Welcome to the Making Better podcast where we talk about how to make individuals, teams, and organizations better. If you are a business owner, a Learning & Development professional, a manager, or even an individual contributor, this show will give you actionable insights to help improve your own performance and the performance of those around you.
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Past Episodes
How to Apply the Lessons of TikTok to Your Training w/Vanessa Alzate
This episode is a must-listen for anyone looking to revitalize their educational approach and make learning resonate with modern audiences. We explore how to captivate learners by repurposing traditional training into brief, impactful videos that mirror the engaging essence of social media trends. Vanessa shares practical case studies, addresses stakeholder resistance, and offers strategies for incrementally introducing innovative training methods.
How to Create a Debrief Culture w/Mark Fogel
In this illuminating episode of Making Better, hosts Matt Gjertsen and Mark Fogel dive into the pivotal role of debriefing and feedback in shaping a productive corporate culture. They explore the necessity of separating individual performance from personal worth, and the significance of healthy conflict in learning from failures.
Give Yourself Permission to Be Present w/Curt Steinhorst
We associate how quickly people respond and with how loyal and how hard and committed they are to work. So basically, we create a culture that rewards interruption and assumes that, like, if you're not immediately available, you're not working. And so we end up incentivizing interruption and just time based time for the, like, putting in time for the sake of work, looking like we're working, and we erode anyone's ability to do uninterrupted, hard, heavy lifting type of work.
How to Build a Competency Model w/Heather Burright
Dive into a compelling discussion with Heather Burright, founder of Skill Masters Market, in this week's episode of Making Better. Heather enlightens us with her experiences shifting from the national nonprofit space to becoming a consultant. We explore the importance of learning in nonprofits, the challenges of talent development, and the innovative use of competency models.
Key Skills for Building an Impactful Company w/Matt Kuta
Join us in this gripping episode of Making Better, featuring the intrepid Matt Kuta. From F-15 pilot to space company pioneer, Kuta delves into his transition to founding Voyager space, sharing invaluable lessons on decision-making, leadership, and the thrilling venture of constructing Starlab, a commercial successor to the International Space Station.
It’s Time to Get Focused w/Lauren Waldman
In this engaging episode of Making Better, Matt Gjertsen sits down with the insightful Lauren Waldman, an expert with an impressive background in neuroscience from Harvard, Duke, and Johns Hopkins. They delve into the intricacies of learning design, the remarkable human brain, and the underutilized connection between neuroscience and professional development.
Using Talent Development for a Company Turnaround w/Mendel Erlenwein
Join us in an enlightening chat with Seyka and Brian Mejeur, co-founders of Ad Astra, focused on recruiting top talent for the space and clean tech sectors. They stress the importance of passion over resumes and tackling the disconnect between talent acquisition and development. Don't miss these valuable insights on nurturing talent for innovation and success.
Why Training and Recruiting Need to Work Together w/Seyka & Brian Mejeur
Join us in an enlightening chat with Seyka and Brian Mejeur, co-founders of Ad Astra, focused on recruiting top talent for the space and clean tech sectors. They stress the importance of passion over resumes and tackling the disconnect between talent acquisition and development. Don't miss these valuable insights on nurturing talent for innovation and success.
Using Curiosity to Increase Your Influence w/Jennifer Sutherland
In this week's immersive episode of Making Better, we had the pleasure of welcoming Jennifer Sutherland, a beacon in the field of learning and development (L&D), to our proverbial table. With Matt Gjertsen at the helm, episode 062 delves deep into the significance of diversified experiences for innovation, the harmonious relationship between humans and AI, and strategies for fostering strong organizational connections. Let's unwrap some of the insightful takeaways from our lively discussion with Jennifer.
Using the Language of the Business w/Kathy Mandato
During this episode of the Making Better Podcast, I sit down with Kathy Mandato, the Chief People Officer for the XPRIZE Foundation. Kathy has had an impressive HR career, leading the people function at places like Dreamworks, NBCUniversal, and Snapchat. During that time she has learned a lot about what it takes to be successful in the people side of the business. During this episode we dive into some of those lessons as well as a whole lot more.
Transforming Your Business for the New World w/Tonille Miller
In this compelling episode, Matt Gjertsen engages with the insightful Tonille Miller, author of "The Flourishing Effect" and Ext founder. They delve into diagnosing and tackling organizational challenges, beyond surface-level symptoms. Tonille unveils her intricate process of interviews and data analysis to unearth underlying issues for true change. They explore concepts like the new employee-employer social contract, the necessity of transparent dialogue, and the innovative ways of engaging today's workforce. Tune in for a deep dive into cultivating a workplace where both organizations and individuals can truly flourish.
Getting Past the Learning Cliff w/Stephen Mostrom
Discover the importance of a 'develop daily' mindset and the power of adapting learning and development to fit the hectic lives of professionals. From starting a side hustle to transforming challenges into growth opportunities, Stephen's strategies for career evolution are not to be missed. Tune in for a conversation replete with practical advice for your professional journey and every day learning.
Understanding the Science of Sustained Peak Performance w/Jill Schulman
Jill shares her transition from the pharmaceutical industry to becoming an advocate for evidence-based mental fitness strategies. We discuss key distinctions between evidence-based positive psychology and non-scientific self-help, debunk myths surrounding the field, and explore its impactful role in driving organizational results. Tune in for an engaging talk that offers practical insights on implementing positive psychology for sustained peak performance and well-being.
The Importance of Inner Work w/Rachel Lyons
Rachel's journey and the pivotal role mentors played in her life underscore the significance of following one's North Star and the courage it takes to forge one's own path. Don't miss these enriching insights into self-leadership and the cognitive shifts that space exploration can catalyze in individuals and society at large.
Your Guide to Top Down Culture Alignment w/Megan Galloway
Matt Gjertsen sits down with Megan Galloway, a seasoned expert in learning and development. Megan shares her insights from transitioning HR strategies to the frontlines of fast-paced companies. We delve into the critical role of culture strategic planning in cultivating real behavioral change within organizations. Discover Megan's tactics for earning executive buy-in, the significance of aligning learning programs with company goals, and the importance of adaptability in today's dynamic business environments.
Navigating Your Career & Technological Change w/Ana Smith
In Episode 55, Ana shares her invaluable perspective on the significance of finding the right professional fit and researching potential employers to ensure their practices resonate with their purported ethos. She’ll emphasize the ongoing need for leaders to embrace change, especially with technological advancements shaping our world, and how managers and leaders can upskill to navigate these changes effectively.
Moving Towards a Brighter Future in 2024
In this special year-end episode of Making Better, we dive into the transformative lessons learned in 2023 with a lineup of dynamic industry leaders. From Matthew Daniel's work to build new workplace skills to Sarah Cannistra's fateful embrace of change, our guests reflect on growth and strategy. We hear about aligning passion with business needs, the shift from expert to facilitator, and the courageous pursuit of rejections.
Year-End Wisdom: Key Takeaways from Talent Development Experts
In this special year-end episode of Making Better, we dive into the transformative lessons learned in 2023 with a lineup of dynamic industry leaders. From Matthew Daniel's work to build new workplace skills to Sarah Cannistra's fateful embrace of change, our guests reflect on growth and strategy. We hear about aligning passion with business needs, the shift from expert to facilitator, and the courageous pursuit of rejections.
Improving Yourself to Improve the World w/Loretta Hidalgo Whitesides
Prepare to be propelled into a realm where personal growth meets the stars in episode 52 of "Making Better." Loretta Hidalgo Whitesides shares the "most helpful skill for success,"—letting go of resentments, a process she calls "getting off it." She unveils her unique 8-week Space Kind Leadership Training program, focused not on accolades, but on nurturing self-love, daily joy, and deep relationships.
Create Engaging Learning with Augmented Reality w/Betty Dannewitz
We’ll explore the challenges AR faces, its comparison to the rise of e-learning, and the innovative ways it can be integrated with learning management systems. We'll also touch on Betty’s passion for karaoke and how it ties into creating communities and conquering fears.