Tangents with TorranceLearning Podcast

In this kickoff episode of our four-part series on the AI Implementation Canvas, Meg Fairchild and Megan Torrance discuss the foundations of successful AI adoption in organizations. They introduce the AI Implementation Canvas—featured in the AI Implementation Guide from ATD Press—which outlines 14 planning dimensions, thoughtfully organized into four manageable sections. This episode is all about the first section: Strategic Foundations.

Listeners will learn:

• The importance of aligning AI initiatives with organizational business strategy and goals
• How to consider workforce impact, talent planning, and evolving skill needs when introducing AI
• Legal and regulatory considerations in implementing AI, including the value of involving legal experts early
• How to assess organizational readiness, including data quality, process clarity, and partnership requirements
• Why learning professionals are uniquely positioned to connect the right stakeholders and facilitate these strategic conversations

Stay tuned for deeper dives into Technology & Experience Infrastructure, Design & Implementation Enablers, and Human-Centered Adoption & Change in upcoming episodes!

Hosts: Megan Torrance and Meg Fairchild

Producers: Meg Fairchild and Dean Castile

Music: Original music by Dean Castile

Resources & Links from this Episode:

• Read Megan's New Book!
• Connect with Megan Torrance on LinkedIn

AI Transparency Statement: AI was used to generate the first draft of the transcript and the show notes for this episode. It was then edited by real humans.

In this engaging episode of Tangents with Torranclearning, Megan Torrance sits down with Joy VerPlanck of JVP Creative Solutions to unpack the powerful intersection of behavioral science and learning design. Drawing from experiences in high-stakes environments and collaborations with global thought leaders, Joy VerPlanck shares practical insights on:

• The core concepts of behavioral science and its relevance beyond marketing—specifically within learning & development
• The paradox of choice and how limiting options can actually increase learner satisfaction
• The role of nudges and choice architecture in guiding learners toward successful outcomes
• Normative social influence and its double-edged power to shape learning culture—for better or worse
• Strategies for using social proof, opt-out design, and peer modeling to foster behavioral change at scale

The conversation includes concrete examples, advice for leaders considering behavioral science as a tool for good, and recommendations for must-read books like Nudge and Good Awkward.

Hosts: Megan Torrance and Meg Fairchild

Producers: Meg Fairchild and Dean Castile

Music: Original music by Dean Castile

Resources & Links from this Episode:

• JVP Creative Solutions
• Nudge by Richard H. Thaler and Cass R. Sunstein
• Good Awkward by Henna Pryor
• Connect with Joy on LinkedIn

AI Transparency Statement: AI was used to generate the first draft of the transcript and the show notes for this episode. It was then edited by real humans.

This special crossover episode features Megan Torrance from TorranceLearning, who joined the GrowthReady podcast for an insightful discussion on growth, learning, and leadership. We're excited to reshare this episode with our listeners!

In this episode, Steve sits down with Megan Torrance to unpack what it really means to be growth ready. Megan reframes growth as what we learn from a leap, not just the leap itself, and explains why readiness is less about feeling fully prepared and more about having the mindset, tools, support, and willingness to step into the next challenge anyway.

Megan shares how real growth happens when people are clear on the goal, supported with the right systems, and willing to reflect in the middle of discomfort.

Key topics and themes discussed:

• What “growth ready” really means
• Why growth comes from learning through the leap
• The difference between being a teacher and teaching
• Why workplace learning should focus on performance, not completion
• Reflection as a critical part of the learning loop
• The role of AI in personalized learning and leadership development
• Readiness, uncertainty, and the “gulp” before the next challenge
• Building systems that make the next right action easier
• Curiosity as a driver of long-term growth
• Expanding capacity inside and outside of work
• Lessons from ice hockey, coaching, and endurance hiking

Resources & Links from this Episode:

• AI Platform for Schools & Districts | MagicSchool
• Khan Academy
• Megan Torrance on LinkedIn
• AI Implementation Guide for L&D by Megan Torrance

About GrowthReady:

GrowthReady is a podcast exploring what it takes to prepare for—and drive—meaningful growth, with a focus on leadership, organizational culture, and transformation.

Resharing courtesy of the GrowthReady podcast.

In this episode of Tangents with Torranclearning, Megan Torrance and Meg Fairchild welcome Jess Almlie, author of "L&D Order Taker No More," to discuss the journey of evolving Learning & Development from transactional order fulfillment to a valued strategic business partnership. Jess shares the origin story behind her book, the necessity of aligning L&D work with business outcomes, and practical ways to break free from the "order taker" mindset.

Key topics discussed include:

• The critical moment that inspired Jess Almlie to shift her approach to L&D
• The importance of business fluency and proactive collaboration for L&D professionals
• How to move beyond helpfulness toward true partnership
• Tips for making meaningful change, even when organizational structures reinforce old patterns
• The skills L&D practitioners need to succeed as strategic partners—including influence, consultation, measurement, and business acumen

Listen for Jess Almlie's feisty message to the L&D community on ditching complaints and stepping into your strategic power. Whether you're an L&D leader or just starting your journey, this episode offers actionable insights to help you stop taking orders and start driving real impact.

Hosts: Megan Torrance and Meg Fairchild

Producers: Meg Fairchild and Dean Castile

Music: Original music by Dean Castile

Resources & Links from this Episode:

• L&D Must Change Podcast With Jess Almlie | Insights for L&D Leaders Leaders — Almlie Consulting
• Jess Almlie - Almlie Consulting | LinkedIn
• Amazon.com: L&D Order Taker No More!: Become a Strategic Business Partner: 9781960231260: Almlie, Jess: Books

AI Transparency Statement: AI was used to generate the first draft of the transcript and the show notes for this episode. It was then edited by real humans.

Megan Torrance and Meg Fairchild continue their exploration of Learning, Science, and Experience (LSX) by unpacking on of the 10 design commitments—Learning is a Journey, Not an Event. They discuss how a learner-centric map of how capability develops over time. Drawing inspiration from Conrad Gottfredson and Bob Mosher’s Five Moments of Need® model, Megan Torrance expands on the model to outline ten key points along the learning journey—from pre-awareness and preparation, through formal learning and real-world application, to troubleshooting, adapting to change, and ultimately teaching others.

Key topics and resources discussed:

• LSX (Learning, Science, and Experience)
• The Five Moments of Need® model by Conrad Gottfredson and Bob Mosher
• Brinkerhoff's High Impact Learning® Model
• The Prosci ADKAR® Change Management Model

Learn why each point in the learning arc offers different opportunities for support and intervention, and discover practical tips for prompting application and habit formation.

Hosts: Megan Torrance and Meg Fairchild

Producers: Meg Fairchild and Dean Castile

Music: Original music by Dean Castile

Resources & Links from this Episode:

• Blooms Taxonomy | Center for Innovation in Teaching & Learning
• Brinkerhoff’s High Impact Learning Model — Referenced by Megan Torrance in connection with preparation to learn and pre-learning conversations
• The Prosci ADKAR® Model | Prosci
• 5 Moments of Need: Workflow Learning for Job Performance

AI Transparency Statement: AI was used to generate the first draft of the transcript and the show notes for this episode. It was then edited by real humans.

In this episode of Tangents with TorranceLearning, Meg Fairchild and Megan Torrance dive deep into LSX—Learning Science and Experience. They discuss how LSX combines the rigor of learning engineering with the craft of exceptional learner experiences.

Key topics include:

• The origins of LSX, its practical implementation, and how it helps both organizations and learners flourish.
• The four groups of 10 design commitments that guide effective, human-centered learning solutions at TorranceLearning.
• How speed bumps, frameworks, and intentional conversations make learning more accessible, inclusive, and impactful for real people and real business needs.

Hosts: Megan Torrance and Meg Fairchild

Producers: Meg Fairchild and Dean Castile

Music: Original music by Dean Castile

Resources & Links from this Episode:

• Hoda Solati
• Shima Solati
• Mark Britz
• Will Thalheimer » Work-Learning Research
• Learning Engineering Toolkit: Evidence-Based Practices from the Learning Sciences, Instructional Design, and Beyond by Jim Goodell and Janet Kolodner
• TorranceLearning's LSX Framework

AI Transparency Statement: AI was used to generate the first draft of the transcript and the show notes for this episode. It was then edited by real humans.

In this episode of Tangents with TorranceLearning, Megan Torrance sits down with researcher and "giant nerd" Chris Grady, former senior advisor at USAID, to bridge the worlds of International Development and Learning and Development (L&D).

Together, they dive into:

• The parallels between behavior change interventions in global development and L&D programs
• What experimenting really means: moving beyond intuition to technical, rigorous testing
• The workflow of testing innovations—pilot, experiment, scale
• Addressing bias and ethics when designing experiments
• Why sometimes it’s good to learn your learning program didn’t work
• Practical advice for gathering and validating feedback
• Lessons L&D professionals can lift directly from other industries to measure real impact

If you’ve ever wondered how to prove that your training actually works this episode is packed with insights you can use right away.

Hosts: Megan Torrance and Meg Fairchild

Producers: Meg Fairchild and Dean Castile

Music: Original music by Dean Castile

Resources & Links from this Episode:

• This Week in Social Science Substack
• Connect with Chris Grady on LinkedIn

AI Transparency Statement: AI was used to generate the first draft of the transcript and the show notes for this episode. It was then edited by real humans.

Join host Megan Torrance LIVE from the Podcasting Lab stage at the Training 2026 Conference! In this candid and insightful episode, Megan Torrance is joined by special guests Deadra Welcome, Vince Han, and Bob Mosher for a candid conversation about what learning and development (L&D) professionals can learn from the vendor and partner ecosystem.

Key topics include:

• Trends shaping L&D, including the pace of change and the challenge of empathy (Deadra Welcome), the increasing collaboration with IT and procurement (Vince Han), and the disruptive impact of AI (Bob Mosher)
• What top-performing organizations do differently and how they mature
• The hidden realities behind pricing: project management, change management, and stakeholder wrangling
• The need for rigor and redundancy in complex projects
• How to build truly effective partnerships between vendors and clients, from defining success together to the essential role of client-side engagement and management
• What to know before making the jump from in-house to vendor work in L&D

Whether you work inside an organization or with external partners, this episode is packed with insights, straight talk, and a few good tangents you won’t want to miss!

Recorded live at the Training 2026 Conference in the Expo Hall Podcasting Lab.

Host: Megan Torrance

Guests: Deadra Welcome, Vince Han, Bob Mosher

Producers: Meg Fairchild and Dean Castile

Music: Original music by Dean Castile

Resources & Links From This Episode:

• Training Officers Consortium — Conference mentioned by Megan Torrance where she and Deadra Welcome first met.
• E-MYTH: Why Most Small Businesses Don’t Work and What to Do About It — Book recommended by Bob Mosher for entrepreneurs considering a move to the vendor/consulting side.
• TorranceLearning — Custom learning, xAPI, and professional development provider, led by Megan Torrance
• 5 Moments of Need: Workflow Learning for Job Performance
• Trusted AI Bots Built for Business - Mobile Coach
• Bob Mosher on LinkedIn
• Vince Han - Mobile Coach | LinkedIn
• Deadra Welcome, CPTD, CPTM, CVF, CPDC, CMLF - Washington DC-Baltimore Area | Professional Profile | LinkedIn

AI Transparency Statement: AI was used to generate the first draft of the transcript and the show notes for this episode. It was then edited by real humans.

In this episode of Tangents with TorranceLearning, Megan Torrance and Meg Fairchild chat with Julian Davis, also known as the Digital Learning Guy, to explore the evolution of digital learning, xAPI (Experience API), and innovative assessment tools. Broadcasting all the way from Australia, Julian Davis shares his journey from a Navy technician to a passionate advocate for clear, practical digital learning systems.

Highlights include:

• The origins and mission of xAPI Collective, making xAPI accessible to the Australian learning community and beyond.
• How Remote Reviewer leverages both xAPI and AI to capture, assess, and provide evidence of real-world skills, at scale.
• Real-life applications: from vocational training to remote mining and logistics, reducing travel and boosting authenticity in skills certification.
• The future of scalable, decentralized mentorship, expert feedback, and reviewer networks.
• How 80s glam rock and motorcycle rides fuel Julian's innovation.

Whether you’re a seasoned L&D professional or just exploring learning technology, this episode will spark ideas for authentic assessment and thoughtful integration of tech in learning.

Hosts: Megan Torrance and Meg Fairchild

Guest: Julian Davis

Producers: Meg Fairchild and Dean Castile

Music: Original music by Dean Castile

Resources & Links from this Episode:

• Book recommendation: The Skill Code by Matt Bean
• Julian Davis on LinkedIn
• TorranceLearning's LIT (Learning Innovation & Technology) Library: For a video demo of Remote Reviewer
• xAPI Collective – Breaking down the barriers of learning impact
• Prove Skills with Secure Video Evidence | Remote Reviewer

AI Transparency Statement: AI was used to generate the first draft of the transcript and the show notes for this episode. It was then edited by real humans.

In this episode of Tangents with TorranceLearning, host Megan Torrance is joined by Josef Bastian—author, entrepreneur, and narrative architect—for an illuminating discussion about narrative design, organizational storytelling, and the ways artificial intelligence is reshaping both internal culture and external brand.

Key topics covered include:

• Defining Narrative Architecture:Josef Bastian defines narrative architecture and its critical role in aligning brand and culture within organizations.
• The Impact of AI:How artificial intelligence is accelerating the demand for systematic, precise storytelling, and why thoughtful design and architecture are more important than ever for brands and L&D professionals.
• Brand and Culture Alignment:Examining the real-world consequences of aligned (or misaligned) internal and external narratives.
• What L&D Professionals Can Do:Actionable advice for those working in learning and development: how to seize the opportunity to drive narrative cohesion, focus on human-centered design, and prepare for the evolving demands of the field.
• Creative Process & Imagination Grafting:How this creative approach mirrors narrative architecture within organizations.

Plus, hear metaphors from Marvel's multiverse, strategies to manage "narrative drift," and why being grounded in core values are vital to organizational storytelling.

Host: Megan Torrance

Producers: Dean Castile

Music: Original music by Dean Castile

Resources & Links from This Episode:

• The Irresistible Power of Storytelling as a Strategic Business Tool — Harvard Business Review
• What is Human-Centered Design? A Complete Guide — IDEO U
• Connect with Josef Bastian on LinkedIn
• Folktellers.com | The Official Site for Folktellers Books and Films

AI Transparency Statement: AI was used to generate the first draft of the show notes for this episode. It was then edited by real humans.