Facilitating on Purpose

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

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

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
• breaking out of the crutch of PowerPoint
• setting up rooms as creative spaces

Engage with Kerri Price

• Website: https://thefacilitatorsnetwork.co.nz/
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kerri-price/

Other Links from the Episode

• EP 1: The Somewhat Accidental Facilitator with Beth Cougler Blom
• "Know Your Why" Michael Jr. on YouTube
• Washington DC Liberating Structures User Group
• Liberating Structures
• Chad Littlefield
• Facilitation Matters - Festival of Learning

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 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

Engage with Dr. Monty Badami

• Website: Habitus.org
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-sumant-monty-badami/
• Instagram: @habituslifehacks

Other Links from the Episode

• Gillian Tett Anthro-Vision book
• Joseph Campbell's and the Hero's Journey
• Jack Mezirow's Transformative Learning theory
• Habitus's Narrative Arc [image]

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 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.

Engage with Deborah Rim Moiso and SessionLab:

• The State of Facilitation 2024 Report from SessionLab
• Use this link to sign up to SessionLab for a 30-day free trial of the Pro features
• Deborah Rim Moiso on LinkedIn

Other Links from the Episode:

• International Association of Facilitators (IAF)
• Myriam Hadnes workshops.work
• Kirsty Lewis School of Facilitation website | Facilitating on Purpose podcast Episode 17
• Filip Kis, Co-Founder and CTO at SessionLab
• Mentimeter
• Leanne Hughes
• Marie Dubost
• Jan Keck website | Facilitating on Purpose podcast Episode 10
• Priya Parker's Art of Gathering book
• Brett Macdonald website | Facilitating on Purpose podcast Episode 20
• Hector Villareal Lozoya
• Climate-KIC
• Canva
• Padlet
• Miro
• Mural
• Chat GPT
• Barbara Pedersen website | Facilitating on Purpose podcast Episode 34

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 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.

Links from the Episode

• EP 31: Perfecting Timing
• Design to Engage: How to Create and Facilitate a Great Learning Experience For Any Group (Beth's book)
• Lesson plan template (scroll to Free Downloads section)

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 facilitator Barbara Pedersen about her 30-year career (so far!) and what she's learned along the way.

Beth and Barbara also talk about:

• the phases and cycles of a facilitation career
• confidence, humility, and fear
• challenging ourselves
• how to get training in facilitation
• learning foundational facilitation frameworks
• 'bread and butter' work and keeping work flowing
• transitioning into 'rewirement'

Engage with Barbara Pedersen

• Website: http://www.barbpedersen.ca/
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/barbpedersen
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/barbpedersen/

Links From the Episode

• NeverDoneBefore
• 4-H Youth Clubs
• Even Eagles Need a Push, by David McNally
• ICA International
• ICA Associates
• The ORID framework is mentioned in The Art of Focused Conversation book
• Roger Schwarz, The Skilled Facilitator book
• The Circle Way
• Eight important things to know about The Experiential Learning Cycle, by Dr. Alice Kolb and Professor David Kolb [PDF]
• Appreciative Inquiry | David Cooperrider
• What, So What, Now What?
• Liberating Structures
• Ladder of Inference (Chris Argyris on Wikipedia)
• How I Built This podcast

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 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
• cultivating emergent wisdom
• why Q&As are problematic
• key considerations around harvesting and followup

Engage with Mansi Jasuja

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mansijasuja/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mansijasuja/

Other Links From the Episode

• See the True Cost of Holding Non-Participatory Events updated image
• See Mansi's original post and image on LinkedIn
• Art of Hosting and Conversations That Matter
• Eight breaths of architecture / design
• Chaordic stepping stones
• Radical Acts book by Lee Ryan and Viv McWaters
• Dr. Vandana Shiva: https://www.navdanya.org/ and https://openspaceworld.org/wp2/

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 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
• creating value via social media

Engage with Matthew Rempel

• Website: https://strategymadesimple.ca/
• YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCdGJ6-z9ji5PSJJerJs2JLA

Links from the Episode

• Liberating Structures Nine Whys
• Seth Godin
• Amanda Natividad on X
• Rand Fishkin on X
• Rand Fishkin's blog post: Influence Maps–The Best Marketing Framework You've Never Heard Of
• Session Lab's State of Facilitation 2024 Report

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