The Toastmasters Podcast

We’ll better understand why some people do not correct others when they hear their name said incorrectly, and hear of an emerging trend among those moving from non-English speaking countries related to maintaining their actual names rather than adopting an Anglo-Saxon name.We also hear how Fiona came across Toastmasters and how it has helped her on her journey. Price founded Globalise Consulting after completing her PhD in cross-cultural psychology. Since then, she's developed and presented training programs and lectures on cultural diversity issues in Australia, India, New Zealand, and the USA. Her publications in the field include the 2007  ‘Success with Asian Names’, and the 2015 ‘The HarperCollins International Student Survival Guide,’ for which she was the Australian co-author.Fiona is from Melbourne, Victoria, Australia, and is a member of Williamstown Toastmasters Club in Williamstown, Victoria, Australia. She can be reached at Globalise.net.au, which offers additional resources.You can also read Fiona's article: What's in a Name? Knowing how to pronounce names correctly makes a world of difference, in the November 2022 issue of the Toastmaster.

[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. Cyril rose above 30,000 participants to be crowned World Champion on Saturday, August 20th in Nashville, Tennessee, USA.Cyril was born in the United Kingdom, grew up in Zimbabwe, and today lives and works in Poland as a software engineer. This past February, he graduated from Wroclaw University of Science and Technology with a degree in Computer Science. In this episode, we get to meet and hear from Cyril. He shares about the journey that led him from Zimbabwe to Poland, to Toastmasters, and then to the world stage. We also hear about his winning speech, "Ndini" (translated: This is Me) and hear some of the unique, non-traditional ways he practiced, rehearsed, obtained feedback, and more.You can watch Cyril's winning speech on YouTube and read the profile on the 2022 WCPS in the November 2022 issue of the Toastmaster magazine.Cyril Junior Dim can be reached on his LinkedIn profile, by e-mail at "CyrilTheSpeaker AT Gmail.com" and at his future website, CyrilJuniorDim.com.

[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.  Ted Corcoran was featured in the September 2022 issue of the Toastmaster, in an article titled "The Irish Oracle: Ted Corcoran’s wisdom and generosity uplift members around the world."Ted's Books >The Leadership Bus: How to be a Truly Effective and Successful LeaderHiring a Car and Walking After It: A little book of life lessonsContact Ted via email: corcoran.ted @ gmail dot com

In today's episode, Greg & Ryan discuss Collette's inspiration, her experience as a Toastmaster (and speech contest competitor), and the similarities and differences between Toastmasters and Speechmakers. Collette also shares what she learned from attending the 2019 Toastmasters International Convention in Denver, CO, and how that experience informed the novel.In addition to writing fiction, Katherine Collette is a podcaster and engineer. She lives in Melbourne, Australia with her husband and two children. Her debut novel, The Helpline, was published in the US, UK, Germany, and Italy. She co-hosts a podcast about books called The First Time.Toastmaster magazine featured Katherine Collette and The Competition in August 2022.Follow Katherine Collette on Instagram.Order The Competition: https://www.booktopia.com.au/the-competition-katherine-collette/book/9781922268068.htmlListen to Katherine's podcast, The First Time: https://thefirsttimepodcast.com/   

Joel Schwartzberg  is based in Chatam, New Jersey and is the senior director of strategic and executive communications for a U.S. national nonprofit, a presentation coach, and author of The Language of Leadership: How to Engage and Inspire Your Team and Get to the Point! Sharpen Your Message and Make Your Words Matter. He is also a frequent contributor to the Toastmaster magazine. A recent contribution appears in the July 2022 issue called “7 Ways Leaders Can Listen More Effectively.” Joel is based in New Jersey and can be reached at JoelSchwartzberg.net.

[33:25] Meet Matt Kinsey, the 2022-23 Toastmasters International President. On today's episode—recorded just prior to the International Convention—Greg 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. Our conversation expands upon the September 2022 interview with President Kinsey in the Toastmaster magazine.

Shirley Davis, PhD, is an award-winning global workforce expert with over 30 years of HR and business experience. She has worked in a variety of senior executive roles at major companies, and has spoken in more than 30 countries on 5 continents.Dr. Davis is President and CEO of SDS Global Enterprises, a full-service firm providing strategies and solutions for fostering high-performing and inclusive workplace cultures. She was inducted into the Diversity and Inclusion Hall of Fame in 2021, and is a best-selling author of 5 books, including her newest release—Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion for Dummies.Dr. Davis has additionally been featured in major news and print media and was nominated for Forbes’ 2021 “50 Over 50” list. She also serves on the National Board of the Make-A-Wish Foundation.Please read the profile on Dr. Davis in the on-line Toastmaster Magazine.The 2022 Toastmasters International Convention in Nashville, Tennessee runs August 17-20. You can register to be there live or attend virtually at Toastmasters.org. 

[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. The 2022 Toastmasters International Convention will take place at the Gaylord Opryland Resort & Convention Center from Wednesday, August 17 through Saturday, August 20, 2022.Host Distirct Chair Don Bittick has been a member of Toastmasters for 20 years and has served as a Region Advisor (2013-2014) and as an International Director (2017-2019).  Don recently retired as an IT professional of 37+ years and has just accepted a teaching position at a local high school.Visit the 2022 Convention website: https://www.toastmasters.org/events/2022-international-conventionView the Convention FAQs: https://www.toastmasters.org/footer/faq/2022%20International%20ConventionContact Don Bittick: dbittick [at] toastmasters dot org  

[28:52] Have you ever experienced or simply feared an onstage mishap? This might include: falling down, falling on, falling off, or falling while climbing onto a stage. If so, then you'll want to tune in and listen to our special guest Dr. Caren Neile, Ph.D.Back for a return appearance on The Toastmasters Podcast, Caren shares a number of her personal experiences in a fun and entertaining episode to help us learn how to rise above that most unwelcome surprise - which has also happened to the likes of Justin Bieber, Jennifer Lawrence, Pink and even former U.S. President Barack Obama. Dr. Neile is a performance storyteller, radio personality, and author. She co-produces and co-hosts The Public Storyteller segment on South Florida public radio WLRN, as well as numerous local storytelling events.Caren is also is a frequent contributor to the Toastmaster magazine, with over 20 years under her belt writing for the magazine. Her most recent contribution is in the August 2022 issue called Ooops! On stage mishaps can be mortifying. But you can rise above an unwelcome surprise.You can reach Dr. Caren Neile at CarenNeile.com. 

Robert faced his fear of public speaking head-on. He joined Toastmasters and grew his career in law enforcement. His professional success brought new challenges, including speaking to grieving families who lost loved ones to gang violence.Today's episode is a follow-up to Robert's June 2022 article in the Toastmaster magazine, The Most Important Speech: Overcoming my fear of public speaking helped me tell my father's story.Watch one of Robert's speeches at a vigil for victims of gang violence [begins at 27:49]:https://www.facebook.com/DelanoNow/videos/829534574309667Have a question or comment for Robert? Email him: dcnevarez [at] hotmail dot com.Robert lives in Las Vegas, Nevada. You can connect with Robert on LinkedIn.