A 3-part series for nonprofit & social sector educators who want to create more inclusive, engaging, and effective learning experiences.
You want your training to be engaging. You want to give them opportunities to practice key ideas. A case study is a great way to do that, but how do you craft one that will deliver learning in the end?
In this workshop, we’ll explore how short, real-world stories—grounded in your organization’s everyday work—can become powerful tools for training and professional development.
You will learn how to design and deliver simple case studies and scenarios that go beyond sharing information. Rooted in adult learning theory, behavioral psychology, and effective communication strategies, these story-driven approaches can prompt reflection, reshape mindsets, and reinforce mission-aligned behaviors.
Whatever kind of training you are delivering, well-crafted micro-stories can stick with the people you are teaching in ways that traditional lectures or handbooks often can’t. You will leave with adaptable frameworks, examples, and a clearer understanding of why storytelling works—and how to make it work in their own context.
This is the third of three sessions in the series that also includes Trauma Informed Instruction and From Boring to Bold: Visual Design Skills for Trainers.
$150 for the full series
About the presenter:
Brian Washburn is an author, speaker, and the co-founder and CEO of Endurance Learning, an instructional design firm dedicated to creating engaging and impactful learning experiences. With over two decades of experience in learning and development, Brian has established himself as a thought leader and innovator in instructional design.
Brian's journey began as a Peace Corps Volunteer in Paraguay from 1998 to 2000, where he trained farmers in basic business principles. This experience ignited his passion for education and training, steering him toward nonprofit roles where he led training teams with missions ranging from ensuring safe, permanent homes for children in foster care to eradicating corneal blindness worldwide.
Under his leadership, Endurance Learning has developed creative and unique instructor-led and elearning programs for a diverse clientele, including international NGOs, nonprofit organizations, and Fortune 500 companies. Brian has facilitated workshops on presentation skills and instructional design across North America, South America, Asia, and Africa. These experiences have helped him identify and refine certain training and facilitation principles that have proven effective across geographic borders, cultures, types of organizations, age groups, and languages. In addition to his practical experience, Brian is the author of two books. “What’s Your Formula? Combine Learning Elements for Impactful Training” (2021) and "Instructional Design on a Shoestring" (2024). He has also contributed chapters to several publications by the Association for Talent Development (ATD), including “ATD’s Handbook for Consultants” and “ATD’s Handbook for Training and Talent Development.” Brian holds an MA in Organizational Psychology, is a past President of ATD Puget Sound, and serves as a Commissioner for the International Accreditors for Continuing Education & Training (IACET).
Nancy Bacon is a teacher, instructional designer, and learning strategist who has worked for over 25 years in the nonprofit sector. Nancy began her career in international education, leading an ESL school in Boston and teaching social studies in the Philippines. She worked for ten years leading nonprofit fundraising and capacity building efforts alongside a community of Afro-Brazilian women in Salvador, Brazil. Nancy created the award-winning learning program at Seattle's World Affairs Council, as well as the state-wide nonprofit learning program at the Nonprofit Association of Washington. In 2022, Nancy co-founded the Nonprofit Learning Center to expand access to high quality on-demand nonprofit learning. Nancy collaborates with diverse communities and organizations to design and deliver relevant outcome-based learning tools and experiences. Nancy co-hosts the Nonprofit Radio Show with Sarah Brooks, offering free, practical nonprofit learning for rural and small nonprofits.