You know you need a visual collaboration tool for virtual sessions. Maybe you've already been using Miro. But are you actually facilitating with it - or just putting sticky notes on a board and hoping for the best?

In this episode, I talk with Carolina Poll about what it really takes to use Miro as a facilitation tool: the features every trainer and facilitator should know, the traps that trip people up, and what separates a well-designed board from digital chaos.

What you'll explore:

• Why Miro is more than a whiteboard - and how to think about it as a facilitation tool
• The key features every facilitator should master (and how to actually use them in sessions)
• The most common traps and mistakes facilitators make with Miro - and how to avoid them
• What a well-designed Miro board looks like for a workshop vs. one that just collects sticky notes

📘 Download the brief summary for main learnings & to keep reflecting: https://trainers-toolbox.com/podcast-episodes-how-to-facilitate-better-using-miro/

Miro templates from this episode:🖌️ International Women's Day Team Reflection: https://miro.com/templates/international-womens-day-team-reflection/🖌️ International Women's Day Workshop: https://miro.com/templates/international-womens-day-workshop/🖌️ Lightning Decision Jam (LDJ): https://miro.com/templates/lightning-decision-jam/

Are you just starting out with Miro or want to dive deeper? Check out these articles from Trainers Toolbox Blog:📰 How to Facilitate Better with Miro: A Practical Guide for Trainers and Facilitators: https://trainers-toolbox.com/how-to-facilitate-better-with-miro-a-practical-guide-for-trainers-and-facilitators/📰 Step by Step Facilitators’ Guide to Discovering Miro: https://trainers-toolbox.com/step-by-step-facilitators-guide-to-discovering-miro/

🗣️ About Carolina Poll:Carolina Poll is a strategic product designer and workshop facilitator with 17+ years of experience, and also a Miro Creator and Miro MVP.She has over 100 templates on Miroverse.She works with early-stage SaaS founders and product teams to design better product experiences, and she does most of that work inside Miro.

Carolina's links:🌐 Website: https://www.carolpoll.design/💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/carolpoll/📬 Newsletter: https://www.carolpoll.design/notes-by-carol 🖌️ Templates: https://miro.com/templates/profile/carolina-poll/

Related episodes:🎙️ Ep. 2 - Seven Dimensions of Facilitation to Balance in Your Workshops: https://www.trainers-toolbox.com/podcast-episodes-seven-dimensions-of-facilitation-to-balance-in-your-workshop🎙️ Ep. 20 - Designing with Intentionality for Better Workshops: https://www.trainers-toolbox.com/podcast-episodes-designing-with-intentionality-for-better-workshops/

Explore deeper:🎓 Advanced Facilitation Training - A 2-day deep dive into facilitation skills for experienced trainers: https://www.trainers-toolbox.com/advanced-facilitation-training/🎓 Train the Trainer - 3-month foundations course for trainers building their practice: https://www.trainers-toolbox.com/train-the-trainer/

Let's connect:💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mirnasmidt/📬 Newsletter: https://www.trainers-toolbox.com/newsletter/

Can you really thrive as a trainer if you're an introvert? If you've ever wondered whether this profession requires you to be the loudest person in the room - this one's for you.

In this episode, I explore a question from a Train the Trainer participant about what "being a good trainer" actually means beyond being outgoing, how introverts can manage their energy during and after sessions, and why being an introvert might actually be your secret advantage.

What you'll explore:

- Why being a great trainer has nothing to do with being extroverted - and what it actually requires

- How to manage your energy during and after training sessions as an introvert

- Which training formats naturally suit introverted trainers (and why that matters)

- The biggest misconceptions about introverts in this space - and how being one can actually be an advantage

- Practical tips for getting started as a trainer if you are an introvert, dealing with nerves, and connecting with participants in your own way

📘 Download the brief summary for main learnings & to keep reflecting: https://trainers-toolbox.com/podcast-episodes-can-introverts-be-great-trainers/

BECOME A GREAT TRAINER

🎓 Train the Trainer - A 3-month foundations course for trainers building their practice, in a cozy group of 6: https://www.trainers-toolbox.com/train-the-trainer/

🎓 Trainers Conversations - A year-long community of 22 trainers sharing ideas, challenges, and fresh inspiration with other trainers: https://www.trainers-toolbox.com/trainers-conversations-community/

An amazing book to explore for power of introverts: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/17204619-quiet

(And if you are looking for a longer list of amazing books, definitely check out The Ultimate Booklist for Trainers & Facilitators: https://trainers-toolbox.com/ultimate-booklist-for-trainers/)

LET'S CONNECT

💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mirnasmidt/

📬 Newsletter: https://www.trainers-toolbox.com/newsletter/

What does it actually take to create a bold vision — one that’s honest, authentic, and truly yours? In this episode, I sit down with creativity and embodiment coach Paula Amiama to explore how trainers and facilitators can reconnect with what they really want, clear the noise that gets in the way, and build from a place of inner clarity rather than hustle.

What you’ll explore in this conversation:

- Why vision is orientation, not strategy — and what that changes

- How to clear the fear, shame, and limiting beliefs that block bold thinking

- Why letting go (even of good things) is essential for growth- What the four seasons framework teaches about honouring where you are

- Why managing your state matters more than managing the problem

📘 Download the episode handout for main learnings & to keep reflecting: https://trainers-toolbox.com/podcast-episodes-how-to-create-a-bold-vision/

🗣️ About the guest

Paula Amiama is a creativity and embodiment coach. After a wildly non-linear career across marketing, sustainability, innovation, and L&D, she’s stepped into building her own coaching & training business, Unlearn Studios, primarily supporting artists and creatives in bringing their boldest visions to life.

Paula’s links:

✉️ Free — Unlearn Letters: Paula’s free Substack newsletter where she explores common beliefs that hold back our creativity, and promotes upcoming free workshops.https://paulaamiama.substack.com/

🎨 Paid — Artful Club Membership: The home for creative women birthing their most meaningful work. The hub of her FLOW to FORM program — embodied practices, workshops, co-working sessions, community connection, and much more in a very accessible annual membership.https://artful-club.circle.so/join-artful-club

🌐 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/paulaamiama/

🎙️ Related episodes you might enjoy:

Ep.19 — Self Check-In: Reset Your Focus & Energy in Under a Minute

https://www.trainers-toolbox.com/podcast-episodes-self-check-in-reset-your-focus-and-energy-in-under-a-minute/

Ep.25 — Using the 4 Seasons Framework in Life & Workshops

https://trainers-toolbox.com/podcast/podcast-episodes-using-the-4-seasons-framework-in-life-and-workshops/

Explore it deeper with Trainers Toolbox:

🌳 Treehouse Learning Getaway — A 4-day retreat in a peaceful forest in Croatia for a small group of 8 trainers and facilitators ready to step out of routine, recharge deeply, and reconnect with their vision and creativity.

https://www.trainers-toolbox.com/trainers-retreat-tree-elements/

🗫 Trainers’ Conversations Community — A year-long collaborative network of 22 dedicated trainers and facilitators focused on mutual growth, offering a supportive space for feedback, skill development, and creative exchange.

https://www.trainers-toolbox.com/trainers-conversations-community/

💬 Let’s connect:

Mirna Smidt — https://www.linkedin.com/in/mirnasmidt

Trainers Toolbox — https://www.trainers-toolbox.com

📖 Visualise by Maya Raichoora:

https://www.goodreads.com/en/book/show/219846699-visualise

📚 Looking for other great books for trainers and facilitators? Check out The Ultimate Booklist:

https://trainers-toolbox.com/ultimate-booklist-for-trainers/

Most training doesn’t fail because things are missing in the content or in the learning experience itself. It fails because the change never makes it past the workshop.

In this episode, I share a simple 4-key framework you can use in two ways:

1) to move your own skills-development, and business forward, and

2) to design programs that actually lead to results after the session.

Explore it and take a moment to reflect which “key” could be strengthened in your own goals & workshops, strengthen it and skyrocket your results.

📘1-page summary: https://trainers-toolbox.com/podcast/the-4-keys-that-turn-learning-into-real-change-and-results/

🎙️RELATED EPISODES:

• Ep. 9 (Transfer): https://trainers-toolbox.com/podcast/podcast-episodes-how-to-close-your-workshop-well-and-make-learning-last/

• Ep. 23 (Trainer wellbeing): https://trainers-toolbox.com/podcast/podcast-episodes-protect-your-wellbeing-as-a-trainer-7-foundations-to-keep-you-flourishing/

• Ep. 25 (4 seasons): https://trainers-toolbox.com/podcast/podcast-episodes-using-the-4-seasons-framework-in-life-and-workshops/

🧠LEARN MORE

• Train the Trainer course: https://www.trainers-toolbox.com/train-the-trainer-course/

• Advanced Facilitation Training: https://www.trainers-toolbox.com/advanced-facilitation-training/

• Trainers Conversations Community: https://www.trainers-toolbox.com/trainers-conversations-community/

• Treehouse Learning Getaway (Retreat): https://www.trainers-toolbox.com/trainers-retreat-tree-elements/• Emotional Journey Design (Online): https://trainers-toolbox.com/emotional-journey-design-course/

💬LET’S CONNECT

• Connect on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mirnasmidt/

• Newsletter: https://www.trainers-toolbox.com/newsletter/

Facilitation work comes in waves. Some periods are full of delivery and interaction, others ask for design, reflection, refinement, or a reset.

In this episode, I share a simple (and surprisingly practical) that will help you leverage those waves to support you instead of sabotaging you: the 4 Seasons framework.

You’ll learn how to use it:

• to design your year and obligations more intentionally,

• to design workshops with better rhythm (not “always-on”),

• and as a process inside a workshop (we use it at Treehouse when reflecting on your work and life).

📘1-page summary: https://trainers-toolbox.com/podcast/podcast-episodes-using-the-4-seasons-framework-in-life-and-workshops

🎙️RELATED EPISODES

• Ep.6 (Manage your energy): https://trainers-toolbox.com/podcast/podcast-episodes-effectively-manage-your-energy-in-workshops-life-2/

• Ep.23 (Trainer wellbeing): https://trainers-toolbox.com/podcast/podcast-episodes-protect-your-wellbeing-as-a-trainer-7-foundations-to-keep-you-flourishing/

🧠EXPLORE IT DEEPER

• Treehouse retreat (we explore this + many other frameworks in practice): https://www.trainers-toolbox.com/trainers-retreat-tree-elements/

• Trainers Conversations community (we keep exchanging tools like this all year): https://www.trainers-toolbox.com/trainers-conversations-community/

💬LET’S CONNECT

• Connect on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mirnasmidt/

• Trainers Toolbox newsletter: https://www.trainers-toolbox.com/newsletter/

The group energy is vital for an effective workshop - it shapes engagement, affects focus, and determines how much learning will actually happen.

In this episode, you’ll learn how to notice, guide, and intentionally shape group energy across different phases of a session - so that focus, engagement, and active participation are actively supported, rather than left to chance.

We’ll explore what to do when energy is too flat, too scattered, or too intense - and you’ll leave with a fresh perspective plus practical ideas to lift, slow down, or deepen energy in the training room.

📘1-page summary: https://www.trainers-toolbox.com/podcast-episode-24-managing-group-energy-keep-your-particpants-engaged-and-focused📘Optimal Emotions for Learning ebook signup: https://www.trainers-toolbox.com/emotions-best-for-learning-ebook/

🎙️RELATED EPISODES

- Ep.6 (Manage your energy): https://www.trainers-toolbox.com/podcast-episodes-effectively-manage-your-energy-in-workshops-life/- Ep. 14 (Emotions): https://www.trainers-toolbox.com/podcast-episodes-designing-emotional-journeys-for-deeper-learning

- Ep. 19 (Self check-in): https://www.trainers-toolbox.com/podcast-episodes-self-check-in-reset-your-focus-and-energy-in-under-a-minute/

🧠LEARN MORE

- Emotional Journey Design course: https://www.trainers-toolbox.com/emotional-journey-design-course/

- Train the Trainer: https://www.trainers-toolbox.com/train-the-trainer-course/

Advanced Facilitation Training: https://www.trainers-toolbox.com/advanced-facilitation-training/

💬LET’S CONNECT

If you enjoyed this episode, subscribe to the channel - and if you want to share a situation you’re facing, reach out on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mirnasmidt or via the Trainers Toolbox newsletter: https://www.trainers-toolbox.com/newsletter

Working as a trainer or facilitator is a deeply meaningful work — but can also be intense.

Between design, delivery, follow-ups, and often business development, it’s easy for wellbeing to slip to the bottom of the list.

In this episode, I share 7 foundations that help you protect your wellbeing long-term — so you can keep your impact high, but also enjoy your work and life to the fullest.

📘1-page summary: https://www.trainers-toolbox.nl/podcast-episodes-protect-your-wellbeing-as-a-trainer-7-foundations-to-keep-you-flourishing

🎙️RELATED EPISODES

Ep.19 (Self check-in): https://www.trainers-toolbox.com/podcast-episodes-self-check-in-reset-your-focus-and-energy-in-under-a-minute/

Ep.15 (Flow): https://www.trainers-toolbox.com/podcast-episodes-flow-the-secret-ingredient-for-effortless-learning/

🧠WORK WITH ME

Treehouse retreat: https://www.trainers-toolbox.com/trainers-retreat-tree-elements/

Trainers Conversations community: https://www.trainers-toolbox.com/trainers-conversations-community/

💬LET’S CONNECT

Connect on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mirnasmidt/

Trainers Toolbox newsletter: https://www.trainers-toolbox.com/newsletter/

You know what’s one thing that every one of us trainers and facilitators will make? MISTAKES! 😀

But, what we wanna do is avoid those mistakes that sabotage learning.

In this episode, I walk you through 7 traps that quietly sabotage learning, and what to replace them with.

Even if you’re experienced, you’ll likely spot at least one habit to upgrade.

📘1-page summary: https://www.trainers-toolbox.com/podcast-episodes-7-workshop-traps-that-quietly-sabotage-learning/

💡COURSES TO BUILD THOSE SKILLS 

Train the Trainer: https://www.trainers-toolbox.com/train-the-trainer/ 

Advanced Facilitation Training: https://www.trainers-toolbox.com/advanced-facilitation-training/

🧠MASTERCLASSES (2h, online)

Trainers Toolbox Luma calendar (check & subscribe for upcoming masterclasses, but also free meetups): https://luma.com/trainerstoolbox

💬LET’S CONNECT

Connect on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mirnasmidt/

Keep an eye on the weekly Trainers Toolbox Newsletter: https://www.trainers-toolbox.com/newsletter/

You deliver workshops and keep wondering what would make them more impactful?In this episode, I share 7 tips that make a big difference in making your first workshop truly impactful - without overcomplicating it.

While it’s aimed at fresh trainers, even if you’re experienced, you’ll likely spot at least one thing to tighten.

📘 1-page summary: https://www.trainers-toolbox.com/podcast-episodes-new-trainer-7-tips-to-make-your-first-workshop-a-success/

💡COURSES TO BUILD THOSE SKILLS

Train the Trainer: https://www.trainers-toolbox.com/train-the-trainer/

Advanced Facilitation Training: https://www.trainers-toolbox.com/advanced-facilitation-training/

🧠 MASTERCLASSES (2h, online)

Trainers Toolbox Luma calendar (check & subscribe for upcoming masterclasses, but also free meetups): https://luma.com/trainerstoolbox

💬LET’S CONNECT

Connect on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mirnasmidt/

Keep an eye on the weekly Trainers Toolbox Newsletter: https://www.trainers-toolbox.com/newsletter/

Intentionality in training design is what separates average workshops from powerful learning experiences.In this episode, we talk about what it means to design with purpose – and how to stay aligned with your training goals while staying flexible to the group.It is all about bringing your workshops to a whole new depth, and being more strategic in the way you do design. 

(And remember to subscribe ☝️to stay tuned on more episodes about how to make training effective coming up).

📘 Download the episode handout for main learnings & to keep reflecting:

https://www.trainers-toolbox.com/podcast-episodes-designing-with-intentionality-for-better-workshops/

🧠Dive deep into intentional learning design with our Train the Trainer course: https://www.trainers-toolbox.com/train-the-trainer-course/

💡Mirna’s TEDx talk about living life more intentionally - The way to fulfilled life 

🎁Keep on learning with weekly newsletter every Wednesday: https://www.trainers-toolbox.com/newsletter/

💬Say hi, stay in touch: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mirnasmidt/