The ATD in the D Today Podcast

Episode Notes If we care about jobs, we have to care about how we prepare people for them. This episode follows one throughline: a child who learns to treat a chatbot as a mind becomes a student who lets it think for them, and then a new hire entering a labor market that has removed the rung where thinking used to be built on the job. It closes with why the newest AI developments make teaching ethical use, early, the most practical thing any of us can do. Episode Credits: Hosts: Sarah Maier, Clifton Clarke III Speaker: Dr. Naketa Jones Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed by guests on this podcast are solely those of the individual speakers and do not necessarily represent or reflect the views and opinions of ATD Detroit, hosts, or sponsors.

Kelvin Jenkins is a leadership strategist, executive coach, and Founder and CEO of AP Business Collective. For nearly two decades, he has helped leaders and organizations navigate the human side of business, from building trust and handling conflict to coaching employees, developing talent, and helping high performers transition into effective leaders. His work has supported leaders across healthcare, technology, higher education, and public service, including organizations such as Kaiser Permanente, Affirm, Harvard University, Bad Robot, and CalSTRS. Kelvin believes leadership is less about having all the answers and more about developing the people around you. His mission is to make exceptional leadership development more accessible and help everyday people develop the mindset, skills, and confidence to lead well. Episode Credits: Hosts: Sarah Maier, Clifton Clarke III Speaker: Kelvin Jenkins Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed by guests on this podcast are solely those of the individual speakers and do not necessarily represent or reflect the views and opinions of ATD Detroit, hosts, or sponsors.

Rusty Shields is an International Speaker, Master Facilitator, Author, and CEO of Develefy Consulting—known for turning ordinary sessions into unforgettable, spark-filled experiences that fuel engagement, ignite transformation, and drive real-world results. With over 19 years in Learning & Development, Rusty empowers learning professions to move beyond passive content delivery and embrace experiential, learner-centered design. As the creator of The Spark Effect, he teaches professionals how to spark curiosity, activate retention, and kindle meaningful connection through inclusive, emotionally intelligent facilitation. A recognized thought leader in neurodiversity and inclusive learning, Rusty’s signature style blends research-backed frameworks with dynamic storytelling and powerful group facilitation. Rusty is also one of ATD’s MANY talented facilitators, delivering 11 of their certification programs including Training & Facilitation Certificate, Instructional Design Certificate, Adult Learning Certificate, Coaching Certificate & ATD Master Trainer. Whether in the classroom or the boardroom, Rusty’s mission is clear: Ignite passion. Inspire people. And help others set their learning, leadership, and teams on fire. If you'd like to learn more about Rusty, visit his website and subscribe to his socials below: LinkedIn Facebook Instagram TikTok Book Recommendations: Life is Good: The Book – John & Bert Jacobs This is the book about positivity. Interact and Engage, 2nd Edition: 75+ Activities for Virtual Training, Meetings, and Webinars – Kassy Laborie and Thomas Stone Design for All Learners: Create Accessible and Inclusive Learning Experiences – Sarah Mercier The Let Them Theory – Mel Robbins Nonviolent Communication: A Language of Life: Life-Changing Tools for Healthy Relationships – Marshall B Rosenberg L&D Order Taker No More!: Become a Strategic Business Partner – Jess Almlie Learning that Lasts: Reflection Activities for Trainers and Designers - Katrina Kennedy People to Follow: Sardek Love Kassy LaBorie Josh Cavalier Episode Credits: Hosts: Sarah Maier, Clifton Clarke III Speaker: Rusty Shields Season 3 Playlist Season 3 Playlist Guide Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed by guests on this podcast are solely those of the individual speakers and do not necessarily represent or reflect the views and opinions of ATD Detroit, hosts, or sponsors.

Tonya Tucker Collins is a talent and organizational growth executive with more than 20 years of experience across technology, energy, healthcare, insurance, retail, and cybersecurity. Her career spans Talent Acquisition, Talent Development, Talent Management, Organizational Development, employee experience, and enterprise talent strategy. She currently serves as Head of Talent & Organization Growth at Intersect, where she leads the talent ecosystem across acquisition, development, and talent management. With a foundation in Industrial-Organizational Psychology and organizational development, Tonya has long been fascinated by how organizations actually work, and how people, culture, data, leadership, and systems come together to enable performance or unintentionally get in its way. She brings a practical, data-informed perspective to helping leaders move beyond simply collecting information to asking better questions, uncovering what the data is really telling them, and transforming organizational intelligence into strategic talent decisions. Her work challenges practitioners to think more strategically before they design, connecting proven talent and learning methodologies with the organizational intelligence, tools, and business realities available today. Connect with Tonya on LinkedIn. Episode Credits: Hosts: Sarah Maier, Clifton Clarke III Speaker: Tonya Tucker-Collins Season 3 Playlist Season 3 Playlist Guide Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed by guests on this podcast are solely those of the individual speakers and do not necessarily represent or reflect the views and opinions of ATD Detroit, hosts, or sponsors.

Join Clifton Clarke, Sarah Maier, and Margaret Spence at ATD ICE 26! In today's rapidly evolving workplace, L&D professionals are facing unprecedented disruption-from scaling AI, to shifting organizational priorities around DEI, to ongoing workforce reductions. L&D's traditional role is being challenged, redefined, and in some cases, reduced. In this dynamic podcast conversation, hosts of ATD in the D and leaders within the ATD Detroit Chapter explore what it truly means to pivot with purpose. Drawing from real-world experience as chapter presidents, facilitators, and consultants, they unpack how L&D professionals can reposition themselves as indispensable strategic partners rather than optional support functions. Listeners will gain practical insight into how facilitators, instructional designers, consultants, and L&D leaders can safeguard their roles, expand their value, and lead through uncertainty. This session challenges the audience to rethink their identity, sharpen their business acumen, and proactively evolve before disruption forces the change.

Join Clifton Clarke III, President and Sarah Maier, Past-President as they discuss their ATD ICE 2026 takeways.

In this special episode, Stephanie Hubka, our 2025 MIATD Regional Conference Keynote speaker is featured. We explore her path to the main stage, from her impactful work at ATD National to being featured on the cover of TD Magazine for her expertise in storytelling. Stephanie opens up about how storytelling has shaped her career, why it matters more than ever in talent development, and what attendees can expect from her upcoming session at ATD 2025. Beyond L&D, Stephanie wears many hats: she’s the former host of the Beltway Broadcast Podcast, runs a true crime podcast, and owns a successful travel business. Her ability to connect, engage, and lead across industries all comes back to one thing, the power of a well-told story. Stephanie Hubka, CPTD wants to live in a world where learning is fun, inspiring, and a recognized driver of organizational success. As the managing partner of Protos Learning, LLC, she specializes in developing strategies and products that advance an organization’s mission and vision. She is a sought-after facilitator, author, and keynote speaker, particularly on storytelling and fostering connection within training environments. She holds a Bachelor of Science degree from Carnegie Mellon University and is a passionate ATD volunteer; she served as the Metro DC ATD President in 2016 and enjoyed two terms as a National Advisor for Chapters from 2017-2022. If you’d like to learn more about Stephanie, connect with her on LinkedIn. Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed by guests on this podcast are solely those of the individual speakers and do not necessarily represent or reflect the views and opinions of ATD Detroit, hosts, or sponsors. Episode Credits: Hosts: Sarah Maier Speaker: Stephanie Hubka

In this episode, Clifton and Sarah sit down with Jay Johnson to unpack the top five reasons training often fails. Jay brings insights from his research, while Sarah and Clifton share real-world experiences from the workplace to see if it lines up. If you’d like to learn more about Jay, visit Coeus Creative Group Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed by guests on this podcast are solely those of the individual speakers and do not necessarily represent or reflect the views and opinions of ATD Detroit, hosts, or sponsors. Episode Credits: Hosts: Sarah Maier, Clifton Clarke III Speaker: Jay Johnson

In a world where change is constant and often unpredictable, adaptability has become a must-have skill — for individuals, teams, and entire organizations. In this episode, Clifton and Sarah sit down with Dr. Esther Jackson to explore how we can not only survive change but embrace and grow through it. From the changes to DEI to the promise of AI, we'll cover how to be adaptable as you lead, support, and evolve. Dr. Esther Jackson leads Lynnjac Consulting and teaches at the collegiate level. She has shared her expertise on adaptability, diversity, emotional intelligence, and leadership at national conferences. Dr. Jackson authored Adaptability in Talent Development and has written a number of articles. Her academic credentials include degrees in education, along with certifications in AQ Foundations and as a Certified Diversity Executive. Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed by guests on this podcast are solely those of the individual speakers and do not necessarily represent or reflect the views and opinions of ATD Detroit, hosts, or sponsors. Episode Credits: Hosts: Sarah Maier, Clifton Clarke III Speaker: Dr. Esther Jackson If you’d like to learn more about Esther, reach out on LinkedIn or visit her website. Book Recommendations: Adversity Quotient @Work - Paul Stolz Golden Book - Dale Carnegie 7 Habits of Highly Effective People - Steven R. Covey No Limits: Blow the Cap off your Capacity - John Maxwell People to Follow: Tom Erhardt

Episode Credits: Hosts: Sarah Maier, Clifton Clarke III Speaker: Sardek Love In this episode of ATD in the D, Sardek Love talks to us about becoming successful through the ATD. Sardek is a highly sought-after international keynote speaker, author, engagement expert, leadership expert, master trainer, master performance consultant, and speaker coach. He specializes in providing performance consulting, training, and development services, and management and leadership development programs focused on employee engagement, production and operations management, and human performance improvement. In this episode, Sardek shares evidence-based insights and practical strategies to elevate your training programs and discusses how to apply laws of engagement to engage participants regardless of topic. If you’d like to learn more about Sardek, visit his website. Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed by guests on this podcast are solely those of the individual speakers and do not necessarily represent or reflect the views and opinions of ATD Detroit, hosts, or sponsors.

In this episode, you’ll have the opportunity to get to know your chapter leaders and their vision for the upcoming year.  Connect with your hosts: Sarah Maier Clifton Clarke III A shout-out to all the lovely ATD members we mentioned in this episode: Esther Jackson Laurie Zeller Lisa Toenniges Heidi Saucier Betty Dannewitz Sardek Love Want to volunteer with us or join us at ICE? Send an email to admin@detroitatd.org

Colors and shapes are all around us. How can we harness the power of color to make our learning more effective? Misty Minna - graphic designers, photographer, and instructional designer - is here to discuss how we can upscale our training programs, job aids, and graphics through a basic understanding of color theory and the impact that color has on how we learn. Have a question for the host or guests, want us to cover a certain topic, or just feel like you have feedback for us? Email Mike Haynes at president@detroitatd.org Learn more about ATD Detroit events and membership benefits at http://www.detroitatd.org Learn more about the national ATD organization at http://www.td.org Episode Notes: Guests: Misty Minna, Instructional and Graphic Designer Hosts: Michael Haynes, ATD Detroit Chapter President, and Jenny Ertman, Lead Programming Volunteer Adobe Color https://color.adobe.com/create Understanding Color Gamut https://www.viewsonic.com/library/photography/what-is-color-gamut/ The Sessions College Color Calculator https://www.sessions.edu/color-calculator/ Coolors Color Generator https://coolors.co/ This month's featured book is Creative Confidence: Unleashing the Creative Potential Within Us All by Tom and David Kelly Special thanks to Production Consultants Matt Nadolny and Nick Harman Music Credits: Aerosol Of My Love by Kevin MacLeod Link: https://filmmusic.io/song/7013-aerosol-of-my-love License: https://filmmusic.io/standard-license Wide Open Road by Claus Appel Link: https://filmmusic.io/song/4703-wide-open-road- License: https://filmmusic.io/standard-license Hopeful And Positive by chilledmusic Link: https://filmmusic.io/song/7040-hopeful-and-positive- License: https://filmmusic.io/standard-license

When people think about the instructional design field, usually that conjures up visions of corporate learning and business-focused outcomes. However, cutting edge learning and training design is also happening in higher education, where instructional designers are innovating ways to improve faculty effectiveness and versatility. In this episode, we talk to two learning specialists from local universities to understand what instructional design means in the academic world. Have a question for the host or guests, want us to cover a certain topic, or just feel like you have feedback for us? Email Mike Haynes at president@detroitatd.org Learn more about ATD Detroit events and membership benefits at http://www.detroitatd.org Learn more about the national ATD organization at http://www.td.org Episode Notes: Guests: Gwen Tarbox, WMUx; and Nic Bongers, Oakland University Host: Michael Haynes, ATD Detroit Chapter President This month's featured book is Map It: The hands-on guide to strategic training design, by Cathy Moore Special thanks to Production Consultants Matt Nadolny and Nick Harman Music Credits: Aerosol Of My Love by Kevin MacLeod Link: https://filmmusic.io/song/7013-aerosol-of-my-love License: https://filmmusic.io/standard-license Wide Open Road by Claus Appel Link: https://filmmusic.io/song/4703-wide-open-road- License: https://filmmusic.io/standard-license Hopeful And Positive by chilledmusic Link: https://filmmusic.io/song/7040-hopeful-and-positive- License: https://filmmusic.io/standard-license

Ever thought about making your own podcast to increase your learning reach and organizational exposure? In this episode, find out how easy it is to plan and publish a professional podcast with a conversation between an experienced podcast producer, an audio engineer, and the creator of ATD in the D Today. Have a question for the host or guests, want us to cover a certain topic, or just feel like you have feedback for us? Email Mike Haynes at president@detroitatd.org Learn more about ATD Detroit events and membership benefits at http://www.detroitatd.org Learn more about the national ATD organization at http://www.td.org Episode Notes: Guests: Matt Nadolny, Nick Harman, and Michael Haynes Host: Jenny Ertman, Detroit ATD Program Committee Member Culture of Change Podcast: https://www.cultureofconvenience.com/ The Go Mode Podcast: https://gomodepodcast.com/ This month's featured book is 101 Ways to Make Learning Active Beyond the Classroom by Elaine Biech Special thanks to Production Consultants Matt Nadolny and Nick Harman Music Credits: Aerosol Of My Love by Kevin MacLeod Link: https://filmmusic.io/song/7013-aerosol-of-my-love License: https://filmmusic.io/standard-license Wide Open Road by Claus Appel Link: https://filmmusic.io/song/4703-wide-open-road- License: https://filmmusic.io/standard-license Hopeful And Positive by chilledmusic Link: https://filmmusic.io/song/7040-hopeful-and-positive- License: https://filmmusic.io/standard-license

Some talent development professionals came right to the industry, knowing they wanted to be part of the field. Others, like our guests in this episode, took a winding road to get here. Listen to three instructional designers talk about how their careers started in dramatically different places from where they are today, and pick up some tips on how to further your career development. Have a question for the host or guests, want us to cover a certain topic, or just feel like you have feedback for us? Email Mike at president@detroitatd.org Learn more about ATD Detroit events and membership benefits at http://www.detroitatd.org Learn more about the national ATD organization at http://www.td.org Episode Notes: Guests: Emily Ebersole and Tony Mould, Instructional Designers Host: Michael Haynes, Detroit ATD Chapter President This month's featured book is Instructional Story Design: Develop Stories That Train, by Rance Greene. Available at td.org. Special thanks to Production Consultants Matt Nadolny and Nick Harmon Music Credits: Aerosol Of My Love by Kevin MacLeod Link: https://filmmusic.io/song/7013-aerosol-of-my-love License: https://filmmusic.io/standard-license Wide Open Road by Claus Appel Link: https://filmmusic.io/song/4703-wide-open-road- License: https://filmmusic.io/standard-license Hopeful And Positive by chilledmusic Link: https://filmmusic.io/song/7040-hopeful-and-positive- License: https://filmmusic.io/standard-license

It’s been a crazy year since everything changed in March 2020. Let’s have a conversation about what we’ve learned so far and what we can do to stay resilient moving forward. Lisa Toenniges from Innovative Learning Group and Jessica Tower of Tower and Co. sit down for a chat on how they’ve weathered the storm and found ways to develop their clients, their organizations, and themselves despite the new territory we’ve found the world in. Have a question for the host or guests, want us to cover a certain topic, or just feel like you have feedback for us? Email Mike at president@detroitatd.org Learn more about ATD Detroit events and membership benefits at http://www.detroitatd.org Learn more about the national ATD organization at http://www.td.org Episode Notes: Guests: Lisa Toenniges from Innovative Learning Group and Jessica Tower of Tower and Co. Host: Michael Haynes, Detroit ATD Chapter President This month's featured book is The Biggest Bluff, How I learned to pay attention, master myself, and win, by Maria Konnikova Special thanks to Production Consultants Matt Nadolny and Nick Harmon Music Credits: Aerosol Of My Love by Kevin MacLeod Link: https://filmmusic.io/song/7013-aerosol-of-my-love License: https://filmmusic.io/standard-license Wide Open Road  by Claus Appel Link: https://filmmusic.io/song/4703-wide-open-road- License: https://filmmusic.io/standard-license Hopeful And Positive by chilledmusic Link: https://filmmusic.io/song/7040-hopeful-and-positive- License: https://filmmusic.io/standard-license

In this second episode of the podcast we dive deep into research and design with Eric Nalian, instructional design leader and doctoral candidate. He's been researching how we can apply fundamental principles of instructional design to other areas of our field, particularly change management. I sat down with him for a conversation about his work with the national ATD publication series, TD at Work. Learn more about Eric's work with ATD and purchase his publications "Guide Organizational Change with ADDIE" at https://www.td.org/td-at-work/guide-organizational-change-with-addie This month's book review: Agile for Instructional Designers by Megan Torrance, available at https://www.td.org/books/agile-for-instructional-designers Production Notes: Host: Michael Haynes Guest: Eric Nalian Special thanks to production consultants Nick Harmon and Matt Nadolny. ATD in the D Today is produced by the Detroit Chapter of the Association for Talent Development. Learn more at detroitatd.org.

We kick off the first episode of this new monthly podcast with an in-depth conversation about the ATD Capability Model. Find out what it means to be future-proof in the learning and development field while discovering how you can create your personal learning plan to take your career to the next level! Have a question for the host or guests, want us to cover a certain topic, or just feel like you have feedback for us? Email Mike at president@detroitatd.org Learn more about ATD Detroit events and membership benefits at http://www.detroitatd.org Learn more about the national ATD organization at http://www.td.org Episode Notes: Guests: Bridgette Morehouse, Detroit ATD VP of Development; Heather Todero, Detroit ATD Programs Director Host: Michael Haynes, Detroit ATD Chapter President Resources and Interactive ATD Capability Model can be found at http://www.td.org/capability-model This month's featured book is Payoff: The Hidden Logic That Shapes Our Motivation by Dan Ariely Special thanks to Production Consultant Matt Nadolny Music Credits: Aerosol Of My Love by Kevin MacLeod Link: https://filmmusic.io/song/7013-aerosol-of-my-love License: https://filmmusic.io/standard-license Wide Open Road  by Claus Appel Link: https://filmmusic.io/song/4703-wide-open-road- License: https://filmmusic.io/standard-license