David Grad was once leading creative teams at MTV. Now, he’s solving one of the toughest problems in learning and development: how to make live training actually stick.

In this episode of Catalysts, David shares the origin story behind elevator9, the learning tech company he co-founded to ensure live training drives measurable, lasting impact. Drawing from learning science, cognitive psychology, and real-world application, elevator9 has created a platform that transforms what happens after the workshop—so that insights aren’t lost the moment people return to work.

We also explore the mindset shifts L&D leaders must embrace to position learning as a strategic value driver—not a cost center—and how David’s journey from media to learning has shaped his passion for empowering people through evidence-based design.

We cover:

• Why most live training fails to deliver—and what to do instead
• The core learning science principles that drive behavior change
• How elevator9 uses AI to gather and analyze qualitative training data
• A step-by-step look at how companies implement the platform
• How L&D leaders can finally prove—and improve—their business impact
• Why learning is a revenue driver, not just an expense
• David’s advice for L&D professionals who want to grow their influence

Connect with David Grad:

• David on LinkedIn
• elevator9

🎧 Subscribe to Catalysts so you don’t miss future episodes highlighting the bold thinkers shaping the future of learning and growth.

Connect & Learn More

• Connect on with me on LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/jacob-ratliff
• Position Yourself as a Thought Leader in Your Industry: executivebrandbuilder.com
• Interested in joining the show as a guest? Click here!