D50 After Dark

Highlights   (1:44) A Toastmasters speech evaluation leads to an unexpected book opportunity   (3:27) Discovers and joins a publisher's writing challenge   (5:17) Book published in February 2021, inspired by fellow Toastmaster MJ Presley   (8:38) Reveals the story behind her book's powerful title   (12:18) Uses Toastmasters speech structure for book organization   (13:48) Announces plans for a chi...

Speech Craft Secrets: Practice, Passion, and Performance Highlights (0:27) In this episode, Bonnie Dubin, Quality Contest Chair, focuses on speech craft (1:35) Her key advice: Speak about topics you know and avoid word-for-word memorization (5:09) Emphasis on practicing with a timer to manage timing cards effectively (8:12) Discussion of passion's role in speech delivery (11:25) Tips on body l...

In this first part of our two-part conversation with author Vijay Tambwekar, we get to know him a bit better. We discuss his professional background in IT, his leadership roles, and his experiences living in various countries, including India and the United States. We also explore his journey with Toastmasters, including his time as an Area Director and his completion of the Dynamic Leadership Pat...

HIGHLIGHTS   (0:00) Behind the Scenes: D50's Program Quality Teams and Spring Conference Preview   (1:32) Program Teams Overview   (5:08) Youth Leadership Conference   (7:04) New Member Orientation   (10:36) Contest Season Details   (14:27) Spring Conference Preview   SUMMARY   In this D50 After Dark interview, Program Quality Director Denise Castille continues an overview of D50 Toastmasters' edu...

Highlights (1:20) Leadership through collaboration and its definition in practice (2:10) The three pillars of collaboration: active listening, providing training opportunities, and fostering mutual respect (3:06) Discussion on active listening techniques and the critical importance of confirming understanding in communication (5:24) Practical example of collaboration through area director contest...

Highlights   (1:21) Describes her role as Quality Contest Chair, overseeing organization and quality of contest materials   (2:24) Currently works at Willis-Knighton Health teaching leadership and communication skills   (3:21) Reveals being new to Toastmasters—just over two months!   (4:05) Shares her 20-year experience with the National Speakers Association   (6:04) Illustrates Toastmasters' dive...

Highlights   (0:33) District 50 Quality Contest Chair Bonnie Dubbin discusses upcoming contest season.   (1:15) Excitement about returning to face-to-face contests after COVID.   (3:52) Explanation of her role as Quality Contest Chair.   (8:37) Discussion of this year's contest format.   (16:24) Announcement that contests are returning to fully in-person format.   (21:59) Bonnie’s perspective on w...

Merry Christmas & Happy Holidays, Toastmasters worldwide! ❤️🎄 “I lost my corporate job because I couldn’t communicate… Toastmasters saved my career.”“I was a terrible parent until Toastmasters taught me how to really listen to my son.”“I froze giving a wedding toast… that embarrassment brought me here.” In our warmest episode ever, all six District 50 Division Directors — Herb Culp, CLE Kimbl...

HIGHLIGHTS   (0:00, 18:53) Denise encourages members to treat D50 like a college campus, taking full advantage of all educational opportunities   (1:31) Role of Program Quality Director explained— like a VPE but for the entire district   (2:37) Toastmasters Thrive program (formerly Leadership Learning) detailed   (4:57) Discussion of district's goal to become distinguished for first time in severa...

Highlights (0:59) Rhonda Bunte is introduced as Club Growth Director, one of the top three leaders in District 50   (1:54) District 50's goal is to become distinguished by June 2025, requiring net growth of one club   (2:40) Currently facing challenge with nine suspended clubs, requiring significant effort to either reinstate them or charter new ones   (5:22) Discussion of club coaches who help st...

HIGHLIGHTS (1:50) Denise Castile joined Toastmasters in January 2019 and has quickly risen to Program Quality Director.   (3:40) Nine years ago, Denise survived a Widowmaker heart attack while on a business trip in Michigan.   4:49) This experience inspired her to start a business focused on teaching lifesaving skills.   (6:16) Her CPR training business now has contracts with major organizations i...

Empowering Leaders for Tomorrow: Victor Johnson’s Mission to Mentor Youth   Highlights 0:00   1:31 - Victor Johnson published a mindset-focused book in 2018 which led to his first paid speaking engagement at Dallas College   2:01 - At Dallas College, Victor mentors men of color in leadership, financial literacy, and communication skills   5:01 - He observes that many young people struggle with com...

Maps, Members, and Moving Clubs: Ezekiel Reveals D50's Realignment Puzzle Highlights (1:08) Ezekiel explains how he became involved with district realignment   (2:53) Details the target district structure: 4-6 clubs per area, 5 areas per division, 6 divisions per district   (4:07) Explains balancing factors: club numbers, member counts, and distinguished club status   (5:13) Discusses geographical...

Following the Laughter: How Rhonda Bunte Discovered Toastmasters Highlights (2:06) Rhonda Bunte’s career as an audit specialist (4:35) – Inspired by hearing laughter and applause from a conference room (7:27) – The open corporate club at FDIC welcomes both employees and outside members (9:18) - Shares success stories of helping fellow members (14:36) - Describes pivotal leadership experience organ...

Show Notes for D50 After Dark - Episode Featuring Victor Johnson 00:00 - Intro 00:42 - A Man With Charisma, Victor Johnson 01:37 - Charisma Translates into Confidence 03:13 - Developing Confidence Leads to Charisma 04:28 - Confidence Conveys Credibility 05:42 - How Does Victor Recommend Building Confidence? 07:44 - Fear Can Help with Charisma? 09:45 - What Else Can We Do to Demonstrate Charisma? 1...

Where Does Our Recycling Really Go? An Industry Insider's View Highlights (3:40) China recycled 70% of world's recyclables using empty return shipping containers (8:01) Environmental damage at Chinese ports led to "superfund sites" (10:36) 2018-2022: Most US recycling went to landfills after China's ban (11:46) US excels at metal recycling, but is poor at plastic (15:15) Landfills create long-term...

The Art of Connection: Mastering Storytelling with Victor Johnson (1:21 Discussion on why storytelling is important (3:50) How to choose stories for different audiences (6:56) Types of stories Victor uses (7:07) Victor tells powerful personal story about family road trip and self-reflection (10:21) Tips on finding and crafting impactful stories (12:11) How to structure stories within a speech (14:...

From Public Speaking to Eco-Entrepreneurship: How Communication Skills Launched a Recycling Empire Highlights 2:52 - Ezekiel Setne’s struggle to pay for college and aversion to debt 4:41 - Ezekiel's early experience with recycling and scrap metal 7:49 - Development of Ezekiel's business pitch to mining companies 11:12 - Transition from using recycling to pay for education to making it a career 14:...

Area Directors: Club Champions Empowering Toastmasters Clubs   Highlights: 0:00 - Importance of engaging new members 1:41 - Kim reflects on her time as area director 3:31 - Area directors as “trusted advisors” 5:58 - Connecting clubs to district resources 10:35 - Need for continuous engagement   14:19 - Recommended frequency of club visits 15:50 - Mickey's experience as area director 18:03 - Peer...

Victor Johnson Breaks the Ice: From Financial Struggles to Empowering Speaker   Highlights: (0:00) Victor's story of overcoming financial struggles (0:16) Introduction to D50 After Dark podcast (0:44) Victor's roles at Prosperity Bank and as speaker (1:11) Joining Toastmasters to improve skills (2:32) Toastmasters' value for professional speakers (3:26) Victor's work on increasing...

Breaking The Ice w/ Ezekiel Setne: Unlikely Public Speaking Journey from 4-H to Eco-Entrepreneur Highlights 1:15 - Ezekiel's background in rural Western Virginia 1:42 - Early public speaking and leading experiences in 4-H 5:13 - Ezekiel's late introduction to Toastmasters 7:07 - Ezekiel's college experience at Ivy Tech Community College 8:07 - Joining the new biotechnology program at I...

Highlights:   1:13 - Is Toastmasters fun? 2:23 - What Toastmasters is really like 4:29 - Post Toasties and themed meetings 7:22 – Table topics and creative formats 10:02 - Toastmasters as a bright spot in the week 13:35 - Club open houses and social events 14:41 - World Championship of Public Speaking watch parties 16:34 - Outdoor Toastmasters meeting idea 19:26 - Call to action for listeners   In...

Chapter 1: Introduction to the Episode  Timestamp: 00:00:00 - 00:01:28  Summary: Introduction of the episode featuring District Director Kimberly Ross discussing her vision for the success of District 50.    Chapter 2: Understanding the Distinguished Club Program (DCP)  Timestamp: 00:01:29 - 00:04:48  Summary: Explanation of what the Distinguished Club Program entails, its importance, and how it m...

Show Notes for D50 After Dark - Episode 5: "Toastmasters in College" Episode Description: Join host Mickey Bennett in this enlightening bonus episode of D50 After Dark, where we dive into the world of Toastmasters within the college setting. Our special guest, Walter "The Encourager" Price, a seasoned college professor, shares insights on how integrating Toastmasters into the c...

0:00 - Intro Highlights: 00:29 - Introduction and context for the episode 04:36 - Role-play demonstration of voting in a new member 10:04 - Discussion of the role-play and parliamentary procedure 17:08 - Other uses of Robert's Rules in Toastmasters clubs 20:44 - Importance of learning Robert's Rules in Toastmasters   Summary: This episode features Walter "The Encourager" Price di...