I get this question a lot lately, and it's a fair one.

AI tools are getting better fast. They can transcribe, summarize, and generate visuals in seconds. So it makes sense to wonder: is a human scribe still worth it?

Your Meeting Has a Scribe. But Does It Have a Guide? If you’re reading this, chances are you’ve seen a graphic recorder in action: that person at the front of the room, markers flying, turning a keynote or panel discussion into a vivid visual mural in real time. It's captivating to watch, and the results speak for themselves.

But have you heard of a graphic facilitator? It's a related (and often confused!) role that does something quite different — and for the right meeting, it can be genuinely transformative.

This is the time of year when I have energy to think about the year ahead. As the natural world begins to wake up from winter, so do my ideas for graphic recording.

Today I’d like to take it back to basics. What is graphic recording, exactly? Who is that person drawing and why? Is it really worth it? Let’s explore together!

When I get to work with scientists like CSU veterinarians, I’ll often get some skeptical looks when people first walk in. I love this because, with a background in science communication, it’s an opportunity for participants to experience their own ideas visualized to support deep thinking in a beautiful way.

Last week I had the pleasure of supporting the CANDO (pronounced “can due”) during their inaugural meeting. This group of veterinarians and researchers are creating a network of researchers and practitioners a cross the US to address canine osteoarthritis with the goal of eventually applied what’s learned to help people with arthritis as well.

As we move into the heart of the winter holiday season, I want to wish you warmth, peace, and rest. Although we intuitively know in our bodies that this is a time of year for slowing down, connecting with loved ones, and letting yourself simply be rather than constantly do…Our minds don’t always want to let us.

If you're a parent, you might know the term "co-regulation": that moment when you use your own calm energy to help settle a child who's overwhelmed. Guess what? This isn't just for parents and kids. As a facilitator or meeting host, you're doing this all the time, whether you realize it or not.

"But how do you know what to capture?"

It's one of the most common questions I get asked about graphic recording. People watch me work and wonder: How do I decide what goes on the wall and what doesn't? How do I know which moment matters?

You know that feeling when you leave a meeting energized? Ideas were flowing, people were doing deep thinking, and there was this sense that something meaningful was happening.

Then two weeks later... crickets.