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:

• Why the future of learning is personalized, adaptive, and AI-supported
• How L&D can shift from reactive support to proactive strategy
• What it really means to take a consultative approach inside the business
• How to partner with managers to turn learning into sustained behavior change
• The role of visibility, curiosity, and learning in public for modern leaders
• Why you shouldn’t wait for permission to innovate

Connect with Megan on LinkedIn »

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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:

• Why the future of learning will feel less more personalized and targeted
• How the Core Values Index can help leaders hire better and build stronger teams
• Why asking the right questions is more powerful than having the right answers
• How leaders can use visibility, vulnerability, and voice to expand their impact
• Why psychological safety isn’t just a nice-to-have—it’s a performance strategy

Connect with Patty on LinkedIn »
Visit Patty's Website »

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• Interested in joining the show as a guest? Click here!

In this episode of Catalysts, I sit down with Nick Day, a learning leader at Roundtable Learning, where he designs immersive, tech-driven learning solutions for enterprise clients—including over 50 Fortune 500 companies.

Nick shares why XR (extended reality) is more than a buzzword—and how it can deliver measurable impact when paired with the right learning strategy. We explore real use cases for AR, VR, and mixed reality in soft skills development, onboarding, and performance support, plus the surprising data insights these tools can reveal.

Whether you’re exploring immersive tech for the first time or trying to separate the hype from the real opportunities, this conversation is full of strategic takeaways.

Here's what we chat about:

• How virtual reality improves soft skills by offering _real practice with real feedback)
• The power of tracking body language, decision timing, and eye contact in VR
• Why Roundtable focuses on learning problems—not just tech solutions
• What bold innovations are being tested right now with real-world hardware + XR
• Why learning leaders need to slow down, ask better questions, and avoid shiny object syndrome
• How visibility, partnerships, and peer conversations accelerate innovation

Connect with Nick on LinkedIn »
Learn More About Roundtable Learning »
The Training & Development Channel on YouTube »

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What does it really take to create learning that sticks?

In this episode of Catalysts, I’m joined by Taresa Scott, founder of Bleuprint, for a refreshing and thought-provoking conversation about what’s broken in traditional L&D—and what we need to do differently.

We talk about why emotional intelligence belongs at the center of learning strategy, how consulting skills can help L&D professionals get a seat at the table, and why supporting first-time managers isn’t just nice—it’s necessary. Teresa also shares her take on how AI is shaping the future of development and why curiosity—not compliance—is what drives real growth inside organizations.

If you’re tired of learning being treated like a box to check, this one’s for you.

Connect with Taresa:

• LinkedIn »
• Bleuprint »
• Taresa's Newsletter »
• Self-Awareness in Leadership »

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In this episode of Catalysts, I’m joined by Aaron T. Jones, Director of Onboarding and Training. With a background in performance and a passion for people, Aaron brings a storytelling-driven approach to L&D that’s both strategic and deeply human.

We explore how his skills-first onboarding framework has led to major gains in retention and time-to-productivity—and why that success starts with consulting skills, deep curiosity, and a clear connection to the business’s bottom line. From integrating AI into learning design to empowering first-time managers, Aaron shares actionable insights for creating high-impact programs that prioritize people and performance.

Whether you’re building a team, designing onboarding, or simply trying to make learning more effective, this conversation is packed with ideas you can run with today.

Click here to connect with Aaron on Linkedin »

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🎙️ New Podcast Launching Soon...
CATALYSTS: The Leaders Shaping the Future of Learning and Growth
This isn’t just about improving how we learn and lead.
It’s about redefining it—so it actually reflects the complexity, urgency, and opportunity of this moment.

I’m launching Catalysts to spotlight the bold voices shaping the next decade of learning and organizational growth—founders, executives, and consultants who aren’t just reacting to change…they’re driving it.

These aren’t your typical industry soundbites.
They’re candid conversations with the people building what’s next.

👉 If you’re in learning and development, talent, or leadership—and you want a glimpse of the future—we’re going there.

🔗 And if we’re not already connected on LinkedIn, let’s fix that:
linkedin.com/in/jacobratliff

PS: Interested in joining us as a guest? Click here to let me know you're interested!

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• Connect on with me on LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/jacob-ratliff
• Position Yourself as a Thought Leader in Your Industry: executivebrandbuilder.com
• Interested in joining the show as a guest? Click here!