The Toastmasters Podcast

[29:40] Speech and voice coach Paddy Kennedy; SmithBucklin Corporation CEO Henry Givray; entrepreneur and consultant Lars Sudmann, DTM; and 2011 World Champion of Public Speaking Jock Elliott, ATM, offer a sneak preview of the education sessions each will present 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.

[18:00]  Toastmaster Linda Cohen talks about what she has learned from her experiences with the media, including the first time she appeared on TV. She had gone on a local morning show to discuss her book 1,000 Mitzvahs: How Small Acts of Kindness Can Heal, Inspire and Change Your Life, which explores the acts of kindness she performed in her father’s memory. Although the Oregon resident was nervous about the show, she says her Toastmasters training — especially Table Topics practice — paid off big for the TV interview!  Featured in the October 2011 issue of the Toastmaster magazine, Linda has had additional media opportunities since that initial experience.

[21:15] Jenny Baranick, an English professor based in Southern California, discusses how listeners can fine-tune their writing skills. She offers tips to make your writing crisp and concise — for example, avoid using redundant phrases such as true facts and twelve o’clock noon — and suggests ways to vary your language so your sentences won’t become drab.  All the effort is worth it, notes Jenny: Strong writing skills can lead to career advancement.

[27:35] From the day he was born in a mud and grass hut, in Kangundo, Kenya, Vincent Muli Wa Kituku faced a daunting array of obstacles. His life was steeped in poverty, and young Vincent was beset by health problems — including chronic stomach pain — and early struggles in school. He had to repeat three grades twice. Yet he refused to have his dreams derailed.  He persevered, worked hard, eventually earned his Ph.D. from the University of Wyoming, and has distinguished himself in the field of helping individuals live up to their potential. Kituku has become a sought-after motivational speaker; he speaks to a variety of audiences, often presenting his program “Overcoming Buffaloes at Work & In Life.” He emphasizes the value of having hopes and dreams; of maintaining humility; and of teaming up with others to flourish in life. Kituku also founded Caring Hearts and Hands of Hope, Inc., a nonprofit organization in Kenya that provides high school tuition and fees for orphans and children from poverty-stricken families.

[17:00] Ryan Levesque, co-host of the Toastmasters Podcast and president of eBookIt.com, discusses his article in the November issue of the Toastmaster magazine. Ryan provides a helpful and slightly contrarian approach to preparing speeches by using your favorite speaker as a model.

[25:00] Michael Notaro, DTM, of Alameda, California, was elected International President at the 2011 International Convention in Las Vegas, Nevada. Mr. Notaro shares when and why he first joined Toastmasters, explains the role of the International President, discusses the organization’s refreshed brand and previews his travels and goals for his one-year volunteer term.