The Kirkpatrick Podcast
Episodes
From Individual Effort to Enterprise Capability: How to Build a Culture of Evaluation
23 Mar 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Too many organizations say they want better evaluation, stronger learning impact, and clearer evidence of business value. Then they make one critical ...
The Hidden Cost of Decentralized Measurement
09 Mar 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Organizations rarely struggle because they lack data. They struggle because the data they have cannot tell a coherent story. Across large enterprises,...
A Culture of Evaluation: The Missing Link Between Strategy and Results
02 Mar 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Most organizations believe they have a culture of evaluation. They run surveys. They build dashboards. They report metrics. And yet performance stays ...
From Training Evaluation to Enterprise Performance Intelligence
23 Feb 2026
Contributed by Lukas
For decades, organizations have used the Kirkpatrick Model to evaluate training. And for decades, many have misunderstood what it was actually designe...
The Most Dangerous Question in Learning Evaluation
16 Feb 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Most learning leaders think they're asking the right question. "Did it work?" It sounds accountable. Efficient. Executive-ready. But this single quest...
The Real Reason Training Gets Blamed for Performance Problems
09 Feb 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Most organizations believe they evaluate training. In reality, they document it—after it's already too late to matter. One of the biggest misconcept...
What the Kirkpatrick Model Was Never Supposed to Be—and Why That Matters Now
02 Feb 2026
Contributed by Lukas
For decades, many organizations have believed they were "doing Kirkpatrick." In reality, they were completing forms. In this episode, we challenge one...
Pressure Doesn't Reveal Leaders—It Exposes Their Training
30 Jan 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Pressure doesn't create failure. It reveals it. In this episode of The Kirkpatrick Podcast, we explore a leadership truth many organizations avoid: wh...
From Numbers to Narratives: The New Way to Prove Learning's Value
19 Jan 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Financial ROI has long been the gold standard of proving learning impact—but what if the most meaningful results can't be captured in a spreadsheet?...
When Metrics Become Comfort Blankies
12 Jan 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Most organizations can tell you exactly how many people attended training, how many completed it, and how satisfied they felt afterward. What they can...
Time to Wake Up in 2026 Learning and Development: Your Data Isn't the Problem.
05 Jan 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Welcome to Season 5 of The Kirkpatrick Podcast! In this episode, Vanessa Alzate opens 2026 with a bold truth: We're not suffering from a lack of data—...
Why Some Leadership Years Don't Show Wins on LinkedIn — and Why That Matters for L&D Strategy
29 Dec 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Some leadership years don't look successful on LinkedIn. They don't come with celebratory posts, impressive metrics, or obvious wins. But those are of...
Behind the Brand: What It Really Takes to Steer the Kirkpatrick Legacy Into the Future
22 Dec 2025
Contributed by Lukas
What does it really look like to buy a legacy brand, reinvent it, and lead it boldly into the future—without being born into the name? In this deepl...
Prove Your Worth: How L&D Departments Can Show Real Business Value
15 Dec 2025
Contributed by Lukas
As the year winds down, most learning leaders are rushing to wrap up programs and close out projects — but Vanessa Alzate challenges you to do somet...
Redefining Learning: Introducing the Kirkpatrick Community Collective
01 Dec 2025
Contributed by Lukas
What if professional development wasn't just a course you completed, but a community you belonged to? In this episode, Vanessa Alzate, CEO of Kirkpatr...
From Buzz to Breakthrough: Highlights from the Kirkpatrick Summit
27 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, Vanessa Kirkpatrick sits down with facilitators Dr. Amy Heaton and Jordan Rawlinson to reflect on the 2025 Kirkpatrick Summit: a bold...
The Myth of Level 3: Why Behavior Change Evaluation Isn't as Hard as You Think
20 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
"Level 3 evaluation is just too much work." How many times have you heard that? Or maybe even thought it yourself? In this episode of The Kirkpatrick...
The Workday Lawsuit & AI Bias: What L&D Leaders Must Learn Now
13 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
AI is everywhere in our work right now—from hiring to performance management to evaluation. But what happens when the very tools we're relying on to...
Cracking Levels 3 & 4: Building a Culture of Evaluation That Actually Works
06 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Too often, L&D leaders say that Level 3 and Level 4 evaluations are "too hard" to measure. But the truth is, it's not the metrics or the methods holdi...
The Missing Link in L&D Success? Your Managers
29 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Managers are the force multipliers of learning. Yet most are overwhelmed, misaligned, or unprepared to support training. If managers don't model, coac...
The Hidden Cost of Not Evaluating Training: Are You Paying the Ignorance Tax?
22 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Every organization pays taxes — but are you paying an Ignorance Tax you don't even know exists?In this episode of the Kirkpatrick Podcast, Vanessa A...
Performance, Not Just Profit: Rethinking What Really Drives Organizational Success
15 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
What's really "mission critical" in your organization? Spoiler alert—it's not just sales. In this episode, Vanessa Alzate, CEO of Kirkpatrick Partne...
Surviving Organizational Disruption by Thriving in Relationships
08 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
What do you do when disruption shakes your organization — restructuring, new tech, shifting leadership — and the stakeholders you've relied on are...
Vanity Metrics Are Killing Your Training ROI: Here's What to Do Instead
02 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
More dashboards don't mean more insights. In fact, they might be what's holding your organization back. In this episode of The Kirkpatrick Podcast, Va...
Budget Justification Made Simple: The Kirkpatrick Way to Prove Impact
25 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Budget season is here — and for many L&D professionals, that means stress, scrutiny, and the dreaded question: "What are we really getting from all ...
The Case for Shared Accountability: Why L&D Can't Own Evaluation Alone
18 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
When impact measurement is left to a single department—especially L&D—it's a recipe for failure. In this episode of the Kirkpatrick Podcast, Vanes...
From Order Takers to Strategic Partners: The Mindset Shift L&D Needs Now
11 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
We've all been guilty of celebrating the wrong data—hours of training delivered, high NPS scores, without asking if it actually changed anything. In...
The Catalyst Year: Inside the New Kirkpatrick
04 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Season 4 kicks off with a candid solo from Vanessa Alzate as she reflects on the last two years since acquiring Kirkpatrick Partners. Hear the behind-...
Proving Impact, Building Culture: Champions of the Kirkpatrick Four Levels®
30 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In the season finale of the Kirkpatrick Podcast, Vanessa brings together three dynamic leaders who are proving every day that learning doesn't matter ...
The Great Reset: Dr. Nigel Paine on Learning, Leadership, and Thriving Through Disruption
23 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Vanessa welcomes Dr. Nigel Paine, a global thought leader in organizational learning and author of The Great Reset, to the Kirkpatrick Podcast. Togeth...
Why Emotional Intelligence Matters in Learning Design
16 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this uniquely personal episode of the Kirkpatrick Podcast, Vanessa shares her reflections after hosting a very special pair of guests: her two youn...
Is Your Learning Program Just a Nicely Packaged Illusion?
09 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
AI is revolutionizing everything—but one thing it won't fix is our unwillingness to hear the truth. In this episode, Vanessa shares a powerful refle...
The Playbook for Turning Training into Business Wins
02 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this high-energy episode, Vanessa takes an unexpected turn into the NFL Draft—and lands directly in the heart of organizational performance. What...
What Beyoncé, Branding, and Behavior Change Have in Common: Unlocking Lessons from Pop Culture to Boost Learning Impact and Organizational Value
27 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
This episode of The Kirkpatrick Podcast takes an unexpected—and powerful—turn into the world of pop culture. Vanessa dives into Beyoncé's Cowboy ...
Kirkpatrick (Alzate) Kids Take Over: Out of the Mouths of Vanessa's Babies (and Future CEOs)
19 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
It's Bring Your Kids to Work Day—and Vanessa brought her most honest coworkers yet: her daughters, Gianna and Giselle! In this heartwarming and hila...
Why Training Fails: The Real Issue Behind Performance Problems in Your Organization
28 Apr 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In today's spicy episode, Vanessa drops a bold truth: the real issue behind training failures is often the performance environment, not the training i...
The Truth About 'Kirkpatrick-Compliant' Tools: Are They Actually Measuring Impact?
21 Apr 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In today's episode, Vanessa takes a deep dive into how to assess whether your vendor is truly delivering the Kirkpatrick Model's four levels of evalua...
Revolutionize Instructional Design: How to Design for Performance, Not Just Learning
14 Apr 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In today's episode, Vanessa dives deep into the importance of designing learning experiences that drive actual performance, not just knowledge acquisi...
DOGE & Government Efficiency: What It Means for Training
07 Apr 2025
Contributed by Lukas
How is government policy influencing workforce training and efficiency? In this episode of the Kirkpatrick Podcast, we explore DOGE and its impact on ...
Level 1 Smile Sheets: Misunderstood, Not Useless
31 Mar 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Level 1 evaluation—often dismissed, frequently misunderstood. But is it really as useless as some claim? In this episode of the Kirkpatrick Podcast,...
Ditch the Vanity Metrics: Are Your Pre- and Post- Tests Failing You?
24 Mar 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Are your learning assessments actually measuring what matters? In this episode of The Kirkpatrick Podcast, we dive into why traditional pre- and post-...
Unlocking Behavior Change: The Secret to Measuring Training Impact
17 Mar 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode of The Kirkpatrick Podcast, Vanessa Alzate, Jordan Rawlinson, and Sarah O'Connor dive deep into Level 3 evaluation—arguably the most...
The Kirkpatrick Four Levels®: Back to the Basics - Level 4: Results is the Easiest Level to Measure??
10 Mar 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode of the Kirkpatrick Podcast, hosts Vanessa and Jordan break down the complexities of Level 4 evaluation—often considered the most cha...
The Kirkpatrick Four Levels®: Back to the Basics - The Key to Effective Evaluation
03 Mar 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In training and learning and development, the Kirkpatrick Model is one of the best known models up there with Bloom's Taxonomy and ADDIE. Yet, eval...
From Bronze to Gold: Elevating Learning with the Kirkpatrick Model
24 Feb 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this aspirational episode of The Kirkpatrick Podcast, Vanessa Alzate and Dr. Jim Kirkpatrick welcome Jian Liu, a Training Specialist at a federal ...
Protecting Children with Strategic Training and Evaluation: A Kirkpatrick Model Case Study
17 Feb 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this moving episode of The Kirkpatrick Podcast, Vanessa sits down with Pamela Heisler and Cassy Miller from Oregon Child Abuse Solutions, winners o...
Defining the Relationship: Building Stronger L&D and Evaluation Teams
10 Feb 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode of the Kirkpatrick Podcast, we're diving into the dynamics of Learning & Development (L&D) and evaluation teams. Host Vanessa Alza...
From Training to Transformation: Making Learning Stick in Complex Systems
03 Feb 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this insightful episode of The Kirkpatrick Podcast, Vanessa sits down with Dr. Amy Heaton to explore the intersection of human-centered design and ...
Becoming a Trusted Learning Advisor: Insights from Dr. Keith Keating
27 Jan 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Many L&D professionals strive to build trust and credibility within their organizations, but the journey to becoming a trusted advisor can feel elusiv...
Ted Kniker on Building Evaluation Capacity with the Kirkpatrick Model
18 Nov 2024
Contributed by Lukas
What if the Kirkpatrick Model could transform not just learning, but entire public programs? In this episode, hosts Vanessa Alzate and Jim Kirkpatrick...
Kirkpatrick +AI: Myra Roldan on Innovation, Ethics, and Impact
11 Nov 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Artificial Intelligence is rapidly changing the landscape of learning and development, offering unprecedented opportunities for innovation and efficie...
Revolutionizing Public Service Training: Dr. Sydney Heimbrock on Skills for the 21st Century
04 Nov 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Public service training plays a vital role in building a resilient, skilled workforce equipped to meet the evolving needs of the 21st century. But how...
Evaluating Your Leadership Training: Maximizing Impact with the Kirkpatrick Model
28 Oct 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Leadership training is a crucial component of developing leaders who can effectively guide teams and drive organizational success. However, how can yo...
Achieving Level 4: Turning Evaluation Challenges into Success
21 Oct 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Many organizations find Level 4 of the Kirkpatrick Model—Results—the most challenging to achieve. However, reaching this level is not only possibl...
Enhancing Employee Engagement and Performance with the Kirkpatrick Model Part 3
14 Oct 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In this third installment of our series on enhancing employee engagement, we dive into the first two levels of the Kirkpatrick Model: Reaction and Lea...
Your Crash Course in the Updated Kirkpatrick Model
07 Oct 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Understanding the Kirkpatrick Model is more than just a box to check—it's a key to unlocking your potential to drive real results in your organizati...
Proven Strategies for Behavior Change and Program Impact with Laine Istvan
30 Sep 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Self-improvement is impossible without self-awareness. But how do we create opportunities for this and, ultimately, drive our learners to behavior cha...
Erasing the Lines Between L&D and Operation with Spencer Lyon
23 Sep 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Wondering how Learning and Development (L&D) and Operations can work more closely together or even function as a separate vertical within your organiz...
Sharing Evaluation Results with Sophie Oberstein
16 Sep 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Wondering how to turn your evaluation data into a powerful tool for influence? In this episode of the Kirkpatrick Podcast, hosts Vanessa Alzate and Ji...
Enhancing Employee Engagement and Performance Part 2
09 Sep 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Picking up where they left off in their insightful exploration of employee engagement, hosts Vanessa Alzate and Jim Kirkpatrick return for part two of...
Enhancing Employee Engagement and Performance with the Kirkpatrick Model
02 Sep 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Are your employee engagement initiatives working? Have you actually asked your employees what they want? In this episode of the Kirkpatrick podcast, h...
The Power of Community in Learning and Performance Evaluation
26 Aug 2024
Contributed by Lukas
There is a reason we're so passionate about building communities here at Kirkpatrick Partners. Creating a community within our organizations can foste...
Kirkpatrick Unhinged: It's Time to Be Honest...
19 Aug 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Have you found your L&D department first on the chopping block during economic downturns? In this episode, Jim Kirkpatrick and Vanessa Alzate have an ...
Blended Evaluation Playbook: Practical Tips and Strategies with Aurora Seguinot
12 Aug 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Wondering what it takes to create a stellar Blended Evaluation Plan®? Join us for this episode of the Kirkpatrick Podcast with Aurora Seguinot, Progr...
Are You Doing Kirkpatrick® Right?
05 Aug 2024
Contributed by Lukas
As a training professional, you understand the critical importance of evaluating the impact of your programs. But, are you confident that you're using...
A Performer Impacting Learning and Performance with Lindsey Coates
29 Jul 2024
Contributed by Lukas
What do theater and training performance have in common? Dive into this intriguing question in the latest episode of the Kirkpatrick Podcast as we unr...
Leading Without a Map: Using Evaluation to Navigate the Extraordinary with Kym Buchanan
22 Jul 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In a rapidly changing world full of uncertainty, how can you navigate the extraordinary and inspire others? Join us for the latest episode of the ...
Ask Us Anything - A Candid Conversation with the Leaders of Kirkpatrick Partners
15 Jul 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In this very special episode of the Kirkpatrick Podcast, we are thrilled to share the exclusive recording of our "Ask Us Anything Panel" from the 2024...
Inside the Kirkpatrick Summit: Is 2025 on the Horizon?
08 Jul 2024
Contributed by Lukas
The Season 2 premiere of the Kirkpatrick Podcast is finally here! Our intrepid hosts Vanessa Alzate and Jim Kirkpatrick are back in action and eager t...
Season 1 Unwrapped: Key Takeaways & Future Visions
28 May 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In the season one finale of the Kirkpatrick Podcast, we're revisiting some of our most popular episodes thus far. Join Vanessa Alzate and Jim Kirkpatr...
Training is a Process, Not Just a Checklist with Linda Webb
20 May 2024
Contributed by Lukas
This week, Jim Kirkpatrick welcomes special guest, Linda Webb, Chief Learning Officer at Training & Beyond, as they delve into the essential transform...
I Have An Evaluation Plan, Now What?: Tips to Maximize Your Success with Christy Nelson
13 May 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Implementing a Kirkpatrick Evaluation Plan can be a challenge, but we're here to help! Join us for the latest episode of the Kirkpatrick Podcast, as V...
Data-Enabled Instructional Design for Real-Time Results with Dr. Alaina Szlachta
22 Apr 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Join us for the latest episode of the Kirkpatrick Podcast! This week, Vanessa Alzate and Jim Kirkpatrick welcome Dr. Alaina Szlachta for a wide-rangin...
Cracking the Code: Achieving Training Effectiveness Amidst Regulatory Demands with Amber Holt Goettman
22 Apr 2024
Contributed by Lukas
This week, Vanessa Alzate and Jim Kirkpatrick host a captivating discussion on merging traditional learning methods with cutting-edge innovations in p...
Informed Insights: Survey Design and Data for Decision-Making Success with Dr. Anna Lissitz
22 Apr 2024
Contributed by Lukas
This week, Vanessa Alzate and Jim Kirkpatrick welcome special guest Dr. Anna Lissitz for an insider look into the world of survey design for training ...
Unearthing ROI Treasures: Measuring Leadership Development with Megan Galloway
15 Apr 2024
Contributed by Lukas
This week, Vanessa Alzate welcomes Megan Galloway, founder of Everleader, for a wide-ranging conversation about measuring the impact of learning and ...
Measurement, Metrics, and Analytics - Why They Are Not Enough
08 Apr 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Numbers are great, but do they always tell the whole story? Join us for episode 17 of the Kirkpatrick Podcast, as Vanessa Alzate and Jim Kirkpatrick e...
From Theory to Practice: Maximizing Learning Transfer with Melanie Martinelli
01 Apr 2024
Contributed by Lukas
What's the secret to making learning stick? It's all about being strategic, and that means aligning learning outcomes with organizational goals. Join ...
Beyond the Screen: Discover the Impact of In-Person Connections at the Kirkpatrick Summit
25 Mar 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode of the Kirkpatrick Podcast, Vanessa Alzate and Jim Kirkpatrick dive into the irreplaceable value of in-person interactions at industry...
Navigating Training Terrain: Lessons from Aviation Veteran John Herman
18 Mar 2024
Contributed by Lukas
On this week's episode of the Kirkpatrick Podcast, aviation expert John Herman joins Vanessa Alzate and Jim Kirkpatrick to share fascinating tales fro...
Celebrating Women's History Month with Vanessa Alzate and Wendy Kayser Kirkpatrick
11 Mar 2024
Contributed by Lukas
March is Women's History Month! Join us for a very special episode of the Kirkpatrick Podcast with Vanessa Alzate and Wendy Kayser Kirkpatrick to expl...
Celebrating 70 Years of the Kirkpatrick Model
04 Mar 2024
Contributed by Lukas
This week, Vanessa Alzate, Jim Kirkpatrick, and Wendy Kayser Kirkpatrick, are hosting a very special episode of the Kirkpatrick Podcast commemorating ...
Transforming Training: The Power of Automation in Elevating Learning Outcomes
26 Feb 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Automation and AI are all the rage right now. But what does that mean for the training and evaluation industry? In this episode, Vanessa Alzate and Ji...
The 2 Best Ways to Create Buy-in with Senior Leaders
19 Feb 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Ever wonder how you can connect better with leaders in your organization? Join us for the latest episode of the Kirkpatrick Podcast, where Vanessa Alz...
The 2 Best Ways to Create Buy-in with Line Managers and Supervisors
12 Feb 2024
Contributed by Lukas
What if you could transform workplace communication and strengthen relationships with your line managers and supervisors? In this episode, Vanessa Alz...
The 2 Best Ways to Create Buy-in with Colleagues
05 Feb 2024
Contributed by Lukas
The latest episode of the Kirkpatrick Podcast has arrived! Join Vanessa Alzate and Jim Kirkpatrick to learn practical strategies for winning support f...
Fatal Evaluation Flaws Part 2
29 Jan 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Vanessa Alzate and Jim Kirkpatrick are back, continuing their discussion from last week about the fatal flaws that get in the way of effective learnin...
Fatal Evaluation Flaws Part 1
22 Jan 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In the latest episode of the Kirkpatrick Podcast, our dynamic duo of Vanessa Alzate and Jim Kirkpatrick shed light on some of the fatal flaws in train...
Three Vital Responses from Senior Leaders
15 Jan 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Join Vanessa Alzate and Jim Kirkpatrick of Kirkpatrick Partners for an insightful chat about blending traditions and trends in learning and performanc...
Reflections on 2023 and Excitement for 2024
08 Jan 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Join Vanessa Alzate and Jim Kirkpatrick as they chat about all the highlights of 2023, including Vanessa becoming part of the Kirkpatrick leadership t...
Protecting and Leveraging Your Training Investments
18 Dec 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Join Vanessa Alzate and Jim Kirkpatrick on the latest episode of the Kirkpatrick Podcast, as they explore how organizations can protect their investme...
Understanding the Kirkpatrick Model
11 Dec 2023
Contributed by Lukas
In this insightful episode, Vanessa Alzate and Jim Kirkpatrick take a deep dive into the Kirkpatrick Model's four levels. This discussion is not just ...
The Future of Learning & Development: Jim K's Crystal Ball
04 Dec 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Embark on an exhilarating journey through the evolving world of Learning and Development (L&D) in the inaugural episode of the Kirkpatrick Podcast. Jo...
Trailer: The Kirkpatrick Podcast
14 Nov 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Welcome to the Kirkpatrick podcast—a dynamic journey through the world of learning and performance evaluation! Whether you're a seasoned professiona...