Send Leanne a message

In today's episode, your host Leanne Hughes delves deep into her journey as a participant and her experiences leading up to a world-class speaking conference in Hobart. She also touches upon the significance of mindset in the world of speaking, facilitation, and beyond.

She also touches upon the significance of mindset in the world of speaking, facilitation, and beyond.

What you will learn:

• The importance of setting the right pre-conference expectations and the art of crafting a powerful pre-event experience.
• How the location of an event can significantly shape a participant's experience and perspective.
• Dressing the Part: The Psychology of Becoming a World-Class Speaker
• The value of provoking thought, over disseminating information
• What does being "world-class" mean to you?
• What I get ready before I attend an event, and how I decide to choose my accommodation.

Resources mentioned in the episode:

• Check out the workshop hosts: Andrew Griffiths and Keith Abraham
• Jenny Blake's TED conference episode: 10+ Conference Networking Strategies with Alisa Cohn
• "The Referrable Speaker" by Michael Port
• Review my new book, The 2-Hour Workshop Blueprint on Amazon 
• Send me an email: [email protected] or connect on LinkedIn

Every day in 2025, Leanne is podcasting on her new show, Leanne on Demand.
Tune in over here!

(Otherwise, enjoy the back catalogue of First Time Facilitator episodes).

Support the show

Send Leanne a message

In today's episode, I’m delighted to welcome Sally Porteous, the esteemed Managing Director of a renowned event production company. Sally has a wealth of knowledge to share on how to lead transformative workshops and captivating events. Her experience offers a fascinating glimpse into the surprising parallels that exist within these arenas.

Sally will walk us through her unique journey into the vibrant world of event management, a journey that was as much about self-discovery as it was about realizing her inherent strengths and discovering her 'zone of genius'. She shares compelling anecdotes that illustrate how natural talents can often be things that others find challenging.

We'll be diving deep into the art of setting up the perfect environment for your events and workshops right from the get-go. Sally will share some unusual sources of inspiration, including the simple act of observing interactions at shopping centers or malls. Her perspectives will certainly open up new ways of thinking about event planning.

This episode is packed with valuable insights from Sally. She will share a set of powerful closing questions for your workshops that not only ease your workload but also ensure that participants fully engage with and remember the content. It's all about fostering a sense of co-creation.

About today’s guest
Sally Porteous is Managing Director of event production company Red Lanyard, where she produces festivals, conferences, events and meetings. She is the creator of the Event Planners Workshop, a series of training, coaching and mentoring products to bridge the gap between accredited education and learn-by-doing. She also coordinates and facilitates The Event Managers Network, a membership that connects, supports and networks suppliers and event managers.

Links and Resources:

• Connect with Sally Porteous on LinkedIn
• Attached is the questionnaire that Sally shares on the show.
• Credit to Michael Doneman, Founding Director of Edgeware Creative Entrepreneurship
• Link to Sally’s simple Pre-Event Checklist 

Every day in 2025, Leanne is podcasting on her new show, Leanne on Demand.
Tune in over here!

(Otherwise, enjoy the back catalogue of First Time Facilitator episodes).

Support the show

Send Leanne a message

Today, I'm chatting to Andrew Hollo, Director and Principal Consultant at Workwell Consulting, who shares his unique insights on facilitation and strategic alignment. I've got to say, after we finished recording, I wanted to share this episode with absolutely anybody who runs a facilitation business!

What You'll Learn:

• The importance of organising and summarising information (and how you can get better at it)
• How feeling under-prepared can sometimes foster agility in facilitation
• The power of directing conversations with two or three key questions
• How to maintain visibility and engagement with potential clients
• Navigating challenging situations in a leadership development session

About the Guest:
Andrew Hollo is Australia’s leading expert in getting diverse interests to reach a strategically aligned position. As the Director and Principal Consultant at Workwell Consulting, he works with organisations that deliver societal benefits and are community-invested. 

Andrew has led over 1000 projects for clients who deliver substantial public value, including government and non-government bodies, privately held companies, and non-profits since 1999. His expertise lies in challenging existing paradigms and driving diverse views to clear, high-value conceptual agreements in the shortest possible time.

Links and Resources:

• Connect with Andrew on his website workwell.com.au and LinkedIn
• Grab Andrew's book "From Impossible to Possible"
• Sign up for Andrew's weekly newsletter
• Visit our website firsttimefacilitator.com for more resources
• Participate in our LinkedIn challenge and stand a chance to win a copy of our book!

Every day in 2025, Leanne is podcasting on her new show, Leanne on Demand.
Tune in over here!

(Otherwise, enjoy the back catalogue of First Time Facilitator episodes).

Support the show

Send Leanne a message

Woo hoo! Fun, pop-up, unedited episode that I felt compelled to jump in and record on a beautiful Brisbane winter day.

Today, I share an exciting example from a conference she recently worked on and how we incorporated something unpredictable, based on a fairly predictable conversation :) 

What You Will Learn:

• How to find inspiration in everyday moments and translate them into your workshop design. Leanne shares her personal experiences and interesting anecdotes that sparked unique ideas.
• How to incorporate X-Factor ideas into your workshops to make them stand out. Leanne shares the example of a 'morning show' theme she implemented during a conference, which became a hit with the attendees.

Your invitation: The 4-Week Workshop Sprint
Let’s spend four weeks together, going beyond the pages of The 2-Hour Workshop Blueprint to make your workshop the best, damn, thing ever, and something you’re incredibly proud to showcase, host, and share with the world.

This is a live program starting on the 7th of August, 2023, limited to 16 people, where Leanne offers personalised support and feedback for your program, to get you producing great workshops, with a bit of x-factor thrown in!

• Find out more about The 4-Week Workshop Sprint
• Grab a copy of Leanne's new book, The 2-Hour Workshop Blueprint

Every day in 2025, Leanne is podcasting on her new show, Leanne on Demand.
Tune in over here!

(Otherwise, enjoy the back catalogue of First Time Facilitator episodes).

Support the show

Send Leanne a message

Welcome to an enchanting episode of our podcast! In this captivating conversation, we bring you a first-time wizard on the show—Dr. Jason Fox—a wizard-philosopher disguised as a motivational speaker and leadership advisor. His expertise lies in guiding clever teams through the complexities of their quests.

With an impressive list of clients that includes Fortune 500 companies such as Microsoft, HP, Novartis, Red Bull, Cisco, Johnson & Johnson, Toyota, and Honda, Dr. Fox has established himself as a trusted advisor to senior leadership teams worldwide.

During our discussion, we embark on a magical journey through various topics. We explore the delicate balance between nurturing ideas and valuing individuals, the importance of holding space for emergent insights, and the personal rituals and preparations that enhance facilitation sessions.

We also delve into the struggle with titles and labels, seeking more meaningful and playful ways to communicate one's role and expertise. Moreover, we uncover the concept of channeling the muse, allowing intuitive insights to guide conversations and workshops, resulting in transformative experiences.

Dr. Fox has shared his wisdom as a lecturer at three universities and is the bestselling author of "The Game Changer" and "How to Lead a Quest." His remarkable ability to engage skeptical audiences and senior leaders who have "seen it all before" has made him a sought-after keynote speaker.

When not liberating the world from the delusion of progress, you'll find Dr. Fox residing in an old chocolate factory in Melbourne, Australia, alongside an illustrator-veterinarian and a feline companion. His passions outside of his work include extreme sports like reading, sun-avoidance, and indulging in the art of coffee snobbery.

Prepare to be captivated by this thought-provoking conversation filled with enchanting insights and practical wisdom. Join us as we uncover the secrets of working with groups, gaining clarity, embracing the power of intuition, and unleashing your own magical potential.

Resources mentioned:

1. Choose One Word: Jason Fox's program focused on finding one word to serve as a fuzzy contextual beacon. Choose One Word
2. "Awakening from the Meaning Crisis" by John Vervaeke: A 50-part YouTube series exploring the concept of meaning and its implications in society. Awakening from the Meaning Crisis
3. Marshall Rosenberg's Nonviolent Communication: A philosophy and communication method emphasizing empathic listening and effective dialogue. Nonviolent Communication
4. Jason's websites: Dr Jason Fox or FoxWizard

Every day in 2025, Leanne is podcasting on her new show, Leanne on Demand.
Tune in over here!

(Otherwise, enjoy the back catalogue of First Time Facilitator episodes).

Support the show

Send Leanne a message

In this episode, host Leanne Hughes welcomes Mel Loy, the founder and host of Hey, Mel Comms and Training, a small agency fueled by boundless energy. Mel has over 20 years of experience in communications across various sectors and specializes in building communication capability through coaching workshops and creative thinking. She is also a co-owner of a gym and the president of the Queensland chapter of the International Association of Business Communicators.

What You Will Learn:

In this far-ranging conversation, Mel shares her journey from working in corporate communications to becoming a freelance consultant and workshop facilitator. 

You’ll also hear us discuss:

• The importance of staying calm in crisis communication and workshop facilitation, and how to manage unpredictable situations effectively.
• Insights into building communication capability through coaching workshops and creative thinking, based on over 20 years of experience in the field.
• The parallels between crisis communication and facilitating sessions, including the need for composure, problem-solving, and quick adaptation.
• How being a group fitness instructor can enhance facilitation skills, including the ability to energise participants, create connections, and handle unexpected challenges.
• Tips for preparing for workshops and managing the tension between designing content and ensuring a smooth, confident delivery, including time-blocking, creating run sheets, and prioritising self-care.

About the Guest: Mel Loy
Mel Loy is an expert in change, crisis, and internal communications, demonstrating a strong passion for fostering capability within teams and organisations. With a focus on creating better stakeholder experiences through effective communication, trust-building, and reputation management, Mel, along with the team at Hey Mel! Communications & Training, has collaborated with numerous prominent corporate and non-profit brands in Australia. 

Mel brings over 20 years of experience in the communications and public relations sector, having worked in the UK and Australia across diverse corporate, non-profit, and government organisations. 

Episode Links:

• LinkedIn: Mel Loy on LinkedIn
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/heymel.comms/?hl=en
• Website: Hey Mel! Comms and Training 
• Podcast: Less Chatter, More Matter
• Flip Chart Facebook Group: Join the community of facilitators at https://www.facebook.com/groups/flipchart/
• My new book is out: The 2-Hour Workshop Blueprint: Design Fast. Deliver Strong. Without Stress.
• Write an Amazon review, and I'll invite you to two webinars (value $299 each). 

Every day in 2025, Leanne is podcasting on her new show, Leanne on Demand.
Tune in over here!

(Otherwise, enjoy the back catalogue of First Time Facilitator episodes).

Support the show

Send Leanne a message

In this episode of the First Time Facilitator podcast, host Leanne Hughes interviews Dr. Mechelle Roberton, a self-confessed talent development nerd and certified professional in talent development. 

Leanne met Mechelle at a conference and was drawn to her energy and expertise in organisational culture. Mechelle shares her journey of creating opportunities in the talent development field, emphasizing the importance of passion and preparation in workshop delivery. 

She also discusses the need for organisations to engage frontline employees by seeking their input and addressing their most innate needs. 

Mechelle's career history includes leading an L&D team for a financial institution, working in talent development roles in healthcare, and teaching over 500 corporate courses. She is an experienced speaker and workshop facilitator, passionate about helping organisations and people achieve effective learning and teaching for adults.

Key Takeaways:

• Mechelle emphasizes the importance of creating opportunities rather than just finding them, sharing examples of how she got her start in delivering workshops by volunteering her services.
• Mechelle prepares for workshops by immersing herself in the topic and finding ways to fall in love with it, regardless of the content.
• The need for organisations to engage frontline employees by seeking their input and addressing their most innate needs, rather than focusing solely on superficial engagement activities.
• Mechelle's journey in talent development includes leading an L&D team for a financial institution, working in talent development roles in healthcare, and teaching over 500 corporate courses.

About the Guest:

Dr. Mechelle Roberthon is a certified professional in talent development and an experienced career and professional development instructor. She holds a doctorate in education and a master's degree in education with a specialization in training and performance improvement. Mechelle is passionate about effective learning and teaching for adults and has a wealth of experience in the talent development field.

To connect with Michelle and learn more about her work, visit her website at drmechellerob.com.

Episode Links:

• Flip Chart Facebook Group: Join the community of facilitators at https://www.facebook.com/groups/flipchart/
• Dr. Mechelle Roberton's website
• Connect with Mechelle on LinkedIn

Every day in 2025, Leanne is podcasting on her new show, Leanne on Demand.
Tune in over here!

(Otherwise, enjoy the back catalogue of First Time Facilitator episodes).

Support the show

Send Leanne a message

In this episode, host Leanne Hughes welcomes Jo Fitzgerald, from Jo Fitz Consulting to discuss intentionality in your workshop design.

Jo shares her insights and experiences from her career, highlighting the importance of creating a supportive environment and sharing responsibility for a successful workshop, as well as techniques for being present and managing moments (rather than automatically trying to fix issues).

They discuss the challenges of facilitating and the ongoing learning process involved. Jo also shares a personal story about a negative workshop experience and how it shaped her approach as a facilitator.

What You Will Learn:

• The similarities between teaching children and working with adults in a workshop setting
• How to use an intention sheet to be intentional and disciplined in your facilitation, reflecting on your desired presence and impact on the team.
• Ways to cultivate a sense of energy and avoid exhaustion after workshops, including the practice of staying in the room
• How to create a dynamic workshop environment that is engaging and fun, even for serious topics, by incorporating tools like check-ins and movement activities to promote physical engagement and foster creativity.
• Creating a holistic learning experience by considering participants' backgrounds and community context
• The importance of establishing connection and allowing participants to take ownership of their learning
• Managing the mindset of wanting to continuously improve and reflecting on workshop outcomes

About Jo Fitzgerald:
Jo  is a facilitator and leadership coach based in New Zealand. With a background in teaching and senior leadership roles in the public sector, Jo has extensive experience in bringing diverse teams together to achieve positive outcomes. 

She has been a senior leader in the public sector working on big, hard, important programmes that aimed to make things better for people. Throughout her career, she's  always tried to work with other people by finding areas of agreement even when there may have seemed to be insurmountable disagreement.

Jo prioritises collaboration and continuous learning, aiming to help leaders and teams better understand themselves and each other. 

Jo is a Gallup certified strengths coach and is passionate about facilitating workshops that empower participants to reach their full potential.

Connect with Jo Fitzgerald:

• Website: jofitzconsulting.co.nz
• LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/jo-fitzgerald

Join the Conversation:
Join the global community of facilitators in The Flipchart, a free Facebook group with over 2,000 members. Connect with like-minded professionals, share insights, and continue the conversation about facilitation.

Every day in 2025, Leanne is podcasting on her new show, Leanne on Demand.
Tune in over here!

(Otherwise, enjoy the back catalogue of First Time Facilitator episodes).

Support the show

Send Leanne a message

Today I'm chatting to you from my living room (watch the YouTube version)!

In this episode, Leanne Hughes explores the parallels between writing a book and designing a workshop. She shares her journey in the creation of her upcoming book, 'The Two Hour Workshop Blueprint,' highlighting her learnings, challenges, and the rewarding process of capturing her years of facilitating experience.

Listen to Leanne unpack these conversational riffs:

• Decision-making demystified: What are the crucial forks in the road when designing a workshop and writing a book?
• Break free from technology's grip: How can you get in a state where you enjoy the process?
• Mission or meandering? How can you give your content purpose and direction?
• Facilitation or training? What sets these two workshop roles apart?
• Dodge the info-dump: How can you cherry-pick content for impact and results?
• Content design – a solo act? How can early feedback reshape and refine your work?

Also, Leanne's book The 'Two-Hour Workshop Blueprint' is out next week! Get insights about Leanne's book "The Two-Hour Workshop Blueprint" and its process, purpose, and how it can guide you in running a workshop of any duration.

Let me know your thoughts, let's connect on LinkedIn or email me [email protected]

Every day in 2025, Leanne is podcasting on her new show, Leanne on Demand.
Tune in over here!

(Otherwise, enjoy the back catalogue of First Time Facilitator episodes).

Support the show

Send Leanne a message

In this episode, we delve into the world of design and facilitation with our guest, Ben Crothers, who brings over 20 years of experience in the field. Ben shares his journey from being a designer to becoming a facilitator, driven by his desire to improve the often lackluster experience of design critique sessions. 

We explore the importance of intentional facilitation, the need for questioning the status quo, and the role of visuals in creating better moments and driving productive meetings. Join us as we uncover the power of design in shaping not just how we work, but also how we collaborate and build a better world.

What You Will Learn:

• The spirit of design: How design seeks to create a better world and improve collaboration.
• The evolution of Ben's role: How he stumbled into facilitation through redesigning design critique sessions.
• The impact of intentional facilitation: How being intentional in meeting design can transform the way teams collaborate and achieve outcomes.
• Overcoming resistance to change: Encouraging individuals to question established meeting norms and create new approaches that drive productivity.
• The importance of visuals: How incorporating visuals, such as graphic recording and facilitation, can enhance understanding, spark creativity, and facilitate group decision-making.
• Empowering individuals with simple drawing skills: Exploring the benefits of drawing to communicate ideas effectively and solve problems collaboratively.

About Ben Crothers:
Ben has been a facilitator for over 15 years, and a designer for longer than that. He's helped teams from a broad range of organisations and domains - from Leukaemia Foundation to Parliament of Australia, from Atlassian to Westpac - to solve problems, formulate strategy, and work better together.

A big part of how Ben works has to do with incorporating visuals and visualisation. He regularly does graphic recording (or scribing) at events and meetings, and likes to map conversations on the whiteboard or in online collaboration spaces. This helps to bring ideas to life, and to help everyone listen better, and make better connections throughout complex discussions.

He is currently Principal Facilitator at Bright Pilots (his own facilitation consultancy), and the author of three books, including Presto Sketching: Simple Drawing for Brilliant Product Thinking and Design.

Ben's books:
Presto Sketching - Amazon / Booktopia / Angus & Robertson  
Draw in 4 - Amazon / Booktopia / Angus & Robertson / Kobo
50 Remote-Friendly Icebreakers - Website / Deluxe colour PDF version / Apple Books / Amazon / Kobo

Where to find Ben online:
bencrothers.com
brightpilots.com
On Instagram: bencrothers / wearebrightpilots
On Twitter: bencrothers / brightpilots
On LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bencrothers/

Every day in 2025, Leanne is podcasting on her new show, Leanne on Demand.
Tune in over here!

(Otherwise, enjoy the back catalogue of First Time Facilitator episodes).

Support the show