Facilitating on Purpose

In this episode, host Beth Cougler Blom talks with Alina Pete about the power of comics to teach, connect, and tell stories. They explore how comics can invite people into learning through joy, creativity, and representation, and how Alina's community-engaged work supports storytelling, language, and cultural connection in Indigenous contexts.
Beth and Alina also talk about:
Alina's journey into comics, animation, and visual effects
Comics as an accessible medium for teaching and sharing knowledge
Indigenous representation in modern stories, technology, and pop culture
Community collaboration, story stewardship, and cultural responsibility
Using drawing to open people up in workshops, gatherings, and hard conversations

Connect with Alina Pete
Website: alina-pete.com
Alina's published books
Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/alinapete.bsky.social
Instagram: @alinapete_art

Links From the Episode
Scott McCloud
Weregeek comics archive
Wapos Bay films
Can I Pet Your Werewolf
Alina's TEDx talk: Using comics and storytelling to engage memory and bring fun back to learning
Holmaco First Nation
Formline art
Woodlands style art
The 'Really Strange' Boxset by Steve Haines, art by Sophie Standing
Richtung 22

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
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 Nora Sheffe about using visuals in facilitation to create more engaging, inclusive, and participatory learning experiences. They explore how visuals can support connection and clarity in both in-person and virtual settings, even for facilitators who do not see themselves as artists.
Beth and Nora also talk about:
Expanding visual facilitation beyond drawing
Making workshops more accessible through tactile and visual design
Simple ways to use visuals online with everyday tools
Helping participants engage through movement, voting, and co-creation
Embracing imperfection when building visual skills
Connect with Nora Sheffe:
Website: https://sheffeconsulting.com/
Personal LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/norasheffe/
Company LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/sheffe-consulting-inc/posts/
Links From the Episode:
Manal Sayid
Visual Explorer cards
Bikablo (incl. Martin Haussmann and Frank Wesseler)
Heather Martinez
Ghost Ranch, New Mexico
Christina Merkley
The Grove Consultants
Abby Wilkymacky
Universal Design for Learning
Lita Currie
Rosanna von Sacken
Lisa Rothstein
Sam Bradd
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
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 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