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 without formal training The risks of teaching the way we were taught How to build awareness by observing other facilitators Why design work matters before stepping into the room Small, regular ways to keep developing facilitation skills Links From the Episode EP 64: The Sound of Silence in Facilitation with Beth Cougler Blom EP 47: The Pivotal Role of Learning Outcomes with Beth Cougler Blom EP 19: Choosing Activities with Beth Cougler Blom EP 6: Learning From Our Mistakes with Beth Cougler Blom Liberating Structures International Association of Facilitators 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 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: Choosing practices that fit your group and goals Offering options so participants can take care of themselves Using anchors like breath, feet, or physical sensations Practicing by recording yourself and listening back Bringing mindfulness into sessions through breath, movement, listening, nature, and the arts Connect with Claire Schneeberger Holding Space: The Essential Guide to Leading Meditation & Mindfulness Practices Links From the Episode First People's Principles of Learning EP 56: Using Poetry and Expressive Writing with Marisa Gelfusa 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 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 than we realize Erica's three-step framework of Notice, Nope, and Nudge How words like "should" and "just" can undermine our confidence The connection between self-talk, worthiness, and belonging Practical ways to ground ourselves and stay present while facilitating Connect with Erica Barnhart: Website: EricaBarnhart.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ericabarnhart/ Links From the Episode: The Body Keeps the Score by Bessel van der Kolk Polarity Management video with Barry Johnson Polarity Mapping resources 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 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 talk about: Learning from mentors and seeking out feedback The importance of answering learners' "why" questions Teaching people who are blind or losing their sight Creating supporting spaces where learners can take risks Using art to build connection, confidence, and meaning   Connect with Linda M. Anderson Linda Anderson is a BC artist, educator, and writer with extensive experience teaching art in a wide range of community, school, and social service settings. She has worked with visually impaired artists through CNIB, taught art therapy, led workshops for artist groups across many BC communities, and facilitated her own "Communicating with Colour" sessions for learners of all ages. Linda's work has been featured in prominent shows and in Artists of BC, and she has created murals, commissioned portraits, and paintings for a variety of public and private spaces. In addition to her visual art, she also writes poetry and short prose. Connect with Linda on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/linda.anderson.914828. She is in the middle of creating a new website.   Links From the Episode Bill Alexander, originator of The Magic of Oil Painting   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 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 peer-to-peer learning, hiring and supporting young instructors, and the facilitation lessons that help make coding engaging and meaningful for kids. Beth, Eric, and Kevin also talk about: Starting a nonprofit as a student Making coding fun, engaging, and accessible Supporting youth interests, passions, and future goals What parents, teachers, and mentors can do to encourage young coders   Connect with Eric Wang Website: Algorithm Alchemists Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/algorithm.alchemists/   Connect with Kevin Cougler Website: Stemcamp.ca   Links From the Episode First Robotics Canada Khan Academy Inquiry-based learning Hello, world Discord Y Combinator Jam Hacks   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