What happens when facilitation runs in the family?
In this episode, Dan Berger sits down with siblings Kaley Klemp and Paul Warner to explore what retreat leaders can learn from working inside a family system — and what it takes to build trust, credibility, and mastery across generations.
As second-generation facilitators, Kaley and Paul share how mentorship shaped their careers, how they developed their own voices apart from their father’s legacy, and why shadowing, apprenticeship, and doing your own personal work are non-negotiables in this field.
The conversation moves from sibling dynamics to small-group mastery, business development, referral networks, and the difference between “soft skills” and real strategic execution.
If you’re building a facilitation practice — or thinking about entering the space — this episode is a masterclass in craft, humility, and long-game thinking.
Episode Themes
- What siblings can teach retreat leaders about collaboration
- Second-generation facilitation and finding your own voice
- The power of shadowing and apprenticeship
- Small groups as the training ground for facilitators
- Tools like issue clearing, reflective listening, and the Enneagram
- Why facilitators must keep doing their own work
- How referrals actually work in this industry
- Blending relational work with hard strategy
- Mentorship and building credibility over time
Chapters
00:00 – Welcome and introductions
02:08 – Sibling dynamics in facilitation
04:00 – Growing up with a facilitator father
06:00 – Finding your own voice in the field
06:43 – Early facilitation experiences
08:59 – Advice for aspiring facilitators
10:18 – Working with families
12:28 – Why continual self-work matters
14:02 – Favorite facilitation tools
17:18 – Reflective listening and plexiglass
18:02 – Facilitator camp explained
20:59 – Mentorship in this field
22:30 – Business development and referrals
24:09 – How facilitators choose who to refer
26:44 – Blending strategy with interpersonal work
29:10 – What wasn’t asked
About the Guests
Kaley Klemp is an expert in small-group dynamics and leadership development who has facilitated retreats and trainings worldwide since 2004. She helps executives and teams strengthen communication, resolve conflict, and foster trust so they can achieve shared objectives. Her work blends strategic clarity with deep relational insight.
Paul Warner is a facilitator and coach who works with executive teams, YPO forums, and families to foster transparency, trust, and authentic connection. Through experiential retreats and coaching, he helps participants navigate difficult conversations and strengthen adult-to-adult relationships.
About the Assemble Podcast
Welcome to the Assemble Podcast. I’m Dan Berger, founder of Assemble Hospitality Group.
We build purpose-designed spaces for small team offsites and retreats, because the biggest things happen in the smallest rooms.
This show explores retreats in all forms—corporate, lifestyle, wellness, and endurance training—and the culture shifts that happen when people step away from the everyday. You’ll hear lessons from operators, facilitators, and leaders who design experiences that move the needle.
Our goal: give you the playbook for building clarity, trust, and belonging on your team—or in your community.