First Time Facilitator

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Host Leanne Hughes takes you behind the scenes of the recent "How to Face Change" event she co-hosted with Michael Bungay Stanier (MBS). 

From brainstorming ideas, locking in the perfect venue, to manufacturing demand for tickets, Leanne spills all the details on how they turned a bold idea into an unforgettable experience.

Expect candid reflections, actionable tips, and a whole lot of fun as Leanne shares the highs, challenges, and big wins from this Brisbane-based event.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

1. How to Create Demand for Your Event: The strategic move that got 150 people onto the event waitlist within 24 hours (without selling a single ticket!).
2. The Power of Venue: Why the rooftop bar venue was a major player in getting people excited to attend—and how venue choice can impact your marketing strategy.
3. Collaborating with the Best: Leanne shares insights from working with Michael Bungay Stanier and how their creative synergy shaped the event’s success.
4. Marketing Magic: A peek into the marketing tactics, including leveraging scarcity, early bird offers, and social proof to sell out the event in record time.
5. Content vs. Experience: Why Leanne spent more time focusing on creating an experience for her attendees than on the content itself—and why that was the key to success.
6. Behind-the-Scenes Decisions: The tools and tech that helped Leanne and MBS manage a seamless collaboration across time zones, from Google Docs to a private podcast.
7. Post-Event Reflections: What worked, what Leanne would tweak, and the overwhelming LinkedIn love that followed the event.

Episode Highlights:

• The quote that inspired Leanne to aim big with her venue choice: "If I made small decisions, I would hate myself forever."
• How to "manufacture demand" and why giving your audience a waitlist (before selling tickets) can validate your event idea.
• The importance of creating a memorable experience (hint: it’s not all about the content!) and how a rooftop venue turned their event into a “brag-worthy” moment.

Links Mentioned in the Episode:

• Watch the 3-minute event highlight video on YouTube
• Michael Bungay Stanier's work
• Our Luma event site
• Diary of a CEO interview with Daniel Priestly

Upcoming Events with Leanne:

1. Red Carpet Group Experience: Las Vegas with Leanne Hughes
   📅 October 30, 2024
   
   
2. Get to the Point Workshop with Sally Prosser
   📅 November 19, 2024 | Brisbane
    
3. Luxury Glamping Retreat: Red Carpet Campout
   📅 Dates: 10-12 March 2025 | Location: Private property, 90 mins from Brisbane
    

Join the Conversation: What resonated with you from today’s episode? Let us know!  Share your thoughts on social media and tag Leanne and Michael.

Your name can feature on Leanne's Wall of Work Fame.

Just pre-order her book by 30 Sep 2026; and follow the details to claim your star.

Also, there are a ton of bulk order incentives as well!

Support the show

Send Leanne a message

In this episode, we're joined by Hitomi Whitlock, Organizational Change Manager at the University of Washington's Housing and Food Services, and an experienced real estate investor. 

Hitomi shares her journey from moving to the U.S. as a child to leading change at one of the nation's top universities—all while managing a successful real estate business.

🔍 What You’ll Learn:

• How Hitomi uses her strengths (Futuristics, Discipline, Positivity, Woo, Learner) to drive success.
• The tech tools she leverages, like ClickUp, Miro, Loom, and GoodNotes, to streamline workflows, eliminate unnecessary meetings, and enhance collaboration.
• Tips for running effective hybrid workshops that keep everyone engaged, whether in-person or remote.
• How a customer-centric focus in both her roles has led to zero evictions and high tenant satisfaction in her real estate ventures.
• Strategies for building trust quickly in workshops, from pre-session videos to effective icebreakers.
• The importance of balancing big-picture vision with disciplined execution in both professional and personal life.

About Hitomi Whitlock
Hitomi is an Organizational Change Manager at the University of Washington's Housing and Food Services and a real estate investor, co-owning a property management business in the Seattle area since 2005. She attributes her success to her customer-centric focus and effective communication, always thinking about how to best serve her customers. Hitomi loves making new connections and friends while nurturing existing relationships. In her spare time, she enjoys travelling, attending concerts, and exploring new restaurants/bars with family and friends.

📌 Links Mentioned in the Episode:

• Connect with Hitomi Whitlock on LinkedIn
• Tools discussed: ClickUp, Miro, Loom, GoodNotes

Your name can feature on Leanne's Wall of Work Fame.

Just pre-order her book by 30 Sep 2026; and follow the details to claim your star.

Also, there are a ton of bulk order incentives as well!

Support the show

Send Leanne a message

Come along to our event! https://lu.ma/rooftopbne

In this episode, host Leanne Hughes chats with Michael Bungay Stanier on their upcoming event in Brisbane together on 3 Sep 2024, and the art of co-facilitation.

Reflecting on their first podcast experience in Brisbane, they dive into topics such as managing facilitation dynamics, preparing for keynotes, and what makes their upcoming event in Brisbane unique.

They also share personal anecdotes and practical tips for successful facilitation, offering valuable insights for anyone interested in leadership and change management.

Welcome and Introduction
Reflecting on Past Collaborations
Upcoming Event: How to Face Change
The Art of Co-Facilitation
Why You Should Attend
Closing Remarks and Excitement

Your name can feature on Leanne's Wall of Work Fame.

Just pre-order her book by 30 Sep 2026; and follow the details to claim your star.

Also, there are a ton of bulk order incentives as well!

Support the show

Send Leanne a message

In this episode, host Leanne Hughes provides an update on her activities as a solopreneur and content creator, sharing insights from her recent experiences and projects. 

She provides an update on her book, some of the work she's delivered this year, including a recent innovative conference presentation focused on flexibility. 

She also shares upcoming events like a rooftop workshop in Brisbane with Michael Bungay Stanier and a small group workshop in Las Vegas. 

You'll also hear the first episode of Talk the Walk with Alan Weiss, a bi-monthly broadcast coming to you on LinkedIn and YouTube!

Cool events:

• How to Face Change with Michael Bungay Stanier in Brisbane 3 September
• Return on Las Vegas: Small group experience in Las Vegas with Leanne 30 October (email [email protected] if you want details!)
• Cast your vote: Once in a lifetime learning experiences
• Join our Talk the Walk live broadcast with Alan Weiss

Your name can feature on Leanne's Wall of Work Fame.

Just pre-order her book by 30 Sep 2026; and follow the details to claim your star.

Also, there are a ton of bulk order incentives as well!

Support the show

Send Leanne a message

Are you currently running workshops, generating ace ideas, have some cool toolsup your sleeve? Maybe you should turn all of that great stuff into a book!

If you're curious how to do that, you'll love today's conversation with fellow first-time authors and Brisbane business owners, Mel Loy and Jade Miller.

Both Jade and Mel are experienced workshop hosts, and they share their journeys from facilitating workshops to writing books. We discuss how their workshop experiences influenced their writing, the challenges they faced, and tips for turning workshop content into a book.

Connect with Jade Miller

• Jade Miller's book: Making Lemonade
• Jade's website
• Connect with Jade on LinkedIn

Connect with Mel Loy

• Mel's book: Change Isn't Hard
• LinkedIn: Mel Loy on LinkedIn
• Website: Hey Mel! Comms and Training and MelanieLoy.com
• Podcast: Less Chatter, More Matter

Your name can feature on Leanne's Wall of Work Fame.

Just pre-order her book by 30 Sep 2026; and follow the details to claim your star.

Also, there are a ton of bulk order incentives as well!

Support the show

Send Leanne a message

Watch our conversation on YouTube.

Alan Weiss returns to the podcast this week, for the third time, to (metaphorically) poke me in the eye again.

In this conversation, we riff on:

• Speedy workshop design
• How Alan turns an idea into an offer almost immediately
• How consultants need to focus on helping their clients innovate, and fail fast
• How consultants should market now (vs. 5 years ago)
• Interactions between AI and Humans, what works?
• The ageing population in the workforce and how to manage it

Connect with thousands of facilitators from all over the world in our free Facebook group called The Flipchart:    / firsttimefacilitator 

Love Alan’s shares? Contact him and let him know!

• Alan Weiss on LinkedIn

Learn more about the host, Leanne Hughes' work at https://www.leannehughes.com
Grab Leanne’s book, The 2-Hour Workshop Blueprint: https://2hourwork.shop

Alan Resources

1. Alan Weiss's Website: This is the primary source for accessing all of Alan Weiss's content, books, and workshops. 
2. Monday Morning Memo: This is a regular communication from Alan that provides insights and advice, likely a valuable resource for listeners interested in regular updates from him.
3. A Minute with Alan: A series of one-minute videos where Alan Weiss shares quick insights. These videos are beneficial for viewers looking for short, impactful advice.
4. Upcoming Workshops and Zoom Sessions: Specifically, any current or upcoming workshops or sessions that Alan mentioned during the interview, like his $100 workshop aimed at adding value for existing and prospective clients. 

Your name can feature on Leanne's Wall of Work Fame.

Just pre-order her book by 30 Sep 2026; and follow the details to claim your star.

Also, there are a ton of bulk order incentives as well!

Support the show

Send Leanne a message

Today, I'm joined by Lisa Leong, a broadcaster, author, and facilitator.
Watch us chat on YouTube.

Her superpowers, which you'll hear very clearly in this episode, are curiosity and  creativity.

She's a former IP, technology, and wine lawyer—yes, that's actually a thing. She caught the radio bug in 2001, which is exactly why I brought her on the show. 

Wedelve into the parallels between having talk-back radio and getting listeners to call in to hosting workshops and being truly present. 

We also talk about energy, meeting the room where it's at, and the best ways to prepare to be spontaneous—an awesome oxymoron, right? 

And Lisa shares how she does this, even down to the detail, like her unique research approach, which includes a bit of LinkedIn stalking. 

Lisa draws on her unique experiences, combined with design thinking and mindfulness practices, to bring a fresh approach to conversations and connection.

She presents on ABC Radio Melbourne on Sundays and also hosts 'This Working Life' on ABC Radio National, which is an awesome show.

Connect with Lisa Leong

• Lisa Leong on LinkedIn
• Lisa Leong on Instagram
• Lisa's profile on ABC Radio

Why you can't miss this episode
It's not every day you get to hear from someone who's mastered the art of engaging people through radio, law, and facilitation. Lisa's stories are not just inspiring—they're packed with actionable tips you can use to level up your facilitation game. Plus, her take on mindfulness and presence is a game-changer for anyone looking to connect more deeply with their audience.

Memorable Quotes:

• "Jumping into facilitation was like jumping into a whole new world with both feet. Scary, but thrilling!"
• "You don't have to be a Zen master to make mindfulness work for you in workshops."
• "Inclusivity isn't just nice to have; it's a must-have for unforgettable workshops."
• "Preparation meets improvisation—that's where the magic happens."

Resources Mentioned:

• Lisa's Favorite Mindfulness Apps
• "The Skilled Facilitator" by Roger Schwarz

Your name can feature on Leanne's Wall of Work Fame.

Just pre-order her book by 30 Sep 2026; and follow the details to claim your star.

Also, there are a ton of bulk order incentives as well!

Support the show

Send Leanne a message

In the First Time Facilitator podcast, host Leanne Hughes introduces guest Sally Prosser, a voice and confidence coach.

We riff on the concept of 'breveloquence', a portmanteau of brevity and eloquence, and how they aim to develop and use this tool in verbal and written forms.

We also take you behind the scenes of our new workshop called Get to the Point, which we're co-hosting in Brisbane on 16 April 2024.

Find out more about the Brisbane workshop and grab your ticket here.

Conversation time-stamps

• 00:31 The Importance of Brevity in Communication
• 02:17 The Power of Storytelling and Brevity
• 02:59 The Art of Asking Questions
• 03:43 The Value of Silence and Pausing
• 04:14 The Power of Personal Stories
• 04:40 The Role of Confidence in Communication
• 05:07 The Importance of Setting Rules in Communication
• 05:27 The Excitement of Co-Facilitating
• 06:05 What to Expect in the 'Get to the Point' Workshop
• 07:35 Closing Remarks and Workshop Details

About today's guest: Sally Prosser

Sally helps you fire-up your voice so you can share your light with the world.
Her background as a TV reporter, company spokesperson and speech & drama teacher gives her the ideal skill set to work with professionals, biz owners and corporate teams on -
⭐ Building confidence
🥊 Combating a fear of public speaking
❤ Producing a warm, trustworthy voice
🎤 Speaking with clarity and impact
🎥 Media Awareness and Spokesperson Training

Your name can feature on Leanne's Wall of Work Fame.

Just pre-order her book by 30 Sep 2026; and follow the details to claim your star.

Also, there are a ton of bulk order incentives as well!

Support the show

Send Leanne a message

In today's conversation, Phil Woods from Catalyst Strategy shares his journey from a legal career to becoming an independent strategy and team development consultant.

Watch our conversation on YouTube.

Phil outlines how he uses frameworks to guide organisations through transformation, draws on his command and activator strengths for maximum impact, and explains the importance of managing energy in workshops. 

From strategic ideation to facilitating self-realisations, Phil offers valuable insights into his facilitation style and how he prioritises the participant experience. 

Phil delivers impactful strategy and positive, strengths-orientated team transformation for a diverse mix of clients in Australia and abroad.  He has a practical, no-nonsense style leveraging decades of real-world experience, and brings contagious energy and authentic passion to his client collaborations.

Conversation prompts:

• Introduction and Welcome
• Phil Woods: A Journey Through Career Phases
• The Power of Engaging Teams and Co-Creating Strategy
•  The Art of Making Workshops Engaging
• Balancing Facilitation and Self-Discovery
•  The Role of Powerful Questions in Facilitation
• Bringing the X Factor into Workshops
• Leveraging Strengths in Facilitation
•  Maintaining Energy and Engagement in Workshops
•  Final Thoughts and Advice for First-Time Facilitators

Connect with Phil Woods

• Connect with Phil Woods on LinkedIn
• Visit his website: Catalyst Strategy

Other things mentioned:

• 2024 State of Facilitation report from Session Lab

Your name can feature on Leanne's Wall of Work Fame.

Just pre-order her book by 30 Sep 2026; and follow the details to claim your star.

Also, there are a ton of bulk order incentives as well!

Support the show

Send Leanne a message

Tune in to discover how to design fast and deliver strong without the stress...using Chat GPT!

In this episode, host Leanne Hughes discusses five ways she uses chat GPT to improve and enhance her workshop experiences and delivery.

She shares examples of how she uses Chat GPT for image creation, generating questions, creating case studies, generating frameworks, and coming up with attractive titles for her workshops. You'll also hear some personal updates and experiences related to her work.

How are you using it to supercharge your workshop design?

Let us know in The Flipchart
Want Leanne's support for 30 days? Join Leanne on Demand
Grab her book, The 2-Hour Workshop Blueprint: Design Fast. Deliver Strong. Without Stress.

Your name can feature on Leanne's Wall of Work Fame.

Just pre-order her book by 30 Sep 2026; and follow the details to claim your star.

Also, there are a ton of bulk order incentives as well!

Support the show