Facilitating on Purpose

In this episode, host Beth Cougler Blom talks about some of the mindsets that she holds as an entrepreneur, leading a team who engages in learning design and facilitation work. Beth talks about abundance vs. competitive mindsets, navigating uncertainty, considerations around being client-centric, ethical decision-making, and having passion for the work. Links from the Episode EP 15: Dealing with Self-Doubt with Beth Cougler Blom 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  

In this episode, Beth Cougler Blom talks with Mirjam Leunissen about reconnecting to our bodies when working with groups to inspire emergent and serendipitous thinking. Beth and Mirjam also talk about: Playfulness and pushing people out of their comfort zones Practicing sensing what's going on in our bodies Metaphors and analogies as inspiration Building upon the cognitive tasks AI can do with what only we as humans can do Engage with Mirjam Leunissen Mirjam on LinkedIn Other Links from the Episode NeverDoneBefore Ofman Core Quadrants (video) Richard de la Rosa Pippi Longstocking activity Street Wisdom David Pearl Liberating Structures Troika Consulting Myriam Hadnes - Workshops.work Johnnie Moore Jan Keck Embodiment Coaching Mirjam's fireflies activity 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  

In this episode, Beth Cougler Blom talks with Dr. Marcia Goddard about how our brains work and some of the things that can happen with our brains - as facilitators or participants - in learning environments. Beth and Marcia also talk about: creating psychological safety neuroscience's alignments with diversity, equity and inclusion recognizing and overcoming different types of biases why our brains get tired in virtual sessions   Engage with Dr. Marcia Goddard Dr. Marcia Goddard on LinkedIn   Other Links from the Episode The Contentment Foundation Romy Alexandra on LinkedIn Art of Hosting Robert Sapolsky's Behave and Why Zebras Don't Get Ulcers books   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    

In this episode, Beth Cougler Blom talks with Neelu Kaur about how we can maintain our well-being and prevent burnout, particularly as people who do facilitation work. Beth and Neelu also talk about: Mental health, self-advocacy, and cultural identity, particularly for women who identify as Asian and South Asian Finding support in communities of practice Signs of burnout Maintaining well-being in virtual work Self-care practices for mental well-being Internal and external motivation and their relationship to burnout   Engage with Neelu Kaur Website: https://www.neelukaur.com/ Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/neelukaur/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/neelu.kaur/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/neelu.kaur01 Twitter/X: NeeluKaur01 Connect with the Facilitating on Purpose podcast: Be Your Own Cheerleader book by Neelu Kaur Open Space Technology Scaling Intimacy Marcus Buckingham Ayurveda Box breathing   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  

In this episode, Beth Cougler Blom talks about how to build online communities when facilitating in the virtual mode. She discusses the importance of understanding our own values and beliefs as facilitators, knowing our participants, and the need to define the purpose and goals of our sessions. She shares ideas for welcoming participants and setting the stage for online community building as well as strategies, such as facilitating group agreements, that support group engagement. Links from the Episode: Episode 3 - Inclusive Facilitation with Susana Guardado Episode 10 - Facilitating Connection with Jan Keck Episode 14 - Connection Before Content with Chad Littlefield Episode 19 - Choosing Activities with Beth Cougler Blom Episode 21 - Pronouncing Participants' Names with Mary Houle and Sarra Ismail Design to Engage: How to Create and Facilitate a Great Learning Experience For Any Group, by Beth Cougler Blom 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    

In this episode, Beth Cougler Blom talks with Julias Alego about how music has been a part of his life in Kenya so far, and how he uses it in his facilitation work. Beth and Julias also talk about: Considerations around choosing music for a facilitated event Potential cautions and pitfalls in choosing music Incorporating music, dancing, and singing in facilitated events Cross-cultural differences in using music in training and facilitation, in Kenya and Canada Engage with Julias Alego: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/juliasalego Other Links from the Episode: Art of Hosting International Association of Facilitators International Association of Facilitators - Africa Slides from "Using Music as a Facilitation Tool" workshop facilitated by Julias and other facilitators from IAF Kenya   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  

In this episode, Beth Cougler Blom talks with Mary Houle and Sarra Ismail about the importance of pronouncing people's names correctly, how to learn how to do it respectfully, and why it's related to inclusive facilitation practices. Beth, Sarra and Mary also talk about: How to respectfully ask someone to pronounce their name Strategies to follow when learning how to pronounce a person's name Our responsibilities as "listeners" when our conversation partners have accents or names that are unfamiliar to us The relationship between pronouncing people's names and fostering group belonging and inclusion Name pronunciation situations that apply specifically to work facilitating with groups Engage with Mary Houle and Sarra Ismail Website: pronounced.ca Mary on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/maryhoulepronounced/ Sarra on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sarra-ismail-94173528/ Other Links from the Episode Taruna Goel's episode on the podcast (EP 7) Anand Giridharadas LinkedIn name pronunciation info Name Drop, a name pronunciation service Ethan Kutlu's study: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/343861297_The_Impact_of_Race_on_Speech_Perception_and_Accentedness_Judgments_in_Racially_Diverse_and_Non-Diverse_Groups   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  

In this episode, Beth Cougler Blom talks with Brett Macdonald about learning and using improv skills and techniques in facilitation, and how it may be more available to people who work with groups than they originally might think. Beth and Brett also talk about: The life and work benefits of learning improv How people can get over the fear of learning improv Specific improv elements and techniques that facilitators can use How to start learning applied improv for use in facilitation and elsewhere Engage with Brett Macdonald brettmacdonald.ca/ www.linkedin.com/in/brett-mac/ Other Links from the Episode: Applied Improv Network https://www.appliedimprovisationnetwork.org/ https://www.appliedimprovisationnetwork.org/vancouver https://www.facebook.com/appliedimprovisationnetwork (AIN page) https://www.facebook.com/groups/appliedimprov (AIN group for advice/tips) Brett's recommended Applied Improv books 'If I Understood You, Would I Have This Look on My Face?' by Alan Alda 'Play: How It Shapes the Brain, Opens the Imagination and Invigorates the Soul’ by Stuart Brown, MD ’Training to Imagine: Practical Improvisational Theatre Techniques for Trainers and Managers to Enhance Creativity, Teamwork, Leadership, and Learning’ by Kat Koppett ‘Life Unscripted: Using Improv Principles to Get Unstuck, Boost Confidence and Transform Your Life’ by Jeff Katzman MD and Dan O’Connor Brett's favourite, easy to read improv book ‘Improv Wisdom’ by Patricia Ryan Manson   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 cover art by Emily Johnston of Artio Design Co. Podcast production services by Mary Chan of Organized Sound Productions  

In this episode, Beth Cougler Blom talks about some of the things we should think about when we design activities into our workshops and courses. Beth explores concepts such as using learning outcomes to guide activity choice, designing authentic activities, offering choice to learners, and supporting all participants with the activities we choose. Links from the Episode: Design to Engage: How to Create and Facilitate a Great Learning Experience For Any Group, by Beth Cougler Blom Find the Activities Checklist in the Free Downloads section at designtoengagebook.com EP 15: Dealing with Self-Doubt with Beth Cougler Blom EP 13: Experimenting with Experiential Learning with Romy Alexandra EP 7: Learning How to Learn with Taruna Goel Liberating Structures SessionLab.com 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 cover art by Emily Johnston of Artio Design Co. Podcast production services by Mary Chan of Organized Sound Productions  

In this episode, Beth Cougler Blom talks with Johnnie Moore about his book, Unhurried at Work, and how we as facilitators can embrace unhurried conversations and practices. While working this way isn't always easy, it may just be what we need in the world right now. Beth and Johnnie also discuss: learning from improv the tightness or looseness of agendas being clear with clients about our facilitation style knowing when to risk or try something and when to hold back getting out of the group's way   Engage with Johnnie Moore https://johnniemoore.com https://unhurried.org   Other Links from the Episode Applied Improvisation Network (AIN) Izzy Gesell Doug Kerr Instructional Skills Workshop Alain de Botton Facilitator! Step away from the flipchart (blog post)   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 cover art by Emily Johnston of Artio Design Co. Podcast production services by Mary Chan of Organized Sound Productions