FTF250: Building trust and driving change in workshops with Hitomi Whitlock

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 transforms conferences from routine events into transformative experiences.Abut today's guest: ML HuppatzML is CEO for the Association for Tertiary Education Management (ATEM) - a job that she describes as being the #1 cheerleader for people working in the sector. She is passionate about people with a capital P - and focuses on creating learning experiences which support self mastery and confidence, development of an individual's leadership, and helping people to thrive in their own career journeys.On a Thursday night you will find her moonlighting as Rakali - a Joey leader at 5th Brunswick Scouts, and loving nurturing the next generation of leaders."Episode Highlights:The Delegate Experience: Redefining Conferences: ML discusses the importance of creating meaningful networking opportunities and how ATEM designs conference spaces to encourage organic connections.Key Strategies for Crafting Unforgettable Conferences ML highlights the importance of first-time delegate experiences, explaining how they organize dedicated welcome drinks and smaller group sessions to ease people into the larger event.Post-lunch energy dips are tackled with "keystone sessions," where all conference participants engage in the same experience across multiple rooms, creating a shared reflective and bonding opportunity. ML shares her aversion to the term "networking" and how she prefers to create informal spaces for delegates to connect naturally, without the pressure often associated with formal networking.Innovating the Role of the MC: The Conference CatalystML explains how ATEM has redefined the traditional role of the MC by introducing the concept of the “conference catalyst.”Rather than just announcing speakers and keeping time, the catalyst becomes part of the event’s personality, helping to build connections and engage attendees on a deeper level (and I, Leanne, was thrilled to play this role!)ML’s Personal Leadership Journey ML reflects on her career journey, which includes a diverse range of roles in journalism, HR, strategy, and facilitation, all leading to her current position at ATEM.Key Takeaways:Conferences can and should be more than just events; they are opportunities to create lasting change, connection, and learning.Networking doesn’t need to be formal or intimidating—providing organic, informal spaces can make it easier for people to connect.The role of the MC can be transformed into a more engaging, interactive experience with the concept of a “conference catalyst.”Embracing your strengths and allowing yourself to be “you” in professional settings leads to more authentic leadership and engagement.Imagine the Best Professional Development Experience of 2025…Coming to you in March, it's The Red Carpet Campout! If you love building connections, creating communities, and generously sharing their ideas, you'll LOVE this experience.I’d love to see you there!Support the show

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 March, 2025, only 90 mins from Brisbane, Australia. Only six tents remain!What You'll Learn:Steve’s facilitation journey: How he transitioned from sales leadership to facilitation, inspired by books like Sharon Bowman’s Training from the Back of the Room.Adapting to curveballs in facilitation: Steve’s tips for handling unexpected moments, such as tech glitches, by staying in the moment and focusing on participants.Participant obsession: Why being fully focused on participants, rather than content, is key to creating interactive and impactful learning experiences.Outdoor learning and creativity: Steve’s passion for moving beyond traditional meeting rooms to outdoor settings that boost creativity and connection. Learn how a simple shift in environment can lead to a 50% increase in creative thinking!Challenging the status quo: How Steve challenges clients to rethink their agenda, venues, and reliance on tech to achieve deeper, more meaningful outcomes.The Red Carpet Campout: A sneak peek into our upcoming luxurious camping retreat, where facilitators can unplug, rejuvenate, and engage in creative thinking in nature.About Steven DemedioSteve Demedio is an entrepreneur, facilitator, travel consultant, and home-made pizza and camping enthusiast, but above all, a devoted father and husband. His career is built upon a foundation of roles in sales, management, learning, and facilitation across the travel, IT, and corporate services sectors. Steve’s career has been full of unexpected twists, yet his clear purpose has always been rooted in people, connection, and communication.Recently, Steve joined forces with his long-time friend Mark Hodgson, who founded Mind & Body Travel in 2019. Together, they’ve created a unique synergy between travel, training, and events. As Director of Mind & Body Group, Steve curates and facilitates inspiring retreats and training programs that bring teams together, unlocking deeper levels of authentic connection and collaboration.Connect with Steven Demedio:www.mindandbodygroup.com.auwww.mindandbodytravel.comSteven Demedio on LinkedInImagine the Best Professional Development Experience of 2025…Coming to you in March, it's The Red Carpet Campout! If you love building connections, creating communities, and generously sharing their ideas, you'll LOVE this experience.I’d love to see you there!Support the show

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, and a whole lot of fun as Leanne shares the highs, challenges, and big wins from this Brisbane-based event.What You’ll Learn in This Episode:How to Create Demand for Your Event: The strategic move that got 150 people onto the event waitlist within 24 hours (without selling a single ticket!).The Power of Venue: Why the rooftop bar venue was a major player in getting people excited to attend—and how venue choice can impact your marketing strategy.Collaborating with the Best: Leanne shares insights from working with Michael Bungay Stanier and how their creative synergy shaped the event’s success.Marketing Magic: A peek into the marketing tactics, including leveraging scarcity, early bird offers, and social proof to sell out the event in record time.Content vs. Experience: Why Leanne spent more time focusing on creating an experience for her attendees than on the content itself—and why that was the key to success.Behind-the-Scenes Decisions: The tools and tech that helped Leanne and MBS manage a seamless collaboration across time zones, from Google Docs to a private podcast.Post-Event Reflections: What worked, what Leanne would tweak, and the overwhelming LinkedIn love that followed the event.Episode Highlights:The quote that inspired Leanne to aim big with her venue choice: "If I made small decisions, I would hate myself forever."How to "manufacture demand" and why giving your audience a waitlist (before selling tickets) can validate your event idea.The importance of creating a memorable experience (hint: it’s not all about the content!) and how a rooftop venue turned their event into a “brag-worthy” moment.Links Mentioned in the Episode:Watch the 3-minute event highlight video on YouTubeMichael Bungay Stanier's workOur Luma event siteDiary of a CEO interview with Daniel PriestlyUpcoming Events with Leanne:Red Carpet Group Experience: Las Vegas with Leanne Hughes 📅 October 30, 2024Get to the Point Workshop with Sally Prosser 📅 November 19, 2024 | Brisbane Luxury Glamping Retreat: Red Carpet Campout 📅 Dates: 10-12 March 2025 | Location: Private property, 90 mins from Brisbane Join the Conversation: What resonated with you from today’s episode? Let us know!  Share your thoughts on social media and tag Leanne and Michael.Support the show

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’ll Learn:How Hitomi uses her strengths (Futuristics, Discipline, Positivity, Woo, Learner) to drive success.The tech tools she leverages, like ClickUp, Miro, Loom, and GoodNotes, to streamline workflows, eliminate unnecessary meetings, and enhance collaboration.Tips for running effective hybrid workshops that keep everyone engaged, whether in-person or remote.How a customer-centric focus in both her roles has led to zero evictions and high tenant satisfaction in her real estate ventures.Strategies for building trust quickly in workshops, from pre-session videos to effective icebreakers.The importance of balancing big-picture vision with disciplined execution in both professional and personal life.About Hitomi WhitlockHitomi is an Organizational Change Manager at the University of Washington's Housing and Food Services and a real estate investor, co-owning a property management business in the Seattle area since 2005. She attributes her success to her customer-centric focus and effective communication, always thinking about how to best serve her customers. Hitomi loves making new connections and friends while nurturing existing relationships. In her spare time, she enjoys travelling, attending concerts, and exploring new restaurants/bars with family and friends.📌 Links Mentioned in the Episode:Connect with Hitomi Whitlock on LinkedInTools discussed: ClickUp, Miro, Loom, GoodNotesSupport the show

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 upcoming event in Brisbane unique. They also share personal anecdotes and practical tips for successful facilitation, offering valuable insights for anyone interested in leadership and change management.Welcome and IntroductionReflecting on Past CollaborationsUpcoming Event: How to Face ChangeThe Art of Co-FacilitationWhy You Should AttendClosing Remarks and ExcitementSupport the show

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 workshop in Brisbane with Michael Bungay Stanier and a small group workshop in Las Vegas. You'll also hear the first episode of Talk the Walk with Alan Weiss, a bi-monthly broadcast coming to you on LinkedIn and YouTube!Cool events:How to Face Change with Michael Bungay Stanier in Brisbane 3 SeptemberReturn on Las Vegas: Small group experience in Las Vegas with Leanne 30 October (email [email protected] if you want details!)Cast your vote: Once in a lifetime learning experiencesJoin our Talk the Walk live broadcast with Alan WeissSupport the show

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 share their journeys from facilitating workshops to writing books. We discuss how their workshop experiences influenced their writing, the challenges they faced, and tips for turning workshop content into a book.Connect with Jade MillerJade Miller's book: Making LemonadeJade's websiteConnect with Jade on LinkedInConnect with Mel LoyMel's book: Change Isn't HardLinkedIn: Mel Loy on LinkedInWebsite: Hey Mel! Comms and Training and MelanieLoy.comPodcast: Less Chatter, More MatterSupport the show

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 ago)Interactions between AI and Humans, what works?The ageing population in the workforce and how to manage itConnect with thousands of facilitators from all over the world in our free Facebook group called The Flipchart:    / firsttimefacilitator  Love Alan’s shares? Contact him and let him know!Alan Weiss on LinkedInLearn more about the host, Leanne Hughes' work at https://www.leannehughes.comGrab Leanne’s book, The 2-Hour Workshop Blueprint: https://2hourwork.shopAlan ResourcesAlan Weiss's Website: This is the primary source for accessing all of Alan Weiss's content, books, and workshops. Monday Morning Memo: This is a regular communication from Alan that provides insights and advice, likely a valuable resource for listeners interested in regular updates from him.A Minute with Alan: A series of one-minute videos where Alan Weiss shares quick insights. These videos are beneficial for viewers looking for short, impactful advice.Upcoming Workshops and Zoom Sessions: Specifically, any current or upcoming workshops or sessions that Alan mentioned during the interview, like his $100 workshop aimed at adding value for existing and prospective clients. Support the show

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 into the parallels between having talk-back radio and getting listeners to call in to hosting workshops and being truly present. We also talk about energy, meeting the room where it's at, and the best ways to prepare to be spontaneous—an awesome oxymoron, right? And Lisa shares how she does this, even down to the detail, like her unique research approach, which includes a bit of LinkedIn stalking. Lisa draws on her unique experiences, combined with design thinking and mindfulness practices, to bring a fresh approach to conversations and connection.She presents on ABC Radio Melbourne on Sundays and also hosts 'This Working Life' on ABC Radio National, which is an awesome show. Connect with Lisa LeongLisa Leong on LinkedInLisa Leong on InstagramLisa's profile on ABC RadioWhy you can't miss this episodeIt's not every day you get to hear from someone who's mastered the art of engaging people through radio, law, and facilitation. Lisa's stories are not just inspiring—they're packed with actionable tips you can use to level up your facilitation game. Plus, her take on mindfulness and presence is a game-changer for anyone looking to connect more deeply with their audience.Memorable Quotes:"Jumping into facilitation was like jumping into a whole new world with both feet. Scary, but thrilling!""You don't have to be a Zen master to make mindfulness work for you in workshops.""Inclusivity isn't just nice to have; it's a must-have for unforgettable workshops.""Preparation meets improvisation—that's where the magic happens."Resources Mentioned:Lisa's Favorite Mindfulness Apps"The Skilled Facilitator" by Roger SchwarzSupport the show

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're co-hosting in Brisbane on 16 April 2024.Find out more about the Brisbane workshop and grab your ticket here.Conversation time-stamps00:31 The Importance of Brevity in Communication02:17 The Power of Storytelling and Brevity02:59 The Art of Asking Questions03:43 The Value of Silence and Pausing04:14 The Power of Personal Stories04:40 The Role of Confidence in Communication05:07 The Importance of Setting Rules in Communication05:27 The Excitement of Co-Facilitating06:05 What to Expect in the 'Get to the Point' Workshop07:35 Closing Remarks and Workshop DetailsAbout today's guest: Sally ProsserSally helps you fire-up your voice so you can share your light with the world.Her background as a TV reporter, company spokesperson and speech & drama teacher gives her the ideal skill set to work with professionals, biz owners and corporate teams on -⭐ Building confidence🥊 Combating a fear of public speaking❤ Producing a warm, trustworthy voice🎤 Speaking with clarity and impact🎥 Media Awareness and Spokesperson TrainingSupport the show