Trainers Toolbox

Discover the importance of building trust at the start of workshops. Learn how intentional communication and clear expectations set a welcoming tone. Explore techniques for effective check-ins that ensure every voice is heard. Find out how to introduce vulnerability gradually and create psychological safety through explicit engagement rules. Weigh the balance between connection and efficiency while delivering impactful sessions. These practical tips will enhance your workshop experiences and foster deeper connections.

Mastering time management is key for trainers to enhance participants' learning experiences. Discover how to set clear goals for sessions and activities to prioritize effectively. Learn the importance of avoiding overcrowded agendas and incorporating flexibility with buffer times. Get tips on testing new activities for better time estimates and adjusting to group dynamics. Enhance engagement by communicating time clearly and sharing ownership with participants. Track your time in real-life scenarios to improve future sessions.

What if the way you manage your energy is the one factor silently shaping your impact - not just in workshops, but in life?In this episode, I am unpacking one of the most powerful (yet often overlooked) frameworks for managing your energy - and explore how to actually apply it in four key areas:-your daily life in this very moment-your long-term habits and “bigger picture” of life-managing your energy as a facilitator in your workshops -maintaining high energy levels of your participants in workshops Which of the 4 are you most curious about? Dive in - and discover more. Whether you’re feeling a bit depleted lately or simply want to be more intentional with your energy, this episode will give you clarity, structure, and great questions to ask yourself.DOWNLOAD THE EPISODE HANDOUT:https://www.trainers-toolbox.com/podcast-episodes-effectively-manage-your-energy-in-workshops-life/ Useful links mentioned in the episode: ⚡ Optimal Emotions online course - a 3-module course to dive deeper into emotional and energy flow in workshops: https://www.trainers-toolbox.com/optimal-emotions-for-learning/📬 Trainers Toolbox newsletter - the best way to keep learning how to create great workshops! Goes out every Wednesday: https://www.trainers-toolbox.com/newsletter/💬 Connect with me on LinkedIn - to share your feedback, ask questions, or just say hi - I love connecting and learning from other trainers & facilitators, or anyone in love with learning: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mirnasmidt/

Thinking about stepping into training - or taking your training career to the next level? In this episode, I am exploring the 3 pillars every trainer needs to build: your skills, your story, and your network. Tips, I am sharing are based on 18 years of my experience as a trainer. Whether you're pivoting into training or refining your existing practice, you’ll find practical ideas, reflection prompts, and personal insights to guide your next steps.📥 Download the short SUMMARY of main topics covered: https://www.trainers-toolbox.com/podcast-episodes-how-to-kickstart-your-career-as-a-freelance-trainer/ 📬 Join the Trainers Toolbox weekly newsletter:https://www.trainers-toolbox.com/newsletter/🔗 Explore Trainers Toolbox Courses in which we dive much deeper into this topic:Train the Trainer:https://www.trainers-toolbox.com/train-the-trainer-course/Advanced Facilitation Training:https://www.trainers-toolbox.com/advanced-facilitation-training/Advanced Storytelling Training for Trainers & Educators: https://www.trainers-toolbox.com/advanced-storytelling-course-for-trainers/ Trainers Conversations Communityhttps://www.trainers-toolbox.com/trainers-conversations-community/ 🤝 Let’s connect on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mirnasmidt

What makes certain moments in a workshop unforgettable? The most powerful learning experiences aren’t just about content - they’re about the emotions and meaning we attach to them. In this episode, we explore how to design workshops that create defining, memorable, and meaningful moments that participants will remember and act on long after the session ends.In this episode, inspired by the book The Power of Moments and powered by real tips and strategies from my own facilitation work, we’ll explore how to build defining moments that stick.You’ll learn: ✨ The 4 elements that make moments memorable 🎯 Practical ways to create such moments ⚠️ One common trap to avoid when designing peak experiences📥 Download the handout: https://www.trainers-toolbox.com/podcast-episodes-creating-meaningful-and-memorable-moments-in-training-and-facilitation/ 📬 Join the Trainers Toolbox weekly newsletter:https://www.trainers-toolbox.com/newsletter/🔗 Explore Trainers Toolbox Courses in which we dive much deeper into this topic-Join us in Trainers Conversations - a close-knit community of trainers & facilitators -  https://www.trainers-toolbox.com/trainers-conversations-community/-Sign up for Advanced Facilitation Training:https://www.trainers-toolbox.com/advanced-facilitation-training/-Advanced Storytelling Training for Trainers & Educators: https://www.trainers-toolbox.com/advanced-storytelling-course-for-trainers/ -Optimal Emotions for Learning online course: https://www.trainers-toolbox.com/optimal-emotions-for-learning/  🤝 Let’s connect on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mirnasmidt 

Learning works best when participants are stretched - but not stressed. In this episode, we explore how to hit the “just right” challenge level in your workshops, where growth happens without overwhelm. You’ll learn how to use flow as a compass, raise challenge without triggering anxiety, and adjust in real time based on learner needs.I am sharing:✅ Practical strategies from learning science & science of positive psychology ✅ Real-life experiences from 17 years as a trainer✅ Tips to keep getting better at navigating this fragile balance 📥 Download the handout: https://www.trainers-toolbox.com/podcast-episodes-challenging-not-overwhelming-how-to-find-the-learning-sweet-spot/  📬 Join the Trainers Toolbox weekly newsletter to keep on learning:https://www.trainers-toolbox.com/newsletter/🎓 Dive in deeper - join me on Optimal Emotions and Train-the-Trainer courses-Train the Trainer course - learn how to design and deliver impactful and engaging learning experiences: https://www.trainers-toolbox.com/train-the-trainer/-Optimal Emotions for Learning online course: https://www.trainers-toolbox.com/optimal-emotions-for-learning/ 

As a trainer, you KNOW - being it from science or from your own experience - that people learn best through active engagement, when they are mentally, emotionally and physically immersed in experiences. Play is such a great way to build that - but it can also be a tricky one, as it is often people might perceive play as a waste of time. But guess what? It only feels like a waste of time if it’s not their preferred type of play!Not everyone engages with play in the same way. In this episode, we explore the 8 play personalities and how they can help you design more immersive, meaningful, and emotionally engaging workshops. Learn how to go beyond just adding fun and start using play as a powerful tool for deeper learning.📥 Download the Handout: https://www.trainers-toolbox.com/podcast-episodes-the-8-play-personalities-a-trainers-guide-to-meaningful-play/ 📕 Grab the free ebook, " Emotions best for Learning" https://www.trainers-toolbox.com/emotions-best-for-learning-ebook/  📬 Join the Trainers Toolbox weekly newsletter:https://www.trainers-toolbox.com/newsletter/ 🔗 Explore Trainers Toolbox Courses on which we dive much deeper into this topic-Optimal Emotions for Learning:https://www.trainers-toolbox.com/optimal-emotions-for-learning/-Advanced Storytelling Training for Trainers & Educators: https://www.trainers-toolbox.com/advanced-storytelling-course-for-trainers/ -Train the Trainer:https://www.trainers-toolbox.com/train-the-trainer-course/ 🤝 Let’s connect on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mirnasmidt

Great facilitation is all about constantly balancing between competing needs: goal vs. process, individual participant’s needs vs. energy of the group, between your plan and ability to be flexible. In this episode, I’ll introduce you to one of my favorite frameworks to reflect on your facilitation: the 7 Dimensions of Facilitation. It’s simple, practical, and powerful in helping you identify blind spots and become more adaptable as a facilitator.We’ll explore: ✅ What the 7 dimensions are ✅ How to recognize your natural tendencies ✅ Practical tips to shift and balance more intentionally ✅ Reflection questions to grow your facilitation skillsetWhether you’re an experienced facilitator or just starting out, this episode will help you sharpen your awareness and design more engaging, balanced, and effective sessions.📥 Download the handout: https://www.trainers-toolbox.com/podcast-episodes-seven-dimensions-of-facilitation-to-balance-in-your-workshop/📬 Join the Trainers Toolbox weekly newsletter:https://www.trainers-toolbox.com/newsletter/🔗 To explore this topic deeper and in a practical way, sign up for Advanced Facilitation Training:https://www.trainers-toolbox.com/advanced-facilitation-training/🌱 Explore the Trainers’ Conversations Community  https://www.trainers-toolbox.com/trainers-conversations-community/Other random info: All 7 dimensions are a scale between two extremes, and it is the task of the facilitator to be fluid in moving in both directions on those scales. Balancing these doesn’t mean always hitting the sweet spot in the middle - instead, it means being fluid on the scale and knowing when to move more in one direction or the other. Which direction is more effective in a given moment will depend on the goals of your process, the current stage, the time available, and the energy of your participants.Links to facilitation bootcamp, train the trainer and trainers conversationshttps://www.trainers-toolbox.com/train-the-trainer-course/https://www.trainers-toolbox.com/advanced-facilitation-training/https://www.trainers-toolbox.com/trainers-conversations-community/