Summer 2025

Issue #2: I can Predict the Future

Hello Reader,

People ask me all the time what I think is going to happen to online courses now that AI is disrupting everything.

I’ve been following these shifts for a long time—since before YouTube even existed—and I want to share a story from 2012 that’s stuck with me.

That year, I became the director of a small Cornell University library… despite having no degree in library science. They hired me because I brought something more valuable to meet the changes in media, publishing, and culture: perspective.

And that same perspective has helped me recognize what’s really changing in online education today.

Keep reading to find out :)

I also have some upcoming events, workshops, and resources to share with you in this edition of the Maple Newsletter.

Enjoy!
​Ryan Clover

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In this issue: ​

📆 EVENTS Interview: Design Engaging Online Sessions with Facilitator Gwyn Wansbrough 📹 RECORDINGS The Magic of Facilitator Cards, Interview with Meg Bolger On a Quest for the Golden Fleece: How to Use Stories in Your Website Copy Create Your Digital Business Card using Gravatar ✒️ BLOG I Can Predict the Future: What's Next For Websites & Online Courses 🌳 SHOWCASE Building Connection for Non-Profit Accounts w/ Carol Wilson (Nonprofit Accounting Academy)

🗓️ Events

August 28th, 2025

Participatory Workshop Design with Gwyn Wansbrough

This is the perfect followup to our last event on the power of facilitation. In this next event, Gwyn Wansbrough from Breakthrough Facilitation will walk us through the steps of crafting an engaging run of show for your next online event.

Come learn about her set of tools for making online sessions engaging.

We are huge fans of Gwyn's work, and know you will be too. Join us on August 28th.

​View details and register here​

📹 Event Replays

On a Quest for the Golden Fleece: How to Use Stories in Your Website Copy

Drawing on tried and true story telling methods that have stood the test of time, from Greek mythology to modern Hollywood, Liz will lead a guided workshop on crafting a story that will have your audience saying "Say less. I'm in."

Start your quest to discover how to weave storytelling into your website with Liz as your guide. Get ready to take notes in this interactive workshop about building real, trusting, and memorable relationships with your audience.

Participants received a personalized recap of their notes reviewed by Liz! Don't miss the next one.

​Watch the replay​

The Magic of Facilitator Cards: A Conversation with Creator Meg Bolger

Meet Meg Bolger, facilitator, author, and the innovative mind behind Facilitator Cards – a powerful methodology to build group participation that fits in the palm of your hand.

There are invisible dynamics at play in meetings and group scenarios, and even the most basic facilitation tools can create connection and ease among groups.

Liz and I were talking after the session about the missed opportunities for facilitation – from college classes, to online courses, to house meetings and family gatherings – there's no shortage of opportunity!

These are indispensable skills for teachers, coaches, or anyone building community.

Thanks a million for joining us, Meg!

Please check out Meg's website to learn more about her incredible work.

You can also watch the replay here!

🌱 Case study

Building Connection for Nonprofit Accountants

Carol Wilson didn’t set out to be a teacher. She set out to bring order to the financial chaos that nonprofit organizations often face.

Carol has spent over two decades helping nonprofit leaders build accounting systems that are not only accurate, but understandable.

After creating a successful website and online course, Carol shifted into building an online community for her students – giving even more value by creating space for people to connect and share with each other.

​Read more in our latest post in the Maple Client Showcase.​

A final update...

Wow, thank you so much for sticking with me til the end. I appreciate it!

I promised I would tell you my prediction. And of course you should read the entire blog, but I can't keep this from you.

Here it is:

I believe the future of the human internet is connection.

Websites and courses that bring people together for embodied experiences and group learning are the ones that will matter to us. The rest of them? It's just a race to the bottom.

The picture at the top is the closing circle after a hike for creators at the Craft & Commerce, a conference hosted by Kit, our fav email platform).

I used Kit to create this landing page for the hike to bring people together before the conference even started. Then after the conference I went on a rafting trip hosted by another attendee.

📌 Tip: The closing is everything.

The worst and most common mistake is to let things just fizzle out. This leaves people feeling listless and disconnected, and the people who already have existing connections may just go off in side groups, leaving others confused about what's next.

Closing events with energy and connection builds community and lasting relationships.

You don't need to go rafting... a simple group photo works too, even on Zoom!

Take it a step further by sending a follow-up recap from the event with the photo. We posted our recording in our Circle Community, where attendees can post comments and followups. This makes all our event replays a point of connection as well as sources of value.

And there are so many tools to explore (online and offline) that create connection.

For example, if you are a course creator, you could also try Circle and make your course a community-experience.

If you host events and need a lightweight calendar, try Lu.ma. It's free and embeds directly on your website.

And if you want to bring more testimonials and create feedback loops to engage with your audience, try Senja. I learned about this directly from the founder on our our hike (and dance party)

We have so many tools to bring connection into our website and courses – and it's connection that will create a valuable experiences for your audience, and make sure you're work is resilient to the turbulent changes in media and the internet.

I'd love to hear your thoughts. Reply any time.

In Solidarity,
Ryan Clover 🍀

PS - We have a big announcement coming soon and can't wait to share it with you!