

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

Mar 8, 2023 • 57min
Experimenting with Experiential Learning with Romy Alexandra - EP 13
Join Romy and Beth as they explore experiential learning through sensory activities, emotions, and memories. They discuss the impact of liberating structures on learning outcomes and delve into the power of sensory experiences like taste, smell, and music. Get ready to engage in a unique learning journey!

Feb 22, 2023 • 41min
Stuttering and Facilitation with Maya Chupkov - EP 12
In this episode, Beth chats with Maya Chupkov of the Proud Stutter podcast about facilitators who stutter. They talk about how groups might perceive stuttering and what to do about that, strategies that facilitators who stutter might use when working with groups, and the benefits people might experience when working with a facilitator who stutters. Beth and Maya also explore: different types of stutters respecting a person's wishes to talk about their stutter or not a facilitator's considerations around acknowledging their stutter to a group strategies to deal with people's misconceptions around stuttering how we encourage verbal diversity and diversity in general in the work of facilitation Engage with Maya Chupkov and Proud Stutter: Twitter: https://twitter.com/ProudStutter Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/proudstutter Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ProudStutter LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/proud-stutter Website: www.proudstutter.com YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCEDPRORSa4elXrYYmYQxsdA Other Links from the Episode: International Stuttering Awareness Day Meet Three Bay Area Artists Working to Amplify the Voices of People Who Stutter (KQED article) Liberating Structures Bailey Levis uses trauma-informed techniques to help people stand up to their stutter: https://www.standuptoyourstutter.com/ Sam Simpson approaches stuttering from a trauma-informed lens: https://www.redefiningstammering.co.uk/understanding-stuttering-therapy-through-a-trauma-informed-lens/ Understanding Stuttering Therapy Through a Trauma-informed Lens - article by Chaya Goldstein 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

Feb 8, 2023 • 24min
Bringing "Dry" Content to Life with Beth Cougler Blom - EP 11
In this episode, host Beth Cougler Blom shares several recommendations about how to work with course content that you might, at first, consider dry or boring and make it come alive for your learners. It's not the content of our sessions that is naturally "dry" - it's how we approach it when we're designing the learning experience! 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

Jan 25, 2023 • 38min
Facilitating Connection with Jan Keck - EP 10
In this episode, Beth chats with Jan Keck, an experience designer, facilitator, and trainer whose mission is to help people feel less alone. Jan shares with us some of the ways he intentionally helps people create deeper human connection through facilitation. Beth and Jan also explore: Considering people's senses and feelings when designing experiences Increasing participants' comfort levels - and therefore engagement - over time The necessity of bringing more play into facilitations Fostering connection with and between very large groups Connect with Jan: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mrjankeck Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mrjankeck YouTube: https://youtube.com/c/mrjankeck LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jankeck Free Resource: The Secret to Avoiding Crickets in Online Meetings Other Links from the Episode: Priya Parker 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

Jan 11, 2023 • 42min
Training that Clicks with Hannah Brown - EP 9
In this episode, Beth talked with guest Hannah Brown about her new book, Training that Clicks: Virtual Design Playbook, which is all about designing and facilitating virtual learning. Hannah helps us remember to use technology to our advantage and think both about our participants' experience and how we need to show up as facilitators in virtual spaces. Beth and Hannah also explore: the different people involved in learning and development and how their needs vary focusing on desired performance or behaviour changes in learners finding a good tech host to support virtual training extending participants' learning before and after virtual sessions engaging learners who may show up as "resistors" Engage with Hannah Brown: Website: PerformanceMatters.ca Training that Clicks book Design for a Digital Age course LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/hannahbrown-kw/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC0WloB_Py0hi05s5_PmqJUA 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

Dec 21, 2022 • 56min
Being Lifelong Learners with The Cougler Family - EP 8
In this episode Beth talks with her parents, Ron and Elaine Cougler, and her brother, Kevin Cougler, about being lifelong learners and how that has presented itself in their family. Listen for ideas to take into your own life and relationships – with family, friends, or colleagues – about how to be and support each other as lifelong learners. The Cougler Family also explore: Learning when we’re ready to learn and seeking out learning Supporting and being supported by people in our life The effort it takes to be lifelong learners Taking risks and learning from failure Engage with Ron, Elaine, and Kevin Cougler Kevin Cougler, Founder, STEM Camp Elaine Cougler, Author & Speaker – ElaineCougler.com Ron Cougler, STEM Camp Foundation Other Links from the Episode Ron Calhoun (family friend of the Couglers) was the National Special Events Chair for Terry Fox’s Marathon of Hope. Elaine wrote his biography in her book, The Man Behind the Marathons. Elaine Cougler’s four historical fiction novels, the Loyalist books Beth’s book, Design to Engage: How to Create and Facilitate a Great Learning Experience For Any Group The “God particle” Kevin refers to is the Higgs boson particle 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

Dec 7, 2022 • 51min
Learning How to Learn with Taruna Goel - EP 7
In this episode, Beth talks with guest Taruna Goel about the facilitator's role in helping participants become expert learners, and how facilitators can strive to become expert learners themselves. Beth and Taruna also explore: Being strategic and taking more active roles as facilitators What it means to be an expert learner How we can use the Universal Design for Learning Guidelines to make learning inclusive and transformative for everyone Investing in our own personal learning, including formal and informal learning Expecting and designing for learner variability Engage with Taruna Goel: Twitter: https://twitter.com/write2tg LinkedIn Blog: Designed for Learning! Becoming an Expert Learner Other Resources and Links from the Episode: Universal Design for Learning: Theory and Practice - book by Anne Meyer, David H. Rose and David Gordon CAST - Universal Design for Learning Guidelines 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

Nov 23, 2022 • 30min
Learning From Our Mistakes with Beth Cougler Blom - EP 6
In this episode, host Beth Cougler Blom shares some mistakes that she has made recently in her facilitation practice and talks about what she's doing about them to keep learning in her work. Beth also explores the following: showing our humanity as facilitators using inclusive language finding the words to speak up against racism the vulnerability and bravery involved in revealing our mistakes Other Links From the Episode: Liberating Structures Brave video by Sara Bareilles Facilitating on Purpose Episode 3: Inclusive Facilitation with Susana Guardado Priya Parker's repost of Brad Montague's "fail-a-bration" post Brad Montague on Instagram Teaching in Higher Ed podcast - Ep 427 with Dave Cormier 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

Nov 9, 2022 • 42min
The Business Side of Facilitation with Tara Jaskowiak - EP 5
In this episode, Beth chats with guest Tara Jaskowiak from Groundwork about the business side of facilitation, focusing on planning and communications strategies that facilitators can use to support their success. This look behind the scenes will be valuable for either people who own a facilitation-related business or who do facilitation work inside an organization. Beth and Tara also explore: Tara’s five elements of communication Using storytelling skills to make connections with others Reflecting on and replicating strategies for success Getting clear on and communicating boundaries Using values to drive business/organizational decision-making Engage with Tara Jaskowiak, Groundwork: Groundwork Instagram: @the.groundwork 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

Oct 26, 2022 • 39min
Facilitation is the New Coaching with Moe Poirier - EP 4
In this episode, Beth chats with Moe Poirier of Shift Facilitation about the importance of leaders learning facilitation skills and how the fields of coaching and facilitation are a lot alike. Beth and Moe also explore: the core mindsets and skillsets of facilitators how to deal with their 'fraud voice' as facilitators how organizations can use facilitation skills to support their success Engage with Moe Poirier, Shift Facilitation: shiftfacilitation.com fivepersonas.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/moepoirier/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/SHIFT_Canada Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/shiftfacilitation/ Other Links from the Episode: Chad Littlefield's book, How to Make Virtual Engagement Easy Chase Jeffels, Actor, Creator, Comedian. https://www.chasejeffels.com/ Liberating Structures: https://www.liberatingstructures.com/ Rebecca Sutherns: https://rebeccasutherns.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 production services by Mary Chan of Organized Sound Productions