Development Nerds with Candice Mitchell

Candice Mitchell
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Honest conversations about career growth, resilience, and the messy middle of success. Hosted by Candice Mitchell, this podcast dives deep into what it really takes to build a career, and a Talent Development function, that makes an impact. Many solo episodes are tailored for high-level, strategic Talent Development professionals, offering the kind of depth you won’t find anywhere else. Whether it’s building and nurturing a Talent Development function, truly partnering with the business to become business critical, or navigating your own career growth, this podcast gives you the practical insights and unfiltered conversations you actually need. 🎧 Listen in for: ✔ Strategic insights for senior L&D professionals ✔ Actionable career strategies you can actually use ✔ Unfiltered conversations on leadership, growth, and business impact ✔ Lessons from setbacks, pivots, and defining career moments Because career growth, and Talent Development itself, is never-ending and I love that for all of us! Subscribe now and let’s nerd out on all things development!

  1. Nobody knows what they’re doing (and that’s normal)

    6 HR AGO

    Nobody knows what they’re doing (and that’s normal)

    What if the pressure to “have it all figured out” is the very thing holding you back? In this episode, I sat down with Erin Halper for a refreshingly honest conversation about entrepreneurship, consulting, and what it really looks like to build a sustainable business over time. Erin shares her journey from early entrepreneurship to private equity, consulting, and eventually building The Upside — a global community for independent consultants and business owners. Along the way, she breaks down some uncomfortable truths we don’t talk about enough: nobody has all the answers, “overnight success” is mostly fiction, and slow, steady work beats flashy metrics every time. This episode is for anyone who’s tired of pretending, tired of chasing vanity milestones, and ready to build something real. What you’ll get from this episode Why even experienced entrepreneurs are still figuring it outThe myth of overnight success — and what actually creates momentumHow to spot bad advice and unhealthy business role modelsWhat sustainable success really looks like behind the scenesWhy curiosity, humility, and patience matter more than hype If you’ve been questioning your pace, your progress, or yourself — this conversation will feel grounding. Get to know Erin: Erin Halper is a former private equity professional and entrepreneur who founded The Upside, a high-caliber community connecting experienced consultants and senior leaders to meaningful, flexible work. After more than a decade advising businesses, Erin set out to build a better way for top talent to collaborate as colleagues, not competitors. Her journey into entrepreneurship became deeply personal when her first son was born with a heart defect, reinforcing her belief in autonomy, flexibility, and sustainable success. Today, Erin helps seasoned professionals level up their impact, income, and control over how they work without sacrificing excellence. Connect with Erin: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/erinhalper/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/erin.halper/ Website: https://betheupside.com/ Your host, Candice Mitchell, can be found online at:Website: https://talentdevelopmentnerds.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/candicemitchelltdnerd/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/talent_development_nerd/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@candicemitchell.TDNerd Talent Development Academy: https://talentdevelopmentnerds.com/tda Original music composed by: Paul DeHaven pauldehavenmusic.com

    53 min
  2. Why change fails when you don’t train people first

    30 JAN

    Why change fails when you don’t train people first

    Why do so many workplace changes fail, even when the tools are “better” and the systems are “improved”? In this episode, Candice Mitchell sits down with Katrina Kennedy, facilitator, consultant, and author of Learning That Lasts, to talk about learning, change, and what really happens when organizations roll out new systems without supporting the people expected to use them. Katrina shares stories from her early career in the district attorney’s office, the moment that shaped her philosophy on training, and how decades of experience taught her that learning isn’t about information, it’s about confidence, safety, and trust. This is a practical, honest conversation for leaders, trainers, and anyone responsible for helping people adapt to change at work. What you’ll get from this episode: Why “just telling people to use the new system” never worksHow poor training creates resistance, frustration, and disengagementThe difference between access to tools and readiness to use themHow trainers and leaders can design learning that actually sticksWhy empathy is a critical leadership skill during change If you’re responsible for rolling out change—or expected to adapt to it—this episode will change how you think about learning. Get to know Katrina: Katrina, known as the "trainer's trainer,” is a facilitator, speaker, and author with 25+ years in learning and development. Author of the book, Learning That Lasts, she has helped thousands of subject matter experts design and deliver engaging learning experiences in a variety of industries. She shares training insights and ideas at www.katrinakennedy.com Connect with Katrina: LinkedIn : www.linkedin.com/in/katrinakennedytraining Website: https://www.katrinakennedy.com Grab Katrina's Book Here: https://www.katrinakennedy.com/book Your host, Candice Mitchell, can be found online at:Website: https://talentdevelopmentnerds.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/candicemitchelltdnerd/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/talent_development_nerd/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@candicemitchell.TDNerd Talent Development Academy: https://talentdevelopmentnerds.com/tda Original music composed by: Paul DeHaven pauldehavenmusic.com

    45 min
  3. No One Is Coming to Give You Permission

    23 JAN

    No One Is Coming to Give You Permission

    What if the thing holding you back isn’t fear, skill, or timing but waiting for permission that’s never coming? In this episode, Candice Mitchell sits down with Jenny Wood, former Google executive and author of Wild Courage, for a wide-ranging conversation about career growth, confidence, and taking bold action before you feel ready. Jenny shares the now-famous subway story that sparked her concept of “wild courage,” along with lessons from her 18-year career at Google, her transition into entrepreneurship, and the mindset shifts that help people stop waiting and start moving. This conversation is honest, funny, and deeply practical. It’s about what it really takes to build a career (and life) you’re proud of without waiting for approval from anyone else. What you’ll get from this episode Why no one gives you permission—and why that’s actually freeingHow courage shows up in small, everyday decisionsLessons from Google on influence, promotion, and leadershipWhy bold action creates clarity (not the other way around)What it really takes to build a career you love over time If you’ve been hesitating on a next step, this episode might be the nudge you didn’t know you needed. Get to know Jenny: Jenny Wood a New York Times bestselling author, speaker, former Google executive, and former Harvard Business School researcher who knows that real success isn’t about following the rules or waiting your turn. She is also the founder of Own Your Career, one of Google's largest career programs. In her new book Wild Courage: Go After What You Want and Get It , Jenny breaks down 9 bold traits that defy conventional career advice: Obsessed, Weird, Selfish, Shameless, Nosy, Manipulative, Brutal, Reckless, and Bossy. Her practical, no-nonsense approach empowers ambitious people to break the mold, be better leaders, build influence, and reach their full potential. Jenny has been featured in NBC, Bloomberg, Harvard Business Review, Forbes, and Business Insider. She lives in Boulder with her husband and two children and is in constant pursuit of the perfect zucchini bread recipe. Connect with Jenny: Instagram: ⁨@itsjennywood⁩ LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/jennyilles Website: http://itsjennywood.com Your host, Candice Mitchell, can be found online at:Website: https://talentdevelopmentnerds.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/candicemitchelltdnerd/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/talent_development_nerd/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@candicemitchell.TDNerd Talent Development Academy: https://talentdevelopmentnerds.com/tda Original music composed by: Paul DeHaven pauldehavenmusic.com

    45 min
  4. You Don’t Have a Work Brain and a Life Brain — And That’s the Problem

    16 JAN

    You Don’t Have a Work Brain and a Life Brain — And That’s the Problem

    What if the reason your career feels misaligned isn’t your role, your company, or your industry but the way you’ve been taught to separate work from life? In this episode, Candice Mitchell sits down with Mel Fox Dhar for an honest conversation about career alignment, burnout, and navigating transitions especially in big tech. Mel shares her journey from retail and customer-facing roles to Microsoft, Amazon, and ultimately into career coaching. Along the way, she explains why alignment doesn’t come from optimizing your resume alone but from understanding who you are as a whole person. This conversation is practical, grounded, and deeply human. No hustle talk. No “just push through it.” Just real insight into how people actually build careers that fit their lives. What you’ll get from this episode Why separating “work life” and “real life” creates misalignmentHow career clarity starts with understanding what lights you upWhat to do when you’re burnt out, laid off, or stuck in a transition you didn’t chooseHow early career experiences quietly shape long-term successWhy telling your story clearly matters more than having the perfect resume If you’re questioning what’s next or why what you’re doing no longer fits, this episode will help you think differently about alignment and direction. Get to Know Mel: Mel Fox Dhar is a career coach and former Big Tech leader who helps experienced professionals make more intentional career moves. After a decade at Amazon and Microsoft, she knows what it’s like to be successful on paper while feeling misaligned underneath. Today, Mel works with senior and mid-career leaders to clarify their personal brand, identify the right next step, and navigate job transitions with confidence—so they can do meaningful work and actually thrive. Connect with Mel: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/melfoxdhar/ Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@UCdDreU78e0fRAEhp4w8mX-w Website: https://www.melfoxdhar.com Your host, Candice Mitchell, can be found online at:Website: https://talentdevelopmentnerds.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/candicemitchelltdnerd/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/talent_development_nerd/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@candicemitchell.TDNerd Talent Development Academy: https://talentdevelopmentnerds.com/tda Original music composed by: Paul DeHaven pauldehavenmusic.com

    54 min
  5. You’re Not Broken — You’re Just Being Too Hard on Yourself

    9 JAN

    You’re Not Broken — You’re Just Being Too Hard on Yourself

    In this episode, I sat down with Rosie for a very honest conversation about self-judgment, shame, and the quiet emotional weight many people carry especially when life doesn’t unfold the way they expected. Rosie shares what helped her move through a deeply difficult season, including the jealousy, resentment, and guilt that often stay unspoken. Candice adds context from her coaching work, where she sees these same patterns show up again and again in capable, driven people. This isn’t a conversation about “fixing yourself.” It’s about understanding yourself with more honesty and less cruelty. What you'll get from this episode: • Why shame and self-judgment often show up during hard seasons • How curiosity and compassion create more progress than criticism • Why jealousy and resentment are usually signals of hurt, not failure • How worthiness (not time or skill) is often the real thing holding people back If you’ve been telling yourself something is “wrong” with you, this episode offers a different perspective, one that feels a lot more human. Get to know Rosie: Rosie Milsom is a Self-Worth & Confidence Coach for purpose-driven women who know they’re meant for more. She helps founders, changemakers, and ambitious doers stop getting in their own way so they can finally build the confidence, clarity, impact and income they’re truly capable of - without burnout, self-doubt, or constant second-guessing. Her mission is simple: when a woman’s self-worth catches up with her potential, everything rises Connect with Rosie: Facebook: www.facebook.com/rosiemilsomcoaching Instagram: @rosie_milsom_coaching Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@self-worthschool LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rosie-milsom-36667a5a/ Website: https://www.rosiemilsom.com/ Your host, Candice Mitchell, can be found online at:Website: https://talentdevelopmentnerds.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/candicemitchelltdnerd/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/talent_development_nerd/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@candicemitchell.TDNerd Talent Development Academy: https://talentdevelopmentnerds.com/tda Original music composed by: Paul DeHaven pauldehavenmusic.com

    56 min

  6. 26/12/2025

    Top 10 Funniest Development Nerds Moments

    Behind every confident leader is a collection of awkward, funny, and deeply formative moments, and many of them start in our very first jobs. This episode brings together some of the most memorable, laugh-out-loud stories from past guests as they reflect on their earliest working experiences. From misunderstood presentations and customer blow-ups to first paychecks, first mistakes, and first lessons in responsibility, these moments are as funny as they are meaningful. What begins as humor quickly turns into insight: How early jobs quietly shape our work ethic and confidenceWhy mistakes often become the doorway to growthThe leadership lessons we learn long before we ever manage a teamHow being defended—or defending others—can leave a lifelong impact Featuring moments from Mike Pacchione, Jo Watson, and others, this episode is a reminder that leadership doesn’t start with a title, it starts with experience. If you’ve ever felt awkward, out of place, or unsure early in your career, this conversation will make you laugh, reflect, and maybe see your own journey a little differently. Your host, Candice Mitchell, can be found online at:Website: https://talentdevelopmentnerds.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/candicemitchelltdnerd/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/talent_development_nerd/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@candicemitchell.TDNerd Talent Development Academy: https://talentdevelopmentnerds.com/tda Original music composed by: Paul DeHaven pauldehavenmusic.com

    51 min

  7. 19/12/2025

    Top 12 Most Impactful Moments of the Year | Development Nerds Compilation

    What were the most impactful moments from Development Nerds this year? This special Top 12 compilation episode pulls together the clips that stopped me mid-sentence, rewired a belief, or made me sit in silence for a second. You’ll hear powerful takeaways on future readiness, confidence and self-worth, burnout, career pivots, mentorship, resilience, experimentation, and what real impact looks like beyond the workplace. Featured guests and their moments: Allister Frost: Make time to be future-ready, or the future will happen to you.Amber Anderson: The story we tell ourselves, plus the missing accountability after training.Chris Taylor: The turning point: knowledge doesn’t change anything until you apply it.David James: You’re building skills, even when it feels like you’re not.Dr. Sarah Nichols: Burnout hides in plain sight, and it quietly steals your confidence.Elena Agaragimova: The courage to pivot, and the ache of trying to prove you belong.Heather Burright: When learning saves a life, it changes how you see your work forever.Jen Recla: “Think like a scientist.” Experiments, not identity. Data, not drama.Kelsea Warren: Stop waiting for “when.” Live in your values, today.Tara Rynders: Let yourself receive care. It can change everything.Yogi Mueller: Don’t outsource your value. Find your strengths, your people, your mentors.Lorie Jones: “It’s not going to get better” and the brave choice to change the story. 🎧 This episode is a highlight reel, but it’s also a nudge: if one clip hits you, go listen to the full episode for the context and the full conversation. Your host, Candice Mitchell, can be found online at:Website: https://talentdevelopmentnerds.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/candicemitchelltdnerd/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/talent_development_nerd/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@candicemitchell.TDNerd Talent Development Academy: https://talentdevelopmentnerds.com/tda Original music composed by: Paul DeHaven pauldehavenmusic.com

    51 min

  8. 12/12/2025

    The Top 10 Relatable Moments We Heard This Season — All in One Place (with 2 bonuses)

    To wrap up the year, I’m bringing you something special — the most relatable moments shared by a curated group of incredible guests from the show. Not all of this year’s guests appear in this episode. These were specifically chosen because they shared something deeply human, honest, and universally felt. This episode is part of our BEST Moments of the Year series, and this one is all about the moments that made us say: “Wait… I’ve felt that too.” “Oh wow, I thought I was the only one.” “Yep. That’s exactly my life right now.” In this compilation you will hear stories about: Losing jobs unexpectedlyMental health and the moments things fell apartSquiggly, non-linear careers that make sense only in hindsightBeing brave enough to start before you’re readyCarrying pressure, expectations, and self-doubtWanting to give up, and choosing not toReinventing yourself at any ageBuilding a life and career that actually feels like yours These are the conversations listeners wrote to me about — the lines that stuck with you, the moments you sent to friends, the truths that made you breathe out and whisper: “Finally. Someone said it.” ⭐ FEATURED GUESTS IN THIS SPECIAL EPISODE A curated selection of guests from across the year: AJ LauerAndy StorchBrenda Noon-SchmidtDanny DelvecchioDavid GilbertJB RyanJess AlmieJessica SchloempLauren EvansMatt GjestsenStacey Oliver-KnappeClay Gill Sponsored by Your360 AI This episode is sponsored by Your360 AI — developmental 360 feedback turned into actionable growth. The world of work is changing fast, and teams that don’t share honest feedback get left behind. Your360 uses Voice AI to deliver 360s that uncover what surveys miss — for just a couple hundred dollars. Real conversations turned into real growth. Stop guessing — start growing. Your host, Candice Mitchell, can be found online at:Website: https://talentdevelopmentnerds.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/candicemitchelltdnerd/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/talent_development_nerd/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@candicemitchell.TDNerd Talent Development Academy: https://talentdevelopmentnerds.com/tda Original music composed by: Paul DeHaven pauldehavenmusic.com Visit Your360.ai today.

    32 min
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About

Honest conversations about career growth, resilience, and the messy middle of success. Hosted by Candice Mitchell, this podcast dives deep into what it really takes to build a career, and a Talent Development function, that makes an impact. Many solo episodes are tailored for high-level, strategic Talent Development professionals, offering the kind of depth you won’t find anywhere else. Whether it’s building and nurturing a Talent Development function, truly partnering with the business to become business critical, or navigating your own career growth, this podcast gives you the practical insights and unfiltered conversations you actually need. 🎧 Listen in for: ✔ Strategic insights for senior L&D professionals ✔ Actionable career strategies you can actually use ✔ Unfiltered conversations on leadership, growth, and business impact ✔ Lessons from setbacks, pivots, and defining career moments Because career growth, and Talent Development itself, is never-ending and I love that for all of us! Subscribe now and let’s nerd out on all things development!

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