When you get started with thinking routines, it’s worth getting to know a small handful of routines and using them repeatedly until you feel comfortable and confident using them.  But once you have that confidence, something magical starts to happen. And this is where we can be more creative with thinking routines. Thinking routines are not rigid, inflexible structures. Unlike some protocols, you don’t always have to use them exactly as they are written, without any room for creativity. Think of thinking routines as flexible and malleable structures to guide thinking and conversations around art and objects. Be playful with them and experiment!In today’s episode I’m sharing 7 ways you can be uniquely creative with thinking routines. Listen in to find out how!LinksSupport the ShowOur Facebook Group - The Slow Looking ClubDownload my Ultimate Thinking Routine List Episode 16 - How to Use See Think Wonder in your Art DiscussionsEpisode 6 - 6 Essential Thinking Routines you Need in your Repertoire

Today I’m so happy to be talking to Karly Allen about her work. We’re talking about how mindfulness can help us to connect with and engage with art, how we can bring mindfulness practices to the experience of drawing. Karly Allen is a UK-based gallery educator, drawing tutor and mindfulness teacher. She has worked for the National Gallery, London, over the past 20 years and has taught widely for UK art collections including the National Portrait Gallery, Wallace Collection and Royal Collection. In 2018, Karly co-founded Limina Collective to bring mindfulness and reflection practices to museum and online spaces.  We explore how mindfulness and meditation practices, observation of the artwork and drawing interrelate with each other. And how drawing with mindfulness creates connections, opens us up to creativity and helps us to overcome any resistance we might have to drawing or the fear of the blank page. We talk extensively about the benefits and how it help us to tune into a mode of being being open, letting go of preconceptions and habitual patterns of looking. LinksMasterclass: Mona Lisa - Experiments in Drawing with MindfulnessTuesday 19 July at 17.00 hrs CETThis masterclass offers an experimental space to explore drawing and mindfulness, with Leonardo’s iconic painting as our focus.Sign up here: https://buy.stripe.com/aEU00A3Th8pP1Wg5ksSupport the Show Find out more about Limina Collective and contact Karly via their website https://www.liminacollective.comJoin the Limina Collective monthly newsletter Connect on Instagram:@limina_collective@karlykallenLimina Collective's exhibition audios for Manchester Art Gallery, 'Room to Breathe': https://manchesterartgallery.org/exhibitions-and-events/exhibition/room-to-breathe/Limina Collective's series of films for the Royal Academy, 'A Slow Look': https://www.royalacademy.org.uk/articles/tag/slow-lookLimina Collective's film for The Wallace Collection, 'Taking Time to Look': https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZVp4h27aeos

There is a famous quote by Alvin Toffler that goes:‘“The illiterate of the future are not those who can’t read or write but those who cannot learn, unlearn, and relearn.”As educators, you’re probably already quite enthusiastic about the learning part. Being a lifelong learner is something that is a part of us. We’re constantly learning new things and updating our knowledge. But learning is not just about acquiring new things to learn, it’s important to learn, unlearn and relearn. In today's episode I'm talking about why it's necessary to consistently ‘unlearn’ our habits, unconscious beliefs, assumptions, and our practices so that we can make space for the new. I'm sharing some tips and coaching questions to get you thinking about where you can declutter and detach, so that you stay fresh and relevant. LinksSupport the ShowJoin our FREE SLOW LOOKING CLUB Community Sign up for my weekly dose of carefully-curated inspiration The TM WeeklyFind me on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter and LinkedInAdam Grant's book Think Again: The Power of Knowing What you Don't Know 

In today’s solo episode, I’m talking about observation skills - why they are important and I’m sharing 9 thinking routines that you can use to boost your observation and description skills.As you’ll know from previous episodes, I’m really fascinated by observation and really interested in developing my skills in this area (I have LOADS of  books on this subject!)Most of the time we are observing passively - missing out on a wide range of life that we simply don’t notice. The act of looking requires some work to improve it - but like a muscle we can train it to work better. So, today I'm sharing 9 thinking routines that you can use to improve your powers of observation or with your groups. LinksThinking Routines for Observation - FREE download of 9 thinking routine cheatsheets https://pages.thinkingmuseum.com/observationSupport the Show Episode web pageEpisode 6: 6 Essential Thinking Routines you Need in your Repertoire https://thinkingmuseum.com/2021/05/26/6-essential-thinking-routines-you-need-in-your-repertoire/Episode 25: 3 Thinking Routines for Slow Looking and Drawing https://thinkingmuseum.com/2021/10/18/3-thinking-routines-for-slow-looking-and-drawing/Episode 42 How to Read a Group https://thinkingmuseum.com/2022/03/02/how-to-read-a-group/

Today I’m so happy to be talking to Mitch Bach about what makes a great guided experience and how you can create wow moments in your programmes. Mitch is one of those people you meet and instantly get on with. He’s warm, witty and whip-smart. We met in New York a few years ago and have been friends ever since. We share the same passions about making guided experiences interactive, participative, memorable and even, transformative. Mitch is the co-founder of TripSchool, a community of 6,000+ tour guides, tour leaders and entrepreneurs committed to lifelong learning. He's also the leader of Tourpreneur, a community of 4,000+ tour operators. Both organisations offer training, mentorship, meetups, and a wide range of other resources to empower and encourage experience creators.And that’s what we’re talking about today - guided experiences and tours. We discuss what makes a great guided tour and what makes a great guide. Then we spend some time exploring what a ‘wow’ moment is and how you can create them to make your programmes more memorable and, even transformative. This is a longer chat than usual as we had so much to talk about. You will definitely want to grab a notebook as there are so many takeaways from this chat. So, here it - enjoy!LinksTourpreneur Community Group - facebook.com/groups/tourpreneurTripSchool - thetripschool.comBooks Mitch recommended: The Experience Economy - B. Joseph Pine II and James H. Gilmore The Power of Moments - Chip HeathInterpretation: Making a Difference on Purpose - Sam H. HamThe Art Engager Episode 32 - 6 Ways to Create Awe-Inspiring Moments Tourpreneur Podcast episode with Joe Pine about experiences: The Experience Economy in Tours and Activities with Joe Pine

It’s time for another bitesize episode - a short and snappy episode that will give you a quick win or something to think about in less than 10 mins. Today I’m talking about why endings are important and sharing with you a 3 part framework for planning your strong conclusion. If the introduction is setting the scene for what’s to come, then the conclusion is most definitely when you wrap everything up, tie up any loose ends and leave your participants wanting more. The way you end your programme or guided tour is super-important. Great guides, educators and facilitators know that how you end things shapes people's memories of the experience. Find out how to go out with a bang, rather than a whimper in Episode 57!LinksPriya Parker 'The Art of Gathering'

In today’s solo episode, I’m talking about how we can use slow looking to learn to love objects that you might find 'boring' or uninspiring.We can’t possibly love everything in a museum’s collection. There are always going to be some objects or artworks that we are drawn to for some reason. Equally there will also be objects or artworks that leave us cold.Equally, every museum or art gallery has its superstar or highlight objects. These are the objects or artworks that get far more attention than others. They are usually well positioned, even spotlighted and quite often have a space all to themselves.So, as much as this episode is about how we as educators, guides and docents can learn to love so-called ‘boring’ objects, it’s also about how we can get our visitors to love objects that are less well known too.Today I’m sharing examples of two objects that only came to life for me once I had spent time with them. I hope the examples will provide some inspiration for you to search out the ‘boring’ and ‘mundane’ objects in your organisations, and to fully embrace them.Spending some time slow looking with objects that you’re not immediately excited by will, I promise, transform the way you see them.At the end, I’m sharing the key takeaways from these two examples and how they can teach us to love boring objects.LinksSUPPORT THE SHOWJoin the SLOW LOOKING CLUB Community on Facebook Find me on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter and LinkedInSign up for my weekly dose of carefully-curated inspiration  The TM WeeklyVintage Dutch Bean Slicer (Snijbonenmolen) The Great Pustaha Google Arts and CultureEpisode 2 What is Slow Looking (and How Can I Get Started?)Episode 41 - 12 reasons to get started with slow looking

Today I’m delighted to be talking to educator, facilitator and newly published author Jess Vance about her work. We’re talking about how questions are her superpower and how we can cultivate the conditions for inquiry to thrive.Jess and I met on Instagram a while back when we were discussing the importance of the question ‘what makes you say that’. Since then we’ve chatted regularly and I’ve watched her journey to becoming a published author with interest. I was honoured to be involved with reading some of the early chapters and thrilled to be asked to write a recommendation for the book too. I couldn’t wait to invite Jess to be on the podcast as I think we can all learn so much from her practice. It just so happens to coincide with the publication of her book too. Jess Vance is an enrichment and environment coordinator with a thorough teaching and leadership background - she’s a former IB PYP Educator & PYP Coordinator. After about a decade in the classroom, Jess moved into leadership roles. And she’s taken the things she learned inside of the classroom - such as her approach to questioning and listening as an inquiry educator into her role as a leader. In her newly released book, 'Leading with a Lens of Inquiry', she outlines the ways in which we need to support and facilitate teachers in the same ways in which we want them to engage with their students.Her book is for teachers, leaders, coaches, coordinators, and anyone basically who is invested in cultivating the conditions for authentic and meaningful inquiry to thrive.In today’s chat we talk about the values that drive Jess’s work and the connections we can find between her work and ours. What can we learn from her practice? We discussed how questions are her superpower, the role curiosity, listening and reflection play in her work and how mindfulness is the thread brings everything together. We had so much to talk about. So, here it is - enjoy!LINKSSupport the ShowJoin the Slow Looking Club Community on FacebookJess Vance's website-- downloadable resources, coaching and other professional learning offeringsLeading with a Lens of Inquiry on AmazonJess' Instagram-- giving you an insight into her professional practice and offering tangible ways to infuse curiosity and an inquiry mindset each and every dayMichael Stone - Awake in the WorldWarren Berger - A More Beautiful Question & The Book of Beautiful Questions

Today I’m sharing a 'picture of practice' from art facilitator and English teacher Elisa Mosele.We’re talking all how she uses thinking routines to overcome the fear of speaking a language and encourage all her students to participate. We also explore how she combines slow looking, church art and spirituality in her work as an art facilitator.Elisa Mosele is a English language teacher and an art facilitator.  She currently collaborates with the Verona Minor Hierusalem Foundation. She introduced the concepts of VTM and thinking routines to the foundation and in 2020 initiated their first virtual sessions looking slowly and carefully at artworks from local churches. Elisa wrote a blog for me in 2020 about her very first experience facilitating with thinking routines virtually and it was great to hear in our chat about how she is now facilitating sessions in person too. In today’s chat we talk about how Elisa uses thinking routines to develop vocabulary and how she combines Visible Thinking with spirituality in her work at the foundation. LinksEpisode Web PageSupport the Show What I learned from my first virtual facilitation session with arthttps://thinkingmuseum.com/2020/12/10/first-virtual-art-facilitation/Elisa Mosele on LinkedIn Home - Fondazione Verona Minor HierusalemMuseo di Castelvecchio - Caroto e le arti tra Mantegna e Veronese: dal 13 maggio al Palazzo della Gran Guardia

Today I’m starting something new. I know we are all busy and sometimes it can be hard to find the time to listen to a full length podcast episode. So once a month I’ll be sharing a 'bite-sized' episode that will give you a quick win or something to think about in less than 10 mins.  Today I’m going to share a quick episode that will help you to start defining your personal facilitator style.  We'll look at what we mean by personal facilitator style and why it's super-important and then I'll take you through an exercise to help you to define your personal facilitation style.