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In this episode of the Facilitation Lab podcast, host Douglas Ferguson converses with Caterina Rodriguez (Cat), a facilitator consultant and strategic leader at ADL. Cat shares her journey from anti-bias education to organizational effectiveness, emphasizing the importance of authentic connections in facilitation. She discusses the challenges of adopting a new facilitation style and highlights the transformative power of collaborative group experiences. Kat stresses the need for facilitators to embrace uncertainty and model genuine engagement, advocating for a method-agnostic approach. The episode underscores the value of building trust and fostering inclusive, change-ready cultures within organizations.

At SXSW, Voltage Control explored the intersection of human connection and AI. Through our meetup and workshop, we created spaces for meaningful interactions, tackled loneliness and vulnerability, reimagined meetings, and highlighted the potential of AI as a dynamic team player. Learn how intentional facilitation can drive innovation, transform team dynamics, and foster genuine connections. Explore these insights and more from our SXSW experiences in this blog post.

The Facilitation Lab Summit 2025 brought together facilitators from around the world for a transformative two-day experience filled with inspiring sessions, interactive workshops, and a celebration of award-winning facilitators. Highlights included sessions on psychological safety, storytelling for change, and nonverbal communication. Attendees gained valuable tools for enhancing their facilitation practice and fostering meaningful transformations. Stay connected through our Community Hub and get early bird tickets for next year's summit!

In this episode of the Facilitation Lab podcast, host Douglas Ferguson converses with Dr. Karyn Edwards, an organizational psychologist and executive coach. Dr. Edwards shares her journey into facilitation and leadership, starting at Carlson Wagonlit Travel. She highlights the influence of her mentor, Julianne Weiss, and discusses overcoming imposter syndrome and challenges in leadership roles. The episode delves into the importance of "power skills" like emotional intelligence and adaptability. Dr. Edwards also talks about her current work, including writing for the Association for Training and Development and exploring organizational culture change programs. The episode underscores the transformative power of coaching.

Emilia Astrom shares her transformative journey from advertising to facilitation, discovering her passion at Hyper Island. With over a decade of experience, she leveraged design thinking and facilitation to guide organizations through the digital transformation. Her career highlights include joining Mural and supporting innovation, as well as completing the Voltage Control facilitation certification program. Emilia now designs workshops for senior leaders and works to create human-centered, collaborative work environments. Discover how facilitation changed her career and empowered her to lead meaningful change.

Our facilitation certification bridges the gap between the powerful insights of Dare to Lead and practical leadership actions. By combining heart-centered approaches with structured facilitation methods, we help you create safe, collaborative spaces that drive team success. Master skills like active listening, conflict resolution, and strategic planning to enhance communication, foster innovation, and lead with authenticity. Transform your leadership style and empower your team with actionable frameworks that inspire lasting change.

Discover how Lori Boozer, a former government attorney turned nonprofit leader, transformed her approach to leadership through facilitation. Learn how embracing co-creation and collaboration helped her champion systemic change and foster inclusive, impactful conversations. This journey highlights the power of facilitation in addressing complex social issues like economic mobility and health equity.

Building meaningful relationships is at the heart of effective facilitation. In this post, explore how intentional connection-building, trust, and shared rituals enhance collaboration, even in remote and hybrid settings. Learn practical strategies to foster trust, manage conflict, and create environments where participants feel heard and valued. Discover how facilitators can cultivate lasting relationships that extend beyond the session, influencing team dynamics and organizational culture.