The Talent Forge: Shaping the Future of Training and Development with Jay Johnson

Welcome Dr. Barb Thompson, a distinguished clinical psychologist and Army veteran, into our conversation. Dr. Thompson takes us on her remarkable journey from clinical to operational psychology, sharing valuable insights from her experiences working with top military leaders. Her unique perspective sheds light on the delicate balance of personal drives, collaboration, and effective listening skills essential for leadership success. Engage with us as we navigate the challenges and triumphs of coaching high-performance leaders, addressing feelings of intimidation and the ever-present imposter syndrome.

Meet the Host
Jay Johnson works with people and organizations to empower teams, grow profits, and elevate leadership. He is a Co-Founder of Behavioral Elements®, a two-time TEDx speaker, and a designated Master Trainer by the Association for Talent Development. With a focus on behavioral intelligence, Jay has delivered transformational workshops to accelerate high-performance teams and cultures in more than 30 countries across four continents. For inquiries, contact [email protected] or connect below!
LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/jayjohnsonccg/
Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/jayjohnsonccg/
Speaker Website - https://jayjohnsonspeaks.com

Discover how embracing neurodiversity can transform talent development as we sit down with Rebecca Prejean, an expert in the field who brings a wealth of personal and professional experience to the table. From her unexpected journey transitioning from graphic design to a key role in training at a fast-growing startup, Rebecca's story is as intriguing as it is inspiring. We delve into the nuances of neurodiversity and neurodivergency, covering conditions like autism, ADHD, and dyslexia, with Rebecca offering profound insights on how these differences play out in professional settings.
Creating an inclusive organizational culture requires more than just one-off accommodations; it must be woven into the very fabric of a company's ethos. Rebecca sheds light on the importance of normalizing conversations around neurodiversity, educating leadership, and reducing the fear of stigmatization. We also share practical strategies for making training tools more inclusive, ensuring that everyone—from leadership to entry-level employees—feels seen and understood. Personal stories, including the host's experience with a neurodivergent brother, punctuate the conversation, providing real-world context to the necessity of supportive resources and adaptive strategies.
For those looking to make their presentations more accessible and inclusive, this episode is a treasure trove of practical advice. From using concise bullet points and appropriate font sizes to providing alternative formats like PDFs, Rebecca walks us through essential design choices that can make a world of difference. We also touch on the broader impact of building a supportive professional community, with Rebecca sharing her exciting plans to launch templates and resources aimed at fostering inclusivity. Join us for an episode rich with actionable insights and heartfelt stories, all geared towards creating a more inclusive and supportive work environment for all.

Meet the Host
Jay Johnson works with people and organizations to empower teams, grow profits, and elevate leadership. He is a Co-Founder of Behavioral Elements®, a two-time TEDx speaker, and a designated Master Trainer by the Association for Talent Development. With a focus on behavioral intelligence, Jay has delivered transformational workshops to accelerate high-performance teams and cultures in more than 30 countries across four continents. For inquiries, contact [email protected] or connect below!
LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/jayjohnsonccg/
Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/jayjohnsonccg/
Speaker Website - https://jayjohnsonspeaks.com

Embark on a transformational journey with Dr. Esther Jackson, a vanguard in the talent development arena, as she shares her remarkable metamorphosis from an aspiring educator to a corporate training virtuoso. In this heart-to-heart, you'll uncover the power of introspection in carving out a career pathway that's both meaningful and exhilarating. Hear how Dr. Jackson turned challenges into triumphs within the constraints of a municipal government setting, crafting innovative in-house training programs that exemplify the profound satisfaction one can derive from teaching in all forms.
Discover the intricacies of the ADDIE model and its monumental impact on adult learning as we dissect the importance of a meticulous Analysis phase to diagnose performance issues accurately. Tune in for an insider's view on designing captivating learning experiences that align with organizational goals and resonate with the learner’s aspirations. The enlightening dialogue reveals how a deep-seated passion for talent development fuels professionals like Dr. Jackson, inspiring those who yearn to make a mark in corporate training.
This episode concludes with a masterclass on adaptability, encapsulating the unpredictable nature of the talent development field, particularly in the throes of a global crisis like COVID-19. As Dr. Jackson imparts her wisdom on preparing for high-stakes C-suite discussions, you'll grasp the indispensable skills needed to align learning initiatives with organizational triumph while navigating the complex currents of talent development.
Bio

Dr. Esther Jackson has a myriad of experiences in leadership, project management, talent development, and DEI. A few of her occupations are Consultant, Facilitator, and College Instructor in the Detroit, MI area. She has presented nationally with the Association for Talent Development, SHRM, BambooHR Summit, and Training Magazine Conference & Expo. Her presentation topics are: adaptability, DEI, emotional intelligence, instructional design/training, and leadership development. Dr. Jackson’s credentials include graduate degrees in education and certifications in adaptability and DEI. Since its publishing a few years ago, her doctoral study on technology preferences of multiple generations in the workplace has received over 1,600 downloads. She published her first book, Adaptability in Talent Development, and it is available on Amazon.

Connect with Dr. Jackson
Lynnjac Consulting: www.lynnjac.com
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-esther-jackson-2ab9772b2/
ATD: www.td.org | ATD Conference: https://atdconference.td.org

Meet the Host
Jay Johnson works with people and organizations to empower teams, grow profits, and elevate leadership. He is a Co-Founder of Behavioral Elements®, a two-time TEDx speaker, and a designated Master Trainer by the Association for Talent Development. With a focus on behavioral intelligence, Jay has delivered transformational workshops to accelerate high-performance teams and cultures in more than 30 countries across four continents. For inquiries, contact [email protected] or connect below!
LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/jayjohnsonccg/
Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/jayjohnsonccg/
Speaker Website - https://jayjohnsonspeaks.com

Public speaking can be a daunting task, especially for technical professionals. What if conquering this fear could unlock new career heights for you? Join us as we sit down with Neil Thompson of Teach the Geek, who offers his unique insights on transforming this fear into a powerful tool for career and personal development. Neil recounts his own challenges as a product development engineer and how organizations like Toastmasters helped him hone his skills. His journey emphasizes the importance of effective communication in bridging the gap between technical jargon and accessible language.
Imagine your career trajectory if you could seamlessly present your innovative ideas to non-technical audiences. In this episode, we explore how mastering public speaking not only enhances your professional image but also builds valuable skills such as leadership and interviewing. Neil provides practical advice on reducing the intimidation of public speaking by establishing a repeatable process and practicing regularly. We draw parallels between learning new skills through repetition and the gradual improvement that comes with consistent effort, making the challenge of public speaking far less formidable.
Finally, we tackle the nuances of presenting to introverted audiences within technical fields, offering tips on engaging content delivery and respecting audience comfort levels. Neil and I discuss the critical importance of a strong closing to maintain credibility and ensure smooth transitions. Whether you're an introvert or extrovert, technical professional, or newcomer to public speaking, this episode has valuable takeaways for you. Tune in to discover Neil's platform, Teach the Geek, and learn methods to elevate your presentation skills, ultimately benefiting your career and personal growth.

Meet the Host
Jay Johnson works with people and organizations to empower teams, grow profits, and elevate leadership. He is a Co-Founder of Behavioral Elements®, a two-time TEDx speaker, and a designated Master Trainer by the Association for Talent Development. With a focus on behavioral intelligence, Jay has delivered transformational workshops to accelerate high-performance teams and cultures in more than 30 countries across four continents. For inquiries, contact [email protected] or connect below!
LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/jayjohnsonccg/
Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/jayjohnsonccg/
Speaker Website - https://jayjohnsonspeaks.com

Join us for a compelling conversation with Curtis Butler, a finance veteran who transitioned into a career coaching role to help young professionals find their paths. Curtis shares his journey from finance to mentoring, offering expert insights on how to support college students and recent graduates through the uncertainties of job searching.
We also explore strategies for personalized coaching that can be applied to both young and adult learners. Curtis dives deep into the importance of building trust, providing actionable tasks, and fostering behavioral change within sales teams. With real-world examples and practical advice, this episode is filled with essential tips for anyone looking to enhance their coaching techniques and empower others to achieve career success. Don’t miss out on these invaluable lessons from an industry expert!

Meet the Host
Jay Johnson works with people and organizations to empower teams, grow profits, and elevate leadership. He is a Co-Founder of Behavioral Elements®, a two-time TEDx speaker, and a designated Master Trainer by the Association for Talent Development. With a focus on behavioral intelligence, Jay has delivered transformational workshops to accelerate high-performance teams and cultures in more than 30 countries across four continents. For inquiries, contact [email protected] or connect below!
LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/jayjohnsonccg/
Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/jayjohnsonccg/
Speaker Website - https://jayjohnsonspeaks.com