Maria Arpa, a mediator and facilitator, dedicated to bridging divides across communities, shares her wealth of experience in fostering trust and open dialogue. She discusses her innovative Dialogue Road Map method for communicating needs and creating safe spaces that enhance vulnerability. Exploring stories from extreme environments to corporate life, Maria highlights the transformative power of empathy and respect, as well as the importance of self-awareness in both personal and professional contexts. Her insights inspire a deeper understanding of human connection.

Dave Gray, a possibilitarian, artist, and author renowned for his insights on Gamestorming and community building, shares valuable life lessons on creativity and business. He discusses the crucial role of facilitation in team dynamics and how structured meetings can enhance collaboration. Gray highlights the importance of empathy maps in aligning teams and the shift from traditional sales to meaningful customer connections. He emphasizes the balance between structure and spontaneity in fostering creativity while navigating the complexities of professional fulfillment.

Minna Taylor, an applied play theorist and strategist, passionately advocates for the importance of play in organizational settings. She explores how play fosters creativity and authenticity while dismantling societal misconceptions. With insights on psychological safety and the need for openness, Minna emphasizes that embracing uncertainty can lead to deeper engagement. The conversation also touches on reintroducing play for adult wellness and productivity, highlighting the vital role it plays in navigating change and enhancing connection in the workplace.

Myriam Hadnes, an expert on cultivating great conversations, shares her insights on the delicate art of dialogue. She emphasizes the importance of curiosity and presence in enhancing conversations. Myriam reveals her three rules for effective questioning and why follow-up questions are vital. She explores the significance of silence and the power of the word 'and' in deepening understanding. Additionally, she addresses why meaningful discussions often fade with loved ones, encouraging listeners to reignite those connections.

Corporate training doesn’t have to be boring. In fact, it can be playful, curious, a little bit magical, and dare I say it - fun. And this week I am joined by the creative magic of not one, but two brilliant guests who are here to tell you how: Simon Edwards and Ian Byrne.Hailing from the worlds of game design and facilitation, we delve deep into the wondrous realm of learning in all of its curious, human forms. Together, they share the eureka moments of their immersive experiences, the evolution of leadership in L&D, why ancient Vipassana meditation has the power to overcome ego, and the art of giving radical candor.Tune in and get ready to learn!Find out about:The two halves of an organisation: the informal and the formalThe role and limitations of AI in organizational change, learning and facilitationRecognising the cultural differences of engagementAction learning: how to turn theoretical learning into realityWhat we can learn from neurodivergent thinkingThe power of pausing to listen to your bodyDon’t miss the next episode: subscribe to the show with your favourite podcast player.And download the free 1-page summary, so you can always have the key points of this episode to hand.Links:Watch the video recording of this episode on YouTube.Connect to Simon and Ian:https://mindblown.io/https://www.linkedin.com/company/mindblown-adventures/https://www.facebook.com/MindBlown.iohttps://www.instagram.com/mindblown.io/https://www.linkedin.com/in/simon-edwards-93312318/https://living-systems.com/https://www.linkedin.com/in/icbyrne/Support the show✨✨✨Subscribe to our newsletter to receive a free 1-page summary of each upcoming episode directly to your inbox, or explore our eBooks featuring 50-episode compilations for even more facilitation insights. Find out more:https://workshops.work/podcast✨✨✨Did you know? You can search all episodes by keyword to find exactly what you need via our Buzzsprout page!

Defiant slowness: it’s a salve, a rebellion, and a lifelong endeavour when we have been taught to live fast, 100mph lives. Because only when we turn down the speedometer, can we be present enough to think deeply, connect to ourselves, bond with others, and experience the joys of simply being.It’s why Marike and Clinton relish slowness in their facilitation practice, carving out interludes that delight in the details, welcome appreciation into the room, nurture real relationships, and create the breathing space for intention.We explore the beautiful macrocosm of slowing down in episode 286. Woven with wonderful stories, aha! moments and words you will want to press pause upon, Marike and Clinton bring a rich, eloquent perspective to facilitating with thought.Find out about:Why slowing down can help us to be more thoughtful, purposeful and connectedHow to address difficult participant behaviours with curiosity, rather than judgmentWhy genuine, deep relationships often comes at the price of discomfortThe importance of delighting in the details, both inside and beyond the workshop spaceDon’t miss the next episode: subscribe to the show with your favourite podcast player.And download the free 1-page summary, so you can always have the key points of this episode to hand.Links:Watch the video recording of this episode on YouTube.Connect to Marike and Clinton:Marike GroenewaldClinton du PreezWebsiteSupport the show✨✨✨Subscribe to our newsletter to receive a free 1-page summary of each upcoming episode directly to your inbox, or explore our eBooks featuring 50-episode compilations for even more facilitation insights. Find out more:https://workshops.work/podcast✨✨✨Did you know? You can search all episodes by keyword to find exactly what you need via our Buzzsprout page!

As the old adage goes, failing to prepare, is preparing to fail. But how do you prepare for something as catastrophic as a natural disaster?Scott Winter helps people, teams and organisations to struggle more effectively and step into their greatness. He’s done so for communities in California to recover from the devastation of wildfires, as well as countless others, showing up with life-affirming purpose, humanity and presence as a facilitator, to re-mould stress into hardy resilience for the future.In this brilliant and vulnerable conversation, he shares his work in co-regulating mindsets, how to make it easy to talk about difficult things, and why with the right tools, every experience can be turned into a learning opportunity.Find out about:How to create safe spaces that address high-stress situations with rationalityThe three Rs of resilience: Readiness, Response, and RecoveryThe art and science of asking questionsLearn about the Red Zone, Green Zone, Pink Zone frameworkDifficultating: how to facilitate difficult conversationsHow to mindfully embrace triggers in othersThe importance of asking: what do we not want to take into the room?Don’t miss the next episode: subscribe to the show with your favourite podcast player.And download the free 1-page summary, so you can always have the key points of this episode to hand.Links:Watch the video recording of this episode on YouTube.Connect to Scott Winter:LinkedInWebsiteSupport the show✨✨✨Subscribe to our newsletter to receive a free 1-page summary of each upcoming episode directly to your inbox, or explore our eBooks featuring 50-episode compilations for even more facilitation insights. Find out more:https://workshops.work/podcast✨✨✨Did you know? You can search all episodes by keyword to find exactly what you need via our Buzzsprout page!

Emily Hinks, a passionate mischief maker, advocates for joy and human connection in the workplace. She shares insights on enhancing company culture through playful engagement and effective facilitation. Discover the ROI of authentic connections and why team values matter. Learn how to improve meeting dynamics and ensure every voice is heard. Hinks emphasizes the importance of nurturing relationships like gardens, and how embracing mischief can elevate workplace morale and creativity.

In the autumn of 1996 in Palo Alto, Dan Newman had a career-defining epiphany: facilitation is playing other people’s games with your own rules. It’s something that has stayed with him on his journey from consultant to facilitator, as he solves complex organisational problems by asking: how are their rules preventing them from winning?We cover a lot of ground from Dan’s storied career in this brilliant conversation, dancing from the debate of the neutral facilitator, to cultural communication traits, the psychology of music, and why he will happily fine his clients for breaking the rules!Full to the brim with facilitation lessons to learn, try and apply yourself.Find out about:Tips, insights and anecdotes from Dan’s nearly 30 year careerThe key differences between the role of the facilitator and the consultantHow to rebuild people’s ‘finite games’ into ‘infinite games’, with a positive-sum outcomeHow to use Dave Snowden’s Cynefin framework to aid decision-making and de-complexify problemsHow to take a company out of their culture to see new perspectivesDon’t miss the next episode: subscribe to the show with your favourite podcast player.And download the free 1-page summary, so you can always have the key points of this episode to hand.Links:Watch the video recording of this episode on YouTube.Dan’s BookConnect to Dan Newman:LinkedInWebsiteSupport the show✨✨✨Subscribe to our newsletter to receive a free 1-page summary of each upcoming episode directly to your inbox, or explore our eBooks featuring 50-episode compilations for even more facilitation insights. Find out more:https://workshops.work/podcast✨✨✨Did you know? You can search all episodes by keyword to find exactly what you need via our Buzzsprout page!

Mark Walsh, an embodiment expert and trainer, discusses reconnecting the mind and body for effective facilitation. He shares insights from his experience teaching in conflict zones and practicing aikido. Key topics include centering techniques, the importance of physical awareness in workshops, and how body language influences communication. Walsh emphasizes the need for authenticity and vulnerability in teaching, linking emotional release to physical movement and discussing the impact of a healthy money mindset on creativity and group dynamics.