Episode 174: The Greatest Secrets to Engaging Facilitation: Unlocking Team Potential
Release Date: 01/20/2026
Episode 174: The Greatest Secrets to Engaging Facilitation: Unlocking Team Potential
Facilitation Lab Podcast
“I showed up just wanting to observe, but a deep prompt and a one-on-one conversation led to a beautiful, unexpected connection.” - Erin Warner In this episode of the Facilitation Lab podcast, host Douglas Ferguson interviews Erin Warner, founder of Head + Heart Coaching and Facilitation. Erin shares her journey from traditional leadership training to interactive facilitation, emphasizing the power of peer learning, rituals, and the “flow channel” for team engagement. She discusses authentic facilitation, embodied practices, and her holistic “3D wellness” approach. Erin also...
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Episode 173: How Can Authenticity Transform Facilitation and Workplace Culture?
Facilitation Lab Podcast
“I wondered what would happen if I opened a C-suite meeting with a dad joke or a meme, and it made people actually look forward to coming.” - Renita Joyce Smith In this episode of the Facilitation Lab Podcast, host Douglas Ferguson interviews Renita Joyce Smith, CEO of Leap Forward Coaching and Consulting. Renita shares her journey into facilitation, emphasizing the importance of authenticity, humor, and humanity in meetings. She discusses how facilitation bridges structure and human connection, offers practical techniques for engagement, and highlights the transformative impact of skilled...
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Episode 172: The Greatest Lessons in Trust and Generosity from Online Communities
Facilitation Lab Podcast
“When I started my career, people said there’s no way a computer can create real human connection, and I was like, I think it can.” - Sophie Bujold In this episode of the Facilitation Lab podcast, host Douglas Ferguson interviews Sophie Bujold of Cliqueworthy. Sophie shares how her early experiences in MIRC chat rooms shaped her approach to building human-centered, connected communities. They discuss the importance of trust, generosity, and adaptability in online spaces, as well as Sophie’s journey from digital explorer to expert facilitator. Sophie reflects on lessons learned,...
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Episode 171: How Can Rituals in Design Enhance Facilitation and Organisational Resilience?
Facilitation Lab Podcast
“Making experiences, whatever they are, human is one of the key learnings of human-centered design, and at least one of those that I really keep close to my heart.” - Marco Monterzino In this episode of the Facilitation Lab podcast, Douglas Ferguson interviews Marco Monterzino, a human-centered designer and innovation facilitator. Marco shares his journey from luxury product design to facilitation, emphasising the significance of ritual, adaptability, and purpose in both fields. They discuss how design thinking and frameworks like the hero’s journey inform facilitation, and how rituals...
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Episode 170: The Best Practices for Creating Safe and Engaging Learning Environments
Facilitation Lab Podcast
“I need people to not just feel safe, but to actually feel excited and engaged in whatever the moment is bringing, to take risks, and to grow in real time.” - Grace Losada In this Facilitation Lab Podcast episode, host Douglas Ferguson interviews Grace Losada, Vice President of Learning and Development at Change Enthusiasm Global. Grace shares how her early experiences in peer counseling, athletics, and performance arts shaped her facilitation style. The conversation explores creating safe, engaging environments for learning, the importance of shared language, and the art of scaling...
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Episode 169: The Greatest Secrets of Blending Magic and Psychology for Team Growth
Facilitation Lab Podcast
“The emotions that come out from magic, the spaces that magic allows you, they are quite global.” - Rubens Filho In this Facilitation Lab podcast episode, host Douglas Ferguson interviews Rubens Filho, Director of Spells & CEO of Abracademy, about using magic as a tool for transformative learning and team development. Rubens shares how magic, psychology, and learning design are blended to create engaging, research-informed workshops that foster curiosity, wonder, and collaboration. The discussion covers the origins of Abracademy, the power of metaphor and storytelling in leadership,...
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Episode 168: How Can Facilitation Foster Genuine Connections and Healing in Our Communities?
Facilitation Lab Podcast
“When I see humans unable to center and organize, it feels like nails on a chalkboard to me.” - Lori Boozer In this episode of the Facilitation Lab Podcast, host Douglas Ferguson interviews Lori Boozer, a narrative strategist and wellness visionary. Lori shares her journey from law to facilitation, emphasizing the importance of creating inclusive spaces for genuine participation and healing. The conversation explores group dynamics, the power of storytelling, and removing hierarchical barriers to foster authentic connection. Lori reflects on her experiences in Thailand and the need for...
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Episode 167: How Can Facilitators Foster Bold Participation and Collaboration in Nonprofit Organizations?
Facilitation Lab Podcast
“Sometimes in facilitation, it’s a dance between creating space for others and offering perspectives that move the conversation forward.” - Robin Cory In this episode of the Facilitation Lab podcast, host Douglas Ferguson speaks with facilitation experts Tammy Shubat and Robin Cory, both Voltage Control certification alumni. Tammy shares her journey from leadership to facilitation, focusing on relationship-building and creating safe spaces for bold participation. Robin discusses her facilitation approach, inspired by Tammy, and emphasizes thoughtful session design to foster engagement...
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Episode 166: From Talking Sticks to Blockchain: Revolutionizing Governance Through Collaboration
Facilitation Lab Podcast
"The very fact we came together and wrote a constitution, even if it's not a perfect constitution, is a monumental achievement because people from 50 countries had to come together and get something done."- Charles Hoskinson In this episode of the Facilitation Lab podcast, host Douglas Ferguson engages with Charles Hoskinson, CEO of Input I Output and Co-Founder of Cardano. They delve into themes of facilitation, collaboration, and governance, particularly focusing on Charles's work in developing a decentralized governance model for Cardano. Charles shares insights from facilitating...
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Episode 165: The Greatest Shift: From Competition to Collaboration in Idea Generation
Facilitation Lab Podcast
"It’s so much more beneficial when everyone gives up ownership of ideas and creates something that belongs to the whole group."- Emilia Åström In this episode of the Facilitation Lab podcast, host Douglas Ferguson interviews Emilia Åström, facilitator at Howspace and co-creator of "Perspectives." Emilia shares her journey from competitive advertising to collaborative facilitation, inspired by her experience at Hyper Island. They discuss the transformative power of facilitation in fostering inclusive, innovative group dynamics and how structured methods like design thinking enhance...
info_outline“I showed up just wanting to observe, but a deep prompt and a one-on-one conversation led to a beautiful, unexpected connection.” - Erin Warner
In this episode of the Facilitation Lab podcast, host Douglas Ferguson interviews Erin Warner, founder of Head + Heart Coaching and Facilitation. Erin shares her journey from traditional leadership training to interactive facilitation, emphasizing the power of peer learning, rituals, and the “flow channel” for team engagement. She discusses authentic facilitation, embodied practices, and her holistic “3D wellness” approach. Erin also explores how words and self-talk shape reality, encouraging leaders to foster connection, courage, and creativity. The episode highlights facilitation as a transformative tool for personal and collective growth in organizations and beyond.