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In this episode of First Time Facilitator, I chat with Dr Liz O'Riordan (https://liz.oriordan.co.uk/) about her leap from the operating theatre to the workshop room.
After being diagnosed with cancer and leaving surgery, Liz turned to speaking, writing, and now — facilitation. With only days to prepare, she discovered my book The 2-Hour Workshop Blueprint (https://2hourwork.shop/) , raided her kitchen cupboards for props, and built a session that participants called “brilliant — don’t change a thing.”
We unpack how she:
• Transformed complex cancer science into playful, prop-based learning (think Jenga and cupcakes 🍰).
• Used a simple structure to design a two-hour workshop in 72 hours.
• Sent pre-session videos that warmed up the room before she arrived.
• Managed nerves, energy, and the “silent moments” during activities.
• Built her social media presence to reach thousands with her message.
🎯 If you’re new to facilitation, or you’ve ever thought, “Where do I even start?”, Liz’s story will inspire you to pick a date, lower the bar, and just run the workshop.
👉 Subscribe to First Time Facilitator for more stories, strategies, and behind-the-scenes lessons on designing sessions that land.
🔗 Connect with Dr Liz O'Riordan on Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/oriordanliz/) and LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/in/liz-o%E2%80%99riordan-5640b4272/)
If you're nodding along to today's First Time Facilitator episode, you're going to love my written companion: Work Fame — a weekly Spublication designed to help you stand out in your work, build your reputation, and get the opportunities others don’t.
📝 Subscribe for free at work.fa.me (https://workfa.me)
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