Send Leanne a messageIn this episode, Leanne has a conversation with Zaretta Hammond, an educator, author, and national speaker, who is renowned for her expertise in culturally responsive teaching and learning. Zaretta shares her insights on how to unleash the brilliance in every student, particularly those who come from marginalized backgrounds. She explores the importance of understanding cultural and linguistic diversity in the classroom, and provides practical strategies to create an inclusive and empowering learning environment.What You Will Learn:The significance of culturally responsive teaching and learningStrategies to tap into the brilliance of students from marginalized backgroundsHow to create an inclusive and empowering learning environmentUnderstanding the impact of culture on student learningCultivating student agency and ownership of learningPractical approaches to differentiate instruction for diverse learnersLeveraging neuroscience research to enhance teaching practicesGuest Bio - Zaretta Hammond:Zaretta Hammond is an educational consultant and author who focuses on culturally responsive teaching and learning. She has been a teacher, coach, and school leader, and her work centers around empowering educators to meet the needs of students from diverse backgrounds. Zaretta is the author of the critically acclaimed book "Culturally Responsive Teaching and the Brain: Promoting Authentic Engagement and Rigor Among Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Students." She is also a sought-after speaker and facilitator, sharing her expertise in workshops and conferences worldwide.Links to Zaretta Hammond's work:Website: Zaretta Hammond's WebsiteBook: "Culturally Responsive Teaching and the Brain"Twitter: @Ready4rigorYouTube Channel: Zaretta Hammond on YouTubeEvery 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 messageIn this episode, Leanne chats with Anamaria Dorgo, a multifaceted professional in the Learning & Development (L&D) sector. She is the founder of "L&D Shakers", a mentor, community builder, facilitator, and currently the Head of Community at Butter.us. We discuss the importance of community building, engagement, and the power of simplicity in facilitation.Listen in to hear is riff on these topics...Engagement, and how its meaning can differ among individuals. There's a consensus that engagement can naturally ebb and flow, and it's okay if there isn't always a dramatic peak.Anamaria highlights the importance of understanding the purpose of your community. Starting small, incorporating feedback, and gradually shaping the community based on this feedback are key to building a successful community.She underscores the power of brevity and the use of timeboxing and simple slides to keep discussions on track.We explore how Anamaria is building her brand, both professionally and as part of the L&D Shakers community.We also discuss Anamaria's freelance work, where she partners with companies and NGOs to create impactful and memorable learning experiences. Her approach includes challenging and rethinking traditional methods, exploring new avenues, and highlighting successful outcomes.About Our GuestAnamaria Dorgo is a Learning Experience Designer, Facilitator, and the Head of Community at Butter. With degrees in psychology and human resources, she has a lifelong commitment to learning, resulting in her creating engaging learning experiences for a global community.In her free time, Anamaria nurtures a Learning & Development community of practice called L&D Shakers. Through her role at Butter.us, she is striving to build a platform that facilitates collaboration and professional growth amongst facilitators, workshoppers, trainers, design thinkers, and consultants.Links and ResourcesLearn more about ButterSee the Butter Community in actionConnect with Anamaria on LinkedInEvery 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 messageIn this episode, Leanne Hughes engages in a captivating conversation with Douglas Ferguson, the founder of Voltage Control facilitation academy. Watch the interview on YouTube.They dive into various topics, including the art of facilitation, the concept of Integrated Autonomy, and the potential impact of AI on the field. Douglas shares insights from his experience in software development, his passion for music, and his deep understanding of facilitation.About our guest: Douglas Ferguson:Douglas Ferguson is the founder of Voltage Control, a facilitation academy that supports facilitators in honing their craft and building their business. With a background in software development and a passion for music, Douglas brings a unique perspective to facilitation. He is known for his expertise in liberating structures and is constantly exploring new ways to elevate the facilitation experience.Episode highlights:Understanding the concept of Integrated Autonomy: Douglas explains how Integrated Autonomy, derived from liberating structures, allows organizations to embrace both integration and autonomy. He highlights the paradoxical nature of this approach and explores how individuals can apply it to navigate challenges effectively.The importance of intentionality in facilitation: Douglas emphasizes the need for facilitators to be mindful of their choices and the impact they have on participants. He shares how he crafts his workshops and sessions based on specific goals and desired outcomes, ensuring that each activity serves a purpose.The future of AI in facilitation: Douglas sheds light on the potential of AI in facilitation, including the synthesis and perception capabilities it can offer. He discusses the emergence of chat UI and the possibility of AI-driven tools enhancing collaboration and connection in workshops and meetings.Quotes:"Integrated Autonomy allows organizations to be both integrated and autonomous by showing up differently at different times and in different ways.""Facilitators are there to guide, to coach, to make things easier, not to do everything themselves. We are the guide on the side, not the sage on the stage.""The more we embrace AI and automation, the more we can focus on what it truly means to be human and lean into the psychology of connection and relating."Links and Resources:Voltage Control: WebsiteFree resources and templates for facilitators: Voltage Control ResourcesDouglas Ferguson on LinkedIn: Profile"Control the Room" Podcast: Listen HereEvery 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 messageIn this episode, host Petra Zink, Leanne Hughes, and Dr Maike Neuhaus cover a range of topics related to staying current with emerging technologies, overcoming fear and uncertainty, and building a unique personal brand. This is a warm-up episode because First Time Facilitator, a limited series edition is returning in late May, in the lead-up to Leanne's book release: The 2-Hour Workshop Blueprint.Here are 10 key takeaways from the conversation:It's important to stay up-to-date with emerging technologies and explore new tools and resources to stay ahead of the curve.Cognitive biases can make us feel like we are immune to the effects of economic and technological changes.Optimism and hope can be adaptive, even if they are not always realistic.We need to be open-minded and look for opportunities to adapt and learn in the face of disruption and change.It's important to develop a clear framework or method for delivering results in your work.Working in public and sharing half-baked ideas can lead to better collaboration and innovation.It's important to give yourself dedicated thinking time to tackle complex problems and generate new ideas.Having fun and enjoying the learning process can help us stay engaged and creative.The proximity principle can help us learn from the source and build relationships with experts in our field.Creating a unique personal brand and specializing in a specific area can help us stand out and build a successful career or business.Connect with Leanne, Petra and Maike on LinkedIn.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 messageHey there! I wanted to take this solo episode to share some insights from my recent experiences. Last week, I had the opportunity to chair a two-day conference in Malaysia where I was brought in to run a session on corporate strategy. But then I got invited to be the chairperson for the entire two days. So I wanted to share some of the insights I learned from that experience.I also attended Andy's Talent Management Development think tank conference in California, where I met so many incredible people. If you're one of the new people I met there, hello and welcome to the podcast! Shout out to Adina and Christine for inspiring me to think more deeply about how to bring my workshop philosophies into the context of hosting a two-day event.In this episode I share:The four key roles of a chairpersonHow I prepared for panel conversationsOther tips for working with audio, visuals and the room setupOverall, these were my key reflections from my recent experiences as a chairperson and attendee at various events. I hope you found them insightful and helpful, and I'd love to hear any thoughts or feedback you might have!Resources mentioned in the showThe Flipchart Facebook groupJoin the 2-Hour Workshop Blueprint book launch teamSlido: https://www.sli.do/"How to Moderate Meaningful Conversations on Clubhouse" by Leanne Hughes: https://www.leannehughes.com/blog/2021/1/14/how-to-moderate-meaningful-conversations-on-clubhouseEvery 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 messageHere's a quick life and work update and announcement! I'd love to hear from you and feature you/get your feedback on a book I'm working on about workshop design.Be a workshop wing-mate!Workshops are all about co-creation. So, it makes sense when writing a book about workshops, that there should be an element of co-creation, too.I’d love you to be part of this journey.What's the book about?It's pretty much a co-pilot for anyone wanting to turn the gold inside their head (your content, experience and expertise), into an awesome, interactive workshop experience, with zero stress.I'll cover some of the core philosophies I've shared with you on the podcast, and my masterclasses in this book.I really want this book to be a playbook that book-ends all of the incredible conversations from 200 episodes of the First Time Facilitator podcast.What's involved?To startJump in and vote on the title of the book.After that, consider:Would you like to be featured in the book? There's also a little section in the survey asking if anything I've shared on my podcast, or in any of my programs that's helped you. If that applies to you, complete that part.In a few weeks, I'll kick off a Workshop Wing-Mate Whatsapp (WWW) group, sharing behind the scenes on the book-writing process, and hearing your thoughts, answering your questions, too.If you know anyone who might find the book helpful, share the love with them.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 messageIn this episode, I'm joyfully bringing you a conversation with the author of the book “Belonging: The Ancient Code of Togetherness”, Owen Eastwood.Watch our conversation on YouTube!Have you been in work situations where you might have started in a company and you just didn’t feel like you belonged, which then led to a lot of stress and tension? Join us as we learn how to create a sense of belonging with the Belonging author, Owen Eastwood.Owen draws on his own Maori ancestry and weaves together insights from our evolutionary story and our collective wisdom as he helps people create a sense of belonging, especially in workplaces. In this conversation, you’ll hear Owen and I discuss: His book, “Belonging: The Ancient Code of Togetherness”What the concept of Whakapapa is all aboutHow he felt when he was called in to create an intervention for the South African cricket teamHow to create a collective feeling of belongingWhy he dispels the myth that we all, as individuals, need a purposeThe impact of environment and how that affects your ability to be resilient and to feel like you belongOur central nervous system (the cues that our body gives us)Rapid roundConversation moments:Introduction + Talking about today’s guest and his bookSome stories about his intervention at the camp of the South African cricket team, the ProteasMake them listen to themselves: Having the brutal honesty come out of the conversationFrom being a lawyer to then working with different teams Owen’s advice on how to create a sense of belonging and connection: “Build relationships” What the Maori concept whakapapa is all about + the definition of a strong cultureWhy Owen doesn’t believe that we need a purpose at an individual level The central nervous system: Our body’s cues and why we should pay attention to each Notes/Mentions:Belonging: The Ancient Code of TogethernessLeap of Perception: The Transforming Power of Your Attention Connect with Owen Eastwood:Owen on LinkedIn Rapid Round Recommendations:Book: Sacred Hoops by Phil JacksonSong: My Hometown by Bruce SpringsteenQuote: “Never judge a day at lunchtime.” – Owen’s mother Click here for show notes and to subscribe to Leanne Hughes' Work and Live Large podcast.Connect with Leanne Hughes on all the platforms:LinkedInInstagramTwitterFEvery 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 messageI'm jumping in with a bonus episode I recorded for my friend, Andy Storch's podcast The Talent Development Hot Seat.  In this episode we talk about the tactics of facilitation, and marketing your program, so that people show up!I'm speaking at Andy's event in Sonoma, USA in February 2023 and I'd love to see you there!  Here's a link to find out more about the conference. I'll be delivering a breakout session during the conference, as well as sharing my 2-Hour Workshop Blueprint on the third day.Here’s why you need to be at Talent Development Think Tank 2023. You’ll get:The latest industry trends/insights to help attract, develop and retain the bestpeople in your organizationExamples of best practice and proven strategies - so you get can resultsfaster (and avoid common pitfalls)Networking with industry peers, experts & thought leaders - so you can buildvaluable connections that will help you excel in your current role (and your future careerThe Talent Development Think Tank Conference was even featured in Forbes as one of the top 10 conferences to have on your radar!Will I see you there?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 messageWho doesn’t love a good cocktail party? Watch our conversation on Youtube!I love going to events and meeting new people but gosh, sometimes I feel like I’m not even keeping up the great relationships with the amazing people I already know! Cue this book: The 2-Hour Cocktail Party by Nick Gray.After reading the first chapter, I set a date for my cocktail party and luckily, the day after, I debrief it in this conversation with the author of the book Nick Gray.  Nick Gray moved to New York City with few friends and less-than-stellar social skills. But Nick craved new relationships and exciting opportunities. He started hosting non-traditional parties—a move that opened doors he could never have imagined.Today, after hosting hundreds of 2-hour parties, he counts business owners, artists, and inspiring teachers among a circle of friends that helped him launch a multi-million dollar company called Museum Hack. Featured in The New York Times and The Wall Street Journal, Nick has been called a host of "culturally significant parties" by New York Magazine.See his best-rated photos online at www.NickGray.net or @NickGrayNews on Instagram and Twitter, email him directly to hello@nickgray.net, or see his party tips on How to Host a Party: www.party.pro In this conversation, you'll hear Nick discuss:How Nick started his career and founded the Museum HackHis book, "The 2-Hour Cocktail Party: How to build big relationships with small gatherings."The value of hosting 2-hour cocktail parties Listen to this, grab his book and start hosting your own cocktail parties!Connect 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. 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 message"What if you were already there?"I started journalling on this prompt recently and it reminded me of the great questions we ask our clients, like "What does success look like?", "What would be different if this workshop/gig/project was a 10/10?"In this solo episode, I riff on my thoughts related to this question, and also just CHECK IN with all of you!  I also give a shoutout to Tim Guinea, Mel Kettle, Dr Maike Neuhaus and Petra Zink.Some cool things I share on the show:- Two by Tuesday mailout- Unghostable workshop in London- Leanne on Demand- Booked Out FacilitatorEvery 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