First Time Facilitator FTF260: The Campfire Method with Jan Keck: A Better Way to Build Trust in Groups
Jan Keck is back on First Time Facilitator for a pop-up episode, and this one is for anyone who wants to create connection without making people cringe.
Jan first appeared on the podcast in Episode 156, and in this conversation he shares the thinking behind his new book, The Campfire Method, plus what he’s learned from three years of writing, testing, and refining his ideas in public.
We talk about why Jan moved away from the old “icebreakers” framing, and how his work evolved into a bigger idea: creating the conditions that help people feel safe enough to connect, contribute, and take risks. He shares how small moments before a session even starts can shape the whole experience, from pre-event communication to what people see when they first enter the room.
In this episode, Jan shares:
- why the best facilitators build a risk ramp, not a risk jump
- how to make space for quiet participants without putting them on the spot
- the five conditions that help “melt the ice”, including the importance of choice
- what happened when he asked 350 TEDx attendees to create secret handshakes with strangers
- how writing his book in public, with weekly community feedback, helped him stay consistent for three years
- why he now prefers facilitator promises over group agreements or rules
If you work with groups, workshops, retreats, learning experiences, or team sessions, there’s a lot in here for you.
About Jan Keck
Jan Keck is a facilitation trainer, TEDx speaker, and author of The Campfire Method. On his official book page, the book is described as a practical guide for empathetic leaders who want to design group experiences that spark engagement, encourage vulnerability, and build deeper connection.