Dive into the complete episode list for Facilitating on Purpose. Each episode is cataloged with detailed descriptions, making it easy to find and explore specific topics. Keep track of all episodes from your favorite podcast and never miss a moment of insightful content.
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Pub. Date
Title
Duration
28 Sep 2022
What Does It Mean to Facilitate on Purpose? with Beth Cougler Blom - EP 2
00:19:15
In this episode, host Beth Cougler Blom shares why she chose the name of the podcast, Facilitating on Purpose. She talks about what that means and why we might want to facilitate learning with our groups on purpose, as well as some initial ideas of how to do that.
Listen in to learn more about:
bringing intentionality to designing and facilitating learning experiences
what it looks like to not be intentional and how to overcome that
how time management is intricately interwined with the learning design process
how being learner-centred and paying attention to learning outcomes supports the design and facilitation of effective learning experiences, and
why making time for learning how to elevate your facilitation practice as professional development can be a really good thing
How To Keep Learning In Our Field with Beth Cougler Blom - EP 39
00:29:42
In this solo episode, Beth Cougler Blom shares some of her approach to maintaining a learning organization at her learning design and facilitation services company. She also highlights sources for how we can all keep learning in our field, giving examples of communities of practice, podcasts, books, social media, and more.
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.com/.
24 Apr 2024
The State of Facilitation 2024 Report with Deborah Rim Moiso - EP 36
01:00:39
In this episode, Beth Cougler Blom talks with Deborah Rim Moiso, the editor of SessionLab's State of Facilitation 2024 Report, about data and insights gleaned from the report and what it might mean for facilitators worldwide.
Book Circles for Deeper Learning with Theresa Destrebecq - EP 49
00:47:36
In this episode, host Beth Cougler Blom talks with Theresa Destrebecq about her work facilitating book circles and how she creates deeper learning experiences for people through these book-based communities.
Beth and Theresa also discuss:
Theresa's career shift from teaching to coaching to facilitating
Why her company's motto is "read deeper, not faster"
Balancing experiential learning and personal connection in book discussions
Strategies for engaging participants in book circles
Using sketchnotes and accountability partners to support learning
Tapping into the Mind and Body with Mirjam Leunissen - EP 26
00:36:45
In this episode, Beth Cougler Blom talks with Mirjam Leunissen about reconnecting to our bodies when working with groups to inspire emergent and serendipitous thinking.
Beth and Mirjam also talk about:
Playfulness and pushing people out of their comfort zones
Practicing sensing what's going on in our bodies
Metaphors and analogies as inspiration
Building upon the cognitive tasks AI can do with what only we as humans can do
Writing a Book in the Field with Beth Cougler Blom - EP 43
00:34:58
In this solo episode, Beth Cougler Blom shares her journey of writing her book, Design to Engage: How to Create and Facilitate a Great Learning Experience For Any Group. She talks about her research and self-reflection process, using tools like Trello, setting daily writing goals, and taking writing retreats.
Beth highlights the value of revisions and working with editors. She also shares insights on designing a professional-looking book and her decisions about publishing. Beth reflects on learning from interviews with facilitators, how the project impacted her career, and offers advice for aspiring authors, with a hint at her next book.
Keeping Burnout at Bay with Beth Cougler Blom - EP 51
00:30:25
In this solo episode, host Beth Cougler Blom explores some of the risks, signs, and symptoms of burnout, particularly for people involved in facilitation or entrepreneurial work. Beth shares some of her personal struggles of 2024, discussing why setting boundaries, creating support systems, and saying the "right yesses" matters. She also offers some practical strategies to help people take care of themselves as well as reconnect with purpose and joy in their work.
Links From the Episode
Rest Deck from the Nap Ministry
Should We Do This Work? decision-making matrix (links to show notes on BCB Learning website)
Trauma, Learning, and Social Change with Theresa Southam - EP 53
00:49:11
In this episode, host Beth Cougler Blom talks with Theresa Southam about her book Transforming Trauma Through Social Change: A Guide for Educators. Theresa shares how educators, facilitators, and leaders—whether in post-secondary, corporate, or nonprofit settings—can play a role in driving social change and supporting healing through the learning experiences they create inside and outside the classroom.
Beth and Theresa also talk about:
Integrating community and social change work into educational settings
Gabor Maté's idea of trauma and moral injury as a "big tent" that includes a wide range of experiences
The importance of devising choice in learning
The concept of accountable spaces and how they differ from safe and brave spaces
Note: Theresa's book is dedicated to social change. The following are some of the groups that will carry out the work described in the book's chapters. The author's proceeds will be shared between the ICRC (Inchelium Cultural Resource Center), Stqeeye’ Learning Society, Nikkei Internment Memorial Centre, OneVoice Canada, and Nelson and District Hospice Society
Think Like a Facilitator with Beth Cougler Blom - EP 35
00:36:19
In this solo episode, Beth Cougler Blom gives listeners a peek into the thought process behind effective facilitation. She discusses some of the key decisions and questions that guide her in managing time, scope, participant involvement, and her own engagement during sessions. Beth also addresses how she maintains focus and clarity, shedding light on the critical, but often invisible, aspects of being a facilitator.
Stuttering and Facilitation with Maya Chupkov - EP 12
00:41:19
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
Creating and Communicating Value with Matthew Rempel - EP 32
00:49:39
In this episode, Beth Cougler Blom talks with Matthew Rempel about how entrepreneurs who own facilitation-related businesses can create and communicate the value we bring to our clients in various ways.
Beth and Matthew also talk about:
finding our ideal clients
dealing with fear around saying no to potential clients
rethinking the purpose of "the funnel"
becoming a source of influence rather than an influencer
Dealing with Self-Doubt with Beth Cougler Blom - EP 15
00:35:34
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.
Mindsets of a Learning Entrepreneur with Beth Cougler Blom - EP 27
00:39:11
In this episode, host Beth Cougler Blom talks about some of the mindsets that she holds as an entrepreneur, leading a team who engages in learning design and facilitation work. Beth talks about abundance vs. competitive mindsets, navigating uncertainty, considerations around being client-centric, ethical decision-making, and having passion for the work.
Podcasting as Facilitation with Beth Cougler Blom - EP 55
00:34:32
In this solo episode, host Beth Cougler Blom talks about how podcasting is an act of facilitation and the many behind-the-scenes ways she brings facilitation skills into each episode. Beth reflects on how she approaches podcast conversations with intention, clarity, and care—just like she would in a learning experience.
Beth also talks about:
Building trust quickly with podcast guests
Balancing structure with flexibility in conversations
Deep listening and managing airtime
Creating an inclusive and emotionally authentic space
Designing each episode with the listener experience in mind
Designing Museum Learning with Jessica Lane and Jacob McMurray - EP 48
00:51:04
In this episode, host Beth Cougler Blom talks with Jessica Lane and Jacob McMurray from the Museum of Pop Culture (MoPOP) in Seattle, Washington, about how they create engaging learning experiences through exhibits and programs. Jacob, the Chief Collections and Exhibitions Officer, and Jessica, the Director of Education and Programs, share their perspectives on the museum's unique approach to pop culture.
Beth, Jessica, and Jacob also talk about:
Using pop culture to build connections and inspire creativity
Engaging youth and families in interactive and meaningful ways
The process of exhibit design, from conception to continuous updates
How MoPOP uses its exhibits as springboards for deeper learning through education programs
Designing for inclusivity, including sensory-friendly experiences and universal design principles
Engage with Jessica, Jacob, and the Museum of Pop Culture
Embracing AI in Learning with Margie Meacham - EP 40
00:54:17
In this episode, Beth Cougler Blom talks with Margie Meacham about artificial intelligence (AI) and its applications in learning and development. Margie discusses her ongoing journey with AI, sharing valuable insights on how to effectively leverage it to enhance learner engagement and improve knowledge retention.
Beth and Margie also discuss:
the benefits of using AI as a personalized learning assistant inside learning experiences
avoiding AI's 'uncanny valley' effect
the need for continuous learning and adaption as AI technology evolves
ethical considerations surrounding AI in learning
using AI to be inclusive to all learners
critically evaluating AI tools while using them to enhance our work
Reaching Inward and Outward as Facilitators with Kirsty Lewis - EP 17
00:41:27
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
Inclusive Facilitation with Susana Guardado - EP 3
00:39:08
In this episode, Beth and guest Susana Guardado of Bright Light Ideas talk about how facilitators can create inclusive learning spaces and experiences in which people feel valued, respected, and accepted.
They also explore:
Listening to learners to be able to meaningfully engage them
Learning from feedback to continue to grow as facilitators
Designing learner-centred sessions
Using techniques of visual thinking and visual facilitation to support people's experiences and learning
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
The Business Side of Facilitation with Tara Jaskowiak - EP 5
00:42:19
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.
Facilitate Like an Anthropologist with Dr. Monty Badami - EP 37
00:59:21
In this episode, Beth Cougler Blom talks with Dr. Monty Badami about how we can use an anthropological lens in facilitation to engage in collective sense-making. If we can think like anthropologists, we will have access to the most valuable resource in understanding complex experiences and diverse groups...and that resource is our humanity.
Beth and Monty also talk about:
creating safety for participants
reading the room and seeing patterns
what it means to be human
reflexivity and ethnography
using narrative arcs and other frameworks
friction points, self-kindness and learning from failure
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
Pronouncing Participants' Names with Mary Houle and Sarra Ismail - EP 21
01:01:22
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
Connection Before Content with Chad Littlefield - EP 14
00:45:35
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
Letting Go and Saying Yes with Myriam Hadnes - EP 52
00:47:54
In this episode, host Beth Cougler Blom talks with facilitator and business owner Myriam Hadnes about making bold decisions in business, setting boundaries, and the power of saying no. Myriam shares her journey from academia to facilitation, the evolution of her NeverDoneBefore community, and why she ultimately chose to close it in favour of new opportunities.
Beth and Myriam also talk about:
Recognizing when to pivot and let go of a project, even when it’s loved by a community
How Myriam gamified the process of setting boundaries more consistently
The importance of doing our own inner work as facilitators
Navigating Conflict with a Generous Approach with Meg Bolger - EP 28
00:54:25
In this episode, Beth Cougler Blom talks with Meg Bolger about how facilitators can respond effectively to participants when they say something that could or does cause conflict in the group.
Beth and Meg also talk about:
Giving more space and agency to people to participate
Not avoiding conflict when it happens
Bringing a curious mindset
Noticing and responding to participants' underlying needs
Using a three-stepped approach to respond to potentially problematic statements
Game-Based Learning for Teams with Alexandra Suchman - EP 30
00:43:27
In this episode, Beth Cougler Blom talks with Alexandra Suchman about game-based experiential learning and how games can be leveraged to support teams.
Beth and Alexandra also talk about:
what game-based experiential learning is
the levels of depth we can accomplish through games
choosing games to meet desired outcomes
including reflective elements in games
getting confident in facilitating games with groups
In this episode, Beth Cougler Blom talks with Neelu Kaur about how we can maintain our well-being and prevent burnout, particularly as people who do facilitation work.
Beth and Neelu also talk about:
Mental health, self-advocacy, and cultural identity, particularly for women who identify as Asian and South Asian
Finding support in communities of practice
Signs of burnout
Maintaining well-being in virtual work
Self-care practices for mental well-being
Internal and external motivation and their relationship to burnout
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
The Pivotal Role of Learning Outcomes with Beth Cougler Blom - EP 47
00:36:32
In this solo episode, host Beth Cougler Blom explores the critical role that learning outcomes play in designing effective learning experiences. Beth shares practical insights on crafting clear, learner-centred outcomes that form the foundation of any well-designed workshop or course. She explains the difference between learning outcomes and learning objectives, offers guidance on aligning outcomes with activities and assessments, and provides tips for selecting measurable verbs that reflect desired behaviour changes—all to help streamline content and ensure relevance in your learning designs.
Learning From Our Mistakes with Beth Cougler Blom - EP 6
00:29:50
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
Bringing "Dry" Content to Life with Beth Cougler Blom - EP 11
00:23:57
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!
In this episode, Beth Cougler Blom talks with Kerri Price about the art of creative facilitation and why it's so important for facilitators to push ourselves and our groups to think differently.
Beth and Kerri also discuss:
techniques we can use while designing to be more creative
activities to help groups come up with more innovative ideas
Expressing Ourselves Through Photography with Michele Mateus - EP 29
00:52:54
In this episode, Beth Cougler Blom talks with Michele Mateus about owning who we are, putting ourselves 'out there', and expressing ourselves fully through portrait photography – whether we're facilitators of learning or anyone else who needs or wants to show up in photos.
Beth and Michele also talk about:
the vulnerability of having our photo taken
the importance of evoking emotions through photography
smashing beauty standards and saying no to creating 'cookie cutter' photos
shifting our relationship with ourselves and our bodies
Building Community Online with Beth Cougler Blom - EP 23
00:30:55
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.
The True Cost of Holding Non-Participatory Events with Mansi Jasuja - EP 33
00:52:44
In this episode, Beth Cougler Blom talks with Mansi Jasuja about the many impacts of hosting events which exclude individuals from participating, including social, environmental, psychological, and economic considerations, and how groups can be more intentional to foster inclusivity and invite participation.
Beth and Mansi also talk about:
the psychological safety needed to engage groups
matching the diversity outside the room inside the room
Facilitation is the New Coaching with Moe Poirier - EP 4
00:38:43
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
Using Our Voice in Facilitation with Mary Chan - EP 50
00:54:19
In this episode, host Beth Cougler Blom talks with Mary Chan, audio engineer, podcast strategist, and voice coach, about the power of voice in facilitation and beyond. Mary shares her personal journey from being behind the mic in radio to empowering others to embrace their unique voices. This engaging conversation will leave you inspired to experiment with your own voice and connect more meaningfully with others.
Beth and Mary also explore:
Practical voice warm-ups and exercises to prepare for facilitation
The importance of vocal diversity and authenticity in connecting with groups
How to use voice to influence energy and engagement in a room
Debunking myths about “professional” voices and embracing individuality
Tips for amplifying your voice with confidence in facilitation and everyday life
Choosing Activities with Beth Cougler Blom - EP 19
00:43:31
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.
Experimenting with Experiential Learning with Romy Alexandra - EP 13
00:57:13
In this episode, Beth and facilitator Romy Alexandra explore the topic of experiential learning. But they don't just talk about experiential learning, they actually do it! Romy and Beth each facilitate the other through several sense-based activities, then reflect on the experience. No matter where you are when you listen to this episode, you're invited to fully engage in this "experiment" in experiential learning.
Special notes:
Beth realized as she was playing a song during recording that she would break copyright if she aired the episode that way. So you'll hear a substitute song and an explanatory voiceover from Beth in that section. If you would like to hear the actual song Beth played for Romy, listen to Falling Slowly by Glen Hansard via the link below.
If you would like to share back with Romy and Beth a reflection or next step after your engagement with this episode, you are invited to make a comment on the Episode 13 post at facilitatingonpurpose.com.
The Somewhat Accidental Facilitator with Beth Cougler Blom - EP 1
00:12:38
In this episode, host Beth Cougler Blom shares a little about who she is, why she started the Facilitating on Purpose podcast, who it's for, and what you can expect from it.
Listen in to learn more about:
How Beth became somewhat of an accidental facilitator
How falling into training and facilitation is often very common for others too (especially if they were trained in another field first)
Why its beneficial to turn to communities of practice as a facilitator
How this podcast is for people who are very new to facilitating learning as well as those who've been doing it for a long time
Improv in Facilitation with Brett Macdonald - EP 20
00:45:00
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
'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
Understanding Our Brains with Dr. Marcia Goddard - EP 25
00:43:47
In this episode, Beth Cougler Blom talks with Dr. Marcia Goddard about how our brains work and some of the things that can happen with our brains - as facilitators or participants - in learning environments.
Beth and Marcia also talk about:
creating psychological safety
neuroscience's alignments with diversity, equity and inclusion
recognizing and overcoming different types of biases
Fostering Social Connection with Pete Bombaci - EP 54
01:00:54
In this episode, host Beth Cougler Blom talks with Pete Bombaci, founder of the Genwell Project, about the power of human connection and Canada's newly announced social connection guidelines. They explore why social well-being is crucial for our health, happiness, and longevity—and what facilitators can do to foster connection in their workshops, meetings, and daily lives.
Beth and Pete also talk about:
The story behind the Genwell Project and its mission to promote social health
What the social connection guidelines are and why they matter
How facilitators can create spaces that foster belonging and inclusion
The role of workplaces in encouraging meaningful human interaction
Practical ways we can all strengthen our social connections, both inside and outside of workshops
Exploring Elasticity in Facilitation with Rebecca Sutherns - EP 16
00:52:06
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.
Making Caring Learning Environments for People With Disabilities with Yasser Tamer Atef - EP 41
00:53:27
In this episode, Beth Cougler Blom talks with Yasser Tamer Atef, a disability advocate and facilitator, about strategies to make learning spaces accessible and inclusive.
Beth and Yasser also discuss:
involving people with disabilities in the learning design process
creating accessible documents
strategies for facilitating inclusive virtual sessions
the importance of asking participants about their specific needs and preferences individually, and making adaptations accordingly
designing flexibility into learning experiences for participants
building inclusive communities and fostering a sense of belonging and safety for all learners
Music as a Facilitation Tool with Julias Alego - EP 22
00:43:17
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
Safe Learning Spaces with Fernando Murray and Carolina Almeida - EP 42
00:51:41
In this episode, host Beth Cougler Blom talks with Fernando Murray and Carolina Almeida about strategies they use to create safe learning environments with their groups. Fernando and Carolina share their deep expertise working across cultures, their expertise in Liberating Structures, and more.
What Great Facilitation Feels Like with Khari McClelland - EP 45
00:49:20
In this episode, Beth Cougler Blom talks with Khari McClelland about his path to becoming a facilitator and what defines great facilitation. Khari reflects on a transformative camp experience that sparked his passion for this work and shares his thoughts on the power of presence, curiosity, and navigating discomfort. He emphasizes the role of facilitators in setting the tone and creating spaces that honour participants’ experiences.
Beth and Khari also discuss:
the importance of flexibility and adapting to the group's needs
how facilitation is like music, with rhythm, pacing, and composition
facilitating across cultures with humility and curiosity
the impact of making participants feel heard, seen, and valued
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
Creating the Habit of Inclusive Language with Dr. Suzanne Wertheim - EP 46
00:59:36
In this episode, host Beth Cougler Blom talks with Dr. Suzanne Wertheim, author of The Inclusive Language Field Guide. They explore how facilitators and educators can develop the habit of using inclusive language and why it's critical to their work. Suzanne shares practical strategies for identifying problematic language, addressing resistance, and shifting perspectives to create more inclusive learning environments.
Beth and Suzanne also talk about:
How facilitators can invite feedback to improve their language use
The importance of optimizing language for inclusivity and avoiding erasure
How to address resistance to inclusive language in a productive, respectful manner
How practice and mindfulness can make inclusive language second nature
Crip linguistics: Crip linguistics is a new subfield that brings a rigorously scientific lens to the study of language produced by disabled people and about disabled people.
Working for Aliveness Instead of Productivity with Wouter Smeets - EP 44
00:46:45
In this episode, Beth Cougler Blom talks with Wouter Smeets about shifting the focus from productivity to aliveness at work. Wouter, founder of Life-Centric Work Lab, shares how important it is to challenge accepted norms about work and how our work, if we do facilitation or another role, can support well-being, happiness, and personal growth.
Beth and Wouter also discuss:
self-awareness and understanding individual needs
creating supportive work and group environments
integrated aliveness into facilitation and client work
Being Lifelong Learners with The Cougler Family - EP 8
00:56:10
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
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.
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