The Toastmasters Podcast

[27:25] Take the power of Toastmasters, combine it with the power of podcasting, apply it to CristÛbal ColÛn and you get one individual whose life has been transformed. In this episode we hear about an incredible journey how CristÛbal took his passion for both and transformed himself from quiet engineer to podcast host. He shares about how and why he started the podcast, and how living through Puerto Rico’s Hurricane Maria factored into his decision to finally start his podcast. CristÛbal also enlightens us about how Toastmasters has helped in on this journey and how podcasting has improved his skills and how certain aspects help improve those skills and more. You’d never know by listening that CristÛbal was once a shy introverted man who at one time felt invisible.

[25:07] When used effectively, metaphors are magic spells of communication, visual eye candy that cements the connection between you and your audience while doubling as powerful tools of persuasion. In this episode, we speak with speaker and author Oscar Santolalla who enlightens us on how and why we can use metaphors in our presentations.

[30:33] Pronouncing names properly has always been worth paying attention to, but with ongoing globalization, it has become more important than ever. In this episode, we speak with Fiona Swee-Lin Price, PhD, a cross-cultural communication specialist, award-winning keynote speaker, and name expert who has worked in the intercultural field for over twenty years. Dr. Price shares what led her to this topic and offers tips to help us understand on how we can get better at pronouncing names derived from languages we do not speak.

[30:07] 2022 marked Toastmasters International’s first-ever hybrid Convention, which included the organization’s first hybrid World Championship of Public Speaking. This year’s winner from Wroclaw, Poland is Cyril Junior Dim. At only 24 years old, he’s the youngest winner ever.

[31:22] Ted Corcoran has left an indelible impact on the history of Toastmasters. Not only did he serve as an International President, but he helped originate what became known as the Distinguished Club Program, and introduced a lively "underground" tradition to the annual International Convention that is now a part of the official agenda – and we’ll hear about this and many other stories in a light and entertaining fashion. At age 79 and after 37 years, Ted continues to contribute to the Toastmasters community in his home District 71 (parts of the UK, and Ireland), and to districts and members the world over.

[27:24] The first time Katherine Collette visited a Toastmasters meeting, she thought a public speaking club offered the perfect backdrop for a novel. Several years later, the former Toastmaster’s inspiration has come to fruition. Collette’s second novel, The Competition, is a satirical work featuring a fictional and hyperbolic "Toastmasters-like" organization called SpeechMakers. Set at the organization’s annual national convention, the story presents a case of quirky but loveable characters. Collette describes the novel as "a love letter to Toastmasters."

[29:59] When we think of great leaders as being effective communicators what often comes to mind is how they deliver their message from the platform. Style, clarity, passion, inspiration - what comes from their mouth, but less often gets absorbed and processed through their ears. In our episode today, Joel Schwartzberg enlightens us with valuable tips and great stories on how we as leaders can be more effective listeners.

[33:25] Meet Matt Kinsey, the 2022-23 Toastmasters International President. On today’s episode‚Äîrecorded just prior to the International Convention‚ÄîGreg and Ryan get to know Matt, and learn about his Toastmasters and leadership journeys. Matt vulnerably shares why he considers his 2014 election loss for International Director one of the most important things that ever happened to him, and how he ultimately came to embrace a heart-led leadership style and lessons we can all learn from his experiences.

[33:55] In today’s episode we meet Dr. Shirley Davis, PhD, this year’s Toastmasters International Golden Gavel recipient, the prestigious annual award bestowed upon an individual distinguished in the fields of leadership and communication. In this inspiring and educational episode, Dr. Davis will share with us a little about her journey and give us a sneak-peek into her keynote, Leadership 2030 and Beyond: New Skill Sets, Mindsets, and Competencies We Will Need that she will be delivering in person at Toastmasters’ first hybrid convention. Dr. Shirley Davis will receive the Golden Gavel award and deliver her keynote in person on Friday morning (8:15-9:30 AM CDT,) August 19th at the 2022 Toastmasters International Convention in Nashville, Tennessee.

[20:05] #210: Toastmasters around the world are gearing up for the 2022 Toastmasters International Convention. After two years of virtual events, this year brings the first-ever hybrid Convention, with events taking place on the ground in Nashville, Tennessee, and streaming online. On today’s show, Ryan and Greg speak with the Host District Chair Don Bittick to learn more about Nashville, what to expect at the Convention, the role of the Host District Chair, and how members can get involved.