Stories That Stick: How Real-World Scenarios Spark Change | 2025 Design Better Learning Series (Partner, Virtual)
Virtual Training
Event Details
2025 Design Better Learning Series
A 3-part series for nonprofit & social sector educators who want to create more inclusive, engaging, and effective learning experiences.
Design Better Learning is the 6th annual fall series for nonprofit and social sector educators who want to create more inclusive, engaging, and effective learning experiences. Now more than ever, we need learning that meets the moment—learning that helps people not just understand, but take action. The people in our workshop and webinars have carved out time to learn because they care about doing their work well. We owe them well-designed experiences that lead to lasting change. This series offers practical, adult learning research-informed strategies to help you deliver learning that truly makes a difference.
“Those of us teaching others also need time to deepen our own practice. Consider this series ‘capacity building for capacity builders.’ It’s an opportunity to strengthen our skills as educators—so we can better support the people and causes at the heart of our communities.”—Nancy Bacon, Series Producer
All sessions take place from 10:00am - 11:30am Pacific | 1:00pm - 2:30pm Eastern
Stories That Stick: How Real-World Scenarios Spark Change
November 13, 2025
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.
Meet your Trainer
Chris Wagar is an Associate Professor of Adult Education and an instructional designer at Columbia Basin College. He has collaborated with subject matter experts to develop programs and courses in health sciences, mathematics, transitional studies, and career and technical education. He has also led statewide faculty training initiatives for the Washington State Board for Community and Technical Colleges.
In addition to his work in higher education, Chris is the co-founder and senior producer of Time Magic Studios, a video production company that helps mission-driven organizations tell powerful, impactful stories. He draws on instructional design and case study methods to train his team and highlight the value of organizations’ work—emphasizing storytelling as a tool for both learning and advocacy. Chris first witnessed the power of video while serving in the U.S. Peace Corps in St. Lucia, where he produced a documentary about the Caribbean Youth Empowerment Project. The film helped secure critical grant funding by showcasing the program’s impact on underserved youth.
Chris is a committed supporter of local nonprofits, civic groups, and the arts. He has served on the boards of Leadership Tri-Cities, the ARC of Tri-Cities, and the Academy of Children’s Theater, as well as the City of Kennewick’s Arts Commission.
2025 Design Better Learning Series
Trauma Informed Instruction | September 30, 2025
From Boring to Bold: Visual Design Skills for Trainers | October 28, 2025
Stories That Stick: How Real-World Scenarios Spark Change | November 13, 2025
Tuition
$150 for the full series. Includes pre- and post-communication designed to extend learning and all tools related to each session.
$70 for individual sessions
NAM Members use code NAM10 during registration for 10% off tuition
Series Details
You are encouraged to register for the full series to experience the full collection of knowledge and tools; you may register for just one of the sessions if you prefer.
All sessions will be recorded. All registrants will receive the recordings and have access for 3 months. If you are unable to attend the session, we encourage you to register anyway so you receive all of the related materials. Because the sessions will be recorded, we are unable to offer refunds.
Closed captioning will be available in all sessions in the series. We will do our best to accommodate any other accessibility needs expressed through the registration system.
The Design Better Learning Series is moderated by Nancy Bacon, 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.