Trainer Talk - The Podcast

Boundaries: in between oddly named towns, dropping pennies and interesting journeys, we talk about setting boundaries in our business - is it really possible, or even desirable, to have work/life balance? When does work stop and home start - especially if we love what we do and we can choose what and when? Sharon also discovers that a year ago was too soon to move and Ginette's going to try not talking to anyone (on Zoom at least). We have an interesting diversion into journaling and also how to get back in the saddle after a prolonged break - particularly as things definitely seem to be moving again with clients. In the Dog-walking Digest, Jem's plodding, Scamp's avoiding and the rain is persistent! There are tons of Locals coming up to virtually visit before the summer 'break' and in the Online Course Creation Top Tip we want you to get your learners to teach it on.

Repeating Learning: well don't say we didn't warn you that a bumper one was coming! In this feature-length episode we cover pre-show parties, spiritual resilience, a few little tears from Sharon and zesty action-takers (naturally). And while we spend a lot of time talking about the benefits of repeating a course we've taken (which Ginette would like to point out is also one of the benefits of online courses), we also find time to talk about woo-woo manifestation, not being green-fingered, Mumbles moaners and the one thing that holds us all back in business. Naturally we also cover the triumph that was the first ever virtual Trainer Talk Live, we look forward to more Trainer Talk Locals and another round of the Future-Fit Training Business programme in September. The Dog-walking Digest is notable only for the fact that Jem hasn't interrupted anything for ages (ssshhh, she's asleep!). And in what feels like some nice symmetry, we finish with why it's important to encourage collaboration among learners.

The Future of Training: this week we go a bit rogue as the conversation meanders all over the place until we arrive at Top of Mind, having already covered most of the other areas (but there's always more to say). Sharon's still in Hardcore Wales and Ginette wants a duvet day. We agree that time is going both quickly and slowly, that you're unlikely to use the word 'bubbly' to describe certain professions and that people will always find a way to do what they want. In Top of Mind (when we eventually get there) we look at how the enforced change in training delivery has helped some people decide they'd really rather not travel anymore thanks, but ultimately we have power over our business, so it's up to us to make it what we want. Later on, we find out that Sharon's got a hurty leg, Jem's plodding, Scamp's off his food (only temporarily, don't panic) and Ginette is trying to work out how to get 83 trainers to all do the same thing at once ... it's going to be fun carnage at Trainer Talk Live - the Virtual Edition!

Technology: in this episode, we celebrate potential chinks of light in the requirement for training delivery, giving things our full attention and the joy of blaming inanimate objects for things we've done but don't want to admit to. In Top of Mind, Sharon and Ginette discuss how technology has been our saviour over the last few months and how no-one's really bad at tech - it's all relative! In other news, there's a woo-woo thought of the day, knickers on heads and (we didn't forget really), the new Trainer Talk Member Hub. We also squeeze in a (bad) meteorological explanation and how Trainer Talk Live is turning into the Emma Extravaganza!

Fear in Business: it's a Welsh-iversary! The equivalent time last year was the first recording in Welsh Wales - not a lot's changed really, has it?! This week we cover panic over Zoom outages, avoiding more faff and what happens when computer programs stop speaking to each other. Sharon does her best PacMan impression on her daily lives and Ginette discovers she actually quite likes structure really. In Top of Mind we discuss False Evidence Appearing Real, otherwise known as fear (the manufactured in our heads kind) and we ask the best question yet: what would and could we achieve if fear was not a factor? There's light relief in the form of Sharon's comedy dog-walking moments and Ginette still can't quite get her head around a particular cyclist's sense of entitlement. We also cover how the first ever virtual Trainer Talk Live might also be virtually sold out and how appearing on camera in your online course can be strategically wise.

Office space: this week we try not to talk too much about what's going on in the world and fail miserably when it comes to the Dog-walking Digest. Volleyball playing taxi-drivers and selfish cyclists aside, we have a much nicer time talking about realisations and revelations when limiting beliefs are challenged, whether one of our number is actually a giraffe, having Zoom-free days, decluttering and finding inspiration in our office space - as long as it's not too much faff of course! Sharon gets a lovely message to start her day, along with some more titillating ones (no, not like that saucy) and Ginette would really rather you stayed away from the beach right now if it's all the same to you. Everything's virtual these days, including our upcoming events, but if you can turn your training into a game, then the reward is all yours. Just don't be a lurker - we need the adulation!

Boredom - really?! This week we talk about funnels, amazing customer service, rinse and repeat work and things that are big and hairy and scary. Sharon turns into a Welsh Nationalist and Ginette turns into a cynic (granted, not a big stretch there). In Top of Mind, we try to help with ways to not be bored, but considering neither of us has had much chance of that recently, you'll have to be the judge of our advice on that one! In the Dog-walking Digest there's a riot of colour and a disappearing dog to contend with and then we contemplate the forthcoming virtual meetings, including the first ever virtual Trainer Talk Live. Apparently there's one great speaker and some woman who claims to know about online courses ...

Zoomed Out: It might be our shortest episode for a while, but we still pack in an eclectic chat including hydroponics, stolen hashtags and hypnotic stone gathering. Ginette is definitely not a damsel in distress and it's Sharon's turn for a rant this week. We talk about how sometimes a rough and ready video is more 'real', what to do when you feel Zoomed out (and why that might be) and why it's perfectly possible to ignore yourself. Jem manages to interrupt us, which is the first for a while, and Scamp is developing some fussy (tr)eating habits. It's all about the virtual with our events and last but not least, we'd like you to get your learners to bring their own examples to your online course.

Reboot: In an episode that sees more than its fair share of tech glitches (if you don't notice them it'll be a miracle), we cover exciting deliveries, faded ends, stray children and fancy pastries - and that's just Sharon's week. Ginette has a bit of a rant (well it has been a while) about a well-known supermarket, but that's probably due to a lack of egg protein. In Top of Mind, we discuss how 'safe-mode' has given us a reboot opportunity, noting of course how so many things seem to be better after a bit of a switch off and switch on again (sadly not Sharon's internet, but that's another story). The more important point is understanding that sometimes the only thing that stops us is what's between our ears ... In other news, Sharon survives almost getting trampled by wild horses only to be nearly trampled by elderly cyclists and Ginette tells us why it's important for titles in our online courses to be descriptive.

Finding Positivity: this week we talk about how it's definitely possible to find positivity in the current situation and even though we might feel forced into it, sometimes it can yield some surprising and great results! In case you're worrying that we've gone more serious than normal, we counter this with ten minutes (not joking) about hair dye ... Sharon resorts to cleaning both the bathroom and her database, while Ginette claims (eventual) victory over the same database and uses the word 'discombobulating' in a proper sentence and everything. In the Dog-walking Digest we discuss the rise of vigilantism and Zuckerberg-knockers. Definitely back to normal there then. In events to look forward to, we're forgoing the usual 'hug-a-thon' by holding the first ever virtual Trainer Talk Live in June and last but not least we want you to have a responsive platform for your online courses.