Today, Andy Storch welcomes Eric DiCenzo-Crotallo—Vice President of Talent, Learning, and Communication at Din Tai Fung and former Director of Talent and Learning Development at Chipotle—to the Talent Development Hot Seat Podcast.

In this value-packed episode, Andy and Eric explore what it really takes to build world-class talent development for hourly, frontline teams—and why the best talent programs blend operational know-how with authentic care for people. Eric shares candid stories and practical advice from his journey pivoting from operations to HR, launching large-scale leadership development initiatives, and driving data-informed decisions that impact every corner of the organization.

A must-listen for L&D professionals, HR leaders, and anyone dedicated to elevating frontline talent, building winning cultures, and translating strategy into real growth opportunities for people at every level.

In this episode, Eric shares:

• His winding path from restaurant operations to finding purpose in talent development—and why focusing on individual success became his passion.
• How launching Cultivate University at Chipotle upskilled 400+ field leaders with critical soft skills, leadership behaviors, and a culture of accountability—becoming a turning point in the company’s performance.
• How performance management and succession planning were transformed by replacing cumbersome, outdated processes with simple, conversation-driven frameworks—enabling managers to focus on feedback, recognition, and developing talent for a deep internal pipeline.
• The launch of the Always On, Always Listening “Voice of the Employee” program: how collecting real-time feedback through lifecycle surveys empowered managers with actionable insights and increased transparency.
• Powerful examples of how employee engagement directly influences business outcomes—like the surprising link between frontline buy-in on company vision and the accuracy of digital orders.
• His experience joining Din Tai Fung’s executive team to formalize HR, implement pay-for-performance, and introduce Elevate You—an English language learning initiative that’s already transforming lives and building a powerful employee value proposition.
• How talent development at Din Tai Fung shifted from top-down directives to empowering leaders with tools, resources, and autonomy for growth at scale.
• Strategies for career development in a high-growth environment: mapping clear paths, providing time and space for learning, and embracing the “you are the pilot of your own career” mindset—where the company becomes your co-pilot.
• Lessons learned about the critical importance of collaboration, bringing partners along to build diverse and sustainable talent solutions.
• The urgent need for talent development professionals to directly align their work with organizational strategic priorities, become data-savvy, and prepare teams for a rapidly evolving future—including the impact of AI.

Plus, Eric’s book recommendation (“Radical Candor”), his favorite tools (including ChatGPT for ideation), and why the most meaningful wins come from seeing others unlock their potential and grow.

Tune in for a behind-the-scenes look at building talent strategy for frontline organizations—and discover how you can create scalable, people-centric programs that drive performance, engagement, and opportunity for all.

Thanks to our sponsor, Learnit, you can get a free 45-day trial to help your people build more skills that drive success Learn more.

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Today, Andy Storch welcomes Ingrid Hu Dahl—leadership coach, author, and founder —to the Talent Development Hot Seat Podcast.

With two decades of experience across corporate, media, nonprofit, and social justice sectors, Ingrid shares her powerful journey from creating spaces for identity expression in youth programs to designing inclusive leadership frameworks at scale in global organizations. Her work is rooted in amplifying underrepresented voices, emotional intelligence, and redefining what it means to lead with authenticity and courage.

In this conversation, Ingrid and Andy dive deep into the foundations of inclusive leadership, exploring the role of fear, identity, vulnerability, and self-awareness in building cultures where everyone can thrive. Whether you're developing leadership programs, supporting culture change, or working to foster more inclusion in your organization, Ingrid’s insights are both timely and transformational.

This episode is a must-listen for talent development professionals, leadership coaches, and people leaders who want to build more human-centered, equitable, and empowering workplaces.

In this episode, Ingrid shares:

• How a rock and roll camp for girls sparked her passion for learning, leadership, and identity exploration.
• Her transition into corporate L&D and the importance of building a supportive network to navigate new environments.
• A values-based leadership framework: Lead yourself, lead your team, lead the business—and how to apply it at scale.
• The link between inclusive leadership and emotional intelligence, and why organizations must go “back to basics.”
• How to rebuild trust through empathy interviews, behavioral frameworks, and modeling curiosity over control.
• Practical coaching tools to help leaders shift from ego to impact—like asking “What is your fear?” and practicing “I need help.”
• Her approach to teaching inclusive leadership by disrupting assumptions and encouraging curiosity and connection.
• Why psychological safety is the foundation of belonging, and how leaders can create it through presence and listening.
• Insights from her new memoir, Sun Shining on Morning Snow, and how her personal story shapes her leadership philosophy.

Tune in to learn how to challenge assumptions, lead with empathy, and build inclusive cultures where everyone has the power to grow.

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Today, Andy Storch welcomes Marc Reede, a lecture agent, and author of "The Coffee Code," to the Talent Development Hot Seat Podcast.

Marc shares his unique journey of connecting celebrities and organizations for speaking engagements, providing him with firsthand access to insights from influential figures across sports, business, and literature. Drawing from these experiences and his work with students, Marc offers practical advice on leveraging networking and mentorship to navigate career paths.

The conversation explores key strategies for building genuine connections, identifying mentors, and proactively seeking opportunities, emphasizing the importance of these skills in today's increasingly digital world.

This episode is a valuable resource for anyone looking to enhance their networking abilities, cultivate meaningful relationships, and guide others in their career development.

In this episode, Marc shares:

• His path into the world of connecting speakers with organizations, influenced by a mentor's guidance and a chance encounter with Pat Riley.
• Insights into the enduring importance of trust, loyalty, and relationships in representation, even in the face of evolving industry dynamics.
• Strategies for building and nurturing relationships with individuals and organizations, emphasizing the power of listening and providing value.
• Advice for young professionals on proactively building their networks, highlighting the long-term value of connections made early in their careers.
• The significance of mentorship and Marc’s advice, using the story of how Magic Johnson sought guidance as an example.
• The concept of "heroes" as mentors, emphasizing the ability to learn from influential figures through their content, without direct personal interaction.
• Practical tips for initiating contact and building relationships, including the "Coffee Code" approach to seeking advice and creating opportunities.

This episode offers valuable lessons and actionable strategies for anyone seeking to expand their network, cultivate meaningful connections, and achieve greater career success.

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