First Time Facilitator
First Time Facilitator is hosted by Leanne Hughes and shares practical advice for group facilitation, training, and workshops. Each episode covers tips and techniques for engaging audiences, from icebreakers and games to preparation, conflict management, props, and delivery. Listeners learn how to adjust their facilitation style, build confidence, and create lasting impact. The show draws on Leanne Hughes' experience and blog to help new and experienced facilitators improve their sessions.
Episodes
FTF261: How to Design High-End Client Experiences with Alan Weiss (Talk the Walk replay)
Send Leanne a messageLeanne Hughes and Alan Weiss explore what it really takes to design premium client experiences — from large-scale thought leadership conferences to intimate high-touch group gatherings in penthouse suites around the world. Alan shares the frameworks, courage, and lifestyle philosophy behind his most successful events, and Leanne reflects on her own recent red carpet camp-out e
FTF260: The Campfire Method with Jan Keck: A Better Way to Build Trust in Groups
Send Leanne a messageJan Keck is back on First Time Facilitator for a pop-up episode, and this one is for anyone who wants to create connection without making people cringe. Jan first appeared on the podcast in Episode 156, and in this conversation he shares the thinking behind his new book, The Campfire Method, plus what he’s learned from three years of writing, testing, and refining his ideas in
FTF259: Exceptional Experiences with Neen James
Send Leanne a messageToday, I’m thrilled to welcome back my friend, leadership strategist, and powerhouse of positivity — Neen James — to the show!If you haven’t seen the YouTube version yet, go and watch it. Neen radiates light, energy, and fun — she’s truly a walking champagne moment.Fun links:Discover Your Luxury Mindset Self-AssessmentLuxury Is A MindsetNeen James Luxury Mindset Research Execu
FTF258: From Surgeon to Facilitator: Dr Liz O'Riordan's First Workshop
Send Leanne a messageIn this episode of First Time Facilitator, I chat with Dr Liz O'Riordan about her leap from the operating theatre to the workshop room. After being diagnosed with cancer and leaving surgery, Liz turned to speaking, writing, and now — facilitation. With only days to prepare, she discovered my book The 2-Hour Workshop Blueprint, raided her kitchen cupboards for props, and b
FTF257: The Dark Arts of Interrupting Someone
Send Leanne a messageI wrote this article this after being on a group call where one person dominated the airtime. You know the ones, right? As facilitators, it’s our job to respect the room, the time, and the energy of everyone there. And sometimes, that means stepping in. Yes, interrupting can feel awkward — but if you do it with care, it can completely transform the vibe of your sessions.In thi
FTF256: Handling chat like a pro
Send Leanne a messageHey, thanks for tuning in today. I just wrapped up a webinar for a long-time client — an organization that delivers live, critical, and completely anonymous support via webinars.That’s right. No faces. No names. Just silence... and a flurry of comments in the chat.So how do you respond when the comments start rolling in — especially when the stakes are high and the people on t
FTF255: How we built my new brand in 4 weeks with Jason Knight
Send Leanne a messageI’m so excited to take you behind the scenes of my rebranding journey—aka Leanne 3.0. In this replay, I chat with Jason Knight, the brilliant mind behind my new brand. Watch our conversation on YouTube to see the brand!Jason and I first connected on my First Time Facilitator podcast back in 2019, and five years later, I finally brought him on board to reimagine how I show up i
FTF254: Talk the Walk with Alan Weiss (How to avoid gambling away your career)
Send Leanne a messageFresh off a Las Vegas red carpet experience, Leanne Hughes sits down with legendary consultant Alan Weiss for a candid conversation about career risks, professional reinvention, and the art of strategic decision-making. Drawing parallels between Vegas gambling and career moves, this episode delivers unexpected insights about when to hold steady and when to make bold moves in y
FTF253: The Delegate Experience: Conferences Done Differently with Mary-Louise (ML) Huppatz
Send Leanne a messageIn this episode of the First Time Facilitator podcast, host Leanne Hughes welcomes Mary-Louise (ML) Huppatz, CEO of the Association for Tertiary Education Management (ATEM), to discuss her unique approach to conferences, leading change, and facilitation. ML's passion for people and creating meaningful learning experiences comes through as she shares insights into how she
FTF252: Obsess over the participant (not the meeting room) with Steven Demedio + a sneak peak of our Red Carpet Campout
Send Leanne a messageIn this episode of the First Time Facilitator podcast, I am thrilled to welcome Steve Demedio to the show. Steve shares his inspiring journey from a career in sales leadership to becoming a passionate facilitator obsessed with creating engaging and memorable learning experiences.Join us for our retreat: The Red Carpet CampoutPsst.. Come along to our Red Carpet Campout 10-12 Ma
FTF251: How we sold out our event in 24 hours (Behind the scenes of How to Face Change) with solo reflections from Leanne Hughes
Send Leanne a messageHost Leanne Hughes takes you behind the scenes of the recent "How to Face Change" event she co-hosted with Michael Bungay Stanier (MBS). From brainstorming ideas, locking in the perfect venue, to manufacturing demand for tickets, Leanne spills all the details on how they turned a bold idea into an unforgettable experience.Expect candid reflections, actionable tips, a
FTF250: Building trust and driving change in workshops with Hitomi Whitlock
Send Leanne a messageIn this episode, we're joined by Hitomi Whitlock, Organizational Change Manager at the University of Washington's Housing and Food Services, and an experienced real estate investor. Hitomi shares her journey from moving to the U.S. as a child to leading change at one of the nation's top universities—all while managing a successful real estate business.🔍 What You
FTF249 Michael Bungay Stanier's Co-Facilitation Tips & Brisbane Event Preview!
Send Leanne a messageCome along to our event! https://lu.ma/rooftopbneIn this episode, host Leanne Hughes chats with Michael Bungay Stanier on their upcoming event in Brisbane together on 3 Sep 2024, and the art of co-facilitation. Reflecting on their first podcast experience in Brisbane, they dive into topics such as managing facilitation dynamics, preparing for keynotes, and what makes their upc
FTF248: Mid-year check-in + sneak peak of Talk the Walk with Alan Weiss
Send Leanne a messageIn this episode, host Leanne Hughes provides an update on her activities as a solopreneur and content creator, sharing insights from her recent experiences and projects. She provides an update on her book, some of the work she's delivered this year, including a recent innovative conference presentation focused on flexibility. She also shares upcoming events like a rooftop
FTF247: From Workshop to Written Word: Translating Ideas into Books with Mel Loy and Jade Miller
Send Leanne a messageAre you currently running workshops, generating ace ideas, have some cool toolsup your sleeve? Maybe you should turn all of that great stuff into a book!If you're curious how to do that, you'll love today's conversation with fellow first-time authors and Brisbane business owners, Mel Loy and Jade Miller.Both Jade and Mel are experienced workshop hosts, and they
FTF246: Alan Weiss on speedy design + why workshops can be the worst solution for a client
Send Leanne a messageWatch our conversation on YouTube.Alan Weiss returns to the podcast this week, for the third time, to (metaphorically) poke me in the eye again.In this conversation, we riff on:Speedy workshop designHow Alan turns an idea into an offer almost immediatelyHow consultants need to focus on helping their clients innovate, and fail fastHow consultants should market now (vs. 5 years
FTF245: Preparing to be spontaneous in your workshops with Lisa Leong
Send Leanne a messageToday, I'm joined by Lisa Leong, a broadcaster, author, and facilitator. Watch us chat on YouTube.Her superpowers, which you'll hear very clearly in this episode, are curiosity and creativity.She's a former IP, technology, and wine lawyer—yes, that's actually a thing. She caught the radio bug in 2001, which is exactly why I brought her on the show. Wedelve
FTF244: Get to the Point with Sally Prosser
Send Leanne a messageIn the First Time Facilitator podcast, host Leanne Hughes introduces guest Sally Prosser, a voice and confidence coach.We riff on the concept of 'breveloquence', a portmanteau of brevity and eloquence, and how they aim to develop and use this tool in verbal and written forms.We also take you behind the scenes of our new workshop called Get to the Point, which we&apos
FTF243 Unseen facilitation tips: How Phil Woods creates epiphanies in his workshops
Send Leanne a messageIn today's conversation, Phil Woods from Catalyst Strategy shares his journey from a legal career to becoming an independent strategy and team development consultant.Watch our conversation on YouTube.Phil outlines how he uses frameworks to guide organisations through transformation, draws on his command and activator strengths for maximum impact, and explains the importan
FTF242: 5 Workshop Hacks Using ChatGPT with Leanne Hughes
Send Leanne a messageTune in to discover how to design fast and deliver strong without the stress...using Chat GPT!In this episode, host Leanne Hughes discusses five ways she uses chat GPT to improve and enhance her workshop experiences and delivery. She shares examples of how she uses Chat GPT for image creation, generating questions, creating case studies, generating frameworks, and coming up wi
FTF241: Leanne Hughes’ Unofficial 2023 Annual Report
Send Leanne a messageLeanne Hughes’ 2023 Annual Report podcast/video episode, where I share my favourite UNOFFICIAL business metrics, and quarter by quarter highlights/lessons learnt.Some of my unofficial metrics include:📈 # of countries visited📈 Clients I loved partnering with📈 New topics explored📈 Messages about the book and its impact 📈 How often did I wake up, look at my calendar and get excit
FTF240: Get Lucked! How to Cultivate Serendipity in Your Work with Dr. Christian Busch
Send Leanne a message Watch our conversation on YouTube!My experience with luck has been, you can actually optimize for luck. So, what is this got to do with workshops and facilitation and hosting group events? I think it has a lot to do with it. If your goal is next year to create more workshops, to work with really great clients, to be more aligned with the work that you do-- yhere's an ele
FTF239: Tactics for powering yourself up to host a workshop (when you’ve had three hours sleep)
Send Leanne a messageHow do you personally POWER YOURSELF UP to host a workshop when you're sleep deprived? That's the topic Leanne riffs off in this solo episode, where she shares ideas on:* * Insights from her personal story on powering up after facing challenges like jet lag and disrupted routines.* How personal energy significantly impacts workshop facilitation and the need to show u
FTF238 How to start a workshop: Which comes first - content or an activity? with Leanne Hughes
Send Leanne a messageWelcome back to another episode with your host, Leanne Hughes. I received a listener question from my friend, Juraj Holub and thought I'd share my thoughts on the show.Here's the question:I'm thinking about the flow of a session.Let me share more details. Goal: I'd like the workshop participants to practice and learn "how to open a presentation."O
FTF237: Deciphering culture and facilitation life as a charismatic introvert with Shane Michael Hatton
Send Leanne a messageWhat does it mean to truly have the character of a leader? Is culture really something we can influence in an organisation? Watch our conversation on YouTube!Shane Hatton is an author, trainer, coach, and speaker who is passionate about developing remarkable leaders and cultures. He works with organizations to close the leadership gap between mid and senior level leaders. Asid
FTF236: How I organise my facilitator materials to speed up workshop design with Leanne Hughes
Send Leanne a messageWelcome to another episode of the First Time Facilitator podcast, where your host, Leanne Hughes, goes solo, diving deep into the Keep section of the SPARK framework, a crucial element of her book, "The Two Hour Workshop Blueprint," now available on Audible.Key Takeaways:Continuous Improvement: Learn about the importance of reflecting on what worked well in your past
FTF235: Using the House of Communication to Create Contrast in Your Workshops with Michael Grinder (#bestof episode)
Send Leanne a messageCan you use space to create contrast, even in a virtual call? Today’s guest proves that you can!We have an absolute world-leader in the field of nonverbal communication joining us on the show this week, Michael Grinder.Michael has over 40 years of experience training thousands of groups. Known as the pioneer of nonverbal communication, Michael helps executives and educators as
FTF234: Behind the Mic: My Co-MC and Committee Reflections with Leanne Hughes
Send Leanne a messageIn this solo episode, host Leanne Hughes reflects on the world of event planning, MCing, and the unforeseen challenges that can arise during a charity event.Watch the YouTube videoHighlights:Committee Dynamics: The initial stages of planning, the process of narrowing down nominees, and how this committee stood out from typical group projects.Communication Platforms: The value
FTF233: Inside three facilitators minds: What goes on (and why we love models!) with John Norcross and Tricia Conyers
Send Leanne a messageJoin host Leanne Hughes as she delves deep into the mind of a facilitator with guests John Norcross and Tricia Conyers from the "Every Little Model" podcast, this episode offers a genuine conversation exploring the intricacies of facilitation, sharing personal experiences, challenges, and models that guide their work.Watch the conversation on YouTube.What You Will Le
FTF232: The Power of Frameworks + How to Gift Wrap Your Expertise with Leanne Hughes
Send Leanne a messageHow do you design fast? You create an underpinning framework! In today's episode, host Leanne Hughes shares why she loves frameworks SO MUCH, and some ideas on how to create your own.Watch the video on YouTube.Key TakeawaysGift Wrapping Information: Organising and packaging information in a way that's digestible and actionable.Overcoming Fears: You don't need a
FTF231: Nancy Marmolejo on Navigating Workshops with Quiet Confidence and a Sense of Belonging
Send Leanne a messageI love jumping on The Flipchart Facebook group to see where members are hosting their workshops. My guest today, Nancy Mamolejo, hosts her workshops overlooking the Golden Gate bridge, and she also brings amazing ideas and energy into her sessions, including her emotional support kit.Tune in today, to hear us discuss:Creating a Sense of Belonging in WorkshopsStrategies and too
FTF230: Turning 40 - Leanne’s 12 Rules for Life
Send Leanne a messageAs you know, I'm here to help you design fast, deliver strong without stress. That's hat is in the form of workshops, right? But today I'm going to be talking about designing life in general.I'm celebrating and reflecting because I turn 40 this Thursday. What an honour: Every day above ground is a great day.Watch the YouTube recording!Disclaimer: I'm n
FTF229: Dancing with Workshop Disruption with Jeff Skipper
Send Leanne a messageIn today's episode, I'm delighted to introduce our guest, Jeff Skipper. Jeff and I have been colleagues for the past couple of years, sharing insights in our growth cycle mastermind group. We've connected virtually every two weeks and had the pleasure of meeting in person during a memorable gathering in Hawaii, part of Alan Weiss's community.About Jeff Skip
FTF228: On Air with Sophie Scott: Broadcast Journalism Techniques, and Emotional Regulation for Workshop Success
Send Leanne a messageIn today's episode, we explore the intricate emotions that facilitators experience right before a workshop – a whirlwind of excitement, nerves, and anticipation. My guest today is the award-winning TV journalist from the Australian Broadcasting Corporation, Sophie Scott OAM. Sophie's multi-faceted career has transitioned her from a household face on TV to a well-reno
FTF227: Workshops that Deliver: Focusing on What Truly Matters with Brendon Baker
Send Leanne a messageIn today's episode, I chat with Brendon Baker, a change leader I've had the pleasure of knowing for over a year and a half. Our professional relationship has grown from friendtorshop to active collaboration. We discuss the core of his workshops, how to deliver real value, and his personal experiences with business growth.About Brendon Baker:Brendon is dedicated to he
FTF226: Stamp Out Boring Workshops with Leanne Hughes and Prina Shah
Send Leanne a messageWelcome to a podcast swap! I was a guest on the delightful Prina Shah's podcast, Ways to Change the Workplace recently, and the episode had such wonderful reviews/feedback, I thought I'd bring it onto this feed!What are some common mistakes that workshop facilitators make that lead to boring workshops? How can workshop facilitators create a safe and inclusive environ
FTF225: World-Class Speaking Dreams: My Pre-Conference Anticipation with Leanne Hughes
Send Leanne a messageIn today's episode, your host Leanne Hughes delves deep into her journey as a participant and her experiences leading up to a world-class speaking conference in Hobart. She also touches upon the significance of mindset in the world of speaking, facilitation, and beyond.She also touches upon the significance of mindset in the world of speaking, facilitation, and beyond.Wha
FTF 224: Rethinking Your Workshop Strategy: Lessons from the Mall with Sally Porteous
Send Leanne a messageIn today's episode, I’m delighted to welcome Sally Porteous, the esteemed Managing Director of a renowned event production company. Sally has a wealth of knowledge to share on how to lead transformative workshops and captivating events. Her experience offers a fascinating glimpse into the surprising parallels that exist within these arenas.Sally will walk us through her u
FTF 223: Energy Is the Currency of What We Do with Andrew Hollo
Send Leanne a messageToday, I'm chatting to Andrew Hollo, Director and Principal Consultant at Workwell Consulting, who shares his unique insights on facilitation and strategic alignment. I've got to say, after we finished recording, I wanted to share this episode with absolutely anybody who runs a facilitation business!What You'll Learn:The importance of organising and summarising
Finding x-factor ideas through everyday experiences with Leanne Hughes
Send Leanne a messageWoo hoo! Fun, pop-up, unedited episode that I felt compelled to jump in and record on a beautiful Brisbane winter day.Today, I share an exciting example from a conference she recently worked on and how we incorporated something unpredictable, based on a fairly predictable conversation :) What You Will Learn:How to find inspiration in everyday moments and translate them into yo
FTF 222: Being Prepared to Wing It: Workshop Wizardry with Dr. Jason Fox
Send Leanne a messageWelcome to an enchanting episode of our podcast! In this captivating conversation, we bring you a first-time wizard on the show—Dr. Jason Fox—a wizard-philosopher disguised as a motivational speaker and leadership advisor. His expertise lies in guiding clever teams through the complexities of their quests.With an impressive list of clients that includes Fortune 500 companies s
FTF 221: Bringing a Bigger YOU 2.0 Into Your Workshops with Mel Loy
Send Leanne a messageIn this episode, host Leanne Hughes welcomes Mel Loy, the founder and host of Hey, Mel Comms and Training, a small agency fueled by boundless energy. Mel has over 20 years of experience in communications across various sectors and specializes in building communication capability through coaching workshops and creative thinking. She is also a co-owner of a gym and the president
FTF 220: Becoming an Opportunity Creator with Dr. Mechelle Roberthon
Send Leanne a messageIn this episode of the First Time Facilitator podcast, host Leanne Hughes interviews Dr. Mechelle Roberton, a self-confessed talent development nerd and certified professional in talent development. Leanne met Mechelle at a conference and was drawn to her energy and expertise in organisational culture. Mechelle shares her journey of creating opportunities in the talent develop
FTF 219: Jo Fitzgerald Shares How Deliberate Planning Creates Presence in Your Workshops
Send Leanne a messageIn this episode, host Leanne Hughes welcomes Jo Fitzgerald, from Jo Fitz Consulting to discuss intentionality in your workshop design.Jo shares her insights and experiences from her career, highlighting the importance of creating a supportive environment and sharing responsibility for a successful workshop, as well as techniques for being present and managing moments (rather t
FTF218: 5 parallels between book and workshop design with Leanne Hughes
Send Leanne a messageToday I'm chatting to you from my living room (watch the YouTube version)!In this episode, Leanne Hughes explores the parallels between writing a book and designing a workshop. She shares her journey in the creation of her upcoming book, 'The Two Hour Workshop Blueprint,' highlighting her learnings, challenges, and the rewarding process of capturing her years of
FTF217: Call the Game: Ben Crothers Shares His Tips on Being Bold in Your Next Workshop or Meeting
Send Leanne a messageIn this episode, we delve into the world of design and facilitation with our guest, Ben Crothers, who brings over 20 years of experience in the field. Ben shares his journey from being a designer to becoming a facilitator, driven by his desire to improve the often lackluster experience of design critique sessions. We explore the importance of intentional facilitation, the need
FTF216: How to Create Productive Struggle in Your Workshops: Zaretta Hammond Shares Her Insights on First Pancake Facilitation
Send Leanne a messageIn this episode, Leanne has a conversation with Zaretta Hammond, an educator, author, and national speaker, who is renowned for her expertise in culturally responsive teaching and learning. Zaretta shares her insights on how to unleash the brilliance in every student, particularly those who come from marginalized backgrounds. She explores the importance of understanding cultur
FTF215: The Ebb and Flow of Engagement: Anamaria Dorgo's Insights on Building Community
Send Leanne a messageIn this episode, Leanne chats with Anamaria Dorgo, a multifaceted professional in the Learning & Development (L&D) sector. She is the founder of "L&D Shakers", a mentor, community builder, facilitator, and currently the Head of Community at Butter.us. We discuss the importance of community building, engagement, and the power of simplicity in facilitation.
Facilitating the Future: Douglas Ferguson shares insights on AI, Connection, and Change (Episode 214)
Send Leanne a messageIn this episode, Leanne Hughes engages in a captivating conversation with Douglas Ferguson, the founder of Voltage Control facilitation academy. Watch the interview on YouTube.They dive into various topics, including the art of facilitation, the concept of Integrated Autonomy, and the potential impact of AI on the field. Douglas shares insights from his experience in software
Coaches Corner: Overcoming Fear and Embracing Change with Petra Zink and Dr Maike Neuhaus (Episode 213)
Send Leanne a messageIn this episode, host Petra Zink, Leanne Hughes, and Dr Maike Neuhaus cover a range of topics related to staying current with emerging technologies, overcoming fear and uncertainty, and building a unique personal brand. This is a warm-up episode because First Time Facilitator, a limited series edition is returning in late May, in the lead-up to Leanne's book release: The
How to Chair A 2-Day Conference with Leanne Hughes
Send Leanne a messageHey there! I wanted to take this solo episode to share some insights from my recent experiences. Last week, I had the opportunity to chair a two-day conference in Malaysia where I was brought in to run a session on corporate strategy. But then I got invited to be the chairperson for the entire two days. So I wanted to share some of the insights I learned from that experience.I
2023 Update: Book announcement + workshop Wing-mates!
Send Leanne a messageHere's a quick life and work update and announcement! I'd love to hear from you and feature you/get your feedback on a book I'm working on about workshop design.Be a workshop wing-mate!Workshops are all about co-creation. So, it makes sense when writing a book about workshops, that there should be an element of co-creation, too.I’d love you to be part of this jo
The ancient code of togetherness: A belonging conversation with Owen Eastwood
Send Leanne a messageIn this episode, I'm joyfully bringing you a conversation with the author of the book “Belonging: The Ancient Code of Togetherness”, Owen Eastwood.Watch our conversation on YouTube!Have you been in work situations where you might have started in a company and you just didn’t feel like you belonged, which then led to a lot of stress and tension? Join us as we learn how to
Creating great training programs and marketing them + see you in USA 2023 with Andy Storch (Bonus!)
Send Leanne a messageI'm jumping in with a bonus episode I recorded for my friend, Andy Storch's podcast The Talent Development Hot Seat. In this episode we talk about the tactics of facilitation, and marketing your program, so that people show up!I'm speaking at Andy's event in Sonoma, USA in February 2023 and I'd love to see you there! Here's a link to find out mo
How to facilitate a 2-hour cocktail party with Nick Gray (Episode 208)
Send Leanne a messageWho doesn’t love a good cocktail party? Watch our conversation on Youtube!I love going to events and meeting new people but gosh, sometimes I feel like I’m not even keeping up the great relationships with the amazing people I already know! Cue this book: The 2-Hour Cocktail Party by Nick Gray.After reading the first chapter, I set a date for my cocktail party and luckily, the
What if you were already there? Leanne checks in!
Send Leanne a message"What if you were already there?"I started journalling on this prompt recently and it reminded me of the great questions we ask our clients, like "What does success look like?", "What would be different if this workshop/gig/project was a 10/10?"In this solo episode, I riff on my thoughts related to this question, and also just CHECK IN with all of
FTF Bonus: If your in-house mentoring program is failing, maybe you need to try this instead.
Send Leanne a messageHey First Time Facilitators! I'm dropping a quick episode on this feed as I think some of you may relate to this: You’ve launched a mentoring program in your business. Congrats! Through the first few months of check-ins, you discover that your pairings are meeting together. Then, after three months, you notice the enthusiasm has waned a little. Meetings become less freque
Hawaii Solopreneur Trip Reflections with Leanne Hughes
Send Leanne a messageAloha! I've just returned from a week in Kauai with my fellow Alan Weiss Growth Cycle group. What better way to reflect on what we discussed and learnt over there, than by a quick, solo episode. Oh, of course I also reflect on Kauai as a travel destination (spoiler alert: it's awesome). Here are some things I shared in the episode:My bi-weekly Two by Tuesday newslet
Bonus: What tool should you use to ramp up the engagement in your virtual meeting? (Two by Tuesday)
Send Leanne a messageI created this episode for my new podcast but thought I'd share it on this feed today because it's definitely a facilitator-focused question!Watch my video walk-through of this episode.In today's Two by Tuesday I answer a question I get a lot: What virtual tool could I use to ramp up the engagement in my virtual event?Firstly - purpose we know is the most critic
Matthew Stewart shares how you can add a page to your book of life
Send Leanne a messageYou know how you have those friends from a while ago, and you mainly stay in contact with them by occasionally seeing what they're up to on social media? I've been friends with today's guest since 2008, and when I glance at his socials, I'm pretty amazed to see him taking groups mountain biking around Nepal, on the Kokoda track in Papua New Guinea, and runn
Announcement - Leanne's New Podcast: Work and Live Large
Send Leanne a messageIt's finally here!You can find out all about my new show (and my recent trip to Las Vegas) on my new podcast which is called: Leanne Hughes' Work and Live Large.Please help out! Hit subscribe, share it on socials, send me feedback on what you think.I'd love to hear from you!Leanneps. You can search for the show in your favourite podcast apps, or simply visit Lea
Content curation is key, be intentional! Charles Hsuan interviews Leanne Hughes (Episode 206)
Send Leanne a messageI'm flying to Las Vegas tomorrow! I booked my flights a few days ago. Why? Life is too short and YOLO. The reason I'm sharing that with you, is because it's a theme that strongly underpins this #friendsoffirsttimefacilitator conversation with Charles Hsuan from Flying Kite.Charles chats to Leanne about her childhood. She relays how her natural penchant for plann
2020 Leanne Talks Virtual Workshop Facilitation with Andy Storch #friendsoffirsttimefacilitator (Episode 205)
Send Leanne a messageThe legend that is Andy Storch, invited me as a guest speaker as part of his Talent Development Virtual Summit in 2020. I'm sharing this with you as a #friendsoffirsttimefacilitator replay episode because it really captures the essence of that time.I listened back to this episode and it made me smile and reflect on what we were all going through in 2020 as workshop facili
The Ideal Facilitation Space: Leanne Hughes and Lisa Evans #friendsoffirsttimefacilitator #204
Send Leanne a messageThe word facilitation comes from the Latin root “facilitis” which means: something that is done easily.In today’s day and age where there are more online meetings, workshops, trainings, and webinars, it’s vital to have someone in the room to create engagement and ensure a smooth flow of the program to ensure a great outcome is achieved. In this episode, Leanne Hughes – expert
How To Monetise Your Personal Brand: Leanne Hughes and Petra Zink (#friendsoffirsttimefacilitator) #203
Send Leanne a messageHello friends! Over the next few weeks, I'm sharing podcast episode where I've been the guest! Today, you're listening to an epic conversation I had on my friend Petra Zink's podcast, Your Brand, Your Future.Quick announcements:Join the Booked Out Facilitator on demand program (email hello@leannehughes.com)Check out Beyond Bureaucracy - I'm partnering
How to plan an off-site retreat: Behind the scenes planning for The Junket (Episode 202)
Send Leanne a messageWhat’s The Junket retreat? It’s a small, awesome event I’m hosting down the Gold Coast in February 2022.After months of thinking and talking about it, I’ve decided to jump right in and host my first, ever off-site retreat!Planning an event is, as I share in this episode, a decision-making factory on steroids. There are so many decisions, where do you even start?I share my proc
Facilitating your passion pivot (and being brave to step into it) with Scott Armstrong #fromthevault
Send Leanne a messageIt's that time of year when you're probably reflecting and planning what 2022 looks like for you.If so, this is the perfect episode for you. It's a #fromthevault release of Episode 109 with Scott Armstrong.Scott is Canadian and he started his career as a corporate banker who was deeply frustrated and knew there had to be more for than pushing paper. He went on t
The Free Time Facilitator: How you can lose the busywork, and love your business with Jenny Blake (Episode 201 #encore)
Send Leanne a messageWelcome to an encore episode! There is no one else I’d “open up” the podcast for, than the one and only, Jenny Blake. I shared this interview with the Booked Out Facilitator group, and I think it’s the perfect conversation to share with you today, as we close off the year and look to scheme + dream what we work on in 2022.This is the first interview Jenny has done to promote h
Flight mode and for-purpose facilitation with Mel Kettle (#fromthevault)
Send Leanne a messageThis week's #fromthevault episode is with the delightful Mel Kettle. I'm replaying it because I spoke to her recently, and it was a great reminder of how great she is at navigating the two roles of 1) Being an expert and 2) Being a facilitator.I got off the phone to her feeling invigorated - she asks superb questions, and has a wealth of experience. You'll get t
Why being “barely adequate” is a smart strategy for First Time Facilitators with Michael Bungay Stanier (#fromthevault 106)
Send Leanne a messageI'm interviewing one of the world's legends today!Michael Bungay Stanier's (MBS) newest book, "How to Begin: Start Doing Something that Matters" is now available for pre-order. Find out more about Michael over at mbs.worksWatch our video interview in Brisbane on YouTubeClick here for show notesMichael Bungay Stanier helps people be a force for change.
When you stand in service, you can't be nervous with Neen James (#from the vault)
Send Leanne a messageIn this week's #fromthevault episode, I talk to Neen James. Neen is a sought-out, high-energy keynote speaker in the States who challenges her audiences to leverage their focus and pay attention to what matters most at work and in life. In this episode you’ll learn: How a happy little Aussie wound up killing it on stages in the USThe differences between Australian and US
The finale with Leanne Hughes + listeners (Episode 200)
Send Leanne a messageWhat can I say that hasn’t already been said?There’s a temptation because it’s the last show to try to share something that’s the most valuable thing, that summarises the last 200 weeks of my life. Then perspective hits and I realise, that’s nothing I can really say in “one final episode” to summarise two-hundred weeks of conversations, content creation, Monday deadlines, audi
Facilitating audio only sessions to give your thoughts an audience with Ronsley Vaz (Episode 199)
Send Leanne a messageIf I were to think of two words that describe this podcast's main themes, they would be "courage" and "preparation".Preparation - so that we can feel ready to adapt to what happens in the room, a feeling of, "I/the group have got this -- Whatever happens!" Courage is about taking the opportunity, saying yes to when we feel like we're not
Igniting the genius in the room with Shannon Hughes (Episode 198)
Send Leanne a messageSomething I'm pondering right now is how often our ideas are cemented in reality ("How would this actually work?") which can limit our capacity to dream big.My guest today inspires her guests to go against that inclination, and to start exploring possibilities. We often go through a live role-play on this call to see how we can bring this approach to exploration
A reflection extravaganza: What happens when you’re no longer a First Time Facilitator? Jan Szmanda interviews Leanne Hughes (Episode 197)
Send Leanne a messageOooh… this episode is a watershed moment. I make a big announcement. Back in episode 50, I gave the podcast microphone to my colleague and friend Sean Lavin to interview on the show, to reflect on what i’d learnt both personally and professionally from the show.It’s now 147 episodes (and weeks!) later. I think I’ve grown up a little. My perspective has changed, so I thought it
Real recognition is following-up (after the follow-up) with Sarah McVanel
Send Leanne a messageWe all know relationships require ongoing maintenance, you can’t just “set and forget”. And that’s the hard part, right? Continuing conversations, staying present in each other’s lives, getting the space to reach out and reconnect with people you’ve met, and clients you’ve previously worked with.There’s no one better at connecting and staying front of mind (from a place of ser
Sneak peak of the Booked Out Facilitator podcast with Leanne Hughes (Episode 194)
Send Leanne a messageI've loved bringing out a private podcast to listeners this week! If you've missed it, listen to this episode and if you want to dive deeper, you need to jump over to bookedoutfacilitator.com to register for the show. It self destructs on 4 October.In this minisode, I share the three key ingredients to booking out your facilitation business.This episode sets the stag
The Self Employed Facilitator Life with Jeffrey Shaw (Episode 193)
Send Leanne a messageWhen I dropped out of corporate life three years ago, I remember trying to write social media posts, emails, even website copy and I couldn’t break out of that “be professional” way of doing things.As a result, my messages came across very vanilla and didn’t really attract anyone (let alone my dream clients!).I’m honestly still trying to break that mindset, that balance betwee
Stop designing workshops. Start designing experiences with Tricia Conyers (Episode 192)
Send Leanne a messageThis week, we’re spinning our focus back onto the craft of facilitation with a guest who I so resonate with in terms of her enthusiasm for the work we do, her passion for trying different things and of course, because she throws away those powerpoint slides!Tricia Conyers from Island Inspirations is a change coach, learning experience designer, trainer, facilitator, meeting de
An economist’s perspective on growing your fierce facilitation business with Uyen Vo (Episode 191)
Send Leanne a message"Your facilitation business (and busy-ness) is fully integrated with your life.”My conversation this week is with Uyen Vo from Fierce Consulting.I LOVE THE WAY Uyen sees the world, considers things, and ultimately - operates.She thinks about things in an analytical way - though, not in a black and white way, I find her reflections are shared in a very playful analytical w
