The Toastmasters Podcast

[30:33] Maureen Zappala is one of two members who successfully completed the final step of the Accredited Speaker (AS) application process at the 2024 Toastmasters International convention in Anaheim, California. She was subsequently awarded the prestigious Accredited Speaker designation joining an elite group of only 95 individuals to receive this accreditation and honor since the program began in 1981. In this episode, host Greg Gazin speaks with Maureen Zappala. You'll hear inspiring and fascinating stories about her AS journey, as well as her, Toastmasters, and personal experiences. Maureen also shares highlights and valuable lessons from her presentation and origin story, Confidence is NOT Rocket Science. You might just pick up some valuable tips along the way - including learning about imposture syndrome and how to find your DOT. ( You'll have to listen to learn what that means)!Maureen Zappala has been a Toastmaster for 25 year and is a former NASA propulsion engineer or “rocket scientist,” who works with high-performers to overcome Impostor Syndrome, the secret self-doubt that haunts competent professionals.At NASA, she was the youngest and first female manager of the Propulsion Systems Laboratory, a jet engine test facility. Don’t let that Big Bang theory Geekiness fool you – she’s an award- winning keynote speaker and author of five books, including the most recent: Get Your Best People to Give Their Best Effort.In 2019 after 36 years in Cleveland, she moved to Las Vegas, Nevada – a warmer climate. (Good thing – Maureen still can’t find her winter coat, but she’s perfectly okay with that!)You can connect with Maureen through her website, MaureenZ.com which also offers a wealth of resources including her programs, demo video and blog. You can also watch her entire AS presentation on YouTube.You can also read the article, New Accredited Speakers Exemplify Resilience: The Two Accomplished Women Who Persevered Through Previous Doubts, by Stephanie Darling, in the January 2025 issue of Toastmaster magazine.The Accredited Speaker (AS) Program recognizes some of the most exceptional professional speakers in Toastmasters. It is designed for sought-after presenters who combine expert knowledge in a particular subject with mastery of the spoken word. This AS award requires applicants to pass two rigorous levels of judging and is the highest-earned designation recognized by Toastmasters International. 

[33:59] Lauren Parsons is one of two members who successfully completed the final step of the Accredited Speaker (AS) application process at the 2024 Toastmasters International convention in Anaheim, California. She was subsequently awarded the prestigious Accredited Speaker designation joining an elite group of only 95 individuals to receive this accreditation and honor since the program began in 1981. In this episode, host Greg Gazin speaks with Lauren Parsons. You'll hear inspiring and interesting stories about her AS, Toastmasters, and personal journeys. Lauren also shares highlights and valuable lessons from her AS final presentation and personal story, Resilience: To not just survive, but to thrive. You might just pick up some valuable tips along the way including how to adopt an Attitude of Gratitude, How to be Present and to proverbially Snack on Exercise.Lauren Parsons is a Distinguished Toastmaster, speaker and wellbeing specialist, with over 20 years of experience. She is a Certified Speaking Professional, New Zealand's current Keynote Speaker of the Year and Educator of the Year as awarded by the Professional Speakers Association of New Zealand. A TEDx speaker, author, and host of the Thrive TV Show and Podcast, Lauren is dedicated to helping people and leaders create thriving workplaces.Lauren is passionate about helping people thrive, helping leaders create thriving workplaces. Working full-time as a speaker, Lauren regularly travels to speak at conferences and in-house on topics such as wellbeing, resilience, and communication, helping leaders create thriving teams. Her practical solutions have helped thousands of busy people feel vibrant, confident, and energized. Lauren Parsons lives in Manawatu, New Zealand, where she is also a wife, and a mother of three. You can connect with Lauren through her website, LaurenParsonsWellBeing.com which offers a wealth of articles and resources. You can also watch her entire AS presentation on YouTube or her TED Talk, Snack on Exercise she referenced in the interview.  You can also read the article, New Accredited Speakers Exemplify Resilience: The Two Accomplished Women Who Persevered Through Previous Doubts, by Stephanie Darling, in the January 2025 issue of Toastmaster magazine.The Accredited Speaker (AS) Program recognizes some of the most exceptional professional speakers in Toastmasters. It is designed for sought-after presenters who combine expert knowledge in a particular subject with mastery of the spoken word. This AS award requires applicants to pass two rigorous levels of judging and is the highest-earned designation recognized by Toastmasters International. 

Dean shares invaluable tips and strategies to make workplace holiday celebrations a success while embracing cultural diversity. He explains how companies can learn about various holidays by actively engaging their teams and celebrating without overstepping personal or religious boundaries. Dean highlights the importance of thoughtful timing and including remote employees in the festivities. With stories and creative ideas, he reveals how organizations can celebrate not just year-end holidays but traditions throughout the year, fostering stronger communication and collaboration across cultures.Dean's article, "Celebrating the Holidays in a Multicultural Workplace: 8 Tips to Make Everyone Feel Welcome," appears in the December 2024 issue of Toastmaster magazine.Dean Foster, founder of DFA Intercultural Global Solutions and President of Dean Foster Global Cultures, has over 20 years of experience advising Fortune 500 companies, governments, and NGOs like the UN. He’s traveled to 100+ countries, aiding organizations in navigating cultural complexities.Dean hosted CNN’s “Doing Business in…” series and has appeared on CNN, CNBC, and the BBC. Featured in Newsweek, USA Today, and The New York Times, he authored five books, including Bargaining Across Borders and the Global Etiquette Guide series.Honored with the Worldwide ERC’s “Hall of Leaders” induction and the Forum for Expatriate Management’s Lifetime Achievement Award, he serves on American University’s Intercultural Management Institute faculty and co-hosts the podcast Oops, Your Culture’s Showing!.Dean Foster lives in Brooklyn, New York, U.S.A and can be reached at DeanFosterGlobal.com.

[28:38] Speech competitions are an excellent way to elevate your speaking skills. Our guest today, Dilip Abayasekara, DTM, AS, and Past International President, has had an extraordinary speaking career, extensive experience, and a wealth of knowledge. His achievements include five district-level titles, two appearances at the World Championship of Public Speaking (WCPS) finals, and an impressive second-place finish in 1992. He has accumulated a treasure trove of wisdom, captivating stories, and winning secrets, some of which he’ll be sharing with us today. Dilip shares what drew him to speech competitions and how they have shaped him not only as a speaker and speech competitor but also as a leader.He offers valuable insights on how he learned from others, along with the tools and techniques he used to perfect his craft. Dilip enlightens us on how we can develop our own speeches, using his 1992 second-place finish at the World Championship of Public Speaking as an example. He walks us through his thought process, revealing how the speech underwent 18 revisions and 360 rehearsals, and sharing stories on how he actively sought and received feedback, some of which came from unexpected sources and more.Dilip’s article, "Speech Contest Winning Secrets: Get Ready to Become the Best Contestant You Can Be," can be found online and in the November 2024 issue of Toastmaster magazine. Read it here.Dilip Abayasekara joined Toastmasters in 1986, crediting the organization with transforming his life. The self-discoveries he made as a Toastmaster led him to change careers multiple times—from chemist to trainer and keynote speaker, college professor and administrator, and finally pastor. As International President in 2005-2006, his theme was “Find Your Voice – Serve Your World.”Now retired from the ministry, Dilip and his wife live in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, where he continues to mentor Toastmasters across the USA and around the world in both speech contests and leadership development.Dilip can be reached at dabayasekara@susumc.org.

[28:26] In this episode, we speak with Bob Palmer, a retired elementary school teacher and Toastmaster with a passion for historical research, who helps us uncover some lesser-known facts and hidden mysteries about the father of Toastmasters International, Dr. Ralph C. Smedley, and the early days of the organization before its official incorporation 100 years ago in 1924. Bob shares a wealth of stories, including how he identified people in an undated, unannotated photo from 1925 that hung on a wall at Toastmasters' world headquarters for nearly a century and discovered the exact building in Bloomington, Illinois, where Smedley started his first club.He tells us about Dr. Smedley’s humble beginnings, his education, his work as an educational director at the YMCA, and how all of this unfolded. We also learn about a little-known fact regarding Smedley and why, despite being the founder, he was not the organization's first International President, and more.Bob shares his own introduction to Toastmasters 51 years ago, back in August 1973, and also introduces us to several resources where people can see, read, and hear about some of his findings and the untold history of Dr. Smedley, including his blog and a flipbook he created.Bob Palmer has been a Toastmaster since 1973 and is a member of Prime Time Toastmasters in Riverside, California. His vast knowledge makes him a walking encyclopedia on the topic; we dub him the "Indiana Jones of all things Smedley and Toastmasters." Bob has been on a crusade for over three decades.His passion for historical research began over 30 years ago, uncovering materials that have been referenced or used for both the Toastmasters' 90th and 100th celebrations and numerous articles.Bob Palmer can be reached at ToastmastersAt100.blogspot.com as well as on Facebook.You can also find resources at Bob’s Prime Time Toastmasters club at https://130.toastmastersclubs.org and Pomona Valley Toastmasters at https://12.toastmastersclubs.org.Additionally, you may want to check out the "Untold Smedley Flipbook," a collection of various artifacts compiled by Palmer. Stephanie Darling’s article referenced in this episode, Club Follows in Smedley’s Footsteps: Toastmasters’ Original Club Is Still Going Strong, can be found in the October 2024 edition of the Toastmaster Magazine. 

[24:16] In Part 2 of Toastmasters 100, Chief Executive Officer Daniel Rex returns as our special guest. This time, Dan joins us to discuss the organization's centennial celebrations and how World Headquarters has compiled a variety of resources and action items to help you explore, celebrate, and learn from the past 100 years of Toastmasters history. You'll also hear personal stories that may enlighten, inspire, or even make you laugh. Dan will also tell us about Toastmasters' book Confident Voices: The Story of Toastmasters. It’s a beautifully crafted, 454-page hardcover full of photos, maps, historical illustrations, and so much more. For those who enjoy consuming media in a video format, we'll hear about the new 45-minute documentary, 100 Years of Confident Voices. This video also explores Toastmasters history, but in a different way than the book. It's free and available to watch on YouTube, and there's a 2-minute trailer to give you a taste.For October 2024, The Toastmaster Magazine makes a special one-time return to print with a special 56-page commemorative edition. Highlights include:100 Table Topics prompts inspired by Toastmasters history5 pages of suggestions for ways your club can celebrateCrossword puzzle, maps, and some of our most popular articlesThere's moreIn this light-hearted yet informative episode, Dan also shares personal insights including revealing two surprising items he does not have in his office—you’ll have to tune in to find out what they are!If you haven't already yet, please be sure to check out, #261: Toastmasters: Celebrating 100 Years of History - Part 1 – Daniel Rex, CEO.You can also listen to my chat with Dan from 2019 entitled: Toastcaster 128: The Rx for Leadership – Daniel Rex, CEO Toastmasters Intl. All things Toastmasters 100 can be found  here.

In the first episode, CEO Dan Rex enlightens us with stories and a bit of background and history about Toastmasters, Dr. Ralph Smedley’s vision, and the organization's progression and growth. Dan will also share insights on the education program—past, present, and future—plus a few personal anecdotes about his own journey and more.Watch for part 2 coming November 1st.

At 65, Luisa is a retiree and passionate dog rescue volunteer from San Juan, Texas, USA. She rose to the top, competing against seven other finalists after several elimination rounds that began earlier this year, with about 30,000 participants from 150 countries. However, she almost didn’t make it to the stage—last-minute uncertainty nearly held her back from competing. But in true champion form, she overcame those doubts and delivered a powerful performance.In this episode, Luisa shares her journey to victory, reflecting on her runner-up finish in 2019 and how it paved the way for her success. We also dive into her winning speech, inspired by a life-threatening accident, and she offers valuable advice for aspiring speakers—including her unique use of props. As the first Hispanic and possibly the oldest champion to earn this prestigious title, Luisa's story is truly inspiring.Luisa has been a Toastmaster for 13 years and is a proud member of Hub City Toastmasters. Her dog rescue foundation is called Foxtrot and Finn Foundation,You can find Luisa on Facebook and LinkedIN as well as by email.  Watch her award winning speech on YouTube but also keep your eyes open for an upcoming profile in the November 2024 Toastmaster Magazine.

You can also read her President's message each month in the Toastmaster Magazine including, "Fun and Friendship in Toastmasters," in the September 2024 issue.Radhi Spear, DTM, is from Piscataway, New Jersey USA. She is a software engineer for AT&T and a veteran in the telecommunications industry for over 30 years. She has expertise in software development, systems administration, and acceptance testing. She troubleshoots problems and develops software for projects that impact millions of people.Spear holds a Master of Science degree in electrical engineering from the New Jersey Institute of Technology. Very active, she participates in employee resource groups at AT&T, including Women of AT&T and InspirASIAN, which foster development and leadership opportunities for its members. She was also an assistant Girl Scout troop leader for five years.Radhi is a Distinguished Toastmaster, a member since 2000 and only the 9th woman to lead our illustrious organization since its inception 100 years ago. She is a member of three clubs including being a charter member of her home club, AT&T Middletown Toastmasters in Middletown, N.J. Radhi was also recognized for her achievements receiving a Presidential Citation award from Toastmasters in 2009.

We'll also hear how sometimes it's okay to be kind and not nice, and learn the three principles of Benefits, Focus, and Empathy that Ben shares to help show kindness when it comes to feedback,.Ben’s article: "Kind vs. Nice Communication: Learn how to deliver an effective and considerate evaluation," can be found in the May 2024 edition of Toastmaster Magazine.Ben Guttmann is an experienced marketing executive and communications expert and author of Simply Put: Why Clear Messages Win — and How to Design Them. He is on a mission – to help leaders to more effectively connect by simplifying their message. Ben is the former co-founder and managing partner at Digital Natives Group, an award-winning agency that worked with the NFL, I Love NY, Comcast NBCUniversal, The Nature Conservancy, and other major clients. Currently, Ben teaches digital marketing at Baruch College in New York City and consults with a range of thought leaders, venture-backed startups, and other brands.Ben lives in New York City, NY, and can be reached at BenGuttmann.com, where you find his book, get a few free chapters and sign up for his newsletter