Tonya Tucker Collins, Head of Talent and Growth at Intersect, joins the podcast live from ATD26 in Los Angeles. Tonya shares what it truly means to think and design like a strategist, tackling one very important question: What separates a training program that checks a box from one that drives real business impact?

The conversation explores why great learning design alone isn't enough to gain buy-in and how L&D professionals can increase strategic impact by reading the signals from the organization's culture, program data, and your stakeholder relationships. You'll also learn practical tips for using prototypes and pilots to improve learning solutions, identifying the right champions to help your strategy, and determining whether an existing program should be maintained, enhanced, or completely redesigned.

Resources:

• Tonya's LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/tonya-t-tucker-collins-shrm-scp

In this episode of ATD Accidental Trainer, learning expert, facilitator, and coach Moe Poirier explores the power of bringing your authentic facilitation strengths into the training room. Moe shares why facilitation isn't just a skill, but an expression of who you are and the gifts you bring to learners.

The conversation dives into Moe's five facilitator personas model (the Sensei, Drill Sergeant, Superhero, Confidant, and Jester) and explains how understanding your natural strengths can help you adapt to the learners and create more meaningful learning experiences. Moe also shares practical insights on reading the room, balancing structure with play, and designing training that creates connection and transformation.

Resources:

• Moe's Website: https://shiftfacilitation.com/
• Order Moe's Book: https://www.td.org/product/book--the-five-personas-of-facilitation/112610
• Moe's LinkedIn: https://ca.linkedin.com/in/moepoirier
• Discover ATD26: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLvUGjRiQsE45OPmr64Tvt-XYTfnP7wnSL

Bestselling author and researcher Tom Rath explores a deceptively simple question: What's the point? Drawing from his latest book, What's the Point? Turning Purpose Into Your Daily Superpower, Tom reframes purpose as something that can be created in small, meaningful moments every day.

We discuss how L&D professionals and leaders can move beyond productivity and efficiency to help people see the real impact of their work. From redefining the role of managers in connecting employees to contribution, to challenging the myth of passion and viewing purpose as an outward, others‑focused practice, this conversation offers practical ways to make purpose part of everyday work.

Whether you're developing others or navigating your own career, this episode will help you rethink purpose and how to act on it.

Resources:

• Tom on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/trath/
• Tom's new book: https://www.amazon.com/Whats-Point-Tom-Rath/dp/1939714281?tag=tomrath-wtp-20
• Tom's Website: https://tomrath.org/