About this episode

In this episode, host Sarah and guest Lenn Millbower discuss effective training activities and strategies to enhance learner engagement during summer training sessions.

Say goodbye to eye-roll-worthy icebreakers. In this episode of the HRDQ-U In Review Podcast, host Sarah sits down with Lenn Millbower — the Mouse Man™, Learnertainment® trainer, and former Walt Disney World training team member — to unpack the highlights from his popular webinar, 25+ Training Activity Ideas to Beat the Summer Blues. Lenn shares why most training activities fall flat (hint: it's not the activity itself, it's where and how you use it), and how trainers can design experiences that learners actually want to engage with — even when the sun is shining and everyone's mentally halfway out the door. In this episode, you'll learn: Why icebreakers create resistance — and why Lenn calls them "ice melters" instead The Disney leadership philosophy that shaped his entire approach to training design The four "E-z" placement spots — Engage, Explain, Explore, and Embrace — and why putting the right activity in the right spot makes all the difference How to open a program with a strong content hook that pulls learners in before you've said a single instructional word The "New Door" activity you can literally use next week Why orientation programs are broken — and what they should…

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