The Toastmasters Podcast

[26:40] Matt Abrahams, author of the book Speaking Up Without Freaking Out and a presenter on speaking anxiety at the 2012 International Convention, discusses his recent article on the topic in the March issue of the Toastmaster magazine. In it, he answers the most common questions asked by attendees of his convention session. To learn more, visit Matt's websites, BoldEcho.com and NoFreakingSpeaking.com.

[25:50] Join Bo and Ryan as they share their journeys to achieving Distinguished Toastmaster (DTM) status. Bo completed all his speeches in just six months, and Ryan is still on his journey more than 10 years after he began. Is one path better than the other? What are the advantages and disadvantages of both approaches? How is completing all speeches for DTM in six months even possible?

[20:00] Susan Cain, author of the New York Times best-selling book "Quiet: The Power of Introverts in a World That Can't Stop Talking," shares important and sometimes surprising insights about the differences between introverts and extroverts, and how introverts can be powerful leaders and communicators. Cain, a popular speaker at TED2012, was profiled in the December issue of the Toastmaster magazine.

[25:04] John Lau, DTM, of Kuching, Sarawak, Malaysia, was elected Toastmasters’ 2012-2013 International President at the 2012 International Convention in Orlando, Florida. John is the chief executive and owner of the Acme Group of Companies, a management consultancy. He is also a Sarawak State Chairman of the People’s Progressive Party of Malaysia, a component party of the Malaysian federal government. In this special in-studio interview, John shares how Toastmasters has helped him grow as a leader and discusses his goals as International President.

[15:30] Go on location to the 2012 International Speech Contest at the International Convention in Orlando, Florida! Listen in as International President John Lau, DTM, introduces the contest winners. Hear a post-contest interview with the new World Champion of Public Speaking, Ryan Avery of Portland, Oregon. (The 25-year-old is the youngest winner in the competition’s history.) And, in a Toastmasters Podcast first, meet the spouse of the World Champion. Ryan’s wife, Chelsea, played a key role in his victory. Today’s episode will even give you a small taste of Orlando’s most famous attraction: Disney World.

[12:10] Join Bo and Ryan as they spend the morning in an elevator talking to Toastmasters. What better place to discuss the art of elevator speeches? On that note, what would you say if a fellow elevator rider asked you, "What's the one piece of advice you would give your fellow Toastmasters on communication and/or leadership?"

[41:50] Career Coach Lisa Panarello, CC; Speechwriter and Communications Strategist Pete Weissman, CTM, CL; 2012 Keynote Speaker Joel Manby, president and chief executive officer of Herschend Family Entertainment;  and 2012 Golden Gavel recipient John C. Maxwell, an internationally renowned leadership expert, best-selling author and celebrated motivational speaker; offer a sneak preview of the presentations they’ll deliver at the International Convention in August, in Orlando, Florida. The convention’s 10 session presenters will offer tips and strategies related to leadership- and communication-themed topics.