The Toastmasters Podcast

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Latest Episodes:

#170: You Can Build Valuable Relationships Through Social Media – Victoria Salem Dec 01, 2020

Show notes

[29:58] In this episode, Greg and Ryan speak with Victoria Salem from Paris, France about the tangible benefits of networking online and how to truly build valuable and meaningful relationships through Social Media.

Salem outlines practical how-to's discussed in her article, "The Benefits of Networking Online: How to build valuable relationships through social media" featured in the October 2020 issue of the Toastmaster.

Victoria Salem is a member of the Covent Garden Speakers in London, England. A professional coach and an events and networking expert, she helps individuals build better relationships so they can be more successful and create more opportunities for themselves. You can of course, find Victoria on LinkedIn or reach her through her website tgncoaching.co.uk.

(If you want to embark on your Social Media journey, “Building a Social Media Presence” is an elective project available on Level 4 for all 11 paths in the Pathways learning experience.)

#169: Vision Beyond Eyesight – Deborah McAlexander Nov 15, 2020

Show notes

[28:58] Deborah McAlexander is a blind para dressage equestrian who "rides by faith, not by sight." At age 24, with a bright future ahead, Deborah received a diagnosis of retinitis pigmentosa, and was expected to go completely blind. Today, she is totally blind in her left eye and has a tiny amount of central vision in her right eye. Those challenges did not stop her from going on to earn a Master of Music degree in piano performance, becoming a professional pianist, a nationally recognized piano teacher, a motivational speaker, and an extremely focused equestrian. At age 64, Deborah was introduced to the equestrian discipline of dressage, a sport through which she has deepened her ability to communicate.

On today's show, Deborah shares her inspirational and courageous story of overcoming challenges and finding success, one step at a time. If you are feeling discouraged, listen in, and let Deborah's heart and encouragement lift your spirits, as she shares her love of life, dressage, her beloved horse Cornet Noir, and of course, Toastmasters.

Deborah was featured in a member profile in the September 2020 issue of the Toastmaster. You can read the article here.

Visit Deborah's website at https://www.deborahmcalexander.org

Would you like to invite Deborah to speak at your club, district, or event? Contact her here.

Photo features Deborah McAlexander and Cornet Noir.

#168: Introducing Miss Hawaii USA 2020 and Toastmaster – Samantha Neyland Nov 01, 2020

Show notes

In addition to preparing to complete in the Miss USA 2020 pageant on November 9, 2020, Samantha continues to grow through Toastmasters. She currently serves as the 2020-2021 Club President for Ala Moana Toastmasters of Honolulu, Hawaii, and B4 Area Director for District 1 in California. She also remains an active member of the West Hollywood Toastmasters.

Ms. Neyland's inspiring platform for Miss Hawaii USA touts the critical importance of communication. Listen in as she shares how communication can lead to reconciliation even in the midst of hostility and divisiveness.

Ms. Neyland is featured in a Member Moment in the November 2020 issue of the Toastmaster.

Listeners can connect with Samantha Neyland through her website.

#167: Leading From the Driver's Seat – 2020-21 Int'l President Richard E. Peck, DTM Oct 15, 2020

Show notes

President Peck updates us on the current state of Toastmasters amidst COVID-19, including the evolution of on-line and hybrid clubs and the opportunities they offer at this unique point in time. Finally, the President reflects on the first virtual International Convention, and offers insights for the year ahead.

You'll can learn more about our International President in his profile, "Meet Richard E. Peck, DTM" in the September issue of the Toastmaster magazine. You can also read his October 2020 Viewpoint.

#166: Mike Carr—2020 World Champion of Public Speaking Oct 01, 2020

Show notes

In this episode, hosts Greg and Ryan speak with Mike about his surreal experience and how preparing to speak from a virtual platform necessitated a change in plan for his final speech. Mike also shares some of his wisdom he's learned along the way and pulls back the curtain on how the competition, judging etc., actually took place from the club to the world stage.

Mike is also featured in the October 2020 Issue of the Toastmaster Magazine.

Mike Carr can be reached at MikeCarrOfficial.com.

If you missed the 2020 World Championship of Public Speaking, you can catch the entire event finals at Toastmasters.org or on Toastmasters' Official YouTube Channel.

#165: Aristotle was a Toastmaster – John Bowe Sep 15, 2020

Show notes

John provides insight into the history of public speaking, including the role of Aristotle's seminal work, Ars Rhetorica. John also shares his personal story of a lifetime of disappointment with his own spoken communication skills. His study of rhetoric combined with the skills he learned at Toastmasters made him not just a better communicator, but a better person.

Today's conversation will not only inspire you, it might even remind you why you fell in love with Toastmasters in the first place!

John Bowe has contributed to The New Yorker, The New York Times Magazine, GQ, McSweeney’s, This American Life, and many others. He is the co-editor of Gig: Americans Talk About Their Jobs (Crown, 1999); editor of Us: Americans Talk About Love (Faber USA, 2010), and author of Nobodies: Modern American Slave Labor and the Dark Side of the New Global Economy (Random House, 2007). He currently lives in New York City and can reached at JohnFBowe.com.

You can read John's article in the August 2020 issue of the Toastmaster: https://www.toastmasters.org/magazine/magazine-issues/2020/aug/i-have-something-to-say

Watch John's educational presentation at the Toastmasters International 2020 Virtual Convention: https://youtu.be/tO71ErH_wLM

You can also get John's book at the Toastmasters on-line store: https://www.toastmasters.org/shop/education/books/B80--I-Have-Something-to-Say

#164: Moderating Panel Discussions...Virtually – Kristin Arnold Sep 01, 2020

Show notes

[24:53] Kristin Arnold makes her second appearance on today's edition of the Toastmasters Podcast. Greg & Ryan first spoke with Kristin about panel discussions on episode #097 (August 2015).

In today's discussion, Greg & Ryan catch up with Kristin on how panels have changed over the past five years, review best practices for panel success, and of course, address what you need to know when your participating in an online / virtual panel, as either the moderator or a panelist.

The June 2020 issue of the Toastmaster featured an article from Kristin, "How to Moderate a Panel Discussion-Virtually."

Kristin is a meeting facilitator, moderator, trainer, keynote speaker, and the author of Powerful Panels: A Step-By-Step Guide to Moderating Lively and Informative Panel Discussions at Meetings, Conferences and Conventions.

For more information about how to moderate a panel discussion, see Kristin's free seven-part video course at www.PowerfulPanels.com.

#163: Mutual Coaching Bridges 41-Year Age Gap – Madonna Hanna & Marcus Chambers Aug 15, 2020

Show notes

[28:24] Today's show features two guests, 41 years of age apart, brought together by an initial common athletic interest, and further solidified by a second mutual interest of inspiring others with their wisdom and voices. Meet Madonna Hanna and Marcus Chambers, who are featured on the cover of the June 2020 issue of the Toastmaster magazine.

Marcus Chambers, a twenty-five year old Olympic track and field hopeful for Tokyo 2021, first met Madonna Hanna, 66, when a mutual friend asked him to consider coaching Madonna, also a competitive runner. After getting to know each other, Marcus discovered Madonna is also a professional speaker—something he aspired to be as well. Madonna soon introduced Marcus to Toastmasters. Marcus coaches Madonna on the track—and Madonna coaches Marcus on the stage.

Madonna and Marcus share their inspiration journey of mutual coaching, and the generational differences they overcame through friendship and mutual interests, and share tips on effective cross-generational connection.

To follow-up with today's guests...

> Marcus Chambers

Check out marcuschambers.com or @marcuschambers400 on Instagram

> Madonna Hanna

Email madfashion2001 at yahoo dot com

#162: Is It Okay To Laugh? – Judy Carter Aug 01, 2020

Show notes

Judy offers her insights on laughter and humor in the midst of difficulties, and provides gives us practical examples of how to put humor to good use. Insisting that comedy lives in the details of life, Judy also puts your humble co-hosts to task with a challenge from her article on finding the funny in the midst of COVID-19 calamities.

Judy also shares practical tips on effective virtual presentations.

As a gift to Toastmasters community during the Coronavirus crisis, Judy is giving away her complete online speaking and comedy classes (Value: $770.00) for free. You can sign up and get a free membership by sending an email to free@judycarter.com.

Judy can be reached at JudyCarter.com.

#161: Challenge Brings Opportunity – 2019-20 International President Deepak Menon DTM Jul 15, 2020

Show notes

In the course of the discussion, we learn a little about why President Menon initially joined Toastmasters in 2002 (after expecting to politely decline). Deepak's home club is Central Delhi Toastmasters.

President Menon shares valuable perspectives and suggestions as we move into an uncertain future. He also provides information about the upcoming and first-ever 100% virtual and 100% free Toastmasters International Convention.

President Menon was also featured in the September 2019 issue of the Toastmaster magazine.

Deepak Menon, DTM, of New Delhi, India, is a chartered accountant at J.P., Kapur & Uberai in New Delhi, where he is one of nine partners. He oversees management and operations, and specializes in international taxation, cross-border taxation, transfer pricing and direct taxes. Menon is also a trustee of the Columban Endowment Trust, a nonprofit organization. Menon is a fellow chartered accountant with the Institute of Chartered Accountants of India, where he also earned a Diploma in Information Systems Auditing.

Menon served as the Chief Coordinator for the Toastmasters’ Youth Leadership program in collaboration with the American Center in New Delhi and helped build communication and leadership skills for approximately 700 underprivileged children in six cities in India. He also served as secretary of St. Columba’s School’s alumni society Old Columbans Association, and in 2006, co-founded the publishing house, Ambi Knowledge Resources Private Limited.

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