Leading engaging live online sessions keeps evolving—and fast. ⚡ And let’s be real: keeping up can feel overwhelming.
That’s exactly why I started The Quest back in October 2020.
And what a journey it’s been!
📬 225 editions
👀 2,050 subscribers
🧰 700+ tools, frameworks, and resources
💬 Countless ideas, conversations, and creative sparks
But what really fires me up? Your reasons for joining:
“I want to make learning stick.”
“I need fresh tools and ideas.”
“I want people to shine in my sessions.”
“I want to give my participants the best experience possible.”
YES. That’s exactly why we’re here. 🔥
My mission hasn’t changed:
To make it easier for live session leaders like you to design and lead ✨exceptional✨ online experiences that create real impact.
So as 2025 wraps up, I want to say a huge THANK YOU for being part of this community.
And I want to share my Top 10 Insights from leading 100s of Zoom sessions + writing The Quest week after week: what I’ve stumbled through, tested, and learned about what actually works.
(I’ve also linked each one to a past edition of The Quest in case you want to dive deeper. And you can search all past editions here.)
Here we go 👇
1️⃣ Prime Your Participants
Engagement starts way before anyone clicks “Join.” The clearer your pre-session communication, the more you prepare your participants, the more ready to engage people show up.
Check out 👇
The Quest #222 – 🌀Have You Primed Your Group?
2️⃣ Read the virtual room
Without body language, I’ve learned to check in more—polls, reactions, and chat—to stay connected and responsive.
Check out 👇
The Quest #219: 🚫Why I Don’t Read the Virtual Room
3️⃣ Design for humans
Most online meetings still suck. I’m doubling down on designing energizing, human-first experiences that feel nothing like the usual Zoom grind.
Check out👇
The Quest #217: 😩Are You Stuck in the “Boring Meeting Trap”?
4️⃣ Live Time is Sacred
If it can be a video or PDF, don’t do it live. Save live time for connection, co-creation, and real-time insight. That’s where the real magic happens.
Check out👇
The Quest #197: 🌶️ 10 Fresh Session Formats to Spice Up Your Next Live Session
The Quest #199: 🔥Behind The Scenes of a Hot Seat Experiment
5️⃣ Real People > Robots
In a sea of “meh” AI content, what stands out is you. Real stories. Real insights. Real-time learning. As facilitators and live session leaders – that’s our unique edge.
Check out👇
The Quest #202: ✍️Try This 4-minute Tweak for Deeper Discussions
The Quest #193: ✨How to Add “Instant Value” In Your Next Live Session
6️⃣ Find Your Session’s Rhythm
Most live sessions feel glitchy and stop-start. But here’s the secret: great ones have a rhythm. Once you find it, your sessions flow—and so does the engagement.
Check out👇
The Quest #194: 🌊 How to Make Your Sessions Flow
7️⃣ Design for distraction.
Virtual audiences are more distracted than ever—multitasking, zoning out, and slipping off-camera. Distraction is part of virtual life. You can’t eliminate it, but you can help people tune in.
Check out👇
The Quest #188⚡️Simple Strategies for Banishing Distractions
8️⃣Keep experimenting
Leading online sessions is a tinkerer’s art. Keep trying new formats, tools, and questions—and you’ll keep growing.
The Quest #200 🎉 200 Editions and 19 Big Insights
🎬 🎙️🧰📚Top Tools & Resources Roundup
9️⃣Keep it simple.
With so much new software and gear, it’s easy to overcomplicate sessions. But I’ve learned (again!) that simplicity wins. A lighter touch—fewer tools, more space—often unlocks deeper group insights.
Check out 👇
The Quest #203: 🙅♀️Why I Am Using Fewer Slides
🔟AI can’t replace you, but it can help you.
I resisted at first, but I’m starting to see how AI can co-create with participants—reflecting, summarizing, and sparking new insights.
The Quest #201 🤖Why I Finally Built a Custon GPT
🎯 My 3 Live Session Focus Areas for 2026:
- Experimenting with AI—stretching my own thinking on what’s possible (and what’s not).
- Creating a mobile studio—so I can lead live sessions from anywhere.
- Keeping it simple—less overplanning, more emergent magic.
What about you?
What’s one facilitation goal you’re setting for 2026? Hit reply—I’d love to hear.
🎁 A Bonus For You
Want to become an ✨exceptional✨ virtual facilitator in 2026? You can! Use the code QUEST15 to get 15% off my course Live Session Magic 🪄(valid until Dec 31). In just under 2 hours you will learn the secrets to leading stand-out live sessions.
Here’s to more learning, leading, and live-session magic in the year ahead. 💛
💌 Thanks for reading The Quest
I always love hearing your feedback and suggestions. Just hit reply to share your thoughts and ideas.
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Creatively yours,
Whenever you are ready there are 2 more ways I can help you:
👉Custom coaching & team training. Book a free 15-minute zero-commitment call with me to see how I can support you and your team.
👉 Live Session Design Video Course. Live Session Magic gives you a proven system for designing consistently high-quality online sessions. Join the interest list here and be the first to get access.
👉5-week Live Online Course. The Breakthrough Facilitation course gives you tools, personalized feedback, and a proven framework for designing and leading high-engagement live sessions. Join the interest list and be the first to get the next cohort dates and discounts.
