless, and Bossy.

Her practical, no-nonsense approach empowers ambitious people to break the mold, be better leaders, build influence, and reach their full potential. Jenny has been featured in NBC, Bloomberg, Harvard Business Review, Forbes, and Business Insider. She lives in Boulder with her husband and two children and is in constant pursuit of the perfect zucchini bread recipe.

Connect with Jenny:

Instagram: ⁨@itsjennywood⁩

LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/jennyilles

Website: http://itsjennywood.com

Candice Mitchell is a Talent Development Strategist, CEO of Talent Collective, and USA Today bestselling author of Choose You: For the People Who Refuse to Disappear. With nearly two decades of experience building and leading capability functions inside global and Fortune 500 organizations, she founded Talent Collective, a premium capability-building firm for L&D, HR, Change, and People leaders in high-growth companies.

Website: https://talentcollective.org/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/candicemitchelltc/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/candice_mitchell_msc/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@candice_mitchell_msc

Talent Development Academy: https://courses.talentcollective.org/bundles/talent-development-academy

Choose You book: https://chooseyoubook.com/

Original music composed by: Paul DeHaven

pauldehavenmusic.com

What if the reason your career feels misaligned isn’t your role, your company, or your industry but the way you’ve been taught to separate work from life?

In this episode, Candice Mitchell sits down with Mel Fox Dhar for an honest conversation about career alignment, burnout, and navigating transitions especially in big tech. Mel shares her journey from retail and customer-facing roles to Microsoft, Amazon, and ultimately into career coaching.

Along the way, she explains why alignment doesn’t come from optimizing your resume alone but from understanding who you are as a whole person. This conversation is practical, grounded, and deeply human. No hustle talk. No “just push through it.” Just real insight into how people actually build careers that fit their lives.

What you’ll get from this episode

1. Why separating “work life” and “real life” creates misalignment
2. How career clarity starts with understanding what lights you up
3. What to do when you’re burnt out, laid off, or stuck in a transition you didn’t choose
4. How early career experiences quietly shape long-term success
5. Why telling your story clearly matters more than having the perfect resume

If you’re questioning what’s next or why what you’re doing no longer fits, this episode will help you think differently about alignment and direction.

Get to Know Mel:

Mel Fox Dhar is a career coach and former Big Tech leader who helps experienced professionals make more intentional career moves. After a decade at Amazon and Microsoft, she knows what it’s like to be successful on paper while feeling misaligned underneath. Today, Mel works with senior and mid-career leaders to clarify their personal brand, identify the right next step, and navigate job transitions with confidence—so they can do meaningful work and actually thrive.

Connect with Mel:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/melfoxdhar/

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@UCdDreU78e0fRAEhp4w8mX-w

Website: https://www.melfoxdhar.com

Candice Mitchell is a Talent Development Strategist, CEO of Talent Collective, and USA Today bestselling author of Choose You: For the People Who Refuse to Disappear. With nearly two decades of experience building and leading capability functions inside global and Fortune 500 organizations, she founded Talent Collective, a premium capability-building firm for L&D, HR, Change, and People leaders in high-growth companies.

Website: https://talentcollective.org/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/candicemitchelltc/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/candice_mitchell_msc/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@candice_mitchell_msc

Talent Development Academy: https://courses.talentcollective.org/bundles/talent-development-academy

Choose You book: https://chooseyoubook.com/

Original music composed by: Paul DeHaven

pauldehavenmusic.com

In this episode, I sat down with Rosie for a very honest conversation about self-judgment, shame, and the quiet emotional weight many people carry especially when life doesn’t unfold the way they expected. Rosie shares what helped her move through a deeply difficult season, including the jealousy, resentment, and guilt that often stay unspoken. Candice adds context from her coaching work, where she sees these same patterns show up again and again in capable, driven people. This isn’t a conversation about “fixing yourself.” It’s about understanding yourself with more honesty and less cruelty.

What you'll get from this episode:

• Why shame and self-judgment often show up during hard seasons

• How curiosity and compassion create more progress than criticism

• Why jealousy and resentment are usually signals of hurt, not failure

• How worthiness (not time or skill) is often the real thing holding people back If you’ve been telling yourself something is “wrong” with you, this episode offers a different perspective, one that feels a lot more human.

Get to know Rosie:

Rosie Milsom is a Self-Worth & Confidence Coach for purpose-driven women who know they’re meant for more. She helps founders, changemakers, and ambitious doers stop getting in their own way so they can finally build the confidence, clarity, impact and income they’re truly capable of - without burnout, self-doubt, or constant second-guessing. Her mission is simple: when a woman’s self-worth catches up with her potential, everything rises

Connect with Rosie:

Facebook: www.facebook.com/rosiemilsomcoaching

Instagram: @rosie_milsom_coaching

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@self-worthschool

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rosie-milsom-36667a5a/

Website: https://www.rosiemilsom.com/

Candice Mitchell is a Talent Development Strategist, CEO of Talent Collective, and USA Today bestselling author of Choose You: For the People Who Refuse to Disappear. With nearly two decades of experience building and leading capability functions inside global and Fortune 500 organizations, she founded Talent Collective, a premium capability-building firm for L&D, HR, Change, and People leaders in high-growth companies.

Website: https://talentcollective.org/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/candicemitchelltc/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/candice_mitchell_msc/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@candice_mitchell_msc

Talent Development Academy: https://courses.talentcollective.org/bundles/talent-development-academy

Choose You book: https://chooseyoubook.com/

Original music composed by: Paul DeHaven

pauldehavenmusic.com

Behind every confident leader is a collection of awkward, funny, and deeply formative moments, and many of them start in our very first jobs.

This episode brings together some of the most memorable, laugh-out-loud stories from past guests as they reflect on their earliest working experiences. From misunderstood presentations and customer blow-ups to first paychecks, first mistakes, and first lessons in responsibility, these moments are as funny as they are meaningful.

What begins as humor quickly turns into insight:

1. How early jobs quietly shape our work ethic and confidence
2. Why mistakes often become the doorway to growth
3. The leadership lessons we learn long before we ever manage a team
4. How being defended—or defending others—can leave a lifelong impact

Featuring moments from Mike Pacchione, Jo Watson, and others, this episode is a reminder that leadership doesn’t start with a title, it starts with experience.

If you’ve ever felt awkward, out of place, or unsure early in your career, this conversation will make you laugh, reflect, and maybe see your own journey a little differently.

Candice Mitchell is a Talent Development Strategist, CEO of Talent Collective, and USA Today bestselling author of Choose You: For the People Who Refuse to Disappear. With nearly two decades of experience building and leading capability functions inside global and Fortune 500 organizations, she founded Talent Collective, a premium capability-building firm for L&D, HR, Change, and People leaders in high-growth companies.

Website: https://talentcollective.org/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/candicemitchelltc/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/candice_mitchell_msc/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@candice_mitchell_msc

Talent Development Academy: https://courses.talentcollective.org/bundles/talent-development-academy

Choose You book: https://chooseyoubook.com/

Original music composed by: Paul DeHaven

pauldehavenmusic.com

What were the most impactful moments from Development Nerds this year? This special Top 12 compilation episode pulls together the clips that stopped me mid-sentence, rewired a belief, or made me sit in silence for a second.

You’ll hear powerful takeaways on future readiness, confidence and self-worth, burnout, career pivots, mentorship, resilience, experimentation, and what real impact looks like beyond the workplace.

Featured guests and their moments:

1. Allister Frost: Make time to be future-ready, or the future will happen to you.
2. Amber Anderson: The story we tell ourselves, plus the missing accountability after training.
3. Chris Taylor: The turning point: knowledge doesn’t change anything until you apply it.
4. David James: You’re building skills, even when it feels like you’re not.
5. Dr. Sarah Nichols: Burnout hides in plain sight, and it quietly steals your confidence.
6. Elena Agaragimova: The courage to pivot, and the ache of trying to prove you belong.
7. Heather Burright: When learning saves a life, it changes how you see your work forever.
8. Jen Recla: “Think like a scientist.” Experiments, not identity. Data, not drama.
9. Kelsea Warren: Stop waiting for “when.” Live in your values, today.
10. Tara Rynders: Let yourself receive care. It can change everything.
11. Yogi Mueller: Don’t outsource your value. Find your strengths, your people, your mentors.
12. Lorie Jones: “It’s not going to get better” and the brave choice to change the story.

🎧 This episode is a highlight reel, but it’s also a nudge: if one clip hits you, go listen to the full episode for the context and the full conversation.

Candice Mitchell is a Talent Development Strategist, CEO of Talent Collective, and USA Today bestselling author of Choose You: For the People Who Refuse to Disappear. With nearly two decades of experience building and leading capability functions inside global and Fortune 500 organizations, she founded Talent Collective, a premium capability-building firm for L&D, HR, Change, and People leaders in high-growth companies.

Website: https://talentcollective.org/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/candicemitchelltc/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/candice_mitchell_msc/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@candice_mitchell_msc

Talent Development Academy: https://courses.talentcollective.org/bundles/talent-development-academy

Choose You book: https://chooseyoubook.com/

Original music composed by: Paul DeHaven

pauldehavenmusic.com

What if the problem isn’t your job… but how much of yourself you’ve tied to it

This conversation with Madison Butler felt like saying out loud the things most people only think about Madison Butler to talk about work, identity, burnout, and what it actually means to build a life that feels like yours from people pleasing in early careers to detaching your identity from your job to walking away from corporate entirely, this is an honest conversation about what we’re not saying out loud.

If you’ve ever felt like work is taking more from you than it’s giving this episode will hit close

• why so many people tie their identity to work
• how to emotionally detach from your job without quitting
• the real impact managers have on your mental health
• what burnout actually looks like in real life
• how to start choosing yourself without blowing everything up
• why you’re allowed to redefine success at any point

Madison Butler is a workplace strategist, author, and professional “call-it-like-it-is” speaker who is on a mission to make work suck less. A former Chief People Officer turned founder, she helps companies fix broken cultures, challenge outdated leadership norms, and actually give a damn about their people. She is the host of Crash Out With Me, where she unpacks burnout, identity shifts, and what happens when high-performing humans hit their limit. She’s worked with brands like Zillow, Amazon, and Mammoth Brands, and is known for blending tough empathy with systems-level change.

Instagram: @MadisonAmeliaB

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bluehairedunicorn/

Candice Mitchell is a Talent Development Strategist, CEO of Talent Collective, and USA Today bestselling author of Choose You: For the People Who Refuse to Disappear. With nearly two decades of experience building and leading capability functions inside global and Fortune 500 organizations, she founded Talent Collective, a premium capability-building firm for L&D, HR, Change, and People leaders in high-growth companies.

Website: https://talentcollective.org/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/candicemitchelltc/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/candice_mitchell_msc/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@candice_mitchell_msc

Talent Development Academy: https://courses.talentcollective.org/bundles/talent-development-academy

Choose You book: https://chooseyoubook.com/

Original music composed by: Paul DeHaven

pauldehavenmusic.com

To wrap up the year, I’m bringing you something special — the most relatable moments shared by a curated group of incredible guests from the show.

Not all of this year’s guests appear in this episode.

These were specifically chosen because they shared something deeply human, honest, and universally felt.

This episode is part of our BEST Moments of the Year series, and this one is all about the moments that made us say:

“Wait… I’ve felt that too.”

“Oh wow, I thought I was the only one.”

“Yep. That’s exactly my life right now.”

In this compilation you will hear stories about:

• Losing jobs unexpectedly
• Mental health and the moments things fell apart
• Squiggly, non-linear careers that make sense only in hindsight
• Being brave enough to start before you’re ready
• Carrying pressure, expectations, and self-doubt
• Wanting to give up, and choosing not to
• Reinventing yourself at any age
• Building a life and career that actually feels like yours

These are the conversations listeners wrote to me about — the lines that stuck with you, the moments you sent to friends, the truths that made you breathe out and whisper: “Finally. Someone said it.”

⭐ FEATURED GUESTS IN THIS SPECIAL EPISODE

A curated selection of guests from across the year:

• AJ Lauer
• Andy Storch
• Brenda Noon-Schmidt
• Danny Delvecchio
• David Gilbert
• JB Ryan
• Jess Almie
• Jessica Schloemp
• Lauren Evans
• Matt Gjestsen
• Stacey Oliver-Knappe
• Clay Gill

Sponsored by Your360 AI

This episode is sponsored by Your360 AI — developmental 360 feedback turned into actionable growth.

The world of work is changing fast, and teams that don’t share honest feedback get left behind. Your360 uses Voice AI to deliver 360s that uncover what surveys miss — for just a couple hundred dollars. Real conversations turned into real growth.

Stop guessing — start growing.

Candice Mitchell is a Talent Development Strategist, CEO of Talent Collective, and USA Today bestselling author of Choose You: For the People Who Refuse to Disappear. With nearly two decades of experience building and leading capability functions inside global and Fortune 500 organizations, she founded Talent Collective, a premium capability-building firm for L&D, HR, Change, and People leaders in high-growth companies.

Website: https://talentcollective.org/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/candicemitchelltc/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/candice_mitchell_msc/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@candice_mitchell_msc

Talent Development Academy: https://courses.talentcollective.org/bundles/talent-development-academy

Choose You book: https://chooseyoubook.com/

Original music composed by: Paul DeHaven

pauldehavenmusic.com

Visit Your360.ai today.

This episode is special.

Across dozens of conversations this season, certain moments made me stop, scribble notes, replay the audio, or just sit back and breathe for a second.

These weren’t just good insights — they were the best learning moments shared by a handful of guests whose wisdom hit differently.

Today, I’m bringing them together for the first time.

You’ll hear the strongest, sharpest, most transformative moments from:

• Dr. Alaina Szlachta
• Alyssa Willet
• Andrew Jacobs
• Anna Ludwinowski
• Bianca Baumann & Mike Taylor
• Brianna Johnston
• Desiree Petrich
• Kevin M. Yates
• Lavinia Mehedințu
• Paul Matthews
• Susanne Biro
• 
  

These moments are practical. Human. Career-shaping.

Whether you’re an L&D professional, a leader, or someone who simply wants to build a career (and life) you love — this episode is a “bookmark it, save it, replay it” kind of experience.

Grab your notebook, your coffee, or the dog’s leash if you’re listening on your walk — and enjoy the best of the best.

This episode is sponsored by Your360 AI — developmental 360 feedback turned into actionable growth.

The world of work is changing fast, and teams that don’t share honest feedback get left behind.

Your360 uses Voice AI to deliver 360s that uncover what surveys miss — for just a couple hundred dollars.

Real conversations turned into real growth.

Stop guessing — start growing.

Visit Your360.ai today.

Candice Mitchell is a Talent Development Strategist, CEO of Talent Collective, and USA Today bestselling author of Choose You: For the People Who Refuse to Disappear. With nearly two decades of experience building and leading capability functions inside global and Fortune 500 organizations, she founded Talent Collective, a premium capability-building firm for L&D, HR, Change, and People leaders in high-growth companies.

Website: https://talentcollective.org/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/candicemitchelltc/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/candice_mitchell_msc/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@candice_mitchell_msc

Talent Development Academy: https://courses.talentcollective.org/bundles/talent-development-academy

Choose You book: https://chooseyoubook.com/

Original music composed by: Paul DeHaven

pauldehavenmusic.com

What does it look like to take ownership of your money, and your career, when the world told you not to?

In this episode, Lorie Jones (CFP®, MBA), owner of Fearless Financial Advisors, shares how she went from McDonald’s Hamburger University to helping grow an RIA from ~$30M to ~$230M, all while raising five kids, earning her licenses, and fighting imposter syndrome in a male-dominated industry. We dig into servant leadership, building systems when life is full, why “balance” is measured over years (not days), and how women can start feeling fear-less about their finances, today.

You’ll learn:

The mindset shift from “finance isn’t for me” → “I can do this.”

How Lorie organized the “bejesus” out of life to get her MBA + CFP while parenting five kids.

Why mentorship matters (and how to find a woman who’s in your corner).

Practical first steps for women who want to confidently participate in money decisions.

What “fearless” really means: taking one small brave step, even while scared.

Get to know Lorie:

Lorie Jones, MBA, CFP®, is a fourth-generation Wyoming rancher turned financial advisor with over thirteen years of experience in the industry. After raising five children, she found her calling at a small RIA in South Denver, driven by a passion to support women navigating financial transitions with clarity and confidence. She holds a History degree from the University of Wyoming, an MBA from Colorado State University, and is a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ professional, currently pursuing both CFA and CDFA credentials. Lorie’s mission is to transform financial chaos into peace of mind through practical, empowering plans. She hosts the Fearless Females podcast, mentors young women, and volunteers with groups like Leadership Douglas County. Married to David, with five grown children and two grand dogs, Lorie blends her love of storytelling, crafting, and spreadsheets into both her travel adventures and her holistic approach to financial planning.

Connect with Lorie:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/lorie.jones.505

Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61571028827696

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/loriejones_7/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/loriejones/

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@UC0oqApmg_k_QvSzbhP_pUyA

Candice Mitchell is a Talent Development Strategist, CEO of Talent Collective, and USA Today bestselling author of Choose You: For the People Who Refuse to Disappear. With nearly two decades of experience building and leading capability functions inside global and Fortune 500 organizations, she founded Talent Collective, a premium capability-building firm for L&D, HR, Change, and People leaders in high-growth companies.

Website: https://talentcollective.org/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/candicemitchelltc/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/candice_mitchell_msc/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@candice_mitchell_msc

Talent Development Academy: https://courses.talentcollective.org/bundles/talent-development-academy

Choose You book: https://chooseyoubook.com/

Original music composed by: Paul DeHaven

pauldehavenmusic.com

What if everything you do today is already out of date?

In this episode of Development Nerds, Candice sits down with Allister Frost — former Microsoft marketing leader, global keynote speaker, and author of Ready Already — to talk about developing a future-ready mindset in a world that won’t stop changing.

From wiping tables at 11 to leading marketing at Microsoft, Allister shares how curiosity, empathy, and continuous learning shaped his career. He unpacks his 5-step Ready Already Growth Cycle — Follow, React, Open, Surprise, Tell — a simple but powerful framework for staying adaptable, creative, and human in the age of AI.

💡 You’ll learn:

Why “if it works, it’s obsolete” is the mindset every modern professional needs

How to keep learning without burning out

The one question to ask every Friday to check if you’re still growing

Why your personal mission is the fuel that keeps you future-ready

How to replace fear of change with curiosity and action

This conversation is equal parts inspiration and practicality — perfect for anyone who wants to stay relevant, keep learning, and shape the future instead of reacting to it.

Get to know Allister:

Allister Frost is a business transformation and growth expert, known for his energy and passion for helping others to embrace change. As a former Microsoft leader, his highly acclaimed Future-Ready Mindset talks and workshops inspire greater curiosity, imagination, and courageous collaboration to unlock daily improvements, strengthen resiliency, and fuel high-performance teamwork. He is the author of ReadyAlready and an award-winning speaker and marketer. His mission each day is to help busy people transform their lives with the positive mindset needed to become—and remain—future-ready for life.

Connect with Allister:

https://www.instagram.com/allisterspeaks/

https://www.youtube.com/@allisterfrost

https://www.linkedin.com/in/allisterspeaks/

Candice Mitchell is a Talent Development Strategist, CEO of Talent Collective, and USA Today bestselling author of Choose You: For the People Who Refuse to Disappear. With nearly two decades of experience building and leading capability functions inside global and Fortune 500 organizations, she founded Talent Collective, a premium capability-building firm for L&D, HR, Change, and People leaders in high-growth companies.

Website: https://talentcollective.org/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/candicemitchelltc/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/candice_mitchell_msc/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@candice_mitchell_msc

Talent Development Academy: https://courses.talentcollective.org/bundles/talent-development-academy

Choose You book: https://chooseyoubook.com/

Original music composed by: Paul DeHaven

pauldehavenmusic.com

If you work in Learning & Development, HR, or People Enablement and you keep asking “How do we actually close skills gaps at scale?”, this episode with David James (Chief Learning Officer at 360Learning, former Director of Learning, Talent & OD at Disney, and host of The Learning & Development Podcast) is your blueprint. We go from stacking shelves at 14 and gigging in London, to running L&D functions, mentoring (without ever asking), and designing learning that drives proficiency, not vanity metrics—so you can genuinely love Mondays again.

What you’ll learn

Proficiency at scale: David’s practical approach to capability building that moves beyond “courses” to real performance.

Career inflection points: Leaving school at 16, bank cashier → trainer → Disney L&D leader → co-founder (Loop) → CLO at 360Learning.

Mentors without the awkward ask: How to build genuine relationships and get world-class guidance—no “will you be my mentor?” needed.

Readiness beats luck: The exact habits that make you “lucky” when opportunity arrives.

Stakeholder credibility: Partnering with HRBPs, reading the culture, and earning a seat at the table.

Early career reframed: Why those frontline jobs are powerful skill-building reps you’ll use for life.

Who this episode is for

L&D leaders, CLOs, HR/People leaders, enablement pros, OD practitioners, instructional designers, talent strategists, and anyone who wants their learning programs to be taken seriously by the business.

Get to know David:

David James is the Chief Learning Officer at 360Learning and a highly respected voice in the Learning & Development industry. With a focus on harnessing technology to drive impactful learning strategies, David is recognised as one of the top 10 global influencers in the L&D space. His expertise lies in helping organisations modernise their approach to workplace learning, ensuring measurable results and business alignment.

David is also the host of The Learning & Development Podcast, which has amassed over 500,000 downloads and ranks in the top 1% of podcasts globally. With more than 30,000 LinkedIn followers, he continues to shape the conversation around L&D innovation and best practices, drawing on his deep experience, including his time as Director of Learning, Talent & Organisational Development at The Walt Disney Company.

Connect with David:

https://360learning.com/lp/david-james/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/davidjameslinkedin/

https://360learning.com/lp/learning-and-development-podcast-by-david-james/

Candice Mitchell is a Talent Development Strategist, CEO of Talent Collective, and USA Today bestselling author of Choose You: For the People Who Refuse to Disappear. With nearly two decades of experience building and leading capability functions inside global and Fortune 500 organizations, she founded Talent Collective, a premium capability-building firm for L&D, HR, Change, and People leaders in high-growth companies.

Website: https://talentcollective.org/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/candicemitchelltc/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/candice_mitchell_msc/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@candice_mitchell_msc

Talent Development Academy: https://courses.talentcollective.org/bundles/talent-development-academy

Choose You book: https://chooseyoubook.com/

Original music composed by: Paul DeHaven

pauldehavenmusic.com

Executive coach Susanne Biro (Vancouver, BC) gets radically honest about leadership, self-doubt, and what entrepreneurship really looks like—sometimes 11 p.m., laptop open, tears flowing… and doing it anyway. We dig into “having your own back,” doing scary things before you feel ready, building a reputation that earns investment, and why the inside-out game (how you feel daily) drives sustainable success.

In this episode:

• From dancing duck and barbershop lessons to coaching CEOs of billion-dollar companies
• How to build confidence through action (not waiting to “feel” confident)
• Asking for investment: crafting the business case + earning it with your reputation
• Leading high-stakes rooms with candor and EQ
• The truth of entrepreneurship: resilience, risk, and that 11 p.m. moment
• Inside-out success: joy, health, and habits that compound
• Susanne’s upcoming book “This Could Be Everything” and her Deep Fear podcast/app

Timestamps (quick guide):

00:00 Meet Susanne Biro & early career

04:50 Marketing yourself (and negotiating for you)

13:45 Coaching, credibility, and getting a “yes”

21:50 Two years of tears: the messy middle of building a business

30:30 Doing it terrified + the TEDx story

36:30 Facilitating tough executive rooms with EQ

40:40 Where work is going: focus in an overloaded world

46:20 Inside-out success & health as a lifelong advantage

52:00 Who Susanne works with + accessible ways to learn from her

Get to know Susanne:

Susanne Biro has spent over two decades as a confidant to CEOs and C-suite executives, helping them confront what she calls 'Deep Fear' – the anxious thoughts that secretly limit even the most accomplished leaders. A TEDx speaker and author of This Could Be Everything, she transforms these hidden anxieties into a catalyst for authentic leadership through her signature Inner Life Leadership approach.

With 24+ years of global experience coaching over 200 CEOs and thousands of senior leaders, Susanne specializes in emotional intelligence, leadership effectiveness, and whole-life success.

She understands that leadership at the highest levels is demanding, exhausting, and often lonely. Through her signature approach, Inner Life Leadership, she helps leaders harness the power of self-awareness, because what happens inside always shapes what happens out there.

Connect with Susanne:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/susanne-biro-executivecoach/

Keywords: executive coach, CEO coaching, leadership development, entrepreneurship journey, imposter syndrome, confidence, self-belief, emotional intelligence, facilitation, high-stakes teams, Vancouver, TEDx, Susanne Biro, Deep Fear podcast, This Could Be Everything book

Candice Mitchell is a Talent Development Strategist, CEO of Talent Collective, and USA Today bestselling author of Choose You: For the People Who Refuse to Disappear. With nearly two decades of experience building and leading capability functions inside global and Fortune 500 organizations, she founded Talent Collective, a premium capability-building firm for L&D, HR, Change, and People leaders in high-growth companies.

Website: https://talentcollective.org/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/candicemitchelltc/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/candice_mitchell_msc/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@candice_mitchell_msc

Talent Development Academy: https://courses.talentcollective.org/bundles/talent-development-academy

Choose You book: https://chooseyoubook.com/

Original music composed by: Paul DeHaven

pauldehavenmusic.com

Dr. Jessica Schloemp’s story is a powerful reminder that leadership isn’t about titles, ladders, or likes — it’s about being honest with yourself. From dropping ketchup on a customer at 14, to door-to-door sales, to earning her doctorate in Strategic Leadership, Jessica has lived every lesson she now teaches.

In this episode, Jessica and Candice talk about:

✅ Finding yourself again after losing your identity in the corporate mold

✅ The difference between being nice and being kind

✅ How to lead authentically in a male-dominated industry

✅ Why getting off social media helped her find her true voice

✅ The power of honesty, reflection, and showing up for yourself first

Get to know Jessica:

I help companies turn chaos into culture.

I’m not your typical leadership consultant. I’m a corporate insider who rebuilt toxic, underperforming teams from the inside out. As Director of Operations and founder of Revive & Rise Consulting, I’ve developed a proven method for transforming culture, developing leaders, and empowering teams to take ownership without fear or micromanagement.

My TRUE TEAM Method (Transparency, Relatability, Understanding, Empowerment) is the framework I’ve used to double team output, reduce turnover, and bring clarity to disjointed organizations. It works because it’s built on what people actually need: psychological safety, consistent leadership, and a sense of purpose.

My best-selling book, The Leader Within Her, outlines a counter-cultural approach to leadership that’s resonating with a new generation of professionals and executives. I’ve also co-authored Financial Trendsetters 2 and am launching a leadership-focused podcast in late 2025.

I speak, I train, and I partner with forward-thinking organizations to fix what’s broken and build what’s next.

Currently booking for:

Keynote speaking (Fall 2025 and beyond)

Podcast interviews

Internal leadership workshops and culture strategy sessions

Let’s create a workplace people don’t just survive in. Let’s build one they can thrive in.

Connect with Jessica:

Contact: jschloemp@hotmail.com for further information and collaboration

Instagram: @jessicaschloemp

LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/drjschloemp

Website: https://www.reviveandriseconsulting.com/

Her book: The Leader within HER: https://amzn.to/3JKe28J

Candice Mitchell is a Talent Development Strategist, CEO of Talent Collective, and USA Today bestselling author of Choose You: For the People Who Refuse to Disappear. With nearly two decades of experience building and leading capability functions inside global and Fortune 500 organizations, she founded Talent Collective, a premium capability-building firm for L&D, HR, Change, and People leaders in high-growth companies.

Website: https://talentcollective.org/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/candicemitchelltc/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/candice_mitchell_msc/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@candice_mitchell_msc

Talent Development Academy: https://courses.talentcollective.org/bundles/talent-development-academy

Choose You book: https://chooseyoubook.com/

Original music composed by: Paul DeHaven

pauldehavenmusic.com

On paper, Lauren Evans had everything: a secure corporate job, steady paycheck, even a pension. But inside her cubicle, she kept asking herself one quiet, uncomfortable question — is this it?

This is the story of what happens when you stop ignoring that question.

Lauren shares how she went from an 18-year-old UPS supervisor to the founder of Design and Streamline Solutions, where she helps small business owners reclaim time and sanity by simplifying their tech.

We talk about the real meaning of “paying your dues,” what happens when your weekends are the only time you feel alive, and how faith and courage guided her toward a business built on purpose, not pressure.

💡 In this episode:

• The early lessons that built lifelong confidence
• 
  
• Why “secure” can be the most dangerous word in your career
• 
  
• The turning point between staying safe and starting over
• 
  
• How a side gig became her real calling
• 
  
• The unfiltered truth about running your own business
• 
  
• What sustainability really means when the hype fades
• 
  

This isn’t a story about hustle. It’s about alignment — and the courage to build a life that finally makes sense.

Get to know Lauren:

Lauren Evans is the founder of Design & Streamline Solutions, where she helps small business owners simplify their technology and automate the behind-the-scenes systems that keep their businesses running. By streamlining the processes that often eat up time and energy, Lauren makes it easier for entrepreneurs to grow their businesses, serve their clients, and enjoy the freedom they set out to create.

Connect with Lauren:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/laurenshakevans

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lshakevans/

Instagram: @laurenshakevans

Candice Mitchell is a Talent Development Strategist, CEO of Talent Collective, and USA Today bestselling author of Choose You: For the People Who Refuse to Disappear. With nearly two decades of experience building and leading capability functions inside global and Fortune 500 organizations, she founded Talent Collective, a premium capability-building firm for L&D, HR, Change, and People leaders in high-growth companies.

Website: https://talentcollective.org/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/candicemitchelltc/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/candice_mitchell_msc/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@candice_mitchell_msc

Talent Development Academy: https://courses.talentcollective.org/bundles/talent-development-academy

Choose You book: https://chooseyoubook.com/

Original music composed by: Paul DeHaven

pauldehavenmusic.com

When you hear the name “L&D Detective,” you probably think: clever branding. But for Kevin M. Yates, it’s more than that — it’s who he is.

In this episode, Kevin shares his remarkable journey: from his first job at 16 stocking shelves in a Chicago pharmacy to a global career leading learning impact at brands like McDonald’s and Meta — and ultimately, to founding Meals in the Meantime, a nonprofit that’s fed thousands.

We talk about rediscovering purpose when work starts to feel flat, why mentorship and community matter more than strategy, and what it means to keep serving — even when you’ve “made it.”

If you’ve ever felt stuck, lost, or like you’ve outgrown your chapter — this conversation is your reminder: your next chapter might just be the one you were born for.

𝐆𝐞𝐭 𝐭𝐨 𝐤𝐧𝐨𝐰 𝐊𝐞𝐯𝐢𝐧:

Kevin M. Yates is known in the global training, learning, and talent development community as the L&D Detective®. He solves measurement mysteries and investigates how training and development as an experience and L&D as a function contribute to the workplace performance ecosystem. Kevin uses facts, clues, and evidence to uncover the truth about impact, focusing on collective contributions that influence business and human performance.

He has used his measurement expertise in roles with world-renowned brands including Grant Thornton, Kantar, McDonald’s, and Meta (Facebook). He is also president and founder of Meals in the Meantime, a nonprofit providing free, fresh, healthy, and high-quality food for people in need through pop-up pantries in the Chicagoland south suburbs.

𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐧𝐞𝐜𝐭 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐊𝐞𝐯𝐢𝐧:

Website: https://kevinmyates.com/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kevinmyates/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/kevmyates/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kevmyates

What does it take to go from bartending in a tourist town to leading global leadership development programs for billion-dollar companies?

In this episode, I sit down with Amber Anderson, Head of Learning & Leadership Development and Executive Coach, to unpack her incredible 25-year career journey. From working in her dad’s dive shop on the Great Lakes, to creating her own role in corporate training, to taking bold leaps of faith without a safety net — Amber’s story is all about courage, self-trust, and building a career that truly fits.

We talk about:

• How Amber pivoted from social work to learning & development
• What it was like consulting at age 22 with major automotive suppliers
• The turning point when she quit without another job lined up (and why it wasn’t quitting, but courage)
• Building Spectrum Health University and leading award-winning programs
• Why leaders must embrace self-leadership before servant leadership
• How Amber supports introverted and highly sensitive leaders through coaching and nervous system regulation
• 
  

If you’re in Learning & Development, Talent Development, or Leadership Coaching, this episode is packed with insights into career growth, resilience, and making L&D a true business partner.

🔔 Don’t forget to subscribe for more real stories from seasoned professionals who are reshaping how we think about work, leadership, and development.

Amber Anderson is a leadership strategist who transforms workplace dynamics through her "Me Before We" philosophy. With 20+ years of experience in senior-level learning and leadership effectiveness roles in large and small organizations, Amber has seen first-hand how and why traditional leadership development doesn't work. She leverages this experience to bring playful wisdom and practical tools that help leaders create powerful ripple effects through intentional self-leadership. Through her work, Amber empowers leaders to elevate their teams not by depleting themselves, but by first becoming the leaders they were meant to be—powered by emotional regulation, mindset management, and skillset development.

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/coachamberanderson/

Candice Mitchell is a Talent Development Strategist, CEO of Talent Collective, and USA Today bestselling author of Choose You: For the People Who Refuse to Disappear. With nearly two decades of experience building and leading capability functions inside global and Fortune 500 organizations, she founded Talent Collective, a premium capability-building firm for L&D, HR, Change, and People leaders in high-growth companies.

Website: https://talentcollective.org/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/candicemitchelltc/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/candice_mitchell_msc/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@candice_mitchell_msc

Talent Development Academy: https://courses.talentcollective.org/bundles/talent-development-academy

Choose You book: https://chooseyoubook.com/

Original music composed by: Paul DeHaven

pauldehavenmusic.com

From side hustle at 15 to SaaS founder — Ryan Austin shares the raw entrepreneur story behind personal growth, success mindset, self improvement, and starting a business with nothing but grit.

___________________

JOIN US FOR OUR LIVE EVENT: We run a career-changing live event every month.

🔗 Register here: https://talentcollective.org/live

___________________

In this candid conversation, Ryan — Founder and CEO of Cognota, the world's first Learn Ops platform — tells the full, unfiltered story of what entrepreneurship actually looks like from the inside. The side hustles that became real businesses. The exits. The wrong partnerships. And the moment in Austin, Texas, when he slid down against a wall, went into something like a fetal position, and genuinely thought it was over. This is not a highlight reel. This is the real thing. 🔑 What you'll get from this conversation: → How Ryan turned a teenager's side hustle into real businesses with employees — before he could drive → Why his university campus store shut him down (and what he did next) → The wrong partnership that killed a business that could have been massive → How he became SVP by pitching the board a revenue stream they didn't know they needed → The $100K phone call that came the second he hit rock bottom → Why he says "businesses don't die unless you kill them" → What the SaaS apocalypse looks like from inside a company going fully AI-native → His advice for anyone in L&D or corporate training who is job searching right now → What he'd tell his younger self — including the childhood stuff he rarely shares Whether you're building a business from scratch, navigating a career pivot, working in learning and development, or sharpening your entrepreneur mindset — this one's for you.

MEET RYAN AUSTIN: Ryan Austin is a serial entrepreneur and thought leader in talent development with nearly 20 years of experience. As CEO of Cognota, the leading LearnOps platform, he's building a new software category focused on the operational effectiveness of corporate L&D, Talent, and HR teams. Cognota's patent-pending technology is trusted by global enterprises and recognized by Brandon Hall Group. Ryan is also host of the LearnOps Leadership Series and a contributor to Forbes Business Council, ATD, and Training Journal.

CONNECT WITH RYAN:

IG: @ryanwhyyy

LI: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ryanaustin3

Candice Mitchell is a Talent Development Strategist, CEO of Talent Collective, and USA Today bestselling author of Choose You: For the People Who Refuse to Disappear. With nearly two decades of experience building and leading capability functions inside global and Fortune 500 organizations, she founded Talent Collective, a premium capability-building firm for L&D, HR, Change, and People leaders in high-growth companies.

Website: https://talentcollective.org/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/candicemitchelltc/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/candice_mitchell_msc/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@candice_mitchell_msc

Talent Development Academy: https://courses.talentcollective.org/bundles/talent-development-academy

Choose You book: https://chooseyoubook.com/

Original music composed by: Paul DeHaven

pauldehavenmusic.com

When Dr. Sarah Nicholls hit the wall in her first year as a doctor, she did what most high-achievers do: pushed harder. That only made the burnout worse. In this conversation, Sarah shares how a toxic work culture, night shifts, and perfectionism turned life into a slog—and how she found her way back to lightness, joy, and sustainable success. (Plot twist: she also launched a mini business painting people’s pets to pay for med school. 🐶🎨)

We talk about:

• spotting burnout early (before it nukes your confidence)
• the stigma of stepping off the “straight-line” career ladder in medicine
• choosing a locum path for autonomy and recovery
• building community, asking for help, and why your “hype-girl playlist” matters
• adding micro-joy at work so healthcare doesn’t swallow your life
• 
  

If you’re a healthcare professional, resident, junior doctor, nurse, or any human who feels stuck in grind culture, this is your sign to rethink “work harder” and choose “work lighter.”

Free resource Sarah mentioned: “Switch Off” masterclass (link in description).

Get to know Sarah:

Life coach helping people recover from burnout.

Connect with Sarah:

Instagram:  @SarahNicholls 

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/c/sarahnicholls

Candice Mitchell is a Talent Development Strategist, CEO of Talent Collective, and USA Today bestselling author of Choose You: For the People Who Refuse to Disappear. With nearly two decades of experience building and leading capability functions inside global and Fortune 500 organizations, she founded Talent Collective, a premium capability-building firm for L&D, HR, Change, and People leaders in high-growth companies.

Website: https://talentcollective.org/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/candicemitchelltc/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/candice_mitchell_msc/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@candice_mitchell_msc

Talent Development Academy: https://courses.talentcollective.org/bundles/talent-development-academy

Choose You book: https://chooseyoubook.com/

Original music composed by: Paul DeHaven

pauldehavenmusic.com

What happens when you do everything “right” — top grad program at GE, Six Sigma Black Belt, big roles at BP — and still feel the tug to do life on your terms? Meet Lisa Long, a Scotland-born entrepreneur and psychologist who moved countries (more than once), left corporate, built and sold a viral custom art brand (featured by major outlets), earned a master’s in psychology at 44, and now coaches women in midlife to design sustainable, hype-free businesses that fit real life.

We talk about:

• moving overseas young and “growing up fast” — loneliness, culture shock, and finding your people

• the GE cocoon, BP culture, and the “I’m not building your KPIs for 25 years” epiphany

• maternity leave → unexpected product → wild demand → scaling pains → smart exit

• Spain, invisibility as an expat mom, grief, and rebuilding identity

• going back to study psychology in midlife and marrying it with business coaching

• the truth about “overnight success,” dopamine hits, and building something that lasts

• thanking your younger self for just doing it — even when others call it “a hobby”

Who this helps: midlife founders, women changing careers, expats starting over, anyone tired of duct-taped launches and looking to build a calm, recurring-revenue offer ecosystem.

Connect with Lisa:

Instagram: @lisalong_msc

LinkedIn: https://www.likedin.com/lisalongpsychologist

Candice Mitchell is a Talent Development Strategist, CEO of Talent Collective, and USA Today bestselling author of Choose You: For the People Who Refuse to Disappear. With nearly two decades of experience building and leading capability functions inside global and Fortune 500 organizations, she founded Talent Collective, a premium capability-building firm for L&D, HR, Change, and People leaders in high-growth companies.

Website: https://talentcollective.org/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/candicemitchelltc/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/candice_mitchell_msc/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@candice_mitchell_msc

Talent Development Academy: https://courses.talentcollective.org/bundles/talent-development-academy

Choose You book: https://chooseyoubook.com/

Original music composed by: Paul DeHaven

pauldehavenmusic.com

What does it take to go from walking dogs for $10 a day to coaching New York Times bestselling authors, Olympians, and industry leaders on how to deliver the best speech of their lives?

In this real, unpolished conversation, I sit down with Mike Pacchione, founder of Best Speech, to hear his career journey — from comic books and mowing lawns, to botched interviews, a fax machine that changed his life, and the random Saturday class that opened the door to Nike and Silicon Valley.

Mike shares:

• Why he almost became a college professor (and how grad school changed his path)
• The accident that left him without the tip of a finger (and what it taught him)
• How a misheard word (“tower of story” instead of “power of story”) set him on the path to becoming one of the most sought-after speech coaches
• Why we should rethink people-pleasing — and even thank our younger selves for it
• What no one tells you about building a career you actually love
• 
  

If you’ve ever felt stuck, intimidated, or like you “missed the right path,” this episode is your reminder: careers aren’t straight lines — and sometimes the best opportunities come from accidents, detours, and saying yes before you feel ready.

🔗 Grab Mike’s free guide: bestspeech.co/candice

Mike Pacchione helps speakers deliver the best speech of their lives. He works with speakers 1-1 and in group cohorts...which is where he met our dear friend Candice Mitchell. If you are impressed by such things, he has been featured in publications like Forbes, Entrepreneur and Toastmasters Magazine, and has worked with famous people like James Clear, Pat Flynn and Amy Porterfield. His most fulfilling work is always helping someone who is really smart find the words to come alive on stage.

Instagram: @mpacc

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mpacchione/

Website: bestspeech.co

Freebie: bestspeech.co/candice

Candice Mitchell is a Talent Development Strategist, CEO of Talent Collective, and USA Today bestselling author of Choose You: For the People Who Refuse to Disappear. With nearly two decades of experience building and leading capability functions inside global and Fortune 500 organizations, she founded Talent Collective, a premium capability-building firm for L&D, HR, Change, and People leaders in high-growth companies.

Website: https://talentcollective.org/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/candicemitchelltc/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/candice_mitchell_msc/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@candice_mitchell_msc

Talent Development Academy: https://courses.talentcollective.org/bundles/talent-development-academy

Choose You book: https://chooseyoubook.com/

Original music composed by: Paul DeHaven

pauldehavenmusic.com

Worried about the jobs AI will replace? You’re not alone. It’s not just entry-level work at risk anymore — some of the highest-paid, most prestigious careers are on the chopping block.

In this video, I break down the 4 jobs AI will replace first — from content creators (yes, even in Learning & Development) to financial analysts, lawyers, and even managers who don’t actually lead. More importantly, you’ll learn what keeps you safe in an AI-driven world: doubling down on the skills no machine will ever touch.

You’ll discover:

✅ Why content isn’t impact (and what to do about it)

✅ How AI is reshaping law, finance, and compliance work

✅ The real risk for managers & leaders who only “manage tasks”

✅ What makes you irreplaceable when AI can already do the grunt work

In this episode, we’ll talk about:

0:00 - AI is coming for senior jobs too

01:10 Job 1 - Content creators

03:30 Job 2 - Lawyers & Compliance roles

05:48 - SCREENSHOT THIS!

06:19 Job 3 - Financial Analysts and Accountants

08:43 - SCREENSHOT THIS!

09:17 Job 4 - dum dum dah....

11:04 - SCREENSHOT THIS

11:41 - Why people want to stay

12:21 - senior level roles are in the danger zone

13:29 - Grab the AI Proof Skills checklist

👉 Grab your free AI-Proof Skills Checklist here: https://talentdevelopmentnerds.com/ai...

This survival kit shows you the exact human skills that will keep you relevant no matter how fast AI advances.

👀 Watch next:

What HR and L&D Really Need to Know About AI series -

 • Machine Learning vs Generative AI Explaine...  

📌 Subscribe for more: practical career growth, talent development, and how to stay future-ready in an AI-driven world.

Candice Mitchell is a Talent Development Strategist, CEO of Talent Collective, and USA Today bestselling author of Choose You: For the People Who Refuse to Disappear. With nearly two decades of experience building and leading capability functions inside global and Fortune 500 organizations, she founded Talent Collective, a premium capability-building firm for L&D, HR, Change, and People leaders in high-growth companies.

Website: https://talentcollective.org/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/candicemitchelltc/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/candice_mitchell_msc/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@candice_mitchell_msc

Talent Development Academy: https://courses.talentcollective.org/bundles/talent-development-academy

Choose You book: https://chooseyoubook.com/

Original music composed by: Paul DeHaven

pauldehavenmusic.com

Andrew Barry’s career story is a masterclass in resilience, humility, and reinvention.

From bagging groceries in Cape Town to qualifying as a chartered accountant, from corporate auditor at KPMG to global learning facilitator, and finally taking the leap into entrepreneurship — Andrew’s journey shows the lessons hidden inside the hardest jobs and the courage it takes to keep moving forward.

In this episode of Development Nerds, Andrew shares:

• The “punishment” retail job that taught him empathy, diversity, and how to handle tough conversations.
• Why tutoring math opened his eyes to entrepreneurship and ignited his love for learning.
• The dreadlocks-and-audit years at KPMG, where he discovered facilitation and L&D.
• The move from South Africa to the US — and the freedom of reinvention.
• Painful lessons from starting his own business, Curious Lion, and why “the market drew my business out of me.”
• Why intellectual humility matters more than ever in careers and leadership.
• The advice he’d give to his younger self: you were good enough all along.
• 
  

If you’ve ever doubted yourself, coasted at work, or wondered whether to take the leap into something new, Andrew’s story will hit home.

🔔 Subscribe for more real, practical AF career and L&D conversations.

🎧 Listen on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or YouTube.

#CareerStories #LeadershipDevelopment #Entrepreneurship #LearningAndDevelopment #DevelopmentNerds

Andrew is a 20+ year veteran in learning and development, serving in executive roles at global organizations like KPMG. He is the founder and CEO of [Curious Lion](https://curiouslionlearning.com/), a company that specializes in developing self-leadership in individual contributors. Andrew and his team have developed 1,000s of leaders at clients like Workday, Pinterest, IMG, and USAA, winning numerous awards for their engaging learning experiences. He also hosts [The Learning Culture Podcast,](https://thelearningculturepodcast.buzzsprout.com/) where he shares key insights and trends in the industry.

https://www.linkedin.com/in/realandrewbarry

Candice Mitchell is a Talent Development Strategist, CEO of Talent Collective, and USA Today bestselling author of Choose You: For the People Who Refuse to Disappear. With nearly two decades of experience building and leading capability functions inside global and Fortune 500 organizations, she founded Talent Collective, a premium capability-building firm for L&D, HR, Change, and People leaders in high-growth companies.

Website: https://talentcollective.org/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/candicemitchelltc/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/candice_mitchell_msc/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@candice_mitchell_msc

Talent Development Academy: https://courses.talentcollective.org/bundles/talent-development-academy

Choose You book: https://chooseyoubook.com/

Original music composed by: Paul DeHaven

pauldehavenmusic.com

AI is coming for jobs — maybe even yours. Roles built on repeatable, predictable tasks are already disappearing. But this doesn’t have to be a career death sentence. If you know how to respond, you can make yourself AI-proof and thrive in this new world of work.

In this video, we’ll talk about:

• AI is coming for jobs (why it matters now)
• Stop pretending AI is a fad
• How to know if your job is in the replaceable zone
• The human skills AI will never replace (your real safety net)
• How to reframe AI as a teammate, not a threat
• Why starting now puts you miles ahead of everyone else

👉 Grab your free AI-Proof Skills Checklist here

This survival kit shows you the exact human skills that will keep you relevant no matter how fast AI advances.

• The 4 Jobs AI Is Replacing Fastest (and What To Do If Yours Is One of Them)

• What HR and L&D Really Need to Know About AI

📌 Subscribe for more: practical career growth, talent development, and how to stay future-ready in an AI-driven world.

Candice Mitchell is a Talent Development Strategist, CEO of Talent Collective, and USA Today bestselling author of Choose You: For the People Who Refuse to Disappear. With nearly two decades of experience building and leading capability functions inside global and Fortune 500 organizations, she founded Talent Collective, a premium capability-building firm for L&D, HR, Change, and People leaders in high-growth companies.

Website: https://talentcollective.org/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/candicemitchelltc/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/candice_mitchell_msc/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@candice_mitchell_msc

Talent Development Academy: https://courses.talentcollective.org/bundles/talent-development-academy

Choose You book: https://chooseyoubook.com/

Original music composed by: Paul DeHaven

pauldehavenmusic.com

In this episode, I sit down with Matt Gjertsen, founder of Better Everyday Studios and former Air Force pilot turned SpaceX training leader, to dive deep into what it really takes to love your work and build a career that fits the life you want.

We talk about:

✅ Matt’s journey from yard work as a teen to the Air Force Academy and pilot training.

✅ How becoming an instructor pilot led to running training at SpaceX for 7,500+ employees.

✅ Why frontline managers hold the key to engagement, retention, and productivity—and what most companies miss.

✅ The messy reality of entrepreneurship: sales, scaling, and becoming someone you’ve never been before.

✅ The overlooked questions we should be asking about career fit, culture, and how life choices shape our work.

Whether you're an L&D professional, a new manager, or someone craving a career that energizes you, Matt’s story is proof that structure, pressure, and persistence can create incredible outcomes.

🎧 Listen in for actionable insights, candid career lessons, and a real conversation about why hitting a "home run" in the wrong game never counts.

Connect with Matt:

LinkedIn: http://linkedin.com/in/matthewgjertsen/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/matthewgjertsen/

Candice Mitchell is a Talent Development Strategist, CEO of Talent Collective, and USA Today bestselling author of Choose You: For the People Who Refuse to Disappear. With nearly two decades of experience building and leading capability functions inside global and Fortune 500 organizations, she founded Talent Collective, a premium capability-building firm for L&D, HR, Change, and People leaders in high-growth companies.

Website: https://talentcollective.org/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/candicemitchelltc/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/candice_mitchell_msc/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@candice_mitchell_msc

Talent Development Academy: https://courses.talentcollective.org/bundles/talent-development-academy

Choose You book: https://chooseyoubook.com/

Original music composed by: Paul DeHaven

pauldehavenmusic.com

Meet Brenda Noon Schmidt, aka Kick-Ass Modern Mom.

She grew up on a cattle ranch on the Arizona/Mexico border, worked six jobs in college (including teaching swim lessons and working at a cigar shop with retired cops), built a career in marketing and finance, and now runs her own business teaching moms how to outsource, delegate, and reclaim their time.

This episode is pure energy. We talk about:

✅ What ranch life taught her about systems and collaboration

✅ How she balanced multiple jobs, paid her way through college, and married an entrepreneur

✅ The surprising link between restaurant work and business strategy

✅ Her journey from finance to entrepreneurship and helping moms "run their home like a business"

✅ Why outsourcing isn’t a luxury (and how anyone can start with 5 hours a week)

If you’ve ever wondered how to juggle everything—career, family, adventure, and sanity—this conversation is your permission slip to stop doing it all yourself.

🎧 Listen in for stories about $2.13 diner shifts, cigar shop nights with Bill Murray types, and the secret to finally making time for the life you want.

📌 Watch now and learn how to buy back your time, build your village, and enjoy the life you’re working so hard for.

LinkedIn : https://www.linkedin.com/in/brenda-noon-schmidt-4880aa183/

Candice Mitchell is a Talent Development Strategist, CEO of Talent Collective, and USA Today bestselling author of Choose You: For the People Who Refuse to Disappear. With nearly two decades of experience building and leading capability functions inside global and Fortune 500 organizations, she founded Talent Collective, a premium capability-building firm for L&D, HR, Change, and People leaders in high-growth companies.

Website: https://talentcollective.org/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/candicemitchelltc/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/candice_mitchell_msc/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@candice_mitchell_msc

Talent Development Academy: https://courses.talentcollective.org/bundles/talent-development-academy

Choose You book: https://chooseyoubook.com/

Original music composed by: Paul DeHaven

pauldehavenmusic.com

How do we help our kids (and learners) grow up with AI — without outsourcing all their thinking to it? In this final episode, Gavin shares the behind-the-scenes of his AI academy for kids and what he’s learned about teaching technology in a way that builds curiosity, creativity, and critical thinking.

We also explore the massive opportunity AI offers L&D professionals to personalize learning and build truly future-ready teams — and what we, as parents and People leaders, need to do right now.

I’m a husband to an ambitious woman and a dad to two curious girls. I’ve spent years in tech as a seasoned IT professional, certified in AI and other areas at the world’s largest cloud computing company. Now I’m building a generative AI school for kids. The idea came from both personal and professional motivation. I want my daughters, and others growing up in this AI-shaped world, to understand the tools shaping their future.

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gavin-b-4467198/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cutsmethod.official/

Keywords:

AI in education, personalized learning with AI, kids and AI, AI for parents, AI learning tools, future-ready skills, learning and development, adaptive learning technology.

Candice Mitchell is a Talent Development Strategist, CEO of Talent Collective, and USA Today bestselling author of Choose You: For the People Who Refuse to Disappear. With nearly two decades of experience building and leading capability functions inside global and Fortune 500 organizations, she founded Talent Collective, a premium capability-building firm for L&D, HR, Change, and People leaders in high-growth companies.

Website: https://talentcollective.org/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/candicemitchelltc/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/candice_mitchell_msc/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@candice_mitchell_msc

Talent Development Academy: https://courses.talentcollective.org/bundles/talent-development-academy

Choose You book: https://chooseyoubook.com/

Original music composed by: Paul DeHaven

pauldehavenmusic.com

At seven years old, Brianna published her first book and dreamed of changing the world. But her path was far from easy. Bullied in school, battling an eating disorder, and starting a business at 16, she learned grit the hard way. Ten years later, after building a successful agency, she burnt it all down to rebuild life and business on her terms — and birthed Overflow, her global movement helping entrepreneurs scale their businesses while actually enjoying their lives.

In this episode, Brianna shares:

• How writing and publishing a book at 7 shaped her entrepreneurial mindset
• The harsh lessons of bullying, judgment, and proving herself in boardrooms at 16
• Why she walked away from a thriving 10-year business to build Overflow
• The mindset shifts and support systems that keep her grounded while growing
• Why so many entrepreneurs hit big milestones yet still feel empty — and how to stop that cycle.

If you’ve ever felt like you’re carrying the weight of your clients, your dreams, or your business alone, Brianna’s story will inspire you to believe again. This isn’t just about scaling a business. It’s about creating a life of happiness, health, freedom, and impact — a life of Overflow.

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brianna-johnston-8b1229102/?originalSubdomain=uk

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/_briannajohnston/

Candice Mitchell is a Talent Development Strategist, CEO of Talent Collective, and USA Today bestselling author of Choose You: For the People Who Refuse to Disappear. With nearly two decades of experience building and leading capability functions inside global and Fortune 500 organizations, she founded Talent Collective, a premium capability-building firm for L&D, HR, Change, and People leaders in high-growth companies.

Website: https://talentcollective.org/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/candicemitchelltc/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/candice_mitchell_msc/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@candice_mitchell_msc

Talent Development Academy: https://courses.talentcollective.org/bundles/talent-development-academy

Choose You book: https://chooseyoubook.com/

Original music composed by: Paul DeHaven

pauldehavenmusic.com

What if your manager has more impact on your emotional wellbeing than almost anyone else in your life?

Ryan shares the career journey that took him from industrial-organizational psychology into leadership development, talent strategy, people analytics, and executive coaching.

From building HR systems from the ground up to leading talent development strategies across major organizations, Ryan brings both the human and commercial side of leadership into one powerful conversation.

This episode dives into what makes great leaders, why workplace culture starts with management, and how leadership decisions shape not only business outcomes, but people’s lives far beyond work.

A must-listen for leaders, managers, HR professionals, and anyone building teams.

What you’ll get from this episode

• Why managers deeply affect emotional wellbeing
• How leadership shapes workplace culture
• Lessons from talent development and people analytics
• What great leadership looks like in practice
• How to think commercially as a people leader
• Why development starts with self-awareness

Get to know Ryan:

Ryan McCrea is a senior talent and leadership development leader known for building practical, high-impact strategies that help organizations grow stronger leaders, better teams, and healthier cultures. With more than two decades of experience across talent management, leadership development, organizational effectiveness, mentoring, and culture transformation, Ryan brings a science-practitioner approach to helping people and businesses perform at their best. He is also the author of Quick Bites of Insight, a book that offers practical, real-world leadership lessons for managers and professionals looking to grow in the flow of work.

Most recently, Ryan served as Head of Learning and Leadership Development at Ameren, where he led enterprise-wide learning and leadership development strategy and oversaw a team responsible for building scalable solutions that supported leaders and employees across the organization. He currently serves as President of the Saint Louis Organization Development Network (STL-ODN), reflecting his continued commitment to advancing the field of organizational development and leadership practice.

Previously, Ryan served as Vice President, Talent Development at Commerce Bank, where he launched a company-wide professional development program and led strategic initiatives to strengthen leadership capability, employee growth, and organizational effectiveness.

Ryan is certified in Situational Leadership®, The 4 Stages of Psychological Safety™, DiSC®, and MBTI®, and is also a certified Social and Emotional Intelligence Coach. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Psychology from the University of Southern Indiana and a Master of Arts in Industrial/Organizational Psychology from Southern Illinois University Edwardsville.

Based in St. Louis, Ryan lives with his wife, Susan, and their two cats, Zooey and Coco. Outside of work, he is passionate about music, movies, fashion, pop culture, and art, and is always up for a lively conversation about any of them.

Connect with Ryan:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rmccrea/

Website: www.quickbitesofinsight.com

Buy his book here: https://a.co/d/01WVNkb0

Candice Mitchell is a Talent Development Strategist, CEO of Talent Collective, and USA Today bestselling author of Choose You: For the People Who Refuse to Disappear. With nearly two decades of experience building and leading capability functions inside global and Fortune 500 organizations, she founded Talent Collective, a premium capability-building firm for L&D, HR, Change, and People leaders in high-growth companies.

Website: https://talentcollective.org/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/candicemitchelltc/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/candice_mitchell_msc/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@candice_mitchell_msc

Talent Development Academy: https://courses.talentcollective.org/bundles/talent-development-academy

Choose You book: https://chooseyoubook.com/

Original music composed by: Paul DeHaven

pauldehavenmusic.com

Will AI agents replace people? Or will they just free us from the worst parts of work? In this episode, we explore the future of work with AI agents — intelligent tools that don’t just suggest actions, but take them for you.

We talk about automation, emerging roles, job redesign, and how People functions need to get ready — now. Plus: how to help your workforce shift, reskill, and stay relevant in a world where knowledge work is being redefined.

I’m a husband to an ambitious woman and a dad to two curious girls. I’ve spent years in tech as a seasoned IT professional, certified in AI and other areas at the world’s largest cloud computing company. Now I’m building a generative AI school for kids. The idea came from both personal and professional motivation. I want my daughters, and others growing up in this AI-shaped world, to understand the tools shaping their future.

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gavin-b-4467198/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cutsmethod.official/

Keywords:

AI agents, future of work, HR automation, AI job disruption, strategic L&D, AI in business operations, reskilling workforce, AI adoption in HR

Candice Mitchell is a Talent Development Strategist, CEO of Talent Collective, and USA Today bestselling author of Choose You: For the People Who Refuse to Disappear. With nearly two decades of experience building and leading capability functions inside global and Fortune 500 organizations, she founded Talent Collective, a premium capability-building firm for L&D, HR, Change, and People leaders in high-growth companies.

Website: https://talentcollective.org/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/candicemitchelltc/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/candice_mitchell_msc/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@candice_mitchell_msc

Talent Development Academy: https://courses.talentcollective.org/bundles/talent-development-academy

Choose You book: https://chooseyoubook.com/

Original music composed by: Paul DeHaven

pauldehavenmusic.com

What does it take to go from working 17 jobs before age 25 to building a business in Dubai, pitching to investors, and living an adventurous, international life?

In this episode, Elena Agaragimova shares her fascinating journey:

➡️ Moving from Russia to the U.S. as a teen and feeling like an outsider

➡️ Changing majors five times and navigating her way through community college

➡️ Traveling the world recruiting students and living out of a suitcase (while sick in Peru!)

➡️ Moving to Dubai, reinventing herself, and launching a startup from scratch

➡️ Facing rejection, career lows, and rebuilding her confidence—plus how she turned it all around

This is a story about reinvention, risk-taking, and what you learn about yourself when you keep stepping into the unknown.

🎧 If you’ve ever felt stuck in your career, doubted yourself, or wondered if it’s too late to pivot—this episode will inspire you to take the leap.

Connect with Elena:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/elenaagaragimova/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/elenaagaragimova/?hl=en

Candice Mitchell is a Talent Development Strategist, CEO of Talent Collective, and USA Today bestselling author of Choose You: For the People Who Refuse to Disappear. With nearly two decades of experience building and leading capability functions inside global and Fortune 500 organizations, she founded Talent Collective, a premium capability-building firm for L&D, HR, Change, and People leaders in high-growth companies.

Website: https://talentcollective.org/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/candicemitchelltc/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/candice_mitchell_msc/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@candice_mitchell_msc

Talent Development Academy: https://courses.talentcollective.org/bundles/talent-development-academy

Choose You book: https://chooseyoubook.com/

Original music composed by: Paul DeHaven

pauldehavenmusic.com

Ever talked about something random and then got an ad for it the next day? You’re not imagining it — and there’s more going on than you think. In this episode, we dive into how AI-driven algorithms shape what we see, hear, and even believe.

We unpack targeted ads, cookies, echo chambers, and why your AI tools are so agreeable — and how that can be dangerous. Plus: how to use prompts like “act as” to break out of the bubble and get AI to challenge you instead of flatter you.

Get to know Gav:

I’m a husband to an ambitious woman and a dad to two curious girls. I’ve spent years in tech as a seasoned IT professional, certified in AI and other areas at the world’s largest cloud computing company. Now I’m building a generative AI school for kids. The idea came from both personal and professional motivation. I want my daughters, and others growing up in this AI-shaped world, to understand the tools shaping their future.

Connect with Gav:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gavin-b-4467198/

Website: https://nextgencloudacademy.com

Candice Mitchell is a Talent Development Strategist, CEO of Talent Collective, and USA Today bestselling author of Choose You: For the People Who Refuse to Disappear. With nearly two decades of experience building and leading capability functions inside global and Fortune 500 organizations, she founded Talent Collective, a premium capability-building firm for L&D, HR, Change, and People leaders in high-growth companies.

Website: https://talentcollective.org/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/candicemitchelltc/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/candice_mitchell_msc/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@candice_mitchell_msc

Talent Development Academy: https://courses.talentcollective.org/bundles/talent-development-academy

Choose You book: https://chooseyoubook.com/

Original music composed by: Paul DeHaven

pauldehavenmusic.com

John Kraski has been an ice cream scooper, UPS loader, aspiring airline pilot, Big Four accountant, author, startup exec, LinkedIn content machine, and maybe, just maybe, a future TV producer.

This episode isn’t about climbing a ladder. It’s about realizing the ladder’s against the wrong wall… and having the nerve to build your own.

We get into:

• How John spent 20 years in finance trying to leave
• Why LinkedIn became his personal TV channel (and what that even means)
• What people get totally wrong about brand partnerships and content monetization
• The business model he’s building next, and why it's designed to be replicable
• His “unhinged within professional guardrails” philosophy that keeps people watching
• Why he’d thank his younger self for booking a plane ticket, not picking a major

If you’ve ever felt stuck in a career that looks good on paper but drains your soul in practice, John's story will hit home. And if you're building something new from scratch? He’s got receipts, reality checks, and ideas you’ll want to steal.

🎧 Listen in for a very real, slightly wild, always strategic conversation about what it actually looks like to make your own lane.

John Kraski is what happens when a former Big Four accountant decides to stop ignoring his creative instincts and start treating LinkedIn like late-night TV. After 20 years in finance (and knowing on day one it wasn’t for him), John’s built a second career as a content strategist, storyteller, and brand builder—logging 10,000+ hours on LinkedIn and driving over $10M in revenue for the companies he’s worked with.

He’s launched global event series, closed deals with CAA, helped raise $7M for a Mark Cuban–backed startup, and even chased Will Ferrell off a plane to pitch a screenplay.

Today, he’s obsessed with helping brands and leaders turn scrolls into strategy using the power of content that’s actually good. His style? “Unhinged within professional guardrails”—equal parts data-driven and delightfully unpredictable.

Oh, and he’s still got that screenplay. Hollywood, call him.

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/johnkraski/

Candice Mitchell is a Talent Development Strategist, CEO of Talent Collective, and USA Today bestselling author of Choose You: For the People Who Refuse to Disappear. With nearly two decades of experience building and leading capability functions inside global and Fortune 500 organizations, she founded Talent Collective, a premium capability-building firm for L&D, HR, Change, and People leaders in high-growth companies.

Website: https://talentcollective.org/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/candicemitchelltc/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/candice_mitchell_msc/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@candice_mitchell_msc

Talent Development Academy: https://courses.talentcollective.org/bundles/talent-development-academy

Choose You book: https://chooseyoubook.com/

Original music composed by: Paul DeHaven

pauldehavenmusic.com

What’s the difference between machine learning and generative AI? What even is a hallucination in AI terms (and is ChatGPT taking mushrooms)? In this episode, Gavin breaks it all down in plain English — no tech jargon required.

We explore how tools like ChatGPT work, what they can really do, and why understanding the difference between prediction and true intelligence matters more than ever. This is your no-BS AI 101 — and every People leader should hear it.

I’m a husband to an ambitious woman and a dad to two curious girls. I’ve spent years in tech as a seasoned IT professional, certified in AI and other areas at the world’s largest cloud computing company. Now I’m building a generative AI school for kids. The idea came from both personal and professional motivation. I want my daughters, and others growing up in this AI-shaped world, to understand the tools shaping their future.

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gavin-b-4467198/

Website: https://nextgencloudacademy.com

Keywords:

machine learning vs generative AI, what is AI, AI for HR, ChatGPT explained, AI hallucinations, people-first AI, how does AI work, L&D and AI

Candice Mitchell is a Talent Development Strategist, CEO of Talent Collective, and USA Today bestselling author of Choose You: For the People Who Refuse to Disappear. With nearly two decades of experience building and leading capability functions inside global and Fortune 500 organizations, she founded Talent Collective, a premium capability-building firm for L&D, HR, Change, and People leaders in high-growth companies.

Website: https://talentcollective.org/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/candicemitchelltc/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/candice_mitchell_msc/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@candice_mitchell_msc

Talent Development Academy: https://courses.talentcollective.org/bundles/talent-development-academy

Choose You book: https://chooseyoubook.com/

Original music composed by: Paul DeHaven

pauldehavenmusic.com

Chris Taylor built his first business at 12, selling homemade "devil sticks" at school fairs. Since then, he’s been on a wild ride, from selling knives to crashing hard as a young leader, to rebuilding from his parents' basement and becoming a trailblazer in behavior change and impact measurement.

In this conversation, Chris shares the real behind-the-scenes story: the failure that humbled him, the habits that changed everything, and why he believes L&D must evolve from content delivery to driving measurable behavior change.

He also opens up about building Actionable (a tech platform now used in 7,000+ programs) and Catalyst (his community for early-stage consultants). Plus, we talk about the power of choosing yourself, building social capital before asking for anything in return, and how living nomadically reshaped his view on success.

If you’re in learning, leadership, consulting—or dreaming about what’s next—this episode is full of gems.

🎧 Topics we cover:

• Early entrepreneurial roots
• Failing hard as a young leader (and what turned it around)
• Building tech from a basement with $600
• How to prove the impact of your work
• Why you should create value before asking to be valued

Chris founded Actionable.co in 2008 for the express purpose of helping corporate learners apply

what they learned; consistently and measurably. Since then, Chris – and his team at Actionable

– have supported the deployment of over 3000+ programs leveraging the Impact Certainty

model for driving change.

Described once by a client as “a curious blend of Boomer and Gen-Y”, Chris is often called

upon to act as a bridge and translator between generations at work, our new state of constant

change and impact technology has on team dynamics. He brings a self-deprecating sense of

humour and grounded-ness to his keynotes and workshops, ensuring attendees leave inspired

and well equipped to drive real change back in the workplace.

Chris is a regular speaker and writer on Learning Impact Measurement, Behavior Change and

how to overcome the challenges of eLearning.

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chrisjrtaylor/

Website: www.actionable.co

The Behavior Change Toolkit(TM): https://actionable.scoreapp.com/

Candice Mitchell is a Talent Development Strategist, CEO of Talent Collective, and USA Today bestselling author of Choose You: For the People Who Refuse to Disappear. With nearly two decades of experience building and leading capability functions inside global and Fortune 500 organizations, she founded Talent Collective, a premium capability-building firm for L&D, HR, Change, and People leaders in high-growth companies.

Website: https://talentcollective.org/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/candicemitchelltc/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/candice_mitchell_msc/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@candice_mitchell_msc

Talent Development Academy: https://courses.talentcollective.org/bundles/talent-development-academy

Choose You book: https://chooseyoubook.com/

Original music composed by: Paul DeHaven

pauldehavenmusic.com