Facilitating on Purpose

In this episode, host Beth Cougler Blom is interviewed by Joseph Diaz about Beth's upcoming second book, Everyday Acts of Facilitation, and how facilitation shows up far beyond workshops and meeting rooms. Together they explore Beth's story-driven approach to writing a guidebook-memoir that helps readers notice the facilitation happening in life's ordinary moments—and use that noticing to learn facilitation skills or deepen their practice.
Beth and Joseph also talk about:
How journaling everyday moments shaped the book's direction
The three types of readers the book is written for, from accidental to occasional to experienced facilitators
Why inner work and self-care are everyday acts of facilitation
What performance, introversion, and authenticity have to do with facilitation style
Some of the chapter themes that may matter the most right now
Connect with Joseph Diaz
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/josephadiaz/
Talk Learning with Me podcast 
Join the L&D Collective (including Joseph's book club)
Connect with Beth Cougler Blom
Visit bcblearning.com to explore Beth's company's services in facilitation and learning design
Check out Beth's books, Design to Engage and Everyday Acts of Facilitation
Follow Beth on Instagram or LinkedIn
Links From the Episode
Beth's book coach, Adrienne Dyer
Beth's book cover designer, Emily Johnston at Artio Design Co
EP 43 Writing a Book in the Field with Beth Cougler Blom
Connect with the Facilitating on Purpose podcast:
Follow Facilitating on Purpose on Instagram, LinkedIn, or YouTube
Show notes available at facilitatingonpurpose.ca
Podcast production services by Mary Chan of Organized Sound Productions

In this episode, host Beth Cougler Blom talks with Nathy Ravez about making connections with participants—both early in our interactions with them and ongoing through the workshop—and why what happens before the workshop often matters just as much as what happens during it. Beth and Nathy explore simple, practical ways to build trust and collaboration from the very first moments, so people arrive feeling seen, included, and ready to work together.
Beth and Nathy also talk about:
Using short pre-workshop interviews to learn who's in the room
Helping participants understand why they're there and what they bring
Building trust even when there's tension, resistance, or hierarchy in the mix
Choosing activities strategically to support collaboration, not just fun
 
Engage with Nathy Ravez:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nathyravez/
Website: https://laworkshoppeuse.com/
Podcast: There's a Workshop For That!
 
Links From the Episode:
EP 10 Facilitating Connection with Jan Keck
EP 14 Connection Before Content with Chad Littlefield
Said Saddouk on Linkedin
EP 36 The State of Facilitation 2024 Report with Deborah Rim Moiso
Learn about Jan Keck's upcoming book
 
Connect with the Facilitating on Purpose podcast:
Follow Facilitating on Purpose on Instagram, LinkedIn, or YouTube
Show notes available at facilitatingonpurpose.ca
 
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
Check out Beth's books, Design to Engage and Everyday Acts of Facilitation
Follow Beth on Instagram or LinkedIn
 
Podcast production services by Mary Chan of Organized Sound Productions

In this episode, host Beth Cougler Blom talks with Letícia (Schuli) Schuelter, a Brazilian experience designer and community builder, about her framework for meaningful togetherness and how self-directed learning shaped her career path.
Beth and Letícia also talk about:
Saying yes to unexpected opportunities as a path into facilitation work
Lessons from self-directed learning communities
The evolving role of community building, weaving, and design
Four pillars for creating magical and memorable group experiences
Putting nature at the centre of our design processes

Engage with Letícia (Schuli) Schuelter
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/leticiaschuli/
A Case for Meaningful Togetherness article by Letícia Schuelter

Links From the Episode
UDESC - Universidade de Design do Estado de Santa Catarina
Alex Bretas Arquiteturas de comunidades de aprendizagem autodirigida, article by Alex Bretas in which Alex describes architectures for a self-directed learning journey and community 
Alex Bretas on self-directed learning (YouTube video)

Ecoversities Network
Book about Black Mountain College
Community weaving
Terry Irwin TEDx talk: Design a Worldview for Social Impact
bell hooks' All About Love book
The Bloom

Connect with the Facilitating on Purpose podcast:
Follow Facilitating on Purpose on Instagram, LinkedIn, or YouTube
Show notes and transcripts available at facilitatingonpurpose.ca
 
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, host Beth Cougler Blom talks with Chanchal Garg about what it means to facilitate as a conscious leader and how truth-telling, vulnerability, and intention shape the way we work with groups.
Beth and Chanchal also talk about:
How inner safety and self-soothing help facilitators take interpersonal risks
Why truth-telling is a leadership act and a personal practice
The balance between vulnerability and influence in group settings
How narratives from childhood shape how we lead
The power of naming what's happening in the room
Engage with Chanchal Garg
Website: https://chanchalgarg.com/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chanchalgarg22/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chanchal_unearthed
Links From the Episode
Paul Gilbert's Three System Model
Stanford Facilitator Training Program
T-groups with Chanchal Garg
Self-Compassion by Kristen Neff
Conscious Style Guide (Conscious editing/language)
EP 46: Creating the Habit of Inclusive Language with Dr. Suzanne Wertheim
Connect with the Facilitating on Purpose podcast:
Follow Facilitating on Purpose on Instagram, LinkedIn, or YouTube
Show notes and transcripts available at facilitatingonpurpose.ca
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, host Beth Cougler Blom answers a listener's question about how to help people shift from lecture-style delivery to a more engaging, participatory approach to facilitating learning. Drawing from years of experience supporting faculty and facilitators, Beth shares practical strategies for supporting others in embracing active learning methods.
Beth also talks about:
Establishing a culture of continuous improvement
Using goal setting and debriefing to grow facilitation skills
Taking a coach approach to support others
Explaining why active learning works using plain language
Encouraging facilitators to let go of control and learn alongside their participants
Links From the Episode
EP 4 Facilitation is the New Coaching with Moe Poirier
Design to Engage: How to Create and Facilitate a Great Learning Experience For Any Group with Beth Cougler Blom
EP 47 The Pivotal Role of Learning Outcomes with Beth Cougler Blom
EP 19 Choosing Activities with Beth Cougler Blom
Instructional Skills Workshop
Universal Design for Learning
Connect with the Facilitating on Purpose podcast:
Follow Facilitating on Purpose on Instagram, LinkedIn, or YouTube
Show notes and transcripts available at facilitatingonpurpose.ca
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