In this dynamic episode of Tangents with Torranclearning, Megan is joined by Jess Jackson, a visionary leader in public health and social equity, currently shaping cannabis regulation and reinvestment policy in Minnesota. Jess shares her journey from instructional design to government leadership, offering deep insights on culture change, leading through dissonance, reconciling historical harms, and navigating emotionally charged, paradoxical spaces in and out of the workplace.

The conversation is filled with actionable leadership strategies, frameworks like appreciative inquiry, and personal anecdotes that bring nuance, empathy, and practical wisdom to the work of DEI, policy, and learning.

Host: Megan Torrance

Guest: Jess Jackson (she/her) – Policy Innovator, Director of Social Equity, Public Health, and DEI Leader

Producers: Meg Fairchild and Dean Castile

Music: Original music by Dean Castile

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, Megan and Meg explore the concepts of empathy mapping and learner personas. They discuss the differences and similarities between the two tools, their uses, and how they can help better understand the perspectives and needs of learners. Megan shares insights on how empathy maps focus on the person's perspective of the world, while learner personas concentrate more on individual characteristics and experiences.

Key Discussion Points:

• Learner personas and empathy maps: different tools, same goal.
• Choose the tool that is right for your situation, organization, or discipline.
• Use templates and resources — no need to create you own!

Hosts: Meg Fairchild and Megan Torrance

Producers: Meg Fairchild and Dean Castile

Music: Original music by Dean Castile

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, Megan Torrance talks with Chris Adams about his journey into learning and development (L&D), and the transition from being an order taker to a strategic partner in organizations. Chris shares personal stories highlighting the common pitfalls L&D professionals encounter when they focus on delivering requested solutions rather than addressing business outcomes. The conversation emphasizes the critical role of building partnerships, understanding organizational needs, and shifting focus toward results that deliver measurable business impact. Chris also shares practical advice, recommended readings, and insights into how L&D professionals can enhance their influence and effectiveness.

Key Discussion Points:

• L&D performance consultants need to shift their mindset from solutions to results.
• Relationship-building is essential to being successful in performance consulting.
• Effective questioning helps to uncover true needs.
• Developing consultative skills takes time and practice.

Hosts: Meg Fairchild and Megan Torrance

Producers: Meg Fairchild and Dean Castile

Music: Original music by Dean Castile

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, Megan and Meg explore the world of AI avatars in learning and development (L&D). With conference season in full swing, they muse on the fantasy of cloning oneself using AI, sparking a thoughtful exploration into what counts as an avatar and the different technology and types of interaction that avatars can provide. From eLearning guides to real-time, conversational AI personas, they discuss how one might be used in L&D. Megan shares the journey of creating her own real-time avatar (“AI Megan”) with CSI Sim—touching on tech stacks, content curation, and tricky details like hair and clothing!

Key Discussion Points:

• Not all AI avatars in L&D are the same.
• While it's challenging to make avatars effective, engaging, and purposeful, they also present great potential and opportunity.
• There are lots of real-world use cases for AI avatars including sales, healthcare, crisis training, and museums.
• It’s important to ensure new tech fulfills real needs, not just “whiz-bang” appeal.

Hosts: Meg Fairchild and Megan Torrance

Producers: Meg Fairchild, Jami Washington, and Dean Castile

Music: Original music by Dean Castile

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.

In this episode, Megan and Meg discuss the challenges of measuring effectiveness in the learning and development (L&D) industry. They share insights about how focusing on the wrong metrics can lead to ineffective training solutions. For a long time in L&D we've focused on data like completions or learner satisfaction. But focusing on the wrong metrics can often lead people down a path of thinking that training is the solution when really it might not be the best fit for the problem. Or worse, designing training with completion as the primary goal. They talk about the importance of measuring meaningful metrics to truly enhance workplace learning.

Key Points:

• Training solutions may not always be the answer or solution to every problem our stakeholders come to us with.
• It's important to measure the right things and potentially harmful to focus on wrong metrics.
• Data collection and data analysis in L&D in continuing to evolve as we have more ways to capture new and different data.

Hosts: Meg Fairchild and Megan Torrance

Producers: Meg Fairchild and Dean Castile

Music: Original music by Dean Castile

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, Megan has a conversation with Chris King, a learning strategist who specializes in workflow learning. They discuss the concept of workflow learning, how it helps integrate learning into the daily work process, and strategies for supporting learners effectively in their moments of need. The episode explores when formal learning is necessary and how to recognize the ideal situations for workflow learning.

Key Points:

• Workflow learning is about changing behavior on the job and putting the learning as close to the work as possible (no need to stop and go to a classroom!).
• Workflow learning aligns closely to Conrad Gottfredson's Five Moments of Need® — more specifically the need of Apply.
• You don't necessarily need to convince stakeholders to do workflow learning. Fulfill training requests by giving them what they need.

Hosts: Megan Torrance

Producers: Meg Fairchild and Dean Castile

Music: Original music by Dean Castile

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 Megan Torrance and Meg Fairchild of TorranceLearning for a LinkedIn Live episode, where they discuss what real-world AI implementation looks like for Learning & Development (L&D) professionals today. Megan shares her behind-the-scenes experience writing an upcoming book on AI in L&D, revealing fresh insights gathered from industry interviews and the patterns emerging across organizations. Megan introduces the concept of “three AI impact zones” for L&D professionals to consider, and they discuss the "AI Implementation Canvas," a practical, multi-dimensional framework designed to help organizations roll out AI intentionally—balancing innovation with strategy and ethics. Lastly, they talk about importance of AI literacy, proficiency, and fluency, and why building these competencies is a collaborative, yet also department-specific, journey.

Hosts: Meg Fairchild and Megan Torrance

Producers: Jami Washington and Dean Castile

Music: Original music by Dean Castile

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.

In this episode, Megan and Meg talk about learner personas—a cornerstone of TorranceLearning's LLAMA workshops—which can help instructional designers create learning experiences tailored to the target audience. They explore the importance of personas, how to effectively create them, and the common pitfalls to avoid. They discuss the balance between AI and human insights in crafting these essential tools and share humorous and insightful anecdotes from their experience in the field. Whether you're new to the concept or an experienced designer, this episode offers valuable takeaways for making your training align more closely with the needs of your audience.

Key Points

• Definition and Evolution of Personas
• Avoiding Averages
• Common Pitfalls
• Using AI Wisely
• Ongoing Use of Personas

Hosts: Meg Fairchild and Megan Torrance

Producers: Meg Fairchild and Dean Castile

Music: Original music by Dean Castile

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.