Facilitating on Purpose

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

Engage with Mary Houle and Sarra Ismail

• Website: pronounced.ca
• Mary on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/maryhoulepronounced/
• Sarra on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sarra-ismail-94173528/

Other Links from the Episode

• Taruna Goel's episode on the podcast (EP 7)
• Anand Giridharadas
• LinkedIn name pronunciation info
• Name Drop, a name pronunciation service
• Ethan Kutlu's study: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/343861297_The_Impact_of_Race_on_Speech_Perception_and_Accentedness_Judgments_in_Racially_Diverse_and_Non-Diverse_Groups

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 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

Engage with Brett Macdonald

• brettmacdonald.ca/
• www.linkedin.com/in/brett-mac/

Other Links from the Episode:

• Applied Improv Network
  • https://www.appliedimprovisationnetwork.org/
  • https://www.appliedimprovisationnetwork.org/vancouver
  • https://www.facebook.com/appliedimprovisationnetwork (AIN page)
  • https://www.facebook.com/groups/appliedimprov (AIN group for advice/tips)

Brett's recommended Applied Improv books

• '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

Brett's favourite, easy to read improv book

• 'Improv Wisdom' by Patricia Ryan Manson

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 cover art by Emily Johnston of Artio Design Co.

Podcast production services by Mary Chan of Organized Sound Productions

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.

Links from the Episode:

• Design to Engage: How to Create and Facilitate a Great Learning Experience For Any Group, by Beth Cougler Blom
• Find the Activities Checklist in the Free Downloads section at designtoengagebook.com
• EP 15: Dealing with Self-Doubt with Beth Cougler Blom
• EP 13: Experimenting with Experiential Learning with Romy Alexandra
• EP 7: Learning How to Learn with Taruna Goel
• Liberating Structures
• SessionLab.com

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 cover art by Emily Johnston of Artio Design Co. Podcast production services by Mary Chan of Organized Sound Productions

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
• getting out of the group's way

Engage with Johnnie Moore

• https://johnniemoore.com
• https://unhurried.org

Other Links from the Episode

• Applied Improvisation Network (AIN)
• Izzy Gesell
• Doug Kerr
• Instructional Skills Workshop
• Alain de Botton
• Facilitator! Step away from the flipchart (blog post)

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 cover art by Emily Johnston of Artio Design Co.

Podcast production services by Mary Chan of Organized Sound Productions

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

Engage with Kirsty Lewis

• Website: School of Facilitation
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/schooloffacilitation/
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kirsty-schooloffacilitation/

Other Links from the Episode

• Episode 15: Dealing with Self-Doubt
• Insights Timer app (available through various app stores)
• The DO Lectures

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 cover art by Emily Johnston of Artio Design Co.

Podcast production services by Mary Chan of Organized Sound Productions

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.

Engage with Dr. Rebecca Sutherns

• Website: rebeccasutherns.com
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/RebeccaSutherns
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rebeccasutherns/
• ELASTIC: Stretch Without Snapping or Snapping Back book

Other Links from the Episode

• AQai
• Rebecca Sutherns' book Nimble, on her Books page
• Dan Pink's book, When: The Scientific Secrets of Perfect Timing
• Ish: The Problem with Our Pursuit for Perfection and the Life-Changing Practice of Good Enough, by Lynne Cazaly

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 cover art by Emily Johnston of Artio Design Co.

Podcast production services by Mary Chan of Organized Sound Productions

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.

Links from the Episode

• Liberating Structures User Groups
• Design to Engage: How to Create and Facilitate a Great Learning Experience For Any Group
• Episode 8: Being Lifelong Learners with The Cougler Family
• Episode 13: Experimenting with Experiential Learning with Romy Alexandra

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 cover art by Emily Johnston of Artio Design Co.

Podcast production services by Mary Chan of Organized Sound Productions

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

Engage with Chad Littlefield

• Website: http://weandme
• Free printable tools and resources: https://weand.me/ideas/
• YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/weandme
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chadlittlefield

Other Links from the Episode

• Mark Collard, Playmeo
• Chad's Creative icebreaker game for shy or logical groups - IF...THEN activity (YouTube)
• Jan Keck's Episode 10 Facilitating Connection
• Romy Alexandra's Episode 13 Experimenting with Experiential Education
• Reid Hoffman interviewing Sam Altman: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WHoWGNQRXb0
• Chat GPT

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 cover art by Emily Johnston of Artio Design Co.

Podcast production services by Mary Chan of Organized Sound Productions

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.

Engage with Romy Alexandra:

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/romy-alexandra
• Instagram: @traininbyromy
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/romyalexandratraining
• Website: https://romy-alexandra.com/

Other Links from the Episode:

• Eight important things to know about The Experiential Learning Cycle, by Dr. Alice Kolb and Professor David Kolb [PDF]
• What, So What, Now What? from Liberating Structures
• Design for How People Learn book by Julie Dirksten
• Falling Slowly by Glen Hansard

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 cover art by Emily Johnston of Artio Design Co.

Podcast production services by Mary Chan of Organized Sound Productions

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

Engage with Maya Chupkov and Proud Stutter:

• Twitter: https://twitter.com/ProudStutter
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/proudstutter
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ProudStutter
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/proud-stutter
• Website: www.proudstutter.com
• YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCEDPRORSa4elXrYYmYQxsdA

Other Links from the Episode:

• International Stuttering Awareness Day
• Meet Three Bay Area Artists Working to Amplify the Voices of People Who Stutter (KQED article)
• Liberating Structures
• Bailey Levis uses trauma-informed techniques to help people stand up to their stutter: https://www.standuptoyourstutter.com/
• Sam Simpson approaches stuttering from a trauma-informed lens: https://www.redefiningstammering.co.uk/understanding-stuttering-therapy-through-a-trauma-informed-lens/
• Understanding Stuttering Therapy Through a Trauma-informed Lens - article by Chaya Goldstein

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 cover art by Emily Johnston of Artio Design Co.

Podcast production services by Mary Chan of Organized Sound Productions