Send Leanne a messageToday, I'm joined by Lisa Leong, a broadcaster, author, and facilitator. Watch us chat on YouTube.Her superpowers, which you'll hear very clearly in this episode, are curiosity and  creativity.She's a former IP, technology, and wine lawyer—yes, that's actually a thing. She caught the radio bug in 2001, which is exactly why I brought her on the show. Wedelve into the parallels between having talk-back radio and getting listeners to call in to hosting workshops and being truly present. We also talk about energy, meeting the room where it's at, and the best ways to prepare to be spontaneous—an awesome oxymoron, right? And Lisa shares how she does this, even down to the detail, like her unique research approach, which includes a bit of LinkedIn stalking. Lisa draws on her unique experiences, combined with design thinking and mindfulness practices, to bring a fresh approach to conversations and connection.She presents on ABC Radio Melbourne on Sundays and also hosts 'This Working Life' on ABC Radio National, which is an awesome show. Connect with Lisa LeongLisa Leong on LinkedInLisa Leong on InstagramLisa's profile on ABC RadioWhy you can't miss this episodeIt's not every day you get to hear from someone who's mastered the art of engaging people through radio, law, and facilitation. Lisa's stories are not just inspiring—they're packed with actionable tips you can use to level up your facilitation game. Plus, her take on mindfulness and presence is a game-changer for anyone looking to connect more deeply with their audience.Memorable Quotes:"Jumping into facilitation was like jumping into a whole new world with both feet. Scary, but thrilling!""You don't have to be a Zen master to make mindfulness work for you in workshops.""Inclusivity isn't just nice to have; it's a must-have for unforgettable workshops.""Preparation meets improvisation—that's where the magic happens."Resources Mentioned:Lisa's Favorite Mindfulness Apps"The Skilled Facilitator" by Roger SchwarzSupport the show

Send Leanne a messageIn the First Time Facilitator podcast, host Leanne Hughes introduces guest Sally Prosser, a voice and confidence coach.We riff on the concept of 'breveloquence', a portmanteau of brevity and eloquence, and how they aim to develop and use this tool in verbal and written forms.We also take you behind the scenes of our new workshop called Get to the Point, which we're co-hosting in Brisbane on 16 April 2024.Find out more about the Brisbane workshop and grab your ticket here.Conversation time-stamps00:31 The Importance of Brevity in Communication02:17 The Power of Storytelling and Brevity02:59 The Art of Asking Questions03:43 The Value of Silence and Pausing04:14 The Power of Personal Stories04:40 The Role of Confidence in Communication05:07 The Importance of Setting Rules in Communication05:27 The Excitement of Co-Facilitating06:05 What to Expect in the 'Get to the Point' Workshop07:35 Closing Remarks and Workshop DetailsAbout today's guest: Sally ProsserSally helps you fire-up your voice so you can share your light with the world.Her background as a TV reporter, company spokesperson and speech & drama teacher gives her the ideal skill set to work with professionals, biz owners and corporate teams on -⭐ Building confidence🥊 Combating a fear of public speaking❤ Producing a warm, trustworthy voice🎤 Speaking with clarity and impact🎥 Media Awareness and Spokesperson TrainingSupport the show

Send Leanne a messageIn today's conversation, Phil Woods from Catalyst Strategy shares his journey from a legal career to becoming an independent strategy and team development consultant.Watch our conversation on YouTube.Phil outlines how he uses frameworks to guide organisations through transformation, draws on his command and activator strengths for maximum impact, and explains the importance of managing energy in workshops. From strategic ideation to facilitating self-realisations, Phil offers valuable insights into his facilitation style and how he prioritises the participant experience. Phil delivers impactful strategy and positive, strengths-orientated team transformation for a diverse mix of clients in Australia and abroad.  He has a practical, no-nonsense style leveraging decades of real-world experience, and brings contagious energy and authentic passion to his client collaborations.Conversation prompts:Introduction and WelcomePhil Woods: A Journey Through Career PhasesThe Power of Engaging Teams and Co-Creating Strategy The Art of Making Workshops EngagingBalancing Facilitation and Self-Discovery The Role of Powerful Questions in FacilitationBringing the X Factor into WorkshopsLeveraging Strengths in Facilitation Maintaining Energy and Engagement in Workshops Final Thoughts and Advice for First-Time FacilitatorsConnect with Phil WoodsConnect with Phil Woods on LinkedInVisit his website: Catalyst StrategyOther things mentioned:2024 State of Facilitation report from Session LabEvery day in 2025, Leanne is podcasting on her new show, Leanne on Demand.Tune in over here!(Otherwise, enjoy the back catalogue of First Time Facilitator episodes).Support the show

Leanne Hughes, a Chat GPT user and workshop facilitator, shares five ways she uses Chat GPT in her workshops: creating images, generating questions, crafting case studies and frameworks, and coming up with attractive titles. Discover the value of personalized images, engaging participants, and building buzz with catchy titles.

Send Leanne a messageLeanne Hughes’ 2023 Annual Report podcast/video episode, where I share my favourite UNOFFICIAL business metrics, and quarter by quarter highlights/lessons learnt.Some of my unofficial metrics include:📈 # of countries visited📈 Clients I loved partnering with📈 New topics explored📈 Messages about the book and its impact 📈 How often did I wake up, look at my calendar and get excited about the day?What unofficial metrics do you like to report on at the end of the year?Offers launched:Book: The 2-Hour Workshop BlueprintSentient StrategyLeanne Hughes’ Red Carpet ExperienceLeanne on DemandEvery day in 2025, Leanne is podcasting on her new show, Leanne on Demand.Tune in over here!(Otherwise, enjoy the back catalogue of First Time Facilitator episodes).Support the show

Dr. Christian Busch, an expert in cultivating serendipity and author of 'The Serendipity Mindset,' shares insights on turning luck into an art form. He distinguishes between blind and smart luck, emphasizing the importance of flexibility and openness to seize unexpected opportunities. Dr. Busch explores how both introverts and extroverts can enhance their serendipity, and discusses creating a mindset of abundance, particularly in resource-constrained environments. Discover how intentional decisions can lead to enriching experiences in both work and life.

Send Leanne a messageHow do you personally POWER YOURSELF UP to host a workshop when you're sleep deprived? That's the topic Leanne riffs off in this solo episode, where she shares ideas on:* * Insights from her personal story on powering up after facing challenges like jet lag and disrupted routines.* How personal energy significantly impacts workshop facilitation and the need to show up as your best self.* Exploring various power-up routines, including environment shifts, the magic of music, and tailored playlists for different workshop vibes.* Quick strategies for resetting and refocusing, such as gratitude practices, journaling, and the benefits of movement.Join Leanne's free community on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/firsttimefacilitatorGrab her book, The 2-Hour Workshop Blueprint: https://2hourwork.shopEvery day in 2025, Leanne is podcasting on her new show, Leanne on Demand.Tune in over here!(Otherwise, enjoy the back catalogue of First Time Facilitator episodes).Support the show

Send Leanne a messageWelcome back to another episode with your host, Leanne Hughes. I received a listener question from my friend, Juraj Holub and thought I'd share my thoughts on the show.Here's the question:I'm thinking about the flow of a session.Let me share more details. Goal: I'd like the workshop participants to practice and learn "how to open a presentation."Option A:- Participants go first and deliver their opening to their current best capabilities. - We debrief each opening (What went well? What could be improved?)- After that, I'll share and add additional tips on how to best open a presentation.Option B:- We start with a group brainstorming about the best ways to open a presentation.- Only then do participants get the chance to step on stage and deliver their opening.- We debrief each openingWhat are your thoughts?What factors would you consider in your response?Resources Mentioned:The Two Hour Workshop Blueprint (Leanne Hughes)Slido (Polling App)Remote People (Juraj's  New Business)Connect with JurajConnect with Leanne:Instagram: @LeanneHughesLinkedIn: [Leanne Hughes's LinkedIn]Email: hello@leannehughes.comClosing Thoughts:Leanne encourages listeners to stay subscribed for upcoming episodes, and welcomes feedback and questions through her social media and email.Every day in 2025, Leanne is podcasting on her new show, Leanne on Demand.Tune in over here!(Otherwise, enjoy the back catalogue of First Time Facilitator episodes).Support the show

Send Leanne a messageWhat does it mean to truly have the character of a leader? Is culture really something we can influence in an organisation? Watch our conversation on YouTube!Shane Hatton is an author, trainer, coach, and speaker who is passionate about developing remarkable leaders and cultures. He works with organizations to close the leadership gap between mid and senior level leaders. Aside from being the author of the books “Let’s Talk Culture – The Conversations You Need to Create the Team You Want” and “Lead The Room – Communicate a Message That Counts in Moments That Matter”, Shane is also a Gallup Certified Strengths Coach, a member of the Forbes Global Coaches Council, and is the Founder of the People Leaders Network. I met Shane on the Clubhouse app, where we had various conversations around various topics, but it was when I attended his book launch earlier this year in Sydney that we finally got to meet in real life. In this conversation, you’ll hear Shane discuss:His book, “Let’s Talk Culture – The Conversations You Need to Create the Team You Want”The insights of culturePractical things leaders can do to build and reinforce their cultureHis personal insights on how he handles his energyHow he manages the contrast of being the person in front of the room and while also thriving behind the scenesRapid Round Connect with Shane Hatton here:Shane’s websiteShane on InstagramShane on FacebookShane on TwitterShane on LinkedInShane on YouTubeRapid Round Recommendations:Book: The Moment of Lift by Melinda GatesTool/App: ClickUpSong: Bohemian Rhapsody by QueenQuote: “The moment we begin to think we have all the answers, we forget all the questions.” – Madeleine L’EngleQuote: “You can tell whether a man is clever by his answers. You can tell whether a man is wise by his questions.” – Naguib MahfouzConnect with Leanne Hughes on all the platforms:LinkedInInstagramTwitterFor suggestions, collaborations and queries, email me hello@leannehughes.com. Support this podcast by subscribing and leaving a review, it would mean a lot!Thanks for being here. See you next week.Every day in 2025, Leanne is podcasting on her new show, Leanne on Demand.Tune in over here!(Otherwise, enjoy the back catalogue of First Time Facilitator episodes).Support the show

Author of 'The Two Hour Workshop Blueprint', Leanne Hughes, shares her personal system for organizing facilitator materials and discusses the importance of continuous improvement in workshop design. She highlights the use of innovative resource management techniques, such as cloud services and Post-it notes, and emphasizes efficient post-workshop practices, like sending show notes within 24 hours. Additionally, she offers tips on building a resource bank for easy access to various materials.