Facilitating on Purpose

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      

In this episode, Beth Cougler Blom talks with Kirsty Lewis about how we facilitators need to do our own inner and outer work to be able to take care of and invest in ourselves as well as serve our clients. Beth and Kirsty also discuss: finding people to help us at points of transition in our career the benefit of coaching and supervision for facilitators and trainers how a combo of yin and yang activities can support us seeking out communities of practice to keep learning and stretching   Engage with Kirsty Lewis Website: School of Facilitation Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/schooloffacilitation/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kirsty-schooloffacilitation/   Other Links from the Episode Episode 15: Dealing with Self-Doubt Insights Timer app (available through various app stores) The DO Lectures   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 talks with Rebecca Sutherns about her book, ELASTIC: Stretch Without Snapping or Snapping Back, and how its insights can apply to facilitators and their groups. Rebecca uses the metaphor of a rubber band to explain how people can try to find the right amount of stretch - their "zone of optimal elasticity" - while neither understretching or overstretching. She explains some of the seven qualities within the ELASTIC acronym (Energy, Likeability, Adaptability, Strategy, Trust, Imagination, and Curiosity) and how facilitators can enliven these qualities in themselves and their groups.   Engage with Dr. Rebecca Sutherns Website: rebeccasutherns.com Twitter: https://twitter.com/RebeccaSutherns LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rebeccasutherns/ ELASTIC: Stretch Without Snapping or Snapping Back book   Other Links from the Episode AQai Rebecca Sutherns' book Nimble, on her Books page Dan Pink's book, When: The Scientific Secrets of Perfect Timing Ish: The Problem with Our Pursuit for Perfection and the Life-Changing Practice of Good Enough, by Lynne Cazaly   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 ways we might experience self-doubt as designers and facilitators of learning and what to do about it. She reveals some of the ways self-doubt has crept up for her and shares some of the things she thinks about and does to deal with it.   Links from the Episode Liberating Structures User Groups Design to Engage: How to Create and Facilitate a Great Learning Experience For Any Group Episode 8: Being Lifelong Learners with The Cougler Family Episode 13: Experimenting with Experiential Learning with Romy Alexandra   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 talks with Chad Littlefield about designing group experiences for contribution, not just consumption. They explore Chad's concept of "connection before content" and how to do that particularly at the starts and ends of meetings or learning experiences. Beth and Chad also explore: how an intentional 'uofficial start' helps create real connection with groups connecting with purpose when designing an experience participants' five states of mind and how to move people towards contribution (potentially from critic or curmudgeon) the importance of listening so that people feel heard Engage with Chad Littlefield Website: http://weandme Free printable tools and resources: https://weand.me/ideas/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/weandme LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chadlittlefield Other Links from the Episode Mark Collard, Playmeo Chad's Creative icebreaker game for shy or logical groups - IF...THEN activity (YouTube) Jan Keck's Episode 10 Facilitating Connection Romy Alexandra's Episode 13 Experimenting with Experiential Education Reid Hoffman interviewing Sam Altman: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WHoWGNQRXb0 Chat GPT 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