Trainers Toolbox

Mirna Smidt

Keep sharpening your skills as a trainer, facilitator, educator. Discover new tools & perspectives for creating meaningful, memorable workshops. New episodes every second Tuesday.

  1. 5D AGO

    #27 - How to Create a Bold Vision - with Paula Amiama

    What does it actually take to create a bold vision — one that’s honest, authentic, and truly yours? In this episode, I sit down with creativity and embodiment coach Paula Amiama to explore how trainers and facilitators can reconnect with what they really want, clear the noise that gets in the way, and build from a place of inner clarity rather than hustle. What you’ll explore in this conversation: - Why vision is orientation, not strategy — and what that changes - How to clear the fear, shame, and limiting beliefs that block bold thinking - Why letting go (even of good things) is essential for growth- What the four seasons framework teaches about honouring where you are - Why managing your state matters more than managing the problem 📘 Download the episode handout for main learnings & to keep reflecting: https://trainers-toolbox.com/podcast-episodes-how-to-create-a-bold-vision/ 🗣️ About the guest Paula Amiama is a creativity and embodiment coach. After a wildly non-linear career across marketing, sustainability, innovation, and L&D, she’s stepped into building her own coaching & training business, Unlearn Studios, primarily supporting artists and creatives in bringing their boldest visions to life. Paula’s links: ✉️ Free — Unlearn Letters: Paula’s free Substack newsletter where she explores common beliefs that hold back our creativity, and promotes upcoming free workshops.https://paulaamiama.substack.com/ 🎨 Paid — Artful Club Membership: The home for creative women birthing their most meaningful work. The hub of her FLOW to FORM program — embodied practices, workshops, co-working sessions, community connection, and much more in a very accessible annual membership.https://artful-club.circle.so/join-artful-club 🌐 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/paulaamiama/ 🎙️ Related episodes you might enjoy: 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.25 — Using the 4 Seasons Framework in Life & Workshops https://trainers-toolbox.com/podcast/podcast-episodes-using-the-4-seasons-framework-in-life-and-workshops/ Explore it deeper with Trainers Toolbox: 🌳 Treehouse Learning Getaway — A 4-day retreat in a peaceful forest in Croatia for a small group of 8 trainers and facilitators ready to step out of routine, recharge deeply, and reconnect with their vision and creativity. https://www.trainers-toolbox.com/trainers-retreat-tree-elements/ 🗫 Trainers’ Conversations Community — A year-long collaborative network of 22 dedicated trainers and facilitators focused on mutual growth, offering a supportive space for feedback, skill development, and creative exchange. https://www.trainers-toolbox.com/trainers-conversations-community/ 💬 Let’s connect: Mirna Smidt — https://www.linkedin.com/in/mirnasmidt Trainers Toolbox — https://www.trainers-toolbox.com 📖 Visualise by Maya Raichoora: https://www.goodreads.com/en/book/show/219846699-visualise 📚 Looking for other great books for trainers and facilitators? Check out The Ultimate Booklist: https://trainers-toolbox.com/ultimate-booklist-for-trainers/

    55 min

  2. MAR 24

    #26 - The 4 Keys That Turn Learning Into Real Change & Results

    Most training doesn’t fail because things are missing in the content or in the learning experience itself. It fails because the change never makes it past the workshop. In this episode, I share a simple 4-key framework you can use in two ways: 1) to move your own skills-development, and business forward, and 2) to design programs that actually lead to results after the session. Explore it and take a moment to reflect which “key” could be strengthened in your own goals & workshops, strengthen it and skyrocket your results. 📘1-page summary: https://trainers-toolbox.com/podcast/the-4-keys-that-turn-learning-into-real-change-and-results/ 🎙️RELATED EPISODES: • Ep. 9 (Transfer): https://trainers-toolbox.com/podcast/podcast-episodes-how-to-close-your-workshop-well-and-make-learning-last/ • Ep. 23 (Trainer wellbeing): https://trainers-toolbox.com/podcast/podcast-episodes-protect-your-wellbeing-as-a-trainer-7-foundations-to-keep-you-flourishing/ • Ep. 25 (4 seasons): https://trainers-toolbox.com/podcast/podcast-episodes-using-the-4-seasons-framework-in-life-and-workshops/ 🧠LEARN MORE • Train the Trainer course: https://www.trainers-toolbox.com/train-the-trainer-course/ • Advanced Facilitation Training: https://www.trainers-toolbox.com/advanced-facilitation-training/ • Trainers Conversations Community: https://www.trainers-toolbox.com/trainers-conversations-community/ • Treehouse Learning Getaway (Retreat): https://www.trainers-toolbox.com/trainers-retreat-tree-elements/• Emotional Journey Design (Online): https://trainers-toolbox.com/emotional-journey-design-course/ 💬LET’S CONNECT • Connect on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mirnasmidt/ • Newsletter: https://www.trainers-toolbox.com/newsletter/

    28 min

  3. MAR 10

    #25 - Using the 4 Seasons Framework in Life & Workshops

    Facilitation work comes in waves. Some periods are full of delivery and interaction, others ask for design, reflection, refinement, or a reset. In this episode, I share a simple (and surprisingly practical) that will help you leverage those waves to support you instead of sabotaging you: the 4 Seasons framework. You’ll learn how to use it: • to design your year and obligations more intentionally, • to design workshops with better rhythm (not “always-on”), • and as a process inside a workshop (we use it at Treehouse when reflecting on your work and life). 📘1-page summary: https://trainers-toolbox.com/podcast/podcast-episodes-using-the-4-seasons-framework-in-life-and-workshops 🎙️RELATED EPISODES • Ep.6 (Manage your energy): https://trainers-toolbox.com/podcast/podcast-episodes-effectively-manage-your-energy-in-workshops-life-2/ • Ep.23 (Trainer wellbeing): https://trainers-toolbox.com/podcast/podcast-episodes-protect-your-wellbeing-as-a-trainer-7-foundations-to-keep-you-flourishing/ 🧠EXPLORE IT DEEPER • Treehouse retreat (we explore this + many other frameworks in practice): https://www.trainers-toolbox.com/trainers-retreat-tree-elements/ • Trainers Conversations community (we keep exchanging tools like this all year): https://www.trainers-toolbox.com/trainers-conversations-community/ 💬LET’S CONNECT • Connect on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mirnasmidt/ • Trainers Toolbox newsletter: https://www.trainers-toolbox.com/newsletter/

    24 min

  4. FEB 24

    #24 - Managing Group Energy: Keep Your Participants Engaged & Focused

    The group energy is vital for an effective workshop - it shapes engagement, affects focus, and determines how much learning will actually happen. In this episode, you’ll learn how to notice, guide, and intentionally shape group energy across different phases of a session - so that focus, engagement, and active participation are actively supported, rather than left to chance. We’ll explore what to do when energy is too flat, too scattered, or too intense - and you’ll leave with a fresh perspective plus practical ideas to lift, slow down, or deepen energy in the training room. 📘1-page summary: https://www.trainers-toolbox.com/podcast-episode-24-managing-group-energy-keep-your-particpants-engaged-and-focused📘Optimal Emotions for Learning ebook signup: https://www.trainers-toolbox.com/emotions-best-for-learning-ebook/ 🎙️RELATED EPISODES - Ep.6 (Manage your energy): https://www.trainers-toolbox.com/podcast-episodes-effectively-manage-your-energy-in-workshops-life/- Ep. 14 (Emotions): https://www.trainers-toolbox.com/podcast-episodes-designing-emotional-journeys-for-deeper-learning - Ep. 19 (Self check-in): https://www.trainers-toolbox.com/podcast-episodes-self-check-in-reset-your-focus-and-energy-in-under-a-minute/ 🧠LEARN MORE - Emotional Journey Design course: https://www.trainers-toolbox.com/emotional-journey-design-course/ - Train the Trainer: https://www.trainers-toolbox.com/train-the-trainer-course/ Advanced Facilitation Training: https://www.trainers-toolbox.com/advanced-facilitation-training/ 💬LET’S CONNECT If you enjoyed this episode, subscribe to the channel - and if you want to share a situation you’re facing, reach out on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mirnasmidt or via the Trainers Toolbox newsletter: https://www.trainers-toolbox.com/newsletter

    43 min

  5. FEB 10

    #23 - Protect Your Wellbeing as a Trainer: 7 Foundations to Keep You Flourishing

    Working as a trainer or facilitator is a deeply meaningful work — but can also be intense. Between design, delivery, follow-ups, and often business development, it’s easy for wellbeing to slip to the bottom of the list. In this episode, I share 7 foundations that help you protect your wellbeing long-term — so you can keep your impact high, but also enjoy your work and life to the fullest. 📘1-page summary: https://www.trainers-toolbox.nl/podcast-episodes-protect-your-wellbeing-as-a-trainer-7-foundations-to-keep-you-flourishing 🎙️RELATED EPISODES Ep.19 (Self check-in): https://www.trainers-toolbox.com/podcast-episodes-self-check-in-reset-your-focus-and-energy-in-under-a-minute/ Ep.15 (Flow): https://www.trainers-toolbox.com/podcast-episodes-flow-the-secret-ingredient-for-effortless-learning/ 🧠WORK WITH ME Treehouse retreat: https://www.trainers-toolbox.com/trainers-retreat-tree-elements/ Trainers Conversations community: https://www.trainers-toolbox.com/trainers-conversations-community/ 💬LET’S CONNECT Connect on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mirnasmidt/ Trainers Toolbox newsletter: https://www.trainers-toolbox.com/newsletter/

    48 min

  6. JAN 27

    #22 - 7 Workshop Traps That Quietly Sabotage Learning

    You know what’s one thing that every one of us trainers and facilitators will make? MISTAKES! 😀 But, what we wanna do is avoid those mistakes that sabotage learning. In this episode, I walk you through 7 traps that quietly sabotage learning, and what to replace them with. Even if you’re experienced, you’ll likely spot at least one habit to upgrade. 📘1-page summary: https://www.trainers-toolbox.com/podcast-episodes-7-workshop-traps-that-quietly-sabotage-learning/ 💡COURSES TO BUILD THOSE SKILLS  Train the Trainer: https://www.trainers-toolbox.com/train-the-trainer/  Advanced Facilitation Training: https://www.trainers-toolbox.com/advanced-facilitation-training/ 🧠MASTERCLASSES (2h, online) Trainers Toolbox Luma calendar (check & subscribe for upcoming masterclasses, but also free meetups): https://luma.com/trainerstoolbox 💬LET’S CONNECT Connect on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mirnasmidt/ Keep an eye on the weekly Trainers Toolbox Newsletter: https://www.trainers-toolbox.com/newsletter/

    25 min

  7. JAN 13

    #21 - New Trainer? 7 Tips To Make Your First Workshop a Success

    You deliver workshops and keep wondering what would make them more impactful?In this episode, I share 7 tips that make a big difference in making your first workshop truly impactful - without overcomplicating it. While it’s aimed at fresh trainers, even if you’re experienced, you’ll likely spot at least one thing to tighten. 📘 1-page summary: https://www.trainers-toolbox.com/podcast-episodes-new-trainer-7-tips-to-make-your-first-workshop-a-success/ 💡COURSES TO BUILD THOSE SKILLS Train the Trainer: https://www.trainers-toolbox.com/train-the-trainer/ Advanced Facilitation Training: https://www.trainers-toolbox.com/advanced-facilitation-training/ 🧠 MASTERCLASSES (2h, online) Trainers Toolbox Luma calendar (check & subscribe for upcoming masterclasses, but also free meetups): https://luma.com/trainerstoolbox 💬LET’S CONNECT Connect on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mirnasmidt/ Keep an eye on the weekly Trainers Toolbox Newsletter: https://www.trainers-toolbox.com/newsletter/

    30 min

  8. 12/30/2025

    #20 - Designing With Intentionality For Better Workshops

    Intentionality in training design is what separates average workshops from powerful learning experiences.In this episode, we talk about what it means to design with purpose – and how to stay aligned with your training goals while staying flexible to the group.It is all about bringing your workshops to a whole new depth, and being more strategic in the way you do design.  (And remember to subscribe ☝️to stay tuned on more episodes about how to make training effective coming up). 📘 Download the episode handout for main learnings & to keep reflecting: https://www.trainers-toolbox.com/podcast-episodes-designing-with-intentionality-for-better-workshops/ 🧠Dive deep into intentional learning design with our Train the Trainer course: https://www.trainers-toolbox.com/train-the-trainer-course/ 💡Mirna’s TEDx talk about living life more intentionally - The way to fulfilled life  🎁Keep on learning with weekly newsletter every Wednesday: https://www.trainers-toolbox.com/newsletter/ 💬Say hi, stay in touch: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mirnasmidt/

    22 min
See All (27)

About

Keep sharpening your skills as a trainer, facilitator, educator. Discover new tools & perspectives for creating meaningful, memorable workshops. New episodes every second Tuesday.

Information

  • Creator
    Mirna Smidt
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    27
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Mirna Smidt
  • Show Website
    Trainers Toolbox

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