Facilitating Change: How to create transformative spaces that inspire, empower & drive real change

In this episode of Facilitating Change, we sit down with Vipul Shaha, creator of 'Mindful Being' and a global facilitator passionate about holistic education, mindfulness, and transformation. Vipul shares his journey from teaching in under-resourced classrooms to integrating mindfulness, nature, and body awareness into his facilitation practice. He opens up about the power of silence, the importan...

In this conversation, Cole Hoover and Adam Kahane of Reos Partners explore the art of systems transformation through stories from Adam's remarkable career. They discuss how everyday habits create lasting change and why transformation must inherently be a collective activity. Adam shares insights from his forthcoming book, highlighting the value of collaboration, self-reflection, and making space f...

In this episode of Facilitating Change, Mentor Dida sits down with Maria Galaykova, a learning experience designer who is passionate about creating transformative experiences through human-centered design and constructivist psychology. Maria discusses her journey from a certification manager and workplace consultant to discovering the missing link between change and learning, which led her to the...

In this insightful episode of Facilitating Change, Mentor Dida sits down with Peter Williamson, co-founder of Barometer XP, to explore how play can powerfully transform team dynamics and organizational culture. Peter shares his journey from professional athlete to expert facilitator, revealing how play became central to his approach to building strong teams, enhancing empathy, and sparking innovat...

In this episode of Facilitating Change, Cole Hoover speaks with Dr. Julie Pham, an expert on interpersonal dynamics, organizational development, and cross-sector collaboration. Julie unpacks why our traditional understanding of respect often leads to disconnection, despite our best intentions. She shares frameworks from her book The 7 Forms of Respect which places respect on a spectrum and gives u...

In this episode of Facilitating Change, Mentor Dida speaks with Jeff Hittner, a master facilitator, executive coach, and founder of the Ambitious Dads project. With 25 years of experience building better teams and people, Jeff shares his insights on how vulnerability and safe spaces drive transformation. From designing engaging workshops to helping leaders embrace change, Jeff breaks down his faci...

In this episode, the Changemaker Allies team, your co-hosts Mentor Dida & Cole Hoover alongside Ali Fraenkel, welcome you to a reflective discussion inspired by THE go-to, global annual report for facilitation.  We dive into musings, a-has, and reflections inspired by the 2025 State of Facilitation Report from SessionLab. With insights from over 1,000 facilitators across 78 countries, this rep...

In this conversation, Cole and Mark explore the intricate dynamics of cross-sector collaboration and leadership in social enterprise. They discuss the messy reality of collaboration, where often everyone shows up with their own goals, metrics, and ways of measuring success. The discussion gets personal as they unpack how leaders need to do their own inner work around ego and bias, highlighting why...

In this thought-provoking episode, Mentor Dida is joined by Kenny Clewett, who co-leads Ashoka’s Hello World initiative, a global effort focused on migration, integration, and refugee movements. Kenny shares his journey from his pastoral work to becoming a facilitator and change leader, spearheading cross-sectoral collaborations to tackle some of the world’s toughest social issues. Drawing from ye...

In this conversation Cole connects with Nate Wong, a Partner at The Bridgespan Group and social impact educator, to explore how facilitation and transformative spaces can reshape relationships between funders and nonprofits. As a strategic advisor, Nate works to reshape traditional relationships between nonprofits and philanthropists, building new models based on mutual trust and shared ownership....

In this episode of Facilitating Change, Mentor Dida speaks with Valentina Raman, co-founder of YouthxYouth and The Weaving Lab, about her approach to weaving communities, designing learning experiences, and building capacity for collective action. Valentina shares how she creates spaces for participants to bring their whole selves, the art of holding complex and diverse groups together, and how he...

In this conversation, Cole and Nani talk about the art of transformative facilitation, exploring how to create spaces where authenticity is more important than assimilation, and deep listening guides design. They dive into Nani's work with the Courage Collective, discussing how her mission to "elevate the voices of the unheard" shapes her approach to DEI facilitation and consulting. The conversati...

In this episode of Facilitating Change, we sit down with Mohsin Mohi Ud Din, founder and CEO of #MeWe International Inc., to explore how communication, storytelling, and mindfulness are shaping changemakers across the globe. With more than 10,000 youth and caregivers impacted in over 12 countries, Mohsin shares insights from his groundbreaking narrative interventions and leadership programs, offer...

Cole and David explore the art of effective gathering design and its crucial role in fostering meaningful conversations and cohesive experiences, especially in virtual settings. They discuss reimagining conferences as catalysts for ongoing learning communities. David shares insights on the benefits of time-bound "seasons" in collaborations, clear role distribution, and regular evaluation. They als...

In this episode of Facilitating Change, we sit down with Greg Van Kirk, social entrepreneur and co-founder of The New Development Solutions Group, including Community Enterprise Solutions and Social Entrepreneur Corps. Greg shares his unique journey from investment banking to the Peace Corps, and how his work in rural communities helped him transition from a leader to a facilitator. As the author...

In this conversation, Cole and Dr. Pierce Otlhogile-Gordon explore the multifaceted role of facilitation. Pierce shares his journey to becoming a facilitator, rooted in childhood experiences and time spent navigating academia. They discuss the challenges some face in identifying as facilitators and balancing primary objectives with community-building. Pierce emphasizes creating spaces for emergenc...

In this episode of Facilitating Change, Mentor Dida speaks with his first facilitator inspiration & guide, Vipin Thekk, an experienced facilitator, design consultant, and creator of the Togetherness Practice, a framework for unlocking human potential. Vipin shares his deep insights on the role of facilitators, the balance between "being" and "doing," and the importance of creating relational f...

In this conversation Cole and Rebecca explore the art of facilitation and creating safe, connected environments. Rebecca shares her journey as a facilitator, emphasizing trust-building and the power of curiosity and playfulness in fostering deeper connections and innovation. They discuss the importance of authenticity in facilitating and designing communities that encourage learning and knowledge...

In this heartfelt trailer, co-hosts Cole Hoover and Mentor Dida introduce *Facilitating Change*, a podcast born from their shared journey through countless classrooms, trainings, and conferences that left them uninspired and drained. Together, they reflect on the need for more intentional spaces—spaces that empower changemakers, unlock collaboration, and spark meaningful transformation & innov...

In this episode of "Facilitating Change," Mentor Dida sit down with Kristoffer Carter (KC), founder of Epic Leadership and author of "Permission to Glow." KC dives deep into the art of conscious leadership, exploring how we can courageously embrace transformation and unlock our true potential. He shares insights on holding sacred spaces for teams, essence discovery, and how leaders can foster trus...