Facilitating on Purpose

In this episode, host Beth Cougler Blom talks about how many people become facilitators of meetings or learning events by accident and what it takes to keep building facilitation skills with intention. She shares some of her own path into facilitation and offers practical ways to notice, learn, practice, and grow over time. Beth also talks about: Why many people start to do facilitation work witho...

In this episode, host Beth Cougler Blom talks with Claire Schneeberger about her book, Holding Space, and how meditation and mindfulness practices can support more grounded, focused, and intentional learning experiences. They explore how simple practices can help participants slow down, arrive, and feel more present in workshops, meetings, and group settings. Beth and Claire also talk about: Choos...

In this episode, host Beth Cougler Blom talks with Erica Barnhart about the conversations we have with ourselves and how our internal dialogue shapes the way we show up as facilitators and whole human beings. Erica shares a simple framework for noticing negative self-talk and gently shifting it toward something more useful. Beth and Erica also talk about: Why our self-talk is often more negative t...

In this episode, host Beth Cougler Blom talks with Linda M. Anderson about teaching art to many different kinds of learners in community, school, social service, and personal settings. Linda shares stories from her lifelong journey as an artist and educator, including how she builds confidence, adapts her teaching, and helps people keep creating through challenge and change. Beth and Linda also ta...

In this episode, host Beth Cougler Blom talks with Eric Wang about his experience building Algorithm Alchemists, a student-led nonprofit that teaches coding and computational thinking to elementary and high school students through interactive online classes. Special guest Kevin Cougler, Founder and Executive Director of STEM Camp and Camp STEAM Canada, joins the conversation as the trio talk about...

In this episode, host Beth Cougler Blom shares a conversation with members of the IAF Future Now community about what facilitation feels like right now. With Beth intentionally stepping out of the discussion, this group of younger facilitators reflects on authenticity, emotional depth, trust, and how facilitation can feel both challenging and deeply rewarding in a noisy, fast-changing world. The F...

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 c...

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 beyo...

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 fa...

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...

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 evolv...

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 betwe...

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 c...

In this episode, host Beth Cougler Blom talks with Gwyn Wansbrough about how to design and facilitate online sessions that are energizing rather than exhausting. Gwyn shares strategies for crafting engaging virtual learning environments and explains the importance of preparation, intentionality, and creating space for connection. Beth and Gwyn also talk about: Why online sessions often feel draini...

In this episode, host Beth Cougler Blom talks with Andy Sontag about what experience design really means and how it connects to facilitation and learning. Beth and Andy explore how designing with emotion, meaning, and intention can create transformative learning experiences that go far beyond content delivery. Beth and Andy also talk about: Why experience design is about designing for feelings, no...

In this episode, host Beth Cougler Blom talks with Tolulope (Tolu) Noah about designing and facilitating workshops with intentionality. Tolu, an educational developer and author, shares insights from her new book of the same name, which offers a comprehensive and accessible framework for workshop planning across many learning contexts. Beth and Tolu also talk about: Applying the Workshop Wheel fra...

In this episode, host Beth Cougler Blom explores the role of silence in facilitation and how it can be a powerful and intentional tool. Beth shares personal reflections, practical tips, and cultural considerations around silence, encouraging facilitators to embrace it as part of creating thoughtful and inclusive learning spaces. Beth also talks about: How to normalize silence as part of participat...

In this episode, host Beth Cougler Blom talks with Marie Dubost about neurodivergent-affirming practices in facilitation and learning design. Marie shares insights from her work as an accessibility consultant, facilitator, and trainer, drawing on both professional and personal experience to highlight why inclusive practices matter more than ever. Beth and Marie also talk about: Creating learning m...

In this episode, host Beth Cougler Blom talks with Julie Dirksen about designing learning experiences that support real behaviour change. Julie shares insights from her latest book, Talk to the Elephant, and offers practical ways to go beyond knowledge transfer to create meaningful impact. Beth and Julie also talk about: The difference between knowledge gaps and behaviour gaps The rider and elepha...

In this episode, host Beth Cougler Blom talks with accessibility consultant Nora Loyst about designing learning experiences that truly welcome everyone. Nora shares how personal experiences led her to this work and explores the shift from a medical model to a social model of disability. Beth and Nora also talk about: Expecting and planning for learner diversity from the start Naming what you know...

In this solo episode, host Beth Cougler Blom reflects on how to create learning that truly lasts. Beth shares thoughts about how we can shift from simply delivering content to designing experiences that drive behaviour change and embed meaningful memories for learners. She also shares: Why behaviour change is the heart of lasting learning How relevance and meaning move ideas into long-term memory...

In this episode, host Beth Cougler Blom talks with Sumesh Khatua and Simrat Pahwa about the power of storytelling to create lasting impact in learning experiences. They explore how stories help drive clarity, build emotional connection, and support learning transfer both during and beyond structured learning sessions. Beth, Sumesh, and Simrat also talk about: Designing learning with the end impact...

In this episode, host Beth Cougler Blom talks with Leanne Joe and Amea Wilbur about how they designed a course on Indigenous pedagogies for adult educators at the University of the Fraser Valley. Their conversation offers insights that can inspire all of us, wherever we work, to thoughtfully incorporate Indigenous voices and ways of knowing into our learning environments, enriching the experience...

In this episode, host Beth Cougler Blom talks with Guillaume Vermette about his work as a therapeutic clown, using theatre, emotion, and deep listening to build human connection in long-term care homes. While the conversation doesn't focus directly on facilitation, the skills Guillaume shares are highly relevant to facilitation practice. Beth and Guillaume also talk about: Listening beyond words t...

In this episode, host Beth Cougler Blom talks with Marisa Gelfusa about how poetry and expressive writing can become powerful tools for facilitators to connect with themselves and with others. Beth and Marisa also talk about: Using poetry as a reflexive practice in facilitation Breaking through the inner critic with playful, accessible prompts Creating safe spaces where participants share their wr...