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NovoEDTalks

NovoEDTalks

NovoEdTalks 114 episodes Sep 10, 2026

NovoEDTalks is a podcast for training and learning-and-development professionals who want candid, practical conversations. Each roughly 20-minute episode features L&D experts sharing insights and strategies for real-world workplace learning. The show focuses on actionable solutions and expert perspectives for training trailblazers.

Episodes

The Human Advantage: Why Human Skills Matter More in the Age of AI
The Human Advantage: Why Human Skills Matter More in the Age of AI Sep 10, 2026 42:13 On this episode of NovoEDTalks, Melissa sits down with Irina Cavescu, Head of Portfolio at Learnlight, to explore why human skills are becoming more valuable, not less, as AI reshapes how we work. Irina shares how constant change, remote work, generational differences, and increasingly global teams are requiring people to learn, unlearn, and adapt in real time, while making skills like self-awaren
Design for the Real World: Making Learning More Relevant, Human, and Useful
Design for the Real World: Making Learning More Relevant, Human, and Useful Sep 3, 2026 45:23 On this episode of NovoEDTalks, Melissa sits down with James Lavis, Manager of Training and Development at Kubota Canada, to explore why learning teams need to move beyond course completion and focus on the behaviors and business outcomes they are actually trying to create. James shares why L&D belongs at the beginning of major business initiatives, how just-in-time resources and experiential
Learning Where the Work Happens: Turning Development Into Application
Learning Where the Work Happens: Turning Development Into Application Sep 1, 2026 32:58 On this episode of NovoEDTalks, Melissa sits down with Sarah Maday, Senior Learning and Development Manager at a global automotive supplier, to explore how organizations can make development part of the work people are already doing. Sarah shares how her team is moving away from treating every development need as a class or eLearning, instead using real projects, coaching, peer conversations, coho
Leadership Starts With Self-Awareness: Building the Maturity to Lead Others
Leadership Starts With Self-Awareness: Building the Maturity to Lead Others Aug 28, 2026 31:01 On this episode of NovoEDTalks, Melissa sits down with Mark Frederick, a strategic people development leader and corporate learning systems architect, to explore how organizations can create learning systems that develop people while advancing organizational strategy. Mark shares why effective development requires more than delivering courses, emphasizing leadership maturity, self-awareness, indiv
Practice Makes Performance: Building Sales Skills That Actually Stick
Practice Makes Performance: Building Sales Skills That Actually Stick Aug 19, 2026 31:06 On this episode of NovoEDTalks, Melissa sits down with Becca Hammer, owner of Hammer Enablement Solutions, to explore how continuous practice, coaching, and leadership support turn sales training into real performance. Becca shares why learning must be relevant and immediately applicable, and why sales leaders play a critical role in reinforcing new skills on the job. They also discuss how AI can
Moving Past the Checkbox: Creating Learning That Drives Performance
Moving Past the Checkbox: Creating Learning That Drives Performance Aug 17, 2026 36:29 On this episode of NovoEDTalks, Melissa sits down with Kari Borroel, Head of Operations, Quality, Learning and Development at AstraZeneca, to explore how learning teams can support employees across complex, global, and highly regulated environments while keeping pace with constant change. Kari shares how her team is moving beyond procedure-heavy, check-the-box training toward more varied, accessib
The Curiosity Advantage: Creating a Culture of Continuous Learning
The Curiosity Advantage: Creating a Culture of Continuous Learning Aug 13, 2026 38:54 On this episode of NovoEDTalks, Melissa sits down with Adriana Bellomo, Associate Director of Learning and Development at a biopharmaceutical solutions organization, to explore how organizations can create learning environments that build meaningful skills while keeping human growth at the center. Drawing on her unique background spanning behavioral neuroscience, microbiology, workforce developmen
Beyond Content Consumption: Designing Learning for Real-World Application
Beyond Content Consumption: Designing Learning for Real-World Application Aug 10, 2026 33:23 On this episode of NovoEDTalks, Melissa sits down with Ryan Samia, Director of Talent and Leadership Development at Tractor Supply Company, to explore how organizations can move employees from simply knowing something to actually applying it on the job. Ryan shares how his team is designing learning as an ongoing experience through reflection, peer accountability, manager coaching, and reinforceme
Beyond the Training Factory: How L&D Becomes a Strategic Business Partner
Beyond the Training Factory: How L&D Becomes a Strategic Business Partner Jul 7, 2026 33:32 On this episode of NovoEDTalks, Melissa sits down with Alex Kinney, Director of Learning and Development at Octapharma USA, to explore how L&D teams can move beyond simply delivering training and become true strategic partners to the business. Alex shares why the future of learning depends on creating realistic practice environments, strengthening human skills, and helping employees build capa
The Future of Leadership: Curiosity, Adaptability, and Continuous Growth
The Future of Leadership: Curiosity, Adaptability, and Continuous Growth Jul 7, 2026 40:28 On this episode of NovoEDTalks, Melissa sits down with Stephen Vellecca to explore how organizations can build leadership capability, strengthen human skills, and create learning experiences that drive meaningful behavior change. Stephen shares his perspective on moving beyond traditional training requests to uncover the real business challenges behind performance gaps, while emphasizing the impor
Leading with Care and Challenge: Why Psychological Safety and Accountability Must Coexist
Leading with Care and Challenge: Why Psychological Safety and Accountability Must Coexist Jun 24, 2026 37:06 On this episode of NovoEDTalks, Melissa sits down with Brandon Springle to explore what it takes to build high-performing, human-centered cultures in a world defined by rapid change and accelerating AI. Drawing on neuroscience, behavioral science, and his work in leadership development and succession planning, Brandon shares why psychological safety, accountability, critical thinking, and learning
Learning in the Flow of AI: Building Skills That Evolve with Work
Learning in the Flow of AI: Building Skills That Evolve with Work Jun 18, 2026 38:33 On this episode of NovoEDTalks, Melissa sits down with Yulia Barnakova to explore how AI is fundamentally reshaping learning, workforce transformation, and professional growth. Drawing from her experience leading AI adoption initiatives and executive learning programs, Yulia shares practical strategies for embedding AI into everyday work, redesigning learning experiences, and helping organizations

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