Podcast
Talent in the Age of AI — Workforce Development, Talent Strategy & the Future of Work
Hosted by Talent in the Age of AI Podcast Network · EN
Talent in the Age of AI brings you conversations with the leaders and practitioners shaping how we work, learn and lead in an AI-driven world. Through real stories and straight-forward insights, we explore how AI is changing the way organizations recruit, develop and support their people — and what leaders can do today to stay ahead. If you care about talent development, workforce readiness and building confident, future-focused teams, this podcast is designed for you. We create, curate and connect the knowledge and community that help HR, learning and development, and people-focused leaders build toward what’s next.
You’ll hear answers to questions like:
• How are organizations using AI to recruit, retain and grow talent?
• What new skills will define the next era of work — and which human strengths will always matter?
• How do leaders adopt AI responsibly while strengthening culture and keeping people at the center?
• How do HR and L&D teams prepare their organizations for continuous learning and rapid change?
• What can leaders do right now to build AI confidence across their workforce?
Follow, rate, and review — and subscribe so you never miss a conversation shaping the future of talent in the age of AI.
Visit our website today: https://talentintheageofai.com/
12episodes
Episodes
Newest firstAll episodes
AI in Learning & Development: How to Lead with Clarity, Not Chaos with Deidre Alves
2w ago00:12:42Tap to summarizeIn this bonus episode of Talent and the Age of AI, host Jason Keese sits down with Deidre Alves, Chief Learning and Leadership Officer at ExuLAB Global™, to explore how leaders can adopt AI without losing sight of what matters most—the learner.As organizations rush to implement AI tools, Deidre challenges leaders to pause and consider a critical tension: the balance between efficiency and meaningful learning. She explains that successful AI adoption isn’t about chasing the latest technology, but about staying anchored to organizational goals while designing environments where people can effectively learn and work alongside AI.Deidre emphasizes that real progress happens when leadership is aligned. A strong partnership between the CEO and Chief Learning Officer is essential to creating a clear, shared vision for how AI supports learning, performance, and long-term business outcomes.Rather than reacting out of urgency or fear, she encourages organizations to take a more intentional approach—slowing down, reflecting on what’s working, and piloting AI in thoughtful, strategic ways.This conversation is a powerful reminder that AI adoption is not just a technology shift—it’s a leadership and learning transformation.Episode TImestamps;00:00 Welcome & Introduction to AI in Learning and Leadership00:53 AI Adoption: Balancing Efficiency vs Learning Outcomes02:29 Sponsor Break03:05 Leadership Vision for AI: Aligning Strategy That Sticks04:49 When AI Adoption Clicks: Turning Strategy into Action06:11 Avoiding AI Chaos: Leadership Challenges in Adoption08:31 How to Slow Down AI Implementation for Better Results09:57 Thoughtful AI Pilots: Testing Before Scaling10:27 Closing Thoughts on AI Leadership & SubscribeCredits:Connect with the Guests;Deidre AlvesWebsite: https://exulab.com/Connect with the Talent in the Age of AI;Website: https://talentintheageofai.com/Interested in Being a Guest? https://talentintheageofai.com/contact-us/Production: What's Good Productions: (https://whatsgood-productions.com/)
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AI in L&D: Balancing Data, Learning, and Human Experience with Deidre Alves
Apr 1600:44:48Tap to summarizeAs organizations rapidly adopt AI, how do leaders ensure they don’t lose sight of the most important element—the learner?In this episode of Talent and the Age of AI, host Jason Keese sits down with Deidre Alves, Chief Learning and Leadership Officer at ExuLAB™ Global, to explore how leaders can thoughtfully navigate AI adoption while staying grounded in how people actually learn.Deidre highlights a growing challenge: many organizations are rushing into AI tools and learning technologies without first understanding the fundamentals of human learning. She explains why experiential learning—briefing, experience, and reflection—is critical and must remain the foundation before layering in AI.The conversation also explores the uneven pace of AI adoption across organizations and why leaders must create intentional space to pause, reflect, and assess what’s truly working.Deidre emphasizes the importance of AI literacy—not full technical fluency—and why leaders should focus on helping teams understand how AI works, including ethical considerations and bias awareness.She also introduces a powerful concept: avoiding “data absolutism.” While metrics and ROI matter, leaders must balance data with human experience, creativity, and the intangible “magic” that drives meaningful learning and performance outcomes.Through real-world examples, including a powerful story about redesigning pediatric MRI experiences, this episode challenges leaders to think differently about AI, learning, and what success really looks like.Timestamps;00:00 Welcome & Introduction to AI in Learning and Development02:02 Keeping the Learner First in the Rush to AI Adoption07:59 Why Human Learning Must Come Before AI Strategy09:20 Experiential Learning Framework: Brief, Experience, Reflect13:31 The Shift to Contextual Learning in the Age of AI15:38 Why AI Is Putting Human Skills Back in the Spotlight20:08 Sponsor Break20:39 AI Literacy vs Fluency: What Leaders Really Need to Know24:56 AI Ethics, Bias, and Safe Experimentation Strategies29:24 The Risk of Data Absolutism in AI Decision-Making33:18 Metrics vs Magic: The MRI Story and Human-Centered Design36:51 Educating Leaders on the Limits of AI Data and Metrics39:32 Key Takeaways on AI, Learning, and Leadership + ClosingCredits:Connect with the Guests;Deidre AlvesWebsite: https://exulab.com/Connect with the Talent in the Age of AI;Website: https://talentintheageofai.com/Interested in Being a Guest? https://talentintheageofai.com/contact-us/Production: What's Good Productions: (https://whatsgood-productions.com/)
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AI’s Transformative Opportunities for Preparing Your Workforce with Rich Douglas
Apr 200:48:35Tap to summarizeWhat does it really take to prepare your workforce for an AI-driven future?In this episode of Talent in the Age of AI, Wendy Wiseman sits down with Rich Douglas, principal of Rich Douglas Consulting and former Executive Director of the Human Capital Lab, to explore how AI is reshaping workforce development, learning, and leadership.Rich brings a deep perspective from years in corporate training and talent development, tackling one of the biggest questions leaders face: How do we know employees are truly learning—and applying—new skills in an AI-powered world?As AI continues to evolve, Rich explains that organizations must move beyond traditional learning models and rethink how they measure knowledge, build capability, and prepare employees for real-world application.The conversation highlights how AI is not just a tool for efficiency but a catalyst for transforming how people learn, solve problems, and contribute strategically within organizations.Episode Timestamps;00:00 Podcast Intro00:50 Meet Rich Douglas01:42 Training Evaluation Problem03:34 AI Raises Learning Bar05:23 Why AI Is Transformative07:42 End of Classroom Basics08:48 Sponsor Break09:17 Self-Serve Learning Shift11:44 Prompts And Data Keys14:02 Developmental Evaluation Loop15:55 Managers Under Pressure17:44 Rethinking Assessment For Creativity19:53 Leading Through Complexity22:28 Business Model Lessons23:34 What Leaders Must Do Now24:57 Lead With Curiosity25:33 Bring Problems Together26:55 Stop Blocking AI27:30 From Learning To Performance29:05 Rethink Credential Testing32:11 Personal Agency With AI35:29 AI As Confidence Coach38:53 Global And Cultural Insight41:44 Level The Playing Field44:42 Beyond AI Job Titles47:13 One Eyed AdvantageKey TakeawayAI is forcing organizations to shift from knowledge-based learning to application-based capability, requiring leaders to rethink how they develop and measure talent.Credits:Connect with the Guests;Rich Douglas:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rich-douglas-92b71b52/Website: https://richdouglasconsulting.com/Connect with the Talent in the Age of AI;Website: https://talentintheageofai.com/Interested in Being a Guest? https://talentintheageofai.com/contact-us/Production: What's Good Productions: (https://whatsgood-productions.com/)
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How CITGO Is Using AI to Transform Leadership Development with Sarah Truchard
Mar 1800:29:42Tap to summarizeHow can organizations responsibly integrate AI into talent development while still preserving the human side of leadership?In this episode of Talent in the Age of AI, host Wendy Wiseman sits down with Sarah Truchard, Manager of Talent and Leadership Development at CITGO. Sarah shares how her team is thoughtfully incorporating AI tools into leadership development, succession planning, and employee training across a workforce of more than 3,000 employees.Rather than viewing AI as a replacement for people, Sarah explains how her team is using it to amplify leadership capabilities, improve communication, and empower employees to think more strategically.Sarah also shares insights from CITGO’s leadership development program, Fueling Good Leaders, which combines proven leadership frameworks with practical AI experimentation to help managers navigate complex workplace conversations and performance challenges.From AI-powered leadership simulations to real-world applications such as improving performance feedback and goal setting, Sarah explains how organizations can move beyond fear and begin experimenting with AI in practical ways.Episode Timestamps;00:00 Welcome to the Talent in the Age of AI podcast00:28 Meet Sarah Truchard02:36 CITGO Talent Scope03:36 Why Embrace AI04:33 Governance and Tools05:22 CliftonStrengths with AI07:40 Fueling Good Leaders11:19 AI in Leadership Practice13:13 Culture Shift and Trust16:05 Productivity and Validation20:14 Adoption and Goal Setting23:22 Scaling Across Workforce26:33 Key Takeaways and Wrap29:06 Outro and SubscribeCredits:Connect with the Guests; Sarah Truchard:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sarah-cooper-truchard-shrm-scp-acc-33983417/Connect with the Talent in the Age of AI;Website: https://talentintheageofai.com/Interested in Being a Guest? https://talentintheageofai.com/contact-us/Production: What's Good Productions: (https://whatsgood-productions.com/)
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AI at Work: Why Experimentation Beats Training Programs for Teams with Bill Gallagher
Mar 1200:10:01Tap to summarizeIn this short “Three Big Questions” bonus episode of Talent in the Age of AI, host Jason Keese is joined by leadership and entrepreneur Bill Gallagher to discuss how leaders can build real AI capability on their teams without waiting for a definitive training program. Bill argues that traditional certification-style AI training is premature because tools and use cases change so quickly, and that teams build confidence through frequent experimentation, idea sharing, and the direct application of AI to everyday work. He describes what good AI use looks like in practice—using it for client planning, proposals, translation, purchasing decisions, and event planning—by trying it in the moment and switching tools when needed. Bill also warns that AI can worsen busyness by pulling people into endless “what if” rabbit holes, and emphasizes the importance of knowing when to stop, shift, and move on.00:00 Podcast Intro00:28 Meet Bill Gallagher - Founder and Scaling Coach01:12 The Importance of Building AI Skills03:31 AI in Daily Work06:03 Avoiding the Busy Trap and Overthinking of AI07:45 Practical Tool Mindset08:51 Subscribe and ClosingLeaders don’t need perfect AI training programs—they need to start experimenting, learning in real time, and encouraging their teams to use AI in everyday work.Credits:Connect with the Guests;Bill Gallagher;LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/billgall/Website: https://scalingcoach.com/Connect with the Talent in the Age of AI;Website: https://talentintheageofai.com/Interested in Being a Guest? https://talentintheageofai.com/contact-us/Production: What's Good Productions: (https://whatsgood-productions.com/)
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Women, AI, and the Future of Work: Closing the Adoption Gap in Leadership with Emily Skeen and Kate Telge
Mar 500:23:40Tap to summarizeIn this episode, we’re joined by Maiven Collective co-founders Emily Skeen and Kate Telge, who are on a mission to bridge the 20–25% gender gap in AI adoption. They discuss their holistic approach—combining AI literacy, business development, and nervous system support—to help women overcome adoption barriers like trust and security concerns while building the future of tech.The conversation dives into Maiven’s "Founder Foundations Challenge," a six-week cohort that helps entrepreneurs validate ideas using AI automations, financial modeling, and custom AI accountability coaches. Emily and Kate also share practical advice on prompt quality ("crap in, crap out") and the importance of experimenting across different tools to ensure accuracy and security in a corporate setting.Looking ahead, Maiven Collective aims to build a comprehensive ecosystem for women founders from ideation to exit, challenging traditional "growth-at-all-costs" models. They encourage listeners to lean into experimentation and visit maivencollective.com to learn more about their upcoming cohorts and the AI Ethics Social Club.Episode Timestamps;00:00 Podcast Intro00:28 Meet Maiven Collective02:08 Why Women In AI03:27 The AI Adoption Gap04:32 Trust And Mindset Barriers05:55 Six Week Founder Challenge07:22 Safe Cohort Community08:21 AI Ethics For Corporations13:06 Ad Break And Membership13:42 Prompts And LLM Basics18:05 Experimentation Builds Confidence19:40 Founder Ecosystem And Exits22:07 Closing, Thanks And OutroCredits:Connect with the Guests;Emily SkeenLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/emily-skeen/Website: https://www.maivencollective.com/Kate TelgeLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kate-telge/Website: https://www.maivencollective.com/Connect with the Talent in the Age of AI;Website: https://talentintheageofai.com/Interested in Being a Guest? https://talentintheageofai.com/contact-us/Production: What's Good Productions: (https://whatsgood-productions.com/)
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Bridging AI from the Education Space to the Workplace with Dr. Jenny Murnane-Rainey
Feb 1900:29:09Tap to summarizeIn this episode of the Talent in the Age of AI podcast, host Wendy interviews Dr. Jenny Murnane-Rainey, a professor of finance and management with a rich background in talent development. The discussion focuses on bridging the application of AI from the education sector to the workplace. Dr. Rainey shares her insights on how AI is revolutionizing both fields by enhancing critical thinking and emotional intelligence, despite the challenges and ethical considerations involved. They explore how educational institutions and organizations can collaborate to better prepare students for the AI-enhanced work environment. The episode also delves into recent studies on AI's impact on neural engagement and the future job market, emphasizing the importance of human skills such as resilience, creative thinking, and adaptability alongside technical literacy.Episode Timestamps;00:00 Welcome to Talent in the Age of AI + Introducing Dr. Jenny Murnane-Rainey02:23 Bridging AI from Education to the Workplace: The “Help Us Help You” Theme06:25 Why Banning AI Doesn’t Work: Adoption, Policies, and Real-World Use09:54 Internal/Private AI Models: Knowledge Bases, Trust, and Confidentiality11:28 Prompting as a Skill: From Proposals to the Rise of the Prompt Engineer13:52 Do Students Really ‘Get’ AI? Stereotypes, Creativity, and Better Prompts17:11 The MIT 2025 Study: AI Use, Brain Engagement, and Critical Thinking Risks20:44 Future of Jobs (WEF): The Human Skills That Matter Most in an AI World23:14 Future-Proofing Through Partnerships: How HR & Higher Ed Can Meet in the Middle29:22 Closing Thoughts + Next Steps: Webinar Plans and Final ThanksAs we navigate the intersection of human intuition and artificial intelligence, the conversation doesn’t have to end here. Connect with our guest and stay plugged into the future of talent at the links below.Credits:Connect with the Guests;Dr. Jenny Murnane-RaineyLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jennifermurnane/Connect with the Talent in the Age of AI;Website: https://talentintheageofai.com/Interested in Being a Guest? https://talentintheageofai.com/contact-us/Production: What's Good Productions: (https://whatsgood-productions.com/)
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The Drivers of AI Adoption - Comparing East and West Cultures — Featuring Eric Strandt
Feb 500:25:14Tap to summarizeIn this episode of Talent in the Age of AI, host Wendy Wiseman talks with Eric Strandt about his study on cross-cultural differences in AI acceptance. The discussion explores how leaders from Eastern and Western cultures differ in their motivation and ease of adopting AI. Eric highlights the importance of organizational support and social influence in the East, while ease of use and perceived usefulness are key drivers in the West. The episode also delves into the ethical considerations and the impact of AI on different levels of employee adoption. Tune in to gain insights into how organizations can effectively implement AI, considering these cultural nuances.Episode Timestamps;00:00 Introduction to Talent in the Age of AI00:48 Meet Eric Strandt: AI Acceptance Across Cultures03:06 Key Findings: Western vs. Eastern AI Adoption07:02 Practical Implications for Organizations11:11 Future Studies and Generational Differences11:39 Addressing Common AI Concerns19:43 Ethics, Privacy, and Human Oversight in AI24:20 Conclusion and Final ThoughtsCredits:Connect with the Guests;Eric Strandt:Publication: https://bit.ly/4raypNaConnect with the Talent in the Age of AI;Website: https://talentintheageofai.com/Interested in Being a Guest? https://talentintheageofai.com/contact-us/Production: What's Good Productions: (https://whatsgood-productions.com/)
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AI as Your Strategic Partner in Confidence, Valuation and Career Clarity with Dr. Sharon Spano
Jan 2200:35:32Tap to summarizeIn this episode of Talent in the Age of AI, host Wendy Weisman welcomes Dr. Sharon Spano, an executive coach and consultant specializing in maximizing human potential in business and life. The conversation dives into how AI can inform career trajectories, spur innovation, and aid in value and pricing strategies. Dr. Spano shares her personal experiences with AI, emphasizing its role as a brainstorming partner and confidence booster. The episode provides actionable insights for HR professionals and leaders on using AI to enhance communication, creativity, and employee development.Episode Timestamps;00:00 Introduction to Talent in the Age of AI00:28 Meet Your Host and Today's Guest: Dr. Sharon Spano01:12 Career Trajectory and AI18:00 Innovation Through AI27:05 Valuing Time and Strengths with AI33:03 Conclusion and Final ThoughtsDon't forget to Like, Subscribe, Follow, and Share!Credits:Connect with the Guests;Dr. Sharon SpanoLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sharonspano/Website: https://sharonspano.com/Connect with the Talent in the Age of AI;Website: https://talentintheageofai.com/Interested in Being a Guest? https://talentintheageofai.com/contact-us/Production: What's Good Productions: (https://whatsgood-productions.com/)
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How Do Leaders Stay Clear-Headed in the Age of AI with Bill Gallagher
Jan 1500:15:15Tap to summarizeIn this episode of Three Big Questions, host Jason Keese engages with Bill Gallagher, a seasoned entrepreneur and leadership coach who has advised leaders in 14 countries. Bill also hosts the popular Scaling Up Business podcast. The discussion centers on how AI affects leadership by increasing the volume of information leaders must process. Bill emphasizes the importance of clear-headed practices, mental hygiene, and disciplined use of AI to simplify tasks instead of overwhelming oneself.He also discusses the human behavioral elements crucial for adapting to AI confidently. Bill advocates using AI to enhance, rather than replace, human roles and highlights how leaders can leverage AI tools to reduce stress and improve decision-making.Episode Timestamps;00:00 Introduction to Talent in the Age of AI00:29 Meet Bill Gallagher: Leadership Coach and Entrepreneur01:04 Big Question 1: Staying Clearheaded with AI05:52 Big Question 2: Understanding Human Behavior with AI11:32 Big Question 3: Reducing Stress with AI13:11 Final Thoughts and Parting Wisdom14:38 Closing Remarks and ResourcesCredits:Connect with the Guests;Bill Gallagher;LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/billgall/Website: https://scalingcoach.com/Connect with the Talent in the Age of AI;Website: https://talentintheageofai.com/Interested in Being a Guest? https://talentintheageofai.com/contact-us/Production: What's Good Productions: (https://whatsgood-productions.com/)
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