#33 - How to Be Authentic as a Trainer - with Said Saddouk

We all know a good story when we hear one — but what actually makes the story powerful? And why is it so hard to tell our own well?In this episode, Nimarta joins Mirna to unpack what makes a story engaging, the obstacles that trip most people up, and how to get better at sharing our stories. What you'll explore:✔️What makes a story engaging in the first place✔️The most common obstacles and traps people hit when crafting stories✔️Nimarta's own process for turning a raw idea into a story worth telling✔️Where to start if you want to become a better storytellerABOUT THE GUEST:Nimarta Verma is an award-winning leadership facilitator and creator of the StorySharing™ methodology - a practical approach to building trust through authentic stories. With two decades of experience shaping brand narratives for companies like Unilever and Woolworths, she now helps leaders craft compelling stories from their own experiences.Nimarta's work is built on a simple truth: people connect with leaders who are willing to be real. After years of watching brilliant leaders struggle to be seen as human (not just competent), she created StorySharing™ to close the gap between authority and authenticity.LET’S CONNECT:🔗Mirna’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mirnasmidt/🔗 Nimarta’s LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/nimarta-verma/ 💌 Keep on discovering new tips and tools with Trainers Toolbox Newsletter: https://www.trainers-toolbox.com/newsletter/NIMARTA’S LINKS:Free Nimarta’s 5-day email course walking you through how to craft your story step by step:https://disruptor-brand.kit.com/storysharingFree 45 min session with Nimarta to help uncover your key moments:https://calendar.app.google/NDXiRUzJf2s5oanVAEXPLORE STORYTELLING DEEPER:💡 Advanced Storytelling — a 2-day bootcamp for trainers and speakers: https://www.trainers-toolbox.com/advanced-storytelling-course-for-trainers/💡 Emotional Journey Design - building your workshops in a way that is deeper and more emotional - https://trainers-toolbox.com/emotional-journey-design-course/ EXPLORE RELATED EPISODES🎙️Ep.10 – Fantastic Stories & How to Find Them🎙️Ep.13 – Metaphors in Workshops: How I Use Them and Examples I Love🎙️Ep.11 – The Trainer's Guide to Storytelling (in Workshops)

There is always a new toolbox, a new book, a new method - and hardly enough time to get to any of it. Keeping up with trends is one of those things that quietly slides down the list, especially when you are also designing, delivering, working with clients and running your own business. So here are the five places I actually go to stay in touch with what's new.WHAT YOU'LL EXPLORE✔️ The 5 places I actually go to discover new tools and new trends✔️ Why the real value of a course is often not the content on the agenda✔️ How communities keep you current without any extra effort✔️ What to look for in a conference if you want to gain more✔️ The 4 people I follow on LinkedIn for genuinely new ideas📄 1-page handout with all 5 places: https://trainers-toolbox.com/podcast/podcast-episode-41-how-to-keep-up-with-trends-in-training-learning/EXPLORE DEEPER💡 Trainers Conversations - a close-knit, year-long community of 22 trainers and facilitators. 12 monthly conversations and 6 masterclasses a year, with a group that keeps you learning, sharing and experimenting together. Applications for 2027 open in early November and close at the end of November 2026: trainers-toolbox.com/trainers-conversations-community💡 The best communities for trainers and facilitators - the full article with all the communities I recommend: trainers-toolbox.com/communities-for-trainers-and-facilitators💡 metaFox Inner Journey - the 3-day experience working with images, emotions and strengths: trainers-toolbox.com/metafox-inner-journey-course💡 Offbeat Fest: offbeat.works/offbeat-festPEOPLE I MENTIONED🔗 Anamaria Dorgo: linkedin.com/in/anamariadorgo🔗 Lavinia Mehedintu: linkedin.com/in/laviniamehedintu🔗 Barry Overeem: linkedin.com/in/barryovereem🔗 Said Saddouk: linkedin.com/in/said-saddoukLET'S CONNECT🔗 Let's keep learning from each other via LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/mirnasmidt💌 Keep on exploring new toolboxes with the Trainers Toolbox weekly newsletter: trainers-toolbox.com/newsletterEXPLORE RELATED EPISODES🎙️ Ep.31 - Insights from SessionLab's State of Facilitation Report (with Deb from SessionLab): listen here🎙️ Ep.33 - How to Be Authentic as a Trainer (with Said): listen here🎙️ Ep.5 - How To Kickstart & Advance Your Career as a Freelance Trainer: listen here

Those first few minutes of a workshop have much more impact than we admit. Before anyone learns a thing, they're quietly asking themselves: is this a good place for me? Do I belong here? Will this experience be useful and valuable, or a waste of my time? In this episode, Jan Keck joins Mirna to talk about what really builds trust from the very first minute… and why so many icebreakers get it wrong.What you'll explore:✔️ What's actually happening for people the moment a session begins✔️ Why so many icebreakers fall flat — and what to do instead✔️ How to open a session so trust and connection come first✔️ Jan's campfire method — and one practical tip any trainer can useABOUT THE GUEST:Jan Keck is a facilitation trainer, experience designer, TEDx speaker, and the author of The Campfire Method. He helps leaders and teams create group experiences where people actually connect, without the awkward icebreakers. Jan is the creator of the Ask Deep Questions card deck, has been featured on CBC News, Breakfast TV, and HuffPost, and has taught thousands of facilitators how to design sessions that work for everyone in the room. He's currently based in Germany with his wife Cookie, cat Linda, and their son Mika.LET'S CONNECT:🔗 Mirna's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mirnasmidt/🔗 Jan's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jankeck/ 💌 Keep on discovering new tips and tools with Trainers Toolbox Newsletter: https://www.trainers-toolbox.com/newsletter/JAN'S LINKS:Jan’s website and the book: www.jankeck.com Jan’s Newsletter: www.jankeck.com/subscribe EXPLORE TRUST & LEARN TO DO GREAT OPENINGS:💡 Advanced Facilitation — a 2-day bootcamp to sharpen how you hold a room: https://www.trainers-toolbox.com/advanced-facilitation-training/💡 Train the Trainer — foundations for newer trainers, including how to open well: https://www.trainers-toolbox.com/train-the-trainer/EXPLORE RELATED EPISODES:🎙️ Ep.8 – Building Trust and Connection at the Beginning of Your Workshop🎙️ Ep.16 – Workshop Opening: Grab Attention & Build Engagement🎙️ Ep.18 – How to Handle Difficult Situations in a Workshop

Ready to protect the parts of your training that AI can never replace? Grab our free 6-day email course and discover the 5 AI-Bulletproof Anchors - Community, Experience, Intuition, Accountability, and Story - that will keep you irreplaceable as a trainer. Sign up here: https://trainers-toolbox.com/ai-bulletproof-email-course/AI is reshaping what trainers and facilitators do. Somehow, most of the conversations are about what it might take from us, or how to use it to work faster. But there's a quieter, more important question: which parts of your work are AI-bulletproof? The deeply human parts AI simply won't be replacing for us, and how to put them in the core of our work. That is exactly what I am exploring in this episode.📄 1-page summary & notes: https://trainers-toolbox.com/podcast/podcast-episode-39-the-ai-proof-trainer-5-human-skills-ai-wont-replace/RELATED EPISODES🎙️ Ep.26 – The 4 Keys That Turn Learning Into Real Change & Results:https://trainers-toolbox.com/podcast/the-4-keys-that-turn-learning-into-real-change-and-results/🎙️ Ep.11 – The Trainer's Guide to Storytelling (in Workshops):https://www.trainers-toolbox.com/podcast-episode-11-the-trainers-guide-to-storytelling-in-workshops🎙️ Ep.8 – Building Trust and Connection at the Beginning of Your Workshop:https://www.trainers-toolbox.com/podcast-episodes-building-trust-and-connection-at-the-beginning-of-your-workshopDEEPEN THOSE SKILLS Advanced Facilitation - two days on feeling a group, adapting live, and holding powerful conversations:https://www.trainers-toolbox.com/advanced-facilitation-training/Advanced Storytelling - learn to tell your stories so they land and stick:https://www.trainers-toolbox.com/advanced-storytelling-course-for-trainers/LET’S CONNECT🖇️ LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/mirnasmidt/🎁Explore more tips and ideas on Trainers Toolbox weekly Newsletter:https://www.trainers-toolbox.com/newsletter/

JOIN US FOR FREE DEMO CALL TO EXPLORE ONE OF GREAT EXERCISES WITH METAFOX TOOLSFree signup via Luma for on one of two options of ”Working with Images: A Live Taste of the Inner Journey” online event: https://luma.com/75vfpzr5 Most of us were trained to work with words. Far fewer of us were ever trained to work with images, even though they can reach a whole layer of insight and self-reflection that words alone can't. So, in this episode we are exploring:Why working with images belongs in your trainers toolbox, and what they unlock that words alone can'tThe many ways to use images, and why most trainers stumble onto a great exercise by accident instead of learning it systematicallyWhy learning how to build your own method with images is super powerful On the way, we look into Max's path to building metaFox and years spent helping trainers and coaches work with images, and his learnings from that journeyABOUT THE GUEST:Max is co-founder of metaFox, where he builds coaching tools used by coaches, therapists, and leaders worldwide. As the mind behind the Visual Coaching method, he combines hands-on coaching experience with psychological theory. Alongside his work with clients, he leads strategy, partnerships, and the buildout of the metaFox Academy.Learn more & dive deeper:DIVE INTO WORKING WITH IMAGES:Dive deeper into working with images at The Inner Journey — a 3-day experiential course with metaFox exploring emotions, images, and strengths. Zagreb, November 2026: https://trainers-toolbox.com/metafox-inner-journey-course/(!!! check that this link works before publishing)BECOME A BETTER TRAINER:Train the Trainer – foundational training for trainers, covering practical facilitation tools including working with visuals: https://www.trainers-toolbox.com/train-the-trainer/🎁FREE RESOURCES TO EXPLORETT blog article: 7 ways to use MetaFox deep pictures in a training: https://trainers-toolbox.com/7-ways-to-use-metafox-deep-pictures-in-a-training/[Add more links later — e.g. the DIXIT blog article — and think which other free resources to add]🔗Max's & Metafox links:The Inner Journey in Croatia: https://metafox.eu/products/the-inner-journey-in-zagreb Discover many free resources as www.metaFox.eumetaFox newsletter at https://metafox.eu/pages/subscribe; Online platform for coaching - www.metaFox.online - get 1 month free with “trainerstoolbox” codeRELATED EPISODES:🎙️Ep.13 – Metaphors in Workshops: How I Use Them and Examples I Love: https://www.trainers-toolbox.com/podcast-episodes-metaphors-in-workshops-how-i-use-them-and-examples-i-love🎙️Ep.1 – Creating Meaningful & Memorable Moments in Workshops & Events: https://www.trainers-toolbox.com/podcast-episodes-creating-meaningful-and-memorable-moments-in-training-and-facilitation🎙️Ep.2 – Seven Dimensions of Facilitation to Balance in Your Workshops: https://www.trainers-toolbox.com/podcast-episodes-seven-dimensions-of-facilitation-to-balance-in-your-workshopLET’S CONNECT:🔗LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mirnasmidt/🎁Keep on learning with Trainers Toolbox weekly Newsletter: https://www.trainers-toolbox.com/newsletter/

Most trainers design workshops around skills and gaps. But there is incredible power, energy, and motivation that gets unleashed when we design around strengths. Join us in this episode to explore the power of a strengths-based approach, as well as many practical ways of working with strengths in your workshops, courses and coaching. What you'll explore:Why working with strengths is a powerful approach for trainers, coaches, and facilitators- we will explore both research and our experience of what makes it powerful The many ways to bring strengths into your workshops & coaching, from surveys to cards to conversations, and what the advantages and disadvantages of eachWhat's actually in a strengths report (free report by metafox) and how to get real value out of the 4 areas it flags📄 1-page summary & notes: https://trainers-toolbox.com/podcast/37-why-every-trainer-should-work-with-strengths-with-tobi-from-metafox/DIVE IN DEEPER into strengths:Join us at The Inner Journey – a 3-day experiential course with metaFox exploring emotions, images, and strengths. Zagreb, November 2026. https://trainers-toolbox.com/metafox-inner-journey-course/About the guest:Tobi is a co-founder of metaFox where he turns emotional intelligence education into tools and processes that coaches can use to change lives. In his own practice, he builds on backgrounds in systemic NLP, mindfulness and strengths psychology. As host of "The Impactful Coach" podcast he unpacks all-things-coaching, empowering people working with people who make an impact in improving mental health.metaFox has been developing coaching tools for deeper conversation and real connection since 2018. Their tools make it easy to surface our inner world and make things like feeling, values and resources "discussable".Tobi's & metaFox links mention in the episode:Strengths Discovery Overview (free for personal use) on https://strengths-discovery.comOnline Coaching Platform (incl. Strengths Discovery) on https://metaFox.online Print Coaching Tools on https://metaFox.eu🎁With a code "trainerstoolbox", get a free month of Pro access to metaFox.online and Strengths Discovery.🎁And with “TRAINERSTOOLBOX20” get 20% off any metafox tools (one purchase). You might want to start with StrongerYou cards: https://metafox.eu/en-eu/products/strengths-coaching-cards-stronger-you?srsltid=AfmBOopS2MbBtAd-vsPDL9VJ4tyYd5mG6GE0FTwKJTApYYcz2-yuaUkP Related episodes:🎙️ Ep.30 – The Sailboat Metaphor: A Powerful Tool to Work with Strengths: https://trainers-toolbox.com/podcast-episodes-the-sailboat-metaphor-a-powerful-tool-to-work-with-strengths/🎙️ Ep.6 – Effectively Manage Your Energy in Workshops & Life: https://www.trainers-toolbox.com/podcast-episodes-effectively-manage-your-energy-in-workshops-life🎙️ Ep.28 – Can Introverts Be Great Trainers? (Yes, Here's How): https://trainers-toolbox.com/podcast-episodes-can-introverts-be-great-trainers/Let's connect:LinkedIn: Mirna: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mirnasmidt/Tobi: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tobiasweghorn/ Trainers Toolbox: https://www.linkedin.com/company/trainers-toolbox/?viewAsMember=true Keep on learningTrainers Toolbox Newsletter: https://www.trainers-toolbox.com/newsletter/

You already think carefully about how your participants feel. But have you ever stopped to notice the emotion you carry into the room? It's one of the most overlooked things in facilitation — and it shapes the whole workshop more than we tend to realise.What you'll learn:To understand why emotions are contagious — and why, as the trainer, yours spread the fastestTo nourish your own baseline state so you bring grounded calm, gratitude and curiosity into your workTo spot the negative states that quietly seep in — like anxiety and tiredness — and manage them with self check-in and breathTo build the emotion you want in the group in yourself first, on purpose📄 1-page summary & notes: https://trainers-toolbox.com/podcast/episode-36-the-most-overlooked-thing-about-emotions-in-workshops/RELATED EPISODES🎙️ Ep.14 – Designing Emotional Journeys for Deeper Learning: https://www.trainers-toolbox.com/podcast-episodes-designing-emotional-journeys-for-deeper-learning/🎙️ Ep.19 – Self Check-In: Reset Your Focus & Energy in Under a Minute: https://www.trainers-toolbox.com/podcast-episodes-self-check-in-reset-your-focus-and-energy-in-under-a-minute/🎙️ Ep.15 – Flow: The Secret Ingredient for Effortless Learning: https://www.trainers-toolbox.com/podcast-episodes-flow-the-secret-ingredient-for-effortless-learning/EXPLORE IT DEEPEREmotional Journey Design course — dive much deeper into how to use emotions in your workshops: https://trainers-toolbox.com/emotional-journey-design-course/LET'S CONNECTLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mirnasmidt/Newsletter: https://www.trainers-toolbox.com/newsletter/

Icebreakers are the moment in the workshop when you can break the ice - or you can break the chance of getting your participants on board.In today’s conversations, with Hande Akpinar, we are exploring the subtle shades of what turns icebreakers into the right foundation for your workshop. Join us to explore questions such as:What makes an icebreaker actually work, and what makes it fall flat? Are there icebreaker mistakes you would wanna make sure to avoid? ABOUT HANDEHande Akpinar is a trainer, facilitator, and transformational leadership coach who uses a blended approach to design impactful learning experiences. She delivers bespoke sessions focused on communication skills, career navigation, change management, and leadership.Find Hande on Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/hande-g%C3%BCneykaya-akp%C4%B1nar-98662915/ Explore her website: https://craftedlearning.org/Or find her programs on Femme Palette: https://www.femmepalette.com/mentors/hande-gneykaya-akpnarKEEP ON LEARNING WITH TRAINERS TOOLBOX💡Build Emotional Journeys online course:Learn how to make your courses and workshops memorable and more impactful by building an emotional journey that supports & deepens the learning journey: https://trainers-toolbox.com/emotional-journey-design-course/ 💡Train the Trainer:A science-based, hands-on course for new and experienced trainers who want to design and deliver powerful adult learning experiences. It’s a highly personalised program with 6 attendees only, where you keep switching between the roles of trainer and participant through active tasks, gaining rich feedback and continuously practicing while integrating new tools and models into your skillset with each step module.https://www.trainers-toolbox.com/train-the-trainer/ 💡Trainers Conversations:Continue meaningful conversations in a small, cozy community of fellow trainers and facilitators. Trainers Conversations is an inspiring community on Trainers Toolbox, designed to make your work and life as facilitator more fulfilling and creative:https://trainers-toolbox.com/trainers-conversations-community/ 📄 1-page summary & notes: https://trainers-toolbox.com/podcast-episodes-rethinking-icebreakers-what-actually-makes-them-work-with-hande-akpinar/🗺️ Miro board template: https://miro.com/templates/icebreaker-spin-wheel/RELATED EPISODES & READING🎙️ Ep.19 - Self Check-in: Reset Your Focus & Energy In Under a Minute: https://www.trainers-toolbox.com/podcast-episodes-self-check-in-reset-your-focus-and-energy-in-under-a-minute/🎙️ Ep.14 - Designing Emotional Journeys For Deeper Learning: https://www.trainers-toolbox.com/podcast-episodes-designing-emotional-journeys-for-deeper-learning/🎙️ Ep.16 - Workshop Opening: Grab Attention & Build Engagement: https://www.trainers-toolbox.com/podcast-episodes-workshop-opening-grab-attention-build-engagement/Blog post to explore: Why I Don’t Call Out Names in Workshops:https://trainers-toolbox.com/why-i-dont-call-out-names-in-workshops/ LET'S CONNECTFind Mirna on LinkedIn & connect: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mirnasmidt/ 💌 Join Trainers Toolbox Newsletter to keep on learning: https://www.trainers-toolbox.com/newsletter/

Have you noticed how your greatest strength can quietly become your biggest weakness? When you push too hard on what you're naturally good at, like being decisive, it can tip over into becoming pushy. If you get too empathic, it easily turns over into neglecting your own needs. Each strength, if overused, can turn into something that no longer serves you or the people around you. To avoid this, most advice tells you to "do less of it." And what poor advice it is!Holding yourself back rarely works, and it actually makes you use less of what is the best in you. In this episode, I share a model that takes a completely different approach, one that invites you to nourish your strengths instead of diminishing them.What you'll learn:What are the four elements that shape how your strengths show up, and where they tip into a weaknessHow to ensure that your dominant strength remains in balance, without diminishing itUnderstand the difference between a skill and a strength, and why that matters for sustainable growthA great model to use for yourself, but also with your participants, and your coaching clients to unlock more authenticity and confidence📄 1-page summary & notes: https://trainers-toolbox.com/podcast-episodes-strengths-overused-what-to-do-when-your-strengths-become-your-weaknesses/🗺️ Miro board template: coming soon…RELATED EPISODES🎙️ Ep.30 - The Sailboat Metaphor: A Powerful Tool to Work with Strengths: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-GShcoG2djU&list=PLbc4gIwDXChiNPte_duRDxSzUC65MkQ0q&index=32🎙️ Ep.26 - The 4 Keys That Turn Learning Into Real Change & Results: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=78eh-gsWXE4&list=PLbc4gIwDXChiNPte_duRDxSzUC65MkQ0q&index=27&t=5s🎙️ Ep.28 - Can Introverts Be Great Trainers? (Yes - Here's How): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yswm3CWvIGg&list=PLbc4gIwDXChiNPte_duRDxSzUC65MkQ0q&index=29&t=197sEXPLORE DEEPER🌱 Positive Psychology Toolbox, a self-paced toolbox of practical tools from positive psychology, including strengths-based approaches like this one: https://luma.com/erky78zl🌱 Trainers Conversations, a year-long community of trainers where we exchange tools, frameworks, and approaches like this one every month: https://www.trainers-toolbox.com/trainers-conversations-community/LET'S CONNECTConnect with Mirna on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mirnasmidt/ 💌 Discover Trainers Toolbox Newsletter, with weekly learnings about training & facilitation: https://www.trainers-toolbox.com/newsletter/

In the world of facilitation, often being a good facilitator means that you “honed the craft”. But that also means that most of us are doing things in a similar way, just trying to be a bit better at it! And then there's Said Saddouk, known as the Facilitainer, who decided to make up his own rules - both in how he facilitates and how he runs his business. The result? A standout style, a solid business, and a whole lot of fun along the way. In this conversation, we explore what it actually means to be authentic as a trainer, and how to have the courage to do things your way.What we'll explore- What authenticity really means for trainers and facilitators- How to build awareness of your strengths & weaknesses, and let your strengths shine- How to make bold choices about your niche, your style, and what to let go of- How authenticity can support your success, and when it can make things more complicatedRELATED EPISODES🎙️ Ep.28 – Can Introverts Be Great Trainers? (Yes - Here's How): https://trainers-toolbox.com/podcast-episodes-can-introverts-be-great-trainers/ 🎙️ Ep.27 – How to Create a Bold Vision - with Paula Amiama: https://trainers-toolbox.com/podcast-episodes-how-to-create-a-bold-vision/ ABOUT SAID Said Saddouk, known as the Facilitainer, is a facilitator who makes online learning experiences genuinely fun and engaging. He's known for his ability to support other facilitators in running great virtual workshops, especially when it comes to using tech in creative, engaging ways. His LinkedIn presence is one of the most lively in the field, and his work consistently breaks the mould of what facilitation can look like.💼 Said’s Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/said-saddouk/📲 All other links (including his Newsletter): https://thefacilitainer.com/links/ WORK ON YOUR OWN AUTHENTICITY 🌱 Advanced Facilitation Training, a 2-day bootcamp for experienced facilitators ready to improve with rich and high quality feedback but also uncover & strengthen their authentic facilitation style: https://www.trainers-toolbox.com/advanced-facilitation-training/🌱 Train the Trainer, a 3-month foundations course for trainers who want to build a strong foundation in their skills of training design and delivery: https://www.trainers-toolbox.com/train-the-trainer/🌱 Trainers Conversations, a year-long community of trainers where we learn from each other and keep developing our own authentic styles: https://www.trainers-toolbox.com/trainers-conversations-community/LET'S CONNECTFind Mirna on LinkedIn & engage in conversations about all things training: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mirnasmidt/ Trainers Toolbox Newsletter: https://www.trainers-toolbox.com/newsletter/Chapters: 00:00 Introduction & Meet Saeed Saduk (Facilitainer)03:00 Authenticity in Facilitation: Why It Matters12:30 Finding Your Own Facilitation Style Through Experimentation25:30 Building a Personal Brand Without Losing Yourself37:00 Career Growth, Opportunities & Staying Versatile49:30 Final Advice for Facilitators & Closing Thoughts