The Spark Konnect

Summary Join Kassy LaBorie in a deep and engaging conversation with David Kolmer, an instructional designer with a rich background in theater, opera, and education. They explore creativity, learning, cultural experiences, and the intersection of art and instructional design. David brings his experience working and living in Thailand to the show, and his happy-go-lucky approach to all aspects of hi...

Summary In this brand new episode of the Spark Konnect, body language expert and former professional cyclist Traci L.  Brown shares insights on how to read what people are saying subliminally, the mental side of sports, confidence, and how athletic discipline translates into effective communication and personal growth. Tune in for an engaging discussion that challenges our perspective on self-conf...

Summary Join this week’s conversation between Kassy LaBorie and Bridget K. Brown as they delve into the importance of storytelling in facilitation and instructional design. This conversation is all about emotional honesty, and finding exciting and genuine ways of connecting with people - whether it be an audience of 2 or 200. Bridget brings her 15 years of expertise as an actress, writer, and inst...

Summary In this heartfelt and personal interview, Dr. Keith Keating shares his journey from a dancer and actor to a learning development expert. Dr. Keating shares how overcoming adversity can lead you to places you never thought you’d go. His endless optimism will inspire you, and help explain how artistry influences facilitation. Dr. Keating emphasizes the importance of authentic presence, and p...

In today’s conversation Kassy LaBorie interviews Tina BE, an intuitive communication expert who shares her journey of embracing creativity and the power of presence in communication. Tina BE discusses the importance of listening, grounding oneself, and the role of curiosity in effective communication. She also explains her unique approach of using freestyle rap to engage audiences and navigate cri...

In this engaging conversation, Kassy LaBorie interviews Jordan Taylor, a corporate trainer and musician, exploring the intersection of music, performance, and effective training techniques. They discuss the importance of audience engagement, the role of creativity in training, and how personal experiences can enhance the learning environment. Jordan shares insights from his time at GoDaddy, the de...

In this exciting conversation, Kassy LaBorie and Vanessa Hoffman explore the intersection of vocal performance and professional development. Vanessa shares her journey as a singer and trainer, discussing how her musical background informs her approach to training and engagement. They delve into the challenges of vocal performance, the importance of breath control, and the need for vocal care among...

In this brand new episode, Kassy LaBorie and Kirsten Anderson explore the transformative power of play in adult life, particularly in the workplace. Kirsten shares her journey from the toy industry to becoming a playologist, emphasizing the importance of play for creativity, team building, and psychological safety. They discuss practical techniques for integrating play into professional settings,...

In this engaging conversation, Kassy LaBorie interviews Russ Powell, a multifaceted artist and leadership trainer. They explore the connections between juggling, music, and effective leadership, discussing how artistic expression can enhance facilitation and training. Russ shares his journey from street performing in New Orleans to becoming an executive coach, emphasizing the importance of practic...

In this episode, Amy Chapman, a professional in talent development, shares her journey from theater to corporate training. She emphasizes the importance of creativity in learning and how the arts can transform thinking and problem-solving. Amy discusses her innovative approaches to training, the significance of emotional intelligence, and the need for engaging learning experiences. She also provid...

In this episode, Kassy LaBorie and guest Gordon Lam explore the intersection of music and facilitation, emphasizing the importance of learning through experience, the transition to virtual training, and the role of authenticity in engaging audiences. They discuss how preparation and the ability to embrace mistakes can enhance the training experience, as well as the nuances of using humor in a corp...

In this special pop up Sports & Facilitation episode, Kassy LaBorie and guest, Alex Dumas explore how athletic experiences shape personal growth, confidence, and public speaking skills. Alex shares his journey from feeling insecure to finding confidence through football, emphasizing the importance of practice and preparation. They delve into the mindset required for effective performance and i...

Surprise! 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗦𝗽𝗮𝗿𝗸 𝗞𝗼𝗻𝗻𝗲𝗰𝘁 podcast is launching a 𝗦𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁𝘀 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗙𝗮𝗰𝗶𝗹𝗶𝘁𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗽𝗼𝗽-𝘂𝗽 𝘀𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗲𝘀. Every once in a while, an episode will drop exploring how 𝗮𝘁𝗵𝗹𝗲𝘁𝗶𝗰 𝗲𝘅𝗽𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲 𝘀𝗵𝗮𝗽𝗲𝘀 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝘄𝗮𝘆 𝘄𝗲 𝘀𝗽𝗲𝗮𝗸, 𝘁𝗿𝗮𝗶𝗻, 𝗹𝗲𝗮𝗱, 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗽𝗲𝗿𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗺 𝘂𝗻𝗱𝗲r 𝗽𝗿𝗲𝘀𝘀𝘂𝗿𝗲.

In this conversation, Kassy LaBorie and Steven Patterson explore the intersection of vocal performance and learning and development. They discuss the importance of storytelling, authenticity, and emotional connection in both singing and training. Steven shares his journey as a vocal performer and how it informs his work, emphasizing the need for trust, preparedness, and the power of silence and br...

Let's ignite your spark!

In this episode, host Kassy LaBorie interviews Taylor Kaschke,  the Communications and Experiences Manager at Crawford Murphy & Tilly. They discuss how theatre and performance have shaped their communication skills and confidence, and how storytelling can be integrated into learning to enhance employee engagement. Taylor shares her view of feedback as data points and how her growth mindset has...

In this engaging conversation, Kassy LaBorie and Hilary Blair explore the transformative power of theatre in communication and training. Hilary shares her unique approach to “degunking” individuals, helping them shed the layers that inhibit their authentic voices. They discuss the importance of friction in conversations, distinguishing it from conflict, and how to facilitate productive discussions...

In this episode, host Kassy LaBorie is joined by Skyler Westergard, a landscape designer and L&D professional. Together, they explore the fascinating intersection of landscape architecture with art and learning. Skyler shares his journey from childhood fascination with plants to becoming a learning and development manager in a national landscape management company. The conversation emphasizes...

In this episode, Kassy LaBorie interviews Rick Lozano, a keynote speaker and musician, who shares his journey of integrating music into his business presentations. Rick discusses the importance of vulnerability, creativity, and finding one's unique voice in both personal and professional settings. He emphasizes the need to engage different audiences and the balance between seriousness and fun...

In this engaging conversation, Kassy interviews Ryan Swigert, a magician and learning and development professional. He shares his journey from performing magic tricks as a child to creating impactful training experiences. He discusses the parallels between magic and training, emphasizing the importance of creativity, authenticity in both fields. Ryan also highlights the significance of creating ma...

In this episode, Kassy LaBorie interviews Kevin Thorn, a multifaceted artist and instructional designer, exploring his journey from a young artist to a creative consultant. They discuss the intersection of art and training, the importance of creativity as a skill, and the impact of AI on artistic expression. Kevin shares insights on his transition from military life to corporate training, the evol...

In this episode, Kassy LaBorie interviews Heather Blevins, a self-declared 'insurance rebel' who brings creativity and artistry into the world of insurance training. Heather discusses her journey from theatre to insurance, emphasizing the importance of vulnerability, storytelling, and emotional intelligence in training. She highlights the need for a shift in the perception of the insurance...

In this engaging conversation, host Kassy LaBorie interviews Karen Rex, known as Geeky Girl Rex, exploring her journey as a musician and facilitator. They discuss the paradox of introversion in performance, the importance of silence in both music and facilitation, and the shared experience of stage fright. Karen shares how her musical background influences her facilitation style. Karen offers insi...

In this episode, host Kassy LaBorie interviews Rusty Shields, a trained opera singer and learning &  development consultant. Rusty shares his unique journey from music to training, discussing how his artistic background influences his approach to facilitation and teaching. The conversation explores themes of vulnerability, connection, and the importance of artistry in professional development....

In this episode, host Kassy LaBorie interviews Mike Bondi, a magician and corporate trainer. Mike shares his journey from a shy child to a confident performer, emphasizing the importance of empathy, engagement, and storytelling in effective training. He demonstrates how magic tricks can enhance learning experiences, making complex topics more relatable and memorable. Mentioned In This Episode:  Ma...