

Facilitating on Purpose
Beth Cougler Blom
How do you create workshops and courses that people really want to attend, where they're highly engaged and actually learn something? The answer is through facilitation.
Facilitators exist wherever learning happens. And great facilitation involves getting clear on what you’re doing with your groups, why you’re doing it, and how to do it with purpose and intention. Tap into this podcast, "Facilitating on Purpose", as your go-to resource to becoming and being a better facilitator, wherever you work.
Join facilitator and learning designer Beth Cougler Blom and her guests to explore ideas about designing and facilitating learning. You’ll gain insights such as how to plan more effectively, build connection with participants, and include meaningful activities.
Level up your facilitation skills at http://facilitatingonpurpose.ca/.
Facilitators exist wherever learning happens. And great facilitation involves getting clear on what you’re doing with your groups, why you’re doing it, and how to do it with purpose and intention. Tap into this podcast, "Facilitating on Purpose", as your go-to resource to becoming and being a better facilitator, wherever you work.
Join facilitator and learning designer Beth Cougler Blom and her guests to explore ideas about designing and facilitating learning. You’ll gain insights such as how to plan more effectively, build connection with participants, and include meaningful activities.
Level up your facilitation skills at http://facilitatingonpurpose.ca/.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Sep 11, 2024 • 35min
Writing a Book in the Field with Beth Cougler Blom - EP 43
In this solo episode, Beth Cougler Blom shares her journey of writing her book, Design to Engage: How to Create and Facilitate a Great Learning Experience For Any Group. She talks about her research and self-reflection process, using tools like Trello, setting daily writing goals, and taking writing retreats. Beth highlights the value of revisions and working with editors. She also shares insights on designing a professional-looking book and her decisions about publishing. Beth reflects on learning from interviews with facilitators, how the project impacted her career, and offers advice for aspiring authors, with a hint at her next book. Links From the Episode Trello Scrivener Elaine Cougler, Author Anne Lamott Friesen Press Connect with the Facilitating on Purpose podcast: Follow Facilitating on Purpose on Instagram, LinkedIn, or YouTube Show notes and transcripts available at facilitatingonpurpose.com Connect with Host Beth Cougler Blom: Give feedback or suggest upcoming show topics or guests at hello@bcblearning.com Visit bcblearning.com to explore Beth's company's services in facilitation and learning design Purchase a copy of Beth's book, Design to Engage Follow Beth on Instagram or LinkedIn Podcast production services by Mary Chan of Organized Sound Productions

Aug 28, 2024 • 52min
Safe Learning Spaces with Fernando Murray and Carolina Almeida - EP 42
In this episode, host Beth Cougler Blom talks with Fernando Murray and Carolina Almeida about strategies they use to create safe learning environments with their groups. Fernando and Carolina share their deep expertise working across cultures, their expertise in Liberating Structures, and more. Beth, Fernando, and Carolina also discuss: fostering an inclusive atmosphere inviting participation avoiding over-helping handling conflicts and challenges promoting autonomy and collecting problem-solving Engage with Fernando Murray and Carolina Almeida Website: https://www.virtualfacilitation.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/virtual-facilitation/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@virtualfacilitation Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/virtualfacilitation/ Other Links from the Episode Liberating Structures EP 20: Improv in Facilitation with Brett Macdonald Outward Bound NOLS alfaia drum Connect with the Facilitating on Purpose podcast: Follow Facilitating on Purpose on Instagram, LinkedIn, or YouTube Show notes and transcripts available at facilitatingonpurpose.com Connect with Host Beth Cougler Blom: Give feedback or suggest upcoming show topics or guests at hello@bcblearning.com Visit bcblearning.com to explore Beth's company's services in facilitation and learning design Purchase a copy of Beth's book, Design to Engage Follow Beth on Instagram or LinkedIn Podcast production services by Mary Chan of Organized Sound Productions

Aug 14, 2024 • 53min
Making Caring Learning Environments for People With Disabilities with Yasser Tamer Atef - EP 41
In this episode, Beth Cougler Blom talks with Yasser Tamer Atef, a disability advocate and facilitator, about strategies to make learning spaces accessible and inclusive. Beth and Yasser also discuss: involving people with disabilities in the learning design process creating accessible documents strategies for facilitating inclusive virtual sessions the importance of asking participants about their specific needs and preferences individually, and making adaptations accordingly designing flexibility into learning experiences for participants building inclusive communities and fostering a sense of belonging and safety for all learners Engage with Yasser Tamer Atef LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/yasser-tamer-6880911b8/ X: @yasser_tammer Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/yasser.tamer2002 Other Links from the Episode Equity Unbound Soliya Connect program MyFest 2024 Intentionally Equitable Hospitality series Dr. Maha Bali Dr. Mia Zamora Center for Learning and Teaching, American University in Cairo Teaching in Higher Ed podcast with Bonni Stachowiak Universal Design for Learning (UDL) on the CAST website Priya Parker's Art of Gathering book Yasser's article for Mind Brain & Education magazine on "Care and Equity: The View From the Lens of Disability Inclusion" Heather Kretschmer Verna Rossi's Inclusive Learning Design book Dr. Amy Kavanagh Radha Agrawal's Belong book, available on her website Connect with the Facilitating on Purpose podcast: Follow Facilitating on Purpose on Instagram, LinkedIn, or YouTube Show notes and transcripts available at facilitatingonpurpose.com Connect with Host Beth Cougler Blom: Give feedback or suggest upcoming show topics or guests at hello@bcblearning.com Visit bcblearning.com to explore Beth's company's services in facilitation and learning design Purchase a copy of Beth's book, Design to Engage Follow Beth on Instagram or LinkedIn Podcast production services by Mary Chan of Organized Sound Productions

Jun 26, 2024 • 54min
Embracing AI in Learning with Margie Meacham - EP 40
In this episode, Beth Cougler Blom talks with Margie Meacham about artificial intelligence (AI) and its applications in learning and development. Margie discusses her ongoing journey with AI, sharing valuable insights on how to effectively leverage it to enhance learner engagement and improve knowledge retention. Beth and Margie also discuss: the benefits of using AI as a personalized learning assistant inside learning experiences avoiding AI's 'uncanny valley' effect the need for continuous learning and adaption as AI technology evolves ethical considerations surrounding AI in learning using AI to be inclusive to all learners critically evaluating AI tools while using them to enhance our work Engage with Margie Meacham Margie's AI for Talent Development Professionals course (register before Aug 1, 2024 to get $50 off the regular price) LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/margiemeacham/ X: @margiemeacham Blog: https://learningtogo.ai/learn/ Website: https://learningtogo.ai Featured article in CXO Magazine Margie's bio: https://learningtogo.ai/mystory/ Other Links From the Episode Margie's Brain Matters book (available via her website and on Amazon) Claude by Anthropic OpenAI and ChatGPT ElevenLabs the uncanny valley EP 7: Learning How to Learn with Taruna Goel The Podcaster's Guide to a Visible Voice EP 77 with Erin Moon Connect with the Facilitating on Purpose podcast: Follow Facilitating on Purpose on Instagram, LinkedIn, or YouTube Show notes and transcripts available at facilitatingonpurpose.com Connect with Host Beth Cougler Blom: Give feedback or suggest upcoming show topics or guests at hello@bcblearning.com Visit bcblearning.com to explore Beth's company's services in facilitation and learning design Purchase a copy of Beth's book, Design to Engage Follow Beth on Instagram or LinkedIn Podcast production services by Mary Chan of Organized Sound Productions

Jun 12, 2024 • 30min
How To Keep Learning In Our Field with Beth Cougler Blom - EP 39
In this solo episode, Beth Cougler Blom shares some of her approach to maintaining a learning organization at her learning design and facilitation services company. She also highlights sources for how we can all keep learning in our field, giving examples of communities of practice, podcasts, books, social media, and more. Links From the Episode Liberating Structures User Groups NeverDoneBefore International Association of Facilitators Virtual Facilitation Jan Keck BCcampus Teaching in Higher Ed podcast Women Talking About Learning podcast Dr. Luke Hobson podcast The Fabulous Learning Nerds podcast UDL in 15 Minutes podcast Work Life with Adam Grant podcast Workshops.work podcast First Time Facilitator podcast Facilitation Lab podcast A Facilitator's Journey podcast The 2-Hour Workshop Blueprint book ADHD 2.0 book Smart Brevity book Articulate Articulate E-Learning Heroes Community SessionLab Connect with the Facilitating on Purpose podcast: Follow Facilitating on Purpose on Instagram, LinkedIn, or YouTube Show notes and transcripts available at facilitatingonpurpose.com Connect with Host Beth Cougler Blom: Give feedback or suggest upcoming show topics or guests at hello@bcblearning.com Visit bcblearning.com to explore Beth's company's services in facilitation and learning design Purchase a copy of Beth's book, Design to Engage Follow Beth on Instagram or LinkedIn Podcast production services by Mary Chan of Organized Sound Productions

May 22, 2024 • 50min
Break Out of Conventional Thinking with Kerri Price - EP 38
Connect with Host Beth Cougler Blom: Give feedback or suggest upcoming show topics or guests at hello@bcblearning.com Visit bcblearning.com to explore Beth's company's services in facilitation and learning design Purchase a copy of Beth's book, Design to Engage Follow Beth on Instagram or LinkedIn In this episode, Beth Cougler Blom talks with Kerri Price about the art of creative facilitation and why it's so important for facilitators to push ourselves and our groups to think differently. Beth and Kerri also discuss: techniques we can use while designing to be more creative activities to help groups come up with more innovative ideas breaking out of the crutch of PowerPoint setting up rooms as creative spaces Engage with Kerri Price Website: https://thefacilitatorsnetwork.co.nz/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kerri-price/ Other Links from the Episode EP 1: The Somewhat Accidental Facilitator with Beth Cougler Blom "Know Your Why" Michael Jr. on YouTube Washington DC Liberating Structures User Group Liberating Structures Chad Littlefield Facilitation Matters - Festival of Learning Connect with the Facilitating on Purpose podcast: Follow Facilitating on Purpose on Instagram, LinkedIn, or YouTube Show notes and transcripts available at facilitatingonpurpose.com Connect with Host Beth Cougler Blom: Give feedback or suggest upcoming show topics or guests at hello@bcblearning.com Visit bcblearning.com to explore Beth's company's services in facilitation and learning design Purchase a copy of Beth's book, Design to Engage Follow Beth on Instagram or LinkedIn Podcast production services by Mary Chan of Organized Sound Productions

May 8, 2024 • 59min
Facilitate Like an Anthropologist with Dr. Monty Badami - EP 37
In this episode, Beth Cougler Blom talks with Dr. Monty Badami about how we can use an anthropological lens in facilitation to engage in collective sense-making. If we can think like anthropologists, we will have access to the most valuable resource in understanding complex experiences and diverse groups...and that resource is our humanity. Beth and Monty also talk about: creating safety for participants reading the room and seeing patterns what it means to be human reflexivity and ethnography using narrative arcs and other frameworks friction points, self-kindness and learning from failure Engage with Dr. Monty Badami Website: Habitus.org LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-sumant-monty-badami/ Instagram: @habituslifehacks Other Links from the Episode Gillian Tett Anthro-Vision book Joseph Campbell's and the Hero's Journey Jack Mezirow's Transformative Learning theory Habitus's Narrative Arc [image] Connect with the Facilitating on Purpose podcast: Follow Facilitating on Purpose on Instagram, LinkedIn, or YouTube Show notes and transcripts available at facilitatingonpurpose.com Connect with Host Beth Cougler Blom: Give feedback or suggest upcoming show topics or guests at hello@bcblearning.com Visit bcblearning.com to explore Beth's company's services in facilitation and learning design Purchase a copy of Beth's book, Design to Engage Follow Beth on Instagram or LinkedIn Podcast production services by Mary Chan of Organized Sound Productions

Apr 24, 2024 • 1h 1min
The State of Facilitation 2024 Report with Deborah Rim Moiso - EP 36
In this episode, Beth Cougler Blom talks with Deborah Rim Moiso, the editor of SessionLab's State of Facilitation 2024 Report, about data and insights gleaned from the report and what it might mean for facilitators worldwide. Engage with Deborah Rim Moiso and SessionLab: The State of Facilitation 2024 Report from SessionLab Use this link to sign up to SessionLab for a 30-day free trial of the Pro features Deborah Rim Moiso on LinkedIn Other Links from the Episode: International Association of Facilitators (IAF) Myriam Hadnes workshops.work Kirsty Lewis School of Facilitation website | Facilitating on Purpose podcast Episode 17 Filip Kis, Co-Founder and CTO at SessionLab Mentimeter Leanne Hughes Marie Dubost Jan Keck website | Facilitating on Purpose podcast Episode 10 Priya Parker's Art of Gathering book Brett Macdonald website | Facilitating on Purpose podcast Episode 20 Hector Villareal Lozoya Climate-KIC Canva Padlet Miro Mural Chat GPT Barbara Pedersen website | Facilitating on Purpose podcast Episode 34 Connect with the Facilitating on Purpose podcast: Follow Facilitating on Purpose on Instagram, LinkedIn, or YouTube Show notes and transcripts available at facilitatingonpurpose.com Connect with Host Beth Cougler Blom: Give feedback or suggest upcoming show topics or guests at hello@bcblearning.com Visit bcblearning.com to explore Beth's company's services in facilitation and learning design Purchase a copy of Beth's book, Design to Engage Follow Beth on Instagram or LinkedIn Podcast production services by Mary Chan of Organized Sound Productions

Apr 10, 2024 • 36min
Think Like a Facilitator with Beth Cougler Blom - EP 35
In this solo episode, Beth Cougler Blom gives listeners a peek into the thought process behind effective facilitation. She discusses some of the key decisions and questions that guide her in managing time, scope, participant involvement, and her own engagement during sessions. Beth also addresses how she maintains focus and clarity, shedding light on the critical, but often invisible, aspects of being a facilitator. Links from the Episode EP 31: Perfecting Timing Design to Engage: How to Create and Facilitate a Great Learning Experience For Any Group (Beth’s book) Lesson plan template (scroll to Free Downloads section) Connect with the Facilitating on Purpose podcast: Follow Facilitating on Purpose on Instagram, LinkedIn, or YouTube Show notes and transcripts available at facilitatingonpurpose.com Connect with Host Beth Cougler Blom: Give feedback or suggest upcoming show topics or guests at hello@bcblearning.com Visit bcblearning.com to explore Beth's company's services in facilitation and learning design Purchase a copy of Beth's book, Design to Engage Follow Beth on Instagram or LinkedIn Podcast production services by Mary Chan of Organized Sound Productions

Mar 27, 2024 • 1h
A Career in Facilitation with Barbara Pedersen - EP 34
In this episode, Beth Cougler Blom talks with facilitator Barbara Pedersen about her 30-year career (so far!) and what she's learned along the way. Beth and Barbara also talk about: the phases and cycles of a facilitation career confidence, humility, and fear challenging ourselves how to get training in facilitation learning foundational facilitation frameworks 'bread and butter' work and keeping work flowing transitioning into 'rewirement' Engage with Barbara Pedersen Website: http://www.barbpedersen.ca/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/barbpedersen Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/barbpedersen/ Links From the Episode NeverDoneBefore 4-H Youth Clubs Even Eagles Need a Push, by David McNally ICA International ICA Associates The ORID framework is mentioned in The Art of Focused Conversation book Roger Schwarz, The Skilled Facilitator book The Circle Way Eight important things to know about The Experiential Learning Cycle, by Dr. Alice Kolb and Professor David Kolb [PDF] Appreciative Inquiry | David Cooperrider What, So What, Now What? Liberating Structures Ladder of Inference (Chris Argyris on Wikipedia) How I Built This podcast Connect with the Facilitating on Purpose podcast: Follow Facilitating on Purpose on Instagram, LinkedIn, or YouTube Show notes and transcripts available at facilitatingonpurpose.com Connect with Host Beth Cougler Blom: Give feedback or suggest upcoming show topics or guests at hello@bcblearning.com Visit bcblearning.com to explore Beth's company's services in facilitation and learning design Purchase a copy of Beth's book, Design to Engage Follow Beth on Instagram or LinkedIn Podcast production services by Mary Chan of Organized Sound Productions