The Spark Konnect

Kassy LaBorie
  • 5.0 (2)
  • Education
  • Updated Weekly

Welcome to The Spark Konnect Podcast, hosted by Kassy LaBorie — The Trainer’s Trainer and Original Virtual Training Hero. This is the place where we explore the many sparks that ignite powerful facilitation — creativity, performance, leadership, play, and beyond. Each series dives into a new lens on facilitation, revealing the unique ways people connect, inspire, and lead. From artistry to athletics (and everything in between), we uncover how different passions and disciplines fuel unforgettable learning experiences. Because facilitation isn’t just a profession — it’s a human art.

  1. 15h ago

    Ep. 043 | Charting a Course to Better Memory and Focus w/ Lauren Waldman

    Summary This brand new episode dives into guest Lauren Waldman’s unique blend of music, dance, learning science, and how that creative background shaped the way she thinks about memory, attention, and learning design. She and Kassy also talk about the story behind Learning Pirate, Lauren’s brand. They also discuss why Lauren became so outspoken about the science of learning, and how her brand grew out of her advocacy for helping people understand how the brain really works. You won’t want to miss this one! Lauren’s Links: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lauren-waldman-4666bab/ Website: https://www.learningpirate.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/learning_pirate/ Email: lauren@learningpirate.com  Kassy’s Links: Website: https://kassylaborie.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kassylaborie/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kassylaborie/ Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Learning and Development 02:46 The Importance of Understanding the Brain in Learning 05:36 Artistry and Music in Learning Facilitation 08:29 Memory Creation and Its Impact on Learning 11:22 Cues and Attention in Memory Formation 14:10 Conscious Awareness and Navigating Experiences 17:38 The Flow of Attention 19:02 Guiding Focus in Learning 21:32 The Role of Consistency in Learning 22:23 Integrating Creativity and Science 26:40 Embracing Emotions in Learning 28:55 The Science of Memory and Experience 30:17 The Evolution of Personal Branding Takeaways Brain based learning principles are more complex than people assume Making learners feel good enhances memory Attention and focus play key roles in learning outcomes learning science, brain-based learning, memory, attention, creativity, learning and development, neuroscience, facilitation, art in learning

  2. 3d ago ·  Bonus

    The Spark Konnect | LIVE from ATD 2026 Conference in Los Angeles, CA

    Summary Join Kassy in this special live edition of Spark Konnect with Christina Mevec, Allison Meyer Bond, and Andy Eninger for a fun conversation about creativity, improv, and learning design. This episode brings together a dynamic panel of learning professionals who are also artists, performers, and makers. It explores how those creative experiences shape the way they facilitate, connect with learners, and handle the unexpected. From LARPing and musical theater to saxophone, crafting, playwriting, and comedy, the guests share powerful insights on vulnerability, confidence, and showing up authentically in professional spaces. Christina Mevec Christina Mevec is the Director of Talent Development at AmeriCU Credit Union, where she leads enterprise-wide learning and development initiatives. She specializes in designing impactful training programs, leadership development, and aligning talent strategies with organizational goals. In her free time she is a LARPer and holds a leadership position at Kingdoms of Novitas, a LARP in upstate NY. She is also a musical theatre enthusiast.  https://www.linkedin.com/in/christina-mevec/  LARP website: https://kingdomsofnovitas.org/ Allison Meyer Bond Allison Bond is a Learning Experience Designer III with a passion for finding inspiration in unexpected places. From the discipline of playing alto and tenor saxophone to the creativity sparked at the craft table with her daughter, Allison draws on life's everyday lessons to shape how she designs meaningful learning experiences. In this episode, she shares how the skills and mindset she's developed as an artist and maker translate directly into her work as a learning professional - and why some of the best training insights come from outside the classroom. https://www.linkedin.com/in/allison-meyer-bond/  Andrew Eninger Biography Andy Eninger is a creative facilitator and learning strategist with 20+ years of experience helping leaders sharpen their message and present with impact. He’s worked with teams at companies like Meta, Omnicom, and Comcast, blending business insight with creative energy. A former head of The Second City’s Writing Program, Andy brings a grounded, adaptive style to high-stakes sessions. He lives in LA with his husband, two dogs, and a cherished collection of ukuleles. https://www.linkedin.com/in/andyeninger/

  3. Aug 12

    Ep. 042 | Less Lecture, More Magic w/ Brad Montgomery

    Summary Join us for this brand new episode of the Spark Konnect with Brad Montgomery and of course, our fabulous host Kassy LaBorie! In this week’s engaging interview, Brad shares his journey from magician to corporate speaker, emphasizing the power of encouragement, humor, and adaptability in presentations. Kassy and Brad share practical tips on modular speech design, handling stage mishaps, and connecting authentically with audiences. Jump in!  Brad’s Links: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bradmontgomery1/ Website: https://www.bradmontgomery.com Instagram: @bradmontgomerylive Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/bradlaughs Kassy’s Links: Website: https://kassylaborie.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kassylaborie/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kassylaborie/ Chapters 00:00 Introduction and Guest Background 00:54 Brad's Journey from Magic to Corporate Speaking 01:54 Understanding Mentalism and Its Audience Appeal 02:48 The Power of Positivity and Encouragement in Business 03:50 Impact of AI and Technology on Live Events 05:42 Brad's Early Magic Career and Transition to Speaking 08:33 The Art of Magic and Showmanship in Presentations 10:13 Designing a Show: The Importance of Structure and Transitions 13:17 The Modular Approach to Speech and Presentation Design 14:51 Tailoring Content for Different Audiences 17:48 Handling Timing Changes and Technical Difficulties 20:42 Dealing with Stage Disruptions and Technical Failures 23:22 Using Savor Lines to Manage Stage Challenges 26:05 The Value of Authenticity and Imperfection 29:48 Adding Humor and Personal Stories to Connect 31:47 The Importance of Connection and Audience Engagement 34:41 Where to Find More from Brad Montgomery Takeaways Treat every presentation like a show to boost engagement and credibility. Build talks in modular segments so you can adapt quickly without losing impact. Authentic encouragement and visible imperfection create stronger audience trust than polished perfection. public speaking, humor, encouragement, modular presentation, stage management, mentalism, magic, corporate training, audience engagement

  4. Aug 5

    Ep. 041 | Pressure Is The Point w/ Jamion Christian

    Summary Join Jamion Christian and Kassy LaBorie for an inspiring conversation exploring Jamion’s journey from athlete to coach. Jamion Christian is a former basketball player-turned-coach, with a storied career starting way back in high school with a spotless 26-0 record in his senior year - cementing his place as team captain at Mount St. Mary’s during his college years. His success as an athlete and later an assistant coach led him full-circle as he was brought on as head coach for Mount St. Mary’s team in 2012 - kickstarting a whirlwind career of head coaching gigs that took him all the way to Italy and back. Kassy and Jamion discuss how to recognize high potential individuals and empower them to build successful teams.  Jamion’s Links: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jamion-christian-683b54208/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jamion_christian/?hl=en Kassy’s Links: Website: https://kassylaborie.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kassylaborie/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kassylaborie/ Chapters 00:00 Introduction 01:01 Jamion Christian's Leadership Philosophy 02:34 The Power of Observation and Environment 04:34 The Concept of High Potential Individuals (HPIs) 08:06 Building a Culture of Pride and Detail 09:14 Avoiding Comparison and Focusing on Growth 10:32 Responding to Failure and Pressure 12:26 The Importance of Daily Preparation and Effort 14:03 Journey into Public Speaking and Communication 15:35 Learning from Coaching and Speaking Environments 17:55 Coachability and Environment in Growth 21:24 Techniques for Engaging and Connecting Teams 23:44 The Role of Energy and Connection in Success 26:29 Building Forever Relationships and Mutual Respect 29:31 The Power of Love and Support in Leadership 32:07 Creating a Lasting Impact Beyond the Game 34:05 Connecting with Jamion Christian Takeaways Identify and nurture high potential individuals Build relationships through consistent communication and support Practice daily preparation and embrace the process Leadership, Team Building, Coaching, Personal Development, Environment, Relationships, Public Speaking, Motivation, Success, High Potential

  5. Jul 29

    Ep. 040 | The Sound of Influence w/ Rebecca P. Murray

    Summary In this week’s new episode of the Spark Konnect, vocal influence expert Rebecca P. Murray shares insights on the social science of language, the power of voice in leadership, and practical tips for enhancing vocal confidence. Discover how to leverage your voice for influence, authenticity, and impact in professional settings. Rebecca and Kassy both share some important insights in how women can empower themselves and speak with conviction and authenticity. Rebecca’s Links: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rebeccapmurray/ Instagram: @rebeccapmurray Kassy’s Links: Website: https://kassylaborie.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kassylaborie/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kassylaborie/ Chapters 00:00 Introduction and Guest Introduction 00:35 Rebecca's Background and Artistic Approach 02:08 The Power of Names and Self-Introduction 04:04 Handling Difficult Names and Pronunciation Tips 06:19 Rebecca's Work as a Keynote Speaker and Artist 07:38 The Engagement Triangle: Participation, Entertainment, Engagement 11:38 Measuring Engagement: Engagements Per Minute (EPM) 12:39 What Counts as Entertainment in Speaking 14:12 The Origin of Lucky Seven and Audience Engagement 15:30 Keynote vs Workshop Dynamics and Stage Presence 19:24 Adapting Stage Setup for Audience Connection 21:02 The Social Science of Voice and Leadership 21:38 Vocal Influence and Women's Voice Challenges 23:24 Historical Impact of Gender and Voice in Media 26:00 The Power of Voice in Leadership and Politics 27:53 How to Improve Vocal Confidence and Signal Strength 32:48 Applying Vocal Frameworks to Self-Development 33:36 Rebecca's Follow and Resources 34:34 Final Thoughts and Closing Takeaways Your name is part of your professional brand, and taking the time to say it clearly can create instant trust and connection Great presentations work best when they balance interaction, entertainment, and engagement instead of relying on just one of them Voice bias is real, especially for women, so noticing and challenging your own reactions is a powerful first step toward more fair communication vocal influence, social science of language, leadership, voice training, communication, engagement, presentation skills, vocal confidence, influence through voice, professional communication

  6. Jul 22

    Ep. 039 | Nobody Got a Script This Morning w/ Caitlin Drago

    Summary Join us for this brand new episode of the Spark Konnect as Caitlin Drago, a leadership coach and theater enthusiast, shares her unique approach to improving interpersonal skills and team dynamics through improv techniques. This episode explores practical insights on fostering trust, flexibility, and creativity in both personal and professional settings.  Caitlin’s Links: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/caitlindrago/ Instagram: @inspire_improv Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/InspireImprov/ Kassy’s Links: Website: https://kassylaborie.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kassylaborie/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kassylaborie/ Chapters (00:00) - Introduction to Caitlin Drago and her unique background (02:08) - How Caitlin combines improv and leadership coaching (03:43) - Approaching tough conversations with improv principles (04:39) - Caitlin voices her own audiobook and the creative process (08:06) - Odysseys of the Mind and its relevance to adult creativity (13:53) - Framing roles to inspire enthusiasm in performances and teams (16:38) - Connecting improv techniques to corporate training challenges (20:26) - The importance of “making each other look good” in teams (28:20) - The “What can work?” mindset for troubleshooting (29:34) - Trust and risk-taking in improv and real-world applications (30:49) - How to connect with Caitlin and upcoming events Takeaways Reframing roles is a powerful way to transform engagement Design flexibility should be a core tenet of training and development programs Trust and innovation flourish when team members proactively commit to making each other look good improv, reframing, flexibility, trust, collaboration, creativity, risk-taking, “yes and,” leadership, communication, teamwork, adaptability, engagement, innovation, presence, preparation, spontaneity, confidence, mindset, support

  7. Jul 15

    Ep. 38 | Training, But Make It Fashion w/ Sunilyn Hertt & Darryl Wyles

    Summary In this episode, Kassy joins guests Sunilyn Hertt and Darryl Wyles to explore how these two facilitators turned their passion for fun, self-expression, and community into a thriving online swag business. Discover the power of humor, authenticity, and personal connection in building a brand that celebrates the talent development industry. Sunilyn’s Links: LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/sunilyn-hertt-6423a798 Darryl’s Links: Linkedin.com/in/darrylwyles  Kassy’s Links: Website: https://kassylaborie.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kassylaborie/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kassylaborie/ Business Links: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/people/Harmony-Learning-Solutions/61584056243409/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/harmonylearningsolutions LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/109938035 Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Harmony Learning Solutions 02:42 The Journey of Connection and Collaboration 05:44 The Birth of a Business Idea 08:14 Finding Harmony in Business 11:03 Creative Marketing and Product Offerings 19:16 Embracing Facilitation with Style 21:40 Taking the Leap: Starting a Side Gig 23:04 The Power of Support and Collaboration 25:46 Lessons Learned in Entrepreneurship 28:49 Marketing Strategies and Community Engagement Takeaways The way people perceive success and failure influences their willingness to try new ventures. Relationships formed in informal, genuine settings catalyze innovative partnerships Prioritizing fun and self-expression within professional pursuits can serve as a competitive advantage facilitator swag, side hustle, learning and development, entrepreneurship, ATD, fun work culture, professional expression, online store, conference swag, business tips

  8. Jul 8

    Ep. 037 | The Art of Framing Yourself w/ Marc Chase & Elan Ressel

    Summary Join us this week for a lively conversation with voice actors and facilitators Marc Chase and Elan Ressel who explore the art of authentic virtual communication. Whether you're facilitating online training or participating in virtual meetings, their tips will help you connect more effectively and build trust in digital spaces. Elan’s Links: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/elanressel/  Marc’s Links: https://www.linkedin.com/in/amarcchase/  Kassy’s Links: Website: https://kassylaborie.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kassylaborie/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kassylaborie/ Other Links: MeetBee: www.meetbee.com @meetbee on social media Chapters 00:00 Introduction to the Guests and Their Backgrounds 04:22 Marc's Journey from South Africa to the Czech Republic 09:20 The Global Perspective of Virtual Facilitation 14:06 Camera Presence and Engagement in Virtual Training 14:24 Cultural Adaptation and Language Learning 17:35 The Evolution of Online Training and MeetBee's Role 22:03 Connecting Through the Camera 24:14 Building Trust in Virtual Environments 25:19 Managing Engagement in Interactive Sessions 26:16 The Role of Production in Virtual Facilitation 27:53 The Importance of Presence and Proximity 30:26 Using Visuals to Enhance Engagement 32:23 Expressiveness and Authenticity on Camera 43:59 Artistry in Virtual Presentations 49:08 Outro Takeaways Visual cues and environment convey credibility and relationship more powerfully than words Mastering camera presence is less about technical perfection and more about intentionality and storytelling The “name it and claim it” approach enhances virtual engagement by making unseen actions explicit virtual facilitation, online training, camera presence, engagement, remote work, storytelling, virtual production, professional development

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About

Welcome to The Spark Konnect Podcast, hosted by Kassy LaBorie — The Trainer’s Trainer and Original Virtual Training Hero. This is the place where we explore the many sparks that ignite powerful facilitation — creativity, performance, leadership, play, and beyond. Each series dives into a new lens on facilitation, revealing the unique ways people connect, inspire, and lead. From artistry to athletics (and everything in between), we uncover how different passions and disciplines fuel unforgettable learning experiences. Because facilitation isn’t just a profession — it’s a human art.

Information

  • Creator
    Kassy LaBorie
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    47
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Kassy LaBorie
  • Show Website
    The Spark Konnect