Catalysts spotlights bold leaders who are actively redefining how we learn, lead, and grow—inside the organizations shaping tomorrow’s workforce. Through candid, future-facing conversations, the series elevates executives, founders, and consultants who are not just reacting to change, but driving it.
This is the podcast where thought leaders in learning and development don’t just share strategies—they shape the next era of leadership, innovation, and organizational transformation.
Catalysts spotlights bold leaders who are actively redefining how we learn, lead, and grow—inside the organizations shaping tomorrow’s workforce. Through candid, future-facing conversations, the series elevates executives, founders, and consultants who are not just reacting to change, but driving it.
This is the podcast where thought leaders in learning and development don’t just share strategies—they shape the next era of leadership, innovation, and organizational transformation.
What if company culture wasn’t just a set of values on the wall—but a daily operating system?
In this episode of Catalysts, Jacob Ratliff sits down with Chris Dyer—globally recognized leadership speaker, best-selling author, and remote work pioneer—to break down what high-performance culture actually looks like in practice.
Chris has been named a Top 50 Global Thought Leader, a #1 Leadership Speaker by Inc. Magazine, and the CEO of one of America’s fastest-growing companies. His message is clear: Culture isn’t a vibe. It’s a system. And leaders have to own it.
In this conversation, we explore:
If you want your people to move faster, collaborate better, and stick around longer, this episode gives you the blueprint.
🎧 Listen now on Catalysts: The Leaders Shaping the Future of Learning and Growth
🔗 Connect with Chris on LinkedIn
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In this episode of Catalysts, Jacob Ratliff sits down with Ash Seddeek, founder of Executive Greatness Institute, to talk about what it really takes to elevate your executive presence, master influence, and earn trust in the rooms where decisions get made.
Ash has coached senior leaders at Amazon, Salesforce, Cisco, and Capital One—and his message is clear: If you can’t communicate with clarity and power, you won’t move the business forward.
In this conversation, we dig into:
Ash doesn’t just teach influence—he helps leaders embody it. Whether you’re coaching senior leaders or stepping into bigger visibility yourself, this episode is a masterclass in strategic communication that moves people—and businesses—forward.
🎧 Listen to the full episode on Catalysts: The Leaders Shaping the Future of Learning and Growth
🔗 Connect with Ash: LinkedIn | executivegreatness.com
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If your learning team is still seen as a cost center, this episode will change how you show up.
Jacob sits down with Andrew Scivally, CEO of ELB Learning, to explore why L&D’s credibility is suffering—and what it takes to reposition the function as a performance-driven strategic partner.
Andrew has worked with Fortune 100s, led L&D at JPMorgan Chase and Zion’s Bank, and now helps learning teams stop building “fluff” and start driving results.
In this episode, you’ll learn:
💡 “If you want to be seen as strategic, stop calling yourself a learning team. Call yourself a performance team. That’s what the business actually cares about.”
This is a bold, practical, and energizing conversation for any L&D leader ready to step up and be seen as essential to business growth.
🎧 Listen now and get ready to transform how you lead learning:
👉 Connect with Andrew on LinkedIn
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In this episode of Catalysts, I sit down with Rahul Karan Sharma—organizational development consultant, fractional CLO, and Forbes Coaches Council member—to explore what it really takes to lead through change that matters.
Rahul has spent 20+ years helping companies navigate post-merger integration, cultural alignment, and leadership acceleration. But his secret isn’t in a strategy deck—it’s in centering the people behind the process.
Together, we unpack:
Transformation is personal. It requires consistency, empathy, and the courage to lead from the inside out.
🔗 Connect with Rahul on LinkedIn or at rahulkaransharma.com
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In this episode of Catalysts, I sit down with Ron Price, Chief Learning Officer at Yukon Learning—Articulate’s official training partner for over 17 years. Ron brings a rare blend of deep instructional design expertise and hands-on development experience, helping organizations turn good ideas into great learning experiences.
Together, we explore:
Ron shares how his team helps organizations move beyond rote click-through courses to design learning that earns its place—and drives real behavior change. Whether you’re an L&D leader, an instructional designer, or just curious about elevating the digital learning experience, this episode is packed with practical insights and expert perspective.
🎧 Listen in and learn why Ron believes the future of e-learning isn’t about covering content—it’s about helping learners uncover it.
🔗 Learn more about Ron and Yukon Learning: https://www.yukonlearning.com
📺 Watch their free Articulate tutorials on YouTube: Yukon Learning on YouTube
🔗 Connect with Ron: Ron Price on LinkedIn
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In this episode of Catalysts, I sit down with Arika Pierce Williams, CEO and Founder of Piercing Strategies, to talk about what it really means to lead in the AI era—without losing what makes us human.
Arika isn’t just rethinking leadership—she’s rebranding it. Through her Human-First Leadership™ framework, she’s helping organizations develop leaders who are self-aware, emotionally intelligent, and equipped to guide teams through rapid change, without burning out.
We dive into:
If you’ve been wondering how to build the next generation of leaders—and how to help people managers lead with empathy, resilience, and authenticity—this episode is your roadmap.
🔗 Connect with Arika on LinkedIn or at piercingstrategies.com
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In this episode of Catalysts, I sit down with Mark Cruth, Principal Modern Work Coach at Atlassian, to explore what it really takes to create effective, energized, and high-performing teams in today’s complex world of work.
Mark is a keynote speaker, collaboration coach, and one of the leading voices in the future of teamwork—internally at Atlassian and across the broader industry. He’s helped shape how 16,000+ employees at Atlassian operate while also empowering countless other organizations to rethink how teams learn, grow, and lead.
We unpack:
If you care about how teams work—and how learning can accelerate that work—this is an energizing, practical, and deeply human conversation you don’t want to miss.
🔗 Connect with Mark on LinkedIn or at markcruth.com
🔍 Explore the Atlassian Team Playbook: atlassian.com/team-playbook
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In this episode of Catalysts, I’m joined by DavidLee Richardson, Head of Organizational Leadership Development at Harris & Harris. David brings a grounded, deeply human approach to developing leaders—focusing on trust, credibility, and connection as the foundation for high-impact leadership.
We explore:
DavidLee doesn’t just talk about leadership—he models it. Tune in for a rich conversation full of insights on leading with intention, building trust, and becoming better at being human.
🎧 Listen now on Catalysts: The Leaders Shaping the Future of Learning and Growth
🔗 Connect with DavidLee Richardson on LinkedIn or visit davidlee.ai
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In this episode of Catalysts, I sit down with Andrew O’Malley, instructional designer and learning strategist, to talk about how L&D is evolving—and what it takes to stay ahead. From experimenting with AI to designing emotionally intelligent learning experiences, Andrew is pushing the boundaries of what’s possible in training and development.
We explore:
Whether you’re experimenting with new tools or rethinking your leadership approach, Andrew brings clarity, candor, and creativity to the future of L&D.
🎧 Listen now on Catalysts: The Leaders Shaping the Future of Learning and Growth
🔗 Connect with Andrew on LinkedIn or follow his insights on YouTube and Instagram @andrewomalley.id
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In this episode of Catalysts, I’m joined by Cole Bastion, Senior Director of Learning and Culture at HOA Brands, where he's helped reduce management turnover by 10% and transformed L&D into a powerful driver of enterprise-wide change.
We dive deep into how Cole positions his team not as order-takers—but as change makers.
Key topics we cover:
Cole’s story is packed with insight on what it really takes to lead learning with purpose, partnership, and influence.
🔗 Connect with Cole on LinkedIn: Cole Bastion, MSIOP
🎧 Listen now and subscribe to Catalysts: The Leaders Shaping the Future of Learning and Growth.
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David Grad was once leading creative teams at MTV. Now, he’s solving one of the toughest problems in learning and development: how to make live training actually stick.
In this episode of Catalysts, David shares the origin story behind elevator9, the learning tech company he co-founded to ensure live training drives measurable, lasting impact. Drawing from learning science, cognitive psychology, and real-world application, elevator9 has created a platform that transforms what happens after the workshop—so that insights aren’t lost the moment people return to work.
We also explore the mindset shifts L&D leaders must embrace to position learning as a strategic value driver—not a cost center—and how David’s journey from media to learning has shaped his passion for empowering people through evidence-based design.
We cover:
Connect with David Grad:
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In this episode of Catalysts, I’m joined by Dr. Keith Keating, Chief Learning & Development Officer at BDO Canada and author of Hidden Value: How to Reveal the Impact of Organizational Learning.
Keith is a powerhouse in the world of learning strategy—a practitioner-scholar who believes L&D shouldn’t just defend its worth, but amplify its impact. We dive into what it truly means to be a trusted learning advisor, why L&D needs to stop chasing surface metrics, and how to lead your team out of the “order-taker” trap and into strategic partnership.
Here’s what you’ll learn in this episode:
Keith’s journey—from high school dropout to doctoral scholar—is a testament to the life-changing power of learning. And his message is clear: L&D isn’t a support function. It’s a strategic driver. But only if we choose to show up that way.
🎧 Tune in for a deeply human, sharply strategic conversation that will leave you thinking differently about what you do—and why it matters.
Connect with Dr. Keith Keating on LinkedIn »
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In this episode of Catalysts, I’m joined by Danielle Wallace, Chief Learning Strategist at Beyond the Sky and host of You in 2042: The Future of Work. With a background in marketing and leadership roles at companies like Procter & Gamble and PepsiCo, Danielle brings a uniquely human—and deeply practical—lens to some of the biggest shifts happening in the world of learning and work.
We dive into how AI is reshaping workforce expectations, why empathy and emotional regulation are the real future-proof skills, and what it actually takes to design learning that drives behavior change.
🔑 Key Takeaways:
If you’ve ever wrestled with how to balance emerging technology with human connection—or how to make soft skills training actually stick—this episode is for you.
🎧 Listen now and learn how to build learning solutions that are both efficient and effective.
🔗 Connect with Danielle:
LinkedIn | Beyond the Sky
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What if the real key to innovation isn’t speed, strategy, or structure—but the ability to sit with discomfort long enough to transform it?
In this episode of Catalysts, I sit down with Janet Harvey, CEO of inviteCHANGE, former global president of the International Coaching Federation, and one of the most influential voices in coaching and leadership development over the past three decades.
With more than 12,000 hours of coaching experience across six continents, Janet shares how she’s seen the coaching field evolve—and what leaders must now embrace if they want to create real, sustainable change.
We explore:
📌 Links Mentioned
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In this episode of Catalysts, I sit down with Bianca Baumann, award-winning strategist, international speaker, and author of Think Like a Marketer, Train Like an L&D Pro. With over 15 years in the field, Bianca brings a rare blend of creativity, empathy, and business alignment to the way organizations approach learning.
We talk about the mindset shifts that L&D teams need to make—starting with listening more and building for behavior change, not just content delivery.
Inside the conversation:
Bianca also shares her own evolution as a leader, what she’s learned from mentoring teams, and the small actions that can make a big impact—especially for L&D professionals doing it all on their own.
🎧 Listen now and subscribe to Catalysts—where we spotlight the leaders shaping the future of learning and growth.
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In this episode of Catalysts, I sit down with Brandon Carson, Chief Learning Officer at Docebo, to explore the future of learning and development in a world reshaped by AI, transformation, and trust.
Brandon is a globally recognized L&D leader and the author of Learning in the Age of Immediacy and L&D’s Playbook for the Digital Age. He’s led learning strategy at Walmart, Starbucks, and now Docebo—and his vision for the next decade of work is bold, clear, and deeply human.
We talk about:
This episode is a roadmap for any L&D professional looking to lead boldly, scale human potential, and architect the future of work.
Connect with Brandon on LinkedIn »
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What does real transformation look like in learning and development—and how do we design for it in a world defined by disruption?
In this episode of Catalysts, I sit down with Sean Bengry, Chief Learning Officer at Sablethorn Consulting and a global leader in educational innovation, to explore the intersection of human-centered design, technology, and organizational change.
With over 20 years of experience leading global L&D strategy, Sean shares why effective learning ecosystems don’t start with solutions—they start with curiosity, empathy, and trust.
We unpack:
Sean also introduces the Bengry Paradox—his belief that if you try to automate yourself out of a job in a year, you’ll never actually be without one.
If you’re leading learning strategy, navigating AI disruption, or rethinking how change actually happens inside organizations, this episode is a must-listen.
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In this episode of Catalysts, I sit down with Steven Van Cohen—global leadership consultant, executive coach, and Wall Street Journal bestselling author of Connectable. Dubbed “The Leadership Whisperer,” Steven helps companies reduce isolation, improve well-being, and foster true belonging in the workplace.
We explore what it really takes to build a culture of connection—far beyond icebreakers and happy hours. From combatting loneliness and creating psychologically safe teams to rethinking one-on-ones and using learning as a tool for relational growth, Steven shares actionable insights backed by data and grounded in empathy.
If you care about creating teams that perform, stay, and grow together—this is the conversation you’ve been waiting for.
🔑 In This Episode, You’ll Learn:
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In this episode of Catalysts, I’m joined by Megan Dillon, Director of Learning and Development at Q-Centrix. Megan leads with clarity and heart, aligning workforce development with business strategy and building systems that create real behavior change—not just training events.
We explore how L&D is evolving from content creation to business enablement, and what it looks like to step into the role of strategic advisor. From leveraging AI as a co-pilot, to shifting mindsets around ROI, to developing managers into career coaches, Megan offers insight after insight for L&D professionals ready to elevate their work—and their influence.
Whether you're leading a team or shaping learning strategy inside your organization, this episode will push you to think deeper about the role of L&D in shaping the future of work.
In This Episode, You’ll Learn:
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In this episode of Catalysts, I sit down with Patty Miller, a senior HR executive with over 24 years of experience helping leaders navigate complex people challenges across North America. Patty is known for her sharp insights, unshakable integrity, and powerful frameworks like the Core Values Index and Vitality Pulse Review that bring clarity to messy, fast-moving workplaces.
We talk about the evolution of leadership—from fixing problems to facilitating transformation—and how leaders can unlock better results through psychological safety, personalized development, and just the right mix of structure and storytelling.
If you care about building stronger teams, leading with empathy, and turning workplace complexity into confidence, this conversation is for you.
In This Episode, You’ll Learn:
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