The Toastmasters Podcast

[33:35] For some of us, Imposter Syndrome is an obstacle that gets in the way of  being an effective leader. In this episode, Greg and Ryan speak with Dr. Valerie Young who helps demystify this topic to loosen the grip this phenomenon can have on us. Dr. Young is a featured expert in an article appearing in the August 2023 issue of the Toastmaster written by Maureen Zappala called “The Secret to Confidently Humble Leadership: Learn to balance a strong skill set with the ability to admit what you don’t know.” Dr. Valerie Young is an internationally-recognized expert on impostor syndrome and co-founder of Impostor Syndrome Institute. Dr. Young has delivered her Rethinking Impostor Syndrome™ program to hundreds of major corporations and universities around the world.Her award-winning book “The Secret Thoughts of Successful Women And Men: Why Capable People Suffer from Impostor Syndrome and How to Thrive in Spite of It”) is available in six languages. Dr. Young is from South Hadley, Massachusetts, USA and can be reached at ImpostorSyndrome.com.

The Toastmaster magazine featured International President Morag Mathieson in the Sept 2023 issue. Read President Mathieson's profile in the September 2023 issue of the Toastmaster:https://www.toastmasters.org/magazine/magazine-issues/2023/sept/meet-morag-mathieson 

[33:17] Spontaneous or impromptu speaking—or Table Topics, as we practice it in Toastmasters—is something that we have to do every day. Returning to the podcast for the 5th time, we welcome Matt Abrahams, an expert whose name has been synonymous with Spontaneous Speaking from a ripe young age. Matt has dedicated his career to assisting others with their communication. In this episode, we talk with Matt about Mindset and Message—two critical elements of spontaneous speaking.You'll hear why Matt suggests you "dare to be dull," plus receive tips on removing unnecessary filler words and understanding "what's needed." Matt also provides simple structures you can use to sharpen your message. Our conversation stems from Matt's article Think Faster and Talk Smarter to Hone Your Spontaneous Speaking, which appears in the September 2023 issue of the Toastmaster Magazine. You can find it there on September 1st.Matt is also presenting an educational on the topic at the 2023 Toastmasters International Convention, which you can catch in person or by registering for the virtual convention. If you've enjoyed this episode, you can find a continued conversation with Matt Abrahams in a special cross-over podcast at ToastCaster.com TC176: Think Faster, Talk Smarter—A Deeper Dive – Matt Abrahams where we take a further look at techniques in specific situations.Matt Abrahams is a leading expert in communication with decades of experience as an educator, author, podcast host, and coach. As a Lecturer at Stanford University’s Graduate School of Business, he teaches popular classes in strategic communication and effective virtual presenting. Matt’s online talks garner millions of views and he hosts the popular, award-winning podcast Think Fast, Talk Smart: The Podcast. He is the author of Speaking Up Without Freaking Out and the soon-to-be released Think Faster, Talk Smarter: How to Speak Successfully When You’re Put on the Spot. You can reach Matt and get his book at MattAbrahams.com. You can also find him on LinkedIn.See Andrew Huberman's video on Reducing Stress & Anxiety with a Physiological Sigh (mentioned on the show). Find additional resources from Matt Abrahams at FasterSmarter.io.   

[33:08] You've heard of a meditation practice, a yoga practice, or a writing practice. But a podcast practice? Today's guest, Tara McMullin—a podcast fanatic and audio aficionado—suggests just such an approach to podcasting. Tara demystifies how to do that and along the way shares her passion for the medium. This episode is a follow-up to Tara's article in the August 2023 issue of the Toastmaster magazine, "Put Your Podcast in Practice." Tara McMullin is a writer, podcaster, and producer. She's investigated the future of work for over 14 years. She probes how today’s independent workers navigate the uncertainty and precarity of the 21st-century economy. Tara is the author of What Works: A Comprehensive Framework to Change the Way We Approach Goal-Setting. She is also co-founder of YellowHouse.Media, a boutique podcast production company. Visit Tara's website: https://explorewhatworks.comListen to Tara's podcast: https://www.whatworkspodcast.com/Check out Tara's book: https://explorewhatworks.com/book/Tara's podcast production company: https://www.yellowhouse.media/  

Pamela & Tony tell us what it's like to be the co-chairs,  how they've shared the role, what they've learned, and how Toastmasters has played a role in their development. They also enlighten us with little-known facts as they share the wonders the Bahamas has to offer, even beyond the picturesque pink-sandy beaches.Listeners will also hear what attendees may expect at the Convention and its resort location - the Grand Hyatt Baha Mar Resort and Convention Center.You can read Pamela & Tony's interview - Talented Duo Co-Chair Convention in The Bahamas in the July 2023 issue of the Toastmaster magazine and also check out the 2023 International Convention Preview.There's still time to register for in-person attendance. And if you cannot be there physically, you can also attend virtually.  https://www.toastmasters.org/events/2023-international-convention/registration.  

Sara is a Distinguished Toastmaster, currently serving as the Program Quality Director for District 3 in Arizona. She wrote an article in the July 2023 issue of the Toastmaster magazine called "Are Your Behavioral Patterns Causing Burnout? Advice for managing your mental state."Read Sara's article: https://www.toastmasters.org/magazine/magazine-issues/2023/july/burnoutListen to Sara's podcast, Bold Goal Crusher: https://app.kajabi.com/podcasts/2147493967/feedhttps://app.kajabi.com/podcasts/2147493967/feedhttps://www.saramayer.com/podcasts/bold-goal-crusher-podcastVisit Sara's website: https://www.saramayer.com.If you would like to hear another podcast on burnout, please check out episode #248:#248: How One Person Beat Burnout Through Personal Daily Routines – Olya Amelina  

[27:39] Traveling internationally can open our eyes to a whole new world of experiences, especially for Toastmasters, given there are clubs located all over the world. Back for the third time, our guest today Maureen Zappala has connected with several members with Toastmasters-inspired experiences and stories and shares them with us today. She also offers tips for enhancing your travel abroad by visiting clubs and making new connections. Maureen Zappala is a Distinguished Toastmaster and a former NASA propulsion engineer. She’s also a professional speaker, author and presentation skills coach, as well as founder of High Altitude Strategies, a coaching and speaking service. You can read Maureen's article: Toastmasters on Vacation: The benefits of international travel are boundless in the June 2023 issue of the Toastmaster magazine.Maureen can be reached at MaureenZ.com.You can also listen to Toastmasters for the Holidays, a short ToastCaster podcast mentioned in this episode.

Diane Windingland, DTM is an author, speaker, and presentation coach from St. Paul, MN. She is a member of two clubs: PowerTalk Toastmasters and Readership Toastmasters, and the author of over 10 books related to communication. Diane wrote an article in the December 2022 issue of the Toastmaster magazine called 7 Tips to Brush Up Your Small Talk. Diane's article: https://www.toastmasters.org/magazine/magazine-issues/2022/nov/small-talkCreate a Conversational Resume: https://www.toastmasters.org/magazine/magazine-issues/2022/dec/conversation-resumeDiane's website: https://www.virtualspeechcoach.com/Diane's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dianewindingland/https://www.amazon.com/Impromptu-Speaking-Strategies-Without-Tripping/dp/B09XLQ9H8Z/Diane's Most Recent Book: Impromptu Speaking: 10 Strategies to Think on Your Feet Without Tripping Over Your Tongue https://www.amazon.com/Impromptu-Speaking-Strategies-Without-Tripping/dp/B09XLQ9H8ZDiane's Book on Small Talk: Small Talk Big Results: Chit Chat Your Way to Success!  https://www.amazon.com/Small-Talk-Big-Results-Success/dp/0983007802Webinar related to my Diane's small talk article (with a holiday gathering focus: https://www.toastmasters.org/Resources/Video-Library/holiday-webinar)   

Eddie’s article, It’s Your Turn to Toast: Get past your fear by learning to C.H.E.E.R.S. will appear in the June 2023 issue of the Toastmaster magazine. Eddie Rice  is a professional speechwriter with over a decade of experience in helping business leaders, keynote speakers, TED talk presenters, nonprofit organizations and everyday people, enhance the messages they tell through great storytelling and structure.Types of speeches include: Keynotes, TED and TEDx Talks, nonprofit advocacy speeches and of course Ceremonial speeches like the TOAST which he covers in his award-winning and best selling book - TOAST: Short Speeches, Big Impact.Eddie is a member Eastside Toastmasters #6500 in Shaker Heights, Ohio.You can also listen to a previous interview Eddie has with Greg on Toastcaster 160: The Toast: Short Speech with a Big Impact – Eddie Rice where Eddie shares a little more about his journey and how Toastmasters came into play. He also dives into what makes for a great toast; His 7-Step process on creating a Toast - for yourself or others.As an additional resource, here's a link to Eddie's post "Ask me anything" on Reddit he made reference to in the interview when he first launched his book. Eddie can be reached at https://www.ricespeechwriting.com/ 

Jolene Stockman is an award-winning writer, author, and TEDx speaker. She is a Master of Neuro-Linguistic Programming, and one of the youngest people in the world to achieve the Distinguished Toastmaster Award. Jolene lives in New Zealand and speaks globally through the International Indigenous Speakers Bureau.You can read Jolene's article, Learning to Love My Autistic Identity: Toastmasters turned out to be the perfect place to do that, in the May 2023 issue of the Toastmaster magazine.Visit Jolene's website: http://www.jolenestockman.com Watch Jolene's TEDx: https://youtu.be/vSLdzdwlb_ICheck out Jolene's latest book, Autistic World Domination: How to Script Your Life: http://www.amazon.com/Autistic-World-Domination-Jolene-Stockman/dp/1839974443