The Spark Konnect

Kassy LaBorie

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. 12h ago

    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

  2. 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

  3. 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

  4. 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

  5. Jul 1

    Ep. 036 | Squinting to See Clearly w/ Julie Dirksen

    Summary In this week’s episode of the Spark Konnect, Julie Dirksen joins Kassy LaBorie for an engaging deep dive into plein air painting, authorship, and the importance of being able to see what is there instead of letting your mind fill in the blanks. Julie shares some nuanced insights into how she uses artistic strategies in the real world, and how everyone can be an artist. Kassy and Julie discuss how painting and visual artistry goes hand in hand with instructional design, and how you can incorporate it into practices you might not have considered before. You won’t want to miss this one! Julie’s Links: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/juliedirksen Website: https://designbetterlearning.com/about/ Kassy’s Links: Website: https://kassylaborie.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kassylaborie/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kassylaborie/ Other Links: Orbiting the Giant Hairball by Gordon MacKenzie: https://www.amazon.com/Orbiting-Giant-Hairball-Corporate-Surviving/dp/0670879835 Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Julie Dirksen and Her Artistry 04:01 The Journey of Becoming an Artist 07:06 Understanding Cognitive Bias and Its Implications 09:48 The Role of Systems in Cognitive Bias 12:32 Talent vs. Aptitude in Skill Development 15:34 The Importance of Growth Mindset in Learning 18:35 Exploring Limits of Personal Growth 21:18 Identifying Aptitude in Learning and Development 24:08 The Role of Experience in Recognizing Talent 27:16 The Intersection of Preparation and Opportunity 29:13 Artistic Insights for Learning and Development 31:56 Outro Takeaways Moving from talent to aptitude reframes skill development as a system of growth rather than innate ability Cognitive biases are efficient shortcuts, not flaws, and understanding their function leads to smarter interventions Proficiency emerges when context and opportunity align with effort—luck is preparation meeting chance, not mere chance skill development, talent vs aptitude, painting, learning strategies, growth mindset, cognitive biases, system thinking, instructional design

  6. Jun 24

    Ep. 035 | Game Plan for Success w/ Karl Mecklenburg

    Summary In this episode, Carl shares the surprising parallels between football and keynote speaking—showing that the fundamentals of honesty, forgiveness, and relentless preparation are the real playmakers. You’ll discover how moving across multiple positions on the defense built his adaptability and mental strength, and learn how that same flexibility can elevate your performance in any arena. Karl’s Links: LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/karlmecklenburg Facebook: www.facebook.com/karlmecklenburg Kassy’s Links: Website: https://kassylaborie.com/  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kassylaborie/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kassylaborie/ Chapters 0:00 Introduction to Karl Mecklenburg 2:22 Karl’s Journey to Professional Football 4:51 Transitioning from Football to Public Speaking 5:50 The Role of Adrenaline and Teamwork in Sports and Speeches 10:52 The Importance of Relationships and Trust in Football 13:14 Honesty, Forgiveness, and Continuous Improvement 17:16 Self-Awareness & Measuring Progress in Sports and Life 20:01 Staying Authentic and Leveraging Humor for Engagement 26:40 Karl’s Approach to Coaching and Learning 31:42 Using Storytelling, Humor, and the Element of Surprise Effectively 36:00 Closing Thoughts: Transferring Athletic Drive into Business Success Takeaways Success hinges on relentless self-awareness and honest reflection Embracing honest feedback and failure accelerates growth Consistent preparation and quick adaptation skills lead to high-level performance Success in solitary roles depends on collaboration Authenticity, leadership, teamwork, resilience, Karl Mecklenburg, collaboration, communication, adaptation, personal growth

  7. Jun 17

    Ep. 034 | From Hurdles to Hope w/ John Register

    SummaryIn this inspiring episode of the Spark Konnect, John Register shares his incredible journey from Olympic athlete to Paralympic medalist and keynote speaker. He discusses the importance of rebuilding yourself through hardship, building stamina, and focusing on what truly matters to elevate your life and career. John has lived many different lives and has so much life experience to draw from - you won’t want to miss this!John’s Links:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/johnregister/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/johnfregister/Kassy’s Links:Website: https://kassylaborie.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kassylaborie/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kassylaborie/Chapters00:00 Introduction to John Register03:15 The Journey of an Athlete and Amputee07:13 Comparison and Embracing Authenticity12:42 From Athlete to Paralympic Champion18:15 Amputate to Elevate: A New Perspective on Growth20:09 The Intersection of Athletics and Speaking22:55 Engaging the Audience: Techniques and Tools25:44 The Importance of Stamina in Speaking30:28 Planning for Recovery and BalanceTakeaways- Stamina is more of a mental than physical skill- Rest and recovery is a fundamental key to achieving your goals- Find out what matters most in your life and work and zero in on itJohn Register, Paralympic athlete, keynote speaker, amputate to elevate, personal development, motivation, resilience, leadership, success stories

  8. Jun 10

    Ep. 033 | Tuning In To Growth w/ Tracy Solarek

    Summary In this week's episode of the Spark Konnect Tracy Solarek, an emotional intelligence expert and singer, shares her journey from classical singing to keynote speaking. She emphasizes the importance of integrating artistry into professional life, and keeping the light in your every day life. Discover insights on vocal techniques, the power of authentic recognition, and practical tips for self-care and performance enhancement from both Kassy and Tracy. Don't miss this one!Tracy's Links:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tracysolarek/Kassy’s Links:Website: https://kassylaborie.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kassylaborie/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kassylaborie/Chapters00:00 Introduction and Background of Tracy Solarek12:07 Transition to Speaking Career and Emotional Intelligence23:49 The Importance of Mentorship and Recognition24:06 The Smile Challenge and Its Impact27:28 Incorporating Artistry into Professionalism31:15 Physicality and Performance in Speaking34:27 Centering Techniques for Focus35:17 Emotional Intelligence in Leadership and Team Dynamics37:26 Embracing Our Unique SelvesTakeaways- Everyone needs recognition, and it takes nothing to give- Use your unique talents to enhance parts of your life and work where it might surprise you- How you show up in every day life is a reflection of your commitment to your profession or artistryEmotional Intelligence, Public Speaking, Vocal Techniques, Self-Care, Leadership, Artistry in Business

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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
    43
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Kassy LaBorie
  • Show Website
    The Spark Konnect