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

• MoPOP website: www.mopop.org
• Jacob McMurray on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jacobmcmurray/
• Jessica Lane on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jessica-lane-635719b0/

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 [email protected]
• 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

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.

Links From the Episode

• Design to Engage: How to Create and Facilitate a Great Learning Experience For Any Group, by Beth Cougler Blom
• Universal Design for Learning Guidelines from CAST
• Download learning outcomes verbs lists on the Design to Engage book page

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 [email protected]
• 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

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

Engage with Dr. Suzanne Wertheim

• worthwhileconsulting.com
• suzannewertheim.com
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/suzannewertheim-inclusivelanguageexpert/

Other Links from the Episode

• Foundational Ally Skill series
• Universal Design
• BCcampus
• Curb cut effect
• 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.

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 [email protected]
• 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

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

Engage with Khari McClelland

• Website: kwmfacilitation.com
• Instagram: @igobykhari

Other Links from the Episode

• Rupinder Sidhu
• Sara Kendall
• Peggy Taylor
• Nadia Chaney
• Hollyhock Retreat Centre [search this site for Khari's upcoming Gathering when advertised]

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 [email protected]
• 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

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

Engage with Wouter Smeets

• Website: https://lifecentricworklab.com/
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/wouter-smeets/
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/life-centric-work-lab

Other Links from the Episode

• Manual of Me

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 [email protected]
• 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

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.

Links From the Episode

• Trello
• Scrivener
• Elaine Cougler, Author
• Anne Lamott
• Friesen Press

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 [email protected]
• 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

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.

Beth, Fernando, and Carolina also discuss:

• fostering an inclusive atmosphere
• inviting participation
• avoiding over-helping
• handling conflicts and challenges
• promoting autonomy and collecting problem-solving

Engage with Fernando Murray and Carolina Almeida

• Website: https://www.virtualfacilitation.com
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/virtual-facilitation/
• YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@virtualfacilitation
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/virtualfacilitation/

Other Links from the Episode

• Liberating Structures
• EP 20: Improv in Facilitation with Brett Macdonald
• Outward Bound
• NOLS
• alfaia drum

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 [email protected]
• 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

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

Engage with Yasser Tamer Atef

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/yasser-tamer-6880911b8/
• X: @yasser_tammer
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/yasser.tamer2002

Other Links from the Episode

• Equity Unbound
• Soliya Connect program
• MyFest 2024
• Intentionally Equitable Hospitality series
• Dr. Maha Bali
• Dr. Mia Zamora
• Center for Learning and Teaching, American University in Cairo
• Teaching in Higher Ed podcast with Bonni Stachowiak
• Universal Design for Learning (UDL) on the CAST website
• Priya Parker's Art of Gathering book
• Yasser's article for Mind Brain & Education magazine on "Care and Equity: The View From the Lens of Disability Inclusion"
• Heather Kretschmer
• Verna Rossi's Inclusive Learning Design book
• Dr. Amy Kavanagh
• Radha Agrawal's Belong book, available on her website

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 [email protected]
• 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

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

Engage with Margie Meacham

• Margie's AI for Talent Development Professionals course (register before Aug 1, 2024 to get $50 off the regular price)
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/margiemeacham/
• X: @margiemeacham
• Blog: https://learningtogo.ai/learn/
• Website: https://learningtogo.ai
• Featured article in CXO Magazine
• Margie's bio: https://learningtogo.ai/mystory/

Other Links From the Episode

• Margie's Brain Matters book (available via her website and on Amazon)
• Claude by Anthropic
• OpenAI and ChatGPT
• ElevenLabs
• the uncanny valley
• EP 7: Learning How to Learn with Taruna Goel
• The Podcaster's Guide to a Visible Voice EP 77 with Erin Moon

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 [email protected]
• 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

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.

Links From the Episode

• Liberating Structures User Groups
• NeverDoneBefore
• International Association of Facilitators
• Virtual Facilitation
• Jan Keck
• BCcampus
• Teaching in Higher Ed podcast
• Women Talking About Learning podcast
• Dr. Luke Hobson podcast
• The Fabulous Learning Nerds podcast
• UDL in 15 Minutes podcast
• Work Life with Adam Grant podcast
• Workshops.work podcast
• First Time Facilitator podcast
• Facilitation Lab podcast
• A Facilitator's Journey podcast
• The 2-Hour Workshop Blueprint book
• ADHD 2.0 book
• Smart Brevity book
• Articulate
• Articulate E-Learning Heroes Community
• SessionLab

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 [email protected]
• 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